bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three Tales of Change
Authors: Bezruczko Nikolaus , Fatani Serah S. , Magari Noriko
Published: July 2016

When could it be safe to report ordinal scores instead of linear measures? In this study, preschool gains measured with ordinal scores were compared with residualized gain scores, as well as Rasch model measures of linear change (logits) to clarify respective implications for objectivity, precision, validity, and meaningfulness. Results showed that ordinal scores and linear gains were highly correlated (~.90), and specific conditions were identified such as pre-test score distributions, pre-test variability, and overall test targeting that determine complementarity of ordinal scores and linear scale values for reporting achievement gains. Several properties of ordinal score gains were discussed, including negative correlation between gain and pre-test, unreliability of gains, and usefulness of residualized gains. This report concludes by supporting interchangeability of ordinal scores and objective, linear measures when appraisal of complementarity is supervised by principles of mathematical logic.
Comparison of Short-term Complications Between 2 Methods of Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Rush Lane N. , Lake Nicholas , Stiefel Eric C. , Hobgood Edward R. , Ramsey J. Randall , O’Brien Michael J. , Field Larry D. , Savoie Felix H.
Published: July 2016

Background:

Numerous techniques have been used to treat acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation, with anatomic reconstruction of the coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments becoming a popular method of fixation. Anatomic CC ligament reconstruction is commonly performed with cortical fixation buttons (CFBs) or tendon grafts (TGs).

Purpose:

To report and compare short-term complications associated with AC joint stabilization procedures using CFBs or TGs.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review of the operative treatment of AC joint injuries between April 2007 and January 2013 at 2 institutions. Thirty-eight patients who had undergone a procedure for AC joint instability were evaluated. In these 38 patients with a mean age of 36.2 years, 18 shoulders underwent fixation using the CFB technique and 20 shoulders underwent reconstruction using the TG technique.

Results:

The overall complication rate was 42.1% (16/38). There were 11 complications in the 18 patients in the CFB group (61.1%), including 7 construct failures resulting in a loss of reduction. The most common mode of failure was suture breakage (n = 3), followed by button migration (n = 2) and coracoid fracture (n = 2). There were 5 complications in the TG group (25%), including 3 cases of asymptomatic subluxation, 1 symptomatic suture granuloma, and 1 superficial infection. There were no instances of construct failure seen in TG fixations. CFB fixation was found to have a statistically significant increase in complications ( P = .0243) and construct failure ( P = .002) compared with TG fixation.

Conclusion:

CFB fixation was associated with a higher rate of failure and higher rate of early complications when compared with TG fixation.
Rapid Translational Field Research Approach for eHealth R&D
Authors: Holden Richard J. , Bodke Kunal , Tambe Rehab , Comer Robert S. , Clark Daniel O. , Boustani Malaz
Published: July 2016

Successfully implementing eHealth research and design (R&D) requires a combination of rapid-cycle, flexible, and field-based design, development, and testing methods not readily achievable within traditional academic research programs. We report on an attempt to establish a model for facilitating and speeding up R&D projects, wherein academic faculty, design experts, students, and clinicians cooperate to produce, test, and deploy eHealth products in clinical practice. The first test of this model was performed in a project called Project T, a test of tablet use by older adults with depression, dementia, or both, recruited from a safety net health system. Fifteen tests were performed in a six-month period, which included purchasing, instrument development, approval, coordination, data collection, and interim analysis. The project exceeded its anticipated two-month timeline due to multiple barriers and delays. Having learned from this initial attempt, plans to reorganize the team’s working model for translational field research are described.
Multidisciplinary Approach to Critical Care Design
Authors: Bitan Yuval , Ilan Roy , Harris Steven D. , Karn Keith S.
Published: July 2016

The goal of this project is to improve clinical decision-making in the intensive care unit (ICU) environment. Making the optimal decisions depends on the quality and timeliness of the information available to the clinician. We believe that healthcare professionals will make better clinical decisions when the relevant information is collected and organized in a manner appropriate to support in situ decision-making. This is especially important in complex situations such those commonly encountered in the ICU environment. Currently there is no single integrated source of information that presents relevant information to clinicians. This project is developing methods to identify the core information required to engineer the information exchange among medical devices, and the information presentation layer, to support clinical decision-making in the ICU.
Designing Health Care Facilities to Maximize Productivity and Patient Outcomes
Authors: Miller K. , Kowalski R. , Arnold R. , Coffey-Zern S. , Monson S.
Published: July 2016

The built environment of health care systems plays a crucial role in factors such as patient safety, staff satisfaction, patient experience, and optimal health. As hospital centers are being renovated or expanded over the past decade or so, the clinical built environment of many of them have not been redesigned to align with today’s evolving clinical roles. Just as medicine has increasingly moved toward “evidence-based medicine,” where clinical choices are informed by research, healthcare design is increasingly guided by rigorous research linking the physical environment of hospitals to patients and staff outcomes and is moving toward “evidence-based design”. The goal of human simulations in the context of architectural builds is to present the workflow (both normal and emergent) in the design of the complex cooperative work environment. The results obtained can be used to change the design process by improving the built environment to support end users to provide optimal health, exceptional experience, and organizational vitality. These proceedings describe the process and provide an example of the evaluation of a future single patient neonatal intensive care unit room.
Disconnects in design and infection prevention and control – how the design of products and the environment in neonatal intensive care may be undermining infection prevention practice
Authors: Trudel Chantal , Cobb Sue , Momtahan Kathryn , Brintnell Janet , Mitchell Ann
Published: July 2016

This study examined the role design plays in infection prevention and control within an existing neonatal intensive care unit. Methods from human-centred design such as planning, stakeholder meetings and naturalistic observation were used to obtain infection prevention information related to the existing unit design, interactions with products and the environment, and perspectives of front-line staff on design. Thematic analysis was used to categorize and structure the issues that were identified.

The analysis revealed that the design of products and the environment may be undermining best practice in infection prevention. Health care workers experience a variety of difficulties in maintaining the recommended barriers to infection transmission, difficulties which stem from deficiencies in products and the environment. Various aspects of the neonatal care design lack the feedback or supports needed to help health care workers differentiate or work between infection transmission zones making the design challenging to use or maintain in a manner that supports best practice in infection prevention. Identifying issues in the design of products and the environment related to infection prevention practice led to the development of a ‘Design Exploration Guide’. The guide outlines issues and strategies for remediation based on feasibility within the project constraints.
Using Challenges Associated Meaningful-Use Criteria to Prioritize Needed Changes in Electronic Health Records
Authors: Holman G. Talley , Waldren Steven E. , Rivera A. Joy , Dardick Lawrence D.
Published: July 2016

To date, more than 30 billion dollars has been spent on the meaningful use (MU) program. While high adoption has been realized, there has been little improvement in usability of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), prompting continuous discussion. Further, very little scientific data has been provided regarding the type of challenges present for physicians when using an EHR. This study evaluates and prioritizes 6 of the most common challenges associated with EHR use by physicians during a patient encounter using meaningful use criteria as a basis. Data represents 430 physicians from across the US. Findings show all EHRs have significant challenges with organization and structure of information and the amount or method of documenting information. Analysis of the 31 MU criteria show only 1 criterion did not have any significant challenges. Alternately, 75% of criteria had 3 or more significant challenges with 9 criteria being significantly impacted by all reported challenges. Finally, individual groupings of physicians were found to have more challenges than others when considering physician’s age, computer comfort level, and the organizational type. Overall, findings show significant challenges exist for physicians when using EHRs, especially related to routine/basic patient care MU criteria. Specifically, challenges exist regarding how information is organized and the amount and/or method of EHR documentation, which must be a priority for improvement. If healthcare is to move forward and progress, EHRs must effectively support physicians in their work.
Cognitive Bias in Usability Testing
Authors: Natesan Divya , Walker Morgan , Clark Shannon
Published: July 2016

Cognitive bias is the tendency to subconsciously change ones actions or thought process based on someone else’s comments or behavior. It is important to consider cognitive bias when performing a usability study because it can significantly alter or impair the validity of the results. While cognitive bias cannot always be entirely eliminated, identifying key cognitive biases to which usability study results are particularly susceptible is the first step to mitigating them. Once experimenters are alert to these subtle traps, they can consider approaches that sidestep the biases and greatly improve the accuracy and overall effectiveness of a usability study.
How to Program Positive Medical Device User Experience Using Narratives, Storytelling and Priming
Authors: Koester Thomas , Kierkegaard Hanne Salling , Jakobsen Jeanette Juul , Toft Nils , Bang Christian
Published: July 2016

This study investigates how narratives and storytelling in relation to the delivery of a medical device to a patient influence the psychological effect of the device on the patient. The effect was investigated in a pilot study designed as a randomized control experiment in which an experimental group was exposed to positive narratives and storytelling in delivery of cosmetic breast enhancing surgery. The control group went through the same surgical procedures but without hearing these positive stories. Results show that the experimental group reported significantly more positive user experiences than the patients who were not exposed to the stories. It is concluded that narratives and storytelling enhance a positive psychological outcome and that more research in this area could help design the delivery of medical devices to patients.
Training Decay Selection for Usability Validation
Authors: Clark Shannon E.
Published: July 2016

When conducting usability validation testing, representative users must use the device in the expected conditions of use in the field. There is usually a period of time—days or weeks—between the point in time a user is trained, and the moment they use the device for the first time. For this reason, the FDA acknowledges the need for “training decay” as part of usability validation testing, but manufacturers face challenges simulating real-time decays. In response to challenges associated with lags of days or weeks between training and usability validation testing, medical device manufacturers typically simulate shortened training decay periods. This paper discusses the theory behind the shapes of various training decay curves and the variables that drive differences between training decay curves. The author proposes to use a task-based approach for defining training decay curves in usability validation studies and sets out generalized training decay curves at a high level. Future research could reveal detailed and generalizable training decay curves. Identifying generalizable training decay curves could standardize the usability testing required for medical devices, and ultimately improve use error identification while avoiding an undue toll on manufacturer resources.
Generic Customizable Simulation Modules to Emphasize Error Risk in Medication Order Entry
Authors: Arnold Tim , Fuller Helen J. A.
Published: July 2016

Latent interface design issues can contribute to error prone instances during electronic medication order entry, which may in turn compromise patient safety. In electronic medication order entry, error-tolerant design and safety engineering approaches are paramount for mitigating risk. However, long-term interface or programming redesign recommendations often take time to implement after hazards are identified. Tradeoffs and unanswered questions in design may further complicate design and redesign efforts. A proposed approach for addressing these gaps where redesign is delayed or not possible is promoting user awareness of potential error mechanisms by creating structured customizable electronic health record (EHR) and computerized provider order entry (CPOE) simulation training modules to highlight latent design issues that could contribute to data entry problems. The development and use of simulated EHR and CPOE environments for training purposes has only recently begun to be described in published literature. These recent publications describe general EHR simulation curricula. This paper introduces the incorporation of human factors and human-computer interaction concepts as a primary learning objective within a model for a customizable universal EHR and CPOE simulation module.
Use of Reflective Practice to Increase Diagnostic Accuracy
Authors: Caliendo Martin , Abraham Joanna
Published: July 2016

Diagnostic error accounts for up to 17 percent of all adverse patient outcomes. Cognitive errors, in particular faulty information synthesis, accounts for the majority of these diagnostic errors. Reflective practice is reported as a strategy to improve diagnostic accuracy. The theoretic foundation to use reflective practice to decrease diagnostic error is well developed; however, empirical support is lacking and inconsistent. To address this gap, the author conducted an integrative review to critically evaluate the evidence in support of intervention for training in reflective practice to improve the diagnostic accuracy of clinicians’ decision making. We discuss our findings on the analytical, theoretical and methodological foundation of current evaluation studies on training in reflective practice patterns, in addition to identifying gaps in knowledge that will guide potential areas for future research.
Establishing normative foot posture index values for the paediatric population: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gijon‐Nogueron Gabriel , Montes‐Alguacil Jesus , Alfageme‐Garcia Pilar , Cervera‐Marin Jose Antonio , Morales‐Asencio Jose Miguel , Martinez‐Nova Alfonso
Published: July 2016

Background

The Foot Posture Index (FPI) is an observational tool designed to measure the position of the foot. Its reliability is well established, and it provides normative reference values for the general population. However, this is not so for the paediatric population. The aim of this study is to determine FPI reference values in childhood, taking into account age and gender.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 1,762 school children (863 boys and 899 girls) aged 6–11 years, from Málaga, Granada and Plasencia (Spain). In every case, FPI measurements were obtained for both feet by two experienced podiatrists. A descriptive analysis was then conducted and the percentiles of the variables determined, with a significance level of P < 0.05.

Results

The consolidated FPI results for the sample population produced mean values of 3.74 (SD 2.93) points for the right foot and 3.83 (SD 2.92) for the left. The 50th percentile was 4 points for both genders and for both feet, except for the right foot among the girls, which was slightly lower, at 3 points. The 85th percentile, which is considered to represent the boundary between the normal and the pronated foot among children, was 6 points, uniformly among the subjects.

Conclusions

As a normative FPI value for the paediatric population, we recommend the 50th percentile, i.e. 4 points, for children, of both genders, aged 6 years. This value progressively falls with age, to 3 FPI points for children aged 11 years. The 85th percentile for the pronated foot and the 4th percentile for the supinated foot can be considered the pathological boundary.
Embryonic stem cell preconditioned microenvironment suppresses tumorigenic properties in breast cancer
Authors: He Ningning , Feng Guowei , Li Yang , Xu Yang , Xie Xiaoyan , Wang Hui , Wang Yuebing , Ou Lailiang , Pei Xuetao , Liu Na , Li Zongjin
Published: July 2016

Background

Microenvironment is being increasingly recognized as a critical determinant in tumor progression and metastasis. However, the appropriate regulatory mechanism to maintain the normal balance between differentiation and self-renewal of the cancer cell in microenvironment is not well known.

Methods

4T1 breast cancer cells were treated with embryonic stem (ES) cell conditioned medium which was collected from mouse ES cells. Inhibition of tumor cell growth was based on the reduction of cell proliferation and viability, and inhibition of aggressive properties of tumor cells were examined using the wound-healing and mammosphere assays. The expression of stem cell-associated genes was detected by quantitative RT-PCR.

Results

We used a real-time imaging system to investigate the effect of the mouse ES cell microenvironment on aggressive breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of breast cancer cells in mouse ES cell conditioned medium resulted in inhibition of growth, migration, metastasis, and angiogenesis of cancer cells. For many tumors, aggressive properties were tightly related to Stat3 signaling activation. We specifically discovered that the ES cell microenvironment sufficiently suppressed Stat3 signaling pathway activation in aggressive tumor cells, leading to a reduction in tumorigenesis and invasiveness.

Conclusions

We identified important functions of Stat3 and their implications for antitumor effects of ES cell conditioned medium. Some factors secreted by ES cells could efficiently suppress Stat3 pathway activation in breast cancer cells, and were then involved in cancer cell growth, survival, invasion, and migration. This study may act as a platform to understand tumor cell plasticity and may offer new therapeutic strategies to inhibit breast cancer progression.
What are the impacts of manipulating grazing and browsing by ungulates on plants and invertebrates in temperate and boreal forests? A systematic review protocol
Authors: Bernes Claes , Jonsson Bengt Gunnar , Junninen Kaisa , Lõhmus Asko , Macdonald Ellen , Müller Jörg , Sandström Jennie
Published: July 2016

Background

Livestock grazing and ‘overabundance’ of large wild herbivores in forested areas have long been perceived as conflicting with the aims of both silviculture and forest conservation; however, certain kinds of herbivory can help to maintain habitat values in forest ecosystems. Management of grazing/browsing in protected forests can, therefore, be a critical tool for biodiversity conservation. However, it is not clear what impacts of wild ungulates or livestock are tolerable or desirable in forests set aside for conservation or restoration. The primary aim of the proposed systematic review is to clarify how the diversity of plants and invertebrates is affected by manipulation of the grazing/browsing pressure by livestock or wild ungulates. The ultimate purpose of the review is to investigate whether such manipulation is useful as a means of conserving or restoring biodiversity in forest set-asides.

Methods

The review will examine primary field studies of how fencing or other kinds of manipulation of the grazing/browsing pressure by livestock or wild ungulates affects plants or invertebrates. We will consider studies made in boreal or temperate forests anywhere in the world, incorporating investigations made not only in protected areas but also in stands under commercial management. Non-intervention or alternative levels of grazing pressure will be used as comparators. Relevant outcomes include abundance, diversity and composition of plants and invertebrates, tree regeneration, and performance of focal/target species. Relevant studies will mainly be selected from a recent systematic map of the evidence on biodiversity impacts of active management in forest set-asides. A search update will be made with a subset of the search terms used for the systematic map. Searches for additional literature will be made in bibliographies of existing reviews. Relevant studies will be subject to critical appraisal and categorised as having high, medium or low susceptibility to bias. Studies with high susceptibility to bias will be excluded from the review. Useful outcomes and data on interventions and other potential effect modifiers will be extracted from included articles. A narrative synthesis will describe the quality and findings of all studies in the review. Where studies report similar outcomes, meta-analysis will be performed.
Collagen-grafted porous HDPE/PEAA scaffolds for bone reconstruction
Authors: Kim Chang-Shik , Jung Kyung-Hye , Kim Hun , Kim Chan-Bong , Kang Inn-Kyu
Published: July 2016

After tumor resection, bone reconstruction such as skull base reconstruction using interconnected porous structure is absolutely necessary. In this study, porous scaffolds for bone reconstruction were prepared using heat-pressing and salt-leaching methods. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) (PEAA) were chosen as the polymer composites for producing a porous scaffold of high mechanical strength and having high reactivity with biomaterials such as collagen, respectively. The porous structure was observed through surface images, and its intrusion volume and porosity were measured. Owing to the carboxylic acids on PEAA, collagen was successfully grafted onto the porous HDPE/PEAA scaffold, which was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. Osteoblasts were cultured on the collagen-grafted porous scaffold, and their adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation were investigated. The high viability and growth of the osteoblasts suggest that the collagen-grafted porous HDPE/PEAA is a promising scaffold material for bone generation.
Vitamin D role in smoking women and cardiac remodeling
Authors: Fidelix Melaine Priscila , Tanni Suzana Erico , Roscani Meliza Goi , Mesquita Carolina Bonfanti , Schelini Karime Nafad de Melo , Polegato Bertha Furlan , Gaiolla Paula Schmidt Azevedo , Minicucci Marcos Ferreira , Zornoff Leonardo Antonio Memede , Papini Silvia Justina , de Godoy Irma , de Paiva Sergio Alberto Rupp
Published: July 2016

Background

The objective of the study is to evaluate the influence of serum vitamin D concentrations and smoking status in cardiac structure and function.

Methods

The participants of this study were healthy women smokers (n = 18, mean age 52.8 years), ex-smokers (n = 18, mean age 51.7 years), and never smokers (n = 19, mean age 44.4 years). All participants underwent assessment of body composition, dietary intake, sun exposure frequency, vitamin D serum determination, and echocardiographic assessment. All data underwent statistical analysis.

Results

The three groups were classified as overweight. The group of ex-smokers showed significantly higher vitamin D serum concentrations. Smoker group showed a higher posterior wall thickness (PW), left ventricular mass, and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). We identified positive correlations between LVMI and smoking history, PW and vitamin D serum, and body mass index and time of smoking history. Multiple linear regressions showed positive association of smoking history and LVMI and PW, also that serum vitamin D has a positive association with PW. PW was associated with smoking history and serum vitamin D, showing a deleterious effect on the heart of both variables.

Conclusions

Smoking habit in adult women was associated with cardiac remodeling, and excess of vitamin D is associated with the action of smoking on cardiac variables. Thus, higher serum vitamin D values have a deleterious effect on the heart in this model.
Recommendations for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Surveillance for Female Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer: A Report From the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group in Collaboration With the PanCareSurFup Consortium
Authors: van Dorp Wendy , Mulder Renée L. , Kremer Leontien C.M. , Hudson Melissa M. , van den Heuvel-Eibrink Marry M. , van den Berg Marleen H. , Levine Jennifer M. , van Dulmen-den Broeder Eline , di Iorgi Natascia , Albanese Assunta , Armenian Saro H. , Bhatia Smita , Constine Louis S. , Corrias Andreas , Deans Rebecca , Dirksen Uta , Gracia Clarisa R. , Hjorth Lars , Kroon Leah , Lambalk Cornelis B. , Landier Wendy , Levitt Gill , Leiper Alison , Meacham Lillian , Mussa Alesandro , Neggers Sebastian J. , Oeffinger Kevin C. , Revelli Alberto , van Santen Hanneke M. , Skinner Roderick , Toogood Andrew , Wallace William H. , Haupt Riccardo
Published: July 2016

Purpose

Female survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer who were treated with alkylating agents and/or radiation, with potential exposure of the ovaries, have an increased risk of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Clinical practice guidelines can facilitate these survivors’ access to optimal treatment of late effects that may improve health and quality of survival; however, surveillance recommendations vary among the existing long-term follow-up guidelines, which impedes the implementation of screening.

Patients and Methods

The present guideline was developed by using an evidence-based approach and summarizes harmonized POI surveillance recommendations for female survivors of CAYA cancer who were diagnosed at age < 25 years. The recommendations were formulated by an international multidisciplinary panel and graded according to the strength of the evidence and the potential benefit gained from early detection and intervention. The harmonized POI surveillance recommendations were developed by using a transparent process and are intended to facilitate care for survivors of CAYA cancer.

Results and Conclusion

The harmonized set of POI surveillance recommendations is intended to be scientifically rigorous, to positively influence health outcomes, and to facilitate the care for female survivors of CAYA cancer.
Trends in Obesity Prevalence in Adults With a History of Cancer: Results From the US National Health Interview Survey, 1997 to 2014
Authors: Greenlee Heather , Shi Zaixing , Sardo Molmenti Christine L. , Rundle Andrew , Tsai Wei Yann
Published: July 2016

Purpose

Obesity after a diagnosis of specific cancers has been associated with worse prognosis. We examined the trend in obesity prevalence among cancer survivors in the United States in the past two decades and compared trends with those of adults without a history of cancer.

Patients and Methods

This was a population-based nationally representative sample of 538,969 noninstitutionalized US adults 18 to 85 years old with and without a history of cancer who participated in annual cross-sectional National Health Interview Surveys from 1997 to 2014. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 for non-Asians and body mass index ≥ 27.5 kg/m2 for Asians.

Results

Among 32,447 cancer survivors identified, the most common cancer diagnoses were breast (n = 6,948), prostate (n = 3,984), and colorectal (n = 2,546). From 1997 to 2014, the prevalence of obesity increased from 22.4% to 31.7% in cancer survivors and from 20.9% to 29.5% in adults without a history of cancer (P for trend < .001, both groups). Over this period, the estimated rate of annual increase in obesity prevalence was higher in women and men with a history of cancer compared with those without a history of cancer (all P for interaction < .001). The estimated rate of annual increase in obesity prevalence was 3.1% in female and 3.7% in male colorectal cancer survivors, 3.0% in breast cancer survivors, and 2.1% in prostate cancer survivors (all P < .001). In subgroup analyses, populations with the highest rates of increasing obesity burden were colorectal cancer survivors, breast cancer survivors, and non-Hispanic blacks.

Conclusion

From 1997 to 2014, obesity increased more rapidly among adult cancer survivors compared with the general population. Colorectal and breast cancer survivors and non-Hispanic blacks were identified as being at the highest risk for obesity.
Tuning cell migration: contractility as an integrator of intracellular signals from multiple cues
Authors: Bordeleau Francois , Reinhart-King Cynthia A.
Published: July 2016

There has been immense progress in our understanding of the factors driving cell migration in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional microenvironments over the years. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that even though most cells share many of the same signaling molecules, they rarely respond in the same way to migration cues. To add to the complexity, cells are generally exposed to multiple cues simultaneously, in the form of growth factors and/or physical cues from the matrix. Understanding the mechanisms that modulate the intracellular signals triggered by multiple cues remains a challenge. Here, we will focus on the molecular mechanism involved in modulating cell migration, with a specific focus on how cell contractility can mediate the crosstalk between signaling initiated at cell-matrix adhesions and growth factor receptors.
When Less Is More: Data and Power in Advertising Experiments
Authors: Johnson Garrett A. , Lewis Randall A. , Reiley David H.
Published: July 2016

Yahoo! Research partnered with a nationwide retailer to study the effects of online display advertising on both online and in-store purchases. We use a randomized field experiment on 3 million Yahoo! users who are also past customers of the retailer. We find statistically significant evidence that the retailer ads increase sales 3.6% relative to the control group. We show that control ads boost measurement precision by identifying and removing the half of in-campaign sales data that are unaffected by the ads. Less data give us 31% more precision in our estimates—equivalent to increasing our sample to 5.3 million users. By contrast, we only improve precision by 5% when we include additional covariate data to reduce the residual variance in our experimental regression. The covariate-adjustment strategy disappoints despite exceptional consumer-level data including demographics, ad exposure levels, and two years’ worth of past purchase history.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2016.0998 .
Diversity and phylogenetic relationship of cellulolytic bacteria from the feces of Bali Cattle in South Central Timor, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Authors: MISSA HILDEGARDIS , SUSILOWATI ARI , SETYANINGSIH RATNA
Published: July 2016

Missa H, Susilowati A, Setyaningsih R. 2016. Diversity and phylogenetic relationship of cellulolytic bacteria from the feces of Bali Cattle in South Central Timor, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 17: 614-619. There are three types of cattle farms with different kinds of feed in South Central Timor, that are maintained around Supul Lake, quarantined and left in the wild. This research aims to isolate, identify and determine the genetic relationship among of cellulolytic bacteria from the feces of Bali Cattle (Bos javanicus javanicus DÂ´Alton, 1823, syn. Bos javanicus sondaicus Temminck, 1839/Blyth, 1842) in South Central Timor. Theisolation of cellulolytic bacteria was done by using spread plate method on Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) media. Cellulolyticactivities were determined by the clear zone visibility using 0.1% congo red indicator. 16S rRNA encoding genes amplification wasconducted using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using 63F and 1387r primers. Sequences of the 16S rRNA encoding genes were analyzed by bioinformatics using Nucleotide BLAST on NCBI website to determine the species of bacteria based on sequencesimilarity. The construction of the phylogenetic tree of cellulolytic bacteria was done using MEGA 7.0 software. The results were 48isolates showing cellulase activity. There were 12 isolates from Supul Lake which have high cellulase activity namely: S1H6, S2H5 S2H7 S3H; in quarantine location: K1H6, K2H3, L2H7, K2H4, K1H2, K3H2; and in wild care system: L1H4 and L1H5. These activities were presented in clear zone about 7.08 to 1.47 cm. Based on the analysis of 16S rRNA encoding genes, there were 5 different genera found in 12 isolates with high cellulolytic activity. The isolates possessed similarity with Pseudomonas sp. 96%, Acinetobacter sp. 95%, Bacillus 97%, Stenotrophomonas 88%, and Brachybacterium sp. 97%. There were seven bacterial isolates having the potential to be declared as new bacterial species with <97% similarity percentage that are SIH6, S2H5, K2H3, K2H4, LIH4, LIH5, L2H7. Based on the phylogenetic tree cellulolytic bacteria showed the closest genetic relationship of 0.0% and farthest of 19.3% L2H7 isolate with Brachybacterium sp. S21F1
Class Differentiation and Crisis of Agrarian Petty Producers in India
Authors: Ramanamurthy V. Rupakula
Published: July 2016

Capitalist development in the last three decades in India has sharpened the class differentiation in agriculture. Increasingly, there is a sharp class division that is taking place between petty commodity producers and the capitalist farmers. The presence of a large number of petty commodity producers and informal nature of agricultural enterprise in India constantly reduces profitability, brunt of the crisis caused by this tendency is being borne by petty commodity producers. Forced by the pauperization, petty commodity producers are forced to diversify their incomes into wage activities in farm as well as non-farm activities. Indeed, all classes of farmers diversified their incomes away from agriculture, marking a structural transformation towards petty bourgeois capital on one hand and wage labour on the other. Pauperization of petty producers is also manifesting in a large number of suicides in the Indian countryside. The article provides empirical evidence for these processes at work in the Indian countryside.
Economic Crisis and Regulation Theory: Review of International Conference of Research & Regulation 2015
Authors: Shoujun Lyu
Published: July 2016

On June 9–12, 2015, the International Conference of Research & Regulation 2015 was held in Paris. The theme of this international conference was “the theory of regulation in times of crises,” and around 200 experts and academics from all over the world attended this distinguished conference. Centering on this theme, the hosts selected over 170 papers from those submitted and divided them into 23 topics, among which topics such as reflection and criticism on the economics methodology, labor-management relations and capitalism crisis, financial system and development mode in the post-crisis era, sustainable development and global governance, capitalism diversity and East Asian economy are emphasized and discussed. Many academics who attended the conference also proposed a lot of useful ideas, suggestions for the development of regulation theory, as well as theories and proposals for criticism on neoclassical economics, the emergence system of economic crisis, improvement of global economy, environment and sustainable development, capitalism diversity and development of East Asian economy.
How to do things with birds: The Janus effect in theatrical adaptation
Authors: Barnette Jane
Published: July 2016

This article offers a model for understanding the complexities of how dramaturgy intervenes in the transformative process of adapting a text for the stage. Because it combines three key media for adaptation studies (film, literature and theatre), the primary example for this discussion is the film Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014), directed and co-written by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. My analysis of Birdman and the stage adaptation featured within it (What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, by Raymond Carver) takes inspiration from the Roman god Janus, whose faces look ahead and behind, associating this ancient god with doorways (januae), archways (jani) and beginnings (January). As this article demonstrates, the Janus effect is the transformation that successful dramaturgy makes within the process and product of adaptation for the stage. Recognizing this effect helps us unfurl the multiple layers of interstitial research and creative decisionmaking that adaptations require, especially when crafted for live performance.
Parallelizing query optimization on shared-nothing architectures
Authors: Trummer Immanuel , Koch Christoph
Published: July 2016

Data processing systems offer an ever increasing degree of parallelism on the levels of cores, CPUs, and processing nodes. Query optimization must exploit high degrees of parallelism in order not to gradually become the bottleneck of query evaluation. We show how to parallelize query optimization at a massive scale.

We present algorithms for parallel query optimization in left-deep and bushy plan spaces. At optimization start, we divide the plan space for a given query into partitions of equal size that are explored in parallel by worker nodes. At the end of optimization, each worker returns the optimal plan in its partition to the master which determines the globally optimal plan from the partition-optimal plans. No synchronization or data exchange is required during the actual optimization phase. The amount of data sent over the network, at the start and at the end of optimization, as well as the complexity of serial steps within our algorithms increase only linearly in the number of workers and in the query size. The time and space complexity of optimization within one partition decreases uniformly in the number of workers. We parallelize single- and multi-objective query optimization over a cluster with 100 nodes in our experiments, using more than 250 concurrent worker threads (Spark executors). Despite high network latency and task assignment overheads, parallelization yields speedups of up to one order of magnitude for large queries whose optimization takes minutes on a single node.
An experimental evaluation of datacenter workloads on low-power embedded micro servers
Authors: Zhao Yiran , Li Shen , Hu Shaohan , Wang Hongwei , Yao Shuochao , Shao Huajie , Abdelzaher Tarek
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of an ultra-low power cluster, built upon the Intel Edison based micro servers. The improved performance and high energy efficiency of micro servers have driven both academia and industry to explore the possibility of replacing conventional brawny servers with a larger swarm of embedded micro servers. Existing attempts mostly focus on mobile-class micro servers, whose capacities are similar to mobile phones. We, on the other hand, target on sensor-class micro servers, which are originally intended for uses in wearable technologies, sensor networks, and Internet-of-Things. Although sensor-class micro servers have much less capacity, they are touted for minimal power consumption (< 1 Watt), which opens new possibilities of achieving higher energy efficiency in datacenter workloads. Our systematic evaluation of the Edison cluster and comparisons to conventional brawny clusters involve careful workload choosing and laborious parameter tuning, which ensures maximum server utilization and thus fair comparisons. Results show that the Edison cluster achieves up to 3.5x improvement on work-done-per-joule for web service applications and data-intensive MapReduce jobs. In terms of scalability, the Edison cluster scales linearly on the throughput of web service workloads, and also shows satisfactory scalability for MapReduce workloads despite coordination overhead.
Disclosure on Related Party Transactions: Evidence from Italian Listed Companies
Authors: Bava Fabrizio , Gromis di Trana Melchiorre
Published: July 2016

Recent shortcomings in corporate affairs, related to the bursting of the New Economy Bubble and the global financial crisis, have forced regulators to strengthen current rules introducing new bans and requirements, aimed at guaranteeing the substantial and economic fairness of related party transactions (RPTs). In 2010 rules regarding RPTs were completely reshaped by the Italian Regulatory Body for the Italian Stock Exchange (CONSOB Regulation no. 17221). One of the most important amendments regarded the change in the criteria by which RPTs are mandatorily disclosed to investors. This change replaces a selection process based on a qualitative with a quantitative approach, in order to reduce the subjectivity of this particular evaluation. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the disclosure of RPTs after the introduction of the new rules. Our results show that although the new rules contribute to increasing the amount of information disclosed to investors through a higher number of documents reported by companies, their percentage in relation to the overall amount is worryingly low.
Multiple solutions for a Kirchhoff-type equation with general nonlinearity
Authors: Lu Sheng-Sen
Published: July 2016

This paper is devoted to the study of the following autonomous Kirchhoff-type equation:

-

M
⁢

(

∫

ℝ
N

|

∇
⁡
u

|

2

)

⁢
Δ
⁢
u

=

f
⁢

(
u
)

,

u
∈

H
1

⁢

(

ℝ
N

)

,

-M\biggl{(}\int_{\mathbb{R}^{N}}|\nabla{u}|^{2}\biggr{)}\Delta{u}=f(u),\quad u%
\in H^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{N}),

where M is a continuous non-degenerate function and

N
≥
2

{N\geq 2}

. Under suitable additional conditions on M and general Berestycki–Lions-type assumptions on the nonlinearity of f, we establish several existence results of multiple solutions by variational methods, which are also naturally interpreted from a non-variational point of view.
An introductory study of perceptual marginality in Slovakia
Authors: Mikuš Roman , Máliková Lucia , Lauko Viliam
Published: July 2016

The existence of marginal regions is closely linked to the socio-spatial polarisation of our society. Especially in the post socialist countries, including Slovakia, which have undergone significant social and economic transformation, spatial polarisation and related regional disparities have become a relevant issue across multidisciplinary academic research. This study focuses on similarities and differences in defining the marginality from two different perspectives - one that is based on quantification of statistical data and another based on individual perception of marginality from the position of local mayors. Local mayors, the main figures of the local governance, have in the Slovak system of administration huge responsibility in the development of communes and a great opportunity to improve the status of certain communes, especially those marginal. At the same time this study investigates how the political affiliation and political support affect their competencies and activities in relation to the marginal position of their commune.
Theoretical Study on Adhesives Used in Ballistic Protection Structures and Transparent Armor
Authors: Alil Luminiţa-Cristina
Published: July 2016

This article is a brief study conducted on adhesives currently used for manufacturing performance ballistic protection structures. The study landmarks several aspects, such as: types of connections available to achieve multilayer structures based on ceramics, metals and polymers; ways in which adhesives influence the ballistic performance of protective structures; analysis of various types of adhesives used in ballistic protection industry; general considerations in the selection of adhesives for certain types of armor and protective structures; considerations for characterizing, testing and modeling adhesives.
Applying the Msharpp Method in Risk Assessment for the Water Supply Critical Infrastructure Sector
Authors: Badea Dorel , Iancu Dumitru , Bucoveţchi Olga Maria Cristina
Published: July 2016

The paper highlights a manner to assess risks for an important sector of critical infrastructure, that of water supply, frequently regulated in international legal systems. We took into consideration the fact that risk is a problem related to the processes of decision making under conditions of uncertainty in most cases, so that by this approach we bring to the attention of critical infrastructure managers, drawing on their experience, a simple method that can be considered in a preliminary stage of risk assessment specific to water supply.
Afghanistan after NATO Withdrawal
Authors: Bojor Laviniu , Cosma Mircea
Published: July 2016

The conclusion of a conflict, called by some American analysts as “America’s Longest War”, after the withdrawal of the majority of NATO military forces, requires a careful analysis of the conditions and security environment that ISAF mission, International Security Afghan Forces, leaves as legacy to the Afghan military forces. The transfer of authority towards a strong government, recognized by most Afghan provinces, and benefiting from the support of national military forces able to cope with terrorist and insurgent threats on its own, are the minimum and necessary conditions leading the country towards a stable and secure environment and towards a sustainable development. Given these realities, any approach on the consequences of the transition towards self-sustainable governance becomes interesting and timely for any military political study. These are the prospects that we propose in our paper.
The Difference between Accounting Amortization and Fiscal Amortization
Authors: Florescu Nicu , Ciubotaru Gheorghe , Grigorie Lăcriţa N.
Published: July 2016

Although the issue of deferred taxes is very important, it is very little known to the taxpayers and to the fiscal bodies, both in meaning and content and in the practical methodology of application. This paper describes the meaning and the content of deferred income taxes, the distinction between accounting amortization and fiscal amortization, the practical methodology for the application of deferred income, all of these in the line of tax facilities granted as accelerated amortization applied pursuant to art. 24 paragraph (9) of the Tax Code.