bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel rapid molecular diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormalities associated with recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Yang Lan , Tang Ye , Lu Mudan , Yang Yuefen , Xiao Jianping , Wang Qiaoxia , Yang Canfeng , Tao Hehua , Xiang Jingying 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIntroductionLabor‐intensive karyotyping is used as the reference standard diagnostic test to identify copy number variants (CNVs) in the fetal genome after recurrent pregnancy loss. Our aim was to present and evaluate a novel molecular assay called CNVplex that could potentially be used as an alternative method to conventional karyotyping for diagnosing fetal chromosomal abnormalities associated with recurrent pregnancy loss.Material and methodsUsing karyotyping as the reference standard, CNVplex was performed to identify fetal chromosomal abnormalities in the chorionic villus samples from 76 women experiencing at least two pregnancy losses. Its diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were evaluated to detect aneuploidies associated with recurrent pregnancy loss. Turnaround time and costs of CNVplex were also measured.ResultsDiagnostic accuracy of CNVplex in aneuploidies that are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss was 1.0 (95% CI 0.94–1.0), sensitivity was 100% (95% CI 0.89–1.0), and specificity was 100% (95% CI 0.875–1.0). Diagnostic accuracy of CNVplex was similar to that of karyotyping. Both karyotyping and CNVplex assay detected 27 autosomal trisomies, three 45,X monosomies, and three polyploidies. CNVplex also detected additional novel structural abnormalities of the fetal genome. Compared with karyotyping, CNVplex significantly (p = 0.001) reduced the waiting time by 13.98 days (95% CI 13.88–14.08) and the cost by US $241 (95% CI 234.53–247.47).ConclusionsCNVplex is a novel effective assay for diagnosing fetal chromosomal abnormalities associated with recurrent pregnancy loss. In the routine clinical work‐up of recurrent pregnancy loss, diagnostic accuracy of CNVplex is comparable to that of conventional karyotyping but it requires less waiting time and has lower cost.
Development of an Optical Detector of Thrombus Formation on the Pivot Bearing of a Rotary Blood Pump
Authors: Sakota Daisuke , Fujiwara Tatsuki , Ouchi Katsuhiro , Kuwana Katsuyuki , Yamazaki Hiroyuki , Maruyama Osamu 
Published: September 2016

AbstractContinuous optical monitoring of thrombus formation in extracorporeal mechanical circulatory support (EMCS) devices will contribute to safe, long‐term EMCS. A clinically applicable optical detector must be able to distinguish among the optical characteristics of oxygen saturation (SaO2), hematocrit (Hct), and thrombus formation. In vitro studies of spectral changes at wavelengths from 400 to 900 nm associated with SaO2, Hct, and thrombus formed around the top pivot bearing of a Gyro C1E3 pump were conducted. Fresh porcine blood anticoagulated with sodium citrate was circulated in a mock circuit using the pump. The SaO2, Hct, and anticoagulation activity were altered using an oxygenator, autologous plasma, and calcium chlorite injection, respectively. Light from a xenon lamp was guided by an incident fiber perpendicularly fixed on the top bearing. This light was scattered by blood pooled between the male and female pivots. The detection fiber was perpendicularly fixed against the incident fiber, and the side‐scattered light was detected and guided to a spectrophotometer. As a result, light at two different wavelengths, 420 and 810 nm, was identified as suitable for thrombus detection because it was negligibly influenced by SaO2 and was able to detect the optical characteristics of fibrin. The light at these two wavelengths responded more quickly to thrombus formation than the inlet or outlet pressure, and flow rate change. The optical changes showed the changes in Hct around the top pivot bearing, which is caused by the reduction in density of fibrin‐trapped red blood cells (RBCs) due to the RBCs being swept away by the surrounding blood flow. The proposed method was also able to detect fibrin production by extracting subtle differences in the optical characteristics between the Hct and thrombus formation.
A Physiological Controller for Turbodynamic Ventricular Assist Devices Based on Left Ventricular Systolic Pressure
Authors: Petrou Anastasios , Ochsner Gregor , Amacher Raffael , Pergantis Panagiotis , Rebholz Mathias , Meboldt Mirko , Schmid Daners Marianne 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe current article presents a novel physiological feedback controller for turbodynamic ventricular assist devices (tVADs). This controller is based on the recording of the left ventricular (LV) pressure measured at the inlet cannula of a tVAD thus requiring only one pressure sensor. The LV systolic pressure (SP) is proposed as an indicator to determine the varying perfusion requirements. The algorithm to extract the SP from the pump inlet pressure signal used for the controller to adjust the speed of the tVAD shows robust behavior. Its performance was evaluated on a hybrid mock circulation. The experiments with changing perfusion requirements were compared with a physiological circulation and a pathological one assisted with a tVAD operated at constant speed. A sensitivity analysis of the controller parameters was conducted to identify their limits and their influence on a circulation. The performance of the proposed SP controller was evaluated for various values of LV contractility, as well as for a simulated pressure sensor drift. The response of a pathological circulation assisted by a tVAD controlled by the introduced SP controller matched the physiological circulation well, while over‐ and underpumping events were eliminated. The controller presented a robust performance during experiments with simulated pressure sensor drift.
Leveraging the Vertical: The Contested Dynamics of Sustainability Standards and Labour in Global Production Networks
Authors: Tampe Maja 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSustainability standards for tropical agriculture promise better trade and fairer labour conditions for smallholders. Recent research on labour suggests that, besides such standards, configurations of buyer–supplier relationships crucially shape economic and labour conditions. However, a static configurational approach overlooks the role of supplier and labour agency over time. Using a matched case comparison of two certified rural enterprises in Ecuador, this article shows that suppliers can leverage standards to create value from vertical relationships with buyers. However, standards do not, by themselves, directly contribute to better conditions. They do so indirectly only if suppliers manage to become competitive in an elite market, augmenting rather than dampening unequal trade conditions. This study contributes to recent theory seeking to explain uneven labour outcomes with sustainability standards in global production networks.
Discrepancies between self‐ and adult‐perceptions of social competence in children with neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Vuori M. , Autti‐Rämö I. , Junttila N. , Vauras M. , Tuulio‐Henriksson A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe present study examines discrepancies between self‐ and adult‐perceptions of social competence in children with attention deficit‐hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and possible co‐morbid disruptive behaviour disorders (DBD).MethodSelf‐reported questionnaires were collected from multiple informants at the baseline of a multi‐systemic family intervention programme for children (aged 5–12) with ADHD, ASD and possible co‐morbid DBD. In total, out of the 154 families eligible for the study, information was received concerning children from 124 families (children n = 121; mothers n = 117; fathers n = 86; teachers n = 97). In addition to this, a comparison community sample of 318 school‐aged children (approximately 10 years old) was utilized to examine the perceptions of children's social competence across intervention and population groups in more detail.ResultsChildren's self‐perceptions in the prosocial dimension of social competence (i.e. cooperating skills, empathy) did not differ between the intervention and comparison groups. Interestingly, the children in the intervention sample expressed more impulsivity and disruptiveness – the antisocial dimension of social competence – when compared with the children in the comparison sample. Adult ratings demonstrated that mothers, fathers and teachers reported decreased prosocial behaviour and increased antisocial behaviour across overall dimensions and sub‐dimensions when compared with adults' ratings of elementary school children. Informant discrepancies between self‐ratings and adult ratings across intervention groups yielded significant effect sizes (eta‐squared) across all domains of social competence ranging from .09 to .25.ConclusionChildren's positive self‐ratings of social competence relative to adult ratings increased within intervention sample when compared with population sample. The intervention sample children appeared to acknowledge their social competence deficits, yet self‐perceptions were inflated relative to adult ratings when focusing on peer relationship difficulties, particularly, aggression to peers.
Time‐Continuous Quasi‐Monte Carlo Ray Tracing
Authors: Gribel C.J. , Akenine‐Möller T. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractDomain‐continuous visibility determination algorithms have proved to be very efficient at reducing noise otherwise prevalent in stochastic sampling. Even though they come with an increased overhead in terms of geometrical tests and visibility information management, their analytical nature provides such a rich integral that the pay‐off is often worth it. This paper presents a time‐continuous, primary visibility algorithm for motion blur aimed at ray tracing. Two novel intersection tests are derived and implemented. The first is for ray versus moving triangle and the second for ray versus moving AABB intersection. A novel take on shading is presented as well, where the time continuum of visible geometry is adaptively point‐sampled. Static geometry is handled using supplemental stochastic rays in order to reduce spatial aliasing. Finally, a prototype ray tracer with a full time‐continuous traversal kernel is presented in detail. The results are based on a variety of test scenarios and show that even though our time‐continuous algorithm has limitations, it outperforms multi‐jittered quasi‐Monte Carlo ray tracing in terms of image quality at equal rendering time, within wide sampling rate ranges.
Reconsidering Elitist Duality: Persistent Tension in the Turkish–Egyptian Relations
Authors: Magued Shaimaa 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSince the Muslim Brotherhood's ouster in July 3, 2013, tension has escalated between Turkey and Egypt and gained media attention as an unprecedented incident in bilateral relations. However, disagreement has characterized bilateral relations since the declaration of the Egyptian Republic and the launch of diplomatic relations with Turkey in the 1950s. By tracking the history of both countries’ bilateral relations, this study contends that, according to the elitist duality thesis, Turkish–Egyptian relations were an exception to the Turkish–Arab relations, as they were not influenced by the ruling elite. It argues that regardless of the ruling elite identity, tension has disrupted the normal course of relations. By relying on extensive interviews conducted with members of the Justice and Development Party, and academicians and staff members in the Turkish ministries of economy and foreign affairs, the study analyzes the unaddressed tension in the Turkish–Egyptian relations since the 1950s until 2013 and provides policy recommendations to improve bilateral relations.
Peri‐procedural silent cerebral infarcts after left atrial appendage occlusion
Authors: Laible M. , Möhlenbruch M. , Horstmann S. , Pfaff J. , Geis N. A. , Pleger S. , Schüler S. , Rizos T. , Bendszus M. , Veltkamp R. 
Published: September 2016

Background and purpose
To determine the rate of peri‐interventional silent brain infarcts after left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO).
Methods
In this prospective, uncontrolled single‐center pilot study, consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing LAAO between July 2013 and January 2016 were included. The Amplatzer Cardiac Plug, WATCHMAN or Amulet device was used. A neurological examination and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed within 48 h before and after the procedure. MRI was evaluated for new diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintensities, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and white‐matter lesions (WMLs).
Results
Left atrial appendage occlusion was performed in 21 patients (mean age, 73.2 ± 9.5 years). Main reasons for LAAO were previous intracerebral hemorrhage (n = 11) and major systemic bleeding (n = 6). No clinically overt stroke occurred peri‐interventionally. After the intervention, one patient had a small cerebellar hyperintensity on DWI (4.8%; 95% confidence interval, 0.0–14.3) that was not present on the MRI 1 day before the procedure. Among 11 patients with available MRI just before LAAO, there were no significant changes in the number of CMBs and the severity of WMLs after LAAO.
Conclusions
This study of peri‐interventional MRI in LAAO suggests a low rate of silent peri‐procedural infarcts in this elderly population. Confirmation in larger studies is needed.
Right insular infarction and mortality after ischaemic stroke
Authors: Hanne L. , Brunecker P. , Grittner U. , Endres M. , Villringer K. , Fiebach J. B. , Ebinger M. 
Published: September 2016

Background and purposeSeveral studies have described an association between insular infarction and mortality. Large infarcts often include the insula and lesion size is associated with mortality. We hypothesized that there is an association between insular infarction and mortality independent of lesion volume.MethodsWe included consecutive stroke patients between 1 September 2008 and 11 November 2012 from the 1000Plus database with an acute ischaemic lesion on diffusion‐weighted imaging on day 1 and a completed 90‐day follow‐up. Insular infarct location was determined using the in‐house software Stroke Lesion Atlas. In multiple Cox regression analysis (dependent variable: mortality), we adjusted for insular infarcts, age, lesion volume, history of atrial fibrillation, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and previous stroke.ResultsWe included 736 patients, of whom 168 had an insular infarction. Within a medium follow‐up time of 107 days, cumulative survival was 90% in patients with insular infarction and 99% in patients without insular infarction (P < 0.001). Right insular infarction was independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio, 2.60; confidence interval, 1.3–5.4; P = 0.010).ConclusionsIn our study, right insular involvement was a prognostic marker for mortality after ischaemic stroke. A selection bias towards patients able to give informed consent warrants further studies.
Risk factors for short‐ and long‐term mortality in very old patients with Clostridium difficile infection: A retrospective study
Authors: Leibovici‐Weissman Yaara , Atamna Alaa , Schlesinger Agata , Eliakim‐Raz Noa , Bishara Jihad , Yahav Dafna 
Published: September 2016

AimMost cases of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) occur in patients aged 65 years and older. Older age is associated with increased mortality. Risk factors for mortality in patients aged 80 years and older are not well recognized.MethodsWe analyzed retrospective data including 184 patients aged 80 years and older hospitalized with CDI during 2009–2014. We aimed to delineate risk factors for short‐ and long‐term mortality.ResultsThe 30‐day mortality was 33.2%; 1‐year mortality was 64.7%. Median survival was 110 days (interquartile range 24–655 days). All four patients who underwent colectomy died. Risk factors for 30‐day mortality in multivariate analysis were diabetes mellitus, low albumin and therapy other than metronidazole monotherapy, the latter probably reflecting higher severity of disease rather than a true predictor of mortality. Risk factors for long‐term mortality analyzed in Cox regression were albumin ≤2.5 g/dL (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.395–0.850), presentation with sepsis (HR 0.597, 95% CI 0.408–0.873), a non‐independent activities of daily living baseline status (HR 0.460, 95% CI 0.236–‐0.897) and Charlson score (HR 0.867, 95% CI 0.801–0.938). None of the traditional severity indices for CDI (such as leukocytosis or creatinine increase) proved to be predictors of mortality over the age of 80 years.ConclusionsThe prognosis of old patients with CDI is dismal. Considering the high mortality, efforts to prevent CDI should be first priority in patients aged 80 years and older. Assessment of albumin levels should be part of the evaluation at presentation and considered when choosing treatment, rather than standard severity indexes for CDI. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1378–1383.
He's Just Not That Vulnerable: Exploring the Implementation of the Appropriate Adult Safeguard in Police Custody
Authors: DEHAGHANI ROXANNA 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis article examines the treatment of vulnerable suspects in police custody, with particular emphasis upon how the police define vulnerability in relation to adult suspects. Drawing upon qualitative data produced through observation of and interviews with custody officers (COs) at a custody suite in England, the article will explore why the appropriate adult (AA) safeguard is often left unimplemented. It builds upon previous research on the identification of vulnerability, but goes further by also addressing how vulnerability is defined. In discussion, the article draws upon legalist, culturalist, and structuralist arguments to offer explanations for non‐implementation of the AA safeguard.
Anthocyanin profile of red fruits and black carrot juices, purees and concentrates by HPLC‐DAD‐ESI/MS‐QTOF
Authors: Garcia‐Herrera Patricia , Pérez‐Rodríguez Maria‐Luisa , Aguilera‐Delgado Teresa , Labari‐Reyes Maria‐Jose , Olmedilla‐Alonso Begoña , Camara Montana , de Pascual‐Teresa Sonia 
Published: September 2016

SummaryA fast and reliable method for anthocyanin extraction and identification by HPLC‐DAD‐ESI/MS‐QTOF was used to analyse the anthocyanin composition of commercial red fruit juices (blackberry, redcurrant and pomegranate), purees (strawberry, cherry and raspberry) and concentrates (elderberry, blueberry and red grape). The anthocyanin profile of black carrot juice is also reported. The extraction and analysis method allowed us to detect and quantify a wide range of individual anthocyanins in a simple and rapid way. Pelargonidin‐3‐glucoside was detected in redcurrant for the first time and petunidin‐3‐galactoside quantified for the first time in blueberries. Considering the health benefits that have been associated with anthocyanin consumption, all these fruit and vegetables processed products could appear as a good source of this group of phytochemical compounds for their direct consumption or their use as ingredients for the design of new food product or food supplements.
Why not nursing? Factors influencing healthcare career choice among Singaporean students
Authors: Liaw S.Y. , Wu L.T. , Holroyd E. , Wang W. , Lopez V. , Lim S. , Chow Y.L. 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundInternationally, and particularly in Singapore, health education institutions are facing challenges in attracting school leavers to enter nursing courses.ObjectivesTo identify the factors influencing the career choice of Singaporean healthcare students and determine the deterrents in choosing nursing as a career choice.DesignAn exploratory descriptive qualitative study design was used.ParticipantsFifty‐nine healthcare students from three higher education institutions were recruited.MethodFour nursing and four non‐nursing focus groups discussion were held. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsSix themes emerged as follows: ‘personal interest’; ‘prior healthcare exposure’; ‘job prospects’; ‘academic performance’; ‘perceived nature of work’; and ‘social influences’.DiscussionThe personal interests to help and care along with prior healthcare exposures were found to influence the students’ choice. Job prospects such as the ease of getting a job, job stability, and job salary were considered. Nursing was perceived as a course for students with poor academic ability. Misconceptions about the nature of work and a lack of social recognition were identified as deterring factors in students’ choice of nursing as a career.ConclusionsAn understanding of the career decision process among healthcare students enables educational leaders and policy‐makers to enhance the focus of nursing recruitment strategies.Implications for nursing and/or health policyStrategies for nursing recruitment in Singapore must include creating more opportunities for exposure to nursing in early school years, reviewing the admission policies for nursing programmes to attract academically abled students, ensuring that nursing graduates’ salaries are comparable with other healthcare graduates, promoting a better understanding on the role of a registered nurse and its career developments, and providing support for those who are interested in nursing but are faced with career decision‐making difficulties due to their families.
The Validity of Investor Sentiment Proxies
Authors: Chan Felix , Durand Robert B. , Khuu Joyce , Smales Lee A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBehavioral finance research relies on proxies for unobservable phenomena. Different proxies for the same underlying phenomena should be correlated (formal proof of this proposition is presented in this letter). This letter examines proxies for an unobservable variable, sentiment. We utilize a well‐known methodology to construct text‐based sentiment proxies and compare these with metrics from Baker and Wurgler. We find that they are not correlated. At least one, but perhaps all, of these are not valid proxies of sentiment.