bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing a linear time invariant model for skin conductance responses by intraneural recording and stimulation
Authors: Gerster Samuel , Namer Barbara , Elam Mikael , Bach Dominik R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSkin conductance responses (SCR) are increasingly analyzed with model‐based approaches that assume a linear and time‐invariant (LTI) mapping from sudomotor nerve (SN) activity to observed SCR. These LTI assumptions have previously been validated indirectly, by quantifying how much variance in SCR elicited by sensory stimulation is explained under an LTI model. This approach, however, collapses sources of variability in the nervous and effector organ systems. Here, we directly focus on the SN/SCR mapping by harnessing two invasive methods. In an intraneural recording experiment, we simultaneously track SN activity and SCR. This allows assessing the SN/SCR relationship but possibly suffers from interfering activity of non‐SN sympathetic fibers. In an intraneural stimulation experiment under regional anesthesia, such influences are removed. In this stimulation experiment, about 95% of SCR variance is explained under LTI assumptions when stimulation frequency is below 0.6 Hz. At higher frequencies, nonlinearities occur. In the intraneural recording experiment, explained SCR variance is lower, possibly indicating interference from non‐SN fibers, but higher than in our previous indirect tests. We conclude that LTI systems may not only be a useful approximation but in fact a rather accurate description of biophysical reality in the SN/SCR system, under conditions of low baseline activity and sporadic external stimuli. Intraneural stimulation under regional anesthesia is the most sensitive method to address this question.
Ambient Asbestos Fiber Concentrations and Long‐Term Trends in Pleural Mesothelioma Incidence between Urban and Rural Areas in the United States (1973–2012)
Authors: Glynn Meghan E. , Keeton Kara A. , Gaffney Shannon H. , Sahmel Jennifer 
Published: September 2017

AbstractOver the past 40 years, measured ambient asbestos concentrations in the United States have been higher in urban versus rural areas. The purpose of this study was to determine whether variations in ambient asbestos concentrations have influenced pleural mesothelioma risk in females (who generally lacked historic occupational asbestos exposure relative to males). Male pleural mesothelioma incidence trends were analyzed to provide perspective for female trends. Annual age‐adjusted incidence rates from 1973 to 2012 were obtained from the SEER 9, 13, and 18 databases for urban and rural locations, and standardized rate ratios were calculated. Female rural rates exceeded urban rates in almost half of the years analyzed, although the increases were not statistically significant, which is in line with expectations if there was no observable increased risk for urban locations. In contrast, male urban rates were elevated over rural rates for nearly all years examined and were statistically significantly elevated for 22 of the 40 years. Trend analyses demonstrated that trends for females remained relatively constant over time, whereas male urban and rural incidence increased into the 1980s and 1990s, followed by a decrease/leveling off. Annual female urban and rural incidence rates remained approximately five‐ to six‐fold lower than male urban and rural incidence rates on average, consistent with the comparatively increased historical occupational asbestos exposure for males. The results suggest that differences in ambient asbestos concentrations, which have been reported to be 10‐fold or greater across regions in the United States, have not influenced the risk of pleural mesothelioma.
Competing Policy Windows in Biotechnology: The FDA, the 21st Century Cures Act, and Laboratory‐Developed Tests
Authors: Myers Nathan , Steding Catherine E. , Mikolaj Peter 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed taking a more active role in the regulation of laboratory‐developed tests (LDTs). Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives embarked upon the 21st Century Cures initiative to develop legislation to expedite the development of new biotechnology innovations. During that initiative and in the public comments responding to the draft guidance, there was significant disagreement as to whether the increased FDA regulation of LDTs was beneficial or detrimental to biotechnology. Both the FDA guidance document and the 21st Century Cures Act came about due to the opening of a window of opportunity created by the convergence of circumstances. The question is whether the windows of opportunity are competing and how to resolve this competition. This study will investigate these questions through a qualitative case study. It will also provide recommendations for resolving policy disputes involving wicked problems like biotechnology policy.
Efficient Robust Estimation for Linear Models with Missing Response at Random
Authors: Tang Man‐Lai , Tang Nian‐Sheng , Zhao Pu‐Ying , Zhu Hongtu 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCoefficient estimation in linear regression models with missing data is routinely carried out in the mean regression framework. However, the mean regression theory breaks down if the error variance is infinite. In addition, correct specification of the likelihood function for existing imputation approach is often challenging in practice, especially for skewed data. In this paper, we develop a novel composite quantile regression and a weighted quantile average estimation procedure for parameter estimation in linear regression models when some responses are missing at random. Instead of imputing the missing response by randomly drawing from its conditional distribution, we propose to impute both missing and observed responses by their estimated conditional quantiles given the observed data and to use the parametrically estimated propensity scores to weigh check functions that define a regression parameter. Both estimation procedures are resistant to heavy‐tailed errors or outliers in the response and can achieve nice robustness and efficiency. Moreover, we propose adaptive penalization methods to simultaneously select significant variables and estimate unknown parameters. Asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are carefully investigated. An efficient algorithm is developed for fast implementation of the proposed methodologies. We also discuss a model selection criterion, which is based on an ICQ‐type statistic, to select the penalty parameters. The performance of the proposed methods is illustrated via simulated and real data sets.
Specters of Sovereignty: Comments on Andrew Dilts' “Toward Abolitionist Genealogy”
Authors: Kimoto B. Tamsin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper is a slightly expanded and altered version of comments delivered in response to a paper by Andrew Dilts at the 35th Annual Spindel Conference in Memphis, TN. I focus on the elision of the state in Dilts' paper in order to demonstrate the need for a genealogy that takes seriously the role of sovereignty in constructing the present of trans femmes and trans women of color.
The Rainbow Effect: Media Freedom, Internet Access, and Gay Rights
Authors: Carlo‐Gonzalez Celin , McKallagat Christopher , Whitten‐Woodring Jenifer 
Published: August 2017

ObjectivesWhat accounts for the variation in the status of gay rights across countries? We consider the effects of media freedom and Internet access and hypothesize that it is the combination of the two that matters for promoting gay rights.MethodsUsing cross‐national time‐series data drawn from a variety of sources, we test our hypotheses using a measure of lesbian, gay, and bisexual legal equality.ResultsOur results indicate that the effects of media freedom and Internet access on gay rights are each conditional on the other. It is the interaction of media freedom and Internet access that has a statistically significant and positive effect on gay rights; without media freedom, Internet access has no significant effect and vice versa.ConclusionAll else being equal, we observe greater respect for gay rights in those countries featuring a combination of both free media and higher rates of Internet access.
Monitoring near‐miss events in a hospital blood bank
Authors: Karim F. , Ali M. , Rashid A. , Shaikh M. S. , Karim M. , Moiz B. 
Published: August 2017

Background and ObjectiveMonitoring near‐miss events is a part of hemovigilance which helps to identify the causes and prevent them from happening again. The aim was to identify the near‐miss events in a tertiary care hospital and interventions in reducing them.MethodsThe study was carried out at the section of Hematology and Transfusion medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital. Two‐year data of near‐miss events were analysed from January 2013 to December 2014. This was followed by intervention to minimize the errors. Following intervention, rate of wrong blood in tube (WBIT) was monitored for 1 year (January 2016–December 2016).ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 75 157 blood samples were received in blood bank with the request for various blood products and 123 360 blood products were released. The calculated rate of near‐miss events was 0·35 per 1000 blood products issued. WBIT was the most common near‐miss event reported with a rate of 1 in 1789. Monitoring near‐miss events prompted us to intervene to minimize WBIT. Interventions included educational workshops and lectures for nurses and medical doctors, initiation of bedside ABO grouping, making a dedicated phlebotomy station for emergency room, starting online computer physician order entry system for raising blood requests and circulating educational flyers. Following intervention, the rate of WBIT dropped to 1 in 2457 blood samples.ConclusionMonitoring of near‐miss events helped us in identifying the processes that can be improved and taking appropriate measures to enhance transfusion safety.
Pleistocene extinctions and recent expansions in an anguid lizard of the genus Pseudopus
Authors: Jandzik David , Jablonski Daniel , Zinenko Oleksandr , Kukushkin Oleg V. , Moravec Jiří , Gvoždík Václav 
Published: August 2017

Climatic changes during the Pleistocene played an instrumental role in the shaping recent distribution and diversity of the Western Palearctic biota. Range oscillations often lead to allopatric differentiation followed by the establishment of secondary contact zones. As a result, many species are composed of complex networks of phylogenetic lineages with different histories. Pseudopus apodus is the only surviving member of an ancient genus of Western Palearctic anguid lizards (Anguidae) distributed from the Balkans through Anatolia and Caucasus to central Asia. Here, we used mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the species in phylogeographic and demographic frameworks. Our analyses revealed three main phylogenetic lineages that diverged during or shortly before the Pleistocene. Two of them more or less correspond to the known subspecies, and their low genetic variability suggests relatively recent dispersal and colonization of vast parts of the range. The third, southern, lineage is more geographically restricted and diversified than the other two. This pattern shows that the Quaternary climatic oscillations presumably caused repeated large‐scale population extinctions of the species, depleting most of its diversity. Only a few refugia located in Anatolia, Levant, and Transcaucasia served as sources for subsequent recolonization to the areas of the recent distribution. This is in contrast to many other Western Palearctic reptiles that survived unfavorable climatic conditions in numerous local refugia and sanctuaries, which resulted in more complex phylogenetic structure.
Aerobic exercise training does not alter vascular structure and function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Gelinas Jinelle C. , Lewis Nia C. , Harper Megan I. , Melzer Bernie , Agar Gloria , Rolf J. Douglass , Eves Neil D. 
Published: August 2017

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness and systemic inflammation, which are linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk. We asked whether periodized aerobic exercise training could improve vascular structure and function in patients with COPD.

What is the main finding and its importance?
Eight weeks of periodized aerobic training did not improve endothelial function, arterial stiffness or systemic inflammation in COPD, despite improvements in aerobic capacity, blood pressure and dyspnoea. Short‐term training programmes may not be long enough to improve vascular‐related cardiovascular risk in COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been associated with endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffening, which are predictive of future cardiovascular events. Although aerobic exercise improves vascular function in healthy individuals and those with chronic disease, it is unknown whether aerobic exercise can positively modify the vasculature in COPD. We examined the effects of 8 weeks of periodized aerobic training on vascular structure and function and inflammation in 24 patients with COPD (age, 69 ± 7 years; forced expiratory volume in 1 second as a percentage of predicted (FEV1%pred), 68 ± 19%) and 20 matched control subjects (age, 64 ± 5 years; FEV1%pred, 113 ± 16%) for comparison. Endothelial function was measured using brachial artery flow‐mediated dilatation, whereas central and peripheral pulse wave velocity, carotid artery intima–media thickness, carotid compliance, distensibility and β‐stiffness index were measured using applanation tonometry and ultrasound. Peak aerobic power () was measured using an incremental cycling test. Upper and lower body cycling training was performed three times per week for 8 weeks, and designed to optimize vascular adaptation by increasing and sustaining vascular shear stress. Flow‐mediated dilatation was not increased in COPD patients (+0.15 ± 2.27%, P = 0.82) or control subjects (+0.34 ± 3.20%, P = 0.64) and was not different between groups (P = 0.68). No significant improvements in central pulse wave velocity (COPD, +0.30 ± 1.79 m s−1 versus control subjects, −0.34 ± 1.47 m s−1) or other markers of vascular structure or function were found within or between groups. The increased significantly in COPD and control subjects, and was greater in control subjects (1.6 ± 1.4 versus 4.1 ± 3.7 ml kg min−1, P = 0.003), while blood pressure and dyspnoea were reduced in COPD patients (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that 8 weeks of aerobic training improved cardiorespiratory fitness and blood pressure in COPD but had little effect on other established markers of cardiovascular disease risk.
Defining the neural fulcrum for chronic vagus nerve stimulation: implications for integrated cardiac control
Authors: Ardell Jeffrey L. , Nier Heath , Hammer Matthew , Southerland E. Marie , Ardell Christopher L. , Beaumont Eric , KenKnight Bruce H. , Armour J. Andrew 
Published: September 2017

Key points
The evoked cardiac response to bipolar cervical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) reflects a dynamic interaction between afferent mediated decreases in central parasympathetic drive and suppressive effects evoked by direct stimulation of parasympathetic efferent axons to the heart.
The neural fulcrum is defined as the operating point, based on frequency–amplitude–pulse width, where a null heart rate response is reproducibly evoked during the on‐phase of VNS.
Cardiac control, based on the principal of the neural fulcrum, can be elicited from either vagus.
Beta‐receptor blockade does not alter the tachycardia phase to low intensity VNS, but can increase the bradycardia to higher intensity VNS.
While muscarinic cholinergic blockade prevented the VNS‐induced bradycardia, clinically relevant doses of ACE inhibitors, beta‐blockade and the funny channel blocker ivabradine did not alter the VNS chronotropic response.
While there are qualitative differences in VNS heart control between awake and anaesthetized states, the physiological expression of the neural fulcrum is maintained.
AbstractVagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an emerging therapy for treatment of chronic heart failure and remains a standard of therapy in patients with treatment‐resistant epilepsy. The objective of this work was to characterize heart rate (HR) responses (HRRs) during the active phase of chronic VNS over a wide range of stimulation parameters in order to define optimal protocols for bidirectional bioelectronic control of the heart. In normal canines, bipolar electrodes were chronically implanted on the cervical vagosympathetic trunk bilaterally with anode cephalad to cathode (n = 8, ‘cardiac’ configuration) or with electrode positions reversed (n = 8, ‘epilepsy’ configuration). In awake state, HRRs were determined for each combination of pulse frequency (2–20 Hz), intensity (0–3.5 mA) and pulse widths (130–750 μs) over 14 months. At low intensities and higher frequency VNS, HR increased during the VNS active phase owing to afferent modulation of parasympathetic central drive. When functional effects of afferent and efferent fibre activation were balanced, a null HRR was evoked (defined as ‘neural fulcrum’) during which HRR ≈ 0. As intensity increased further, HR was reduced during the active phase of VNS. While qualitatively similar, VNS delivered in the epilepsy configuration resulted in more pronounced HR acceleration and reduced HR deceleration during VNS. At termination, under anaesthesia, transection of the vagi rostral to the stimulation site eliminated the augmenting response to VNS and enhanced the parasympathetic efferent‐mediated suppressing effect on electrical and mechanical function of the heart. In conclusion, VNS activates central then peripheral aspects of the cardiac nervous system. VNS control over cardiac function is maintained during chronic therapy.
Corrected Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter baumannii Strain AB0057, an Antibiotic-Resistant Isolate from Lineage 1 of Global Clone 1
Authors: Hamidian Mohammad , Venepally Pratap , Hall Ruth M. , Adams Mark D. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

Extensively antibiotic-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
isolate AB0057 recovered in the United States in 2004 was one of the first global clone 1 isolates to be completely sequenced. Here, the complete 4.05-Mb genome sequence (chromosome and one plasmid) has been revised using Illumina HiSeq data and targeted sequencing of PCR products.
A worldwide survey of retinopathy of prematurity screening
Authors: Mora Justin S , Waite Christopher , Gilbert Clare E , Breidenstein Brenda , Sloper John J 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundTo ascertain which countries in the world have retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening programmes and guidelines and how these were developed.MethodsAn email database was created and requests were sent to ophthalmologists in 141 nations to complete an online survey on ROP screening in their country.ResultsRepresentatives from 92/141 (65%) countries responded. 78/92 (85%) have existing ROP screening programmes, and 68/78 (88%) have defined screening criteria. Some countries have limited screening and those areas which have no screening or for which there is inadequate knowledge are mainly Southeast Asia, Africa and some former Soviet states.DiscussionWith the increasing survival of premature babies in lower-middle-income and low-income countries, it is important to ensure that adequate ROP screening and treatment is in place. This information will help organisations focus their resources on those areas most in need.
Is cardiovascular risk reduction therapy effective in South Asian, Chinese and other patients with diabetes? A population-based cohort study from Canada
Authors: Ke Calvin H , Morgan Steve , Smolina Kate , Gasevic Danijela , Qian Hong , Khan Nadia A 
Published: September 2017

ObjectivesGuidelines recommend ACE inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and diuretics in all patients with diabetes mellitus. However, the effectiveness of these agents in South Asian and Chinese populations is unknown. We sought to determine whether ACEi, ARB, CCB and diuretics are associated with reduced mortality in South Asian, Chinese and other patients with diabetes.DesignPopulation-based cohort study using administrative health databases.SettingProvince of British Columbia, Canada (2006–2013).ParticipantsPatients aged ≥35 years with incident diabetes.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome was all-cause mortality for each medication class compared with untreated patients within each ethnicity. Treatment effect was assessed using inverse probability of treatment weighted Cox proportional hazards models. Medication adherence effect on mortality was also evaluated.Results208 870 patients (13 755 South Asian, 22 871 Chinese, 172 244 other Canadian) were included. ACEi reduced mortality in other patients (HR=0.88, 0.84–0.91), but power was insufficient to evaluate for benefit in Chinese and South Asian patients. ARB and diuretics reduced mortality in Chinese (ARB HR=0.64, 0.50–0.82; diuretics HR=0.77, 0.62–0.96) and other patients (ARB HR=0.69, 0.64–0.74; diuretics HR=0.66, 0.63–0.69) compared with untreated patients. No mortality benefit was observed among South Asians for any drug class or for CCB among all ethnicities. Higher medication adherence was associated with lower mortality for other patients only (HR=0.79, 0.72–0.86).ConclusionsEffectiveness of cardiovascular risk reduction therapy on mortality varies considerably by ethnicity. Further study is needed to evaluate the mortality benefit of antihypertensive agents in South Asians. Inclusion of these ethnic groups in future clinical trials is essential to examine for differential responses.
Mental health impacts of flooding: a controlled interrupted time series analysis of prescribing data in England
Authors: Milojevic Ai , Armstrong Ben , Wilkinson Paul 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundThere is emerging evidence that people affected by flooding suffer adverse impacts on their mental well-being, mostly based on self-reports.MethodsWe examined prescription records for drugs used in the management of common mental disorder among primary care practices located in the vicinity of recent large flood events in England, 2011–2014. A controlled interrupted time series analysis was conducted of the number of prescribing items for antidepressant drugs in the year before and after the flood onset. Pre–post changes were compared by distance of the practice from the inundated boundaries among 930 practices located within 10 km of a flood.ResultsAfter control for deprivation and population density, there was an increase of 0.59% (95% CI 0.24 to 0.94) prescriptions in the postflood year among practices located within 1 km of a flood over and above the change observed in the furthest distance band. The increase was greater in more deprived areas.ConclusionsThis study suggests an increase in prescribed antidepressant drugs in the year after flooding in primary care practices close to recent major floods in England. The degree to which the increase is actually concentrated in those flooded can only be determined by more detailed linkage studies.