bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in the Expression of MicroRNA in the Buildup Phase of Wasp Venom Immunotherapy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Specjalski Krzysztof , Maciejewska Agnieszka , Pawłowski Ryszard , Chełmińska Marta , Jassem Ewa
Published: July 2016

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the most effective method of treatment in allergy to wasp venom. However, its mechanism of action is still not fully understood. The aim of this study is to describe changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression in patients undergoing the buildup phase of venom immunotherapy. Methods: The study group comprised 7 adult patients with a history of severe systemic reactions after stinging by a wasp. In all patients, sensitization to wasp venom had been confirmed by skin tests and serum IgE. The buildup phase of wasp venom immunotherapy (VIT) was conducted according to an ultrarush protocol. In blood samples collected before and 24 h after completing the VIT buildup phase, 740 miRNAs were assessed. Results: Of the 740 miRNAs, 440 were detected in the study group, and in 5 expression was significantly changed after the buildup phase of VIT: miR-370, miR-539, miR-502-3p, miR-299, and miR-29c. Another 62 miRNAs changed 2-fold in some patients (nonsignificant), including increases in miR-143 (stimulating FOXp3 expression) and let-7d (reducing expression of IL-13, IL-6, and TLR4), and decreases in proinflammatory miR-301, miR-146b, miR-106, and miR-485. Conclusions: Several changes in miRNA expression have been found as a result of the buildup phase of wasp VIT, with lower expression of some miRNAs involved in allergic inflammation and higher expression of those possibly involved in tolerance induction. However, the role of the most significant changes is uncertain.
Atherothrombotic Risk Stratification and the Efficacy and Safety of Vorapaxar in Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease and Previous Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Bohula Erin A. , Bonaca Marc P. , Braunwald Eugene , Aylward Philip E. , Corbalan Ramon , De Ferrari Gaetano M. , He Ping , Lewis Basil S. , Merlini Piera A. , Murphy Sabina A. , Sabatine Marc S. , Scirica Benjamin M. , Morrow David A.
Published: July 2016

Background:

Patients with stable ischemic heart disease and previous myocardial infarction (MI) vary in their risk for recurrent cardiovascular events. Atherothrombotic risk assessment may be useful to identify high-risk patients who have the greatest potential to benefit from more intensive secondary preventive therapy such as treatment with vorapaxar.

Methods:

We identified independent clinical indicators of atherothrombotic risk among 8598 stable, placebo-treated patients with a previous MI followed up for 2.5 years (median) in TRA 2°P-TIMI 50 [Thrombin Receptor Antagonist in Secondary Prevention of Atherothrombotic Ischemic Events–TIMI 50]. The efficacy and safety of vorapaxar (SCH 530348; MK-5348) were assessed by baseline risk among patients with previous MI without prior stroke or transient ischemic attack for whom there is a clinical indication for vorapaxar. End points were cardiovascular death, MI, or ischemic stroke and GUSTO (Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries) severe bleeding.

Results:

The 9 independent risk predictors were age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, peripheral arterial disease, previous stroke, previous coronary bypass grafting, heart failure, and renal dysfunction. A simple integer-based scheme using these predictors showed a strong graded relationship with the rate of cardiovascular death/MI/ischemic stroke and the individual components (
P
for trend <0.001 for all). High-risk patients (≥3 risk indicators; 20% of population) had a 3.2% absolute risk reduction in cardiovascular disease/MI/ischemic stroke with vorapaxar, and intermediate-risk patients (1–2 risk indicators; 61%) had a 2.1% absolute risk reduction (
P
<0.001 each), translating to a number needed to treat of 31 and 48. Bleeding increased across risk groups (
P
for trend<0.01); however, net clinical outcome was increasingly favorable with vorapaxar across risk groups. Fatal bleeding or intracranial hemorrhage was 0.9% with both treatments in high-risk patients.

Conclusions:

Stratification of baseline atherothrombotic risk can assist with therapeutic decision making for vorapaxar use for secondary prevention after MI.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00526474.
Refreshing Philology: James Barr, Supersessionism, and the State of Biblical Words
Authors: Lambert David Arthur
Published: July 2016

This article considers the legacy of James Barr’s The Semantics of Biblical Language. Ideally, his criticisms of theology’s use of philology would have been assimilated already into the field. But the kinds of abuses that Barr so clearly identified and critiqued are still commonly found. As a way of exploring this state of affairs, the case of μετάνοια (“repentance”) in New Testament studies is taken up in the first part of this article. 

The second part of the article considers the ways in which Barr’s thoroughgoing critique of its specious appropriation for theology has left many justifiably skittish about employing it to any significant effect and has contributed, perhaps, to a sense that ongoing engagement with the original languages of biblical literature is not a necessity and, certainly, not an avenue to creative scholarship. Examples will be adduced from biblical Hebrew ידע (“know”), לב (“heart”), and אהב (“love”) for how we might approach language and its deployment as a way of engaging difference, in this case, in and through ancient Israelite thinking about “mind” and “emotions.” 

The article concludes with the suggestion that we might move the practice of philology forward in biblical studies by attending more fully to the positionality of its practitioners. In particular, what emerges throughout the study is the dominance of a certain interiorizing language of the self, whereby biblical Hebrew terms are made to conform to a modern dichotomy of mind and body.
Specters of Mark: The Second Gospel’s Ending and Derrida’s Messianicity
Authors: McLellan Peter N.
Published: July 2016

This article engages Mark 16:1–8 with Jacques Derrida’s concept of the messianic as elaborated, primarily, in his 1993 volume Specters of Marx. Working with the concept of a circular Markan narrative, the tomb is explored as a haunted space in which readers are invited to return to the beginning of the story with an eye toward its spectral bodies. Indeed, the absence of a raised body in the sepulcher, coupled with an injunction to return to Galilee introduces a temporal disjunction by invoking the narrative past and exploring the incalculability of a future. While the other three canonical Gospels privilege the presence of a material body in their resurrection scenes, a Derridean analysis of this passage allows for an even more expanded notion of what a body might look like and opens the possibility for the immanence of justice to-come: justice that comes for the marginalized in the Second Gospel.
Zora alpina Kulczyński, 1915 (Araneae: Miturgidae): description of the male, redescription of the female
Authors: MAZZOLENI FEDERICO , PANTINI PAOLO , PEDROTTI LUCA , GOBBI MAURO
Published: July 2016

Zora Koch, 1847 is a small genus distributed in the Holarctic region. The genus comprises 16 species, 14 of them distributed in the Palaearctic region and two from the Neartic (World Spider Catalog 2016). The European fauna includes 11 species (Nentwig et al. 2016), 8 of which are present in Italy (Pantini & Isaia 2016). Zora has historically been placed in several different families, but is now in the Miturgidae Simon, 1886 following the phylogenetic analyses of Ramirez (2014).
A new species of Vargapupa Páll-Gergely, 2015 and a new synonym of Pseudopomatias Möllendorff, 1885 (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda: Pupinidae)
Authors: PÁLL-GERGELY BARNA
Published: July 2016

Revision of the genus Pseudopomatias Möllendorff, 1885 and its relatives (Páll-Gergely et al. 2015) resulted in the recognition of four genera, which agree in the (usually slender) turriform, spindle-shaped or almost cylindrical shell and the regularly ribbed teleoconch, except sometimes for the last half whorl. The genus Vargapupa Páll-Gergely, 2015, which differs from Pseudopomatias by possessing a basal keel, includes two species, one from Vietnam, and another from Laos.
A Cluster-Randomized, Community-Based, Tribally Delivered Oral Health Promotion Trial in Navajo Head Start Children
Authors: Braun P.A. , Quissell D.O. , Henderson W.G. , Bryant L.L. , Gregorich S.E. , George C. , Toledo N. , Cudeii D. , Smith V. , Johs N. , Cheng J. , Rasmussen M. , Cheng N.F. , Santo W. , Batliner T. , Wilson A. , Brega A. , Roan R. , Lind K. , Tiwari T. , Shain S. , Schaffer G. , Harper M. , Manson S.M. , Albino J.
Published: July 2016

The authors tested the effectiveness of a community-based, tribally delivered oral health promotion (OHP) intervention (INT) at reducing caries increment in Navajo children attending Head Start. In a 3-y cluster-randomized trial, we developed an OHP INT with Navajo input that was delivered by trained Navajo lay health workers to children attending 52 Navajo Head Start classrooms (26 INT, 26 usual care [UC]). The INT was designed as a highly personalized set of oral health–focused interactions (5 for children and 4 for parents), along with 4 fluoride varnish applications delivered in Head Start during academic years of 2011 to 2012 and 2012 to 2013. The authors evaluated INT impact on decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces (dmfs) increment compared with UC. Other outcomes included caries prevalence and caregiver oral health–related knowledge and behaviors. Modified intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were conducted. The authors enrolled 1,016 caregiver-child dyads. Baseline mean dmfs/caries prevalence equaled 19.9/86.5% for the INT group and 22.8/90.1% for the UC group, respectively. INT adherence was 53% (i.e., ≥3 child OHP events, ≥1 caregiver OHP events, and ≥3 fluoride varnish). After 3 y, dmfs increased in both groups (+12.9 INT vs. +10.8 UC; P = 0.216), as did caries prevalence (86.5% to 96.6% INT vs. 90.1% to 98.2% UC; P = 0.808) in a modified intention-to-treat analysis of 897 caregiver-child dyads receiving 1 y of INT. Caregiver oral health knowledge scores improved in both groups (75.1% to 81.2% INT vs. 73.6% to 79.5% UC; P = 0.369). Caregiver oral health behavior scores improved more rapidly in the INT group versus the UC group ( P = 0.006). The dmfs increment was smaller among adherent INT children (+8.9) than among UC children (+10.8; P = 0.028) in a per-protocol analysis. In conclusion, the severity of dental disease in Navajo Head Start children is extreme and difficult to improve. The authors argue that successful approaches to prevention may require even more highly personalized approaches shaped by cultural perspectives and attentive to the social determinants of oral health ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01116739).
Adaptability and Prediction of Anticipatory Muscular Activity Parameters to Different Movements in the Sitting Position
Authors: Chikh Soufien , Watelain Eric , Faupin Arnaud , Pinti Antonio , Jarraya Mohamed , Garnier Cyril
Published: July 2016

Voluntary movement often causes postural perturbation that requires an anticipatory postural adjustment to minimize perturbation and increase the efficiency and coordination during execution. This systematic review focuses specifically on the relationship between the parameters of anticipatory muscular activities and movement finality in sitting position among adults, to study the adaptability and predictability of anticipatory muscular activities parameters to different movements and conditions in sitting position in adults. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Springer-Link, Engineering Village, and EbscoHost. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to retain the most rigorous and specific studies, yielding 76 articles, Seventeen articles were excluded at first reading, and after the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 were retained. In a sitting position, central nervous system activity precedes movement by diverse anticipatory muscular activities and shows the ability to adapt anticipatory muscular activity parameters to the movement direction, postural stability, or charge weight. In addition, these parameters could be adapted to the speed of execution, as found for the standing position. Parameters of anticipatory muscular activities (duration, order, and amplitude of muscle contractions constituting the anticipatory muscular activity) could be used as a predictive indicator of forthcoming movement. In addition, this systematic review may improve methodology in empirical studies and assistive technology for people with disabilities.
Laterality and Plantar Pressure Distribution During Gait in Healthy Children
Authors: Zverev Yury
Published: July 2016

In a recent paper, Mayolas Pi, Arrese, Aparicio, and Masià reported the absence of significant bilateral differences between legs in the average plantar pressure during walking in six- to seven-year-old children. However, the authors demonstrated bilateral differences in the distribution of plantar pressure during walking independent of foot preference in three tests: kicking a ball with precision, balancing on one foot, and jumping on one foot. From the results, Mayolas Pi et al. proposed that this asymmetric pattern of plantar pressure distribution is not caused by laterality. This paper suggests that the selected age range of participants and methods of diagnosing of laterality and data analysis could have significant effects on the results. Indeed, according to the literature, laterality in humans is a multidimensional trait with poor stabilization and conformity between different dimensions in preschool and younger school children.
What ‘cultural religion’ says about secularization and national identity: A neglected religio-political configuration
Authors: Laniel Jean-François
Published: July 2016

Contrary to conventional readings of secularization and its usual analytical point of references – American and French civil religions, American religious vitalism and French laïcité – this article seeks to better understand an intermediary religio-political configuration, named ‘cultural religion’, as widespread as neglected. Independently from the question of faith, the full respect of religious practices or knowledge of dogma, Western populations maintain a cultural attachment towards Christianity, which may characterize one of the important contemporary social functions conferred to Christian churches, and help understand their deep cultural and historical impregnation. This article will address the conventional account of religious indicators, more precisely the religious type of ‘seasonal conformists’, the process of secularization as culturalization, and will distinguish between cultural religion, civil religion and political religion.
The State, Tribals and Law: The Politics behind the Enactment of PESA and FRA
Authors: Choubey Kamal Nayan
Published: July 2016

This article attempts to present a comparative study of experiences involved in the passing of two laws, the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act (PESA) 1996 and Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006—both the result of lengthy struggles carried out by marginalised sections of society. PESA, enacted to implement the Panchayati Raj system in Schedule V areas, was trigged by large-scale mass mobilisation in these regions, organised by the Bharat Jan Andolan and other people’s organisations. The FRA, on the other hand, focused on giving Adivasis rights on forestland and its resources, both in terms of private property rights and common property rights. The legislation was driven by the Campaign for Survival and Dignity—a collective of Adivasi groups and other like-minded organisations from different states. It can be argued therefore that such people’s movements have played an important role in creating these laws and helping them to become more ‘progressive’. Nevertheless, several questions can be asked about these laws. For instance, to what extent was such legislation the result of such movements? More specifically, to what degree did these laws cater to the demands made by such movements? Did the increasing influence of Maoists groups compel the Indian state to enact these laws? Through these legislations, has the state simply created a new weapon for determining illegality, or, has it, merely invented a ‘new weapon for informal violence’? By studying the background, debates and movements for the enactment of both PESA and FRA, the article seeks to address these questions. It also proposes a concept of a ‘marginal society’ to understand the politics of forest-dwelling tribal groups.
Sense of Community in Student Retention at a Tertiary Technical Institution in Bogotá
Authors: Mendoza Pilar , Suarez Juan Diego , Bustamante Eileen
Published: July 2016

Objective: This study probes the reasons for high attrition rates and sense of community among students enrolled at a technical institution serving low-income students in Bogotá, Colombia. Although sense of community on campus is the strongest predictor of a student’s thriving, scholars in higher education have studied mainly minority students’ sense of belonging, which is just one of the four elements of sense of community. In contrast, this study examines the sense of community among students who are marginalized from the broader social context but who are not a numerical minority at their institution. Method: We developed an ecological retention model for students in technical careers to identify factors unique to the study’s context. We used an embedded and descriptive case study where students were the unit of analysis and multiple sources of data including interviews with administrators, instructors, and students as well as focus groups with students, institutional documentation, and field notes. Results: The broader socioeconomic conditions of Bogotá have deep consequences for students and shape the institutional culture and climate. We also found that students are not thriving and are at risk of leaving the institution, due in part to a weak sense of community. Conclusion: This study contributes to the understanding of student retention through sense of community and in contexts foreign to most of the previous research on student retention. This knowledge is significant for guiding policies and practices for the retention of students worldwide.
The Importance and Complexity of Assessing Urban Fiscal Health
Authors: Helpap David J.
Published: July 2016

The following is a review of Richard M. Bird and Enid Slack’s edited volume Is Your City Healthy? Measuring Urban Fiscal Health. The review addresses major themes in the book as well as its place within existing scholarship.
Giving hope, ticking boxes or securing services? A qualitative study of respiratory physiotherapists’ views on goal-setting with people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Summers Rachael H , Ballinger Claire , Nikoletou Dimitra , Garrod Rachel , Bruton Anne , Leontowitsch Miranda
Published: July 2016

Objective:

To explore respiratory physiotherapists’ views and experiences of using goal-setting with people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rehabilitation settings.

Participants:

A total of 17 respiratory physiotherapists with ⩾12 months current or previous experience of working with patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a non-acute setting. Participants were diverse in relation to age (25–49 years), sex (13 women), experience (Agenda for Change bands 6–8) and geographic location.

Method:

Data were collected via face-to-face qualitative in-depth interviews (40–70 minutes) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interview locations were selected by participants (included participants’ homes, public places and University). Interviews followed an interview guide, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Data Analysis:

Data were analysed using thematic analysis; constant comparison was made within and between accounts, and negative case analysis was used.

Results:

Three themes emerged through the process of analysis: (1) ‘Explaining goal-setting’; (2) ‘Working with goals’; and (3) ‘Influences on collaborative goal-setting’. Goal-setting practices among respiratory physiotherapists varied considerably. Collaborative goal-setting was described as challenging and was sometimes driven by service need rather than patient values. Lack of training in collaborative goal-setting at both undergraduate and postgraduate level was also seen as an issue.

Conclusion:

Respiratory physiotherapists reflected uncertainties around the use of goal-setting in their practice, and conflict between patients’ goals and organisational demands. This work highlights a need for wider discussion to clarify the purpose and implementation of goal-setting in respiratory rehabilitation.
Systematic review of behavioral and educational interventions to prevent pressure ulcers in adults with spinal cord injury
Authors: Cogan Alison M , Blanchard Jeanine , Garber Susan L , Vigen Cheryl LP , Carlson Mike , Clark Florence A
Published: July 2016

Objective:

To investigate the efficacy of behavioral or educational interventions in preventing pressure ulcers in community-dwelling adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Data sources:

Cochrane, Clinical Trials, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched in June 2016. The search combined related terms for pressure ulcers, spinal cord injury, and behavioral intervention. Each database was searched from its inception with no restrictions on year of publication.

Review methods:

Inclusion criteria required that articles were (a) published in a peer-reviewed journal in English, (b) evaluated a behavioral or educational intervention for pressure ulcer prevention, (c) included community-dwelling adult participants aged 18 years and older with SCI, (d) measured pressure ulcer occurrence, recurrence, or skin breakdown as an outcome, and (e) had a minimum of 10 participants. All study designs were considered. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts. Extracted information included study design, sample size, description of the intervention and control condition, pressure ulcer outcome measures, and corresponding results.

Results:

The search strategy yielded 444 unique articles of which five met inclusion criteria. Three were randomized trials and two were quasi-experimental designs. A total of 513 participants were represented. The method of pressure ulcer or skin breakdown measurement varied widely among studies. Results on pressure ulcer outcomes were null in all studies. Considerable methodological problems with recruitment, intervention fidelity, and participant adherence were reported.

Conclusions:

At present, there is no positive evidence to support the efficacy of behavioral or educational interventions in preventing pressure ulcer occurrence in adults with SCI.
Self-to-stereotype matching and musical taste: Is there a link between self-to-stereotype similarity and self-rated music-genre preferences?
Authors: Lonsdale Adam J. , North Adrian C.
Published: July 2016

Musical taste is believed to function as a social “badge” of identity that might develop according to a process of “self-to-stereotype matching”. For this reason, individuals were expected to like musical styles that are stereotypically associated with fans that were similar to them. Three studies, each using a different measure of self-to-stereotype similarity, found that similarity to stereotypical music fans correlated significantly with participants’ self-rated musical tastes. These findings suggested individuals were more likely to prefer a musical style if they were similar, or at least perceived themselves similar, to the stereotypical fans associated with that musical style. In all three studies, evidence was also found to suggest that an individual’s similarity to stereotypical music fans might be used to predict their favourite musical style. Together these findings are argued to offer support for the idea that a process of self-to-stereotype matching might influence how individual musical tastes are formed, although alternate interpretations of this link between self-identity and musical taste (i.e., self-stereotyping) cannot be ruled out without further investigation.
Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders with the Alpha-1 Adrenergic Antagonist Prazosin
Authors: Simon Philippe Yves Rémy , Rousseau Pierre-François
Published: July 2016

Objective:

The present review aims to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of the α-1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin as primary pharmacologic treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Method:

A systematic review was performed using keywords (i.e., prazosin, α-1-adrenergic antagonist, α-1-blocker, post-traumatic stress disorder) in the databases PubMed/Medline (1966–May 2016), Embase (1966–May 2016), ScienceDirect (1823–May 2016), OvidSP (1946–May 2016) and Nature (1845–May 2016). To be considered for inclusion, studies had to test the efficacy of prazosin either alone or added to ongoing treatment in adults with PTSD, use validated tools to assess and monitor the disorders, allow comparisons on the basis of univariate analyses (i.e., p-values of t-tests and effect sizes) and list the identified adverse reactions.

Results:

12 studies were included: 5 randomized controlled trials, 4 open-label prospective trials and 3 retrospective file reviews. The evaluation concerned 276 patients exposed to civilian trauma (19%) or war trauma (81%). Prazosin significantly decreases trauma nightmares, avoidance, hypervigilance and improves patient status in all studies. No significant difference of blood pressure was observed at the end of trials.

Conclusions:

Beyond the methodological and clinical biases of these studies, the present review not only confirms the effectiveness and good tolerability of prazosin, but also suggests its possible use as primary pharmacologic treatment for PTSD. Uncertainties remain, however, regarding the prescription modalities and dosages.
Person–Organization Fit and Turnover Intention: Exploring the Mediating Role of Employee Followership and Job Satisfaction Through Conservation of Resources Theory
Authors: Jin Myung Hun , McDonald Bruce , Park Jaehee
Published: July 2016

This study examines the mediating role of employee followership and job satisfaction in the relationship between person–organization (P-O) fit and turnover intention. Understanding the mechanisms that link P-O fit and turnover intention may provide useful intervention strategies for leaders and human resource professionals to effectively manage and interact with their followers. Using Hobfoll’s conservation of resources theory, we explore a three-step mediation model in which high P-O fit is related to turnover intention through employee followership and job satisfaction. This model is tested using cross-sectional survey responses from 692 faculty at an urban public university. The authors discuss the implications of the results as well as the limitations of the study for future research.
Experimental analysis of bonding strength in shape rolling of Al–Cu bimetallic circular pipes into square tubes
Authors: Tajyar Ali , Masoumi Abolfazl
Published: July 2016

In the present research, the intermetallic layer situation and bond strength of square tubes produced by shape rolling of Al–Cu bimetallic pipes has been investigated. The explosive welding process was used for the production of bimetallic circular pipes. The macro- and microscopic features of explosive-welded pipes and shape-rolled specimens at various stages were experimentally measured by using shear and hardness testing and optical metallography. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was used for fractography of the fracture surfaces after the last stage of forming. The experimental results showed that the shear strength variation is dependent on the intermetallic layer thickness and its continuity. Also, continuity in Al–Cu interfaces that have a thick intermetallic layer intensifies the microcrack propagation, while due to discontinuity in the thin intermetallic layer, the retardation of catastrophic crack propagation was observed in the early passes of the shape-rolling process. However, the results of the present study showed that as the passes proceed in the rolling process, the crack propagation phenomenon, which is the cause of a decrease in shear strength, is expected.
Analysis of iterative learning control with high-order internal models for fractional differential equations
Authors: Liu Shengda , Wang JinRong
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we design learning law with high-order internal models for fractional order differential equations to track the varying reference accurately by adopting a few iterations in a finite time interval. We establish sufficient conditions of convergence for the P-type and PD-type updating law for different fractional order differential equations. Finally, we give some numerical examples to demonstrate the validity of the designed method.
Nonlinear bending and free vibration response of SUS316-Al2O3 functionally graded plasma sprayed beams: theoretical and experimental study
Authors: Malik Pravin , Kadoli Ravikiran
Published: July 2016

Functionally graded SUS316-Al2O3 beams with ceramic content varying from 0 to 40% were prepared by a plasma spraying technique. Nonlinear finite element analysis was used to obtain the static deflection and free vibration of a clamped-free functionally graded beam. Von Kármán geometric nonlinearity and power law variation in material gradation through the beam thickness are considered in the analysis. The maximum error between the experimental and nonlinear finite element results for deflection is 6.68% and 14.31% on the fundamental frequency. Numerical results have also been attempted using ANSYS 3D solid element and they compare more closely with the experimental results.
The Sibling Relationship in the Context of Child Maltreatment: What Do We Know? What Are the Directions for the Future?
Authors: Katz Carmit , Hamama Liat
Published: July 2016

Siblings share a common and unique bond. It is one of the most enduring relationships during an individual’s life span. Thus, the impact of child maltreatment on sibling relationships is an important area of research to explore. The current article carries out a scoping review targeted at determining the existing knowledge and then identifying research priorities within the field of sibling relationship in the context of child maltreatment. The method elaborates on the various stages that were taken to perform the scoping review, and later, the article provides three results for the readers: The first result is a detailed mapping of the existing literature in the area of sibling relationship in the context of maltreatment. The second result is a thorough thematic analysis that was carried out on this literature that focused on several relevant domains: sibling exposure to intimate partner violence, sibling relationship and experiences in the context of child maltreatment, risk assessment for siblings following maltreatment, and sibling relationships and out-of-home placement. The third result is a set of conclusions targeted mainly at recommending future directions to researchers.
Personal destination pattern analysis with applications to mobile advertising
Authors: Barzaiq Osama O. , Loke Seng W.
Published: July 2016

Many researchers expect mobile advertising to be the killer application in mobile business. In this paper, we introduce a trajectory prediction algorithm called personal destination pattern analysis () to analyse the different destinations in various trajectories of an individual, and to predict a trajectory or a set of destinations that could be visited by that individual. The algorithm works on an individual level. Every destination-pattern analysis is related to the self-history and the personal profile of a targeted individual, not on what others do. In addition, we developed a prototype system called SmartShopper. SmartShopper is a personal destination-pattern-aware pervasive system for mobile advertising in (outdoor and indoor) retail environments. The predicted destinations from the algorithm will be used by SmartShopper to generate a list of relevant advertisements adapted to the personal profile of previous destinations of a targeted individual. We tested the destination prediction accuracy of the algorithm with a synthetic dataset of a virtual mall and a real GPS dataset.
Derisking low-saturation gas in Tertiary turbidite reservoirs
Authors: Wojcik Krzysztof M. , Gonzalez Ezequiel , Vines Robert E.
Published: July 2016

Occurrences of low-saturation gas (LSG) in tertiary turbidite reservoirs are common and often characterized by anomalous amplitude/amplitude variation with offset (AVO) response, which can be classified as false positives. LSG cases are difficult to derisk with geophysical methods because the anomalous responses may be very similar to success-case (oil or gas) anomalies. LSG failures may represent true residual gas in cases of seal integrity failure (“blown” trap) or variable saturation of gas in low net-to-gross laminated sandstone/siltstone or siltstone/mudstone intervals (“generic LSG”), which represent a type of reservoir failure. Derisking exploration opportunities burdened with a high possibility of LSG failure require an integrated evaluation of the geophysical evidence in the proper context of charge setting, reservoir/seal stratigraphy, structural setting, and trap geometry. Although geophysical methods may not provide fully conclusive predictions, the integration of geophysical observations with a geologic framework and realistic geologic chance factors can result in effective derisking of potential low-saturation failure cases through the estimation of geophysical scenario likelihood values and Bayesian probability updates.
Reliability of Self Reported Sexual Behaviour History
Authors: Dareng Eileen O. , Adebamowo Sally N. , Eseyin Olabimpe , Odutola Michael , Adebamowo Clement A.
Published: July 2016

Abstract 66

Sexual behaviour is an important risk factor for HPV associated cancers, which include nearly all cervical cancers, most anal cancers, and many oropharyngeal, vaginal, vulvar and penile cancers. However, in studies assessing risk of sexual behaviour and disease in low and middle income countries, there are often questions about the validity of self-reported sexual behaviour. In this study, we evaluate the reliability of self-reported sexual history among participants in a cervical cancer and HPV study in Nigeria.

We studied 720 participants in a prospective cohort. We collected general sexuality and specific sexual practices information at study entry and administered the same questions at follow up after a mean period of 8.6 months. To assess reliability, we used the root mean squared approach to calculate within-person coefficient of variation(CVw) and calculated the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) using a two way, mixed effects model (continuous variables) and κ statistics (discrete variables).

Of the 720 participants, 48.1% were HIV+, 49.2% were HIV- and 2.8% were unaware of their status. Agreement was higher for HIV- women than HIV+ women. Agreement for ever engaged in oral sex was moderate for HIV- women (κ = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.49 – 0.70) and fair for HIV+ women (κ = 0.37, 95%CI = 0.24 – 0.54). Similarly, agreement for ever engaging in anal sex was good among HIV- women (κ = 0.61, 95%CI = 0.10 – 0.83) and poor among HIV+ women (κ = 0.19, 95%CI = 0.10 – 0.60). Overall, the within person variability for age at sexual debut for vaginal sex (CVw =10.7, 95%CI = 10.6 – 10.7) and oral sex (CVw= 11.5, 95%CI = 11.5 – 11.6) was low. In contrast, the variability was much higher for lifetime number of partners for vaginal sex (CVw =35.2, 95% CI = 35.1 – 35.3) and oral sex (CVw = 34.0, 95%CI = 34.0– 34.1).

We found report of sexual behaviour was more reliable among HIV- women than HIV+ women, and self-report of ever engaged in a sexual practice and age at initiation were more reliable than reports of frequency or number of partners.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

No COIs from the authors.
Adapting CryoPen, a Non-Gas Based Cryotherapy System for Use in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Cremer Miriam , Maza Mauricio , Zevallos Albert , Alvarez Manuel , Taxa Luis , Castle Philip E. , Alonzo Todd , Felix Juan
Published: July 2016

Abstract 45

Background:

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Two point-of-care technologies that address the treatment gap are the LMIC-adapted CryoPen, with a core temperature of approximately −95°C, and the thermocoagulator, with a probe temperature of 100-120°C. Since there is scant data on the extent of CIN involvement in an underscreened population, determining mean cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) depth in an underscreened population will establish the depth of necrosis (DON) that ablative techniques need to achieve. The study aimed to establish the maximum depth of involvement of CIN3 and test whether the LMIC-adapted CryoPen and thermocoagulator reach the DON established as necessary for eradicating CIN3.

Methods:

A convenience sample of 107 CIN3 cases were reviewed by a pathologist at the National Cancer Institute (INEN, Peru) and a U.S. pathologist. Ten women had ablative procedures before non-cervical pathology indicated hysterectomy: a five-minute freeze with the CryoPen (n=5), or a 60-second, 100°C application of the thermocoagulator (n=5). The pathologists measured mean depth of involvement in the CIN3 cases and the local pathologist, blinded to ablative technique, measured maximum DON in both lips.

Results:

Mean depth of CIN3 involvement was 2.0mm among 107 cases. Mean depth was ≤3.0mm among 79.4%; ≤3.5mm among 89.7%; ≤4.0mm among 93.5%; and ≥5.0mm among 6.5%. The maximum DON achieved by the LMIC-adapted CryoPen was ≥3.0 in 80% of cases; ≥3.5mm in 80%; ≥4.0mm in 80%; ≥4.5mm in 40%; and ≥5.0mm in 20%. The maximum DON achieved by the thermocoagulator was ≥3.0mm in 80% of cases; ≥3.5mm in 80%; ≥4.0mm in 20%; and ≥4.5mm in 20%.

Conclusion:

The pathology review of CIN3 cases showed that 90% of CIN3 would be eradicated if DON reached at least 3.5mm. The mean DON of both the LMIC-adapted CryoPen and thermocoagulator exceeded 3.5mm.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

Miriam Cremer No relationship to disclose Mauricio Maza No relationship to disclose Albert Zevallos No relationship to disclose Manuel Alvarez No relationship to disclose Luis Taxa No relationship to disclose Philip E. Castle Honoraria: Roche Cepheid Consulting or Advisory Role: Cepheid, GE Healthcare, Guided Therapeutics, ClearPath, Merck, Genticel, Teva, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Hologic Todd Alonzo No relationship to disclose Juan Felix No relationship to disclose
Cancer Screening Program Using Technology Assisted Learning
Authors: Hariprasad Roopa , Mehrotra Ravi
Published: July 2016

Abstract 29

There is an estimated burden of over 1 million individuals who were diagnosed with cancer in India in 2012. The three most commonly occurring cancers in India are breast, uterine cervix and oral cancers, together accounting for one third of India’s cancer burden. All three are usually detectable at early stages, and malignancies of the oral cavity and cervix have precancerous stages that are amenable to secondary prevention. Therefore, screening and early detection of these three cancers will help to markedly reduce the cancer burden in India.

The technology used in this project is the ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) model of the University of New Mexico. ECHO clinics are supported by basic, widely available teleconferencing technology. It links expert specialist teams at an academic ‘hub’ with primary care clinicians in local communities – the ‘spokes’ of the model.

This pilot project is being conducted at the primary health centre (PHC) Gumballi, a tribal village in Karnataka. We are incorporating cancer screening program in the existing infrastructure and manpower in-country, using the ECHO model. The Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (ICPO) helps in empowering the community health workers (CHWs) at the PHC to conduct cancer screening of the population covered by the PHC.

We have used two modes of training health care providers: Initial face-to-face training on cancer screening tests, allowing for hands-on training and practice of skills. ICPO staff visited Gumballi and provided 4 days of intensive training to the community health workers in screening of oral, breast and cervical cancer. Subsequently, fortnightly, ECHO clinics are being conducted to include reiteration of the training, discussing patient cases, resource sharing and expert presentations.

To date, the CHWs have screened 11,342 individuals for oral, breast and cervical cancer, out of the 16,042 eligible population. The screen positives and suspicious cases are being evaluated and treated by a team of specialists from the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, which is a tertiary care centre for cancer treatment in that region.

This pilot study proves that the cancer screening is feasible at the primary health network with the existing resources which can be replicated to the larger masses and subsequently to the whole country.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

No COIs from either author.
Willingness to Stop Growing of Tobacco in Uganda
Authors: Karemani Adelaine , Nuwaha Fred
Published: July 2016

Abstract 10

Background:

Tobacco use is the leading cause of premature death and disability in both developed and developing countries. One aspect of tobacco control is convincing farmers to stop tobacco production. Because tobacco is a key contributor to the agricultural economy of many communities, we explored the conflict between tobacco production and public health in the current study. This project aims to assess the willingness of tobacco farmers in Uganda to stop growing tobacco.

Methods:

A cross-sectional interview survey was conducted with an interviewer administered questionnaire. Participants in the study were active tobacco farmers in 12 villages of Kanungu district (n = 528) and were interviewed in May and June of 2013 to assess their willingness to stop growing tobacco.

Results:

Most farmers (61.7%) grew tobacco only as a cash crop and had no supplemental income. A total of 198 (37.5%) of the farmers were willing to stop growing tobacco. Ninety-two respondents mentioned coffee as a replacement for tobacco and 106 mentioned rice. Barriers for replacement were that tobacco is highly profitable (n=172) and that the soil (n=175) and or weather (n=22) cannot sustain any other crop besides tobacco. Willingness to stop growing tobacco was more likely among farmers who said that tobacco use causes respiratory diseases and who received less than less than $300 U.S. dollars from tobacco sales in the previous season. On the other hand, agreeing that tobacco is profitable decreased the likelihood of willingness to stop growing tobacco.

Conclusions:

Most farmers earned income from tobacco only, and one in three were willing to stop growing tobacco. In order to increase willingness to stop growing tobacco, there is a need to educate farmers on health consequences of tobacco and increase the perception among farmers that other crops may be more profitable than tobacco. These measures should target farmers who receive more money from tobacco sales.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

No COIs from either author.
Quality of Cancer Registry Data: Botswana Experience, Demonstrating Improvements Over Time
Authors: Pusoentsi Malebogo , Shatera Bame P. , Motlogi Setlogelo , Monagen Tuduetso , Tapela Neo , Masupe Tiny , Medhin Heluf G.
Published: July 2016

Abstract 69

Background:

One of the challenges to addressing the growing burden of cancer in low- and middle-income countries is insufficient data and limitations in quality of cancer registries. The Botswana National Cancer Registry (BNCR), first established in 1999, is an IARC-endorsed population-based registry covering a population of 2.1 million. Here we assess BNCR's data quality over time.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review of BNCR data that was collected between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2010. We assessed basis of cancer diagnosis, as well as key data quality indices (completeness, consistency, uniqueness, and accuracy) over two time periods: 2005–2007 and 2008–2010. We assessed cancer incidence and distribution during this time period, and reviewed Botswana Ministry of Health operational documents to identify major health care initiatives that may have had a bearing on cancer registry data quality.

Results:

In total, 8,938 cancer cases were registered 2005-2010. Kaposi sarcoma was the most commonly diagnosed cancer (n=1766, 19.4%), followed by cervical cancer (n=1252, 13.8%) and then breast cancer (n=801, 8.8%). During 2005-2007, 79% of all cancers were morphologically verified and 6% of were verified by death certificate alone. By 2008-2010, 89% of cancers were morphologically verified while none (0%) were verified by death certificate alone. There was a marked difference for basis of Kaposi sarcoma diagnosis (26% in 2005-2007, 43.8% 2008-2010), which changed from mainly clinical to pathology-based diagnosis. Factors that have contributed to this improvement include targeted initiatives such as clinician training, as well as broader health system developments such as general laboratory diagnostic capacitation that has facilitated use of histopathology services for cancer.

Conclusion:

BNCR data quality has improved over the years. These improvements enhance utility of cancer registry data for healthcare planning, and highlight the merit of cross-cutting health systems strengthening developments. This assessment, and the initiatives that have contributed to BNCR data improvement may be relevant to cancer registries in similar settings.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

No COIs from the authors.