bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Retailers Really Profit from Ambidextrous Managers? The Impact of Frontline Mechanisms on New and Existing Product Selling Performance
Authors: van der Borgh Michel , Schepers Jeroen J.L.
Published: March 2014

When manufacturers introduce a new product to the market, downstream retail partners are faced with inherent trade‐offs. Retail sales personnel have to support the new product's introduction with substantial sales efforts but also sell the existing products in stock, before storage and devaluation costs spin out of control. This study shows how retail sales managers can guide sales personnel's performance of new and existing product selling, respectively. The authors argue that a manager may prioritize selling new products, existing products, or both (i.e., have an ambidextrous selling orientation). Based on data gathered from sales representatives and company databases of a large European consumer electronics retailer, the authors perform a time‐lagged partial least squares analysis to test empirically their conceptual model. The authors find that ambidextrous sales managers outperform their singular‐oriented counterparts if they properly align their orientation with a frontline management mechanism consisting of task autonomy, performance feedback, and employee age. More specifically, ambidextrous managers promote net profit obtainment if they grant their sales employees task autonomy and give little performance feedback. In addition, a remarkable finding is that older sales agents tend to outperform their younger counterparts when working under an ambidextrous manager. The authors discuss the implications of these findings.
Effect of forage inclusion and particle size in diets of neonatal lambs on performance and rumen development
Authors: Norouzian M. A. , Valizadeh R.
Published: March 2014

A slaughter experiment was conducted to determine the effects of alfalfa particle size on rumen morphology and performance of lambs. Twenty‐four Balouchi lambs aged 21 days (9.1 ± 1.1 kg) were randomly fed control (diet without alfalfa hay; CON) and mixed rations containing 15% finely ground (FINE; 2 mm) and 15% coarsely chopped alfalfa hay (LONG; 3 to 4 cm). After a 63 days feeding period, nine animals (three per treatment) were slaughtered to obtain ruminal tissue samples for morphological analyses. Alfalfa particle size did not affect (p > 0.05) papillae density, height, width, epithelium depth and surface area. Coarse alfalfa decreased the stratum corneum and increased (p < 0.05) muscle depth compared with fine and control diets. Neither DNA content and nor RNA concentration of rumen tissue was affected by feeding different diets. Forage particle size did not affect the blood concentration of glucose, urea nitrogen (BUN), beta‐hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio were higher for control diet; however, there were no significant differences between treatments for average daily gain. These data suggest that coarse alfalfa significantly reduces the stratum corneum and increases muscularity of rumen wall and tended to better feed conversion ratio.
Systematic significance of cytology in Cyananthus (Campanulaceae) endemic to the Sino‐Himalayan region
Authors: CHEN Guang‐Fu , SUN Wen‐Guang , HONG De‐Yuan , ZHOU Zhuo , NIU Yang , NIE Ze‐Long , SUN Hang , ZHANG Jian‐Wen , LI Zhi‐Min
Published: March 2014

Chromosome numbers and the morphology of members of 24 populations representing 15 species of the Sino‐Himalayan endemic genus Cyananthus (Campanulaceae) were studied using karyological and numerical taxonomic techniques. The chromosome numbers of these taxa are 2n = 10, 12, 14, 24, 28, and the basic chromosome numbers for the genus are x = 5, 6, 7. All species except C. inflatus Hook. f. & Thoms. and C. microphyllus Edgew. were examined for the first time and a new ploidy level (tetraploidy) is reported in the genus. Chromosome measurement data were analyzed using cluster analysis. The relationships between three sections within Cyananthus and evolutionary trends within the genus are discussed in the light of karyological data. The cytological data suggest that Cyananthus is a relatively primitive genus in Campanulaceae and there is significant division within the genus, and polyploidization may have played an important role in the chromosome evolution and speciation of Cyananthus in the Himalayan–Hengduan Mountains.
Imbalances of Power in ADR: The Impact of Representation and Dispute Resolution Method on Case Outcomes
Authors: Gazal‐Ayal Oren , Perry Ronen
Published: March 2014

In recent decades, alternative dispute resolution processes have gained worldwide recognition, a growing role in legal practice, and increasing academic attention. Despite their professed advantages, they have also faced fierce opposition. In a seminal article, Owen Fiss argued that ADR exacerbates imbalances of power between the parties. But while the theoretical argument has been widely developed, empirical evidence has remained scant. This article empirically examines the impact of representation patterns and dispute resolution methods on case outcomes. Arguably, professional representation of weaker parties may reduce the effects of inequality, whereas less formal, transparent, and adjudicatory processes may exacerbate them. The article focuses on small claims settlement conferences, using the Israeli labor courts system as a test case. The main findings are that representation increases the probability of a successful settlement conference, and that the more formal the process, the greater the ratio between the sum obtained by the plaintiff and the sum claimed.
Predictors of perioperative blood transfusions in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing elective knee and hip arthroplasty
Authors: Graves Angela , Yates Piers , Hofmann Axel O , Farmer Shannon , Ferrari Paolo
Published: March 2014

Background

Lower preoperative haemoglobin and older age pose a risk for perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions (ABT). The presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with low haemoglobin, greater bleeding and ABT utilization.

Study Design and Methods

The interaction between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and haemoglobin on perioperative ABT, length‐of‐stay and mortality was assessed in 86 patients with CKD stage 3 or higher undergoing elective total knee or hip arthroplasty compared with 294 without CKD. Multivariate analyses for ABT risk with haemoglobin, eGFR, age, gender, duration of surgery and primary versus revision surgery were performed.

Results

Patients with CKD had lower preoperative haemoglobin and higher incidence of ABT. Haemoglobin was independently associated with increased odds of ABT (0.74 (95% confidence interval 0.71–0.77), P = 0.001), but eGFR was not (0.98 (0.96–1.02), P = 0.089). Length‐of‐stay and 1 year mortality did not differ between non‐transfused CKD patients and controls. Transfused CKD patients had significantly higher length‐of‐stay compared with transfused controls (25 ± 21 vs 19 ± 16 days, P < 0.0001), although 1 year mortality between transfused CKD patients and controls did not differ significantly.

Conclusion

CKD alone, in the absence of anaemia, does not predispose to increased risk of ABT or length‐of‐stay in patients with mild‐to‐moderate CKD undergoing elective joint surgery. However, low haemoglobin is associated with increased ABT utilization and increased length‐of‐stay. Considering that 1 in 4 patients undergoing elective hip or knee arthroplasty has CKD, optimal preoperative patient blood management may improve outcome in this population.
Randomized trial of ‘intelligent’ autotitrating ventilation versus standard pressure support non‐invasive ventilation: Impact on adherence and physiological outcomes
Authors: Kelly Julia L. , Jaye Jay , Pickersgill Rachel E. , Chatwin Michelle , Morrell Mary J. , Simonds Anita K.
Published: March 2014

Background and objective

Effective non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) therapy is dependent on optimal ventilator settings to maximize clinical benefit and patient tolerance. Intelligent volume‐assured pressure support (iVAPS) is a hybrid mode of servoventilation, providing constant automatic adjustment of pressure support (PS) to achieve a target ventilation determined by the patient's requirements. In a randomized crossover trial, we tested the hypothesis that iVAPS, with automated selection of ventilator settings, was non‐inferior to standard PS ventilation, with settings determined by an experienced health‐care professional, for controlling nocturnal hypoventilation in patients naive to NIV.

Methods

Eighteen patients referred to a ventilator clinic with chronic obstructive or restrictive lung disease and newly diagnosed nocturnal hypoventilation (10 male, median (interquartile range): age 54(41–61) years, mean daytime PaO2 9.25(8.59–10.31) kPa, ‐PaCO2 6.38(5.93–6.65) kPa were randomized to iVAPS and standard PS. Polysomnography with transcutaneous CO2 monitoring was performed at baseline and 1 month after each treatment period. Nightly hours of therapy were recorded by the ventilator.

Results

iVAPS delivered a lower median PS compared with standard PS (8.3(5.6–10.4) vs 10.0(9.0–11.4) cmH2O; P = 0.001) for the same ventilatory outcome (mean overnight: SpO2 96(95–98) vs 96(93–97)%; P = 0.13 and PtcCO2 6.5(5.8–6.8) vs 6.2(5.8–6.9); P = 0.54). There was no difference in outcome between ventilator modes for spirometry, respiratory muscle strength, sleep quality, arousals or O2 desaturation index. Adherence was greater with iVAPS (5:40(4:42–6:49) vs 4:20(2:27–6:17) hh:mm/night; P = 0.004).

Conclusions

iVAPS servoventilation with automation of ventilation settings is as effective as PS ventilation initiated by a skilled health‐care professional in controlling nocturnal hypoventilation and produced better overnight adherence in patients naive to NIV.
Diagnostic value of the soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells‐1 in lower respiratory tract infections: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Ye Wu , Hu Yanjie , Zhang Ruifeng , Ying Kejing
Published: March 2014

The soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells‐1 (sTREM‐1) is a promising diagnostic marker for many types of infections. A bivariate meta‐analysis was performed to evaluate its diagnostic value for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science (from January 1966 to August 2013) for all trials assessing diagnostic value of sTREM‐1 for LRTI. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio(PLR), negative likelihood ratio(NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), the area under summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) curve and the Q* were calculated. Thirteen studies with 1138 patients were included in our meta‐analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of sTREM‐1 for diagnosis of LRTI was 0.84 and 0.77. The PLR, NLR and DOR were 3.6, 0.21 and 17. The area under SROC curve was 0.88 and the Q* was 0.82. The univariate meta‐regression analysis demonstrated that the assay method for sTREM‐1 significantly affected sensitivity for LRTI. The Q* of sTREM‐1 for diagnosis of community‐acquired LRTI was 0.82, and the area under SROC curve was 0.88. The Q* of sTREM‐1 in diagnosis of hospital‐acquired LRTI was 0.83, and the area under SROC curve was 0.90. The Q* of sTREM‐1 for distinguishing culture‐positive LRTI from culture‐negative diseases was 0.79, and the area under SROC curve was 0.86. Current evidence suggests that sTREM‐1 is an accurate marker of LRTI. The overall diagnostic value of sTREM‐1 for LRTI, community‐acquired LRTI and hospital‐acquired LRTI is similar.
Sleep disordered breathing and airway disease in primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Santamaria Francesca , Esposito Maria , Montella Silvia , Cantone Elena , Mollica Carmine , De Stefano Sara , Mirra Virginia , Carotenuto Marco
Published: March 2014

Background and objective

Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) may develop in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), leading to these diseases worsening one another.

Methods

Sixteen stable PCD patients (4.9–17.2 years) and 42 controls underwent overnight respiratory polysomnography (rPSG) and Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC). In PCD we assessed nasal endoscopy, pulmonary function tests and chest high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT).

Results

Compared with controls, PCD had higher obstructive apnoea (4.7 vs 0.2, P < 0.001), central apnoea (0.8 vs 0.2, P < 0.001), hypopnoea (1.8 vs 0.2, P < 0.001), apnoea–hypopnoea (7.8 vs 0.6, P < 0.001), oxygen desaturation indexes (ODI; 0.7 vs 0.2, P = 0.002), and mean oxygen desaturation (4% vs 1%, P < 0.001), while mean and nadir oxygen saturation (97.1% vs 98.1, P < 0.001) (93% vs 97.2%, P < 0.001) were lower, respectively. In PCD, SDSC was unrelated to rPSG (P > 0.05), with total score and subscores of disorders in initiating and maintaining sleep, and sleep–wake transition lower than controls. PCD patients had chronic rhinosinusitis (100%) and adenoidal hypertrophy (50%). Total HRCT score was 7 (range 0–14). ODI correlated with functional residual capacity (r = 0.8, P = 0.02), total HRCT (r = 0.6, P = 0.03) and peribronchial thickening scores (r = 0.7, P = 0.02). Oxygen saturation was associated with bronchiectasis severity score (r = −0.6, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

PCD's parents may underestimate SDB. As nocturnal desaturation is associated with lung function and structure abnormalities, SDB may significantly contribute to pulmonary morbidity.
Impact of periodic selective mebendazole treatment on soil‐transmitted helminth infections in Cuban schoolchildren
Authors: van der Werff Suzanne D. , Vereecken Kim , van der Laan Kim , Campos Ponce Maiza , Junco Díaz Raquel , Núñez Fidel A. , Rojas Rivero Lázara , Bonet Gorbea Mariano , Polman Katja
Published: March 2014

Objective

To evaluate the impact of periodic selective treatment with 500 mg mebendazole on soil‐transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Cuban schoolchildren.

Methods

We followed up a cohort of 268 STH‐positive schoolchildren, aged 5–14 years at baseline, at six‐month intervals for two years and a final follow‐up after three years. Kato‐Katz stool examination was used to detect infections with Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm. Common risk factors related to STHs were assessed by parental questionnaire.

Results

A significant reduction in the number of STH infections was obtained after three years with the highest reduction for T. trichiura (87.8%) and the lowest for hookworm (57.9%). After six months, cure rates (CRs) were 76.9% for A. lumbricoides, 67.4% for T. trichiura and 44.4% for hookworm. After two treatment rounds, more than 75% of all STH‐positive children at baseline were cured, but with important differences between STH species (95.2% for A. lumbricoides, 80.5% for T. trichiura and 76.5% for hookworm). At the end of the study, these cumulative CRs were almost 100% for all three STHs. Risk factors for STHs were sex, sanitary disposal and habit of playing in the soil.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that periodic selective treatment with 500 mg mebendazole is effective in reducing the number of STH infections in Cuban schoolchildren. Although important differences were found between helminth species, two rounds of treatment appeared sufficient to obtain substantial reductions.
Symptom‐based screening tool in ruling out active tuberculosis among HIV‐infected patients eligible for isoniazid preventive therapy in Tanzania
Authors: Shayo Grace A. , Minja Lilian T. , Egwaga Said , Bakari Muhammad , Mugusi Ferdinand M.
Published: March 2014

Objectives

We assessed the usefulness of the National TB and Leprosy Control Program (NTLP) symptom‐based tuberculosis (TB) screening tool in identifying HIV‐infected patients eligible for isoniazid preventive therapy in Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam Tanzania.

Methods

Descriptive cross‐sectional study. Data collected included socio‐demographic and clinical data. Chest X‐ray, sputum for acid‐fast bacilli (AFB) microscopy, mycobacterial culture, CD4 + count and complete blood count were performed. Patients were considered not having active TB if they presented with no symptom in the screening tool, which comprised these symptoms: cough, fever and excessive night sweats for ≥2 weeks; weight loss of ≥3 kg in 4 weeks and haemoptysis of any duration. The reference standard was a negative culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Results

We enroled 373 patients, of whom 72.1% were females. Active pulmonary TB was found in 4.1% (14/338) of the participants as defined by a positive culture. The sensitivity and specificity of the NTLP screening tool were 71.4% (10/14) and 75.9% (246/324), respectively. False‐negative rate was 28.6% (4/10). Cough, fever for ≥2 weeks and weight loss were independent predictors of NTLP‐defined TB. Cough ≥2 weeks predicted TB when a positive culture was used to define TB.

Conclusion

The screening tool had fairly good sensitivity and specificity for TB screening; however, there is a possibility that about 29% of the screened population will be given IPT while they are supposed to receive a full course of TB treatment.
Overexpression of tumstatin in genetically modified megakaryocytes changes the proangiogenic effect of platelets
Authors: Li Juan , Luo Jing , Luo Yi‐Qin , Zhou Ming , Zhao Liang , Yao Li‐Juan , Dong Hang , Yang Rui‐Ning
Published: March 2014

Background

Thrombocytopenia is a common side effect of tumor chemotherapy, the main management approach to which is based on platelet (PLT) transfusion. However, PLTs, containing angiogenesis regulators, play a major role in boosting tumor growth and metastasis. The purpose of the study was to determine whether PLTs have the capacity to overexpress tumstatin by modified megakaryocyte (MK) and PLT precursors using lentivirus‐mediated gene transfer, which might lead to alteration in proangiogenic effect of PLTs.

Study Design and Methods

CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were transduced with recombinant lentivirus carrying tumstatin and induced to produce MKs and PLTs in the culture medium containing a cytokine cocktail. Flow cytometry and aggregation test were used to detect the generation and function of MKs and PLTs. Western blot analysis and confocal microscopy were applied to examine the expression and distribution of tumstatin in transgenic MKs and PLTs. Capillary tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of transgenic PLTs.

Results

CD34+ HSCs can be efficiently transduced with lentivirus vectors and successfully differentiated into MKs and PLTs. Large amounts of functional MKs and PLTs could be generated and had correct biologic characteristics. The tests demonstrated the feasibility of tumstatin expression in MKs and PLTs under control of the cytomegalovirus promoter, that thus tumstatin was stored in the α‐granules of PLTs, and that the releasate of thrombin or A543 cell–stimulated transgenic PLTs obviously inhibited the growth of capillary tube network structures of HUVECs.

Conclusion

Gene‐modified CD34+ HSCs not only successfully differentiated into MKs and PLTs but also expressed tumstatin protein. Release of tumstatin in transgenic PLT granules led to antiangiogenic effect of PLTs.
A policy for the disposal of autologous hematopoietic progenitor cells: report from an Italian consensus panel
Authors: Perseghin Paolo , Marchetti Monia , Pierelli Luca , Olivieri Attilio , Introna Martino , Lombardini Letizia , Accorsi Patrizia , Petrini Carlo , Risso Marco , Bosi Alberto ,   Società Italiana di Emaferesi e Manipolazione Cellulare (SIDEM), Gruppo Italiano Trapianto Midollo Osseo (GITMO) and Centro Nazionale Trapianti (CNT)
Published: March 2014

Background

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) requires collection and cryopreservation of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), which in turn may be partially or never reinfused. Thus, HPC storage has become a logistic, ethical, and economic issue. SIDEM, GITMO, and CNT/ISS endorsed a project aimed to define national criteria for HPC disposal aimed to guarantee appropriateness and equity.

Study Design and Methods

A multidisciplinary panel was convened including HPC harvest and manipulation experts from apheresis units, hematologists with clinical expertise in ASCT, a representative of the national health authority, and a bioethicist. An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was carried out to select disposal criteria.

Results

The AHP selected two criteria for prompt disposal of freshly collected HPCs: an abnormal freezing procedure causing highly reduced viability or major microbiology contamination. Moreover, AHP selected six major criteria, each one of them allowing for the disposal of stored HPC units: patient death, withdrawal of consent to ASCT, contraindications or loss of indications to ASCT, a damaged label that prevents correct identification of the unit, and time elapsed since harvest longer than 10 years. Three minor criteria were additionally identified that allowed to anticipate disposal only provided that viability levels are below the limit of acceptance: a documented cold chain interruption, loss of bag integrity, and total amount of stored CD34+ cells lower than 1 × 106/kg or lower than 2 × 106/kg in patients with a successfully completed stem cell transplantation program.

Conclusions

A formal consensus process allowed SIDEM and GITMO to propose a policy for autologous HPC disposal that fulfills clinical, ethical, and economic criteria.
Norm perception and communication for vasovagal symptoms in blood donation
Authors: Rose Jason P. , Geers Andrew L. , France Janis L. , France Christopher R.
Published: March 2014

Background

Blood is a valuable resource, but most people do not donate. One deterrent to blood donation is the anticipation of vasovagal symptoms (e.g., dizziness, nausea, and fainting), despite the fact that such symptoms typically affect a small proportion of donors. The current research examined norm perceptions regarding vasovagal symptom experiences and used a message‐framing paradigm to communicate accurate norm information and increase future donation intentions.

Study Design and Methods

Three studies were conducted using young adult samples. In Study 1, donors and nondonors estimated the percentage of people who experience vasovagal symptoms. In Studies 2 and 3, nondonors and donors (respectively) were provided with accurate, positively framed, or negatively framed norm messages and indicated their intentions to donate.

Results

In Study 1 we found that participants vastly overestimated how normative it was to experience vasovagal symptoms and this overestimation was stronger among nondonors. In Studies 2 and 3, we showed that positively framed normative messages (“90% of donors do not experience vasovagal symptoms”) were generally more influential than negatively framed messages (“10% of donors do experience vasovagal symptoms”), except among past donors who had unfavorable donation experiences.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that targeting and correcting norm perception may be a critical step toward improving blood donation rates.
Zoonotic Helminths of Urban Brown Rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the UK: Neglected Public Health Considerations?
Authors: McGarry J. W. , Higgins A. , White N. G. , Pounder K. C. , Hetzel U.
Published: March 2014

Urban brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) carry microbial human pathogens but their role as reservoir hosts for helminths of public health importance is less well known. In this study, 42 brown rats trapped on Merseyside were subject to thorough combined helminthological and pathohistological post‐mortem examination. Eggs of the rodent‐borne zoonotic nematode Calodium hepaticum were initially detected in histological sections of the livers of 9.5% of rats, but overall diagnostic sensitivity increased to 16.6% when entire liver tissue was disrupted and the resulting filtrates were examined for released eggs. In their rat host, mainly trapped inside the dockland, infections with C. hepaticum were associated with a chronic multifocal pyogranulomatous hepatitis with intralesional eggs and peripheral fibrosis. Mean intensity of hepatic C. hepaticum egg infections was 1041 eggs. This is the first report of C. hepaticum in an urban brown rat population in the UK and provides original data for liver egg burdens in this abundant commensal rodent. The zoonotic cestode Rodentolepis nana had a prevalence of infection of 14.3%. Rodent‐specific, non‐zoonotic helminths found were the spiruroid Mastophorus muris (16.0%) in the stomach, the trichuroid Trichosomoides crassicauda in the urinary bladder (31.0%); the ascarid Heterakis spumosa was the commonest helminth of the large intestine (76.2%). Many millions of brown rats inhabit cities and rural areas of the UK, and the infective stages of the zoonotic worm species, particularly C. hepaticum, are likely to be widely distributed in the environment presenting a threat to public health.
Association Between Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity Intensities and Sedentary Time in 8- to 10-Year-Old Children
Authors: Herman Katya M. , Paradis Gilles , Mathieu Marie-Eve , O’Loughlin Jennifer , Tremblay Angelo , Lambert Marie
Published: March 2014

This study examines the association between objectively-measured physical activity (PA) intensities and sedentary behavior (SED) in a cohort of 532 children aged 8–10 y. PA and SED were assessed by accelerometer over 7-days. Television and computer/video-game use were self-reported. Associations between PA intensities and SED variables were assessed by Spearman correlations and adjusted multiple linear regression. Higher mean daily moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous PA (MVPA, VPA) were negatively associated with mean daily SED (r = −0.47 and −0.37; p < .001), and positively associated with mean daily total PA (r = .58 and 0.46; p < .001). MVPA was also positively associated with light PA (LPA; r = .26, p < .00l). MVPA and VPA were not significantly associated with TV, computer/video or total screen time; accelerometer SED was only weakly associated with specific SED behaviors. On average, for each additional 10 min daily MVPA, children accumulated >14 min less SED, and for each additional 5 min VPA, 11 min less SED. Thus, over the course of a week, higher mean daily MVPA may displace SED time and is associated with higher total PA over and above the additional MVPA, due to concomitant higher levels of LPA. Public health strategies should target both MVPA and SED to improve overall PA and health in children.
Cardiorespiratory and Muscular Responses to Simulated Upwind Sailing Exercise in Optimist Sailors
Authors: Callewaert Margot , Boone Jan , Celie Bert , De Clercq Dirk , Bourgois Jan G.
Published: March 2014

The aim of this work was to gain more insight into the cardiorespiratory and muscular (m. vastus lateralis) responses to simulated upwind sailing exercise in 10 high-level male and female Optimist sailors (10.8–14.4 years old). Hiking strap load (HSL) and cardiorespiratory variables were measured while exercising on a specially developed Optimist sailing ergometer. Electromyography (EMG) was used to determine mean power frequency (MPF) and root mean square (RMS). Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure deoxygenated Hemoglobin and Myoglobin concentration (deoxy[Hb+Mb]) and re-oxygenation. Results indicated that HSL and integrated EMG of the vastus lateralis muscle changed in accordance with the hiking intensity. Cardiorespiratory response demonstrated an initial significant increase and subsequently steady state in oxygen uptake (VO2), ventilation (VE), and heart rate (HR) up to circa 40% VO2peak, 30% VEpeak and 70% HRpeak respectively. At muscle level, results showed that highly trained Optimist sailors manage to stabilize the muscular demand and fatigue development during upwind sailing (after an initial increase). However, approaching the end of the hiking exercise, the MPF decrease, RMS increase, and deoxy[Hb+Mb] increase possibly indicate the onset of muscle fatigue.
Vitamin D Concentrations and Physical Performance in Competitive Adolescent Swimmers
Authors: Dubnov-Raz Gal , Livne Netachen , Raz Raanan , Rogel Daniel , Cohen Avner H. , Constantini Naama W.
Published: March 2014

Serum vitamin D concentrations (25[OH]D) are associated with physical performance in the general population, but few studies have been published in athletes. 80 competitive adolescent swimmers from both sexes were tested for serum 25(OH)D concentrations, grip strength, balance and swimming performance at several speeds. Spearman’s correlations were used to examine the associations between 25(OH)D concentrations and age-adjusted measures of performance. Performance parameters were also compared between vitamin D sufficient (n = 27), insufficient (25[OH]D ranging 20−29.9 ng/ml, n = 42), and deficient (25[OH]D < 20 ng/ml, n = 11) participants. No significant associations were found between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and any of the performance measures, with no significant differences found between vitamin D sufficient, insufficient and deficient participants. In competitive adolescent swimmers, serum vitamin D concentrations were not associated with strength, balance or swimming performance. Vitamin D insufficient/deficient swimmers did not have reduced performance.
Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) with asymmetric findings
Authors: Khilari Madhuri , Chakkalakkoombil Sunitha Vellathussery , Wadwekar Vaibhav , Nair Pradeep Pankajakshan
Published: March 2014

We report a case of a patient with probable Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) who had psychiatric manifestation in the form of withdrawn depressive behaviour at the onset, followed by rapidly progressive ataxia, parkinsonism, mutism and cognitive decline with generalised asynchronous multifocal myoclonic jerks. His EEG exhibited focal (lateralised) periodic triphasic sharp waves on the background of generalised delta slowing, which later on became more generalised. MRI of the brain showed hyperintensity in basal ganglia with cortical ribbon sign in bilateral frontal region. Clinical course showed progressive deterioration to an akinetic-abulic stage. He died 2 months after the onset of symptoms.
CORRIGENDUM AND ADDENDUM: "On random topological Markov chains with big images and preimages"
Authors: Stadlbauer Manuel
Published: March 2014

We give a corrected statement and extended proof of Theorem 4.1 in [2] and an alternative proof of Corollary 4.1 which is independent of the wrong statement in the theorem.
Extending Type Inference to Variational Programs
Authors: Chen Sheng , Erwig Martin , Walkingshaw Eric
Published: March 2014

Through the use of conditional compilation and related tools, many software projects can be used to generate a huge number of related programs. The problem of typing such variational software is difficult. The brute-force strategy of generating all variants and typing each one individually is: (1) usually infeasible for efficiency reasons and (2) produces results that do not map well to the underlying variational program. Recent research has focused mainly on efficiency and addressed only the problem of type checking. In this work we tackle the more general problem of variational type inference and introduce variational types to represent the result of typing a variational program. We introduce the variational lambda calculus (VLC) as a formal foundation for research on typing variational programs. We define a type system for VLC in which VLC expressions are mapped to correspondingly variational types. We show that the type system is correct by proving that the typing of expressions is preserved over the process of variation elimination, which eventually results in a plain lambda calculus expression and its corresponding type. We identify a set of equivalence rules for variational types and prove that the type unification problem modulo these equivalence rules is unitary and decidable; we also present a sound and complete unification algorithm. Based on the unification algorithm, the variational type inference algorithm is an extension of algorithm
W
. We show that it is sound and complete and computes principal types. We also consider the extension of VLC with sum types, a necessary feature for supporting variational data types, and demonstrate that the previous theoretical results also hold under this extension. Finally, we characterize the complexity of variational type inference and demonstrate the efficiency gains over the brute-force strategy.
Æminium
Authors: Stork Sven , Naden Karl , Sunshine Joshua , Mohr Manuel , Fonseca Alcides , Marques Paulo , Aldrich Jonathan
Published: March 2014

Writing concurrent applications is extremely challenging, not only in terms of producing bug-free and maintainable software, but also for enabling developer productivity. In this article we present the Æminium concurrent-by-default programming language. Using Æminium programmers express data dependencies rather than control flow between instructions. Dependencies are expressed using permissions, which are used by the type system to automatically parallelize the application. The Æminium approach provides a modular and composable mechanism for writing concurrent applications, preventing data races in a provable way. This allows programmers to shift their attention from low-level, error-prone reasoning about thread interleaving and synchronization to focus on the core functionality of their applications. We study the semantics of Æminium through
μ
Æminium, a sound core calculus that leverages permission flow to enable concurrent-by-default execution. After discussing our prototype implementation we present several case studies of our system. Our case studies show up to 6.5X speedup on an eight-core machine when leveraging data group permissions to manage access to shared state, and more than 70% higher throughput in a Web server application.
Signaling Competition and Social Welfare
Authors: Polevoy Gleb , Smorodinsky Rann , Tennenholtz Moshe
Published: March 2014

We consider an environment where sellers compete over buyers. All sellers are a-priori identical and strategically signal buyers about the product they sell. In a setting motivated by online advertising in display ad exchanges, where firms use second price auctions, a firm’s strategy is a decision about its signaling scheme for a stream of goods (e.g., user impressions), and a buyer’s strategy is a selection among the firms. In this setting, a single seller will typically provide partial information, and consequently, a product may be allocated inefficiently. Intuitively, competition among sellers may induce sellers to provide more information in order to attract buyers and thus increase efficiency. Surprisingly, we show that such a competition among firms may yield significant loss in consumers’ social welfare with respect to the monopolistic setting. Although we also show that in some cases, the competitive setting yields gain in social welfare, we provide a tight bound on that gain, which is shown to be small with respect to the preceding possible loss. Our model is tightly connected with the literature on bundling in auctions.
Goodness-of-Fit Measures for Revealed Preference Tests
Authors: Smeulders Bart , Spieksma Frits C. R. , Cherchye Laurens , De Rock Bram
Published: March 2014

We provide results on the computational complexity of goodness-of-fit measures (i.e., Afriat’s efficiency index, Varian’s efficiency vector-index, and the Houtman-Maks index) associated with several revealed preference axioms (i.e., WARP, SARP, GARP, and HARP). These results explain the computational difficulties that have been observed in literature when computing these indices. Our NP-hardness results are obtained by reductions from the independent set problem. We also show that this reduction can be used to prove that no approximation algorithm achieving a ratio of
O
(
n
1 − δ
),
δ
;> 0 exists for Varian’s index, nor for Houtman-Maks’ index (unless P = NP). Finally, we give an exact polynomial-time algorithm for finding Afriat’s efficiency index.
Performance-driven dynamic thermal management of MPSoC based on task rescheduling
Authors: Ganeshpure Kunal , Kundu Sandip
Published: March 2014

High level of integration has led to the advent of Multiprocessor System-on-Chip (MPSoC) which consists of multiple processor cores and accelerators on the same die. A MPSoC programming model is based on a task graph where tasks are assigned to cores to maximize performance. To address thermal hotspots in MPSoCs, coarse-grain power management techniques based on Dynamic Frequency Scaling (DFS) are widely used. DFS is reactive in nature and has detrimental effects on performance. We propose an alternative solution based on dynamic task rescheduling where a temperature prediction scheme is built into the scheduler. The temperature look-ahead scheme is used for task reassignment or delay insertion in scheduling. Since temperature prediction and task assignment are done at runtime, both must be simple and extremely fast. To that end, we propose a heuristic solution based on a limited branch-and-bound search and compare results against an optimal Integer Linear Programming (ILP)-based solution. The proposed approach is shown to be superior to frequency scaling, and the resulting schedule length is within 5% to 10% of the optimal solution as obtained from ILP formulation.
Low-power skewed-load tests based on functional broadside tests
Authors: Pomeranz Irith
Published: March 2014

This article studies the generation of low-power skewed-load tests such that the signal transitions (and line values) they create during their fast functional clock cycles match those of functional broadside tests. Functional broadside tests create functional operation conditions during their fast functional clock cycles. As a result, the signal transitions that occur during these clock cycles can also occur during functional operation. The procedure described in this article matches these signal-transitions on a
line-by-line
basis when generating low-power skewed-load tests. The procedure accepts a functional broadside test set for transition faults. In one of its basic steps, the procedure modifies a functional broadside test into a skewed-load test. This allows it to retain many of the signal transitions (and line values) of the functional broadside test in the skewed-load test. Experimental results for benchmark circuits demonstrate the extent to which it is possible to match the signal-transitions of skewed-load tests with those of functional broadside tests while achieving the high transition fault coverage that is typical of skewed-load tests.
Rely-Guarantee-Based Simulation for Compositional Verification of Concurrent Program Transformations
Authors: Liang Hongjin , Feng Xinyu , Fu Ming
Published: March 2014

Verifying program transformations usually requires proving that the resulting program (the target) refines or is equivalent to the original one (the source). However, the refinement relation between individual sequential threads cannot be preserved in general with the presence of parallel compositions, due to instruction reordering and the different granularities of atomic operations at the source and the target. On the other hand, the refinement relation defined based on fully abstract semantics of concurrent programs assumes arbitrary parallel environments, which is too strong and cannot be satisfied by many well-known transformations.

In this article, we propose a
R
ely-
G
uarantee-based
Sim
ulation (RGSim) to verify concurrent program transformations. The relation is parametrized with constraints of the environments that the source and the target programs may compose with. It considers the interference between threads and their environments, thus is less permissive than relations over sequential programs. It is compositional with respect to parallel compositions as long as the constraints are satisfied. Also, RGSim does not require semantics preservation under all environments, and can incorporate the assumptions about environments made by specific program transformations in the form of rely/guarantee conditions. We use RGSim to reason about optimizations and prove atomicity of concurrent objects. We also propose a general garbage collector verification framework based on RGSim, and verify the Boehm et al. concurrent mark-sweep GC.
Multipath TCP
Authors: Paasch Christoph , Bonaventure Olivier
Published: March 2014

Decoupled from IP, TCP is at last able to support multihomed hosts.
Thinking outside the continent
Authors: Best Michael L.
Published: March 2014

Encouraging the opportunities for digital innovation and invention to flourish in a variety of social environments.
New models in cosmetics replacing animal testing
Authors: Mone Gregory
Published: March 2014

A European law spurs scientists to develop computational simulations capable of predicting the toxicity of cosmetics.
Speech-to-speech translations stutter, but researchers see mellifluous future
Authors: Hyman Paul
Published: March 2014

The practical need for accurate instant or simultaneous machine translations continues to grow as applications multiply.
Formally verified mathematics
Authors: Avigad Jeremy , Harrison John
Published: March 2014

With the help of computational proof assistants, formal verification could become the new standard for rigor in mathematics.
Linux PREEMPT-RT v2.6.33 versus v3.6.6
Authors: Fayyad-Kazan Hasan , Perneel Luc , Timmerman Martin
Published: March 2014

Linux was originally designed as a general purpose operating system without consideration for real-time applications. Recently, it became a more reliable candidate in the real-time field due to its daily improvements, both for general purpose and real-time usages. In this research, we test two Linux PREEMPT-RT versions (v3.6.6 and v2.6.33.7) in the aim of benchmarking its performance and behaviour to give an insight whether the enhancements in its kernel are improving the determinism of the operating system. Our benchmark will be based on the following experimental measurements' metrics: thread switch latency, interrupt latency, sustained interrupt frequency, mutex and semaphore acquisition and release durations, and finally the locking behaviour of mutex. These measurements are executed for each Linux version, on the same x86 platform (ATOM processor) using the same test framework and measurement equipment. Comparing the results show that Linux v3.6.6 has significantly better worst case results which makes the actual Linux PREEMPT-RT version a better candidate for RT-applications. Suggestions are made for further improvements.
Composition of design patterns
Authors: Gaudel Vincent , Singhoff Frank , Plantec Alain , Dissaux Pierre , Legrand Jérôme
Published: March 2014

This article deals with performance verification of architecture models of real-time embedded systems. We investigate scheduling analysis of multi-tasks applications running on real-time operating systems (RTOS in this article). Scheduling analysis on these types of system can be performed with the real-time scheduling theory, but applying it is a complicated task. To allow designer to automatically apply this theory, we propose several architectural design patterns. Each architectural design pattern models a classical task synchronization or communication protocol available in RTOSes. In this article, we focus on those design patterns composition. We show how to compose the proposed design patterns and how scheduling analysis can be run with them.
DyPS
Authors: Benmoussa Yahia , Boukhobza Jalil , Senn Eric , Hadjadj-Aoul Yassine , Benazzouz Djamel
Published: March 2014

In addition to General Purpose Processors (GPP), Multi-core SoCs equipping modern mobile devices contain specialized Digital Signal Processor designed with the aim to provide better performance and low energy consumption properties. However, the experimental measurements we have achieved revealed that system overhead, in case of DSP video decoding, causes drastic performances drop and energy efficiency as compared to the GPP decoding. This paper describes DyPS, a new approach for energy-aware processor switching (GPP or DSP) according to the video quality. We show the pertinence of our solution in the context of adaptive video decoding and describe an implementation on an embedded Linux operating system with the help of the GStreamer framework. A simple case study showed that DyPS achieves 30% energy saving while sustaining the decoding performance.
Evaluation of 12-Lipoxygenase (12-LOX) and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) as Prognostic Markers in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Gondek Tomasz , Szajewski Mariusz , Szefel Jarosław , Aleksandrowicz-Wrona Ewa , Skrzypczak-Jankun Ewa , Jankun Jerzy , Lysiak-Szydlowska Wieslawa
Published: March 2014

In carcinoma of prostate, a causative role of platelet 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) for tumor progression has been firmly established in tumor and/or adjacent tissue. Our goal was to investigate if 12-LOX and/or PAI-1 in patient’s plasma could be used to predict outcome of the disease. The study comprised 149 patients (age70±9) divided into two groups: a study group with carcinoma confirmed by positive biopsy of prostate (n=116) and a reference group (n=33) with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The following parameters were determined by the laboratory test in plasma or platelet-rich plasma: protein level of 12-LOX, PAI-1, thromboglobulin (TGB), prostate specific antigen (PSA), C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin (HGB, and hematocrit (HCT), as well as red (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC), number of platelets (PLT), international normalized ratio of blood clotting (INR), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). The only difference of significance was noticed in the concentration of 12-LOX in platelet rich plasma, which was lower in cancer than in BPH group. Standardization to TGB and platelet count increases the sensitivity of the test that might be used as a biomarker to assess risk for prostate cancer in periodically monitored patients.
Progression of Myopic Maculopathy after Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Farinha Cláudia L. , Baltar Alda S. , Nunes Sandrina G. , Figueira João P. , Pires Isabel A. , Cachulo Maria L. , Silva Rufino M.
Published: March 2014

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term progression of myopic maculopathy and functional outcome after treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and/or intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR). Methods: Retrospective study with a cross-sectional evaluation. Eyes were assigned to 4 groups (PDT, IVR, PDT + IVR, dry myopic maculopathy) and evaluated with best-corrected visual acuity, color fundus photography and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Chorioretinal atrophy progression was quantified. Results: Fifty-four eyes were included with a mean follow-up of 80.6 ± 28.0 months. The prevalence of diffuse, patchy and macular atrophy increased during the follow-up, in contrast with tessellated fundus, lacquer cracks and active CNV. Progression of macular atrophy was significant in the 3 treatment groups (p < 0.05) and predictive of visual acuity. It depended on age, degree of myopia and presence of staphyloma, but not on the type of treatment. Conclusions: The long-term functional outcome of eyes with myopic CNV is more dependent on the progression of macular atrophy, and not on the type of treatment.