bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interobserver Reliability of Three Validated Scoring Systems in the Assessment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Authors: Forsythe Rachael O. , Ozdemir Baris Ata , Chemla Eric S. , Jones Keith G. , Hinchliffe Robert J.
Published: June 2016

Scoring systems for diabetic foot ulcers may be used for clinical purposes, research or audit, to help assess disease severity, plan management, and even predict outcomes. While many have been validated in study populations, little is known about their interobserver reliability. This prospective study aimed to evaluate interobserver reliability of 3 scoring systems for diabetic foot ulceration. After sharp debridement, diabetic foot ulcers were classified by a multidisciplinary pool of trained observers, using the PEDIS (Perfusion, Extent, Depth, Infection, Sensation), SINBAD (Site, Ischemia, Neuropathy, Bacterial infection, Depth), and University of Texas (UT) wound classification systems. Interobserver reliability was assessed using intraclass correlations (0 = no agreement; 1 = complete agreement). Thirty-seven patients (78.4% male) were assessed by a pool of 12 observers. Single observer reliability was slight to moderate for all scoring systems (UT 0.53; SINBAD 0.44; PEDIS 0.23-0.42), but multiple observer reliability was almost perfect (UT 0.94; SINBAD 0.91; PEDIS 0.80-0.90). The worst agreement for single observers was when scoring infection (SINBAD 0.28; PEDIS 0.28), ischemia (SINBAD 0.26; PEDIS 0.23), or both (UT 0.25); however, this improved to almost perfect agreement for multiple observers (infection: 0.83; ischemia: 0.80-0.82; both: 0.81). These classification systems may be reliably used by multiple observers, for example, when conducting research and audit. However, they demonstrate only slight to moderate reliability when used by a single observer on an individual subject and may therefore be less helpful in the clinical setting, when documenting ulcer characteristics or communicating between colleagues.
A method of assessing the time-variant value of multi-domain architectures
Authors: Ford Thomas , Meyer David , Colombi John , Scheller Brian , Palmer Cody
Published: June 2016

Modeling and simulation continues to improve the ability to evaluate future complex concepts and conduct early systems analysis. While the systems engineering community now advocates model-based systems engineering, the actual integrated methods and tools need to be refined. This research synthesizes descriptive architectural depictions of multi-domain (air and space) concepts, simulates these concepts through a physics-based model, collects several performance metrics, and integrates them using value-focused thinking. The proposed method enables the assessment of alternatives whose value can increase or decrease over time, depending on the design properties and operational scenario. Three surveillance concepts are proposed, made up of a low-earth orbit satellite constellation, with varying payloads, and extended by an unmanned air system flying waypoints in the area of interest. Uniquely, this method shows promise of depicting time-variant value assessments of these concepts across the simulation.
Surgical management of carotid body tumor – Is Shamblin classification sufficient to predict surgical outcome?
Authors: Law Y , Chan YC , Cheng SW
Published: June 2016

Background

The study aims to conduct a review of the surgical management of carotid body tumor.

Methods

Consecutive patients with CBT who received surgical interventions from January 1994 to January 2014 at our institution were reviewed. Clinical, operative, pathological and follow up information were reported.

Results

Twenty patients (four males; median age was 36) with 21 CBT operations were recorded during the period. One patient undertook sequential operations for bilateral CBTs. Patients had 19 neck mass, 1 incidental finding and 1 facial nerve palsy. Six CBTs (28.6%) were Shamblin class I, ten (47.6%) were class II and five (23.8%) were class III. Nine CBTs had preoperative conjunctive embolization. Two operations required internal carotid artery resection and reconstruction. Four patients received subtotal resections, while 17 achieved complete resection. Complications included two major strokes, three hoarse voice and two Horner’s syndrome. Shamblin class was significant predictor of operative time, blood loss, and whether complete resection accomplished, but could not predict postoperative complication. With median follow up period of 94 months, there was no tumor recurrence found in those had complete resection.

Conclusions

This small cohort showed that Shamblin class was significant in predicting technical difficulties but could not predict occurrence of complications.
Improved quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization with local search strategy
Authors: Xi Maolong , Wu Xiaojun , Sheng Xinyi , Sun Jun , Xu Wenbo
Published: June 2016

Quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization, which was motivated by analysis of particle swarm optimization and quantum system, has shown compared performance in finding the optimal solutions for many optimization problems to other evolutionary algorithms. To address the problem of premature, a local search strategy is proposed to improve the performance of quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization. In proposed local search strategy, a super particle is presented which is a collection body of randomly selected particles’ dimension information in the swarm. The selected probability of particles in swarm is different and determined by their fitness values. To minimization problems, the fitness value of one particle is smaller; the selected probability is more and will contribute more information in constructing the super particle. In addition, in order to investigate the influence on algorithm performance with different local search space, four methods of computing the local search radius are applied in local search strategy and propose four variants of local search quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization. Empirical studies on a suite of well-known benchmark functions are undertaken in order to make an overall performance comparison among the proposed methods and other quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization. The simulation results show that the proposed quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization variants have better advantages over the original quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization.
Stroke and transient ischaemic attack
Authors: Lund Jenny
Published: June 2016

A stroke is defined by the World Health Organization as a clinical syndrome of rapidly progressing symptoms of cerebral dysfunction, caused by cerebral infarction or haemorrhage, and lasting greater than 24 hours or leading to death. A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is similar, but should be fully resolved in less than 24 hours, with the majority lasting less than 2 hours. This article discusses the role that primary care can play in the prevention, diagnosis and management of stroke and TIA.
Primary and secondary liver tumours
Authors: Watson John , Hydon Katrina , Lodge Peter
Published: June 2016

Primary liver tumours are the second-most-common cause of cancer death in men worldwide, and the sixth-most-common cause of death in women. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most-common primary liver tumour, and is responsible for around 1500 deaths per year in the UK. There is evidence that the incidence of HCC is rising and is likely a result of the hepatitis C virus epidemic. Emerging risk factors, such as obesity, may play an important role in the future, due to its increasing prevalence, particularly in the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The second-most-common primary liver malignancy is cholangiocarcinoma, along with rarer types including fibrolamellar carcinoma, hepatoblastoma and mesenchymal cancers of the liver. Secondary (metastatic) tumours of the liver are more common than primary tumours. The most-common sites of the primary malignancy metastasising to the liver include breast, lung and colonic cancer.
Reference Frames and 3-D Shape Perception of Pictured Objects: On Verticality and Viewpoint-From-Above
Authors: Cornelis Els V. K. , van Doorn Andrea J. , Wagemans Johan
Published: June 2016

Research on the influence of reference frames has generally focused on visual phenomena such as the oblique effect, the subjective visual vertical, the perceptual upright, and ambiguous figures. Another line of research concerns mental rotation studies in which participants had to discriminate between familiar or previously seen 2-D figures or pictures of 3-D objects and their rotated versions. In the present study, we disentangled the influence of the environmental and the viewer-centered reference frame, as classically done, by comparing the performances obtained in various picture and participant orientations. However, this time, the performance is the pictorial relief: the probed 3-D shape percept of the depicted object reconstructed from the local attitude settings of the participant. Comparisons between the pictorial reliefs based on different picture and participant orientations led to two major findings. First, in general, the pictorial reliefs were highly similar if the orientation of the depicted object was vertical with regard to the environmental or the viewer-centered reference frame. Second, a viewpoint-from-above interpretation could almost completely account for the shears occurring between the pictorial reliefs. More specifically, the shears could largely be considered as combinations of slants generated from the viewpoint-from-above, which was determined by the environmental as well as by the viewer-centered reference frame.
The “life and death” of great Finnish fashion phones: A periodization of changing styles in Nokia phone design between 1992 and 2013
Authors: Zhang Yanqing , Juhlin Oskar
Published: June 2016

Visual aesthetics is an essential part of our experience of mobile devices, but the ways in which it is accounted for in design have largely been overlooked. We investigate whether an aesthetization of mobile design is taking place and, if so, how it is being pursued through institutional practices in organizations. We conduct a visual analysis of all Nokia phone releases between 1992 and 2013 complemented by an interview series with key actors. The study reveals a continuous increase in aesthetic variation between 1998 and 2008, which is visible in the variation of colors, forms, and materials. The period between 2003 and 2008, which we term the “Grand” period, marks the peak of aesthetization of Nokia’s devices. It exhibits great variation, and is visibly similar to aesthetics in the fashion industry. With the introduction of the slate form, we see a decrease in visual variation between 2009 and 2013. The interviews reveal how the visual design was driven by organizational strategies, such as customer segmentation in general, and an orientation toward the fashion industry, for example, in the creation of a fashion segment. The study reveals how aesthetic variation is weaved into a complex innovation system with sometimes conflicting demands deriving from, for instance, technology and user interaction.
Predictive factors of short‐term mortality in ischaemic colitis and development of a new prognostic scoring model of in‐hospital mortality
Authors: Peixoto Armando , Silva Marco , Gaspar Rui , Morais Rui , Pereira Pedro , Macedo Guilherme
Published: June 2016

Background

Ischaemic colitis (IC) is the most common form of intestinal ischaemia with a wide spectrum of severity, with possible risk of death.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate predictive factors of in‐hospital and short‐term mortality, in a cohort of patients with IC.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of IC cases diagnosed between 2008–2013 in a single tertiary centre, with assessment of factors at the time of diagnosis associated with in‐hospital and 90‐day mortality.

Results

Of the 203 patients included (132 women), 47 (23%) died during the follow‐up (median: 16 months). There were 21 patients (45%) who died during hospitalization and at 90 days there were 30 deaths (64% of total). In multivariate analysis, need for vasopressor support (odds ratio (OR) 11.21; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.31–54.24; p  = 0.01), Intermediate or Intensive Care Unit (ICU): admission (OR 7.01; 95% CI: 1.48–33.16; p  = 0.014) and atrial fibrillation (OR 4.99; 95% CI: 1.1–26.23; p  = 0.048) were independently and significantly associated with in‐hospital mortality. Using the coefficients of the estimated logistic model, we calculated a scoring model to predict the occurrence of in‐hospital mortality. The presence of all three risk factors predicted a probability of death of 32% with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.89 (95% CI 0.80–0.98. At 90 days, the presence of chronic kidney disease (OR 7.46; 95% CI: 1.87–29.73; p  = 0.002), and male sex (OR 5.85; 95% CI: 1.57–21.83; p  = 0.009) were also independently associated with mortality.

Conclusions

Most deaths in ischaemic colitis occur in the first 90 days after admission, sharing similar risk factors. Assessment of the presence of atrial fibrillation, need of vasopressor support or hospitalization in the intermediate/intensive care unit provides a useful tool to estimate in‐hospital mortality and to establish the management for patients admitted for ischaemic colitis.
China’s position on international intervention: A media and journalism critical discourse analysis of its case for “Sovereignty” versus “Responsibility to Protect” principles in Syria
Authors: Kounalakis Markos
Published: June 2016

Chemical weapons use was a red-line that Damascus-directed forces crossed in the current and ongoing Syrian civil conflict. Russia and the United States disagreed not only about whether the weapons had indeed been used, but also regarding whom to identify as the weapons use perpetrators. That the United States and Russia would find themselves diametrically opposed initially on policy and military prescriptions regarding Syria is generally and theoretically explained by those countries’ long-standing material and security interests in the region. Even a couple of years prior to this red-line moment—and as the early brewing civil conflict in Syria was raising the concerns of the international community—what action should be taken in Syria was the subject of considerable and heated public debate as well as name-calling between Russia and the United States at the United Nations. While the United States and Russia staked-out opposing positions on Syria on the basis of either material or national security reasoning, the Chinese interest in the dispute outcome was—and remains—less obvious or easily understood. In a previous United Nations–sanctioned action enabling intervention on Libya to oust Muammar Gaddafi, China did not veto the Security Council action … despite its significant material interests in that country. A short while later, at the outset of the Syrian stirrings and talk of United Nations action, China made clear that it would not enable a Security Council approach that could lead to intervention, either unilaterally by a third country or via a military coalition of state actors. This work uses a media critical discourse analysis approach to understand the official Chinese position in the case of Syria—a position that stands in contrast to its recent and prior intervention-tolerant foreign policy position on Libya at the end of the Gaddafi-era. One conclusion of this study is that China is still formulating its dynamic and seemingly disjointed foreign policy position in the Middle East at present, and that the promotion of the principles of Sovereignty over Responsibility to Protect is the current trump card in its now dominant anti-interventionist foreign policy posture.
Social Class and Development in Early Adulthood
Authors: Furstenberg Frank
Published: June 2016

This response to Jeffrey Arnett’s article on social class and the development of emerging adults points out a number of limitation in the data, analysis, and conclusions. For reasons outlined in my commentary, I take issue with his conclusion that social class differences in the development of young adults are modest. I try to show why that interpretation of the data presented is premature and unwarranted.
Contractibility and fixed point property: the case of Khalimsky topological spaces
Authors: Han Sang-Eon
Published: June 2016

Based on the notions of both contractibility and local contractibility, many works were done in fixed point theory. The present paper concerns a relation between digital contractibility and the existence of fixed points of digitally continuous maps. In this paper, establishing a new digital homotopy named by a K-homotopy in the category of Khalimsky topological spaces, we prove that in digital topology, whereas contractibility implies local contractibility, the converse does not hold. Furthermore, we address the following problem, which remains open. Let X be a Khalimsky (K- for short) topological space with K-contractibility. Then we may pose the following question: does the space X have the fixed point property (FPP)? In this paper, we prove that not every K-topological space with K-contractibility has the FPP.
Growth of dendritic nanostructures by liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy: a reflection of the electron-irradiation history
Authors: Ahmad Nabeel , Le Bouar Yann , Ricolleau Christian , Alloyeau Damien
Published: June 2016

Studying dynamical processes by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) requires considering the electron-irradiation history, including the instantaneous dose rate and the cumulative dose delivered to the sample. Here, we have exploited liquid-cell TEM to study the effects of the electron-irradiation history on the radiochemical growth of dendritic Au nanostructures. Besides the well-established direct link between the dose rate and the growth rate of the nanostructures, we demonstrate that the cumulative dose in the irradiated area can also induce important transitions in the growth mode of the nanostructures. By comparing in situ observations with an extended diffusion-limited aggregation model, we reveal how the shape of the nanostructures is severely affected by the local lack of metal precursors and the resulting restricted accessibility of gold atoms to the nanostructures. This study highlights the effects of electron irradiation on the solution chemistry in the irradiated area and in the whole liquid cell that are of primary importance to extract quantitative information on nanoscale processes.
Editorial: Treg potency and the importance of being fit
Authors: Jeschke Jonathan C , Williams Calvin B
Published: June 2016

Discussion of the relationship between human Treg potency and inhibition of TCR signaling in Teff cells.
Second Primary Cancers After Primary Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Israeli Women, 1992 to 2006
Authors: Silverman Barbara G. , Lipshitz Irena , Keinan-Boker Lital
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Improvements in early detection and treatment have resulted in improved long-term survival from breast cancer, which increases the likelihood of the occurrence of second primary cancers. We calculated the risk of second primary cancers among Israeli women receiving a first primary breast cancer diagnosis.

Methods

By using data from the Israel National Cancer Registry, we identified 46,090 women with invasive breast cancer diagnosed between 1990 and 2006 and non–breast primary cancers diagnosed subsequent to breast cancer diagnosis. We used life table analysis to calculate the risk of a second primary cancer and calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) by using age-specific cancer risk in the general population of Israeli women as the standard and stratifying by diagnosis period (1992 to 1996, 1997 to 2001, 2002 to 2006) and age at diagnosis (< 50 and ≥ 50 years).

Results

The probability of a second malignancy was 3.6% within 5 years, 8.2% within 10 years, and 13.9% within 15 years. The SIR for any second non–breast primary cancer was 1.26 (95% CI, 1.23 to 1.30). Significantly increased risks of colorectal, uterine, lung, ovarian, and thyroid cancer and leukemia were observed for the full follow-up period, which persisted after excluding the first 6 months after index diagnosis, although increased leukemia and colorectal cancer risks were no longer statistically significant. Women younger than age 50 years at initial diagnosis had a greater excess risk than women age 50 years and older (SIR, 1.77 [95% CI, 1.63 to 1.91] and 1.20 [95% CI, 1.15 to 1.24], respectively).

Conclusion

The findings likely reflect a combination of personal risk factors (genetics, hormonal therapy, environmental exposures) as well as the effects of the initial cancer treatment and are unlikely to be explained by enhanced surveillance alone.
Compulsory Licenses for Cancer Drugs: Does Circumventing Patent Rights Improve Access to Oncology Medications?
Authors: Bognar Cinthia Leite Frizzera Borges , Bychkovsky Brittany L. , Lopes Gilberto de Lima
Published: June 2016

Worldwide, there are enormous inequities in cancer control that cause poor outcomes among patients with cancer who live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). One of the biggest challenges that oncology faces today is how to increase patient access to expensive, but life-saving, therapies in LMICs. Access to cancer medications in LMICs is a major problem, especially in recent years, as the costs of these therapies continue to rise exponentially. One mechanism available to LMICs to improve access to cancer medications allows a country to pursue a compulsory license for a given drug. Here, we will review how the legal framework in the World Trade Organization's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement and the Doha Declaration supports countries to circumvent patent laws and acquire compulsory licenses for essential medicines. We will also discuss the current and future role of compulsory licenses in oncology and how compulsory licenses may improve access to cancer drugs in LMICs.
CoVaR
Authors: Adrian Tobias , Brunnermeier Markus K.
Published: June 2016

We propose a measure of systemic risk, Δ CoVaR, defined as the change in the value at risk of the financial system conditional on an institution being under distress relative to its median state. Our estimates show that characteristics such as leverage, size, maturity mismatch, and asset price booms significantly predict Δ CoVaR. We also provide out-of-sample forecasts of a countercyclical, forward-looking measure of systemic risk, and show that the 2006:IV value of this measure would have predicted more than one-third of realized Δ CoVaR during the 2007–2009 financial crisis. (JEL C58, E32, G01, G12, G17, G20, G32)
Tracing Value-Added and Double Counting in Gross Exports: Comment
Authors: Los Bart , Timmer Marcel P. , de Vries Gaaitzen J.
Published: June 2016

In a recent contribution to the AER, Koopman, Wang, and Wei (2014) proposed a decomposition of a country's gross exports into value-added components and double-counted terms. It is motivated by complex manipulation of basic accounting identities. In this comment we provide an alternative framework based on “hypothetical extraction.” This parsimonious approach provides a clear definition of domestic value added in exports and has a natural extension into decompositions of bilateral export flows. (JEL E01, E16, F14, F23, L14)
Sequential Markets, Market Power, and Arbitrage
Authors: Ito Koichiro , Reguant Mar
Published: June 2016

We develop a framework to characterize strategic behavior in sequential markets under imperfect competition and restricted entry in arbitrage. Our theory predicts that these two elements can generate a systematic price premium. We test the model predictions using microdata from the Iberian electricity market. We show that the observed price differences and firm behavior are consistent with the model. Finally, we quantify the welfare effects of arbitrage using a structural model. In the presence of market power, we show that full arbitrage is not necessarily welfare-enhancing, reducing consumer costs but increasing deadweight loss. (JEL D42, D43, L12, L13, L94, Q41)
Charters without Lotteries: Testing Takeovers in New Orleans and Boston
Authors: Abdulkadiroğlu Atila , Angrist Joshua D. , Hull Peter D. , Pathak Parag A.
Published: June 2016

Charter takeovers are traditional public schools restarted as charter schools. We develop a grandfathering instrument for takeover attendance that compares students at schools designated for takeover with a matched sample of students attending similar schools not yet taken over. Grandfathering estimates from New Orleans show substantial gains from takeover enrollment. In Boston, grandfathered students see achievement gains at least as large as the gains for students assigned charter seats in lotteries. A non-charter Boston turnaround intervention that had much in common with the takeover strategy generated gains as large as those seen for takeovers, while other more modest turnaround interventions yielded smaller effects. (JEL D44, H75, I21, I28)
Factors associated with children and teenagers’ trauma of victims treated at a referral center in Southern Brazil
Fatores associados a crianças e adolescentes vítimas de trauma atendidas em um centro de referência no sul do Brasil
Authors: Viegas Karin , Rosa Ernani Bohrer da , Endres Lilian Frustockl , Silveira Daniélle Bernardi , Carvalho Gisele Pereira de , Canabarro Simone Travi
Published: June 2016

INTRODUCTION: Physical trauma is one of the most common causes of death and disability in children's development and adolescents. By consequence, pediatric trauma is a topic that needs further studies. OBJECTIVE: The identification of factors associated with child and adolescent victims of trauma treated at a referral center in Southern Brazil relating to trauma in children and adolescents from birth to age 14 years treated in a hospital emergency room. METHODS: A retrospective study using secondary data from a hospital service, performed the analysis of associated factors among 375 children and adolescents (range 0-14 years) admitted to the emergency room for any kind of physical trauma and the variables described about the traumas. The period was June 14 to December 14, 2013. RESULTS: Most patients were male (65.1%), white (89.1%); they were attended nightly (45.9%) and belonging to the age group 10-14 years (40.3%), head and neck prevailed in number occurrences with 33.6% of cases, followed by the upper and lower limbs 27.7% and 26.9%, respectively. Falls represented 45.6% of cases, followed by exposure to inanimate mechanical forces (12%) and exposure to animated mechanical forces (5.9%). The neurosurgery service was the most referenced for younger age groups, while for the older groups were the maxillofacial services (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed results that draw the community’s attention not only academic, but also to call the attention of caregivers to work with constant prevention alternatives to the monitoring of the course of children’s development.
Análise de tendência da mortalidade por doenças do aparelho circulatório no Rio Grande do Sul, 1998 a 2012
Trend analysis of mortality from circulatory diseases in Rio Grande do Sul, 1998 to 2012
Authors: Dias da Costa Juvenal Soares , Fröhlich Carine , Grapiglia Cássio Zottis , Leite Heloisa Marquardt , Morimoto Tissiani
Published: June 2016

Introdução: As doenças do aparelho circulatório têm-se constituído nas principais causas de morte em todo o mundo. Objetivo: avaliar as tendências à mortalidade pelas Doenças do Aparelho Circulatório entre 1998 a 2012, no Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Métodos: estudo ecológico, exploratório com coleta de dados secundários sobre mortalidade por doenças do aparelho circulatório. Os dados são provenientes do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM), de domínio público e acesso irrestrito pela internet. Analisaram-se os coeficientes de mortalidade por doenças do aparelho circulatório e mortalidade proporcional por faixa etária, sexo e causas da morte. Realizou-se padronização direta e análise por Regressão de Poisson. As razões das médias foram apresentadas com seus respectivos intervalos de confiança a 95% e resultados do teste Wald. Resultados: na comparação do período, encontrou-se redução na mortalidade mais evidente no coeficiente de mortalidade específica padronizada (diminuição de 39,4%) e na Regressão de Poisson. A mortalidade foi mais elevada entre os mais idosos, sendo observada maior redução no grupo de 30 a 59 anos.Conclusão: acredita-se que a redução das Doenças do Aparelho Circulatório no Rio Grande do Sul foi consequência de fatores de risco e de mudanças assistenciais.
Field and semi-field evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis versus Temephos® in Aedes aegypti control
Avaliação de campo e simulado de campo de Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis versus Temephos® no controle de Aedes aegypti
Authors: Lima Jose Bento Pereira , Goreti Rosa-Freitas Maria , Melo Rodovalho Cynara , Aparecida Braga Ima
Published: June 2016

Introduction: Aedes aegypti  is a vector of the important arboviruses worldwide. Vector control continues to rely mainly on fighting immature stages. Resistance to the larvicide Temephos® was detected in many regions of Brazil since 2000 what led control programs to search for alternative products, such as Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti). Caicó municipality (Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil) was one of the first cities to use Bti. However, after some time, Bti low persistence was noticed as jeopardizing effective vector control. Objective: To compare the efficacy of two Bti granulate formulations, Vectobac G® and Vectobac WDG® and Temephos® against Ae. aegypti in field and semi-field conditions. Methods: Field tests were carried out in two neighbouring  areas which presented Ae. aegypti infestation indices >3%: Walfredo Gurgel and Boa Passagem, Caicó, RGN, Brazil, in 2004. Semi- field tests were performed in the patio of a building. Results: For the field conditions, mortality rates >80% were maintained for 14 days, average. After nine weeks, positive containers for Ae. aegypti in the field were >10% in the area of application of Bti and <1% in the area where Temephos® was applied. In the semi-field conditions Ae. aegypti larval mortality >80% was maintained for up to 56 days for Temephos®, 35 days for Vectobac G® and 49 days for Vectobac WDG®. Conclusions: The results point out to low Bti persistence in the field, mainly for containers exposed to sunlight. Local climatic and environmental conditions should be regarded when new products are tested due to high regional variability prevailing in Brazil.
Estilo de vida e exposição à material biológico entre notificados com hepatite B
Lifestyle and exposure to biological material among reported with hepatitis B
Authors: Pereira Fabiane Silva , Gusmão Bruna Matos , Rocha Ana Paula , Fernandes Michelle Bonfim da Silva , Dias Orlene Veloso , Costa Simone de Melo
Published: June 2016

Introdução: A hepatite B é uma doença de caráter mundial, que se tornou um problema de saúde pública. A contaminação pode acontecer em qualquer indivíduo, contudo há grupos que estão mais propensos, por serem mais expostos, como os pacientes em diálise e os profissionais da área da saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o estilo de vida e as exposições a material biológico entre os notificados para hepatite B em município de porte médio, entre 2007 a 2015, assim como avaliar o resultado do soro HBsAg entre os anos. Métodos: estudo transversal com dados de notificação de hepatite B arquivados na Vigilância epidemiológica de município do norte de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Análise descritiva e teste de associação Likelihood ratio, com nível de significância p<0,05. Resultados: foram  notificados 132 casos, em que 19,8%  com três ou mais parceiros sexuais 10,7% tiveram contato sexual com algum portador da hepatite B; 29,7% realizaram tratamento odontológico e 18,8% cirurgias. O reagente ao soro HBsAg foi em 90,1% dos casos, sem diferença entre os anos (p>0,05). Conclusão: constataram-se comportamento sexual de risco e utilização de serviços de saúde entre os notificados para hepatite B. Na maioria dos casos, confirmou-se a infecção por meio de marcador sorológico, nos anos avaliados.
Διαδραστική Αξιολόγηση: Έρευνα-Δράση για την εισαγωγή της ψηφιακής μάθησης στη μικτή εκπαίδευση
Authors: Λάσκαρης Δημήτρης , Χαιρετάκης Μανώλης , Καλογιαννάκης Μιχαήλ
Published: June 2016

Η παρούσα μελέτη διερευνά τον τρόπο με τον οποίο η έρευνα-δράση μπορεί να αξιοποιηθεί για την εισαγωγή, σχεδιασμό, ανάπτυξη και εφαρμογή της ψηφιακής μάθησης στη μικτή εκπαίδευση. Προσδιορίζουμε ως πρωτότυπο μοντέλο αξιολόγησης της ψηφιακής μάθησης, τη «Διαδραστική Αξιολόγηση» (ΔΑ) και προτείνουμε τρόπους για την αξιοποίηση και αξιολόγηση των εργαλείων παραγωγής, επικοινωνίας, διανομής περιεχομένου και διαχείρισης ηλεκτρονικού μαθήματος (HM) που υπάρχουν στην πλατφόρμα Moodle και του Πολυμορφικού Εκπαιδευτικού Υλικού (ΠΕΥ) που αναπτύχθηκε στην διαδικτυακή πλατφόρμα του Media Distance Education (Medie) για τις σπουδές της Επικοινωνίας και των ΜΜΕ για την τριτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση στην Ελλάδα. Η μελέτη περίπτωσης που μελετάμε αφορά στη συμμετοχή 62 φοιτητών σε προαιρετικό ψηφιακό μάθημα ως συμπληρωματική της παραδοσιακής εκπαιδευτικής διαδικασίας ενός συμβατικού μαθήματος του προγράμματος σπουδών του Τμήματος Επικοινωνίας και ΜΜΕ του ΕΚΠΑ. Αξιοποιώντας τα εργαλεία του Moodle, διερευνήσαμε και αξιολογήσαμε το εκπαιδευτικό έργο της ανάπτυξης και υλοποίησης της ψηφιακής μάθησης, το πώς και γιατί συγκεκριμένα κριτήρια συνεργατικής-ενεργητικής μάθησης και κριτικής προσέγγισης στη γνώση και στις δεξιότητες μπορούν να οργανωθούν ως γενικότεροι δείκτες εποικοδομιστικής και μαθητοκεντρικής προσέγγισης στη μάθηση. Η πορεία και τα προϊόντα της έρευνας που αναπτύχθηκε ανέδειξαν τους παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν και ενθαρρύνουν τη συμμετοχή και κινητοποιούν τους φοιτητές να αξιολογήσουν ένα ηλεκτρονικό μάθημα.
Training Teachers in Media Literacy: Conclusions from the Workshops in the framework of the MEDEAnet Project in Greece
Authors: Papadimitriou Sofia
Published: June 2016

Τρία workshops οργανώθηκαν από την Εκπαιδευτική Ραδιοτηλεόραση στο πλαίσιο του ευρωπαϊκού έργου MEDEAnet (2011-14) σχετικά με τον αλφαβητισμό και την εκπαίδευση στα Μέσα στοχεύοντας στους εκπαιδευτικούς Πρωτοβάθμιας, Δευτεροβάθμιας και μεταδευτεροβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης (ΙΕΚ). Το άρθρο περιγράφει τις μεθοδολογίες, τα αποτελέσματα, τα υλικά που παράχθηκαν και την εμπειρία που αποκτήθηκε. Ακόμη, παρουσιάζονται στατιστικά στοιχεία της αξιολόγησης των συμμετεχόντων στα βιωματικά εργαστήρια και συμπεράσματα/προτάσεις για τη διοργάνωση άλλων βιωματικών επιμορφώσεων
A review of Italian research on free-living marine nematodes and the future perspectives on their use as Ecological Indicators (EcoInds)
Authors: SEMPRUCCI F. , LOSI V. , MORENO M.
Published: June 2016

The use of free-living marine nematodes as ecological indicators (EcoInds) of human impacts has increased greatly in Italy since 1990. This paper is a summary of the Italian research experience in the study of nematode assemblages of shallow water habitats, and provides a breakdown of the most important insights that have been obtained so far. Although nematodes are among the best candidates for the Ecological Quality (EcoQ) assessment in the benthic domain, many guidelines need to be developed and limits overcome. Italian research has certainly contributed to the achievement of this purpose with highly focused local investigations on the effects of specific stressors (riverine and sewage discharge, aquaculture, trace elements and hydrocarbons), but also to a large extent with wider analyses aimed at finding new and valuable tools for monitoring programs and useful nematode descriptors, in line with the European Directives. Currently, the Italian and foreign experiences in this field draw light to the fact that the best nematode descriptors for the EcoQ assessment are the taxonomic composition and life strategy traits. However, nematode worldwide research is running the risk of being marginalized because of the relatively narrow scope of most contemporary studies. Nematode researchers should work in a nematologist community in order to better promote the use of nematodes such as EcoInds in the era of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). In the present paper, possible steps to obtain this goal are brought to the reader’s attention and discussed.
Life-history trait of the Mediterranean keystone species Patella rustica: growth and microbial bioerosion
Authors: PRUSINA I. , PEHARDA M. , EZGETA-BALIC D. , PULJAS S. , GLAMUZINA B. , GOLUBIC S.
Published: June 2016

The age and shell growth patterns in populations of Patella rustica of the Adriatic Sea were determined by analyzing the inner growth lines visible in shell sections. Marginal increment analysis showed annual periodicity with annual growth line being deposited in May. The growth analysis of 120 individual shells showed that 90.8 % of collected individuals were less than 4 years of age and only two individuals (1.6 %) were older than 6 years. Population structure was described and the generalized von Bertalanffy growth parameters were calculated: asymptotic length (L∞) was 38.22 mm and the growth constant (K) was 0.30 year-1. Growth performance index value of P. rustica (Ø’) was 2.64 and is among the lowest ranges reported for limpet species. Patella rustica shells were degraded to different degrees by microbial bioerosion. Microboring organisms identified were pseudofilamentous and filamentous cyanobacteria Hormathonema paulocellulare, Hyella caespitosa, Mastigocoleus testarum and Leptolyngbya sp. The overall intensity of infestation was relatively low, but increased in severity with shell length. The damage was most often restricted to the oldest parts of the shell, i.e. apex of the shell, posing difficulties in determining the exact position of the first growth line. The present study is first to introduce the use of inner growth lines in Patella rustica shell sections as a reliable method for age determination and it provides the first insight into the growth patterns of this keystone species while taking the interference of microbial shell bioerosion in consideration.
Biological response to geochemical and hydrological processes in a shallow submarine cave
Authors: RADOLOVIĆ M. , BAKRAN-PETRICIOLI T. , PETRICIOLI D. , SURIĆ M. , PERICA D.
Published: June 2016

The Croatian coastal karst abounds in submerged caves that host a variety of environmental conditions depending on the geomorphology, depth and submarine groundwater discharge. One example is the Y-Cave, a shallow, mostly submerged, horizontal cave on Dugi Otok Island, on the eastern Adriatic coast. This study was aimed at examining the temporal and spatial variability of the marine cave environment, including temperature, salinity, light intensity, cave morphology and hydrodynamism, along with the dissolutional effect caused by the mixing of sea and freshwater. The general distribution of organisms in the Y-Cave was positively correlated to the light gradient and reduced water circulation, thus the highest species diversity and abundance were recorded in the front part of the cave. The phylum Porifera was the most dominant group, and the poriferan species diversity in the cave ranks among the ten highest in the Mediterranean. The middle part of the cave, although completely dark, hosts an abundant population of the gastropod Homalopoma sanguineum and clusters of the gregarious brachiopod Novocrania anomala, whose presence could be connected to tidal hydrodynamics. The absence/scarcity of sessile marine organisms and pronounced corrosion marks at shallow depths inside the cave suggest a freshwater impact in the upper layers of the water column. A year long experiment with carbonate tablets revealed three different, independent ongoing processes affected by the position in the cave: bioaccumulation, dissolution and mechanical erosion. The results of long-term temperature readings also revealed water column stratification within the cave, which was not disturbed by either tidal or wave action. The shallow, partly submerged and relatively small Y-Cave is characterised by a suite of complex environmental conditions, which, together with the resulting distribution of organisms, are unique to this cave.
Biological variations in a long-term ex situ cultivation: a Mediterranean demosponge as model system
Authors: DI BARI G. , CARDONE F. , GAINO E. , LIUZZI G. M. , NONNIS MARZANO C. , SCOCCIA F. , CORRIERO G.
Published: June 2016

The demosponge Tethya citrina Sarà & Melone was subjected to long-term aquarium farming, considering that several species belonging to this genus are a rich source of useful bioactive metabolites. The rearing method in the present research was mainly based on applying parameters taken from the current literature. The sponge's biological activity was assessed in terms of survival and growth over time; status of filtering apparatus; protein banding profiles. Farmed sponges showed a high survival rate and marked reduction in size. In addition, they were frequently affected by massive production of asexual buds. Histological and ultrastructural observations showed a gradual disorganization of the sponge choanocyte chambers, with a drastic reduction in choanocytes and a progressive increase in spherulous cells. Comparative electrophoretic analysis of the protein profiles of wild and reared specimens showed differences in protein composition and abundance between the tested groups. Such data are consistent with the increase in spherulous cells whose content was markedly electron-dense, a feature stressing the proteinaceous nature of these inclusions. Experimental tank-rearing of Tethya provided promising responses in terms of high survival rate of the species and easy reproduction, though the rearing protocol used led to profound morpho-functional changes in the sponge. This confirms the inadequate state of knowledge on farming techniques for this taxon, while also highlighting potential applications in biotechnology of ex situ breeding techniques, in order to modify the sponges' biological responses.
Technical measures without enforcement tools: is there any sense? A methodological approach for the estimation of passive net length in small scale fisheries
Authors: LUCCHETTI A. , BUGLIONI G. , CONIDES A. , KLAOUDATOS D. , SARTOR P. , SBRANA M. , SPEDICATO M.-T. , STAMATOPOULOS C.
Published: June 2016

Passive nets are currently among the most important fishing gears largely used along the Mediterranean coasts by the small scale fisheries sector. The fishing effort exerted by this sector is strongly correlated with net dimensions. Therefore, the use of passive nets is worldwide managed by defining net length and net drop. The EC Reg. 1967/2006 reports that the length of bottom-set and drifting nets may be also defined considering their weight or volume; however, no practical suggestions for fisheries inspectors are yet available. Consequently,  even if such technical measures are reasonable from a theoretical viewpoint, they are hardly suitable as a management tool, due to the difficulties in harbour control. The overall objective of this paper is to provide a quick methodological approach for the gross estimation of passive net length (by net type) on the basis of net volume. The final goal is to support fisheries managers with suitable advice for enforcement and control purposes. The results obtained are important for the management of the fishing effort exerted by small scale fisheries. The methodology developed in this study should be considered as a first attempt to tackle the tangled problem of net length estimation that can be easily applied in other fisheries and areas in order to improve the precision of the models developed herein.
An updated overview of the geographic and bathymetric distribution of Savalia savaglia
Authors: GIUSTI Mi. , CERRANO C. , ANGIOLILLO M. , TUNESI L. , CANESE S.
Published: June 2016

The distribution of gold coral Savalia savaglia is modified on the basis of bibliographic information and recent occurrence data, collected using a ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) and SCUBA divers. The species is long-lived, rare and has been exploited in the past by divers for collection purposes. S. savaglia is listed in Annex II of the SPA/BD Protocol of the Barcelona Convention and has a wider distribution than previously thought, including both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Our results highlighted that specimens mainly live at a depth range of 15-90 m, but may reach as deep as 900 m in the Mediterranean Sea. This species can form monospecific facies of hundreds of colonies, as observed in Montenegro (Adriatic Sea), between 10 and 20 m, and in the Canary Islands, at a depth range of 27-70 m. Recent data highlighted numerous cases of specimens that were endangered by lost fishing gear, which exposed this species to further threats. Considering its longevity and structural role, it is urgent to develop an effective protection measure for S. savaglia, thereby increasing research efforts and implementing protection areas for this species.
Urinary tract infection in the setting of vesicoureteral reflux
Authors: Garcia-Roig Michael L. , Kirsch Andrew J.
Published: June 2016

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the most common underlying etiology responsible for febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) or pyelonephritis in children. Along with the morbidity of pyelonephritis, long-term sequelae of recurrent renal infections include renal scarring, proteinuria, and hypertension. Treatment is directed toward the prevention of recurrent infection through use of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis during a period of observation for spontaneous resolution or by surgical correction. In children, bowel and bladder dysfunction (BBD) plays a significant role in the occurrence of UTI and the rate of VUR resolution. Effective treatment of BBD leads to higher rates of spontaneous resolution and decreased risk of UTI.
Targeted pharmacotherapy after somatic cancer mutation screening
Authors: Polasek Thomas M. , Ambler Karen , Scott Hamish S. , Sorich Michael J. , Kaub Peter A. , Rowland Andrew , Wiese Michael D. , Kichenadasse Ganessan
Published: June 2016

Many patients with solid tumours are treated with targeted pharmacotherapy based on the results of genetic testing (‘precision medicine’). This study investigated the use of targeted drugs after OncoFOCUS™+KIT screening in patients with malignant melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer, and then audited the results against the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Patients who were not indicated for targeted pharmacotherapy did not receive such treatment (99%, 100/101). Of the patients indicated for targeted drugs, 79% (33/42) received treatment according to NCCN guidelines. In 48% (20/42) of these patients the results from OncoFOCUS™+KIT screening were required for targeted drug selection. This study highlights the growing importance of precision medicine approaches in directing pharmacotherapy in medical oncology.