bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lucifer princeps tenebrarum … The Epistola Luciferi and Other Correspondence of the Cistercian Pierre Ceffons (fl. 1348-1353)
Authors: Schabel Chris 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The famous Epistola Luciferi, written in late 1351 or early 1352, caused quite a stir in the Avignon of Pope Clement vi, quickly became a medieval best-seller, and thereafter remained topical, being copied and printed down to the present day. Traditionally ascribed to Nicole Oresme or Henry of Langenstein, the letter was attributed to the Cistercian Pierre Ceffons by Damasus Trapp in 1957. Trapp merely took Ceffons’ authorship for granted, however, and in the most thorough study of the Epistola Luciferi and of the entire genre of Devil’s letters, her 1982 PhD dissertation, Helen C. Feng rejected the attribution. Presenting codices and works of Ceffons of which Trapp was unaware, this article argues in favor of Ceffons’ responsibility for the Epistola Luciferi, while offering a new critical edition of the letter, an English translation, and a supplemental list of manuscripts and editions.
An Investigation of Clerical Script in Chu Regions during the Qin and Han Periods, and its Relationship to “Scribal Writing” (秦漢楚地隷書及關於“史書”的考察)
Authors: Katsuya (大西克也) Ōnishi 
Published: April 2018

The term ‘shishu 史書’ refers to “scribal writing,” which implemented an orthography and character selection in accordance with the standard clerical script found on Qin and Han official documents. At the beginning of the Han period, divergent strands of clerical script were still pervasive in the region that once belonged to Chu. “Scribal writing” was therefore employed throughout the empire in order to fully standardize writing. By the mid-Western Han, this “scribal writing” thereby came to be synonymous with Han clerical script. The role of the Cang Jie pian 蒼頡篇 in Han scribal education is also explored.
“史書”是指字形、用字都合乎秦漢官方規範的隸書。漢初楚地充滿了不規範的隸書，國家要用史書來完成漢字的規範化，到了西漢中期以後“史書”成爲漢隸的同義詞。文章還分析了《蒼頡篇》在漢人學字中的地位。
Estimating Smoothly Varying Open Boundary Conditions for a 3D Internal Tidal Model with an Improved Independent Point Scheme
Authors: Jiang Dong , Chen Haibo , Jin Guangzhen , Lv Xianqing 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAn improved independent point (IP) scheme was proposed to estimate the open boundary conditions (OBCs) for a 3D internal tidal model through assimilating the TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) altimeter data. Under the assumption that the OBCs were spatially and smoothly varying, values at a set of independent points along the open boundary were inverted using the adjoint method and values at other points were interpolated by the spline method. The scheme was calibrated through idealized experiments where the M2 tidal constituent in the northern South China Sea was simulated. The OBCs can be successfully inverted with the improved scheme and were better in spatial smoothness than the results obtained with the Cressman interpolation when embedded in the IP scheme. Simulations in realistic domains showed that the errors between simulations and observations were smaller when the spline interpolation was employed instead of the Cressman interpolation. Three boundary conditions of spline interpolation were used in simulations in realistic domains, and the result of the periodic boundary condition had the smallest error compared with the first and second boundary conditions.
Why is Informal Employment Too Difficult to Control? Further Evidence from Cultural Perspective
Authors: Sirisankanan Aeggarchat 
Published: April 2018

Much of the literature on informal employment examines the impact of tangible benefits such as earnings. Little attention has focused on the impact of non-pecuniary benefits on informality. The article has initially applied some of Schwartz’s cultural indices, which include autonomy and embeddedness as a proxy for the desire to be independent, and hypothesizes that such cultural perspective have a substantial influence on informal employment. Using many empirical approaches, the results show that embeddedness has a large, negative, significant effect on informal employment, while an increase in the level of intellectual autonomy results in a great expansion in informal employment. JEL: A14, J46, O17
Thyroid Status and Nephron Loss - A study in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure, End Stage Renal Disease and/or on Hemodialysis
Authors: Giordano C. , De Santo N.G. , Carella C. , Capodicasa G. , Amato G. , Nuzzi F. , Mioli V. , Bazzato G. , De Simone V. , Tarchini A. , Landini A. , Coli U. , Bordoni V. , Mottola G. , Capuano F. 
Published: April 2018

Thyroid function was measured in 30 healthy subjects and 84 patients with various degrees of nephron loss (GRF: 70 ± 15 m/min, 30 ± 16 ml/min, 10 ± 7 ml/min and 2.1 ± 1.3 ml/min). A low T3 and T4 syndrome is evident when GRF is reduced to 30 ± 16 ml/min while a blunted TSH response is detected earlier in the course of nephron loss. T3 response to TRH was normal and FT4 was not affected by renal dysfunction. The data indicate that in nephron loss hypothalamic-pituitary abnormalities occur.
Endotoxin and Bacterial Contamination of Dialysis Center Water and Dialysate; a Cross Sectional Survey
Authors: Harding G.B. , Klein E. , Pass T. , Wright R. , Million C. 
Published: April 2018

The bacterial and endotoxin levels of purified water and effluent dialysate were examined in a cross section of dialysis centers in the central United States. All samples were collected within a four-hour drive of the University of Louisville and were collected, processed and analyzed by our personnel, to eliminate variability in sample handling. A medium capable of higher bacteria recovery from aqueous environments than those ordinarily employed in clinical assays was used. Endotoxins were determined by a quantitative colorimetric assay. By the more sensitive bacterial assay 53% of the centers had bacterial counts above the AAMI standard of 200 colony-forming units per ml (CFU/ml) for water and 35% of the centers had bacterial counts above the 2000 CFU/ml standard for dialysate in at least one sampling period. The samples showed 35% and 19% of water and dialysate above the standards, respectively. While there are no standards for endotoxin concentrations in water used to prepare dialysate, 2% of the centers had endotoxin levels in their water above five endotoxin units per ml (5 EU/ml = 1 ng/ml in our assay kit), the limit set by the AAMI standards for reprocessor water. Both bacterial and endotoxin levels tended to be elevated in dialysate, with the highest levels of endotoxin in dialysates posing an obvious potential risk when high-flux dialyzers are used.
Experience with Vascular Grafts in total Artificial Heart Replacement
Authors: Weidemann H. , Müller K.M. , Hennig E. , Meissler M. , Bücherl E.S. 
Published: April 2018

In total artificial heart replacement the pumps are attached to the vascular system with the help of connectors. These consist of a woven Dacron vessel graft to which a short silastic segment is vulcanized. In 36 calves surviving total artificial heart replacement between one and seven months (average 85 days) the morphological alterations due to interfacial reactions were studied: thrombus formation and neointimal fibrous hyperplasia at the anastomoses. In 15 calves (41.7%) thrombus growth within the outflow tract led to anastomotic stenosis: pulmonary artery 14 (93.3%), aorta-anastomosis 1 (2.8%), both vessels 1 (2.8%), in combination with pannus growth in atrial location 13 (86.7%). In 73.3% the pannus consisted of infected organized thrombus imitating the course of septic vegetative endocarditis. Two calves were reoperated in order to remove the vegetative thrombi, one successfully. In five animals pulmonary stenosis was the main cause of death. The presence and location of excessive tissue growth and thrombus formation within the outflow tract are also inherent to the fluid mechanical design of the valve. Neointimal fibrous hyperplasia at the anastomoses of the grafts seems to be a reparative process started up by platelet-induced subendothelial cell proliferation in response to intimal injuries.
Combined mepacrine–hydroxychloroquine treatment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and refractory cutaneous and articular activity
Authors: Ugarte A , Porta S , Ríos R , Martinez-Zapico A , Ortego-Centeno N , Agesta N , Ruiz-Irastorza G 
Published: April 2018

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical response to combined therapy with hydroxychloroquine and mepacrine in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and refractory joint and/or skin disease. Methods Mepacrine was added to 46 systemic lupus erythematosus patients unresponsive to treatment with the following drug combinations: hydroxychloroquine + prednisone + immunosuppressive drugs ( n = 24), hydroxychloroquine + prednisone ( n = 16), hydroxychloroquine + prednisone + retinoids ( n = 2), hydroxychloroquine alone ( n = 1), hydroxychloroquine + one immunosuppressive drug ( n = 1), hydroxychloroquine + prednisone + one immunosuppressive drug + belimumab ( n = 1) or hydroxychloroquine + prednisone + belimumab ( n = 1). The outcome variable was the clinical response, either complete or partial, based on clinical judgement. The Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score were additionally used. Results A total of 91% patients showed complete/partial response, with similar rates among those with joint or skin disease. In patients with cutaneous activity, a statistically significant decrease in the CLASI was seen. There also was a statistically significant decrease in the SLEDAI. The mean daily dose of prednisone decreased from 5.8 to 3.4 mg/d ( p = 0.001). Prednisone could be discontinued in 20% of patients. No serious adverse events were seen. Smoking was the only predictor of complete response. Conclusion In the setting of refractory skin and/or joint disease, the addition of mepacrine to previous therapy including hydroxychloroquine was safe and effective in reducing disease activity and decreasing prednisone doses. The fact that smokers responded better opens the door to further studying the combination of mepacrine–hydroxychloroquine as a first-line therapy in such patients.
Arterial Stiffness Is Associated With QTc Interval Prolongation in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Al-Zaiti Salah , Saba Samir , Pike Rodolfo , Williams Jennifer , Khraim Fadi 
Published: April 2018

Background: A prolonged corrected QT (QTc) interval is a known risk factor for adverse cardiac events. Understanding the determinants and physiologic correlates of QTc is necessary for selecting proper strategies to reduce the risk of adverse events in high-risk patients. We sought to evaluate the role of arterial stiffness in heart failure as a determinant of QTc prolongation. Method: This was an observational study that recruited ambulatory heart failure patients (New York Heart Association Classes I–II) from an outpatient heart failure clinic. In the supine resting position, consented patients underwent noninvasive 12-lead electrocardiograph (ECG) and hemodynamic monitoring using BioZ Dx impedance cardiography. ECGs were evaluated by a reviewer blinded to clinical data, and QTc interval was automatically computed. Patients with pacing or bundle branch block (BBB) were analyzed separately. Strengths of associations were evaluated using Pearson’s r coefficients and multivariate linear regression. Results: The final sample ( N = 44) was 62 ± 13 years of age and 64% male with ejection fraction of 34% ± 12%. At univariate level, QTc interval moderately ( r > .50) correlated with cardiac output, left cardiac work index, systemic vascular resistance, and total arterial compliance in patients with intrinsically narrow QRS complexes. At the multivariate level, increasing systemic vascular resistance and decreasing total arterial compliance remained independent predictors of widening QTc interval in this group ( R2 = .54). No significant correlations were seen in patients with pacing or BBB. Conclusions: In the absence of conduction abnormalities, magnitude of arterial stiffness, an indirect measure of endothelial dysfunction, is associated with QTc interval prolongation.
Gambling participation, gambling habits, gambling-related harm, and opinions on gambling advertising in Finland in 2016
Authors: Salonen Anne H. , Hellman Matilda , Latvala Tiina , Castrén Sari 
Published: April 2018

Background: This report is an overview of results from the 2016 Finnish Gambling Harms Survey covering the population and clinical perspectives. It summarises the main findings on gambling participation, gambling habits, gambling-related harm, and opinions on gambling advertising. Methods: The population sample ( n = 7186) was collected from three regions and the clinical sample ( n = 119) in a gambling help clinic. Results: Frequency of gambling in the population sample was characteristically once a week, while in the clinical sample it was daily. Men gambled more often than women only in the population sample. The most common gambling environments were kiosks, grocery stores or supermarkets, and home. The most typical gambling-related harms were financial or emotional/psychological harms; the amount of experienced harm was considerable among the clinical sample. The clinical sample also perceived gambling advertising as obtrusive and as a driving force for gambling. Conclusions: The results of the clinical sample imply that when gambling gets out of hand, the distinctions between gamblers’ habits diminish and become more streamlined, focusing on gambling per se – doing it often, and in greater varieties (different game types). There is a heightened need to monitor gambling and gambling-related harm at the population level, especially amongst heavy consumers, in order to understand what type of external factors pertaining to policy and governance may contribute to the shift from recreational to problem gambling.
Living with poverty: A simulation
Authors: Smith-Carrier Tracy , Leacy Kim , Bouck Michelle S , Justrabo Jessica , Decker Pierce Barbara 
Published: April 2018

Summary This research explores whether participating in a poverty simulation resulted in changes to participants’ beliefs about the causes and effects of poverty, as well as shifts in their attitudes and actions towards people experiencing poverty. In this multiple case study, we analysed quantitative and qualitative data from participant feedback surveys and pre-, post- and follow-up questionnaires from two samples: undergraduate students and community participants. We conclude that the poverty simulation is only a step, albeit a potentially important one, to enhance participants’ understanding about the causes of poverty, and to alter their attitudes and beliefs about people living in poverty. Findings We found statistically significant results (p < .05) on cumulative scores of the modified Attitudes Toward Poverty Scale, indicating an improvement in participants’ attitudes towards poverty (both samples). Although generally positive about their experiences, participating in the simulation did not appear to have prompted participants to take action to reduce poverty. Applications Poverty simulation planners should be wary of adopting scenarios that emphasize, or fail to adequately contextualize, behaviours or responses that might perpetuate individual explanations of poverty. Moreover, organizers must carefully consider how to ensure participants in their audience currently experiencing low income do not become emotionally distressed, triggered or further marginalized in the process. While overall participants were positive about their experiences in the simulation, the events did not appear to have prompted them to action. Moving beyond the goal of increasing participants’ understandings of poverty, interventions that foster greater engagement in poverty issues over the long term are necessary.
Safety and feasibility audit of a home-based drug-transitioning approach for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: an observational study
Authors: Dawson A , Reddecliffe S , Coghlan C , Schreiber BE , Coghlan JG 
Published: April 2018

Background: Newer endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) used to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are associated with fewer drug–drug interactions than bosentan and require less monitoring. This, combined with a pharmacokinetic basis for improved efficacy, means there may be a clinical rationale for changing therapies. However, this can be challenging and few data on its safety in patients with PAH are available. Aims: At the Royal Free Hospital in London, UK, home-based medication transitioning has been standard practice since 2009 to avoid unnecessary hospital visits for patients, unless there is a clinical imperative. In this audit of standard practice we evaluated the consequences of adopting such a strategy when transitioning PAH patients between ERA therapies. Methods and results: Using a Clinical Nurse Specialist-led, home-based transitioning strategy, 92 patients with PAH were transitioned from bosentan to macitentan or ambrisentan. Observational data were analysed retrospectively. The majority of patients were female with PAH associated with connective tissue disease and their ERA was changed in the hope of improving efficacy. The process was well tolerated with no adverse events associated with the process. Seventeen patients died during the study (macitentan, n = 5; ambrisentan, n = 12). None of the deaths was considered related to ERA treatment. The majority of patients remained clinically stable, based on WHO functional class and exercise capacity. Conclusion: An established home-based transitioning strategy can be adopted safely for patients with PAH changing ERA therapies. Most patients remained stable and the therapy change was well tolerated.
The prevalence and predictors of elevated C-reactive protein after a coronary heart disease event
Authors: Munkhaugen John , Otterstad Jan Erik , Dammen Toril , Gjertsen Erik , Moum Torbjørn , Husebye Einar , Gullestad Lars 
Published: April 2018

Objective An interleukin-beta antagonist reduces the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events in coronary patients with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) ≥2 mg/L. It remains to be defined how large the coronary population at inflammatory risk is, and what the predictors of elevated risk are. Methods A cross-sectional study investigated the proportion of patients with elevated hs-CRP (i.e. ≥2 mg/L) and the respective demographic and clinical predictors in 971 patients without concomitant inflammatory diseases who had been hospitalized with myocardial infarction (80%) and/or a revascularization procedure. Data were collected from hospital records, a self-report questionnaire and a clinical examination with blood samples. Results After 2–36 month follow-up, 39% ( n = 378) had hs-CRP ≥ 2 mg/L, among whom 64% ( n = 243) had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥1.8 mmol/L and 47% ( n = 176) used a low-intensity statin regime. Only 24% had both LDL and hs-CRP at target range, 27% had elevation of both, whereas 12% had hs-CRP ≥ 2 mg/L and LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L. Somatic comorbidity (odds ratio (OR) 1.3/1.0 point on the Charlson score), ≥1 previous coronary event (OR 2.4), smoking (OR 2.2), higher body mass index (OR 1.2/1.0 kg/m2), high LDL-C (OR 1.4/1.0 mmol/L) and higher anxiety scores (OR 1.1/1.0 point increase on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale score) were significantly associated with hs-CRP ≥2 mg/L in adjusted analyses. Conclusions Elevated hs-CRP was frequently observed after a coronary event and associated with unfavourable LDL-C and unhealthy lifestyles and psychosocial distress. Intensified statin therapy and strategies to target these modifiable factors are the encouraged first steps to reduce inflammation and improve LDL-C in these patients.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone and adverse left ventricular remodeling following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Reindl Martin , Feistritzer Hans-Josef , Reinstadler Sebastian Johannes , Mueller Lukas , Tiller Christina , Brenner Christoph , Mayr Agnes , Henninger Benjamin , Mair Johannes , Klug Gert , Metzler Bernhard 
Published: April 2018

Background: Adverse left ventricular remodeling is one of the major determinants of heart failure and mortality in patients surviving ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis is a key cardiovascular regulator; however, the relationship between hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid status and post-STEMI left ventricular remodeling is unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations and the development of left ventricular remodeling following reperfused STEMI. Methods: In this prospective observational study of 102 consecutive STEMI patients, thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were measured at the first day after infarction and 4 months thereafter. Cardiac magnetic resonance scans were performed within the first week as well as at 4 months follow-up to determine infarct characteristics, myocardial function and as primary endpoint left ventricular remodeling, defined as a 20% or greater increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume. Results: Patients with left ventricular remodeling ( n=15, 15%) showed significantly lower concentrations of baseline (1.20 [0.92–1.91] vs. 1.73 [1.30–2.60] mU/l; P=0.02) and follow-up (1.11 [0.86–1.28] vs. 1.51 [1.15–2.02] mU/l; P=0.002) thyroid-stimulating hormone. The association between baseline thyroid-stimulating hormone and left ventricular remodeling remained significant after adjustment for major clinical (peak high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and C-reactive protein, heart rate; odds ratio (OR) 5.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.52–18.63; P=0.01) and cardiac magnetic resonance predictors of left ventricular remodeling (infarct size, microvascular obstruction, ejection fraction; OR 4.59, 95% CI 1.36–15.55; P=0.01). Furthermore, chronic thyroid-stimulating hormone was related to left ventricular remodeling independently of chronic left ventricular remodeling correlates (infarct size, ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, left ventricular end-systolic volume; OR 9.22, 95% CI 1.69–50.22; P=0.01). Conclusions: Baseline and chronic thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations following STEMI were independently associated with left ventricular remodeling, proposing a novel pathophysiological axis in the development of post-STEMI left ventricular remodeling.