bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post‐marketing surveillance study of the safety of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) or noninfectious posterior segment uveitis (NIPSU)
Authors: Gajate N.M. , Tufail A. , Lightman S. , Kamal A. , Pleyer U. , Dot C. , Li X.Y. , Jiao J. , Lou J. , Hashad Y.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the long‐term safety of DEX in patients treated for RVO‐related macular edema (ME) or NIPSU in clinical practice.

Methods

Multicenter (102 sites in France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom), prospective, observational, post‐authorization safety study in adult patients treated with DEX. Treatment and follow‐up were at physicians’ discretion. Data collected up to 2 years after enrollment included serious adverse events (SAEs) and adverse events of special interest (AESIs; adverse drug reactions with DEX as listed in the Summary of Product Characteristics).

Results

Overall, 753 patients (610 RVO, 143 NIPSU) received on‐study DEX treatment and 73.0% completed 24 months follow‐up; 74.0% had not used DEX previously. Median number of on‐study injections per treated eye was 2 (range, 1–7) with median re‐injection interval of 27 weeks; 36.4% of patients received >2 injections. Non‐ocular SAEs affected 8.9% of patients; none were considered related to DEX. Ocular SAEs (most common: cataract progression) were reported in 3.4% of treated eyes. Non‐ocular and ocular SAEs were similar in eyes stratified by previous DEX use and number of on‐study DEX injections (≤2 or >2), regardless of indication (RVO or NIPSU). The most common AESIs reported were increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in 19.3% of treated eyes, cataract progression and cataract formation in 19.5% and 19.3% of treated phakic eyes (n=528), and vitreous hemorrhage in 3.2% of treated eyes. Cataract progression and vitreous hemorrhage were more frequent in eyes that received >2 DEX injections. Among eyes with RVO, cataract progression was more frequent in eyes previously treated with DEX.

Conclusions

The long‐term safety profile of DEX was acceptable. The 2‐year incidence of cataract and increased IOP was lower than previously reported (LOUVRE study). No new safety concerns were identified.
Intravitreal ranibizumab treatment in choroidal neovascularization secondary to ocular toxoplasmosis in children
Authors: Sánchez Marín J.I. , Idoate Domench A. , Pérez Navarro I. , Berniolles Alcalde J. , Bartolomé Sesé S. , López Sangrós I. , Marco Monzón S. , Ibáñez Alperte J. , Ascaso Puyuelo F.J.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Choroidal neovascularization associated to ocular toxoplasmosis is a known complication of the disease. The important role that the intravitreal anti‐VEGF therapy plays on the CNV has been well‐established. Also, the efficacy of the treatment in CNV secondary to ocular toxoplasmosis in adult patients it has been long described, however there are not cases reported in young patients. The purpose is to describe the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab in CNV secondary to ocular toxoplasmosis in children.

Methods

We present the case of an 8‐year‐old patient with history of ocular toxoplasmosis comes to the hospital with a sudden loss of visual acuity in the right eye (BCVA: 20/200). The fundoscopy shows an old toxoplasmosis scar associated with new perilesional hemorrhages and macular edema. We confirmed these lesions with a SS‐OCT which demonstrated the subretinal fluid associated with a RPE disruption and foveal fibrosis. CNV presence was suggested due to these retinal changes and we decided to treat with intravitreal injections of ranibizumab and anti‐parasitic treatment.

Results

After three injections of ranibizumab and 6 months of follow up, all the CNV signs have disapeared and the patient has a good recovery of the visual acuity (BCVA: 20/25).

Conclusions

Intravitreal ranibizumab may be an effective treatment in CNV secondary to ocular toxoplasmosis also in children. In our case, three injections of ranibizumab controlled the secondary CNV, however it is necessary long‐term studies to determinate the effectivity and frequency of the treatment in these patients.
Macular study on SD‐OCT in sarcoidosis uveitis at active and sequelae phases
Authors: Bouladi M. , Nafaa F. , Bouraoui R. , Limaiem R. , Chaker N. , Mghaieth F. , El Matri L.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To study macular involvement on SD‐OCT in sarcoidosis uveitis at active and sequelae phases.

Methods

Twenty‐nine eyes of 16 patients with sarcoidosis uveitis were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination completed with fluorescein angiography and SD‐OCT to assess macular involvement at active and sequelae phases of the disease.

Results

The mean age was 44,6 ± 12,4 years. There were 8 men and 8 women. 19 eyes were assessed by SD‐OCT at the active phase and 10 eyes at the sequelae phase. At the active phase, SD‐OCT showed macular involvement in 9 (47,3%) eyes which consisted in cystoid macular edema in 5 eyes with serous retinal detachement in 3 eyes, epiretinal memebrane in 2 eyes and macular thinning in 2 eyes. At the sequelae phase, macular involvement was observed in 5 (50%) eyes which consisted in cystoid macular edema in 2 eyes, epiretinal membrane in 2 eyes and macular thinning in one eye.

Conclusions

Macular involvement in sarcoidosis uveitis is common. Cystoid macular edema was the most frequent macular complication. Epiretinal membrane can be seen either in the initial presentation or during follow‐up as a sequelae of the disease. Macular atrophy may be a complication of sarcoidosis uveitis at the active and squelae phases. Macular thinning and, more importantly, photoreceptor degeneration are serious sequelae of this process. OCT can help identify abnormality of the ellipsoid zone.
Stigmatic exudate in the Annonaceae: Pollinator reward, pollen germination medium or extragynoecial compitum?
Authors: Lau Jenny Y. Y. , Pang Chun‐Chiu , Ramsden Lawrence , Saunders Richard M. K.
Published: September 2017

Although “dry‐type” stigmas are widely regarded as ancestral in angiosperms, the early‐divergent family Annonaceae has copious stigmatic exudate. We evaluate three putative functions for this exudate: as a nutritive reward for pollinators; as a pollen germination medium; and as an extragynoecial compitum that enables pollen tube growth between carpels. Stigmatic exudate is fructose dominated (72.2%), but with high levels of glucose and sucrose; the dominance of hexose sugars and the diversity of amino acids observed, including many that are essential for insects, support a nutritive role for pollinators. Sugar concentration in pre‐receptive flowers is high (28.2%), falling during the peak period of stigmatic receptivity (17.4%), and then rising again toward the end of the pistillate phase (32.9%). Pollen germination was highest in sugar concentrations <20%. Sugar concentrations during the peak pistillate phase therefore provide optimal osmolarity for pollen hydration and germination; subsequent changes in sugar concentration during anthesis reinforce protogyny (in which carpels mature before stamens), enabling the retention of concentrated exudate into the staminate phase as a pollinator food reward without the possibility of pollen germination. Intercarpellary growth of pollen tubes was confirmed: the exudate therefore also functions as a suprastylar extragynoecial compitum, overcoming the limitations of apocarpy.
Consumer Concerns Relating to Food Labeling and Trust—Australian Governance Actors Respond
Authors: Tonkin Emma , Coveney John , Webb Trevor , Wilson Annabelle M. , Meyer Samantha B.
Published: September 2017

This study aims to report and critically analyze the responses of governance actors to a set of consumers' concerns relating to food labeling, and by doing so describe how these actors construct both consumer perspectives and the food policy environment in which they work. Fifteen food‐labeling governance actors in Australia and New Zealand were asked to view an online presentation of the findings from a previous study exploring consumer perspectives on food labeling and trust before completing a one‐hour, in‐depth, semi‐structured interview. Colebatch's social constructionist perspective on policy was adopted in the analysis. Participants used their own constructions of Australian food policy, the role of labeling and consumer trust as a means to minimize the consumer concerns. Inadequate critical engagement with the moral dimension of consumer concerns is a core driver of the inertia demonstrated in the Australian government's approach to addressing consumer concerns regarding food matters.
Antioxidant activity of oleuropein and semisynthetic acetyl-derivatives determined by measuring malondialdehyde in rat brain
Authors: Rizzo Milena , Ventrice Domenica , Giannetto Francesca , Cirinnà Salvatore , Santagati Natale Alfredo , Procopio Antonio , Mollace Vincenzo , Muscoli Carolina
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of natural and semisynthetic polyphenol derivatives from Olea europea L., by assessing malondialdehyde (MDA), an important marker of oxidative stress.

Methods

Polyphenol as hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, oleuropein aglycone as mix of four tautomeric forms and their respective acetyl-derivatives were obtained from olive leaves using semisynthetic protocols. These compounds were administered intraperitoneally to Wistar rats treated with paraquat, an herbicide which is able to cause oxidative stress after central administration.

Malondialdehyde was derivatized with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to produce hydrazone that was purified by solid-phase extraction. Using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array, free and total MDA was measured on homogenate rat brain as marker of lipid peroxidation. The analytical method was fully validated and showed linearity in the tested concentration range, with detection limit of 5 ng/ml. Recovery ranged from 94.1 to 105.8%.

Key findings

Both natural and semisynthetic polyphenol derivatives from a natural source as olive leaves were able to reduce MDA detection. The more lipophilic acetyl-derivatives showed an antioxidant activity greater than parent compounds. This potency seems to put in evidence a strict correlation between lipophilicity and bioavailability.
Rémi Brague and this Extraordinary Use of ‘Believe’
Authors: Lomas Andrew
Published: September 2017

Rémi Brague in On the God of the Christians gives a defence of the validity of faith against modern presumption that science supplies the model for all knowledge. Brague argues that since God is superpersonal, faith must know God in the way we know persons. Personal knowledge requires the connaturality of a loving will: hence faith in God requires love, utterly unlike any scientific knowledge. In criticism, it is suggested that love is essentially motivated by its object's value, and so presupposes knowledge of the object. What is crucial in faith is not the love the subject brings but the demands of a supremely valuable reality. Since faith is, in the broadest sense, experiential, it has points of contact with scientific rationality.
News at a glance
Authors: Gramling Carolyn
Published: September 2017

A roundup of weekly science policy and related news.
Billionaire's gift pushes ocean sensors deeper
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: September 2017

With $4 million from Paul Allen, Deep Argo expands its search for hidden ocean heat.
Zapping cocaine addiction
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: September 2017

Powerful magnetic pulses that modify brain activity may loosen the drug's grip.
Queuing up for resistance testing
Authors: Dupnik Kathryn
Published: September 2017

Antibiotic resistance in
Escherichia coli
can be assessed by real-time imaging of bacterial replication in a microfluidics system.
HLA-B*14:02-Restricted Env-Specific CD8+T-Cell Activity Has Highly Potent Antiviral Efficacy Associated with Immune Control of HIV Infection
Authors: Leitman Ellen M. , Willberg Christian B. , Tsai Ming-Han , Chen Huabiao , Buus Søren , Chen Fabian , Riddell Lynn , Haas David , Fellay Jacques , Goedert James J. , Piechocka-Trocha Alicja , Walker Bruce D. , Martin Jeffrey , Deeks Steven , Wolinsky Steven M. , Martinson Jeremy , Martin Maureen , Qi Ying , Sáez-Cirión Asier , Yang Otto O. , Matthews Philippa C. , Carrington Mary , Goulder Philip J. R.
Published: September 2017

Immune control of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection is typically associated with effective Gag-specific CD8+T-cell responses. We here focus on HLA-B*14, which protects against HIV disease progression, but the immunodominant HLA-B*14-restricted anti-HIV response is Env specific (ERYLKDQQL, HLA-B*14-EL9). A subdominant HLA-B*14-restricted response targets Gag (DRYFKTLRA, HLA-B*14-DA9). Using HLA-B*14/peptide-saporin-conjugated tetramers, we show that HLA-B*14-EL9 is substantially more potent at inhibiting viral replication than HLA-B*14-DA9. HLA-B*14-EL9 also has significantly higher functional avidity (P< 0.0001) and drives stronger selection pressure on the virus than HLA-B*14-DA9. However, these differences were HLA-B*14 subtype specific, applying only to HLA-B*14:02 and not to HLA-B*14:01. Furthermore, the HLA-B*14-associated protection against HIV disease progression is significantly greater for HLA-B*14:02 than for HLA-B*14:01, consistent with the superior antiviral efficacy of the HLA-B*14-EL9 response. Thus, although Gag-specific CD8+T-cell responses may usually have greater anti-HIV efficacy, factors independent of protein specificity, including functional avidity of individual responses, are also critically important to immune control of HIV.

IMPORTANCEIn HIV infection, although cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) play a potentially critical role in eradication of viral reservoirs, the features that constitute an effective response remain poorly defined. We focus on HLA-B*14, unique among HLAs associated with control of HIV in that the dominant CTL response is Env specific, not Gag specific. We demonstrate that Env-specific HLA-B*14-restricted activity is substantially more efficacious than the subdominant HLA-B*14-restricted Gag response. Env immunodominance over Gag and strong Env-mediated selection pressure on HIV are observed only in subjects expressing HLA-B*14:02, and not HLA-B*14:01. This reflects the increased functional avidity of the Env response over Gag, substantially more marked for HLA-B*14:02. Finally, we show that HLA-B*14:02 is significantly more strongly associated with viremic control than HLA-B*14:01. These findings indicate that, although Gag-specific CTL may usually have greater anti-HIV efficacy than Env responses, factors independent of protein specificity, including functional avidity, may carry greater weight in mediating effective control of HIV.
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy as an effective approach to massive bilateral pheochromocytomas
Authors: Martins Diana , Rodrigues Dírcea , Melo Miguel , Carrilho Francisco
Published: September 2017

Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine-secreting neoplasms, arising from adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. In type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN2) syndrome, pheochromocytomas are usually benign but with predisposition to be bilateral (50%–80% of cases).

The authors present the case of a young patient diagnosed with uncommonly large bilateral cystic pheochromocytomas and simultaneous detection of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Molecular testing confirmed germlineRETcodon C634 mutation, consistent with MEN2A syndrome. The patient underwent bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy plus total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection without associated complications. The histopathological study of the surgical specimens revealed bilateral benign pheochromocytomas (Ki67 of 2%) and a medullary carcinoma of the thyroid T1bN0M0; R0, respectively. One year after surgery, the patient was considered free of disease.

This case demonstrates that bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be a safe and feasible approach for phechromocytomas in MEN2 syndrome, even in lesions with large diameter. However, due to elevated possibility of recurrence, patients should maintain lifelong follow-up.
Transfer Learning for Cross-Project Change-Proneness Prediction in Object-Oriented Software Systems
Authors: Kumar Lov , Behera Ranjan Kumar , Rath Santanu , Sureka Ashish
Published: September 2017

Change-prone classes or modules are defined as regions of the source code which are more likely to change as a result of a software development of maintenance activity. Automatic identification of change-prone classes are useful for the software development team as they can focus their testing efforts on areas within the source code which are more likely to change. Several machine learning techniques have been proposed for predicting change-prone classes based on the application of source code metrics as indicators. However, most of the work has focused on within-project training and model building. There are several real word scenario in which sufficient training dataset is not available for model building such as in the case of a new project. Cross-project prediction is an approach which consists of training a model from dataset belonging to one project and testing it on dataset belonging to a different project. Cross-project change-proneness prediction is relatively unexplored.

We propose a machine learning based approach for cross-project change-proneness prediction. We conduct experiments on 10 open-source Eclipse plug-ins and demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach. We frame several research questions comparing the performance of within project and cross project prediction and also propose a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based approach for identifying the best set of source code metrics. We conclude that for within project experimental setting, Random Forest (RF) technique results in the best precision. In case of cross-project change-proneness prediction, our analysis reveals that the NDTF ensemble method performs higher than other individual classifiers (such as decision tree and logistic regression) and ensemble methods in the experimental dataset. We conduct a comparison of within-project, cross-project without GA and cross-project with GA and our analysis reveals that cross-project with GA performs best followed by within-project and then cross-project without GA.
Restructuring of Object-Oriented Software Through Cohesion Improvement Using Frequent Usage Patterns
Authors: Rathee Amit , Chhabra Jitender Kumar
Published: September 2017

Due to wide adoption of object-oriented programming in software development, there is always a requirement to produce well-designed software systems, so that the overall software maintenance cost is reduced and reusability of the component is increased. But, due to prolonged maintenance activities, the internal structure of software system deteriorates. In this situation, restructuring is a widely used solution to improve the overall internal structure of the system without changing its external behavior. As, it is known that, one technique to perform restructuring is to use refactoring on the existing source code to alter its internal structure without modifying its external functionality. However, the refactoring solely depends on our ability to identify various code smells present in the system. Refactoring aims at improving cohesion and reducing coupling in the software system. So, in this paper, a restructuring approach based on refactoring is proposed through improvement in cohesion. This paper focuses on improving the cohesion of different classes of object-oriented software using a newly proposed similarity metric based on Frequent Usage Patterns (FUP). The proposed similarity metric measure the relatedness among member functions of the classes. The metric makes use of FUPs used by member functions. The FUP consists of unordered sequences of member variables accessed by member function in performing its task. The usage pattern includes both direct and indirect usages based on sub-function calls within a member function. Based on the values of the similarity metric, we performed hierarchical agglomerative clustering using complete linkage strategy to cluster member functions. Finally, based on the clusters obtained, the source code of the software is refactored using proposed refactoring algorithm. The applicability of our proposed approach is tested using two java projects related to different domains of real life. The result obtained encourages the applicability of proposed approach in the restructuring of a software system.patterns, refactoring, hierarchical clustering, maintainability. usage patterns, refactoring, hierarchical clustering, maintainability.
Mild Cognitive Impairment and Progression to Dementia in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Pilotto Andrea , Gazzina Stefano , Benussi Alberto , Manes Marta , Dell'Era Valentina , Cristillo Viviana , Cosseddu Maura , Turrone Rosanna , Alberici Antonella , Padovani Alessandro , Borroni Barbara
Published: September 2017

Background: Cognitive deficits are common in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), but their relevance and the progression to dementia are still poorly described. The recently revised criteria for PSP consider cognitive dysfunction in the diagnostic work-up. Methods: The study retrospectively evaluated a series of 99 PSP patients with Richardson syndrome (PSP-RS), subgrouped according to cognitive and behavioural performances into PSP with normal cognition (PSP-NC), PSP with mild cognitive impairment (PSP-MCI), and PSP with dementia (PSP-D). The progression to dementia at the 3-year follow-up was assessed. Results: At baseline, 15.2% of patients were classified as PSP-NC, 43.4% as PSP-MCI, and 41.4% as PSP-D. During the 3-year follow-up, 21 out of 29 patients, previously classified as PSP-NC or PSP-MCI, converted to dementia, with an incidence rate of 241 per 1,000 patients/year. Nineteen out of 21 PSP patients (90%) developed the behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia phenotype. The only factor associated with conversion to dementia was MCI diagnosis at baseline (p = 0.023). Conclusion: Cognitive decline occurs in a great proportion of PSP-RS patients early during the disease course. In the absence of a specific phenotype, the diagnosis of MCI might identify PSP patients at greatest risk of developing dementia and should be considered further in the diagnostic assessment.
The Association of Combined Total Kidney and Liver Volume with Pain and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients with Later Stage Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: D'Agnolo Hedwig M.A. , Casteleijn Niek F. , Gevers Tom J.G. , de Fijter Hans , van Gastel Maartje D.A. , Messchendorp Annemarie L. , Peters Dorien J.M. , Salih Mahdi , Soonawala Darius , Spithoven Edwin M. , Visser Folkert W. , Wetzels Jack F.M. , Zietse Robert , Gansevoort Ron T. , Drenth Joost P.H.
Published: September 2017

Background: There is an ongoing debate if and how kidney and liver volume are associated with pain and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients. Since both kidney and liver volume could interact, we investigated whether combined total kidney and liver volume had stronger associations with ADPKD-related pain and GI symptoms than the volumes of the organs separately. Methods: We used baseline data from the DIPAK-1 study, which included ADPKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. MR imaging was performed to measure height-adjusted total kidney volume (hTKV), height-adjusted total liver volume (hTLV) and the combination of both (height-adjusted total kidney liver volume [hTKLV]). Results: Three hundred nine ADPKD patients were included with a mean age of 48 ± 7 years, 53% female, eGFR 50 ± 11 mL/min/1.73 m2 and median hTKV, hTLV and hTKLV of 1,095 (758-1,669), 1,173 (994-1,523) and 2,496 (1,972-3,352) mL/m, respectively. ADPKD-related pain and GI symptoms were present in, respectively, 27.5 and 61.2% of patients. Gender was no effect modifier in the association between kidney and/or liver volume, and symptom burden, indicating that all models could be tested in the overall study population. hTKLV and hTLV were significantly associated with pain and GI symptoms, whereas hTKV was not. Model testing revealed that the associations of pain and GI symptoms with hTKLV were significantly stronger than with hTKV (p = 0.04 and p = 0.04, respectively) but not when compared to hTLV (p = 0.2 and p = 0.5, respectively). Conclusions: This study indicates that combined kidney and liver volume was associated with the presence and severity of pain and GI symptoms in ADPKD, with a more prominent role for hTLV than for hTKV.
Modulating Cytotoxic Effector Functions by Fc Engineering to Improve Cancer Therapy
Authors: Kellner Christian , Otte Anna , Cappuzzello Elisa , Klausz Katja , Peipp Matthias
Published: September 2017

In the last two decades, monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the therapy of cancer patients. Although antibody therapy has continuously been improved, still a significant number of patients do not benefit from antibody therapy. Therefore, rational optimization of the antibody molecule by Fc engineering represents a major area of translational research to further improve this potent therapeutic option. Monoclonal antibodies are able to trigger a variety of effector mechanisms. Especially Fc-mediated effector functions such as antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), and complement- dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) are considered important in antibody therapy of cancer. Novel mechanistic insights into the action of monoclonal antibodies allowed the development of various Fc engineering approaches to modulate antibodies' effector functions. Strategies in modifying the Fc glycosylation profile (Fc glyco-engineering) or approaches in engineering the protein backbone (Fc protein engineering) have been intensively evaluated. In the current review, Fc engineering strategies resulting in improved ADCC, ADCP and CDC activity are summarized and discussed.
First record of the genus Adipicola (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Mytilidae) and description of a new species from the Argentine SW Atlantic Ocean
Authors: SIGNORELLI JAVIER H. , CRESPO ENRIQUE
Published: September 2017

This work describes a new species of a whale fall mytilid, Adipicola leticiae n. sp., which was found on the skull of a sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis, collected by a trawling vessel off the Gulf of San Jorge, Argentina. The species represents the first record of a deep water mytilid living on organic remains from the Argentine Sea. The new species is characterized by its combination of an elongated and fragile shell of up to 20 mm in length, lack of periostracal hair, lack of hinge teeth and crenulations, and its straight ventral margin. Adipicola leticiae is morphologically compared to other Bathymodiolinae. Current problems of delimiting Adipicola from Idas and Terua are outlined.
Entrainment versus Dilution in Tropical Deep Convection
Authors: Hannah Walter M.
Published: September 2017

The distinction between entrainment and dilution is investigated with cloud-resolving simulations of deep convection in a tropical environment. A method for estimating the rate of dilution by entrainment and detrainment is presented and calculated for a series of bubble simulations with a range of initial radii. Entrainment generally corresponds to dilution of convection, but the two quantities are not well correlated. Core dilution by entrainment is significantly reduced by the presence of a shell of moist air around the core. Dilution by entrainment also increases with increasing updraft velocity but only for sufficiently strong updrafts. Entrainment contributes significantly to the total net dilution, but detrainment and the various source/sink terms play large roles depending on the variable in question. Detrainment has a concentrating effect on average that balances out the dilution by entrainment. The experiments are also used to examine whether entrainment or dilution scale with cloud radius. The results support a weak negative relationship for dilution but not for entrainment. The sensitivity to resolution is briefly discussed. A toy Lagrangian thermal model is used to demonstrate the importance of the cloud shell as a thermodynamic buffer to reduce the dilution of the core by entrainment. The results suggest that explicit cloud heterogeneity may be a useful consideration for future convective parameterization development.
A Comparison of Mixture Modeling Approaches in Latent Class Models With External Variables Under Small Samples
Authors: No Unkyung , Hong Sehee
Published: September 2017

The purpose of the present study is to compare performances of mixture modeling approaches (i.e., one-step approach, three-step maximum-likelihood approach, three-step BCH approach, and LTB approach) based on diverse sample size conditions. To carry out this research, two simulation studies were conducted with two different models, a latent class model with three predictor variables and a latent class model with one distal outcome variable. For the simulation, data were generated under the conditions of different sample sizes (100, 200, 300, 500, 1,000), entropy (0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9), and the variance of a distal outcome (homoscedasticity, heteroscedasticity). For evaluation criteria, parameter estimates bias, standard error bias, mean squared error, and coverage were used. Results demonstrate that the three-step approaches produced more stable and better estimations than the other approaches even with a small sample size of 100. This research differs from previous studies in the sense that various models were used to compare the approaches and smaller sample size conditions were used. Furthermore, the results supporting the superiority of the three-step approaches even in poorly manipulated conditions indicate the advantage of these approaches.
Forced urbanisation: A cross-national assessment of the effects of intranational political violence on a nation’s largest cities
Authors: Anthony Robert M , Robison Kristopher K
Published: September 2017

This article offers a ‘first step’ toward understanding the consequences of intranational political violence on the growth of a nation’s largest cities. Theory and research from studies on forced migration and internal displacement are used to construct several hypotheses that assess the impact that various forms of intranational political violence have on the growth of major urban areas within the developing world. Hypotheses are tested using a cross-national time-series sample of 85 developing nations from 1974 to 2005. The results provide strong empirical evidence that various forms of intranational political violence are significantly related to population growth amongst a nation’s largest cities. Specifically, attacks on government personnel are associated with an increase in population growth among a nation’s largest cities. Violence targeting civilians are associated with decelerated growth in a nation’s largest city but increased growth in major secondary cities. Finally, increases in the intensity and duration of civil wars are associated with decreases in population among secondary cities but exhibit a curvilinear growth pattern in a nation’s largest city (i.e. an increase then decrease). It is argued that the findings are at least partially explained by the ‘spatial logics’ that arise from a given form of political violence. It is concluded that more attention should be given to studying the consequences of political violence on the urbanisation process for rapidly urbanising nations.
Unveiling the Factors Affecting Profitability of Reinsurance Companies
Authors: Sidhu Amarjit Singh , Verma Neha
Published: September 2017

General Insurance Corporation or GIC Re is a quintessential reinsurer of India. The company is among the premier financial institutions of the country. It has been the only domestic reinsurer of India since many years. Recently from December 2016, with the approval of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), many unassailable international reinsurers have made their foray into the Indian market. Besotted by the recent supple regulations of the Indian reinsurance market, many other international reinsurers are interested to carve a niche in the Indian market. As such it becomes imperative to keep an eye on our own unfettered reinsurer which has to confront the competition posed by these highly adept reinsurers in the changing scenario. In this article, an attempt is made to ascertain the factors affecting the profitability of GIC Re. Profitability has been chosen as it is often considered as the salient parameter of a company’s success. For this purpose, Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model has been used on the quarterly data of GIC Re from 2005 to 2016. It is found that investment income, underwriting profitability and premium growth significantly affect the profitability of GIC Re both in the short and long run.
Information and timing of new product preannouncement and firm value
Authors: Yang Chi-Lin , Lin Tsai-Yin , Chen Chien-Wei , Chiang Min-Hsien
Published: September 2017

This study investigates how both the amount of information provided in and the timing of new product preannouncements (NPPAs) influence firm value over the NPPA period, the new product introduction (NPI) period and in the long term, respectively. We adopt an information economics perspective, and signalling theory in particular, to motivate our tests. The findings show that the share price impact of the product information content varies over the different time horizons assessed. It is positive within the NPPA period and in the long term, but insignificant within the NPI period. The use of an early NPPA is associated with a negative impact on firm value across the NPPA, NPI and long-term horizons. We also test for moderating effects and show that earlier timing weakens the positive impacts of information amount on firm value both within the NPPA period and the long-term horizon.
To Assess the Success of Computerized Order Sets and Pharmacy Education Modules in Improving Antiretroviral Prescribing
Authors: Mehta Dhara , Kohn Bella , Blumenfeld Michael , Horowitz Harold W.
Published: September 2017

Purpose:

To assess the success of order set and pharmacist training improvement (OSPTI) in improving prescription of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a tertiary care, public, teaching hospital.

Methods:

In this pre-OSPTI (January 2012 through June 2013) and post-OSPTI study (July 2013 through September 2014), an infectious disease pharmacist reviewed all patients on ART. A review of intervention data in July 2013 led to order-set changes in the hospital’s computerized order entry system for frequently intervened on antiretrovirals: ritonavir, tenofovir, emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF), and lamivudine. Concurrently, case-based education modules were conducted to help pharmacists identify ART errors. The number of patients on ART, number of interventions, and types of ritonavir interventions were compared between pre- and post-OSPTI periods.

Results:

In the pre-OSPTI period, an average of 239 patients were reviewed per quarter compared to an average of 216 per quarter in the post-OSPTI period. After implementing enhanced order sets, the number of interventions decreased by approximately 34% ( P < .0001). The number of ritonavir interventions decreased on average by 45% ( P < .0001), although the types of ritonavir interventions were similar.

Conclusion:

Enhanced antiretroviral order sets and pharmacy education modules improved ART prescription by reducing the overall number of antiretroviral interventions required per quarter. This modality was effective in improving prescribing of ART and reducing the need for pharmacist interventions.
Response of an oblique shock train to downstream periodic pressure perturbations
Authors: Cheng Chuan , Wang Chengpeng , Cheng Keming
Published: September 2017

An experimental investigation of the response of an oblique shock train to downstream periodic pressure perturbations was conducted. The oblique shock train is generated in a Mach 2.7 ducted flow and controlled by a downstream elliptical shaft. Cyclic rotating of the shaft leads to a periodic oscillatory motion of the oblique shock train. Six cases of perturbation frequency are studied. The results indicate that the downstream pressure perturbations propagate upstream to cause the oblique shock train to oscillate with a translational motion back and forth and the wall pressure to fluctuate with the same frequency. There is no distinct relative motion between the first oblique shock and the second shock during the motion process of the oblique shock train. The entire oblique shock train exhibits its behaviour of rigid motion and the strength of the first oblique shock of the oblique shock train is nearly stable during its periodic motion. There is a clear hysteresis effect in that the oblique shock train travels along a different path for the upstream and downstream motions. A simple analytical model was built based on these experimental data to analyse the oblique shock train dynamics.
Judge discourse moves that enact and endanger procedural justice
Authors: Tracy Karen , Hodge Danielle
Published: September 2017

In this article we identify discourse moves in small claims court that have the potential to affect procedural justice – the sense that a litigant has been treated fairly and respectfully. We focus on what judges do as they address three communicative challenges that are part of small claims court judging: (1) handling the potential for appeal, (2) keeping trials short while treating litigants fairly and (3) managing the paradox of informal justice. After providing background on procedural justice and how it links to facework, and describing small claims court procedures and research, we characterize the trial data and our discourse approach. Then we explicate the discourse moves judges employed to address each of the communication challenges. This article concludes by suggesting the likely consequences of judges’ moves for litigants’ perceptions of procedural justice.
Semi-strong Form Market Efficiency in Stock Markets with Low Levels of Trading Activity: Evidence from Stock Price Reaction to Major National and International Events
Authors: Robinson C. Justin , Bangwayo-Skeete Prosper
Published: September 2017

This study uses the event study methodology to explore semi-strong form market efficiency in the context of low levels of trading activity. Covering six frontier stock markets, it investigates stock price reaction to major national news events that include natural disasters, parliamentary elections and credit rating reviews and the international events such as international terrorist incidents, major events surrounding the 2007/2008 sub-prime mortgage crisis and the United Kingdom’s referendum on membership in the European Union (Brexit). The results of the event studies, which feature a correction for low levels of trading activity, show that in sharp contrast with more actively traded markets, stock prices on markets with relatively low levels of trading activity did not react to the vast majority of major news events, and only tended to react to rare events with major consequences. Usually, where stock prices reacted to a news event, the reaction was significantly delayed, which is inconsistent with semi-strong form market efficiency. The implication is that low levels of trading activity may be associated with semi-strong form inefficiency, and stock prices in such markets may not fully reflect all relevant available information, and may be of limited value to a variety of decision-makers.
The Effects of Expertise and Social Status on Team Member Influence and the Moderating Roles of Intragroup Conflicts
Authors: Hong Woonki , Zhang Lu , Gang Kwangwook , Choi Boreum
Published: September 2017

Drawing on expectation states theory and expertise utilization literature, we examine the effects of team members’ actual expertise and social status on the degree of influence they exert over team processes via perceived expertise. We also explore the conditions under which teams rely on perceived expertise versus social status in determining influence relationships in teams. To do so, we present a contingency model in which the salience of expertise and social status depends on the types of intragroup conflicts. Using multiwave survey data from 50 student project teams with 320 members at a large national research institute located in South Korea, we found that both actual expertise and social status had direct and indirect effects on member influence through perceived expertise. Furthermore, perceived expertise at the early stage of team projects is driven by social status, whereas perceived expertise at the later stage of a team project is mainly driven by actual expertise. Finally, we found that members who are being perceived as experts are more influential when task conflict is high or when relationship conflict is low. We discuss the implications of these findings for research and practice.
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Esophageal Cancer: Review of the Literature and Institutional Experience
Authors: Yamamoto Maki , Weber Jill M. , Karl Richard C. , Meredith Kenneth L.
Published: September 2017

Background

Esophageal cancer represents a major public health problem in the world. Several minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) techniques have been described and represent a safe alternative for the surgical management of esophageal cancer in selected centers with high volume and surgeons experienced in minimally invasive procedures.

Methods

The authors reviewed the most recent and largest studies published in the medical literature that reported the outcomes for MIE techniques.

Results

In larger series, MIE has proven to be equivalent in postoperative morbidity and mortality to the open esophagectomy. However, MIE has been associated with less blood loss, reduced postoperative pain, decreased time in the intensive care unit, and shortened length of hospital stay compared with the conventional open approaches. Despite limited data, no significant difference in survival stage for stage has been observed between open esophagectomy and MIE.

Conclusions

The myriad of MIE techniques complicates the debate for defining the optimal surgical approach for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Randomized controlled trials comparing MIE with conventional open esophagectomy are needed to clarify the ideal procedure with the lowest postoperative morbidity, best quality of life after surgery, and long-term survival.
Practice patterns of retrievable inferior vena cava filters and predictors of filter retrieval in patients with pulmonary embolism
Authors: Kang Jieun , Ko Heung-Kyu , Shin Ji Hoon , Ko Gi-Young , Jo Kyung-Wook , Huh Jin Won , Oh Yeon-Mok , Lee Sang-Do , Lee Jae Seung
Published: September 2017

Retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are increasingly used in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) who have contraindications to anticoagulant therapy. However, previous studies have shown that many retrievable filters are left permanently in patients. This study aimed to identify the common indications for IVC filter insertion, the filter retrieval rate, and the predictive factors for filter retrieval attempts. To this end, a retrospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary care center in South Korea between January 2010 and May 2016. Electronic medical charts were reviewed for patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) who underwent IVC filter insertion. A total of 439 cases were reviewed. The most common indication for filter insertion was a preoperative/procedural aim, followed by extensive iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Retrieval of the IVC filter was attempted in 44.9% of patients. The retrieval success rate was 93.9%. History of cerebral hemorrhage, malignancy, and admission to a nonsurgical department were the significant predictive factors of a lower retrieval attempt rate in multivariate analysis. With the increased use of IVC filters, more issues should be addressed before placing a filter and physicians should attempt to improve the filter retrieval rate.
The Economics of the Climate
Authors: Heal Geoffrey
Published: September 2017

I review the economic characteristics of the climate problem, focusing on the choice of discount rates in the presence of a stock externality, risk and uncertainty/ambiguity, and the role of integrated assessment models (IAMs) in analyzing policy choices. I suggest that IAMs can play a role in providing qualitative understanding of how complex systems behave, but are not accurate enough to provide quantitative insights. Arguments in favor of action on climate issues have to be based on aversion to risk and ambiguity and the need to avoid a small but positive risk of a disastrous outcome. ( JEL D61, H43, Q48, Q54, Q58)
Safe disposal of cytotoxic waste: an evaluation of an air-tight system
Authors: Craig Gemma , Wadey Charlotte
Published: September 2017

A 3-month evaluation was undertaken at the Kent Oncology Centre's chemotherapy day unit (CDU) to trial an air-tight sealing disposal system for cytotoxic waste management. Research has identified the potential risk to staff who handle waste products that are hazardous to health. Staff safety was a driving force behind a trial of a new way of working. This article provides an overview of the evaluation of the Pactosafe system in one clinical area, examining reviews by oncology healthcare workers, the practicalities in the clinical setting, training, cost effectiveness and the environmental benefits.
Diabetes and pressure ulcer risk in hip fracture patients: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wei R. , Chen H-L. , Zha M-Li. , Zhou Z-Y.
Published: September 2017

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between diabetes and pressure ulcer (PU) risk in patients with hip fractures.

Method:

Searches of MEDLINE (1966-), ISI Databases (1965-) and Scopus (1996-) were performed for English language studies. The search data was 29 July 2016. Odds ratio (OR) for PUs were calculated for hip fracture patients with or without diabetes and a meta-analysis was carried out following meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines.

Results:

A total of 8 studies with 22,180 patients were included in this study. The mean PU incidence was 15.1% in group with diabetes compared with 7.5% in the group without diabetes. When comparing with and without diabetes meta-analysis showed the summary OR was 1.825 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.373–2.425; z=4.15, p<0.00001]. No significant publication bias was found. Sensitivity analysis included prospective studies [OR: 1.383, 95%CI: 1.035–1.847] and pooled the adjusted OR [OR: 1.282, 95%CI: 1.054–1.560] showed the result was robust. Subgroup analysis by PU stage showed the summary OR was 1.474 [95% CI 0.984–2.207] for ≥ category II PU, and 2.814 [95%CI: 2.115–3.742] for ≥category I PU. The meta-regression showed PU incidence explained 27.77% proportion of between-study variance, but statistical test showed no significance (t=–1.96, p=0.097).

Conclusion:

Our meta-analysis indicates that diabetes increases the PU risk in hip fracture patients. Therefore, specific recommendations should apply for the management of diabetic patients with hip fractures at risk of PU.