bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COLLECTIVE RISK MODELS WITH DEPENDENCE UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Wang Ruodu 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe bring the recently developed framework of dependence uncertainty into collective risk models, one of the most classic models in actuarial science. We study the worst-case values of the Value-at-Risk (VaR) and the Expected Shortfall (ES) of the aggregate loss in collective risk models, under two settings of dependence uncertainty: (i) the counting random variable (claim frequency) and the individual losses (claim sizes) are independent, and the dependence of the individual losses is unknown; (ii) the dependence of the counting random variable and the individual losses is unknown. Analytical results for the worst-case values of ES are obtained. For the loss from a large portfolio of insurance policies, an asymptotic equivalence of VaR and ES is established. Our results can be used to provide approximations for VaR and ES in collective risk models with unknown dependence. Approximation errors are obtained in both cases.
Brittle stars from the British Oxford Clay: unexpected ophiuroid diversity on Jurassic sublittoral mud bottoms
Authors: Ewin Timothy A.M. , Thuy Ben 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThree new ophiuran species, Enakomusium whymanae n. sp., Aspidophiura? seren n. sp., and Ophiotitanos smithi n. sp., and an unnamed specimen assignable to the genus Dermocoma are described from the Callovian to Oxfordian Oxford Clay Formation of Great Britain. These determinations are based on new finds and a critical reassessment of historic specimens. The Oxford Clay ophiuroids represent two loose assemblages, one from the middle Callovian Peterborough Member and the other from the lower Oxfordian Weymouth Member. Both assemblages accord well with coeval midshelf mud bottom ophiuroid communities in terms of taxonomic composition and relative abundance of taxa. The British Oxford Clay ophiuroids are particularly significant as they are one of the rare instances where multiple species are represented, almost exclusively, by exceptionally preserved articulated skeletons. This provides an important window into the understanding of mid-Upper Jurassic ophiuroid paleobiology.
Early pregnancy probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 may reduce the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wickens Kristin L. , Barthow Christine A. , Murphy Rinki , Abels Peter R. , Maude Robyn M. , Stone Peter R. , Mitchell Edwin A. , Stanley Thorsten V. , Purdie Gordon L. , Kang Janice M. , Hood Fiona E. , Rowden Judy L. , Barnes Phillipa K. , Fitzharris Penny F. , Crane Julian 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe study aims to assess whether supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001) can reduce the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel trial was conducted in New Zealand (NZ) (Wellington and Auckland). Pregnant women with a personal or partner history of atopic disease were randomised at 14–16 weeks’ gestation to receive HN001 (6×109 colony-forming units) (n 212) or placebo (n 211) daily. GDM at 24–30 weeks was assessed using the definition of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) (fasting plasma glucose ≥5·1 mmol/l, or 1 h post 75 g glucose level at ≥10 mmol/l or at 2 h ≥8·5 mmol/l) and NZ definition (fasting plasma glucose ≥5·5 mmol/l or 2 h post 75 g glucose at ≥9 mmol/l). All analyses were intention-to-treat. A total of 184 (87 %) women took HN001 and 189 (90 %) women took placebo. There was a trend towards lower relative rates (RR) of GDM (IADPSG definition) in the HN001 group, 0·59 (95 % CI 0·32, 1·08) (P=0·08). HN001 was associated with lower rates of GDM in women aged ≥35 years (RR 0·31; 95 % CI 0·12, 0·81, P=0·009) and women with a history of GDM (RR 0·00; 95 % CI 0·00, 0·66, P=0·004). These rates did not differ significantly from those of women without these characteristics. Using the NZ definition, GDM prevalence was significantly lower in the HN001 group, 2·1 % (95 % CI 0·6, 5·2), v. 6·5 % (95 % CI 3·5, 10·9) in the placebo group (P=0·03). HN001 supplementation from 14 to 16 weeks’ gestation may reduce GDM prevalence, particularly among older women and those with previous GDM.
Fruit and vegetable intake: change with age across childhood and adolescence
Authors: Albani Viviana , Butler Laurie T. , Traill W. Bruce , Kennedy Orla B. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEating fruit and vegetables (FV) offers important health benefits for children and adolescents, but their average intake is low. To explore if negative trends with age exist as children grow, this study modelled differences in FV consumption from childhood to young adulthood. A pseudo-panel was constructed using years 1–4 (combined) of the Rolling Programme of the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) (2008/2009–2011/2012). Intake of FV in the NDNS was recorded using 4-d unweighted food diaries. The data consisted of 2131 observations of individuals aged 2–23 years. Age-year-cohort decomposition regression analyses were used to separate age effects from year and cohort effects in the data. Total energy intake was included to account for age differences in overall energy consumption. Fruit intake started to decrease from the age of 7 years for boys and girls, and reached its lowest level during adolescence. By 17 years, boys were consuming 0·93 (P=0·037) less fruit portions compared with the age of 2 years. By 15 years, girls were consuming 0·8 fruit portions less (P=0·053). Vegetable intake changed little during childhood and adolescence (P=0·0834 andP=0·843 for change between 7 and 12 years, boys and girls, respectively). There was unclear evidence of recovery of FV intakes in early adulthood. Efforts to improve FV intake should consider these trends, and focus attention on the factors influencing intake across childhood and adolescence in order to improve the nutritional quality of diets during these periods.
RUNNERS AND RIDERS: THE HORSEMEAT SCANDAL, EU LAW AND MULTI-LEVEL ENFORCEMENT
Authors: Barnard Catherine , O'Connor Niall 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The 2013 horsemeat scandal shone a bright light on some of the darkest corners of supply-chain governance across the EU, revealing a blind spot in current EU food law. “Beef” frozen-food products were found to contain up to 100% horse. The British and Irish are squeamish about eating horse. Even for those countries where horsemeat is seen as a delicacy, the horse getting into the frozen “beef” was often of poor quality and possibly contaminated with “bute”, a veterinary drug not permitted in food for human consumption. The ability of the EU's regulatory regime to prevent fraud on such a scale was shown to be inadequate. EU food law, with its (over) emphasis on food safety, failed to prevent the occurrence of fraud and may even have played an (unintentional) role in facilitating or enhancing it. Domestic law offered little better protection, thus showing the difficulties associated with the implementation of a multi-level and multi-agency regulatory regime. Beyond the regulatory system, the EU's core Treaty commitment to the free movement of goods may also have laid the ground for complex and opaque supply chains into which unscrupulous traders and middlemen could slip unnoticed.
A crown group priapulid from the early Cambrian Guanshan Lagerstätte
Authors: HU SHI-XUE , ZHU MAO-YAN , ZHAO FANG-CHEN , STEINER MICHAEL 
Published: April 2017

AbstractA well-preserved fossil priapulid worm,Xiaoheiqingellasp., is reported from the early Cambrian Guanshan Lagerstätte (Cambrian Series II, Stage 4) near Kunming City, Yunnan Province, SW China. The body of the animal consists of four sections: a swollen introvert, a constricted neck, a finely annulated trunk and a caudal appendage. The body configuration exhibits a close resemblance to that of the crown group priapulidXiaoheiqingella peculiarisfrom the early Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte. The new discovery provides another striking example of crown group priapulids, representing the third occurrence of crown group fossil priapulids after the Chengjiang Lagerstätte (Cambrian Series II, Stage 3) and the Mazon Creek Lagerstätte (late Moscovian Stage, Pennsylvanian). The discovery also sheds new light on the early diversity and evolution of priapulid worms.
A LA-ICP-MS analysis of rare earth elements on phosphatic grains of the Ediacaran Doushantuo phosphorite at Weng'an, South China: implication for depositional conditions and diagenetic processes
Authors: ZHU BI , JIANG SHAO-YONG 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation at Weng'an, South China hosts well-preserved phosphatized microfossils known as the Weng'an biota. A laser ablation ICP-MS analysis of rare earth element (REE) characteristics of the fossil-bearing black phosphorite unit of the Doushantuo Formation at Weng'an was conducted, with the aim of unravelling the depositional conditions and diagenetic processes during formation of the phosphorites. Spherical phosphatized microfossils and phosphatic clasts were analysed, and the REE data display middle REE (MREE) -enriched shale-normalized REE patterns. The spherical phosphatized microfossils show an increase in total REE contents (∑REE) from core to rim. Negative correlations between ∑REE and the extent of MREE enrichment over the other REE (indicated by LaN/SmN, YbN/SmN) are observed for analysed spots within individual phosphatic grains, which may be due to complex diagenetic history of the phosphatic grains, with fluctuations in REE sources and chemical parameters in a high-energy shallow-water environment being additional factors. The LaN/YbNand LaN/SmNcharacteristics of the phosphatic grains suggest they were mostly influenced by early diagenetic alteration rather than late extensive recrystallization. The negative Ce anomalies in the samples suggest they formed under oxic-bottom-water conditions. Positive Eu anomalies are present in all samples, and are likely to reflect involvement of hydrothermal fluids rather than changes in redox conditions of porewater. Overall this study has major implications for phosphorites as important archives for the study of geochemical proxies, the Ediacaran period and also evolutionary changes.
Transoral laser resection or radiotherapy? Patient choice in the treatment of early laryngeal cancer: a prospective observational cohort study
Authors: Zahoor T , Dawson R , Sen M , Makura Z 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectives:The choices made by patients offered treatment for early laryngeal cancer with radiotherapy or transoral laser resection were reviewed.Methods:A prospective review was conducted of all patients diagnosed and treated for early laryngeal carcinoma from December 2002 to September 2009 at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. A total of 209 patients with tumour stage T1 or T2 laryngeal cancer were treated; each new patient suitable for radiotherapy or transoral laser resection was seen jointly by the clinical (radiation) oncologist and head and neck surgeon, and offered the choice of treatment.Results:Of the patients, 47.4 per cent were given a choice between radiotherapy and transoral laser resection; 51.2 per cent were advised to have radiotherapy, and there were no records for the remaining 1.4 per cent. From those given the choice, 59.6 per cent chose transoral laser resection (p < 0.02 (t-test)) and 35.4 per cent chose radiotherapy.Conclusion:When given the choice, a statistically significant majority of patients choose transoral laser resection rather than radiotherapy.
Safety and efficacy of current alternatives in the topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis: a systematic review
Authors: WOLF NASSIF PRISCILA , DE MELLO TATIANE FRANÇA PERLES , NAVASCONI TAÍSA ROCHA , MOTA CAMILA ALVES , DEMARCHI IZABEL GALHARDO , ARISTIDES SANDRA MARA ALESSI , LONARDONI MARIA VALDRINEZ CAMPANA , TEIXEIRA JORGE JUAREZ VIEIRA , SILVEIRA THAÍS GOMES VERZIGNASSI 
Published: April 2017

SUMMARYStudies of topical treatments for leishmaniasis were systematically reviewed, to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, safety and any adverse effects of these treatments. The papers identified in the databases PubMed and Web of Knowledge involved eight studies with a total of 1744 patients. The majority of trials was from Iran (4/8), covered a period of 8 years (2003–2011), and included patients 4–85 years of age. The most frequent Leishmania species in the studies were L. tropica (4/8) and L. major (2/8). The treatments administered were thermotherapy, paromomycin and combinations, CO2 laser, 5-aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (10%) plus visible red light (633 nm) and cryotherapy. Six articles reported cure rates over 80·0%. Six studies reported on failure rates, three of them reporting rates lower than 10%. Four studies did not report relapses or recurrences, while the other studies reported low rates (1·8–6·3%). The most common adverse effects of the topical treatments were redness/erythema, pain, pruritus burning, oedema, vesicles and hyper- or hypopigmentation. The results provide strong evidence that the treatments topical evaluated showed high cure rates, safety and effectiveness, with low side-effects, relapse and recurrence rates, except for cryotherapy, which showed a moderate cure rate.
Simple dialkyl pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylates show in vitro and in vivo activity against disease-causing trypanosomatids
Authors: REVIRIEGO FELIPE , OLMO FRANCISCO , NAVARRO PILAR , MARÍN CLOTILDE , RAMÍREZ-MACÍAS INMACULADA , GARCÍA-ESPAÑA ENRIQUE , ALBELDA MARÍA TERESA , GUTIÉRREZ-SÁNCHEZ RAMÓN , SÁNCHEZ-MORENO MANUEL , ARÁN VICENTE J. 
Published: April 2017

SUMMARYThe synthesis and antiprotozoal activity of some simple dialkyl pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylates (compounds 2–6) and their sodium salts (pyrazolates) (compounds 7–9) against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis are reported. In most cases the studied compounds showed, especially against the clinically significant amastigote forms, in vitro activities higher than those of the reference drugs (benznidazole for T. cruzi and glucantime for Leishmania spp.); furthermore, the low non-specific cytotoxicities against Vero cells and macrophages shown by these compounds led to good selectivity indexes, which are 8–72 times higher for T. cruzi amastigotes and 15–113 times higher for Leishmania spp. amastigotes than those of the respective reference drugs. The high efficiency of diethyl ester 3 and its sodium salt 8 against the mentioned protozoa was confirmed by further in vitro assays on infection rates and by an additional in vivo study in a murine model of acute and chronic Chagas disease. The inhibitory capacity of compounds 3 and 8 on the essential iron superoxide dismutase of the aforementioned parasites may be related to the observed anti-trypanosomatid activity. The low acute toxicity of compounds 3 and 8 in mice is also reported in this article.
The political economy of currency internationalisation: the case of the RMB
Authors: Germain Randall , Schwartz Herman Mark 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe rise of China has sparked a debate about the economic and political consequences for the global economy of the internationalisation of the renminbi. We argue that the dominant focus of this literature – primarily the external conditions and requirements for a national currency to become an international currency – misspecifies the connections between the international and domestic requirements for currency internationalisation, as well as the potential to become the dominant international reserve currency. We correct this oversight by developing an integrated theoretical framework that highlights the domestic adjustment costs which a state must accommodate before its currency can carry the weight of internationalisation. These costs constitute a critical element of an international currency’s ‘political economy’, and they force states to negotiate contentious social trade-offs among competing domestic claims on finite public resources in a sustainable manner. Our analysis suggests that the likelihood of China being able to successfully negotiate the social costs associated with running a fully internationalised currency is currently very low, precisely because this will place unacceptable pressure on groups benefiting from the economic and political status quo. This further suggests that the American dollar will remain unchallenged as the global economy’s pre-eminent international currency for the foreseeable future.
Epidemics and aetiology of hand, foot and mouth disease in Xiamen, China, from 2008 to 2015
Authors: HE S. Z. , CHEN M. Y. , XU X. R. , YAN Q. , NIU J. J. , WU W. H. , SU X. S. , GE S. X. , ZHANG S. Y. , XIA N. S. 
Published: April 2017

SUMMARYOver the past 8 years, human enteroviruses (HEVs) have caused 27 227 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Xiamen, including 99 severe cases and six deaths. We aimed to explore the molecular epidemiology of HFMD in Xiamen to inform the development of diagnostic assays, vaccines and other interventions. From January 2009 to September 2015, 5866 samples from sentinel hospitals were tested using nested reverse transcription PCR that targeted the HEV 5′ untranslated region and viral protein 1 region. Of these samples, 4290 were tested positive for HEV and the amplicons were sequenced and genotyped. Twenty-two genotypes were identified. Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackieviruses A16, A6 and A10 (CA16, CA6 and CA10) were the most common genotypes, and there were no changes in the predominant lineages of these genotypes. EV71 became the most predominant genotype every 2 years. From 2013, CA6 replaced CA16 as one of the two most common genotypes. The results demonstrate the vast diversity of HFMD pathogens, and that minor genotypes are able to replace major genotypes. We recommend carrying-out long-term monitoring of the full spectrum of HFMD pathogens, which could facilitate epidemic prediction and the development of diagnostic assays and vaccines.
Regional solar radiation is inversely correlated with incidence and severity of tuberculosis in Chile
Authors: BALCELLS M. E. , CERDA J. , CONCHA S. , HOYOS–BACHILOGLU R. , CAMARGO C. A. , MARTINEAU A. R. , BORZUTZKY A. 
Published: April 2017

SUMMARYVitamin D (VD) deficiency has been linked to increased incidence and morbidity of tuberculosis (TB). Chile has large variations in solar radiation (SR; a proxy of VD status) and high prevalence of VD deficiency in its southernmost regions with low SR. We investigated the correlation between regional SR and rates of TB incidence, admissions and deaths in Chile by reviewing national records on prospectively collected mandatory disease notifications, admissions and mortality between 2001 and 2011. Over the study period, 26 691 new TB notifications were registered. The TB incidence rate was 14·77 (95% confidence intervals (CIs) 14·60–14·95), admission rate was 12·12 (95% CI 11·96–12·28) and mortality rate was 1·61 (95% CI 1·55–1·67) per 100 000 population per year. Multivariable linear regressions adjusting for significant demographic TB risk factors in Chile (regional prevalence of HIV infection, rates of migration from TB-endemic countries and rates of imprisonment) revealed an independent and highly statistically significant inverse association between SR and TB incidence rate (β −1·05, 95% CI −1·73 to −0·36, P = 0·007), admission rate (β −1·58, 95% CI −2·23 to −0·93, P < 0·001), and mortality rate (β −0·15, 95% CI −0·23 to −0·07, P = 0·002). These findings support a potential pathogenic role of VD deficiency in TB incidence and severity.
High number of asymptomatic dogs as leptospiral carriers in an endemic area indicates a serious public health concern
Authors: SANT'ANNA R. , VIEIRA A. S. , GRAPIGLIA J. , LILENBAUM W. 
Published: April 2017

SUMMARYAsymptomatic dogs can be potential hosts of leptospirosis. However, the extension of this phenomenon in endemic areas has not yet been clearly defined. This study is aimed at evaluating the role of asymptomatic dogs as carriers of Leptospira in an endemic area of Brazil. A total of 131 male dogs without apparent leptospirosis symptoms were included in the study based on clinical and hematologic exams. Serum and urine samples were collected for microscopic agglutination tests (MAT) and polymerase chain reactions (PCR) targeted the LipL32 gene, respectively. Forty-two dogs (32·1%) presented seroreactivity (titres ⩾100). The serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae was predominant, representing 92·7% of the seropositive samples. Overall, leptospiral DNA was detected on 26 urine samples (19·8%). PCR positivity was more common (28·6%) on seropositive dogs than on seronegative (15·7%) ones. Nevertheless, MAT was not correlated to PCR (P > 0·05). Age was not associated with seroreactivity, but dogs older than 5 years of age had 4·07 more chances (odds ratio) of being carriers (PCR positive) than younger ones. Although the fact of knowing that asymptomatic dogs can act as leptospiral carriers is not new, the extension of this fact is impressive in an endemic region, and its role and impact on public health cannot be neglected.
Segregating bodily isomerism or heterotaxy: potential echocardiographic correlations of morphological findings
Authors: Tremblay Cornelia , Loomba Rohit S. , Frommelt Peter C. , Perrin Donald , Spicer Diane E. , Backer Carl , Anderson Robert H. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundBodily isomerism, also referred to as heterotaxy, involves predominantly the thoracic organs, although other organs are usually abnormally positioned. Previously assessed on the basis of splenic anatomy, it is now understood that isomerism is better segregated on the basis of atrial appendage morphology. This allows for anticipation of associated findings. We aimed to assess the accuracy of segregation based on the morphology of the atrial appendages and other structures more easily identified by echocardiography.MethodsWe reviewed postmortem specimens of hearts from the archives at four institutions categorised as obtained from patients with “heterotaxy”. The cardiac structures were analysed using sequential segmental analysis. Non-cardiac structures were also examined if available. Statistical analyses were performed to compare differences in the settings of right as opposed to left isomerism.ResultsSpecimens were available from 188 patients. Of these, 57 had left isomerism, and 131 had right isomerism. Atrial appendages were isomeric in all patients. A coronary sinus was found only in left isomerism, whereas a terminal crest, or a Eustachian valve, was found only in right isomerism. Interruption of the inferior caval vein was associated with left isomerism, whereas totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection was associated with right isomerism.ConclusionIsomerism is uniformly segregated on the basis of the morphology of the atrial appendages, itself defined by the extent of the pectinate muscles. Other features such as the presence of a coronary sinus and systemic venous return can further help with such segregation of isomerism.