bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elite strategies and incremental policy change: The expansion of primary education in India
Authors: Mangla Akshay
Published: June 2017

This article analyzes India's recent enactment of universal primary education. This programmatic policy change is puzzling given the clientelistic features of Indian democracy. Drawing on interviews and official documents, I demonstrate the catalytic role of committed state elites, who introduced incremental reforms over three decades. These officials operated beneath the political radar, layering small‐scale initiatives on top of the mainstream school system. Following India's globalization in the 1990s, support from the World Bank gave committed officials the political opportunity to experiment with new programs in underperforming regions, which they progressively extended across the country. These incremental reforms supplied the institutional blueprint for India's universal primary education program. Along with state initiative from above, civil society mobilized from below, using the judiciary to hold the state legally responsible for policy implementation. Reforms exposed acute gaps in service delivery, propelling new civic demands for state accountability.
DAMP molecular IL‐33 augments monocytic inflammatory storm in hepatitis B‐precipitated acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Du Xing X. , Shi Yu , Yang Ying , Yu Ye , Lou Hua G. , Lv Fang F. , Chen Zhi , Yang Qiao
Published: June 2017

Background & Aims

Patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) usually exhibit defective monocyte function and excessive systemic inflammatory response. Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) acts as a danger‐associated molecular pattern (DAMP) to modulate immune response. However, the role of IL‐33 in regulating monocyte function during hepatitis B‐precipitated ACLF (HB‐ACLF) in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has not been clear.

Methods

In this study, the levels of IL‐33/ST2 in blood and liver samples collected from patients with HB‐ACLF, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and normal controls and the associated of those findings with disease severity were analysed. HLA‐DR and CD80 expression, phagocytosis capacity, cytokine secretion and MAP kinase activation induced by LPS were detected to explore the role of IL‐33/ST2 signal in regulating monocyte function in patients.

Results

The expression levels of IL‐33/ST2 were significantly increased in peripheral blood and livers of patients with HB‐ACLF, as compared with patients with CHB and controls. It was found that serum IL‐33 level was associated with severity of liver disease. Treatment with IL‐33 on monocytes significantly increased HLA‐DR, CCR2 and CD80 expression, enhanced LPS‐stimulated TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β secretion, but did not affect the phagocytic capacity. Furthermore, IL‐33 signalling enhanced the ERK1/2 activation of monocytes in response to LPS.

Conclusions

DAMP molecular IL‐33 augmented the ‘storm’ of monocytic inflammation in response to LPS through ERK1/2 activation during HB‐ACLF.
A major responder to ipilimumab and nivolumab in metastatic uveal melanoma with concomitant autoimmunity
Authors: Chan Pui Ying , Hall Peter , Hay Gordon , Cohen Victoria M. L. , Szlosarek Peter W.
Published: June 2017

The use of immune checkpoint inhibition has led to major improvements in outcome for patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma. The combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab has demonstrated greater activity over single‐agent immunotherapy in phase III trials. Clinical trials of combination CTLA‐4 and PD‐1 inhibition are underway in uveal melanoma, for which there are currently no data. Here, we present the case of a 74‐year‐old male patient with metastatic uveal melanoma, who was treated with a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab. He developed sequential autoimmune transaminitis, diabetes and uveitis, which necessitated discontinuation of maintenance nivolumab 3 months after commencement of treatment. The patient continues to demonstrate an ongoing partial response 10 months from the initial combination immunotherapy, with the evidence of depigmentation of the primary ocular tumour.
Restoration of cutaneous pigmentation by transplantation to mice of isogeneic human melanocytes in dermal–epidermal engineered skin substitutes
Authors: Boyce Steven T. , Lloyd Christopher M. , Kleiner Mark C. , Swope Viki B. , Abdel‐Malek Zalfa , Supp Dorothy M.
Published: June 2017

Autologous engineered skin substitutes (ESS) containing melanocytes (hM) may restore pigmentation and photoprotection after grafting to full‐thickness skin wounds. In this study, normal hM were isolated from discard skin, propagated with or without tyrosinase inhibitors, cryopreserved, recovered into culture, and added to ESS (ESS‐P) before transplantation. ESS‐P were incubated in either UCMC160/161 or UCDM1 medium, scored for hM densities, and grafted to mice. The results showed that sufficient hM can be propagated to expand donor tissue by 100‐fold; incubation of hM in tyrosinase inhibitors reduced pigment levels but did not change hM recovery after cryopreservation; hM densities in ESS‐P were greater after incubation in UCDM1 than UCMC160 medium; hM were localized to the dermal–epidermal junction of ESS‐P; and UCDM1 medium promoted earlier pigment distribution and density. These results indicate that hM can be incorporated into ESS‐P efficiently to restore cutaneous pigmentation and UV photoprotection after full‐thickness skin loss conditions.
Adjunct fixation with a Kirschner wire or a plate for lateral unicondylar humeral fracture stabilization
Authors: Coggeshall Jason D. , Lewis Daniel D. , Iorgulescu Alex , Kim Stanley E. , Palm Lindsey S. , Pozzi Antonio
Published: June 2017

Objective

To compare the biomechanical properties of using an interfragmentary 1.6 mm Kirschner wire or a 2.7 mm reconstruction plate as adjunctive epicondylar stabilization in simulated comminuted lateral unicondylar humeral fractures stabilized with a transcondylar 4.5 mm cortical screw.

Study design

Cadaveric biomechanical assessment.

Sample Population

Paired humeri harvested from 9 young, skeletally mature dogs.

Methods

Simulated comminuted lateral unicondylar humeral fractures were stabilized with a transcondylar 4.5 mm cortical screw placed in lag fashion. Adjunct fixations consisting of a 1.6 mm Kirschner wire on one side, and a 2.7 mm reconstruction plate on the contralateral side, were tested within paired humeri. Repaired humeri were axially loaded to failure and construct stiffness, yield load, and load to failure were obtained from the load‐deformation curves.

Results

Stiffness (mean ± SD: 577 ± 245 vs 310 ± 71 N/mm; P = .01), yield load (mean ± SD: 2389 ± 572 vs 1017 N ± 292; P = .0002), and load at failure (mean ± SD: 3351 ± 358 vs 1693 ± 363 N; P = .009) were greater in constructs incorporating a reconstruction plate rather than a Kirschner wire.

Conclusion

Our results support the recommendation for adjunct fixation of comminuted lateral unicondylar humeral fractures with an epicondylar plate.
Effects of Food Assistance Programs, Demographic Characteristics, and Living Environments on Children’s Food Insecurity
Authors: Qiu Zhiming , Chung Chanjin
Published: June 2017

The objective of this study is to examine impacts of food assistance programs, demographic characteristics, and socioeconomic status of households on children’s food insecurity in U.S. Annual cross-sectional and pseudo-panel analyses with fixed effect regressions are conducted in this study using probit and truncated regressions. The simultaneous equation procedure is applied to address the endogeneity problem caused by the reverse influence of food insecurity on participation of food programs. Results show that some government-sponsored food programs are effective in alleviating the children’s food insecurity problem, and demographic characteristics and living environments are important factors in determining the status of children’s food insecurity. Our results also manifest the importance of considering the endogeneity problem of food program variables in evaluating the effectiveness of food programs.
Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Supercritical Hydrocarbon Fuel in Mini Channels With Dimples
Authors: Feng Yu , Cao Jie , Li Xin , Zhang Silong , Qin Jiang , Rao Yu
Published: June 2017

An idea of using dimples as heat transfer enhancement device in a regenerative cooling passage is proposed to extend the cooling limits for liquid-propellant rocket and scramjet. Numerical studies have been conducted to investigate the flow and heat transfer characteristics of supercritical hydrocarbon fuel in a rectangular cooling channel with dimples applied to the bottom wall. The numerical model is validated through experimental data and accounts for real fuel properties at supercritical pressures. The study shows that the dimples can significantly enhance the convective heat transfer and reduce the heated wall temperature. The average heat transfer rate of the dimpled channel is 1.64 times higher than that of its smooth counterpart while the pressure drop in the dimpled channel is only 1.33 times higher than that of the smooth channel. Furthermore, the thermal stratification in a regenerative cooling channel is alleviated by using dimples. Although heat transfer deterioration of supercritical fluid flow in the trans-critical region cannot be eliminated in the dimpled channel, it can be postponed and greatly weakened. The strong variations of fuel properties are responsible for the local acceleration of fuel and variation of heat transfer performance along the cooling channel.
Detached Eddy Simulation Simulation of Asymmetrical Flow in a High Pressure Diesel Injector
Authors: Prater Russell , Lian Yongsheng
Published: June 2017

Recent experiments have shown that the lateral motion of a high pressure injector needle can lead to significant asymmetrical flow in the sac and asymmetric spray pattern in the combustor, which in turn degrades the combustion efficiency and results in spray hole damage. However, the underlying cause of the lateral needle motion is not understood. In this paper, we numerically studied the complex transient flow in a high pressure diesel injector using the detached eddy simulation to understand the cause of the lateral needle motion. The flow field was described by solving the compressible Navier–Stokes equations. The mass transfer between the liquid and vapor phases of the fuel was modeled using the Zwart–Gerber–Belamri equations. Our study revealed that the vortical flow structures in the sac are responsible for the lateral needle motion and the hole-to-hole flow variation. The transient motion of the vortical structure also affected vapor formation variations in spray holes. Further analysis showed that the rotational speed of the vortical flow structure is proportional to the lateral force magnitude on the lower needle surfaces.
Excellent Diagnostic Characteristics for Ultrafast Gene Profiling ofDEFA1-IL1B-LTFin Detection of Prosthetic Joint Infections
Authors: Fillerova Regina , Gallo Jiri , Radvansky Martin , Kraiczova Veronika , Kudelka Milos , Kriegova Eva
Published: June 2017

The timely and exact diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is crucial for surgical decision-making. Intraoperatively, delivery of the result within an hour is required. Alpha-defensin lateral immunoassay of joint fluid (JF) is precise for the intraoperative exclusion of PJI; however, for patients with a limited amount of JF and/or in cases where the JF is bloody, this test is unhelpful. Important information is hidden in periprosthetic tissues that may much better reflect the current status of implant pathology. We therefore investigated the utility of the gene expression patterns of 12 candidate genes (TLR1, -2, -4, -6, and10,DEFA1,LTF,IL1B,BPI,CRP,IFNG, andDEFB4A) previously associated with infection for detection of PJI in periprosthetic tissues of patients with total joint arthroplasty (TJA) (n= 76) reoperated for PJI (n= 38) or aseptic failure (n= 38), using the ultrafast quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) Xxpress system (BJS Biotechnologies Ltd.). Advanced data-mining algorithms were applied for data analysis. For PJI, we detected elevated mRNA expression levels ofDEFA1(P< 0.0001),IL1B(P< 0.0001),LTF(P< 0.0001),TLR1(P= 0.02), andBPI(P= 0.01) in comparison to those in tissues from aseptic cases. A feature selection algorithm revealed that theDEFA1-IL1B-LTFpattern was the most appropriate for detection/exclusion of PJI, achieving 94.5% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity, with likelihood ratios (LRs) for positive and negative results of 16.3 and 0.06, respectively. Taken together, the results show thatDEFA1-IL1B-LTFgene expression detection by use of ultrafast qRT-PCR linked to an electronic calculator allows detection of patients with a high probability of PJI within 45 min after sampling. Further testing on a larger cohort of patients is needed.
Going against the Tide: Selective Cellular Protein Synthesis during Virally Induced Host Shutoff
Authors: Cao Shuai , Dhungel Pragyesh , Yang Zhilong
Published: June 2017

Many viral infections cause host shutoff, a state in which host protein synthesis is globally inhibited. Emerging evidence from vaccinia and influenza A virus infections indicates that subsets of cellular proteins are resistant to host shutoff and continue to be synthesized. Remarkably, the proteins of oxidative phosphorylation, the cellular-energy-generating machinery, are selectively synthesized in both cases. Identifying mechanisms that drive selective protein synthesis should facilitate understanding both viral replication and fundamental cell biology.
Discovery of a Highly Divergent Coronavirus in the Asian House Shrew from China Illuminates the Origin of the Alphacoronaviruses
Authors: Wang Wen , Lin Xian-Dan , Liao Yong , Guan Xiao-Qing , Guo Wen-Ping , Xing Jian-Guang , Holmes Edward C. , Zhang Yong-Zhen
Published: June 2017

Although shrews are one of the largest groups of mammals, little is known about their role in the evolution and transmission of viral pathogens, including coronaviruses (CoVs). We captured 266 Asian house shrews (
Suncus murinus
) in Jiangxi and Zhejiang Provinces, China, during 2013 to 2015. CoV RNA was detected in 24 Asian house shrews, with an overall prevalence of 9.02%. Complete viral genome sequences were successfully recovered from the RNA-positive samples. The newly discovered shrew CoV fell into four lineages reflecting their geographic origins, indicative of largely allopatric evolution. Notably, these viruses were most closely related to alphacoronaviruses but sufficiently divergent that they should be considered a novel member of the genus
Alphacoronavirus
, which we denote Wénchéng shrew virus (WESV). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that WESV was a highly divergent member of the alphacoronaviruses and, more dramatically, that the S gene of WESV fell in a cluster that was genetically distinct from that of known coronaviruses. The divergent position of WESV suggests that coronaviruses have a long association with Asian house shrews. In addition, the genome of WESV contains a distinct NS7 gene that exhibits no sequence similarity to genes of any known viruses. Together, these data suggest that shrews are natural reservoirs for coronaviruses and may have played an important and long-term role in CoV evolution.

IMPORTANCE
The subfamily
Coronavirinae
contains several notorious human and animal pathogens, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. Because of their genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships, it has been proposed that the alphacoronaviruses likely have their ultimate ancestry in the viruses residing in bats. Here, we describe a novel alphacoronavirus (Wénchéng shrew virus [WESV]) that was sampled from Asian house shrews in China. Notably, WESV is a highly divergent member of the alphacoronaviruses and possesses an S gene that is genetically distinct from those of all known coronaviruses. In addition, the genome of WESV contains a distinct NS7 gene that exhibits no sequence similarity to those of any known viruses. Together, these data suggest that shrews are important and longstanding hosts for coronaviruses that merit additional research and surveillance.
Sulfide Homeostasis and Nitroxyl Intersect via Formation of Reactive Sulfur Species in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Peng Hui , Shen Jiangchuan , Edmonds Katherine A. , Luebke Justin L. , Hickey Anne K. , Palmer Lauren D. , Chang Feng-Ming James , Bruce Kevin A. , Kehl-Fie Thomas E. , Skaar Eric P. , Giedroc David P.
Published: June 2017

Hydrogen sulfide (H
2
S) is a toxic molecule and a recently described gasotransmitter in vertebrates whose function in bacteria is not well understood. In this work, we describe the transcriptomic response of the major human pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
to quantified changes in levels of cellular organic reactive sulfur species, which are effector molecules involved in H
2
S signaling. We show that nitroxyl (HNO), a recently described signaling intermediate proposed to originate from the interplay of H
2
S and nitric oxide, also induces changes in cellular sulfur speciation and transition metal homeostasis, thus linking sulfide homeostasis to an adaptive response to antimicrobial reactive nitrogen species.
Human Cytomegalovirus-Infected Glioblastoma Cells Display Stem Cell-Like Phenotypes
Authors: Liu Che , Clark Paul A. , Kuo John S. , Kalejta Robert F.
Published: June 2017

A role for HCMV in GBMs remains controversial for several reasons. Some studies find HCMV in GBM tumors, while others do not. Few cells within a GBM may harbor HCMV, making it unclear how the virus could be contributing to the tumor phenotype without infecting every cell. Finally, HCMV does not overtly transform cells
in vitro
. However, tumors induced by other viruses can be treated with antiviral remedies, and initial results indicate that this may be true for anti-HCMV therapies and GBMs. With such a poor prognosis for GBM patients, any potential new intervention deserves exploration. Our work here describes an evidence-based model for how HCMV could contribute to GBM biology while infecting very few cells and without transforming them. It also illuminates why anti-HCMV treatments may be beneficial to GBM patients. Our observations provide blueprints for future
in vitro
studies examining how HCMV manipulates stem cell-specific pathways and future clinical studies of anti-HCMV measures as GBM therapeutics.
The relationship between physician burnout and quality of healthcare in terms of safety and acceptability: a systematic review
Authors: Dewa Carolyn S , Loong Desmond , Bonato Sarah , Trojanowski Lucy
Published: June 2017

Objectives

This study reviews the current state of the published peer-reviewed literature related to physician burnout and two quality of care dimensions. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to address the question, ‘How does physician burnout affect the quality of healthcare related to the dimensions of acceptability and safety?’

Design

Using a multiphase screening process, this systematic literature review is based on publically available peer-reviewed studies published between 2002 and 2017. Six electronic databases were searched: (1)MEDLINE Current, (2)MEDLINE In-process, (3)MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print, (4)PsycINFO, (5)Embaseand (6)Web of Science.

Setting

Physicians practicing in civilian settings.

Participants

Practicing physicians who have completed training.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Quality of healthcare related to acceptability (ie, patient satisfaction, physician communication and physician attitudes) and safety (ie, minimising risks or harm to patients).

Results

4114 unique citations were identified. Of these, 12 articles were included in the review. Two studies were rated as having high risk of bias and 10 as having moderate risk. Four studies were conducted in North America, four in Europe, one in the Middle East and three in East Asia. Results of this systematic literature review suggest there is moderate evidence that burnout is associated with safety-related quality of care. Because of the variability in the way patient acceptability-related quality of care was measured and the inconsistency in study findings, the evidence supporting the relationship between burnout and patient acceptability-related quality of care is less strong.

Conclusions

The focus on direct care-related quality highlights additional ways that physician burnout affects the healthcare system. These studies can help to inform decisions about how to improve patient care by addressing physician burnout. Continued work looking at the relationship between dimensions of acceptability-related quality of care measures and burnout is needed to advance the field.
Development of the Tailored Rett Intervention and Assessment Longitudinal (TRIAL) database and the Rett Evaluation of Symptoms and Treatments (REST) Questionnaire
Authors: Santosh Paramala , Lievesley Kate , Fiori Federico , Singh Jatinder
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder that presents with deficits in brain functioning leading to language and learning regression, characteristic hand stereotypies and developmental delay. Different mutations in the gene implicated in RTT—methyl-CpG-binding protein 2(MECP2) establishes RTT as a disorder with divergent symptomatology ranging from individuals with severe to milder phenotypes. A reliable and single multidimensional questionnaire is needed that can embrace all symptoms, and the relationships between them, and can map clinically meaningful data to symptomatology across the lifespan in patients with RTT. As part of the HealthTracker-based Tailored Rett Intervention and Assessment Longitudinal (TRIAL) database, the Rett Evaluation of Symptoms and Treatments (REST) Questionnaire will be able to marry with the physiological aspects of the disease obtained using wearable sensor technology, along with genetic and psychosocial data to stratify patients. Taken together, the web-based TRIAL database will empower clinicians and researchers with the confidence to delineate between different aspects of disorder symptomatology to streamline care pathways for individuals or for those patients entering clinical trials. This protocol describes the anticipated development of the REST questionnaire and the TRIAL database which links with the outcomes of the wearable sensor technology, and will serve as a barometer for longitudinal patient monitoring in patients with RTT.

Methods and analysis

The US Food and Drug Administration Guidance for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures will be used as a template to inform the methodology of the study. It will follow an iterative framework that will include item/concept identification, item/concept elicitation in parent/carer-mediated focus groups, expert clinician feedback, web-based presentation of questionnaires, initial scale development, instrument refinement and instrument validation.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has received favourable opinion from the National Health Service (NHS) Research Ethics Committee (REC): NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC)—London, Bromley Research Ethics Committee (reference: 15/LO/1772).
Transcatheter closure, mini-invasive closure and open-heart surgical repair for treatment of perimembranous ventricular septal defects in children: a protocol for a network meta-analysis
Authors: You Tao , Yi Kang , Ding Zhao-hong , Hou Xiao-dong , Liu Xing-guang , Wang Xin-kuan , Ge Long , Tian Jin-hui
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Both transcatheter device closure and surgical repair are effective treatments with excellent midterm outcomes for perimembranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSDs) in children. The mini-invasive periventricular device occlusion technique has become prevalent in research and application, but evidence is limited for the assessment of transcatheter closure, mini-invasive closure and open-heart surgical repair. This study comprehensively compares the efficacy, safety and costs of transcatheter closure, mini-invasive closure and open-heart surgical repair for treatment of pmVSDs in children using Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Methods and analysis

A systematic search will be performed using Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, EMBASE.com and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to include random controlled trials, prospective or retrospective cohort studies comparing the efficacy, safety and costs of transcatheter closure, mini-invasive closure and open-heart surgical repair. The risk of bias for the included prospective or retrospective cohort studies will be evaluated according to the risk of bias in non-randomised studies of interventions (ROBINS-I). For random controlled trials, we will use risk of bias tool from Cochrane Handbook version 5.1.0. A Bayesian network meta-analysis will be conducted using R-3.3.2 software.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval and patient consent are not required since this study is a network meta-analysis based on published trials. The results of this network meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

Protocol registration number

CRD42016053352.
Management of shoulder pain by UK general practitioners (GPs): a national survey
Authors: Artus Majid , van der Windt Danielle A , Afolabi Ebenezer K , Buchbinder Rachelle , Chesterton Linda S , Hall Alison , Roddy Edward , Foster Nadine E
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Studies in Canada, the USA and Australia suggested low confidence among general practitioners (GPs) in diagnosing and managing shoulder pain, with frequent use of investigations. There are no comparable studies in the UK; our objective was to describe the diagnosis and management of shoulder pain by GPs in the UK.

Methods

A national survey of a random sample of 5000 UK GPs collected data on shoulder pain diagnosis and management using two clinical vignettes that described primary care presentations with rotator cuff tendinopathy (RCT) and adhesive capsulitis (AdhC).

Results

Seven hundred and fourteen (14.7%) responses were received. 56% and 83% of GPs were confident in their diagnosis of RCT and AdhC, respectively, and a wide range of investigations and management options were reported. For the RCT presentation, plain radiographs of the shoulder were most common (60%), followed by blood tests (42%) and ultrasound scans (USS) (38%). 19% of those who recommended a radiograph and 76% of those who recommended a USS did so ‘to confirm the diagnosis’. For the AdhC presentation, the most common investigations were blood tests (60%), plain shoulder radiographs (58%) and USS (31%). More than two-thirds of those recommending a USS did so ‘to confirm the diagnosis’. The most commonly recommended treatment for both presentations was physiotherapy (RCT 77%, AdhC 71%) followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (RCT 58%, AdhC 74%). 17% opted to refer the RCT to secondary care (most often musculoskeletal interface service), compared with 31% for the AdhC.

Conclusions

This survey of GPs in the UK highlights reliance on radiographs and blood tests in the management of common shoulder pain presentations. GPs report referring more than 7 out of 10 patients with RCT and AdhC to physiotherapists. These findings need to be viewed in the context of low response to the survey and, therefore, potential non-response bias.
Development of the Human Factors Skills for Healthcare Instrument: a valid and reliable tool for assessing interprofessional learning across healthcare practice settings
Authors: Reedy Gabriel B , Lavelle Mary , Simpson Thomas , Anderson Janet E
Published: June 2017

Background

A central feature of clinical simulation training is human factors skills, providing staff with the social and cognitive skills to cope with demanding clinical situations. Although these skills are critical to safe patient care, assessing their learning is challenging. This study aimed to develop, pilot and evaluate a valid and reliable structured instrument to assess human factors skills, which can be used pre- and post-simulation training, and is relevant across a range of healthcare professions.

Method

Through consultation with a multi-professional expert group, we developed and piloted a 39-item survey with 272 healthcare professionals attending training courses across two large simulation centres in London, one specialising in acute care and one in mental health, both serving healthcare professionals working across acute and community settings. Following psychometric evaluation, the final 12-item instrument was evaluated with a second sample of 711 trainees.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 12-item, one-factor solution with good internal consistency (α=0.92). The instrument had discriminant validity, with newly qualified trainees scoring significantly lower than experienced trainees (t(98)=4.88, p<0.001) and was sensitive to change following training in acute and mental health settings, across professional groups (p<0.001). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed an adequate model fit (RMSEA=0.066).

Conclusion

The Human Factors Skills for Healthcare Instrument provides a reliable and valid method of assessing trainees’ human factors skills self-efficacy across acute and mental health settings. This instrument has the potential to improve the assessment and evaluation of human factors skills learning in both uniprofessional and interprofessional clinical simulation training.
Singularities of local Ahlfors currents
Authors: Duval Julien
Published: June 2017

We prove that a complex curve charged by a local Ahlfors current is either a disk or an annulus.
Bicriteria Scheduling on a Single Batching Machine with Transportation and Deterioration to Minimize Total Completion Time and Production Costs
Authors: Gong Hua , Zhang Ermei , Liu Fang
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we consider a coordinated scheduling problem on a single batching machine with transportation and deterioration. The jobs are transported by a vehicle to the single batching machine for further processing. The processing time of a job is a step increasing function of its exposure time which is equivalent to the time interval from the beginning of the transportation to the starting of the job on the machine. The objective is to find Pareto-optimal schedules with two performance criteria (total completion time and the number of batches) to balance the inventory level and the production costs. We prove that the general problem is strongly NP-hard. We further develop polynomial-time algorithms for two special cases with a fixed job sequence and without exposure time limit, respectively. For the general problem, we develop a heuristic algorithm and a branch and bound algorithm. Computational experiments show that the heuristic algorithms perform well on randomly generated problem instances, and the branch and bound algorithm can obtain Pareto-optimal solutions for the small-scaled instances.
How to Assess Sustainability of Suppliers in the Presence of Dual-Role Factor and Volume Discounts? A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach
Authors: Izadikhah Mohammad , Saen Reza Farzipoor , Ahmadi Kourosh
Published: June 2017

Sustainability factors play critical role for long-term achievement of a supply chain management and purchasing process becomes more complicated with social and environmental pressures. Managing supplier selection process is a necessary step for companies seeking to manage their corporate legitimacy and reputations. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) has been widely used for supplier selection problems. In this paper, we propose a new super-efficiency method for evaluating sustainability of suppliers in the presence of dual-role factors and volume discounts. We show that enhanced Russell model (ERM) fails to present a complete ranking of suppliers. Our new model presents a complete ranking and also preserves properties of the ERM. Capabilities of our proposed method are shown using a couple of examples. A case study is presented to illustrate our proposed approach. The proposed method is used to select the best sustainable suppliers.
A Fault-Tolerant Routing Algorithm Using Tunnels in Fault Blocks for Network-on-Chip
Authors: Wang Ling , Mak Terrence
Published: June 2017

In 2D mesh Network on Chips (NoCs), fault-tolerant algorithms usually deactivate healthy nodes to form rectangular or convex fault blocks. However, the deactivated nodes can possibly form an available tunnel in a faulty block. We propose a method to discover these tunnels, and propose a fault-tolerant routing algorithm to route messages through such paths such that the overall communication performance is improved. In addition, the algorithm is deadlock-free by prohibiting some turns. Simulation results demonstrate that the reuse of the sacrificed nodes in fault blocks can significantly reduce the average message latency.
Learning Frameworks in a Social-Intensive Knowledge Environment — An Empirical Study
Authors: Flores Nuno , Aguiar Ademar
Published: June 2017

Application frameworks are a powerful technique for large-scale reuse, but require a considerable effort to understand them. Good documentation is costly, as it needs to address different audiences with disparate learning needs. When code and documentation prove insufficient, developers turn to their network of experts. Nevertheless, this proves difficult, mainly due to the lack of expertise awareness (who to ask), wasteful interruptions of the wrong people and unavailability (either due to intrusion or time constraints). The DRIVER platform is a collaborative learning environment where framework users can, in a non-intrusive way, store and share their learning knowledge while following the best practices of framework understanding (patterns). Developed by the authors, it provides a framework documentation repository, mounted on a wiki, where the learning paths of the community of learners can be captured, shared, rated, and recommended. Combining these social activities, the DRIVER platform promotes collaborative learning, mitigating intrusiveness, unavailability of experts and loss of tacit knowledge. This paper presents the assessment of DRIVER using a controlled academic experiment that measured the performance, effectiveness and framework knowledge intake of MSc students. The study concluded that, especially for novice learners, the platform allows for a faster and more effective learning process.
ON MEAN–VARIANCE HEDGING UNDER PARTIAL OBSERVATIONS AND TERMINAL WEALTH CONSTRAINTS
Authors: MAKOGIN VITALII , MELNIKOV ALEXANDER , MISHURA YULIYA
Published: June 2017

In this paper, a mean-square minimization problem under terminal wealth constraint with partial observations is studied. The problem is naturally connected to the mean–variance hedging (MVH) problem under incomplete information. A new approach to solving this problem is proposed. The paper provides a solution when the underlying pricing process is a square-integrable semi-martingale. The proposed method for study is based on the martingale representation. In special cases, the Clark–Ocone representation can be used to obtain explicit solutions. The results and the method are illustrated and supported by examples with two correlated geometric Brownian motions.
Semantic Image Retrieval with Feature Space Rankings
Authors: Li Kai , Qi Guo-Jun , Ye Jun , Yusuph Tuoerhongjiang , Hua Kien A.
Published: June 2017

Learning to hash is receiving increasing research attention due to its effectiveness in addressing the large-scale similarity search problem. Most of the existing hashing algorithms are focused on learning hash functions in the form of numeric quantization of some projected feature space. In this work, we propose a novel hash learning method that encodes features’ relative ordering instead of quantizing their numeric values in a set of low-dimensional ranking subspaces. We formulate the ranking-based hash learning problem as the optimization of a continuous probabilistic error function using softmax approximation and present an efficient learning algorithm to solve the problem. As a generalization of Winner-Take-All (WTA) hashing, the proposed algorithm naturally enjoys the numeric stability benefits of rank correlation measures while being optimized to achieve high precision with very compact code. Additionally, the proposed method can also be easily extended to nonlinear kernel spaces to discover ranking structures that can not be revealed in linear subspaces. We demonstrate through extensive experiments that the proposed method can achive competitive performances as compared to a number of state-of-the-art hashing methods.
Magnetars
Authors: Kaspi Victoria M. , Beloborodov Andrei M.
Published: June 2017

Magnetars are young and highly magnetized neutron stars that display a wide array of X-ray activity including short bursts, large outbursts, giant flares, and quasi-periodic oscillations, often coupled with interesting timing behavior including enhanced spin-down, glitches, and antiglitches. The bulk of this activity is explained by the evolution and decay of an ultrastrong magnetic field, stressing and breaking the neutron-star crust, which in turn drives twists of the external magnetosphere and powerful magnetospheric currents. The population of detected magnetars has grown to about 30 objects and shows unambiguous phenomenological connection with highly magnetized radio pulsars. Recent progress in magnetar theory includes explanation of the hard X-ray component in the magnetar spectrum and development of surface heating models, explaining the sources’ remarkable radiative output.
Enzymes and Enzyme Activity Encoded by Nonenveloped Viruses
Authors: Azad Kimi , Banerjee Manidipa , Johnson John E.
Published: June 2017

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that rely on host cell machineries for their replication and survival. Although viruses tend to make optimal use of the host cell protein repertoire, they need to encode essential enzymatic or effector functions that may not be available or accessible in the host cellular milieu. The enzymes encoded by nonenveloped viruses—a group of viruses that lack any lipid coating or envelope—play vital roles in all the stages of the viral life cycle. This review summarizes the structural, biochemical, and mechanistic information available for several classes of enzymes and autocatalytic activity encoded by nonenveloped viruses. Advances in research and development of antiviral inhibitors targeting specific viral enzymes are also highlighted.
An Online Causal Inference Framework for Modeling and Designing Systems Involving User Preferences: A State-Space Approach
Authors: Delibalta Ibrahim , Baruh Lemi , Kozat Suleyman Serdar
Published: June 2017

We provide a causal inference framework to model the effects of machine learning algorithms on user preferences. We then use this mathematical model to prove that the overall system can be tuned to alter those preferences in a desired manner. A user can be an online shopper or a social media user, exposed to digital interventions produced by machine learning algorithms. A user preference can be anything from inclination towards a product to a political party affiliation. Our framework uses a state-space model to represent user preferences as latent system parameters which can only be observed indirectly via online user actions such as a purchase activity or social media status updates, shares, blogs, or tweets. Based on these observations, machine learning algorithms produce digital interventions such as targeted advertisements or tweets. We model the effects of these interventions through a causal feedback loop, which alters the corresponding preferences of the user. We then introduce algorithms in order to estimate and later tune the user preferences to a particular desired form. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithms through experiments in different scenarios.
Concentration Distribution of Chloride Ion under the Influence of the Convection-Diffusion Coupling
Authors: Zhao Q. L. , Zhang Y. Z.
Published: June 2017

The transfer process of chloride ion under the action of the convection-diffusion coupling was analyzed in order to predict the corrosion of reinforcement and the durability of structure more accurately. Considering the time-varying properties of diffusion coefficient and the space-time effect of the convection velocity, the differential equation for chloride ion transfer under the action of the convection-diffusion coupling was constructed. And then the chloride ion transfer model was validated by the existing experimental datum and the actual project datum. The results showed that when only diffusion was considered, the chlorine ion concentration increased with the time and decreased with the decay index of time. Under the action of the convection-diffusion coupling, at each point of coupling region, the chloride ion concentration first increased and then decreased and tended to stabilize, and the maximum appeared at the moment of convection velocity being 0; in the diffusion zone, the chloride ion concentration increased over time, and the chloride ion concentration of the same location increased with the depth of convection (in the later period), the velocity of convection (in the early period), and the chloride ion concentration of the surface.
Response Detection of Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer to Clinically Utilised and Novel Treatments by Monitoring Phospholipid Metabolism
Authors: Smith Tim A. D. , Phyu Su M. , Alzyoud Kholoud S. , Tseng Chih-Chung
Published: June 2017

Androgen receptor (AR) activation is the primary driving factor in prostate cancer which is initially responsive to castration but then becomes resistant (castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)). CRPC cells still retain the functioning AR which can be targeted by other therapies. A recent promising development is the use of inhibitors (Epi-1) of protein-protein interaction to inhibit AR-activated signalling. Translating novel therapies into the clinic requires sensitive early response indicators. Here potential response markers are explored. Growth inhibition of prostate cancer cells with flutamide, paclitaxel, and Epi-1 was measured using the MTT assay. To simulate choline-PET scans, pulse-chase experiments were carried out with [H3-methyl]choline and proportion of phosphorylated activity was determined after treatment with growth inhibitory concentrations of each drug. Extracts from treated cells were also subject to 31P-NMR spectroscopy. Cells treated with flutamide demonstrated decreased [H3-methyl]choline phosphorylation, whilst the proportion of phosphorylated [H3-methyl]choline that was present in the lipid fraction was increased in Epi-1-treated cells. Phospholipid breakdown products, glycerophosphorylcholine and glycerophosphoethanolamine levels, were shown by 31P-NMR spectroscopy to be decreased to undetectable levels in cells treated with Epi-1. LNCaP cells responding to treatment with novel protein-protein interaction inhibitors suggest that 31P-NMR spectroscopy may be useful in detecting response to this promising therapy.
Effect of Curing Temperature on the Durability of Concrete under Highly Geothermal Environment
Authors: Tang Yang , Su Hui , Huang Shun , Qu Chunlai , Yang Jiaqi
Published: June 2017

To determine the durability of concrete in the actual temperature and humidity of the tunnel environment, this study investigates the mechanical properties, permeability of chloride ion, relative dynamic elastic modulus, and mass loss ratio of concrete specimens cured in the temperature which varied from normal, 40, 60, 75, and 90°C, and the humidity was kept at 90% continuously. Experimental results reveal that the hot temperature curing environment may benefit early stage strength development but reduce the long-term strength. It is proved that 60°C is a critical point. At above 60°C, the strength of the concrete material and its resistance to chloride ion permeability showed a decreasing trend; however, in the appropriate temperature range, the frost resistance properties of the concrete are improved with increasing temperature.
Design and Fabrication of Smart Diapers with Antibacterial Yarn
Authors: Lin Jia-Horng , Shiu Bing-Chiuan , Lou Ching-Wen , Chang Yuan-Jen
Published: June 2017

In this study, intelligent eco-diapers are made by combining antibacterial yarns coated with quaternary ammonium salts with conductive yarns to improve caretaking for urinary incontinence. The combination of conductive yarns and sensors can detect the moisture content in eco-diapers, and an alarm is sent when moisture is significant. A wireless module is used to send detected signals to a smartphone or tablet PC via the Internet. This concept is used for a scenario in which nurses do not randomly check on patients in a long-term care institution. When used offline, eco-diapers can send caregivers an alarm for the need to change diapers via cell phones. The diameters of the copper and silver-plated copper fibers are 0.08 and 0.10 mm, respectively. Cotton yarns are twisted with copper and silver-plated copper fibers to form the conductive yarns, which are 0.12 mm in diameter. Moreover, 30-count cotton and 150 D nylon yarns are coated with quaternary ammonium salt via dyeing and finishing processes to form antibacterial yarns. In the current study, intelligent eco-diapers are tested for their electrical and antibacterial properties as specified by AATC and JISL test standards.
Comparison of Nonspherical Polyvinyl Alcohol Particles and Microspheres for Prostatic Arterial Embolization in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Hwang Jin Ho , Park Sang Woo , Chang Il Soo , Jung Sung Il , Jeon Hae Jeong , Lho Yong Soo , Kim Hyeong Gon , Paick Sung Hyun , Park Hyoung Keun
Published: June 2017

Purpose. To report early results following prostatic artery embolization (PAE) and compare outcomes between nonspherical polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles and microspheres to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods. PAE was performed in nine patients (mean age: 78.1 years) with symptomatic BPH. Embolization was performed using nonspherical PVA particles (250–355 μm) in four patients and microspheres (300–500 μm) in five patients. Results. PAE was technically successful in all nine patients (100%). During a mean follow-up of 10.1 months, improvements in mean International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life (QoL), prostatic volume (total volume and transition zone), and peak urinary flow (Qmax) were 9.8 points, 2.3 points, 28.1 mL, 17.8 mL, and 4.5 mL/s, respectively. Clinical success was obtained in seven of nine patients (78%). Patients in the microsphere group showed greater improvement in IPSS, QoL, prostatic volume, and Qmax compared to patients in the nonspherical PVA particle group. However, significant difference was noted only in the prostatic volume. Conclusion. PAE is a feasible, effective, and safe treatment option for BPH with LUTS. Use of microspheres showed greater prostatic volume reduction compared to nonspherical PVA particles.