bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Gates’: a new archaeological site type in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Kennedy David ,   With the assistance of and an Appendix by Travis Hearn
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe availability of high‐resolution satellite imagery of Saudi Arabia on publicly available platforms such as Google Earth and Bing Maps has been transformational for archaeology. Within just a few years tens of thousands of sites previously unrecorded and scarcely known to the academic world have been mapped. Especially rich in sites are the successive lava fields (harret) stretching from southern Syria through Jordan and down the west coast of the Arabian Peninsula to Yemen, and characterised by the stone‐built structures known to the Bedouin as the ‘works of the old men’. Sites now being revealed include many types familiar from previous research in the wider region but also others of a form previously unknown. ‘Gates’ are one such type, found in large numbers in and around the Harret Khaybar in west‐central Saudi Arabia. They are stone‐built, the walls roughly made and low as with other ‘works’, but quite unlike them in form. Identification, mapping, and preliminary interpretation imply an early date in the sequence of the works—perhaps the very earliest—but no obvious explanation of their purpose can be discerned. Fieldwork is a desideratum.
Comparison of peri‐implant clinical and radiographic status around short (6 mm in length) dental implants placed in cigarette‐smokers and never‐smokers: Six‐year follow‐up results
Authors: Abduljabbar Tariq , Al‐Hamoudi Nawwaf , Al‐Sowygh Zeyad H. , Alajmi Mohammed , Javed Fawad , Vohra Fahim 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundIt is hypothesized that peri‐implant clinical and radiographic inflammatory parameters (probing depth [PD], bleeding on probing [BOP] and plaque index [PI]; and radiographic (crestal bone loss [CBL]) are worse among cigarette‐smokers (CS) compared with never‐smokers (NS) with short implants.PurposeThe present 6‐year follow‐up retrospective study compared the peri‐implant clinical and radiographic parameters in CS and NS with short dental implants (6 mm in length).Materials and methodsFifty‐six male individuals were included. These individuals divided into 2 groups as follows: (a) Group‐1: 29 self‐reported systemically healthy CS with 48 short‐implants; and (b) Group‐2: 27 self‐reported systemically healthy NS with 43 short implants. Peri‐implant PD, PI, BOP, and CBL were measured. Group comparisons were done using the Kruskal‐Wallis test and sample size was estimated. Level of significance was set at P values < .05.ResultsIn groups 1 and 2, the follow‐up durations were 6.2 ± 0.1 years and 6.1 ± 0.3 years, respectively. A cigarette smoking history of 8.9 ± 3.6 pack years was reported by individuals in Group‐1. At follow‐up, scores of peri‐implant PD, BOP, PI, and mesial and distal CBL were comparable around short implants in both groups.ConclusionUnder strict oral hygiene maintenance protocols, short dental implants can remain functionally stable in CS in a manner similar to NS.
Translational Development of Microbiome‐Based Therapeutics: Kinetics of E. coli Nissle and Engineered Strains in Humans and Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Kurtz Caroline , Denney William S. , Blankstein Larry , Guilmain Sarah E. , Machinani Suman , Kotula Jonathan , Saha Saurabh , Miller Paul , Brennan Aoife M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the pharmacology of microbiome‐based therapeutics is required to support the development of new medicines. Strains of E. coli Nissle (EcN) were genetically modified and administered to cynomolgus monkeys at doses of 1 × 109 and 1 × 1012 colony‐forming units (CFU)/day for 28 days. A clinical study to evaluate the exposure and clearance of EcN in healthy volunteers was also performed. Healthy subjects received oral doses of EcN, 2.5 to 25 × 109 CFU 3 times daily for 28 days or a single day. In cynomolgus monkeys, replicating strains yielded higher fecal concentrations than nonreplicating strains and persisted for longer following cessation of dosing. In the clinical study, all subjects cleared EcN following cessation of dosing with median clearance of 1 week. Quantitative methodology can be applied to microbiome‐based therapeutics, and similar kinetics and clearance were observed for EcN in cynomolgus monkeys and humans.
Relationship between salivary haemoglobin and number of remaining teeth in older Koreans
Authors: Choi Jun‐Seon , Kim Hee‐Eun , Donnelly Leeann R. 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveWe investigated the relationship between saliva and dental biofilm characteristics, oral hygiene behaviours and the number of remaining teeth in a sample of older Koreans.Materials and methodsThis cross‐sectional study included 133 participants, aged 65 years and older, recruited from senior welfare facilities in Incheon, South Korea. The outcome variable was the number of remaining teeth, and its associations with the independent variables of participants’ general characteristics, salivary haemoglobin level, dental biofilm acidogenicity, salivary flow rate and oral hygiene behaviours were assessed. For statistical analyses, chi‐squared test and step‐wise multiple linear regression were used.ResultsThe multiple linear regression model, which included all related factors identified in the bivariate analyses, showed that older adults who had high salivary haemoglobin levels (P < .05), brushed their teeth using the horizontal scrub method (P< .001), and did not use an interproximal cleaning device (P < .01) were more likely to have fewer remaining teeth. However, dental biofilm acidogenicity was not associated with the number of remaining teeth.ConclusionThe number of remaining teeth was associated with salivary haemoglobin level, appropriate toothbrushing technique and interdental cleaning. These findings suggest that the monitoring of salivary haemoglobin may contribute to the prevention of tooth loss caused by periodontal disease.
Review: Impact of Helicobacter pylori on Alzheimer's disease: What do we know so far?
Authors: Doulberis Michael , Kotronis Georgios , Thomann Robert , Polyzos Stergios A. , Boziki Marina , Gialamprinou Dimitra , Deretzi Georgia , Katsinelos Panagiotis , Kountouras Jannis 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori has changed radically gastroenterologic world, offering a new concept in patients' management. Over time, more medical data gave rise to diverse distant, extragastric manifestations and interactions of the “new” discovered bacterium. Special interest appeared within the field of neurodegenerative diseases and particularly Alzheimer's disease, as the latter and Helicobacter pylori infection are associated with a large public health burden and Alzheimer's disease ranks as the leading cause of disability. However, the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and Alzheimer's disease remains uncertain.MethodsWe performed a narrative review regarding a possible connection between Helicobacter pylori and Alzheimer's disease. All accessible relevant (pre)clinical studies written in English were included. Both affected pathologies were briefly analyzed, and relevant studies are discussed, trying to focus on the possible pathogenetic role of this bacterium in Alzheimer's disease.ResultsData stemming from both epidemiologic studies and animal experiments seem to be rather encouraging, tending to confirm the hypothesis that Helicobacter pylori infection might influence the course of Alzheimer's disease pleiotropically. Possible main mechanisms may include the bacterium's access to the brain via the oral‐nasal‐olfactory pathway or by circulating monocytes (infected with Helicobacter pylori due to defective autophagy) through disrupted blood‐brain barrier, thereby possibly triggering neurodegeneration.ConclusionsCurrent data suggest that Helicobacter pylori infection might influence the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. However, further large‐scale randomized controlled trials are mandatory to clarify a possible favorable effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology, before the recommendation of short‐term and cost‐effective therapeutic regimens against Helicobacter pylori‐related Alzheimer's disease.
Exploring regional and institutional factors of international students' dropout: The South Korea case
Authors: Jung Jisun , Kim Yangson 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWith an increasing number of international students in South Korea, the issue of retaining these students and reducing their dropout rates has become important. This study explores the multilevel factors that affect the institutional dropout rate among international students in Korea. The research questions are as follows: (a) to what extent do international students drop out from undergraduate or short‐term programmes in Korean universities?; (b) what are the regional and institutional factors that determine international students' dropout rates? This study uses the panel data on educational institutions as found in the Higher Education in Korea report, which has been updated annually by the Ministry of Education since 2013. According to the pooled ordinary least square and panel analyses, the results indicate that a range of institutional factors (such as type, size, tuition and research performance of academics) and regional factors (such as regional gross domestic product, inflation and the numbers of foreigners in the region) are all associated with the dropout rates of international students. This study suggests that we need to consider various factors to improve the international students' learning experiences both inside and outside of the campus.
FAIR ALLOCATION OF DISPUTED PROPERTIES
Authors: Ju Biung‐Ghi , Moreno‐Ternero Juan D. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe model problems of allocating disputed properties as generalized exchange economies. Therein, agents have preferences and claims over multiple goods, and the social endowment of each good may not be sufficient to satisfy all individual claims. We focus on market‐based allocation rules that impose a two‐step procedure: assignment of rights based on claims first and voluntary exchange based on the assigned rights afterward. We characterize three focal egalitarian rights‐assignment rules that guarantee that the allocation rules are fair. We apply our results to problems of greenhouse gas emissions and contested water rights.
Do Independent Directors Improve Firm Value? Evidence from the Great Recession
Authors: Jenwittayaroje Nattawut , Jiraporn Pornsit 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe literature offers no clear evidence on the effect of independent directors on firm value. We argue that, during stressful times, firms may need more and better expert advice to navigate a crisis. Outside independent directors can provide such advice. So, the role of independent directors may be more pronounced during a stressful time. Consistent with this notion, we find that independent directors significantly improved firm value during the Great Recession of 2008. Specifically, a rise in the percentage of independent directors by one standard deviation would have improved firm value by 4.29% during the Great Recession. Outside the crisis period, however, our results do not show that independent directors increase firm value. Further analysis confirms the results, including random‐effects regressions, propensity score matching, instrumental‐variable regressions, as well as falsification tests. Our results are crucial as they demonstrate that the role of independent directors is different during stressful times than it is during normal times.
The pricing of firms with expected losses/profits: The role of January
Authors: Chiu Peng‐Chia , Nekrasov Alexander , Shevlin Terry 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe examine the role of January in the relation between expected losses/profits and future stock returns. We predict and find that the relation between expected losses/profits and future returns reverses from the usual positive relation in non‐January months to a negative one in January. The reverse January relation is consistent across sample years, is observed in the United States and international markets, and is incremental to other variables associated with January returns. At least part of the reverse January relation is explained by tax‐loss selling. Further analysis shows that the reverse January relation results in a temporary price drift away from fundamental value. In other words, we find that abnormal positive (negative) future returns do not always indicate past under(over)valuation. Overall, our results illustrate the importance of controlling for the effect of January when examining how investors price expected losses/profits.
Dermoscopic features and patterns of poromas: a multicentre observational case–control study conducted by the International Dermoscopy Society
Authors: Marchetti M.A. , Marino M.L. , Virmani P. , Dusza S.W. , Marghoob A.A. , Nazzaro G. , Lallas A. , Landi C. , Cabo H. , Quiñones R. , Gomez E. , Puig S. , Carrera C. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundPoromas are benign cutaneous sweat gland tumours that are challenging to identify. The dermoscopic features of poromas are not well characterized.ObjectiveTo determine the clinical‐dermoscopic features of poromas.MethodsCross‐sectional, observational study of 113 poromas and 106 matched control lesions from 16 contributors and eight countries. Blinded reviewers evaluated the clinical and dermoscopic features present in each clinical and dermoscopic image.ResultsPoromas were most commonly non‐pigmented (85.8%), papules (35.4%) and located on non‐acral sites (65.5%). In multivariate analysis, dermoscopic features associated with poroma included white interlacing areas around vessels (OR: 7.9, 95% CI: 1.9–32.5, P = 0.004), yellow structureless areas (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1–6.0, P = 0.04), milky‐red globules (OR: 3.9, 95% CI: 1.4–11.1, P = 0.01) and poorly visualized vessels (OR: 33.3, 95% CI: 1.9–586.5, P = 0.02). The presence of branched vessels with rounded endings was positively associated with poromas but did not reach statistical significance (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 0.8–6.5, P = 0.10). The presence of any of these five features was associated with a sensitivity and specificity of 62.8% and 82.0%, respectively.ConclusionWe identified dermoscopic features that are specific to the diagnosis of poroma. Overall, however, the prevalence of these features was low. Significant clinical and dermoscopic variability is a hallmark of these uncommon tumours, which are most prevalent on non‐acral sites.
Whole‐exome sequencing of theBDRcohort: evidence to support the role of thePILRAgene in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Patel T. , Brookes K. J. , Turton J. , Chaudhury S. , Guetta‐Baranes T. , Guerreiro R. , Bras J. , Hernandez D. , Singleton A. , Francis P. T. , Hardy J. , Morgan K. 
Published: November 2017

AimLate‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) accounts for 95% of all Alzheimer's cases and is genetically complex in nature. Overlapping clinical and neuropathological features betweenAD,FTDand Parkinson's disease highlight the potential role of genetic pleiotropy across diseases. Recent genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) have uncovered 20 new loci forADrisk; however, these exhibit small effect sizes. UsingNGS, here we perform association analyses using exome‐wide and candidate‐gene‐driven approaches.MethodsWhole‐exome sequencing was performed on 132ADcases and 53 control samples. Exome‐wide single‐variant association and gene burden tests were performed for 76 640 nonsingleton variants. Samples were also screened for known causative mutations in familial genes inADand other dementias. Single‐variant association and burden analysis was also carried out on variants in knownADand other neurological dementia genes.ResultsTentative single‐variant and burden associations were seen in several genes with kinase and protease activity. Exome‐wide burden analysis also revealed significant burden of variants inPILRA(P = 3.4 × 10−5), which has previously been linked toADviaGWAS, hitZCWPW1. Screening for causative mutations in familialADand other dementia genes revealed no pathogenic variants. Variants identified inABCA7,SLC24A4,CD33andLRRK2were nominally associated with disease (P < 0.05) but did not withstand correction for multiple testing.APOE(P = 0.02) andCLU(P = 0.04) variants showed significant burden onAD.ConclusionsIn addition, polygenic risk scores (PRS) were able to distinguish between cases and controls with 83.8% accuracy using 3268 variants, sex, age at death andAPOEε4 and ε2 status as predictors.
High human herpesvirus 6 viral load in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients is associated with detection in end organs and high mortality
Authors: Winestone Lena E. , Punn Rajesh , Tamaresis John S. , Buckingham Julia , Pinsky Benjamin A. , Waggoner Jesse J. , Kharbanda Sandhya 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHuman Herpes Virus 6 (HHV‐6) reactivation occurs in approximately half of patients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). While encephalitis and delayed engraftment are well‐documented complications of HHV‐6 following HSCT, the extent to which HHV‐6 viremia causes disease in children is controversial. We performed a retrospective review of HHV‐6 reactivation and possible manifestations in pediatric allogeneic HSCT patients at a single institution. Of 89 children and young adults who underwent allogeneic HSCT over a three‐and‐a‐half‐year period, 34 patients reactivated HHV‐6 early post‐transplant. Unrelated donor stem cell source and lack of antiviral prophylaxis were risk factors for the development of HHV‐6 viremia. Viremia correlated with the presence of acute graft‐versus‐host disease, but not chronic graft‐versus‐host disease. We identified two subgroups within the viremic patients—a high‐risk viremic and tissue‐positive group that reactivated HHV‐6 and had suspected end‐organ disease and a low‐risk viremic but asymptomatic group that reactivated HHV‐6 but did not exhibit symptoms or signs of end‐organ disease. Peak viral load was found to be strongly associated with mortality. Prospective studies in larger numbers of patients are needed to further investigate the role of HHV‐6 in causing symptomatic end‐organ disease as well as the association of viral load with mortality.
A Population‐based Study of Perinatal Infection Risk in Women with and without Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and their Infants
Authors: Bender Ignacio Rachel A. , Madison Amy T. , Moshiri Ata , Weiss Noel S. , Mueller Beth A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundIncreased risk of adverse birth outcomes is well described in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but risk of maternal or infant infection in the peripartum period has not been well studied. We conducted a population‐based cohort study of infection risk in women with and without SLE and their infants.MethodsLinked birth‐hospital discharge data identified 1297 deliveries to women with SLE and a 4:1 comparison cohort of deliveries to women without SLE in Washington State, 1987–2013. Maternal and infant infections during the first 30 days after delivery were identified. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated.ResultsWomen with SLE were 1.7 times more likely (95% CI 1.4, 2.0) to have an infection during the birth hospitalisation and more likely to receive antibiotics during labour (RR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1, 1.5), though there was no increased risk of chorioamnionitis in women with SLE. Infants of women with SLE had an increased risk for an infection during the birth hospitalisation (RR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3, 3.5), although the size of the difference was smaller when adjusted for gestational age (RR 1.4, 95% CI 0.9, 2.1). Risks of neonatal infection, sepsis, receipt of antibiotics, and admission to neonatal intensive care were also increased, and were also attenuated after adjustment for gestational age.ConclusionsWomen with SLE have an increased risk of peripartum infections and antibiotic exposure. Their neonates have a greater likelihood of infection, much of which is attributable to preterm birth.
The Hanification of Xinjiang, China: The Economic Effects of the Great Leap West
Authors: Liu Amy H. , Peters Kevin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn 1999, the Chinese government launched the Great Leap West – an ambitious economic undertaking to develop China's western frontier. The strategy was to use increasing wealth to abate historical ethnic tensions. And while provinces like Xinjiang have experienced impressive growth, relations between the Han‐dominated Beijing and the Uyghurs in Xinjiang have remained unchanged, if not worsened. The former claims the economic benefits have been enjoyed by all – regardless of ethnicity – and have aided regional development. In contrast, the latter alleges the growing riches have primarily benefited the Hans. This article examines these two arguments. Using original data, we find evidence to support both claims – with some qualifications. While the Han migrants have benefited immensely from the Great Leap West, it seems the Uyghurs have also enjoyed growing wages. The implications suggest that while Beijing is not necessarily wrong to invest heavily in Xinjiang, the government needs to exercise more consideration of local cultures.
Case series supporting heme detoxification via therapeutic plasma exchange in acute multiorgan failure syndrome resistant to red blood cell exchange in sickle cell disease
Authors: Louie James E. , Anderson Caitlin J. , Fayaz M. Fomani Katayoun , Henry Alonye , Killeen Trevor , Mohandas Narla , Yazdanbakhsh Karina , Belcher John D. , Vercellotti Gregory M. , Shi Patricia A. 
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUNDDepletion of haptoglobin (Hp) and hemopexin (Hx) with increase in free hemoglobin and heme are important etiologies of vaso‐occlusive complications in sickle cell disease (SCD). This study is the first to show an association between clinical improvement in SCD and repletion of Hp and Hx by therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) using plasma replacement.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThirteen fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) units derived from consecutive whole blood donations were thawed at 37°C after 10 months of storage; Hp and Hx concentrations immediately postthaw and after 5 days of refrigerated storage were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All SCD patients presenting to a single institution over a 2‐year period with acute multiorgan failure syndrome resistant to red blood cell exchange (RCE) were treated with TPE with FFP replacement; concentrations of Hp, Hx, and heme were evaluated before and after TPE by ELISA.RESULTSPlasma concentrations of Hp and Hx decreased approximately 20% (p ≤ 0.002) after 5 days of refrigerated storage. Significant mean fold increases after TPE of 10 for Hp (p < 0.005) and seven for Hx (p < 0.003) and a 30% mean decrease in heme concentrations (p = 0.07) were noted in association with clinical improvement (three patients), whereas minimal increases in Hp and Hx were associated with continued clinical deterioration in one patient.CONCLUSIONFresh‐frozen plasma rather than thawed plasma is optimal for Hp and Hx replacement. Patient data are consistent with Hp and Hx increases via TPE limiting clinical toxicity of worsened hemolysis associated with severe vaso‐occlusive complications refractory to RCE in SCD.