bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Method for Measuring Fishing Effort by Small-scale Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) Fishers from the Commonwealth of Dominica
Authors: Alvard Michael , McGaffey Ethan , Carlson David
Published: November 2014

We used global positioning system (GPS) technology and tracking analysis to measure fishing effort by marine, small-scale, fish aggregating device (FAD) fishers of the Commonwealth of Dominica. FADs are human-made structures designed to float on the surface of the water and attract fish. They are also prone to common pool resource problems. To identify free riders with respect to specific FADs, we need to compare the cost expended for FAD construction versus the benefit fishers extract from their use of the FADs. From August to December 2012, we placed GPS devices on a sample of fishing trips to track movement and measure variation in fishers’ fishing efforts at a set of seven FADs off the Atlantic east coast of central Dominica. The method produces high-resolution data to determine how much time different fishers use different FADs.
Endovascular treatment of distal thoracic aortic transection associated with severe thoracolumbar spinal fracture
Authors: Chock Megan M , Aho Johnathon , Naik Nimesh , Clarke Michelle , Heller Stephanie , Oderich Gustavo S
Published: November 2014

Endovascular repair has become the first line of treatment in most patients with blunt aortic injury. The most common mechanism is deceleration injury affecting the aortic isthmus distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery. Injuries of the distal thoracic aorta are uncommon. We report the case of a 25-year-old male patient who presented with paraplegia and distal thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm associated with severe thoracolumbar vertebral fracture and displacement after a motocross accident. Endovascular repair was performed using total percutaneous technique and conformable C-TAG thoracic stent-graft (WL Gore, Flagstaff, AZ). Following stent-graft placement and angiographic confirmation of absence of endoleak, thoracolumbar spinal fixation was performed in the same operative procedure. This case illustrates a multispecialty approach to complex aortic and vertebral injury and the high conformability of newer thoracic stent-grafts to adapt to tortuous anatomy.
Hybrid reconstruction of the upper limb in a patient with chronic limb ischemia
Authors: Argyriou Christos , Georgiadis George S , Mantatzis Michael , Schoretsanitis Nikolaos G , Antoniou George A , Papadopoulou Maria Z , Vogiatzaki Theodosia , Lazarides Miltos K
Published: November 2014

Aim

Hybrid vascular interventions performed in patients with chronic limb ischemia are considered minimally invasive techniques for treating complex multilevel arterial occlusive disease.

Methods

We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with a critical upper limb ischemia, who underwent angioplasty and secondary stenting of the distal-third of the axillary artery followed by a brachial–brachial bypass using an autologous graft.

Results

The patient had an uneventful recovery. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature of hybrid vascular reconstruction in the upper limb due to atherosclerosis.

Conclusion

Hybrid revascularization procedure in the upper limb is technically feasible, safe for the patient, and should become a part of the armamentarium of the modern vascular surgeon.
Differential Emotions Theory as a Theory of Personality Development
Authors: Abe Jo Ann A.
Published: November 2014

In The Face of Emotions, which was Carroll Izard’s first major attempt at elaborating his differential emotions theory (DET), he stated that the book “presents a theoretical framework for the study of emotions and their role in personality and interpersonal processes.” Yet, over the years, his contribution to personality theory has generally been overshadowed by the attention focused on his views on facial expressions and the structure of emotions. This article will begin with a brief overview of the DET perspective on personality development. Then, it will examine how the DET framework can be used to organize recent findings from three lines of research on adult personality. It will conclude with suggestions for future research as well as some personal recollections.
Adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant therapy for gastric cancer? A perspective review
Authors: Schirren Rebekka , Reim Daniel , Novotny Alexander R.
Published: November 2014

Surgery is still the only curative therapy for locoregional gastric cancer. Hereby it is important to achieve negative margins (R0 resection) and to perform an adequate lymph-node dissection (D2 lymphadenectomy). Unfortunately most cases of gastric cancer are diagnosed in a locally advanced tumor stage. The poor prognosis of patients with these tumors is due to the frequent recurrences after primary resection in curative intent. This observation led to the development of (neo)adjuvant treatment concepts. Beginning with the end of the 1980s, more and more patients with locally advanced tumors were subjected to a preoperative, perioperative, or postoperative treatment in order to improve the prognosis after curative resection. However, in different regions of the world, different regiments are preferred. While adjuvant chemotherapy is the established treatment in Asia, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy is favored in the USA and perioperative chemotherapy is considered the treatment of choice in Europe. However, recently a certain convergence of the different philosophies is to be observed. This article covers the relevant studies dealing with neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment concepts and gives an overview on the latest developments in this field.
The paradox and tension of moral claims: Evangelical Christianity, the politicization and globalization of sexual politics in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Kaoma Kapya
Published: November 2014

This article explores the paradox between local and global moral values in sexual politics in Sub-Saharan Africa. It shares the thesis that various forces of globalization—the web, media, social, economic, political, and religious––influence and to some extent shape sexual politics in Sub-Saharan Africa. Globalization has made it easy for anti-gay and pro-gay rights groups to connect globally, and share ideas and strategies, but it has also complicated the study of sexual politics in Sub-Saharan Africa. While anti-gay and pro-gay groups accuse each other of being “influenced by foreign interests,” both sides have global groups that provide the ideological framework for the struggle. To some extent, the growing opposition to gay rights should be understood from the perspective of conservative global Christianity on one hand and the globalization on the other. The article concludes that global anti-gay activism invites global pro-gay activism, thereby leading to unintended consequences on sexual minorities.
Barriers and Facilitators to School-Based Parent Involvement for Parents of Urban Public Middle School Students
Authors: Murray Kantahyanee W. , Finigan-Carr Nadine , Jones Vanya , Copeland-Linder Nikeea , Haynie Denise L. , Cheng Tina L.
Published: November 2014

Using semistructured interviews, we explored barriers and facilitators to school-based parent involvement (SBPI) in a sample of predominately African American parents ( N = 44) whose children attended urban public middle schools. Barriers to SBPI (e.g., perceptions of hostile parent–teacher interactions and aggressive, disrespectful students in the school) were more commonly reported than facilitators (e.g., child invitations for involvement). Findings suggest that parents’ motivations for engaging in SBPI may be undermined by a variety of barriers, resulting in low participation. Implications and tailored strategies for enhancing SBPI in this population are presented.
Nigerian foreign policy and economic development, 1999–2013
Authors: Ubi Efem N , Akinkuotu Oluwatooni O
Published: November 2014

Since independence, the guiding principle of Nigeria’s foreign policy and the pursuit of its national interests, in both its bilateral and its multilateral relations, have remained a reflection of its perception of the international environment. A constant feature that has remained central to Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture has been Africa, with preoccupations concerning fighting colonialism, apartheid and the discrimination of black peoples in the African continent and elsewhere in the world. Moreover, in all of those endeavors, Nigeria is argued to have never benefited from its external relations with states and nonstate actors alike. However, in 1988, Nigeria officially announced its commitment to economic diplomacy, a result of the lingering economic crisis and structural adjustment program at the time. This essentially led to not only certain shifts in the analysis of Nigeria’s foreign policy after 1988, but also a recap that also triggered a review of current policies in the Fourth Republic, which raised the following question: can Nigerian foreign policy be said to be consistent with economic development or does it more or less remain altruistic in character and essence? The focus of this article therefore, is first of all, to explore the connection between foreign policy and economic development, and the role that foreign policy should play in guaranteeing a nation’s development. Secondly, the article further examines Nigeria’s foreign policy in the Fourth Republic (from 1999 to 2013) with a view to noting if there has been any critical shift in Nigeria’s African-centered altruistic foreign policy to that of economic well-being and development. Thirdly, the article is a conscious effort to steer (in case of any laxity) Nigeria’s foreign policy toward economic growth and development and the well-being of the citizenry.
International Expansion through Flexible Replication: Rethinking the Propositions
Authors: Kodzi Emmanuel T.
Published: November 2014

The international expansion of businesses today invites the analysis of organizational mechanisms that allow these businesses to thrive in spite of the known challenges of doing business in a foreign culture or market. Specifically, the extent to which firms replicate their existing business models relative to the perceived need for local adaptation is topical. This article is a commentary on the brilliant work of Anna Jonsson and Nicolai Foss, who outline a model of flexible replication, drawing from a longitudinal study of IKEA, the famous Swedish home furnishing company. Their study concludes with four propositions for further investigation. For the purpose of developing robust managerial applications, they recommend comparative case studies based on the four propositions. We provide a basis for questioning one of the key propositions, and offer an alternative proposition in an attempt to build a stronger foundation for further inquiry into the mechanisms of flexible replication.
Macroeconomics Discipline at the Crossroads: A Comment
Authors: Patibandla Murali
Published: November 2014

The 2008 financial crisis of the US was a watershed for economics discipline, especially macroeconomics. A part of the reason was macroeconomic policies based on the Chicago school’s ideology that unfettered free markets self-regulate based on strong assumptions that people are perfectly rational, maximize self-interest as autonomous agents, markets are frictionless (no transaction costs), there is perfect information and there is no moral hazard behavior for separation of ownership and control of capital. In real world most of these assumptions fail to hold. This article traces the underlying factors for the crisis and emphasizes the need for regulation of financial markets.
Ambidexterity as a Mediating Variable in the Relationship between Dynamism in the Environment, Organizational Context and Strategic Renewal
Authors: Dutta Swarup Kumar
Published: November 2014

This article attempts to highlight the significance of the mediating role of contextual ambidexterity that leads to strategic renewal in organizations. The antecedents to renewal such as the context pertaining to an organization, nature of dynamism in the environment, and ambidexterity have been examined through a predicted relationship to suggest that these specific variables lead to strategic renewal. An empirical study conducted across 11 firms highlights the relationship between these four variables. The findings of the research study suggest that contextual ambidexterity significantly mediates the relationship between dynamism in the environment, organization context, and renewal.
Ingenuity and Systematic Innovation in Poverty Alleviation Initiatives
Authors: Jha Pushkar P.
Published: November 2014

This article examines poverty alleviation initiatives to analyze how ingenuity and systematic innovation manifest in their design and delivery. The article examines three organizations to contrast their approach toward poverty alleviation. Legacy experience in terms of the approach taken and complexity in portfolio of initiatives come forth as key variables influencing disposition toward systematic innovation or, alternatively, ingenuity. Ingenuity and systematic innovation are presented as conceptual parallels contributing to debates on ingenuity’s positioning in relation to innovation.
Plasma exchange to remove HIT antibodies: dissociation between enzyme-immunoassay and platelet activation test reactivities
Authors: Warkentin Theodore E. , Sheppard Jo-Ann I. , Chu F. Victor , Kapoor Anil , Crowther Mark A. , Gangji Azim
Published: November 2014

Key Points

Repeated plasma exchange removes sufficient HIT-IgG to achieve negative SRA despite ongoing strong-positive EIA. Serially-diluted HIT sera tested in both SRA and EIA show that SRA negativity can be achieved with minimal decrease in EIA reactivity.
Synthesis of flake-like graphene from nickel-coated polyacrylonitrile polymer
Authors: Kwon Ho-je , Ha Jun Mok , Yoo Sung Ho , Ali Ghafar , Cho Sung Oh
Published: November 2014

Graphene can be synthesized from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer through pyrolysis. A metal catalyst such as nickel (Ni) is required for the conversion of the polymer to graphene. The metal catalysts can be placed either atop or underneath the polymer precursor. We observed that spatially non-uniform and disconnected graphene was fabricated when PAN film coated with a Ni layer was pyrolyzed, resulting in flake-like graphene. Formation of the flake-like graphene is attributed to the dewetting of the Ni layer coated on the PAN film. Dewetting phenomenon can be reduced by decreasing the pyrolysis temperature, and hence, more uniform graphene could be prepared. The effects of Ni coating thickness and the pyrolysis temperature on the fabricated graphene have been experimentally analyzed.
A frame-based domain-specific language for rapid prototyping of FPGA-based software-defined radios
Authors: Ouedraogo Ganda Stephane , Gautier Matthieu , Sentieys Olivier
Published: November 2014

The field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology is expected to play a key role in the development of software-defined radio (SDR) platforms. As this technology evolves, low-level designing methods for prototyping FPGA-based applications did not change throughout the decades. In the outstanding context of SDR, it is important to rapidly implement new waveforms to fulfill such a stringent flexibility paradigm. At the current time, different proposals have defined, through software-based approaches, some efficient methods to prototype SDR waveforms in a processor-based running environment. This paper describes a novel design flow for FPGA-based SDR applications. This flow relies upon high-level synthesis (HLS) principles and leverages the nascent HLS tools. Its entry point is a domain-specific language (DSL) which handles the complexity of programming an FPGA and integrates some SDR features so as to enable automatic waveform control generation from a data frame model. Two waveforms (IEEE 802.15.4 and IEEE 802.11a) have been designed and explored via this new methodology, and the results are highlighted in this paper.
Chloride-liberal fluids are associated with acute kidney injury after liver transplantation
Authors: Nadeem Ashraf , Salahuddin Nawal , El Hazmi Alyaa , Joseph Mini , Bohlega Balsam , Sallam Hend , Sheikh Yasser , Broering Dieter
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs frequently after liver transplantation and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence has linked the predominant usage of `chloride-liberal’ intravenous fluids, such as 0.9% saline to the development of renal dysfunction in general critically ill patients. We compared the effects of perioperative fluid types on AKI in liver transplant recipients.

Methods

An observational analysis of liver transplant recipients over a 33-month period, between January 2010 and September 2013, was performed. Intensive care unit database and patient records were analyzed for determinants of early postoperative AKI. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was carried out using a two-tailed P value less than 0.05 to establish significance. The institutional Research Ethics Committee approved the study methodology (RAC no. 2131 073).

Results

One hundred and fifty-eight liver transplants were performed, AKI developed in 57 (36.1%) patients: 39 (68.4%) fully recovered, 13 (22.8%) developed chronic renal failure and 10 (17.5%) required long-term hemodialysis. On univariate regression analysis, AKI was significantly associated with greater than 3,200 ml of chloride-liberal fluids infused within the first postoperative day (HR 5.9, 95% CI 2.64, 13.2, P <0.001), greater than 1,500 ml colloids received in the operating room (hazard ratio (HR) 1.97, 95% CI 1.01, 3.8, P = 0.046), vasopressor requirement for 48 hours posttransplant (HR 3.34, 95% CI 1.55, 7.21, P = 0.002), hyperchloremia at day 2 (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01, 1.18, P = 0.015) and preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03, 1.13, P <0.001).

After stepwise multivariate regression, infusion of greater than 3,200 ml of chloride-liberal fluids (HR 6.25, 95% CI 2.69, 14.5, P <0.000) and preoperative MELD score (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02, 1.15, P = 0.004) remained significant predictors for AKI.

Conclusions

In a sample of liver transplant recipients, infusion of higher volumes of chloride-liberal fluids and preoperative status was associated with an increased risk for postoperative AKI.
Dynamic arterial elastance as a predictor of arterial pressure response to fluid administration: a validation study
Authors: García Manuel Ignacio Monge , Romero Manuel Gracia , Cano Anselmo Gil , Aya Hollmann D , Rhodes Andrew , Grounds Robert Michael , Cecconi Maurizio
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Functional assessment of arterial load by dynamic arterial elastance (Eadyn), defined as the ratio between pulse pressure variation (PPV) and stroke volume variation (SVV), has recently been shown to predict the arterial pressure response to volume expansion (VE) in hypotensive, preload-dependent patients. However, because both SVV and PPV were obtained from pulse pressure analysis, a mathematical coupling factor could not be excluded. We therefore designed this study to confirm whether Eadyn, obtained from two independent signals, allows the prediction of arterial pressure response to VE in fluid-responsive patients.

Methods

We analyzed the response of arterial pressure to an intravenous infusion of 500 ml of normal saline in 53 mechanically ventilated patients with acute circulatory failure and preserved preload dependence. Eadyn was calculated as the simultaneous ratio between PPV (obtained from an arterial line) and SVV (obtained by esophageal Doppler imaging). A total of 80 fluid challenges were performed (median, 1.5 per patient; interquartile range, 1 to 2). Patients were classified according to the increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) after fluid administration in pressure responders (≥10%) and non-responders.

Results

Thirty-three fluid challenges (41.2%) significantly increased MAP. At baseline, Eadyn was higher in pressure responders (1.04 ± 0.28 versus 0.60 ± 0.14; P <0.0001). Preinfusion Eadyn was related to changes in MAP after fluid administration (R2 = 0.60; P <0.0001). At baseline, Eadyn predicted the arterial pressure increase to volume expansion (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86 to 0.98; P <0.0001). A preinfusion Eadyn value ≥0.73 (gray zone: 0.72 to 0.88) discriminated pressure responder patients with a sensitivity of 90.9% (95% CI: 75.6 to 98.1%) and a specificity of 91.5% (95% CI: 79.6 to 97.6%).

Conclusions

Functional assessment of arterial load by Eadyn, obtained from two independent signals, enabled the prediction of arterial pressure response to fluid administration in mechanically ventilated, preload-dependent patients with acute circulatory failure.
Predicting cardiovascular intensive care unit readmission after cardiac surgery: derivation and validation of the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcomes Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH) cardiovascular intensive care unit clinical prediction model from a registry cohort of 10,799 surgical cases
Authors: van Diepen Sean , Graham Michelle M , Nagendran Jayan , Norris Colleen M
Published: November 2014

Introduction

In medical and surgical intensive care units, clinical risk prediction models for readmission have been developed; however, studies reporting the risks for cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) readmission have been methodologically limited by small numbers of outcomes, unreported measures of calibration or discrimination, or a lack of information spanning the entire perioperative period. The purpose of this study was to derive and validate a clinical prediction model for CVICU readmission in cardiac surgical patients.

Methods

A total of 10,799 patients more than or equal to 18 years in the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcomes Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH) registry who underwent cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass or valvular surgery) between 2004 and 2012 and were discharged alive from the first CVICU admission were included. The full cohort was used to derive the clinical prediction model and the model was internally validated with bootstrapping. Discrimination and calibration were assessed using the AUC c index and the Hosmer-Lemeshow tests, respectively.

Results

A total of 479 (4.4%) patients required CVICU readmission. The mean CVICU length of stay (19.9 versus 3.3 days, P <0.001) and in-hospital mortality (14.4% versus 2.2%, P <0.001) were higher among patients readmitted to the CVICU. In the derivation cohort, a total of three preoperative (age ≥70, ejection fraction, chronic lung disease), two intraoperative (single valve repair or replacement plus non-CABG surgery, multivalve repair or replacement), and seven postoperative variables (cardiac arrest, pneumonia, pleural effusion, deep sternal wound infection, leg graft harvest site infection, gastrointestinal bleed, neurologic complications) were independently associated with CVICU readmission. The clinical prediction model had robust discrimination and calibration in the derivation cohort (AUC c index = 0.799; Hosmer-Lemeshow P = 0.192). The validation point estimates and confidence intervals were similar to derivation model.

Conclusions

In a large population-based dataset incorporating a comprehensive set of perioperative variables, we have derived a clinical prediction model with excellent discrimination and calibration. This model identifies opportunities for targeted therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing CVICU readmissions in high-risk patients.
Randomized Controlled Trial of a Telephone-Based Peer-Support Program for Women Carrying aBRCA1orBRCA2Mutation: Impact on Psychological Distress
Authors: White Victoria M. , Young Mary-Anne , Farrelly Ashley , Meiser Bettina , Jefford Michael , Williamson Elizabeth , Ieropoli Sandra , Duffy Jessica , Winship Ingrid
Published: November 2014

Purpose

To assess the effectiveness of a telephone-based peer-delivered intervention in reducing distress among women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. The intervention involved trained peer volunteers contacting women multiple times over a 4-month period to provide informational, emotional, and practical support.

Methods

Three hundred thirty-seven participants completed the baseline questionnaire, and those reporting interest in talking to other mutation carriers were randomly assigned to either the usual care group (UCG; n = 102) or the intervention group (IG; n = 105). Participants and researchers were not blinded to group allocation. Two follow-up questionnaires were completed, one at the end of the intervention (4 months after random assignment, time 2) and one 2 months later (time 3). Outcomes included breast cancer distress (primary outcome), unmet information needs, cognitive appraisals about mutation testing, and feelings of isolation.

Results

There was a greater decrease in breast cancer distress scores in the IG than UCG at time 2 (mean difference, −5.96; 95% CI, −9.80 to −2.12; P = .002) and time 3 (mean difference, −3.94; 95% CI, −7.70 to −0.17; P = .04). There was a greater reduction in unmet information needs in the IG than UCG (P < .01), with unmet needs being lower in the IG than UCG at time 2. There was a greater reduction in Cognitive Appraisals About Genetic Testing stress subscale scores in the IG than UCG (P = .02), with significantly lower scores among the IG than UCG at time 2 (P < .01).

Conclusion

The intervention is effective in reducing distress and unmet information needs for this group of women. Identifying strategies for prolonging intervention effects is warranted.
Optimization of Rituximab for the Treatment of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (II): Extended Rituximab Exposure Time in the SMARTE-R-CHOP-14 Trial of the German High-Grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Study Group
Authors: Pfreundschuh Michael , Poeschel Viola , Zeynalova Samira , Hänel Mathias , Held Gerhard , Schmitz Norbert , Viardot Andreas , Dreyling Martin H. , Hallek Michael , Mueller Carsten , Wiesen Martin H.J. , Witzens-Harig Mathias , Truemper Lorenz , Keller Ulrich , Rixecker Tanja , Zwick Carsten , Murawski Niels
Published: November 2014

Purpose

To study pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and efficacy of prolonged rituximab exposure in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Patients and Methods

In the SMARTE-R-CHOP-14 trial, rituximab 375 mg/m2 was administered, together with six cycles of rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone on a 14-day schedule (6×R-CHOP-14), on days −4, 0, 10, 29, 57, 99, 155, and 239. Pharmacokinetics and outcome were to be compared with those of patients who had received 6×R-CHOP-14 in combination with eight 2-week applications of rituximab in the RICOVER-60 (Rituximab With CHOP Over Age 60 Years) trial.

Results

The complete response (CR)/unconfirmed CR rate was 85% in 189 evaluable patients, 90% for 90 good-prognosis patients (International Prognostic Index [IPI], 1 or 2), and 81% for 99 poor-prognosis patients (IPI, 3 to 5); 3-year event-free survival (EFS) was 71%, 75%, and 67%, respectively; and 3-year overall survival (OS) was 84%, 88%, and 80%, respectively, with no differences between men and women. The preplanned historical comparison with 306 RICOVER-60 patients (good prognosis, n = 183; poor prognosis, n = 123) revealed no outcome differences for all and good-prognosis patients; however, the longer exposure time in SMARTE-R-CHOP-14 compared with RICOVER-60 was associated with better 3-year EFS (67% v 54%) and OS (80% v 67%) in poor-prognosis patients.

Conclusion

Extended rituximab exposure compared with eight 2-week applications in combination with 6×R-CHOP-14 significantly improved outcome of elderly poor-prognosis patients without increasing toxicity. To our knowledge, results obtained with the SMARTE-R-CHOP-14 rituximab schedule are the best reported for elderly patients with DLBCL to date. In the subgroup of poor-prognosis patients treated with extended rituximab exposure, the outcome seemed superior to that of a similar historical cohort of patients treated with 6×R-CHOP-14 plus 2-week rituximab, with similar toxicity. A randomized comparison of the two schedules is warranted.
Evaluation of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Urological Association Renal Cell Carcinoma Surveillance Guidelines
Authors: Stewart Suzanne B. , Thompson R. Houston , Psutka Sarah P. , Cheville John C. , Lohse Christine M. , Boorjian Stephen A. , Leibovich Bradley C.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and American Urological Association (AUA) provide guidelines for surveillance after surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Herein, we assess the ability of the guidelines to capture RCC recurrences and determine the duration of surveillance required to capture 90%, 95%, and 100% of recurrences.

Patients and Methods

We evaluated 3,651 patients who underwent surgery for M0 RCC between 1970 and 2008. Patients were stratified as AUA low risk (pT1Nx-0) after partial (LR-partial) or radical nephrectomy (LR-radical) or as moderate/high risk (M/HR; pT2-4Nx-0/pTanyN1). Guidelines were assessed by calculating the percentage of recurrences detected when following the 2013 and 2014 NCCN and AUA recommendations, and associated Medicare costs were compared.

Results

At a median follow-up of 9.0 years (interquartile range, 5.7 to 14.4 years), a total of 1,088 patients (29.8%) experienced a recurrence. Of these, 390 recurrences (35.9%) were detected using 2013 NCCN recommendations, 742 recurrences (68.2%) were detected using 2014 NCCN recommendations, and 728 recurrences (66.9%) were detected using AUA recommendations. All protocols missed the greatest amount of recurrences in the abdomen and among pT1Nx-0 patients. To capture 95% of recurrences, surveillance was required for 15 years for LR-partial, 21 years for LR-radical, and 14 years for M/HR patients. Medicare surveillance costs for one LR-partial patient were $1,228.79 using 2013 NCCN, $2,131.52 using 2014 NCCN, and $1,738.31 using AUA guidelines. However, if 95% of LR-partial recurrences were captured, costs would total $9,856.82.

Conclusion

If strictly followed, the 2014 NCCN and AUA guidelines will miss approximately one third of RCC recurrences. Improved surveillance algorithms, which balance patient benefits and health care costs, are needed.
Hyperglycemic Clamp and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for 3-Year Prediction of Clinical Onset in Persistently Autoantibody-Positive Offspring and Siblings of Type 1 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Balti Eric V. , Vandemeulebroucke Evy , Weets Ilse , Van De Velde Ursule , Van Dalem Annelien , Demeester Simke , Verhaeghen Katrijn , Gillard Pieter , De Block Christophe , Ruige Johannes , Keymeulen Bart , Pipeleers Daniel G. , Decochez Katelijn , Gorus Frans K. ,   The Belgian Diabetes Registry
Published: November 2014

Context and Objective:

In preparation of future prevention trials, we aimed to identify predictors of 3-year diabetes onset among oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)- and hyperglycemic clamp-derived metabolic markers in persistently islet autoantibody positive (autoAb+) offspring and siblings of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Design:

The design is a registry-based study.

Setting:

Functional tests were performed in a hospital setting.

Participants:

Persistently autoAb+ first-degree relatives of patients with T1D (n = 81; age 5–39 years).

Main Outcome Measures:

We assessed 3-year predictive ability of OGTT- and clamp-derived markers using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and Cox regression analysis. Area under the curve of clamp-derived first-phase C-peptide release (AUC5–10min; min 5–10) was determined in all relatives and second-phase release (AUC120–150min; min 120–150) in those aged 12–39 years (n = 62).

Results:

Overall, the predictive ability of AUC5–10min was better than that of peak C-peptide, the best predictor among OGTT-derived parameters (ROC-AUC [95%CI]: 0.89 [0.80–0.98] vs 0.81 [0.70–0.93]). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and AUC5–10min provided the best combination of markers for prediction of diabetes within 3 years; (ROC-AUC [95%CI]: 0.92 [0.84–1.00]). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, AUC5–10min (P = .001) was the strongest independent predictor and interacted significantly with all tested OGTT-derived parameters. AUC5–10min below percentile 10 of controls was associated with 50–70% progression to T1D regardless of age. Similar results were obtained for AUC120–150min.

Conclusions:

Clamp-derived first-phase C-peptide release can be used as an efficient and simple screening strategy in persistently autoAb+ offspring and siblings of T1D patients to predict impending diabetes.
Excessive vascular sprouting underlies cerebral hemorrhage in mice lacking αVβ8-TGFβ signaling in the brain
Authors: Arnold Thomas D. , Niaudet Colin , Pang Mei-Fong , Siegenthaler Julie , Gaengel Konstantin , Jung Bongnam , Ferrero Gina M. , Mukouyama Yoh-suke , Fuxe Jonas , Akhurst Rosemary , Betsholtz Christer , Sheppard Dean , Reichardt Louis F.
Published: November 2014

Vascular development of the central nervous system and blood-brain barrier (BBB) induction are closely linked processes. The role of factors that promote endothelial sprouting and vascular leak, such as vascular endothelial growth factor A, are well described, but the factors that suppress angiogenic sprouting and their impact on the BBB are poorly understood. Here, we show that integrin αVβ8 activates angiosuppressive TGFβ gradients in the brain, which inhibit endothelial cell sprouting. Loss of αVβ8 in the brain or downstream TGFβ1-TGFBR2-ALK5-Smad3 signaling in endothelial cells increases vascular sprouting, branching and proliferation, leading to vascular dysplasia and hemorrhage. Importantly, BBB function in Itgb8 mutants is intact during early stages of vascular dysgenesis before hemorrhage. By contrast, Pdgfbret/ret mice, which exhibit severe BBB disruption and vascular leak due to pericyte deficiency, have comparatively normal vascular morphogenesis and do not exhibit brain hemorrhage. Our data therefore suggest that abnormal vascular sprouting and patterning, not BBB dysfunction, underlie developmental cerebral hemorrhage.
The cellular and molecular mechanisms of vertebrate lens development
Authors: Cvekl Aleš , Ashery-Padan Ruth
Published: November 2014

The ocular lens is a model system for understanding important aspects of embryonic development, such as cell specification and the spatiotemporally controlled formation of a three-dimensional structure. The lens, which is characterized by transparency, refraction and elasticity, is composed of a bulk mass of fiber cells attached to a sheet of lens epithelium. Although lens induction has been studied for over 100 years, recent findings have revealed a myriad of extracellular signaling pathways and gene regulatory networks, integrated and executed by the transcription factor Pax6, that are required for lens formation in vertebrates. This Review summarizes recent progress in the field, emphasizing the interplay between the diverse regulatory mechanisms employed to form lens progenitor and precursor cells and highlighting novel opportunities to fill gaps in our understanding of lens tissue morphogenesis.
Numerical Investigation of the Flameless Oxidation of Natural Gas in the IFRF Furnace Using Large Eddy Simulation
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Mahmood , Abolfazli-Esfahani Javad
Published: November 2014

In this paper, in order to investigate the effect of working parameters on 3D non-premixed Flameless oxidation occurring in the IFRF furnace, large eddy simulation model is applied on OpenFOAM environment. The radiation and combustion are modeled by applying the finite volume discrete ordinate model and partially stirred reactor, respectively. Furthermore the detailed mechanism GRI-2.11 is undertaken represent chemistry reactions. The obtained results are compared with the published experimental measurements. After ensuring the accuracy of the LES method, the combustion characteristics are examined with different fuel injection angles, adding H2O, H2, and the inlet Reynolds number. The results indicated significant changes in the characteristics of the Flameless oxidation process.
Case Report: "ADHD Trainer": the mobile application that enhances cognitive skills in ADHD patients
Authors: Ruiz-Manrique Gonzalo , Tajima-Pozo Kazuhiro , Montañes-Rada Francisco
Published: November 2014

We report the case of a 10 year old patient diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid video game addiction, who was treated with medication combined to a novel cognitive training method based on video games called TCT method. A great risk of developing video game or internet addiction has been reported in children, especially in children with ADHD. Despite this risk, we hypothesize that the good use of these new technologies might be useful to develop new methods of cognitive training. The cognitive areas in which a greater improvement was observed through the use of video games were the visuospatial working memory and fine motor skills. TCT method is a cognitive training method that enhances cognitive skills such as attention, working memory, processing speed, calculation ability, reasoning, and visuomotor coordination. The purpose of reviewing this case is to highlight that regular cognitive computerized training in ADHD patients can improve some of their cognitive symptoms and can help treating video game addition.
G-Links: a gene-centric link acquisition service
Authors: Oshita Kazuki , Tomita Masaru , Arakawa Kazuharu
Published: November 2014

With the availability of numerous curated databases, researchers are now able to efficiently use the multitude of biological data by integrating these resources via hyperlinks and cross-references. A large proportion of bioinformatics research tasks, however, may include labor-intensive tasks such as fetching, parsing, and merging datasets and functional annotations from distributed multi-domain databases. This data integration issue is one of the key challenges in bioinformatics. We aim to solve this problem with a service named G-Links, 1) by gathering resource URI information from 130 databases and 30 web services in a gene-centric manner so that users can retrieve all available links about a given gene, 2) by providing RESTful API for easy retrieval of links including facet searching based on keywords and/or predicate types, and 3) by producing a variety of outputs as visual HTML page, tab-delimited text, and in Semantic Web formats such as Notation3 and RDF. G-Links as well as other relevant documentation are available at http://link.g-language.org/
The Opportunities of Project Activity in Specialized Education
Authors: Иоффе  , Ioffe A.
Published: November 2014

The subject of project activity becomes very popular and actual after adoption of new educational standards in the Russian education system. At the

same time, disputes on terminology are proceeded, and there is no unity in understanding of essential elements of the project. Quite often projects

are understood as any creative work. The profile school pays special attention to the project conception. Therefore it is important to raise problematic

questions and try to answer them. This article is devoted to it.
Triggering Faultline Effects in Teams: The Importance of Bridging Friendship Ties and Breaching Animosity Ties
Authors: Ren Hong , Gray Barbara , Harrison David A.
Published: November 2014

We examine the complex effects of faultlines and network ties on team performance. By using panel data from 672 individuals in 148 research teams at a major U.S. university, we find that informal networks serve as triggers and dampeners of faultline effects. Team performance improved when friendship ties bridged the subgroups that were cleaved by existing faultlines but deteriorated when animosity ties breached the same subgroups. Overall, the results highlight the conceptual and empirical importance of (the location of) team members’ network patterns when studying how member composition influences team outcomes.
Early feeding protocol in elective colorectal surgery
Authors: Dummigan Charlotte
Published: November 2014

Modern, surgical, early feeding protocols recommend that patients eat within a few hours of having elective colorectal surgery. However, in clinical practice, compliance with this protocol has been poor. Nurses deliver the care and spend the most time with patients after surgery. Yet, very little research has been carried out on the nurses' perceptions toward the early feeding protocols. Since perceptions influence belief systems and behaviour, the aim of this research is to investigate whether there is a correlation between nurses' perceptions of the protocol and the consequent poor patient compliance with it.
Yo crezco, tú creces, él crece…Nuestra casa crece. Mecanismos de ampliación en la vivienda contemporánea.
Authors: Martín López Lucía
Published: November 2014

Alvar Aalto, Cedric Price, Jorn Utzon, Renzo Piano o Walter Gropius son algunos de los muchos arquitectos que en algún momento de su carrera han construido una casa crecedera, es decir, una unidad básica e incompleta que parte del desarrollo adaptativo y que por su tamaño se vuelve asequible en el mercado actual, abriendo así el proceso de proyecto y construcción a los usuarios. Cada arquitecto ha tenido distintas maneras de acercarse a este proceso en función del contexto y de las necesidades de los habitantes, consiguiendo así diferentes tipos de casas que crecen de múltiples formas. Este artículo se centra en la identificación de esos distintos mecanismos de ampliación para realizar una clasificación que tiene como objetivo entender por un lado el proceso del crecimiento desde el punto de vista morfológico a lo largo del último siglo y por otro indicar como las transformaciones de la vivienda afectan directamente a la imagen urbana.
La economía callejera en las ciudades contemporáneas. La redes efímeras de venta ambulante como modelo para la reconstrucción de lo urbano
Authors: Cervantes Corazzina Julia
Published: November 2014

Según Robert Neuwirth alrededor de 1.800 millones de personas trabajan en la economía informal, generando unos 10 billones de dólares anuales. Este autor afirma que si todas las personas vinculadas a dicho modelo económico se reunieran en un único país, éste sería la segunda potencia económica mundial. Junto a la importancia económica del modelo, su flexibilidad al contexto urbano es también destacable. La economía callejera, en particular, está vinculada a la construcción de redes urbanas complejas donde el individuo puede decidir y negociar. Este aspecto es lo que hace de este tipo de apropiación urbana una referencia fundamental para la innovación en la construcción de ciudad y, en especial, para el Urbanismo Táctico. En este artículo se analiza cómo las construcciones urbanas vinculadas a la economía callejera y a la venta ambulante se relacionan con los conceptos que diversos autores han empleado para definir las dinámicas contemporáneas. Primero se aborda la manera en que la venta ambulante teje, relaciona y transforma las redes urbanas existentes (sociales, productivas, económicas y de identidad) y busca su vínculo con los siguientes conceptos: ‘red’, ‘rizoma’, ‘radicante’, ‘punto de paso obligado’ y ‘hacker’. Seguidamente se reflexiona sobre la materialización de la economía informal en las ciudades actuales, relacionando este fenómeno con los siguientes conceptos: ‘el derecho a la ciudad’, ‘lo informal’, ‘TAZ’ y el urbanismo ‘emergente’, entre otros.
Highly Stable Organosilicon Electrolytes for Li-ion Batteries
Authors: West Robert , Hamers Robert , Usrey Monica , Pollina Michael , Johnson Tobias , Zhou Liu , Osmalov David , Peña-Hueso Adrián
Published: November 2014

During the last two decades, a large effort has been devoted to improve the safety and performance of Li-ion batteries. Current commercial electrolytes are based on highly flammable solvents that make them dangerous for certain applications. Organosilicon (OS) electrolytes are a good alternative to conventional carbonate electrolytes. Silatronix has developed many organosilanes containing ethylene oxide units for \(Li^+\) coordination. These OS have properties suitable for their use in electrolytes including high thermal stability, high flash point, low vapor pressure and relatively low viscosities. The OS electrolytes are less flammable than commercial electrolytes, hence improving the safety of the batteries and have shown a performance comparable with the current standard electrolytes when used in Li-ion coin cells. Fluoroorganosilanes (FOS) have been found to be the best candidates for commercial application and have been successfully tested in coin cells at high temperature.
Effect of Epoxomicin on 3D Neurosphere
Authors: Youssef Khaled , Salama Mohammed , Elhosseny Mohamed , Awad Bahaaeldin , Lotfy Ahmed , Elgamal Mohammed , Sheashaa Hussein , Sobh Mohammed
Published: November 2014

Developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) entails the toxic effects imparted by many chemicals on brain during early childhood. Various chemicals would have their maximum effects on brains during early childhood. Some toxicants have confirmed to induce developmental toxic effects on CNS. Most of agents cannot be identified with certainty due to the defective nature of predictive toxicology models used. A novel method that can overcome most of the limitations of conventional techniques is the use of 3D neurospheres system (in-vitro system can recapitulate most of the changes during the period of brain development making it an ideal model for predicting neurotoxic effects). In the present study we verified the possible DNT of epoxomicin which is a potent anti-tumor agent isolated from Actinomycetes that is used as a selective and irreversible inhibitor of the 20S proteasome with anti-inflammatory activity.

Methods
Rat neural progenitor cells were isolated from rat embryos (E14) extracted from placental tissue. Cortices were aseptically dissected from brains of the fetuses and the tissues were triturated by repeated passage through a fire-polished constricted Pasteur pipette. The dispersed tissues were allowed to settle for 3 min. The supernatant was then transferred to a fresh tube and centrifuged at 1,000 g for 5 min. The pellet was placed in Hanks balanced salt solution cultured as free-floating neurospheres in proliferation medium. Two doses of epoxomicin (1M and 10M) were used in cultured neurospheres for a period of 14 days. For proliferation analysis, spheres were cultured in proliferation medium. After 0,4,5,11 and 14 days, sphere size was determined by software analyses (CellProfiler, Broad Institute, www.cellprofiler.org) Diameter of each neurosphere was measured and exported as excel file to statistical analysis. For viability analysis, trypsin-EDTA solution were added to neurospheres for 3 min to dissociate them into single cells suspension, then viability was evaluated by the Trypan Blue exclusion test. Epoxomicin found to affect differentiation and viability of neurospheres, these effects were positively correlated to doses and progress of time.

Results
Epoxomicin found to affect proliferation and viability of neuropsheres.

Conclusion
The study confirms DNT of epoxomicin and suggests possible gross morphologic changes and the decrease in viability, it proposes possible focal lesions on exposure to epoxomicin in early childhood.
ALTERNATIVE SELECTION FUNCTIONS FOR INFORMATION SET MONTE CARLO TREE SEARCH
Authors: Lisy Viliam
Published: November 2014

We evaluate the performance of various selection methods for the Monte Carlo Tree Search algorithm in two-player zero-sum extensive-form games with imperfect information. We compare the standard Upper Confident Bounds applied to Trees (UCT) along with the less common Exponential Weights for Exploration and Exploitation (Exp3) and novel Regret matching (RM) selection in two distinct imperfect information games: Imperfect Information Goofspiel and Phantom Tic-Tac-Toe. We show that UCT after initial fast convergence towards a Nash equilibrium computes increasingly worse strategies after some point in time. This is not the case with Exp3 and RM, which also show superior performance in head-to-head matches.