bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Genetics and Source of Preclinical Safety Animal Models on Study Design, Results, and Interpretation
Authors: Colman Karyn
Published: October 2016

It has been long established that not only the species but also the strain and supplier of rodents used in preclinical safety studies can have a significant impact on the outcome of studies due to variability in their genetic background and thus spontaneous pathologic findings. In addition, local husbandry, housing, and other environmental conditions may have effects on the development and expression of comorbidities, particularly in longer-term or chronic studies. More recently, similar effects related to the source, including genetic and environmental variability, have been recognized in cynomolgus macaques ( Macaca fascicularis). The increased use of cynomolgus macaques from various sources of captive-bred animals (including nonnative, U.S./European Union-based breeding facilities or colonies) can affect study design and study results and outcome. It is important to acknowledge and understand the impact of this variability on the results and interpretation of research studies. This review includes recent examples where variability of preclinical animal models (rats and monkeys) affected the postmortem observations highlighting its relevance to study design or interpretation in safety studies.
Consent, coercion and cooperativismo: Mining cooperatives and resource regimes in Bolivia
Authors: Marston Andrea , Perreault Tom
Published: October 2016

This paper examines ways in which regional political, economic, and cultural hegemonies maintain “resource regimes” by exploring the emergence of mining cooperatives as central actors in Bolivia’s extractive economy. Like much of Latin America, Bolivia is experiencing a boom in resource extraction. Unlike other Latin American countries, in which the surge in mining activity is driven almost entirely by private, mostly transnational capital, relatively small-scale mining cooperatives play a major role in Bolivia’s mining economy. We draw on the Gramscian concepts of hegemony and the integral state to explore the historical and contemporary relationship between mining cooperatives and unfolding patterns of mineral, water, and territorial governance, particularly in Oruro and Potosí departments. We argue that the regional hegemony of the mining economy has been constructed and maintained by the close historical relationship between mining cooperatives and the Bolivian state. Since the 1930s, the state has supported the formation of mining cooperatives as a means of bolstering the mining economy and stemming political unrest; in recent decades, however, cooperatives have become more actively involved in the maintenance of mining’s regional hegemony.
Concussions and Head Injuries in English Community Rugby Union Match Play
Authors: Roberts Simon P. , Trewartha Grant , England Michael , Goodison William , Stokes Keith A.
Published: October 2016

Background:

Previous research has described general injury patterns in community-level rugby union, but specific information on time-loss head injuries has not been reported.

Purpose:

To establish the incidence and nature of significant time-loss head injuries in English community rugby match play, and to identify the injury risk for specific contact events.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Over 6 seasons, injury information was collected from 46 (2009-2010), 67 (2010-2011), 76 (2011-2012), 50 (2012-2013), 67 (2013-2014), and 58 (2014-2015) English community rugby clubs (Rugby Football Union levels 3-9) over a total of 175,940 hours of player match exposure. Club injury management staff reported information for all head injuries sustained during match play whereby the player was absent for 8 days or greater. Clubs were subdivided into semiprofessional (mean player age, 24.6 ± 4.7 years), amateur (24.9 ± 5.1 years), and recreational (25.6 ± 6.1 years) playing levels. Contact events from a sample of 30 matches filmed over seasons 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 provided mean values for the frequency of contact events.

Results:

The overall incidence for time-loss head injuries was 2.43 injuries per 1000 player match hours, with a higher incidence for the amateur (2.78; 95% CI, 2.37-3.20) compared with recreational (2.20; 95% CI, 1.86-2.53) ( P = .032) playing level but not different to the semiprofessional (2.31; 95% CI, 1.83-2.79) playing level. Concussion was the most common time-loss head injury, with 1.46 per 1000 player match hours. The tackle event was associated with 64% of all head injuries and 74% of all concussions. There was also a higher risk of injuries per tackle (0.33 per 1000 events; 95% CI, 0.30-0.37) compared with all other contact events.

Conclusion:

Concussion was the most common head injury diagnosis, although it is likely that this injury was underreported. Continuing education programs for medical staff and players are essential for the improved identification and management of these injuries. With the majority of head injuries occurring during a tackle, an improved technique in this contact event through coach and player education may be effective in reducing these injuries.
Sugar-based poly (anhydride-ester) containing natural antioxidants and antimicrobials: Synthesis and formulation into polymer blends
Authors: Stebbins Nicholas D , Moy Michelle M , Faig Jonathan J , Uhrich Kathryn E
Published: October 2016

Thymol, a naturally occurring antioxidant and antimicrobial, is commonly researched for active packaging applications to deter food spoilage and bacterial growth. However, the high temperature necessary for processing often volatilizes the thymol, reducing its utility. To overcome this processing limitation, sugar-based poly(anhydride-esters) comprising thymol and compounds generally regarded as safe (succinic and tartaric acid) were successful prepared via mild solution polymerization methods. In vitro release studies demonstrated a sustained thymol release over 3 weeks at therapeutically relevant concentrations. Furthermore, the released thymol displayed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities as indicated by a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion assays, respectively. High-temperature melt blending with low-density polyethylene revealed that the chemical incorporation of thymol into a polymer backbone overcame volatility issues and maintained relevant bioactivity.
A unique antiphospholipid assay recognizing phospholipid mixture compared with criteria antiphospholipid immunoassays in lupus patients
Authors: Zuo Y , Willis R , Papalardo E , Petri M , Harris E N , Schleh A , DeCeulaer K , Smikle M , Vilá L M , Reveille J D , Alarcón G S , Gonzalez E B
Published: October 2016

Background

While essential for the classification of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), anticardiolipin (aCL) assays lack specificity and anti-β2glycoproteinI (anti-β2GPI) assays lack sensitivity in this regard. Our aim was to perform a comparative analysis of the APhL ELISA assay (IgG/IgM) and criteria antiphospholipid (aPL) immunoassays in identifying APS-related clinical manifestations in a large group of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Serum samples from 1178 patients from the Hopkins ( n = 543), LUMINA ( n = 588) and Jamaican SLE cohorts ( n = 47) were examined for IgG/IgM positivity in aCL (in-house), anti-β2GPI (two commercial kits) and APhL (Louisville APL) ELISA assays. Correlation of assay positivity with clinical manifestations and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and likelihood ratios were evaluated. A case series analysis was also performed in patients for whom there was isolated positivity in the specific aPL assays.

Results

The prevalence of aCL positivity was 34.9%, anti-β2GPI kit A was 22.6%, APhL was 11.5% and anti-β2GPI kit B was 7.6% in the study population. Anti-β2GPI kit B, aCL and APhL assays were correlated with venous thrombosis, while only APhL was significantly correlated with arterial thrombosis and consistently correlated with pregnancy-related morbidity. No significant correlations were noted for anti-β2GPI kit A. Sensitivity was greatest for aCL assays followed by anti-β2GPI kit A, APhL and anti-β2GPI kit B, while specificity was greatest and equal for anti-β2GPI kit B and APhL assays.

Conclusions

Overall, APhL antibodies, especially IgG, represent a promising biomarker for the classification of APS patients in the context of autoimmunity and in risk assessment with regards to pregnancy morbidity and thrombotic manifestations.
Numerical simulation of sheet metal blanking based on fully coupled elastoplasticity-damage constitutive equations accounting for yield surface distortion-induced anisotropy
Authors: Yue Zhenming , Badreddine Houssem , Saanouni Khemais , Zhuang Xincun , Gao Jun
Published: October 2016

This paper deals with the numerical simulation of sheet metal blanking process based on fully coupled elastoplastic model accounting for the induced anisotropies due to the kinematic hardening and the yield surface distortion. The yield surface distortion is assumed to be controlled by the kinematic hardening leading additional extra hardening which enhances the predictive capabilities of the model. Series of finite element-based numerical simulations of blanking process with four kinds of assumed distortional hardening parameters have been conducted. Through the comparison between the experimentally observed responses and the numerically predicted ones with and without the yield surface distortion effect, the significance of the yield surface distortion-induced anisotropy on the estimation of the blanking edge quality has been investigated.
Structural strengthening and damage behaviors of hybrid sprayed fiber-reinforced polymer composites containing carbon fiber cores
Authors: Park SM , Yang BJ , Kim BR , Ha SK , Lee HK
Published: October 2016

Recently, composite materials of a hybrid strategy are being developed to reduce the vulnerability of partial rupture failure. Simultaneously, the demand of a modelling method particularly for simulating the behavior of these materials is also emerging. This paper presents novel hybrid sprayed fiber-reinforced polymer composites containing carbon fiber cores developed for strengthening reinforced concrete structures, and a theoretical approach to model these materials. A micromechanical formulation that accounts for the hybrid characteristic of the composites was proposed to predict the overall performance of the composites. The derived model was then implemented into the nonlinear finite element codes to predict the structural behavior of the reinforced concrete beams retrofitted with the composites subjected to loading. A series of three-point bending tests of specimens were carried out to validate the predictability of the modeling technique. The obtained test results were comparatively explored with discussions of the theoretical approaches.
Study of cases of abiraterone discontinuation due to toxicity in pre-chemotherapy after 1 year’s experience
Authors: Ramudo-Cela Luis , Balea-Filgueiras Jesús , Vizoso-Hermida José Ramón , Martín-Herranz Isabel
Published: October 2016

Abiraterone acetate is a potent and irreversible inhibitor of cytochrome p450 17A1 that suppresses androgen synthesis. It is approved for chemotherapy-naive and docetaxel-treated patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. We describe the protocol for use of abiraterone in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer chemotherapy naive patients has been implanted in our centre and we review the cases of those patients whose adverse effects have forced the discontinuation of treatment. The side effects fit the safety profile of abiraterone, speed of their appearance and severity indicate that you should perform a thorough follow-up of these patients especially in the early phases of treatment.
The Utility of Post-Conviction Polygraph Testing Among Sexual Offenders
Authors: Elliott Elizabeth , Vollm Birgit
Published: October 2016

It is often difficult to ascertain the true extent and nature of sexually deviant behavior, as much relies on self-report or historic information. The polygraph has been proposed as a useful tool in the treatment and supervision of sex offenders. The current review aims to provide a coherent, objective, and recent synthesis of evaluation studies exploring the utility of the post-conviction polygraph (PCSOT) in the treatment and management of sexual offenders. This was assessed based on offense recidivism rates and disclosure; self-reported utility was also considered. Nineteen studies were identified from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands with no randomized controlled trials identified. Overall, there was a significant increase in relevant disclosures associated with the polygraph. The impact on reoffending rates was significant for violent but not sexual offenses. A number of methodological factors introduced the potential for bias in a significant number of studies reviewed in this review.
Spillover Effects in a Federal Country with Vertical Tax Externalities
Authors: Grazzini Lisa , Petretto Alessandro
Published: October 2016

We analyze how spillover effects may affect the choice of a federal tax rate in a federal country with vertical tax externalities. Our main result shows the conditions under which the federal tax rate with spillover effects is lower or higher than the federal tax rate without spillover effects. The effects of vertical tax externalities can be modified by the reaction of the federal government to the horizontal externality due to spillover effects.
Importance of early treatment initiation in the clinical course of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kavaliunas Andrius , Manouchehrinia Ali , Stawiarz Leszek , Ramanujam Ryan , Agholme Jonas , Hedström Anna Karin , Beiki Omid , Glaser Anna , Hillert Jan
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing the long-term clinical progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). A special objective was to investigate whether early treatment decisions influence outcome.

Methods:

We included 639 patients diagnosed with MS from 2001 to 2007. The median follow-up time was 99 months (8.25 years). Cox regression models were applied to identify factors correlating with the outcome variable defined as time from treatment start to irreversible score 4 of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).

Results:

Patients initiated on treatment later had a greater risk of reaching EDSS 4 (hazard ratio of 1.074 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.048−1.101)), increased by 7.4% for every year of delay in treatment start after MS onset. Patients who started treatment after 3 years from MS onset reached the outcome sooner with hazard ratio of 2.64 (95% CI, 1.71−4.08) compared with the patients who started treatment within 1 year from MS onset. Baseline EDSS and age at onset were found to be predictive factors of disability progression.

Conclusion:

Early treatment initiation was associated with a better clinical outcome. In addition, we confirmed the well-established prognostic factors of late age at onset and early disability.
The social–psychological and phenomenological constructs of spirituality in the culture of dhikr in Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Hussein Jeylan W
Published: October 2016

The paper sets out to offer social-psychological and phenomenological constructs of spirituality in the culture of dhikr in eastern Ethiopia at a micro-ethnography of faith based therapy (FBT). For analytical purpose, the paper draws on hermeneutics. This is the theory and method that places greater emphasis on the way humans deploy linguistic and cultural symbols to represent, organize and frame religion and other complex experiences. The paper focuses on how dhikr producers deploy various interpretive repertoires to construct the psychological, interactional, emotional, behavioural, imaginative and perceptual dimension of spirituality. The paper indicates that the Hararghe Oromo’s dhikr culture is a hermeneutic exercise that involves cognitive and analytical engagement with the exoteric meanings as well as the esoteric meanings of the world. One can thus take dhikr as a socio-cultural site for analysing the nature of hermeneutically conveyed social–psychological constructs of religion and spirituality. The paper offers also the epistemological and conceptual implications of the study.
Network analysis as a method of evaluating enterprise networks in regional development projects
Authors: Lahdelma Tamás , Laakso Seppo
Published: October 2016

The support of enterprise networks has an important role in the strategies and implementation of the EU’s cohesion policy programmes. Clustering and networking has become an instrument to increase the competitiveness of enterprises and consequently to create output and employment growth in less advantaged regions. However, so far, there is only weak evidence of the effects of networking projects on the competitiveness and business success of participating enterprises and on regional development. The article is based on a pilot study that tests network analysis as a method for evaluating networking projects, supported by the European Regional Development Fund. The study applied network analysis to identify a ﬁrm’s position in the project network and statistical methods to test the signiﬁcance of identiﬁed network features that might explain business development. Preliminary results indicate that network characteristics can predict ﬁrm-level business indicators and ﬁrms’ assessments of the beneﬁts of participating in the projects.
Practising environmental policy evaluation under co-existing evaluation imaginaries
Authors: Kunseler Eva-Maria , Vasileiadou Eleftheria
Published: October 2016

This article examines what the co-existence of different evaluation imaginaries – understandings of what environmental policy evaluation ‘is’ and ‘should do’ – means for everyday evaluation practice. We present a case study in which we show how these different understandings influence the evaluation process as they are mobilized interchangeably. Though co-existing evaluation imaginaries broaden the repertoire and potential for innovation, practitioners also experience tensions as innovative ambitions conflict with institutionalized practices. We hypothesize that practitioners deal with these inconsistencies by decoupling approaches, intentions and outcomes from each other. In this way, innovation occurs in parts of the evaluation process while other parts follow a more traditional approach. For evaluation theory we argue the need to further explore how decoupling enables practitioners to deal with co-existing imaginaries. For evaluation practice we stress that articulation of societal expectations is indispensable to ensure the legitimacy of policy evaluation.
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and risk of incident peripheral arterial disease in a multi-ethnic cohort: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Garg Parveen K , Jorgensen Neal W , McClelland Robyn L , Jenny Nancy S , Criqui Michael H , Allison Matthew A , Greenland Philip , Rosenson Robert S , Siscovick David S , Cushman Mary
Published: October 2016

Prospective studies supporting a relationship between elevated lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and incident peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are limited. We evaluated the association of Lp-PLA2 with incident PAD in a multi-ethnic cohort without clinical cardiovascular disease. A total of 4622 participants with measurement of Lp-PLA2 mass and Lp-PLA2 activity and an ankle–brachial index (ABI) between 0.9 and 1.4 were followed for the development of PAD (median follow-up = 9.3 years), defined as an ABI ⩽0.9 and decline from baseline ⩾0.15. There were 158 incident PAD events during follow-up. In adjusted logistic regression models, each higher standard deviation of both Lp-PLA2 activity and mass did not confer an increased risk of developing PAD [odds ratios, (95% confidence intervals)]: 0.92 (0.66–1.27) for Lp-PLA2 activity and 1.06 (0.85–1.34) for mass. Additionally, no significant interaction was found according to ethnicity: p=0.43 for Lp-PLA2 activity and p=0.55 for Lp-PLA2 mass. We found no evidence of an association between Lp-PLA2 and incident PAD.
Inter-generational transmission in a minority language setting: Stop consonant production by Bangladeshi heritage children and adults
Authors: Mayr Robert , Siddika Aysha
Published: October 2016

Aims and objectives:

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of speech development across successive generations of heritage language users, examining how cross-linguistic, developmental and socio-cultural factors affect stop consonant production.

Design:

To this end, we recorded Sylheti and English stop productions of two sets of Bangladeshi heritage families: (1) first-generation adult migrants from Bangladesh and their (second-generation) UK-born children, and (2) second-generation UK-born adult heritage language users and their (third-generation) UK-born children.

Data and analysis:

The data were analysed auditorily, using whole-word transcription, and acoustically, examining voice onset time. Comparisons were then made in both languages across the four groups of participants, and cross-linguistically.

Findings:

The results revealed non-native productions of English stops by the first-generation migrants but largely target-like patterns by the remaining sets of participants. The Sylheti stops exhibited incremental changes across successive generations of speakers, with the third-generation children’s productions showing the greatest influence from English.

Originality:

This is one of few studies to examine both the host and heritage language in an ethnic minority setting, and the first to demonstrate substantial differences in heritage language accent between age-matched second- and third-generation children. The study shows that current theories of bilingual speech learning do not go far enough in explaining how speech develops in heritage language settings.

Implications:

These findings have important implications for the maintenance, transmission and long-term survival of heritage languages, and show that investigations need to go beyond second-generation speakers, in particular in communities that do not see a steady influx of new migrants.
Examining the work–crime association in emerging adulthood: A longitudinal analysis based on a Dutch population sample
Authors: Wensveen Maaike , Palmen Hanneke , Blokland Arjan , Meeus Wim
Published: October 2016

Social control theory links being employed with reduced criminal behaviour. In particular, the indirect social control generated by the perceived benefits of the current job are expected to underlie the work–crime association. Features specific to the emerging adult period, however, call into question the strength of the work–crime association during this new life stage. This study uses data from the Utrecht Study of Adolescent Development (USAD), a longitudinal self-report study among 669 men and women aged 18 to 24 at the start of the study to examine the extent to which working a paid job is associated with reduced levels of delinquency and crime, and the extent to which this association is conditional on individual job perceptions. We also test for gender differences in these associations. Results indicate that for men – but not for women – paid work is associated with lower levels of delinquency and crime, but only from age 24 onwards.
Teach
Authors: Kline Michelle Ann
Published: October 2016

Teaching has attracted growing research attention in studies of human and animal behavior as a crucial behavior that coevolved with human cultural capacities. However, the synthesis of data on teaching across species and across human populations has proven elusive because researchers use a variety of definitions and methods to approach the topic. I propose a novel method for the study of teaching behavior to be used across disciplines and populations toward such a synthesis: a teaching ethogram for animal and cross-cultural human research (TEACH). This article compares the results of the TEACH method with interview and time allocation data from the same study populations on Yasawa Island, Fiji. The TEACH method better matches the emic view of teaching as playing a role in children’s learning in Fiji, in contrast to the time allocation method. The TEACH method also produces quantitative data with greater behavioral detail than the other methods. This feature is particularly important for the usefulness of the TEACH method in making broad comparative data possible.
The Effects of a Delayed Incentive on Response Rates, Response Mode, Data Quality, and Sample Bias in a Nationally Representative Mixed Mode Study
Authors: McGonagle Katherine A. , Freedman Vicki A.
Published: October 2016

This article describes the results of an experiment designed to examine the impact of the use and amount of delayed unconditional incentives in a mixed mode (push to web) supplement on response rates, response mode, data quality, and sample bias. The supplement was administered to individuals who participate in the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics, the longest running national household panel in the world. After 10 weeks of data collection, individuals who had not yet completed the interview were sent a final survey request and randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: no incentive, US$5, and US$10. The impact of the incentives on response rates and mode, effects on data quality, and sample bias are described. The implications for the use of incentives in mixed mode surveys and directions for future research are discussed.
The Injustice
Authors: Livingston Jay
Published: October 2016

Jay Livingstone on crime and the triumph of vengeance over practicality.
A six-direction absolute displacement sensor for time-delayed control based on quasi-zero-stiffness property
Authors: Jiao Guyue , Sun Xiuting
Published: October 2016

A novel six-direction sensor for absolute vibration motion is proposed in this study for the measurement of absolute motions by employing multi-direction quasi-zero-stiffness property. Scissor-like structures with pre-deformed springs are applied symmetrically in the proposed sensor. Based on the mathematical modeling of the proposed six-direction sensor, it is shown that the stiffness and damping properties of the sensor are adjustable nonlinear functions which are dependent on the structural parameters of scissor-like structures. And then, by utilizing bifurcation theory and perturbation method, the structural parameters are optimized for the improvement of measurement accuracy. For the realization of the approximate fixed point for a moving vibration object, the vibration from measurement object to the sensor is isolated, and thus the sensor could obtain the absolute motions. Utilizing the signals obtained by the proposed sensor directly, better vibration/suppression effectiveness is achieved. The results provide a novel and significant six-direction absolute motion measurement method by utilizing multi-direction quasi-zero-stiffness property with noticeable isolation performance only with passive elements.
Design and implementation of an office standby–power management system through physical and virtual management by user–device habitual pattern analysis in energy–Internet of Things environments
Authors: Park Sanguk , Park Sangmin , Kang Byeongkwan , Choi Myeong-in , Cho Keon-hee , Park Sehyun
Published: October 2016

In the changing environment of the Internet of Things, optimal energy management in smart spaces requires intelligent and reliable energy-aware-based context sensing and technologies that are capable of recognizing and analyzing the big-data user pattern. In this article, we propose an intelligent and reliable standby power management system. The system uses physical and virtual user behavioral pattern analysis based on energy-aware management to cut-off the standby power of office appliances in the office environment. We propose a two-step priority power-aware method. The first step entails physical perception and management that controls devices through user recognition and device relationship scenarios. The second step is virtual perception and management that controls the standby power by collecting user behavioral patterns and performs an analysis based on a rule mechanism. The proposed system was applied to three locations (offices A, B, and C) in the university test-bed. Power consumption was reduced to 23% of the original consumption through the elimination of unnecessary standby power consumption.
Scorpio
Authors: Tan Ning , Mohan Rajesh Elara , Elangovan Karthikeyan
Published: October 2016

This paper presents the bio-inspired design, realization, and validation of a reconfigurable rolling–crawling robot. The developed platform is able to mimic Cebrennus rechenbergi, a species of huntsman spider which can crawl and roll using only its legs. Mechanical design, control architecture, and actuator selection strategies targeting platform miniaturization are presented in detail. The navigating and autonomous capabilities of the robot are examined in two facets: (1) recovery behaviors where a robot in a previously unknown state after a fall recovers autonomously to a known standing gait state using Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU); and (2) terrain perception where the robot is capable of autonomously assessing the characteristics of the terrain and chooses the appropriate morphology and locomotion mode in relation to the perceived terrain.
Non-linear sliding mode control of the lower extremity exoskeleton based on human–robot cooperation
Authors: Zhu Shiqiang , Jin Xinglai , Yao Bin , Chen Qingcheng , Pei Xiang , Pan Zhongqiang
Published: October 2016

This article presents a human–robot cooperation controller towards the lower extremity exoskeleton which aims to improve the tracking performance of the exoskeleton and reduce the human–robot interaction force. Radial basis function neural network is introduced to model the human–machine interaction which can better approximate the non-linear relationship than the general impedance model. A new method to calculate the inverse Jacobian matrix is presented. Compared to traditional damped least squares method, the novel method is proved to be able to avoid the orientation change of the velocity of the human–robot interaction point by the simulation result. This feature is very important in human–robot system. Then, an improved non-linear robust sliding mode controller is designed to promote the tracking performance considering system uncertainties and model errors, where a new non-linear integral sliding surface is given. The stability analysis of the proposed controller is performed using Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, the novel methods are applied to the swing leg control of the lower extremity exoskeleton, its effectiveness is validated by simulation and comparative experiments.
Efficacy of the Da Vinci surgical system in colorectal surgery comparing with traditional laparoscopic surgery or open surgery
Authors: Huang Jintang , Zhang Zhongmin , Wang Shaoyong
Published: October 2016

In order to compare the curative effect of the Da Vinci surgical system (DVSS) with laparoscopic surgery (LS) or open surgery for colorectal resection, literature search was conducted in PubMed, Excerpt Medica Database (Embase), and Cochrane library up to January 15, 2016. Odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were used as effect size for evaluation of different outcomes. In total, 10 studies consisting of 2767 patients were included for the meta-analysis. As a result, there were no significant differences between DVSS and LS/open surgery in the long-term oncologic outcomes ( p > 0.05). However, DVSS achieved a significantly lower length of hospital stay and estimated blood loss (EBL), but a longer operation time. Moreover, DVSS showed a significantly reduced conversion to open surgery than LS (OR = 0.19, 95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.48). Subgroup analysis indicated that DVSS had different results in rectal adenocarcinoma and colon cancer subgroups on outcomes of conversion to open surgery and operation time. DVSS is superior to LS/open surgery in length of hospital stay and EBL, but needs longer operation time. Long-term outcomes of DVSS are comparable with the other approaches. From long-term perspective, DVSS has an equivalent effect to the other two techniques.
Towards a miniature self-propelled jellyfish-like swimming robot
Authors: Yu Junzhi , Xiao Jundong , Li Xiangbin , Wang Weibing
Published: October 2016

Jellyfish uses jet propulsion to achieve a diversity of propulsion modes in the water. In this article, a miniature jellyfish-inspired swimming robot is designed and built, which is capable of executing horizontal and vertical propulsion and maneuvers. In order to imitate the jellyfish in terms of morphology and kinematics, the robotic jellyfish is designed to be comprised of a streamlined head, a cavity shell, four separate drive units with bevel gears, and a soft outer skin encasing the drive units. A combination of four six-bar linkage mechanisms that are centrally symmetric is adopted as the driver to regulate the phases of contraction and relaxation of the bell-shaped body. Furthermore, a triangle wave generator is incorporated to generate rhythmic drive signals, which is implemented on the microcontroller. Through independent and coordinated control of the four drive units, the robotic jellyfish is able to replicate various propulsion modes similar to real jellyfish. Aquatic tests on the actual robot verify the effectiveness of the formed design scheme along with the proposed control methods.
Mobile robot self-localization in unstructured environments based on observation localizability estimation with low-cost laser range-finder and RGB-D sensors
Authors: Qian Kun , Ma Xudong , Fang Fang , Dai Xianzhong , Zhou Bo
Published: October 2016

When service robots work in human environments, unexpected and unknown moving people may deteriorate the convergence of robot localization or even cause failure localization if the environment is crowded. In this article, a multisensor observation localizability estimation method is proposed and implemented for supporting reliable robot localization in unstructured environments with low-cost sensors. The contribution of the approach is a strategy that combines noisy laser range-finder data and RGB-D data for estimating the dynamic localizability matrix in a probabilistic framework. By aligning two sensor frames, the unreliable part of the laser readings that hits unexpected moving people is fast extracted according to the output of a RGB-D-based human detector, so that the influence of unexpected moving people on laser observations can be explicitly factored out. The method is easy for implementation and is highly desirable to ensure robustness and real-time performance for long-term operation in populated environments. Comparative experiments are conducted and the results confirm the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method in improving the localization accuracy and reliability in dynamic environments.
Advocacy and Legislative Engagement
Authors: Endsley Patricia
Published: October 2016

It is a professional responsibility of school nurses to be engaged with their elected officials and the legislative process. Legislative contact can be an intimidating process, but nurses and the public in general can be prepared through their elected official’s website and professional association resources. Background information and voting history from legislative sessions along with current bills can guide the conversation leading to a productive encounter for all participants.
The Role of the Designated State Data Champion
Authors: Wolfe Linda C. , Bergren Martha Dewey , Maughan Erin D. , Cole Marjorie , Watts H. Estelle S. , Johnson Kathleen H.
Published: October 2016

Step Up & Be Counted! (Step Up!) is a joint project of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants (NASSNC). The goal of the initiative is to develop a National School Nurse Standardized Data Set that will be used by nurses across the country to uniformly collect data the same way. The data will be used to determine the health of children and youth, the care that is delivered in schools, and the impact of school nurses on academic success and well-being. This article focuses on the role of the Designated State Data Champion in the initiative.
The ABCs of Burn Care for School-Age Children
Authors: Chang Philip H. , Swan-Mahony Arlene
Published: October 2016

Burn injuries are among the most painful injuries any child can endure. This article explains common sources of burn injuries in student populations, diagnosis and classification of burn injuries, initial burn management, and how to determine when a child needs to be evaluated by a physician.
Critical data studies: An introduction
Authors: Iliadis Andrew , Russo Federica
Published: October 2016

Critical Data Studies (CDS) explore the unique cultural, ethical, and critical challenges posed by Big Data. Rather than treat Big Data as only scientifically empirical and therefore largely neutral phenomena, CDS advocates the view that Big Data should be seen as always-already constituted within wider data assemblages. Assemblages is a concept that helps capture the multitude of ways that already-composed data structures inflect and interact with society, its organization and functioning, and the resulting impact on individuals’ daily lives. CDS questions the many assumptions about Big Data that permeate contemporary literature on information and society by locating instances where Big Data may be naively taken to denote objective and transparent informational entities. In this introduction to the Big Data & Society CDS special theme, we briefly describe CDS work, its orientations, and principles.
Safe on My Phone? Same-Sex Attracted Young People’s Negotiations of Intimacy, Visibility, and Risk on Digital Hook-Up Apps
Authors: Albury Kath , Byron Paul
Published: October 2016

This article draws on focus group interviews with same-sex attracted Australian men and women aged 18-29, to reflect on their accounts of the perceived risks and opportunities offered by hook-up apps such as Grindr, Blendr, and Hornet. Until recently, scholarly accounts of same-sex attracted men hooking up online have primarily focused on measuring the safety of sexual encounters in relation to HIV and “risky” sexual practices. This article extends previous health-related studies by considering the ways that the exchange of sexually explicit digital self-portraits (or selfies) feature within digital sexual negotiations and also exploring same-sex attracted women’s perceptions of safety and risk in relation to dating and hook-up apps and websites. It draws on recent scholarship on Grindr and other geo-locative hook-up apps to explore the material role that mobile phones and apps play in establishing a sense of safety, intimacy, and/or risk within flirtations and sexual interactions and the ways that young people’s “off-label” (or non-sexual) uses of hook-up apps might facilitate (and diminish) their sense of queer identity and visibility.
ABT-126 monotherapy in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s dementia: randomized double-blind, placebo and active controlled adaptive trial and open-label extension
Authors: Gault Laura M. , Lenz Robert A. , Ritchie Craig W. , Meier Andreas , Othman Ahmed A. , Tang Qi , Berry Scott , Pritchett Yili , Robieson Weining Z.
Published: October 2016

Background

Results from a phase 2a study indicated that treatment with the novel α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist ABT-126 25 mg once daily (QD) was associated with a trend for improvement in cognition in subjects with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). A phase 2b program was designed to evaluate a broader dose range of ABT-126 as monotherapy in subjects with mild-to-moderate AD. The program consisted of a double-blind, placebo and active controlled study of ABT-126 (dose range 25–75 mg) and an open-label extension study (75 mg).

Methods

The randomized double-blind study enrolled 438 subjects (Mini-Mental Status Examination score of 10–24, inclusive) not currently taking acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or memantine. Subjects received 24 weeks of ABT-126 25 mg QD (n = 77), ABT-126 50 mg QD (n = 108), ABT-126 75 mg QD (n = 73), donepezil 10 mg QD (n = 76), or placebo (n = 104). The primary endpoint was the change from baseline to week 24 in the 11-item Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale—Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) total score. Subjects completing the double-blind study could enroll in the 28-week open-label extension study. Adverse events (AEs) and other safety parameters were monitored in both studies.

Results

A total of 367 patients (83.8 %) completed the double-blind study and 349 (79.7 %) entered the open-label study. Compared with placebo, donepezil significantly improved ADAS-Cog 11-item total scores from baseline to week 24 (−2.29 ± 0.95; one-sided P = 0.008). No ABT-126 dose demonstrated a statistically significant improvement vs placebo at week 24 in the ADAS-Cog total score: ABT-126 25 mg, −0.47 ± 0.94 (P = 0.309); ABT-126 50 mg, −0.87 ± 0.85 (P = 0.153); and ABT-126 75 mg, −1.08 ± 0.94 (P = 0.127). Rates of serious AEs and discontinuations due to AEs were similar across treatment groups. The most frequently reported AEs in both studies were constipation, fall, and headache. No clinically meaningful changes were observed in other parameters.

Conclusions

In the double-blind trial, donepezil significantly improved ADAS-Cog scores but no statistically significant improvement was seen with any ABT-126 dose. ABT-126 had an acceptable safety profile in subjects with mild-to-moderate AD in both studies.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01527916, Registered 3 February 2012 (randomized trial). ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01676935. Registered 29 August 2012 (open-label extension study).
Ectopic parathyroid adenoma in the soft palate: A case report
Authors: Chang Brent A. , Sharma Anil , Anderson Donald W.
Published: October 2016

Background

Ectopic parathyroid adenomas can occur in numerous anatomic locations. While ectopic parathyroid adenomas can rarely occur in the pharyngeal region, this has not previously been described in the soft palate.

Case presentation

We report the first case of ectopic parathyroid adenoma within the soft palate. A 59 year old woman presented with hyperparathyroidism. She remained persistently hyperparathyroid after initial parathyroidectomy. Repeat exploration for a lesion suspicious on PET-CT for an ectopic parathyroid adenoma in the parapharyngeal region was unsuccessful in treating the hyperparathyroidism. An ectopic adenoma in the soft palate was eventually discovered. Removal through a transoral approach was successful in treating the hyperparathyroidism.

Conclusions

Ectopic parathyroid adenomas can occur in various anatomical locations that may be missed even with the use of the various imaging modalities. The soft palate should be added to the list of possible ectopic locations high in the neck.
Phenotypic and functional characteristics of HLA-DR+ neutrophils in Brazilians with cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Davis Richard E , Sharma Smriti , Conceicão Jacilara , Carneiro Pedro , Novais Fernanda , Scott Phillip , Sundar Shyam , Bacellar Olivia , Carvalho Edgar M , Wilson Mary E
Published: October 2016

The protozoan Leishmania braziliensis causes cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in endemic regions. In murine models, neutrophils (PMNs) are recruited to the site of infection soon after parasite inoculation. However, the roles of neutrophils during chronic infection and in human disease remain undefined. We hypothesized that neutrophils help maintain a systemic inflammatory state in subjects with CL. Lesion biopsies from all patients with CL tested contained neutrophils expressing HLA-DR, a molecule thought to be restricted to professional antigen-presenting cells. Although CL is a localized disease, a subset of patients with CL also had circulating neutrophils expressing HLA-DR and the costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, and CD40. PMNs isolated from a low-density leukocyte blood fraction (LD-PMNs) contained a higher percentage of HLA-DR+ PMNs than did normal-density PMNs. In vitro coculture experiments suggested LD-PMNs do not suppress T cell responses, differentiating them from MDSCs. Flow-sorted HLA-DR+ PMNs morphologically resembled conventional PMNs, and they exhibited functional properties of PMNs. Compared with conventional PMNs, HLA-DR+ PMNs showed increased activation, degranulation, DHR123 oxidation, and phagocytic capacity. A few HLA-DR+ PMNs were observed in healthy subjects, and that proportion could be increased by incubation in either inflammatory cytokines or in plasma from a patient with CL. This was accompanied by an increase in PMN hladrb1 mRNA, suggesting a possible connection between neutrophil “priming” and up-regulation of HLA-DR. These data suggest that PMNs that are primed for activation and that also express surface markers of antigen-presenting cells emerge in the circulation and infected tissue lesions of patients with CL.
Hepatic Glucocorticoid Receptor Plays a Greater Role Than Adipose GR in Metabolic Syndrome Despite Renal Compensation
Authors: Bose Sandip K. , Hutson Irina , Harris Charles A.
Published: October 2016

Exogenous glucocorticoid administration results in hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hepatic dyslipidemia, and hypertension, a constellation of findings known as Cushing’s syndrome. These effects are mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Because GR activation in liver and adipose has been implicated in metabolic syndrome (MS), we wanted to determine the role of GR in these tissues in the development of MS. Because GR knockout (KO) mice (whole-body KO) exhibit perinatal lethality due to respiratory failure, we generated tissue-specific (liver or adipose) GRKO mice using cre-lox technology. Real-time PCR analysis of liver mRNA from dexamethasone-treated wildtype (WT) and liver GRKO mice indicated that hepatic GR regulates the expression of key genes involved in gluconeogenesis and glycogen metabolism. Interestingly, we have observed that liver-specific deletion of GR resulted in a significant increase in mRNA expression of key genes involved in gluconeogenesis and glycogen metabolism in kidney tissue, indicating a compensatory mechanism to maintain glucose homeostasis. We have also observed that GR plays an important role in regulating the mRNA expression of key genes involved in lipid metabolism. Liver GRKO mice demonstrated decreased fat mass and liver glycogen content compared with WT mice administered dexamethasone for 2 weeks. Adipose-specific deletion of GR did not alter glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity of adipose GRKO mice compared with WT mice administrated dexamethasone. This indicates that liver GR might be more important in development of MS in dexamethasone-treated mice, whereas adipose GR plays a little role in these paradigms.