bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extent and Causes of Siltation in a Headwater Stream Bed: Catchment Soil Erosion is Less Important than Internal Stream Processes
Authors: Auerswald Karl , Geist Juergen 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe stream bed is a key habitat for many species, and its physicochemical properties govern important ecosystem functions. Stream bed colmation resulting from catchment erosion is considered a core problem of stream headwaters in which many species depending on coarse substrates are in decline. Here, we identify the origin of fine sediment and compare the contribution of external (i.e. catchment erosion) versus internal (i.e. in‐stream carbonate precipitation and internal biomass production) sources of siltation using a case study of a pre‐alpine river, the Moosach. The stream bed was dominated (51%) by fine sediment of mainly silt size. The average fine sediment thickness of 58 cm and a net deposition rate of 1.32 kg m−2 yr−1 confirmed siltation problems. Mineral analyses and mass balancing showed that still only less than 1% of the erosion input into the stream was deposited on the stream bed. Internal temperature‐dependent calcite precipitation also removed less than 1% of the calcium from the water column. Thus, by far, most of the fine material from erosion and precipitation was transported and did not contribute to the deposition of fines. Since the colmation problem is governed by the sink, it cannot be solved by exclusively addressing the sources (erosion, precipitation). Despite the well‐founded linkage between terrestrial and aquatic systems, this study suggests that restoration of stream bed quality must also focus on in‐stream processes and flow regime management, while erosion control remains essential in its own right. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unique genetic background and outcome of non‐Caucasian Japanese probands with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy
Authors: Wada Yuko , Ohno Seiko , Aiba Takeshi , Horie Minoru 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundArrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is an inherited cardiomyopathy mainly caused by desmosomal gene mutation. More than half of Caucasian probands have desmosomal mutations, which lead to earlier onset of ventricular arrhythmias. Among non‐Caucasians, the genetic background of ARVD/C probands and its prognostic impact remain unclear.Methods and ResultsWe genotyped 99 unrelated Japanese ARVD/C probands for plakophilin 2 (PKP2), desmoglein 2 (DSG2), desmoplakin (DSP), and desmocollin 2 (DSC2) between 2005 and 2014. Seventy‐five probands who fulfilled “definite” category according to the 2010 Task Force Criteria (TFC) were enrolled and followed up for 6.4 years. Sixty‐four percent of probands had desmosomal mutations; DSG2 was predominant (48% of mutations) followed by PKP2 (38%). DSG2 mutations were almost missense, whereas over 90% of PKP2 mutations were truncating mutations. Lethal ventricular arrhythmias (VAs, sustained ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation) occurred in 57% of probands as the first manifestation and 71% at the end of follow‐up. Five died during follow‐up. Truncating mutation carriers exhibited earlier lethal VAs onset compared to missense mutation carriers or mutation negatives (age at onset 35 ± 12, 49 ± 16, and 50 ± 19 years, respectively, P < 0.05 in each). Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed for the first time that, compared to mutation negatives, truncating mutation carriers had higher risk for lethal VAs, and especially for onset by their 40s, in an age‐dependent manner (RR = 4.6, P < 0.01 by their 40s; RR = 2.9, P = 0.01 by their 50s).ConclusionThe genetic background of Japanese ARVD/C probands is distinct from that of Caucasian probands, leading to distinct prognosis. The most affected gene mutations in Japanese probands were missense mutations in DSG2 leading to modest outcome, whereas PKP2 truncating mutations were the second most and might be a strong marker for lethal VAs in non‐Caucasian Japanese ARVD/C probands.
Factors associated with acceptance of pandemic flu vaccine by healthcare professionals in Spain, 2009–2010
Authors: Fernández‐Villa Tania , Molina Antonio J. , Torner Nuria , Castilla Jesus , Astray Jenaro , García‐Gutiérrez Susana , Mayoral José María , Tamames Sonia , Domínguez Ángela , Martín Vicente ,   CIBERESP Working Group for the Survey on Influenza Vaccination in Primary Health Care Workers
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTThe A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus reached pandemic level in Spain in 2009, prompting a national vaccination campaign. To avoid transmission to patients, healthcare professionals’ vaccination against pandemic influenza is crucial. The main objective of this study was to analyze factors associated with the failure by healthcare professionals to accept the pandemic vaccination in 2009. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted of healthcare professionals in seven of Spain's autonomous regions. A questionnaire was used to collect information about personal and professional details, the respondents’ flu vaccination status in the 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 seasons (seasonal and pandemic vaccines), and their knowledge and attitudes. A total of 1,661 professionals completed the survey. In the 2009–2010 season, 38.2% had both the seasonal and the pandemic vaccine, 22.1% had had only the seasonal, and 4.7% only the pandemic vaccine. The strongest predictor of not receiving the pandemic vaccine was not having had seasonal vaccinations in that year or the previous year. Those who had not received the pandemic vaccine were more often female; nurses; under 45; denied contact with at‐risk groups; and had negative beliefs about the vaccine effectiveness and little concern for getting the disease, being infected at work, or passing it on to patients. It would be prudent to direct preventive campaigns not only at individuals at risk of catching flu but also at health professionals with a negative view of flu vaccine, with a particular focus on nurses, who have a key role in recommending flu vaccine.
Highly selective multilayer polymer thin films for CO2/N2 separation
Authors: Song Yixuan , Lugo Elva L. , Powell Stuart , Tzeng Ping , Wilhite Benjamin A. , Grunlan Jaime C. 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTMultilayer thin films of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), deposited via layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly from aqueous solutions, are investigated for CO2/N2 separation. Eight and ten bilayer (217 and 389 nm thick, respectively) PEO/PMAA thin films deposited on a 25 μm polystyrene substrate exhibit CO2/N2 selectivities of 142 and 136, respectively. These are the highest reported to‐date for this gas pair separation using a homogeneous polymer film. While further work remains to improve CO2 permeability, these results indicate the potential of LbL assemblies as standalone CO2 separation membranes for low‐flux/high‐purity applications, or as part of a composite and/or mixed‐matrix membrane for high‐flux applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 1730–1737
Hesperidin Supplementation Alleviates Oxidative DNA Damage and Lipid Peroxidation in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Homayouni Fatemeh , Haidari Fatemeh , Hedayati Mehdi , Zakerkish Mehrnoosh , Ahmadi Kambiz 
Published: August 2017

This study aimed to examine the effects of hesperidin supplement on the glycemic parameters, oxidative DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation in patients with type 2 diabetes. Sixty‐four patients were randomly allocated to receive 500 mg/day hesperidin or placebo capsules for 6 weeks. Data on glycemic parameters, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHDG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were collected at the baseline and at the end of the study. In hesperidin group, TAC increased (0.74 ± 0.16 vs. 0.82 ± 0.18), while serum froctoseamin (5.79 ± 5.86 vs. 5.01 ± 4.95; p = 0.001), 8‐OHDG (14.32 ± 6.4 vs. 11.00 ± 7.0; p = 0.000), and MDA (5.78 ± 1.76 vs. 4.60 ± 0.75; p = 0.000) decreased in comparison with the baseline values. There was a significant difference in percent change of TAC (13.35 ± 19.21 vs. 3.13 ± 10.02; p = 0.043), froctoseamin (−10.10 ± 16.84 vs. 4.27 ± 34.646), 8‐OHDG (−25.11 ± 28.23 vs. 8.69 ± 35.41; p = 0.000), and MDA (−16.46 ± 18.04 vs. −1.82 ± 22.63; p = 0.007) between hesperidin and control groups following intervention in adjusted models. These results suggest that hesperidin may improve TAC and alleviate serum froctoseamin, 8‐OHDG, and MDA levels in type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust convergence of discrete‐time delayed switched nonlinear systems and its applications to cascade systems
Authors: Liu Xingwen , Zhao Qianchuan 
Published: August 2017

SummarySystems in real world are always subject to perturbations. This paper addresses the convergence properties of a class of nominal systems with perturbations. It is assumed that the nominal system is a switched nonlinear exponentially stable one with time‐varying delays and that the perturbation exponentially or asymptotically converges to zero. It is revealed that the trajectories of the perturbed system behave as the perturbation, ie, trajectories exponentially or asymptotically converge to zero, depending on the property of perturbation. Applying these results to cascade switched nonlinear systems, it is shown that such systems are exponentially stable if and only if all the subsystems, obtained by removing the coupling terms, are exponentially stable. A similar conclusion is presented for systems being asymptotically stable. Finally, a numerical example illustrates the proposed theoretical results.
Formal verification of probabilistic SystemC models with statistical model checking
Authors: Ngo Van Chan , Legay Axel 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTransaction‐level modeling with SystemC has been very successful in describing the behavior of embedded systems by providing high‐level executable models, in which many of them have inherent probabilistic behaviors, eg, random data and unreliable components. It is thus crucial to have both quantitative and qualitative analysis of the probabilities of system properties.Such analysis can be conducted by constructing a formal model of the system under verification and using Probabilistic Model Checking. However, this method is infeasible for large systems, due to the state space explosion. In this article, we demonstrate the successful use of statistical model checking to conduct such analysis directly from large SystemC models and allow designers to express a wide range of useful properties.The first contribution of this work is a framework to verify properties expressed in Bounded Linear Temporal Logic for SystemC models with both timed and probabilistic characteristics.Second, the framework allows users to expose a rich set of user code primitives as atomic propositions in Bounded Linear Temporal Logic. Moreover, users can define their own fine‐grained time resolution rather than the boundary of clock cycles in the SystemC simulation.The third contribution is an implementation of a statistical model checker. It contains an automatic monitor generation for producing execution traces of the model‐under‐verification, the mechanism for automatically instrumenting the model‐under‐verification, and the interaction with statistical model checking algorithms.
Evaluating relationships between hunting and biodiversity knowledge among children
Authors: Peterson M. Nils , Chesonis Tessa , Stevenson Kathryn T. , Bondell Howard D. 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTWe investigated how hunting participation and associated demographic variables relate to biodiversity knowledge among children. Past participation in hunting among elementary age children in North Carolina, USA, surveyed during 2014 was high (29%) and a positive predictor of student's ability to name native wildlife species after controlling for gender, ethnicity, and grade level. Minorities and girls had lower biodiversity knowledge scores and were less supportive of hunting. Our findings suggest children may view hunting differently than adults and that youth hunting programs, particularly those targeting very young children, may be fruitful ways to promote biodiversity knowledge. Such efforts, however, may be most valuable among minorities because Hispanic children had the lowest participation in hunting and Black children had both low participation rates and lowest biodiversity knowledge scores. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Purification of Cyclic GMP-AMP from Viruses and Measurement of Its Activity in Cell Culture
Authors: Mayer Alice , Maelfait Jonathan , Bridgeman Anne , Rehwinkel Jan 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Sensing of cytoplasmic DNA by cGAS is essential for the initiation of immune responses against several viruses. cGAS also plays important roles in some autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases and may be involved in immune responses targeting cancer cells. Once activated, cGAS catalyzes the formation of the di-nucleotide 2′-3′-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which propagates a signaling cascade leading to the production of type I interferons (IFNs). Interestingly, cGAMP is incorporated into enveloped viruses and is transferred to newly infected cells by virions. In this article, we describe a method to purify cGAMP from viral particles and a bioassay to measure its activity. This assay takes advantage of a reporter cell line that expresses the genes encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) and firefly luciferase under the control of the IFNß promoter, allowing the testing of several samples in a single experiment taking not more than 3 days.
The Impact of the Location of Esophagogastrostomy on Acid and Duodenogastroesophageal Reflux After Transthoracic Esophagectomy with Gastric Tube Reconstruction and Intrathoracic Esophagogastrostomy
Authors: Usui Hiroaki , Fukaya Masahide , Itatsu Keita , Miyata Kazushi , Miyahara Ryoji , Funasaka Kohei , Nagino Masato 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the location of esophagogastrostomy on acid and duodenogastroesophageal reflux (DGER) in patients undergoing gastric tube reconstruction and intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy.MethodsThirty patients receiving transthoracic esophagectomy without cervical lymph node dissection and gastric tube reconstruction by intrathoracic anastomosis were enrolled. All patients underwent 24‐h pH and bilirubin monitoring and gastrointestinal endoscopy one year after surgery. Patients were divided into three groups according to esophagogastrostomy location: group A (n = 9), above the top of the aortic arch; group B (n = 15), between the top and bottom of the aortic arch; and group C (n = 6), below the bottom of the aortic arch. The relations among the esophagogastrostomy location, 24‐h pH and bilirubin monitoring results, endoscopic findings, and reflux symptoms were investigated.ResultsNo acid reflux into the remnant esophagus was observed in group A, whereas it was observed in three of 15 patients (20%) in group B and in two of six patients (33%) in group C (P = 0.139). No DGER was found in group A, whereas DGER was observed in eight (53%) patients in group B and all patients in group C (P < 0.001). Reflux esophagitis was observed in one patient (11%) in group A, five patients (33%) in group B, and all patients in group C (P = 0.002).ConclusionIn gastric tube reconstruction via intrathoracic anastomosis, esophagogastrostomy should be performed above the top of the aortic arch to prevent postoperative DGER and reduce the incidence of reflux esophagitis.
Comparative Evaluation of Surgical Procedures with Clinical Equipoise: The Unique Perspective of Our Hand Therapy Colleagues
Authors: Schreiber Joseph J. , Clark Susan , Yao Jeffrey 
Published: August 2017

Background There are several accepted surgical treatment options available for carpal tunnel syndrome, thumb carpometacarpal joint (CMC), osteoarthritis (OA), and wrist degenerative joint disease. Questions/Purposes We sought to obtain the views and preferences from a cohort of certified hand therapists (CHT) and hypothesized that this source may identify differences in procedures that are otherwise widely believed to have clinical equipoise. Methods Five hundred twelve CHTs were surveyed regarding their experience, volume, and referral base along with their subjective assessments and preferences regarding open versus endoscopic carpal tunnel release (CTR), various surgical procedures for CMC OA, and proximal row carpectomy (PRC) versus 4-corner fusion (4-CF). Results The average CHT surveyed had 15.2 years experience and had a referral base of 7.7 different hand surgeons. Twenty-seven percent of respondents perceived superior pain control and incisional tenderness following open CTR compared to that of endoscopic CTR. However, 68% of CHTs would elect to undergo an open CTR themselves. There was no clear consensus for the optimal reconstructive technique for thumb CMC OA. As compared to that of 4-CF, PRC was thought to result in superior pain control (34 versus 22%), motion (43 versus 18%), and earlier discharge from therapy (32 versus 19%); however, 53% of respondents would prefer a 4-CF for themselves. Conclusions Hand therapists are intimately involved in the care of surgical patients and provide an educated and unique source for evaluating postoperative outcomes.
CYP2A6 Polymorphisms Associate with Outcomes of S-1 Plus Oxaliplatin Chemotherapy in Chinese Gastric Cancer Patients
Authors: Yang Lin , Zou Shanshan , Shu Chang , Song Yan , Sun Yong-Kun , Zhang Wen , Zhou Aiping , Yuan Xinghua , Yang Yi , Hu Songnian 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Gastric carcinoma is a heterogeneous malignant disease involving genetic factors. To identify predictive markers for gastric cancer treatment in Chinese patients, we evaluated the association between polymorphisms of the gene encoding cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) and outcomes of S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) chemotherapy treatment. Clinical data on 60 consecutive gastric cancer patients receiving SOX regimen were collected prospectively. We sequenced all exons of CYP2A6 and a total of 22 different polymorphisms were detected in the present study. Comprehensive analyses of these genetic polymorphisms were performed to determine their association with both safety and efficacy of SOX regimen. Our results showed that polymorphisms of CYP2A6 were associated with the safety and efficacy of SOX treatment. Among them, missense mutations CYP2A6 rs60823196 and rs138978736 could be possible risk factors (P &lt; 0.05) for severe diarrhea induced by SOX, whereas CYP2A6 rs138978736 could be a conceivable predictor for overall survival of patients treated with SOX adjuvant chemotherapy. Further large-scale randomized prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Predictors of obtaining follow-up care in the province of Ontario, Canada, following a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and hypertension in the emergency department
Authors: Atzema Clare L. , Yu Bing , Ivers Noah M. , Rochon Paula A. , Lee Douglas S. , Schull Michael J. , Austin Peter C. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectivePatients with cardiovascular diseases are common in the emergency department (ED), and continuity of care following that visit is needed to ensure that they receive evidence-based diagnostic tests and therapy. We examined the frequency of follow-up care after discharge from an ED with a new diagnosis of one of three cardiovascular diseases.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with a new diagnosis of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or hypertension, who were discharged from 157 non-pediatric EDs in Ontario, Canada, between April 2007 and March 2014. We determined the frequency of follow-up care with a family physician, cardiologist, or internist within seven and 30 days, and assessed the association of patient, emergency physician, and family physician characteristics with obtaining follow-up care using cause-specific hazard modeling.ResultsThere were 41,485 qualifying ED visits. Just under half (47.0%) had follow-up care within seven days, with 78.7% seen by 30 days. Patients with serious comorbidities (renal failure, dementia, COPD, stroke, coronary artery disease, and cancer) had a lower adjusted hazard of obtaining 7-day follow-up care (HRs 0.77-0.95) and 30-day follow-up care (HR 0.76-0.95). The only emergency physician characteristic associated with follow-up care was 5-year emergency medicine specialty training (HR 1.11). Compared to those whose family physician was remunerated via a primarily fee-for-service model, patients were less likely to obtain 7-day follow-up care if their family physician was remunerated via three types of capitation models (HR 0.72, 0.81, 0.85) or via traditional fee-for-service (HR 0.91). Findings were similar for 30-day follow-up care.ConclusionsOnly half of patients discharged from an ED with a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and hypertension were seen within a week of being discharged. Patients with significant comorbidities were less likely to obtain follow-up care, as were those with a family physician who was remunerated via primarily capitation methods.
Retrospective evaluation of the BIG score to predict mortality in pediatric blunt trauma
Authors: Grandjean-Blanchet Charlotte , Emeriaud Guillaume , Beaudin Marianne , Gravel Jocelyn 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectivesThis study’s objective was to measure the criterion validity of the BIG score (a new pediatric trauma score composed of the initial base deficit [BD], international normalized ratio [INR], and Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS]) to predict in-hospital mortality among children admitted to the emergency department with blunt trauma requiring an admission to the intensive care unit, knowing that a score <16 identifies children with a high probability of survival.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study performed in a single tertiary care pediatric hospital between 2008 and 2016. Participants were all children admitted to the emergency department for a blunt trauma requiring intensive care unit admission or who died in the emergency department. The primary analysis was the association between a BIG score ≥16 and in-hospital mortality.ResultsTwenty-eight children died among the 336 who met the inclusion criteria. Two hundred eighty-four children had information on the three components of the BIG score, and they were included in the primary analysis. A BIG score ≥16 demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76-0.98) and specificity of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78-0.87) to identify mortality. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, the area under the curve was higher for the BIG score (0.97; 95% IC: 0.95-0.99) in comparison to the Injury Severity Score (0.78; 95% IC: 0.71-0.85).ConclusionIn this retrospective cohort, the BIG score was an excellent predictor of survival for children admitted to the emergency department following a blunt trauma.