bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A quantum-based semiotic model for textual semantics
Authors: Galofaro Francesco , Toffano Zeno , Doan Bich-Liên 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The paper aims to provide a semiotic interpretation of the role played by entanglement in quantum-based models aimed to information retrieval and suggests possible improvements. Actual models are capable of retrieving documents relevant to a query composed of a keyword and its acceptation expressed by a given context. The paper also considers some analogies between this technique and quantum-based approaches in other disciplines to discuss the consequence of this quantum turn, as epistemology and philosophy of language are concerned.

Design/methodology/approach
We use quantum geometry to design a formal model for textual semiotics. In particular, the authors refer to Greimas’s work on semantics and information theory, to Eco’s writings on semantic memory and to Lotman’s work on a cybernetic notion of culture.

Findings
Quantum approaches imply a particular point of view on meaning. Meaning is not a real, positive quality of a given word. It is a net of relations constructed in the text, whose value is progressively determined during the reading process. Furthermore, reading is not a neutral operation: to read is to determine meaning. If it is said that, from a general semiotic point of view, meaning is stored in quantum semantic memories and is read/written by semantic machines, then the operation of “reading/writing” is analogous to the operation of measuring in quantum theory: in other terms, meaning is a value, and this implies an instance (not necessarily human) according to which values are valuable.

Research limitations/implications
The authors are not proposing a complete quantum semantics. At the present, quantum information retrieval can detect the presence of semantic relations. The authors suggest a way to characterize them, leaving open the problem on how to formalize the document as a vector in four-state semantic space.

Practical implications
A quantum turn shows deep semiotic implications on the approach to language, which shows an immanent semantic organization not reducible to syntax and morphology. This organization is probabilistic and indeterministic and explains to what extent text fixes the meaning of its lexical units.

Social implications
In the authors’ perspective, signification is not the exclusivity of a human subject. Criticizing Turing test, the great semiotic and cybernetic scholar Jurij Lotman wrote that if we identify “intelligent” and “human”, we raise the failings of an actual form of intelligence to the rank of an essential characteristic. On this line, meaning is considered as a feature of social, artificial and biological systems.

Originality/value
The adoption of quantum formalism seems in line with cybernetic framework, involving a probabilistic, non-cartesian point of view on meaning aimed to critically discuss the human–machine relation. Furthermore, Quantum theory (QT) implies a phenomenological point of view on the conditions of possibility of meaning.
Systemic sclerosis
Authors: Asano Yoshihide 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy and tissue fibrosis of the skin and various internal organs. A series of genetic and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that SSc onset is determined by the accumulation of predisposing factors related to environmental influences, while genetic factors affect the susceptibility to and the severity of this disease. This notion has been confirmed by recent advance in animal models. The initial trigger of SSc is believed to be autoimmune attacks to endothelial cells, which occur in individuals with the genetic susceptibility to autoimmune diseases and/or the cumulative exposure to certain SSc‐related environmental influences. Then, endothelial cells are aberrantly activated or damaged, leading to the development of vascular structural changes, such as destructive vasculopathy and proliferative obliterative vasculopathy, and tissue fibrosis. In parallel, inflammatory cells activate SSc fibroblasts and modify the metabolism of extracellular matrix by soluble factors and autoantibodies. Prior to or during these processes, SSc fibroblasts acquire the ability to selectively respond to profibrotic growth factors and cytokines, persistently producing excessive amount of extracellular matrix. SSc fibroblasts also modify immune responses, at least those of CD4+ T cells, in the microenvironment through the secretion of immune regulatory molecules. Thus, various types of individually activated cells interact with each other and coordinately drive an SSc‐specific disease cascade, leading to the development of unique clinical symptoms. This article provides an overview of the current understanding of the pathogenesis of SSc with the recent advance in the research field of this disease.
Medical Malpractice Liability Exposure and OB/GYN Physician Delivery Decisions
Authors: Durrance Christine Piette , Hankins Scott 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveThis study examines the effect of physician medical malpractice liability exposure on primary Cesarean and vaginal births after Cesarean (VBACs).Data Sources/Study SettingSecondary data on hospital births from Florida Hospital Inpatient File, physician characteristics from American Medical Association Physician Masterfile, and physician malpractice claim history from Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.Study DesignOur study estimates the effects of physician malpractice liability exposure on Cesareans and VBACs using panel data and a multivariate, fixed effects model.Data CollectionWe merge three secondary data sources based on unique physician license numbers between 1994 and 2010.Principal FindingsWe find no evidence that the first malpractice claim affects primary Cesarean deliveries. We find, however, that the first malpractice claim decreases the likelihood of a VBAC (conditional on a prior Cesarean delivery) by 1.2–1.9 percentage points (approximately 10 percent relative to mean VBAC incidence). This finding is robust to focusing on obstetrics‐related malpractice claims, as well as to considering different malpractice claims (first report, first severe report, and first lawsuit).ConclusionsGiven the increase in both primary and repeat Cesarean deliveries, our results suggest that physician malpractice liability exposure is responsible for a relatively small share of the VBAC decrease.
An Analysis of The Morbidity and Mortality of Diabetes Mellitus in a Forensic Context
Authors: Zhou Chong , Byard Roger W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTo investigate the spectrum of diseases seen in diabetes mellitus in a forensic context, all autopsy reports of diabetic individuals who presented to Forensic Science, South Australia (FSSA), over a 5‐year period from 2005 to 2009 were studied. The leading cause of death was cardiovascular disease (55.0%), followed by unnatural deaths (15.4%) and infections (9.4%). In type 1 diabetics, principal causes of death included cardiovascular disease (44.7%), acute metabolic complications (18.7%), unnatural deaths (17.9%), and infections (8.9%). However, frequencies of these diseases differed in type 2 diabetics, with cardiovascular events responsible for 56.6% of cases, followed by unnatural deaths (15.0%) and infections (10.9%). A larger number of male deaths were seen in all disease categories, except respiratory and gastrointestinal where the frequencies were similar to females. Cardiovascular disease was the leading overall cause of death across all ages except in those under the age of 30 where metabolic complications were more common.
Cranial Backspatter Pattern Production Utilizing Human Cadavers
Authors: Rossi Celestina , Herold Lynne D. , Bevel Tom , McCauley Leslie , Guadarrama Stephanie 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA backspatter pattern results from blood drops that travel retrograde to an applied external force. Historically, an array of animals and nonhuman objects have been used to create and study backspatter patterns. In this study, backspatter patterns captured on foam core targets that were placed 45.72 cm (18 in) behind the impact site (occipital area of the skull) were produced by cranial gunshots to human cadavers that were reinfused with fresh defibrinated bovine blood. These patterns were compared to the backspatter patterns produced by shooting blood‐soaked sponges, a typical simulant used in controlled studies of backspatter pattern production and characteristics. The backspatter pattern produced by shooting an actual human head was found to be different than those of blood‐soaked sponges in the number of stains produced, the size and size range of the stains, and the stain dispersion patterns.
Lower oesophageal sphincter‐preserving Roux‐en‐Y esophagojejunostomy with a jejunal J‐pouch reconstruction‐added His angle formation after total gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Tomita Ryouichi 
Published: December 2017

AimThe aim of the present study was to prevent post‐gastrectomy disorders (PGD), such as alkaline reflux esophagitis (ARE), early dumping syndrome (EDS) and microgastria, in patients after total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. We performed lower oesophageal sphincter (LES)‐preserving Roux‐en Y with jejunal J‐pouch reconstruction and His angle formation (LRYJPH). We introduce the application criteria, technical points and results of the LRYJPH procedure.Patients and MethodsTwenty‐eight patients who underwent LRYJPH in our hospital from October 2014 to August 2015 were studied. The application criteria were gastric cancer patients (stages II, IIIA and IIIB) who could undergo radical surgery and tumour mainly localized at the middle third of the stomach, with its anal side 5.5 cm or further from the esophagogastric mucosa junction. To preserve the LES, the abdominal oesophagus was resected at the level of the His angle. To make a jejeunal J pouch, a plicated jejunal loop of 15 cm in length was made. After end‐to‐side esophagojejunostomy of the jejunal J pouch, a His angle was created on the left‐side abdominal oesophagus.ResultsThe patient’s appetite was unchanged compared with before the operation. Symptomatic and endoscopic ARE, food stasis in the jejunal J pouch and microgastria were all absent. EDS was 8.3 per cent. The level of satisfaction after the operation was 100 per cent.ConclusionLRYJPH is appropriate to prevent PGD. This procedure is safe and facilities satisfactory results.
Twilight‐free geolocation from noisy light data
Authors: Bindoff Aidan D. , Wotherspoon Simon J. , Guinet Christophe , Hindell Mark A. 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Solar geolocation is used to quantify the movements of animals tagged with sensors that record ambient light with respect to time. Global location sensor (GLS) tags are small, light, and present minimal drag or wing loading. They are affordable, and some can record data for several migratory cycles. These benefits mean they can be used in applications for which satellite tags are unsuitable. However, large errors in estimated locations can result if the sensor is obscured, especially around twilight, and sometimes the data obtained is unusable by existing methods of analysis due to this source of noise. This places limitations on the usefulness of solar geolocation in conservation and monitoring efforts.

All existing methods of analysis are dependent on twilights being identifiable or faithfully recorded. Instead, the method introduced here depends on the overall pattern of day and night to calculate the likelihoods for a Hidden Markov Model, where the hidden states are geographic locations. We call this a “twilight‐free” method of light‐based geolocation.

This method quickly estimates locations from otherwise unusable noisy light data. We use examples to show that the method produces tracks that are comparable in accuracy and precision to other geolocation methods. Furthermore, efficiency and replicability of estimated paths are improved because the user does not have to subjectively identify twilights. Other data sources, such as sea surface temperature and land or sea masks are easily incorporated, further improving location estimates and processing speed.

The twilight‐free method offers new opportunities to researchers interested in the movements of animals that routinely have obscured sensors, or to analyse previously unusable noisy light data. It offers a fast, efficient, and replicable method for analysing tag data without the need for time‐consuming pre‐ or post‐processing. By increasing the yield of usable data from GLS tagging studies, researchers can more efficiently quantify where animals are going and when, and monitor changes in habitat. This is of fundamental importance to management and conservation efforts.
A new method for testing evolutionary rate variation and shifts in phenotypic evolution
Authors: Castiglione Silvia , Tesone Gianmarco , Piccolo Martina , Melchionna Marina , Mondanaro Alessandro , Serio Carmela , Di Febbraro Mirko , Raia Pasquale 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Quantifying phenotypic evolutionary rates and their variation across phylogenetic trees is a major issue in evolutionary biology. A number of phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs) currently perform such task. However, available PCMs can locate rate shifts pertaining to entire portions of the phylogeny, but not those expected to occur at the level of individual species and lineages, such as with the idea that body size changes more rapidly in insular vertebrates. Still, most PCMs cannot deal with fossil phylogenies, albeit fossils provide highly desirable information when it comes to understand trait variation and evolution.

We developed a PCM based on phylogenetic ridge regression, which we named RRphylo, which assigns an evolutionary rate to each branch of the phylogeny, and is designed to locate rate shifts relating to entire clades, as well as to unrelated tree tips. We tested RRphylo on simulated trees and data to assess its performance under different conditions. Then, we repeated its application with two real case scenarios, the evolution of flight in ornithodirans and mammals and body size evolution in insular mammals, which are usually subsumed to evolve under different range regimes than terrestrial and continental species respectively.

RRphylo performs well across all different conditions. The simulation experiments demonstrated it has low Type I and Type II error rate. We found significant evidence that flight accelerates the rate of body size evolution in vertebrates, and that the acquisition of very large body size slows down the rate. Still, insular mammals body size evolution is not faster than in continental species.

RRphylo is a new PCM ideal to estimate variation and shift in the rate of phenotypic evolution with fossil data. In addition to testing evolutionary rate variation, it is open to a variety of further questions, such as the evolution of rates in time, the estimation of ancestral states and the estimation of phenotypic trends over time.
Herpetofaunal species presence in buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) versus native vegetation‐dominated habitats at Uluṟu‐Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Authors: Dittmer Drew E. , Bidwell Joseph R. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBuffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) has been established in Uluṟu‐Kata Tjuta National Park since 1968. To date, the influence of buffel grass on the Park's flora and fauna has been largely unassessed. The objectives of this study were to determine if buffel grass dominates vegetation communities at the base of Uluṟu and if buffel grass habitats are associated with lower reptile and amphibian species richness than endemic vegetation communities. We used vegetation transects to measure the amount of buffel grass and genera of endemic vegetation at 26 sampling locations around the base of Uluṟu. The vegetation survey data were paired with pitfall trap data from reptile and amphibian captures at the same sampling locations. Indicator species analysis and non‐metric multidimensional scaling were used to analyse the vegetation and herpetofaunal community data. Our analyses determined five distinct vegetation communities around Uluṟu. At the base of Uluṟu, buffel grass dominated half of sampled areas and the rest of the inselberg's base was dominated by Themeda grasses. Buffel grass habitats had significantly higher herpetofaunal species richness than the Themeda habitats that dominated other areas at Uluṟu's base. Herpetofauna species richness in buffel grass‐dominated habitats was also significantly higher than all vegetation communities except for Triodia‐dominated habitats. These observations do not directly indicate that buffel grass presence promotes higher species richness of reptiles and amphibians since the observed patterns may be driven by factors such as proximity to breeding sites and abiotic variables not directly related to the grass itself.
S‐R difference in V1‐V2 is a novel criterion for differentiating the left from right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias
Authors: Kaypakli Onur , Koca Hasan , Sahin Durmus Yıldıray , Karataş Fadime , Ozbicer Suleyman , Koç Mevlüt 
Published: December 2017

AimThe correct estimation of the VA origin as RVOT or LVOT results in reduced ablation duration reduced radiation exposure and decreased number of vascular access. In our study, we aimed to detect the predictive value of S‐R difference in V1‐V2 for differentiating the left from right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias.MethodsWe included 123 patients with symptomatic frequent premature ventricular outflow tract contractions who underwent successful catheter ablation (70 male, 53 female; mean age 46.2 ± 13.9 years, 61 RVOT, 62 LVOT origins). S‐R difference in V1‐V2 was calculated with this formula on the 12‐lead surface ECG: (V1S + V2S) – (V1R + V2R). Conventional ablation was performed in 101 (82.1%) patients, CARTO electroanatomic mapping system was used in 22 (17.9%) patients.ResultsV1‐2 SRd was found to be significantly lower for LVOT origins than RVOT origins (p < .001). The cutoff value of V1‐2 SRd obtained by ROC curve analysis was 1.625 mV for prediction of RVOT origin (sensitivity: 95.1%, specificity: 85.5%, positive predictive value: 86.5%, negative predictive value: 94.5%). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.929 (p < .001).ConclusionS‐R difference in V1‐V2 is a novel and simple electrocardiographic criterion for accurately differentiating RVOT from LVOT sites of ventricular arrhythmia origins. The use of this simple ECG measurement could improve the accuracy of OTVA localization, could be beneficial for decreasing ablation duration and radiation exposure. Further studies with larger patient population are needed to verify the results of this study.
Surgical management decreases disease recurrence risk in recurrent pyogenic cholangitis
Authors: Tan Hwee Leong , Koh Ye Xin , Lye Weng Kit , Lee Ser Yee , Goh Brian Kim Poh , Tan Siong San , Chiow Adrian Kah Heng , Chan Chung Yip 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundRecurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) has a high risk of disease recurrence. We present our experience with RPC and examine the factors associated with disease recurrence.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of all patients with RPC treated at two tertiary institutions between January 1990 and December 2013. Patients with liver atrophy and/or abscess were categorized as being associated with parenchymal disease (PD).ResultsWe studied 157 patients with a median age of 59.0 (interquartile range (IQR): 47.0–70.0) years and a median follow‐up duration of 71.0 (IQR: 26.0–109.0) months. There were 64 (40.8%) and 93 (59.2%) patients with and without associated PD, respectively. Disease recurrence rate was 43.9% in our overall cohort through the course of follow‐up. Surgical treatment was an independent prognostic factor for decreased disease recurrence risk (hazard ratio (HR) 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18–0.87, P = 0.021). Stratified analysis revealed that liver resection was prognostic for lower risk of disease recurrence among patients with PD (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.15–0.94, P = 0.036), while biliary bypass was prognostic for lower risk of disease recurrence among patients without PD (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.15–0.61, P = 0.001). The overall post‐operative complication rate among surgically treated patients was 31.1%, and the presence of bilobar stones was found to be independently associated with higher odds of post‐operative complications (odds ratio 3.51, 95% CI 1.26–9.81, P = 0.017).ConclusionSurgical treatment is associated with decreased recurrence risk in RPC, but with significant post‐operative morbidity. Where surgery is deemed appropriate, patients with and without PD are likely to benefit from liver resection and biliary bypass, respectively.
Inflammation and Its Consequences After Surgical Versus Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Uhle Florian , Castrup Christian , Necaev Anna‐Maria , Grieshaber Philippe , Lichtenstern Christoph , Weigand Markus Alexander , Böning Andreas 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSymptomatic aortic stenosis can be treated by surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), the latter of which is regarded as a minimally invasive procedure. Differences between these procedures regarding immune responses or changes in coagulation and neurocognitive function have thus far been evaluated only sparsely. We carried out a prospective, single‐center, nonrandomized explorative study with 38 patients. Thirteen patients were subjected to either SAVR or transfemoral (TF‐) TAVR, and 12 patients underwent transapical (TA‐) TAVR. Plasma cytokines (IL‐6, −8, −18, presepsin) and acute‐phase proteins (C‐reactive protein, procalcitonin), markers of coagulation and platelet function, and neurocognitive function (via various standard tests) were assessed before and at five‐time points during a 72‐h follow‐up after surgery. SAVR and TA‐TAVR patients responded similarly to the procedure in terms of C‐reactive protein, leukocyte numbers, and IL‐6, whereas these responses were substantially lower in TF‐TAVR patients. Only SAVR patients showed measurable IL‐10 levels. SAVR patients without prior anticoagulation experienced a robust and transient restoration of platelet function after surgery, with no hypercoagulation observable in functional coagulation assays. None of the procedures led to an immediate improvement of hand and leg coordination, but patients after TA‐TAVR had decreased neurocognitive function. Patients after SAVR or TA‐TAVR exhibit a robust pro‐inflammatory response, which is—on the cytokine level—counterbalanced only in SAVR patients. Our results point toward a greater impact of TA‐TAVR on neurocognitive function and indicate a potentially detrimental activation of platelets in some patients after SAVR.
Editorial: alfapump—an alternative to large‐volume paracentesis for patients with refractory ascites?
Authors: Macdonald S. , Jalan R. 
Published: December 2017

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Stirnimann et al and Stirnimann and De Gottardi papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14331 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14415.
Editorial: a step forward in refining prognostication for patients with HIV‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma—Authors’ reply
Authors: Pinato D. J. , Bräu N. , Bower M. 
Published: December 2017

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Pinato et al and Giannini papers. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14356 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14374.
Editorial: thiopurine‐induced myelosuppression and infections in inflammatory bowel disease patients with a normal TPMT genotype—the perils of ageing. Authors’ reply
Authors: Broekman M. M. T. J. , Wanten G. J. , de Jong D. J. 
Published: December 2017

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Broekman et al and Willington and Gearry papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14323 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14370.