bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of the Diabetes Medication Choice Decision Aid in patients with type 2 diabetes in Greece: a cluster randomised trial
Authors: Karagiannis Thomas , Liakos Aris , Branda Megan E , Athanasiadou Eleni , Mainou Maria , Boura Panagiota , Goulis Dimitrios G , LeBlanc Annie , Montori Victor M , Tsapas Apostolos
Published: November 2016

Objective

To assess the efficacy of the Diabetes Medication Choice Decision Aid among patients with type 2 diabetes in Greece.

Design

Open-label cluster randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Primary and secondary care practices across Greece.

Participants

5 sites allocated to the decision aid (n=101 patients) and 4 sites to control (n=103 patients).

Intervention

Clinicians and patients in the intervention arm used a decision aid, based on outcomes that both consider important when choosing among antihyperglycaemic medications. Patients in the control arm received usual care.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome was patient's level of decisional comfort after the initial clinical encounter. Secondary outcomes included patient's knowledge about type 2 diabetes and medications, and patient's and clinician's satisfaction. Adherence to prescribed antihyperglycaemic medication and change in glycated haemoglobin were assessed at 24 weeks.

Results

Patients in both arms had similar scores in overall decisional comfort (mean difference between the usual care and decision aid arms −6.9, 95% CI −21.5 to 7.7) and its subscales. Patients' knowledge was high in both arms (mean difference 2.3%, 95% CI −15.7% to 20.4%). Patients and clinicians in both groups were equally satisfied with the decision-making. No significant difference in medication adherence and glycaemic control was found across arms. Clinicians found the decision aid useful and reported that its integration in their daily routine was easy.

Conclusions

The decision aid was implemented and positively received in the clinical setting in Greece, in line with the patient-centred approach endorsed by current guidelines. However, this trial yielded imprecise results in terms of patient outcomes. Further research is needed to investigate the interaction between the patient and the clinician in order to clarify the association between the use of decision aids and implementation of shared decision-making.

Trial registration number

NCT01861756. Pre-results.
STARD 2015 guidelines for reporting diagnostic accuracy studies: explanation and elaboration
Authors: Cohen Jérémie F , Korevaar Daniël A , Altman Douglas G , Bruns David E , Gatsonis Constantine A , Hooft Lotty , Irwig Les , Levine Deborah , Reitsma Johannes B , de Vet Henrica C W , Bossuyt Patrick M M
Published: November 2016

Diagnostic accuracy studies are, like other clinical studies, at risk of bias due to shortcomings in design and conduct, and the results of a diagnostic accuracy study may not apply to other patient groups and settings. Readers of study reports need to be informed about study design and conduct, in sufficient detail to judge the trustworthiness and applicability of the study findings. The STARD statement (Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) was developed to improve the completeness and transparency of reports of diagnostic accuracy studies. STARD contains a list of essential items that can be used as a checklist, by authors, reviewers and other readers, to ensure that a report of a diagnostic accuracy study contains the necessary information. STARD was recently updated. All updated STARD materials, including the checklist, are available athttp://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/stard. Here, we present the STARD 2015 explanation and elaboration document. Through commented examples of appropriate reporting, we clarify the rationale for each of the 30 items on the STARD 2015 checklist, and describe what is expected from authors in developing sufficiently informative study reports.
Impact of scheduled appointments on cervical screening participation in Norway: a randomised intervention
Authors: Lönnberg Stefan , Andreassen Trude , Engesæter Birgit , Lilleng Rune , Kleven Cecilia , Skare Annelie , Johansson Karin , Fredheim Christina Stangeland , Tropé Ameli
Published: November 2016

Background

The main barrier to optimal effect in many established population-based screening programmes against cervical cancer is low participation. In Norway, a routine health service integrated population-based screening programme has been running since 1995, using open invitations and reminders. The aim of this randomised health service study was to pilot scheduled appointments and assess their potential for increased participation.

Methods

Within the national screening programme, we randomised 1087 women overdue for screening to receive invitations with scheduled appointments (intervention) or the standard open reminders (control). Letters were sent 2–4 weeks before the scheduled appointments at three centres: a midwife clinic, a public healthcare centre and a general practitioner centre. The primary outcome was participation at 6 months of follow-up. Secondary outcomes were participation at 1 and 3 months. Risk ratios (RRs) overall, and stratified by screening centre, age group and previous participation, were calculated using log-binomial regression.

Results

At 6 months, 20% of the 510 women in the control group and 37% of the 526 women in the intervention group had participated in screening, excluding 51 women in total from analysis due to participation just before invitation and therefore not yet visible in the central records. The RR for participation at 6 months was 1.9 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.3). There was no significant heterogeneity between centres or age groups. Participation increased among women both with (RR 1.7; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.1) and without (RR 3.5; 95% CI 1.3 to 9.2) previous participation. The RRs for participation at 1 and 3 months were 4.0 (95% CI 2.6 to 6.2) and 2.7 (95% CI 2.1 to 3.5), respectively.

Conclusions

Scheduled appointments increased screening participation consistently across all target ages and screening centres among women overdue for screening. Participation increased also among women with no previous records of cervical screening.
Molecular characterisation of acute intermittent porphyria in a cohort of South African patients and kinetic analysis of two expressed mutants
Authors: Fortgens Philip , Pienaar Elaine , Corrigall Anne , Sonderup Mark , Spearman C Wendy , Meissner Peter
Published: November 2016

Aims

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a disorder of the haem biosynthetic pathway caused by mutations in the hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) gene. Knowledge of the spectrum of mutations present in South Africa is limited. This study presents the molecular profile of 20 South African patients with AIP, and the kinetic analysis of one novel expressed mutated HMBS enzyme and a previously identified mutation at the same position.

Methods

Genomic DNA was isolated from affected probands and selected family members, theHMBSgene amplified and mutations characterised by direct sequencing and restriction enzyme analysis. One of the novel mutations (p.Lys98Glu), a previously characterised mutation at the same position (p.Lys98Arg), and the wild-type enzyme were expressed, purified and subjected to partial kinetic characterisation.

Results

Four new mutations, p.Lys98Glu, p.Asp230Aspfs*20, c.161-1G>A and c.422+3_6delAAGT, are described. Seven previously described mutations were found, while four patients revealed no mutations. Mutation analysis of five offspring of one of the probands carrying the p.Trp283X mutation revealed two asymptomatic carriers. Kinetic analysis showed that the p.Lys98Glu mutation results in loss of substrate affinity, whereas the previously described p.Lys98Arg mutation causes the loss of binding between the enzyme and its dipyrromethane cofactor, rendering the enzyme inactive.

Conclusions

This study comprises the most comprehensive characterisation ofHMBSgene mutations in patients with AIP in South Africa. The biochemical characterisation of expressedHMBSmutants reveals insight into the mechanism of catalytic activity loss, which may inspire investigation into individualised therapy based on the molecular lesion identified.
Republished: A novel approach to the management of carotid blowout syndrome: the use of thrombin in a case of failed covered stenting
Authors: Sablani Naveen , Jain Gary , Hasan Maryam Mumtaz , Sivakumar Keithan , Feuerwerker Solomon , Arcot Karthikeyan , Farkas Jeffrey
Published: November 2016

Acute hemorrhage relating to an expanding pseudoaneurysm of the carotid artery is referred to as carotid blowout syndrome (CBS). CBS is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. We describe the case of a patient who presented with dysphagia and a pulsatile mass in the neck. Imaging revealed a pseudoaneurysm originating from the bifurcation of the distal right common carotid artery. On neuroangiography the patient lacked sufficient collaterals to allow for vessel sacrifice. A decision was made to use covered stents to prevent flow into the pseudoaneurysm while maintaining vessel patency. Despite placement of multiple covered stents there was residual slow filling of the pseudoaneurysm. We augmented this therapy with direct percutaneous thrombin injection into the pseudoaneurysm. This resulted in complete thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm. For recalcitrant lesions in which the usual methods of stopping blood flow to the pseudoaneurysmal sac fail, an adjuvant approach with thrombin should be considered.
Single-stage endovascular treatment of multiple intracranial aneurysms with combined endovascular techniques: is it safe to treat all at once?
Authors: Andic Cagatay , Aydemir Fatih , Kardes Ozgur , Gedikoglu Murat , Akin Sule
Published: November 2016

Background and purpose

Multiple aneurysms have a high reported incidence, but the optimal treatment strategy is not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of single-stage endovascular treatment of multiple aneurysms with a combination of various endovascular techniques.

Materials and methods

Fifty-three consecutive patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms who underwent single-stage endovascular treatment for ≥2 aneurysms from June 2011 to May 2016 were included in the study. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, treatment technique, complications, clinical and angiographic outcomes were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

125 of 128 aneurysms (97.6%) were treated by the following endovascular techniques: simple coiling in 19, balloon-assisted coiling in 27, stent-assisted coiling in 33, flow diverters in 43, intrasaccular flow modifiers in 2, and a neck-bridging device in 1. Overall mortality and mortality directly related to the single-stage treatment was 15% (8/53) and 3.7% (2/53), respectively. Clinical and angiographic follow-up was available in 44 (83%) patients for 104 (83.2%) aneurysms for a mean duration of 16.2 months (range 3–51 months). According to the last angiographic follow-up, overall occlusion rates were complete in 85 (81.7%), near complete in 8 (7.6%), and incomplete in 11 (10.5%) aneurysms.

Conclusions

Single-stage endovascular treatment of multiple aneurysms with combined endovascular techniques is technically feasible and increases the treatment possibility of all detected aneurysms. However, the safety of the procedure is controversial due to relatively high complication rates. In particular, in patients with bilateral internal carotid artery aneurysms, staged therapy may be used instead of simultaneous treatment with flow diverters to avoid thromboembolic events.
Effects of lactoferrin on the viability and the encystment of Acanthamoeba trophozoites
Authors: Tomita Shinichi , Suzuki Chie , Wada Hitomi , Nomachi Miya , Imayasu Masaki , Araki-Sasaki Kaoru
Published: November 2016

Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding basic glycoprotein that has an antimicrobial effect against certain microbes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the amoebicidal effect of bovine milk LF (bLF) against Acanthamoeba clinical-isolate trophozoites, which cause severe keratitis. Most of the risk factor for Acanthamoeba keratitis is from wearing soft contact lenses (SCLs). Acanthamoeba trophozoites were incubated in bovine LF (bLF) solution, and the ratios of viability and encystment were determined with microscopic analysis of cyst formation. The amoebicidal effect of bLF was assessed by Trypan blue assay. The ratios of viable cells in the presence of iron-free bLF (apo-bLF), native-bLF, and iron-saturated bLF (Fe-bLF) at the concentration of 10 μmol/L for 60 min were 7.7% ± 4.6%, 80.7% ± 10.1%, and 97.3% ± 1.5%, respectively. Apo-bLF showed potent amoebicidal effect against Acanthamoeba trophozoites, but Fe-bLF did not have this effect. After treating with apo-bLF, most dead cells were nonglobular forms of trophozoites but not cystic forms. Encystment of Acanthamoeba was assessed by the sarkosyl-calcofluor white assay. The encystment ratios treated with 0.5% propylene glycol (positive control) and 10 μmol/L apo-bLF for 24 h were 96.12% ± 10.6% and 0.47% ± 0.5%, respectively. These results suggest that the amoebicidal effect of apo-bLF without encystment might lead to the prevention of contamination of Acanthamoeba in SCL stock cases.
Caffeine and theanine exert opposite effects on attention under emotional arousal
Authors: Giles Grace E. , Mahoney Caroline R. , Brunyé Tad T. , Taylor Holly A. , Kanarek Robin B.
Published: November 2016

Tea is perceived as more relaxing than coffee, even though both contain caffeine. L-theanine in tea may account for the difference. Consumed together, caffeine and theanine exert similar cognitive effects to that of caffeine alone, but exert opposite effects on arousal, in that caffeine accentuates and theanine mitigates physiological and felt stress responses. We evaluated whether caffeine and theanine influenced cognition under emotional arousal. Using a double-blind, repeated-measures design, 36 participants received 4 treatments (200 mg caffeine + 0 mg theanine, 0 mg caffeine + 200 mg theanine, 200 mg caffeine + 200 mg theanine, 0 mg caffeine + 0 mg theanine) on separate days. Emotional arousal was induced by highly arousing negative film clips and pictures. Mood, salivary cortisol, and visual attention were evaluated. Caffeine accentuated global processing of visual attention on the hierarchical shape task (p < 0.05), theanine accentuated local processing (p < 0.05), and the combination did not differ from placebo. Caffeine reduced flanker conflict difference scores on the Attention Network Test (p < 0.05), theanine increased difference scores (p < 0.05), and the combination did not differ from placebo. Thus, under emotional arousal, caffeine and theanine exert opposite effects on certain attentional processes, but when consumed together, they counteract the effects of each other.
Operational State Complexity of Subtree-Free Regular Tree Languages
Authors: Ko Sang-Ki , Eom Hae-Sung , Han Yo-Sub
Published: November 2016

We introduce subtree-free regular tree languages that are closely related to XML schemas and investigate the state complexity of basic operations on subtree-free regular tree languages. The state complexity of an operation for regular tree languages is the number of states that are sufficient and necessary in the worst-case for the minimal deterministic ranked tree automaton that accepts the tree language obtained from the operation. We establish the precise state complexity of (sequential, parallel) concatenation, (bottom-up, top-down) star, intersection and union for subtree-free regular tree languages.
Proton spin: A topological invariant
Authors: Tiwari S. C.
Published: November 2016

Proton spin problem is given a new perspective with the proposition that spin is a topological invariant represented by a de Rham 3-period. The idea is developed generalizing Finkelstein–Rubinstein theory for Skyrmions/kinks to topological defects, and using non-Abelian de Rham theorems. Two kinds of de Rham theorems are discussed applicable to matrix-valued differential forms, and traces. Physical and mathematical interpretations of de Rham periods are presented. It is suggested that Wilson lines and loop operators probe the local properties of the topology, and spin as a topological invariant in pDIS measurements could appear with any value from 0 to [Formula: see text], i.e. proton spin decomposition has no meaning in this approach.
Theoretical analysis on the sensitivity to partial pressure of oxygen of the band gap shift in CdO thin films
Authors: Grado-Caffaro M. A. , Grado-Caffaro M.
Published: November 2016

With the aim of providing an analytical approach (not accurate numerical results), for the first time, the sensitivity to the partial pressure of oxygen of the shift in the energy band gap experienced by cadmium-oxide thin films is evaluated for the visible region by introducing a suitable parameter. The sensitivity to the above pressure of the spatial carrier density is determined and compared with the sensitivity relative to the band gap shift. The gradient of the CdO carrier concentration as a function of the partial pressure of oxygen appears in the expressions for the two above sensitivity functions but the goal of this paper is not computing numerically this gradient so only qualitative estimations are done. In relation to the above results, the kinetics relative to the formation of CdO thin films are investigated. In addition, the sensitivity to the pressure in question of the corresponding optical-absorption shift in the visible range is calculated.
High Temperature Processable Flexible Polymer Films
Authors: Sundar D. Shanmuga , Raja A. Sivanantha , Sanjeeviraja C. , Jeyakumar D.
Published: November 2016

Recent developments in the field of flexible electronics motivated the researchers to start working in verdict of new flexible substrate for replacing the existing rigid glass and flexible plastics. Flexible substrates offer significant rewards in terms of being able to fabricate flexible electronic devices that are robust, thinner, conformable, lighter and can be rolled away when needed. In this work, a new flexible and transparent substrate with the help of organic materials such as Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and tetra ethoxy orthosilicate (TEOS) is synthesized. Transmittance of about 90–95% is acquired in the visible region (400–700[Formula: see text]nm) and the synthesized substrate shows better thermal characteristics and withstands temperature up to 200[Formula: see text]C without any significant degradation. Characteristics such as transmittance ([Formula: see text]), absorption ([Formula: see text]), reflectance ([Formula: see text]), refractive index ([Formula: see text]) and extinction coefficient ([Formula: see text]) are also reported.
Light harvesting subphthalocyanine–ferrocene dyads: Fast electron transfer process studied by femtosecond laser photolysis
Authors: El-Khouly Mohamed E. , El-Kemary Maged A. , El-Refaey Ahmed , Kay Kwang-Yol , Fukuzumi Shunichi
Published: November 2016

Ferrocene-subphthalocyanine dyads characterized, where ferrocene is axially linked with subphthalocyanine at its axial position with the B–O bond through the para and metapositions, namely Fc–[Formula: see text]PhO–SubPc (dyad 1) and Fc–[Formula: see text]PhO–SubPc (dyad 2). The geometric and electronic structures of 1 and 2 were probed by ab initio B3LYP/6-311G methods. The optimized structures showed that the Fc and SubPc entities are separated by 8.42 and 7.40 Å for dyads 1 and2, respectively. The distribution of the highest occupied frontier molecular orbital (HOMO) was found to be located on the Fc entity, while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) was located on the SubPc entity, suggesting that the charge-separated states of the are Fc[Formula: see text]–SubPc[Formula: see text]. Upon photoexcitation at the subphthalocyanine unit, both dyads undergo photoinduced electron transfer to form the corresponding charge-separated species, Fc[Formula: see text]–SubPc[Formula: see text]. Based on their redox potentials determined by cyclic voltammetry technique, the direction of the charge separation and the energies of these states have been revealed. Femtosecond transient spectroscopic studies have revealed that a fast charge separation of 8.8 × 10[Formula: see text] and 1.2 × 10[Formula: see text] s[Formula: see text] for 1 and 2, respectively, indicating fast charge separation in these simple dyads.
Poly-(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles with covalently-bound porphyrins for efficient singlet oxygen photosensitization
Authors: Boix-Garriga Ester , Bryden Francesca , Savoie Huguette , Sagristá M. Lluïsa , Mora Margarita , Boyle Ross W. , Nonell Santi
Published: November 2016

With the aim of assessing the role of the chemical structure of the photosensitizer on the photophysical and photochemical properties of the final nanoparticle suspension, we have investigated a series of poly-(ethylene glycol)-poly-([Formula: see text]-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles containing a hydrophobic or a hydrophilic porphyrin covalently conjugated to the nanoparticle. Covalent conjugation responded to the objective of trying to improve photosensitizer loading in these nanoparticles, especially for hydrophilic photosensitizers, but also enabled the porphyrins to remain attached to the nanoparticle without necessarily being inside the poly-([Formula: see text]-lactide-co-glycolide) core. This strategy has provided valuable information about the dependence of the photophysical and singlet oxygen photosensitizing properties of the suspensions on the nature of the photosensitizer. It is concluded that poly-([Formula: see text]-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles with covalently-bound hydrophilic porphyrins show superior singlet oxygen photosensitizing ability.
Pricing corporate bonds with interest rates following double square-root process
Authors: Lo Chi-Fai , Hui Cho-Hoi
Published: November 2016

This paper develops a corporate bond pricing model following the structural approach in which the dynamics of the instantaneous risk-free interest rate is governed by the double square-root (DSR) process. Credit spreads generated from the pricing model depend explicitly upon the levels of interest rates via the non-linear effect arising from the DSR process. Given a positive correlation between the interest rates and leverage ratios, the credit spreads generated by the pricing model have negative relationship with the interest rates, that is consistent with empirical findings using bond market data during 2008–2013 when interest rates were low.
Permanence and Community Structure in Complex Networks
Authors: Chakraborty Tanmoy , Srinivasan Sriram , Ganguly Niloy , Mukherjee Animesh , Bhowmick Sanjukta
Published: November 2016

The goal of community detection algorithms is to identify densely connected units within large networks. An implicit assumption is that all the constituent nodes belong equally to their associated community. However, some nodes are more important in the community than others. To date, efforts have been primarily made to identify communities as a whole, rather than understanding to what extent an individual node belongs to its community. Therefore, most metrics for evaluating communities, for example modularity, are global. These metrics produce a score for each community, not for each individual node. In this article, we argue that the belongingness of nodes in a community is not uniform. We quantify the degree of belongingness of a vertex within a community by a new vertex-based metric called
permanence
.

The central idea of permanence is based on the observation that the strength of membership of a vertex to a community depends upon two factors (i) the extent of connections of the vertex within its community versus outside its community, and (ii) how tightly the vertex is connected internally. We present the formulation of permanence based on these two quantities. We demonstrate that compared to other existing metrics (such as modularity, conductance, and cut-ratio), the change in permanence is more commensurate to the level of perturbation in ground-truth communities. We discuss how permanence can help us understand and utilize the structure and evolution of communities by demonstrating that it can be used to -- (i) measure the persistence of a vertex in a community, (ii) design strategies to strengthen the community structure, (iii) explore the core-periphery structure within a community, and (iv) select suitable initiators for message spreading.

We further show that permanence is an excellent metric for identifying communities. We demonstrate that the process of maximizing permanence (abbreviated as
MaxPerm
) produces meaningful communities that concur with the ground-truth community structure of the networks more accurately than eight other popular community detection algorithms. Finally, we provide mathematical proofs to demonstrate the correctness of finding communities by maximizing permanence. In particular, we show that the communities obtained by this method are (i) less affected by the changes in vertex ordering, and (ii) more resilient to resolution limit, degeneracy of solutions, and asymptotic growth of values.
Semi-Streaming Set Cover
Authors: Emek Yuval , Rosén Adi
Published: November 2016

This article studies the set cover problem under the semi-streaming model. The underlying set system is formalized in terms of a hypergraph
G
= (
V
,
E
) whose edges arrive one by one, and the goal is to construct an edge cover
F
⊆
E
with the objective of minimizing the cardinality (or cost in the weighted case) of
F
. We further consider a parameterized relaxation of this problem, where, given some 0 ⩽ ϵ < 1, the goal is to construct an edge (1 − ϵ)-cover, namely, a subset of edges incident to all but an ϵ-fraction of the vertices (or their benefit in the weighted case). The key limitation imposed on the algorithm is that its space is limited to (poly)logarithmically many bits per vertex.

Our main result is an asymptotically tight tradeoff between ϵ and the approximation ratio: We design a semi-streaming algorithm that on input hypergraph
G
constructs a succinct data structure
D
such that for every 0 ⩽ ϵ < 1, an edge (1 − ϵ)-cover that approximates the optimal edge (1-)cover within a factor of
f
(ϵ,
n
) can be extracted from
D
(efficiently and with no additional space requirements), where
f
(ϵ,
n
) = {

O
(1/
ϵ
), if ϵ > 1/√
n

O
(√
n
), otherwise

. In particular, for the traditional set cover problem, we obtain an
O
(√
n
-approximation. This algorithm is proved to be best possible by establishing a family (parameterized by ϵ) of matching lower bounds.
Decomposing Images into Layers via RGB-Space Geometry
Authors: Tan Jianchao , Lien Jyh-Ming , Gingold Yotam
Published: November 2016

In digital image editing software, layers organize images. However, layers are often not explicitly represented in the final image, and may never have existed for a scanned physical painting or a photograph. We propose a technique to decompose an image into layers. In our decomposition, each layer represents a single-color coat of paint applied with varying opacity. Our decomposition is based on the image’s RGB-space geometry. In RGB-space, the linear nature of the standard Porter-Duff [1984] “over” pixel compositing operation implies a geometric structure. The vertices of the convex hull of image pixels in RGB-space correspond to a palette of paint colors. These colors may be “hidden” and inaccessible to algorithms based on clustering visible colors. For our layer decomposition, users choose the palette size (degree of simplification to perform on the convex hull), as well as a layer order for the paint colors (vertices). We then solve a constrained optimization problem to find translucent, spatially coherent opacity for each layer, such that the composition of the layers reproduces the original image. We demonstrate the utility of the resulting decompositions for recoloring (global and local) and object insertion. Our layers can be interpreted as generalized barycentric coordinates; we compare to these and other recoloring approaches.
Summary of the International Conference on Software and System Processes (ICSSP 2016)
Authors: Kuhrmann Marco , O'Connor Rory V. , Perry Dewayne E. , Raffo David
Published: November 2016

The International Conference on Software and Systems Process (ICSSP), continuing the success of Software Process Workshop (SPW), the Software Process Modeling and Simulation Workshop (ProSim) and the International Conference on Software Process (ICSP) conference series, has become the established premier event in the field of software and systems engineering processes. It provides a leading forum for the exchange of research outcomes and industrial best-practices in process development from software and systems disciplines. ICSSP 2016 was held in Austin, Texas, from 14-15 May 2016, co-located with the 38th International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE). The theme of mICSSP 2016 was studying \Process(es) in Action" by recognizing that the AS-Planned and AS-Practiced processes can be quite different in many ways including their ows, their complexity and the evolving needs of stakeholders. Papers presented at ICSSP discussed this issue addressing different domains, providing concepts, evidence, and experiences.
Oxadiazole Based Polyether as Sensitive Films for Ratiometric Optical Temperature Detection
Authors: Neitzert H. C. , Cuccurullo S. , Concilio S. , Iannelli P.
Published: November 2016

A new type of polymer, based on the oxadiazole group, has been tested as indicator material for a ratiometric photoluminescence and optical reflection based temperature sensor in the temperature range between 30°C and 60°C. Thin films of the new polymer have been deposited by spin-coating on a glass substrate, excited by means of a low-cost near UV-LED. The optical spectrum, as detected by a fiber-based PC-card optical spectrometer, consisted of the reflection peak at the excitation wavelength and two distinct photoluminescence peaks at 430 nm and 480 nm, both in the blue spectral region. The peak amplitudes of all three spectral peaks depend linearly on the exciting light intensity. Changing the sample temperature, all peak amplitude values decrease monotonously with increasing temperature. By using a ratiometric approach, it has been found that the ratio between the two photoluminescence peaks was almost constant with temperature, while the ratio between the main photoluminescence peak at 430 nm and the reflection peak around 380 nm scaled nicely with the ambient temperature. Therefore, it has been proposed to use the latter criterion and a simple polynomial fit to the temperature versus peak amplitude relation.
Artificial Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm Hybrid Intelligence for Predicting Thai Stock Price Index Trend
Authors: Inthachot Montri , Boonjing Veera , Intakosum Sarun
Published: November 2016

This study investigated the use of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) for prediction of Thailand’s SET50 index trend. ANN is a widely accepted machine learning method that uses past data to predict future trend, while GA is an algorithm that can find better subsets of input variables for importing into ANN, hence enabling more accurate prediction by its efficient feature selection. The imported data were chosen technical indicators highly regarded by stock analysts, each represented by 4 input variables that were based on past time spans of 4 different lengths: 3-, 5-, 10-, and 15-day spans before the day of prediction. This import undertaking generated a big set of diverse input variables with an exponentially higher number of possible subsets that GA culled down to a manageable number of more effective ones. SET50 index data of the past 6 years, from 2009 to 2014, were used to evaluate this hybrid intelligence prediction accuracy, and the hybrid’s prediction results were found to be more accurate than those made by a method using only one input variable for one fixed length of past time span.
Aerodynamic Optimization Based on Continuous Adjoint Method for a Flexible Wing
Authors: Xu Zhaoke , Xia Jian
Published: November 2016

Aerodynamic optimization based on continuous adjoint method for a flexible wing is developed using FORTRAN 90 in the present work. Aerostructural analysis is performed on the basis of high-fidelity models with Euler equations on the aerodynamic side and a linear quadrilateral shell element model on the structure side. This shell element can deal with both thin and thick shell problems with intersections, so this shell element is suitable for the wing structural model which consists of two spars, 20 ribs, and skin. The continuous adjoint formulations based on Euler equations and unstructured mesh are derived and used in the work. Sequential quadratic programming method is adopted to search for the optimal solution using the gradients from continuous adjoint method. The flow charts of rigid and flexible optimization are presented and compared. The objective is to minimize drag coefficient meanwhile maintaining lift coefficient for a rigid and flexible wing. A comparison between the results from aerostructural analysis of rigid optimization and flexible optimization is shown here to demonstrate that it is necessary to include the effect of aeroelasticity in the optimization design of a wing.
Calculation of Clay Permeability Using a Rectangular Particle-Water Film Model by the Double-Scale Asymptotic Expansion Method
Authors: Tang Xiaowu , Zhou Lipei , Sun Zufeng , Yu Yue , Yang Xiaoqiu
Published: November 2016

Permeability of soil plays an important role in geotechnical engineering and is commonly determined by methods combining measurements with theory. Using the double-scale asymptotic expansion method, the Navier-Stokes equation is numerically solved to calculate the permeability, based on the homogenization method and the assumption that the homogeneous microstructure of the relevant porous media is represented accurately as the Representative Elemental Volume (REV). In this study, the commonly used square model is tested in the calculation of sea clay permeability. The results show large deviations. It is suspected that the square model could not represent the flattened shape of the clay particles and the bound water film wrapping around them. Hence, the Rectangle Particle-Water Film Model (i.e., the R-W model) is proposed. After determining the horizontal and vertical characteristic length of the unit cell using two pairs of initial data, the permeabilities of other different void ratios could be inversely calculated. The results of three types of clay obtained using the R-W model agree well with the experimental data. This shows the efficient feasibility and accuracy of the R-W model by providing a good representation of the clay particles when using the double-scale asymptotic expansion method to calculate clay permeability.
Flexural and Shear Behavior of FRP Strengthened AASHTO Type Concrete Bridge Girders
Authors: Yazdani Nur , Haque Farzia , Hasan Istiaque
Published: November 2016

Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) are being increasingly used for the repair and strengthening of deteriorated or unsafe concrete structures, including structurally deficient concrete highway bridges. The behavior of FRP strengthened concrete bridge girders, including failure modes, failure loads, and deflections, can be determined using an analytical finite element modeling approach, as outlined in this paper. The differences in flexural versus shear FRP strengthening and comparison with available design guidelines are also beneficial to design professionals. In this paper, a common AASHTO type prestressed concrete bridge girder with FRP wrapping was analyzed using the ANSYS FEM software and the ACI analytical approach. Both flexural and shear FRP applications, including vertical and inclined shear strengthening, were examined. Results showed that FRP wrapping can significantly benefit concrete bridge girders in terms of flexure/shear capacity increase, deflection reduction, and crack control. The FRP strength was underutilized in the section selected herein, which could be addressed through decrease of the amount of FRP and prestressing steel used, thereby increasing the section ductility. The ACI approach produced comparable results to the FEM and can be effectively and conveniently used in design.
Factors Affecting the Presence and the Diversity of Bryophytes in the Petrifying Sources Habitat (7220) in Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium
Authors: Couvreur J.-M. , San Martin G. , Sotiaux A.
Published: November 2016

Bryological composition, water chemistry, and environmental factors were characterized on 67 Belgian travertines. We explore the relationship between these environmental factors and the community composition, species richness, or presence of individual species using Redundancy Analysis with Hellinger’s transformation (tb-RDA) or Generalized Linear Models (GLMs). The best variables explaining the community composition are slope, NO3, NH4, and PO4. The species richness is negatively related to canopy cover and PO4.Palustriella commutatatends to be more frequent when the slope is steeper and to a lesser degree when the canopy cover is lower.Eucladium verticillatumtends to be slightly more frequent when canopy cover and NH4concentrations are lower.Cratoneuron filicinumis more frequent at higher Mg concentrations andPellia endiviifoliais more frequent at lower PO4concentrations and higher NO3concentrations.Brachythecium rivulareshowed wide ecological amplitude and almost none of the tested environmental factors seem to be related to its presence. The study identifies eutrophication as the main factor responsible for habitat deterioration. Practical indications on the best ways to maintain or to enhance the quality of these petrifying sources are given.
Comparative Lateralizing Ability of Multimodality MRI in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Ercan Karabekir , Gunbey Hediye Pinar , Bilir Erhan , Zan Elcin , Arslan Halil
Published: November 2016

Purpose. The objective is to compare lateralizing ability of three quantitative MR (qMRI) modalities to depict changes of hippocampal architecture with clinical entities in temporal lobe epilepsy.Methods. We evaluated 14 patients with clinical and EEG proven diagnosis of unilateral TLE and 15 healthy volunteers. T1-weighted 3D dataset for volumetry, single-voxel1H MR spectroscopy (MRS), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed for bilateral hippocampi of all subjects.Results. Individual volumetric measurements provided accurate lateralization in 85% of the patients, spectroscopy in 57%, and DTI in 57%. Higher lateralization ratios were acquired combining volumetry-spectroscopy (85%), spectroscopy-DTI (85%), and volumetry-DTI (100%). Significantly decreased NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratios (p=0.002) and increased FA (p=0.001) values were obtained in ipsilateral to epileptogenic hippocampus. Duration of epilepsy and FA values showed a significant negative correlation (p=0.016,r=-0.847). The history of febrile convulsion associated with ipsilateral increased ADC values (p=0.015,r=0.851) and reduced NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratios (p=0.047,r=-761).Conclusion. Volumetry, MRS, and DTI studies provide complementary information of hippocampal pathology. For lateralization of epileptogenic focus and preoperative examination, volumetry-DTI combination may be indicative of diagnostic accuracy.
Acute Kidney Injury in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Patschan D. , Müller G. A.
Published: November 2016

Diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly increases the overall morbidity and mortality, particularly by elevating the cardiovascular risk. The kidneys are severely affected as well, partly as a result of intrarenal athero- and arteriosclerosis but also due to noninflammatory glomerular damage (diabetic nephropathy). DM is the most frequent cause of end-stage renal disease in our society. Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a clinical and prognostic problem of fundamental importance since incidences have been increased in recent years while mortality has not substantially been improved. As a matter of fact, not many studies particularly addressed the topic “AKI in diabetes mellitus.” Aim of this article is to summarize AKI epidemiology and outcomes in DM and current recommendations on blood glucose control in the intensive care unit with regard to the risk for acquiring AKI, and finally several aspects related to postischemic microvasculopathy in AKI of diabetic patients shall be discussed. We intend to deal with this relevant topic, last but not least with regard to increasing incidences and prevalences of both disorders, AKI and DM.
The Single Wire Ureteral Access Sheath, Both Safe and Economical
Authors: Delto Joan C. , Wayne George , Sidhu Ajaydeep , Yanes Rafael , Bhandari Akshay , Nieder Alan M.
Published: November 2016

Introduction. Novel disposable products for ureteroscopy are often inherently more expensive than conventional ones. For example, the Cook Flexor© Parallel™ (Flexor) access sheath is designed for ease and efficiency of gaining upper tract access with a solitary wire. We analyze the cost combinations, efficiency, and safety of disposable products utilized for upper tract access, including the Flexor and standard ureteral access sheath. Methods. We performed a retrospective review from January 2014 to October 2014 of patients undergoing URS for nephrolithiasis, who were prestented for various reasons (e.g., infection). Common combinations most utilized at our institution include “Classic,” “Flexor,” and “Standard.” Total costs per technique were calculated. Patient characteristics, operative parameters, and outcomes were compared among the groups. Results. The most commonly used technique involved a standard ureteral sheath and was the most expensive ($294). The second most utilized and least expensive combination involved the Flexor, saving up to $80 per case (27%). All access sheaths were placed successfully and without complications. There were no significant differences in operative time, blood loss, or complications. Conclusions. In prestented patients within this study, the Flexor combination was the most economical. Although the savings appear modest, long-term impact on costs can be substantial.
Geotechnical Aspects of Explosive Compaction
Authors: Shakeran Mahdi , Eslami Abolfazl , Ahmadpour Majid
Published: November 2016

Explosive Compaction (EC) is the ground modification technique whereby the energy released from setting off explosives in subsoil inducing artificial earthquake effects, which compact the soil layers. The efficiency of EC predominantly depends on the soil profile, grain size distribution, initial status, and the intensity of energy applied to the soil. In this paper, in order to investigate the geotechnical aspects, which play an important role in performance of EC, a database has been compiled from thirteen-field tests or construction sites around the world, where EC has been successfully applied for modifying soil. This research focuses on evaluation of grain size distribution and initial stability status of deposits besides changes of soil penetration resistance due to EC. Results indicated suitable EC performance for unstable and liquefiable deposits having particle sizes ranging from gravel to silty sand with less than 40% silt content and less than 10% clay content. However, EC is most effective in fine-to-medium sands with a fine content less than 5% and hydraulically deposited with initial relative density ranging from 30% to 60%. Moreover, it has been observed that EC can be an effective method to improve the density, stability, and resistance of the target soils.
The Projections of Convex Lattice Sets of Points in E2
Authors: Gu Yu , Si Lin
Published: November 2016

Can one determine a centrally symmetric lattice polygon by its projections? In 2005, Gardner et al. proposed the above discrete version of Aleksandrov’s projection theorem. In this paper, we define a coordinate matrix for a centrally symmetric convex lattice set and suggest an algorithm to study this problem.
The Suppressed Induction of Human Mature Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Caused by Asbestos Is Not due to Interleukin-2 Insufficiency
Authors: Kumagai-Takei Naoko , Nishimura Yasumitsu , Matsuzaki Hidenori , Lee Suni , Yoshitome Kei , Hayashi Hiroaki , Otsuki Takemi
Published: November 2016

We previously reported that exposure to chrysotile B (CB) asbestos suppressed the induction of mature cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) during mixed lymphocyte reaction assays (MLRs) with a decrease in the proliferation of immature CTLs. However, the mechanism responsible for the effect of asbestos fibers on the differentiation of CTLs remains unclear. Since interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a regulator of T lymphocyte proliferation, we examined the effect of IL-2 addition on suppressed CTL differentiation in CB-exposed cultures using flow cytometry (FCM). When IL-2 was added at 1 ng/mL on the second day of MLRs, the asbestos-caused decreases in the proliferation and percentages of CD25+and CD45RO+cells in CD8+lymphocytes were not recovered by IL-2 addition, although the decrease in percentage of granzyme B+cells was partially recovered. CD8+lymphocytes from the IL-2-treated culture with asbestos showed the same degree of cytotoxicity as those in cultures without IL-2 or asbestos. These findings indicate that IL-2 insufficiency is not the main cause for the suppressed induction of CTLs by asbestos exposure, although they suggest a potential for the improvement of such suppressed CTL functions. Secretory factors other than IL-2 in addition to membrane-bound stimulatory molecules may play a role in asbestos-caused suppressed CTL differentiation.
The Hysteresis Performance and Restoring Force Model for Corroded Reinforced Concrete Frame Columns
Authors: Zhao Guifeng , Zhang Meng , Li Yaoliang , Li Dawang
Published: November 2016

A numerical simulation of the hysteresis performance of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) frame columns was conducted. Moreover, the results obtained were compared with experimental data. On this basis, a degenerated three-linearity (D-TRI) restoring force model was established which could reflect the hysteresis performance of corroded RC frame columns through theoretical analysis and data fitting. Results indicated that the hysteretic bearing capacity of frame columns decreased significantly due to corrosion of the rebar. In view of the characteristics of the hysteresis curve, the plumpness of the hysteresis loop for frame columns decreased and shrinkage increased with increasing rebar corrosion. All these illustrated that the seismic energy dissipation performance of frame columns reduced but their brittleness increased. As for the features of the skeleton curve, the trends for corroded and noncorroded members were basically consistent and roughly corresponded to the features of a trilinear equivalent model. Thereby, the existing Clough hysteresis rule can be used to establish the restoring force model applicable to corroded RC frame columns based on that of the noncorroded RC members. The calculated skeleton curve and hysteresis curve of corroded RC frame columns using the D-TRI model are closer to the experimental results.