bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Catheter ablation of premature ventricular complexes with low intraprocedural burden guided exclusively by pace‐mapping
Authors: Shirai Yasuhiro , Liang Jackson J. , Santangeli Pasquale , Supple Gregory E. , Riley Michael P. , Garcia Fermin C. , Lin David , Dixit Sanjay , Callans David J. , Marchlinski Francis E. , Frankel David S. , Schaller Robert D. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundCatheter ablation (CA) of idiopathic premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) is typically guided by both activation and pace‐mapping, with ablation ideally delivered at the site of the earliest local activation. However, activation mapping requires sufficient intraprocedural quantity of PVCs. This study aimed to investigate the outcome of CA of infrequent PVCs guided exclusively by pace‐mapping.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed all patients undergoing CA of idiopathic PVCs between 2014 and 2017.ResultsAmong 327 patients, 24 (7.3%) had low intraprocedural PVC burden despite isoproterenol, including two patients with zero PVCs, rendering activation mapping impractical/impossible. All 24 had a history of symptomatic PVCs. During ablation, a median of 27 (17‐55) pace‐maps were performed, with best median PASO score of 97 (96‐98)%. A median of 12 (8.75‐18.75) radiofrequency (RF) lesions were delivered with 11.4 (8.5‐17.6) minutes of total RF time. Clinical success, defined as more than 80% reduction in the burden of previously frequent PVCs and/or absence of symptoms as well as any documented clinical PVCs among those with infrequent or exercise‐induced PVCs, was achieved in 19 (79%) patients over 9.2 (2.0‐15.0) months of follow‐up.ConclusionsWhen activation mapping cannot be performed due to inadequate intraprocedural PVC burden, detailed pace‐mapping can frequently identify the precise arrhythmia site of origin, thereby guiding successful CA.
Measuring strengths and weaknesses in dimensional psychiatry
Authors: Alexander Lindsay M. , Salum Giovanni A. , Swanson James M. , Milham Michael P. 
Published: August 2019

BackgroundThe Extended Strengths and Weaknesses Assessment of Normal Behavior (E‐SWAN) reconceptualizes each diagnostic criterion for selected DSM‐5 disorders as a behavior, which can range from high (strengths) to low (weaknesses). Initial development focused on Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety, Major Depression, and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder.MethodsData were collected from 523 participants (ages 6–17). Parents completed each of the four E‐SWAN scales and traditional unidirectional scales addressing the same disorders. Distributional properties, Item Response Theory Analysis (IRT), and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess and compare the performance of E‐SWAN and traditional scales.ResultsIn contrast to the traditional scales, which exhibited truncated distributions, all four E‐SWAN scales had symmetric distributions. IRT analyses indicate the E‐SWAN subscales provided reliable information about respondents throughout the population distribution; traditional scales only provided reliable information about respondents at the high end of the distribution. Predictive value for DSM‐5 diagnoses was comparable to prior scales.ConclusionsE‐SWAN bidirectional scales can capture the full spectrum of the population distribution of behavior underlying DSM disorders. The additional information provided can better inform examination of inter‐individual variation in population studies, as well as facilitate the identification of factors related to resiliency in clinical samples.
Poor agreement between the automated risk assessment of a smartphone application for skin cancer detection and the rating by dermatologists
Authors: Chung Y. , van der Sande A.A.J. , de Roos K.P. , Bekkenk M.W. , de Haas E.R.M. , Kelleners‐Smeets N.W.J. , Kukutsch N.A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundSeveral smartphone applications (app) with an automated risk assessment claim to be able to detect skin cancer at an early stage. Various studies that have evaluated these apps showed mainly poor performance. However, all studies were done in patients and lesions were mainly selected by a specialist.ObjectivesTo investigate the performance of the automated risk assessment of an app by comparing its assessment to that of a dermatologist in lesions selected by the participants.MethodsParticipants of a National Skin Cancer Day were enrolled in a multicentre study. Skin lesions indicated by the participants were analysed by the automated risk assessment of the app prior to blinded rating by the dermatologist. The ratings of the automated risk assessment were compared to the assessment and diagnosis of the dermatologist. Due to the setting of the Skin Cancer Day, lesions were not verified by histopathology.ResultsWe included 125 participants (199 lesions). The app was not able to analyse 90 cases (45%) of which nine BCC, four atypical naevi and one lentigo maligna. Thirty lesions (67%) with a high and 21 with a medium risk (70%) rating by the app were diagnosed as benign naevi or seborrhoeic keratoses. The interobserver agreement between the ratings of the automated risk assessment and the dermatologist was poor (weighted kappa = 0.02; 95% CI −0.08‐0.12; P = 0.74).ConclusionsThe rating of the automated risk assessment was poor. Further investigations about the diagnostic accuracy in real‐life situations are needed to provide consumers with reliable information about this healthcare application.
Do two measures of frailty identify the same people? An age‐gender comparison
Authors: Gordon Susan , Grimmer Karen , Baker Nicky 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRationale, aims, and objectivesMost frailty assessments have been developed for people aged over 65 years. However, there is growing evidence that frailty is detectable in younger people. This paper tests the hypothesis that the Fried frailty phenotype and the CFS categories identify the same people in age‐gender subgroups in community‐dwelling 40 to 75‐year‐olds.MethodParticipants were recruited via comprehensive community‐sampling strategies. They self‐reported frailty using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), and frailty was also estimated using the Fried phenotype (self‐reported unintended weight loss, exhaustion and low regular exercise; observed slow gait speed and poor grip strength). CFS and Fried scores were compared overall, and for age‐gender subgroups (40‐49 years, 50‐59 years, 60‐69 years, and 70‐75 years). Spearman rho and differences in mean integer Fried scores were calculated across CFS categories using ANOVA. Correlations were determined between Fried categories of not‐frail, pre‐frail, and frail and ranked CFS categories, using ranked scores (tau‐c) and Cochran‐Mantel‐Haenszel (C‐M‐H) tests.ResultsOf 656 participants (67% female; mean age 59.9 years, SD 10.6), Fried phenotype classified 59.2% not frail, 39.0% pre‐frail, and 1.8% frail, with no gender or age differences. CFS data were missing for 25 participants, with N = 631 reporting categories of very well (24.6%), well (44.6%), managing well (21.9%), vulnerable (6.3%), mildly frail (0.5%), and moderately frail (0.2%). Overall, the mean Fried frailty scores increased incrementally and significantly across ranked CFS categories (P < .01), with weak linear correlation (rho = 0.09). There were variable correlations in age‐gender groups, with the best correlation found for women aged 50 years or older, and men aged 60 to 69 years.ConclusionFrailty assessments using the two assessments became more consistent, as age increased. Pre‐frailty was identified by both assessments in all age‐gender groups. The validity of self‐reported CFS, and of pre‐frailty criteria relevant to people younger than 65 years, needs investigation.
Modelling factors of urinary incontinence in institutional older adults with dementia
Authors: Li Hui‐Chi , Chen Kuei‐Min , Hsu Hui‐Fen 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAims and ObjectivesThis study applied structural equation modelling to explore the relationships among agitated behaviours, depression, cognitive function and activities of daily living, as well as associations between these factors and urinary incontinence).BackgroundA high prevalence of urinary incontinence is found among institutional older adults with dementia. People with urinary incontinence suffer from increased financial burden and social isolation and experience reduced quality of life.DesignCross‐sectional correlational research. The study complied with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement.MethodsIn total, 226 older adults with dementia were recruited through convenience sampling at 15 long‐term care facilities in southern Taiwan. The urinary incontinence frequency, agitated behaviours, depression, cognitive function and activities of daily living were evaluated using bladder records, the Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, the Mini‐Mental State Examination and the Barthel Index, respectively.ResultsActivities of daily living performance was found to be significantly associated with urinary incontinence; however, age, cognitive function, depression and agitated behaviours were not significantly related to urinary incontinence. Age did not have effects on any of the variables tested in this model, whereas activities of daily living performance was significantly associated with cognitive function and depression. Results further showed that cognitive function and depression were mediators between activities of daily living and agitated behaviours.ConclusionEnhanced activities of daily living independency directly reduced urinary incontinence, improved cognitive function, decreased degrees of depression and indirectly reduced agitated behaviours.Relevance to clinical practiceThe findings could serve as a valuable reference for long‐term care facilities in providing effective urinary incontinence care and prevention to older adults with dementia.
Nutrient depletion may trigger the Yersinia pestis OmpR‐EnvZ regulatory system to promote flea‐borne plague transmission
Authors: Bontemps‐Gallo Sébastien , Fernandez Marion , Dewitte Amélie , Raphaël Etienne , Gherardini Frank C. , Elizabeth Pradel , Koch Lionel , Biot Fabrice , Reboul Angéline , Sebbane Florent 
Published: August 2019

SummaryThe flea’s lumen gut is a poorly documented environment where the agent of flea‐borne plague, Yersinia pestis, must replicate to produce a transmissible infection. Here, we report that both the acidic pH and osmolarity of the lumen’s contents display simple harmonic oscillations with different periods. Since an acidic pH and osmolarity are two of three known stimuli of the OmpR‐EnvZ two‐component system in bacteria, we investigated the role and function of this Y. pestis system in fleas. By monitoring the in vivo expression pattern of three OmpR‐EnvZ‐regulated genes, we concluded that the flea gut environment triggers OmpR‐EnvZ. This activation was not, however, correlated with changes in pH and osmolarity but matched the pattern of nutrient depletion (the third known stimulus for OmpR‐EnvZ). Lastly, we found that the OmpR‐EnvZ and the OmpF porin are needed to produce the biofilm that ultimately obstructs the flea’s gut and thus hastens the flea‐borne transmission of plague. Taken as a whole, our data suggest that the flea gut is a complex, fluctuating environment in which Y. pestis senses nutrient depletion via OmpR‐EnvZ. Once activated, the latter triggers a molecular program (including at least OmpF) that produces the biofilm required for efficient plague transmission.
Environment‐dependent introgression from Quercus dentata to a coastal ecotype of Quercus mongolica var. crispula in northern Japan
Authors: Nagamitsu Teruyoshi , Uchiyama Kentaro , Izuno Ayako , Shimizu Hajime , Nakanishi Atsushi 
Published: August 2019

Summary

Introgression from one species in a specific environment to another may facilitate colonization of the environment by the recipient species. However, such environment‐dependent introgression has been clarified in limited plant taxa.

In northern Japan, there are two interfertile oak species: Quercus dentata (Qd) in coastal areas and Q. mongolica var. crispula (Qc) in inland areas. However, at higher latitudes where Qd is rare, a coastal Qc ecotype with Qd‐like traits is distributed in the coastal areas. We distinguished inland Qc, coastal Qc, and coastal Qd populations based on genome‐wide genotypes and multitrait phenotypes and verified introgression from coastal Qd to coastal Qc using reduced library sequencing.

Genotypes and phenotypes differed among the populations, and coastal Qc was intermediate between inland Qc and coastal Qd. The ABBA–BABA test showed introgression from coastal Qd to coastal Qc. In coastal Qc, we found various stages of introgression after the first generation of backcross but detected no genomic regions where introgression was enhanced.

Overall, we show evidence for introgression from a coastal species to an ecotype of an inland species, which has colonized the coastal environment. It remains unclear whether introgressed alleles are selected in the coastal environment.
Optimal Selling Policies for Farmer Cooperatives
Authors: Shi Jim (Junmin) , Zhao Yao , Kiwanuka Rose B. Karimi , Chang Jasmine (Aichih) 
Published: August 2019

Sustainability and long‐term prosperity are chronic challenges in the agriculture sector of many countries. To address such challenges, farmer cooperatives are formed as an innovative approach to improve the livelihoods of millions of farmers around the world. Inspired by real‐life practice in the Kenya coffee industry, we study a class of stochastic and dynamic inventory models for storable agricultural products with random exogenous supply and price. For a variety of cost functions relevant in practice, we characterize the optimal selling policies to maximize the farmer cooperatives’ expected profit. We show that for concave inventory holding cost, the sell‐all‐or‐retain‐all ( r, R) (or sell‐all‐or‐retain‐all R) policies are optimal with (without) the fixed selling cost; for convex holding cost, the sell‐down‐to ( S, s) (or sell‐down‐to s) policies are optimal with (without) the fixed selling cost. For the special case of linear holding cost, the optimal policy is a cut‐off price policy and we derive closed‐form expressions for the optimal policy and the optimal total discounted profit. We discuss the model extensions to include general stochastic harvest and price processes, selling/storage capacity limits, price‐dependent random demand with a spot market, and the flexibility of procurement from other producers, and then perform a numerical study to quantify the impact of the optimal solutions. Reconciling the theory with practice, useful insights and guidelines are provided to help farmer cooperatives make strategic selling decisions.
Foreign direct investment subsidy in a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with heterogeneous firms
Authors: Wu Yen‐Chen , Chen Shikuan , Chang Ming‐Jen 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis study analyzes the macroeconomic impacts of subsidies to attract multinational corporations when firms are determining whether to enter or how to serve foreign markets. We show that a small FDI subsidy scheme induces consumption gains and delivers short‐term welfare improvement for the FDI host country if firms differ in productivity. However, the subsidy generates a new problem and results in the wealth reallocation effect, leading to welfare deterioration for the host country in the long run. Moreover, we find that a subsidy program induces a welfare improvement for the host country if it is offered to all domestic producers instead of foreign producers only in the host country.
Re‐sensitization of desensitized histamine H1 receptors in the human skin takes more than 18 hours
Authors: Malm Lars 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundIt is known since the time of testing histamine on pieces of guinea pig's jejunum that histamine receptors can develop insensitivity. The aim was to find evidence for desensitization of histamine H1 receptors in the human skin in vivo and, if found, to study the time for such receptors to regain normal sensitivity.Materials and MethodsA skin prick test with histamine (10 mg mL–1) was set in areas where a large histamine wheal was evoked 2, 6, 18, 24 or 72 hours earlier. A skin prick test with histamine (10 mg mL–1) was also set in an area where an allergen wheal was evoked 2 or 6 hours earlier. Heights, diameters and areas were measured on photographs of side views of plaster casts of the evoked skin elevations.ResultsHistamine wheals, called test wheals, in areas where large histamine wheals were evoked 2, 6 or 18 hours earlier, were smaller than histamine wheals, called initial wheals, in earlier non‐stimulated areas. Test wheals from the 18 hours experiment were smaller than test wheals from the 72 hours experiment. Test wheals evoked in areas where allergen wheals were evoked 2 or 6 hours earlier were smaller than corresponding initial wheals.ConclusionHistamine‐evoked wheals and IgE‐mediated allergic wheals reduce the sensitivity of histamine H1 receptors in the human skin. It takes between 18 and 72 hours to restore the sensitivity. Similarities between the development of histamine wheals in the human skin and histaminergic migraine with aura are discussed.
The Effect of Human Values on Party Identification and Ideology for Black and White Partisans
Authors: Defenderfer Jessy 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveRecent research on core political values and moral foundations suggests our understanding of underlying values by race is underdeveloped. We know that Democrats prefer equality and Republicans prefer social order, but we know little as to whether these differences remain constant between blacks and whites. I utilize social psychological measures, not confounding core political values, to examine these differences.MethodsConducting an original survey, I utilize the Schwartz Portrait Values to examine the effect of values on party identification and ideology by race.ResultsI find that black Americans, relatively speaking, prioritize self‐transcendence values more so than whites; white Americans give more priority to values of conservation; and black Americans give more priority to values of self‐enhancement as compared to conservation. Further, the contribution of self‐transcendence values to Democratic Party identification is similar for both races, but conservation values lead to a Republican identification for white Americans, while self‐enhancement does so for black Americans.ConclusionThis research contributes to the scarce literature on the human value structures of black Americans. The well‐established premise that Republicans prefer social order holds for white Americans, but for black Republicans, values of self‐enhancement undergird their party identification.
Non‐invasive prediction of genotype positive–phenotype negative in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by 3D modern shape analysis
Authors: Piras Paolo , Torromeo Concetta , Evangelista Antonietta , Esposito Giuseppe , Nardinocchi Paola , Teresi Luciano , Madeo Andrea , Re Federica , Chialastri Claudia , Schiariti Michele , Varano Valerio , Puddu Paolo Emilio 
Published: August 2019

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Can impaired deformational indicators for genotype positive for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in subjects that do not exhibit a left‐ventricular wall hypertrophy condition (G+LVH−) be determined using non‐invasive 3D echocardiography?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Using 3D‐STE and modern shape analysis, peculiar deformational impairments can be detected in G+LVH− subjects that can be classified with good accuracy. Moreover, the patterns of impairment are located mainly on the apical region in agreement with other evidence coming from previous biomechanical investigations.

AbstractWe propose a non‐invasive procedure for predicting genotype positive for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in subjects that do not exhibit a left‐ventricular wall hypertrophy condition (G+LVH−); the procedure is based on the enhanced analysis of medical imaging from 3D speckle tracking echocardiography (3D‐STE). 3D‐STE, due to its low quality images, has not been used so far to detect effectively the G+LVH− condition. Here, we post‐processed echocardiographic images exploiting the tools of modern shape analysis, and we studied the motion of the left ventricle (LV) during an entire cycle. We enrolled 82 controls, 21 HCM patients and 11 G+LVH− subjects. We followed two steps: (i) we selected the most impaired regions of the LV by analysing its strains; and (ii) we used shape analysis on these regions to classify the subjects. The G+LVH− subjects showed different trajectories and deformational attributes. We found high classification performance in terms of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (∼90), sensitivity (∼78) and specificity (∼79). Our results showed that (i) G+LVH− subjects present important deformational impairments relative to healthy controls and (ii) modern shape analysis can efficiently predict genotype by means of a non‐invasive and inexpensive technique such as 3D‐STE.
Phenomenological study exploring ethics in prehospital research from the paramedic’s perspective: experiences from the Paramedic-2 trial in a UK ambulance service
Authors: Charlton Karl , Franklin John , McNaughton Rebekah 
Published: August 2019

ObjectivesWe set out to investigate paramedics’ views of ethics and research, drawing on experiences from Paramedic-2, a randomised controlled trial comparing epinephrine and placebo in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).MethodsAn interpretative phenomenological approach was adopted. A purposive sample of paramedics (n=6) from North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust were invited to a semi-structured, in-depth interview.ResultsThree superordinate themes emerged: (1) morality, (2) emotion and (3) equipoise. Some viewed Paramedic-2 as an opportunity to improve OHCA outcomes for the many, viewing participation as a moral obligation; others viewed the study as unethical, equating participation with immoral behaviour. Morality was a motivator to drive individual action. Positive and negative emotions were exhibited by the paramedics involved reflecting the wider view each paramedic held about trial participation. Those morally driven to participate in Paramedic-2 discussed their pride in being associated with the trial, while those who found participation unethical, discussed feelings of guilt and regret. Individual experience and perceptions of epinephrine guided each paramedic’s willingness to accept or reject equipoise. Some questioned the role of epinephrine in OHCA; others believed withholding epinephrine was synonymous to denying patient care.ConclusionA paucity of evidence exists to support any beneficial role of epinephrine in OHCA. Despite this, some paramedics were reluctant to participate in Paramedic-2 and relied on their personal perceptions and experiences of epinephrine to guide their decision regarding participation. Failure to acknowledge the importance of individual perspectives may jeopardise the success of future out-of-hospital trials.