bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ensemble Approaches to Estimating the Population Mean with Missing Response
Authors: Duan Xiaogang , Yin Guosheng 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe propose new ensemble approaches to estimate the population mean for missing response data with fully observed auxiliary variables. We first compress the working models according to their categories through a weighted average, where the weights are proportional to the square of the least‐squares coefficients of model refitting. Based on the compressed values, we develop two ensemble frameworks, under which one is to adjust weights in the inverse probability weighting procedure and the other is built upon an additive structure by reformulating the augmented inverse probability weighting function. The asymptotic normality property is established for the proposed estimators through the theory of estimating functions with plugged‐in nuisance parameter estimates. Simulation studies show that the new proposals have substantial advantages over existing ones for small sample sizes, and an acquired immune deficiency syndrome data example is used for illustration.
Crime and Partisanship: How Party ID Muddles Reality, Perception, and Policy Attitudes on Crime and Guns*
Authors: Pearson‐Merkowitz Shanna , Dyck Joshua J. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveIn this article we theorize that partisanship is such a strong filter of information that it can affect how individuals make sense of their lived environment and how the geographic experience informs policy attitudes. As a result, although “independents” tend to be less politically knowledgeable and have less developed policy opinions, their policy attitudes on gun control are more informed by their lived experience than partisans.MethodsWe use data from an original survey of American adults about crime and gun control linked to crime statistics from the FBI.ResultsWe find that stronger partisanship leads to resistance to information from the lived environment in the development of policy attitudes about gun control.ConclusionDemocrats and Republicans have very different views about guns and, generally, these priorities are relatively unaffected by contextual experience; however, gun policy attitudes of independents are highly correlated with the level of gun crime in their geographic context.
Testing Theories of Gun Policy Preferences Among Blacks, Latinos, and Whites in America*
Authors: Filindra Alexandra , Kaplan Noah 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveResearch examining the factors shaping gun policy attitudes has focused on the general population or whites. Little is known about how self‐interest, political values, or racial prejudice shape the gun policy preferences of minorities. We seek to assess the effect of self‐interest, political values, and racial prejudice on the gun policy attitudes of whites, Latinos, and blacks. We also introduce a measure of prejudice difference in group violence—which has not been previously used in the literature on gun policy opinion.MethodsWe use data from a new survey (2015) and analyze whites, blacks, and Latinos separately.ResultsWe find that many of the drivers of support for gun control found in the general population apply to minorities as well, but the substantive effects vary across groups. Similar to prior general population findings, we find that for all groups concern about crime is associated with more support for gun control, and that gun ownership, being the victim of a crime, and conservative political values are associated with less support.ConclusionIn contrast, we find that racial prejudice is negatively correlated with support for gun control among whites and Latinos, while one type of racial prejudice—racial resentment—increases support for gun control among blacks.
Clinical outcome of cystic fibrosis patients colonized by Scedosporium species following lung transplantation: A single‐center 15‐year experience
Authors: Parize Perrine , Boussaud Veronique , Poinsignon Vianney , Sitterlé Emilie , Botterel Francoise , Lefeuvre Sandrine , Guillemain Romain , Dannaoui Eric , Billaud Eliane M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundFungi of the genus Scedosporium are emerging pathogens responsible for severe infections in lung transplant recipients. These infections are associated with poor prognosis and some centers consider now Scedosporium species colonization as a contraindication to lung transplantation (LT) even though no published evidence demonstrates that Scedosporium species colonization is associated with higher morbidity or mortality after LT.MethodsHere, we aim to describe characteristics and outcome of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung transplant recipients colonized with Scedosporium species in a single center over a 15‐year period.ResultsDuring the study period, 14 patients had scedosporial colonization reported. Only one patient, colonized before transplantation by Lomentospora prolificans, developed scedosporial disease. Among the eight patients colonized before transplantation by Scedosporium apiospermum complex, the median survival was 1.92 year (range 0.21‐12.5). All these patients except one became free of fungal colonization after transplantation with antifungal prophylaxis including voriconazole or posaconazole. For the five patients colonized after LT, including two with L. prolificans, the median survival was 1.75 years (range 0.1‐13); three of them are still alive.ConclusionsIt appears to us that scedosporial colonization may not be a contraindication for LT in CF patients, as long as S. apiospermum complex is involved and a life‐long azole prophylaxis prescribed.
Intrasubtype B HIV-1 Superinfection Correlates with Delayed Neutralizing Antibody Response
Authors: Wagner Gabriel A. , Landais Elise , Caballero Gemma , Phung Pham , Kosakovsky Pond Sergei L. , Poignard Pascal , Richman Douglas D. , Little Susan J. , Smith Davey M. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Understanding whether the neutralizing antibody (NAb) response impacts HIV-1 superinfection and how superinfection subsequently modulates the NAb response can help clarify correlates of protection from HIV exposures and better delineate pathways of NAb development. We examined associations between the development of NAb and the occurrence of superinfection in a well-characterized, antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive, primary infection cohort of men who have sex with men. Deep sequencing was applied to blood plasma samples from the cohort to detect cases of superinfection. We compared the NAb activity against autologous and heterologous viruses between 10 participants with intrasubtype B superinfection and 19 monoinfected controls, matched to duration of infection and risk behavior. Three to 6 months after primary infection, individuals who would later become superinfected had significantly weaker NAb activity against tier 1 subtype B viruses (
P
= 0.003 for SF-162 and
P
= 0.017 for NL4-3) and marginally against autologous virus (
P
= 0.054). Lower presuperinfection NAb responses correlated with weaker gp120 binding and lower plasma total IgG titers. Soon after superinfection, the NAb response remained lower, but between 2 and 3 years after primary infection, NAb levels strengthened and reached those of controls. Superinfecting viruses were typically not susceptible to neutralization by presuperinfection plasma. These observations suggest that recently infected individuals with a delayed NAb response against primary infecting and tier 1 subtype B viruses are more susceptible to superinfection.

IMPORTANCE
Our findings suggest that within the first year after HIV infection, a relatively weak neutralizing antibody response against primary and subtype-specific neutralization-sensitive viruses increases susceptibility to superinfection in the face of repeated exposures. As natural infection progresses, the immune response strengthens significantly in some superinfected individuals. These findings will inform HIV vaccine design by providing testable correlates of protection from initial HIV infection.
Phosphorylation of Serine 225 in Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Regulates Protein-Protein Interactions
Authors: Goonawardane Niluka , Gebhardt Anna , Bartlett Christopher , Pichlmair Andreas , Harris Mark 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) is a phosphoprotein that plays key, yet poorly defined, roles in both virus genome replication and virion assembly/release. It has been proposed that differential phosphorylation could act as a switch to regulate the various functions of NS5A; however, the mechanistic details of the role of this posttranslational modification in the virus life cycle remain obscure. We previously reported (D. Ross-Thriepland, J. Mankouri, and M. Harris, J Virol 89:3123–3135, 2015, doi:10.1128/JVI.02995-14) a role for phosphorylation at serine 225 (S225) of NS5A in the regulation of JFH-1 (genotype 2a) genome replication. A phosphoablatant (S225A) mutation resulted in a 10-fold reduction in replication and a perinuclear restricted distribution of NS5A, whereas the corresponding phosphomimetic mutation (S225D) had no phenotype. To determine the molecular mechanisms underpinning this phenotype we conducted a label-free proteomics approach to identify cellular NS5A interaction partners. This analysis revealed that the S225A mutation disrupted the interactions of NS5A with a number of cellular proteins, in particular the nucleosome assembly protein 1-like protein 1 (NAP1L1), bridging integrator 1 (Bin1, also known as amphiphysin II), and vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein A (VAP-A). These interactions were validated by immunoprecipitation/Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and proximity ligation assay. Importantly, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of NAP1L1, Bin1 or VAP-A impaired viral genome replication and recapitulated the perinuclear redistribution of NS5A seen in the S225A mutant. These results demonstrate that S225 phosphorylation regulates the interactions of NS5A with a defined subset of cellular proteins. Furthermore, these interactions regulate both HCV genome replication and the subcellular localization of replication complexes.

IMPORTANCE
Hepatitis C virus is an important human pathogen. The viral nonstructural 5A protein (NS5A) is the target for new antiviral drugs. NS5A has multiple functions during the virus life cycle, but the biochemical details of these roles remain obscure. NS5A is known to be phosphorylated by cellular protein kinases, and in this study, we set out to determine whether this modification is required for the binding of NS5A to other cellular proteins. We identified 3 such proteins and show that they interacted only with NS5A that was phosphorylated on a specific residue. Furthermore, these proteins were required for efficient virus replication and the ability of NS5A to spread throughout the cytoplasm of the cell. Our results help to define the function of NS5A and may contribute to an understanding of the mode of action of the highly potent antiviral drugs that are targeted to NS5A.
Emergency response facilities including primary and secondary prevention strategies across 79 professional football clubs in England
Authors: Malhotra Aneil , Dhutia Harshil , Gati Sabiha , Yeo Tee-Joo , Finnochiaro Gherardo , Keteepe-Arachi Tracey , Richards Thomas , Walker Mike , Birt Robin , Stuckey David , Robinson Laurence , Tome Maite , Beasley Ian , Papadakis Michael , Sharma Sanjay 
Published: June 2017

AimTo assess the emergency response planning and prevention strategies for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) across a wide range of professional football clubs in England.MethodsA written survey was sent to all professional clubs in the English football league, namely the Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2. Outcomes included: (1) number of clubs performing cardiac screening and frequency of screening; (2) emergency planning and documentation; (3) automated external defibrillator (AED) training and availability; and (4) provision of emergency services at sporting venues.Results79 clubs (86%) responded to the survey. 100% clubs participated in cardiac screening. All clubs had AEDs available on match days and during training sessions. 100% Premiership clubs provided AED training to designated staff. In contrast, 30% of lower division clubs with AEDs available did not provide formal training. Most clubs (n=66; 83%) reported the existence of an emergency action plan for SCA but formal documentation was variable. All clubs in the Premiership and League 1 provided an ambulance equipped for medical emergencies on match days compared with 75% of clubs in the Championship and 66% in League 2.ConclusionsThe majority of football clubs in England have satisfactory prevention strategies and emergency response planning in line with European recommendations. Additional improvements such as increasing awareness of European guidelines for emergency planning, AED training and mentorship with financial support to lower division clubs are necessary to further enhance cardiovascular safety of athletes and spectators and close the gap between the highest and lower divisions.
Effect of dexmedetomidine in the prophylactic endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for oesophageal varices: a study protocol for prospective interventional study
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroki , Iwata Yoshinori , Ishii Akio , Enomoto Hirayuki , Yuri Yukihisa , Ishii Noriko , Miyamoto Yuho , Hasegawa Kunihiro , Nakano Chikage , Takata Ryo , Nishimura Takashi , Yoh Kazunori , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Ikeda Naoto , Takashima Tomoyuki , Iijima Hiroko , Nishiguchi Shuhei 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundDexmedetomidine (DEX) is a novel, highly selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist that elicits sedative, amnestic, sympatholytic and analgesic effects in patients. Several Japanese investigators have reported the clinical usefulness of DEX for sedation in endoscopic therapies for gastrointestinal malignancies; however, there have been limited data regarding the usefulness and safety of DEX for sedation during endoscopic procedures for oesophageal varices (OVs), such as endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS). In this prospective, single-arm interventional study, we aimed to elucidate these issues.MethodsPatients who require two or more sessions of prophylactic EIS for the treatment of OVs will be enrolled in this prospective interventional study. EIS procedures include two methods: (1) sedation during endoscopic procedures will be performed using conventional methods (pentazocine (PNZ) and midazolam (MDZ)), and (2) sedation during endoscopic procedures will be performed using PNZ, low-dose MDZ and DEX. These two methods were randomly assigned in the first and second EIS. The effect and safety of these two procedures with respect to patient sedation are to be compared with the degree of sedation evaluated using the Bispectral Index monitoring system (Aspect Medical Systems, Norwood, Massachusetts, USA).Ethics and disseminationThis study received approval from the Institutional Review Board at Hyogo College of Medicine (approval no. 2324). The authors are committed to publishing the study results as widely as possible in peer-reviewed journals, and to ensuring that appropriate recognition is provided to everyone who is working on this study.Trial registration numberUMIN000026688; Pre-results.
Setting the research and implementation agenda for equitable access to surgical care in South Africa
Authors: Rayne Sarah , Burger Sule , Straten Stephanie Van , Biccard Bruce , Phaahla Mathume Joseph , Smith Martin 
Published: June 2017

South Africa is an upper-middle-income country with widespread social and geographical inequality of surgical provision. The National Forum on Surgery and Anaesthesia in South Africa brought together various stakeholders, including government, societies, academic clinicians and the biomedical industry, to define the core strategy for a national surgical plan.During the forum, presentations and breakaway workshops explored and reported the challenges and opportunities these stakeholders may have in sustaining and improving surgical provision in South Africa. We present the recommendations of these reports with a literature review and other recent reports from organisations involved in healthcare systems in South Africa.We acknowledge the importance of access to safe and affordable surgery for all as a core component of healthcare provision for South Africa. The proposed core strategies for a South African National Surgical Plan to achieve these goals are the following. First, research will focus on high-quality interdisciplinary collaborative research and audit, which addresses the Global Surgery indices, adopts internationally consistent data points and focuses particularly on maternal mortality and the ‘Bellwether procedures’. Second, workforce and training must be tailored to the country’s specific surgical needs, based on a primary healthcare and district hospital model, which is supported by government and academic organisations. Third, the surgical infrastructure and service delivery needs to be strengthened by the district hospital. Finally, strong leadership with appropriate financial support by healthcare managers who partner with clinicians both locally and nationally is needed to achieve these objectives.
Prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors in three sites across Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Rarau Patricia , Vengiau Gwendalyn , Gouda Hebe , Phuanukoonon Suparat , Kevau Isi H , Bullen Chris , Scragg Robert , Riley Ian , Marks Geoffrey , Umezaki Masahiro , Morita Ayako , Oldenburg Brian , McPake Barbara , Pulford Justin 
Published: June 2017

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a culturally, environmentally and ethnically diverse country of 7.3 million people experiencing rapid economic development and social change. Such development is typically associated with an increase in non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors.AimTo establish the prevalence of NCD risk factors in three different regions across PNG in order to guide appropriate prevention and control measures.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was undertaken with randomly selected adults (15–65 years), stratified by age and sex recruited from the general population of integrated Health and Demographic Surveillance Sites in West Hiri (periurban), Asaro (rural highland) and Karkar Island (rural island), PNG. A modified WHO STEPS risk factor survey was administered along with anthropometric and biochemical measures on study participants.ResultsThe prevalence of NCD risk factors was markedly different across the three sites. For example, the prevalences of current alcohol consumption at 43% (95% CI 35 to 52), stress at 46% (95% CI 40 to 52), obesity at 22% (95% CI 18 to 28), hypertension at 22% (95% CI 17 to 28), elevated levels of cholesterol at 24% (95% CI 19 to 29) and haemoglobin A1c at 34% (95% CI 29 to 41) were highest in West Hiri relative to the rural areas. However, central obesity at 90% (95% CI 86 to 93) and prehypertension at 55% (95% CI 42 to 62) were most common in Asaro whereas prevalences of smoking, physical inactivity and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels at 52% (95% CI 45 to 59), 34% (95% CI 26 to 42) and 62% (95% CI 56 to 68), respectively, were highest in Karkar Island.ConclusionAdult residents in the three different communities are at high risk of developing NCDs, especially the West Hiri periurban population. There is an urgent need for appropriate multisectoral preventive interventions and improved health services. Improved monitoring and control of NCD risk factors is also needed in all regions across PNG.
Proton distributions in dp dielectron production within Regge theory
Authors: Jerusalimov A. P. , Lykasov G. I. 
Published: June 2017

The processes of dielectron production in deuteron–proton collisions at intermediate incident deuteron beam energies are analyzed in the spectator model within the one-pion exchange reggeized approach. We focus mainly on the momentum and angle distributions of the proton-spectator and the proton emitted in quasi-free NN processes at small angles in the laboratory frame. It is shown that the inclusion of many channels in quasi-free NN interaction allows us to describe the HADES data quite satisfactorily at incident deuteron kinetic energies of about 2.5 GeV.
Passively harmonic mode-locked fiber laser based on ReS2 saturable absorber
Authors: Lu Feifei 
Published: June 2017

We demonstrate the generation of harmonic mode-locking (HML) in an erbium-doped fiber laser with a microfiber-based rhenium disulfide (ReS2) saturable absorber (SA). Taking advantages of both saturable absorption and large third-order nonlinear effect of ReS2, HML pulse with 318.5 MHz repetition rate can be obtained, corresponding to 168th harmonic of fundamental repetition frequency of 1.896 MHz. When the pump power is increased gradually, the pulse interval remains constant, while the output power increases linearly. At the pump power of 450 mW, the output power is [Formula: see text]12 mW. The proposed high-repetition-rate pulse lasers would attract considerable attention due to its potential applications in soliton communications and frequency combs.
Exercise training improves cardiac autonomic control, cardiac function, and arrhythmogenesis in rats with preserved-ejection fraction heart failure
Authors: Andrade David C. , Arce-Alvarez Alexis , Toledo Camilo , Díaz Hugo S. , Lucero Claudia , Schultz Harold D. , Marcus Noah J. , Del Rio Rodrigo 
Published: June 2017

Chronic heart failure is characterized by autonomic imbalance, cardiac dysfunction, and arrhythmogenesis. It has been shown that exercise training (ExT) improves central nervous system oxidative stress, autonomic control, and cardiac function in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; however, to date no comprehensive studies have addressed the effects of ExT, if any, on oxidative stress in brain stem cardiovascular areas, cardiac autonomic balance, arrhythmogenesis, and cardiac function in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We hypothesize that ExT reduces brain stem oxidative stress, improves cardiac autonomic control and cardiac function, and reduces arrhythmogenesis in HFpEF rats. Rats underwent sham treatment or volume overload to induce HFpEF. ExT (60 min/day, 25 m/min, 10% inclination) was performed for 6 wk starting at the second week after HFpEF induction. Rats were randomly allocated into Sham+sedentary (Sed) ( n = 8), Sham+ExT ( n = 6), HFpEF+Sed ( n = 8), and HFpEF+ExT ( n = 8) groups. Compared with the HFpEF+Sed condition, HFpEF+ExT rats displayed reduced NAD(P)H oxidase activity and oxidative stress in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), improved cardiac autonomic balance, and reduced arrhythmogenesis. Furthermore, a threefold improvement in cardiac function was observed in HFpEF+ExT rats. These novel findings suggest that moderate-intensity ExT is an effective means to attenuate the progression of HFpEF through improvement in RVLM redox state, cardiac autonomic control, and cardiac function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY In the present study, we found that exercise reduced oxidative stress in key brain stem areas related to autonomic control, improved sympathovagal control of the heart, reduced cardiac arrhythmias, and delayed deterioration of cardiac function in rats with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Our results provide strong evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of exercise training in HFpEF.