bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Station-Level Forecasting of Bikesharing Ridership
Authors: Rixey R. Alexander
Published: February 2014

This study investigated the effects on bikesharing ridership levels of demographic and built environment characteristics near bikesharing stations in three operational U.S. systems. Although earlier studies focused on the analysis of a single system, the increasing availability of station-level ridership data has created the opportunity to compare experiences across systems. In this study, particular attention was paid to data quality and consistency issues raised by a multicity analysis. This project also expanded on earlier studies with the inclusion of the network effects of the size and spatial distribution of the bikesharing station network, which contributed to a more robust regression model for the prediction of station ridership. The regression analysis identified a number of variables that had statistically significant correlations with station-level bikesharing ridership: population density; retail job density; bike, walk, and transit commuters; median income; education; presence of bikeways; nonwhite population (negative association); days of precipitation (negative association); and proximity to a network of other bikesharing stations. Proximity to a greater number of other bike-sharing stations exhibited a strong positive correlation with ridership in a variety of model specifications. This finding suggested that, with the other demographic and built environment variables controlled for, access to a comprehensive network of stations was a critical factor to support ridership. Compared with earlier models, this model is more widely applicable to a diverse range of communities and can help those interested in the adoption of bikesharing systems to predict potential levels of ridership and to identify station locations that serve the greatest number of riders.
Who Rides and who Pays
Authors: Fagnant Daniel J. , Nichols Brice G. , Kockelman Kara M.
Published: February 2014

A comprehensive benefit–cost assessment of motorcycle use is offered, along with the characteristics, behaviors, and attitudes of motorcycle riders. U.S. motorcyclists are at high risk of crashing, with rates 24 times higher than those of passenger car and light-duty truck drivers per mile traveled. However, motorcycles require only one-quarter the parking space of a car and can reduce congestion by doubling network capacity (in vehicles per hour). Most motorcycles have high fuel economy, but low seating capacities render them little or no better than most cars and some light-duty trucks (assuming average vehicle occupancies) when compared in terms of fuel consumption per rider (or vehicle occupant) mile traveled. Motorcycles emit fewer grams of many polluting emissions but more volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide than most cars if a catalytic converter is not installed. Noise impacts are a serious issue, with an inconsistent patchwork of regulations applied across states and localities. Results of a survey of current and former U.S. motorcyclists indicate that most respondents ride motorcycles for recreational purposes and ride in groups, but about one-half also ride for more mandatory (less discretionary) purposes and about 40% also ride solo. Fewer than one-third of respondents have formal motorcycle training, and helmet use is lowest among current riders who do not own a motorcycle. Engine size appears to be rising, and respondents support policies that combat operating a vehicle under the influence (e.g., ignition interlock devices for offenders). Regression models illuminate key factors and marginal effects on motorcycle riding and ownership rates.
The Language of Driving
Authors: McDonald Anthony D. , Lee John D. , Aksan Nazan S. , Dawson Jeffrey D. , Tippin Jon , Rizzo Matthew
Published: February 2014

Recent advances in onboard vehicle data recording devices have created an abundance of naturalistic driving data. The amount of data exceeds the resources available for analysis; this situation forces researchers to focus on analyses of critical events and to use simple heuristics to identify those events. Critical event analysis eliminates the context that can be critical in understanding driver behavior and can reduce the generalizability of the analysis. This work introduced a method of naturalistic driving data analysis that would allow researchers to examine entire data sets by reducing the sets by more than 90%. The method utilized a symbolic data reduction algorithm, symbolic aggregate approximation (SAX), which reduced time series data to a string of letters. SAX can be applied to any continuous measurement, and SAX output can be reintegrated into a data set to preserve categorical information. This work explored the application of SAX to speed and acceleration data from a naturalistic driving data set and demonstrated SAX's integration with other methods that could begin to tame the complexity of naturalistic data.
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in patients undergoing tethered cord surgery after fetal myelomeningocele repair
Authors: Jackson Eric M. , Schwartz Daniel M. , Sestokas Anthony K. , Zarnow Deborah M. , Adzick N. Scott , Johnson Mark P. , Heuer Gregory G. , Sutton Leslie N.
Published: February 2014

Object

Fetal myelomeningocele closure has been shown to be advantageous in a number of areas. In this study, the authors report on neural function in patients who had previously undergone fetal myelomeningocele repair and returned to the authors' institution for further surgery that included intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed data obtained in 6 cases involving patients who underwent fetal myelomeningocele repair and later returned to their institution for spinal cord untethering. (In 4 of the 6 cases, the patients also underwent removal of a dermoid cyst [3 cases] or removal of an epidermoid cyst [1 case] during the untethering procedure.) Records and imaging studies were reviewed to identify the anatomical level of the myelomeningocele as well as the functional status of each patient. Stimulated electromyography (EMG) and transcranial motor evoked potential (tcMEP) recordings obtained during surgery were reviewed to assess the functional integrity of the nerve roots and spinal cord.

Results

During reexploration, all patients had reproducible signals at or below their anatomical level on stimulated EMG and tcMEP recordings. Corresponding to these findings, prior to tethering, all patients had antigravity muscle function below their anatomical level.

Conclusions

All 6 patients had lower-extremity function and neurophysiological monitoring recording signals at or below their anatomical level. These cases provide direct evidence of spinal cord and nerve root conductivity and functionality below the anatomical level of the myelomeningocele, further supporting that neurological status improves with fetal repair.
Curcumin Lowers Erlotinib Resistance in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Cells With Mutated EGF Receptor
Authors: Li Shanqun , Liu Zilong , Zhu Fen , Fan Xiaohong , Wu Xiaodan , Zhao Heng , Jiang Liyan
Published: February 2014

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are responsive to erlotinib, an EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI). However, patients with secondary somatic EGFR mutations are resistant to EGFR-TKI treatment.
In this study, we investigated the effect of curcumin on the tumor growth of erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cells. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was examined using TUNEL staining. Protein expression of genes was determined by Western blot. Tumor growth was assessed in
a xenograft mouse model. Results showed that erlotinib had a stronger effect on the induction of apoptosis in erlotinib-sensitive PC-9 cells but showed a weaker effect on erlotinib-resistant H1975 and H1650 cells than cisplatin and curcumin. Furthermore, curcumin significantly increased the
cytotoxicity of erlotinib to erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cells, enhanced erlotinib-induced apoptosis, downregulated the expressions of EGFR, p-EGFR, and survivin, and inhibited the NF-κB activation in erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cells. The combination of curcumin and erlotinib exhibited
the same effects on apoptosis as the combination of curcumin and cisplatin in erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cells. Moreover, the combined treatment of curcumin and erlotinib significantly inhibited tumor growth of erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cells in vivo. Our results indicate that curcumin is a
potential adjuvant for NSCLC patients during erlotinib treatment.
Aviation in NATOs Expeditionary Operation in the Context of Alliances Strategic Concept
Authors: Zieliński Tadeusz
Published: February 2014

The Alliance's Strategic Concept as a formal document is a statement in which NATO points out political and military resources and the means of gaining assumed goals. It re-defines basic tasks and rules, determines main features of the new security environment, displays full-scale approach to the collective security and constitutes the background for future reforms and transformations of its member's armed forces. In the new Alliance's Strategic Concept the need of engaging NATO out of its border lines, in order to prevent particular threats, is clearly outlined. It forces the expeditionary feature on the Alliance and therefore the respective abilities are required. Those abilities focus on carrying out expeditionary operations; hence one of the leading aspects will be the use of aviation. The paper consists of two principal parts. The first part focuses on the analysis of current NATO's Strategic Concept in a context of leading its expeditionary operations beyond the area of its responsibility. Attention was drawn upon the essential problems with implementation of expeditionary operations in the future. The second part gives us characteristics of the aviation as one of the key tools in Alliance's expeditionary operations. The key requirements which the aforementioned forces need to fulfil were presented, as well as the estimated scope of the use of aviation in typical expeditionary operations.
Patients with Systemic Sclerosis Present Increased DNA Damage Differentially Associated with DNA Repair Gene Polymorphisms
Authors: Palomino Gustavo Martelli , Bassi Carmen L. , Wastowski Isabela J. , Xavier Danilo J. , Lucisano-Valim Yara M. , Crispim Janaina C.O. , Rassi Diane M. , Marques-Neto Joao F. , Sakamoto-Hojo Elza T. , Moreau Philippe , Sampaio-Barros Percival D. , Donadi Eduardo A.
Published: February 2014

Objective.

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) exhibit increased toxicity when exposed to genotoxic agents. In our study, we evaluated DNA damage and polymorphic sites in 2 DNA repair genes (XRCC1Arg399Gln andXRCC4Ile401Thr) in patients with SSc.

Methods.

A total of 177 patients were studied for DNA repair gene polymorphisms. Fifty-six of them were also evaluated for DNA damage in peripheral blood cells using the comet assay.

Results.

Compared to controls, the patients as a whole or stratified into major clinical variants (limited or diffuse skin involvement), irrespective of the underlying treatment schedule, exhibited increased DNA damage.XRCC1(rs: 25487) andXRCC4(rs: 28360135) allele and genotype frequencies observed in patients with SSc were not significantly different from those observed in controls; however, theXRCC1Arg399Gln allele was associated with increased DNA damage only in healthy controls and theXRCC4Ile401Thr allele was associated with increased DNA damage in both patients and controls. Further, theXRCC1Arg399Gln allele was associated with the presence of antinuclear antibody and anticentromere antibody. No association was observed between these DNA repair gene polymorphic sites and clinical features of patients with SSc.

Conclusion.

These results corroborate the presence of genomic instability in SSc peripheral blood cells, as evaluated by increased DNA damage, and show that polymorphic sites of theXRCC1andXRCC4DNA repair genes may differentially influence DNA damage and the development of autoantibodies.
Influence of Psychological Stress on Headache in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Vargas-Hitos José Antonio , Sabio José Mario , Martínez-Egea Isabel , Jiménez-Jáimez Enrique , Rodríguez-Guzmán Manuel , Navarrete-Navarrete Nuria , López-Lozano Esther , Romero-Alegría Ángela , de la Calle Cristina , Jáimez-Gámiz Laura , Baños-Piñero Pilar , Nebrera-Navarro Fernando , Fidalgo Alba , Caminal Luis , de Ramón Garrido Enrique , Ortego-Centeno Norberto , Expósito Manuela , Zamora-Pasadas Mónica , Jiménez-Alonso Juan
Published: February 2014

Objective.

To compare the prevalence and disability of headache in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with the general population and to assess the role of chronic psychological stress (CPS) in headache development.

Methods.

One hundred seventy patients with SLE and 102 control subjects matched for age, sex, and level of education were included in this multicenter, cross-sectional study. CPS, headache-related disability, and chronic analgesic intake (CAI) were evaluated in all participants.

Results.

No statistical differences in the prevalence of headache between both groups were observed but headache disability was significantly higher in patients with SLE. In addition, a higher average score in the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS) and a higher prevalence of patients with CAI were observed in patients with SLE. In multivariate analysis, CPSS score was positively (OR 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03–1.14; p = 0.001) and CAI negatively (OR 0.43; 95% CI: 0.19–0.99; p = 0.049) associated with headache in patients with SLE.

Conclusion.

Despite the prevalence of headache in patients with SLE and the general population being similar, headache-related disability may be higher in patients with SLE. Moreover, CPS might play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE headache, whereas CAI might have a protective effect against it.
Patient Perceptions of Osteoporosis Treatment Thresholds
Authors: Neuner Joan M. , Schapira Marilyn M.
Published: February 2014

Objective.

Many older patients express concerns about medication risks, and have higher risk thresholds than physicians for cardiovascular preventive medications. We hypothesized that patients have relatively high risk thresholds for fracture preventive medications.

Methods.

Women ≥ 60 years old were recruited from 3 primary care internal medicine clinics in Wisconsin. Participants were provided information regarding fracture risks and treatment risks and benefits, followed by a series of vignettes depicting a 70-year-old woman at baseline fracture risks between 5–50%. Fracture risks were shown graphically and treatment side effects were provided for each vignette, and participants were asked to respond regarding whether they would accept treatment. The association of vignette treatment acceptance with participant beliefs regarding medication risks was examined in analyses adjusted for perceived risk of medications, patient numeracy, and prior respondent experience with osteoporosis.

Results.

The mean age of women in the cohort was 69.4 years (SD 7.29). Ninety-one percent were non-Hispanic whites, 34% reported a history of fracture, and 20.3% a history of osteoporosis. Subjects varied substantially in their responses to vignettes, but only 51% reported they would accept prescription osteoporosis treatment at the threshold currently recommended by national physician treatment guidelines, and fewer would accept treatment at lower risks. Belief that medications are generally not worth their risks was associated with lower acceptance of treatment at all levels of fracture risk.

Conclusion.

There is substantial variability in preferences for postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment. Presentation of individualized fracture risks as recommended by current guidelines has potential to allow better targeting to higher-risk patients, but further work is needed regarding how to present this information and counsel patients.
Erosions and Fatty Lesions of Sacroiliac Joints in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis: Evaluation of Different MRI Techniques and Two Scoring Methods
Authors: Krohn Michaela , Braum Leonie S. , Sieper Joachim , Song In-Ho , Weiß Anja , Callhoff Johanna , Althoff Christian E. , Hamm Bernd , Hermann Kay-Geert A.
Published: February 2014

Objective.

Assessment of structural damage of sacroiliac joints (SIJ) in patients with axial spondyloarthritides (axSpA) has been discussed as a useful outcome measure in clinical trials. The aim of our study was to evaluate different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scoring methods and pulse sequences with a focus on fatty lesions and bony erosions.

Methods.

Seventy-five patients with the diagnosis of axSpA underwent MRI at 3 timepoints as part of the ESTHER trial, which compared 2 groups of patients treated with etanercept or sulfasalazine. Two MRI sequences [unenhanced T1-weighted (T1w) turbo spin-echo (TSE) and unenhanced T1w opposed-phase gradient-echo sequences (opGRE)] and 2 different scoring systems (simple and comprehensive Berlin method) were used for the evaluation of fatty lesions and erosions of the SIJ. Differences between techniques and methods were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and standardized response means (SRM).

Results.

Applying the simple Berlin method, mean fatty lesion scores for etanercept-treated patients were 4.59 and 5.19 at baseline and Week 48, respectively, while the comprehensive Berlin method revealed mean fatty lesion scores of 6.59 and 7.64, respectively. Corresponding SRM were 0.59 and 0.86 for simple and comprehensive methods, respectively, while ICC dropped from 0.76–0.77 to 0.59–0.62. Scoring of erosions on T1w opGRE images resulted in a higher interreader agreement (ICC of 0.65) compared to T1w TSE sequences (ICC of 0.18).

Conclusion.

Better characterization of fatty lesion changes within 1 year was achieved by the comprehensive Berlin scoring method; however, more reader variation has to be taken into account. The delineation of erosions is markedly improved when using T1w opGRE pulse sequences.
Blood Monocyte Heterogeneity and Markers of Endothelial Activation in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Surdacki Andrzej , Sulicka Joanna , Korkosz Mariusz , Mikołajczyk Tomasz , Telesińska-Jasiówka Dorota , Klimek Ewa , Kierzkowska Izabella , Guzik Tomasz , Grodzicki Tomasz K.
Published: February 2014

Objective.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with excessive cardiovascular (CV) morbidity. Interactions between activated endothelium and monocytes precede atherosclerotic plaques. Our aim was to quantify blood monocyte subsets in relation to endothelial activation and inflammatory activity in subjects with AS who were free of clinical atherosclerotic CV disease.

Methods.

Markers of inflammation and endothelial activation were measured in 47 patients with AS receiving no disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and 22 healthy controls. Exclusion criteria included atherosclerotic CV disease and traditional risk factors. Flow cytometry was used to identify monocyte subsets: classical CD14++CD16−, intermediate CD14++CD16+, and nonclassical CD14+CD16++monocytes and to evaluate their expression of CD11b and CD11c.

Results.

Traditional risk factors were comparable among the groups, except for lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in AS (p = 0.007). Relative to controls, in subjects with AS counts of classical monocytes were higher (84.3 ± 5.4 vs 78.9 ± 5.3% of blood monocytes, p < 0.001) and nonclassical monocytes lower (2.9 ± 2.2 vs 5.5 ± 2.3%, p < 0.001). In AS we observed increased soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [251 (224–293) vs 202 (187–230) ng/ml, p = 0.002], an endothelial ligand for monocytic β2-integrin CD11b/CD18. CD11b expression on all 3 monocyte subsets was elevated in 21 AS subjects with a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score ≥ 4 versus the remaining patients (p = 0.005–0.03). C-reactive protein, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and pentraxin-3 were increased in AS, in contrast to tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-18. IL-6 correlated with classical monocytes numbers in AS (r = 0.56, p < 0.0001) but not in the controls (r = 0.10, p = 0.65).

Conclusion.

Our findings suggest a contribution of immune dysregulation to enhanced monocyte-endothelial interactions in AS, especially in patients with active disease, which possibly can accelerate atherogenesis on a longterm basis.
Ultrasound of Synovitis in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Advantages of the Dorsal over the Palmar Approach to Finger Joints
Authors: Witt Matthias N. , Mueller Felix , Weinert Peter , Nigg Axel P. , Reindl Christiane S. , Proft Fabian , Schulze-Koops Hendrik , Grunke Mathias
Published: February 2014

Objective.

To compare the dorsal and palmar ultrasound (US) examination of finger joints in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with regard to the concurrence of greyscale (GSUS) and power Doppler (PDUS) positivity, and to correlate both approaches with clinical variables.

Methods.

Patients with newly diagnosed RA were assessed by clinical examination and US. GSUS and PDUS of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints were performed using the dorsal and palmar approach. Findings of synovitis in GSUS and PDUS were graded semiquantitatively from 0 to 3. Clinical and sonographic reevaluation was performed after 6 months.

Results.

With 44.6% versus 32.2% positive findings, palmar GSUS identified significantly more joints with synovitis than did dorsal GSUS. With 22.1% versus 8.9%, PDUS abnormalities were detected significantly more often from the dorsal side. With 71.2% versus 21.8% for the MCP and 57.5% versus 17.4% for the PIP joints, significantly more GSUS and PDUS double-positive joints were found with the dorsal as opposed to the palmar approach. These differences remained significant at Month 6. Both palmar and dorsal GSUS and PDUS correlated with comparable strength with clinical variables such as the Disease Activity Score 28, Clinical Disease Activity Index, and Simple Disease Activity Index.

Conclusion.

Although the dorsal approach detected fewer GSUS findings than the palmar approach, PDUS signals were significantly more frequently detected by dorsal US. In addition, the prevalence of double-positive joints with concurrent GSUS and PDUS findings was significantly higher with the dorsal approach. These data argue in favor of the dorsal US approach to finger joints in RA.
Independent Relationship of Osteoprotegerin Concentrations with Endothelial Activation and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Dessein Patrick H. , López-Mejias Raquel , González-Juanatey Carlos , Genre Fernanda , Miranda-Filloy José A. , Llorca Javier , González-Gay Miguel A.
Published: February 2014

Objective.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) may contribute to the link between systemic inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated the relationship of OPG concentrations with endothelial activation and carotid atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

OPG concentrations and those of endothelial activation molecules were measured by using ELISA in 34 patients who were treated with infliximab (IFX), both immediately before and after an IFX infusion. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque were determined by ultrasound in 27 of the study participants.

Results.

Median (interquartile range) OPG concentrations decreased from 4.8 pmol/l (2.8–6.5) to 4.4 pmol/l (2.9–6.1; p = 0.04) upon IFX infusion. Baseline OPG concentrations were inversely associated with those of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (partial R = −0.50, p = 0.004, and R = −0.48, p = 0.007, respectively). Prior to IFX administration, OPG concentrations were associated with those of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 (partial R = 0.34, p = 0.05), CIMT (partial R = 0.51 to 0.52, p < 0.009), and plaque (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.01–2.29 to OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.03–2.51; p < 0.04), independent of conventional risk factors and C-reactive protein concentrations or disease activity. Except for the OPG concentrations-plaque association (p = 0.09), these relationships remained significant subsequent to IFX administration (p < 0.05). Reductions in OPG levels related to those in vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 concentrations (partial R = 0.35, p = 0.04) and had borderline significance (p = 0.09) with those in ICAM-1 (partial R = 0.29) concentrations.

Conclusion.

OPG concentrations are independently associated with endothelial activation and carotid atherosclerosis in RA. Reductions in OPG concentrations upon IFX administration are associated with decreased endothelial activation. OPG may be involved in increased cardiovascular disease risk and may improve its stratification in patients with RA.
Outcome Measures Used in Clinical Trials for Behçet Syndrome: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hatemi Gulen , Merkel Peter A. , Hamuryudan Vedat , Boers Maarten , Direskeneli Haner , Aydin Sibel Z. , Yazici Hasan
Published: February 2014

Behçet syndrome (BS) is a multisystem vasculitis that is most active during young adulthood, causing serious disability and significant impairment in quality of life. Differences in the disease course, severity, and organ involvement between patients, depending on the age at presentation and sex, makes it impossible to determine a single management strategy. The diversity and variability in the outcome measures used in clinical trials in BS makes it difficult to compare the results or inform physicians about the best management strategy for individual patients. There is a large unmet need to determine or develop validated outcome measures for use in clinical trials in BS that are acceptable to researchers and regulatory agencies. We conducted a systematic review to describe the outcomes and outcome measures that have been used in clinical trials in BS. This review revealed the diversity and variability in the outcomes and outcome measures and the lack of standard definitions for most outcomes and rarity of validated outcome tools for disease assessment in BS. This systematic literature review will identify domains and candidate instruments for use in a Delphi exercise, the next step in the development of a core set of outcome measures that are properly validated and widely accepted by the collaboration of researchers from many different regions of the world and from different specialties, including rheumatology, ophthalmology, dermatology, gastroenterology, and neurology.
Development of a Disease Activity and Responder Index for Psoriatic Arthritis — Report of the Psoriatic Arthritis Module at OMERACT 11
Authors: Coates Laura C. , FitzGerald Oliver , Mease Philip J. , Gladman Dafna D. , Strand Vibeke , Goel Niti , Campbell Ina , Krueger Gerald , McHugh Neil J. , Helliwell Philip S.
Published: February 2014

This module reflected work within the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) to develop and validate composite disease activity measures in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). At the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) 8 Meeting, a core set of domains to be assessed in randomized controlled trials (RCT) and longitudinal observational studies of PsA was agreed upon. At OMERACT 10, 5 proposed composite responder definitions for PsA were reviewed and discussed, including new data from the GRACE (GRAppa Composite Exercise) study. At OMERACT 11, ongoing retrospective analyses of RCT data using the 3 proposed measures (Composite Psoriatic Disease Activity Index, Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Score, and Arithmetic Mean of the Desirability Function) were discussed in detail. There was agreement that developing composite outcome measures for use in RCT and longitudinal observational studies in PsA was important. Concerns were expressed regarding development of a single measure that encompassed diverse domains, such as joint counts, quality of life (QOL), and disability measures. It was emphasized that the use of any composite measure should include the ability to differentiate between activity in individual domains, such as enthesitis or psoriasis, such that the effect of each could be assessed independently. It was also agreed that patients would be systematically involved in further development and refinement of composite measures. Future plans include qualitative work with patients to explore their experience of disease activity and statistical modeling to explore how each of the proposed measures will perform in different disease subgroups.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Special Interest Group at OMERACT 11: Outcomes of Importance for Patients with PMR
Authors: Mackie Sarah L. , Arat Seher , Silva Jose da , Duarte Catia , Halliday Sue , Hughes Rod , Morris Marianne , Pease Colin T. , Sherman Jeffrey W. , Simon Lee S. , Walsh Maggie , Westhovens René , Zakout Samy , Kirwan John R.
Published: February 2014

We worked toward developing a core outcome set for clinical research studies in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) by conducting (1) patient consultations using modified nominal group technique; (2) a systematic literature review of outcome measures in PMR; (3) a pilot observational study of patients presenting with untreated PMR, and further discussion with patient research partners; and (4) a qualitative focus group study of patients with PMR on the meaning of stiffness, using thematic analysis. (1) Consultations included 104 patients at 4 centers. Symptoms of PMR included pain, stiffness, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Function, anxiety, and depression were also often mentioned. Participants expressed concerns about diagnostic delay, adverse effects of glucocorticoids, and fear of relapse. (2) In the systematic review, outcome measures previously used for PMR include pain visual analog scores (VAS), morning stiffness, blood markers, function, and quality of life; standardized effect sizes posttreatment were large. (3) Findings from the observational study indicated that asking about symptom severity at 7 AM, or “on waking,” appeared more relevant to disease activity than asking about symptom severity “now” (which depended on the time of assessment). (4) Preliminary results were presented from the focus group qualitative study, encompassing broad themes of stiffness, pain, and the effect of PMR on patients’ lives. It was concluded that further validation work is required before a core outcome set in PMR can be recommended. Nevertheless, the large standardized effect sizes suggest that pain VAS is likely to be satisfactory as a primary outcome measure for assessing response to initial therapy of PMR. Dissection of between-patient heterogeneity in the subsequent treatment course may require attention to comorbidity as a potential confounding factor.
Endogenous Retroviruses and the Development of Cancer
Authors: Kassiotis George
Published: February 2014

Mammalian genomes include a considerable number of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), relics of ancestral infectious retroviruses, whose proviruses have invaded the germ-line. The documented ability of infectious retroviruses to cause cancer has greatly contributed to the discovery of ERVs. It also reinforced the concept that ERVs are causative agents of many cancers, a notion that historically has not always stood up to experimental scrutiny. The recent greater appreciation of the complexity of ERV biology and the identification of dedicated host mechanisms controlling ERV activity have revealed novel interactions between ERVs and their hosts, with the potential to cause or contribute to disease. In this review, the involvement of ERVs in cancer initiation and progression is discussed, as well as their contribution to our understanding of the process of transformation and to the invention of innovative preventive and therapeutic cancer treatments.
Serious games: ¿nuevos medios en una institución pública?
Authors: Ibanez Bueno Jacques , Chabert Ghislaine , Allain Sébastien
Published: February 2014

Un “seriousgame” es una aplicación lúdica, con un fin pedagógico, informativo, de comunicación o de entrenamiento, inspirada en los videojuegos. Las imágenes digitales y los juegos incluidos en los dispositivos de mediación son capaces de dar sentido a la comunicación organizacional Objetivos: Este terreno de la comunicación de los seriousgames tiene un gran potencial para el análisis de las prácticas de comunicación de las empresas y la relación corporal con el juego. Metodología: En lo que se refiere a la sociología de los usos y a la antropología visual, hay entrevistas sobre la apropiación del juego y sus efectos dentro de la organización, para una investigación empírica sobre los usos de un seriousgame de entrenamiento en la entrevista de evaluación realizada por los ejecutivos de salud de un hospital. Conclusiones: Aún si la percepción de inmersión en el seriousgame no fue lo suficientemente determinante. Los ejecutivos han podido aplicar las situaciones durante entrevistas reales.
The first clinical experience in prostate cancer salvage cryotherapy
Authors: Ulys Albertas , Vėželis Alvydas , Snicorius Marius , Anglickis Marius
Published: February 2014

Introduction. Prostate cancer is the most common malignant neoplasia among men in Lithuania, though it presents a low mortality rate. In 2007 more than 3 500 Lithuanians were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Many patients were treated with radiotherapy. Unfortunately, after several years the number of cases of prostate cancer recurrence after radiotherapy started to grow. This new problem requires the following difficult decision to make: which treatment method to choose? Radical prostatectomy, high-dose radiotherapy, cryotherapy, high-intensityfocused ultrasound, active surveillance or hormone therapy – all are viable salvage methods. In 2012 we performed the first cryotherapy procedures. Now we want to present our first clinical experience in prostate cancer salvage cryotherapy.
Materials and methods. Five patients diagnosed with prostate cancer were selected for prostate cryotherapy. Four patients were treated only with radiotherapy, one patient was treated with radiotherapy plus neoadjuvant hormonal treatment.
Prostate cancer recurrences were diagnosed by multiparametric MRI and ultrasound guided transrectal or transperineal biopsies. MRI findings were validated with the Magnetic Resonance Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS). CT, MRI, ultrasound scanning, and bone scintigraphy were performed for patients before treatment. No pathological bone changes were detected. All patients received 2-cycle cryotherapy with real-time ultrasound guidance and temperature change tracking.
Results. The described treatment scheme for these patients enables to deliver two freezing-thawing cycles with 10–12 probes and a urethra-warming catheter. All procedures were completed succesfully without any intraoperative complications. Urinal obstruction was observed after 1 week for 1 of 5 patients. He had to stay with epicystostomy and overwent prostate transurethral resection. After these procedures the patient could urinate normally.
One patient had biochemical progression due to metastasis in parailiacal lymph nodes, and he got external beam therapy to lymph-node projection. After 6 months there was no cancer progresion signs on MRI and PSA was 1.77 ng/ml.
No patients suffered from urinary incontinence.
Conclusions. Our initial experience shows that cryotherapy can be a viable alternative for patients with disease progression after radiotherapy. Currently the biggest advantages of cryotherapy are as follows: possibility to treat patients not suitable for salvage prostatectomy, short hospitalization, low complication risk and lower overall cost than other methods. Short term data seems to be promising but longer follow-up is necessary to verify oncological and functional results.
« Le Horla » et l’imaginaire du portrait composite
Authors: Schincariol Andrea
Published: February 2014

L’invention de la photographie a changé de manière radicale la façon d’étudier la physionomie humaine. En se substituant aux moyens de représentation traditionnels, la chambre noire introduit, dès la seconde moitié du xixe siècle, un nouveau protocole d’analyse physiognomonique fondé sur la croyance en l’infaillibilité de la plaque photosensible. Cette croyance est le fondement même de ce que Charles Grivel nomme le « lavatérisme généralisé » de l’époque. De Duchenne de Boulogne à Alphonse Bertillon, en passant par le travail fondateur de Cesare Lombroso, la chambre noire apparaît dans l’imaginaire visuel collectif comme le médium qui, par excellence, est à même de fixer et de restituer l’image des types sociaux. En prenant comme cas d’étude « Le Horla » (1886), cette contribution vise à retracer les liens entre le chef-d’oeuvre de Guy de Maupassant et l’iconographie photographique issue de cette vague néo-lavatérienne.
A new 28 nm high-k metal gate CMOS logic one-time programmable memory cell
Authors: Hsiao Woan Yun , Mei Chin Yu , Shen Wen Chao , Chih Yue Der , King Ya-Chin , Lin Chrong Jung
Published: February 2014

This work presents a high density high-k metal gate (HKMG) one-time programmable (OTP) cell. Without additional processes and steps, this OTP cell is fully compatible to 28 nm HKMG CMOS process. The OTP cell adopts high-k dielectric breakdown as programming mechanism to obtain more than 105 times of on/off read window. Moreover, it features low power and fast program speed by 4.5 V program voltage in 100 µs. In addition to the ultrasmall cell area of 0.0425 µm2, the superior performance of disturb immunities and data retention further support the new logic OTP cell to be a very promising solution in advanced logic non-volatile memory (NVM) applications.
A semiconductor optical amplifier comprising highly stacked InAs quantum dots fabricated using the strain-compensation technique
Authors: Akahane Kouichi , Yamamoto Naokatsu , Umezawa Toshimasa , Kanno Atsushi , Kawanishi Tetsuya
Published: February 2014

A semiconductor optical amplifier was fabricated by incorporating highly stacked InAs quantum dots (QDs) as a gain media. Twenty InAs QD layers were successfully stacked through the strain-compensation technique, without any deterioration of crystal quality. A wide-range 1.55 µm band gain was observed, and maximum gain reached 25 dB at 1530 nm when the input power was below −40 dBm.
New view of Arctic cyclone activity from the Arctic system reanalysis
Authors: Tilinina Natalia , Gulev Sergey K. , Bromwich David H.
Published: February 2014

Arctic cyclone activity is analyzed in 11 year (2000–2010), 3‐hourly output from the Arctic System Reanalysis (ASR) interim version. Compared to the global modern era reanalyses (European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis (ERA)‐Interim, Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, and National Centers for Environmental Prediction‐Climate Forecast System Reanalysis), ASR shows a considerably higher number of cyclones over the Arctic with the largest differences over the high‐latitude continental areas (up to 40% in summer and 30% in winter). Over the Arctic Ocean during both seasons ASR captures well the cyclone maximum in the Eastern Arctic which has 30% less cyclones in summer and is hardly detectable in winter in ERA‐Interim. High resolution of the ASR model coupled with more comprehensive data assimilation allows for more accurate (compared to the global reanalyses) description of the life cycle of the most intense Arctic cyclones, for which ASR shows lower central pressure (4 hPa on average), faster deepening, and stronger winds on average.
Probabilistic detection of volcanic ash using a Bayesian approach
Authors: Mackie Shona , Watson Matthew
Published: February 2014

Airborne volcanic ash can pose a hazard to aviation, agriculture, and both human and animal health. It is therefore important that ash clouds are monitored both day and night, even when they travel far from their source. Infrared satellite data provide perhaps the only means of doing this, and since the hugely expensive ash crisis that followed the 2010 Eyjafjalljökull eruption, much research has been carried out into techniques for discriminating ash in such data and for deriving key properties. Such techniques are generally specific to data from particular sensors, and most approaches result in a binary classification of pixels into “ash” and “ash free” classes with no indication of the classification certainty for individual pixels. Furthermore, almost all operational methods rely on expert‐set thresholds to determine what constitutes “ash” and can therefore be criticized for being subjective and dependent on expertise that may not remain with an institution. Very few existing methods exploit available contemporaneous atmospheric data to inform the detection, despite the sensitivity of most techniques to atmospheric parameters. The Bayesian method proposed here does exploit such data and gives a probabilistic, physically based classification. We provide an example of the method's implementation for a scene containing both land and sea observations, and a large area of desert dust (often misidentified as ash by other methods). The technique has already been successfully applied to other detection problems in remote sensing, and this work shows that it will be a useful and effective tool for ash detection.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct Oxidative CH Cross‐Coupling of Azoarenes with Alcohols
Authors: Tang Hui , Qian Cheng , Lin Dongen , Jiang Huanfeng , Zeng Wei
Published: February 2014

A palladium‐catalyzed cascade oxidative CH cross‐coupling of azoarenes with alcohols was developed using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. This reaction provides a convenient access to ortho‐acylazoarenes under mild conditions in which readily available alcohols were used as the acyl sources.

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Interleukin‐4 and interleukin‐13 compromise the sinonasal epithelial barrier and perturb intercellular junction protein expression
Authors: Wise Sarah K. , Laury Adrienne M. , Katz Elizabeth H. , Den Beste Kyle A. , Parkos Charles A. , Nusrat Asma
Published: February 2014

Background

Altered expression of epithelial intercellular junction proteins has been observed in sinonasal biopsies from nasal polyps and epithelial layers cultured from nasal polyp patients. These alterations comprise a “leaky” epithelial barrier phenotype. We hypothesize that T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐13 modulate epithelial junction proteins, thereby contributing to the leaky epithelial barrier.

Methods

Differentiated primary sinonasal epithelial layers cultured at the air‐liquid interface were exposed to IL‐4, IL‐13, and controls for 24 hours at 37°C. Epithelial resistance measurements were taken every 4 hours during cytokine exposure. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining/confocal microscopy were used to assess changes in a panel of tight and adherens junction proteins. Western blot densitometry was quantified with image analysis.

Results

IL‐4 and IL‐13 exposure resulted in a mean decrease in transepithelial resistance at 24 hours to 51.6% (n = 6) and 68.6% (n = 8) of baseline, respectively. Tight junction protein junctional adhesion molecule‐A (JAM‐A) expression decreased 42.2% with IL‐4 exposure (n = 9) and 37.5% with IL‐13 exposure (n = 9). Adherens junction protein E‐cadherin expression decreased 35.3% with IL‐4 exposure (n = 9) and 32.9% with IL‐13 exposure (n = 9). Tight junction protein claudin‐2 showed more variability but had a trend toward higher expression with Th2 cytokine exposure. There were no appreciable changes in claudin‐1, occludin, or zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1) with IL‐4 or IL‐13 exposure.

Conclusion

Sinonasal epithelial exposure to Th2 cytokines IL‐4 and IL‐13 results in alterations in intercellular junction proteins, reflecting increased epithelial permeability. Such changes may explain some of the phenotypic manifestations of Th2‐mediated sinonasal disease, such as edema, nasal discharge, and environmental reactivity.
Identification of a Critical Intermediate in Galvanic Exchange Reactions by Single‐Nanoparticle‐Resolved Kinetics
Authors: Smith Jeremy G. , Yang Qing , Jain Prashant K.
Published: February 2014

The realization of common materials transformations in nanocrystalline systems is fostering the development of novel nanostructures and allowing a deep look into the atomistic mechanisms involved. Galvanic corrosion is one such transformation. We studied galvanic replacement within individual metal nanoparticles by using a combination of plasmonic spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy. Single‐nanoparticle reaction trajectories showed that a Ag nanoparticle exposed to Au3+ makes an abrupt transition into a nanocage structure. The transition is limited by a critical structural event, which we identified by electron microscopy to comprise the formation of a nanosized void. Trajectories also revealed a surprisingly strong nonlinearity of the reaction kinetics, which we explain by a model involving the critical coalescence of vacancies into a growing void. The critical void size for galvanic exchange to spontaneously proceed was found to be 20 atomic vacancies.
Total Synthesis of Human Hepcidin through Regioselective Disulfide‐Bond Formation by using the Safety‐Catch Cysteine Protecting Group 4,4′‐Dimethylsulfinylbenzhydryl
Authors: Dekan Zoltan , Mobli Mehdi , Pennington Michael W. , Fung Eileen , Nemeth Elizabeta , Alewood Paul F.
Published: February 2014

A safety‐catch cysteine protecting group, S‐4,4′‐dimethylsulfinylbenzhydryl (Msbh), was designed and developed to expand the capabilities of synthetic strategies for the regioselective formation of disulfide bonds in cysteine‐rich peptides. The directed regioselective synthesis of human hepcidin, which contains four disulfide bonds, was undertaken and led to a high‐resolution NMR structure under more physiologically relevant conditions than previously. Conversely, hepcidin synthesized with the formerly assigned vicinal disulfide‐bond connectivity displayed significant conformational heterogeneity under similar conditions. The two synthetic forms of human hepcidin induced ferroportin internalization with apparent EC50 values of 2.0 (native fold, 1) and 4.4 nM (non‐native fold, 2), with 2 undergoing isomerization to 1 in the presence of ferroportin expressing cells.
3D Microporous Base‐Functionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks for Size‐Selective Catalysis
Authors: Fang Qianrong , Gu Shuang , Zheng Jie , Zhuang Zhongbin , Qiu Shilun , Yan Yushan
Published: February 2014

The design and synthesis of 3D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been considered a challenge, and the demonstrated applications of 3D COFs have so far been limited to gas adsorption. Herein we describe the design and synthesis of two new 3D microporous base‐functionalized COFs, termed BF‐COF‐1 and BF‐COF‐2, by the use of a tetrahedral alkyl amine, 1,3,5,7‐tetraaminoadamantane (TAA), combined with 1,3,5‐triformylbenzene (TFB) or triformylphloroglucinol (TFP). As catalysts, both BF‐COFs showed remarkable conversion (96 % for BF‐COF‐1 and 98 % for BF‐COF‐2), high size selectivity, and good recyclability in base‐catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation reactions. This study suggests that porous functionalized 3D COFs could be a promising new class of shape‐selective catalysts.