bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three‐year risk of high‐grade CIN for women aged 30 years or older who undergo baseline Pap cytology and HPV co‐screening
Authors: Guo Ming , Khanna Abha , Wang Jianping , Dawlett Marilyn A. , Kologinczak Teresa L. , Lyons Genevieve R. , Bassett Roland L. , Sneige Nour , Gong Yun , Bevers Therese B.
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Papanicolaou (Pap) cytology and high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA cotesting for women aged ≥30 years are recommended for the prevention of cervical cancer. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of this cotesting for predicting the risk of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN3) during a 3‐year follow‐up period.

METHODS

A retrospective database search identified women aged ≥30 years who had baseline HPV and Pap cytology cotesting results in 2007 or 2008 and for whom 3‐year follow‐up results were available. The cumulative 3‐year risks of developing CIN‐3 were calculated.

RESULTS

The 3‐year follow‐up data after baseline Pap/HPV cotesting were available for 1986 women (mean age, 53 years). Of the 1668 women who had a baseline Pap‐negative (Pap‐)/HPV‐ cotesting result, 1561 (93.6%) had a follow‐up Pap cytology result that was negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancy. Of the 1530 women who had follow‐up Pap/HPV cotesting, 1504 (98.3%) had a Pap‐/HPV‐ result. The 3‐year cumulative risk of developing CIN‐3 was found to be highest for women with a baseline Pap‐positive (Pap+)/HPV+ cotesting result (12.5%); the risk of CIN‐3 was lower in those with a Pap‐/HPV+ result (1.5%; P = .0032) or a Pap‐/HPV‐ result (0.06%; P<.0001). The 3‐year cumulative risk of CIN‐3 was found to be significantly greater for women with an HPV+ result (4.8%) compared with those with an HPV‐ result (0.06%; P<.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pap cytology and HPV cotesting are valuable for stratifying CIN‐3 risk. Pap cytology and HPV co‐screening at a 3‐year screening interval appears to carry a low risk of CIN‐3 for women who have a baseline Pap‐/HPV‐ cotesting result. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:644‐51. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
The ecology of infection between a transmissive and a dead‐end host provides clues for the treatment of a plant disease
Authors: Garbelotto Matteo , Schmidt Doug , Swain Steven , Hayden Katherine , Lione Guglielmo
Published: May 2017

In plant pathosystems in which some hosts are transmissive and some are dead‐ends, infection is mediated by multiple factors including the susceptibility of both hosts, the sporulation potential of transmissive hosts, the mobility of infectious propagules, the presence of environmental factors conducive to infection, and the variability in distribution of both host types. The factors above were studied for the California forest disease sudden oak death caused by the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. This pathogen is exotic to California, and while it sporulates at significant levels on the leaves of California bay laurels, four susceptible oak species appear to be non‐infectious dead‐end hosts. Here, we report, for the first time, on inoculum levels necessary to successfully infect adult oaks and on the distribution of such inoculum levels through time and space thanks to a seven‐year‐long monitoring effort across a network of 128 monitoring points. Through a series of geostatistical and statistical analyses, we show that the presence of high inoculum loads is positively correlated with close proximity to bay laurels, with high rainfall levels, and with warmer temperatures. Data are consistent with splash dispersal of the pathogen and show that increased presence of tanoak corresponds to a reduced presence of bay laurels and to a lower frequency of high inoculum events. Removal of bay laurels resulted in a substantial decrease of number of events in which spore loads were high enough to infect oaks. This effect was significant when bays were removed 10 m around sampling points, thus indicating that removal of bays 10 m around oaks is a valid approach to reduce infections of oaks.
In the face of pain: The choice of visual cues in pain conditioning matters
Authors: Egorova N. , Park J. , Kong J.
Published: May 2017

Background

Visual cue conditioning is a valuable experimental paradigm to investigate placebo and nocebo effects in pain. However, little attention has been paid to the cues themselves and potential variability of effects (their quantity and quality) stemming from the choice of stimuli. Yet, this seemingly methodological question has important implications for the interpretation of experimental findings in terms of their significance for clinical practice.

Methods

We investigated the effect of heat pain conditioning using different types of visual cues (abstract images, faces and pseudo‐words) in a group of 22 healthy volunteers. We analysed conditioning effects calculated as the difference in pain ratings to heat stimuli of identical temperature preceded by conditioned high or low pain cues with (1) subliminal and supraliminal presentation; and (2) immediately after conditioning and following extinction. Awareness manipulation and test following indirect, observational extinction allowed us to assess the strength and robustness of the conditioning effects induced with different cue types.

Results

We observed no differences in conditioning effect magnitudes between images, faces and words when all stimuli were presented supraliminally. With subliminal presentation, only face stimuli elicited a significant effect; equally only face cue‐induced effect withstood extinction.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that face‐related associations to pain might be stronger than those elicited with other visual cues, as face cues seem to induce stronger subliminal effects and withstand mild extinction.

Significance

We compared different types of neutral cues commonly used in conditioning paradigms and found that faces elicited a stronger, more robust nonconscious effect than abstract images or pseudo‐words.
Joint effect of jamming and noise on the secrecy outage performance of wiretap channels with feedback delay and multiple antennas
Authors: Ortega Yosbel R. , Upadhyay Prabhat K. , da Costa Daniel Benevides , Bithas Petros S. , Kanatas Athanasios G. , Dias Ugo S. , de Sousa Junior Rafael Timoteo
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we investigate the secrecy performance of multiple‐input–multiple‐output wiretap channels with outdated channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter. The joint effect of multiple jamming signals and noise at the eavesdropper is studied assuming that the transmitter adopts a transmit antenna selection technique, while both the legitimate receiver and the eavesdropper use a maximal‐ratio combining scheme to achieve spatial diversity in reception. Exact closed‐form expressions for the nonzero secrecy rate probability and the secrecy outage probability for an arbitrary number of power distributed jamming signals are derived, by assuming both perfect and imperfect CSI. The general secrecy outage probability expressions are simplified for 2 special cases, ie, different and equal power distributed interferers. Furthermore, we conduct an asymptotic secrecy outage analysis at high signal‐to‐noise ratio, which reveals that the expected diversity gain cannot be realized for imperfect CSI and full diversity order can only be achieved under the perfect CSI condition. In addition, our results reveal that the number of antennas at the eavesdropper as well as the number of jamming signals do not affect the system diversity order. Simulation results are performed to illustrate the effects of imperfect feedback and other key system parameters on the secrecy performance. Finally, our analytical results are validated through Monte Carlo simulations.
Multiband chirp OCC‐UWB system design for suppression of multiple narrowband interferences
Authors: Bai Zhiquan , Gao Shen , Peng Shanshan , Dong Peihao , Yang Xinghai
Published: May 2017

To improve the coexistence between ultrawideband (UWB) technology–based wireless personal area networks and other narrowband systems and efficiently suppress the multiple narrowband interferences (NBIs) and the multiuser interference (MUI) in UWB systems, we propose a multiband orthogonal complementary code–based UWB (OCC‐UWB) system design in this paper, which utilizes the simple time‐frequency relationship of the chirp waveforms. The system design is implemented in 2 ways, named the equant multiband scheme and the nonequant multiband scheme. The 2 implementation schemes can improve the spectrum utilization of UWB systems and have different principles of NBI suppression. The equant scheme adopts the nonlinear chirp waveforms to suppress multiple NBIs in the subbands with NBIs. In contrast, the nonequant scheme adopts the spectrum elusion method based on the division of the frequency band to exclude the NBIs' frequency bands. Combining the chirp UWB pulse design with the orthogonal complementary code spread modulation, we finally present the multiband chirp OCC‐UWB system to suppress the MUI and the multipath interference simultaneously. Simulation results and theoretical analysis show that the proposed multiband chirp OCC‐UWB system improves the system performance efficiently in the conditions of multiple NBIs, MUI, and multipath interference and increases the data transmission rate and the spectrum utilization simultaneously.
Complex Strategic Choices: A New Approach and Application to Foreign Firm Agglomeration
Authors: Wu Zheying , Salomon Robert , Martin Xavier
Published: May 2017

Research summary

In this study, we introduce a new statistical technique to the field of strategy that accounts for complex interrelated decisions. The technique is meant for situations in which one strategic decision depends critically upon another—e.g., where companies must commit to one decision before making another. We demonstrate the value of the technique in the context of companies choosing countries in which to invest, followed by areas within those countries in which to locate their facilities. We then describe the generic benefits of the statistical technique, offer guidance for how to use it, and provide the programming code so that others can implement it. We explain how the technique is particularly well suited to problems in which companies must decide between multiple options and the sample size is small relative to the number of initial options.

Managerial summary

Research in strategy and international business has increasingly adopted two‐stage models to account for endogeneity. Established approaches, however, deal most effectively with problems characterized by binary first‐stage models. We introduce an alternative that allows for multiple choices in the first stage. We use the technique to examine the agglomeration patterns of foreign firms, while accounting for country selection. We find that, conditional on country selection, foreign firms tend to agglomerate in host countries characterized by collectivist cultures, political uncertainty, and economic uncertainty. The results imply that host country characteristics exert a strong influence on the agglomeration preferences of foreign firms. We provide guidance on when to use the empirical estimation technique and furnish details of the estimation procedure so that others can apply the technique to a broader class of selection problems. Copyright © 2017 Strategic Management Society.
Sofosbuvir‐velpatasvir with ribavirin for 24 weeks in hepatitis C virus patients previously treated with a direct‐acting antiviral regimen
Authors: Gane Edward J. , Shiffman Mitchell L. , Etzkorn Kyle , Morelli Giuseppe , Stedman Catherine A.M. , Davis Mitchell N. , Hinestrosa Federico , Dvory‐Sobol Hadas , Huang K.C. , Osinusi Anu , McNally John , Brainard Diana M. , McHutchison John G. , Thompson Alex J. , Sulkowski Mark S. ,   GS‐US‐342‐1553 Investigators
Published: May 2017

The optimal retreatment strategy for patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus who experience virologic failure after treatment with direct‐acting antiviral–based therapies remains unclear. In this multicenter, open‐label, phase 2 study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of a fixed‐dose combination of sofosbuvir‐velpatasvir (400 mg/100 mg) plus weight‐adjusted ribavirin administered for 24 weeks in patients who did not achieve sustained virologic response after prior treatment with direct‐acting antiviral regimens that included the nucleotide analogue nonstructural protein 5B inhibitor sofosbuvir plus the nonstructural protein 5A inhibitor velpatasvir with or without the nonstructural protein 3/4A protease inhibitor voxilaprevir. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after the cessation of treatment. In total, 63 of 69 (91%; 95% confidence interval, 82%‐97%) patients achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks, including 36 of 37 (97%; 95% confidence interval, 86%‐100%) patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection, 13 of 14 (93%; 95% confidence interval, 66%‐100%) patients with genotype 2 infection, and 14 of 18 (78%; 95% confidence interval, 52%‐94%) patients with genotype 3 infection. Most adverse events were of mild or moderate severity. The most frequently reported adverse events were fatigue, nausea, headache, insomnia, and rash. One patient (1%) with genotype 1a infection discontinued all study drugs due to an adverse event (irritability). Conclusion: Retreatment of patients who previously failed direct‐acting antiviral–based therapies with sofosbuvir‐velpatasvir plus ribavirin for 24 weeks was well tolerated and effective, particularly those with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 or 2 infection. (Hepatology 2017;66:1083‐1089).
R‐Ras deficiency does not affect papain‐induced IgE production in mice
Authors: Kummola Laura , Ortutay Zsuzsanna , Vähätupa Maria , Prince Stuart , Uusitalo‐Järvinen Hannele , Järvinen Tero A.H. , Junttila Ilkka S.
Published: May 2017

Introduction

R‐Ras GTPase has recently been implicated in the regulation of immune functions, particularly in dendritic cell (DC) maturation, immune synapse formation, and subsequent T cell responses.

Methods

Here, we investigated the role of R‐Ras in allergen‐induced immune response (type 2 immune response) in Rras deficient (R‐Ras KO) and wild type (WT) mice.

Results

Initially, we found that the number of conventional DC's in the lymph nodes (LNs) was reduced in R‐Ras KO mice. The expression of co‐stimulatory CD80 and CD86 molecules on these cells was also reduced on DC's from the R‐Ras KO mice. However, there was no difference in papain‐induced immune response between the R‐Ras WT and KO as measured by serum IgE levels after the immunization. Interestingly, neither the DC number nor co‐stimulatory molecule expression was different between WT and R‐Ras KO animals after the immunization.

Conclusions

Taken together, despite having reduced number of conventional DC's in the R‐Ras KO mice and low expression of CD80 on DC's, the R‐Ras KO mice are capable of mounting papain‐induced IgE responses comparable to that of the WT mice. To our knowledge, this is the first report addressing potential differences in in vivo allergen responses regulated by the R‐Ras GTPase.
Conceptual Models of Student Veteran College Experiences
Authors: Vacchi David , Hammond Shane , Diamond Aynsley
Published: May 2017

This chapter focuses on conceptual models that may enable institutional researchers and scholars to better study the student veteran experience.
Visual comfort in autostereoscopic display
Authors: Chen Hung‐Shing , Wang Hsin‐Fu , Chou Ching‐Ju , Lin Tzung‐Han
Published: May 2017

Autostereoscopic displays are likely to become widely used products in the future. However, certain physiological factors, especially visual comfort, limit their development. In this study, four observational parameters – ambient illuminance, image content, scaling ratio, and horizontal distance between major and minor objects – were evaluated to determine the degree of visual comfort offered by 3D computer‐generated images on an autostereoscopic display. Visual comfort score with the range of 0–1 is designed to represent the degree of visual comfort for the 3D images with different manipulations of ambient illuminance, image content, scaling ratio, and horizontal distance between major and minor objects in this study. Subjects were asked to indicate images that produced discomfort. The proportion of images for each condition where participants indicated that viewing the image was comfortable was computed. Images receiving a proportion of 0.5 or greater were classified as acceptable. The disparity ranges over which acceptable images were attained for each participant and for each condition were analyzed with analysis of variance. The analytical results indicate that ambient illuminance and image content have a significant effect on the acceptable disparity range, while scaling ratio and horizontal distance between major and minor objects did not.
Quantification of rat supraglottic laryngeal sensation threshold
Authors: Gale Derrick C. , Bhatt Neel K. , Paniello Randal C.
Published: May 2017

Objective

Laryngeal adductor response (LAR) to air puff is used as a reliable method in evaluating sensation thresholds (ST) in human laryngeal sensory disorders. This method has been difficult to perform in small subjects such as rodents. The aims of this study were to 1) evaluate ST to air puff under binocular microlaryngoscopy in rats to evaluate laryngeal sensory disorders, 2) determine sensory thresholds at varying target locations, and 3) determine the ideal depth of anesthesia.

Study Design

Animal study.

Methods

Rats were induced with ketamine/xylazine. The level of anesthesia was monitored by spontaneous glottic closure and corneal reflex testing. Air puffs were delivered to the epiglottis, arytenoid, and piriform sinus at varied pressures with pulse time kept constant. Sensation thresholds were determined by direct visualization of the larynx using a binocular microscope. Topical lidocaine was then applied to the larynx and ST was determined. Trials were repeated in a small subset of animals.

Results

Twenty‐six trials were performed in 14 rats. Mean STs were 39 ± 9.7 mm Hg at the epiglottis, 48.8 ± 10.5 at the arytenoid, and not detectable at the pyriform sinus. Repeated trials demonstrated consistent results. Lidocaine effectively ablated the LAR in each trial. The LAR was difficult to induce while corneal reflex was absent and was difficult to distinguish from spontaneous glottic closures while under lighter sedation.

Conclusion

Air pulse stimulation in rats is a simple, reliable, and effective way to determine laryngopharyngeal STs in rats and can be used as an efficient and affordable method for experimentation involving laryngeal sensory disorders.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 127:E265–E269, 2017
Slotted labyrinthotomy approach with customized electrode for patients with common cavity deformity
Authors: Wei Xingmei , Li Yongxin , Fu Qian‐jie , Gong Yue , Chen Biao , Chen Jingyuan , Shi Ying , Su Qiaotong , Cui Danmo , Liu Ting
Published: May 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Cochlear implantation for patients with common cavity deformity (CCD) can be difficult, with a higher incidence of intra‐ and postoperative complications; outcomes with CCD patients are also highly variable. In this study, surgical time was compared between the traditional facial recess approach (TFRA) and the transmastoid slotted labyrinthotomy approach (TSLA). Audiological outcomes and the benefit of using customized electrode arrays for CCD patients are also discussed.

Study Design

Retrospective review of 13 cochlear implant (CI) patients with CCD.

Methods

Six patients were implanted with the TFRA using traditional electrodes, and seven patients were implanted with the TSLA using customized electrodes. Intra‐ and postoperative complications were reviewed. Audiological outcomes were measured 3 months to 2 years after CI activation.

Results

The mean surgical time for TSLA group was nearly half as long as for the TRFA group (P < .05). Although mean audiological outcomes were better for the TSLA group, there was no significant difference between groups (P > .05).

Conclusions

For CCD patients, TSLA for cochlear implantation is recommended due to shortened surgical time; customized electrode arrays may be additionally advantageous in terms of audiological outcomes.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:468–472, 2018
High‐Quality Nano/Micro Hairy Single Crystals Developed from Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐Based Conductive–Dielectric Block Copolymers Having Flat‐on and Edge‐on Orientations
Authors: Zenoozi Sahar , Agbolaghi Samira , Gheybi Homa , Abbasi Farhang
Published: May 2017

Highly uniform and conductive single crystals of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT)‐based homo and block copolymers with the end coily blocks of polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(ethylene glycol) are developed using self‐seeding method from varied quality solvents. Edge‐on and flat‐on orientations are detected depending on the thickness and width of single crystals. Coily blocks are excluded from the P3HT crystalline structures, leading to brush‐like or hairy regions on surface of grown single crystals in the longitude of P3HT chains. The larger single crystals possessing flat‐on orientation are obtained from weaker solvents at higher seeding temperatures. The longer P3HT chains are folded, however, the shorter backbones are laminated on each other. The highest backbone lamination occurs for homo‐P3HT7150 (Mn of P3HT = 7150 g mol−1) single crystals grown at 20 °C from anisole, the weakest employed solvent. In contract, highly ordered and folded hairy single crystals are acquired from better solvents and high molecular weight P3HTs. In these conditions, the crystallographic features of the hairy block copolymer single crystals are similar to those of nonhairy homo‐P3HT ones. The coily brush‐covered P3HT48 800 single crystals have more foldings compared to the homo‐P3HT48 800 ones, whereas only two laminated backbones in shorter P3HT blocks are detected.

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Negative correlation between serum uric acid and kidney URAT1 mRNA expression caused by resveratrol in rats
Authors: Lee Cheng‐Tse , Chang Li‐Ching , Liu Ching‐Wen , Wu Pei‐Fung
Published: May 2017

Scope

This study established a hyperuricemic rat model to elucidate the effect of resveratrol on the transport of UA in the kidney.

Methods and results

Hyperuricemia was induced in rats through daily oral gavage of a potassium oxonate and UA mixture over 3 weeks. Our results revealed that resveratrol significantly reduced the serum UA levels but not creatinine, c‐creative protein, alanine aminotransferase, or aspartate aminotransferase levels in these rats. Furthermore, renal URAT1 and OAT1 mRNA expression were significantly higher in the rats treated with allopurinol than in those with no treatment. Therefore, allopurinol not only inhibited UA production but also mediated renal URAT1 and OAT1 expression. The correlation analysis revealed that UA levels correlated negatively with renal IL‐6 mRNA expression in rats treated with allopurinol. Moreover, URAT1 showed strong immunoreactivity in the distal convoluted tubule of rats treated with allopurinol or resveratrol and in hyperuricemic treated with allopurinol. Finally, in the rats treated with resveratrol, UA levels correlated negatively with renal URAT1 mRNA expression; thus, resveratrol reduced URAT1 mRNA expression under high UA levels, thereby reducing UA reabsorption in renal cells.

Conclusion

Resveratrol contributes to URAT1 expression, which is potentially useful in therapeutic strategies aimed at treating hyperuricemia.
Predicting the initiation of static liquefaction of cross‐anisotropic sands under multiaxial stress conditions
Authors: Lü Xilin , Huang Maosong , Andrade José E.
Published: May 2017

Experimental evidence has shown that the liquefaction instability of sands can be affected by its material density, stress state, and inherent anisotropy. In order to predict the initiation of the static liquefaction of inherent cross‐anisotropic sands under multidimensional stress conditions, a rational constitutive model is needed. An elastoplasticity model able to capture the influences of intermediate principal stress ratio (b = (σ2 − σ3)/(σ1 − σ3)) and loading direction on stress–strain relationships and volumetric properties was proposed. The yield function was formulated to be controlled by Lode angle, loading direction, and material state; the stress–dilatancy was a material state‐dependent function. After using the existing drained hollow cylinder tests to validate the proposed model, this model was used to simulate the existing undrained hollow cylinder tests. During this simulation, the second‐order work criterion was used to determine the initiation of static liquefaction. The results showed that an increase in both the intermediate principal stress ratio and the loading angle induces a decrease in the second‐order work. Static liquefaction is initiated more easily at a stress state with a large intermediate principal stress ratio and a large loading angle, and the mobilized friction angle at the instability points decreases with the intermediate principal stress ratio and the loading angle. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymeric matrix composites at reduced environmental impact
Authors: Valente Marco , Quitadamo Alessia
Published: May 2017

This work focused on the use of bio‐derived charge, in order to reduce the environmental impact of traditional oil‐based polymers (HDPE in this case). In fact, we introduced waste paper fibres and a starch‐derived polymer in Wood Plastic Composites (WPC). We produced different materials: 10 wt% of recycled paper fibres (10F), 30 wt% of wood flour (30W) and a mix of two fillers (30W10F). Polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (MAPE) has been introduced as compatibilizer and a NaOH immersion treatment on both cellulosic filler has been done in order to improve composites properties. A starch‐derived polymer was then added to the matrix to reduce HDPE amount (30W10F15S). Samples were produced through turbomixing followed by compression moulding technique, and then subjected to tensile tests, SEM analysis, water absorption tests and hardness tests (Shore D). Results evidenced a synergic effect of both cellulosic fillers, and the best results were obtained for 30 wt% wood, 10 wt% fibre of paper, and 3 wt% of MAPE, in which MAPE addition improved interfaces. Samples with starch‐derived polymers have shown typical blends morphologies, and cellulosic fillers treated with NAOH revealed an effective attack. The hardness measure displayed that the presence of cellulosic recycled fibres increased both superficial hardness of the composite and temperature resistance, while the presence of starch‐derived polymer and fibres treated with NaOH caused a higher softening effect. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:651–656, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Recent research on composite beams with demountable shear connectors
Authors: Lam Dennis , Dai Xianghe , Ashour Ashraf , Rehman Naveed
Published: May 2017

This paper presents the experimental and numerical investigations of an innovative composite floor system with deconstructability. In this system, a composite slab formed with metal profiled decking is connected to a steel beam using demountable shear connectors. A series of push tests was conducted to investigate the behaviour of this form of shear connector. In addition to the push tests, a full‐scale composite beam was tested to failure in the laboratory under a number of cycles of monotonic loading. For direct comparison, a similar composite beam test was conducted using the same section size and concrete strength, but using conventional welded headed stud connectors. Test results showed that the behaviour of the composite beam with demountable shear connectors is comparable with that of the specimen with welded shear connectors. After the test was terminated, the demountable shear connectors were unfastened and the composite floor could be easily lifted off from the steel beam. Test results showed that these demountable shear connectors possess high ductility in comparison to the equivalent welded shear connectors. Simple design rules currently use in Eurocode 4 for welded shear connections and Eurocode 3 for bolts are proposed to predict the shear resistance of this form of demountable shear connector.
High‐Speed multiview face localization and tracking with a minimum bounding box using genetic algorithm
Authors: Sato Junya , Akashi Takuya
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we propose a high‐speed multiview face localization and tracking method with a minimum bounding box using template matching with genetic algorithm (GA). In this method, a head is treated as a cylinder, and the multiview face can be represented using the development of lateral surface (two‐dimensional (2D) model). The face can be localized by a template, which is generated from the model and corresponds to the target face direction. Processing is very fast because the parameters for both template generation and affine transformation are simultaneously optimized by GA. In the experiment, challenging 60‐video sequences are created in a situation where subjects drastically move their faces in a room, using a standard computer and web camera. Then, the proposed method is applied to the sequences, and the performance is investigated. As a result, the proposed method achieves fast and accurate multiview face localization and tracking. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Prevalence, incidence and mortality from cardiovascular disease in patients with pooled and specific severe mental illness: a large‐scale meta‐analysis of 3,211,768 patients and 113,383,368 controls
Authors: Correll Christoph U. , Solmi Marco , Veronese Nicola , Bortolato Beatrice , Rosson Stella , Santonastaso Paolo , Thapa‐Chhetri Nita , Fornaro Michele , Gallicchio Davide , Collantoni Enrico , Pigato Giorgio , Favaro Angela , Monaco Francesco , Kohler Cristiano , Vancampfort Davy , Ward Philip B. , Gaughran Fiona , Carvalho André F. , Stubbs Brendon
Published: May 2017

People with severe mental illness (SMI) – schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder – appear at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but a comprehensive meta‐analysis is lacking. We conducted a large‐scale meta‐analysis assessing the prevalence and incidence of CVD; coronary heart disease; stroke, transient ischemic attack or cerebrovascular disease; congestive heart failure; peripheral vascular disease; and CVD‐related death in SMI patients (N=3,211,768) versus controls (N=113,383,368) (92 studies). The pooled CVD prevalence in SMI patients (mean age 50 years) was 9.9% (95% CI: 7.4‐13.3). Adjusting for a median of seven confounders, patients had significantly higher odds of CVD versus controls in cross‐sectional studies (odds ratio, OR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.27‐1.83; 11 studies), and higher odds of coronary heart disease (OR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.47‐1.55) and cerebrovascular disease (OR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.21‐1.66). People with major depressive disorder were at increased risk for coronary heart disease, while those with schizophrenia were at increased risk for coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and congestive heart failure. Cumulative CVD incidence in SMI patients was 3.6% (95% CI: 2.7‐5.3) during a median follow‐up of 8.4 years (range 1.8‐30.0). Adjusting for a median of six confounders, SMI patients had significantly higher CVD incidence than controls in longitudinal studies (hazard ratio, HR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.60‐1.98; 31 studies). The incidence was also higher for coronary heart disease (HR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.30‐1.82), cerebrovascular disease (HR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.26‐2.14), congestive heart failure (HR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.64‐2.70), and CVD‐related death (HR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.53‐2.24). People with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia were all at increased risk of CVD‐related death versus controls. CVD incidence increased with antipsychotic use (p=0.008), higher body mass index (p=0.008) and higher baseline CVD prevalence (p=0.03) in patients vs. controls. Moreover, CVD prevalence (p=0.007), but not CVD incidence (p=0.21), increased in more recently conducted studies. This large‐scale meta‐analysis confirms that SMI patients have significantly increased risk of CVD and CVD‐related mortality, and that elevated body mass index, antipsychotic use, and CVD screening and management require urgent clinical attention.
Has the rising placebo response impacted antidepressant clinical trial outcome? Data from the US Food and Drug Administration 1987‐2013
Authors: Khan Arif , Fahl Mar Kaysee , Faucett Jim , Khan Schilling Shirin , Brown Walter A.
Published: May 2017

More than fifteen years ago, it was noted that the failure rate of antidepressant clinical trials was high, and such negative outcomes were thought to be related to the increasing magnitude of placebo response. However, there is considerable debate regarding this phenomenon and its relationship to outcomes in more recent antidepressant clinical trials. To investigate this, we accessed the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews for sixteen antidepressants (85 trials, 115 trial arms, 23,109 patients) approved between 1987 and 2013. We calculated the magnitude of placebo and antidepressant responses, antidepressant‐placebo differences, as well as the effect sizes and success rates, and compared these measures over time. Exploratory analysis investigated potential changes in trial design and conduct over time. As expected, the magnitude of placebo response has steadily grown in the past 30 years, increasing since 2000 by 6.4% (r=0.46, p<0.001). Contrary to expectations, a similar increase has occurred in the magnitude of antidepressant response (6.0%, r=0.37, p<0.001). Thus, the effect sizes (0.30 vs. 0.29, p=0.42) and the magnitude of antidepressant‐placebo differences (10.5% vs. 10.3%, p=0.37) have remained statistically equivalent. Furthermore, the frequency of positive trial arms has gone up in the past 15 years (from 47.8% to 63.8%), but this difference in frequency has not reached statistical significance. Trial design features that were previously associated with a possible lower magnitude of placebo response were not implemented, and their relationship to the magnitude of placebo response could not be replicated. Of the 34 recent trials, two implemented enhanced interview techniques, but both of them were unsuccessful. The results of this study suggest that the relationship between the magnitude of placebo response and the outcome of antidepressant clinical trials is weak at best. These data further indicate that antidepressant‐placebo differences are about the same for all of the sixteen antidepressants approved by the FDA in the past thirty years.
Social Marketing Strategies for Renewable Energy Transitions
Authors: Eagle Lynne , Osmond Amy , McCarthy Breda , Low David , Lesbirel Hayden
Published: May 2017

Transitions to more sustainable energy systems are increasingly required to address the problem of climate change. Different stakeholder groups, however, may not share the same level of acceptability for an increase in renewable energy. This paper examines energy consumers’ attitudes towards energy issues, their use of renewable energy in the home and constraints to energy conservation. Respondent-completed questionnaires from 325 people reveal strong support for renewable energy and a belief in human-induced climate change. A multitude of obstacles to energy-efficient practices are revealed by the survey. The paper also explores the role of social marketing in prompting behavioural change and encouraging a transition to renewable energy. Policy makers can utilise these findings to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and build capacity among residents.
An Analysis of the Green Consumer Domain within Sustainability Research: 1975 to 2014
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Polonsky Michael Jay
Published: May 2017

Sustainability requires that consumers and organisations consider how their activities impact on the natural environment. The initial marketing discussion of ‘sustainability’ as we now define it was into green consumer behaviour and within the literature in this area has continued to grow. This paper analyses 677 journal articles with a green consumer focus that have appeared in 34 leading marketing, psychology and environmental journals between 1975 and 2014. The most influential articles, authors, and institutions are identified using citation analysis. An examination of the trends in topics focused on in the research, over eight five-year periods, identified behavioural intentions, demographics and marketing strategy as the top three subjects in the domain. Overall, the results show that green consumer research is a multidisciplinary research domain that has been explored across a diverse range of issues and contexts, with researchers dispersed globally, ensuring that sustainability continues to be an area of interest within the consumer domain.
Mediating Effects of Green Innovations on Interfirm Cooperation
Authors: Burki Umar , Dahlstrom Robert
Published: May 2017

Previous empirical research has largely neglected the mediating role of green innovations on the top management commitment-customer cooperation relationship. This study examines effects of green process innovation and green managerial innovations on this relationship. An empirical analysis with a sample of 181 ISO 14001 Turkish manufacturing firms suggests that top management commitment positively affects customer cooperation, process innovation and managerial innovation. Green process innovation mediates the positive association between top management commitment and customer cooperation, whereas green managerial innovation does not. These findings suggest that green process innovation facilitates business partners to mitigate the external negative impact on environment. By contrast, green managerial innovation has a stronger in-house orientation and facilitates business firms to minimize their carbon footprints.
Permission Marketing and Privacy Concerns — Why Do Customers (Not) Grant Permissions?
Authors: Krafft Manfred , Arden Christine M. , Verhoef Peter C.
Published: May 2017

Little is known about the influence of motivators that drive consumers to grant permission to be contacted via personalized communication. In this study, a framework is developed to investigate the effect of select drivers of consumers granting permission to receive personalized messages. The authors distinguish between drivers related to benefit and cost to the consumers. They identify the influence of perceived personal relevance, entertainment, and consumer information control as well as monetary incentives and lottery participation as benefit-related factors. Cost-related factors entail the registration process, privacy concerns, and perceived intrusiveness. The authors find that, except for monetary incentives and lottery participation, the identified drivers significantly influence consumers’ decision to grant permission. The strong negative influence of privacy concerns on the probability of granting permission can be lessened by two benefit-related factors, namely message content with entertainment value or personal relevance for the consumer. The study helps to improve firm measures aimed at getting more permissions — granted by customers for interactive campaigns.
Hemipelvectomy with laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision for epithelioid sarcoma treatment
Authors: Santana Daniel Paulino , Estrada Meyer Matheus Matta Machado Mafra Duque , Santos Edmilson Celso , Andrade Camila Gomes de Souza , Vilela Neto Paulo , Matoso Aline Alves , Santos Bruna Sílvia Torres , Silva Bruno José Guedes , Ferreira Danielle Bossi Grassi , Horta Larissa Vasconcelos , Reis Marcos Campos Wanderley
Published: May 2017

The epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is an unusual variant of the sarcoma, not reaching 1% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Initially reported in 1970, it has a more aggressive variant, which was classified as the “proximal-type” in 1997. These are aggressive tumors with high rates of distant metastasis and local relapses. Isolated radio and chemotherapy responses are poor and free-margin surgical resection is the treatment of choice.

This is the case report of a 25-year-old male patient diagnosed with “proximal-type” ES in the perineal region. He underwent surgical resection in another institution and was later admitted to our institution with local recurrence with rectal and left thigh muscle invasion. Neoadjuvant radio-chemotherapy was performed, followed by laparoscopic abdominoperineal rectal resection and partial left hemipelvectomy associated with left lower-limb amputation. The patient had no postoperative complications and is currently undergoing outpatient follow-up. The anatomopathological analysis showed tumor-free margins.

The “proximal-type” ES is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma subtype. High local recurrence, as well as the metastasis rates, makes its treatment a challenging task.
Incidence and predictors of pericardial effusion as an early complication of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: The Japanese Catheter Ablation Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (J‐CARAF)
Authors: Murakawa Yuji , Yamane Teiichi , Goya Masahiko , Inoue Koichi , Naito Shigeto , Kumagai Koichiro , Miyauchi Yasushi , Morita Norishige , Nogami Akihiko , Shoda Morio , Okumura Ken , Hirao Kenzo ,   on behalf of the Japanese Heart Rhythm Society Members
Published: May 2017

Background

Pericardial effusion (PE) is one of the most frequent complications from catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). We assessed the prevalence and predictive factors of PE that require invasive treatment as an early complication of AF ablation.

Methods

The Japanese Heart Rhythm Society requested electrophysiology centers to register the relevant data of patients who underwent AF ablation during 6 months from 2011 to 2015. We compared the clinical profiles and the procedures of AF ablation between patients who had ablation‐related PE and those who did not.

Results

Two‐hundred‐and‐eight institutions reported the data of 8319 AF ablation sessions (age 63.4±10.7 years). A total of 414 complications occurred in 401 patients (4.8%). The incidence of invasively treated critical PE was 1.0% (n=85) of total procedures, while conservatively treated noncritical PE appeared in 95 subjects. When clinical and procedural variables were compared between patients who suffered critical PE and 8140 PE‐free patients, deep sedation (p=0.030), impaired left ventricular function (p=0.031), and periprocedural warfarin (p=0.023) significantly increased the incidence of critical PE in univariate analysis. Use of 3‐D imaging system (p<0.001) and a periprocedural direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC, p=0.002) were related with lower incidence of critical PE. Among these factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 3‐D imaging system (odds ratio 0.23 [95% CI: 0.14–0.39], p<0.001) and a periprocedural DOAC (odds ratio 0.49 [95% CI: 0.27–0.90], p=0.020) are independent predictors of the lower incidence of PE.

Conclusions

Critical PE occurred in 1% of AF ablation procedures in Japan. Our results suggest that 3‐D imaging system use independently reduces the frequency of PE. DOACs in the setting of catheter ablation of AF seemed to be non‐inferior to warfarin in terms of safety and effectiveness.
Antimicrobial resistance in human populations: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Allcock S. , Young E. H. , Holmes M. , Gurdasani D. , Dougan G. , Sandhu M. S. , Solomon L. , Török M. E.
Published: May 2017

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat. Emergence of AMR occurs naturally, but can also be selected for by antimicrobial exposure in clinical and veterinary medicine. Despite growing worldwide attention to AMR, there are substantial limitations in our understanding of the burden, distribution and determinants of AMR at the population level. We highlight the importance of population-based approaches to assess the association between antimicrobial use and AMR in humans and animals. Such approaches are needed to improve our understanding of the development and spread of AMR in order to inform strategies for the prevention, detection and management of AMR, and to support the sustainable use of antimicrobials in healthcare.
Interactions between second mode and low-frequency waves in a hypersonic boundary layer
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhu Yiding , Lee Cunbiao
Published: May 2017

The stability of a hypersonic boundary layer on a flared cone was analysed for the same flow conditions as in earlier experiments (Zhang et al., Acta Mech. Sinica, vol. 29, 2013, pp. 48–53; Zhu et al., AIAA J., vol. 54, 2016, pp. 3039–3049). Three instabilities in the flared region, i.e. the first mode, the second mode and the Görtler mode, were identified using linear stability theory (LST). The nonlinear-parabolized stability equations (NPSE) were used in an extensive parametric study of the interactions between the second mode and the single low-frequency mode (the Görtler mode or the first mode). The analysis shows that waves with frequencies below 30 kHz are heavily amplified. These low-frequency disturbances evolve linearly at first and then abruptly transition to parametric resonance. The parametric resonance, which is well described by Floquet theory, can be either a combination resonance (for non-zero frequencies) or a fundamental resonance (for steady waves) of the secondary instability. Moreover, the resonance depends only on the saturated state of the second mode and is insensitive to the initial low-frequency mode profiles and the streamwise curvature, so this resonance is probably observable in boundary layers over straight cones. Analysis of the kinetic energy transfer further shows that the rapid growth of the low-frequency mode is due to the action of the Reynolds stresses. The same mechanism also describes the interactions between a second-mode wave and a pair of low-frequency waves. The only difference is that the fundamental and combination resonances can coexist. Qualitative agreement with the experimental results is achieved.
Morphological disparity and systematic revision of the eocrinoid genusRhopalocystis(Echinodermata, Blastozoa) from the Lower Ordovician of the central Anti-Atlas (Morocco)
Authors: Allaire Ninon , Lefebvre Bertrand , Nardin Elise , Martin Emmanuel L.O. , Vaucher Romain , Escarguel Gilles
Published: May 2017

The genusRhopalocystis(Eocrinoidea, Blastozoa) is characterized by both a short stratigraphic range (Fezouata Shale, middle Tremadocian to middle Floian, Lower Ordovician) and a reduced geographic extension (Agdz-Zagora area, central Anti-Atlas, Morocco). Since the original description of its type species (R. destombesiUbaghs, 1963), three successive revisions of the genusRhopalocystishave led to the erection of nine additional species. The morphological disparity within this genus is here critically reassessed on the basis of both historical material and new recently collected samples. The detailed examination of all specimens, coupled with morphometric and cladistic analyses, points toward a relatively strong support for five morphotypes. A systematic revision ofRhopalocystisis thus suggested, with only five valid taxa:R. destombesi, R. fragaChauvel, 1971, R. grandisChauvel, 1971, R. havlicekiChauvel, 1978, andR. zagoraensisChauvel, 1971. The five others are considered as junior synonyms (R. dehirensisChauvel and Régnault, 1986,R. lehmaniChauvel and Régnault, 1986,R. sp. A,R. sp. B, andR. sp. C).