bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cancer Mortality in Italy, 1994, and an Overview of Trends from 1955 to 1994
Authors: Decarli Adriano , La Vecchia Carlo , Cislaghi Cesare , Negri Eva
Published: April 2018

Background

Data and statistics are presented on cancer death certification in Italy, updating previous publications covering the period 1955-1993.

Methods

Data for 1994 and the quinquennium 1990-94 subdivided into 30 cancer sites are presented in 8 tables, including age- and sex-specific absolute and percentage frequencies of cancer deaths, and crude, age-specific and age-standardized rates, at all ages and truncated for the 35-64 year age group. Trends in age-standardized rates for major cancer sites are plotted from 1955 to 1994.

Results

The age-standardized (world standard) death certification rates from all neoplasms steadily declined from the peak of 199.2/100,000 males in 1988 to 186.3 in 1994, and in females from 102.5 in 1989 to 98.6 in 1994. Ever larger was the decline in truncated rates, for males from the peak of 275.1/100,000 in 1983 to 223.2 (-19%) in 1994, and for females from 151.6/100,000 in 1987 to 136.4 (-10%). A major component of the favourable cancer mortality trends in males was lung cancer (accounting for 31,000 deaths in both sexes combined in 1994), whose overall age-standardized rates declined from 60.3 in 1987-89 to 54.6/100,000 males in 1994 (-9%), and from the peak of 96.7 in 1983 at ages 35 to 64 to 72.7 in 1994 (-25%). In contrast, female lung cancer rates have remained stable from 1992 onwards, but have increased from 7.2 to 7.7 at all ages and from 10.6 to 11.0 at age 35-64 between 1985-89 and 1990-94. These different trends in the two sexes reflect the patterns and trends in smoking among Italian males and females.

Conclusions

Cancer mortality trends in Italy over the period 1990-94 were relatively favourable, mainly reflecting the decline in lung cancer rates in males, together with the persistent declines in gastric cancer in both sexes and in cervix uteri for women. Continuous advancements were registered for neoplasms amenable to treatment, essentially testicular cancer, Hodgkin's disease and childhood leukaemias. The major unfavourable trends were observed for non Hodgkin's lymphomas, and require therefore further monitoring, besides a clearer understanding of their determinants. Italy maintains an intermediate level of cancer mortality on a European scale, suggesting that further progress is possible, mostly for tobacco-related neoplasms in males.
Interobserver Reproducibility in Diagnosis of Breast Lesions. A Panel in Puglia (Italy)
Authors: Giardina Carmela , Clemente Rosanna , Fusilli Saverio , Bianchi Simonetta , Paradiso Angelo
Published: April 2018

Background

Given the incidence of breast cancer, histologic agreement is necessary to select the proper treatment.

Methods & study design

Twelve pathologists working in Puglia (Italy) independently evaluated a set of 88 slides of breast lesions. The set included 31 cases which presented difficulties at the moment of first diagnosis (problem cases) and 57 cases without problems (routine cases). Each pathologist was requested to classify lesions according to four categories: A, benign; B, atypical proliferation; C, in situ carcinoma; D, invasive carcinoma. For each case, the definite diagnosis was considered that provided by most of the pathologists (prevalent diagnosis). For the evaluation of degree of agreement, kappa statistics were utilized.

Results

Among routine cases, agreement was observed in 68.4% of cases (38/57) and in 29% of problem cases (9/31). The pair-wise comparison between all participating pathologists showed a good overall agreement, (kappa mean, 0.66; range, 0.57-0.76). The agreement of each pathologist with the prevalent diagnosis was high for invasive (mean kappa, 0.88) and benign lesions (mean kappa, 0.83) followed by in situ carcinoma (mean kappa, 0.64). The lowest value observed was for atypical lesions (mean kappa, 0.25).

Conclusions

The results showed a good overall degree of diagnostic concordance among participating pathologists, all working in the Italian region of Puglia. The findings emerging from the study are comparable to those of other studies performed with selected pathologists specifically specialized in breast pathology. Moreover, the study confirmed the diagnostic difficulties for borderline lesions and the necessity of further investigation for sclerosing lesions with discordant diagnoses.
So-Called Nasal Glioma: Case Report with Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Dini Mario , Russo Giulia Lo , Colafranceschi Maurizio
Published: April 2018

The so-called nasal gliomas (nasal cerebral heterotopias) are rare, congenital, benign masses of neurogenic origin with intra or extranasal location, or both. An intranasal case is reported in a 7-month-old infant who successfully underwent surgery with the intranasal approach. The tumor had no intracranial extension and the child is free of disease after a three-year follow-up. Immunohistochemical study confirmed the glial (GFAP+) and neuronal (NSE+) nature of the cells composing the mass. In addition to the clinical behavior, the benign nature of the tumor is also indicated by the negativity of Ki67 (MIB-1) and p53 proliferation markers as well as by CD44 negativity. As far as we know, this is the first reported case of nasal glioma subjected to immunohistochemical investigation of proliferation activity.
Intrasellar Paraganglioma with Suprasellar Extension: Case Report
Authors: Del Basso De Caro Maria Laura , Siciliano Antonella , Cappabianca Paolo , Alfieri Alessandra , de Divitiis Enrico
Published: April 2018

Paragangliomas are usually benign tumors which can be found in many sites of the body, from the base of the skull down to the pelvic floor. In the central nervous system the sellar region is very rarely involved; only three well studied cases have been reported to date. We present the cytological, histological, histochemical, immunocytochemical and ultrastructural features of an intrasellar and suprasellar paraganglioma in an 84-year-old man.
Le Terapie Di Supporto in Oncologia
Authors: Olmi Patrizia , Fallai Carlo , Cèfaro Giampiero Ausili , Marmiroli Luca
Published: April 2018

The current trend towards a more intensive cancer treatment is possible thanks to the availability of a really important and effective supportive care. It is our opinion that it would be essential for the junior staff in oncology, for the practitioners, but also for the knowledge of anyone contributing in different ways to give the cancer treatment, to have reference points to give also the best supportive care. With this aim we thought to start a study, in Italy, to investigate, first, which is the supportive care used in the most common acute toxicities during or immediately after cancer therapy. We decided to begin with a survey addressed to hematologists, medical oncologists, radiotherapists; 105 centers were contacted. In order to have a high number of people able to answer to different clinical questions we decided to use Internet to communicate with participating centers without moving people. The final goal of the project is to formulate guidelines in supportive care, but also to promote the use of Internet as much as possible in the medical world with the aim to make easier every kind of communication and exchange of information.
Fluoropyrimidines in the Treatment of Advanced Neoplastic Diseases: Role and Advantages of UFT
Authors: Del Vecchio Michele , Procopio Giuseppe , Cassata Antonino , Pozzi Paola , Busto Giuseppina , Celio Luigi , Bajetta Emilio
Published: April 2018

The fluoropyrimidine antimetabolites were employed in a wide range of neoplastic diseases. In particular, 5-fluorouracil in association with other chemotherapeutic agents, or biochemical modulators was successfully used in the treatment of colorectal, gastric, breast, head and neck cancers. With this type of chemotherapy, a response rate ≤ 20% was obtained in gastrointestinal tumors, without a statistically significant impact on the overall survival.

UFT is a combination of tegafur an uracil, which has the important advantage of an improved oral bioavailability, if we compare it with 5-fluorouracil. Uracil, avoiding the fluoropyrimidine degradation inside the tumor cells, increases the permanence of the metabolically active fluropyrimidine into the target cell, so having an improvement in the therapeutic activity.

A very large spectrum of cancers were treated with this molecule. In particular, a response rate in the range of 20–40% was observed in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Phase III trials are ongoing to evaluate the advantage on 5-FU of this new fluoropyrimidine in terms of clinical efficacy, and quality of life, considering the possibility to administer it orally.
Primary Central Nervous System Lymphomas: Clinicopathologic and Immunohistochemical Analysis of 30 Cases
Authors: Altavilla Giuseppe , Cusatelli Paola , Salmaso Roberto , Gardiman Marina
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

Primary Central Nervous System lymphomas are attracting mounting interest because of their increasing incidence in an immunocompetent population and as sporadic tumors. A new lymphoma classification has been proposed, based on new morphologic entities and on advanced immunonologic and molecular techniques.

Methods and Results

The study concerns the clinical and pathologic characterization of 30 cases of primary central nervous system non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in non-HIV patients using a wide monoclonal antibodies panel. Comparative evaluation of effectiveness and reliability between surgery and stereotactic biopsies was made according to Kiel and Real lymphoma classifications. There were 24 high-grade and only 3 low-grade lymphomas. Three stereotactic biopsies were not diagnostic.

Conclusions

Stereotactic procedures were confirmed as the most immediate and least aggressive approach to CNS tumors, but inadequate sampling caused a deadlock to a full lymphoma diagnosis, which requires immunohistochemical and sometimes also molecular studies. However, it should be stressed that morphologic criteria (tumor cell cytology and neoplastic cuffing of the vascular walls) maintain their diagnostic effectiveness.
Regression of Metastatic Breast Cancer in a Patient Treated with the Anti-Angiogenic Drug Tnp-470
Authors: Offodile Regina , Walton Terrence , Lee Maggie , Stiles Ann , Nguyen Mai
Published: April 2018

Background

Solid tumors in general, and breast cancer in particular, depend on angiogenesis to grow and metastasize. Multiple agents have been developed in order to inhibit this phenomenon of tumor-induced angiogenesis. TNP-470 is one of the most potent of these drugs. We report here a case of regression of metastatic lesions from breast cancer due to the administration of the anti-angiogenic drug TNP-470.

Methods

A 44-year-old woman with a history of stage 2 breast cancer developed metastases at four sites: eye, lung, liver, and bone. She had been treated with radiation, megace, adriamycin, Cytoxan, and 5-fluorouracil with disease stabilization. After she completed her radiation and chemotherapy, she was started on TNP-470.

Results

In response to TNP-470, her disease showed a partial response at the three-month follow-up and stabilization at the five-month follow-up. There were no side effects, and her quality of life was good.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this patient is the first reported case of regression of breast cancer metastases as a result of treatment with TNP-470. Anti-angiogenic drugs hold promise for the future therapy of breast cancer, and possibly of many other solid tumors as well.
Pulmonary Asbestosis Associated to Pleural Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Parisio Elena , Bianchi Celso , Rovej Rossella , Sparacio Francesca , Ferrari Alberto , Scanni Alberto
Published: April 2018

We describe herein a case report of a patient affected by pulmonary asbestosis who developed a non-Hodgkin lymphoma originating in the pleura. The case is unusual for the uncommon site and because the chronic antigenic stimulation by asbestos bodies may have locally promoted an immunologic derangement.
The effect of music on arousal, enjoyment, and cognitive performance
Authors: Lim Hayoung A. , Park Heekyeong
Published: April 2018

The present study examined the relationship between arousal and cognitive performance after musical experience via different music activities. Participants performed four musical tasks as music activities – listening, singing, rhythm tapping, and keyboard playing – in addition to a non-musical task. In order to examine music-induced arousal, the arousal level of each participant was measured before and after the musical task. Participants’ recall of lyrics was measured, along with the ratings on the task difficulty and enjoyment of the musical task. While arousal changed after active musical tasks, the arousal change did not contribute to recall. Instead, an indirect relationship between arousal and recall was found: arousal change after a musical task was related to enjoyment of the task and enjoyment mediated the relationship between arousal and recall by predicting recall. These results do not support the direct effect of music on recall. Instead, the present findings suggest that enjoyment of musical experience plays a critical role in the relationship between music-induced arousal and memory.
Reliability and validity of the Assessment of Client's Enablement (ACE)
Authors: Sawada Tatsunori , Kitahashi Taeko , Kose Ayami , Ashby Samantha , Karamatsu Yu , Ohno Kanta , Ogawa Masahiro , Tomori Kounosuke
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Goal-setting in client-centred occupational therapy is often problematic. The Assessment of Client's Enablement was developed to measure the gap between an occupational therapist's and client's ratings of occupational performance. This study examines the reliability and convergent validity of the assessment.

Method

The assessment was used by 22 occupational therapists with 44 clients. Convergent validity was examined between the assessment (client, occupational therapist and gap scores), Canadian Occupational Performance Measure performance and Functional Independence Measure scores. Test–retest reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient. Forty-four clients participated in the test–retest reliability study.

Findings

Good-to-moderate correlation was found in the assessment scores (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.86, 0.95 and 0.78 for client, occupational therapist and gap scores, respectively). The validation study was completed by 34 clients. The correlation between Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and Assessment of Client's Enablement scores was significant (client score, Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation (rs) = 0.47; occupational therapist score, rs = 0.45). The correlation between Functional Independence Measure and the assessment's occupational therapist scores was significant (rs = 0.43).

Conclusion

The study confirms the reliability and convergent validity of the Assessment of Client's Enablement. The assessment requires less time to administer than similar instruments and requires no formal training, making it feasible in rehabilitation settings.
Orgasmic migraine aura: Report of two cases
Authors: Angus-Leppan Heather , Caulfield Alice
Published: April 2018

Background

Paroxysmal neurological symptoms occurring with sex cause considerable anxiety and sometimes have a serious cause. Thunderclap headache is the most well-known and requires urgent investigation at first presentation for subarachnoid haemorrhage and other significant pathologies. After exclusion of underlying causes, many prove to be primary headache associated with sexual activity. Orgasmic migraine aura without headache is not currently recognised as a clinical entity.

Case reports

We report two patients with acephalgic orgasmic neurological symptoms fulfilling the criteria for migraine aura.

Conclusions

The incidence of acephalgic orgasmic migraine aura is unknown. It should be considered as part of the differential of paroxysmal sex-related neurological symptoms, and clinically differentiated from fixed deficits, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and post-orgasmic illness syndrome.
Ulnar Nerve Complications After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction of the Elbow: A Systematic Review
Authors: Clain Jason B. , Vitale Mark A. , Ahmad Christopher S. , Ruchelsman David E.
Published: April 2018

Background:

While ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) of the elbow is an increasingly commonly performed procedure with excellent results reported in the published literature, less attention has been paid to specifically on the characterization of postoperative ulnar nerve complications, and it is unclear what operative strategies may influence the likelihood of these complications.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence and type of ulnar nerve complications after UCLR of the elbow based on the entirety of previously published outcomes in the English literature. In addition, this study examined how the rate of ulnar nerve complications varied as a function of surgical exposures, graft fixation techniques, and ulnar nerve management strategies.

Study Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature was completed using the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Ovid databases. UCLR case series that contained complications data were included. Ulnar neuropathy was defined as any symptoms or objective sensory and/or motor deficit(s) after surgery, including resolved transient symptoms. Meta-analysis of the pooled data was completed.

Results:

Seventeen articles (n = 1518 cases) met the inclusion criteria, all retrospective cohort studies. The mean prevalence of postoperative ulnar neuropathy was 12.0% overall after any UCLR procedure at a mean follow-up of 3.3 years, and 0.8% of cases required reoperation to address ulnar neuropathy. There were no cases of intraoperative ulnar nerve injury reported. The surgical approach associated with the highest rate of neuropathy was detachment of flexor pronator mass (FPM) (21.9%) versus muscle retraction (15.9%) and muscle splitting (3.9%). The fixation technique associated with the highest rate of neuropathy was the modified Jobe (16.9%) versus DANE TJ (9.1%), figure-of-8 (9.0%), interference screw (5.0%), docking technique (3.3%), hybrid suture anchor-bone tunnel (2.9%), and modified docking (2.5%). Concomitant ulnar nerve transposition was associated with a higher neuropathy rate (16.1%) compared with no handling of the ulnar nerve (3.9%). Among cases with concomitant transposition performed, submuscular transposition resulted in a higher rate of reoperation for ulnar neuropathy (12.7%) compared with subcutaneous transposition (0.0%).

Conclusion:

Despite a perception that UCLR has minimal morbidity, a review of all published literature revealed that 12.0% of UCLR surgeries result in postoperative ulnar nerve complications. UCLR techniques associated with the highest rates of neuropathy were detachment of the FPM, modified Jobe fixation, and concomitant ulnar nerve transposition, although it remains unclear whether there is a causal relationship between these factors and subsequent development of postoperative ulnar neuropathy due to limitations in the current body of published literature.
The Hero Takes a Walk: Two excerpts from a memoir on growing up in the Philippines in the sixties
Authors: Nery Robert
Published: April 2018

The Hero Takes a Walk is a philosophical memoir of a Philippine childhood and teenage years in the sixties and the first few years of the seventies. Two chapter extracts are presented here: the first on Beatlemania and what it meant to Filipinos, a cosmopolitanism they desired and sought to practice; the second, on the reception of Marxism in the Maoist version promulgated under the influence of Jose Maria Sison. The first raises its central question while telling the story of the Beatles’ visit in 1966, when they were chased out of the country, an account drawing on neglected local reports. The second remembers how Marxism-Maoism, like any theory, was interpreted against the background of pre-existing belief – in this case, Philippine Catholicism. In his memoir, the author looks back critically on the intellectual movements that deeply affected him, on certain books and writing and his reception of the films and popular music of the time. The Hero Takes a Walk diverges at various points into literary criticism and history, before coming to an end in present-day Greater Manila.
The Sinosphere left looks at rising China: Missed dialogues and the search for an ‘Asian perspective’
Authors: Zhiyu Li , Rocks Morgan
Published: April 2018

Contemporary left-wing debate in the Sinosphere, here limited to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong, and Taiwan, is often fuelled by the political, economic, and social implications of the PRC’s rise as a world power. While agreeing upon basic premises of anti-imperialism and anti-capitalism, left-wing intellectuals in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan come to loggerheads over critiquing how China’s rise influences its leftist identity. In the past few years we have witnessed a series of fractured and one-sided arguments among Sinosphere left-wing intellectuals. As part of the research dialogues on mapping the intellectual public sphere in China today, this article examines the cacophony of the Sinosphere leftist echo chamber, starting from contentious debates over the leftist nature of Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement and Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement, and then focusing on voices that are attempting to bring together left-wing traditions from the PRC, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Scholars such as He Zhaotian, Chen Kuan-Hsing, and Sun Ge are exploring possibilities of de-imperialization, decolonization, and de-Cold War-ization, in the hopes of creating a shared, emancipatory ‘Asian perspective’. Though few in number, these voices demonstrate a growing utopian urge within the Sinosphere left to participate in mutual dialogues on possible futures.
System-wide lean implementation in health care: A multiple case study
Authors: Centauri Federica , Mazzocato Pamela , Villa Stefano , Marsilio Marta
Published: April 2018

Background

Lean practices have been widely used by health care organizations to meet efficiency, performance and quality improvement needs. The lean health care literature shows that the effective implementation of lean requires a holistic system-wide approach. However, there is still limited evidence on what drives effective system-wide lean implementation in health care. The existing literature suggests that a deeper understanding of how lean interventions interact with the organizational context is necessary to identify the critical variables to successfully sustain system-wide lean strategies. Purpose and methodology: A multiple case study of three Italian hospitals is conducted with the aim to explore the organizational conditions that are relevant for an effective system-wide lean implementation. A conceptual framework, built on socio-technical system schemas, is used to guide data collection and analysis. Findings: The analysis points out the importance to support lean implementation with an integrated and coordinated strategy involving the social, technical, and external components of the overall hospital system.
Lightweight design of gears in the wheel-side reducer based on Shanghai road driving cycle
Authors: Ning Xin , Zheng Songlin , Wang Yahui , Feng Jinzhi
Published: April 2018

The development of wheel-side reducer with proper durability is important for electric vehicles equipped with a wheel-side reducer system. Based on the Shanghai road driving cycle, a novel conversion method is proposed from vehicle speed to load, which provides a theoretical foundation for lightweight design and a durability analysis of the key components of the wheel-side reducer system. With the gears of the wheel-side reducer as an example, an electric drive system durability test specification is also developed on the basis of the Miner linear cumulative damage theory considering the material strengthening under low-amplitude loads. The durability test shows that the second round of the prototype design no longer has an infinite life compared with the first round of the prototype design. The method based on active load spectrum is more effective than the traditional design method.
A new methodology for the estimation of wheel–rail contact forces at a high-frequency range
Authors: Bagheri Vahid R , Younesian Davood , Tehrani Parisa H
Published: April 2018

Online measurement of wheel–rail contact forces is nowadays in demand for evaluating safety and manoeuvring the condition in real time and in real operation. In this study, the wheel–rail contact forces are estimated using a novel indirect identification method based on the measured radial strain on the wheel web. Further, the strain response of the rolling wheel is derived using an analytical solution of the disk under a rotating load, and a scheme was prepared for the identification of the rolling wheel parameters and its corresponding characteristic matrix. An appropriate angular strain configuration is employed to eliminate the effect of wheel rotation. The Tikhonov regularization technique is employed to solve the ill-posed least square problem and to attenuate the effect of noisy measurement and numerical uncertainty during the estimation of the forces. A finite element model of the rotating load is then constructed to investigate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed methodology. The effects of the rotating speed, loading and measurement noise on the estimated normal force are studied. It is found that neglecting the effect of the rotating speed causes a notable error particularly in the high-speed range.
Aging- and Senescence-associated Changes of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Authors: Mattiucci Domenico , Maurizi Giulia , Leoni Pietro , Poloni Antonella
Published: April 2018

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells reside within the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. By a well-balanced interplay between self-renewal and differentiation, they ensure a lifelong supply of mature blood cells. Physiologically, multiple different cell types contribute to the regulation of stem and progenitor cells in the BM microenvironment by cell-extrinsic and cell-intrinsic mechanisms. During the last decades, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been identified as one of the main cellular components of the BM microenvironment holding an indispensable role for normal hematopoiesis. During aging, MSCs diminish their functional and regenerative capacities and in some cases encounter replicative senescence, promoting inflammation and cancer progression. It is now evident that alterations in specific stromal cells that comprise the BM microenvironment can contribute to hematologic malignancies, and there is growing interest regarding the contribution of MSCs to the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs), a clonal hematological disorder, occurring mostly in the elderly, characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and increased tendency to acute myeloid leukemia evolution. The pathogenesis of MDS has been associated with specific genetic and epigenetic events occurring both in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and in the whole BM microenvironment with an aberrant cross talk between hematopoietic elements and stromal compartment. This review highlights the role of MSCs in MDS showing functional and molecular alterations such as altered cell-cycle regulation with impaired proliferative potential, dysregulated cytokine secretion, and an abnormal gene expression profile. Here, the current knowledge of impaired functional properties of both aged MSCs and MSCs in MDS have been described with a special focus on inflammation and senescence induced changes in the BM microenvironment. Furthermore, a better understanding of aberrant BM microenvironment could improve future potential therapies.
Modeling and control of a 2-degree-of-freedom gyro-stabilized platform driven by ultrasonic motors
Authors: Pan Song , Wu Yipeng , Zhang Jianhui , Zhou Shengqiang , Zhu Hua
Published: April 2018

This article specially designed and demonstrated a new ultrasonic motor and its control system based on the dynamic model of the 2-degree-of-freedom gyro-stabilized platform. The factors such as mechanical resonance, torque and moment inertia coupling, and nonlinearity of the driver were also taken into account during the optimization of the robust proportional–integral–differential control system. Finally, the controller was implemented by an ultrasonic motor and an embedded microcontroller. Experimental results showed that, comparing with the traditional electromagnetic motor controller, the proposed ultrasonic motor controller had the better control performances in dynamic response, static accuracy, isolation, and so on. A practical prototype of the gyro-stabilized platform with stronger robustness was also developed at the same time.
Thermal and tribological characteristics of a disc-type magnetorheological brake operated by the shear mode
Authors: Song Wanli , Wang Siyuan , Choi Seung-Bok , Wang Na , Xiu Shichao
Published: April 2018

In this article, thermal characteristics and tribological properties of a disk-type magnetorheological fluid–based brake are investigated under various brake operating conditions such as different working gaps. In order to achieve this goal, a theoretical analysis of the heating and heat dissipation of the magnetorheological brake is first performed and then the transient temperature behaviors of the magnetorheological brake are investigated through simulation works associated with the finite element method. Subsequently, an experimental apparatus is established to measure temperature distributions of the magnetorheological brake as a function of the operating time. Thereafter, several heating and wear tests are conducted on the magnetorheological brake, and worn surfaces of the friction plates are observed using a scanning electron microscope to understand tribological characteristics of the magnetorheological brake. It is shown that the smaller working gap causes the higher temperature compared with the larger gap under the same magnitude of the input current applied to the magnetorheological fluid domain. This thermal behavior consequently results in the reduction of the braking torque. It is also demonstrated from the wear test that the small working gap significantly affects both wear and tribological characteristics showing the large ridges and deep grooves on the worn surfaces of the friction plate.
Precorrection: Preventing Predictable Problem Behaviors in School Settings
Authors: Evanovich Lauren L. , Kern Laura
Published: April 2018

Precorrection is an intervention that is a simple, systematic method of predicting and addressing inappropriate social or academic behaviors. It can be successfully be implemented for students of any age and ability, and across any setting, behavior, or academic task. This article demonstrates the use of precorrection across settings, including as part of a multi-intervention approach with self-management.
Using different fibers to replace fat in sponge cakes: In vitro starch digestion and physico-structural studies
Authors: Diez-Sánchez Elena , Llorca Empar , Quiles Amparo , Hernando Isabel
Published: April 2018

This study assessed the effect of substituting 30% of fat by soluble, insoluble fiber, or a mix of both fibers in sponge cake quality, structure, acceptability, and starch digestibility. The apparent viscosity of the different formulations was measured and micro-baking was simulated. Texture profile tests were carried out and the crumb structure was examined. In vitro digestion was performed to study the digestibility of starch and a sensory test was carried out to know consumer acceptance. The soluble fiber (maltodextrin) affected the structure and quality of the cakes less than the insoluble fiber (potato fiber) and the use of soluble fiber in the formulation resulted in lower glucose release under in vitro conditions. Moreover, the consumer did not find differences among the control cake and the cakes prepared with soluble fiber. Considering the results as a whole, soluble fiber may be used for partial replacement of fat in sponge cake formulations and may constitute an appropriate strategy for obtaining healthy sponge cakes.
Access-Based Services for the Base of the Pyramid
Authors: Schaefers Tobias , Moser Roger , Narayanamurthy Gopalakrishnan
Published: April 2018

One key challenge for consumers at the base of the pyramid (BoP) is access to products that could transform their livelihood, leading to nonconsumption as the dominant pattern. Previous studies have claimed that nonconsumption could be addressed with services offering access to goods without ownership. Drawing on expected utility theory, we conduct two experimental studies in rural India that provide the first empirical support for the idea that the availability of access-based services reduces nonconsumption at the BoP. Additionally, we show that this effect is explained by BoP consumers’ expected utility assessment as reflected in their perception of access being more affordable and entailing less financial risk than ownership. We also demonstrate that access temporality, an important configurational variable for access-based service providers, affects the degree to which nonconsumption can be decreased. Compared to short-term access, BoP consumers perceive long-term access to be too similar to ownership in terms of affordability and financial risk, which causes them to refrain from purchasing. Overall, the results suggest that access-based services represent a viable alternative for addressing nonconsumption at the BoP. However, service providers should be aware that short-term access is required to gain acceptance among BoP consumers.
Phenotype Classification Using Moment Features of Single-Cell Data
Authors: Sima Chao , Hua Jianping , Bittner Michael L , Kim Seungchan , Dougherty Edward R
Published: April 2018

Features for standard expression microarray and RNA-Seq classification are expression averages over collections of cells. Single cell provides expression measurements for individual cells in a collection of cells from a particular tissue sample. Hence, it can yield feature vectors consisting of higher order and mixed moments. This article demonstrates the advantage of using these expression moments in cancer-related classification. We use synthetic data generated from 2 real networks, the mammalian cell cycle network and a melanoma-related pathway network, and real single-cell data generated via fluorescent protein reporters from 2 cell lines, HT-29 and HCT-116. The networks consist of hidden binary regulatory networks with Gaussian observations. The steady-state distributions of both the original and mutated networks are found, and data are drawn from these for moment-based classification using the mean, variance, skewness, and mixed moments. For the real data, we only observe 1 gene at a time, so that only the mean, variance, and skewness are considered, the analysis being done for 2 genes, EGFR and ERRB2. For the synthetic data, classification improves as we move from just the mean to mean, variance, and skewness and then to these plus the mixed moments. Comparisons are done with 3, 4, or 5 features, using feature selection. Sample size effects are considered. For the real data, we only consider mean, variance, and skewness, with results improving when the higher order moments are used as features.
Translating the news in China: the evolution of Reference News and its future in a digital news landscape
Authors: Chase Thomas
Published: April 2018

Reference News is a prominent, Mainland Chinese newspaper that, for many decades, has translated and published foreign language news reports for its sizable readership. Over the course of its long history, both as a result of government directives and in response to the changing nature of Chinese society, the newspaper has undergone successive transformations. This study charts these changes, documenting Reference News’ earlier roles as intra-party intelligence bulletin and as a tool of ideological inculcation before analysing the newspaper’s later struggles to adapt to a pluralised and commercialised media market. This article argues that the more recent challenges posed by the increasing popularity of digital sources of news information has meant that despite a robust strategy designed to embrace the opportunities of the digital era, the future of Reference News as a successful and influential publisher in the digital realm is by no means certain.
Factors affecting continuation of clean intermittent catheterisation in people with multiple sclerosis: Results of the COSMOS mixed-methods study
Authors: McClurg Doreen , Bugge Carol , Elders Andrew , Irshad Tasneem , Hagen Suzanne , Moore Katherine N , Buckley Brian , Fader Mandy
Published: April 2018

Background:

Clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC) is often recommended for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

To determine the variables that affect continuation or discontinuation of the use of CIC.

Methods:

A three-part mixed-method study (prospective longitudinal cohort ( n = 56), longitudinal qualitative interviews ( n = 20) and retrospective survey ( n = 456)) was undertaken, which identified the variables that influenced CIC continuation/discontinuation. The potential explanatory variables investigated in each study were the individual’s age, gender, social circumstances, number of urinary tract infections, bladder symptoms, presence of co-morbidity, stage of multiple sclerosis and years since diagnosis, as well as CIC teaching method and intensity.

Results:

For some people with MS the prospect of undertaking CIC is difficult and may take a period of time to accept before beginning the process of using CIC. Ongoing support from clinicians, support at home and a perceived improvement in symptoms such as nocturia were positive predictors of continuation. In many cases, the development of a urinary tract infection during the early stages of CIC use had a significant detrimental impact on continuation.

Conclusion:

Procedures for reducing the incidence of urinary tract infection during the learning period (i.e. when being taught and becoming competent) should be considered, as well as the development of a tool to aid identification of a person’s readiness to try CIC.
Hippocampal-related memory network in multiple sclerosis: A structural connectivity analysis
Authors: Llufriu Sara , Rocca Maria A , Pagani Elisabetta , Riccitelli Gianna C , Solana Elisabeth , Colombo Bruno , Rodegher Mariaemma , Falini Andrea , Comi Giancarlo , Filippi Massimo
Published: April 2018

Background:

We used graph theoretical analysis to quantify structural connectivity of the hippocampal-related episodic memory network and its association with memory performance in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Methods:

Brain diffusion and T1-weighted sequences were obtained from 71 MS patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs). A total of 30 gray matter regions (selected a priori) were used as seeds to perform probabilistic tractography and create connectivity matrices. Global, nodal, and edge graph theoretical properties were calculated. In patients, verbal and visuospatial memory was assessed.

Results:

MS patients showed decreased network strength, assortativity, transitivity, global efficiency, and increased average path length. Several nodes had decreased strength and communicability in patients, whereas insula and left temporo-occipital cortex increased communicability. Patients had widespread decreased streamline count (SC) and communicability of edges, although a few ones increased their connectivity. Worse memory performance was associated with reduced network efficiency, decreased right hippocampus strength, and reduced SC and communicability of edges related to medial temporal lobe, thalamus, insula, and occipital cortex.

Conclusion:

Impaired structural connectivity occurs in the hippocampal-related memory network, decreasing the efficiency of information transmission. Network connectivity measures correlate with episodic memory, supporting the relevance of structural integrity in preserving memory processes in MS.
Non-dimensional pressure–impulse diagrams for blast-loaded reinforced concrete beam columns referred to different failure modes
Authors: Yu Runqing , Zhang Diandian , Chen Li , Yan Haichun
Published: April 2018

The pressure–impulse diagram is commonly used to assess the damage level of structural components under explosion. Non-dimensional pressure–impulse diagrams referred to different failure modes was obtained using a new methodology in this article. Nine non-dimensional key parameters were first proposed on basis of the Euler beam theory. Considering the shear failure, an elastic–plastic method to calculate the dynamic response of reinforced concrete beam columns was then proposed for different failure modes. Three failure categories, for example, bending failure, shear failure, and combined shear and bending failure, were considered. The threshold between the three failure modes was determined using non-dimensional pressure–impulse curves. A systematic parametric study was conducted to investigate the effects of different non-dimensional parameters on the dynamic response and the failure modes of reinforced concrete beam column. Parametric study shows that the nine non-dimensional key parameters are sufficient to calculate the dynamic response of reinforced concrete beam columns. Moreover, present study shows that the tangent modulus of direct shear stress–slip relation has a great influence on the failure modes. Beam columns with a smaller tangent modulus are more likely to generate combined shear and bending failure mode.
Nonlinear behaviour of reinforced concrete flat slabs after a column loss event
Authors: Russell Justin M , Owen John S , Hajirasouliha Iman
Published: April 2018

Previous studies have demonstrated that reinforced concrete flat slab structures could be vulnerable to progressive collapse. Although such events are dynamic, simplified static analyses using the sudden column loss scenario are often used to gain an indication into the robustness of the structure. In this study, finite element analysis is used to replicate column loss scenarios on a range of reinforced concrete flat slab floor models. The model was validated against the results of scaled-slab experiments and then used to investigate the influence of different geometric and material variables, within standard design ranges, on the response of the structure. The results demonstrate that slab elements are able to effectively redistribute loading after a column loss event and therefore prevent a progressive collapse. However, the shear forces to the remaining columns were 159% of their fully supported condition and increased to 300% when a dynamic amplification factor of 2.0 was applied. It is shown that this can potentially lead to a punching shear failure in some of the slab elements.
Calculating method of the fatigue life for the main supporting bearing of mixing drum in concrete mixing truck when considering drum’s vibration
Authors: Yang Jiapeng , An Qi
Published: April 2018

It has been observed that there are many studies focusing on the vibration properties of bearings caused by manufacturing errors, assembly related errors, out-of-balance rotor rotation, cage instability, etc. But there are fewer research studies on the effect of rotor’s vibration on double-row rolling element bearings’ mechanical properties. In this paper, a calculating method has been established for bearing’s roller load and fatigue life when considering rotor’s vibration. And this model is applied to study the main supporting bearing of the mixing drum of a certain type of concrete mixing truck with the consideration of the mixing drum’s vibration. The effects of rotating speed, inclination angle, concrete liquid level, and rolling wheels’ supporting position on the roller load and bearing’s fatigue life are studied with a specific example with and without considering the mixing drum’s vibration. Results show that with the increase in the rotating speed, the bearing roller’s maximum load decreases, while the fatigue life of main supporting bearing increases. With the decrease of the concrete liquid level, there is increase in the inclination angle and the movement of rolling wheel from left to right, and the bearing roller’s maximum load increases, while the fatigue life of main supporting bearing decreases. The changes of the mixing drum’s inclination angle have tremendous effect on bearing’s fatigue life, while the change in the rolling wheel’s supporting position has little influence on the fatigue life of the main supporting bearing. When considering the mixing drum’s vibration, the roller’s maximum load is larger than that without considering mixing drum’s vibration, while the fatigue life of the main supporting bearing is shorter than that without considering mixing drum’s vibration.
Observer Variability in CT Perfusion Parameters in Primary and Metastatic Tumors in the Lung
Authors: Ng Chaan S. , Wei Wei , Ghosh Payel , Anderson Ella , Herron Delise H. , Chandler Adam G.
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

Evaluate observer variability in computed tomography perfusion measurements in lung tumors and assess the relative contributions of individual factors to overall variability.

Materials and Methods:

Four observers independently delineated tumor and defined arterial input function region of interests (tumor region of interest and arterial input function region of interest) on each of 4 contiguous slice levels of computed tomography perfusion images (arterial input function level), in 12 computed tomography perfusion data sets containing lung tumors (>2.5 cm size), on 2 separate occasions. Computed tomography perfusion parameters (blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and permeability surface area product) for tumor volumes of interest were computed for all combinations of these factors, totaling up to 1024 combinations per patient. Overall, inter- and intraobserver variability were assessed by within-patient coefficient of variation, variance components analyses, and intraclass correlation.

Results:

Overall observer within-patient coefficient of variations for tumor blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and permeability surface area product were 20.3%, 11.9%, 6.3%, and 31.7%, and intraclass correlations were 0.94, 0.91, 0.82, and 0.72, respectively. Interobserver tumor volume of interest and arterial input function level were the highest contributors to overall variance for blood flow, blood volume, and mean transit time. Overall intraobserver wCVs for blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and permeability surface area product (4.3%, 2.4%, 0.9%, and 3.1%) were smaller than interobserver within-patient coefficient of variations (9.5%, 5.6%, 1.6%, and 7.0%), respectively.

Conclusion:

The largest contributors to observer variability were interobserver tumor volume of interest and arterial input function level. Overall variability in computed tomography perfusion studies can potentially be minimized by using a single observer and a consistent level for arterial input function, which would be important considerations in longitudinal and multicenter studies. Methods to reliably define arterial input function and delineate tumor volumes would help to reduce variability in estimations of computed tomography perfusion parameter values.