bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of surface lining type on the probability of dike breaching due to overtopping
Authors: Alhasan Zakaraya , Duchan David , Říha Jaromír 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe reliability analysis of a flood protection dike depends on the probability of its failure. In this context, the surface lining covering the landside slope of the dike plays a considerable role, as it protects the dike against failure due to overtopping. A mathematical model describing the overtopping and erosion processes is proposed. The overtopping is simulated using simple surface hydraulics equations while the erosion initiation is linked to the lining resistance. For the modelling of erosion, a simple transport equation was used with erosion parameters. In order to obtain a probabilistic solution, the uncertainty in the involved parameters was taken into account and the Latin Hypercube Sampling method was used. Eight different types of lining material were tested for a chosen dike. Typical phases of the dike breaching due to overtopping were distinguished. The final results take the form of probabilities for those typical phases for each lining material.
A coupled probabilistic hydrologic and hydraulic modelling framework to investigate the uncertainty of flood loss estimates
Authors: Ahmadisharaf Ebrahim , Kalyanapu Alfred J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractReliable estimation of flood loss is crucial for flood management. Since this estimation relies on models that are prone to uncertainty, it is vital to clearly understand how the uncertainties affect the appraised flood loss. This paper presents a coupled probabilistic hydrologic and hydraulic modelling framework to estimate the uncertainty of anticipated loss. A hydrologic model performs rainfall‐runoff transformation and a two‐dimensional unsteady hydraulic model simulates flood inundation. The outputs of the latter are fed into a loss estimation tool. Two sources of uncertainty—rainfall depth and antecedent moisture condition—are used to illustrate the framework on the Swannanoa River watershed in North Carolina, United States. The impact of the uncertainty of these two sources is tracked over the hydrologic model, hydraulic model and loss estimation tool. Our case study results illustrate that the estimations on the percent affected people can be four times more uncertain than the rainfall depth and two times more than the flood extent, but its uncertainty is comparable to hydrograph attributes. The appraised structural damages are nearly two times more uncertain than the affected people. These findings, however, may only be valid for a case study with hilly topography and should be cautiously extrapolated to other areas.
Spatial and temporal dynamics of blue agave (Agavetequilana Weber var. azul) wilt in Jalisco Mexico
Authors: Rubio‐Ríos José Ramón , Guzmán‐Plazola Remigio Anastacio , Ayala‐Escobar Victoria , Rubio‐Cortés Ramón 
Published: March 2019

AbstractTequila is a Mexican alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation and distillation of the blue agave (Agave tequilana Weber var. azul) stem. This crop is affected by a wilt associated mainly with Fusarium oxysporum. This disease can produce considerable yield losses. Little is known about the spatial and temporal behaviour of blue agave wilt. In this work, the spatial and temporal dynamics of the disease in commercial blue agave plantations in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, were analysed. Four fields of approximately 1 ha were selected in the municipalities of Arandas and Magdalena, in which disease assessments were carried out over a year of evaluation. Each plant was categorized based on a scale with four severity classes (healthy plant, severity class 1, severity class 2 and severity class 3). Maps of disease distribution were made. The spatial pattern was analysed by means of four indicators of spatial variation for binomial data; the spatial and temporal variation was analysed by means of transition matrices. An aggregate spatial pattern was observed in all fields. The transitions in severity classes were not completely unidirectional; some plants showed symptom remission between the date of first and second disease assessment, while others remained at their original severity. Severity class 1 occurred most frequently in Arandas fields (from 12.9% to 40.3%). There was a notable increase in wilt severity to class 2 in the Magdalena fields (from 4% to 50.6%). The rates of disease development towards severity class 3 are low and do not suppose a significant loss for the crop; nevertheless, the rates of disease development towards the wilt severity class 2 do put in risk the health of the crop and the availability of the raw material for the making of tequila.
Pediatric drug regulation: International perspectives
Authors: Baum Victor C. , Bax Ralph , Heon Dominique , Yang Zhimin , Sakiyama Michiyo 
Published: March 2019

SummaryThere was a time when the predominant approach to exposing children to new drugs was to protect children from research. This has evolved over the past several decades into protecting children through research. To encourage pediatric studies and approval of pediatric medicines, governments have provided financial incentives as well as obligations/requirements for pharmaceutical companies to carry out pediatric studies in certain circumstances. The unique considerations for children have been acknowledged by the various governments and drug regulatory agencies through international dialogue and cooperation among patient and patient care representatives, regulatory agencies, and academic, clinical and manufacturing stakeholders. We describe pediatric drug regulation in five of the largest international drug regulatory agencies and additionally discuss efforts at international cooperation and discussion in pediatric drug regulation.
Calcium acetate‐induced reduction of cadmium accumulation in Oryza sativa: Expression of auto‐inhibited calcium‐ATPase and cadmium transporters
Authors: Treesubsuntorn C. , Thiravetyan P. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Calcium (Ca) signalling has an essential role in regulating plant responses to various abiotic stresses.

This study applied Ca in various forms (Ca acetate and CaCl2) and concentrations to reduce cadmium (Cd) concentration in rice and propose a possible mechanism through which Ca acts to control the Cd concentration in rice.

The results showed that supplementation of Cd‐contaminated soil with Ca acetate reduced the Cd concentration in rice after exposure for 7 days in both hydroponic and soil conditions. The possible involvement of the auto‐inhibited Ca2+‐ATPase gene (ACA) might act to control the primary signal of the Cd stress response. The messages from ACA3 and ACA13 tended to up‐regulate the low‐affinity cation transporter (OsLCT1) and down‐regulate Cd uptake and the Cd translocation transporter, including the genes, natural resistance‐associated macrophage protein 5 (Nramp5) and Zn/Cd‐transporting ATPase 2 (HMA2), which resulted in a reduction in the Cd concentration in rice. After cultivation for 120 days, the application of Ca acetate into Cd‐contaminated soil inhibited Cd uptake of rice.

Increasing the Ca acetate concentration in the soil lowered the Cd concentration in rice shoots and grains. Moreover, Ca acetate maintained rice productivity and quality whereas both aspects decreased under Cd stress.
Eligibility for anti‐fibrotic treatment in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis depends on the predictive equation used for pulmonary function testing
Authors: Burgess Andrew , Goon Ken , Brannan John D. , Attia John , Palazzi Kerrin , Oldmeadow Christopher , Corte Tamera J. , Glaspole Ian , Goh Nicole , Keir Gregory , Allan Heather , Chapman Sally , Cooper Wendy , Ellis Samantha , Hopkins Peter , Moodley Yuben , Reynolds Paul , Zappala Chris , Macansh Sacha , Grainge Christopher 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTBackground and objectivePublicly funded therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) relies on percentage predicted values from pulmonary function testing, for example Australian patients must have a forced vital capacity ≥50% (%FVC), transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide ≥ 30% (%TLco) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/FVC ratio > 0.7. Despite defined cut‐off values, no jurisdiction prescribes a reference equation for use; multiple equations exist. We hypothesized that access to subsidized treatment varies depending on the chosen equation. The %FVC and %TLco from different commonly used reference equations across general respiratory patients, and IPF‐specific patients, were compared.MethodsFVC and TLco measurements from a large general respiratory laboratory and the Australian Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Registry (AIPFR) database were analysed using multiple equations. Differences between %FVC and %TLco for each equation were calculated, with particular interest in classification of patients (%) at the threshold for subsidized treatment.ResultsA total of 20 378 general respiratory database results were analysed. The %FVC ≥ 50% increased from 86% with the Roca equation to 96% with Quanjer (European Coal and Steal Community, ECSC) and %TLco≥30% increased from 91% with Paoletti to 98% with Thompson. However, overall increase in eligibility for subsidized treatment was modest, varying from 48.2% to 49.2%. A total of 545 AIPFR database results were analysed. The %FVC ≥ 50% increased from 73% with Roca to 94% with Quanjer (ECSC) and %TLco≥30% increased from 87% with Paoletti to 96% with Miller. Overall eligibility for subsidized treatment in the AIPFR group varied from 73.6% to 82.8% between surveyed interstitial lung disease (ILD) centres based entirely on the equation used.ConclusionSubstantial variability exists between reference equations, impacting access to subsidized treatment. Treating clinicians should be aware of this when assessing patients around public funding thresholds.
Peak Exposures in Epidemiologic Studies and Cancer Risks: Considerations for Regulatory Risk Assessment
Authors: Checkoway Harvey , Lees Peter S. J. , Dell Linda D. , Gentry P. Robinan , Mundt Kenneth A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe review approaches for characterizing “peak” exposures in epidemiologic studies and methods for incorporating peak exposure metrics in dose–response assessments that contribute to risk assessment. The focus was on potential etiologic relations between environmental chemical exposures and cancer risks. We searched the epidemiologic literature on environmental chemicals classified as carcinogens in which cancer risks were described in relation to “peak” exposures. These articles were evaluated to identify some of the challenges associated with defining and describing cancer risks in relation to peak exposures. We found that definitions of peak exposure varied considerably across studies. Of nine chemical agents included in our review of peak exposure, six had epidemiologic data used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) in dose–response assessments to derive inhalation unit risk values. These were benzene, formaldehyde, styrene, trichloroethylene, acrylonitrile, and ethylene oxide. All derived unit risks relied on cumulative exposure for dose–response estimation and none, to our knowledge, considered peak exposure metrics. This is not surprising, given the historical linear no‐threshold default model (generally based on cumulative exposure) used in regulatory risk assessments. With newly proposed US EPA rule language, fuller consideration of alternative exposure and dose–response metrics will be supported. “Peak” exposure has not been consistently defined and rarely has been evaluated in epidemiologic studies of cancer risks. We recommend developing uniform definitions of “peak” exposure to facilitate fuller evaluation of dose response for environmental chemicals and cancer risks, especially where mechanistic understanding indicates that the dose response is unlikely linear and that short‐term high‐intensity exposures increase risk.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of lenograstim for hematopoietic stem cell mobilization: a prospective randomized study for optimal apheresis
Authors: Kang Jihoon , Hong Jung Yong , Yoon Dok Hyun , Kim Jeong Eun , Kim Kyu‐pyo , Kim Shin , Lee Kyoung Min , Park Jung Sun , Lee Ji Sung , Suh Cheolwon 
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUNDThis study evaluated the correlation between the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (lenograstim) and the impact of initiation time of apheresis on stem cell mobilization in patients with multiple myeloma.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSTwenty‐four patients with multiple myeloma were randomized into one of the two groups (early vs. late). Lenograstim at 10 μg/kg/day once daily was injected for at least 4 consecutive days. Apheresis was initiated 2 hours after the fourth dose of lenograstim in the early collection group and 16 hours after the fourth dose of lenograstim in the late collection group. Blood sampling for pharmacokinetics was performed within 30 minutes before, and 1, 2, 6, and 24 hours after the fourth dose of lenograstim.RESULTSOverall, the two groups (early vs. late, n = 10 vs. 14) exhibited similar baseline characteristics including age, sex, subtype of myeloma, stage distribution, and myeloma‐associated symptoms. No correlation was found between plasma lenograstim concentration and peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cell counts or hematopoietic progenitor cells. In the late collection group, the median number of apheresis procedures for minimal collection was significantly lower (early vs. late: 2 vs. 1; p = 0.04) and there was a higher number of total collected PB CD34+ cells in a single session of apheresis (1.4 vs. 3.1; p = 0.06). There were no differences in median overall PB stem cell collection efficiency.CONCLUSIONLate collection positively impacted the number of apheresis procedures for minimal collection, with numerically improved PB stem cell collection efficiency at first apheresis in patients with multiple myeloma.
Donor iron depletion: beneficial or burdensome?
Authors: Vassallo Ralph R. 
Published: March 2019

KEY IDEAS

Most purported benefits of blood donation have not been proven. While studies suggest individuals with type II diabetes have transiently improved postdonation glycemic control, the mechanism is unknown.
Blood donors with nonanemic or mildly anemic iron deficiency can develop pica and undergo unnecessary diagnostic procedures. Lower infant birth weight has been documented in female blood donors. In other healthy populations, reversible fatigue and exercise capacity impairment occur with mild iron deficiency. The effects of donor iron depletion on cognition and neurocognitive outcomes after pregnancy continue to be studied.
Blood collectors are beginning to implement enhanced educational and interventional measures to prevent iron depletion in at‐risk donors.
Vocational rehabilitation for emergency services personnel: a scoping review
Authors: Alexander Lyndsay , Cooper Kay 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTObjective:The objective of this scoping review is to examine and map the range of vocational rehabilitation available for emergency services personnel.Introduction:Employee work absence due to illness and injury is an international burden. The emergency service sector (police officers, firefighters and ambulance/paramedic staff) workforce has been shown to report a higher prevalence of illness/injury and sick leave compared to the general population. Despite the evidence of physical and psychological problems that emergency service sector workers can face, vocational rehabilitation (VR) interventions and the structure and effectiveness of VR for these workers are less well known.Inclusion criteria:This scoping review considered studies that included adult emergency medical services personnel (e.g. police officers, firefighters and ambulance/paramedic staff), regardless of age, sex or rank. Emergency medical services personnel from any developed nation were included. The interventions included any VR regardless of condition, work status (VR to prevent sick leave or for workers on sick leave) or focus (e.g. mental health issues, neurological problems or musculoskeletal conditions). Vocational rehabilitation interventions can include work conditioning, work hardening, physiotherapy, counseling, functional restoration and occupational rehabilitation.Methods:Published and unpublished literature in English from 2007 to 2017 was included in this review. A three-step search strategy was followed that included five databases and nine websites. Data extraction was performed by two reviewers using a pre-determined data extraction form developed by the authors.Results:This review identified 24,271 sources of information, of which 48 were screened at full-text stage, and 22 sources were eligible to be included in the final scoping review. The majority of the sources provided evidence of VR for police officers and firefighters. Vocational rehabilitation is typically provided in residential rehabilitation settings as well as some outpatient, off-site and workplace settings. The main type of VR provided is physical, but there is also evidence of psychological rehabilitation and addiction/substance misuse rehabilitation.Conclusions:This review demonstrated that there is a lack of information in the public domain on VR for staff working in the emergency service sector, as well as a lack of rigorous evaluation available on the effectiveness of VR within the emergency service sector. There is inconsistent provision of VR internationally for emergency service sector staff.
Effects of Exercise Interventions on Habitual Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Bar-Haim Simona , Aviram Ronit , Shkedy Rabani Anat , Amro Akram , Nammourah Ibtisam , Al-Jarrah Muhammed , Raanan Yoav , Loeppky Jack A. , Harries Netta 
Published: March 2019

Purpose: Exercise interventions have been shown to increase motor capacities in adolescents with cerebral palsy; however, how they affect habitual physical activity (HPA) and sedentary behavior is unclear. The main objective was to correlate changes in HPA with changes in mobility capacity following exercise interventions. Methods: A total of 54 participants (aged 12–20 y) with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels II and III received 4 months of group progressive resistance training or treadmill training. Mobility measurements and HPA (averaged over 96 h) were made before and after interventions. Results: Averaged baseline mobility and HPA measures and improvements in each after both interventions were positively correlated in all participants. Percentage of sedentary/awake time decreased 2%, with significant increases in HPA measures of step count (16%), walk time (14%), and upright time (9%). Mobility measures and HPA changes were quite similar between Gross Motor Function Classification System levels, but improvement in HPA after group progressive resistance training was greater than after treadmill training (12% vs 4%) and correlated with mobility improvement. Conclusions: Mobility capacity improved after these interventions and was clearly associated with improved HPA. The group progressive resistance training intervention seems preferable to improve HPA, perhaps related to greater social interaction and motivation provided by group training.
Tear cytokine profiling in patients with superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis who underwent medical treatment or in conjunction with surgical management
Authors: Sun Yi-Chen , Tang Yi-Hua , Liou Hau-Min , Chen Wei-Li , Hu Fung-Rong 
Published: March 2019

PurposeTo determine the correlation between superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) and selected tear cytokines and to evaluate the efficacy of these cytokines in monitoring the response of patients with SLK to either medical treatment alone or in combination with conjunctival resection.DesignA cohort study.MethodsTwenty-five eyes of 13 patients with SLK were assigned to either medically responsive or surgical treatment groups depending on their responses 1 month after initial medical treatment. Treatment efficacy was assessed by improvements in clinical grading and decreases in the levels of tear cytokines.ResultsFourteen eyes were improved by medical treatment alone, whereas satisfactory outcomes were achieved for the remaining 11 eyes after surgical management. The overall grading prior to medical treatment was lower in medically responsive group compared with surgical treatment group (p=0.0139). Among the examined tear cytokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 was positively associated with the severity of clinical grading (p=0.0251). While both treatments significantly decreased the levels of MCP-1 and interleukin-6, surgical treatment also decreased the levels of interferon-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α. Notably, overall cytokine levels after surgical treatment were lower than those after medical treatment alone.ConclusionsSince an association of tear MCP-1 level with the clinical grading and treatment response of SLK was observed in this study, tear MCP-1 may be a potential indicator of SLK disease severity. According to the degree to which the tear cytokine levels were decreased, surgical treatment appears to be an effective treatment modality for patients with SLK who are refractory to medical treatment alone.
Road safety risk factors for non-motorised vehicle users in a Chinese city: an observational study
Authors: Li Qingfeng , Yu Sile , Chen Ting , Bishai David M , Bachani Abdulgafoor , Hyder Adnan A 
Published: March 2019

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to describe and analyse the prevalence of speeding, helmet use and red-light running among riders of non-motorised vehicles (NMVs) in Shanghai, China, with a focus on electric bikes (ebikes).MethodsObservational studies were conducted in eight randomly selected locations in Shanghai. Descriptive statistics and a Cox proportional hazard (PH) model were used in the analyses.FindingsA total of 14 828 NMVs were observed in November 2017. At the free flow sites, the average speed was 22.5 km/hour for ebikes and 13.4 km/hour for bicycles. 95.5% of ebikes run above 15 km/hour, the legal speed limit for NMVs in China and 83.8% above 20 km/hour, the maximum design speed for ebikes. Helmet wearing rate was 13.5% for ebike drivers and 9.4% for passengers. Riders of commercial ebikes were nearly three times more likely to wear a helmet than personal ebikes. 22.4% of ebikes were observed to run a red light. The Cox PH model showed that ebikes (vs bicycles), males (vs females), clear weather (vs cloudy, rainy and snowy), helmet users (vs nonusers) are associated with a higher hazard for running a red light.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this study is among the first comprehensive evaluation of road user behaviours for NMVs in China. An effective intervention package including regulating ebike production to national standards, strengthening speed enforcement and passing legislation on mandatory helmet use for ebike users may be able to help.