bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of the STOPP/START criteria to a medical record database
Authors: Nauta Katinka J. , Groenhof Feikje , Schuling Jan , Hugtenburg Jacqueline G. , van Hout Hein P.J. , Haaijer‐Ruskamp Flora M. , Denig Petra 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPurposeThe STOPP/START criteria are increasingly used to assess prescribing quality in elderly patients at practice level. Our aim was to test computerized algorithms for applying these criteria to a medical record database.MethodsSTOPP/START criteria‐based computerized algorithms were defined using Anatomical‐Therapeutic‐Chemical (ATC) codes for medication and International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) codes for diagnoses. The algorithms were applied to a Dutch primary care database, including patients aged ≥65 years using ≥5 chronic drugs. We tested for associations with patient characteristics that have previously shown a relationship with the original STOPP/START criteria, using multivariate logistic regression models.ResultsIncluded were 1187 patients with a median age of 75 years. In total, 39 of the 62 STOPP and 18 of the 26 START criteria could be converted to a computerized algorithm. The main reasons for inapplicability were lack of information on the severity of a condition and insufficient covering of ICPC‐codes. We confirmed a positive association between the occurrence of both the STOPP and the START criteria and the number of chronic drugs (adjusted OR ranging from 1.37, 95% CI 1.04‐1.82 to 3.19, 95% CI 2.33‐4.36) as well as the patient's age (adjusted OR for STOPP 1.30, 95% CI 1.01‐1.67; for START 1.73, 95% CI 1.35‐2.21), and also between female gender and the occurrence of STOPP criteria (adjusted OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.09‐1.82).ConclusionSixty‐five percent of the STOPP/START criteria could be applied with computerized algorithms to a medical record database with ATC‐coded medication and ICPC‐coded diagnoses.
Lignin‐based polymers via graft copolymerization
Authors: Liu Hailing , Chung Hoyong 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTLignin is an important source of synthetic materials because of its abundance in nature, low cost, stable supply, and no competition to the human food supply. Lignin, a cross‐linked phenolic polymer, contains a large number of aromatic groups that can be used as a substitute for petroleum‐based aromatic fine chemicals. However, modification of lignin is necessary for its application in advanced materials due to its chemically inert nature and structural complexity. Polymeric modification of lignin via graft copolymerization represents an important avenue for modification because this method forms stable covalent bond linkages between lignin and synthetic functional polymers. In this review, we discuss recent synthetic strategies toward polymeric modification of lignin using graft copolymerization and the special properties and applications of the produced lignin copolymers. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3515–3528
Serum Proteome in a Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Geographical Cluster
Authors: De Benedetti Stefano , Gianazza Elisabetta , Banfi Cristina , Marocchi Alessandro , Lunetta Christian , Penco Silvana , Bonomi Francesco , Iametti Stefania 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study is meant to characterize the serum proteome in a small geographical cluster of sporadic ALS subjects originating from a restricted geographical area and sharing the same environmental exposure, in a broader context of evaluating the relevance of environmental factors to disease onset, status, and progression. An Artificial Neural Network based software is used to compare the relative abundance of proteins identified as different (by means of bi‐dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry) in the serum proteome of patients and age‐matched healthy controls. The patient's group is characterized by altered levels of acute phase reactants and of proteins involved in lipid homeostasis, along with over‐representation of the APOE*4 allele. Characterization of the serum proteome in a small cluster of sporadic ALS patients, originating from a geographically restricted area with a high prevalence of the disease and evaluation of the results with software based on artificial neural networks, highlights the association of the relative abundance of some proteins (most notably, acute phase reactants and lipid homeostasis proteins) with the disease presence and status.
Visualizing correlated motion with HDBSCAN clustering
Authors: Melvin Ryan L. , Xiao Jiajie , Godwin Ryan C. , Berenhaut Kenneth S. , Salsbury Freddie R. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCorrelated motion analysis provides a method for understanding communication between and dynamic similarities of biopolymer residues and domains. The typical equal‐time correlation matrices—frequently visualized with pseudo‐colorings or heat maps—quickly convey large regions of highly correlated motion but hide more subtle similarities of motion. Here we propose a complementary method for visualizing correlations within proteins (or general biopolymers) that quickly conveys intuition about which residues have a similar dynamic behavior. For grouping residues, we use the recently developed non‐parametric clustering algorithm HDBSCAN. Although the method we propose here can be used to group residues using correlation as a similarity matrix—the most straightforward and intuitive method—it can also be used to more generally determine groups of residues which have similar dynamic properties. We term these latter groups “Dynamic Domains”, as they are based not on spatial closeness but rather closeness in the column space of a correlation matrix. We provide examples of this method across three human proteins of varying size and function—the Nf‐Kappa‐Beta essential modulator, the clotting promoter Thrombin and the mismatch repair protein (dimer) complex MutS‐alpha. Although the examples presented here are from all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations, this visualization technique can also be used on correlations matrices built from any ensembles of conformations from experiment or computation.
Molting drives mortality in foraging populations of Formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) baited with a chitin synthesis inhibitor, noviflumuron
Authors: Kakkar Garima , Su Nan‐Yao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe lethal time of a chitin synthesis inhibitor (CSI)‐baited colony of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki largely depends on the time taken for workers to molt after consuming a lethal dose. Given that termite molting biology can regulate the time to elimination of a baited termite colony, the objective of this study was to determine how the fasting period (an important element of the worker molting cycle) and acquisition of the lethal dose can impact the total elimination period for a colony.RESULTSNoviflumuron eliminated the foraging population over a 30 m‐long foraging arena within 9 weeks. However, mortality in treatment groups did not begin until day 11. The 10‐day lag post treatment corresponds to the fasting period during which workers to prepare for ecdysis on the 11th day, at which time mortality occurs due to the effect of CSI.CONCLUSIONThis study shows that, with the exception of successful molting events during the first 10 days after baiting, mortality among workers is inevitable in the next molt with lethal doses of noviflumuron. The 10‐day fasting period can comprise at least 22% of a molt cycle (45 days for a fourth worker instar or lower), and can provide a window during which a worker escapes the effect of CSI bait, thereby extending the total time needed for elimination of a colony. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
New delay range–dependent stability criteria for interval time‐varying delay systems via Wirtinger‐based inequalities
Authors: Mohajerpoor Reza , Shanmugam Lakshmanan , Abdi Hamid , Rakkiyappan Rajan , Nahavandi Saeid , Shi Peng 
Published: August 2017

SummaryStability conditions for time‐delay systems using the Lyapunov‐based methodologies are generically expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities. However, due to assuming restrictive conditions in deriving the linear matrix inequalities, the established stability conditions can be strictly conservative. This paper attempts to relax this problem for linear systems with interval time‐varying delays. A double‐integral inequality is derived inspired by Wirtinger‐based single‐integral inequality. Using the advanced integral inequalities, the reciprocally convex combination techniques and necessary slack variables, together with extracting a condition for the positive definiteness of the Lyapunov functional, novel stability criteria, have been established for the system. The effectiveness of the criteria is evaluated via 2 numerical examples. The results indicate that more complex stability criteria not only improve the stability region but also bring computational expenses.
Exponential ultimate boundedness of impulsive stochastic delay difference systems
Authors: Xu Liguang , Hu Hongxiao , Ge Shuzhi Sam 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThis paper is concerned with the exponential ultimate boundedness problems for the impulsive stochastic delay difference systems. Several sufficient conditions on the globalpth moment exponential ultimate boundedness are presented by using the Lyapunov methods and the algebraic inequality techniques, and the estimated exponential convergence rate and the ultimate bound are provided as well. As an application, the boundedness criteria are applied to a class of discrete impulsive stochastic neural networks with delays. The obtained results show that the impulses not only can stabilize an unstable stochastic difference delay system but also can make an unbounded stochastic difference delay system into a bounded system. Examples and simulations are also provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the derived theoretical results.
Rational Design of Membrane‐Pore‐Forming Peptides
Authors: Pillong Max , Hiss Jan A. , Schneider Petra , Lin Yen‐Chu , Posselt Gernot , Pfeiffer Bernhard , Blatter Markus , Müller Alex T. , Bachler Simon , Neuhaus Claudia S. , Dittrich Petra S. , Altmann Karl‐Heinz , Wessler Silja , Schneider Gisbert 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSpecific interactions of peptides with lipid membranes are essential for cellular communication and constitute a central aspect of the innate host defense against pathogens. A computational method for generating innovative membrane‐pore‐forming peptides inspired by natural templates is presented. Peptide representation in terms of sequence‐ and topology‐dependent hydrophobic moments is introduced. This design concept proves to be appropriate for the de novo generation of first‐in‐class membrane‐active peptides with the anticipated mode of action. The designed peptides outperform the natural template in terms of their antibacterial activity. They form a kinked helical structure and self‐assemble in the membrane by an entropy‐driven mechanism to form dynamically growing pores that are dependent on the lipid composition. The results of this study demonstrate the unique potential of natural template‐based peptide design for chemical biology and medicinal chemistry.
Prevention of story drift amplification in a 20‐story steel frame structure by tension‐rod displacement–restraint bracing
Authors: Tagawa Hiroshi , Inooka Katsuto 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThis paper proposes an application of tension‐rod displacement–restraint bracing to prevent story drift amplification in tall steel moment frames. Seismic response analyses of a 20‐story bare steel frame are performed first, revealing that story drift amplification occurs in the upper and lower stories at different times. Characteristics observed for the seismic response of the bare frame suggest the efficacy of the delay action of bracing. Subsequently, seismic response analyses of the 20‐story braced frame with tension‐rod displacement–restraint bracings reveals that the increment of the column axial force by addition of bracing is reduced dramatically by the delay action of bracing. The story rotation angles within partial stories where the story drift amplification occurs in the bare frame are also reduced efficiently by the displacement–restraint bracing. The delay action of bracing influences the floor response acceleration and the residual displacement. Finally, parametric analysis results indicate an appropriate value of the story rotation angle at which the brace action starts.
Shaking table test and numerical simulation of a superimposed reinforced concrete shear wall structure
Authors: Li Jianbao , Wang Yan , Lu Zheng , Xia Bing 
Published: August 2017

SummaryA three‐story superimposed reinforced concrete shear wall structure model was designed to be tested on the shaking table in order to study its seismic performance with horizontal seams. Its failure mode and seismic performance of both the wall and seams were analyzed. The monolithic superimposed reinforced concrete shear wall was simulated by using ABAQUS, and the static pushdown calculation was carried out. The calculated results were compared with the test results to validate the finite element simulation, thus providing theoretical support for engineering practice. The results show that the new type of superimposed reinforced concrete shear wall structure can effectively transmit the seismic force and maintain the overall performance of the structure under various working conditions.
How strong is public support for unilateral climate policy and what drives it?
Authors: McGrath Liam F. , Bernauer Thomas 
Published: August 2017

Conventional wisdom holds that climate change poses a global public goods problem, thus requiring a global solution that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide through some form of centralized target setting and burden‐sharing arrangement among countries. Yet, the 2015 Paris Agreement has essentially given up on this approach, on which the 1997 Kyoto Protocol was based, and now relies on policies that are adopted unilaterally and voluntarily by individual countries. Since ambitious climate policies are very unlikely to be enacted and effectively implemented without strong public support, research is beginning to explore how strong public support is for unilateral climate policy and what its determinants are. Recent research has developed useful survey instruments to gauge public support for unilateral climate policy. Results from surveys and survey‐embedded experiments show that when respondents are confronted with cost implications and free‐riding problems associated with unilateral climate policy, public support tends to drop to some extent, but still remains quite high. Current research thus shows that people are—the hitherto strong global public goods framing of climate policy notwithstanding—surprisingly nonreciprocal in their climate policy preferences. Preferences concerning climate policy tend to be driven primarily by a range of personal predispositions and cost considerations, which existing research has already explored quite extensively, rather than by considerations of what other countries do.WIREs Clim Change2017, 8:e484. doi: 10.1002/wcc.484This article is categorized under:Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Behavior Change and ResponsesPolicy and Governance > Multilevel and Transnational Climate Change Governance
Dietary polyphenol intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in the Polish arm of the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors in Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) study
Authors: Grosso Giuseppe , Stepaniak Urszula , Micek Agnieszka , Kozela Magdalena , Stefler Denes , Bobak Martin , Pajak Andrzej 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to test the association between dietary content of total and individual classes of polyphenols and incident cases of type 2 diabetes in Polish adults participating to the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe study. At baseline, diet by 148-item FFQ and health information were collected from 5806 participants free of diabetes. Self-reported incident type 2 diabetes was ascertained at 2–4-year follow-up visit. OR and 95 % CI of type 2 diabetes comparing the various categories of polyphenol intake to the lowest one (reference category) and as 1sdincrease modelled as continuous variable were calculated by performing age-, energy-, and multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models. During the follow-up, 456 incident cases of type 2 diabetes occurred. When comparing extreme quartiles, intake of total polyphenol was inversely associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes (OR 0·43; 95 % CI 0·30, 0·61); 1sdincrease was associated with a reduced risk of diabetes (OR 0·68; 95 % CI 0·59, 0·79). Among the main classes of polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and stilbenes were independent contributors to this association. Both subclasses of phenolic acids were associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, whereas among subclasses of flavonoids, high intake of flavanols, flavanones, flavones and anthocyanins was significantly associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. Total dietary polyphenols and some classes of dietary polyphenols were associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Maternal intake oftrans-unsaturated or interesterified fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation modifies mitochondrial bioenergetics in the liver of adult offspring in mice
Authors: de Velasco Patricia C. , Chicaybam Gustavo , Ramos-Filho Dionizio M. , dos Santos Raísa M. A. R. , Mairink Caroline , Sardinha Fátima L. C. , El-Bacha Tatiana , Galina Antonio , Tavares-do-Carmo Maria das Graças 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe quality of dietary lipids in the maternal diet can programme the offspring to diseases in later life. We investigated whether the maternal intake of palm oil or interesterified fat, substitutes fortrans-unsaturated fatty acids (FA), induces metabolic changes in the adult offspring. During pregnancy and lactation, C57BL/6 female mice received normolipidic diets containing partially hydrogenated vegetable fat rich intrans-unsaturated fatty acids (TG), palm oil (PG), interesterified fat (IG) or soyabean oil (CG). After weaning, male offspring from all groups received the control diet until day 110. Plasma glucose and TAG and liver FA profiles were ascertained. Liver mitochondrial function was accessed with high-resolution respirometry by measuring VO2, fluorimetry for detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and mitochondrial Ca2+uptake. The results showed that the IG offspring presented a 20 % increase in plasma glucose and both the IG and TG offspring presented a 2- and 1·9-fold increase in TAG, respectively, when compared with CG offspring. Liver MUFA and PUFA contents decreased in the TG and IG offspring when compared with CG offspring. Liver MUFA content also decreased in the PG offspring. These modifications in FA composition possibly affected liver mitochondrial function, as respiration was impaired in the TG offspring and H2O2production was higher in the IG offspring. In addition, mitochondrial Ca2+retention capacity was reduced by approximately 40 and 55 % in the TG and IG offspring, respectively. In conclusion, maternal consumption oftrans-unsaturated and interesterified fat affected offspring health by compromising mitochondrial bioenergetics and lipid metabolism in the liver.
First detection ofEchinococcus multilocularisin rodent intermediate hosts in Turkey
Authors: AVCIOGLU HAMZA , GUVEN ESIN , BALKAYA IBRAHIM , KIRMAN RIDVAN , BIA MOHAMMED MEBAREK , GULBEYEN HATICE , KURT ALI , YAYA SALI , DEMIRTAS SADIK 
Published: August 2017

SUMMARYEchinococcus multilocularisis the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a potentially fatal zoonotic disease. Large parts of Turkey are considered as endemic forE. multilocularis. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of metacestode ofE. multilocularisin wild rodents in Erzurum, an endemic region for human AE in Turkey. During the sampling period, a total of 498 rodents were trapped in twenty counties of Erzurum Province. Suspected lesions were observed on the livers of 48 rodents, and then partial fragment of mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was PCR-amplified. Five liver samples exhibitedE. multilocularisinfection. The prevalence ofE. multilocularisforMicrotusspp. was 1·3%. All of the infected rodents had fertile metacestodes. Infected rodents were morphologically and molecularly analysed and were confirmed to beMicrotus iraniby the mitochondrial cytochromebgene sequence analysis. This is the first report of the presence ofE. multilocularisin rodent intermediate hosts in Turkey. Our findings of infectedM. iraniwith protoscoleces show that this rodent can act as suitable intermediate host forE. multilocularis’ life cycle in Turkey. However, there was a complete lack of data on the infection of carnivores from the country. An extensive survey is recommended to determine the prevalence ofE. multilocularisin definitive hosts in this endemic region.
Intravenous immunoglobulins in children with new onset dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Heidendael Josephine F. , Den Boer Suzanne L. , Wildenbeest Joanne G. , Dalinghaus Michiel , Straver Bart , Pajkrt Dasja 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundDilated cardiomyopathy is a rare but serious disorder in children. No effective diagnostic or treatment tools are readily available. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulins in children with new onset dilated cardiomyopathy.Methods and resultsIn this retrospective cohort study, 94 children with new onset dilated cardiomyopathy were followed during a median period of 33 months. All patients with secondary dilated cardiomyopathy – for example, genetic, auto-immune or structural defects – had been excluded. Viral tests were performed in all patients and 18 (19%) children met the criteria for the diagnosis “probable or definite viral myocarditis”. Intravenous immunoglobulins were administered to 21 (22%) patients. Overall transplant-free survival was 75% in 5 years and did not differ between treatment groups. The treatment was associated with a higher recovery rate within 5 years, compared with non-treated children (70 versus 43%, log rank=0.045). After correction for possible confounders the hazard ratio for recovery with intravenous immunoglobulins was not significant (hazard ratio: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.0–4.6; p=0.056). Administration of intravenous immunoglobulins resulted in a greater improvement in the shortening fraction of the left ventricle.ConclusionIn our population of children with new onset dilated cardiomyopathy, of either viral or idiopathic origin, intravenous immunoglobulins were administered to a minority of the patients and did not influence transplant-free survival, but were associated with better improvement of systolic left ventricular function and with better recovery. Our results support the concept that children with new onset dilated cardiomyopathy might benefit from intravenous immunoglobulins.