bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Driver Take Over”: A Preliminary Exploration of Driver Trust and Performance in Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Hester Michelle , Lee Kevin , Dyre Brian P.
Published: October 2017

Automated vehicles are becoming more prominent in research and development. These automated vehicles introduce issues that have been seen in other autonomous systems such as decreases in situation awareness, complacency, and trust. Previous literature has looked at the effects of alerts and voice agents on driving performance. This preliminary study compares different in-car alerts (no alert, sound alert, task irrelevant voice alert, and task relevant voice alert) on trust and the driver’s ability to get back in-the-loop when the automation has failed. Participants were asked to monitor a simulated automated vehicle as it drove down a straight two-lane road. The main statistical results of our study show no difference in trust between the four different conditions; however, more participants avoided collision with a leading car in the task relevant voice condition in comparison to the three other conditions. These preliminary findings have important implications for the design of automated vehicles.
The Effects of Continuous Driving-Related Feedback on Drivers’ Response to Automation Failures
Authors: Cohen-Lazry Guy , Borowsky Avinoam , Oron-Gilad Tal
Published: October 2017

During prolonged periods of autonomous driving, drivers tend to shift their attention away from the driving task. As a result, they require more time to regain awareness of the driving situation and to react to it. This study examined the use of informative automation that during Level-3 autonomous driving provided drivers with continuous feedback regarding the vehicle’s actions and surroundings. It was hypothesized that the operation of informative automation will trigger drivers to allocate more attention to the driving task and will improve their reaction times when resuming control of the vehicle. Sixteen participants drove manual and autonomous driving segments in a driving simulator equipped with Level-3 automation. For half of the participants, the informative automation issued alerts and messages while for the other half no messages were issued (control). The number of on-road glances served as a proxy for drivers’ attention. Drivers’ performance on handling an unexpected automation failure event was measured using their time-to-brake and time-to-steer. Results showed that drivers using the informative automation made more frequent on-road glances than drivers in the control group. Yet, there were no significant differences in reaction times to the automation failure event between the groups. Explanations and implications of these results are discussed.
Engagement and Competence in VR and non-VR Environments
Authors: Pierce Matthew B. , Young Philip A. , Doherty Shawn M.
Published: October 2017

There has been a general push within the past five years to commercialize virtual reality (VR) gaming for public use. Devices such as the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, and Samsung VR on the market have emerged with more to come in the future. With these immersive technologies becoming more accessible, researchers can more easily test the idea of levels of engagement in VR games compared to non-VR games on the console or PC. VR companies market their immersive technology to be more engaging experiences but very little research has been conducted with newer models. The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference in engagement when using a VR version or a non-VR version of the game Thumper. The study will have 60 participants of varying expertise who will play Thumper for twenty-three minutes and then will be asked to take a demographic survey, the GUESS measure, and a motion sickness survey. This study is in progress and expects to shed light on the relationships between immersion and virtual reality.
Gamification: Current Research and Applications
Authors: Doherty Shawn , Palmer Evan , Strater Laura
Published: October 2017

Gamification is the concept of applying game mechanics to non-game activities (Deterding, Dixon, Khaled, & Nacke, 2011). This concept has received a lot of recent interest from industry and many examples have emerged, especially within the fields of business and marketing, but has grown to encompass such varied examples as health care, training, prosocial behavior, and law enforcement. The purpose of this panel is to discuss some current research and applications of the gamification concept from a varied set of perspectives. The first panelist will describe lessons learned from research on gamification. The second panelist will describe gamification within an industrial context. The third panelist will discuss gamification concepts applied to education. A discussion among panelists and attendees of future trends and needs for gamification is expected.
Augmented Reality Design Heuristics: Designing for Dynamic Interactions
Authors: Endsley Tristan C. , Sprehn Kelly A. , Brill Ryan M. , Ryan Kimberly J. , Vincent Emily C. , Martin James M.
Published: October 2017

Augmented Reality (AR) has emerged as a rapidly developing technology, capable of a wide scope of applications across a variety of domains. AR technologies allow for a virtual experience to be overlaid on top of a physical environment, creating a hybrid experience in which virtual objects become a part of the user’s perceptual and physical environment. Rapid progression of the AR field requires that effective and validated methods of design evaluation be developed. Failure to consider the usability of AR applications during the design process will result in an increase in user errors and accidents, limiting user trust of the technology and undermining user perceptions of the technology, for both AR and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies (Nordrum, 2016). Through a robust and iterative process, a set of Design Heuristics for AR were developed for multidimensional augmented environments with the aim of advancing AR design methods for human factors, ergonomics, and user experience practitioners within the expanding AR community.
Empathy: The Role of Expectations
Authors: Trapp Sabrina , Schütz-Bosbach Simone , Bar Moshe
Published: October 2017

To what extent can we feel what someone else feels? Data from neuroscience suggest that empathy is supported by a simulation process, namely the neural activation of the same or similar regions that subserve the representation of specific states in the observer. However, expectations significantly modulate sensory input, including affective information. For example, expecting painful stimulation can decrease the neural signal and the subjective experience thereof. For an accurate representation of the other person’s state, such top-down processes would have to be simulated as well. However, this is only partly possible, because expectations are usually acquired by learning. Therefore, it is important to be aware of possible misleading simulations that lead to misinterpretations of someone’s state.
Deterritorialising the Research Space: Artistic Research, Embodied Knowledge, and the Academy
Authors: Duby Marc , Barker Paul Alan
Published: October 2017

Artistic research has in recent years concerned itself with the nature of practice and how this may be framed as research. These debates may have blinded us to a more fundamental concern: territorial claims to the research space made by other forces. Competition for access to material and human resources, funds, space, and infrastructural support, among others, drive debates about the academic status of performance within higher education. The main objective of this article is to demonstrate how the ideological imbalances underpinning the concepts of artistic knowledge and research in Higher Education have contributed to this territorialization. In a milieu of overmanagement, these imbalances often go unquestioned largely because of the university’s ever-decreasing role in interrogating the agenda set by others who stand to benefit from it.
Elasticity Characterization of Liver Cancers Using Shear Wave Ultrasound Elastography: Comparison Between Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Liver Metastasis
Authors: Choong Kah Lai , Wong Yin How , Yeong Chai Hong , Gnanasuntharam Gnana Kumar , Goh Khean Lee , Yoong Boon Kong , Pongnapang Napapong , Abdullah Basri Johan Jeet
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

This was a feasibility study of shear wave ultrasound elastography for characterization of liver tumors and to compare the tissue elasticity values of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver metastases, and normal liver tissues.

Methods:

Forty-one patients and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited and categorized into HCC, liver metastasis, and control groups based on their computed tomography and sonographic examinations. Elasticity values of different groups were compared statistically.

Results:

Mean (standard deviation) elasticity values for HCC, liver metastasis, and normal liver tissue were 51.45 (14.96), 49.89 (13.82), and 6.63 (1.65) kilopascal, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between the elasticity values of HCC and liver metastasis with normal liver tissue. Based on the receiver operating characteristics analysis, 18.25 kilopascal may differentiate the malignant focal liver lesions from the normal liver tissue with both sensitivity and specificity of 100%.

Conclusion:

Shear wave ultrasound elastography may be able to differentiate HCC and liver metastasis from normal liver tissue based on the tissue elasticity values.
Ixazomib significantly prolongs progression-free survival in high-risk relapsed/refractory myeloma patients
Authors: Avet-Loiseau Hervé , Bahlis Nizar J. , Chng Wee-Joo , Masszi Tamas , Viterbo Luisa , Pour Ludek , Ganly Peter , Palumbo Antonio , Cavo Michele , Langer Christian , Pluta Andrzej , Nagler Arnon , Kumar Shaji , Ben-Yehuda Dina , Rajkumar S. Vincent , San-Miguel Jesus , Berg Deborah , Lin Jianchang , van de Velde Helgi , Esseltine Dixie-Lee , di Bacco Alessandra , Moreau Philippe , Richardson Paul G.
Published: October 2017

Key Points

IRd was associated with a consistent PFS benefit vs placebo-Rd in RRMM patients with high-risk and standard-risk cytogenetics. The addition of ixazomib to Rd overcomes the poor PFS associated with high-risk cytogenetics in patients with RRMM.
Combined measurement of carbon monoxide and nitric oxide lung transfer does not improve the identification of pulmonary hypertension in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Degano Bruno , Soumagne Thibaud , Delaye Thomas , Berger Patrick , Perez Thierry , Guillien Alicia , Pellegrin Jean-Luc , Launay David , Magy-Bertrand Nadine , Agard Christian , Tiev Kiet Phong , Hua-Huy Thông , Tardiff Catherine , Diaz Véronique , Chambellan Arnaud , Dinh-Xuan Anh Tuan
Published: October 2017

Screening is important to determine whether patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have pulmonary hypertension because earlier pulmonary hypertension treatment can improve survival in these patients. Although decreased transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide (TLCO) is currently considered the best pulmonary function test for screening for pulmonary hypertension in SSc, small series have suggested that partitioningTLCOinto membrane conductance (diffusing capacity) for carbon monoxide (DMCO) and alveolar capillary blood volume (VC) through combined measurement ofTLCOand transfer factor of the lung for nitric oxide (TLNO) is more effective to identify pulmonary hypertension in SSc patients compared withTLCOalone. Here, the objective was to determine whether combinedTLCO–TLNOpartitioned with recently refined equations could more accurately detect pulmonary hypertension thanTLCOalone in SSc.

For that purpose, 572 unselected consecutive SSc patients were retrospectively recruited in seven French centres.

Pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed with right heart catheterisation in 58 patients.TLCO,TLNOandVCwere all lower in SSc patients with pulmonary hypertension than in SSc patients without pulmonary hypertension. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the presence of pulmonary hypertension was equivalent forTLCO(0.82, 95% CI 0.79–0.85) andTLNO(0.80, 95% CI 0.76–0.83), but lower forVC(0.75, 95% CI 0.71–0.78) andDMCO(0.66, 95% CI 0.62–0.70).

Compared withTLCOalone, combinedTLCO–TLNOdoes not add capability to detect pulmonary hypertension in unselected SSc patients.
Precision medicine in airway diseases: moving to clinical practice
Authors: Agustí Alvar , Bafadhel Mona , Beasley Richard , Bel Elisabeth H. , Faner Rosa , Gibson Peter G. , Louis Renaud , McDonald Vanessa M. , Sterk Peter J. , Thomas Mike , Vogelmeier Claus , Pavord Ian D.
Published: October 2017

On February 21, 2017, a European Respiratory Society research seminar held in Barcelona discussed how to best apply precision medicine to chronic airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is now clear that both are complex and heterogeneous diseases, that often overlap and that both require individualised assessment and treatment. This paper summarises the presentations and discussions that took place during the seminar. Specifically, we discussed the need for a new taxonomy of human diseases, the role of different players in this scenario (exposome, genes, endotypes, phenotypes, biomarkers and treatable traits) and a number of unanswered key questions in the field. We also addressed how to deploy airway precision medicine in clinical practice today, both in primary and specialised care. Finally, we debated the type of research needed to move the field forward.
Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Immunohistochemistry Testing: A Review of Analytical Assays and Clinical Implementation in Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Büttner Reinhard , Gosney John R. , Skov Birgit Guldhammer , Adam Julien , Motoi Noriko , Bloom Kenneth J. , Dietel Manfred , Longshore John W. , López-Ríos Fernando , Penault-Llorca Frédérique , Viale Giuseppe , Wotherspoon Andrew C. , Kerr Keith M. , Tsao Ming-Sound
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Three programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors are currently approved for treatment of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Treatment with pembrolizumab in NSCLC requires PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing. Nivolumab and atezolizumab are approved without PD-L1 testing, though US Food and Drug Administration-cleared complementary PD-L1 tests are available for both. PD-L1 IHC assays used to assess PD-L1 expression in patients treated with programmed death-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in clinical trials include PD-L1 IHC 28-8 pharmDx (28-8), PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx (22C3), Ventana PD-L1 SP142 (SP142), and Ventana PD-L1 SP263 (SP263). Differences in antibodies and IHC platforms have raised questions about comparability among these assays and their diagnostic use. This review provides practical information to help physicians and pathologists understand analytical features and comparability of various PD-L1 IHC assays and their diagnostic use.

Methods

We reviewed and summarized published or otherwise reported studies (January 2016 to January 2017) on clinical trial and laboratory-developed PD-L1 IHC assays (LDAs). Studies assessing the effect of diagnostic methods on PD-L1 expression levels were analyzed to address practical issues related to tissue samples used for testing.

Results

High concordance and interobserver reproducibility were observed with the 28-8, 22C3, and SP263 clinical trial assays for PD-L1 expression on tumor cell membranes, whereas lower PD-L1 expression was detected with SP142. Immune-cell PD-L1 expression was variable and interobserver concordance was poor. Inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity had variable effects on PD-L1 expression. Concordance among LDAs was variable.

Conclusion

High concordance among 28-8, 22C3, and SP263 when assessing PD-L1 expression on tumor cell membranes suggests possible interchangeability of their clinical use for NSCLC but not for assessment of PD-L1 expression on immune cells. Development of LDAs requires stringent standardization before their recommendation for routine clinical use.
An Evidence-Based Approach to the Prescription Opioid Epidemic in Orthopedic Surgery
Authors: Soffin Ellen M. , Waldman Seth A. , Stack Roberta J. , Liguori Gregory A.
Published: October 2017

Orthopedic surgery is associated with significant perioperative pain. Providing adequate analgesia is a critical component of patient care and opioids play a vital role in the acute postoperative setting. However, opioid prescribing for patients undergoing orthopedic procedures has recently been identified as a major contributor to the current opioid epidemic. As opioid usage and related morbidity and mortality continue to rise nationwide, opioid-prescribing practices are under increased scrutiny. Here, we update the evidence base and recommendations behind a set of interventions developed at the Hospital for Special Surgery to address the national epidemic at the local level. The main components of our program include (1) guidelines for managing patients who are opioid tolerant and/or have a substance abuse disorder; (2) education programs for patients, emphasizing the role of opioids in recovery after elective orthopedic surgery; (3) education programs for prescribers of controlled substances, including clinical and regulatory aspects; (4) the development of surgery-specific prescribing recommendations for opioid-naive patients; and (5) mechanisms to modify prescribing habits to limit unnecessary prescribing of controlled substances.
Evidence for the Efficacy of Systemic Opioid-Sparing Analgesics in Pediatric Surgical Populations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhu Alyssa , Benzon Hubert A. , Anderson T. Anthony
Published: October 2017

While a large number of studies has examined the efficacy of opioid-sparing analgesics in adult surgical populations, fewer studies are available to guide postoperative pain treatment in pediatric patients. We systematically reviewed available publications on the use of systemic nonopioid agents for postoperative analgesia in pediatric surgical populations. A comprehensive literature search identified meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of systemic, nonopioid agents on postoperative narcotic requirements or pain scores in pediatric surgical populations. If a meta-analysis was located, we summarized its results and any RCTs published after it. We located and reviewed 11 acetaminophen RCTs, 1 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) meta-analysis, 2 NSAID RCTs, 1 dexamethasone meta-analysis, 3 dexamethasone RCTs, 2 ketamine meta-analyses, 5 ketamine RCTs, 2 gabapentin RCTs, 1 clonidine meta-analysis, 3 magnesium RCTs, 2 dexmedetomidine meta-analyses, and 1 dextromethorphan RCT. No meta-analyses or RCTs were found assessing the perioperative efficacy of intravenous lidocaine, amantadine, pregabalin, esmolol, or caffeine in pediatric surgical patients. The available evidence is limited, but suggests that perioperative acetaminophen, NSAIDs, dexamethasone, ketamine, clonidine, and dexmedetomidine may decrease postoperative pain and opioid consumption in some pediatric surgical populations. Not enough, or no, data exist from which to draw conclusions on the perioperative use of gabapentin, magnesium, dextromethorphan, lidocaine, amantadine, pregabalin, esmolol, and caffeine in pediatric surgical patients. Further pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics studies to establish both the clinical benefit and efficacy of nonopioid analgesia in pediatric populations are needed.
Basic/Translational Development of Forthcoming Opioid- and Nonopioid-Targeted Pain Therapeutics
Authors: Knezevic Nebojsa Nick , Yekkirala Ajay , Yaksh Tony L.
Published: October 2017

Opioids represent an efficacious therapeutic modality for some, but not all pain states. Singular reliance on opioid therapy for pain management has limitations, and abuse potential has deleterious consequences for patient and society. Our understanding of pain biology has yielded insights and opportunities for alternatives to conventional opioid agonists. The aim is to have efficacious therapies, with acceptable side effect profiles and minimal abuse potential, which is to say an absence of reinforcing activity in the absence of a pain state. The present work provides a nonexclusive overview of current drug targets and potential future directions of research and development. We discuss channel activators and blockers, including sodium channel blockers, potassium channel activators, and calcium channel blockers; glutamate receptor–targeted agents, including N-methyl-d-aspartate, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid, and metabotropic receptors. Furthermore, we discuss therapeutics targeted at γ-aminobutyric acid, α2-adrenergic, and opioid receptors. We also considered antagonists of angiotensin 2 and Toll receptors and agonists/antagonists of adenosine, purine receptors, and cannabinoids. Novel targets considered are those focusing on lipid mediators and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Of interest is development of novel targeting strategies, which produce long-term alterations in pain signaling, including viral transfection and toxins. We consider issues in the development of druggable molecules, including preclinical screening. While there are examples of successful translation, mechanistically promising preclinical candidates may unexpectedly fail during clinical trials because the preclinical models may not recapitulate the particular human pain condition being addressed. Molecular target characterization can diminish the disconnect between preclinical and humans’ targets, which should assist in developing nonaddictive analgesics.
Risk Factors for Opioid-Use Disorder and Overdose
Authors: Webster Lynn R.
Published: October 2017

Opioid analgesics are recognized as a legitimate medical therapy for selected patients with severe chronic pain that does not respond to other therapies. However, opioids are associated with risks for patients and society that include misuse, abuse, diversion, addiction, and overdose deaths. Therapeutic success depends on proper candidate selection, assessment before administering opioid therapy, and close monitoring throughout the course of treatment. Risk assessment and prevention include knowledge of patient factors that may contribute to misuse, abuse, addiction, suicide, and respiratory depression. Risk factors for opioid misuse or addiction include past or current substance abuse, untreated psychiatric disorders, younger age, and social or family environments that encourage misuse. Opioid mortality prevalence is higher in people who are middle aged and have substance abuse and psychiatric comorbidities. Suicides are probably undercounted or frequently misclassified in reports of opioid-related poisoning deaths. Greater understanding and better assessment are needed of the risk associated with suicide risk in patients with pain. Clinical tools and an evolving evidence base are available to assist clinicians with identifying patients whose risk factors put them at risk for adverse outcomes with opioids.
Case Series of Successful Postoperative Pain Management in Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy Patients
Authors: Leighton Barbara L. , Crock Lara W.
Published: October 2017

Buprenorphine maintenance therapy patients frequently have severe postoperative pain due to buprenorphine-induced hyperalgesia and provider use of opioids with limited efficacy in the presence of buprenorphine. The authors report good-to-excellent pain management in 4 obstetric patients using nonopioid analgesics, regional anesthesia, continuation of buprenorphine, and use of opioids with high μ receptor affinity.
Feeling and Form
Authors: Ioanes Anna
Published: October 2017

In the wake of the linguistic turn, scholars have turned to affect and to aesthetics to account for textual experiences that exceed critical frameworks of representation and critique. Bringing formalist analysis and affect theory to bear on one another, recent works of literary, art, and film criticism by C. Namwali Serpell, renée c. hoogland, and Eugenie Brinkema develop methodologies for exploring how the arts move us — how they impress themselves upon our bodies and create effects in the world. Adding to the current conversation about postcritical reading, surface reading, distant reading, and other methodological developments, these works offer methods for illuminating the relationship between form and feeling: neo-phenomenology, retelling, and close reading. By analyzing the relationship between affect and aesthetics across genres of art, this essay argues, we can expand the category of reading to better understand the temporal, spatial, and sensory encounter between text and audience.
Imagination and the Life of Thought
Authors: Muñoz Gerardo
Published: October 2017

This interview with Italian philosopher Emanuele Coccia revisits key problems of his thought, with particular attention to the imagination, Averroism, sensation, political theology, and anthropology. The occasion for this conversation was Coccia's recent English translation of Sensible Life (2016), a book that decisively expands his notion of mediality of the sensible as to reimage the concept of life. The interview also deals with a wide range of topics, such as the arrangement of the modern university as well as Coccia's most recent work on modern publicity and advertisement and the immersion of the lives of plants.
The polymorphic proteins TgrB1 and TgrC1 function as a ligand–receptor pair in Dictyostelium allorecognition
Authors: Hirose Shigenori , Chen Gong , Kuspa Adam , Shaulsky Gad
Published: October 2017

Allorecognition is a key factor in Dictyostelium development and sociality. It is mediated by two polymorphic transmembrane proteins, TgrB1 and TgrC1, which contain extracellular immunoglobulin domains. TgrB1 and TgrC1 are necessary and sufficient for allorecognition, and they carry out separate albeit overlapping functions in development, but their mechanism of action is unknown. Here, we show that TgrB1 acts as a receptor with TgrC1 as its ligand in cooperative aggregation and differentiation. The proteins bind each other in a sequence-specific manner; TgrB1 exhibits a cell-autonomous function and TgrC1 acts non-cell-autonomously. The TgrB1 cytoplasmic tail is essential for its function and it becomes phosphorylated upon association with TgrC1. Dominant mutations in TgrB1 activate the receptor function and confer partial ligand independence. These roles in development and sociality suggest that allorecognition is crucial in the integration of individual cells into a coherent organism.
Thermal strategies of king penguins during prolonged fasting in water
Authors: Lewden Agnès , Enstipp Manfred R. , Bonnet Batshéva , Bost Caroline , Georges Jean-Yves , Handrich Yves
Published: October 2017

Most animals experience periods of unfavourable conditions, challenging their daily energy balance. During breeding, king penguins fast voluntarily for up to 1.5 months in the colony, after which they replenish their energy stores at sea. However, at sea, birds might encounter periods of low foraging profitability, forcing them to draw from previously stored energy (e.g. subcutaneous fat). Accessing peripheral fat stores requires perfusion, increasing heat loss and thermoregulatory costs. Hence, how these birds balance the conflicting demands of nutritional needs and thermoregulation is unclear. We investigated the physiological responses of king penguins to fasting in cold water by (1) monitoring tissue temperatures, as a proxy of tissue perfusion, at four distinct sites (deep and peripheral) and (2) recording their oxygen consumption rate, while birds floated inside a water tank. Despite frequent oscillations, temperatures of all tissues often reached near normothermic levels, indicating that birds maintained perfusion to peripheral tissues throughout their fasting period in water. The oxygen consumption rate of birds increased with fasting duration in water, while it was also higher when the flank tissue was warmer, indicating greater perfusion. Hence, fasting king penguins in water maintained peripheral perfusion, despite the associated greater heat loss and, therefore, thermoregulatory costs, probably to access subcutaneous fat stores. Hence, the observed normothermia in peripheral tissues of king penguins at sea, upon completion of a foraging bout, is likely explained by their nutritional needs: depositing FFA in subcutaneous tissues after profitable foraging or mobilizing FFA to fuel metabolism, when foraging success was insufficient.
Assessment and comparison of thermal stability of phosphorothioate-DNA, DNA, RNA, 2′-F RNA, and LNA in the context of Phi29 pRNA 3WJ
Authors: Piao Xijun , Wang Hongzhi , Binzel Daniel W. , Guo Peixuan
Published: October 2017

The question of whether RNA is more stable or unstable compared to DNA or other nucleic acids has long been a subject of extensive scrutiny and public attention. Recently, thermodynamically stable and degradation-resistant RNA motifs have been utilized in RNA nanotechnology to build desired architectures and integrate multiple functional groups. Here we report the effects of phosphorothioate deoxyribonucleotides (PS-DNA), deoxyribonucleotides (DNA), ribonucleotides (RNA), 2′-F nucleotides (2′-F), and locked nucleic acids (LNA) on the thermal and in vivo stability of the three-way junction (3WJ) of bacteriophage phi29 motor packaging RNA. It was found that the thermal stability gradually increased following the order of PS-DNA/PS-DNA < DNA/DNA < DNA/RNA < RNA/RNA < RNA/2′-F RNA < 2’-F RNA/2′-F RNA < 2′-F RNA/LNA < LNA/LNA. This proposition is supported by studies on strand displacement and the melting of homogeneous and heterogeneous 3WJs. By simply mixing different chemically modified oligonucleotides, the thermal stability of phi29 pRNA 3WJ can be tuned to cover a wide range of melting temperatures from 21.2°C to over 95°C. The 3WJLNA was resistant to boiling temperature denaturation, urea denaturation, and 50% serum degradation. Intravenous injection of fluorescent LNA/2′-F hybrid 3WJs into mice revealed its exceptional in vivo stability and presence in urine. It is thus concluded that incorporation of LNA nucleotides, alone or in combination with 2′-F, into RNA nanoparticles derived from phi29 pRNA 3WJ can extend the half-life of the RNA nanoparticles in vivo and improve their pharmacokinetics profile.
BeerDeCoded: the open beer metagenome project
Authors: Sobel Jonathan , Henry Luc , Rotman Nicolas , Rando Gianpaolo
Published: October 2017

Next generation sequencing has radically changed research in the life sciences, in both academic and corporate laboratories. The potential impact is tremendous, yet a majority of citizens have little or no understanding of the technological and ethical aspects of this widespread adoption. We designed BeerDeCoded as a pretext to discuss the societal issues related to genomic and metagenomic data with fellow citizens, while advancing scientific knowledge of the most popular beverage of all. In the spirit of citizen science, sample collection and DNA extraction were carried out with the participation of non-scientists in the community laboratory of Hackuarium, a not-for-profit organisation that supports unconventional research and promotes the public understanding of science. The dataset presented herein contains the targeted metagenomic profile of 39 bottled beers from 5 countries, based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing of fungal species. A preliminary analysis reveals the presence of a large diversity of wild yeast species in commercial brews. With this project, we demonstrate that coupling simple laboratory procedures that can be carried out in a non-professional environment with state-of-the-art sequencing technologies and targeted metagenomic analyses, can lead to the detection and identification of the microbial content in bottled beer.
Panorama da gestão de pessoas no setor público
Authors: Lustosa Bandeira Emanuella , Rocha de Arruda Hanna , Cézar de Aquino Cabral Augusto , Maria dos Santos Sandra
Published: October 2017

O crescimento da produção acadêmica em Administração no Brasil, principalmente na área de gestão de pessoas, tem incentivado a produção de muitos balanços críticos. Nesta perspectiva, o objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar a produção científica brasileira sobre gestão de pessoas no setor público, identificando as temáticas mais recorrentes, os aspectos metodológicos e a demografia dos autores. Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliométrica que, por meio da análise de conteúdo e estatística descritiva, faz o levantamento das publicações nos periódicos nacionais RAE, RAC, RAP e RAUSP e nos anais dos eventos da ANPAD entre 2005 e 2014. Os resultados indicam que continuam predominando estudos de caso tipicamente ilustrativo e que a diversidade de origem é baixa, predominando autores da região sudeste. Houve uma inovação em relação à temática quando abordado especificamente o setor público: avaliação das políticas de GP e gestão por competência aparecem como temáticas mais pesquisadas, atreladas aos decretos instituídos pelo governo federal; e “choque de gestão” é identificada como temática própria do funcionalismo público. Palavras-chave: Gestão de Pessoas. Setor Público. Estudo Bibliométrico.
A dinâmica de participação social nos Conselhos Municipais de Cultura da Baixada Fluminense
Authors: Gonçalves Marina Teixeira , Simões Janaína Machado
Published: October 2017

Dentre as várias áreas nas quais os conselhos representam importante papel no desenvolvimento de políticas públicas, está a área da cultura. A reflexão sobre novas formas de gestão pública na área da cultura passa a ter ligação direta com mecanismos e espaços para a promoção da participação social, sendo os conselhos municipais de cultura componentes centrais nesse processo. Diante disso, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo entender a dinâmica de participação social nos conselhos municipais de cultura da Baixada Fluminense. Partindo de uma metodologia qualitativa e de uma discussão teórica sobre participação, conclui-se que o processo de participação social nos conselhos municipais de cultura da Baixada Fluminense acontece de forma limitada devido à natureza das políticas públicas e das organizações que determinam a estrutura destes. Além disso, as características da gestão e as relações de poder entre os atores envolvidos também influenciam a dinâmica participativa nos conselhos.
Ex-Day Returns of Stock Distributions: An Anchoring Explanation
Authors: Chang Eric C. , Lin Tse-Chun , Luo Yan , Ren Jinjuan
Published: October 2017

We offer a new anchoring explanation for the ex-day abnormal returns of stock distributions, including stock dividend distributions, splits, and reverse splits. We propose that investors tend to anchor on cum-day prices in valuating ex-distribution stocks, resulting in a positive association between ex-day returns and adjustment factors. We find that this positive return-factor relation exists for all three types of stock distributions and in both the pre- and post-decimalization periods. Furthermore, we find that this positive return-factor relation is more pronounced among events that are more subject to investors’ anchoring propensity, featured by less investor attention, greater arbitrage difficulty, greater valuation uncertainty, less investor sophistication, and higher market sentiment. Last, using brokerage account data, we show that stocks that are traded by investors with more investment experience demonstrate a weaker return-factor relation.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2843 .

This paper was accepted by Lauren Cohen, finance.
Use your Clever Fingers
Authors: McKeown Sal
Published: October 2017

Sal McKeown gets to grips with a fine motor skills programme that is helping children to develop dexterity in a range of everyday tasks they will need to carry out when they go to big school.
Castle capers
Authors: Hewson Claire
Published: October 2017

Castles, dragons, kings, queens and knights never fail to excite. Harness children's enthusiasm with building activities using basic resources such as bricks and cardboard boxes, complemented by ICT.
Creating a scene
Authors: Clarke Jenni
Published: October 2017

The second in Jenni Clarke's series on exploring emotions looks at how communication through drama can enable children to articulate thoughts and feelings, and extend their awareness of self and others.
Pharmacotherapy for Patients with Obesity
Authors: Gadde Kishore M , Apolzan John W , Berthoud Hans-Rudolf
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Although pharmacotherapy is not the cornerstone of obesity treatment, it is a valuable tool that could be considered for patients who have not had adequate benefit from lifestyle interventions or who have difficulty maintaining initial weight loss over longer periods.

CONTENT

This review focuses on the role of antiobesity drugs, the mechanisms by which the drugs work, potential pharmacological targets in the neural control of food intake and regulation of body weight, the history of antiobesity drugs, a summary of efficacy and safety data from clinical trials, and the clinical application of pharmacotherapy. Currently, 5 approved drug therapies are available in the US for long-term weight management, with only 2 of these meeting the stronger Food and Drug Administration (FDA) criteria of 5% weight loss relative to a placebo after 1 year and others receiving approval based on the categorical criterion of the proportions of patients achieving 5% weight loss. Interpretation of the results of clinical trials conducted before regulatory agency approval is limited by high dropout rates; thus, the results might not be replicable in clinical practice settings. Many patients who are suitable candidates for pharmacotherapy are not using the new drugs due to lack of insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs.

With the availability of 4 new drugs since 2012, clinicians in the US now have more tools for long-term weight management. The quality of pharmacotherapy clinical investigations needs considerable improvement. Future research should focus on examining the mediators and moderators of response.
Factors Influencing Profit Distribution Management of Sharia Commercial Banks in Indonesia
Authors: Ernayani Rihfenti , Robiyanto Robiyanto , Sudjinan Sudjinan
Published: October 2017

This study aims to determine and obtain empirical evidences regarding the effect of deposits, product asset management, and rate of inflation on profit distribution management at Sharia Commercial Banks in Indonesia during 2012-2014 periods. By using purposive sampling, 10 samples of Sharia Commercial Banks were observed on a quarterly basis, and the 120 panel data were gained. The data were analyzed by employing multiple linear regression. The result shows that Deposits have positive significant effects on Profit Distribution Management. Productive Assets Management has negative significant effects on Profit Distribution Management. Rate of Inflation has negative significant effect on Profit Distribution Management. Deposits, Productive Assets Management, Rate of Inflation simultaneously have significant effects on Profit Distribution Management.
Other Dimensions of Tax Billing with Gjzeling (Study on Tax Confiscation Officials at KPP Pratama Surabaya Wonocolo)
Authors: Prastiwi Dewi , Puspitasari Diana Amalia
Published: October 2017

Hostage or Gjzeling is one of the tax collection efforts to tax payers in certain places within a maximum period of 6 months from the tax insurer placed in the hostage-taking and this can be extended for about 6Â  months. Many of the constraints faced by tx confiscation officals are related to the duty of gijzeling. This study aims to explore the ways of Â gijzeling using a qualitative approach or non-positivistic with interpretive paradigm in approaching the true reality. The result shows that the efforts made for the success of tax confiscation officials in gizjeling process are to: 1) believe that the process of gijzeling is for the law enforcement efforts, the process of education to taxpayers, as well as carrying Â out the mandate of the State to save the state money; 2) manage the conflict with tax insurer based on the hang rule to the taxpayer, neutral, professional, and uphold integrity; 3) uploading awareness by downloading "brainwashing" penangung pajak
Forensic Accounting as Antibiotic for Pressing Corruption Infection in Indonesia
Authors: Rolihlahla Ghusti Ayu Criestiant , Satyawan Made Dudy , Triani Ni Nyoman Alit
Published: October 2017

Effectiveness of corruption cases aimed at making the corrupt severely punished in a court of corruption and bring the deterrent effect for public officials who intend to engage in corruption. This study aims to explain the depth of the role of forensic accounting as well as how it applied in the handling and disclosure of corruption cases in Indonesia. The hope of forensic accounting can be accepted and applied by all auditors general inspectorate at the ministry/government agencies at both central and local levels, so that corruption can be detected early on using the science of forensic accounting. This study uses a qualitative methodology with an interpretive approach, with key informants from the Directorate Investigator and Special Economic Crime, the Criminal Investigation Police, KPK, as well as the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency. The result of this study indicates that the forensic accounting interpreted as potent antibiotics to suppress the rampant corruption in Indonesia. Investigation method often used investigator/auditor using forensic accounting knowledge to produce valid evidence in court corruption, including documentary evidence of the state audit the calculation of financial loss and statement of experts (auditors) in the corruption trial.
Belief Revision towards Long-Series Information
Authors: Ayuananda Tri Ika , Utami Intiyas
Published: October 2017

The purpose of the research is to assess the primacy effect of the sequence for the manner of presentation and information formation on the audit decisions in revising the belief when the information is presented differently. The primacy effect is the decision by the auditor when the information is provided in sequence and weighting the larger initial information towards the auditor belief. This research used a 2x2x2 experimental design with 116 participants of the Undergraduate accounting majors (S1). The results of the research showed that: 1) the primacy effect on decision-making occurred when information was presented sequential pattern;2) the decision making audit, the primacy effects occurred Â in a visual form; 3) there is a primacy effect when the information is presented with a long series order.
Green Brand Image Relation Model, Green Awareness, Green Advertisement, and Ecological Knowledge as Competitive Advantage in Improving Green Purchase Intention and Green Purchase Behavior on Creative Industry Products
Authors: Rahmi Devi Yulia , Rozalia Yolanda , Chan Dessi Nelty , Anira Qisthina , Lita Ratni Prima
Published: October 2017

The study tried to analyze and determine 1) the effect of green brand image on green purchase intention, 2) effect of green awareness on green purchase intention, 3) the effect of green advertisement on green purchase intention, 4) the effect of ecological knowledge on green purchase intention, and 5) the effect of green purchase intention on green purchase behavior. Explanatory research was done with a survey explanatory research methods and quantitative research, with Â the population of consumers Bukittinggi with 150 respondents collected using accidental sampling with questionnaires, Â analyzed by descriptive statistics and Structural Equation Model. It shows Â ecological knowledge affects green purchase intention, but the green brand image, green awareness, and Â green advertisement have no effect on the increase in the green purchase intention. Green purchase intention can increase in consumer green purchase behavior. It implies that the creative industry should continue to improve the quality and knowledge of the consumer, so the competitive advantage will be achieved.
Strengthening Government Apparatus for the Success of Technology-Based Local Finance Information Systems (SIKD)
Authors: Indriasari Rahayu , Sudarma Made , Rosidi Rosidi , Mardiati Endang , Khairin Fibriyani Nur
Published: October 2017

Local financial management improvements needs to be realized for good governance. Regulation No. 17 of 2003 requires regional governments to better manage their finances through technology based Local Finance Information Systems (SIKD). In practice, it often causes behavioral problems because it leads to changes in the system in a short time by claiming to gain a better system that complies with the financial administration system in Indonesia. Thus, the government has to pay attention to their apparatus. This study tries to find out factors for strengthening the finance staff for implementing technology-based SIKD. It used a phenomenological approach and the data were collected through observation, in-depth interview, and document analysis. Informants in this study are those who directly involved in technology-based SIKD, finance staff, and policy makers. It shows that there are three important factors for the success of technology-based SIKD. Firstly, the staffâ€™s commitment to self- integrity. Secondly, ethics and morality for staffâ€™s building character, and thirdly, improve the government apparatusâ€™ capacity. In conclusion, the government should be proactive in improving the human resources quality for implementing technology-based SIKD, through socialization or training. Results of this study suggest that regional government regulates human resource development for the successful implementation of technology-based SIKD.
The Impacts of Fundamental and Macroeconomic Factors on the Stock Price of Oil Palm Plantation Companies in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX)
Authors: Ayudya Resi , Suwandari Anik , Hartadi Rudi
Published: October 2017

The oil palm plantation companies in this study were the selected companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange.Â This study aimed to determine the impacts of fundamental and macroeconomic factors on the stock price of the oil palm plantation companies in IDX.Â The determination of the research area was based on the designed method (purposive sampling) consisting of PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk, PT PP London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk, and PT Tunas Baru Lampung Tbk.Â The data was collected using literature review method with secondary data sources in the form of time series data of stock prices, fundamental and macroeconomic factors in the period from January 2006 up to June 2016. The results of this study indicated that the movement of stock prices of oil palm plantations in Indonesia Stock Exchange was influenced by the fundamental and macroeconomic factors which consist of ROE (Return on Equity) with a regression coefficient of -133.35, DER (Debt to Equity Ratio) with a regression coefficient of -26.37, and EPS (Earning per Share) with a regression coefficient of 15.47.Â The macroeconomic factors consist of Rupiah exchange rate with a regression coefficient of -0273 and the CPO (Crude Palm Oil) price with a regression coefficient of 0.859. ForÂ the investors, they can consider the overall internal and external factors, which are based on the company's financial ratios and macroeconomic conditions.
FLRW solution in bimetric theory of gravitation
Authors: Borkar M. S. , Ameen Abdul
Published: October 2017

We have derived FLRW line-element in Bimetric Theory of Gravitation (BTG) by solving Rosen’s field equations, and it is concluded that the geometry of our model in BTG is agreed with the geometry of FLRW model in GR. It is also realized that for the large value of t, the deceleration parameter q in our model admits the value  which is close to the value  at present epoch predicted by the observations of [44-48].This This shows that our FLRW model in BTG is found to be in an accelerating phase at present epoch which is not the case in GR. Other geometrical and physical aspects to the model are also studied.