bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network Coding versus Replication Based Resilient Techniques to Mitigate Insider Attacks for Smart Metering
Authors: Brunisholz Pierre , Erdene-Ochir Ochirkhand , Abdallah Mohamed , Qaraqe Khalid , Minier Marine , Valois Fabrice
Published: June 2015

The main focus of this paper is the resilience of communication protocols for data gathering in distributed, large scale, and dense networks. In our previous work, we have proposed the resilient methods based on random behavior and data replications to improve route diversification, thus to take advantage of redundant network structure. Following these previous methods, we propose in this paper a new resilient method based on network coding techniques to improve resilience in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) for smart metering applications. More precisely, using our resilience metric based on a performance surface, we compare several variants of a well-known gradient based routing protocol with the previous methods (random routing and packet replications) and the new proposed methods (two network coding techniques). The proposed methods outperformed the previous methods in terms of data delivery success even in the presence of high attack intensity.
Association of Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase and Ferritin with the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Wei Dong , Chen Tao , Li Jie , Gao Yun , Ren Yan , Zhang Xiangxun , Yu Hongling , Tian Haoming
Published: June 2015

Aim. To investigate the relationship among GGT, ferritin, and the risk of metabolic syndrome.Methods. A total of 1024 eligible individuals of the Chinese Yi ethnic group were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The presence of metabolic syndrome was determined using the revised NCEP-ATP III and CDS criteria. Odds ratios for the metabolic syndrome and its components for different groups based on the levels of GGT and ferritin were calculated using multiple logistic regressions.Results. Serum GGT and ferritin concentrations were significantly higher in subjects with metabolic syndrome compared to those without metabolic syndrome in both genders (p< 0.05). Serum GGT was positively correlated with ferritin (p< 0.05). The risk of the metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in female subjects who had elevated GGT and ferritin levels (p< 0.05). Furthermore, the increased risk of having each of the metabolic syndrome components (overweight or obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance) was also observed in those subjects after adjustment for possible confounders (p< 0.05).Conclusions. These data indicate that GGT and ferritin synergistically correlate with the risk of the metabolic syndrome, suggesting that they could potentially be used as predictive biomarkers for the metabolic syndrome.
Methotrexate Associated Renal Impairment Is Related to Delayed Elimination of High‐Dose Methotrexate
Authors: Yang Shi-Long , Zhao Fen-Ying , Song Hua , Shen Di-Ying , Xu Xiao-Jun
Published: June 2015

Although Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective drug for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the toxicity remains a significant problem. In this prospective study, fifty‐four patients with ALL were enrolled. 3 g or 5 g MTX/m2 was administered over 24 hours. Serum MTX concentrations were determined in 24, 48, and 96 hours after MTX infusion. Serum creatinine concentrations and creatinine clearance rate (CCR) were determined before and 24 and 48 hours after MTX infusion. A total of 173 courses of MTX infusion were administered. The serum creatinine concentrations did not change much after MTX infusion while the CCR was gradually decreased. MTX clearance status was independently related to CCR decrease, with the risk of 8.07 to develop renal impairment in patients with delayed MTX elimination. Serum creatinine concentration, serum creatinine ratio, CCR, and CCR ratio at 24 hours were all related to MTX elimination delay. Patients with serum creatinine level >35.0 μmol/L, creatinine ratio >1.129, or CCR <100.0 mL/min were more likely to undergo MTX elimination delay. In conclusion, MTX could induce transient renal impairment and compromised renal function will delay MTX clearance. The serum creatinine concentration and the ratio and CCR are useful tools for evaluating MTX elimination status.
A Compact Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna for LTE Mobile Handset Applications
Authors: Choi Munyong , Wi Hyunho , Mun Byeonggwi , Yoon Yonghyun , Lee Hyunwoo , Lee Byungje
Published: June 2015

A compact (8 × 62 × 5 mm3; 2.48 cc) frequency reconfigurable antenna that uses electrical switching with PIN diodes is proposed for the low frequency LTE band (699 MHz–862 MHz), high frequency LTE band (2496 MHz–2690 MHz), GSM850/900 bands (824 MHz–960 MHz), and DCS/PCS/WCDMA bands (1710 MHz–2170 MHz). The penta-band PIFA is first designed for GSM850/900/DCS/PCS/WCDMA bands by using two slits and ground pins within a limited antenna volume (8 × 54.6 × 5 mm3; 2.18 cc). The frequency reconfigurable antenna based on this penta-band PIFA is thus proposed to additionally cover all LTE bands. The proposed antenna has two PIN diodes with an optimal location. For State 1 (PIN diode 1: ON state, PIN diode 2: OFF state), the proposed antenna covers the low frequency LTE band, DCS/PCS/WCDMA bands, and high frequency LTE band. For State 2 (PIN diode 1: OFF state, PIN diode 2: ON state), the antenna covers the GSM850/900 bands. Simulated and measured results show that the total efficiency of the proposed antenna was greater than 40% for all operating frequency bands.
Optimization on Tartary Buckwheat Enriched Steamed Bread: A Response Surface Methodology Study
Authors: Wang Xia , Zhang Tianliang
Published: June 2015

Tartary buckwheat, rich in bioactive components such as flavonoids, has been proved beneficial to human health and prevention from many diseases. However, its utilization is limited due to bitterness, roughness, and hardness. The present study was to develop a kind of Tartary buckwheat enriched steamed bread with blends of Tartary buckwheat flour, wheat flour, gluten, glucose oxidase, and pentosanase, using response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the formula. The independent variables investigated in the present study were the additive amount of gluten, glucose oxidase, and pentosanase, with bread volume and sensory evaluation value as response variables. Based on a basic formula consisting of 250 g Tartary buckwheat flour, 250 g wheat flour, 15 g yeast, and 300 mL water, the obtained optimum formula was 41.20 g gluten, 1032 U glucose oxidase, and 56 U pentosanase. Gluten and GOD demonstrated statistically significant effects on Tartary buckwheat steamed bread volume and sensory evaluation values. The validation test results of the optimum formula, with relative error as 0.98% and 2.55%, were consistent with the theoretically predicted values, demonstrating the reliability of equation and effectiveness of RSM.
High Risk Stage 2 and Stage 3 Colon Cancer, Predictors of Recurrence and Effect of Adjuvant Therapy in a Nonselected Population
Authors: van Eeghen Elmer E. , Bakker Sandra D. , van Bochove Aart , Loffeld Ruud J. L. F.
Published: June 2015

Patients with stage 2 and stage 3 colon cancer often are treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. However, patients seen in daily practice have more comorbidity than those enrolled in clinical trials. This study aims to evaluate prognostic factors for recurrence and to ascertain the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy on recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients in a nonselected population. Furthermore, the impact of relative dose intensity (RDI) of adjuvant therapy on RFS is examined. Chart review was performed for 243 consecutive patients diagnosed and treated at a single center for stage 2 and stage 3 colon cancer from 2002 to 2008. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 66 patients. Median overall survival (OS) was 5.84 years and median RFS was 5.37 years. For stage 2 disease, patients treated with or without adjuvant therapy had a median RFS of 5.49 and 5.73, respectively (p = ns). For stage 3 disease, median RFS rates were 5.08 and 1.19, respectively (p=0.084). Overall RDI of oxaliplatin based chemotherapy higher than median was associated with increased RFS (p=0.045). In conclusion, adjuvant therapy did not significantly increase recurrence-free survival. This could be the result of comorbidity in patients. Relative dose intensity of oxaliplatin based therapy is associated with RFS.
Underestimated Rate of Status Epilepticus according to the Traditional Definition of Status Epilepticus
Authors: Ong Cheung-Ter , Wong Yi-Sin , Sung Sheng-Feng , Wu Chi-Shun , Hsu Yung-Chu , Su Yu-Hsiang , Hung Ling-Chien
Published: June 2015

Purpose. Status epilepticus (SE) is an important neurological emergency. Early diagnosis could improve outcomes. Traditionally, SE is defined as seizures lasting at least 30 min or repeated seizures over 30 min without recovery of consciousness. Some specialists argued that the duration of seizures qualifying as SE should be shorter and the operational definition of SE was suggested. It is unclear whether physicians follow the operational definition. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the incidence of SE was underestimated and to investigate the underestimate rate. Methods. This retrospective study evaluates the difference in diagnosis of SE between operational definition and traditional definition of status epilepticus. Between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2014, patients discharged with ICD‐9 codes for epilepsy (345.X) in Chia‐Yi Christian Hospital were included in the study. A seizure lasting at least 30 min or repeated seizures over 30 min without recovery of consciousness were considered SE according to the traditional definition of SE (TDSE). A seizure lasting between 5 and 30 min was considered SE according to the operational definition of SE (ODSE); it was defined as underestimated status epilepticus (UESE). Results. During a 2‐year period, there were 256 episodes of seizures requiring hospital admission. Among the 256 episodes, 99 episodes lasted longer than 5 min, out of which 61 (61.6%) episodes persisted over 30 min (TDSE) and 38 (38.4%) episodes continued between 5 and 30 min (UESE). In the 38 episodes of seizure lasting 5 to 30 minutes, only one episode was previously discharged as SE (ICD‐9‐CM 345.3). Conclusion. We underestimated 37.4% of SE. Continuing education regarding the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy is important for physicians.
Free-Breathing 3D Imaging of Right Ventricular Structure and Function Using Respiratory and Cardiac Self-Gated Cine MRI
Authors: Zhu Yanchun , Liu Jing , Weinsaft Jonathan , Spincemaille Pascal , Nguyen Thanh D. , Prince Martin R. , Bao Shanglian , Xie Yaoqin , Wang Yi
Published: June 2015

Providing a movie of the beating heart in a single prescribed plane, cine MRI has been widely used in clinical cardiac diagnosis, especially in the left ventricle (LV). Right ventricular (RV) morphology and function are also important for the diagnosis of cardiopulmonary diseases and serve as predictors for the long term outcome. The purpose of this study is to develop a self-gated free-breathing 3D imaging method for RV quantification and to evaluate its performance by comparing it with breath-hold 2D cine imaging in 7 healthy volunteers. Compared with 2D, the 3D RV functional measurements show a reduction of RV end-diastole volume (RVEDV) by 10%, increase of RV end-systole volume (RVESV) by 1.8%, reduction of RV systole volume (RVSV) by 21%, and reduction of RV ejection fraction (RVEF) by 12%. High correlations between the two techniques were found (RVEDV: 0.94; RVESV: 0.85; RVSV: 0.95; and RVEF: 0.89). Compared with 2D, the 3D image quality measurements show a small reduction in blood SNR, myocardium-blood CNR, myocardium contrast, and image sharpness. In conclusion, the proposed self-gated free-breathing 3D cardiac cine imaging technique provides comparable image quality and correlated functional measurements to those acquired with the multiple breath-hold 2D technique in RV.
Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma Arising in Struma Ovarii
Authors: Khunamornpong Surapan , Settakorn Jongkolnee , Sukpan Kornkanok , Suprasert Prapaporn , Siriaunkgul Sumalee
Published: June 2015

Struma ovarii is an uncommon type of ovarian mature teratoma with a predominant thyroid component. The morphological spectrum of the thyroid tissue ranges from that of normal thyroid to proliferative adenoma-like lesions and thyroid-type carcinomas (malignant transformation). The histologic features of ovarian strumal lesions sometimes cause diagnostic problems due to the confusion with other types of ovarian neoplasms and the difficulty in the prediction of their clinical behavior. We report an extremely rare case of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma arising in struma ovarii. A 22-year-old woman presented with a 15 cm right ovarian mass. The tumor showed a predominantly tubular pattern which raised a differential diagnosis between endometrioid adenocarcinoma and Sertoli cell tumor. A review of the gross specimen with additional tissue sampling helped identify the teratomatous and strumal nature, with a support by immunohistochemical staining. Despite FIGO stage IA by optimal staging procedure and the absence of identifiable lymphovascular invasion, the patient developed pulmonary metastasis 15 months after surgery and died from the progression of the disease 7 years after the diagnosis. This case emphasizes the importance of macroscopic examination of the specimen and the awareness of this uncommon tumor in the differential diagnosis of ovarian neoplasms.
A Fuzzy Delphi-Analytical Hierarchy Process Approach for Ranking of Effective Material Selection Criteria
Authors: Kazemi Sajad , Homayouni Seyed Mahdi , Jahangiri Jay
Published: June 2015

The ability to select the most appropriate materials for a given application is the fundamental challenge faced by a design engineer. The objective of any material selection procedure is to identify appropriate selection criteria and to obtain the most appropriate combination of criteria in conjunction with requirements. Hence, selection of material is a multicriteria decision making problem. This study investigates and evaluates critical material selection criteria in a priority framework using the fuzzy Delphi-analytical hierarchy process method to overcome all shortcomings from AHP and Delphi methods that are common in material selection problem. 75 of the most important criteria for material selection have been collected from the literature. These criteria have been questioned in automobile interior design firms in Iran for car dashboard design. This ranking method would help product designers to decide on appropriate materials in a consistent method. Results indicate that “general” criteria such as availability, quality, risk, and technology are the most important criteria from the viewpoint of Iranian car manufacturers. Other criteria such as financial, technical, social and environmental, and sensorial criteria are relatively important in subsequent ranks.
Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense in Endometriosis and Its Malignant Transformation
Authors: Iwabuchi Takuya , Yoshimoto Chiharu , Shigetomi Hiroshi , Kobayashi Hiroshi
Published: June 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of redox status in endometriosis and its malignant transformation. A search was conducted between 1990 and 2014 through the English language literature (online MEDLINE PubMed database) using the keywords endometriosis combined with malignant transformation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defense. In benign endometriosis, autoxidation and Fenton reaction of hemoglobin from the ferrous Fe2+(oxyhemoglobin) state to the ferric Fe3+(methemoglobin) state lead to production of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) such asO2-andOH∙. Hemoglobin, heme, and iron derivatives in endometriotic cysts cause distortion in the homeostatic redox balance. Excess oxidative stress could trigger DNA damage and cell death. In contrast, endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) might be associated with an effective antioxidant defense, including heme oxygenases, cytochrome P450 family, and glutathione transferase family. The pattern of redox balance supports that enhanced antioxidants may be involved in the pathogenesis of malignant transformation. In conclusion, oxidant/antioxidant balance function is a double-edged sword, promoting cell death or carcinogenesis. Upregulation of antioxidant functions in endometriotic cyst may result in restoration of cell survival and subsequent malignant transformation.
A Nonlinear Goal Programming Model for University Admission Capacity Planning with Modified Differential Evolution Algorithm
Authors: El-Quliti Said Ali , Ragab Abdul Hamid Mohamed , Abdelaal Reda , Mohamed Ali Wagdy , Mashat Abdulfattah Suliman , Noaman Amin Yousef , Altalhi Abdulrahman Helal
Published: June 2015

This paper proposes a nonlinear Goal Programming Model (GPM) for solving the problem of admission capacity planning in academic universities. Many factors of university admission capacity planning have been taken into consideration among which are number of admitted students in the past years, total population in the country, number of graduates from secondary schools, desired ratios of specific specialties, faculty-to-students ratio, and the past number of graduates. The proposed model is general and has been tested at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the work aims to achieve the key objectives of a five-year development plan in addition to a 25-year future plan (AAFAQ) for universities education in the Kingdom. Based on the results of this test, the proposed GPM with a modified differential evolution algorithm has approved an ability to solve general admission capacity planning problem in terms of high quality, rapid convergence speed, efficiency, and robustness.
Core Muscle Activity during TRX Suspension Exercises with and without Kinesiology Taping in Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: Implications for Rehabilitation
Authors: Fong Shirley S. M. , Tam Y. T. , Macfarlane Duncan J. , Ng Shamay S. M. , Bae Young-Hyeon , Chan Eleanor W. Y. , Guo X.
Published: June 2015

This study aimed to examine the effects of kinesiology taping (KT) and different TRX suspension workouts on the amplitude of electromyographic (EMG) activity in the core muscles among people with chronic low back pain (LBP). Each participant (totaln=21) was exposed to two KT conditions: no taping and taping, while performing four TRX suspension exercises: (1) hamstring curl, (2) hip abduction in plank, (3) chest press, and (4) 45-degree row. Right transversus abdominis/internal oblique (TrAIO), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and superficial lumbar multifidus (LMF) activity was recorded with surface EMG and expressed as a percentage of the EMG amplitude recorded during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the respective muscles. Hip abduction in plank increased TrAIO, RA, and LMF EMG amplitude compared with other TRX positions (P<0.008). Only the hamstring curl was effective in inducing a high EMG amplitude of LMF (P<0.001). No significant difference in EMG magnitude was found between the taping and no taping conditions overall (P>0.05). Hip abduction in plank most effectively activated abdominal muscles, whereas the hamstring curl most effectively activated the paraspinal muscles. Applying KT conferred no immediate benefits in improving the core muscle activation during TRX training in adults with chronic LBP.
Intramuscular Administration of Drotaverine Hydrochloride Decreases Both Incidence of Urinary Retention and Time to Micturition in Orthopedic Patients under Spinal Anesthesia: A Single Blinded Randomized Study
Authors: Tomaszewski Dariusz , Bałkota Mariusz
Published: June 2015

Purpose. Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) increases the duration of hospitalization and frequency and risk of urinary bladder catheterization. The objective of this study was to analyze the efficacy of intramuscularly administered drotaverine hydrochloride in the prevention of POUR in orthopedic patients.Methods. Two hundred and thirty patients 17–40 years of age undergoing lower limb orthopedic procedures under spinal anesthesia were enrolled in the study. The study group received 40 mg of drotaverine hydrochloride intramuscularly; the second group was the control. The main outcome measure was (1) the time to micturition and (2) the incidence of urinary bladder catheterization and time to catheterization.Results. Two hundred and one patients of 230 enrolled participants completed the study. Compared to the control group, the male patients in study group exhibited a shorter time to spontaneous micturition (441 versus 563 minutes, 95% CI of the difference of means between 39 and 205 minutes) and a lower incidence of urinary bladder catheterization (4/75 versus 10/54) (RR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.1–0.87;P=0.0175).Conclusions. Intramuscular administration of drotaverine hydrochloride decreased the time to spontaneous micturition and decreased the incidence of urinary bladder catheterization in male patients who underwent orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia. This trial is registered withNCT02026427.
The Kinesio Taping Method for Myofascial Pain Control
Authors: Wu Wei-Ting , Hong Chang-Zern , Chou Li-Wei
Published: June 2015

Many people continue suffering from myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) defined as a regional pain syndrome characterized by muscle pain caused by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) clinically. Muscle spasm and block of blood circulation can be noticed in the taut bands. In the MTrP region, nociceptors can be sensitized by the peripheral inflammatory factors and contracture of fascia can also be induced. Traditional treatments of MPS include stretching therapy, thermal treatment, electrical stimulation, massage, manipulation, trigger points injection, acupuncture, and medicine. However, the pain syndrome may not be relieved even under multiple therapies. Recently, the Kinesio Taping (KT) method is popularly used in sports injuries, postoperative complications, and various pain problems, but little research is focused on MPS with KT method. In this paper, we review the research studies on the application to KT in treating MPS and other related issues. It appears that the KT application can elevate the subcutaneous space and then increase the blood circulation and lymph fluid drainage to reduce the chemical factors around the MTrP region. Therefore, it is suggested that KT method can be used as a regular treatment or added to the previous treatment for myofascial pain.
Is Risk Malignancy Index a Useful Tool for Predicting Malignant Ovarian Masses in Developing Countries?
Authors: Aziz Aliya B. , Najmi Nida
Published: June 2015

Introduction. Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) is widely studied for prediction of malignant pelvic masses in Western population. However, little is known regarding its implication in the developing countries. The objective of this study is to determine how accurately the RMI can predict the malignant pelvic masses.Materials and Methods. The study is a retrospective review of patients attending the gynecological clinic between January 2004 and December 2008 with adnexal masses. Information on demographic characteristics, ultrasound findings, menopausal status, CA125, and histopathology was collected. RMI score for each patient in the study group was calculated.Results. The study group included a total of 283 patients. Analysis of the individual parameters of RMI revealed that ultrasound was the best predictor of malignancy with a sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio of 78.3%, 81.5%, and 4.2, respectively. At a standard cut-off value of 250, RMI had a positive likelihood ratio of 8.1, while it was 6.8 at a cut-off of 200, albeit with comparable sensitivity and specificity.Conclusion. RMI is a sensitive tool in predicting malignant adnexal masses. A cut-off of 200 may be suitable in developing countries for triaging and early referral to tertiary care centers.
Validation and Development of a New Automatic Algorithm for Time-Resolved Segmentation of the Left Ventricle in Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Tufvesson Jane , Hedström Erik , Steding-Ehrenborg Katarina , Carlsson Marcus , Arheden Håkan , Heiberg Einar
Published: June 2015

Introduction.Manual delineation of the left ventricle is clinical standard for quantification of cardiovascular magnetic resonance images despite being time consuming and observer dependent. Previous automatic methods generally do not account for one major contributor to stroke volume, the long-axis motion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate an automatic algorithm for time-resolved segmentation covering the whole left ventricle, including basal slices affected by long-axis motion.Methods.Ninety subjects imaged with a cine balanced steady state free precession sequence were included in the study (training setn=40, test setn=50). Manual delineation was reference standard and second observer analysis was performed in a subset (n=25). The automatic algorithm uses deformable model with expectation-maximization, followed by automatic removal of papillary muscles and detection of the outflow tract.Results.The mean differences between automatic segmentation and manual delineation were EDV −11 mL, ESV 1 mL, EF −3%, and LVM 4 g in the test set.Conclusions.The automatic LV segmentation algorithm reached accuracy comparable to interobserver for manual delineation, thereby bringing automatic segmentation one step closer to clinical routine. The algorithm and all images with manual delineations are available for benchmarking.
Nonblocking Monoclonal Antibody Targeting Soluble MIC Revamps Endogenous Innate and Adaptive Antitumor Responses and Eliminates Primary and Metastatic Tumors
Authors: Lu Shengjun , Zhang Jinyu , Liu Dai , Li Guangfu , Staveley-O'Carroll Kevin F. , Li Zihai , Wu Jennifer D.
Published: June 2015

Purpose: The human tumor-derived soluble MHC I-chain–related molecule (sMIC) is highly immune suppressive in cancer patients and correlates with poor prognosis. However, the therapeutic effect of targeting sMIC has not been determined, due to the limitation that mice do not express homologs of human MIC. This study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting sMIC in a clinically relevant transgenic animal model.

Experimental Design: We treated the engineered MIC-expressing “humanized” TRAMP/MIC bitransgenic mice at advanced disease stages with a sMIC-neutralizing nonblocking anti-MIC mAb and assessed the therapeutic efficacy and associated mechanisms.

Results: A sMIC-neutralizing nonblocking anti-MIC mAb effectively induced regression of primary tumors and eliminated metastasis without inducing systemic toxicity. The therapeutic effect is conferred by revamping endogenous antitumor immune responses, exemplified by restoring natural killer (NK) cell homeostasis and function, enhancing susceptibility of MIC+-tumor cells to NK cell killing, reviving and sustaining antigen-specific CD8 T-cell responses, augmenting CD4 T cells to Th1 responses, priming dendritic cells for antigen presentation, and remodeling tumor microenvironment to be more immune reactive.

Conclusions: Therapy with a sMIC-neutralizing nonblocking anti-MIC mAb can effectuate antitumor immune responses against advanced MIC+ tumors. Our study provided strong rationale for translating sMIC-neutralizing therapeutic mAb into clinics, either alone or in combination with current ongoing standard immunotherapies. Clin Cancer Res; 21(21); 4819–30. ©2015 AACR.
Intima-Media Thickness and Cognitive Function in Stroke-Free Middle-Aged Adults
Authors: Al Hazzouri Adina Zeki , Vittinghoff Eric , Sidney Stephen , Reis Jared P. , Jacobs David R. , Yaffe Kristine
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose—

The relationship between carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and cognitive function in midlife remains relatively unexplored. We examined the association between IMT and cognitive function in a middle-aged epidemiological cohort of 2618 stroke-free participants.

Methods—

At the year 20 visit (our study baseline), participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study had IMT measured by ultrasound at the common carotid artery. Five years later, participants completed a cognitive battery consisting of the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test of verbal memory, the Digit Symbol Substitution Test of processing speed, and the Stroop test of executive function. We transformed cognitive scores into standardized
z
scores, with negative values indicating worse performance.

Results—

Mean age at baseline was 45.3 years (SD, 3.6). Greater IMT (per 1 SD difference of 0.12 mm) was significantly associated with worse performance on all cognitive tests (
z
scores) in unadjusted linear regression models (verbal memory, −0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.20 to −0.13; processing speed, −0.23; 95% CI, −0.27 to −0.19; and executive function, −0.17; 95% CI, −0.20 to −0.13). In models adjusted for sociodemographics and vascular risk factors that lie earlier in the causal pathway, greater IMT remained negatively associated with processing speed (−0.06; 95% CI, −0.09 to −0.02;
P
, 0.003) and borderline associated with executive function (−0.03; 95% CI, −0.07 to 0.00;
P
, 0.07) but not with verbal memory.

Conclusions—

We observed an association between greater IMT and worse processing speed—a key component of cognitive functioning—at middle age above and beyond traditional vascular risk factors. Efforts targeted at preventing early stages of atherosclerosis may modify the course of cognitive aging.
Shusterman’s Thinking Through the Body and Everyday Aesthetics
Authors: Leddy Thomas
Published: June 2015

How does Richard Shusterman’s Thinking Through the Body apply to the issues of everyday aesthetics? As it turns out, many chapters contribute significantly to everyday aesthetics, in particular the work on architecture, self-styling, the body as background, lovemaking, and the process of making a photographic portrait. Shusterman’s concentration on the art of living has special importance to everyday aesthetics. Current debates within the field of everyday aesthetics also raise problems for somaesthetics. I also question the limits of somaesthetics and Shusterman’s rejection of defamiliarization in making the ordinary extraordinary.
Hostility Patterns
Authors: Sofhauser Cynthia D.
Published: June 2015

In order to present the state of the science of hostility among and across disciplines, a review of the literature was completed. The knowledge gained may influence nursing practice. Scholarly works from nursing, medical and basic sciences, psychology, sociology, education, philosophy, business, communication, and criminology were reviewed. Similar patterns in the use of the concept were discovered. The patterns revealed five themes: hostility as a health-risk factor, hostility as a factor in family relationships, hostility as a factor in perceived challenge, hostility as a factor in criminal behavior, and hostility as a factor in the workplace. Based on the knowledge gained about hostility, implications for nursing practice related to changing the hostile working environment for nurses were suggested using modeling and role-modeling nursing theory.
A Decomposition of Hospital Profitability
Authors: Turner Jason , Broom Kevin , Elliott Michael , Lee Jen-Fu
Published: June 2015

Objectives:

This paper evaluates the drivers of profitability for a large sample of U.S. hospitals. Following a methodology frequently used by financial analysts, we use a DuPont analysis as a framework to evaluate the quality of earnings. By decomposing returns on equity (ROE) into profit margin, total asset turnover, and capital structure, the DuPont analysis reveals what drives overall profitability.

Methods:

Profit margin, the efficiency with which services are rendered (total asset turnover), and capital structure is calculated for 3,255 U.S. hospitals between 2007 and 2012 using data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Healthcare Cost Report Information System (CMS Form 2552). The sample is then stratified by ownership, size, system affiliation, teaching status, critical access designation, and urban or non-urban location. Those hospital characteristics and interaction terms are then regressed (OLS) against the ROE and the respective DuPont components. Sensitivity to regression methodology is also investigated using a seemingly unrelated regression.

Results:

When the sample is stratified by hospital characteristics, the results indicate investor-owned hospitals have higher profit margins, higher efficiency, and are substantially more leveraged. Hospitals in systems are found to have higher ROE, margins, and efficiency but are associated with less leverage. In addition, a number of important and significant interactions between teaching status, ownership, location, critical access designation, and inclusion in a system are documented. Many of the significant relationships, most notably not-for-profit ownership, lose significance or are predominately associated with one interaction effect when interaction terms are introduced as explanatory variables. Results are not sensitive to the alternative methodology.

Conclusion:

The results of the DuPont analysis suggest that although there appears to be convergence in the behavior of NFP and IO hospitals, significant financial differences remain depending on their respective hospital characteristics. Those differences are tempered or exacerbated by location, size, teaching status, system affiliation, and critical access designation. With the exception of cost-based reimbursement for critical access hospitals, emerging payment systems are placing additional financial pressures on hospitals. The financial pressures being applied treat hospitals as a monolithic category and, given the delicate and often negative ROE for many hospitals, the long-term stability of the healthcare facility infrastructure may be negatively impacted.
Rare and low-frequency variants and their association with plasma levels of fibrinogen, FVII, FVIII, and vWF
Authors: Huffman Jennifer E. , de Vries Paul S. , Morrison Alanna C. , Sabater-Lleal Maria , Kacprowski Tim , Auer Paul L. , Brody Jennifer A. , Chasman Daniel I. , Chen Ming-Huei , Guo Xiuqing , Lin Li-An , Marioni Riccardo E. , Müller-Nurasyid Martina , Yanek Lisa R. , Pankratz Nathan , Grove Megan L. , de Maat Moniek P. M. , Cushman Mary , Wiggins Kerri L. , Qi Lihong , Sennblad Bengt , Harris Sarah E. , Polasek Ozren , Riess Helene , Rivadeneira Fernando , Rose Lynda M. , Goel Anuj , Taylor Kent D. , Teumer Alexander , Uitterlinden André G. , Vaidya Dhananjay , Yao Jie , Tang Weihong , Levy Daniel , Waldenberger Melanie , Becker Diane M. , Folsom Aaron R. , Giulianini Franco , Greinacher Andreas , Hofman Albert , Huang Chiang-Ching , Kooperberg Charles , Silveira Angela , Starr John M. , Strauch Konstantin , Strawbridge Rona J. , Wright Alan F. , McKnight Barbara , Franco Oscar H. , Zakai Neil , Mathias Rasika A. , Psaty Bruce M. , Ridker Paul M. , Tofler Geoffrey H. , Völker Uwe , Watkins Hugh , Fornage Myriam , Hamsten Anders , Deary Ian J. , Boerwinkle Eric , Koenig Wolfgang , Rotter Jerome I. , Hayward Caroline , Dehghan Abbas , Reiner Alex P. , O’Donnell Christopher J. , Smith Nicholas L.
Published: June 2015

Key Points

Twelve independent, novel, low-frequency (n = 2) and rare (n = 10) genetic variants were associated with fibrinogen, FVII, FVIII, or vWF. Nine were within previously associated genes, and 3 novel candidate genes (KCNT1, HID1, and KATNB1) were confined to cohorts of African ancestry.
Experimental Evaluation of Data Fusion Algorithm for Residual Generation in Detecting UAV Servo Actuator Fault
Authors: Sahwee Zulhilmy , Rahman Nazaruddin Abd. , Sahari Khairul Salleh Mohamed
Published: June 2015

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles used by military are generally designed with very high reliability and have multiple redundancy of software and hardware equipment because they are intended to operate in hostile environment. But, relatively low cost UAVs used commercially are not equipped with such systems. Usually, micro UAVs weight less than 2kg are equipped with on-board miniature sensor and operate without any hardware redundancy and thus could reduce their reliability. Some of these commercial UAVs that operate in populated areas will cause damage and fatality if faulty system occurred. Hence there is a need for on-board fault detection and isolation system without degradating the UAV flyability and its cost. Analytical redundancy or model reference method of fault detection algorithms could be implemented as most UAVs are microcontroller controlled. Together, with the availability of miniature sensors could provide an ideal platform for implementing fault detection. In this paper, the development of fault detection through residual generation algorithm is implemented with data fusion from miniature sensors. Some of these sensors are already installed within the autopilot system which reduce the amount of additional sensors needed. Identification of fault in the elevator is simulated experimentally and fault detection rate is monitored. From the implemented algorithm, the data fusion from additional sensors shows improvement in fault detection rate.
Acoustic Data Analysis from Multi-Sensor Capture in Rare Singing: Cantu in Paghjella Case Study
Authors: Crevier-Buchman Lise , Amelot Angélique , Kork Samer K. Al , Adda-Decker Martine , Audibert Nicolas , Chawah Patrick , Denby Bruce , Fux Thibaut , Jaumard-Hakoun Aurore , Roussel Pierre , Stone Maureen , Vaissiere Jacqueline , Xu Kele , Pillot-Loiseau Claire
Published: June 2015

This paper deals with new capturing technologies to safeguard and transmit endangered intangible cultural heritage including Corsican multipart singing technique. The described work, part of the European FP7 i-Treasures project, aims at increasing our knowledge on rare singing techniques. This paper includes (i) a presentation of our light hyper-helmet with 5 non-invasive sensors (microphone, camera, ultrasound sensor, piezoelectric sensor, electroglottograph), (ii) the data acquisition process and software modules for visualization and data analysis, (iii) a case study on acoustic analysis of voice quality for the UNESCO labelled traditional Cantu in Paghjella. We have identified specific features for this singing style, such as changes in vocal quality, especially concerning the energy in the speaking and singing formant frequency region, a nasal vibration that seems to occur during singing, as well as laryngeal mechanism characteristics. These capturing and analysis technologies will contribute to define relevant features for a future educational platform.
Going beyond Preservation: How to Support Technology-Enhanced Learning in ICH Education
Authors: Pozzi F. , Alivizatou M. , Dagnino F. M. , Ott M.
Published: June 2015

The issue of protection and promotion of cultural heritage has become a central topic of European and international cultural policy, especially in recent decades. Beside more ‘tangible’ cultural manifestations (like archaeological sites, natural parks or museum collections) there is a huge heritage, made up of intangible live expressions like performing arts, social practices, oral traditions, etc. which is threatened by the globalization process. The i-Treasures project looks at some of these intangible cultural expressions with the aim not only of preserving them, but also of providing innovative solutions to education in this field. In order to do this, the project explores the potential of cutting edge technologies for capturing the specificities of the considered Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) expressions, analyzing and modeling data and making these resources available for preservation, research and educational purposes. With this aim an open and extendable platform is developed in the project framework. This paper deals with the process of user and system requirements definition and explains how this was necessarily influenced by the specificities of the ICH expressions considered. This process encompassed the identification of the specificities of rare traditional know-how, the discovery of the existing teaching and learning practices and finally the identification of the most cutting edge technologies able to support innovative teaching and learning approaches to ICH.
‘Touch’ Your Heritage: An Interactive Installation on Multilingual Identity
Authors: Ng Bee Chin , Cheryl Tan Xue Er , Cavallaro Francesco , Gottlieb Halina
Published: June 2015

Using an online and touch screen interface, this paper explores language and cultural identity as a form of intangible heritage. The relationship between language and cultural identity has spawned several studies in various disciplines in the past few decades. This study represents a first attempt at visualising some of the issues relevant to cultural identity discussed by linguists, psychologists and cultural studies experts in an interdisciplinary collaboration between linguists and digital design heritage researchers and computer programmers. For the purpose of this study, an interactive program that centres on the issue of cultural identity, heritage and language was developed to engage participants. Via a touch screen, several prompts and triggers related to culture, identity and heritage were embedded for participants to choose. The engagement includes allowing the participants to emphasize one identity trait over another as well as minimising the less relevant traits. Participants explore their perception of others and themselves via touching and manipulating the onscreen text. These participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire that was designed to elicit their thoughts about the program and on the relationship between cultural identity and language. The findings indicate that the participants considered language to be a crucial element of their identity and heritage though the different ethnic groups attributed different reasons for this response. It affirmed the “Touch my heritage” multilingual identity programme as a successful way to engage participants to think about complex and abstract issues such as culture and identity.
Development of psychotherapy as a method of mental disorders treatment at the Jagiellonian University and in Kraków before World War I
Authors: Dembińska Edyta , Rutkowski Krzysztof
Published: June 2015

Artykuł opisuje początki polskiej psychoterapii ze szczególnym zwróceniem uwagi na rozwój psychoterapii w Krakowie i Uniwersytecie Jagiellońskim. Historia krakowskiej psychoterapii rozpoczyna się wraz z utworzeniem Kliniki Psychiatrii i Neuropatologii Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w 1905 roku. Lekarze pracujący w Klinice rozwijali swoje umiejętności psychoterapeutyczne dzięki ożywionym kontaktom z Uniwersytecką Klinika w Burgholzli. W tym samym czasie rośnie na ziemiach polskich zainteresowanie psychoterapią, a szczególnie psychoanalizą. Jej najbardziej dynamiczny rozwój, przekładający się na ilość publikacji naukowych, przypada na lata przed wybuchem I wojny światowej. W artykule przedstawiono pokrótce sylwetki pierwszych polskich psychoanalityków (Ludwika Jekelsa, Hermana Nunberga, Ludwiki Karpińskiej, Stefana Borowieckiego, Jana Nelkena, Karola de Beaurain), z których wielu pracowało w Klinice Psychiatrii i Neuropatologii Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego. Zaprezentowano ich dokonania naukowe oraz wkład w rozwój międzynarodowego ruchu psychoanalitycznego, a także relacje z czołowymi psychoanalitykami tego okresu ( Freudem, Jungiem).
Wraz z wybuchem I wojny światowej rozpoczęło się w Klinice Psychiatrii i Neuropatologii badanie i leczenie nerwic wojennych. Dzięki biegłości w psychoterapii kierownik Kliniki, prof. Piltz, wraz ze swoimi asystentami (Borowieckim, Beaurain’em, Artwińskim), opracował unikalny na tle psychiatrii europejskiej i niezwykle skuteczny model leczenia zaburzeń pourazowych, w którym psychoterapia odgrywała kluczową rolę.
Post-War Research on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Part I. Research before 1989
Authors: Rutkowski Krzysztof , Dembińska Edyta
Published: June 2015

Artykuł przedstawia powojenną historię badań pourazowych prowadzonych w Klinice Psychiatrii Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego wraz z analizą głównych kierunków badawczych i wybranych publikacji. Czas po drugiej wojnie światowej biegł w Polsce jakby w dwu obszarach: radzenia sobie z zakończonym urazem wojny, a zarazem doświadczaniem urazów prześladowań komunistycznych. Pierwsze publikacje naukowe pojawiły się już w latach pięćdziesiątych i koncentrowały się wokół badań byłych więźniów obozów koncentracyjnych (KZ-Syndrom). W latach 1962-1989 ukazywało się w Krakowie specjalne wydanie Przeglądu Lekarskiego w całości poświęcone badaniom urazów wojennych. Czasopismo było dwukrotnie nominowane do Pokojowej Nagrody Nobla.
Zespół badawczy Kliniki Psychiatrii pod kierownictwem prof. Antoniego Kępińskiego dokonał niezwykle obszernego opisu zagadnienia KZ-Syndrom. Artykuł streszcza najważniejsze spostrzeżenia ówczesnych badaczy dotyczące psychopatologii KZ-Syndrom (Szymusik), dynamiki reakcji (Teutsch), adaptacji poobozowej (Orwid), hipermnezji napadowej (Półtawska), zmian somatycznych (Gatarski, Witusik). Wynikiem prowadzonych badań było również opracowanie podstaw metodologii i nowe spojrzenie na klasyfikację następstw stresu pourazowego, a także kształtowanie postaw etycznych wobec pacjentów.
Post-War Research on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Part II – 1989 onwards
Authors: Rutkowski Krzysztof , Dembińska Edyta
Published: June 2015

Artykuł opisuje badania zaburzeń pourazowych prowadzone w Krakowie po 1989r. w Katedrze Psychiatrii UJ CM i w Katedrze Psychoterapii UJ CM. Zmiany polityczne jakie nastąpiły po 1989 r. w Polsce umożliwiły poszerzenie badań naukowych o nowe grupy ocalonych. Po wielu latach badań byłych więźniów obozów koncentracyjnych rozpoczęto badania w dwóch zespołach: w byłym Zakładzie Patologii Społecznej Katedry Psychiatrii UJ CM badano byłych więźniów okresu stalinowskiego, Sybiraków, kombatantów i innych, badania te są kontynuowane w Katedrze Psychoterapii UJ CM. W Klinice Psychiatrii Dzieci i Młodzieży rozpoczęto badania ocalonych z Holokaustu i ich rodzin, kontynuowane przez ten sam zespół do dziś.
W artykule przedstawiono tło historyczne prześladowań oraz ich przebieg i typowe dla każdej z grup ocalonych następstwa zdrowotne. Wszyscy cierpią z powodu szeroko rozumianych zaburzeń pourazowych (F43.1 i F62.0), jednak w profilu objawów daję się zaobserwować różnice. Opisano sposób organizacji badań, wraz z modyfikacjami.
Celem artykułu jest przybliżenie Czytelnikowi opracowywanych zagadnień z osadzeniem ich w kontekście polityczno-historycznym i kontynuacji wcześniejszych badań nad KZ-Syndromem i nerwicami wojennymi.
ANÁLISE CRÍTICA DAS CONTRIBUIÇÕES DAS TESES BRASILEIRAS SOBRE O TEMA DE REDES
Authors: Barcelos Eduardo Jorge Branco Vieira , Eleutério Ricardo Lerche , Giglio Ernesto Michelangelo
Published: June 2015

O campo de pesquisas em Redes na Administração não apresenta uma dominância paradigmática, sendo propício para discussões sobre afirmativas, modelos e teorias. O artigo analisa criticamente as contribuições das teses brasileiras sobre o tema de redes, na Administração, entre 2004 a 2013. Selecionaram-se critérios que definem contribuição, tanto da literatura nacional, quanto internacional, construindo-se um quadro com 12 indicadores sobre originalidade e oito sobre significância. A seleção das teses sobre redes resultou em 23 trabalhos. Realizaram-se duas formas de análise, uma com análise de conteúdo, nas partes que explicitam a contribuição e outra com a busca de expressões, conforme palavra chave de cada um dos 20 critérios. Como o campo de redes apresenta-se multifacetado nos seus conceitos, nas metodologias de investigação e nos modelos gerenciais, sendo propício para a discussão e desenvolvimento de novas abordagens; esperava-se encontrar contribuições nos três níveis. A análise revelou que a contribuição teórica é praticamente nula; que a contribuição metodológica é restrita, com esforços de melhorias metodológicas e que as contribuições gerenciais são as que mais aparecem, especialmente quando o autor analisa uma rede local. O resultado indica a necessidade de investigação e discussão mais aprofundada sobre o tema, por exemplo, com coordenadores e orientadores, considerando a situação paradigmática do campo.