bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor Interstitial Fluid Promotes Malignant Phenotypes of Lung Cancer Independently of Angiogenesis
Authors: Li Hong , Li Ganggang , Liu Linxin , Guo Zhenzhen , Ma Xiaofang , Cao Ning , Lin Haihong , Han Guang , Duan Yongjian , Du Gangjun
Published: September 2015

Angiogenesis is necessary for cancer progression, but antiangiogenic therapy actually promotes tumor recurrence, progression, and metastasis. This study focused on the contribution of the tumor interstitial fluid (TIF) to lung cancer progression. TIF was isolated and quantified for 10 μg protein/mL. Malignant driver characteristics of TIF were examined by tumor-initiating cells (TIC), self-renewal, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), autophagy, and apoptosis in vitro. In vivo tumor model was used to investigate the mechanistic roles of TIF in lung cancer progression. In vitro, TIF exhibited distinct malignant driver characteristics, which led to increased numbers of TICs, increased self-renewal and EMT, as well as to decreased autophagy and apoptosis under cell starvation conditions. In vivo, the contribution of TIF was similar, as judged by increased TICs indicated by the cancer stem cell marker Nanog, the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and the EMT marker N-cadherin; TIF also increased the formation of pulmonary tumors. Interestingly, the blockers of inflammation, Na-K-ATPase, and aldosterone receptor decreased TIF-induced tumor progression but increased angiogenesis. Further, we found that the water content of the tissue was positively correlated with the levels of plasma 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid or tissue aquaporin-1 but not with CD31. However, vadimezan reduced angiogenesis but promoted TIF-induced tumor progression. Our results suggested that TIF could provide better nutrition to the tumor than angiogenesis and that it could promote the development of malignant phenotypes of lung cancer independently of angiogenesis. Cancer Prev Res; 8(11); 1120–9. ©2015 AACR.
A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of As-Needed Naltrexone in the Treatment of Pathological Gambling
Authors: Kovanen Leena , Basnet Syaron , Castrén Sari , Pankakoski Maiju , Saarikoski Sirkku T. , Partonen Timo , Alho Hannu , Lahti Tuuli
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims: Effective treatment strategies are needed for the treatment of pathological gambling (PG). The efficacy of as-needed naltrexone was assessed in a single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Methods: The participants (n = 101) received either as-needed placebo or naltrexone (50 mg) and psychosocial support for 20 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the severity of PG assessed by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale adapted for PG (PG-YBOCS). Secondary gambling-related outcome measures included thoughts/urges and behaviour subscales of PG-YBOCS as well as the highest daily expenditure and gambling frequency. In addition, RAND-36 scales of emotional well-being and social functioning were used as outcomes. The results were analysed using the intention-to-treat principle and linear random effects modelling. Results: No significant treatment group differences were found. In an exploratory analysis, emotional well-being increased in a subgroup of participants with AA genotype of opioid receptor, mu 1 (OPRM1) A118G polymorphism (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Overall, the as-needed naltrexone may not provide substantial additional benefit for PG patients receiving psychosocial support. Replication by larger scale studies is warranted to further evaluate naltrexone administration schedules for the treatment of PG and the role of OPRM1.
Eradication Therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis
Authors: Orriols Ramon , Hernando Rosana , Ferrer Adelaida , Terradas Sonia , Montoro Bruno
Published: September 2015

Background: No prospective study has assessed eradication treatment of early Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonisation in bronchiectasis not due to cystic fibrosis (CF). Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of 3 months of nebulised tobramycin after a short course of intravenous antibiotics in the eradication of P. aeruginosa and its clinical consequences in non- CF bronchiectasis following initial P. aeruginosa infection. Methods: A 15-month, single-masked, randomised study including 35 patients was conducted in a tertiary university hospital. Following the isolation of P. aeruginosa and a 14-day intravenous treatment with ceftazidime and tobramycin, patients received 300 mg nebulised tobramycin twice daily or placebo during 3 months, and were followed up for 12 months thereafter. Results: The median time to recurrence of P. aeruginosa infection was higher in the tobramycin than in the placebo group (p = 0.048, log-rank test). At the end of the study 54.5% of the patients were free of P. aeruginosa in the tobramycin group and 29.4% in the placebo group. The numbers of exacerbations (p = 0.044), hospital admissions (p = 0.037) and days of hospitalisation (p = 0.034) were lower in the tobramycin than in the placebo group. A global, non-significant trend to improvement in the tobramycin group was observed in most of the other studied parameters on comparing the two groups. Bronchospasm in the tobramycin group was remarkable. Conclusions: Our study shows that 3 months of nebulised tobramycin following a short course of intravenous antibiotics may prevent bronchial infection with P. aeruginosa and has a favourable clinical impact on non-CF bronchiectasis.
Hypomagnesemia as First Clinical Manifestation of ADTKD-HNF1B: A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: van der Made Cas I. , Hoorn Ewout J. , de la Faille Renaud , Karaaslan Huseyin , Knoers Nine V.A.M. , Hoenderop Joost G.J. , Vargas Poussou Rosa , de Baaij Jeroen H.F.
Published: September 2015

Background: Autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease subtype HNF1B (ADTKD-HNF1B) is caused by a mutation in hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homeobox beta (HNF1B). Although 50-60% of ADTKD-HNF1B patients develop hypomagnesemia, HNF1B mutations are mainly identified in patients with structural kidney defects or diabetes. Cases: The current case series describes 3 patients in whom hypomagnesemia proved to be the first clinical manifestation of ADTKD-HNF1B. All patients presented with hypomagnesemia with a high fractional excretion of Mg2+ and hypocalciuria. Exome sequencing performed for analysis of known and candidate hypomagnesaemia genes and subsequent multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis revealed a large deletion at the chromosome 17q12. Follow-up analysis showed increased blood glucose concentrations in all 3 patients and high hemoglobin A1c levels in 2 out of 3 patients, indicating diabetes mellitus. Although all patients suffered from mild renal insufficiency, only 1 of the 3 patients was shown to have renal cysts on CT. Conclusion: The prevalence of HNF1B mutations and the relative contribution of hypomagnesemia to its symptoms are underestimated. Therefore, patients with primary renal magnesium wasting should be tested for HNF1B mutations to ensure early detection and optimal management of ADTKD-HNF1B.
Eccrine Angiomatous Hamartoma in an Adolescent
Authors: Tantanasrigul Pimpa , Kootiratrakarn Tanawatt , Wessagowit Vesarat , Kattipathanapong Pinnaree , Sudtikoonaseth Poonnawis
Published: September 2015

Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma is a rare hamartoma that usually affects childhood and adolescence. In this report we describe a typical onset and clinical presentation of eccrine angiomatous hamartoma. Histopathological analysis and immunohistochemical staining of the sections were done to confirm the diagnosis.
Prediction of Cardiac and Noncardiac Mortality After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Spoon Daniel B. , Lennon Ryan J. , Psaltis Peter J. , Prasad Abhiram , Holmes David R. , Lerman Amir , Rihal Charanjit S. , Gersh Bernard J. , Ting Henry H. , Singh Mandeep , Gulati Rajiv
Published: September 2015

Background—

Current risk models for predicting long-term mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention are restricted to all-cause mortality. We sought to develop novel risk models for the prediction of cardiac and noncardiac mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods and Results—

We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent index percutaneous coronary intervention at Mayo Clinic from 2003 to 2008. Long-term deaths were ascertained through scheduled prospective surveillance. Cause of death was determined via telephone interviews, medical records, and autopsy reports. Fine and Gray extension of Cox proportional hazards models was used to model cause-specific cumulative incidence. Candidate variables and interactions were chosen a priori, without variable selection methods. Resulting models were mapped to an integer-based risk score. The study comprised 6636 patients followed up over a median of 62 months (25th, 75th percentiles: 45, 77 months). There were 1488 deaths, 518 (35%) cardiac, 938 (63%) noncardiac, and 32 (2%) unknown. The 5-year predicted cardiac mortality ranged from 0.6% to 97%, with a corrected
c
-statistic of 0.82. Risk factors for cardiac death included age, body mass index, ejection fraction, and history of congestive heart failure. The integer score for noncardiac death included age, medicine index, body mass index, current smoker, noncardiac Charlson index and cardiac Charlson index, and accommodated significant age-based interactions for smoking and the 2 Charlson indices. Predicted noncardiac mortality at 5 years ranged from 0.2% to 81%, with a corrected
c
-statistic of 0.77.

Conclusions—

We report novel risk models to predict cardiac and noncardiac long-term mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention.
Covering Conflict: Between Universality and Cultural Specificity in News Discourse, Genre and Journalistic Style
Authors: Kopytowska Monika
Published: September 2015

The present article takes under scrutiny news discourse along with the dialectics between the universal journalistic norms and culture-specific determinants. Following van Leeuwen’s (2011) view that notions of genre, discourse and style, though distinct, are very much interrelated, news discourse, understood as both process and product, is discussed here together with hard news reporting genre and styles. The underlying theoretical assumption is that the concept of news in its totality is, by definition, highly contingent on “journalistic work on distance” in its various dimensions (temporal, spatial, epistemic, axiological, and emotional), referred to as “proximization process”. “Proximization strategies”, which are intended to bring the reality represented cognitively and affectively closer to the audiences, on the one hand rely on some universal cognitive mechanisms, but on the other hand are context-sensitive, that is culture-bound and ideologically motivated. The data used to illustrate this process comes from the local and international coverage of post-election violence in Kenya in 2007–2008.
XBT Science: Assessment of Instrumental Biases and Errors
Authors: Cheng Lijing , Abraham John , Goni Gustavo , Boyer Timothy , Wijffels Susan , Cowley Rebecca , Gouretski Viktor , Reseghetti Franco , Kizu Shoichi , Dong Shenfu , Bringas Francis , Goes Marlos , Houpert Loïc , Sprintall Janet , Zhu Jiang
Published: September 2015

Expendable bathythermograph (XBT) data were the major component of the ocean temperature profile observations from the late 1960s through the early 2000s, and XBTs still continue to provide critical data to monitor surface and subsurface currents, meridional heat transport, and ocean heat content. Systematic errors have been identified in the XBT data, some of which originate from computing the depth in the profile using a theoretically and experimentally derived fall-rate equation (FRE). After in-depth studies of these biases and discussions held in several workshops dedicated to discussing XBT biases, the XBT science community met at the Fourth XBT Science Workshop and concluded that XBT biases consist of 1) errors in depth values due to the inadequacy of the probe motion description done by standard FRE and 2) independent pure temperature biases. The depth error and temperature bias are temperature dependent and may depend on the data acquisition and recording system. In addition, the depth bias also includes an offset term. Some biases affecting the XBT-derived temperature profiles vary with manufacturer/probe type and have been shown to be time dependent. Best practices for historical XBT data corrections, recommendations for future collection of metadata to accompany XBT data, impact of XBT biases on scientific applications, and challenges encountered are presented in this manuscript. Analysis of XBT data shows that, despite the existence of these biases, historical XBT data without bias corrections are still suitable for many scientific applications, and that bias-corrected data can be used for climate research.
Rapid detection of wild-type and mutated transthyretins
Authors: Tasaki Masayoshi , Ueda Mitsuharu , Obayashi Konen , Motokawa Hiroaki , Kinoshita Yumiko , Suenaga Genki , Yanagisawa Akihiro , Toyoshima Risa , Misumi Yohei , Masuda Teruaki , Yamashita Taro , Ando Yukio
Published: September 2015

Background

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy is caused by a variant transthyretin, which is a serum protein secreted by the liver. We previously reported that mutated transthyretins were detected in serum samples by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of SELDI-TOF MS for diagnosis of transthyretin-related amyloidosis.

Methods

We used 106 serum samples obtained from patients who were clinically suspected of having amyloidosis between February 2011 and April 2014. SELDI-TOF MS allowed analysis for transthyretin via a 3-h one-step procedure.

Results

Of the 106 patients, 51 are transthyretin amyloidosis. Mutated transthyretins were detected in serum samples from 30 of 51 patients with transthyretin amyloidosis. The results of genetic analysis showed that all of those patients had mutations in the transthyretin gene. For all 18 patients with senile systemic amyloidosis of 51 patients with transthyretin amyloidosis, SELDI-TOF MS detected only wild-type transthyretin peaks, not mutated transthyretin peaks.

Conclusion

SELDI-TOF MS is a clinically useful tool for diagnosis of transthyretin-related amyloidosis.
In the Shadow of the State
Authors: Koivu Kendra L.
Published: September 2015

Since Charles Tilly made the comparison between state making and organized crime, it has often been assumed that illicit markets necessarily contain parallel, coercive governance structures: mafias. I argue that some illicit markets have mafias while others do not, and identify as the source of this variation the costliness of the use of force and the imperatives of territorial control. When the use of force is too costly and there is no need to control territory to conduct business, illicit entrepreneurs will not invest in the development of mafias or use violence to protect their property. I evaluate theories of both organized crime and new institutional economics to explain the relationship between the authority structures of the state and the authority structures of illicit markets. Because mafias and their use of violence can undermine state sovereignty and public order, understanding the origins of violent mafias can inform policy choices.
Experimental and analytical study of surface fatigue life in dental composites
Authors: Marandu S I , Gu G , Bicker R
Published: September 2015

The surface fatigue life of a dental composite is studied using in vitro tests and analytic models. A mechatronic rolling-ball device with condition monitoring and automated data sampling is used to measure the fatigue life. The Hertzian stress theory is used to analytically estimate the deformation stress induced in the specimen, then the Basquin equation is used to predict the fatigue life based on the deformation stress. The experimental and analytic results are in good agreement. The results are also consistent with previous researches using the conventional rolling-ball device. The study shows that analytic models can bridge the gap between in vivo and in vitro testing by providing accurate estimates of fatigue lifetime and guiding the design of in vitro experiments.
A micromechanics-based degradation model for composite progressive damage analysis
Authors: Zhang Jianyu , Zhou Longwei , Chen Yuli , Zhao Libin , Fei Binjun
Published: September 2015

A new material degradation model only with fundamental material properties required is proposed for composite progressive damage analysis based on micromechanics. For different failure modes, the effects of fiber and/or matrix damage on the composite material properties are explored, from which the material degradation factors for these failure modes are deduced. The material degradation model is then implemented for progressive damage analyses, using user subroutines in the commercial code ABAQUS®, accompanying with a modified Hashin type failure criterion and finite element models for six commonly used double-lap composite bolted joints with various layups, geometry dimensions, and fasteners. The numerical predictions of failure loads, failure patterns, and load–displacement curves are compared with results obtained from static tests and further ultrasonic C-scan detection. Good agreements between numerical failure predictions and experimental outcomes indicate the effectiveness and suitability of the proposed model for progressive damage analyses of composite bolted joints.
Dental Apical Papilla as Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: De Berdt P. , Vanacker J. , Ucakar B. , Elens L. , Diogenes A. , Leprince J.G. , Deumens R. , des Rieux A.
Published: September 2015

Stem cells of the apical papilla (SCAP) represent great promise regarding treatment of neural tissue damage, such as spinal cord injury (SCI). They derive from the neural crest, express numerous neurogenic markers, and mediate neurite outgrowth and axonal targeting. The goal of the present work was to investigate for the first time their potential to promote motor recovery after SCI in a rat hemisection model when delivered in their original stem cell niche—that is, by transplantation of the human apical papilla tissue itself into the lesion. Control groups consisted of animals subjected to laminectomy only (shams) and to lesion either untreated or injected with a fibrin hydrogel with or without human SCAP. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor scores at 1 and 3 d postsurgery confirmed early functional decline in all SCI groups. This significant impairment was reversed, as seen in CatWalk analyses, after transplantation of apical papilla into the injured spinal cord wound, whereas the other groups demonstrated persistent functional impairment. Moreover, tactile allodynia did not develop as an unwanted side effect in any of the groups, even though the SCAP hydrogel group showed higher expression of the microglial marker Iba-1, which has been frequently associated with allodynia. Notably, the apical papilla transplant group presented with reduced Iba-1 expression level. Masson trichrome and human mitochondria staining showed the preservation of the apical papilla integrity and the presence of numerous human cells, while human cells could no longer be detected in the SCAP hydrogel group at the 6-wk postsurgery time point. Altogether, our data suggest that the transplantation of a human apical papilla at the lesion site improves gait in spinally injured rats and reduces glial reactivity. It also underlines the potential interest for the application of delivering SCAP in their original niche, as compared with use of a fibrin hydrogel.
Osteopontin in Immune-mediated Diseases
Authors: Rittling S.R. , Singh R.
Published: September 2015

Since its initial identification as one of the genes most highly upregulated upon T-cell activation, osteopontin (or Eta-1, as it was designated then) has been demonstrated to have many roles in the regulation of the immune response on multiple levels. It contributes to the development of immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases, and it regulates the host response to infection. In some cases, the mechanisms of these effects have been elucidated, while other mechanistic functions of the protein remain obscure. The protein itself makes these analyses complex, since it binds to a series of different integrins, and in addition to its classically secreted form, an intracellular form of osteopontin has been identified, which participates in several aspects of immune regulation. In this review, we focus on the role of osteopontin in a series of immune-related diseases, particularly those where significant advances have been made in recent years: multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and related diseases, Sjögren’s disease, colitis, and 1 area of inflammatory pathology, alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver diseases. A recurring theme in these diseases is a link between osteopontin and pathogenic T cells, particularly T helper 17 cells, where osteopontin produced by dendritic cells supports IL-17 expression, contributing to pathology. In addition, a role for osteopontin in B-cell differentiation is becoming clear. In general, osteopontin contributes to pathology in these diseases, but there are examples where it has a protective role; deciphering the mechanisms underlying these differences and the specific receptors for osteopontin will be a research challenge for the future. Aside from its newly discovered role in the development of Sjögren’s disease, the role of osteopontin in inflammatory conditions in the oral cavity is still poorly understood. Elucidation of this role will be of interest.
Are Immigrants Really Lacking Social Networking Skills? The Crucial Role of Reciprocity in Building Ethnically Diverse Networks
Authors: Barwick Christine
Published: September 2015

Increasing ethnic and social diversity in cities does not translate into diverse networks of urbanites. Particularly for white middle-classes in gentrified neighbourhoods, there is evidence on boundary drawing to ‘unwanted groups’ such as ethnic minorities and lower-classes. Rarely have these studies focused on the networks of ethnic minorities, the actual diversity-bringers. I will contribute to the understanding of why and under what circumstances diversity in neighbourhoods gets translated into people’s daily practices, hence also networks, by analysing those of middle-class Turkish-Germans in Berlin. Based on interviews and network analysis, I will show that a neighbourhood’s ethnic diversity, fellow residents’ attitudes towards diversity and the built environment play an important role in building category-crossing ties. Owing to a lack of reciprocity in establishing ties, Turkish-Germans in neighbourhoods with a high share of native-Germans actually have more ties to Turks than those in a more diverse neighbourhood.
Disobedient Workers, the Law and the Making of Unemployment Markets
Authors: Adkins Lisa
Published: September 2015

This article concerns workfare and especially mandatory work activities for the unemployed. It focuses on the UK government’s Work Programme and recent challenges regarding its lawfulness. Drawing on the resources of actor network theory, and especially the economization approach to the study of markets, it outlines how the Work Programme is configuring a market for the labour of the unemployed, including a space of calculation in regard to that labour. The argument advanced is that the law and its instruments are part of the process of market making, contributing to both its design and calibration. This article therefore locates the law as an actor involved in the assembly of a market for the labour of the unemployed. It also foregrounds what is missing from recent debates on workfare, namely, an account of how the activities of the unemployed are configured and framed as labouring activities.
Field of Study in College and Lifetime Earnings in the United States
Authors: Kim ChangHwan , Tamborini Christopher R. , Sakamoto Arthur
Published: September 2015

Our understanding about the relationship between education and lifetime earnings often neglects differences by field of study. Utilizing data that match respondents in the Survey of Income and Program Participation to their longitudinal earnings records based on administrative tax information, we investigate the trajectories of annual earnings following the same individuals over 20 years and then estimate the long-term effects of field of study on earnings for U.S. men and women. Our results provide new evidence revealing large lifetime earnings gaps across fields of study. We show important differences in individuals’ earnings trajectories across different stages of the work life by field of study. In addition, the gaps in 40-year (i.e., ages 20 to 59) median lifetime earnings among college graduates by field of study are larger, in many instances, than the median gap between high school graduates and college graduates overall. We also find significant variation among graduate degree holders. Our results uncover important similarities and differences between men and women with regard to the long-term earnings differentials associated with field of study. In general, these findings underscore field of study as a critical dimension of horizontal stratification in educational attainment.
Inhabiting Latino Politics
Authors: Reyes Daisy Verduzco
Published: September 2015

To comply with ideals of multiculturalism and diversity, postsecondary institutions incorporate Latino students into distinct campus cultures. These cultures influence how students interact with one another, the university community at large, and communities outside of campus, ultimately shaping how students inhabit Latino politics. Drawing on data from 20 months of ethnographic fieldwork with six student organizations and 60 in-depth interviews, I compare Latino student organizations in a liberal arts college, a research university, and a regional public university. Building on inhabited institutional theory, I identify dimensions of campus cultures that work in interaction with students to produce three divergent forms of ethnic political expression: deliberative, divisive, and contentious. Inhabited institutionalism helps explain why Latino politics takes distinct forms in specific academic contexts and suggests that strong collegiate incorporation may paradoxically serve to suppress Latino student engagement in political activism outside the campus gates.
Instrumental and Expressive Education
Authors: Deterding Nicole M.
Published: September 2015

Nearly all young people in the United States aspire to a college degree, but many fail to complete college in a timely manner. Does this lack of attainment reflect abandoned college plans? I analyze mixed-methods data from a five-year study of 700 low-income mothers at two Louisiana community colleges. Hurricane Katrina displaced respondents and interrupted their college educations; respondents had to decide whether, how, and why to return to school. Few women earned degrees during the study, but survey data indicate that the rate of reenrollment and intentions to complete were high. Interview data reveal the cultural logics supporting continued plans for a return to college. Instrumentally, respondents believed education would result in better employment. Expressively, the moral status afforded students supported respondents’ narratives of upward mobility despite the difficulties they faced. The logic of human capital investment dominates policy and academic discussions of education’s value, but I find the symbolic meaning of a college degree also shapes plans for college return and college decision making long into adulthood. Plans to return persist long beyond the objective probability of earning a degree, and despite respondents’ difficult experiences, due to the expressive value college plans add to these young women’s lives.
Critiques of health behaviour change programmes
Authors: Barnes Brendon R
Published: September 2015

Critics have raised concerns about health behaviour change programmes in the global South. However, there has been very little reflection about what those critiques are critical of and, in particular, what psychology has come to mean within those critiques. The aim of this article was threefold: to describe existing critiques of behaviour change programmes, to reflect on how psychology has been written into those critiques, and to determine what theoretical resources critiques overlook. This article identifies four types of critiques (efficacy, sociological, ethical, and governance) and argues that critiques tend be psychologised and miss important insights from resources related to discourse, gender, knowledge production, and resistance. It is hoped that this article will stimulate further debate about the role of psychology in behaviour change interventions in the global South.
Anxiety and concerns in Spanish living kidney donor candidates
Authors: Pérez-San-Gregorio María Ángeles , Fernández-Jiménez Eduardo , Luque-Budia Asunción , Martín-Rodríguez Agustín
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Donating a kidney while alive is an experience associated with important benefits for donors and recipients. In view of the inexistence of Spanish investigations, we aimed: (a) to compare the anxiety and concerns of Spanish living kidney donor candidates relating to themselves as a function of gender and their level of concern about potential kidney recipients, and (b) to analyze whether the results regarding anxiety symptoms were clinically significant compared with a representative sample of the general Spanish population.

Methods

We selected 67 donor candidates whom we evaluated using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Scale of Concerns Regarding Living Kidney Donation.

Results

(1) The donor candidates who were more concerned about the recipients, in comparison with those who were less concerned, showed more state-anxiety and more concerns about themselves as donors, (2) the subgroup of more concerned females exhibited greater anxiety symptoms and concern about the consequences that nephrectomy could have on themselves, and (3) for all donor candidates, regardless of gender or level of concern about the recipient, the anxiety levels were not clinically significant.

Conclusions

Anxiety in donor candidates is similar to or lower than the normative levels.
Assessing the Risk and Needs of Supervised Sexual Offenders
Authors: Hanson R. Karl , Helmus Leslie-Maaike , Harris Andrew J. R.
Published: September 2015

Effective intervention with offenders requires accurate identification of their risk-relevant propensities. In this prospective study, 139 Canadian community supervision officers were trained to assess the risk factors and criminogenic needs of adult male sexual offenders using structured risk tools. Recidivism outcomes were recorded for 768 offenders (average age of 41 years, approximately half had child victims, 14% Aboriginal) during an average 7-year follow-up period. All forms of recidivism (sexual, violent, any) were predicted by sex crime specific risk tools based on static, historical factors (Static-99R; Static-2002R) and by tools designed to assess psychologically meaningful risk factors of sexual offenders (STABLE-2000; STABLE-2007). Professional overrides of the Static-99 scores did not improve predictive accuracy. STABLE-2007 scores added incrementally over STATIC scores for all recidivism outcomes, but only for complete cases, suggesting meaningful variation in the extent to which community supervision officers can assess psychologically meaningful risk factors for sexual offenders.
Arrestees’ Perceptions of the Police
Authors: White Michael D. , Mulvey Philip , Dario Lisa M.
Published: September 2015

Only a handful of studies have sought to explore the robustness of the relationship between procedural justice, police legitimacy, and willingness to cooperate with police among adults who have recently been arrested. The findings from those studies have raised questions about the durability of the framework for offenders, as well as whether there may be variation in perceptions of police across offender types. The current study explores these issues using data from interviews with a large, criminally diverse sample of recently booked arrestees in Maricopa County, AZ, from 2010 to 2012 ( N = 2,262). Findings indicate that procedural justice is strongly associated with views of police legitimacy, and perceptions of police legitimacy do not vary by offender type. Procedural justice and legitimacy perceptions are powerful predictors of willingness to cooperate with the police. Results provide strong support for the extension of the normative, process-based framework to the arrestee population.
Textile-based ECG acquisition system with capacitively coupled electrodes
Authors: Li Hongqiang , Chen Xuelong , Cao Lu , Zhang Cheng , Tang Chunxiao , Li Enbang , Feng Xiuli , Liang Huan
Published: September 2015

In most traditional electrocardiogram (ECG) detection procedures, wet electrodes must be glued to the skin during the procedure and may cause problems such as inconvenience and skin irritation. Furthermore, the quality of the acquired signals decreases because the glue dehydrates over time. In this study, a non-contact ECG acquisition system based on capacitive coupling textile electrodes with low-power consumption and high input impedance is presented. We designed electrodes that have a composite and textile structure. A kind of conductive textile with stainless steel wire creates these electrodes. We wove the conductive textile that has good electrical conductivity with a surface resistivity of 1.25 Ω/sq. Both circuit models of the skin–electrode interface and amplifier for the capacitively coupled textile electrode were established, and the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the front-end circuit was proposed. The integrated system combines amplification, filter circuit and analogue-to-digital converter. The final measurement shows that the ECG signals acquired by our system are adequate for heartbeat detection and applicable to clinical practice.
Design and calibration of a new compound sensor for water content and electrical conductivity in soilless substrates
Authors: Xu Kun , Zhang Xiliang , Chen Shutian , Hou Kun , Che Yunfei
Published: September 2015

Reliable and affordable compound sensors for measuring the water content and electrical conductivity simultaneously in soilless substrates are limited. In this study, a new compound sensor based on dielectric theory and four-electrode method is presented, and the size of the sensor is determined with the help of ANSYS software. A water content calibration test is designed in vinegar residue and coconut chaff with the same electrical conductivity. Test results show that the water content calibration equation is suitable for different substrates. Similarly, an electrical conductivity calibration equation is obtained in different concentrations of salt solutions. Considering the influence of electrical conductivity to water content measurement, a two-factor (water content and electrical conductivity) orthogonal test is designed in coconut chaff. Based on the analysis of test results, two compensation models – the multiplicative model and the additive model – are proposed. To evaluate the reliability of the models, a multiple linear regression analysis is employed. The results indicate that the additive model has a relatively higher reliability, i.e. the additive model can be regarded as the compensation model. After compensation, the relative errors of the measured values (including volumetric water content and electrical conductivity) are no more than 10%, and the compound sensor is suitable for different soilless substrates without recalibration.
Adaptive state feedback controller design for a rotary series elastic actuator
Authors: Kaya Kerim Deniz , Çetin Levent
Published: September 2015

The design of human assistive systems requires actuators that are capable of producing compliant motions. One key technological development for this compliant actuation is series elastic actuation, which is a challenging design problem, as the load side dynamics of the actuator changes during operation. In this paper, a novel series elastic actuator (SEA) structure using composite beams as series elastic elements and its torque control strategy are presented. We proposed a two-stage controller, a novel adaptive state feedback controller for transient dynamics and a PI controller for eliminating steady-state error. The effect of disturbance torque is studied, together with load dynamics, which is estimated online by a recursive least square method. The performance of the actuator was evaluated in case studies in which the actuator was controlled with various knee torque profiles. The experimental results showed that desired dynamic behaviour of the designed SEA can be obtained with the proposed control algorithm despite the unknown load dynamics.
Anxiety Sensitivity Uniquely Predicts Exercise Behaviors in Young Adults Seeking to Increase Physical Activity
Authors: Moshier Samantha J. , Szuhany Kristin L. , Hearon Bridget A. , Smits Jasper A. J. , Otto Michael W.
Published: September 2015

Individuals with elevated levels of anxiety sensitivity (AS) may be motivated to avoid aversive emotional or physical states, and therefore may have greater difficulty achieving healthy behavioral change. This may be particularly true for exercise, which produces many of the somatic sensations within the domain of AS concerns. Cross-sectional studies show a negative association between AS and exercise. However, little is known about how AS may prospectively affect attempts at behavior change in individuals who are motivated to increase their exercise. We recruited 145 young adults who self-identified as having a desire to increase their exercise behavior. Participants completed a web survey assessing AS and additional variables identified as important for behavior change—impulsivity, grit, perceived behavioral control, and action planning—and set a specific goal for exercising in the next week. One week later, a second survey assessed participants’ success in meeting their exercise goals. We hypothesized that individuals with higher AS would choose lower exercise goals and would complete less exercise at the second survey. AS was not significantly associated with exercise goal level, but significantly and negatively predicted exercise at Time 2 and was the only variable to offer significant prediction beyond consideration of baseline exercise levels. These results underscore the importance of considering AS in relation to health behavior intentions. This is particularly apt given the absence of prediction offered by other traditional predictors of behavior change.
Division of Labor and Multiple Domains of Sexual Satisfaction Among First-Time Parents
Authors: Maas Megan K. , McDaniel Brandon T. , Feinberg Mark E. , Jones Damon E.
Published: September 2015

Sexual satisfaction is an important contributor to relationship functioning that is not well understood among first-time parents, at a time when relationship functioning is important for the well-being of parents as well as the child. The current study examined how several dimensions of individual and relationship functioning among first-time parents (coparenting, division of household and paid labor, parenting stress, and role overload) at 6 months postbirth predicted multiple domains of sexual satisfaction at 12 months postbirth, in a sample of heterosexual first-time parents. Role overload, work hours, and division of household labor each predicted at least one domain of sexual satisfaction for both mothers and fathers, whereas parenting stress was a unique predictor for mothers only. The implications of these results for first-time parents are discussed.
Applying a spatial decision support system to the integrated regional planning of China
Authors: He Jinliao , Sun Yeran
Published: September 2015

Urban and regional planning is a complex decision-making process that often involves multiple objectives, especially concerning the purpose of balancing the protection of ecosystems and economic development. We aim to establish a quantitative approach to the recent integrated regional planning in China, known as major function zoning (MFZ), by developing a spatial decision support system (SDSS). The SDSS is developed on the basis of the geographical information system (GIS) which offers powerful functions in spatial analysis and visualization. SDSSs can not only evaluate a variety of geographical features, such as the suitability of land use, but also support the decision makers in choosing, with the participation of stakeholders, between multiple alternatives. This system was applied in a case study of the Beijing – Tianjin metropolitan area by establishing an integrated assessment model of regional development and an index system. Through spatial analysis of different indices developed in group workshops, two alternatives were proposed according to development-oriented and protection-oriented objectives. In the protection-oriented alternative, a higher proportion of area was sited in prohibited zones (28.6%) than in the development-oriented alternative (21.5%); after negotiations with the stakeholders, the former was adopted as the final scheme for MFZ of Beijing – Tianjin metropolitan area.
Self-perceptions of the role of the planner
Authors: Fox-Rogers Linda , Murphy Enda
Published: September 2015

The role of the planning practitioner has received considerable attention in a diverse range of theoretical and empirical debates within the broad spectrum of planning scholarship from normative debates surrounding the planner's role in society, to more empirical investigations into the skills, attributes, and evolving nature of planning practitioners. Fundamental questions surrounding the role and purpose of planners have also entered into more mainstream discussions as the democratic nature of the planning system has been consistently undermined by allegations of misconduct, corruption, and incompetence. Despite the broad range of literature and debate which centres on the role of the planner, relatively few studies have explored the views of planning practitioners themselves, making it difficult to judge whether the ideas of planning academics are actually shared by those in the field. In this paper we seek to address this particular gap and argue that such insights are critical in determining the extent to which planning practitioners serve to challenge, maintain, or reinforce existing power imbalances in the planning system. The methodology consists of a series of qualitative interviews with twenty local authority planners working throughout the Greater Dublin Area, Ireland. The results suggest that planners' self-perceptions of their role tend to reflect traditional pluralist and managerialist perspectives. More broadly, the results suggest that the role orientations of contemporary planners are being shaped by dominant discourses in current planning ideology — namely, collaborative and participatory approaches.
Automated identification and characterization of parcels with OpenStreetMap and points of interest
Authors: Liu Xingjian , Long Ying
Published: September 2015

Against the paucity of information on urban parcels in China, we propose a method to automatically identify and characterize parcels using OpenStreetMap (OSM) and points of interest (POI) data. Parcels are the basic spatial units for fine-scale urban modeling, urban studies, and spatial planning. Conventional methods for identification and characterization of parcels rely on remote sensing and field surveys, which are labor intensive and resource consuming. Poorly developed digital infrastructure, limited resources, and institutional barriers have all hampered the gathering and application of parcel data in China. Against this backdrop, we employ OSM road networks to identify parcel geometries and POI data to infer parcel characteristics. A vector-based cellular automata model is adopted to select urban parcels. The method is applied to the entire state of China and identifies 82 645 urban parcels in 297 cities. Notwithstanding all the caveats of open and/or crowd-sourced data, our approach can produce a reasonably good approximation of parcels identified using conventional methods, thus it has the potential to become a useful tool.
The effect of distraction on pain perception during an endovenous thermal ablation procedure
Authors: van Zandvoort Carina EG , Toonder Irwin M , Stoopendaal Irma AJ , Wittens Cees HA
Published: September 2015

Objectives

To determine whether audio and visual distraction can affect the pain perception of a patient undergoing endovenous thermal ablation under tumescent anesthesia.

Methods

Patients underwent an endovenous thermal ablation procedure and were randomized into two groups: non-distraction (AVD−) and with distraction (AVD+). Visual analogue scale pain score and hospital anxiety depression scale scores were used to measure outcome. The recruited patients were asked to submit an anticipated visual analogue scale pain score prior to treatment as well as the actual experienced post-operative visual analogue scale pain score.

Results

There was no significant difference between the AVD− and AVD+ groups post-operative pain score 2.85 (SD 1.7) versus 2.60 (SD 2.3), p = 0.68. Pain score in women with distraction (AVD+) decreased from 3.81 to 2.42. The pain score in men with distraction (AVD+) increases from 1.88 to 2.82. In the AVD− group, a significant difference was found between men and women ( p = 0.014). Disregarding gender, a significant difference was found between the anticipated pain score and the actual pain score in both the AVD− group ( p = 0.009) and AVD+ group ( p = 0.021). There was a correlation between depression and the pain score, which was not seen between pain and anxiety score.

Conclusion

The results suggested that audiovisual distraction has no influence on the visual analogue scale pain score during endovenous thermal ablation under tumescent anesthesia. Despite this, patients appreciate and evaluate audio and visual distraction as pleasant to extremely pleasant when applied.
Towards the just city: Addressing poverty and social exclusion in the Stockholm Region
Authors: Reardon Mitchell , Dymén Christian
Published: September 2015

Urban poverty and social exclusion is rarely the outcome of a single phenomenon. It results from a diversity of factors, including socio-economic patterns, discrimination, access to housing, the built form, transportation and social networks, often in connection with institutional breakdowns. To understand this challenge, with a particular emphasis on the role of public institutions in resolving or exacerbating these issues, this article, based on an ESPON Territorial Indicators of Poverty and Social Exclusion case study, focuses on the municipality of Botkyrka, located in the Stockholm Region. It had the lowest median income in 2010 and among the highest municipal concentrations of persons with a foreign background in the region, but has also seen dramatic improvements over the past decade. Through an review of relevant municipal and regional documents, in-depth interviews and on-site investigation, this article analyses poverty and social exclusion challenges through the lens of social exclusion and just city theory. In doing so, a focus on the role of institutions in mitigating these issues is offered. The paper concludes with a discussion of positive measures undertaken locally, with recognition of multiple levels of governance, and their transferability within Europe and beyond.