bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH ATRIBUT PRODUK TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN SEPATU MEREK CUSTOMADE (STUDI di MEREK DAGANG CUSTOMADE INDONESIA)
Authors: Pradana Mahir , Reventiary Avian
Published: July 2017

Fashion merupukan salah satu pilihan bisnis yang sangat menarik dan

menguntungkan. Di era ini semua manusia membuthkan fashion yang dapat mencerminkan dirinya, karena pada zaman ini first impression sangatlah penting. Seorang individu yang memberikan first impression yang baik akan membuat dirinya diterima, dihargai, dan mendapatkan pengakuan dari orang lain. Salah satu produk fashion yang penting untuk menunjang penampilan adalah sepatu. Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi dengan apakah ada keterkaitan antara atribut produk dengan keputusan pembelian pada produk fashion syaitu sepatu, studi ini dilakukan dengan meneliti atribut produk sepatu dari merek Customade.

Menurut Tjiptono, (2008 : 103) atribut produk adalah unsur-unsur produk yang dianggap penting oleh konsumen dan dijadikan dasar pemngambilan keputusan pembelian. Menurut Kotler dan Keller (2009 : 188) keputusan pembelian konsumen meliputi, merek, penyalur, kuantitas,waktu dan metode pembayaran.

Metode yang digunakan daalam penelitian ini adalah metode kuantitaatif dengan jenis deskriptif dan kausal. Jenis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah data primer dan sekunder. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan metode probability sampling dengan teknik simple random sampling, dengan jumlah responden sebanyak 74 reponden yang didapat dari hitungan dengan rumus Slovin. Teknik analisis data menggunakan analisis deskriptif dan analisis linear sederhana.

Berdasarkan hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa atribut produk berpengaruh positif terhadap keputusan pembelian sebesar 48.5%, sedangkan sisanya sebesar 41.5% dipengaruhi factor-faktor lain yang tidak diteliti dalam penelitian ini.

Kata kunci: Atribut produk, keputusan pembelian, manajemen pemasaran, perilaku konsumen
IKLIM ORGANISASI DAN SIFAT PEKERJAAN SEBAGAI PENYEBAB TERJADINYA PELECEHAN SEKSUAL DAN PENGARUHNYA TERHADAP MOTIVASI, STRES KERJA, KEPUASAN KERJA, SERTA KINERJA KARYAWAN
Authors: Pranantya Rizki Ahidika
Published: July 2017

This study examined the organization climate and job nature as the cause of sexual harassment and the effects toward job motivation, job stress, job satisfaction, and job performance. One hundred and twelve sales promotion girl who still carry status as college students are participating in this research. There are some findings in this research. The organization climate has a connection with job nature. Meanwhile, the organization climate and job nature affect toward sexual harrasment. The next finding is that sexual harassment has affects toward job stress, but this research is resulting a surprising finding where sexual harassment has no affects on job motivatiion and job satisfaction. Next finding is that job stress affects job motivation positively. Meanwhile, job motivation does not affect job performance. The last finding is that job satisfaction does not affect job performance.

Keywords: organization climate, job nature, sexual harassment, job motivation, job stress, job satisfaction, job performance
PENGARUH PERCEIVED EASE OF USE PERCEIVED USEFULNESS BRAND IMAGE DAN TRUST TERHADAP PURCHASE INTENTION PRODUK ATTACK JAZ 1 SEMERBAK CINTA DI KECAMATAN KOTAGEDE YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Kirwadi Kirwadi
Published: July 2017

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh perceived ease of use, perceived usefulnes, brand image dan trust secara simultan berpengaruh terhadap purchase intention konsumen Attack Jaz 1 Semerbak Cinta Di Kecamatan Kotagede Yogyakarta. Untuk mengetahui pengaruh perceived ease of use, perceived usefulnes, brand image dan trust secara parsial berpengaruh terhadap purchase intention konsumen Attack Jaz 1 Semerbak Cinta Di Kecamatan Kotagede Yogyakarta.

Variabel penelitian ini adalah perceived ease of use, perceived usefulnes, brand image, trust dan purchase intention. Populasi dalam penelitian ini yaitu masyarakat yang memakai produk Attack Jaz 1 Semerbak Cinta di Kecamatan Kotagede Yogyakarta, jumlah sampel penelitian ini 100 responden, hal karena populasi tidak dapat diketahui. Metode pengambilan data menggunakan kuesioner. Teknik analisis yang digunakan adalah regresi linier berganda dengan taraf signifikansi 5%.

Hasil penelitian menunjukkan persamaan regresi Y = 0,224X1 + 0,236X2 + 0,218X3 + 0,254X4. Perceived ease of use berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap purchase intention, ditunjukkan dengan nilai signifikan < 0,05. Perceived usefulness berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap purchase intention, ditunjukkan dengan nilai signifikan < 0,05. Brand image berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap purchase intention, ditunjukkan dengan nilai signifikan < 0,05. Trust berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap purchase intention, ditunjukkan dengan nilai signifikan < 0,05. Variabel-variabel Preceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, brand image, dan trust berpengaruh secara simultan terhadap purchase intention, ditunjukkan nilai signifikan F < 0,05. Purchase intention dipengaruhi Preceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, brand image, dan trust sebesar 54,1%, sedangkan sisanya sebesar 45,9% dipengaruhi faktor lain.

Kata Kunci : Preceived Ease Of Use, Perceived Usefulness, Brand Image, Trust dan Purchase Intention
PENGARUH PENJUALAN ADAPTIF, KEMAMPUAN MENDENGAR DAN ORIENTASI PELANGGAN TERHADAP KINERJA TENAGA PENJUAL JASA HOTEL BINTANG 4 & 5 DI YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Agustina Leonita
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this exploratory was to examine the possible impact of the content adaptive selling, listening and customer orientation, based sales performance. Eighty eight sales people were surveyed by questionnaire. Result indicated that adaptive selling positively influence sales performance. Listening positively influence sales performance. Customer orientation positively influence sales performance. Listening is a stronger influence on sales performance. All result was using a hipotesis test.

Keywords : adaptive selling, listening, customer orientation.
PENGARUH PERIKLANAN, KUALITAS PELAYANAN, JAMINAN RASA AMAN, DAN HUBUNGAN MASYARAKAT TERHADAP MINAT MENABUNG PADA NASABAH BMT AL IKHWAN KANTOR CABANG CONDONG CATUR
Authors: Yuliyati Yuliyati , Kurniawan Ignatius Soni
Published: July 2017

Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pengaruh periklanan, kualitas layanan, jaminan rasa aman, dan hubungan masyarakat secara parsial pada minat menabung. Populasi penelitian adalah 2.629 nasabah BMT Al Ikhwan Kantor Cabang Condong Catur. Sebanyak 132 responden digunakan sebagai sampel dengan metoda convenience sampling. Data diuji menggunakan analisis regresi linier berganda. Hasil uji t menunjukkan bahwa variabel periklanan dan hubungan masyarakat berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap minat menabung, sementara kualitas layanan dan jaminan rasa aman tidak berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap minat menabung. Variabel periklanan merupakan variabel yang dominan mempengaruhi minat menabung. Koefisien determinasi dari model regresi adalah sebesar 54,6%.
PENGARUH KEPEMIMPINAN, MOTIVASI KERJA DAN PELATIHAN KETRAMPILAN TERHADAP KINERJA KELOMPOK RINTISAN USAHA BATIK DAMPINGAN KANTOR PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT DAN PEREMPUAN KOTA YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Dwi Asanti Andriana , Herawati Jajuk
Published: July 2017

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh antara kepemimpinan, motiviasi, dan pelatihan ketrampilan secara parsial terhadap kinerja Kelompok Rintisan Usaha Batik Dampingan Kantor Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Dan Perempuan Kota Yogyakarta. Variabel penelitian ini adalah kepemimpinan, motivasi kerja, pelatihan ketrampilan dan kinerja karyawan. Responden dalam penelitian ini sejumlah sampel 66. Teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu simple random sampling. Metode pengambilan data menggunakan kuesioner. Penelitian diperoleh, Kepemimpinan berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja. Motivasi kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja. Pelatihan ketrampilan berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja. Kepemimpinan, motivasi kerja dan pelatihan ketrampilan berpengaruh secara simultan terhadap kinerja dengan taraf signifikan 5%.
Authors: Ayuningtyas Eka Destriyanto
Published: July 2017

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh kepemimpinan transformasional terhadap komitmen afektif pekerjaan dan kinerja mengajar. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode penelitian populasi (sensus) dengan responden guru di SMA Negeri 3 Ponorogo yaitu sejumlah 70 orang. Analisis yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah analisis jalur (path analysis). Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, elemen-elemen kepemiminan transformasional sangat kuat mempengaruhi kinerja mengajar baik secara langsung maupun melalui komitmen afektif pekerjaan, sehingga sekolah ini perlu pemimpin yang memiliki kepemimpinan transformasional untuk meningkatkan kinerja mengajar serta menumbuhkan komitmen afektif guru dalam pekerjaannya.
Rich in Tradition Progressive in Practice, Building Our Future Together
Authors: Finlay Barry , Phillips Gail , Gai l Alison , Clarke Lindsay
Published: July 2017

In the Halton District School Board we appreciate the power of relationships, not only at an interpersonal level, but also among all aspects of the teacher/learner dynamic. Our Partners in the Classroom program is designed to optimize the use of these relationships to ease the transition to the teaching profession for our newest members of the Halton family while at the same time modelling the behaviours that we want to see across our system.
The Power of Storytelling An interview with Afra Kavanagh
Authors: Kavanagh Afra , Chodzinski Raymond
Published: July 2017

I first met Afra Kavanagh in 1997 at the first storytellers symposium held in Cape Breton, sponsored in part by the University of Cape Breton. She is committed to sharing how the "power of story" shapes and influences lives.
Editor‘s Note Reading is What Counts!
Authors: Chodzinski Raymond
Published: July 2017

This issue is devoted to initiatives that encourage literacy. Some months ago, the call for papers identified a variety of literacy perspectives considered beyond the traditional academic language and numeracy contexts. These included justice, culture, media, visual, health, arts, science, technology and multilingual literacy.
Learning By Doing: Brock Pre Service Course Prepares Literacy Teachers
Authors: Whyte Giselle , Scott Ruth McQuirter
Published: July 2017

"I am really scared of teaching English." "The only writing that I am really familiar with is essay writing." "I haven't read fiction in a long time, let alone a children's novel." "I don't know anything about poetry. How then am I going to teach it? "
Promoting a healthy school nutrition environment
Authors: Roblin Lynn
Published: July 2017

The paper written by Sarah Gray on page 31 focuses on "Nutrition: Whose responsibility is it? Gray says,

"The solution to student's nutrition is a multifaceted approach that involves cooperation and collaboration". Indeed, parents, educators, food service personnel, health workers, dietitians and nutritionists all need to work together to bring about changes to the way children view healthy eating and their actions when it comes to making food choices. But the school environment itself plays a huge role in terms of how students learn about healthy eating and how healthy eating is supported or not at school.”
Support for Beginning Teachers: An Invitation to Participate in a Collaborative Induction Process
Authors: Cherubini Lorenzo , Smith Deirdre
Published: July 2017

There is certainly no diminution of interest in teacher induction in the province of Ontario, Canada. Education Minister Gerard Kennedy has launched a concerted effort to implement the New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP) consisting of contextually relevant professional development opportunities for beginning teachers, an experienced teacher to serve as mentor, and school and district orientation sessions. The Minister has also proposed legislation that will streamline beginning teacher evaluation and formally credit participants for their successful completion of the program to be recorded on the Certificate of Qualification issued by the Ontario College of Teachers. The recently released NTI P Program Guideline (March, 2006) states that induction programs "will build on the faculty year experience by providing another full year of professional support” through the partnership among beginning teachers, mentors, principals, superintendents of the NTIP" etc. (pp. 3 & 4). The above measures underpin the Ministry’s initiatives to work collaboratively with education stakeholders and operationalize more pragmatic and efficient professional development initiatives to improve teacher induction practices in order to improve student learning .
From the Editor: Boys and Reading
Authors: Chodzinski Raymond
Published: July 2017

Teaching and Learning discovered various innovative ways to involve them in the so called "required reading and writing tasks" of the day. Many of them (not all mind you) but many, became just as actively involved on task as any girl in the class. Could it simply be that by adapting the school curriculum to meet the "needs and interests" of the learner is a deciding factor in whether or not a boy applies him-self to the tasks at hand? Surely, it couldn't be that simple?
Roch Carrier: Short stories for FSL students
Authors: Carrier Roch
Published: July 2017

Éditions Soleil publishing inc. is pleased to announce the publication of Roch Carrier raconte... an anthology of fourteen short stories selected by Anthony Mollica, professor emeritus, Faculty of Education, Brock University. The anthology contains short stories from well-known works such as Écrits du Canada français (Montreal: Écrits du Canada français); Jolis deuils (Montréal : Éditions internationales Alain Stanké); Les enfants du bonhomme dans la lune (Montréal: Éditions internationales Alain Stanké); Ne faites pas mal à l’avenir (Montréal: Éditions Paulines); La fleur et autres personnages (Montréal: Éditions Paulines); as well as Le joueur de basket-ball (Toronto: Livres Toundra).
Exploring Emily Carr: A Narrative Timeline of an Elementary Visual Arts/Literacy Initiative
Authors: Vietgen Peter
Published: July 2017

The purpose of integrating art into the school curricula is to help students to make connections in their learning experiences and to engage them within their special learning styles. Teachers can assist students in making these connections within subjects and across subject lines, and to connect new learning to what they already know. This article, taking the form of an informal running narrative, will explore the role of the arts in education and how one elementary school in St.Catharines, Ontario, Glenridge Public School, used the writings and artwork of the Canadian art icon Emily Carr, as stimulus for cross-curricular links and for building community among various members in the education sector.
Ready or Not, Here They Come: Inclusion of Invisible Disabilities in Post-Secondary Education
Authors: Csoli Karen , Bennett Sheila , Gallagher Tiffany L
Published: July 2017

In Ontario, elementary and secondary school programs such as "School Success" and legislation such as Education for All have greatly increased the success of students with disabilities. Success at the secondary school level means that more students with disabilities are choosing to attend postsecondary institutions. This paper focuses on the transition of students with invisible disabilities from secondary to post-secondary education. Universal Instructional Design is reviewed as an appropriate teaching tool for the postsecondary level, as it allows for increased access to meaningful learning experiences for students with and without disabilities. At this point in time, rights-based inclusion is still a novel concept and post-secondary educators struggle with what it means and what it looks like to include learners with disabilities. Issues that prevent the rights of individuals with special needs from being realized include access to higher education, limited funding, and employment equity.
Differentiating Instruction with Digital Storytelling While Making Connections to Critical Literacy
Authors: Figg Candace , Ward McCartney Robin , Gonsoulin Walter
Published: July 2017

Incorporating digital storytelling activities into learning experiences for students not only engages students in acquisition of 21st century skills, but also provides teachers with opportunities to differentiate instruction. This paper describes a Digital Storytelling Workshop that matched diverse student learners with teacher candidates in creating digital stories, and the resulting investigation of how participation in the project impacted the ability of student learners to demonstrate critical literacy. Data sources included exit surveys, student interviews, researcher observational field notes, and student products from the workshop. Findings indicated that the digital story-making process engaged students in all levels of higher order thinking skills (Anderson & Krathwohl, 2001) and at least one component of critical literacy, identified by Wolk (2003), as advocacy, evaluating or solving real-world problems, or making reflective connections between classroom content and culture and/or society.
Teachers Learning Together Project: Differentiation in Math
Authors: Verma Vandana , Elliot Fran , Imrie Janet , Gear Brigitte , Berg Michael
Published: July 2017

Having experienced success in increasing EQAO literacy scores through differentiated instruction initiatives for literacy, five mathematics teachers in a small, inner-city JK to Grade 3 school joined together in an action research project to investigate differentiation techniques to improve their math instruction. Together, they developed a series of lessons to teach problem-solving to Grades 1, 2, and 3 students, and selected specific differentiation strategies to incorporate across the classes. Findings revealed that students demonstrated an increased repertoire of math strategies, improved organization of student work, increased ability to justify their thinking in written and oral form, and a new enthusiasm for problem solving.
The views of teachers toward the Balanced Day schedule in one elementary school in southern Ontario
Authors: Peebles Lori , Kirkwood Kristian John
Published: July 2017

Using a case study method to describe the experience of the teachers of five Ontario elementary schools to implement the Balanced Day schedule in the 2004-2005 school year, data sources included questionnaires completed by teachers from the pilot schools, which were administered at the beginning of the year and at the end of the year, and three focus group interviews from one school, conducted twice during the year. Findings indicate that, overall, teachers perceived the Balanced Day to be more effective than the traditional schedule for student learning, and that the schedule also resulted in changes to their own instructional practices that positively impacted student learning.
“Membership Has Its Privileges”: The Elusive and Influential Nature of Special Education Expertise
Authors: Cobb Cam
Published: July 2017

Special education is brimming with individuals who are often called experts. Speech-language pathologists, consultants, psychologists and a host of others are all, in varying contexts, considered to be experts. But are parents also not experts? And what exactly is an expert? These are all important questions. If perspectives of expertise influence the way in which voices are heard in special education processes, then questions about expert identity and the purported objectivity of expert knowledge and language are ones we need to ponder. In this discussion paper, I draw from two composite narratives – fictionalized accounts of my own experiences – to identify aspects of special education knowledge and language expertise, and consider how they might influence parental inclusion. Given the effects of various forms of expertise in special education, we ought to encourage a form of reciprocity that facilitates parental inclusion. Questions are posed throughout the paper to highlight not only the importance of inclusion and reciprocity, but also ways in which they might be fostered.
Brachyury gene copy number gain and activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway: association with upregulation of oncogenic Brachyury expression in skull base chordoma
Authors: Otani Ryohei , Mukasa Akitake , Shin Masahiro , Omata Mayu , Takayanagi Shunsaku , Tanaka Shota , Ueki Keisuke , Saito Nobuhito
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE

Chordoma is a slow-growing but clinically malignant tumor, and the prognosis remains poor in many cases. There is a strong impetus to develop more effective targeted molecular therapies. On this basis, the authors investigated the potential of Brachyury, a transcription factor involved in notochord development, as a candidate molecular target for the treatment of chordoma.

METHODS

Brachyury gene copy number and expression levels were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 27 chordoma samples, and the transcriptomes of Brachyury high-expression tumors (n = 4) and Brachyury low-expression tumors (n = 4) were analyzed. A chordoma cell line (U-CH2) was used to investigate the signaling pathways that regulate Brachyury expression.

RESULTS

All chordoma specimens expressed Brachyury, and expression levels varied widely. Patients with higher Brachyury expression had significantly shorter progression-free survival (5 months, n = 11) than those with lower expression (13 months, n = 16) (p = 0.03). Somatic copy number gain was confirmed in 12 of 27 (44%) cases, and copy number was positively correlated with Brachyury expression (R = 0.61, p < 0.001). Expression of PI3K/Akt pathway genes was upregulated in Brachyury high-expression tumors, and suppression of PI3K signaling led to reduced Brachyury expression and inhibition of cell growth in the U-CH2 chordoma cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

Activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and Brachyury copy number gain are strongly associated with Brachyury overexpression, which appears to be a key event in chordoma growth regulation. These findings suggest that targeting Brachyury and PI3K/Akt signaling may be an effective new approach for treating chordoma.
Delayed compression of the common peroneal nerve following rotational lateral gastrocnemius flap: case report
Authors: Himes Benjamin T. , Wilson Thomas J. , Maldonado Andres A. , Murthy Naveen S. , Spinner Robert J.
Published: July 2017

The authors present a case of delayed peroneal neuropathy following a lateral gastrocnemius rotational flap reconstruction. The patient presented 1.5 years after surgery with a new partial foot drop, which progressed over 3 years. At operation, a fascial band on the deep side of the gastrocnemius flap was compressing the common peroneal nerve proximal to the fibular head, correlating with preoperative imaging. Release of this fascial band and selective muscle resection led to immediate improvement in symptoms postoperatively.
One-year outcomes of early-crossover patients in a cohort receiving nonoperative care for lumbar disc herniation
Authors: Ramakrishnan Anurekha , Webb K. Michael , Cowperthwaite Matthew C.
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE

The authors comprehensively studied the recovery course and 1-year outcomes of early-crossover patients who were randomized to the nonoperative care arm of the Leiden–The Hague Spine Intervention Prognostic Study. The primary goal was to gain insight into the differences in the recovery patterns of early-crossover patients and those treated nonoperatively; secondary goals were to identify predictors of good 1-year outcomes, and to understand when and why patients were likely to cross over.

METHODS

Individual EuroQol-5D scores were obtained at baseline and at 2, 4, 8, 12, 26, 38, and 52 weeks for 142 patients. Early-crossover patients were defined as those electing to undergo surgery during the first 12 weeks of treatment. Crossover and noncrossover groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, and chi-square tests. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the growth trajectories of crossover and noncrossover groups. Recursive partitioning trees were used to model crossover events and the timing of crossover decisions. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of good 1-year outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 142 patients randomized to receive prolonged nonoperative care, 136 were selected for the study. In this cohort, 43/136 (32%) opted for surgery, and 31/43 (72%) of crossover events occurred before the 12-week time point. Early-crossover patients had significantly greater functional impairment at Week 2 than noncrossover patients (p = 0.031), but experienced greater recovery by 26 weeks and better 1-year outcomes (p = 0.045). Patients who did not experience an improvement in their symptoms between 2 and 8 weeks were more likely to cross over (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.2–10.1; p = 0.01). Recursive partitioning trees were able to identify crossover patients with 76% accuracy. Regression models suggested that better recovery at 26 weeks (p < 0.01) was predictive of good 1-year outcome; declining health status between Weeks 4 and 8 was negatively predictive of good outcome (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to comprehensively analyze the recovery and outcomes of crossover patients, and compare them to nonoperatively treated patients. The results suggest that patients who have a low EuroQol-5D score during the early weeks of treatment and who do not respond to nonoperative care during the first few weeks of treatment are most likely to cross over. Early-crossover patients experience a greater rate of recovery and more frequently have a good 1-year outcome when compared with nonoperatively treated patients. The current results motivate a broader investigation into the timing of surgery and the identification of patient populations that will be most benefited by early surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation.
The Antineoplastic Activity of Photothermal Ablative Therapy with Targeted Gold Nanorods in an Orthotopic Urinary Bladder Cancer Model
Authors: Yang Xiaoping , Su Lih-Jen , La Rosa Francisco G. , Smith Elizabeth Erin , Schlaepfer Isabel R. , Cho Suehyun K. , Kavanagh Brian , Park Wounjhang , Flaig Thomas W.
Published: July 2017

Background:

Gold nanoparticles treated with near infrared (NIR) light can be heated preferentially, allowing for thermal ablation of targeted cells. The use of novel intravesical nanoparticle-directed therapy in conjunction with laser irradiation via a fiber optic cystoscope, represents a potential ablative treatment approach in patients with superficial bladder cancer.

Objective:

To examine the thermal ablative effect of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-directed gold nanorods irradiated with NIR light in an orthotopic urinary bladder cancer model.

Methods:

Gold nanorods linked to an anti-EGFR antibody (Conjugated gold NanoRods – CNR) were instilled into the bladder cavity of an orthotopic murine xenograft model with T24 bladder cancer cells expressing luciferase. NIR light was externally administered via an 808 nm diode laser. This treatment was repeated weekly for 4 weeks. The anti-cancer effect was monitored by an in vivo imaging system in a non-invasive manner, which was the primary outcome of our study.

Results:

The optimal approach for an individual treatment was 2.1 W/cm2 laser power for 30 seconds. Using this in vivo model, NIR light combined with CNR demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in tumor-associated bioluminescent activity ( n = 16) compared to mice treated with laser alone ( n = 14) at the end of the study ( p = 0.035). Furthermore, the CNR+NIR light treatment significantly abrogated bioluminescence signals over a 6-week observation period, compared to pre-treatment levels ( p = 0.045).

Conclusions:

Photothermal tumor ablation with EGFR-directed gold nanorods and NIR light proved effective and well tolerated in a murine in vivo model of urinary bladder cancer.
Image-Guided Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors – Current Practice and Future Outlooks
Authors: Chang Timothy C. , Marcq Gautier , Kiss Bernhard , Trivedi Dharati R. , Mach Kathleen E. , Liao Joseph C.
Published: July 2017

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) under white light cystoscopy (WLC) is the cornerstone for the diagnosis, removal and local staging of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Despite technological improvements over the decades, significant shortcomings remain with WLC for tumor detection, thereby impacting the surgical quality and contributing to tumor recurrence and progression. Enhanced cystoscopy modalities such as blue light cystoscopy (BLC) and narrow band imaging (NBI) aid resections by highlighting tumors that might be missed on WLC. Optical biopsy technologies such as confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) characterize tissue in real-time to ensure a more thorough resection. New resection techniques, particularly en bloc resection, are actively under investigation to improve the overall quality of resections and aid pathologic interpretation. Moreover, new image processing computer algorithms may improve perioperative planning and longitudinal follow-up. Clinical translation of molecular imaging agents is also on the horizon to improve optical diagnosis of bladder cancer. This review focuses on emerging technologies that can impact the quality of TURBT to improve the overall management of NMIBC.
Molecular Classification of Renal Cell Carcinoma and Its Implication in Future Clinical Practice
Authors: Casuscelli Jozefina , Vano Yann-Alexandre , Fridman Wolf Herve , Hsieh James J.
Published: July 2017

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) encompasses a wide spectrum of morphologically and molecularly distinct (>10) cancer subtypes originated from the kidney epithelium. Metastatic RCC (mRCC) is lethal and refractory to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. The incorporation of targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors into the current practice of mRCC has markedly improved the median overall survival of clear cell RCC (ccRCC) patients, the most common subtype, but not rare kidney cancer (RKC or non-ccRCC, nccRCC). Varied treatment response in mRCC patients is observed, which presents clinical challenges/opportunities at the modern mRCC therapeutic landscape consisting of 12 approved drugs representing 6 different effective mechanisms. Key contributing factors include inter- and intra-RCC heterogeneity. With the advances in pan-omics technologies, we now have a better understanding of the molecular pathobiology of individual RCC subtype. Here, we attempt to classify ccRCC based on contemporary molecular features with emphasis on their respective potential significance in clinical practice.
Systematic Review: Perioperative Systemic Therapy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Pilié Patrick G. , Jonasch Eric
Published: July 2017

Background: Approximately 16% of patients with renal cell carcinomas (RCC) present with stage IV disease at time of diagnosis. Treatment options for metastatic clear cell RCC, the most common histologic subtype, have proliferated over the past decade and include a combination of surgery and systemic therapy. The selection of systemic agent and best timing of systemic therapy in relation to nephrectomy is an area of active research.

Objective: To evaluate the evidence for perioperative systemic therapy, including presurgical and postsurgical, for metastatic RCC.

Methods: A systematic literature search using PubMed and MEDLINE databases was performed in January 2017 for articles related to perioperative systemic therapy in metastatic RCC using key word search terms. The authors screened the search results and identified selected publications by predetermined inclusion criteria and consensus. Expert opinion was obtained to assess for publications missed by search.

Results: Early phase clinical trials of antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors prior to cytoreductive nephrectomy in select patients show that these systemic agents are safe and effective in the presurgical setting. There are no randomized data evaluating pre- or post-surgical systemic therapy in metastatic RCC.

Conclusions: Retrospective and early-phase prospective studies on the use and timing of systemic therapy in relation to cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic RCC show that standard of care antiangiogenic agents are safe and effective in the perioperative setting, though randomized data are still lacking. Pre-surgical immune checkpoint therapy for metastatic RCC has strong biologic rationale and holds promise. Sequential tumor sampling in neoadjuvant and presurgical trials is necessary to determine biomarkers of response and resistance.
Ten years from Lanzarote
Authors: Iori Vanna
Published: July 2017

The 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child is relatively recent. In 2007, the Lanzarote Convention was signed (ratified by Italy by Law n. 172/2012) as the first international legal instrument for to contribute to the goal of protecting children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, whoever the perpetrator may be, and of providing assistance to victims. However, results seem still absent. Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, the grief remains in the hearts of children, and violence continues to spread in the silence and indifference of the adults. The author thus gives an important part of the text to display the collected statistical data and affirms the need to establish a system of continuous monitoring. He affirms the need to see and hear: essential to perceive, understand, discover and denounce the violence and break the silence, but also to protect abused children, even in the steps of the legal process. To achieve this it is necessary for doctors, social workers, judges, teachers and parents to work together as a team to defend the right to childhood and to respect the body-person. This is the challenge ethics and politics, now, ten years from Lanzarote.
Digital violence and children under five: The Phantom Menace within digital homes of the 21st century?
Authors: Palaiologou Ioanna
Published: July 2017

This article aims to take stock of the research on parental perspectives on potential of digital violence among children under five years. This projects aimed to investigate parents' views on to what extent young children might be at risk of digital violence when interacting with digital technology; if is so what types of digital violence might be at risk; to what extent there are any similarities and any differences in the classification of risks proposed by EU Kids Online (2015).
In vitro production of banana plantlets and their validation at hill valleys
Authors: Molla MMH , Khanam D , Firoz ZA , Chakma SP , Halder SC , Salam MA
Published: July 2017

Performances of tissue cultured (TC) plantlets of BARI Kola-3 and BARI Kola-4 were evaluated against transplanting of conventional (CON) sucker at hill valleys during July 2011 to December 2014. The plantlets were produced at Biotech Lab, BARI Gazipur and validation trial was conducted at Ramgarh, Khagrachari hill district during March-April and September-October planting seasons (2011-14). Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented @ 3 mg 1-l and 5 mg l-1 BAP showed the best performance for multiple shoot production in BARI Kola-3 and BARI Kola-4, respectively. Both the varieties produced well developed roots in ½MS medium supplemented @ 0.5 mg 1-l IBA. Among the plantlets 98.5% plantlets were survived when hardened 7 days under polyethylene tunnel after 5 days hardening at room temperature but 100% plantlets died when transplanted plantlets were kept in open conditions at the nursery. 45 day - old healthy plantlets were planted at hill valleys in September-October and April-May planting seasons. BARI Kola-3 produced the highest 45.67 and 44.05 t ha-1 bunch yield at April-May and September-October planting, respectively. The highest 55.89 t ha-1 bunch yield was recorded from TC BARI Kola-4 in March-April planting followed by 49.67 t ha-1 in September-October Planting. TC BARI Kola-3 and BARI Kola-4 produced 3.68 and 12.52% higher yields in March-April planting, respectively than September-October planting. In case of planting materials, TC BARI Kola-3 and TC BARI Kola-4 produced 23.43 and 20.33% higher yield over CON suckered plant in March-April planting. On the other hand, TC BARI Kola-3 and TC BARI Kola-4 also produced 12.34 and 9.35% higher yield than CON Suckered plant in September-October planting. Similarly, TC BARI Kola-4 produced 28.33% higher yield than CON suckered BARI Kola-4 in March-April planting. In every case, TC plants showed better performances than the CON suckered plant.SAARC J. Agri., 15(1): 67-76 (2017)
Comparison of C14- and C15-Predomiated AB2 Metal Hydride Alloys for Electrochemical Applications
Authors: Young Kwo-Hsiung , Nei Jean , Wan Chubin , Denys Roman , Yartys Volodymyr
Published: July 2017

Herein, we present a comparison of the electrochemical hydrogen-storage characteristics of two state-of-art Laves phase-based metal hydride alloys (Zr21.5Ti12.0V10.0Cr7.5Mn8.1Co8.0Ni32.2Sn0.3Al0.4 vs. Zr25.0Ti6.5V3.9Mn22.2Fe3.8Ni38.0La0.3) prepared by induction melting and hydrogen decrepitation. The relatively high contents of lighter transition metals (V and Cr) in the first composition results in an average electron density below the C14/C15 threshold ( e / a ~ 6.9 ) and produces a C14-predominated structure, while the average electron density of the second composition is above the C14/C15 threshold and results in a C15-predominated structure. From a combination of variations in composition, main phase structure, and degree of homogeneity, the C14-predominated alloy exhibits higher storage capacities (in both the gaseous phase and electrochemical environment), a slower activation, inferior high-rate discharge, and low-temperature performances, and a better cycle stability compared to the C15-predominated alloy. The superiority in high-rate dischargeability in the C15-predominated alloy is mainly due to its larger reactive surface area. Annealing of the C15-predominated alloy eliminates the ZrNi secondary phase completely and changes the composition of the La-containing secondary phase. While the former change sacrifices the synergetic effects, and degrades the hydrogen storage performance, the latter may contribute to the unchanged surface catalytic ability, even with a reduction in total volume of metallic nickel clusters embedded in the activated surface oxide layer. In general, the C14-predominated alloy is more suitable for high-capacity and long cycle life applications, and the C15-predominated alloy can be used in areas requiring easy activation, and better high-rate and low-temperature performances.
Thermal Analysis of Tantalum Carbide-Hafnium Carbide Solid Solutions from Room Temperature to 1400 °C
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Loganathan Archana , Boesl Benjamin , Agarwal Arvind
Published: July 2017

The thermogravimetric analysis on TaC, HfC, and their solid solutions has been carried out in air up to 1400 °C. Three solid solution compositions have been chosen: 80TaC-20 vol % HfC (T80H20), 50TaC-50 vol % HfC (T50H50), and 20TaC-80 vol % HfC (T20H80), in addition to pure TaC and HfC. Solid solutions exhibit better oxidation resistance than the pure carbides. The onset of oxidation is delayed in solid solutions from 750 °C for pure TaC, to 940 °C for the T50H50 sample. Moreover, T50H50 samples display the highest resistance to oxidation with the retention of the initial carbides. The oxide scale formed on the T50H50 sample displays mechanical integrity to prevent the oxidation of the underlying carbide solid solution. The improved oxidation resistance of the solid solution is attributed to the reaction between Ta2O5 and HfC, which stabilizes the volume changes induced by the formation of Ta2O5 and diminishes the generation of gaseous products. Also, the formation of solid solutions disturbs the atomic arrangement inside the lattice, which delays the reaction between Ta and O. Both of these mechanisms lead to the improved oxidation resistances of TaC-HfC solid solutions.
Bayesian Treatments for Panel Data Stochastic Frontier Models with Time Varying Heterogeneity
Authors: Liu Junrong , Sickles Robin , Tsionas E.
Published: July 2017

This paper considers a linear panel data model with time varying heterogeneity. Bayesian inference techniques organized around Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) are applied to implement new estimators that combine smoothness priors on unobserved heterogeneity and priors on the factor structure of unobserved effects. The latter have been addressed in a non-Bayesian framework by Bai (2009) and Kneip et al. (2012), among others. Monte Carlo experiments are used to examine the finite-sample performance of our estimators. An empirical study of efficiency trends in the largest banks operating in the U.S. from 1990 to 2009 illustrates our new estimators. The study concludes that scale economies in intermediation services have been largely exploited by these large U.S. banks.
Assessment of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties on Meat Homogenates of Essential Oils Obtained from Four Thymus Species Achieved from Organic Growth
Authors: Ballester-Costa Carmen , Sendra Esther , Fernández-López Juana , Pérez-Álvarez Jose , Viuda-Martos Manuel
Published: July 2017

In the organic food industry, no chemical additives can be used to prevent microbial spoilage. As a consequence, the essential oils (EOs) obtained from organic aromatic herbs and spices are gaining interest for their potential as preservatives. The organic Thymus zygis, Thymus mastichina, Thymus capitatus and Thymus vulgaris EOs, which are common in Spain and widely used in the meat industry, could be used as antibacterial agents in food preservation. The aims of this study were to determine (i) the antibacterial activity using, as culture medium, extracts from meat homogenates (minced beef, cooked ham or dry-cured sausage); and (ii) the antioxidant properties of organic EOs obtained from T. zygis, T. mastichina, T. capitatus and T. vulgaris. The antioxidant activity was determined using different methodologies, such as Ferrous ion-chelating ability assay, Ferric reducing antioxidant power, ABTS radical cation (ABTS•+) scavenging activity assay and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method; while the antibacterial activity was determined against 10 bacteria using the agar diffusion method in different meat model media. All EOs analyzed, at all concentrations, showed antioxidant activity. T. capitatus and T. zygis EOs were the most active. The IC50 values, for DPPH, ABTS and FIC assays were 0.60, 1.41 and 4.44 mg/mL, respectively, for T. capitatus whilst for T. zygis were 0.90, 2.07 and 4.95 mg/mL, respectively. Regarding antibacterial activity, T. zygis and T. capitatus EOs, in all culture media, had the highest inhibition halos against all tested bacteria. In general terms, the antibacterial activity of all EOs assayed was higher in the medium made with minced beef than with the medium elaborated with cooked ham or dry-cured sausage.
Healtheatre: Drama and Medicine in Concert
Authors: Walsh Ian , Murphy Paul
Published: July 2017

Introduction: Clinical practice includes expressing empathy and understanding key features of humanity, such as mortality and illness. The Stanislavski “System” of actor training negotiates a journey from the unconscious via feeling, will and intellect to a proposed supertask. This study explored these areas during collaborative learning amongst undergraduate medical and drama students. Materials and Methods: Each of two interactive sessions involved teams of final year medical students rotating through challenging simulated clinical scenarios, enacted by undergraduate drama students, deploying key techniques from the Stanslavski system of actor training. Team assessment of performance was via a ratified global scoring system and dynamic debriefing techniques. Results: Medical students reported an enhanced immersive experience within simulated clinical scenarios. Drama students reported increased challenge and immersion within their roles. Medical faculty and standardised patients reported positive utility and value for the approach. Clinical team assessment scores increased by 47% (p < 0.05) with this intervention. Discussion: Qualitative and quantitative data demonstrated the merit and utility of such interdisciplinary learning. All students and faculty appreciated the value of the activity and described enhanced learning. Collaborative dynamic debriefing allowed for a continuation of the immersive experience and allowed for an exploration of arenas such as empathy. Conclusions: The deployment of drama students trained in the Stanislavski system significantly enriched medical and drama student experience and performance. Team assessment scores further demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach. Feedback from students, faculty and standardised patients was uniformly positive. The approach facilitated exploration of empathy.
Smoke-Free Recovery from Trauma Surgery: A Pilot Trial of an Online Smoking Cessation Program for Orthopaedic Trauma Patients
Authors: McCrabb Sam , Baker Amanda , Attia John , Balogh Zsolt , Lott Natalie , Naylor Justine , Harris Ian , Doran Christopher , George Johnson , Wolfenden Luke , Skelton Eliza , Bonevski Billie
Published: July 2017

Smoking increases the risk of complications associated with orthopaedic trauma surgery, however delivery of care is low. Online interventions may provide needed smoking cessation care and promote abstinence. This study aims to examine the engagement, acceptability, and retention of an online smoking cessation program (Smoke-Free Recovery; SFR) among a sample of orthopaedic trauma patients, as well as themes around the smoking cessation process. A pilot study of SFR with 31 orthopaedic trauma patients admitted to a public hospital in New South Wales, Australia took place. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted following hospital discharge. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used. Engagement was high with 28 participants accessing SFR during admission. Twenty individuals completed follow-up phone calls. Program acceptability was rated favourably. After discharge, changes in smoking habits were noted, with program retention low. Themes on program use included: lack of time or need for additional support; computer illiteracy or technology issues; feeling unready or too stressed to quit; or feeling they had reached the boundary of what could be learnt from the program. This study highlights the difficulties faced by patients following hospital admission, the lack of follow-up support received, and the need for consumer testing prior to roll out. Continuing to develop interventions to promote hospital-initiated cessation attempts that continue post-discharge should be a priority.
A Multiyear Model of Influenza Vaccination in the United States
Authors: Kamis Arnold , Zhang Yuji , Kamis Tamara
Published: July 2017

Vaccinating adults against influenza remains a challenge in the United States. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we present a model for predicting who receives influenza vaccination in the United States between 2012 and 2014, inclusive. The logistic regression model contains nine predictors: age, pneumococcal vaccination, time since last checkup, highest education level attained, employment, health care coverage, number of personal doctors, smoker status, and annual household income. The model, which classifies correctly 67 percent of the data in 2013, is consistent with models tested on the 2012 and 2014 datasets. Thus, we have a multiyear model to explain and predict influenza vaccination in the United States. The results indicate room for improvement in vaccination rates. We discuss how cognitive biases may underlie reluctance to obtain vaccination. We argue that targeted communications addressing cognitive biases could be useful for effective framing of vaccination messages, thus increasing the vaccination rate. Finally, we discuss limitations of the current study and questions for future research.