bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery with a snake‐mechanism using a movable pulley
Authors: Lee Hoyul , Kim Kwang Gi , Seo Jong Hyun , Sohn Dae Kyung 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundNatural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery is an emerging technique. We aimed to develop an advanced surgical robot mechanism for natural orifice surgery.MethodsWe propose the active‐controlled overtube‐type platform with multiple channels for an endoscopic camera and surgical tools. To make such a platform, we suggest an advanced snake mechanism comprising movable pulleys to make a snake mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom and high operating force.ResultsThe stiffness and maneuverability of the active‐controlled platform appeared satisfactory. Using prototypes and ex vivo experiments, we confirmed that the mechanism was suitable for a snake‐like robotic platform for natural orifice surgery.ConclusionsThe suggested snake mechanism using movable pulleys has the advantages of stiffness and maneuverability. This new mechanism can be an alternative platform for natural orifice surgery.
Reliability and Validity of Eye Movement Measures of Children's Reading
Authors: Foster Tori E. , Ardoin Scott P. , Binder Katherine S. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAlthough strong claims have been made regarding the educational utility of eye tracking, such statements seem somewhat unfounded in the absence of clear evidence regarding the technical adequacy of eye movement (EM) data. Past studies have yielded direct and indirect evidence concerning the utility of EMs as measures of reading, but recent research explicitly investigating their reliability and validity has been lacking. The current study updates and extends past research by investigating the reliability and validity of recently used EM measures of children's reading. Participants were 175 second‐grade students whose EMs were monitored during silent reading of narrative text(s) at two timepoints. Participants were also individually administered measures of reading achievement. Results indicate adequate reliability and validity for passage‐level measures of fixation duration but suggest that elementary students’ reading behaviors relative to specific words are weakly associated with their normative levels of reading achievement.
An Ethical Defense of Citizenship
Authors: Thunder David 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn many parts of the Western world, we have reached a low point in public confidence in the moral value and relevance of citizenship, in the integrity of our political institutions, and in the nobility of public office. Consequently, if we are to secure the political field for those among us virtuous enough to serve the common good, we need to restore public confidence in the ethical value of citizenship and public service. One small step in this direction would be to allay understandable moral qualms about the practice of citizenship. And that is precisely what I aim to do here. By deflating some serious ethical objections against citizenship, I aim to pave the way for the larger task of developing an ethical ideal of citizenship that can inspire citizens to put their talents at the service of the common good. The three objections I address here are rooted in (i) the alleged complicity of ordinary citizens in a range of collective and institutional evils, (ii) the alleged necessity of ruthless utilitarian reasoning in political life, and (iii) the alleged incompatibility of modern citizenship with the Christian way of life. I show that each of these objections can be answered, or at least significantly deflated.
Endoscopic Treatment of High‐Grade Dysplasia and Early Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Schlottmann Francisco , Patti Marco G. , Shaheen Nicholas J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe emergence of novel endoscopic modalities has challenged the role of surgery for patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and high‐grade dysplasia (HGD) or early esophageal adenocarcinoma.AimThe aim of this study was to review the available evidence of the endoscopic treatment of HGD and early esopahgeal adenocarcinoma.ResultsFor most patients with BE and HGD, endoscopic ablative therapy is the preferred treatment strategy. Patients with intramucosal adenocarcinoma (T1a) should be treated with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) followed by ablative therapy, in order to eradicate the remaining intestinal metaplasia. The best approach to treatment of adenocarcinoma with submucosal invasion (T1b) remains elusive. Endoscopic resection may be suitable for low‐risk T1b tumors (well differentiated, without lymphovascular invasion and with superficial submucosal invasion); however, further data are necessary to better risk stratify this group. Careful endoscopic surveillance is recommended following complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia to detect recurrent disease.ConclusionPatients with BE and HGD should undergo endoscopic ablative therapy. Patients with T1a adenocarcinoma should be treated with EMR and subsequent ablation of the entire BE segment. Low‐risk T1b tumors may be suitable for endoscopic resection.
Feeling cold and other underestimated symptoms in breast cancer: anecdotes or individual profiles for advanced patient stratification?
Authors: Golubnitschaja Olga 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) epidemic is recognised as being characteristic for the early twenty-first century. BC is a multifactorial disease, and a spectrum of modifiable (preventable) factors significantly increasing risks has been described. This article highlights a series of underestimated symptoms for consequent BC risk assessment and patient stratification. Phenomena of the deficient thermoregulation, altered sensitivity to different stimuli (pain, thirst, smell, light, stress provocation), dehydration, altered circadian and sleep patterns, tendency towards headache, migraine attacks and dizziness, as well as local and systemic hypoxic effects are discussed for BC patients providing functional links and proposing new approaches in the overall BC management.
On embedded minimal disks in convex bodies
Authors: Jost J. , Grüter M. 
Published: March 2017

If

A ⊂ ℝ^3

is a convex body we prove the existence of an embedded minimal disk

M ⊂ A

meeting

∂A

orthogonally.

Résumé

Si

A ⊂ ℝ^3

est un ensemble convexe, nous prouvons l’existence d’une sous-variété minimale

M ⊂ A

du type disque, intersectant

∂A

orthogonalement.
A finiteness result in the free boundary value problem for minimal surfaces
Authors: Tomi Friedrich 
Published: March 2017

It is proved that if an analytic Η-convex body

M

in

ℝ^3

admits an infinite number of area minimizing disc type surfaces interior to

M

and supported by

∂M

then

M

must be diffeomorphic to a solid torus. Moreover, the set of these minimal surfaces then forms an analytic one-parameter family which foliates

M

.

Résumé

On prouve le résultat suivant: si une partie

M

analytique et Η-convexe de

ℝ^3

admet dans son intérieur un nombre infini de surfaces minimisantes de type disques et supportées par

∂M

, il faut que

M

soit difféomorphe à un tore solide. En plus, l’ensemble des solutions forme une famille analytique de dimension 1 qui constitue un feuilletage de

M

.
Smooth invariant curves of singularities of vector fields on \( ℝ^{3} \)
Authors: Bonckaert Patrick 
Published: March 2017

We describe singularities of

C^∞

vector fields, mainly in

ℝ^3

, in the neighbourhood of a given « generalized » direction (this is: the image of a

C^∞

germ

\gamma :(ℝ^{ + },\:0)\rightarrow (ℝ^{3},\:0)

with

γ'(0) ≠ 0

). It is a local study. One of the major results is: if

X

is a germ in

0 \in ℝ^{3}

of a

C^∞

vector field and if

X

is not infinitely flat along a direction

D

, then there exists a cone of finite contact around

D

in which four specific situations can occur. In three of these situations

D

is formally invariant under

X

(with formally we mean: up to the level of formal Taylor series) and there exists a

C^∞

one-dimensional invariant manifold having infinite contact with

D

. In particular, we obtain that the existence of a formally invariant direction

D

always implies the existence of a « real life » invariant direction having infinite contact with

D

, provided that

X

is not infinitely flat along

D

. Using the blowing up method for singularities of vector fields we reduce a singularity always to either a « flow box » or to a singularity with nonzero 1-jet and with a formally invariant direction. Finally we give topological models for the obtained situations.

I would like to thank Freddy Dumortier for suggesting me the problem and for his valuable help.

Résumé

Nous décrivons les singularités de champs de vecteurs

C^∞

dans

ℝ^3

au voisinage d’une « direction » donnée, c’est-à-dire de l’image d’un germe

\gamma :(ℝ^{ + },0)\rightarrow (ℝ^{3},0)

, avec

γ'(0) ≠ 0

. C’est une étude locale. Nous montrons en particulier que si

X

est le germe àl’origine d’un champ

C^∞

et si

X

n’est pas plat dans une direction

D

, alors il existe un cône de contact d’ordre fini autour de

D

où quatre situations distinctes peuvent se produire. Dans trois d’entre elles,

D

est formellement invariant par

X

et il existe une courbe invariante

C^∞

présentant un contact d’ordre infini avec

D

. En utilisant la méthode de blow-up pour les singularités de champs de vecteurs, nous réduisons toutes les singularités soit à un « flow box », soit à une singularité au 1-jet non trivial possédant une direction formellement invariante. Enfin, nous fournissons des modèles topologiques pour les diverses situations obtenues.

Je remercie Freddy Dumortier pour m’avoir suggéré ce problème et pour son aide.
Lagrangian embeddings and critical point theory
Authors: Hofer Helmut 
Published: March 2017

We derive a lower bound for the number of intersection points of an exact Lagrangian embedding of a compact manifold into its cotangent bundle with the zero section. To do this the intersection problem is converted into the problem of finding solutions of a Hamiltonian system satisfying canonical boundary conditions. The dynamical problem is then solved by global variational methods on a Hilbert manifold.

Résumé

Soit

M

une variété différentiable, compacte et connexe,

T^*M → M

son fibré cotangent,

σ: M → T^*M

la section nulle,

φ: M → T^*M

un plongement lagrangien. Cet article démontre que

φ(M) ∩ σ(M)

contient du moins

c(M)

points, où

c(M)

est la catégorie cohomologique de

M

. Dans le cas

M = T^n

, tore à

n

dimensions, ce résultat avait été conjecturé par Arnold et démontré par M. Chaperon.
Patient-Reported Benefits of Extracranial Venous Therapy: British Columbia CCSVI Registry
Authors: Sadovnick A. Dessa , Yee Irene M. , Attwell-Pope Kristen , Keyes Glenn , Kipp Lucas , Traboulsee Anthony L. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjective Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) has been hypothesized to be a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). Venoplasty has been proposed as a treatment for CCSVI. The aim of our study was to gain a better understanding of the “real-world” safety and longitudinal effectiveness of venoplasty Methods: British Columbia residents who self-reported having had venoplasty and consented to participate in the study were interviewed and followed for up to 24 months post-therapy using standardized structured questionnaires Results: Participants reported procedure-related complications (11.5%) and complications within the first month after the procedure (17.3%). Initially, more than 40% of participants perceived that the venoplasty had had positive effects on their health conditions, such as fatigue, numbness, balance, concentration/memory and mobility. However, this improvement was not maintained over time Conclusions: Follow-up patient-reported outcomes indicated that the initial perception of the positive impact of venoplasty on the health conditions of MS patients was not sustained over time. In addition, venoplasty was not without associated morbidity.
ACCURACY FOR BELIEVERS
Authors: Staffel Julia 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTIn Accuracy and the Laws of Credence Richard Pettigrew assumes a particular view of belief, which states that people don't have any other doxastic states besides credences. This is in tension with the popular position that people have both credences and outright beliefs. Pettigrew claims that such a dual view of belief is incompatible with the accuracy-first approach. I argue in this paper that it is not. This is good news for Pettigrew, since it broadens the appeal of his framework.
The Impact of Reducing Antibiotics on the Transmission of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms
Authors: Barnes Sean L. , Rock Clare , Harris Anthony D. , Cosgrove Sara E. , Morgan Daniel J. , Thom Kerri A. 
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVEAntibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health. Resistance is largely driven by antibiotic usage, which in many cases is unnecessary and can be improved. The impact of decreasing overall antibiotic usage on resistance is unknown and difficult to assess using standard study designs. The objective of this study was to explore the potential impact of reducing antibiotic usage on the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).DESIGNWe used agent-based modeling to simulate interactions between patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) using model inputs informed by the literature. We modeled the effect of antibiotic usage as (1) a microbiome effect, for which antibiotic usage decreases competing bacteria and increases the MDRO transmission probability between patients and HCWs and (2) a mutation effect that designates a proportion of patients who receive antibiotics to subsequently develop a MDRO via genetic mutation.SETTINGIntensive care unitINTERVENTIONSAbsolute reduction in overall antibiotic usage by experimental values of 10% and 25%RESULTSReducing antibiotic usage absolutely by 10% (from 75% to 65%) and 25% (from 75% to 50%) reduced acquisition rates of high-prevalence MDROs by 11.2% (P&lt;.001) and 28.3% (P&lt;.001), respectively. We observed similar effect sizes for low-prevalence MDROs.CONCLUSIONSIn a critical care setting, where up to 50% of antibiotic courses may be inappropriate, even a moderate reduction in antibiotic usage can reduce MDRO transmission.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:663–669
Gut–brain actions underlying comorbid anxiety and depression associated with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Abautret-Daly Áine , Dempsey Elaine , Parra-Blanco Adolfo , Medina Carlos , Harkin Andrew 
Published: March 2017

IntroductionInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing and remitting disorder characterised by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. There is a growing consensus that IBD is associated with anxiety- and depression-related symptoms. Psychological symptoms appear to be more prevalent during active disease states with no difference in prevalence between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Behavioural disturbances including anxiety- and depression-like symptoms have also been observed in animal models of IBD.ResultsThe likely mechanisms underlying the association are discussed with particular reference to communication between the gut and brain. The close bidirectional relationship known as the gut–brain axis includes neural, hormonal and immune communication links. Evidence is provided for a number of interacting factors including activation of the inflammatory response system in the brain, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, and brain areas implicated in altered behaviours, changes in blood brain barrier integrity, and an emerging role for gut microbiota and response to probiotics in IBD.DiscussionThe impact of psychological stress in models of IBD remains somewhat conflicted, however, it is weighted in favour of stress or early stressful life events as risk factors in the development of IBD, stress-induced exacerbation of inflammation and relapse.ConclusionIt is recommended that patients with IBD be screened for psychological disturbance and treated accordingly as intervention can improve quality of life and may reduce relapse rates.
SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND ADVERSE BIRTH OUTCOMES: A POPULATION-BASED CANADIAN SAMPLE
Authors: Campbell Emily E. , Gilliland Jason , Dworatzek Paula D. N. , De Vrijer Barbra , Penava Debbie , Seabrook Jamie A. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryThis study assessed the strength of the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB) in Southwestern Ontario. Utilizing perinatal and neonatal databases at the London Health Science Centre, maternal postal codes were entered into a Geographic Information System to determine home neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods were defined by dissemination areas (DAs). Median household income for each DA was extracted from the latest Canadian Census and linked to each mother. All singleton infants born between February 2009 and February 2014 were included. Of 26,654 live singleton births, 6.4% were LBW and 9.7% were PTB. Top risk factors for LBW were: maternal amphetamine use, chronic hypertension and maternal marijuana use (OR respectively: 17.51, 3.18, 2.72); previously diagnosed diabetes, maternal narcotic use and insulin-controlled gestational diabetes predicted PTB (OR respectively: 17.95, 2.69, 2.42). Overall, SES had little impact on adverse birth outcomes, although low maternal education increased the likelihood of a LBW neonate (OR: 1.01).
Predation on transmission stages reduces parasitism: sea anemones consume transmission stages of a barnacle parasite
Authors: FONG CAITLIN R. , KURIS ARMAND M. 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARYWhile parasites serve as prey, it is unclear how the spatial distribution of parasite predators provides transmission control and influences patterns of parasitism. Because many of its organisms are sessile, the rocky intertidal zone is a valuable but little used system to understand spatial patterns of parasitism and elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving these patterns. Sea anemones and barnacles are important space competitors in the rocky intertidal zone along the Pacific coast of North America. Anemones are voracious, indiscriminate predators; thus, they may intercept infectious stages of parasites before they reach a host. We investigate whether a sea anemone protects an associated barnacle from parasitism by Hemioniscus balani, an isopod parasitic castrator. At Coal Oil Point, Santa Barbara, California USA, 29% of barnacles were within 1 cm from an anemone at the surveyed tidal height. Barnacles associated with anemones had reduced parasite prevalence and higher reproductive productivity than those remote from sea anemones. In the laboratory, anemones readily consumed the transmission stage of the parasite. Hence, anemone consumption of parasite transmission stages may provide a mechanism by which community context regulates parasite prevalence at a local scale. Our results suggest predation may be an important process providing parasite transmission control.
To see or not to see: non-invasive imaging for improved readout of drug treatment trials in the murine model of secondary alveolar echinococcosis
Authors: GORGAS D. , MARREROS N. , RUFENER R. , HEMPHILL A. , LUNDSTRÖM-STADELMANN B. 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARYAlveolar echinococcosis (AE) is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis. The secondary infection model of AE is based on intraperitoneal injection of disease-causing metacestodes into the peritoneal cavity of mice, which allows investigations on novel drugs or immunotherapeutical treatment options in vivo. So far, such in vivo studies assessed exclusively the parasite weight at the endpoint of a given treatment period. We here developed an ultrasound (US)-based scoring system that allows to follow-up parasite development in the living animal, and provides insights into parasite growth during the treatment phase. By this method a statistically significant difference between untreated and medicated mice with E. multilocularis infection was observed at 2 months post-infection, and the growth curve of the parasite load was described by a linear mixed model. High correlation and similar levels of variation were observed for the standard method based on parasite weight measurement, the novel US-based scoring system, as well volume segmentation by post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging. Thus, US-based scoring in the live animal has the potential to assist the 3R concept by contributing to the refinement and reduction of animal use in experimental echinococcosis.
Exploring the social and neighbourhood predictors of diabetes: a comparison between Toronto and Chicago
Authors: Kolpak Patrycja , Wang Lu 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesThis report examined the impact and extent that spatial access to primary care physicians (PCPs) and social neighbourhood-/community-level factors have on diabetes prevalence for Toronto and Chicago.MethodsThe two-step floating catchment area method was used to compute spatial access scores. Bivariate correlation and multivariate linear regression identified the factors that were associated with, and/or predicted, diabetes prevalence.ResultsPotential spatial access to PCPs had no strong associations with diabetes prevalence. Low socio-economic status factors and certain ethnic groups were strongly associated with diabetes prevalence for both cities. For Toronto, South American place of birth, households below poverty and high school-level education predicted diabetes prevalence. African ethnicity and households below poverty predicted diabetes prevalence for Chicago.ConclusionAlthough this report found no strong association between diabetes prevalence and access to PCPs, contextual factors significant in past individual-level diabetes studies were associated with diabetes prevalence at the neighbourhood/community level for Toronto and Chicago.
DNA methyltransferase DNMT3a contributes to neuropathic pain by repressing Kcna2 in primary afferent neurons
Authors: Zhao Jian-Yuan , Liang Lingli , Gu Xiyao , Li Zhisong , Wu Shaogen , Sun Linlin , Atianjoh Fidelis E. , Feng Jian , Mo Kai , Jia Shushan , Lutz Brianna Marie , Bekker Alex , Nestler Eric J. , Tao Yuan-Xiang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractNerve injury induces changes in gene transcription in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, which may contribute to nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain. DNA methylation represses gene expression. Here, we report that peripheral nerve injury increases expression of the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3a in the injured DRG neurons via the activation of the transcription factor octamer transcription factor 1. Blocking this increase prevents nerve injury-induced methylation of the voltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channel subunit Kcna2 promoter region and rescues Kcna2 expression in the injured DRG and attenuates neuropathic pain. Conversely, in the absence of nerve injury, mimicking this increase reduces the Kcna2 promoter activity, diminishes Kcna2 expression, decreases Kv current, increases excitability in DRG neurons and leads to spinal cord central sensitization and neuropathic pain symptoms. These findings suggest that DNMT3a may contribute to neuropathic pain by repressing Kcna2 expression in the DRG.