bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic Model for Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Changes Produced by Telmisartan in Human Beings
Authors: Chae Dongwoo , Son Mijeong , Kim Yukyung , Son Hankil , Park Kyungsoo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTelmisartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), is indicated for the treatment of essential hypertension. This study aimed to develop a mechanistic model of telmisartan drug effect in human beings using non‐invasive markers. Data were acquired from a previous study where telmisartan 80 mg was given once daily for 6 days. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured before dosing for days 1–5 and serially after the last dose. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP) were calculated from SBP and DBP. Relationships between MAP, PP, HR and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were developed. Circadian variation was incorporated into PP and HR, and TPR was assumed to adjust itself in response to changes in PP and HR based on baroreflex mechanism. Drug effects were then described as lowering the set point of MAP through TPR with a physiological feedback effect stimulating HR and PP. Drug concentrations were described by a two‐compartment disposition model with first‐order absorption and lag time, and first‐order elimination. Circadian variation was described by cosine functions, having periods of 12 and 24 hr. A log‐linear model was used to describe drug effect, with estimated drug effect parameter of 0.051/hr. Estimated fractional turnover rate of PP, HR and TPR was 11.2 hr. The model successfully described the time courses of these cardiovascular variables. This work demonstrated the feasibility of using non‐invasive cardiovascular measurements to derive a mechanistic model for telmisartan in human beings. The model may be suitable for other ARBs.
Beauty in the blink of an eye: The time course of aesthetic experiences
Authors: Verhavert San , Wagemans Johan , Augustin M. Dorothee 
Published: August 2017

Under normal circumstances, perception runs very fast and seemingly automatic. In just a few ms, we go from sensory features to perceiving objects. This fast time course does not only apply to general perceptual aspects but also to what we call higher‐level judgements. Inspired by the study on ‘very first impressions’ by Bar, Neta, and Linz (2006, Emotion, 6, 269) the current research examined the speed and time course of three aspects of the aesthetic experience, namely beauty, specialness, and impressiveness. Participants were presented with 54 reproductions of paintings that covered a wide variety of artistic styles and contents. Presentation times were 10, 50, 100 and 500 ms in Experiment 1 and 20, 30 and 40 ms in Experiment 2. Our results not only show that consistent aesthetic judgements can be formed based on very brief glances of information, but that this speed of aesthetic impression formation also differs between different aesthetic judgements. Apparently, impressiveness judgements require longer exposure times than impressions of beauty or specialness. The results provide important evidence for our understanding of the time course of aesthetic experiences.
Isometry‐Aware Preconditioning for Mesh Parameterization
Authors: Claici S. , Bessmeltsev M. , Schaefer S. , Solomon J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper presents a new preconditioning technique for large‐scale geometric optimization problems, inspired by applications in mesh parameterization. Our positive (semi‐)definite preconditioner acts on the gradients of optimization problems whose variables are positions of the vertices of a triangle mesh in ℝ2 or of a tetrahedral mesh in ℝ3, converting localized distortion gradients into the velocity of a globally near‐rigid motion via a linear solve. We pose our preconditioning tool in terms of the Killing energy of a deformation field and provide new efficient formulas for constructing Killing operators on triangle and tetrahedral meshes. We demonstrate that our method is competitive with state‐of‐the‐art algorithms for locally injective parameterization using a variety of optimization objectives and show applications to two‐ and three‐dimensional mesh deformation.
A Parallel Approach to Compression and Decompression of Triangle Meshes using the GPU
Authors: Jakob Johannes , Buchenau Christoph , Guthe Michael 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMost state‐of‐the‐art compression algorithms use complex connectivity traversal and prediction schemes, which are not efficient enough for online compression of large meshes. In this paper we propose a scalable massively parallel approach for compression and decompression of large triangle meshes using the GPU. Our method traverses the input mesh in a parallel breadth‐first manner and encodes the connectivity data similarly to the well known cut‐border machine. Geometry data is compressed using a local prediction strategy. In contrast to the original cut‐border machine, we can additionally handle triangle meshes with inconsistently oriented faces. Our approach is more than one order of magnitude faster than currently used methods and achieves competitive compression rates.
Histoplasmosis in transplant recipients
Authors: Gajurel Kiran , Dhakal Reshika , Deresinski Stan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHistoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus that most often causes asymptomatic infection in the immunocompetent population. In immunocompromised patients, including solid organ transplant (SOT) and hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, however, it is likely to cause severe life‐threatening infection. Post‐transplant histoplasmosis (PTH) in SOT is uncommon with an incidence of ≤1% and is even rarer in HCT patients. The majority of PTH in SOT is diagnosed in the first 2 years following transplantation. Histoplasmosis may result from endogenous reactivation of latent infection, de novo post‐transplant acquisition, and donor‐derived infection. Disseminated infection is common. Fever is the most common symptom and clinical features are often nonspecific, but patients with disseminated infection may present with a septic picture. Other features, including pancytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly, may not be prominent early in the course of illness. Contemporary histoplasma antigen assays are the most sensitive tests but cross‐reactivity with antigens of other fungi, including with Aspergillus galactomannan, is not uncommon. Treatment should be continued for at least a year. Histoplasma antigen levels have prognostic value and can be used to monitor the response to therapy. The attributable mortality is approximately 10%. Routine screening of donors and recipients is not currently recommended.
Perceptions and Misperceptions of Regime Stability and Iran's Convoluted Rise to Regional Influence
Authors: Arsenault Joshua T. , Honig Or Arthur 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis article seeks to explain revolutionary Iran's convoluted rise to regional prominence over the last three decades. We hold that perceptions and misperceptions of regime stability (both of one's self and of others) by the relevant actors have played a major role in Iran's recent. The main logic is that the success of many strategies employed by relevant regional actors to augment their regional influence (both Iran seeking more influence and others seeking to stem that influence) have crucially hinged on making correct assessments of regime stability. This study has both theoretical and empirical findings. Theoretically, we find that failures to accurately estimate regime stability stem from three main sources: (1)objective uncertaintiesregarding the target state's level of regime stability, given the high strength of societal forces shaping state‐society relations in the Middle East and given the distinct variation between autocrats in terms of their ability to develop effective counterrevolutionary/repressive tools; (2)ideological blinders, from which both the United States and regional actors frequently suffer, which have often led them to be falsely optimistic regarding the existence of either subversive opportunities or opportunities to stabilize regimes facing domestic pressures; and (3)incorrect theories regarding sources of regime stabilitywhich lead experts and policymakers to overlook factors which may destabilize a regime. This article has two major empirical findings. First, Iran's rise may be at least partly attributed to Iran demonstrating aslightlybetter learning curve at the tactical level (i.e., learning subversive skills from its Lebanese experience in the 1980s–1990s and applying them to Iraq in the 2000s–2010s) as well as at the strategic level (i.e., understanding the limits of its subversive capacities and correctly assessing when it can engage in successful stabilizing operations). Second, two errors committed by the United States have been far more consequential than those committed by Iran for the regional balance of power: First, the George W. Bush Administration myopically opened up subversive opportunities for Iran when it invaded Iraq in 2003 by thinking that it could stabilize a democratic regime and insulate it from outside influence; second, on two occasions Washington overestimated the transformative effect that its concessions to Iran would have in terms of sufficiently empowering reformists so as to bring about complete regime transformation from within.
Epilepsy surgery of “low grade epilepsy associated neuroepithelial tumors”: A retrospective nationwide Italian study
Authors: Giulioni Marco , Marucci Gianluca , Pelliccia Veronica , Gozzo Francesca , Barba Carmen , Didato Giuseppe , Villani Flavio , Di Gennaro Giancarlo , Quarato Pier Paolo , Esposito Vincenzo , Consales Alessandro , Martinoni Matteo , Vornetti Gianfranco , Zenesini Corrado , Efisio Marras Carlo , Specchio Nicola , De Palma Luca , Rocchi Raffaele , Giordano Flavio , Tringali Giovanni , Nozza Paolo , Colicchio Gabriella , Rubboli Guido , Lo Russo Giorgio , Guerrini Renzo , Tinuper Paolo , Cardinale Francesco , Cossu Massimo ,   the Commission for Epilepsy Surgery of the Italian League Against Epilepsy
Published: August 2017

SummaryObjectiveTo analyze the attitude and results of Italian epilepsy surgery centers in the surgical management of “low grade epilepsy associated neuroepithelial tumors” (LEATs).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study enrolling 339 consecutive patients with LEATs who underwent surgery between January 2009 and June 2015 at eight Italian epilepsy surgery centers. We compared demographic, clinical, pathologic, and surgical features of patients with favorable (Engel class I) and unfavorable (Engel class II, III, and IV) seizure outcome. In addition, we compared patients with tumor‐associated focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) and patients with solitary tumors to identify factors correlated with FCD diagnosis.ResultsFifty‐five (98.2%) of 56 patients with medically controlled epilepsy were seizure‐free after surgery, compared to 249 (88.0%) of 283 patients with refractory epilepsy. At multivariate analysis, three variables independently predict unfavorable seizure outcome in the drug‐resistant group. Age at surgery is largely the most significant (p = 0.001), with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.04. This means that the probability of seizure recurrence grows by 4% for every waited year. The resection site is also significant (p = 0.039), with a relative risk (RR) of 1.99 for extratemporal tumors. Finally, the completeness of tumor resection has a trend toward significance (p = 0.092), with an RR of 1.82 for incomplete resection. Among pediatric patients, a longer duration of epilepsy was significantly associated with preoperative neuropsychological deficits (p < 0.001). A statistically significant association was observed between FCD diagnosis and the following variables: tailored surgery (p < 0.001), temporal resection (p = 0.001), and surgical center (p = 0.012).SignificanceOur nationwide LEATs study gives important insights on factors predicting seizure outcome in refractory epilepsy and determining variability in FCD detection. Timely surgery, regardless of pharmacoresistance and oriented to optimize epileptologic, neuropsychological, and oncologic outcomes should be warranted.
Extreme weather‐year sequences have nonadditive effects on environmental nitrogen losses
Authors: Iqbal Javed , Necpalova Magdalena , Archontoulis Sotirios V. , Anex Robert P. , Bourguignon Marie , Herzmann Daryl , Mitchell David C. , Sawyer John E. , Zhu Qing , Castellano Michael J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe frequency and intensity of extreme weather years, characterized by abnormal precipitation and temperature, are increasing. In isolation, these years have disproportionately large effects on environmental N losses. However, the sequence of extreme weather years (e.g., wet–dry vs. dry–wet) may affect cumulative N losses. We calibrated and validated the DAYCENT ecosystem process model with a comprehensive set of biogeophysical measurements from a corn–soybean rotation managed at three N fertilizer inputs with and without a winter cover crop in Iowa, USA. Our objectives were to determine: (i) how 2‐year sequences of extreme weather affect 2‐year cumulative N losses across the crop rotation, and (ii) if N fertilizer management and the inclusion of a winter cover crop between corn and soybean mitigate the effect of extreme weather on N losses. Using historical weather (1951–2013), we created nine 2‐year scenarios with all possible combinations of the driest (“dry”), wettest (“wet”), and average (“normal”) weather years. We analyzed the effects of these scenarios following several consecutive years of relatively normal weather. Compared with the normal–normal 2‐year weather scenario, 2‐year extreme weather scenarios affected 2‐year cumulative NO3− leaching (range: −93 to +290%) more than N2O emissions (range: −49 to +18%). The 2‐year weather scenarios had nonadditive effects on N losses: compared with the normal–normal scenario, the dry–wet sequence decreased 2‐year cumulative N2O emissions while the wet–dry sequence increased 2‐year cumulative N2O emissions. Although dry weather decreased NO3− leaching and N2O emissions in isolation, 2‐year cumulative N losses from the wet–dry scenario were greater than the dry–wet scenario. Cover crops reduced the effects of extreme weather on NO3− leaching but had a lesser effect on N2O emissions. As the frequency of extreme weather is expected to increase, these data suggest that the sequence of interannual weather patterns can be used to develop short‐term mitigation strategies that manipulate N fertilizer and crop rotation to maximize crop N uptake while reducing environmental N losses.
Patient, caregiver, and provider perceptions of pain and pain management in adolescents and young adults with bleeding disorders
Authors: Lambing Angela , Nichols Cynthia D. , Munn James E. , Anderson Terry L. , Tortella Bartholomew J. , Witkop Michelle L. 
Published: August 2017

IntroductionRecurrent bleeding and associated pain are critical components in the management of bleeding disorders, yet scant data describe perceptions of pain in this patient population.ObjectiveThis study assessed perceptions of pain and pain management in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with haemophilia or von Willebrand disease (VWD) to determine agreement/disagreement between patients, caregivers and health care providers.MethodsUsing an online questionnaire, AYA patients (N=89), their caregivers (N=77), and providers (N=54) reported on pain perception, pain treatment and pain control. Acute and chronic pain was measured in patients via the Faces Pain Scale–Revised (FPS‐R). Questionnaires queried about pharmacologic and non‐pharmacologic pain management methods and how well providers and caregivers helped to manage pain.ResultsPoor agreement existed between patients and caregivers across all pain levels, perception of pain control and effectiveness of pain management. Specifically for chronic pain, poor agreement was noted between patients and caregivers (kappa=0.04; 29% agreement) and patients and providers (kappa=−0.07; 21.4% agreement). Among patients reporting acute or chronic pain, only 67% and 43%, respectively, utilized medication for their specific pain. Patients used more opioid medications than expected by their providers. On average, AYAs reported initial use of pain medications for chronic pain at 11.5 years.ConclusionsOngoing research is needed in haemophilia and VWD pain management, and on the differences in pain perception between patients, caregivers and providers. As chronic pain often begins at an early age, optimal pain management should include acknowledging patient complaints, exploring pharmacologic and non‐pharmacologic options, and optimizing prophylaxis.
Willingness to pay for antiretroviral drugs among HIV and AIDS clients in south‐east Nigeria
Authors: Mbachu Chinyere , Okoli Chijioke , Onwujekwe Obinna , Enabulele Fabian 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe current trend of withdrawal of donor support for HIV/AIDS treatment in Nigeria may require that the cost of antiretroviral drugs be borne in part by infected people and their families.ObjectiveThis study was conducted to determine the economic value for free antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) expressed by clients receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS in a tertiary hospital.Study methodThe contingent valuation method was used to elicit the values attached to free ARVs from people living with HIV/AIDS that were receiving care in a public tertiary hospital in south‐east Nigeria. Exit poll using a pre‐tested questionnaire was undertaken with adult clients on treatment. The bidding game technique was used to elicit their willingness to pay (WTP) for ARVs for themselves and members of their households. Ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression analysis was used to test the construct validity of elicited WTP amounts.ResultsAbout a third of the respondents were willing to pay for a monthly supply of ARVs for themselves and household members. The mean WTP for monthly supply of ARVs for self was US$15.32 and for household member was US$15.26 (1US$=₦160). OLS regression analysis showed that employment status and higher socio‐economic status were positively associated with higher WTP. OLS showed that age and transport cost per clinic visit were negatively related to WTP. Knowing the risks of not adhering to treatment protocol was positively related to WTP.ConclusionThe respondents positively valued the free ARVs. This calls for greater financial support for the sustainable provision of the treatment service. However, holistic financing mechanisms should be explored to ensure sustained funding in the event of complete withdrawal of donor support.
Avocados crossing borders: The problem of runaway objects and the solution of a shipping information pipeline for improving international trade
Authors: Jensen Thomas , Vatrapu Ravi , Bjørn‐Andersen Niels 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper investigates the case of shipments of containers with avocados from farmers in Africa to grocery store shelves in the European Union. We find 3 predominant challenges to containerized shipping that effectively become trade barriers: international trade cost, lead time uncertainty, and security risks. We use activity theory to describe, understand, and analyze the shipping activity in the international trade ecosystem with focus on physical objects and their related information. We find that the shipment becomes problematic and can be characterized as a runaway object in the heterogeneous and multiple organizational setting of international trade. Our analysis of shipping reveals (1) inefficient collaboration across loosely coupled activity systems and (2) fragmented information infrastructures. We propose the solution of Shipping Information Pipeline, a shared information infrastructure, thus facilitating collaboration in containerized shipping and contributing to lowering trade barriers. Shipping Information Pipeline can significantly improve containerized shipping resulting in estimated potential benefits of up to 4.7% growth in global GDP.
A critical analysis of the “improved Clarke and Wright savings algorithm”
Authors: Sörensen Kenneth , Arnold Florian , Palhazi Cuervo Daniel 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn their paper “An improved Clarke and Wright savings algorithm for the capacitated vehicle routing problem,” published in ScienceAsia (38, 3, 307–318, 2012), Pichpibul and Kawtummachai developed a simple stochastic extension of the well‐known Clarke and Wright savings heuristic for the capacitated vehicle routing problem. Notwithstanding the simplicity of the heuristic, which they call the “improved Clarke and Wright savings algorithm” (ICW), the reported results are among the best heuristics ever developed for this problem. Through a careful reimplementation, we demonstrate that the results published in the paper could not have been produced by the ICW heuristic. Studying the reasons how this paper could have passed the peer review process to be published in an ISI‐ranked journal, we have to conclude that the necessary conditions for a thorough examination of a typical paper in the field of optimization are generally lacking. We investigate how this can be improved and come to the conclusion that disclosing source code to reviewers should become a prerequisite for publication.
Periodontitis and Non‐alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, a population‐based cohort investigation in the Study of Health in Pomerania
Authors: Akinkugbe Aderonke A. , Slade Gary D. , Barritt A. Sidney , Cole Stephen R. , Offenbacher Steven , Petersmann Astrid , Kocher Thomas , Lerch Markus M. , Mayerle Julia , Völzke Henry , Heiss Gerardo , Holtfreter Birte 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 20%–30% of adults with risk factors like obesity and insulin resistance putatively acting through chronic low‐grade inflammation. Because periodontitis elicits low‐grade inflammation, we hypothesized that it could contribute to NAFLD occurrence.ObjectiveTo investigate epidemiologic associations between periodontitis and the incidence of NAFLD among 2,623 participants of the Study of Health in Pomerania.MethodsPeriodontitis at baseline was defined as the percentage of sites (0%, <30%, ≥30%) with (i) clinical attachment level (CAL) ≥3 mm; (ii) probing pocket depth (PD) ≥4 mm. Incident NAFLD was defined as a significant increase in liver echogenicity on ultrasound relative to the kidneys, with the diaphragm indistinct or the echogenic walls of the portal veins invisible.ResultsAfter a median 7.7 years of follow‐up, 605 incident NAFLD cases occurred at a rate of 32.5 cases per 1,000 person‐years. Relative to participants without CAL ≥3 mm, NAFLD incidence was elevated slightly in participants with <30% of sites affected and moderately in participants with ≥30% of sites affected (multivariable‐adjusted incidence rate ratio = 1.28, 95% CI, 0.84, 1.95 and 1.60, 95% CI, 1.05–2.43), respectively. A similar dose–response relationship was not observed for PD.ConclusionHistory of periodontitis may be a risk factor for NAFLD.