bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cohort Profile: African Collaborative Center for Microbiome and Genomics Research (ACCME)
Authors: Adebamowo Sally N. , Dareng Eileen O. , Famooto Ayotunde O. , Bakare Rasheed A. , Adebamowo Clement A. ,   ACCME Research Group
Published: July 2016

Abstract 65

Background:

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Africa. Much remains unknown about the prevalence and pathogenicity of human papillomavirus (HPV) types and the mechanism of disease, and there is a need for new biomarkers for screening programs.

Methods:

ACCME is a multicenter prospective cohort study of host germline, somatic and HPV genomics and epigenomics, and vaginal microenvironment; and their association with cervical cancer in 10,000 HIV negative women in Nigeria. Data on demographic, lifestyle, medical history, serum, germline DNA, HPV genotype, and vaginal pH are collected at baseline and during follow up visits every 6 months. Samples of exfoliated cervical cells are analyzed for high risk HPV with Roche LINEAR ARRAY and vaginal bacterial composition and abundance are characterized by deep sequencing of barcoded 16S rRNA gene fragments (V4) on a Illumina MiSeq platform. Colposcopies and biopsies are conducted on participants with clinical lesions and those with persistent high risk HPV infections.

Results:

By December 2015, 10,000 participants had been enrolled in the ACCME cohort. The mean (SD) age of the study participants at baseline was 40 (10) years. Most of the participants were married (76%), attended university (44%), and had professional jobs (37%). All the study participants have had vaginal sex, 17% have had oral sex, and only 2% have ever had anal sex. We found 30% of the study participants were HPV positive and 70% were HPV negative. The mean (SD) vaginal pH in the study population was 5.2 (0.5). Further analyses to characterize high-risk HPV types and determine persistence will be conducted at each follow up visit. Also, characterization of cervical cytokines and vaginal microbiome will be conducted after the follow up visits for all participants have been conducted.

Conclusions:

ACCME is a paradigm for translational research in biomarker discovery that addresses high impact public health challenges affecting women's health in Africa and the rest of the world.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

No COIs from the authors.
Palliative Care in the Kyrgyz Republic
Authors: Shaimbetov Bakyt , Arzymatova Astra
Published: July 2016

Abstract 55

Currently, there are 22,984 cancer patients registered in the Kyrgyz Republic. In 2014, 5,552 new patients were diagnosed with malignant tumors and 3,219 of them died the same year. Total cancer rates in the country are steadily growing with 89.1 cases/100,000 population in 2012, 89.6 cases/100,000 population in 2013 and 95.1 cases/100,000 population in 2014.

With growing cancer prevalence, need for accessible and sustainable palliative care system is rapidly increasing. In 2012, a Strategy of Palliative Care Development in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2012-2016 was proposed to address provision of patient palliative care in the country. As a result, the Kyrgyz government accepted a policy of referring patients to Palliative care facilities based on medical diagnosis and, therefore, these services must be monitored for quality control. We examined developmental progress of palliative care system in the Kyrgyz Republic and its outcomes.

Data were collected from 453 terminal cancer patients registered in the Department of Palliative Care of the National Oncology Center. We used the average length of stay and the subsequent place of care as process indicators, as well as changes in the mean pain score as outcome measurements.

There were considerable variations among services with regards to the mean length of stay (i.e., 6 to 28 days for each admission) and subsequent place of care, even after stratification by service level. The mean change in average pain score varied from −1.5 to 2.1, and remained significant after case-mix adjustment.

We discovered significant variations in palliative care services quality in relation to the average length of stay, subsequent places of care as well as alterations in the average pain score. Continuous evaluation of changes in the establishment and outcomes of palliative care services will assist in the development of comparative analysis and evaluation of public policies of the national Palliative Care system.

In accordance with the Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan, a new initiative is currently being implemented by the National Center of Oncology: “Creating an integrated palliative care service model at home.” The purpose of this project is expansion of home-based end-of-life services provided by a multidisciplinary team for terminal patients in the city of Bishkek. As a part of the initiative, 87 patients have already received home-based palliative care assistance.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

No COIs from either author.
Public-Private Partnerships for the Development of New Devices for Screening and Treatment of Cervical Precancer for Emerging Economies
Authors: Holme Francesca , Slavkovsky Rose , Jeronimo Jose
Published: July 2016

Abstract 74

PATH is a nonprofit organization involved in the development of new technologies for screening and treatment of precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix for the last 25 years. PATH had private-public partnerships with four private companies for the design, development, improvement, and/or field validation of two new technologies for screening (careHPV and OncoE6 Cervical Test) and two devices for treatment (CryoPen and the Liger Thermal Coagulator). This experience allows us to identify some commonalities among those companies: they all had the technical or scientific background for developing or improving the technologies needed, they were committed to creating technologies suitable for emerging economies, and their knowledge or presence in low-resource countries was limited.

The characteristics of our collaboration with the private companies varied depending on the initial status of the technology. Two of the companies already had marketed technologies that required adaptation for suitability in low-resource settings, and the role of PATH was to support the planning and modification of the technology, bench and field testing of the prototypes, and/or clinical validation of the product. Meanwhile, the other two companies had the technological capacity and expertise for developing the required technologies, but they did not have a working prototype; therefore, the role of PATH involved supporting the design and development of the new technology, as well as the required bench testing and validations.

The financial support required was variable; in some cases PATH provided technical support for developing a “proof of concept” prototype, which later extended to financial support from PATH or other organizations. In other cases, the complexity of the initial work required financial support to start the development of that “proof of concept.” In conclusion, public-private partnerships are very effective for the development of new, affordable, and suitable technologies for screening and treatment of cervical precancer in emerging economies.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

Francesca Holme Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Qiagen Rose Slavkovsky No relationship to disclose Jose Jeronimo No relationship to disclose
Using 3D Neuroanatomy Educational Resources as a Neurosurgical Teaching Tool in LMICs
Authors: Griswold Dylan , Tabani Halima , Tayebi Meybodi Ali , Benet Arnau
Published: July 2016

Abstract 41

One of the Millennium Development Goals is to reduce childhood mortality; over 200,000 children currently develop cancer worldwide each year. 80% of those children live in Lower-Middle Income Countries (LMICs), which account for 90% of deaths (1). Nervous system (CNS) tumors are the most frequent solid tumors in children and adolescents (2). However, the median number of neurosurgeons per 100,000 population across different income groups is extremely variable (range: 0.01 - >1). In East Africa only 27 neurosurgeons are available to treat 270 million people, a 1:10 million ratio of neurosurgeons to inhabitants. Many countries do not even have one neurosurgeon (3). Even in low-resource areas where neurosurgery is an option, the high complexity of care for brain tumors often leads to suboptimal outcomes (4).

As outlined by Rodriguez-Galindo et al., one of the first steps to improving outcomes in pediatric oncology is to both improve access to high-quality education as well as educational resources (1). Therefore, in order to improve access to neurosurgical educational resources we have generated a virtual library of 25,000 3D neurosurgical anatomical photographs (60% microsurgical, 40% endoscopic) and we have recorded 180 skull base and cerebrovascular cases in 3D in the operating room. In addition, we have presented the setup for producing a training operating room for residents and junior faculty to practice their surgical skills. With increasing opportunities to access and upload large amounts of data to cloud based servers, the surgical classroom of the future, especially in areas without the necessary personnel to train neurosurgical residents, may consist of a library of nearly every surgical approach recorded in three dimensions. This technology not only provides the student with the opportunity to develop a more thorough anatomical basis of key landmarks and features within the surgical window as compared to current 2D educational resources, but allows efficient self-learning. With the reported method, experienced neurosurgeons of the developed world can capture and build into this 3D virtual library to generate a global effort to improve neurosurgical education worldwide.

Rodriguez-Galindo C, Friedrich P, Morrissey L, et al. Global challenges in pediatric oncology. Curr Opin Pediatr 2013; 25:3-15. Ezzat S, Kamal M, El-Khateeb, N, et al. Pediatric brain tumors in a low/middle income country: does it differ from that in developed world. Neuro-oncology 2015; Oct 29. Fuller A, Tran T, Muhumuza M, et al. Building neurosurgical capacity in low and middle income countries. eNeurologicalSci 2016; 3:1–6. Qaddoumi I, Unal E, Diez B, et al. Web-based survey of resources for treatment and long-term follow-up for children with brain tumors in developing countries. Childs Nerv Syst 2011; 27:1957–1961.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

No COIs from the authors.
Oncology Institute of Guatemala: Experience With NK/T-Cell Lymphomas
Authors: Valvert Fabiola , Flores Diana
Published: July 2016

Abstract 24

Background:

NK/T-cell nasal type lymphoma is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma that destroys the palate and nasal anatomy. The incidence in the US and Europe is very low; however, Asia and South America have reported incidence up to 10-15%. This study was done to assess the incidence of this type of lymphoma in our institution, outcomes of treatment efficiency, and to explore demographic, clinical and biological characteristics associated with poor outcomes.

Methods:

Seventeen NK/T-cell lymphoma patients were diagnosed between 2014-2015, who were treated with radiotherapy plus weekly cisplatin 3-5 doses and consolidation with gemcytabine, oxaliplatin y L-asparaginase 1-4 doses or cisplatin, etopóside, ifosfamide and dexamethasone by 3 doses.

Results:

The incidence of NK/T-cell lymphoma was 9% of all lymphomas. Median age was 35 years (range: 20-64). The nose is the most frequent location (94.1%,16/17), and 23.5% (4/17) presented with high tumor burden. 100% of these patients presented with palate perforation. One patient presented with stage IV disease. All patients with high tumor burden and stage IV disease died with an overall survival (OS) of 5 months. Three of the deceased were Mayan people (75%). Guatemala's region with the highest incidence was Central (58%) and West (35.3%) vs. North, South and East (5.8%). 65% of the cases were Mayan people vs. 35% of mestizos. All patients had a poor or very poor socio-economic status. Twelve patients achieved complete response (70.6%). After a median follow-up time of 11 months, 1-year event-free survival and OS were 64.7%.

Conclusions:

The results of this study lead us to the conclusion that Guatemala's indigenous population in the west and center of the country are the most vulnerable population, which include mainly people with a poor socio-economic status. High tumor burden was associated with poor outcomes. Results achieved with radiotherapy plus cisplatin and consolidation with chemotherapy was effective. We recommend the development of educational programs to encourage early diagnosis of this lymphoma in areas of the population that are at risk.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

Fabiola Valvert Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Kedrion Biopharma, Asopharma Diana Flores No relationship to disclose
Raising Awareness About Women’s Cancer and Increasing Local Engagement With Healthcare Services in Haiti
Authors: Tillyard Grace , Cornely Jean Renald , Santamaria Estefania , Surena Gerty , Casimir Mita Alcindor , Deudina Gabrielle , DeGennaro Vince
Published: July 2016

Abstract 37

Background:

Project Medishare launched a breast cancer program in Port-au-Prince in 2013. In 2015, the program was expanded as part of a national breast cancer treatment program. Project Medishare is currently implementing a women’s cancer awareness campaign funded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The program will explore and address the complex social and cultural narratives around women’s cancer in Haiti. This will be accomplished using human-centered design to build a communications tool-kit for community health workers. The program was conceived with local partners and the Haitian government. Both parties sought to increase breast and cervical cancer screening, as well as reduce the number of late-stage presentations.

Methods:

Project Medishare has adopted methods from Community-Based-Participatory-Research (CBPR) in order to identify and foster a community of actors involved in women’s health, and cancer screening and treatment in Haiti. Since September 2015, a group of 8 distinct Haitian organizations, including the government, make up a Community Advisory Board that conducts research and explores different programmatic approaches in the fight against breast and cervical cancer in Haiti.

Results:

Through creation of the advisory board and equitable partnerships with local organizations, the group has had success in fostering engagement and ownership over challenges presented by screening and treating cancer in a low-resource setting. The group designed and implemented a nationwide survey to document reasons why communities and individuals in Haiti do not engage with healthcare services provided until cancer is at an advanced stage, despite a basic awareness of the disease and visible symptoms. Once collected, the group will work towards a collective interpretation of the data and will determine how it should be used.

Conclusions:

Like academic institutions, CBPR methods can be invaluable to organizations researching barriers to care and addressing health inequalities in low-resource settings. Creating a community advisory board encourages local ownership of research outcomes and projects. Future endeavors will consist of sharing the resources created by CBPR and human-centered design, to build a network of partners and implement a national cancer awareness program to parallel our national comprehensive cancer program efforts.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

No COIs from the authors.
Pre-Enucleation Chemotherapy in Advanced Intraocular Retinoblastoma. Central America Follow Up: AHOPCA II
Authors: Luna-Fineman Sandra , Alabi Soad L. , Castellanos Mauricio E. , Gamboa Yessika , Fu Ligia , Chantada Guillermo , Rodriguez-Galindo Carlos
Published: July 2016

Abstract 57a

Purpose:

A significant percentage of patients in Central America present with buphthalmos, carrying a high risk of globe rupture and orbital contamination. In 2007, AHOPCA introduced chemotherapy before enucleation in children with buphthalmos.

Methods:

Patients with advanced intraocular disease were considered standard-risk and underwent enucleation. Those with diffuse invasion of choroid, postlaminar optic nerve, or anterior chamber invasion received 4-6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (vincristine, carboplatin, etoposide). Patients with buphthalmos or perceived to be at risk for abandonment were considered high-risk, given 2-3 cycles of chemotherapy before enucleation to compete 6 cycles regardless of pathology. All cases were discussed via online meetings.

Results:

From 2007 to 2014, 396 patients were enrolled; 240 had IRSS stage I (174 unilateral). 143 had upfront enucleation, 95 had pre-enucleation chemotherapy, 1 is pending enucleation and 1 abandoned before enucleation. The standard-risk group 69 had risk pathology and 76 had no risk factors; 125 had no events, 5 abandoned 11 relapsed/progressed and 2 died of toxicity. Of 95 high-risk group, 8 abandoned, 20 relapse/progressive, 6 had toxic deaths and 61 are alive at last follow-up (median time of 4 years). Of high risk group, 55 were unilateral, 82% are alive. At 7 years OS (abandonment-censored) was 95±0.02 and 79±0.04 for standard-risk and high-risk (p=0.008).

Conclusion:

AHOPCA addressed advanced intraocular disease with an innovative approach. In eyes with buphthalmos and patients with risk of abandonment, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is effective, when followed by post-enucleation chemotherapy. This approach avoids ocular rupture and intensified therapy, and reduces refusal/abandonment rate.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

No COIs from the authors.
The Program for Cancer Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment Technologies for Global Health: A Pathway for the Translation of Affordable, Minimally-Invasive Point-of-Care (POC) Technologies to Less-Resourced Settings
Authors: Gwede Michael , Tandon Pushpa , Pai Vinay , Ossandon Miguel , Baker Houston , Lash Tiffani , Divi Rao , Agrawal Lokesh , Pearlman Paul C.
Published: July 2016

Abstract 9

Cancer kills more people worldwide than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined, and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the majority of this burden. While success in detection, diagnosis, and treatment has been reported in LMICs through the use of low-cost, point-of-care (POC) technologies, this area has been largely overlooked by the medical device industry and venture capital communities, as low-cost solutions offer less financial incentive for investment. The program presented here aims to simplify the pathway to market by funding investigation teams to adapt and validate existing technologies in low-resource settings. This program specifically supports the translation of these technologies, prioritizing patient outcomes in a manner not typically seen.

This program, currently in its second year, will soon support 15 technologies for cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment (e.g., in vitro assays, imaging devices, ablation devices). It is anticipated that by year seven of the program, at least nine projects will have progressed through optimization, clinical validation, and business planning for dissemination and commercialization.

Each project consists of an adaptation phase (two years: $500k total costs/year) and validation phase (three years: $1M total costs/year). Projects are selected through the National Institutes of Health peer review process by a special emphasis panel briefed on the goals of the program. Projects are competitively vetted for Phase II funding based on completion of Phase I milestones. All teams contain expertise in engineering, oncology, and business/manufacturing, uniquely leveraging their devices for success in translation.

The seven preliminarily funded projects are making strides in optimization, and the projects range from an LED-based photodynamic therapy device for oral cancer to POC tests for Hepatitis C viral antigen level and viral load detection.

This program is funded by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at the National Institutes of Health.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

No COIs from the authors.
Screening for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Using Signals From Web Search Logs: Feasibility Study and Results
Authors: Paparrizos John , White Ryen W. , Horvitz Eric
Published: July 2016

Introduction:

People’s online activities can yield clues about their emerging health conditions. We performed an intensive study to explore the feasibility of using anonymized Web query logs to screen for the emergence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The methods used statistical analyses of large-scale anonymized search logs considering the symptom queries from millions of people, with the potential application of warning individual searchers about the value of seeking attention from health care professionals.

Methods:

We identified searchers in logs of online search activity who issued special queries that are suggestive of a recent diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We then went back many months before these landmark queries were made, to examine patterns of symptoms, which were expressed as searches about concerning symptoms. We built statistical classifiers that predicted the future appearance of the landmark queries based on patterns of signals seen in search logs.

Results:

We found that signals about patterns of queries in search logs can predict the future appearance of queries that are highly suggestive of a diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We showed specifically that we can identify 5% to 15% of cases, while preserving extremely low false-positive rates (0.00001 to 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Signals in search logs show the possibilities of predicting a forthcoming diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma from combinations of subtle temporal signals revealed in the queries of searchers.
Brood size constrains the development of endothermy in blue tits
Authors: Andreasson Fredrik , Nord Andreas , Nilsson Jan-Åke
Published: July 2016

Altricial birds are unable to maintain body temperature when exposed to low ambient temperatures during the first days after hatching. Thermoregulatory capacity begins to form as postnatal development progresses, and eventually nestlings become homeothermic. Several factors may influence this development at both the level of the individual and the level of the whole brood, but to our knowledge no studies have focused on the effect of brood size per se on the development of endothermy in individual nestlings. We performed cooling experiments on blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nestlings in the field, to study how different experimental brood sizes affected the development of endothermy in individual nestlings and the thermal environment experienced by the whole brood in the nest. Nestlings from all experimental brood sizes showed a decrease in cooling rate as they grew older, but birds from reduced broods showed an earlier onset of endothermy compared with nestlings from enlarged and control broods. This difference manifested during early development and gradually disappeared as nestlings grew older. The thermal environment in the nests differed between treatments during nestling development, such that nest temperature in reduced broods was lower than that in enlarged broods during all days and during nights at the end of the experimental period. We suggest that the development of endothermy in blue tit nestlings is not ontogenetically fixed, but instead may vary according to differences in developmental, nutritional and thermal conditions as determined by brood size.
Does sadness impair color perception? Flawed evidence and faulty methods
Authors: Holcombe Alex O. , Brown Nicholas J. L. , Goodbourn Patrick T. , Etz Alexander , Geukes Sebastian
Published: July 2016

In their 2015 paper, Thorstenson, Pazda, and Elliot offered evidence from two experiments that perception of colors on the blue–yellow axis was impaired if the participants had watched a sad movie clip, compared to participants who watched clips designed to induce a happy or neutral mood. Subsequently, these authors retracted their article, citing a mistake in their statistical analyses and a problem with the data in one of their experiments. Here, we discuss a number of other methodological problems with Thorstenson et al.’s experimental design, and also demonstrate that the problems with the data go beyond what these authors reported. We conclude that repeating one of the two experiments, with the minor revisions proposed by Thorstenson et al., will not be sufficient to address the problems with this work.
NAGALAND: Borders, Boundaries, Belonging: Contested spaces and disputed narratives
Authors: McCauley Christine
Published: July 2016

In 2011 I travelled to three of the ‘Seven Sister’ states of old Assam – Nagaland, Meghalaya and Assam. My journey to this remote and politically sensitive region, bordering Chinese occupied Tibet, Bangladesh and Myanmar, was prompted by my father’s experiences
in the region during World War II in the Burma Campaign and brought into sharp relief ongoing themes in my work, the impact the past has on the present, the relationship of time and place, identity and memory and the transcultural experiences caused by war, colonization and migration. The
drawings I made on location, the objects I collected and the notes and photographs I took formed the basis of the book work: NAGALAND: Borders, Boundaries, Belonging. When making the finished work the material quality of the object and the processes by which it was made become very important.
The historical resonance of the medium and the time-consuming nature of the process reflect the embedding of form and idea, and paid homage to the material culture of the Naga hill tribes. The bookwork was hand-bound, handset and printed by letterpress. Some spreads were printed in six colours
and the book took over a year to produce. I see my practice as echoing that of generations of Lady travellers: embracing the need to journey, be in a liminal space, to have a plan but not be afraid to divert from it. To be alone, take a sketchbook and make images is, for me, the definition
of the itinerant illustrator; one who travels widely in geographic space, visual forms and ideas, in order to get lost and find the unlooked for.
A comparison of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and immature to total neutrophil ratio for diagnosing early-onset neonatal sepsis
Authors: Wilar Rocky , Daud Dasril , As’ad Suryani , Febriani Dwi Bahagia , Mina Mina
Published: July 2016

Background Neonatal sepsis is a clinical syndrome caused by the invasion of microorganisms into the bloodstream. Early diagnosis of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) is difficult. Laboratory tests with high sensitivity and specificity are needed in order to make early diagnoses in newborns.Objective To compare the sensitivity and specificity of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and immature to total (IT) neutrophil ratio for the diagnosis of early-onset neonatal sepsis.Methods This observational study with cross-sectional design was conducted in the Neonatology Division, Prof. R. D. Kandou General Hospital from November 2012 to April 2014. Consecutive sampling was applied. There were 103 newborns with suspected EONS who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Complete blood counts, blood cultures, as well as NGAL and IT ratio measurements were performed.Results NGAL was not significantly more sensitive than IT ratio [80.4% vs. 67.3%, respectively; (P=0.058)]. However, NGAL had lower specificity than IT ratio (27.7% vs. 50.0%, respectively; P=0.016). The positive predictive values (57.0% vs. 64.9%, respectively; P=0.176), and negative predictive values (54.2% vs. 52.6%, respectively; P=0.451) were similar in both diagnostic tests.Conclusion Immature to total neutrophil (IT) ratio has higher specificity compared to NGAL for early diagnosis of EONS. However, the difference in sensitivity between the two test is not statistically significant.
High sensitivity C-reactive protein, left ventricular mass, and systolic function in obese adolescents
Authors: Kaunang Erling David , As’ad Suryani , Warouw Sarah M. , Kabo Peter
Published: July 2016

Background Obesity has been associated with structural and functional cardiac muscle defects. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been utilized as an independent predictor of future cardiovascular disease.Objective To assess for correlations between hs-CRP, left ventricular mass, and systolic function in obese adolescents.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2013 to February 2014. Subjects were obese adolescents aged 13-18 years with a body mass index (BMI) >95th percentile, according to the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Growth Chart. Subjects underwent laboratory testing of serum hs-CRP levels, as well as left ventricular mass and function measurements by echocardiography. Descriptive analysis was performed on patients’ characteristics and correlation analysis was done by Pearson’s test with a significance level of P<0.05.Results Subjects were 40 obese adolescents. There was no statistically significant correlation between hs-CRP and left ventricular mass (r=0.083; P=0.305). There was a moderate correlation between hs-CRP with ejection fraction (EF) (r=0.372 and P=0.009 ) and fractional shortening (FS) of the left ventricle (r=0.420 and P=0.003).Conclusion In obese adolescents, we find no correlation between hs-CRP and left ventricular mass. However, hs-CRP is moderately correlated with left ventricular EF and FS.
Ethically Deployed Defaults: Transparency and Consumer Protection through Disclosure and Preference Articulation
Authors: Steffel Mary , Williams Elanor F. , Pogacar Ruth
Published: July 2016

Defaults are extremely effective at covertly guiding choices, which raises concerns about how to employ them ethically and responsibly. Consumer advocates have proposed that disclosing how defaults are intended to influence choices could help protect consumers from being unknowingly manipulated. This research shows that consumers appreciate transparency, but disclosure does not make defaults less influential. Seven experiments demonstrate that disclosure alters how fair consumers perceive defaults to be but does not attenuate default effects because consumers do not understand how to counter the processes by which defaults bias their judgment. Given that defaults lead consumers to focus disproportionately on reasons to choose the default even with disclosure, debiasing default effects requires that consumers engage in a more balanced consideration of the default and its alternative. Encouraging people to articulate their preferences for the default or its alternative, as in a forced choice, shifts the focus away from the default and reduces default effects.
Time Preferences and Mortgage Choice
Authors: Atlas Stephen A. , Johnson Eric J. , Payne John W.
Published: July 2016

Mortgage decisions have important consequences for consumers, lenders, and the state of the economy more generally. Mortgage decisions are also prototypical of consumer financial choices that involve a stream of expenditures and consumption occurring across time. The authors use heterogeneity in time preferences for both immediate (present bias) and long-term outcomes to explain a sequence of mortgage decisions, including mortgage choice and the decision to abandon a mortgage. The authors employ an analytic model and a survey of mortgaged households augmented by zip code–level house price and foreclosure data. The model suggests and data confirm that consumers with greater present bias and long-term discounting tend to choose mortgages that minimize up-front costs. However, greater present bias decreases homeowners' willingness to abandon a mortgage, locking them into the contract. Long-term patience increases mortgage abandonment. This reversal across mortgage decisions is difficult for alternative accounts to explain. These results suggest that a two-parameter model of time preferences is helpful for understanding how homeowners make mortgage decisions.
The Case for Moral Consumption: Examining and Expanding the Domain of Moral Behavior to Promote Individual and Collective Well-Being
Authors: Komarova Loureiro Yuliya , Bayuk Julia , Tignor Stefanie M. , Nenkov Gergana Y. , Baskentli Sara , Webb Dave
Published: July 2016

This research delineates and critically examines extant empirical research on marketplace morality within the context of transformative consumer research. The authors identify how public policy can be leveraged to promote moral consumption in the marketplace in line with the transformative consumer research objectives of personal and collective well-being. They conduct a systematic review of the last decade of marketing literature and find that the definition of what is considered “marketplace morality” has been rather narrow. Subsequently, the authors propose a broader definition and develop a typology of moral consumption behaviors based on the valence of moral judgment/behavior (moral or immoral) and moral content (harm, fairness, loyalty, authority, and purity). The authors find that most research has focused on understanding one-time (im)moral behaviors in narrow domains, which have local implications and short-term impact. This research proposes that there is untapped potential in investigating repeated (im)moral behaviors associated with lifestyle choices and habits and that these have wider, long-term moral implications (e.g., wastefulness, overindulgence, pollution, authenticity, discrimination). Finally, the authors consider the underlying motivations for (im)moral behaviors and offer recommendations for policy development and research.
Pengembangan Perangkat Pembelajaran Geometri Ruang dengan Model Proving Theorem
Authors: Susilo Bambang Eko , Sutarto Hery , Mubarok David
Published: July 2016

Kemampuan berpikir kritis dan kreatif mahasiswa masih lemah. Hal ini ditemukan pada mahasiswa yang mengambil mata kuliah Geometri Ruang yaitu dalam membuktikan soal-soal pembuktian (problem to proof). Mahasiswa masih menyelesaikan secara algoritmik atau prosedural sehingga diperlukan pengembangan perangkat pembelajaran Geometri Ruang berbasis kompetensi dan konservasi dengan model Proving Theorem. Dalam penelitian ini perangkat perkuliahan yang dikembangkan yaitu Silabus, Satuan Acara Perkuliahan (SAP), Kontrak Perkuliahan, Media Pembelajaran, Bahan Ajar, Tes UTS dan UAS serta Angket Karakter Konservasi telah dilaksanakan dengan baik dengan kriteria (1) validasi perangkat pembelajaran mata kuliah Geometri ruang berbasis kompetensi dan konservasi dengan model proving theorem berkategori baik dan layak digunakan dan (2) keterlaksanaan RPP pada pembelajaran yang dikembangkan secara keseluruhan berkategori baik.

Critical and creative thinking abilities of students still weak. It is found in students who take Space Geometry subjects that is in solving problems to to prove. Students still finish in algorithmic or procedural so that the required the development of Space Geometry learning tools based on competency and conservation with Proving Theorem models. This is a research development which refers to the 4-D models that have been modified for the Space Geometry learning tools, second semester academic year 2014/2015. Instruments used include validation sheet, learning tools and character assessment questionnaire. In this research, the learning tools are developed, namely Syllabus, Lesson Plan, Lecture Contract, Learning Media, Teaching Material, Tests, and Character Conservation Questionnaire had been properly implemented with the criteria (1) validation of Space Geometry learning tools based on competency and conservation with Proving Theorem models categorized good and feasible to use, and (2) the implementation of Lesson Plan on learning categorized good overall. 
The Interplay of Temperature and Genotype on Patterns of Alternative Splicing in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Jakšić Ana Marija , Schlötterer Christian
Published: July 2016

Alternative splicing is the highly regulated process of variation in the removal of introns from premessenger-RNA transcripts. The consequences of alternative splicing on the phenotype are well documented, but the impact of the environment on alternative splicing is not yet clear. We studied variation in alternative splicing among four different temperatures, 13, 18, 23, and 29°, in two Drosophila melanogaster genotypes. We show plasticity of alternative splicing with up to 10% of the expressed genes being differentially spliced between the most extreme temperatures for a given genotype. Comparing the two genotypes at different temperatures, we found <1% of the genes being differentially spliced at 18°. At extreme temperatures, however, we detected substantial differences in alternative splicing—with almost 10% of the genes having differential splicing between the genotypes: a magnitude similar to between species differences. Genes with differential alternative splicing between genotypes frequently exhibit dominant inheritance. Remarkably, the pattern of surplus of differences in alternative splicing at extreme temperatures resembled the pattern seen for gene expression intensity. Since different sets of genes were involved for the two phenotypes, we propose that purifying selection results in the reduction of differences at benign temperatures. Relaxed purifying selection at temperature extremes, on the other hand, may cause the divergence in gene expression and alternative splicing between the two strains in rarely encountered environments.
Investigation of Displacements Fields Due to Normal and Tangential Loads on Bars of Finite Thickness
Authors: B. Trentadue  , G. Illuzzi
Published: July 2016

The challenging topic of a cylinder in line contact with bars of finite thickness, reproducing typical fretting fatigue experiments, is studied by means of the super moiré interferometry technique. The authors consider a normal load on a model producing a contact area of about 4 mm, and subsequently on a tangential load at nearly the sliding limit. The displacement fields, due to the normal load, show that the maximum principal stresses at the edge of the contact area are significantly different from those predicted for the half plane, as well as for bars with a significant thickness, so that the dimension of the contact area and the pressure distribution are nearly the same as those of the half plane. This is confirmed by numerical results obtained by Fellows et al. [7].
Moreover, the experimental results show that the surface stresses induced are not as dependent on the thickness of the bar as those induced by the normal load.
Moisture Flow as Driving Force behind Drying Shrinkage and Microcracking in Interfacial Transition Zone in Concrete
Authors: D. Jankovic Gradacacka
Published: July 2016

In order to determine drying shrinkage in early age cementitious paste and ITZ, prior to a calculation of shrinkage coefficient and further complex coupling, experimental methods at micro-level and numerical methods at meso-level are separately performed as the initial steps. Digital images of a small-size 1-mm thick cement paste specimen with an embedded obstacle as a concrete model are captured at different magnifications and analyzed in drying experiments with Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) and Vic-2D. The drying shrinkage shows the dependence on image magnification, chosen Area of Interest (AOI) and RH variations. Numerical moisture flow/ drying simulations by Lattice Gas Automata (LGA) show the difference in a moisture gradient depending on the heterogeneity of the LGA domain (population with smaller and/ or larger solids). Expected higher moisture gradient around larger solids is confirmed in the LGA simulations, which could be an initial sign of gaps/microcracks in real ITZ.
Spatial Distribution of Material Properties in Load Bearing Femur as Characterized by Evolutionary Structural Optimization
Authors: Hadi Latifi  , Lev Lafayette  , Mehmet Bilgen 
Published: July 2016

This works aims to simulate bone formation under natural loading using evolutionary structural optimization. Unlike material elimination by hard-kill approach applied previously, the current presentation implements material replacement defined as soft-kill method. A numerical analysis platform was developed and finite element model of sheep femur was constructed using computer tomography data. Quadruple material properties governing soft medullary canal, cancellous as well as plexiform and haversian cortical structures were considered as the main material constituents of the femur. An iterative algorithm was designed for determining the spatial distribution of these tissue types throughout the femur. The model initially started with a homogenous plexiform design and iteratively converged to a final state with heterogeneous density profile, nearly similar to a natural femur. The inefficient regions were gradually changed with mechanically lower grade and lighter tissues and thus the final construct had the least weight but still supported the load. The convergence was achieved successfully. The tissue types were distributed in a mechanically optimum fashion to counteract the applied forces. The resulting internal material assignments provided insights into the structural remodeling of femur within the context of Wolff’s law. Using the developments, bone formation can be simulated numerically under different mechanical loading conditions. Such investigations may provide useful information about the vulnerability of bone as its material properties change with osteoporosis or the fracture risk as a result of malfunction in muscles attached to the femur.
Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Mandibular Asymmetry in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Paknahad Maryam , Shahidi Shoaleh , Bahrampour Ehsan , Beladi Amir Saied , Khojastepour Leila
Published: July 2016

Objective:

The purpose of the present study was to compare mandibular vertical asymmetry in patients with unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate and subjects with normal occlusion.

Materials and Methods:

Cone beam computed tomography scans of three groups consisting of 20 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate, 20 patients affected by bilateral cleft lip and palate, and a control group of 20 subjects with normal occlusion were analyzed for this study. Condylar, ramal, and condylar plus ramal asymmetry indices were measured for all subjects using the method of Habets et al. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to determine any significant differences between the groups for all indices at the 95% level of confidence.

Results:

There were no significant differences regarding sex for all mandibular asymmetry indices in all three groups. All Asymmetry indices (condylar, ramal, and condylar plus ramal asymmetry) were significantly higher in the unilateral cleft group compared with the other two groups.

Conclusion:

Cone beam computed tomography images showed that patients with cleft lip and palate suffered from mandibular asymmetry. Subjects with unilateral cleft lip and palate had a more asymmetric mandible compared with the bilateral cleft lip and palate and control groups. Therefore, the mandible appears to be the leading factor in facial asymmetry in subjects with unilateral cleft lip and palate.
The Impact of Cooperative Learning on Grammar Learning among Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners
Authors: Zarifi Abdolvahed , Taghavi Azimeh
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cooperative learning activities on Iranian intermediate EFL learners' grammatical competence. This research was a quasi-experimental study and its design was comparison group design. The study included one control and one experimental group. In total, 50 students participated in the study. They were male and female intermediate English language learners studying English in EFL department at Shokuh-e-Danesh Institute, Dehdasht, Iran. Following a workshop on the implementation of cooperative learning activities, the experimental group was exposed to cooperative learning activities. The control group was, on the other hand, provided with traditional grammar learning methods. 25-item grammar tests were given to both groups before and after the eight-week treatment. T-tests were employed to analyze the obtained data. The results of the tests revealed significant differences between the control group and the experimental group regarding their grammar learning through cooperative learning. The findings of the study suggested that cooperative learning had positive effects on Iranian intermediate EFL learners' grammatical competence.
Identifying Young Learners’ Learning Styles among Iranian EFL Learners
Authors: Asadipiran Noushin
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify preferred perceptual learning styles of Iranian young learners. To accomplish this aim, a Perceptual Learning Style Preference Questionnaire (PLSPQ) used to measure the students’ preferred learning styles. The participants of the current study were 60 high school students. They were first-year high school male students studying in Tehran, Iran. The analysis of data revealed that the most preferred learning style was visual learning style (30% of the participants), and the less preferred one was group learning style (5%). The second to fifth place belonged to tactile (25%), auditory (20%), individual (15%) and kinesthetic (10%) learning style, respectively.
Implications of Australia’s Bilingual Education of Aboriginal People
Authors: Li Jie
Published: July 2016

Australia, as a multicultural and multilingual country, has been highly appraised by international linguists and statesmen for its formulation and implementation of language policies. Over the past years, linguists, statesmen, educators and residents have been devoting themselves to the further improvement of language education policies and laws, and the implementation of bilingual education for Aboriginal people. They have gradually resolved language problems, and most importantly, preserved linguistic and cultural diversity. This has set a successful example for China to follow. Under such circumstance, the proposed research, based on sociolinguistic theories concerning language policy and language planning, makes implications, suggesting how our country should proceed from the actual situations to take more practical measures and formulate better policies.
The Effect of Using Humor on High School Students’ Grammar Performance and Motivation
Authors: Kavandi Elham , Kavandi Reza
Published: July 2016

Teaching in high schools needs specific techniques, methods and skills in order to motivate the students (Ss) properly. In this study, the aim was to explore the effect of humor on students' grammar performance and their motivation. The study was designed as true-experimental research-randomized control experimental group, pre-test, post-test design. The participants were second grade high school students (120 students) in four classes. So, the researcher gave them a Nelson test in order to homogenize them. Out of 120 Ss, only 60 Ss who could get 50% percent of score were selected. Then, the Ss randomly were assigned one member of each pair to the experimental group and the other to the control group containing 30 Ss male in each cause-effect relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Then, the data analysis was done by SPSS version 21. The results indicated that there were statistically significant differences between the gained scores in the groups, namely experimental group in comparison to the control group. A questionnaire was also given to the participants to gather their opinions about humor and its effect on their motivation. The finding showed that a large number of students agree of using humor, because it is enjoyable and motivator. It can be concluded that there is significance relationship between using humor and the Ss grammar performance, and their motivations. . Then, through giving the treatment and placebo to the experimental and control groups, respectively, the researcher tried to observe the direct