bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary and Secondary Stroke Prevention Using Left Atrial Appendage Closure with Watchman Devices in Atrial Fibrillation Patients
Authors: CHEN YANHONG , ZHANG YONGHUA , HUANG WEIPING , HUANG KEQIANG , XU BEI , SU XI 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased stroke risk resulting from cardiac embolism of the left atrial appendage (LAA). Stroke tends to recur in NVAF patients. Yet safety and feasibility of secondary stroke preventions with LAA closure (LAAC) have not been assessed in detail. This retrospective study was designed to compare the feasibility and safety of LAAC in primary and secondary stroke preventions, in a real‐world setting of Chinese patients.MethodsFrom 2014 to 2015, non‐valvular AF patients with CHA2DS2‐VASc ≥1 were selected for percutaneous LAAC operations. Outcome observations of primary and secondary stroke preventions with Watchman devices were analyzed and compared.ResultsOverall, 122 patients were included. LAAC with Watchman devices were attempted in 115 patients, of whom 68 were for primary stroke prevention and 47 were for secondary prevention. Both the CHA2DS2‐VASc score and the HASBLED score were significantly higher in the secondary prevention group (4.09 ± 1.06 vs. 1.93 ± 1.09 for CHA2DS2‐VASc and 1.83 ± 1.03 vs. 1.26 ± 0.87 for HASBLED, P < 0.01). In both groups LAAC were achieved with high successful rate (98.53% in the primary prevention group and 100% in the secondary prevention group, P > 0.05) and low complication rates. The stroke rates were at a low level in both groups (1.47% in primary prevention group vs. 2.13% in secondary prevention group, P > 0.05).ConclusionsIn our initial single‐center experience, percutaneous LAA closure was a feasible and safe procedure for both primary and secondary stroke preventions in Chinese patients with nonvalvular AF.
Rapid Assessment of Rate and Antiarrhythmic Drug Effect on the Myocardium Using Asymmetric Biphasic Pulse Stimulation
Authors: Furukawa Tetsushi , Herscovici Harry , Desai Tushar , Sampsell Ronald , Nogami Akihiko , Moroe Kazuo , Rozanski John J. , Lister John W. 
Published: January 2017

An asymmetric biphasic pulse which stimulates the heart and neutralizes the poststimulation polarization at the electrode‐myocardial interface permitting the recording of the evoked endocardial response (EER) up to approximately 1 ms poststimulation with the same electrode used for stimulation is described. Using this mode of cardiac stimulation in 20 dogs the effects on the EER of increasing heart rate and antiarrhythmic drugs, procainamide (PA) and N‐acetylpro‐cainamide (NAPA), were studied. EERs were recorded during bipolar and unipolar pacing rates of 120, 150, and 200/min before and during a five step PA or NAPA infusion which resulted in progressively increasing PA and NAPA plasma concentrations (Cps), 1.7 — 32.5 mg/l for PA and 8.1 — 116.1 mg/l for NAPA.The effects of progressively increasing heart rates were: The T wave amplitude and QS area increased with increases in rate; during pacing at 120, 150, and 200/min, the T wave amplitudes were 7.6 ± 2.3, 8.2 ± 2.1, and 9.8 ± 2.5 mV and the QS areas were 905 ± 204, 995 ± 199, and 1101 ± 231 mVms. The QT interval and QST area decreased with increases in rate; during pacing at 120, 150, and 200/min, the QT intervals were 265 ± 61, 249 ± 57, and 226 ± 52 ms and the QST areas were 288 ± 198, 221 ± 154, and 154 ± 52 mVms. The effects of the antiarrhythmic drugs, PA and NAPA, on the EER were: PA prolonged both the QS duration and QT interval at low Cp (type Ia antiarrhythmic drug property); at a therapeutic PA Cp of 15.0 ± 0.2 mg/I and a heart rate of 120/min the percent increase of the QS duration was 12 ± 4% (P = 0.001) and that of the QT interval was 20 ± 6% (P < 0.001). The prolongation of the QS duration by PA was rate dependent, the faster the rate the greater the prolongation. NAPA prolonged the QT interval at low Cp, while the QS duration was not significantly effected at low or therapeutic Cps (type III antiarrhythmic drug property); at a therapeutic NAPA Cp of 15.9 ± 1.6 mg/l and a heart rate of 120/min the percent increase of the QS duration was 1± 1% (NS) and that of the QT interval was 13 ± 9% (P = 0.018). Our results show that the use of an asymmetric biphasic pulse allows for pacing and recording of an EER, QS and T waves, with a single electrode. This pacing and sensing system permits the rapid assessment of heart rate and antiarrhythmic drug effect on the myocardium.
Lipoblastoma in children: Review of 12 cases
Authors: Susam‐Sen Hilal , Yalcin Bilgehan , Kutluk Tezer , Cahit Tanyel Feridun , Haliloglu Mithat , Orhan Diclehan , Aydin Burca , Kurucu Nilgun , Varan Ali , Akyuz Canan 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundLipoblastoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor of infancy and early childhood. Symptoms vary depending on localization, and signs of compression of adjacent organs may be seen.MethodsA total of 12 children with pathologically proven lipoblastoma from 2000 to 2014 were reviewed retrospectively for their clinical features, treatment and follow up.ResultsThere were seven boys and five girls between 7.5 months and 7.5 years of age. The most common symptom was painless rapid‐growing mass. The tumors were located in the neck, the abdomen, the groin, pelvis, axilla, glutea, labium majus, thigh and trunk. The largest tumor was in a retroperitoneal location and was 13 × 10 cm in size. Complete resection was performed in 10 patients. All of these patients were followed without any evidence of recurrence. Subtotal excision was performed in two patients. At a median follow up of 38 months (range, 1.8 months–10 years), all patients were disease free.ConclusionsLipoblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rapidly growing mass in patients <3 years of age. Total excision is the treatment of choice with preservation of vital organs. The prognosis is excellent despite large tumor size and local invasion. Recurrence rate is high in incompletely resected tumors. Regular follow up is important for early detection of recurrence.
What does “nothing over and above its parts” actually mean?
Authors: Smid Jeroen 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSome philosophers say that a whole is “nothing over and above” its parts. Most also take general extensilonal mereology to be treating wholes as “nothing over and above” their parts. It is not always clear, however, what exactly is meant by the phrase “nothing over and above.” Nor is it obvious why the phrase is associated with mereology, and what purpose it serves there. In the words of Peter Van Inwagen (, 210): “This slippery phrase has had a lot of employment in philosophy, but what it means is never explained by its employers.” This paper sheds light on the various senses in which one might hold that a whole is “nothing over and above” its parts, and on how these senses are related both to each other and to mereology.
Neo‐Confucianism and Zhou Dunyi's Philosophy
Authors: Gallinaro Ludovica 
Published: January 2017

AbstractUsing a term coined by the contemporary Chinese philosopher Mou Zongsan, we could define Zhou Dunyi's thought in terms of ‘moral metaphysics’. Zhou Dunyi (1017–1073), a thinker who lived in Northern Song period (960–1127), developed a philosophy that shows an ontological link between the cosmic order of the universe and the human moral reality. His contribution consists of two short works, Penetrating the Book of Changes (Tongshu) and Discussion of the Supreme Polarity Diagram (Taijitu shuo). These works played a fundamental role in creating the metaphysical structure of the neo‐Confucian thought: Zhu Xi emphasized Zhou Dunyi's contribution to the neo‐Confucian philosophy and, more precisely, he pointed out how Zhou Dunyi's ideas helped to define the conceptual framework of neo‐Confucianism. Moreover, Zhu Xi legitimized Zhou Dunyi's role as the pioneer of the ‘Learning of the Way’, or the renewed neo‐Confucian tradition. This paper aims to provide an overview of Zhou Dunyi's crucial role in the field of neo‐Confucianism. At the same time, we stress the need for further analysis in order to fully understand the value of Zhou Dunyi's philosophy in the Song period intellectual context.
Building a Values‐Informed Mental Model for New Orleans Climate Risk Management
Authors: Bessette Douglas L. , Mayer Lauren A. , Cwik Bryan , Vezér Martin , Keller Klaus , Lempert Robert J. , Tuana Nancy 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIndividuals use values to frame their beliefs and simplify their understanding when confronted with complex and uncertain situations. The high complexity and deep uncertainty involved in climate risk management (CRM) lead to individuals’ values likely being coupled to and contributing to their understanding of specific climate risk factors and management strategies. Most mental model approaches, however, which are commonly used to inform our understanding of people's beliefs, ignore values. In response, we developed a “Values‐informed Mental Model” research approach, or ViMM, to elicit individuals’ values alongside their beliefs and determine which values people use to understand and assess specific climate risk factors and CRM strategies. Our results show that participants consistently used one of three values to frame their understanding of risk factors and CRM strategies in New Orleans: (1) fostering a healthy economy, wealth, and job creation, (2) protecting and promoting healthy ecosystems and biodiversity, and (3) preserving New Orleans’ unique culture, traditions, and historically significant neighborhoods. While the first value frame is common in analyses of CRM strategies, the latter two are often ignored, despite their mirroring commonly accepted pillars of sustainability. Other values like distributive justice and fairness were prioritized differently depending on the risk factor or strategy being discussed. These results suggest that the ViMM method could be a critical first step in CRM decision‐support processes and may encourage adoption of CRM strategies more in line with stakeholders’ values.
Cross‐Subsidies, and the Elasticity of Informality to Social Expenditures: The Case of Mexico's Seguro Popular
Authors: Alonso‐Ortiz Jorge , Leal Julio 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHow is the size of the informal sector affected when the distribution of social expenditures across formal and informal workers changes? How is it affected when the tax rate changes along with the generosity of these transfers? In our search model, taxes are levied on formal‐sector workers as a proportion of their wage. Transfers, in contrast, are lump‐sum and are received by both formal and informal workers. This implies that high‐wage formal workers subsidize low‐wage formal workers as well as informal workers. We calibrate the model to Mexico and perform counterfactuals. We find that the size of the informal sector is quite inelastic to changes in taxes and transfers. This is due to the presence of search frictions and to the cross‐subsidy in our model: for low‐wage formal jobs, a tax increase is roughly offset by an increase in benefits, leaving the unemployed approximately indifferent. Our results are consistent with the empirical evidence on the recent introduction of the “Seguro Popular” healthcare program.
More than a Question of Agency: Privatized Project Implementation, Accountabilities, and Global Environmental Governance
Authors: Rosenberg Jonathan 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWith limited success, international relations scholars have used principal‐agent theory (P‐A) to understand gaps in global governance. While P‐A may not provide robust explanations, it is still useful for mapping long chains of complex, boundary‐crossing relationships and locating the gaps that characterize global environmental governance (GEG). In this article, first I argue that we can get beyond merely locating and describing governance gaps, and start explaining them, by considering the problems of accountability that contribute to those gaps. Second, I argue that outsourced sustainable development projects, implemented by for‐profit contractors, provide an under‐studied and under‐theorized body of cases for examining the relationship between agency and accountability. Finally, I use the example of a United States Agency for International Development post‐hurricane recovery project in Grenada to suggest that when development assistance agencies privatize implementation they prioritize more economistic logics of accountability. As a result, they may enhance short‐term economic efficiency and even become more accountable to their principals. But they fail to connect the means and ends of GEG, despite firmly stated, official commitments to “taking the environment into account.”
Sediment deposition from turbidity currents in simulated aquatic vegetation canopies
Authors: Soler Marianna , Colomer Jordi , Serra Teresa , Casamitjana Xavier , Folkard Andrew M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractA laboratory flume experiment was carried out in which the hydrodynamic and sedimentary behaviour of a turbidity current was measured as it passed through an array of vertical rigid cylinders. The cylinders were intended primarily to simulate aquatic vegetation canopies, but could equally be taken to represent other arrays of obstacles, for example forests or offshore wind turbines. The turbidity currents were generated by mixing naturally sourced, poly‐disperse sediment into a reservoir of water at concentrations from 1·0 to 10·0 g l−1, which was then released into the experimental section of the flume by removing a lock gate. For each initial sediment concentration, runs with obstacle arrays with solid plant fractions of 1·0% and 2·5%, and control cases with no obstacles, were carried out. The progress of the current along the flume was characterized by the array drag term, CDaxc (where CD is the array drag coefficient, at the frontal area of cylinders per unit volume, and xc is the position of the leading edge of the current along the flume). The downward depositional flux of sediment out of the current as it proceeded was measured at 13 traps along the flume. Analysis of these deposits divided them into fine (2·2 to 6·2 μm) and coarse (6·2 to 104 μm) fractions. At the beginning of their development, the gravity currents proceeded in an inertia‐dominated regime until CDaxc = 5. For CDaxc > 5, the current transitioned into a drag‐dominated regime. For both fine and coarse sediment fractions, the rate of sediment deposition tended to decrease gradually with distance from the source in the inertial regime, remained approximately constant at the early drag‐dominated regime, and then rose and peaked at the end of the drag‐dominated stage. This implies that, when passing through arrays of obstacles, the turbidity currents were able to retain sufficient sediment in suspension to maintain their flow until they became significantly influenced by the drag exerted by the obstacles.
Drug markets, violence, and the need to incorporate the role of race
Authors: Johnson Lallen T. , Bennett Juwan Z. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWhile race has proven to be a critical variable in the sociological understanding of multiple social outcomes, scholars have yet to fully appreciate the nature by which it shapes drug‐related violence. Empirical responses to the 1980s urban proliferation of illicit drugs generally relied on systemic explanations of drug market violence and how participants, by virtue of social positioning, are unable to use the criminal justice system to address grievances. Contrarily, the contingent causation hypothesis suggests that drug markets engender violence in settings where socioeconomic conditions are already favorable for violence. In spite of the contributions of these two themes, we argue that both represent oversimplifications of the complex ways by which race structures drug‐related violence. To truly understand drug market violence, the dominant narrative of emerging research must contextualize the proliferation of illicit drugs within the socio‐historical context of race and institutional racism. Only if and when that happens will the field move towards realistic solutions to ameliorate this social problem.
Quantitative assessments and taxonomic revision of the genus Archirhagio with a new species from Daohugou, China (Diptera: Archisargidae)
Authors: WANG FENGYAN , SHIH CHUNGKUN , REN DONG , WANG YONGJIE 
Published: January 2017

AbstractA new species, Archirhagio gracilentus sp.n., is described from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia in China. The ground plan of genital structures of Archirhagio is described according to the well‐preserved male and female genitalia in this new species. Based on venational patterns of five species of the Archirhagio, we conducted the geometric morphometric analysis to quantitatively review and revise the taxonomy of Archirhagio. The results indicate that most species of the genus, with one exception, have distinctive interspecific variances to support their taxonomy. Therefore, we propose Archirhagio mostovskii as a new synonym for Archirhagio zhangi according to both morphological characters and quantitative analyses. Furthermore, a traditional key character, the position of m‐cu, is too unstable to be used as a specific diagnosis. A key to all species of the Archirhagio is also provided.This published work has been registered in ZooBank,
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:112F5E51-42AB-4438-9512-32E19E1CF5E3.
HLA‐G regulatory polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to HCV infection
Authors: Catamo E. , Zupin L. , Freato N. , Polesello V. , Celsi F. , Crocè S. L. , Masutti F. , Pozzato G. , Segat L. , Crovella S. 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) is able to bypass the immune system modulating innate and adaptive immune response and blocking T helper 1 (Th1) cell production. Because the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐G molecule has immunomodulatory properties inhibiting the function and production of natural killer and cytotoxic lymphocyte T cells, as well as promoting shift from Th1 toward Th2 response, we hypothesized its involvement in susceptibility to HCV infection.
Materials and MethodsConsidering that HLA‐G mRNA expression has been reported to be under genetic control, an association study was conducted analyzing 800 base pairs upstream the ATG at the 5′upstream regulator region (URR) and 850 base pairs from ATG to exon 3 and the 3′untranslated region (UTR) of
HLA‐G gene in Italian HCV‐positive patients and uninfected controls.ResultsFour 5′URR polymorphisms (−725C>G>T, −509C>G, −400G>A and −398G>A), 7 polymorphisms at coding region (+15G>A, +36G>A, +243G>A, insC506, 531G>C, delA615 and 685G>A), the +644G>T polymorphism, and 1 haplotype (TTGTTCCIGAC) showed different frequency distributions between HCV patients and uninfected controls.ConclusionThe results from our study suggest a possible involvement of HLA‐G in the risk modulation toward HCV infection.
Principles for Effective Asynchronous Online Instruction in Religious Studies
Authors: McGuire Beverley 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAsynchronous online instruction has become increasingly popular in the field of religious studies. However, despite voluminous research on online learning in general and numerous articles on online theological instruction, there has been little discussion of how to effectively design and deliver online undergraduate courses in religious studies. Drawing on recent research, experiences teaching and learning online, and interviews with colleagues, this paper discusses key principles of effective online instruction. It recommends instructors focus on humanizing their course website, “chunking” their course content, making their approach to the study of religion clear, structuring and monitoring online discussions, prioritizing prompt and constructive feedback, and making course material relevant to learners.
Sexual Violence in and around the Classroom
Authors: Graybill Rhiannon , Minister Meredith , Lawrence Beatrice 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSexual violence on campus is a major issue facing students, faculty, and administrators, and institutions of higher education are struggling to respond. This forum brings together three responses to the problem, with a focus on the religious studies classroom. The responses move from the institution to the faculty to the classroom, exploring three separate but linked spaces for responding to sexual violence. The first contribution (Graybill) critiques common institutional responses to sexual violence. The second contribution (Minister) advocates for long‐term, classroom‐based responses to sexual violence and describes a faculty/staff workshop response. The third contribution (Lawrence) emphasizes the classroom, examining the issues that arise when perpetrators of sexual assault are part of the student body. Read together, the pieces offer a comprehensive view of the complicated intersections of sexual violence, the university, and pedagogical issues in religious studies.
The Agency Paradigm: A Pedagogical Tool to Facilitate Nuanced Thinking on Sensitive Issues
Authors: Caufield Catherine 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSensitive issues, rife in religious studies and in theology, present a pedagogical challenge when teaching students to nuance their thinking around positions that are often sharply defined and elicit strong feelings. I developed a learning tool that I call the “Agency Paradigm.” The purpose of this tool is to help students comprehend diversity within religious traditions, particularly regarding the agencies of women who are committed to them. Drawing on the open and critical dialogue of emancipatory pedagogy, the Agency Paradigm encourages students to explore a range of ways women in world religions choose to act in varying contexts. This approach to teaching world religions increases students’ cognitive knowledge base and expands their understanding of each of the religions studied in the course, as examined through the perspective of differing women; it also assists them in developing their own agency through thoughtful reflection.
Moving integrated weed management from low level to a truly integrated and highly specific weed management system using advanced technologies
Authors: Young S L , Pitla S K , Van Evert F K , Schueller J K , Pierce F J 
Published: January 2017

SummaryIntegrated weed management (IWM) is one of the most commonly referred to approaches for sustainable and effective weed control in agriculture, yet it is not widely practiced, likely because current IWM systems fail to meet performance expectations of growers. The effectiveness and value of IWM systems should increase with increasing application specificity and true integration made possible with contemporary advances in technology, information systems and decision support. IWM systems can be classified based on their degree of application specificity and level of integration of tactics. In the application specificity pathway, a tactic is applied at a range of scales, from subfield to plant specific. In the integration pathway, multiple weed control tactics are combined in a synergistic manner. We hypothesise that the full value of IWM can and will be realised only when current and emerging technological innovations, information systems and decision tools are synergistically combined for use in real time. The True IWM system we envision requires automation and robotic technologies, coupled with information and decision support systems that are available or emerging but not yet enabled, in a proven integrated platform. Examples of low‐level, traditional and precision IWM systems are discussed, and research needs for a True IWM system are presented. We conclude that the immediate call should be for a long‐term investment in R&D and education (both theoretical and empirical) to develop and implement True IWM systems, an effort best accomplished in a public–private partnership where all essential entities are fully engaged and adequately resourced, including growers from all countries who will utilise IWM.