bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of Defaults of Long-term Rated Debts
Authors: Gill Suveera 
Published: January 2017

Lately, the credit rating agencies have been the subject of significant criticism for failing to warn the investors of the defaults well in advance. Investors in long-term debt instruments are usually risk averse, buy-and-hold types; and hence, for them, the variability of investment-grade default rates is particularly important since they employ simple investment-grade rating cut-offs in the design of their investment eligibility plan. According to ICRA (Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India) and the other credit rating agencies, default means that the company has either already failed in the payment of interest and/or principal as per terms or is expected to fail. The debt rating at no time informs as to how much bond face value holders would recover in the event of a default. The present regulations pertaining to the credit rating agencies preclude the investors and issuers from suing agencies for awarding a particular rating. Hence, credit ratings are of value only as long as they are credible. This paper tests the reliability of ratings assigned by ICRA on the basis of the actual default rate experience on long-term debt across five sectors over a period of seven years, i.e., 1995–2002. The reason for including only long-term debt instruments for the purpose of analysis is that the assigned rating and its movement can be observed only over a long period. Since the credit rating agencies do not publish ratings that are not accepted by the issuers, this study is limited to only those issues that have been accepted and used by the issuers. The default statistics were examined sector-wise, period-wise, and company/institution-wise. Analyses of the background and business, operating performance, management and systems, financial performance, prospects, key issues, and the reasons cited for defaults were undertaken with respect to all the companies. Simple metrics like default rates by rating grades and rating prior to default were used to analyse whether low ratings (i.e., speculative-grade ratings) were assigned by ICRA to defaulting credits well in advance of default rate. Further, an attempt was made to identify whether companies in default had issued other debt instruments that were rated by other credit rating agencies. The findings highlight the following: The performance of the manufacturing sector vis-a-vis other sectors has been dismal. The period of high defaults (1997-1999) coincides with a high interest regime and poor economic conditions in India. ICRA's performance in terms of proper surveillance and provision of timely and complete information about the companies rated by them has not been up to the mark. The findings certainly draw attention towards the fact that excessive reliance on credit rating needs to be reduced. Since the governance of the credit rating agencies is questionable, adequate steps have to be taken to make them more accountable.
The Influence of Individual Factors on the Absorption of Vibration Energy in the Hand and Arm
Authors: Burström Lage 
Published: January 2017

The detrimental effects of vibrating hand-held tools upon humans have been known for a long time, and determination of the absorption of vibration energy into the operator's hand and arm could be an alternative method of risk assessment. The energy absorption in the hand and arm during exposure to random vibration has been measured in 84 subjects. A special handle was used during the measurements. The influence of various experimental conditions, such as vibration level (3–12 m/s2), vibration direction (Xh, Yh, Zh), and grip force (25–75 N) as well as individual biological factors were studied. The results show that energy absorption is influenced by exposure directions and levels as well as grip forces. Furthermore, the results show that individual biological differences between subjects, for instance age, hand volume and hand thickness, have a significant influence on the amount of absorbed energy.
Space Frames: The Space Within—A Guided Tour
Authors: Gabriel J. François 
Published: January 2017

New configurations as well as new applications are constantly discovered for space structures. There is every indication that this trend will continue for a very longtime. This paper describes four configurations developed in the last ten years to provide architects with a framework for the accommodation of any building program. These configurations have their origin in a multi-layer, three-way space frame. They are, however, very different from each other. Although these have been the subjects of separate publications, they are discussed here together for the first time. The author feels that the discussion of topological aspects of space frames which relate to architectural considerations will make a positive contribution towards a more generalized use of space structures.
Safety and efficacy of letibotulinumtoxinA(BOTULAX®) in treatment of post stroke upper limb spasticity: a randomized, double blind, multi-center, phase III clinical trial
Authors: Do Kyung Hee , Chun Min Ho , Paik Nam-Jong , Park Yoon Ghil , Lee Shi-Uk , Kim Min-Wook , Kim Don-Kyu 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To investigate a new botulinum neurotoxin type A, termed letibotulinumtoxinA(Botulax®) and compare its efficacy and safety for post-stroke upper limb spasticity with that of onabotulinumtoxinA(Botox®). Design: A prospective, double-blinded, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical study. Setting: Six university hospitals in Korea. Subjects: A total of 187 stroke participants with upper limb spasticity. Interventions: Two kinds of botulinum neurotoxin type A were used. One set of injection was performed and total injected doses were 309.21±62.48U(Botulax) and 312.64±49.99U(Botox)( P>0.05). Main measures: Primary outcome was measured using the modified Ashworth scale for wrist flexors at week 4 and secondary outcome was measured using modified Ashworth scale for wrist flexors, elbow flexors, finger flexors, and thumb flexors as well as Global Assessment in spasticity, Disability Assessment Scale, and Caregiver Burden Scale. Safety measures including adverse events, vital signs and physical examination, and laboratory tests were also monitored. Results: The mean ages for the Botulax group were 56.81±9.49 and which for the Botox group were 56.93±11.93( P>0.05). In primary outcome, the change in modified Ashworth scale for wrist flexors was -1.45±0.61 in the Botulax group and -1.40±0.57 in the Botox group, and the difference between the two groups was -0.06(95% CI:-0.23–0.12, P>0.05). In secondary outcome, both groups demonstrated significant improvements with respect to modified Ashworth scale, Global Assessment in spasticity, Disability Assessment Scale, and Caregiver Burden Scale ( P<0.05), and no significant difference was observed between the two groups ( P>0.05). In addition, safety measures showed no significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions: The efficacy and safety of Botulax were comparable with those of Botox in treatment of post-stoke upper limb spasticity.
National Risk of Zinc Deficiency as Estimated by National Surveys
Authors: Hess Sonja Y. 
Published: January 2017

Background: Information is needed on the national prevalence of zinc deficiency to guide program development and evaluation. Objective: To summarize results of national surveys that assessed plasma or serum zinc concentrations (PZC) and compare the prevalence of low PZC with other methods used to estimate countries’ risk of zinc deficiency. Methods: National surveys that included PZC were identified through Internet searches and personal contacts. A survey was eligible if a nationally representative sampling scheme was used, PZC was analyzed, and the survey was implemented in a low- or middle-income country. Twenty surveys were eligible; 19 countries assessed PZC in young children and 14 in women of reproductive age. Results: In 13 of the 19 surveys, the prevalence of low PZC in children was >20%. Only Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, the Republic of Maldives, Sri Lanka, and China found a low prevalence of inadequate PZC among children. Some of these conclusions may be due to the lower than recommended cutoff that was used. Similarly, in 13 of 14 surveys, the prevalence of low PZC in women was >20%. Estimates of percentage population with inadequate dietary zinc intake based on food balance sheets underestimate the risk of zinc deficiency. The national stunting prevalence seems to be a useful proxy, as both indicators categorized countries similarly into high versus low risk of zinc deficiency, with some exceptions. Conclusions: Results from 20 countries suggest that zinc deficiency is a public health concern in the majority of these countries and zinc intervention strategies should be considered.
Nuclear Power and Global Warming: A First Cost-Benefit Calculation
Authors: Hope Chris 
Published: January 2017

This paper investigates the costs and benefits of a modest nuclear power programme in the European Union to combat the threat of global warming. The nuclear programme is found to bring a double benefit. The first and more obvious benefit is that the economic impacts of global warming are reduced. The second benefit is counter-intuitive; most people would expect it to be a cost. It comes from the stimulus to the economy from the construction of the nuclear plant, which, with the recycling of carbon tax revenues, offsets its construction and operating costs, and may even cause consumers' expenditure to rise. Calculations in this paper show that over the period to 2100 the mean net present value of the first benefit is 6 billion European Currency Units (ECU; 1 ECU is about $1), while the second benefit has a mean net present value of 158 billion ECU. However both benefits, particularly the second, are still very uncertain, to the extent that even their sign is not yet definitely established.
Less Learning, More Often: The Impact of Spacing Effect in An Adult E-Learning Environment
Authors: Pereira Clement , Taylor Jacqui , Jones Michael 
Published: January 2017

Constant and continued upgrade of skills and qualifications is imperative in a knowledge society (Davies, 1998; David and Foray, 2003), however identifying and using effective (maximise retention/recall) and efficient (minimise time to learn) learning practices is often a challenge. Spacing Effect is a robust phenomenon that suggests that the retention/recall of learning improves when presentations are spaced as opposed to massed (Toppino et al., 2002). Study-Phase-Retrieval (retrieval as a learning event), Encoding-Variability (multiple routes to retrieval) and Deficient-Processing (inadequate processing) are some of the theories proposed to explain the effect. This paper presents the observations made of a real-life adult e-Learning environment for project management (PRINCE2™) based in the UK. The interplay between Inter Session Interval, Study Duration, Frequency of Usage and its impact on Time Spent and Time to Completion are explored using the concept of Spacing Effect. The regression analysis of the key parameters showed a u-shaped relationship between spacing and total study time, largely consistent with the observations made by Verkoeijen et al, (2005) whilst reviewing the two-factor model of Spacing Effect proposed by Raaijmakers (2003). While the lack of data and comparable studies on the effects of Spacing Effect in adult e-Learning/management training is acknowledged, this study does provide support to the notion of general applicability of Spacing Effect (Dempster, 1987) and highlights some of the gaps that remain in our understanding of the phenomenon.
Copeptin in patients with acute myocardial infarction and newly detected glucose abnormalities – A marker of increased stress susceptibility? A report from the Glucose in Acute Myocardial Infarction cohort
Authors: Smaradottir Maria Isabel , Ritsinger Viveca , Gyberg Viveca , Norhammar Anna , Näsman Per , Mellbin Linda G 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To characterize copeptin levels and to explore its prognostic importance in patients with acute myocardial infarction with newly detected glucose abnormalities. Methods: Copeptin was measured in 166 patients with acute myocardial infarction without known diabetes and in 168 age- and gender-matched controls. Participants were classified as having normal glucose tolerance or abnormal glucose tolerance (impaired glucose tolerance + type 2 diabetes mellitus) by oral glucose tolerance test. Study participants were followed over a decade for major cardiovascular event (acute myocardial infarction/stroke/congestive heart failure/cardiovascular death), cardiovascular and total death. Results: Median copeptin level was higher in patients (10.5 pmol/L) than controls (5.9 pmol/L; p < 0.01). Patients with abnormal glucose tolerance had higher copeptin (12.2 pmol/L) than those with normal glucose tolerance (7.9 pmol/L; p < 0.01) but levels of copeptin did not differ in controls with abnormal glucose tolerance or normal glucose tolerance. Copeptin predicted major cardiovascular events [ n = 64; hazard ratio = 1.15 (1.01–1.32; p = 0.04)], cardiovascular mortality [ n = 29; hazard ratio = 1.24 (1.06–1.46; p = 0.01)] and total death [ n = 51; hazard ratio = 1.21 (1.05–1.40; p = 0.01)] in unadjusted Cox regression analyses in the patient cohort. In controls, copeptin predicted major cardiovascular events [ n = 26; hazard ratio = 1.17 (1.01–1.36; p = 0.03)]. Conclusion: Copeptin levels are highest among acute myocardial infarction patients with glucose disturbances and predict an adverse prognosis in unadjusted analyses. These findings imply that raised copeptin reflects stress rather than acting as a pathogenic factor for glucose abnormalities.
Mechanical Recanalization for Acute Embolic Occlusion at the Origin of the Superior Mesenteric Artery
Authors: Miura Yoichi , Araki Tomohiro , Terashima Mio , Tsuboi Junya , Saito Yasuhiro , Kanamaru Kenji , Suzuki Hidenori 
Published: January 2017

Purpose: We report a combined technique consisting of thrombectomy and thromboaspiration for the treatment of acute embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) at the origin. Case: A 90-year-old female with chronic atrial fibrillation had a sudden onset of abdominal pain and hematochezia due to acute embolic occlusion at the origin of the SMA. Computed tomographic findings showed reversible bowel wall ischemia. We performed mechanical thrombectomy using the Solitaire FR revascularization device, a self-expanding and fully retrievable stent-based thrombectomy system for acute intracranial large artery occlusion, combined with manual aspiration through a 6F guiding sheath placed at the SMA origin via a right brachial approach. Prompt and complete recanalization of the SMA was obtained without distal embolism, and intestinal necrosis was avoided. Conclusion: Combined endovascular procedures of mechanical thrombectomy using the Solitaire FR with thromboaspiration may allow prompt recanalization, clot removal, and prevention of distal embolism and therefore would be a new therapy for acute embolic occlusion at the origin of the SMA.
The Effect of Surgical Insertion and Proinflammatory Cytokines on Osteochondral Allograft Survival and Metabolism
Authors: Gitelis Samantha L. , Bodker Ariel , Laurent Michel P. , Kirk Spencer S. , Filardo Giuseppe , Meyer Maximilian A. , Hakimiyan Arnavaz A. , Rappoport Lev , Wimmer Markus A. , Cole Brian J. , Chubinskaya Susan 
Published: January 2017

Objective To investigate the responses of refrigerated osteochondral allograft cartilage (OCA) and fresh cartilage (FC), including cell survival and metabolism, to surgical impaction and proinflammatory cytokines. Design Osteochondral plugs (8 mm diameter) were harvested from prolonged-refrigerated (14-28 days) and fresh (≤24 hours postmortem) human femoral hemicondyles and subjected to a 0.2 N s pneumatic impaction impulse. Cartilage explants were removed from subchondral bone and randomized to 1 of 6 treatment groups: (1) Unimpacted control (UIC), (2) Impacted control (IC), (3) Impacted + interleukin (IL)-1β (0.1 ng/mL), (4) Impacted + IL-1β (0.1 ng/mL) + IL-6, (5) Impacted + IL-1β (10 ng/mL), and (6) Impacted + IL-1β (10 ng/mL) + IL-6. Samples were measured for cell viability, histology, and proteoglycan (PG) content at days 0, 2, 7, and 14 of culture. Results In UIC, cell viability was indistinguishable between OCA and FC and remained constant. Impaction alone decreased cell viability by 30% ( P < 0.01) in the OCA superficial layer and by 26% ( P < 0.01) in the entire tissue, but did not affect viability in FC. Cytokine addition did not further influence cell viability. Impaction alone did not affect PG synthesis. Addition of cytokines to impacted tissue decreased PG synthesis by ~3-fold in both tissue types in comparison with corresponding impacted controls ( P < 0.01). Throughout 2-week culture, PG release remained stable in all FC groups, but peaked at day 14 in OCA cartilage subjected to cytokines. Conclusions Mechanical impaction, mimicking surgical insertion, has a more profound effect on cell viability in OCA than in FC. Addition of proinflammatory cytokines further decreases OCA tissue metabolism and integrity.
The reliability of Cavalier’s principle of stereological method in determining volumes of enchondromas using the computerized tomography tools
Authors: Acar Nihat , Karakasli Ahmet , Karaarslan Ahmet , Mas Nermin NG , Hapa Onur 
Published: January 2017

Introduction: Volumetric measurements of benign tumors enable surgeons to trace volume changes during follow-up periods. For a volumetric measurement technique to be applicable, it should be easy, rapid, and inexpensive and should carry a high interobserver reliability. We aimed to assess the interobserver reliability of a volumetric measurement technique using the Cavalier’s principle of stereological methods. Materials and methods: The computerized tomography (CT) of 15 patients with a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of enchondroma with variant tumor sizes and localizations was retrospectively reviewed for interobserver reliability evaluation of the volumetric stereological measurement with the Cavalier’s principle, V = t × [((SU) × d) /SL]2 × Σ P. Results: The volumes of the 15 tumors collected by the observers are demonstrated in Table 1. There was no statistical significance between the first and second observers ( p = 0.000 and intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.970) and between the first and third observers ( p = 0.000 and intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.981). No statistical significance was detected between the second and third observers ( p = 0.000 and intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.976). Conclusion: The Cavalier’s principle with the stereological technique using the CT scans is an easy, rapid, and inexpensive technique in volumetric evaluation of enchondromas with a trustable interobserver reliability.
LGL leukemia: from pathogenesis to treatment
Authors: Lamy Thierry , Moignet Aline , Loughran Thomas P. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractLarge granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia has been recognized by the World Health Organization classifications amongst mature T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell neoplasms. There are 3 categories: chronic T-cell leukemia and NK-cell lymphocytosis, which are similarly indolent diseases characterized by cytopenias and autoimmune conditions as opposed to aggressive NK-cell LGL leukemia. Clonal LGL expansion arise from chronic antigenic stimulation, which promotes dysregulation of apoptosis, mainly due to constitutive activation of survival pathways including Jak/Stat, MapK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–Akt, Ras–Raf-1, MEK1/extracellular signal-regulated kinase, sphingolipid, and nuclear factor-κB. Socs3 downregulation may also contribute to Stat3 activation. Interleukin 15 plays a key role in activation of leukemic LGL. Several somatic mutations including Stat3, Stat5b, and tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 have been demonstrated recently in LGL leukemia. Because these mutations are present in less than half of the patients, they cannot completely explain LGL leukemogenesis. A better mechanistic understanding of leukemic LGL survival will allow future consideration of a more targeted therapeutic approach than the current practice of immunosuppressive therapy.
Ex vivo drug response profiling detects recurrent sensitivity patterns in drug-resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Frismantas Viktoras , Dobay Maria Pamela , Rinaldi Anna , Tchinda Joelle , Dunn Samuel H. , Kunz Joachim , Richter-Pechanska Paulina , Marovca Blerim , Pail Orrin , Jenni Silvia , Diaz-Flores Ernesto , Chang Bill H. , Brown Timothy J. , Collins Robert H. , Uhrig Sebastian , Balasubramanian Gnana P. , Bandapalli Obul R. , Higi Salome , Eugster Sabrina , Voegeli Pamela , Delorenzi Mauro , Cario Gunnar , Loh Mignon L. , Schrappe Martin , Stanulla Martin , Kulozik Andreas E. , Muckenthaler Martina U. , Saha Vaskar , Irving Julie A. , Meisel Roland , Radimerski Thomas , Von Stackelberg Arend , Eckert Cornelia , Tyner Jeffrey W. , Horvath Peter , Bornhauser Beat C. , Bourquin Jean-Pierre 
Published: January 2017

Key Points
Ex vivo drug profiling captures disease-relevant features and relevant sensitivity to therapeutic agents in ALL. A subset of drug-resistant T-ALL without mutations in ABL1 is highly responsive to dasatinib, which provides a rationale for drug repurposing.
Defining the dynamin-based ring organizing center on the peroxisome-dividing machinery isolated from Cyanidioschyzon merolae
Authors: Imoto Yuuta , Abe Yuichi , Okumoto Kanji , Honsho Masanori , Kuroiwa Haruko , Kuroiwa Tsuneyoshi , Fujiki Yukio 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT
Organelle division is executed through contraction of a ring-shaped supramolecular dividing machinery. A core component of the machinery is the dynamin-based ring conserved during the division of mitochondrion, plastid and peroxisome. Here, using isolated peroxisome-dividing (POD) machinery from a unicellular red algae, Cyanidioschyzon merolae, we identified a dynamin-based ring organizing center (DOC) that acts as an initiation point for formation of the dynamin-based ring. C. merolae contains a single peroxisome, the division of which can be highly synchronized by light–dark stimulation; thus, intact POD machinery can be isolated in bulk. Dynamin-based ring homeostasis is maintained by the turnover of the GTP-bound form of the dynamin-related protein Dnm1 between the cytosol and division machinery via the DOC. A single DOC is formed on the POD machinery with a diameter of 500–700 nm, and the dynamin-based ring is unidirectionally elongated from the DOC in a manner that is dependent on GTP concentration. During the later step of membrane fission, the second DOC is formed and constructs the double dynamin-based ring to make the machinery thicker. These findings provide new insights to define fundamental mechanisms underlying the dynamin-based membrane fission in eukaryotic cells.