bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Discontinuation of Pegylated Interferon as a Result of Lack of Efficacy in United States Veterans With Chronic Hepatitis C on Dual Therapy
Authors: Nelson Richard E. , Hoop Robert , Korner Eli , DuVall Scott , Hayden Candace L. , Knippenberg Kristin , Morgan Timothy , Pandya Prashant , Han Jian , LaFleur Joanne
Published: April 2014

Background: Many patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) being treated with pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) do not respond to therapy and do not clear the virus. Standard of care during the era of dual therapy was to discontinue the patient’s therapy based on insufficient decreases in viral load after 12 and/or 24 weeks on therapy. Objectives: We identified patient characteristics that were significant predictors of discontinuation as a result of lack of efficacy (LOE) in a national database of US veterans with genotypes 1 and 4. Methods: We identified US veterans who received care at Veterans Affairs medical centers in 2004-2009 and who had lab-confirmed HCV diagnoses and initiated therapy with peg-IFN plus RBV. Patients who discontinued therapy early were classified as either LOE or non-LOE discontinuers based on pharmacy refill patterns and laboratory response data. Predictors of LOE discontinuation were identified using univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results: Of 321 238 HCV patients with an ICD-9 diagnosis code, 31 215 (9.7%) initiated dual therapy with peg-IFN plus RBV, and 10 333 (3.2%) met all inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Overall, 13.6% of the cohort was classified as LOE. Significant predictors of LOE discontinuation included treatment for drug abuse (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.18), age >65 years (HR = 1.75), antiretroviral therapy for HIV (HR = 1.48), black race (HR = 1.47), platelet count >100/mm3 (HR = 1.46), and drug therapy for insomnia (HR = 1.40). Conclusions: We identified risk factors for discontinuation caused by LOE. Future work should focus on determining whether these characteristics are also predictive of triple-therapy LOE discontinuations.
Prevalence of Sexual Violence Against Women in 23 States and Two U.S. Territories, BRFSS 2005
Authors: Black Michele C. , Basile Kathleen C. , Breiding Matthew J. , Ryan George W.
Published: April 2014

Sexual violence (SV) is a significant public health problem. Using data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), this article provides state-specific 12-month SV prevalence data for women residing in 23 states and two territories. Overall, more than 500,000 women in the participating states experienced completed or attempted nonconsensual sex in the 12-month period prior to the survey. The collection of state-level data using consistent, uniform, and behaviorally specific SV definitions enables states to evaluate the magnitude of the problem within their state and informs the development and evaluation of state-level SV programs, policies, and prevention efforts.
The moral economy of security
Authors: Loader Ian , Goold Benjamin , Thumala Angélica
Published: April 2014

In this article we draw upon our recent research into security consumption to answer two questions: first, under what conditions do people experience the buying and selling of security goods and services as morally troubling? Second, what are the theoretical implications of understanding private security as, in certain respects, tainted trade? We begin by drawing on two bodies of work on morality and markets (one found in political theory, the other in cultural sociology) in order to develop what we call a moral economy of security. We then use this theoretical resource to conduct an anatomy of the modes of ambivalence and unease that the trade in security generates. Three categories organize the analysis: blocked exchange; corrosive exchange; and intangible exchange. In conclusion, we briefly spell out the wider significance of our claim that the buying and selling of security is a morally charged and contested practice of governance.
The reward–performance relationship in work teams: The role of leader behaviors and team commitment
Authors: Rousseau Vincent , Aubé Caroline
Published: April 2014

This study investigates the role of team-based reward leadership in regard to team performance by considering the mediating role of team commitment and the moderating effect of abusive supervision. Using a multisource approach, data was gathered from 381 members and 101 immediate supervisors (which represents 101 work teams) in a public safety organization. Results of path analyses show that the relationship between team-based reward leadership and team performance is mediated by team commitment. Moreover, results of hierarchical regression analyses indicate that the relationship between team-based reward leadership and team commitment is moderated by abusive supervision, such that this relationship is stronger when the level of abusive supervision is low. On the whole, the findings of this study help to better understand why and when team-based reward leadership may enhance team performance.
Should asymptomatic retrosternal goitre be left untreated? A prospective single-centre study
Authors: Landerholm K. , Järhult J.
Published: April 2014

Background and Aims:

Retrosternal goiter may cause symptoms of airway obstruction and dysphagia, but often it is asymptomatic and is increasingly detected incidentally with imaging investigations. Consensus has been reached that sternotomy is not necessary in most cases, as a collar incision normally suffices. Yet, surgery for retrosternal goiter is associated with more complications than cervical goiter. There is controversy over whether patients with asymptomatic retrosternal goiter should be operated. Proponents argue that retrosternal goiter may be a risk for thyroid cancer and may progress to later cause symptoms, although clear evidence is missing.

Patients and Methods:

Between 1984 and 2012, 132 patients underwent surgery for benign retrosternal goiter. Preoperatively, the benign nature was clinically apparent and confirmed by fine needle cytology in most cases.

Results:

Sternotomy was required in only 4 of the 132 operations. Three patients died in the postoperative period. The risk of morbidity and mortality was 16.7% in 60 patients with compression symptoms and 13.9% in 72 patients without compression symptoms ( P = 0.808). Histology revealed no case of unsuspected cancer.

Conclusion:

Surgery for retrosternal goiters involves a higher risk for complications than do cervical goiters, and the risk does not differ between patients with and without symptoms. This, and the fact that no patient in this study had unsuspected cancer, calls into question the rationale for surgery in patients with asymptomatic retrosternal goiter without suspected cancer.
Acute injuries and chronic pathology of the head and face sustained while surf board riding
Authors: Dimmick Simon , Gillett Mark , Sheehan Patrick , Sutton Cameron , Anderson Suzanne E
Published: April 2014

The aim of the study was to identify the mechanisms and spectrum of injuries sustained to the head and face in surfboard riders, requiring presentation to an emergency department. A retrospective case series was undertaken from January 2008 to April 2012 at a tertiary hospital on the North Shore of Sydney. Twenty-nine patients were included, 26 with acute injuries and 3 with chronic pathologies. Fifteen patients (58%) had been struck in the head by their own board – 9 (60%) suffered facial bone fractures. Contact with the surfboard was the cause of facial bone fracture in 100% of cases. One patient struck by their own board ruptured their globe. Chronic/progressive deafness was the indication for undertaking imaging in three patients. Hundred percent had bilateral exostoses of the external auditory canal (surfers ear). Head and facial injuries are a significant and potential risk of surfboard riding. It is envisaged that greater knowledge of the spectrum and mechanisms of injuries sustained by surfers will drive surfboard and surfing accessory design and increase public awareness to minimise the risk of injury in the future.
Hungry ghosts in urban spaces: A visual study of aesthetic markers and material anchoring
Authors: Heng Terence
Published: April 2014

The Hungry Ghost Festival is a month-long spiritual period celebrated and observed mostly by Chinese individuals, where it is believed that ancestral spirits are released from the netherworld to roam the earth. During this festival, various rituals of offering and burning are performed in simultaneously private and public ways to feed and appease these hungry ghosts. The offerings are left to the environment as ashes, wax and burn marks that scar and mark the landscape. This visual essay examines such activities in a particular suburban town centre in Singapore known as Teck Ghee Court. Through the photographs, the author proposes that the rituals and material practices are an act of material anchoring through the making of aesthetic markers in urban spaces. Individuals appropriate carefully planned public, commercial and residential spaces into temporary sites of performative spirituality and ethnicity. In doing so, they ‘anchor’ their ethnicities and identities to these spaces.
Evidence and circularity in multimodal discourse analysis
Authors: Thomas Martin
Published: April 2014

In the context of rapid theoretical development in multimodal discourse analysis, and of its growing interdisciplinary influence, it is crucial that those working in the field give due consideration to methodological rigour. The corpus-based approach described here offers a means of addressing some key methodological issues. Firstly, this approach provides a check on over- and under-interpretation and also reveals a more nuanced picture of data about specific genres than might be derived from even the closest observation of individual instances. Thus it helps avoid pitfalls associated with relying on hand-picked examples. Secondly, the semi-automated implementation of a multilayered annotation scheme, which separates the representation of layout from rhetorical structure, supports the empirical investigation of a variety of research questions, while minimizing the influence of the analyst on the data by delaying interpretation insofar as possible until it becomes unavoidable.

This article illustrates the corpus-based approach through a contrastive case study of one very visual genre, product packaging, with data taken from two locales, Taiwan and the UK. In so doing, issues of the selection of texts for inclusion and corpus design are addressed and the principles and practicalities involved in data preparation are discussed. Consideration is also given to the types of question which such an approach enables us to explore. In addition, since the data analyzed here are drawn from different languages and cultures, the present study sheds light on some issues of interest from the perspective of localization. Finally, some benefits of the approach are suggested, among which not least is that a stronger basis for the critique of designs in turn supports identification of opportunities for their improvement. This is not possible when the analysis is itself circular.
Identification of Fall Risk Predictors in Daily Life Measurements
Authors: Rispens Sietse M. , van Schooten Kimberley S. , Pijnappels Mirjam , Daffertshofer Andreas , Beek Peter J. , van Dieën Jaap H.
Published: April 2014

Background. Gait characteristics extracted from trunk accelerations during daily life locomotion are complementary to questionnaire- or laboratory-based gait and balance assessments and may help to improve fall risk prediction. Objective. The aim of this study was to identify gait characteristics that are associated with self-reported fall history and that can be reliably assessed based on ambulatory data collected during a single week. Methods. We analyzed 2 weeks of trunk acceleration data (DynaPort MoveMonitor, McRoberts) collected among 113 older adults (age range, 65-97 years). During episodes of locomotion, various gait characteristics were determined, including local dynamic stability, interstride variability, and several spectral features. For each characteristic, we performed a negative binomial regression analysis with the participants’ self-reported number of falls in the preceding year as outcome. Reliability of gait characteristics was assessed in terms of intraclass correlations between both measurement weeks. Results. The percentages of spectral power below 0.7 Hz along the vertical and anteroposterior axes and below 10 Hz along the mediolateral axis, as well as local dynamic stability, local dynamic stability per stride, gait smoothness, and the amplitude and slope of the dominant frequency along the vertical axis, were associated with the number of falls in the preceding year and could be reliably assessed (all P < .05, intraclass correlation > 0.75). Conclusions. Daily life gait characteristics are associated with fall history in older adults and can be reliably estimated from a week of ambulatory trunk acceleration measurements.
Parametric analysis for water ricochet studies of ogive nose-shaped projectile
Authors: Murali Vijayalakshmi , Naik Smita D.
Published: April 2014

This paper reports important parameters that affect water ricochet studies for artillery projectiles. The factors affecting ricochet are critical angle and critical velocity of impact. This study has developed mathematical models for ricochet studies and derived expressions for critical angle and critical velocity. Simulations have been carried out for standard bullets, the data for which are available in open literature. The effects of mass, diameter, and length of the projectile on critical velocity and angle are studied through two non-dimensional parameters, µ and θ. The results suggest how ricochet conditions can be avoided by defining initial data at launch.
The role of the principal’s emotional intelligence in primary education leadership
Authors: Brinia Vasiliki , Zimianiti Lina , Panagiotopoulos Konstantinos
Published: April 2014

The development of emotional intelligence skills offers sufficient leadership qualities for advancing the organization and for achieving its objectives. In particular, the emotionally intelligent leader–principal is able to inspire and facilitate a self-conscious and organizational culture by adopting the values of understanding, trust, prospect, achievement and effectiveness and combining emotions, beliefs, vision and values in a flexible manner. In order to inquire on the above, a data-gathering process was employed in the spring of 2011, with the use of anonymous questionnaires administered to 301 educators/teachers and 36 principals who work in primary schools in Athens. The data-gathering process included the application of a questionnaire that derived key insight into the identification of key emotional intelligent and leadership factors. The data analysis process has set off 14 significant statistical factors. Ten of them were related to the principal’s emotional intelligence and four referred to leadership. The research findings have offered key insights into profiling the school principal from a leadership and emotional intelligence standpoint. Hence, such information could be rather useful in the training and development of principals, as well as for further research that could investigate the correlation between emotional intelligence and effectiveness of primary school principals.
Comparison of two- and three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound in the visualisation of intrauterine devices
Authors: Kerr NK , Dunham R , Wolstenhulme S , Wilson J
Published: April 2014

The aims of the study were to evaluate whether three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (3D TV US) is superior to two-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (2D TV US) at visualising intrauterine devices and determining their position. This prospective study included 52 participants with an intrauterine device fitted, who underwent 2D TV US and 3D TV US. 2D TV US and 3D-reconstructed coronal images were reviewed by two gynaecological radiologists to assess ease of visualisation and position of the intrauterine devices. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank, McNemar and Chi-squared tests. The inter-observer agreement was measured using Cohen’s Kappa. Intrauterine device visualisation scores were significantly higher with 2D TV US compared with 3D TV US (Radiologist 1 p = <0.001, Radiologist 2 p = 0.007). A significant number of T-arms appeared to perforate into the adjacent myometrium on the 3D-reconstructed coronal image, but were normal on the 2D images (Radiologist 1 p = <0.001, Radiologist 2 p = 0.008). Radiologist 1 found 19 perforated T-arms on 3D TV US compared with four on 2D TV US. Radiologist 2 found 13 perforated T-arms on 3D TV US compared with five on 2D TV US. Both radiologists agreed on the positions of the intrauterine devices substantially with 3D TV US (Kappa = 0.69) and moderately with 2D TV US (Kappa = 0.55). The 3D TV US did not visualise an intrauterine device better than 2D TV US. The 3D-reconstructed coronal image of the uterus can reliably display cases of T-arm perforation into the adjacent myometrium, which could be missed on 2D TV US images. The 3D TV US should be used in addition to 2D TV US in all cases where an intrauterine device is under evaluation.
The Hyperflexible Hip
Authors: Weber Alexander E. , Bedi Asheesh , Tibor Lisa M. , Zaltz Ira , Larson Christopher M.
Published: April 2014

Context:

Dance, gymnastics, figure skating, and competitive cheerleading require a high degree of hip range of motion. Athletes who participate in these sports use their hips in a mechanically complex manner.

Evidence Acquisition:

A search of the entire PubMed database (through December 2013) and additional searches of the reference lists of pertinent articles.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Results:

Whether innate or acquired, dancers and gymnasts have some hypermobility that allows their hips to be placed in potentially impinging or unstable positions required for their given activity. Such extremes of motion can result in both intra-articular and extra-articular impingement as well as compensatory osseous and muscular pathology. In addition, dancers and gymnasts are susceptible to impingement-induced instability. Dancers with innate generalized hyperlaxity are at increased risk of injury because of their activities and may require longer recovery times to return to play. Both nonoperative and operative treatments (arthroscopic and open) have an important role in returning flexibility athletes to their preoperative levels of sport and dance.

Conclusion:

Because of the extreme hip motion required and the compensatory soft tissue laxity in dancers and gymnasts, these athletes may develop instability, impingement, or combinations of both. This frequently occurs in the setting of subtle pathoanatomy or in patients with normal bony anatomy. With appropriate surgical indications and the correct operative technique, the treating surgeon can anticipate high levels of return to play for the gymnast and dancer with hip pain.
Energy Inequality and Instrumental Violence
Authors: Helms Ronald , Costanza S. E.
Published: April 2014

Economic research has firmly established that energy consumption is closely linked to economic growth patterns. The subtext of such research is that disruptions to stable supplies of affordable energy could adversely affect quality of life and interrupt patterns of social cohesiveness. This article investigates a hypothesized link between patterns of energy consumption and instrumental violence across 868 U.S. counties. Tobit regression results confirm an inverse association between a global indicator of energy consumption and robbery rates, after statistically holding constant numerous theorized correlates of crime. Results support calls for increased contingency planning in anticipation of energy-related social control challenges and continued efforts to research and develop alternate and affordable energy.
Influences of Training on Individual Outcomes for High School Sports Officials
Authors: Ryan Timothy D. , Sosa Jason P. , Thornton Michael A.
Published: April 2014

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the influences of training on specific quality of work outcomes of job satisfaction, pay satisfaction, and intentions to leave within high school sports officials. Evidence suggests that there is a shortage of high school officials in all categories of high school sport. Via a web-based survey, we explored the effects of training on the individual outcomes under study. Results indicated that the level of training had a significant effect on job satisfaction, pay satisfaction, and turnover intentions. Analyses indicated that officials with less training had higher turnover intentions and lower job satisfaction than officials who had more training. Conversely, officials who engaged numerous training hours had lower pay satisfaction. This exploratory study supports the importance of training high school officials but, more importantly, provides an initial assessment on the reverse effects of training on pay satisfaction.
The effect of thiamine deficiency on inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular migration in an experimental model of sepsis
Authors: de Andrade José Antenor Araújo , Gayer Carlos Roberto Machado , Nogueira Natália Pereira de Almeida , Paes Márcia Cristina , Bastos Vera Lúcia Freire Cunha , Neto Jayme da Cunha Bastos , Alves Sílvio Caetano , Coelho Raphael Molinaro , da Cunha Mariana Gysele Amarante Teixeira , Gomes Rachel Novaes , Águila Márcia Barbosa , Mandarim-de-Lacerda Carlos Alberto , Bozza Patrícia Torres , da Cunha Sérgio
Published: April 2014

Background

Sepsis is a prevalent condition in critically ill patients and may be associated with thiamine deficiency (TD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TD on inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular recruitment in a sepsis model.

Methods

The experimental sepsis model, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), was utilized on mice in comparison with a sham procedure. The following four groups were compared against each other: SHAM with AIN93G complete chow, SHAM with thiamine deficient (TD) chow, CLP with AIN93G complete chow, and CLP with TD chow. Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) blood concentrations were determined, and blood and peritoneal fluid were evaluated for differences in TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, KC and MCP-1/CCL2 levels. In addition, the levels of 4-HNE adducts in liver proteins were evaluated by Western Blot.

Results

The mean TPP blood concentration from the mice fed with the complete chow was 303.3 ± 42.6 nmol/L, and TD occurred within 10 days. TNF-α and MCP-1 concentrations in the peritoneal fluid were significantly greater in the CLP with TD chow group when compared with the other groups. The blood IL-1β level, however, was lower in the CLP with TD chow group. Liver 4-HNE levels were highest in the TD chow groups. Blood mononuclear cell numbers, as well as peritoneal total leukocyte, mononuclear cell and neutrophil numbers were greater in the CLP with TD chow group. Peritoneal bacterial colony forming units (CFU) were significantly lower in the CLP with TD chow group.

Conclusion

TD was associated with greater bacterial clearance, oxidative stress and inflammatory response changes.
Clinicopathological significance of cancer stem cells marked by CD133 and KAI1/CD82 expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yu Lan , Zhou Lei , Wu Shiwu , Gong Xiaomeng , Feng Zhenzhong , Ma Li , Zhu Bo , Yao Nan , Wang Danna , Dong Huiming
Published: April 2014

Background

Presently, CD133 is one of the hottest markers to characterize cancer stem cells and KAI1/CD82 is reported as an important marker for the metastasis and prognosis of many cancers. The purpose of our study is to explore the relationship between cancer stem cells (CSCs) marked by CD133 and KAI1/CD82 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods

Immunohistochemical analysis was used to detect the expression of CD133 and KAI1/CD82 in 83 archival surgical specimens of human LSCC and 83 cases of normal laryngeal tissues.

Results

In LSCC, positive rates of 49.4% and 41.0% were obtained for CD133 and KAI1/CD82, respectively. The expression of CD133 in LSCC tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P < 0.001), and the expression of CD133 was positively associated with pTNM stage (P = 0.005), pathological grade (P = 0.001), and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001). The reduced expression of KAI1/CD82 was present in LSCC tissues. The positive rate of KAI1/CD82 expression was negatively correlated with pTNM stage (P = 0.014), pathological grade (P < 0.001), and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.007). A correlation analysis showed that there was a negative relationship between the expression of CD133 and KAI1/CD82 protein in LSCC tissues (P < 0.001). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, the expression of CD133 was negatively correlated with overall survival (OS) (log-rank = 40.949, P < 0.001) and disease-free survival (DFS) (log-rank = 39.307, P < 0.001) time of LSCC. The expression of KAI1/CD82 was positively correlated with OS (log-rank = 40.279, P < 0.001) and DFS (log-rank = 39.271, P < 0.001) time of LSCC. Cox regression analysis: the expression of CD133 and KAI1/CD82, and pTNM stages were independent prognostic factors of LSCC (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Thus the detection of CD133 and KAI1/CD82 proteins may be used as a potential indicator of LSCC prognosis.
Highly efficient blue organic light-emitting diodes using quantum well-like multiple emissive layer structure
Authors: Yoon Ju-An , Kim You-Hyun , Kim Nam Ho , Yoo Seung Il , Lee Sang Youn , Zhu Fu Rong , Kim Woo Young
Published: April 2014

In this study, the properties of blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), employing quantum well-like structure (QWS) that includes four different blue emissive materials of 4,4′-bis(2,2′-diphenylyinyl)-1,1′-biphenyl (DPVBi), 9,10-di(naphth-2-yl)anthracene (ADN), 2-(N,N-diphenyl-amino)-6-[4-(N,N-diphenyl amine)styryl]naphthalene (DPASN), and bis(2-methyl-8-quinolinolate)-4-(phenyl phenolato) aluminum (BAlq), were investigated. Conventional QWS blue OLEDs composed of multiple emissive layers and charge blocking layer with lower highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level, and devices with triple emissive layers for more significant hole-electron recombination and a wider region for exciton generation were designed. The properties of triple emissive layered blue OLEDs with the structure of indium tin oxide (ITO) /N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(1-naphthyl-phenyl)-(1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine (NPB) (700 Ǻ)/X (100 Ǻ)/BAlq (100 Ǻ)/X (100 Ǻ)/4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Bphen) (300 Ǻ)/lithium quinolate (Liq) (20 Ǻ)/aluminum (Al) (1,200 Ǻ) (X = DPVBi, ADN, DPASN) were examined. HOMO-LUMO energy levels of DPVBi, ADN, DPASN, and BAlq are 2.8 to 5.9, 2.6 to 5.6, 2.3 to 5.2, and 2.9 to 5.9 eV, respectively. The OLEDs with DPASN/BAlq/DPASN QWS with maximum luminous efficiency of 5.32 cd/A was achieved at 3.5 V.
A sequential Monte Carlo framework for haplotype inference in CNV/SNP genotype data
Authors: Iliadis Alexandros , Anastassiou Dimitris , Wang Xiaodong
Published: April 2014

Copy number variations (CNVs) are abundant in the human genome. They have been associated with complex traits in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and expected to continue playing an important role in identifying the etiology of disease phenotypes. As a result of current high throughput whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, we currently have datasets that simultaneously have integer copy numbers in CNV regions as well as SNP genotypes. At the same time, haplotypes that have been shown to offer advantages over genotypes in identifying disease traits even though available for SNP genotypes are largely not available for CNV/SNP data due to insufficient computational tools. We introduce a new framework for inferring haplotypes in CNV/SNP data using a sequential Monte Carlo sampling scheme ‘Tree-Based Deterministic Sampling CNV’ (TDSCNV). We compare our method with polyHap(v2.0), the only currently available software able to perform inference in CNV/SNP genotypes, on datasets of varying number of markers. We have found that both algorithms show similar accuracy but TDSCNV is an order of magnitude faster while scaling linearly with the number of markers and number of individuals and thus could be the method of choice for haplotype inference in such datasets. Our method is implemented in the TDSCNV package which is available for download at http://www.ee.columbia.edu/~anastas/tdscnv.
‘Putting Life in Years’ (PLINY) telephone friendship groups research study: pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Mountain Gail A , Hind Daniel , Gossage-Worrall Rebecca , Walters Stephen J , Duncan Rosie , Newbould Louise , Rex Saleema , Jones Carys , Bowling Ann , Cattan Mima , Cairns Angela , Cooper Cindy , Edwards Rhiannon Tudor , Goyder Elizabeth C
Published: April 2014

Background

Loneliness in older people is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We undertook a parallel-group randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of telephone befriending for the maintenance of HRQoL in older people. An internal pilot tested the feasibility of the trial and intervention.

Methods

Participants aged >74 years, with good cognitive function, living independently in one UK city were recruited through general practices and other sources, then randomised to: (1) 6 weeks of short one-to-one telephone calls, followed by 12 weeks of group telephone calls with up to six participants, led by a trained volunteer facilitator; or (2) a control group. The main trial required the recruitment of 248 participants in a 1-year accrual window, of whom 124 were to receive telephone befriending. The pilot specified three success criteria which had to be met in order to progress the main trial to completion: recruitment of 68 participants in 95 days; retention of 80% participants at 6 months; successful delivery of telephone befriending by local franchise of national charity. The primary clinical outcome was the Short Form (36) Health Instrument (SF-36) Mental Health (MH) dimension score collected by telephone 6 months following randomisation.

Results

We informed 9,579 older people about the study. Seventy consenting participants were randomised to the pilot in 95 days, with 56 (80%) providing valid primary outcome data (26 intervention, 30 control). Twenty-four participants randomly allocated to the research arm actually received telephone befriending due to poor recruitment and retention of volunteer facilitators. The trial was closed early as a result. The mean 6-month SF-36 MH scores were 78 (SD 18) and 71 (SD 21) for the intervention and control groups, respectively (mean difference, 7; 95% CI, -3 to 16).

Conclusions

Recruitment and retention of participants to a definitive trial with a recruitment window of 1 year is feasible. For the voluntary sector to recruit sufficient volunteers to match demand for telephone befriending created by trial recruitment would require the study to be run in more than one major population centre, and/or involve dedicated management of volunteers.

Trial registration

ISRCTN28645428.
Development of an ototoxicity model in the adult CBA/CaJ mouse and determination of a golden window of corticosteroid intervention for otoprotection
Authors: Fernandes Vinay T , Lin Vincent YW
Published: April 2014

Objective

To investigate the effect of timing of dexamethasone administration on auditory hair cell survival following an ototoxic insult with kanamycin and furosemide.

Study design

Controlled experimental study.

Setting

Translational science experimental laboratory.

Methods

5–6 week old CBA/CaJ mice, divided into 6 groups, were injected with kanamycin (1 mg/g SC) followed by furosemide (0.5 mg/g IP). Dexamethasone (0.1 mg/g IP) was injected at either 1 hour prior to insult, +1 hr, +6 hr, +12 hr, or +72 hr post insult. Temporal bones harvested on day 7 underwent Organ of Corti dissection. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using antibodies to myosin 7a, phalloidin, and TO-PRO.

Results

Hair cell counts demonstrate a uniform ototoxicity model with total loss of outer hair cells (OHCs) and near-total loss of inner hair cells (IHCs). The group pre-treated with dexamethasone showed a statistically significant improvement in counts compared to controls (p = 0.004). Counts from the other experimental groups given dexamethasone after the insult were highly variable but demonstrated some apical and middle turn inner hair cell survival.

Conclusion

Treatment of systemic dexamethasone prior to ototoxic insult attenuates hair cell loss in a reliable, novel, ototoxicity model using kanamycin and furosemide in CBA/CaJ mice. Dosing with dexamethasone following ototoxic insult shows promising yet variable response in hair cell survival.
Beneficial effects of pioglitazone and metformin in murine model of polycystic ovaries via improvement of chemerin gene up-regulation
Authors: Kabiri Nahid , Tabandeh Mohammad Reza , Tabatabaie Seyed Reza Fatemi
Published: April 2014

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) is recognized as the most common endocrinopathy in female. Chemerin is a novel adipocytokine that is expressed in ovary and upregulated in adipose tissue of obese, PCO patients. To date there is no report about the regulation of ovarian chemerin gene expression after PCO induction and treatment by insulin sensitizing drugs including pioglitazone and metformin.

Thirty female rats were divided into six experimental groups with five rats in each group including control group, PCO group (i.m injection of 4 mg estradiol benzoate for 40 days), metformin treated (200 mg/kg/day for 21 days), pioglitazone treated (20 mg/kg/day, for 21 days), PCO + metformin and PCO + pioglitazone. PCO was detected by microscopic observation of vaginal smear and treatment by metformin and pioglitazone was initiated one week after that. Ovarian chemerin expression was analyzed by real time PCR and western blotting.

Results

Our results demonstrated that PCO induction resulted in elevation of chemerin mRNA and protein levels in ovary in concomitant with incidence of insulin resistance and increasing androgen and progesterone production. We observed that metformin and pioglitazone attenuated ovarian chemerin expression and improved insulin resistance and abnormal steroid production in PCO rats.

Conclusion

Based on data presented here we concluded that alteration of ovarian chemerin expression may has important role in PCO development and manipulation of chemerin expression or signaling by pioglitazone or metformin can be a novel therapeutic mechanism in the treatment of PCO patients by these drugs.
Does the growing of Bt maize change abundance or ecological function of non-target animals compared to the growing of non-GM maize? A systematic review protocol
Authors: Meissle Michael , Naranjo Steven E , Kohl Christian , Riedel Judith , Romeis Jörg
Published: April 2014

Background

Since 1996, genetically modified (GM) crops have been grown on an ever increasing area worldwide. Maize producing a Cry protein from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was among the first GM crops released for commercial production and it is the only GM crop currently cultivated in Europe. A major part of the regulatory process that precedes the commercial release of GM crops is the environmental risk assessment. Because Bt maize is modified to produce insecticidal proteins, potential interactions with non-target organisms are a major area of concern to be addressed in the risk assessment. In particular, beneficial arthropods that provide important agro-ecological services, such as pollination, decomposition, and biological control are the focus. This systematic review will evaluate if the growing of Bt maize changes abundance or ecological function of non-target animals compared to the growing of conventional, non-GM maize. The review will be limited to plot or field level data including field margins. Potential cropping system effects and off-field effects will not be addressed. Bt maize will be compared to conventional maize either untreated or treated with chemical insecticides.

Methods

Stakeholders from academia, competent authorities, industry, and civil society organizations were given the opportunity to comment on the review question and an earlier draft of this review protocol.

Keyword searches will be conducted in a range of abstracting and full text literature databases. Retrieved records will be screened against a set of inclusion criteria, first on title and abstract level, then on full text level. Selected studies will be evaluated for risks of bias (quality assessment). Data on field/plot characteristics, maize cultivars, insecticide treatments, non-target animal taxa, sampling methods, and response variables of populations and ecological functions will be extracted. Meta-analysis will be conducted using the effect size estimator Hedge’s d on a range of comparisons and including sensitivity analysis. The review process will be fully documented in CADIMA, an open access online data portal for evidence synthesis.
Chemical and biological properties of a sandy loam soil amended with olive mill waste, solid or liquid form, in vitro
Authors: Gougoulias Nikolaos , Vagelas Ioannis , Papachatzis Alexandros , Stergiou Eleftheria , Chouliaras Nikolaos , Chouliara Adamantia
Published: April 2014

Background

The profitable use of the large amounts of olive oil mill wastes produced in Greece, as source of soil organic matter, might be probably beneficial to soil microorganism activity.

Results

A high rate of organic matter biodegradation was observed in soil samples amended with the liquid form of olive mill wastewater, whereas the vice versa results were obtained with the solid form. When the soil was amended with a mixture of both olive mill waste forms, liquid (L) and solid (S), the organic matter of the solid waste (S) showed a well-improved biodegradation; the available forms of P, K, Zn, Mn, and Cu were increased, especially in treatments where the olive mill wastewater, liquid form, was threefold in comparison to the solid form. Moreover, the soil amended with the solid (S) form of olive mill waste reduced bacterial growth significantly, and both waste forms act negative impacts to soil-borne fungi belonging to the genusRhizopus.

Conclusions

The results of this work demonstrated the high potential of olive mill waste, solid or liquid form, added to sandy loam soil in an incubation experimentin vitro. The better results for soil quality were obtained when a combining mixture of these materials was added in the ratio 1:3 (solid/liquid).
Changes in aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 expression during neoadjuvant chemotherapy predict outcome in locally advanced breast cancer
Authors: Alamgeer Muhammad , Ganju Vinod , Kumar Beena , Fox Jane , Hart Stewart , White Michelle , Harris Marion , Stuckey John , Prodanovic Zdenka , Schneider-Kolsky Michal Elisabeth , Watkins D Neil
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for locally advanced breast cancer can improve operability and local disease control, there is a lack of reliable biomarkers that predict response to chemotherapy or long-term survival. Since expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 (ALDH1) is associated with the stem-like properties of self-renewal and innate chemoresistance in breast cancer, we asked whether expression in serial tumor samples treated with NAC could identify women more likely to benefit from this therapy.

Methods

Women with locally advanced breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive four cycles of anthracycline-based chemotherapy, followed by four cycles of taxane therapy (Arm A), or the same regimen in reverse order (Arm B). Tumor specimens were collected at baseline, after four cycles, and then at surgical resection. ALDH1 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and correlated with tumor response using Fisher’s exact test while Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival.

Results

A hundred and nineteen women were enrolled into the study. Fifty seven (48%) were randomized to Arm A and 62 (52%) to Arm B. Most of the women (90%) had ductal carcinoma and 10% had lobular carcinoma. Of these, 26 (22%) achieved a pathological complete response (pCR) after NAC. There was no correlation between baseline ALDH1 expression and tumor grade, stage, hormone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status and Ki67 index. ALDH1 negativity at baseline was significantly associated with pCR (P = 0.004). The presence of ALDH1(+) cells in the residual tumor cells in non-responding women was strongly predictive of worse overall survival (P = 0.024). Moreover, serial analysis of specimens from non-responders showed a marked increase in tumor-specific ALDH1 expression (P = 0.028). Overall, there was no survival difference according to the chemotherapy sequence. However, poorly responding tumours from women receiving docetaxel chemotherapy showed an unexpected significant increase in ALDH1 expression.

Conclusions

ALDH1 expression is a useful predictor of chemoresistance. The up-regulation of ALDH1 after NAC predicts poor survival in locally advanced breast cancer. Although the chemotherapy sequence had no effect on overall prognosis, our results suggest that anthracycline-based chemotherapy may be more effective at targeting ALDH1(+) breast cancer cells.

Trial registration

ACTRN12605000588695
Niceness, Building, and Opening the Genealogy of the Digital Humanities: Beyond the Social Contract of Humanities Computing
Authors: Koh Adeline
Published: April 2014

This essay explores the “social contract” of the digital humanities community. I argue that the social contract of the digital humanities is composed of two rules: 1) the notion of niceness or civility; and 2) the possession of technical knowledge, defined as knowledge of coding or computer programming. These rules are repeatedly raised within the public sphere of the digital humanities and are simultaneously contested and criticized. I claim that these rules and the social contract come from humanities computing, a field commonly described as the digital humanities’ sole predecessor. Humanities computing has historically differentiated itself from media and cultural studies, defining itself as a field that uses computational methods to address humanities research questions rather than exploring the impact of computation on culture and the humanities. I call for a movement that would go beyond this social contract by creating multiple genealogies for the digital humanities; by arguing that current conceptualizations of the digital humanities have not only developed from humanities computing but also include additional fields such as new media studies, postcolonial science and technology studies, and digital research on race, gender, class, and disability and their impact on cultures around the world.
Synthesis and Vapor-adsorption Behavior of a Flexible Porous Coordination Polymer Built from a Bis(bipyridyl)–Cu(I) Metalloligand
Authors: Kobayashi Atsushi , Sugiyama Akira , Ohba Tadashi , Suzuki Yui , Chang Ho-Chol , Kato Masako
Published: April 2014

A new porous coordination polymer (PCP), formulated as {[LaIII2(µ3-OH)(CH3COO)2(H2O)][CuI(dmdcbpy)2]·9H2O}n (La2Cu·9H2O; H2dmdcbpy: 6,6′-dimethyl-5,5′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine), was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and vapor-adsorption isotherms. The porous framework of La2Cu consists of a 3-D coordination network of the Cu(I)-metalloligand and the tetranuclear La4 cluster {La4(µ3-OH)2(CH3COO)4(H2O)2}. La2Cu exhibits reversible guest adsorption–desorption for various vapors, with reversible structural transformations.
HREELS Evaluation of Coronene Monolayer Adsorption on Au(111) as the First Base Layer to Achieve Coordination Programming
Authors: Nishiyama Katsuhiko , Harada Hiroshi , Yoshimoto Soichiro , Taniguchi Isao , Yamada Taro
Published: April 2014

To achieve coordination programming at an electrode surface, the first functional layer is highly important. In this study, high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS) was used to investigate coronene monolayer adsorption on a Au(111) substrate at 300 K. In the spectra, only a band attributable to the out-of-plane vibration mode was observed, suggesting that coronene molecules adsorb on the substrate with a flat orientation. Furthermore, the HREEL spectra showed that the coronene monolayer was stable even after heating to 400 K.
Ionic Liquid-inspired Redox Shuttles: Properties of a Ferrocenylimidazolium Salt as an Efficient Mediator for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Oyaizu Kenichi , Ikeda Hiroki , Hayo Noriko , Kato Fumiaki , Nishide Hiroyuki
Published: April 2014

A ferrocenylimidazolium salt was found to be an efficient iodine/iodide-free redox mediator for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), giving rise to a photoconversion efficiency of 4% under optimized electrolyte conditions. The excellent redox mediation process was ascribed not only to the electrochemically reversible nature of the molecule with a large heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constant in the order of 10−2 cm s−1 at electrodes, but also to an exceptionally high solubility up to 2.7 M to produce a large redox gradient in the mediation layer, thus allowing the increase of diffusion-limited current. The high solubility originating from the imidazolium group in the mediator molecule was reminiscent of ionic liquids, which are typically characterized by small absorption coefficients in a visible region. These properties provided a mass-transfer-based concept of molecular design for organic redox mediators in DSSCs.
Synthesis of 2,2′-Diamino-1,1′-biazulenes by the Copper-catalyzed Homocoupling Reaction of 2-Aminoazulenes
Authors: Shoji Taku , Maruyama Akifumi , Yamamoto Atsuyo , Fujiwara Yuki , Ito Shunji , Okujima Tetsuo , Morita Noboru
Published: April 2014

Synthesis of 2,2′-diamino-1,1′-biazulene derivatives 5 and 9–11 was established by copper-catalyzed homocoupling reaction of the corresponding 2-aminoazulenes 3 and 6–8. The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 6,6′-dibromo-1,1′-biazulene derivative 9 were also established under the Suzuki–Miyaura and Sonogashira–Hagihara conditions.
Micromechanics of Lotus Fibers
Authors: Zhang Yabin , Guo Zhiguang
Published: April 2014

A detailed and comprehensive study on lotus fibers has been carried out to demonstrate its spiral structure with a side-by-side arrangement of fibrils. By using an improved testing instrument, it is found for the first time that lotus fibers show distinct micromechanical performance. Notably, a qualitative comparative analysis between the tensile process of raw and heated fibers suggests that such an excellent property is mainly derived from their structure and composition. This would hold promise in designing biomimetic functional materials.