bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altitude consensus based 3D flocking control for fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle swarm trajectory tracking
Authors: Zhang Xiangyin , Duan Haibin
Published: March 2016

This paper studies the 3D flocking control problem for unmanned aerial vehicle swarm when tracking a desired trajectory. In order to allow the unmanned aerial vehicle swarm to form the stable flocking geometry on a same horizontal plane, the altitude consensus algorithm is applied to the unmanned aerial vehicle altitude control channel, using the trajectory altitude as the external input signals. The flocking control algorithm is only performed in the horizontal channel to control the horizontal position of unmanned aerial vehicles. The distributed tracking algorithm, which controls the local averages of position and velocity of each unmanned aerial vehicle, is implemented to achieve the better tracking performance. The improved artificial potential field method is introduced to achieve the smooth trajectory when avoiding obstacles. The practical dynamic and constraints of unmanned aerial vehicles are also taken into account. Numerical simulations are performed to test the performance of the proposed control algorithm.
Mobilisation for public engagement: Benchmarking the practices of research institutes
Authors: Entradas Marta , Bauer Martin M.
Published: March 2016

Studies on scientists’ practices of public engagement have pointed to variations between disciplines. If variations at the individual level are reflected at the institutional level, then research institutes in Social Sciences (and Humanities) should perform higher in public engagement and be more involved in dialogue with the public. Using a nearly complete sample of research institutes in Portugal 2014 ( n = 234, 61% response rate), we investigate how public engagement varies in intensity, type of activities and target audiences across scientific areas. Three benchmark findings emerge. First, the Social Sciences and the Humanities profile differently in public engagement highlighting the importance of distinguishing between these two scientific areas often conflated in public engagement studies. Second, the Social Sciences overall perform more public engagement activities, but the Natural Sciences mobilise more effort for public engagement. Third, while the Social Sciences play a greater role in civic public engagement, the Natural Sciences are more likely to perform educational activities. Finally, this study shows that the overall size of research institutes, available public engagement funding and public engagement staffing make a difference in institutes’ public engagement.
Histologic and molecular characterization of Edwardsiella piscicida infection in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Authors: Fogelson Susan B. , Petty Barbara D. , Reichley Stephen R. , Ware Cynthia , Bowser Paul R. , Crim Marcus J. , Getchell Rodman G. , Sams Kelly L. , Marquis Hélène , Griffin Matt J.
Published: March 2016

The genus Edwardsiella is composed of a diverse group of facultative anaerobic, gram-negative bacteria that can produce disease in a wide variety of hosts, including birds, reptiles, mammals, and fish. Our report describes the isolation and identification of Edwardsiella piscicida associated with chronic mortality events in 2 separate captive largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides) populations in New York and Florida. Wet-mount biopsies of skin mucus, gill, kidney, and spleen from several affected largemouth bass contained significant numbers of motile bacteria. Histologic examination revealed multifocal areas of necrosis scattered throughout the heart, liver, anterior kidney, posterior kidney, and spleen. Many of the necrotic foci were encapsulated or replaced by discrete granulomas and associated with colonies of gram-negative bacteria. Initial phenotypic and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometric analysis against existing spectral databases of recovered isolates identified these bacteria as Edwardsiella tarda. Subsequent molecular analysis using repetitive sequence mediated and species-specific PCR, as well as 16S rRNA, rpoB, and gyrB sequences, classified these isolates as E. piscicida. As a newly designated taxon, E. piscicida should be considered as a differential for multiorgan necrosis and granulomas in largemouth bass.
Social problem ownership at Taganka, Moscow: Explaining urban protests against infill development projects
Authors: Ivanou Aleh
Published: March 2016

Focusing on a protest movement against unwanted development projects in Moscow, I consider their opportunities to act, framing mechanism, and outcomes. I regard theoretical tools of “cognitive liberation” and “social appropriation of claims” as most applicable in cases of sustained local activism in the context of Russia, adverse to collective action. One of such groups sets upon infill development projects at Taganka in central Moscow. After reviewing relevant literature, I then proceed to the case study. Given that little is known on the mechanisms through which such groups can persist and exert influence, I compare relative weight of several prospective factors. I conclude this article by arguing that framing mechanisms, especially a certain “ownership frame,” are most relevant in explaining such groups’ remaining motivated for long time and producing unexpected outcomes.
Issues in Integrating Psychotropic and Intensive Behavioral Interventions for Students With Emotional and Behavioral Challenges in Schools
Authors: Lloyd Blair P. , Torelli Jessica N. , Symons Frank J.
Published: March 2016

The prevalence of psychotropic medication use among students with emotional and behavioral challenges continues to increase as intensive behavioral interventions are designed and evaluated in schools. There is general consensus among clinical professionals that psychotropic medications are not “silver bullets” but should be expected to improve mental health outcomes and enhance the effects of academic and behavioral interventions. Thus, they should be used to supplement, not replace, classroom-based strategies. Unfortunately, effective collaboration between clinical and educational professionals to evaluate medication effects is rare. As a result, psychopharmacological and behavioral interventions often occur simultaneously but are implemented and monitored independently by separate teams of professionals. In the present article, we make a case that a better understanding of behavioral mechanisms of psychotropic drug effects has the potential to improve the integration and evaluation of psychotropic and intensive behavioral interventions for students with emotional and behavioral challenges in schools. First, we review behavior-analytic approaches to intensive intervention models and current use patterns in psychotropic medications for students with emotional and behavioral challenges. Second, we review potential behavioral mechanisms of drug action as a framework for integrating the two treatment models. Third, we discuss implications of this integrated framework for practitioners when implementing and evaluating intensive, integrated interventions in schools.
A Critical Look At Trauma-Informed Care Among Agencies and Systems Serving Maltreated Youth and Their Families
Authors: Hanson Rochelle F. , Lang Jason
Published: March 2016

The past two decades have witnessed an increase in programs targeting children and youth impacted by traumatic events, with a heightened focus on ensuring that all such programs and relevant service systems are trauma informed. While such efforts are laudable, trauma-informed care (TIC) is defined in a number of ways, limiting evaluation of these initiatives, specifically as they relate to the potential for improved outcomes or reduced costs often used to advocate for TIC. Widespread interest in TIC, despite an apparent dearth of empirical research, served as the impetus for this special section. Our goal was to identify the most rigorous empirical studies available. These six papers were selected based on their inclusion of a definition of TIC, focus on at least one component of TIC in a child-serving system, and availability of empirical data demonstrating the effectiveness of their efforts. In addition to introducing these papers, we share preliminary data from a brief, anonymous survey of child-serving professionals across various systems and roles to obtain feedback about definitional and conceptual issues related to TIC. While this special section provides a representation of available empirical work, significant gaps between research and practice of TIC remain, with important implications for future work.
Intimate Partner Violence and Patterns of Safety Strategy Use Among Women Seeking Temporary Protective Orders
Authors: Parker Elizabeth M. , Gielen Andrea C. , Castillo Renan , Webster Daniel W. , Glass Nancy
Published: March 2016

This study examined use of safety strategies, experience of violence, and perception of danger from intimate partner violence (IPV) among 197 women seeking temporary protective orders against their abusive partners/ex-partners. Latent class analysis was used to group women into classes based on their use of safety strategies. Five classes of strategy use were identified: two high-activity classes, two moderately active classes, and one low-activity class. More severe abuse, increased perception of danger, and unemployment were associated with being in the higher activity classes. More effective interventions and outreach tools are needed to help women in IPV situations.
Predicting Sexual Assault Perpetration Among Heterosexually Active Young Men
Authors: Casey Erin A. , Masters N. Tatiana , Beadnell Blair , Hoppe Marilyn J. , Morrison Diane M. , Wells Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2016

Data from an online community sample of young men were analyzed to test predictors of sexual assault perpetration. We used structural equation modeling to test the relative contributions of specific sub-types of childhood adversity to subsequent sexual aggression. Mediators included hostile masculinity, impersonal sexual behavior and attitudes, and substance use variables. Findings suggested that childhood sexual abuse had direct and mediated effects on sexual assault perpetration, but hostile masculinity was the only proximal factor significantly related to aggression. Childhood polytrauma was also associated with increased perpetration risk, suggesting that prevention efforts may be aided by increased attention to childhood maltreatment.
How Place Matters
Authors: Strom Elizabeth
Published: March 2016

Place Matters speaks eloquently of the shifts within and between US metropolitan areas, and the problems of growing racial and economic segregation. It’s argument is more compelling, however, in describing the “legacy” cities of the Northeast and Midwest than it is in illuminating the most pressing issues for Sunbelt cities. Sunbelt metropolitan areas continue to grow, but they exhibit different economic geographies and political dynamics. This article probes some of these differences and suggests future avenues for research.
Predictors and Moderators of Treatment Outcome in Cognitive Training for Children With ADHD
Authors: van der Donk Marthe L. A. , Hiemstra-Beernink Anne-Claire , Tjeenk-Kalff Ariane C. , van der Leij Aryan , Lindauer Ramón J. L.
Published: March 2016

Objective: To explore whether clinical variables and initial cognitive abilities predict or moderate (far) transfer treatment outcomes of cognitive training. Method: A total of 98 children (aged 8-12 years) with ADHD were randomly assigned to Cogmed Working Memory Training or a new cognitive training called “Paying Attention in Class.” Outcome measures included neurocognitive assessment, parent and teacher rated questionnaires of executive functioning behavior and academic performance. Predictor/moderator variables included use of medication, comorbidity, subtype of ADHD, and initial verbal and visual working memory skills. Results: Parent and teacher ratings of executive functioning behavior were predicted and moderated by subtype of ADHD. Word reading accuracy was predicted by subtype of ADHD and comorbidity. Use of medication and initial verbal and visual spatial working memory skills only predicted and moderated near transfer measures. Conclusion: Cognitive training can be beneficial for certain subgroups of children with ADHD; individual differences should be taken into account in future trials.
A Qualitative Analysis of Middle and High School Teacher Perceptions of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports
Authors: Feuerborn Laura L. , Wallace Caroline , Tyre Ashli D.
Published: March 2016

Full stakeholder support for any innovation can be difficult to achieve, particularly in complex systems such as middle and high schools. Increasingly, obtaining middle and high school teacher support for Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports (SWPBS) is identified as a challenging yet crucial element of implementation. The reasons behind these challenges are not well understood; thus, the purpose of this study was to attain a better understanding of the SWPBS-related needs and concerns of middle and high school teachers. Thematic analysis was used to analyze open-ended concerns statements and statements of need from teachers working in 19 middle and high schools. Regardless of SWPBS implementation level, the most prevalent concerns pertained to staff support and consensus, and the most prevalent needs were related to collaboration. There were high levels of consistency in concerns and needs, with a few differences found in the concerns and needs statements of teachers in implementing and low-implementing schools. Full results, limitations, and implications for future research and practice are discussed.
To include or not to include: Evaluations and reasoning about the failure to include peers with autism spectrum disorder in elementary students
Authors: Bottema-Beutel Kristen , Turiel Elliot , DeWitt Mila N , Wolfberg Pamela J
Published: March 2016

Given the significant role that typically developing children play in the social lives of children with autism spectrum disorder, it is important to understand how they evaluate and reason about the inclusion/exclusion of children with autism spectrum disorder in social situations. The objective of this study is to determine elementary students’ evaluations, reasoning patterns, and reasoning complexity regarding the failure to include children with autism spectrum disorder in social activities. Forty-four elementary-aged students participated in interviews, which included vignettes describing four contexts in which a child with autism spectrum disorder is not invited to a social event. Responses were analyzed according to social domain theory, an approach emphasizing that children identify and coordinate different domains of social knowledge, including the moral, personal, societal, and prudential. Results showed that regardless of grade and context, most children judge that failure to include on the basis of disability status is not acceptable. However, the complexity of children’s reasoning (i.e. the extent to which they drew upon and coordinated multiple domains) was higher in older children. Mean complexity scores were also higher in a birthday party context as compared to a playdate context. We offer implications for future research and practice regarding the social inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorder.
Structural damage identification: A random sampling-high dimensional model representation approach
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Tanmoy , Chowdhury Rajib , Chakrabarti Anupam
Published: March 2016

Structural damage identification and quantification of damage using non-destructive methods are important aspects for any civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering structures. In this study, a novel damage identification algorithm has been developed using random sampling-high dimensional model representation approach. A global sensitivity analysis based on random sampling-high dimensional model representation is adopted for important parameter screening purpose. Three different structures (spring mass damper system, simply supported beam and fibre-reinforced polymer composite bridge deck) have been used for various single and multiple damage conditions to validate the proposed algorithm. The performance of this method is found to be quite satisfactory in the realm of damage detection in structures. The random sampling-high dimensional model representation-based approach for meta-model formation is particularly useful in damage identification as it works well when large numbers of input parameters are involved. In this study, two different optimization methods have been used and their relative capability to identify damage has been discussed. Performance of this damage identification algorithm under the influence of noise has also been addressed in this article.
Personality’s effect on European identification
Authors: Curtis K Amber
Published: March 2016

A superordinate identity improves intergroup relations and bolsters support for the political system. Yet, why do only some identify superordinately? I argue that personality is an important determinant. I test this using an original survey in the United Kingdom, where European Union integration has increased the salience and feasibility of the “European” identity option in addition to a national one. Several Big Five traits matter: openness and extraversion increase identification with Europe while agreeableness decreases it. Mediation analysis subsequently shows that personality’s effects also travel through the mechanisms of risk aversion, knowledge, and ideology. Results imply that certain predispositions prompt some to be more receptive than others to seeing themselves in superordinate terms and that European identification may be at least partly more primordial than previously thought.
Homicide–suicides in Romania and the role of migration
Authors: Balica Ecaterina , Stöckl Heidi
Published: March 2016

Homicide–suicides are the term for homicides followed by the suicide of the offender. This study utilized police statistics, information from the penal files and an online search of news reports to establish the prevalence of homicide–suicides in Romania. We compare characteristics of homicide–suicides among current or former Romanian emigrants and Romanians who never emigrated. The estimated homicide–suicide rate was 0.005–0.146 per 100,000 inhabitants in Romania between 2002 and 2013. Intimate partners committed significantly more homicide–suicides among emigrants than non-emigrants. Emigrant homicide–suicides also had significantly more reports of prior abuse than non-emigrant homicide–suicides. The findings of this study call for improvements in intimate partner violence prevention in Romania and among Romanian migrant communities abroad.
Influence of English-language Proficiency on the Cognitive Processing of Survey Questions
Authors: Park Hyunjoo , Sha M. Mandy , Willis Gordon
Published: March 2016

When recruiting respondents for cognitive interviews testing translated survey questionnaires, researchers often recommend interviewing monolingual non-English speakers because they are the likely users of the translations. However, these individuals are hard to recruit, and there is no standard definition of monolingual. Using cognitive interview data collected from pretesting of Chinese and Korean translations of the American Community Survey Language Assistance Guide, we investigated whether there were differences in respondents’ understanding of survey questions according to their level of English proficiency and if such differences remained after considering demographic characteristics. We found that the types of issues reported by monolingual speakers and partially bilingual speakers were similar and that differences seemed to be driven by different demographic characteristics and not necessarily by language proficiency. Our findings suggest the value of evaluating translated questionnaires with individuals having diverse demographic characteristics and recruiting both monolingual speakers and partially bilingual speakers as research participants.
Art at the Bedside: Reflections on Use of Visual Imagery in Hospital Chaplaincy
Authors: Dodge-Peters Daiss Susan
Published: March 2016

‘Art at the Bedside’ is the name given to a hospital visitation program during which works of art loaded onto a computer are used to start conversations with patients and their families. The article traces the genesis of the program that evolved from the author’s dual training in art museum education and hospital chaplaincy through the evolution of the practice, now in its sixth year. Reflections on the practice itself are the focus of this article, from identifying the kinds of responses frequently elicited by the artwork to understanding how these works of art seem to forge immediate connections between the patient and the facilitator. Ultimately posed in this reflection is whether the ‘Art at the Bedside’ experience might suggest a future for the integration of the visual arts more broadly into hospital – and related – chaplaincy.
Spiritual Care and CPE: 2nd Year Experience
Authors: Luft John Paul
Published: March 2016

The aim of this article is to provide the experience of one chaplain resident in a clinical pastoral education program specializing in women and infants health and the intersection of professional spiritual care for this particular patient population. Spiritual care can be an elusive, non-tangible form of professional healthcare, and so within the clinical setting the chaplain is called to act as spiritual care provider, emotions facilitator, grief counselor, cultural and religious expert and administrative specialist in decedent care. Gaining a better perspective on the contributions the clinical chaplain makes in healthcare allows other clinicians (nurses and physicians) to better serve and provide quality holistic care to patients and their families during moments of great emotional, spiritual and psychosocial loss and grief. Both nursing and physician staff must be aware of the relevance, importance and complementary role of the spiritual care provider (clinical chaplain) in the provision of quality holistic healthcare.
No Child Left in the Morgue: Standing in as Hope’s Family
Authors: Behm Karen R.
Published: March 2016

This personal reflection expresses a chaplaincy department’s feelings as they became the surrogate family for a child whose body was abandoned by its mother in the hospital morgue.
The Need to Be Seen
Authors: Lieberman Karen
Published: March 2016

When we recognize our common humanity, suspend judgment and embrace the intrinsic value and worth of every individual, we elevate those we serve, and we elevate ourselves. Whether or not we are able to offer cure, we are always capable of fulfilling our mission to heal.
What impedes the development of professional learning communities in China? Perceptions from leaders and frontline teachers in three schools in Shanghai
Authors: Zhang Jia , Yuan Rui , Yu Shulin
Published: March 2016

Using qualitative data collected from three high schools in Shanghai, this study explored the barriers to the development of professional learning communities (PLCs) in Chinese schools from the perspectives of school leaders and teachers. Results indicate that the barriers identified by teachers in the development of PLCs include insufficient collaborative time, ineffective school leadership, unfavourable accountability policy, and lack of collaborative professional culture. By contrast, school leaders regard the absence of financial power, passive teachers, an unfavourable accountability system, and shortage of external resources as the major impediments to PLCs. Moreover, both similarities and differences are observed in the perceptions of teachers and school leaders regarding the barriers to PLC development. Practical implications for the effective implementation of PLCs and suggestions for future research are also presented.
Reducing inappropriate testing in the diagnosis of the menopause and peri-menopause
Authors: Williams Jac , Currie Heather , Foster Adele , Anderson Julia
Published: March 2016

The menopause should be diagnosed based on age, menstrual history and clinical symptoms, and as such, follicle stimulating hormone testing may be considered inappropriate when diagnosing the menopause or peri-menopause in women aged 45 and over. As part of a demand optimisation programme, the number of follicle stimulating hormone tests requested to diagnose the menopause in this age group was quantified and educational interventions were implemented to reduce inappropriate testing. The number of follicle stimulating hormone tests requested to diagnose the menopause in women aged 45 and over was successfully and sustainably reduced.
Sinus Node Dysfunction After Extracardiac Conduit and Lateral Tunnel Fontan Operation
Authors: Rajanbabu Balram Babu , Gangopadhyay Debasree
Published: March 2016

This review summarizes the influence of the type of prior superior cavopulmonary anastomosis in the studies that report a difference in the occurrence of sinus node dysfunction among extracardiac conduit Fontan and lateral tunnel Fontan operations along with clinical implications.
Well-Being and Agency in Parents of Children With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: López Rodrigo , Frangini Patricia , Ramírez Muriel , Valenzuela Patricia M. , Terrazas Claudia , Pérez Carolina A. , Borchert Evelyn , Trachsel Manuel
Published: March 2016

Background:

Parents of children having congenital heart diseases (CHDs) develop symptoms of depression, distress, anxiety, and hopelessness more frequently than parents of healthy children. Associated with the described symptoms, parents may experience a lack of control and disempowerment, which decreases the parent’s agency, a construct from development studies, and which may have negative consequences on adherence to treatment. The primary aim of this study was to assess the effect of medical treatment on well-being and agency in parents of children having CHDs, in Chile, and to compare it with reference values.

Methods:

Forty parents of children having CHDs (before surgery and before hospital discharge) and 115 parents of healthy children were surveyed. The following scales were applied to this population: the General Health Questionnaire, the Basic Psychological Needs Scales, the Self-Determination Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and a socioeconomic survey.

Results:

Children’s surgery decreased parents’ hopelessness (3.13 ± 0.35 and 2.18 ± 0.40, P = .04), and no significant differences were found in the remaining scales. Parents of children with CHDs scored significantly worse than parents of healthy children on the General Health Questionnaire (13.82 ± 1.03 and 9.21 ± 0.64, P = .001). This difference was not found using the others scales.

Conclusion:

Children’s surgery has a positive effect on parent’s hopelessness, but it does not have any impact on their well-being nor agency. Parents of children with CHD have a decreased well-being compared to parents of healthy children but have a similar level of agency. Socioeconomic level and gender may influence this association.
Evaluation of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Graziani Francesca , Delogu Angelica Bibiana
Published: March 2016

The clinical approach to adults with congenital heart diseases (ACHDs) is unique in cardiovascular medicine because these patients encompass a broad range of presentations. Each patient, despite having similar diagnosis, will be anatomically and physiologically unlike others within ACHD population, in relation to the type of repair, age at repair, associated defects, with specific long-term risk factors and complications. Furthermore, as many patients will not complain of symptoms, clinical evaluation and diagnostic testing must also be based on the underlying main diagnostic category, with complete standardized lesion-specific clinical protocols, investigating all known risk factors specific for each congenital heart disease and performed as part of screening for significant long-term complications. The first part of this review will focus on clinical history, physical examination, and the most important diagnostic testing in ACHD population. The second part of the article will focus on some clinical issues we have to face in our daily practice, such as heart failure, cyanosis, and pulmonary hypertension. Furthermore, as survival rates of ACHD population continue to improve and patients with this condition live longer, we will briefly report on a new clinical concern regarding the impact of acquired morbidities like coronary artery disease that appear to be of greater importance in defining outcome in older patients with ACHD.
Endowment Effects in Bundles
Authors: Dutta Swati , Mukhopadhyay Jyoti Prasad , Pingali Viswanath
Published: March 2016

Behavioural experiments conducted so far to establish the presence of endowment effects have endowed the subjects typically with a single good. In this paper, we extend this analysis and test for the presence of endowment effects in a multi-good setting. Specifically, we ask ‘how does endowment effect of a good change when the endowment of other goods in the bundle changes?’ Following the literature, we measure endowment effects as the difference between willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA). To do this we adopt a novel experiment design that allows us to directly pit prospect theory against neoclassical theory. We find evidence of endowment effects even in the multi-good setting. However, we do not find any statistically significant evidence of endowment effect of the good in question being sensitive/responsive to changes in the endowment of other goods.
Existence of Multiple Matchmakers in a Two-sided Matching Market
Authors: Ramani Vinay
Published: March 2016

This article studies a two-sided matching market with intermediation where an incumbent match-maker faces the threat of entry from a potential entrant. When the payoff from matching is complementary in the types of the agents, there exists a weak sequential equilibrium, either with entry and market segmentation or with entry deterrence. When intermediation is costless, allowing for sequential entry yields the socially efficient outcome as the number of entrants tends to infinity. Introducing intermediation costs leads to a welfare loss.
Strategic Tangle
Authors: Nulkar Gurudas
Published: March 2016

Games are useful in enriching a course and reinforcing classroom teaching. This article describes a game developed by the author for Strategic Marketing course of an MBA program. It is a team game that can be played without computers. The unique aspect of the game is that one team creates a challenge for another team to respond to. Each team defends its own response and challenges another. Strategic Tangle is like a live case where decision makers have limited access to market information. The game offers a business context for reinforcing class room learning, and the participants can be evaluated on their performance. Participant feedback shows that the element of cocreation makes the game interesting. The game can be adapted to other courses and for undergraduate-level business courses. The game can be played over 3 or 6 hours plus presentation and debriefing time.
Understanding variation in length of hospital stay for COPD exacerbation: European COPD audit
Authors: Ruparel Mamta , López-Campos Jose Luis , Castro-Acosta Ady , Hartl Sylvia , Pozo-Rodriguez Francisco , Roberts C. Michael
Published: March 2016

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care across Europe has high heterogeneity with respect to cost and the services available. Variations in length of stay (LOS) may be attributed to patient characteristics, resource and organisational characteristics, and/or the so-called hospital cluster effect.

The European COPD Audit in 13 countries included data from 16 018 hospitalised patients. The recorded variables included information on patient and disease characteristics, and resources available. Variables associated with LOS were evaluated by a multivariate, multilevel analysis.

Mean±sdLOS was 8.7±8.3 days (median 7 days, interquartile range 4–11 days). Crude variability between countries was reduced after accounting for clinical factors and the clustering effect. The main factors associated with LOS being longer than the median were related to disease or exacerbation severity, including GOLD class IV (OR 1.77) and use of mechanical ventilation (OR 2.15). Few individual resource variables were associated with LOS after accounting for the hospital cluster effect.

This study emphasises the importance of the patients' clinical severity at presentation in predicting LOS. Identifying patients at risk of a long hospital stay at admission and providing targeted interventions offers the potential to reduce LOS for these individuals. The complex interactions between factors and systems were more important that any single resource or organisational factor in determining differences in LOS between hospitals or countries.
Evolution of Randomized Trials in Advanced/Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma: End Point Selection, Surrogacy, and Quality of Reporting
Authors: Zer Alona , Prince Rebecca M. , Amir Eitan , Abdul Razak Albiruni
Published: March 2016

Purpose

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) have used varying end points. The surrogacy of intermediate end points, such as progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), and 3-month and 6-month PFS (3moPFS and 6moPFS) with overall survival (OS), remains unknown. The quality of efficacy and toxicity reporting in these studies is also uncertain.

Methods

A systematic review of systemic therapy RCTs in STS was performed. Surrogacy between intermediate end points and OS was explored using weighted linear regression for the hazard ratio for OS with the hazard ratio for PFS or the odds ratio for RR, 3moPFS, and 6moPFS. The quality of reporting for efficacy and toxicity was also evaluated.

Results

Fifty-two RCTs published between 1974 and 2014, comprising 9,762 patients, met the inclusion criteria. There were significant correlations between PFS and OS (R = 0.61) and between RR and OS (R = 0.51). Conversely, there were nonsignificant correlations between 3moPFS and 6moPFS with OS. A reduction in the use of RR as the primary end point was observed over time, favoring time-based events (P for trend = .02). In 14% of RCTs, the primary end point was not met, but the study was reported as being positive. Toxicity was comprehensively reported in 47% of RCTs, whereas 14% inadequately reported toxicity.

Conclusion

In advanced STS, PFS and RR seem to be appropriate surrogates for OS. There is poor correlation between OS and both 3moPFS and 6moPFS. As such, caution is urged with the use of these as primary end points in randomized STS trials. The quality of toxicity reporting and interpretation of results is suboptimal.
An anterior signaling center patterns and sizes the anterior neuroectoderm of the sea urchin embryo
Authors: Range Ryan C. , Wei Zheng
Published: March 2016

Anterior signaling centers are essential to specify and pattern the early anterior neuroectoderm (ANE) of many deuterostome embryos. In the sea urchin embryo the ANE is restricted to the anterior end of the late blastula-stage embryo where it forms a simple neural territory consisting of several types of neurons, as well as the apical tuft. Here, we show that during early development, the sea urchin ANE territory separates into inner and outer regulatory domains expressing the cardinal ANE transcriptional regulators, FoxQ2 and Six3, respectively. FoxQ2 drives this patterning process, which is required to eliminate six3 expression from the inner domain and activate the expression of Dkk3 and sFRP1/5, two secreted Wnt modulators. Dkk3 and low expression levels of sFRP1/5 act additively to potentiate the Wnt/JNK signaling pathway governing the positioning of the ANE territory around the anterior pole; whereas, high expression levels of sFRP1/5 antagonize Wnt/JNK signaling. Furthermore, the levels of sFrp1/5 and Dkk3 are rigidly maintained via auto-repressive and cross-repressive interactions with Wnt signaling components and additional ANE transcription factors. Together, these data support a model in which FoxQ2 initiates an anterior patterning center that implements correct size and positions of ANE structures. Comparisons of functional and expression studies in sea urchin, hemichordate and chordate embryos reveal striking similarities among deuterostome ANE regulatory networks and the individual molecular mechanism that position and define ANE borders. These data provide strong support for the idea that the sea urchin embryo uses an ancient anterior patterning system that was present in the common ambulacrarian/chordate ancestor.
ΑΙ ΔΥΤΙΚΑΙ ΠΗΓΑΙ ΔΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΝΑΝΤΙ ΤΩΝ ΝΟΡΜΑΝΔΩΝ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗΝ ΤΟΥ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥ Ι' ΔΟΥΚΑ
Authors: ΦΙΛΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΑ
Published: March 2016

Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.
ΔΥΟ ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΩΝΟΣ
Authors: ΠΑΡΔΑΛΗ ΕΙΡΗΝΗ Ν.
Published: March 2016

  Normal 0   false false false        MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.
      /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}  
ΠΑΘΗ ΤΩΝ ΑΦΩΝΩΝ ΣΥΜΦΩΝΩΝ ΣΤΑ ΝΕΟΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΙΔΙΩΜΑΤΑ
Authors: ΣΑΚΕΛΛΑΡΙΑΔΗ ΓΙΩΡΓΟΥ XP.
Published: March 2016

  Normal 0   false false false        MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.
      /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}  
Η ΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ Η ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗ ΚΡΙΣΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΤΟΝ ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟ ΤΟΥ 1941
Authors: ΚΟΛΙΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ Σ.
Published: March 2016

  Normal 0   false false false        MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.
      /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}  
ΤΟ ΕΠΙΜΑΧΟ ΘΕΜΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΠΕΤΗΡΙΔΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΣΤΡΑΤΟΥ ΤΟΥ 1927
Authors: ΒΕΡΕΜΗΣ ΘΑΝΟΣ
Published: March 2016

Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.
ΣΧΟΛΙΟ ΣΤΗ «ΔΕΥΤΕΡΗ» ΕΚΔΟΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΟΠΑΙΔΕΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΤΟΥΣΑ (1710)
Authors: ΣΚΛΑΒΕΝΙΤΗΣ ΤΡΙΑΝΤΑΦΥΛΛΟΣ Ε.
Published: March 2016

  Normal 0   false false false        MicrosoftInternetExplorer4  <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EL; mso-fareast-language: EL; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.     /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}  
ΔΙΠΛΩΜΑΤΙΚΑ ΠΑΡΑΣΚΗΝΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΥΠΟΓΡΑΦΗΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΙΚΗΣ ΣΥΜΦΩΝΙΑΣ ΒΡΕΤΑΝΝΙΑΣ - ΕΛΛΑΔΑΣ ΣΤΙΣ 9 ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ 1942
Authors: ΠΑΠΑΣΤΡΑΤΗΣ ΠΡΟΚΟΠΗΣ
Published: March 2016

  Normal 0   false false false        MicrosoftInternetExplorer4  <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EL; mso-fareast-language: EL; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.     /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}  
Η ΣΥΜΜΕΤΟΧΗ ΤΩΝ ΕΠΤΑΝΗΣΙΩΝ ΣΤΑ ΟΡΛΩΦΙΚΑ (1770) ΚΑΙ Η ΑΝΤΙΔΡΑΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΒΕΝΕΤΙΑΣ
Authors: ΒΛΑΣΣΗ ΔΕΣΠΟΙΝΑ ΕΡ.
Published: March 2016

  Normal 0   false false false        MicrosoftInternetExplorer4  <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EL; mso-fareast-language: EL; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.     /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}  
ΕΝΑ ΑΓΝΩΣΤΟ ΕΠΕΙΣΟΔΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΜΙΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΜΑΡΤΥΡΙΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΠΕΡΑΣΜΑ TOY LEAKE ΑΠΟ ΤΗ ΤΣΑΡΙΤΣΑΝΗ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΙΑΣ
Authors: ΣΤΑΥΡΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΟΤΕΛΗΣ Κ.
Published: March 2016

  Normal 0   false false false        MicrosoftInternetExplorer4  <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EL; mso-fareast-language: EL; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.      /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}  
ΕΣΩΤΕΡΙΚΟΣ ΚΑΝΟΝΙΣΜΟΣ
Authors: Mnimon Mnimon
Published: March 2016

Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.
ENA ΑΓΝΩΣΤΟ ΝΟΜΙΚΟ ΧΕΙΡΟΓΡΑΦΟ ΑΠΟ ΤΗ ΜΑΝΗ
Authors: KODER JOHANNES
Published: March 2016

Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.
Η ΠΑΤΡΑ ΟΠΩΣ ΤΗΝ ΕΙΔΑΝ ΟΙ ΠΕΡΙΗΓΗΤΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1204 ΩΣ ΤΟ 1500
Authors: ΣΑΡΑΝΤΗ ΕΛΕΝΗ
Published: March 2016

Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.
ΣΥΜΒΟΛΗ ΣΤΗ ΒΙΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΕΤΡΟΥ ΣΤΕΦΑΝΙΤΣΗ
Authors: ΣΚΛΑΒΕΝΙΤΗΣ ΤΡΙΑΝΤΑΦΥΛΛΟΣ Ε.
Published: March 2016

Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.
ZOVATICUM
Authors: ΝΤΟΚΟΣ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΣ
Published: March 2016

Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.
ΣΥΜΒΟΛΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΚΑΛΑΒΡΥΤΙΝΗ ΒΙΒΛΙΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ
Authors: ΛΑΠΠΑΣ ΚΩΣΤΑΣ Θ.
Published: March 2016

Δεν παρατίθεται περίληψη.
CRE: a cost effective and rapid approach for PCR-mediated concatenation of KRAS and EGFR exons
Authors: Ramteke Manoj P. , Patel Kuldeep J , Godbole Mukul , Vyas Maulik , Karve Kunal , Choughule Anuradha , Prabhash Kumar , Dutt Amit
Published: March 2016

Molecular diagnostics has changed the way lung cancer patients are treated worldwide. Of several different testing methods available, PCR followed by directed sequencing and amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) are the two most commonly used diagnostic methods worldwide to detect mutations at KRAS exon 2 and EGFR kinase domain exons 18-21 in lung cancer. Compared to ARMS, the PCR followed by directed sequencing approach is relatively inexpensive but more cumbersome to perform. Moreover, with a limiting amount of genomic DNA from clinical formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens or fine biopsies of lung tumors, multiple rounds of PCR and sequencing reactions often get challenging. Here, we report a cost-effective single multiplex-PCR based method, CRE (for Co-amplification of five KRAS and EGFR exons), followed by concatenation of the PCR product as a single linear fragment for direct sequencing. CRE is a robust protocol that can be adapted for routine use in clinical diagnostics with reduced variability, cost and turnaround time requiring a minimal amount of template DNA extracted from FFPE or fresh frozen tumor samples. As a proof of principle, CRE is able to detect the activating EGFR L858R and T790M EGFR mutations in lung cancer cell line and primary tumors.
A pilot trial to examine the association between circulating endothelial cell levels and vascular injury in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Shirazian Shayan , Grant Candace , Rambhujun Vikash , Sharma Ritika , Patel Ronak , Islam Shahidul , Mattana Joseph
Published: March 2016

Objective

While albuminuria is a marker for progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), both albuminuric and normoalbuminuric patients appear prone to vascular injury. This pilot study examines the association between circulating endothelial cell (CEC) levels and vascular injury in patients with T2DM and CKD.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, eligible adult patients had T2DM, and stage 3 CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73m2). CEC levels were tested by Janssen Diagnostics, LLC using an immuno-magnetic bead-based assay. CEC levels were compared to levels in a previously tested normal population. Correlations between CEC levels and other vascular injury markers (urine albumin, von-Willebrand factor antigen, hs-CRP, uric acid) were performed.

Results

Patients included 40 adults of which nineteen were normoalbuminuric.  Mean CEC levels (38.7, SD 38.1 cells) were significantly higher than the normal population (M = 21±18 cells, p<0.001; N = 249), including in the normoalbuminuric subgroup (M = 42.9±42.5 cells, p<0.001). CEC levels were significantly correlated with uric acid levels (r=0.33, p=0.039).

Conclusions

CEC levels in patients with T2DM and CKD, both albuminuric and normoalbuminuric, are significantly higher than a normal population, suggesting the presence of vascular injury in both groups. Future studies are needed to evaluate the role of CECs as a biomarker to predict outcomes in normoalbuminuric patients with CKD.
Case Report: A giant but silent adrenal pheochromocytoma – a rare entity
Authors: Munakomi Sunil , Rajbanshi Saroj , Adhikary Prof Shailesh
Published: March 2016

Herein we report a rare entity of a giant adrenal pheochromocytoma in a fifty-year-old male presenting with a vague abdominal pain. A computerised tomogram of the abdomen revealed a well-defined  left supraadrenal giant lesion with no evidence of invasion to surrounding structures.The patient underwent surgical excision without any untoward postoperative events. Histopathological study revealed a benign pheochromocytoma. This report highlights the importance of acknowledging the fact that sometimes a giant adrenal pheochromocytoma can present with paucity of clinical  signs and symptoms.Thorough investigations and a multidisciplinary team approach may lead  to a better outcome in these patients.
The Lemons Problem in Markets for Strategy
Authors: Benner Mary J. , Zenger Todd
Published: March 2016

Research in corporate governance has predominantly focused on the moral hazard problem and governance mechanisms that mitigate it. In this paper, we instead focus on adverse selection as an alternative agency problem, emphasizing well-intentioned managers making strategic choices they believe will increase firm value, but facing difficulty informing capital market participants about the value of these choices. We suggest that more valuable strategies are more difficult for market participants to evaluate, and that pressures on managers to adopt easy-to-evaluate strategies can generate this adverse selection or “lemons” problem. We argue that governance mechanisms designed to mitigate moral hazard operate differently here, in some cases exacerbating rather than solving the adverse selection problem. We further propose that firms with unique and complex strategies may migrate to private equity as a partial remedy.