bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of one-to-one volunteer support for patients with psychosis: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Priebe Stefan , Pavlickova Hana , Eldridge Sandra , Golden Eoin , McCrone Paul , Ockenden Nick , Pistrang Nancy , King Michael
Published: August 2016

Introduction

Social isolation is common in patients with psychosis and associated with a number of negative outcomes. Programmes in which volunteers provide one-to-one support—often referred to as befriending—have been reputed to achieve favourable outcomes. However, trial-based evidence for their effectiveness is limited.

Methods and analysis

This is a randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of one-to-one volunteer support with an active control condition for patients with psychosis over a 1-year period. Patients in the intervention group will receive the support of a volunteer for 1 year, who will meet them weekly and engage them in social and recreational activities. Patients in the control group will not receive support from a volunteer. In both groups, patients will be given a booklet detailing locally available social activities and otherwise receive treatment as usual. Patients, volunteers, clinicians and researchers involved in the delivery of the intervention will not be blinded to group assignment, while researchers carrying out data collection will be blinded. Data collection will be conducted at baseline, at 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome is the amount of time spent engaging in social activities per day. Secondary outcomes include symptoms, quality of life, self-esteem and costs of care. Attitudes of volunteers towards mentally ill people will be assessed. Finally, in-depth interviews will be conducted with patients and volunteers.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the National Research Ethics Service (NRES) Committee London—Camden & Kings Cross (reference 15/LO/0674). The findings of the trial will be published in open access peer-reviewed journals and in the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) journals library, and presented at scientific conferences. In addition, findings will be summarised for a lay audience and circulated to all relevant National Health Service (NHS) and voluntary organisations.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN14021839; Pre-results.
Diary of a parliamentary intern
Authors: Ridge Anthony
Published: August 2016

With Brexit dominating the headlines, parliamentary intern Anthony Ridge considers some future implications for vets.
Cost-effective elimination of lipofuscin fluorescence from formalin-fixed brain tissue by white phosphor light emitting diode array
Authors: Sun Yulong , Chakrabartty Avi
Published: August 2016

Autofluorescence of aldehyde-fixed tissues greatly hinders fluorescence microscopy. In particular, lipofuscin, an autofluorescent component of aged brain tissue, complicates fluorescence imaging of tissue in neurodegenerative diseases. Background and lipofuscin fluorescence can be reduced by greater than 90% through photobleaching using white phosphor light emitting diode arrays prior to treatment with fluorescent probes. We compared the effect of photobleaching versus established chemical quenchers on the quality of fluorescent staining in formalin-fixed brain tissue of frontotemporal dementia with tau-positive inclusions. Unlike chemical quenchers, which reduced fluorescent probe signals as well as background, photobleaching treatment had no effect on probe fluorescence intensity while it effectively reduced background and lipofuscin fluorescence. The advantages and versatility of photobleaching over established methods are discussed.
BIOPHYSICAL HEAT TRANSFER STUDY FOR THE CONTRACTION AND EXPANSION OF MUSCLES WITH MULTI-WALL CARBON NANOTUBES
Authors: AKBAR NOREEN SHER , BUTT ADIL WAHID , KHAN LIAQAT ALI , MIR NAZIR AHMED
Published: August 2016

The present investigation is associated with the contemporary study of viscous flow in a vertical tube with temperature dependent viscosity. The main flow problem has been modeled using cylindrical coordinates and flow equations are simplified to ordinary differential equations using longwave length and low Reynold's number approximation and exact solutions have been obtained for velocity, pressure gradient and temperature. Results acquired are discussed graphically for better understanding. It is seen that with an increment in the Grashof number, the velocity of the governing fluids start to decrease significantly and pressure gradient is higher for pure water as compared to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) due to low density. As the specific heat is very high for pure water as compared to the multi-wall CNTs, it rise temperature of the muscles for the case of pure water as compared to the MWCNTs. Furthermore, it is noted that the trapped bolus starts to decrease in size as the buoyancy forces are dominant as compared to viscous force.
Contrasting distributions of pairwise entanglement and mutual information in Heisenberg spin systems
Authors: Subrahmanyam V.
Published: August 2016

The correlations between a pair of spins in a many-spin state encoded in the diagonal and off-diagonal spin–spin correlation functions. These spin functions determine the quantum correlation measures, like pair-wise concurrence, quantum discord and other measures of quantum information. We show that for isotropic and translationally invariant states, the quantum correlations depend only on the diagonal spin correlation function. The pair concurrence shows a strict short-ranged behavior. The distribution of concurrence for a random W-like state exhibits a long tail for both time-reversal invariant states and for states that break the time reversal. The quantum discord can be related to the diagonal spin correlation function. As the spin function is long range close to a critical point, analogously the quantum discord exhibits a long range behavior. For the isotropic state, the conditional entropy distribution is a Dirac delta function, whereas it has a twin-peak structure for the anisotropic model.
On the
Carboniferous Limestone South
of the
Craven Fault (Grassington-Hellifield District)
Authors: Wilmore Albert
Published: August 2016

I. I
ntroduction
.

South of the great Craven Fault is a district which may well be termed the Craven Lowlands. It lies between the limestone sears of Settle, Malham, and Grassington on the north and the grit hills of the Pendle Range on the south. The district thus defined may be held to include all that part of Craven which extends from Clitheroe to Skyreholme, and from the so-called 'middle branch' of the great fault-system, to the grit hills of Simon's Seat, Burnsall Fell, Flasby Fell, Carleton Moor, and westwards to Pendle.

The Carboniferous Limestone and Pendleside Beds, which occupy almost the whole of the district under consideration, are everywhere very much folded and faulted.

The greater part of the region is much obscured by drift. With the exception of a good section at Troller's Gill (which does not, however, show any considerable thickness of beds) there are no long continuous sections, and the geologist must remain perforce content with the numerous isolated exposures which are scattered over the whole district. Owing to the contiuually changing dips, it is not easy to make out the sequence of the beds.

This paper will be confined to a description of the Carboniferous Limestone, as it may be seen in the various exposures between Swinden Moor on the west and Skyreholme on the east. I have previously discussed other parts of the Craven Lowlands.

The lithologieal character of the limestone varies considerably in different parts of the district, the most widely different types being the greyish-white, irregularly-bedded shelly limestone of Elbolton
A Methodology for Estimating Performance and Power Consumption of Embedded Flash File Systems
Authors: Olivier Pierre , Boukhobza Jalil , Senn Eric , Ouarnoughi Hamza
Published: August 2016

In the embedded systems domain, obtaining performance and power consumption estimations is extremely valuable in numerous cases. This is particularly true during the design stage, as designers of complex embedded systems face an increasingly large design space. Secondary storage is a well-known performance bottleneck and has also been reported as an important factor of power consumption. Flash memory is the main secondary storage media in an embedded system and exhibits specific constraints in its usage. One popular way to manage these constraints is to use dedicated Flash File Systems (FFS). In this article, we propose a methodology to estimate the performance and power consumption of applicative I/Os on an FFS-based storage system within embedded Linux. The methodology is divided into three sequential steps. In the exploration phase, the main factors of an FFS storage system impacting performance and power consumption are identified. In the modeling phase, this impact is formalized into models. Finally, in the last phase, the models are implemented in a simulator named OpenFlash. OpenFlash allows obtaining performance and power consumption estimations for an applicative workload processed by the Linux FFS storage stack on an embedded platform. The simulator is validated against real measurements and the estimation error stays below 10%.
Tariff Agent
Authors: Alan Alper T. , Costanza Enrico , Ramchurn Sarvapali D. , Fischer Joel , Rodden Tom , Jennings Nicholas R.
Published: August 2016

Smart systems are becoming increasingly ubiquitous and consequently transforming our lives. The level of system autonomy plays a vital role in the development of smart systems as it profoundly affects how people and these systems interact with each other. However, to date, there are very few studies on human interaction with such systems. This paper presents findings from two field studies where two different prototypes for automating energy tariff-switching were developed and evaluated in the wild. Both prototypes offer flexible autonomy by which users can shift the system's level of autonomy among three options: suggestion-only, semi-autonomy, and full autonomy, whenever they like. Our findings based on thematic analysis show that flexible autonomy is a promising way to sustain users' engagement with smart systems, despite their occasional mistakes. The findings also suggest that users take responsibility for the undesired outcomes of automated actions when delegation of autonomy can be adjusted flexibly.
Using Respiration to Predict Who Will Speak Next and When in Multiparty Meetings
Authors: Ishii Ryo , Otsuka Kazuhiro , Kumano Shiro , Yamato Junji
Published: August 2016

Techniques that use nonverbal behaviors to predict turn-changing situations—such as, in multiparty meetings, who the next speaker will be and when the next utterance will occur—have been receiving a lot of attention in recent research. To build a model for predicting these behaviors we conducted a research study to determine whether respiration could be effectively used as a basis for the prediction. Results of analyses of utterance and respiration data collected from participants in multiparty meetings reveal that the speaker takes a breath more quickly and deeply after the end of an utterance in turn-keeping than in turn-changing. They also indicate that the listener who will be the next speaker takes a bigger breath more quickly and deeply in turn-changing than the other listeners. On the basis of these results, we constructed and evaluated models for predicting the next speaker and the time of the next utterance in multiparty meetings. The results of the evaluation suggest that the characteristics of the speaker's inhalation right after an utterance unit—the points in time at which the inhalation starts and ends after the end of the utterance unit and the amplitude, slope, and duration of the inhalation phase—are effective for predicting the next speaker in multiparty meetings. They further suggest that the characteristics of listeners' inhalation—the points in time at which the inhalation starts and ends after the end of the utterance unit and the minimum and maximum inspiration, amplitude, and slope of the inhalation phase—are effective for predicting the next speaker. The start time and end time of the next speaker's inhalation are also useful for predicting the time of the next utterance in turn-changing.
Sixteen Heuristics for Joint Optimization of Performance, Energy, and Temperature in Allocating Tasks to Multi-Cores
Authors: Sheikh Hafiz Fahad , Ahmad Ishfaq
Published: August 2016

Three-way joint optimization of performance (
P
), energy (
E
), and temperature (
T
) in scheduling parallel tasks to multiple cores poses a challenge that is staggering in its computational complexity. The goal of the
PET optimized scheduling
(
PETOS
) problem is to minimize three quantities: the completion time of a task graph, the total energy consumption, and the peak temperature of the system. Algorithms based on conventional multi-objective optimization techniques can be designed for solving the
PETOS
problem. But their execution times are exceedingly high and hence their applicability is restricted merely to problems of modest size. Exacerbating the problem is the solution space that is typically a Pareto front since no single solution can be strictly best along all three objectives. Thus, not only is the absolute quality of the solutions important but “the spread of the solutions” along each objective and the distribution of solutions within the generated tradeoff front are also desired. A natural alternative is to design efficient heuristic algorithms that can generate good solutions as well as good spreads -- note that most of the prior work in energy-efficient task allocation is predominantly single- or dual-objective oriented. Given a directed acyclic graph (DAG) representing a parallel program, a heuristic encompasses policies as to what tasks should go to what cores and at what frequency should that core operate. Various policies, such as greedy, iterative, and probabilistic, can be employed. However, the choice and usage of these policies can influence a heuristic towards a particular objective and can also profoundly impact its performance. This article proposes 16 heuristics that utilize various methods for task-to-core allocation and frequency selection. This article also presents a methodical classification scheme which not only categorizes the proposed heuristics but can also accommodate additional heuristics. Extensive simulation experiments compare these algorithms while shedding light on their strengths and tradeoffs.
On the Marginal Standard Error Rule and the Testing of Initial Transient Deletion Methods
Authors: Wang Rob J. , Glynn Peter W.
Published: August 2016

In the planning of steady-state simulations, a central issue is the initial transient problem, in which an initial segment of the simulation output is adversely contaminated by initialization bias. Our article makes several contributions toward the analysis of this computational challenge. To begin, we introduce useful ways for measuring the magnitude of the initial transient effect in the single replication setting. We then analyze the marginal standard error rule (MSER) and prove that MSER’s deletion point is determined, as the simulation time horizon tends to infinity, by the minimizer of a certain random walk. We use this insight, together with fluid limit intuition associated with queueing models, to generate two nonpathological examples in which at least one variant of MSER fails to accurately predict the duration of the initial transient. Our results suggest that the efficacy of a deletion procedure is sensitive to the choice of performance measure, and that the set of standard test problems on which initial transient procedures are tested should be significantly broadened.
The Menpo project
Authors: Alabort-i-Medina Joan , Antonakos Epameinondas , Booth James , Snape Patrick , Zafeiriou Stefanos
Published: August 2016

The Menpo Project [1] is a BSD-licensed set of tools and software designed to provide an end-to-end pipeline for collection and annotation of image and 3D mesh data. In particular, the Menpo Project provides tools for annotating images and meshes with a sparse set of fiducial markers that we refer to as landmarks. For example, Figure 1 shows an example of a face image that has been annotated with 68 2D landmarks. These landmarks are useful in a variety of areas in Computer Vision and Machine Learning including object detection, deformable modelling and tracking. The Menpo Project aims to enable researchers, practitioners and students to easily annotate new data sources and to investigate existing datasets. Of most interest to the Computer Vision is the fact that The Menpo Project contains completely open source implementations of a number of state-of-the-art algorithms for
face detection
and
deformable model building
.

In the Menpo Project, we are actively developing and contributing to the state-of-the-art in
deformable modelling
[2], [3], [4], [5]. Characteristic examples of widely used state-of-the-art deformable model algorithms are
Active Appearance Models
[6],[7],
Constrained Local Models
[8], [9] and
Supervised Descent Method
[10]. However, there is still a noteworthy
lack of high quality open source software
in this area. Most existing packages are encrypted, compiled, non-maintained, partly documented, badly structured or difficult to modify. This makes them unsuitable for adoption in cutting edge scientific research. Consequently, research becomes even more difficult since performing a fair comparison between existing methods is, in most cases, infeasible. For this reason, we believe the Menpo Project represents an important contribution towards open science in the area of deformable modelling. We also believe it is important for deformable modelling to move beyond the established area of facial annotations and to extend to a wide variety of deformable object classes. We hope Menpo can accelerate this progress by providing all of our tools completely free and permissively licensed.
Ketoisocaproic acid, a metabolite of leucine, suppresses insulin-stimulated glucose transport in skeletal muscle cells in a BCAT2-dependent manner
Authors: Moghei Mahshid , Tavajohi-Fini Pegah , Beatty Brendan , Adegoke Olasunkanmi A. J.
Published: August 2016

Although leucine has many positive effects on metabolism in multiple tissues, elevated levels of this amino acid and the other branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and their metabolites are implicated in obesity and insulin resistance. While some controversies exist about the direct effect of leucine on insulin action in skeletal muscle, little is known about the direct effect of BCAA metabolites. Here, we first showed that the inhibitory effect of leucine on insulin-stimulated glucose transport in L6 myotubes was dampened when other amino acids were present, due in part to a 140% stimulation of basal glucose transport ( P < 0.05). Importantly, we also showed that α-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC), an obligatory metabolite of leucine, stimulated mTORC1 signaling but suppressed insulin-stimulated glucose transport (−34%, P < 0.05) in an mTORC1-dependent manner. The effect of KIC on insulin-stimulated glucose transport was abrogated in cells depleted of branched-chain aminotransferase 2 (BCAT2), the enzyme that catalyzes the reversible transamination of KIC to leucine. We conclude that although KIC can modulate muscle glucose metabolism, this effect is likely a result of its transamination back to leucine. Therefore, limiting the availability of leucine, rather than those of its metabolites, to skeletal muscle may be more critical in the management of insulin resistance and its sequelae.
Regulation of Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle Function by Interstitial Cells
Authors: Sanders Kenton M. , Kito Yoshihiko , Hwang Sung Jin , Ward Sean M.
Published: August 2016

Interstitial cells of mesenchymal origin form gap junctions with smooth muscle cells in visceral smooth muscles and provide important regulatory functions. In gastrointestinal (GI) muscles, there are two distinct classes of interstitial cells, c-Kit+interstitial cells of Cajal and PDGFRα+cells, that regulate motility patterns. Loss of these cells may contribute to symptoms in GI motility disorders.
Analysis of a Standardized Technique for Laparoscopic Cuff Closure following 1924 Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomies
Authors: O’Hanlan Katherine A. , Emeney Pamela L. , Peters Alfred , Sten Margaret S. , McCutcheon Stacey P. , Struck Danielle M. , Hoang Joseph K.
Published: August 2016

Objective. To review the vaginal cuff complications from a large series of total laparoscopic hysterectomies in which the laparoscopic culdotomy closure was highly standardized.Methods. Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force Classification II-3) of consecutive total and radical laparoscopic hysterectomy patients with all culdotomy closures performed laparoscopically was conducted using three guidelines: placement of all sutures 5 mm deep from the vaginal edge with a 5 mm interval, incorporation of the uterosacral ligaments with the pubocervical fascia at each angle, and, whenever possible, suturing the bladder peritoneum over the vaginal cuff edge utilizing two suture types of comparable tensile strength. Four outcomes are reviewed: dehiscence, bleeding, infection, and adhesions.Results. Of 1924 patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy, 44 patients (2.29%) experienced a vaginal cuff complication, with 19 (0.99%) requiring reoperation. Five patients (0.26%) had dehiscence after sexual penetration on days 30–83, with 3 requiring reoperation. Thirteen patients (0.68%) developed bleeding, with 9 (0.47%) requiring reoperation. Twenty-three (1.20%) patients developed infections, with 4 (0.21%) requiring reoperation. Three patients (0.16%) developed obstructive small bowel adhesions to the cuff requiring laparoscopic lysis.Conclusion. A running 5 mm deep × 5 mm apart culdotomy closure that incorporates the uterosacral ligaments with the pubocervical fascia, with reperitonealization when possible, appears to be associated with few postoperative vaginal cuff complications.
The Relationship of Cytokines IL-13 and IL-17 with Autoantibodies Profile in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Siloşi Isabela , Boldeanu Mihail Virgil , Cojocaru Manole , Biciuşcă Viorel , Pădureanu Vlad , Bogdan Maria , Badea Ramona Georgiana , Avramescu Carmen , Petrescu Ileana Octavia , Petrescu Florin , Siloşi Cristian A.
Published: August 2016

Aims.In the present study, we aimed to assess the concentrations of IL-13 and IL-17 in serum of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA), the investigation of correlation between the concentrations of these cytokines and disease activity score, and the concentration of some autoantibodies and the evaluation of the utility of IL-13 and -17 concentration measurements as markers of disease activity.Materials and Methods. Serum samples were collected from 30 patients and from 28 controls and analysed parameters.Results. The serum concentrations of IL-13, IL-17, anti-CCP, and IgM-RF were statistically significantly higher in patients with eRA, compared to the controls. IL-13 concentrations in the severe and moderate groups with eRA were statistically higher than in the mild and control groups. Also, in the case of IL-17, serum concentrations increased proportionally with the disease activity of eRA. We observe that concentrations of IL-13 and -17 did not correlate with autoantibodies. IL-17 concentration significantly positively correlated with CRP, while IL-13 concentration significantly negatively correlated with CRP. Disease activity score, DAS28, was strongly positively correlated with levels of ESR and weakly positively correlated with concentrations of anti-RA33 autoantibodies. IL-13 has a higher diagnostic utility than IL-17, CRP, ESR, IgM-RF, and anti-CCP as markers of disease activity.Conclusions. The presence of higher IL-13 and IL-17 serum levels in patients, compared with those of controls, confirms that these markers, found with high specificity, might be involved in the pathogenesis of eRA. IL-13 and IL-17 might be of better usefulness in the prediction of eRA activity status than IgM-RF and anti-CCP.
Proxy SDN Controller for Wireless Networks
Authors: Kim Won-Suk , Chung Sang-Hwa
Published: August 2016

Management of wireless networks as well as wired networks by using software-defined networking (SDN) has been highlighted continually. However, control features of a wireless network differ from those of a wired network in several aspects. In this study, we identify the various inefficient points when controlling and managing wireless networks by using SDN and propose SDN-based control architecture called Proxcon to resolve these problems. Proxcon introduces the concept of a proxy SDN controller (PSC) for the wireless network control, and the PSC entrusted with the role of a main controller performs control operations and provides the latest network state for a network administrator. To address the control inefficiency, Proxcon supports offloaded SDN operations for controlling wireless networks by utilizing the PSC, such as local control by each PSC, hybrid control utilizing the PSC and the main controller, and locally cooperative control utilizing the PSCs. The proposed architecture and the newly supported control operations can enhance scalability and response time when the logically centralized control plane responds to the various wireless network events. Through actual experiments, we verified that the proposed architecture could address the various control issues such as scalability, response time, and control overhead.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Insulin Resistance in Adults from Maracaibo City, Venezuela
Authors: Bermudez Valmore , Salazar Juan , Martínez María Sofía , Chávez-Castillo Mervin , Olivar Luis Carlos , Calvo María José , Palmar Jim , Bautista Jordan , Ramos Eduardo , Cabrera Mayela , Pachano Freddy , Rojas Joselyn
Published: August 2016

Background and Aim. Insulin resistance (IR) is a prominent pathophysiologic component in a myriad of metabolic disorders, including obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, which are common in our locality. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of IR and factors associated with this condition in an adult population from Maracaibo city, Venezuela.Methodology. A cross-sectional, descriptive study with multistaged randomized sampling was carried out in 2026 adults. IR was defined as HOMA2-IR ≥ 2. A multiple logistic regression model was constructed in order to evaluate factors associated with IR.Results. The prevalence of IR was 46.5% (n=943), with 46.7% (n=450) in the general population, 46.4% (n=493) in females, and 47.90% (n=970) in males (p=0.895). IR prevalence tended to increase with age and was significantly greater in subjects aged ≥30 years (χ2=16.726;p=2.33×10-4). Employment, alcohol consumption, obesity, high triacylglycerides, low HDL-C, and dysglycemia were associated with greater odds of IR, whereas a high level of physical activity appeared to be weak protective factor against IR.Conclusions. The prevalence of IR is elevated in our locality. The main determinants of this condition appear to be the presence of obesity, high triacylglycerides, low HDL-C, dysglycemia, and alcohol intake.
Hybrid Binary Imperialist Competition Algorithm and Tabu Search Approach for Feature Selection Using Gene Expression Data
Authors: Wang Shuaiqun , Aorigele  , Kong Wei , Zeng Weiming , Hong Xiaomin
Published: August 2016

Gene expression data composed of thousands of genes play an important role in classification platforms and disease diagnosis. Hence, it is vital to select a small subset of salient features over a large number of gene expression data. Lately, many researchers devote themselves to feature selection using diverse computational intelligence methods. However, in the progress of selecting informative genes, many computational methods face difficulties in selecting small subsets for cancer classification due to the huge number of genes (high dimension) compared to the small number of samples, noisy genes, and irrelevant genes. In this paper, we propose a new hybrid algorithm HICATS incorporating imperialist competition algorithm (ICA) which performs global search and tabu search (TS) that conducts fine-tuned search. In order to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm HICATS, we have tested it on 10 well-known benchmark gene expression classification datasets with dimensions varying from 2308 to 12600. The performance of our proposed method proved to be superior to other related works including the conventional version of binary optimization algorithm in terms of classification accuracy and the number of selected genes.
When Insult Is Added to Injury: Cross Talk between ILCs and Intestinal Epithelium in IBD
Authors: van der Gracht Esmé , Zahner Sonja , Kronenberg Mitchell
Published: August 2016

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by an impairment of the integrity of the mucosal epithelial barrier, which causes exacerbated inflammation of the intestine. The intestinal barrier is formed by different specialized epithelial cells, which separate the intestinal lumen from the lamina propria. In addition to its crucial role in protecting the body from invading pathogens, the intestinal epithelium contributes to intestinal homeostasis by its biochemical properties and communication to underlying immune cells. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a recently described population of lymphocytes that have been implicated in both mucosal homeostasis and inflammation. Recent findings indicate a critical feedback loop in which damaged epithelium activates these innate immune cells to restore epithelial barrier function. This review will focus on the signalling pathways between damaged epithelium and ILCs involved in repair of the epithelial barrier and tissue homeostasis and the relationship of these processes with the control of IBD.
Splenic Marginal Zone Granulocytes Acquire an Accentuated Neutrophil B-Cell Helper Phenotype in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Gätjen Marcel , Brand Franziska , Grau Michael , Gerlach Kerstin , Kettritz Ralph , Westermann Jörg , Anagnostopoulos Ioannis , Lenz Peter , Lenz Georg , Höpken Uta E. , Rehm Armin
Published: August 2016

Recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages and neutrophils (TAM and TAN) to solid tumors contributes to immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment; however, their contributions to lymphoid neoplasms are less clear. In human chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), tumor B cells lodge in lymph nodes where interactions with the microenvironment occur. Tumor cell homing stimulates proliferation, such that engagement of the B-cell receptor is important for malignant progression. In the Eμ-Tcl1 murine model of CLL, we identified gene expression signatures indicative of a skewed polarization in the phenotype of monocytes and neutrophils. Selective ablation of either of these cell populations in mice delayed leukemia growth. Despite tumor infiltration of these immune cells, a systemic inflammation was not detected. Notably, in progressive CLL, splenic neutrophils were observed to differentiate toward a B-cell helper phenotype, a process promoted by the induction of leukemia-associated IL10 and TGFβ. Our results suggest that targeting aberrant neutrophil differentiation and restoring myeloid cell homeostasis could limit the formation of survival niches for CLL cells. Cancer Res; 76(18); 5253–65. ©2016 AACR.
Predictors of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Failure in Children Undergoing Initial Placement or Revision
Authors: Gonzalez Dani O. , Mahida Justin B. , Asti Lindsey , Ambeba Erica J. , Kenney Brian , Governale Lance , Deans Katherine J. , Minneci Peter C.
Published: August 2016

Background: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement, the mainstay of treatment for hydrocephalus, can place a substantial burden on patients and health care systems because of high complication and revision rates. We aimed to identify factors associated with 30-day VP shunt failure in children undergoing either initial placement or revision. Methods: VP shunt placements performed on patients in the 2012-2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric were identified. Results: VP shunts were placed in 3,984 patients either as an initial placement (n = 1,093) or as a revision (n = 2,891). Compared to the initial-placement group, the revision group was significantly more likely to experience shunt failure (14 vs. 8%, p < 0.0001). In the initial-placement group, congenital hydrocephalus was independently associated with shunt failure (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.01-3.31, p = 0.047). In the revision group, cardiac risk factors (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.00-1.90, p = 0.047), a chronic history of seizures (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.04-1.71, p = 0.022), and a history of neuromuscular disease (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.41-0.90, p = 0.014) were independently associated with shunt failure. Conclusions: Identifying the factors associated with VP shunt failure may allow the development of interventions to decrease failures. Further refinement of the collected variables in the NSQIP Pediatric specific to neurosurgical procedures is necessary to identify modifiable risk factors.
Thoracoamniotic Shunts in Macrocystic Lung Lesions: Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Litwińska Magdalena , Litwińska Ewelina , Janiak Katarzyna , Piaseczna-Piotrowska Anna , Gulczyńska Ewa , Szaflik Krzysztof
Published: August 2016

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of thoracoamniotic shunts for drainage of macrocystic-type congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM). Subjects and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 12 fetuses with a large thoracic cyst treated with thoracoamniotic shunting between 2004 and 2014 in a tertiary fetal therapy center. Medline was searched to identify cases of CCAM treated with thoracoamniotic shunting. Results: In all cases the thoracic cyst was associated with major mediastinal shift, the CCAM volume ratio (CVR) was >1.6, and in eight cases there was associated hydrops. Shunt insertion was successfully carried out in all cases at a median gestational age of 24 weeks (range 18-34). In 10 cases there was live birth at a median age of 38 weeks (range 35-41), but in two hydropic fetuses there was intrauterine death. A literature search identified a total of 98 fetuses with CCAM treated with thoracoamniotic shunting between 1987 and 2016. In the combined data from the previous and the current study, the survival rate was 77% (53 of 69) for hydropic and 90% (37 of 41) for nonhydropic fetuses. Conclusions: The role of thoracoamniotic shunting in macrocystic lung lesions associated with hydrops is well accepted. Intrauterine intervention is also likely to be beneficial in the subgroup of nonhydropic fetuses with a CVR >1.6.
A Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study in Transgender Persons on Cross-Sex Hormone Therapy
Authors: Mueller Sven C. , Landré Lionel , Wierckx Katrien , T'Sjoen Guy
Published: August 2016

Background: To date, research findings are inconsistent about whether the neuroanatomy in transgender persons resembles that of their natal sex or their gender identity. Moreover, few studies have examined the effects of long-term cross-sex hormonal treatment on neuroanatomy in this cohort. The purpose of the present study was to examine neuroanatomical differences in transgender persons after prolonged cross-sex hormone therapy. Methods: Eighteen transgender men (female-to-male), 17 transgender women (male-to-female), 30 nontransgender men (natal men), and 27 nontransgender women (natal women) completed a high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging scan at 3 T. Eligibility criteria for transgender persons were gender-affirming surgery and at least 2 years of cross-sex hormone therapy. Exclusion criteria for nontransgender persons were presence of psychiatric or neurological disorders. Results: The mean neuroanatomical volume for the amygdala, putamen, and corpus callosum differed between transgender women and natal women but not between transgender women and natal men. Differences between transgender men and natal men were found in several brain structures, including the medial temporal lobe structures and cerebellum. Differences between transgender men and natal women were found in the medial temporal lobe, nucleus accumbens, and 3rd ventricle. Sexual dimorphism between nontransgender men and women included larger cerebellar volumes and a smaller anterior corpus callosum in natal men than in natal women. The results remained stable after correcting for additional factors including age, total intracranial volume, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Neuroanatomical differences were region specific between transgender persons and their natal sex as well as their gender identity, raising the possibility of a localized influence of sex hormones on neuroanatomy.
A Method for Direct Systematic Observation of Collective Violence and Public Order Policing
Authors: Adang Otto M. J.
Published: August 2016

The article outlines a methodology for systematically observing collective violence (and public order policing in relation to it). Specific attention is given to matters of sampling and measurement and to the way in which observational challenges have been met in comparison with participant observational studies of demonstrations and football matches. The article shows that it is possible to conduct meaningful systematic observations of episodes of collective violence in a reliable way (more complete and more detailed than police records or newspaper reports) without compromising the physical safety of the observer. Even though violence at these types of events is relatively rare, it is also possible specifically to sample events with an increased likelihood for collective violence. Direct systematic observation of collective violence yields data that cannot be obtained by other means (surveys, interviews, participant observation) and that are crucial to an understanding of the initiation and escalation of collective violence.
Virtual Breast Quasi-static Elastography (VBQE)
Authors: Rosen David , Wang Yu , Jiang Jingfeng
Published: August 2016

Viscoelasticity Imaging (VEI) has been proposed to measure relaxation time constants for characterization of in vivo breast lesions. In this technique, an external compression force on the tissue being imaged is maintained for a fixed period of time to induce strain creep. A sequence of ultrasound echo signals is then utilized to generate time-resolved strain measurements. Relaxation time constants can be obtained by fitting local time-resolved strain measurements to a viscoelastic tissue model (e.g., a modified Kevin-Voigt model). In this study, our primary objective is to quantitatively evaluate the contrast transfer efficiency (CTE) of VEI, which contains useful information regarding image interpretations. Using an open-source simulator for virtual breast quasi-static elastography (VBQE), we conducted a case study of contrast transfer efficiency of VEI. In multiple three-dimensional (3D) numerical breast phantoms containing various degrees of heterogeneity, finite element (FE) simulations in conjunction with quasi-linear viscoelastic constitutive tissue models were performed to mimic data acquisition of VEI under freehand scanning. Our results suggested that there were losses in CTE, and the losses could be as high as −18 dB. FE results also qualitatively corroborated clinical observations, for example, artifacts around tissue interfaces.
Where are we going? Parent–child television reality programmes in China
Authors: Keane Michael , Zhang Joy Danjing
Published: August 2016

This article looks at the role of format television in the People’s Republic of China. It juxtaposes two key ideas: the ‘one format policy’ and the One Child Policy. Both are government restrictions intended to kerb reproduction. Formats provide a means for the reproduction of programming ideas, that is, they are generative. When formats ‘fit’ cultural understandings they can be remarkably successful, as with family oriented formats. Yet there is something unusual about China: in comparison to many international markets, China offers a unique demographic – those people born after 1978. The article examines a formatted programme called Where Are We Going, Dad?, introduced into China from South Korea, which illustrates a subgenre known as the ‘parent-child caring’ ( qinzi) format. The article shows how this genre has capitalised on the interest in the health and future well-being of the One Child in China, as well as spinning off its own formatted offspring.
The Influence of Averageness on Adults’ Perceptions of Attractiveness: The Effect of Early Visual Deprivation
Authors: Vingilis-Jaremko Larissa , Maurer Daphne , Rhodes Gillian , Jeffery Linda
Published: August 2016

Adults who missed early visual input because of congenital cataracts later have deficits in many aspects of face processing. Here we investigated whether they make normal judgments of facial attractiveness. In particular, we studied whether their perceptions are affected normally by a face’s proximity to the population mean, as is true of typically developing adults, who find average faces to be more attractive than most other faces. We compared the judgments of facial attractiveness of 12 cataract-reversal patients to norms established from 36 adults with normal vision. Participants viewed pairs of adult male and adult female faces that had been transformed 50% toward and 50% away from their respective group averages, and selected which face was more attractive. Averageness influenced patients’ judgments of attractiveness, but to a lesser extent than controls. The results suggest that cataract-reversal patients are able to develop a system for representing faces with a privileged position for an average face, consistent with evidence from identity aftereffects. However, early visual experience is necessary to set up the neural architecture necessary for averageness to influence perceptions of attractiveness with its normal potency.
Explaining How Political Actors Gain Strategic Positions
Authors: Young Tamara V. , Wang Yuling , Lewis Wayne D.
Published: August 2016

Using data from interviews with 111 reading policy actors from California, Connecticut, Michigan, and Utah, this study explains how individuals acquire central positions in issue networks. Regression analyses showed that the greater a policy actor’s reputed influence was and the more similar their preferences were to other members in the network, the more central an actor was in a state reading policy network. The findings suggest that reading policy actors were forming relationships with other actors to gain access to influential organizations that have resources that political actors themselves may not possess—irrespective of policy preferences. In addition, the results indicate that central actors in an issue network may indeed hold the minority or majority opinion—marginalization due to divergence is not a given.
Increased Benefit With Vorapaxar Use in Patients With a History of Myocardial Infarction and Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Moschonas Iraklis C. , Tselepis Alexandros D.
Published: August 2016

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive and multifactorial metabolic disease mainly characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Abnormal platelet reactivity associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is also a feature characteristic of patients with T2DM. Dual antiplatelet therapy consisting of aspirin and an adenosine diphosphate platelet P2Y12 receptor antagonist, such as clopidogrel, represents the standard antithrombotic regimen for the secondary prevention of CVD risk in T2DM. However, a high proportion of patients with T2DM exhibit high on-treatment platelet reactivity to aspirin and/or clopidogrel, associated with a greater risk of adverse cardiovascular events compared with nondiabetic patients. Consequently, novel antiplatelet therapeutic approaches may be required in order to avoid such events. Vorapaxar is a novel antiplatelet agent that targets the platelet protease-activated receptor 1 and inhibits thrombin-induced platelet activation. Vorapaxar has been studied in 2 phase III clinical trials and has been approved for use in the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with a previous myocardial infarction (MI) or peripheral arterial disease. New data from the Thrombin-Receptor Antagonist in Secondary Prevention of Atherothrombotic Ischemic Events (TRA 2°P)-TIMI 50 trial MI cohort demonstrate that the subgroup of patients with T2DM exhibits increased benefit from vorapaxar use compared with non-T2DM patients. The aim of the present work is to critically review the current knowledge concerning vorapaxar use in patients with T2DM as well as to discuss the possible mechanism(s) underlying vorapaxar’s beneficial effect in T2DM.
Prevention of microalbuminuria using early intervention with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review
Authors: Persson Frederik , Lindhardt Morten , Rossing Peter , Parving Hans-Henrik
Published: August 2016

Hypothesis/objectives:

Early prevention of diabetic nephropathy by way of blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in patients with normoalbuminuria seems rational, but trials have so far shown conflicting results. The present meta-analysis was undertaken to investigate if such treatment can prevent development of microalbuminuria.

Materials and methods:

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library (2 June 2014) for randomised controlled trials, with a population of patients with type 2 diabetes and normoalbuminuria, comparing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) to placebo. Studies had to have at least 50 participants in each arm and one year of follow-up. Random and fixed effect models were performed as well as trial sequential analysis.

Results:

Six trials were included in the analysis ( n=16,921). Overall risk of bias was variable. In a fixed model analysis ACE or ARB treatment was superior to placebo in relation to prevention of development of microalbuminuria, risk ratio 0.84 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79–0.88) p<0.001, I2=23%, similar to random model results. Treatment also showed a trend towards a reduction in all-cause mortality( p=0.07).

Conclusions:

We conclude that in patients with type 2 diabetes and normoalbuminuria, early intervention with ACEis or ARBs reduces the risk for development of microalbuminuria.
Effect of gamma-carboxylase inhibition on serum osteocalcin may be partially protective against developing diabetic cardiomyopathy in type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Gamal Sarah Mahmoud , Sadek Nermeen Bakr , Rashed Laila Ahmed , Shawky Heba Mohamed , Gamal El-Din Maha Mohamed
Published: August 2016

Aims:

To investigate the possible protective effect of elevated undercarboxylated osteocalcin on diabetic cardiomyopathy mechanisms and risk factors.

Methods:

In all, 32 male rats were divided into four groups: control, diabetic, diabetic warfarin and normal warfarin–treated groups. Isolated heart functions were assessed; fasting serum insulin, glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance and lipid profile were investigated. Serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin and adiponectin were also measured. In cardiac tissue, malondialdehyde content, acyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene expression, Bax/Bcl2 ratio, sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase and osteocalcin receptor (G protein–coupled receptor family C group 6 member A) genes expression were investigated.

Results:

Prophylactic elevation of undercarboxylated osteocalcin was accompanied by improved insulin sensitivity and lipid profile, increased serum adiponectin, upregulated myocardial osteocalcin receptor with preserved left ventricular function, decreased cardiac malondialdehyde content, acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and Bax/Bcl2 ratio.

Conclusion:

Undercarboxylated osteocalcin was suggested to have protective effects against diabetic cardiomyopathy, possibly through direct action on upregulated G protein–coupled receptor family C group 6 member A and indirectly via adiponectin. These effects may be mediated through antagonizing oxidative stress and apoptosis.