bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Head injury mechanisms in FIS World Cup alpine and freestyle skiers and snowboarders
Authors: Steenstrup Sophie Elspeth , Bakken Arnhild , Bere Tone , Patton Declan Alexander , Bahr Roald
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Head injuries represent a concern in skiing and snowboarding, with traumatic brain injuries being the most common cause of death.

Aim

To describe the mechanisms of head and face injuries among World Cup alpine and freestyle skiers and snowboarders.

Methods

We performed a qualitative analysis of videos obtained of head and face injuries reported through the International Ski Federation Injury Surveillance System during 10 World Cup seasons (2006–2016). We analysed 57 head impact injury videos (alpine n=29, snowboard n=13, freestyle n=15), first independently and subsequently in a consensus meeting.

Results

During the crash sequence, most athletes (84%) impacted the snow with the skis or board first, followed by the upper or lower extremities, buttocks/pelvis, back and, finally, the head. Alpine skiers had sideways (45%) and backwards pitching falls (35%), with impacts to the rear (38%) and side (35%) of the helmet. Freestyle skiers and snowboarders had backwards pitching falls (snowboard 77%, freestyle 53%), mainly with impacts to the rear of the helmet (snowboard 69%, freestyle 40%). There were three helmet ejections among alpine skiers (10% of cases), and 41% of alpine skiing injuries occurred due to inappropriate gate contact prior to falling. Athletes had one (47%) or two (28%) head impacts, and the first impact was the most severe (71%). Head impacts were mainly on snow (83%) on a downward slope (63%).

Conclusion

This study has identified several characteristics of the mechanisms of head injuries, which may be addressed to reduce risk.
Decisional needs assessment of patients with complex care needs in primary care: a participatory systematic mixed studies review protocol
Authors: Bujold Mathieu , Pluye Pierre , Légaré France , Haggerty Jeannie , Gore Genevieve C , Sherif Reem El , Poitras Marie-Ève , Beaulieu Marie-Claude , Beaulieu Marie-Dominique , Bush Paula L , Couturier Yves , Débarges Béatrice , Gagnon Justin , Giguère Anik , Grad Roland , Granikov Vera , Goulet Serge , Hudon Catherine , Kremer Bernardo , Kröger Edeltraut , Kudrina Irina , Lebouché Bertrand , Loignon Christine , Lussier Marie-Thérèse , Martello Cristiano , Nguyen Quynh , Pratt Rebekah , Rihoux Benoit , Rosenberg Ellen , Samson Isabelle , Senn Nicolas , Li Tang David , Tsujimoto Masashi , Vedel Isabelle , Ventelou Bruno , Wensing Michel
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Patients with complex care needs (PCCNs) often suffer from combinations of multiple chronic conditions, mental health problems, drug interactions and social vulnerability, which can lead to healthcare services overuse, underuse or misuse. Typically, PCCNs face interactional issues and unmet decisional needs regarding possible options in a cascade of interrelated decisions involving different stakeholders (themselves, their families, their caregivers, their healthcare practitioners). Gaps in knowledge, values clarification and social support in situations where options need to be deliberated hamper effective decision support interventions. This review aims to (1) assess decisional needs of PCCNs from the perspective of stakeholders, (2) build a taxonomy of these decisional needs and (3) prioritise decisional needs with knowledge users (clinicians, patients and managers).

Methods and analysis

This review will be based on the interprofessional shared decision making (IP-SDM) model and the Ottawa Decision Support Framework. Applying a participatory research approach, we will identify potentially relevant studies through a comprehensive literature search; select relevant ones using eligibility criteria inspired from our previous scoping review on PCCNs; appraise quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool; conduct a three-step synthesis (sequential exploratory mixed methods design) to build taxonomy of key decisional needs; and integrate these results with those of a parallel PCCNs’ qualitative decisional need assessment (semistructured interviews and focus group with stakeholders).

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review, together with the qualitative study (approved by the Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Service Sociaux du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean ethical committee), will produce a working taxonomy of key decisional needs (ontological contribution), to inform the subsequent user-centred design of a support tool for addressing PCCNs’ decisional needs (practical contribution). We will adapt the IP-SDM model, normally dealing with a single decision, for PCCNs who experience cascade of decisions involving different stakeholders (theoretical contribution). Knowledge users will facilitate dissemination of the results in the Canadian primary care network.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42015020558.
Study protocol for THINK: a multinational open-label phase I study to assess the safety and clinical activity of multiple administrations of NKR-2 in patients with different metastatic tumour types
Authors: Lonez Caroline , Verma Bikash , Hendlisz Alain , Aftimos Philippe , Awada Ahmad , Van Den Neste Eric , Catala Gaetan , Machiels Jean-Pascal H , Piette Fanny , Brayer Jason B , Sallman David A , Kerre Tessa , Odunsi Kunle , Davila Marco L , Gilham David E , Lehmann Frédéric F
Published: November 2017

Introduction

NKR-2 are autologous T cells genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprising a fusion of the natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) receptor with the CD3ζ signalling domain, which associates with the adaptor molecule DNAX-activating protein of 10 kDa (DAP10) to provide co-stimulatory signal upon ligand binding. NKG2D binds eight different ligands expressed on the cell surface of many tumour cells and which are normally absent on non-neoplastic cells. In preclinical studies, NKR-2 demonstrated long-term antitumour activity towards a breadth of tumour indications, with maximum efficacy observed after multiple NKR-2 administrations. Importantly, NKR-2 targeted tumour cells and tumour neovasculature and the local tumour immunosuppressive microenvironment and this mechanism of action of NKR-2 was established in the absence of preconditioning.

Methods and analysis

This open-label phase I study will assess the safety and clinical activity of NKR-2 treatment administered three times, with a 2-week interval between each administration in different tumour types. The study will contain two consecutive segments: a dose escalation phase followed by an expansion phase. The dose escalation study involves two arms, one in solid tumours (five specific indications) and one in haematological tumours (two specific indications) and will include three dose levels in each arm: 3×108, 1×109 and 3×109NKR-2 per injection. On the identification of the recommended dose in the first segment, based on dose-limiting toxicity occurrences, the study will expand to seven different cohorts examining the seven different tumour types separately. Clinical responses will be determined according to standard Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria for solid tumours or international working group response criteria in haematological tumours.

Ethics approval and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained at all sites. Written informed consent will be taken from all participants. The results of this study will be disseminated through presentation at international scientific conferences and reported in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Trial registration number

NCT03018405, EudraCT 2016-003312-12; Pre-result.
Identification of factors associated with resilience in medical students through a cross-sectional census
Authors: Oliveira Anna Christina Pinho de , Machado André Paes Goulart , Aranha Renata Nunes
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Research on resilience has been gaining momentum, and it has already been shown that increased resilience creates positive changes at the individual and collective levels. Understanding of the factors associated with resilience may guide specific actions directed towards different populations. The objective of this study was to investigate these associated factors within a population of medical students.

Design

Cross-sectional census.

Setting

A public medical school in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Participants

Out of a total of 551 medical students, five students were excluded due to inactive registrations, and four transferred students were also excluded, resulting in a total of 542 remaining participants.

Measures

Adopting an anonymous questionnaire that included the Resilience Scale, in addition to questions related to sociodemographic, behavioural health-related and academic variables, the association between these variables and resilience was investigated.

Results

The high rate of answers to each item constitutes a indication of students’ interest in participating, whereas the lowest percentile was 97.1%. The mean resilience score obtained was considered moderate. Factors such as gender, race, previous schools attended, financial independence, living situation, parents’ education level, religion, quota-based admission, smoking, alcohol abuse and use of illegal drugs were not associated with resilience. In a multivariate analysis using ordinal logistic regression, associations were maintained only between the highest resilience score and the non-use of habit-forming prescription drugs (OR: 0.58; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.80), having a better perception of one’s own health (OR: 0.57; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.81) and being older (OR: 1.37; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.67).

Conclusion

The census performed with the medical students showed, with the multivariate analysis, that besides age, the variables most closely tied with resilience were health and medicalisation, and the variables connected with income and religion showed no association.
Easier said than done: a qualitative study conducted in the USA exploring Latino family child care home providers as role models for healthy eating and physical activity behaviours
Authors: Lindsay Ana Cristina , Greaney Mary L , Wallington Sherrie F , Wright Julie A
Published: November 2017

Objective

Latinos are the largest and most rapidly growing minority population group in the USA and are disproportionally affected by obesity and related chronic diseases. Child care providers likely influence the eating and physical activity behaviours of children in their care, and therefore are important targets for interventions designed to prevent childhood obesity. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of research examining the behaviours of family child care home (FCCH) providers and whether they model healthy eating and physical activity behaviours. Therefore, this study explored Latino FCCH providers’ beliefs and practices related to healthy eating, physical activity and sedentary behaviours, and how they view their ability to serve as role models for these behaviours for young children in their care.

Methods

This is a qualitative study consisting of six focus groups conducted in Spanish with a sample of 44 state-licensed Latino FCCH providers in the state of Massachusetts. Translated transcripts were analysed using thematic analyses to identify meaningful patterns.

Results

Analyses revealed that Latino FCCH providers have positive beliefs and attitudes about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity for children in their care, but personally struggle with these same behaviours and with maintaining a healthy weight status. The ability of Latino FCCH providers to model healthy eating and physical activity may be limited by their low self-efficacy in their ability to be physically active, eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight.

Conclusions

Interventions designed to improve healthy eating and physical activity behaviours of children enrolled in FCCHs should address providers’ own health behaviours as well as their modelling of these health behaviours. Future research can build on the findings of this qualitative study by quantifying Latino FCCH providers’ eating and physical activity behaviours, and determining how these behaviours influence behaviours and health outcomes of children in their care.
Associations of time of day with cardiovascular disease risk factors measured in older men: results from the British Regional Heart Study
Authors: Sartini Claudio , Whincup Peter H , Wannamethee S Goya , Jefferis Barbara J , Lennon Lucy , Lowe Gordon DO , Welsh Paul , Sattar Naveed , Morris Richard W
Published: November 2017

Objective

We estimated associations of time of day with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors measured in older men.

Methods

CVD risk factors (markers of inflammation and haemostasis, and cardiac markers) were measured on one occasion between 08:00 and 19:00 hours in 4252 men aged 60–79 years from the British Regional Heart Study. Linear models were used to estimate associations between time of day and risk factors. When an association was found, we examined whether the relationship between risk factors and cardiovascular mortality was affected by the adjustment for time of day using survival analyses.

Results

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels increased by 3.3% per hour (95% CI 1.9% to 4.8%), interleukin-6 (IL-6) increased by 2.6% per hour (95% CI 1.8% to 3.4%), while tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) decreased by 3.3% per hour (95% CI 3.7% to 2.9%); these associations were unaffected by adjustment for possible confounding factors. The percentages of variation in these risk factors attributable to time of day were less than 2%. In survival analyses, the association of IL-6, NT-proBNP and t-PA with cardiovascular mortality was not affected by the adjustment for time of day. C reactive protein, fibrinogen, D-dimer, von Willebrand factor and cardiac troponin T showed no associations with time of day.

Conclusions

In older men, markers of inflammation (IL-6), haemostasis (t-PA) and a cardiac marker (NT-proBNP) varied by time of day. The contribution of time of day to variations in these markers was small and did not appear to be relevant for the CVD risk prediction.
National citation patterns ofNEJM,The Lancet,JAMAandThe BMJin the lay press: a quantitative content analysis
Authors: Casino Gonzalo , Rius Roser , Cobo Erik
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To analyse the total number of newspaper articles citing the four leading general medical journals and to describe national citation patterns.

Design

Quantitative content analysis.

Setting/sample

Full text of 22 general newspapers in 14 countries over the period 2008–2015, collected from LexisNexis. The 14 countries have been categorised into four regions: the USA, the UK, Western World (European countries other than the UK, and Australia, New Zealand and Canada) and Rest of the World (other countries).

Main outcome measure

Press citations of four medical journals (two American:NEJMandJAMA; and two British:The LancetandThe BMJ) in 22 newspapers.

Results

British and American newspapers cited some of the four analysed medical journals about three times a week in 2008–2015 (weekly mean 3.2 and 2.7 citations, respectively); the newspapers from other Western countries did so about once a week (weekly mean 1.1), and those from the Rest of the World cited them about once a month (monthly mean 1.1). The New York Times cited above all other newspapers (weekly mean 4.7). The analysis showed the existence of three national citation patterns in the daily press: American newspapers cited mostly American journals (70.0% of citations), British newspapers cited mostly British journals (86.5%) and the rest of the analysed press cited more British journals than American ones.The Lancetwas the most cited journal in the press of almost all Western countries outside the USA and the UK. Multivariate correspondence analysis confirmed the national patterns and showed that over 85% of the citation data variability is retained in just one single new variable: the national dimension.

Conclusion

British and American newspapers are the ones that cite the four analysed medical journals more often, showing a domestic preference for their respective national journals; non-British and non-American newspapers show a common international citation pattern.
Barriers and facilitators to learn and improve through morbidity and mortality conferences: a qualitative study
Authors: de Vos Marit S , Hamming Jaap F , Marang-van de Mheen Perla J
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To explore barriers and facilitators to successful morbidity and mortality conferences (M&M), driving learning and improvement.

Design

This is a qualitative study with semistructured interviews. Inductive, thematic content analysis was used to identify barriers and facilitators, which were structured across a pre-existing framework for change in healthcare.

Setting

Dutch academic surgical department with a long tradition of M&M.

Participants

An interview sample of surgeons, residents and physician assistants (n=12).

Results

A total of 57 barriers and facilitators to successful M&M, covering 18 themes, varying from ‘case type’ to ‘leadership’, were perceived by surgical staff. While some factors related to M&M organisation, others concerned individual or social aspects. Eight factors, of which four were at the social level, had simultaneous positive and negative effects (eg, ‘hierarchy’ and ‘team spirit’). Mediating pathways for M&M success were found to relate to availableinformation, staffmotivationandrealisationprocesses.

Conclusions

This study provides leads for improvement of M&M practice, as well as for further research on key elements of successful M&M. Various factors were perceived to affect M&M success, of which many were individual and social rather than organisational factors, affecting information and realisation processes but also staff motivation. Based on these findings, practical recommendations were formulated to guide efforts towards best practices for M&M.
Identification of myocardial infarction type from electronic hospital data in England and Australia: a comparative data linkage study
Authors: Nedkoff Lee , Lopez Derrick , Goldacre Michael , Sanfilippo Frank , Hobbs Michael , Wright F Lucy
Published: November 2017

Objective

To determine the utility of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes in investigating trends in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) using person-linked electronic hospitalisation data in England and Western Australia (WA).

Methods

All hospital admissions with myocardial infarction (MI) as the principal diagnosis were identified from 2000 to 2013 from both jurisdictions. Fourth-digit ICD-10 codes were used to delineate all MI types—STEMI, NSTEMI, unspecified and subsequent MI. The annual frequency of each MI type was calculated as a proportion of all MI admissions. For all MI and each MI type, age-standardised rates were calculated and age-adjusted Poisson regression models used to estimate annual percentage changes in rates.

Results

In 2000, STEMI accounted for 49% of all MI admissions in England and 59% in WA, decreasing to 35% and 25% respectively by 2013. Less than 10% of admissions were recorded as NSTEMI in England throughout the study period, whereas by 2013, 70% of admissions were NSTEMI in WA. Unspecified MI comprised 60% of all MI admissions in England by 2013, compared with <1% in WA. Trends in age-standardised rates differed for all MI (England, −2.7%/year; WA, +1.7%/year), underpinned by differing age-adjusted trends in NSTEMI (England, −6.1%/year; WA, +10.2%/year).

Conclusion

Differences between the proportion and trends for MI types in English and WA data were observed. These were consistent with the coding standards in each country. This has important implications for using electronic hospital data for monitoring MI and identifying MI types for outcome studies.
Identification of a single genomic region associated with seasonal river return timing in adult Scottish Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), using a genome-wide association study
Authors: Cauwelier Eef , Gilbey John , Sampayo James , Stradmeyer Lee , Middlemas Stuart J.
Published: November 2017

Examination of the genetic basis of the timing of the return migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to fresh water from the sea, a trait of economic and conservation interest, was carried out using a genome-wide association study. We examined genotype data of 52 731 single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers from 73 early and 49 late running two-sea-winter salmon from five rivers in eastern Scotland. A single region of the Atlantic salmon chromosome Ssa09 was identified, containing nine SNP markers significantly associated with run timing, a region previously linked to variation in sea age at maturity. Validation of the markers in a group of 233 one- and two-sea-winter fish, including adults from a novel river, again showed significant associations between the trait and the Ssa09 region, explaining ∼24% of the trait variance. The SNP loci identified provide the ability to examine trait variation in populations of Atlantic salmon and so help facilitate conservation management of the differing run timing phenotypes.
A Numerical Approach for Solving High-Order Linear Delay Volterra Integro-Differential Equations
Authors: Yüzbaşı Şuayip , Karaçayır Murat
Published: November 2017

In this study, a numerical method is proposed to solve high-order linear Volterra delay integro-differential equations. In this approach, we assume that the exact solution can be expressed as a power series, which we truncate after the [Formula: see text]-st term so that it becomes a polynomial of degree [Formula: see text]. Substituting the unknown function, its derivatives and the integrals by their matrix counterparts, we obtain a vector equivalent of the equation in question. Applying inner product to this vector with a set of monomials, we are left with a linear algebraic equation system of [Formula: see text] unknowns. The approximate solution of the problem is then computed from the solution of the resulting linear system. In addition, the technique of residual correction, whose aim is to increase the accuracy of the approximate solutions by estimating the error of those solutions, is discussed briefly. Both the method and this technique are illustrated with several examples. Finally, comparison of the present scheme with other methods is made wherever possible.
An Iterative Dimension-Wise Approach to the Structural Analysis with Interval Uncertainties
Authors: Xu Menghui , Du Jianke , Chen Jianbin , Wang Chong , Li Yunlong
Published: November 2017

The structural analysis is inevitably surrounded with uncertainties and the interval analysis is a favorable method if insufficient data is available on uncertainties. The accuracy of current interval analysis methods including the interval perturbation method (IPM), subinterval perturbation method (SIPM) and dimension-wise approach (DWA) depends on a reference point (RP), e.g., the expansion point in IPM, for some problems due to ignoring the co-operative effects of multiple interval inputs on the response. To this end, an iterative dimension-wise approach (IDWA) is proposed. Either the minimal or maximal input vector of the response is identified as an RP by a global update in which a novel RP is dimension-wisely assembled by the minimal or maximal points of all sectional curves of the response surface at a previous RP through a local update. The interval response is calculated by deterministic solvers at the minimal and maximal input vectors. An acoustic analysis problem is studied eventually to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, from which conclusions are drawn.
Solving fuzzy transportation problem using multi-choice goal programming
Authors: Maity Gurupada , Roy Sankar Kumar
Published: November 2017

This paper explores the study of fuzzy transportation problem (FTP) using multi-choice goal-programming approach. Generally, the decision variable in transportation problem (TP) is considered as real variable, but here the decision variable in each node is chosen from a set of multi-choice fuzzy numbers. Here, we formulate a mathematical model of FTP considering fuzzy goal to the objective function. Thereafter, the solution procedure of the proposed model is developed through multi-choice goal programming approach. The proposed approach is not only improved the applicability of goal programming in real world situations but also provided useful insight about the solution of a new class of TP. A real-life numerical experiment is incorporated to analyze the feasibility and usefulness of this paper. The conclusions about our proposed work including future studies are discussed last.
A Structural-Emergence Model of Diversity in Teams
Authors: Joshi Aparna , Neely Brett H.
Published: November 2017

The study of diversity in work groups and organizations has become a significant domain of inquiry. However, the overall consensus in this literature seems to be that a direct relationship between diversity and performance-based outcomes is tenuous at best. To break this impasse, we propose a structural-emergence model that emphasizes how the embedding structural context has substantial implications for the very meaning, salience, and content of diversity in teams. We then discuss how emergent processes that are a function of the structural context can take symmetric and asymmetric forms at the level of dyads within the team. In this way we provide a framework that takes into account both top-down and bottom-up effects of diversity in teams. The structural-emergence model also has important implications for how teams may be led and team tasks designed, and it provides avenues to build an actionable agenda for theory and research.
Command Filter Backstepping Sliding Model Control for Lower‐Limb Exoskeleton
Authors: Yang Peng , Zhang Gaowei , Wang Jie , Wang Xiaozhou , Zhang Lili , Chen Lingling
Published: November 2017

A command filter adaptive fuzzy backstepping control strategy is proposed for lower‐limb assisting exoskeleton. Firstly, the human‐robot model is established by taking the human body as a passive part, and a coupling torque is introduced to describe the interaction between the exoskeleton and human leg. Then, Vicon motion capture system is employed to obtain the reference trajectory. For the purpose of obviating the “explosion of complexity” in conventional backstepping, a second‐order command filter is introduced into the sliding mode control strategy. The fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are also applied to handle with the chattering problem by estimating the uncertainties and disturbances. Furthermore, the stability of the closed‐loop system is proved based on the Lyapunov theory. Finally, simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the control strategy.
Dietary Fiber Intake among Normal-Weight and Overweight Female Health Care Workers: An Exploratory Nested Case-Control Study within FINALE-Health
Authors: Hadrévi Jenny , Søgaard Karen , Christensen Jeanette Reffstrup
Published: November 2017

Socioeconomic factors affect choice of diet, that is, dietary fiber intake. Underreporting of food consumption in diet surveys has been reported higher in low-income, low-education groups compared to high-income, high-education groups. This paper examines in a socioeconomic homogenous low-income low-education group of females the relation between dietary fiber intake and overweight and scrutinizes if the level of underreporting is equally large in normal-weight and overweight groups. Thirty-four female health care workers classified as either normal-weight (N=18) or obese (N=16) based on BMI, fat percentage, and waist circumference participated. A detailed food-diary was used to record their dietary intake in 9 days. Average dietary fiber intake in the normal-weight group was 2.73 +/− 0.65 g/MJ, while it was 2.15 +/− 0.64 g/MJ for the women in the obese group. In both groups, the overall food intake was underreported. In spite of a significantly lower dietary fiber intake in the obese group, the present population of women working within health care all showed an overall low dietary fiber intake and a general underreporting of food intake. These results indicate a clear need for dietary advice especially on fiber intake to increase general health and decrease weight.
Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Oxytropis falcata Gel on Deep Second‐Degree Burn in Rats
Authors: Lin Xiao-Feng , Chen Kai-Jie , Shi He-Kun , Yu Le , Chen Jin-Shan , Fei Yan
Published: November 2017

Oxytropis falcata has long been used to treat inflammation, sores, and bleeding in Tibet. However, the burn remedy and underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. This study is aimed at assessing the effect of Oxytropis falcate gel (OFG) on deep second‐degree burn rats and exploring its mechanism. Wistar rats with second‐degree burn were treated with OFG and silver sulfadiazine. Immunohistochemical detections for EGF and VEGF were performed, and ELISA detections for EGF, VEGF, p38, and IL‐1β in serum were determined. Rats treated with OFG (25, 50 g/kg) consisted of the major rhamnocitrin‐3‐O‐β‐neohesperidoside significantly accelerated incrustation (P < 0.001) and decrustation (P < 0.001). According to HE staining, edema and infiltration of inflammatory cells decrease apparently with good hyperplasia and incrustation in administration groups (7 d). The expressions of EGF and CD34 in OFG (25, 50 g/kg) treatment increased obviously from immunohistochemical assessment (7 d). Serum EGF expression reached 321.27 ± 7.20 ng/mL by OFG treatment, while p38 (P < 0.05) and IL‐1β (P < 0.05) levels were significantly lower than the model and vehicle groups from day 1 to day 7. OFG possesses potential wound healing activities. The mechanism may be related to the increasing of biosynthesis and the releasing of EGF and CD34 and the decreasing p38 and IL‐1β levels.
Vehicle Type Recognition Combining Global and Local Features via Two‐Stage Classification
Authors: Sun Wei , Zhang Xiaorui , Shi Shunshun , He Jun , Jin Yan
Published: November 2017

This study proposes a new vehicle type recognition method that combines global and local features via a two‐stage classification. To extract the continuous and complete global feature, an improved Canny edge detection algorithm with smooth filtering and non‐maxima suppression abilities is proposed. To extract the local feature from four partitioned key patches, a set of Gabor wavelet kernels with five scales and eight orientations is introduced. Different from the single‐stage classification, where all features are incorporated into one classifier simultaneously, the proposed two‐stage classification strategy leverages two types of features and classifiers. In the first stage, the preliminary recognition of large vehicle or small vehicle is conducted based on the global feature via a k‐nearest neighbor probability classifier. Based on the preliminary result, the specific recognition of bus, truck, van, or sedan is achieved based on the local feature via a discriminative sparse representation based classifier. We experiment with the proposed method on the public and established datasets involving various challenging cases, such as partial occlusion, poor illumination, and scale variation. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms existing state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Qualitative Analysis of Microbial Dynamics during Anaerobic Digestion of Microalgal Biomass in a UASB Reactor
Authors: Doloman Anna , Soboh Yousef , Walters Andrew J. , Sims Ronald C. , Miller Charles D.
Published: November 2017

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a microbiologically coordinated process with dynamic relationships between bacterial players. Current understanding of dynamic changes in the bacterial composition during the AD process is incomplete. The objective of this research was to assess changes in bacterial community composition that coordinates with anaerobic codigestion of microalgal biomass cultivated on municipal wastewater. An upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor was used to achieve high rates of microalgae decomposition and biogas production. Samples of the sludge were collected throughout AD and extracted DNA was subjected to next-generation sequencing using methanogenmcrAgene specific and universal bacterial primers. Analysis of the data revealed that samples taken at different stages of AD had varying bacterial composition. A group consisting of Bacteroidales, Pseudomonadales, and Enterobacteriales was identified to be putatively responsible for the hydrolysis of microalgal biomass. The methanogenesis phase was dominated byMethanosarcina mazei. Results of observed changes in the composition of microbial communities during AD can be used as a road map to stimulate key bacterial species identified at each phase of AD to increase yield of biogas and rate of substrate decomposition. This research demonstrates a successful exploitation of methane production from microalgae without any biomass pretreatment.
The Fusion Model of Multidomain Context Information for the Internet of Things
Authors: Jia Bing , Liu Shuai , Guan Yushuai , Li Wuyungerile , Ren Weiwu
Published: November 2017

The Internet of Things aims to provide the user with deep adaptive intelligence services according to the user’s personalized characteristics. Most of the characteristics are presented in the form of high-level context. But it often lacks methods to obtain high-level context information directly in the Internet of Things. In this paper, so as to achieve the corresponding high-level context information using the specific low-level multidomain context directly obtained by different sensors in the Internet of Things, we present a machine learning method to construct a context fusion model based on the feature selection algorithm and the multiclassification algorithm. First, we propose a wrapper feature selection method based on the genetic algorithm to obtain a simpler and more important subset of the context features from the low-level multidomain context, by defining a suitable fitness function and a convergence condition. Then, we use the decision tree algorithm which is a multiclassification algorithm, based on the rules obtained by training the subset of context features, to determine which high-level context the record set of the low-level context information belongs to. Experiments confirm that the model can be used to achieve higher classification accuracy without more significant time consumption.
Risk Factors of Underweight in Children Aged 6–59 Months in Ethiopia
Authors: Tosheno Deneke , Mehretie Adinew Yohannes , Thangavel Thilagavathi , Bitew Workie Shimelash
Published: November 2017

Background. Undernutrition in early childhood has irreversible and long-lasting implications. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing risk factors of child undernutrition.Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 642 households with mothers to children pairs aged 6–59 months selected by a multistage systematic random sampling method. Child anthropometric measurements on weight were recorded using standardized and calibrated weighing scales. Weight-for-age was compared to the 2007 WHO growth reference by WHO Anthro software. Data were entered using Epi-Info and analyzed using SPSS. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between underweight children and their predictors; both crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were reported.Results. One-fourth (25%) of the children were underweight. Child age (AOR: 2.36), gender (AOR: 1.82), illness (AOR: 0.09), maternal decision making power (AOR: 0.07), maternal education (AOR: 0.19), employment/occupation (AOR: 5.29), and household income (AOR: 4.16) were found to be independent and significant predictors of underweight children.Conclusion. Significant proportion of the children were underweight. Maternal decision-making power persists as a strong predictor of children’s weight. Therefore, intervention programs focusing on improving mothers’ decision-making power on child nutrition would contribute to the efforts towards alleviating the problem.
Effect of the Addition of Propolis Extract on Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Craft Beer
Authors: Ulloa Pablo A. , Vidal Juan , Ávila María I. , Labbe Mariela , Cohen Seth , Salazar Fernando N.
Published: November 2017

Antioxidant-rich foods and beverages play an essential role in the prevention of diseases. This study assessed the influence of the addition of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) to beer at different concentrations (0.05, 0.15, and 0.25 g/L). Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined. Antioxidant activity (AA) was evaluated by radical scavenging activity (DPPH and ABTS) and reducing power (FRAP). The addition of EEP in beer resulted in a linear increase in the TPC with values of 4.5%, 16.7%, and 26.7% above a control (no EEP added; 242 mg gallic acid equivalent/L). A similar increase was observed with TFC values 16.0%, 49.7%, and 59.2% above the control (16.9 mg quercetin equivalent/L). The FRAP assay indicated linear increases in AA relative to control with values of 1555, 1705, and 1892 μmol Trolox equivalent/L following EEP additions. The incorporation of EEP resulted in increases in the bioactive compounds and AA in beer without altering the physicochemical parameters of golden ale beer. The results indicate a promising use of propolis extract as a functional ingredient in beer.
Substituted 4-Acyl-5-methyl-2-phenyl-pyrazol-3-one-phenylhydrazones with Antioxidant Properties: X-Ray Crystal and Spectroscopic Studies
Authors: Idemudia Omoruyi G. , Okoh Anthony I. , Sadimenko Alexander P. , Hosten Eric C. , Okoh Omobola O.
Published: November 2017

Phenylhydrazine was reacted with synthesized acylpyrazolone derivatives 4-ethyl-5-methyl-2-phenyl-pyrazol-3-one and 4-propyl-5-methyl-2-phenyl-pyrazol-3-one, to obtain two new azomethine phenylhydrazones, a study in continuation of our probe into the effects of acyl group substitutions on the physicochemical and free radical scavenging properties of acylpyrazolone Schiff bases. The keto imine tautomers of 4-ethyl-5-methyl-2-phenyl-pyrazol-3-one-phenylhydrazone (Empp-Ph) and 4-propyl-5-methyl-2-phenyl-pyrazol-3-one-phenylhydrazone (Prmpp-Ph) according to single X-ray crystallography data which precipitated in good yield are reported. Furthermore they have been characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, 13C and 1H NMR, and mass-spectroscopy techniques. Both phenylhydrazone Schiff bases crystallize in a triclinic crystal system, each with a space group of P-1 (number 2) having short intramolecular N3—H3…O1 hydrogen interaction between the first hydrazine hydrogen H3 and the pyrazolone oxygen O1. The antioxidant free radical scavenging activities of titled compounds against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) showed a positive response almost as good as that of vitamin c under the same conditions, with the propyl substituted 4-propyl-5-methyl-2-phenyl-pyrazol-3-one-phenylhydrazone (Prmpp-Ph) having a stronger activity (calculated IC50 value of 175.66 μg/ml).
Performance Analysis of Three-Dimensional Clustered Device-to-Device Networks for Internet of Things
Authors: Jung Haejoon , Lee In-Ho
Published: November 2017

Internet of things (IoT) is a smart technology that connects anything anywhere at any time. Intelligent device-to-device (D2D) communication, in which devices will communicate with each other autonomously without any centralized control, is an integral part of the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. Thus, for D2D applications such as local file sharing or swarm sensing, we study communications between devices in proximity in ultra-dense urban environments, where devices are stacked vertically and dispersed in the horizontal plane. To reflect the spatiotemporal correlation inherently embedded in the D2D communications, we model and analyze clustered D2D networks in three-dimensional (3D) space based on Thomas cluster process (TCP), where the locations of clusters follow Poisson point process, and cluster members (devices) are normally distributed around their cluster centers. We assume that multiple device pairs in the network can share the same frequency band simultaneously. Thus, in the presence of cochannel interference from both the same cluster and the other clusters, we investigate the coverage probability and the area spectral efficiency of the clustered D2D networks in 3D space.
Prediagnostic Smoking Is Associated with Binary and Quantitative Measures of ER Protein and ESR1 mRNA Expression in Breast Tumors
Authors: Butler Eboneé N. , Bensen Jeannette T. , Chen Mengjie , Conway Kathleen , Richardson David B. , Sun Xuezheng , Geradts Joseph , Olshan Andrew F. , Troester Melissa A.
Published: November 2017

Background: Smoking is a possible risk factor for breast cancer and has been linked to increased risk of estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) disease in some epidemiologic studies. It is unknown whether smoking has quantitative effects on ER expression.

Methods: We examined relationships between smoking and ER expression from tumors of 1,888 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer from a population-based study in North Carolina. ER expression was characterized using binary (±) and continuous measures for ER protein, ESR1 mRNA, and a multigene luminal score (LS) that serves as a measure of estrogen signaling in breast tumors. We used logistic and linear regression models to estimate temporal and dose-dependent associations between smoking and ER measures.

Results: The odds of ER+, ESR1+, and LS+ tumors among current smokers (at the time of diagnosis), those who smoked 20 or more years, and those who smoked within 5 years of diagnosis were nearly double those of nonsmokers. Quantitative levels of ESR1 were highest among current smokers compared with never smokers overall [mean (log2) = 9.2 vs. 8.7, P < 0.05] and among ER+ cases; however, we did not observe associations between smoking measures and continuous ER protein expression.

Conclusions: In relationship to breast cancer diagnosis, recent smoking was associated with higher odds of the ER+, ESR1+, and LS+ subtype. Current smoking was associated with elevated ESR1 mRNA levels and an elevated LS, but not with altered ER protein.

Impact: A multigene LS and single-gene ESR1 mRNA may capture tumor changes associated with smoking. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(1); 67–74. ©2017 AACR.
Regulatory T-cell Genes Drive Altered Immune Microenvironment in Adult Solid Cancers and Allow for Immune Contextual Patient Subtyping
Authors: Brouwer-Visser Jurriaan , Cheng Wei-Yi , Bauer-Mehren Anna , Maisel Daniela , Lechner Katharina , Andersson Emilia , Dudley Joel T. , Milletti Francesca
Published: November 2017

Background: The tumor microenvironment is an important factor in cancer immunotherapy response. To further understand how a tumor affects the local immune system, we analyzed immune gene expression differences between matching normal and tumor tissue.

Methods: We analyzed public and new gene expression data from solid cancers and isolated immune cell populations. We also determined the correlation between CD8, FoxP3 IHC, and our gene signatures.

Results: We observed that regulatory T cells (Tregs) were one of the main drivers of immune gene expression differences between normal and tumor tissue. A tumor-specific CD8 signature was slightly lower in tumor tissue compared with normal of most (12 of 16) cancers, whereas a Treg signature was higher in tumor tissue of all cancers except liver. Clustering by Treg signature found two groups in colorectal cancer datasets. The high Treg cluster had more samples that were consensus molecular subtype 1/4, right-sided, and microsatellite-instable, compared with the low Treg cluster. Finally, we found that the correlation between signature and IHC was low in our small dataset, but samples in the high Treg cluster had significantly more CD8+ and FoxP3+ cells compared with the low Treg cluster.

Conclusions: Treg gene expression is highly indicative of the overall tumor immune environment.

Impact: In comparison with the consensus molecular subtype and microsatellite status, the Treg signature identifies more colorectal tumors with high immune activation that may benefit from cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(1); 103–12. ©2017 AACR.
Lifestyle and Reproductive Factors and Ovarian Cancer Risk by p53 and MAPK Expression
Authors: Harris Holly R. , Rice Megan S. , Shafrir Amy L. , Poole Elizabeth M. , Gupta Mamta , Hecht Jonathan L. , Terry Kathryn L. , Tworoger Shelley S.
Published: November 2017

Background: One model of ovarian cancer development model divides tumors into two types. Type I tumors are characterized by KRAS and BRAF mutations, which can activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Type II tumors are characterized by tubal precursor lesions with p53 mutations. We evaluated the association between lifestyle and reproductive factors and risk of ovarian cancer defined by p53 and MAPK expression.

Methods: Epithelial ovarian cancer cases (n = 274) and controls (n = 1,907) were identified from the Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II prospective cohorts, and the population-based New England Case–Control study. Reproductive and lifestyle exposures were assessed by questionnaire/interview. We performed immunohistochemical assays for p53 and MAPK expression. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using polytomous logistic regression.

Results: Parity was associated with a decreased risk of p53 wild-type tumors (OR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.18–0.55), but not p53-mutant tumors (OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.54–1.59)(Pheterogeneity < 0.01). Family history of breast or ovarian cancer was associated with risk of MAPK-negative (OR = 2.06; 95% CI, 1.39–3.06), but not MAPK-positive tumors (OR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.43–1.27; Pheterogeneity< 0.01). In cross-classified analyses, family history of breast or ovarian cancer was most strongly associated with p53-mutant/MAPK-negative tumors (OR = 2.33; 95% CI, 1.44–3.75). Differences by MAPK expression were also observed for estrogen plus progesterone hormone therapy use (Pheterogeneity = 0.03).

Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that parity, family history, and estrogen plus progesterone hormone therapy use may be differentially associated with tumor subtypes defined by p53 and MAPK expression.

Impact: In future studies, other immunohistochemical markers or gene expression profiles that more clearly define these subtypes should be considered. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(1); 96–102. ©2017 AACR.