bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SC-DCNN
Authors: Ren Ao , Li Zhe , Ding Caiwen , Qiu Qinru , Wang Yanzhi , Li Ji , Qian Xuehai , Yuan Bo
Published: May 2017

With the recent advance of wearable devices and Internet of Things (IoTs), it becomes attractive to implement the Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DCNNs) in embedded and portable systems. Currently, executing the software-based DCNNs requires high-performance servers, restricting the widespread deployment on embedded and mobile IoT devices. To overcome this obstacle, considerable research efforts have been made to develop highly-parallel and specialized DCNN accelerators using GPGPUs, FPGAs or ASICs.

Stochastic Computing (SC), which uses a bit-stream to represent a number within [-1, 1] by counting the number of ones in the bit-stream, has high potential for implementing DCNNs with high scalability and ultra-low hardware footprint. Since multiplications and additions can be calculated using AND gates and multiplexers in SC, significant reductions in power (energy) and hardware footprint can be achieved compared to the conventional binary arithmetic implementations. The tremendous savings in power (energy) and hardware resources allow immense design space for enhancing scalability and robustness for hardware DCNNs.

This paper presents SC-DCNN, the first comprehensive design and optimization framework of SC-based DCNNs, using a bottom-up approach. We first present the designs of function blocks that perform the basic operations in DCNN, including inner product, pooling, and activation function. Then we propose four designs of feature extraction blocks, which are in charge of extracting features from input feature maps, by connecting different basic function blocks with joint optimization. Moreover, the efficient weight storage methods are proposed to reduce the area and power (energy) consumption. Putting all together, with feature extraction blocks carefully selected, SC-DCNN is holistically optimized to minimize area and power (energy) consumption while maintaining high network accuracy. Experimental results demonstrate that the LeNet5 implemented in SC-DCNN consumes only 17
mm
2
area and 1.53 W power, achieves throughput of 781250 images/s, area efficiency of 45946 images/s/
mm
2
, and energy efficiency of 510734 images/J.
Nanoformulation of Olaparib Amplifies PARP Inhibition and Sensitizes PTEN/TP53-Deficient Prostate Cancer to Radiation
Authors: van de Ven Anne L. , Tangutoori Shifalika , Baldwin Paige , Qiao Ju , Gharagouzloo Codi , Seitzer Nina , Clohessy John G. , Makrigiorgos G. Mike , Cormack Robert , Pandolfi Pier Paolo , Sridhar Srinivas
Published: May 2017

The use of PARP inhibitors in combination with radiotherapy is a promising strategy to locally enhance DNA damage in tumors. Here we show that radiation-resistant cells and tumors derived from a Pten/Trp53-deficient mouse model of advanced prostate cancer are rendered radiation sensitive following treatment with NanoOlaparib, a lipid-based injectable nanoformulation of olaparib. This enhancement in radiosensitivity is accompanied by radiation dose-dependent changes in γ-H2AX expression and is specific to NanoOlaparib alone. In animals, twice-weekly intravenous administration of NanoOlaparib results in significant tumor growth inhibition, whereas previous studies of oral olaparib as monotherapy have shown no therapeutic efficacy. When NanoOlaparib is administered prior to radiation, a single dose of radiation is sufficient to triple the median mouse survival time compared to radiation only controls. Half of mice treated with NanoOlaparib + radiation achieved a complete response over the 13-week study duration. Using ferumoxytol as a surrogate nanoparticle, MRI studies revealed that NanoOlaparib enhances the intratumoral accumulation of systemically administered nanoparticles. NanoOlaparib-treated tumors showed up to 19-fold higher nanoparticle accumulation compared to untreated and radiation-only controls, suggesting that the in vivo efficacy of NanoOlaparib may be potentiated by its ability to enhance its own accumulation. Together, these data suggest that NanoOlaparib may be a promising new strategy for enhancing the radiosensitivity of radiation-resistant tumors lacking BRCA mutations, such as those with PTEN and TP53 deletions. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(7); 1279–89. ©2017 AACR.
Cardiometabolic Traits and Systolic Mechanics in the Community
Authors: Ho Jennifer E. , McCabe Elizabeth L. , Wang Thomas J. , Larson Martin G. , Levy Daniel , Tsao Connie , Aragam Jayashri , Mitchell Gary F. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Cheng Susan
Published: May 2017

Background—

Obesity and cardiometabolic dysfunction are associated with increased risk of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. We sought to examine the association of cardiometabolic traits with left ventricular (LV) cardiac mechanics. We hypothesized that specific obesity-related phenotypes are associated with distinct aspects of LV strain.

Methods and Results—

We evaluated the associations of obesity-related phenotypes, including central adiposity, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and circulating adipokine concentrations with echocardiographic measures of LV mechanical function among participants of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring and Third Generation cohorts. Among 6231 participants, the mean age was 51±16 years, and 54% were women. Greater body mass index was associated with worse LV longitudinal strain, radial strain (apical view), and longitudinal synchrony (multivariable-adjusted
P
<0.0001). After accounting for body mass index, we found that central adiposity, as measured by waist circumference, was associated with worse global longitudinal strain and synchrony (
P
≤0.006). Measures of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus also were associated with distinct aspects of LV mechanical function. Circulating leptin concentrations were associated with global longitudinal and radial strain (apical view,
P
<0.0001), whereas no such association was found with leptin receptor, adiponectin, or C-reactive protein.

Conclusions—

Our findings highlight the association of central obesity and related cardiometabolic phenotypes above and beyond body mass index with subclinical measures of LV mechanical function. Interestingly, obesity-related traits were associated with distinct aspects of LV mechanics, underscoring potential differential effects along specific LV planes of deformation. These findings may shed light onto obesity-related cardiac remodeling and heart failure.
Percutaneous Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices in Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Mandawat Aditya , Rao Sunil V.
Published: May 2017

Despite a high rate of early revascularization and use of intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation therapy, the prognosis of patients with cardiogenic shock has remained poor. In the hopes of improving outcomes, clinicians are increasingly turning to percutaneous left and right mechanical circulatory support devices. Until recently, the evidence base for these devices had consisted only of observational data, meta-analyses, and small feasibility trials. In this article, we describe the contemporary outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock, the hemodynamics of cardiogenic shock, and hemodynamic effects of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support devices. We then use this discussion to provide clinicians with a useful framework for understanding when selecting between or while managing patients with a percutaneous mechanical circulatory support devices. We critically review the recently published data for and against the use of commercially available devices—the intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation, the Impella system, the TandemHeart, and venous–arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation—and highlight gaps in our understanding. Given such gaps, a consensus multidisciplinary approach that combines expertise from interventional cardiologists, heart failure specialists, cardiac surgeons, and cardiac anesthesiologists may help pair the right patient with the right device at the right time.
Abraham Kuyper’s Surprising Love of the Jews
Authors: de Bruijne Ad
Published: May 2017

Set against the background of accusations of racism and anti-Semitism, this article examines Abraham Kuyper’s vision of the Jews. His theology turns out to be an intriguing combination of supersessionist and chiliastic accents. He expected the conversion of the Jews and even the restoration of their priority as a nation, albeit as a feature of the new creation. Kuyper’s vision of the Jews is interrelated with his main theological and political accents. It proves rewarding insight regarding three contemporary challenges: persisting theological differences concerning Israel, increasing anti-Semitism, and criticisms of the state of Israel by Western churches.
The Role of u.s. State Governments in International Relations, 1980–2015
Authors: Fry Earl H.
Published: May 2017

In an effort to protect and enhance the interests of their constituents in a complex era of globalization, interdependence, and “creative destruction,” mostu.s.state governments have chosen to be engaged internationally, especially in economic activities, such as export promotion and the attraction of direct investment, tourists, and students from abroad. However, these activities have often been sporadic and are subject to being downsized or eliminated during tough fiscal periods, such as the Great Recession of 2007–2009. Moreover,u.s.federalism has been in a period of centralization with more power assumed by the national government at the expense of state governments. The executive branches of the national and state governments occasionally clash over international competencies, with the national government almost always prevailing. Nonetheless, most state governments continue to be actively engaged in “foreign affairs,” as contrasted with “foreign policy,” and future trends should result in the proliferation of these pursuits.
Pluralism, Autonomy and Resistance: A Canadian Perspective on Resolving Conflicts between Freedom of Religion and lgbtq Rights
Authors: Ginn Diana , Kindred Kevin
Published: May 2017

Trinity Western University (twu), an evangelical post-secondary institution in Canada, has litigated against three provincial law societies who refused to accredit twu’s proposed law school because of a mandatory University Covenant that prohibits sexual intimacy outside of marriage ‘between one man and one woman’. Leave has been granted to appeal this matter to the Supreme Court of Canada. This litigation involves a conflict between constitutional rights: freedom of religion and lgbtq equality rights. The Supreme Court of Canada mandates a non-hierarchical approach to resolving such conflicts, aimed at ensuring constitutional rights and freedoms do not depend on majoritarian support. Balancing competing fundamental rights and freedoms must be done contextually, with a weighing of harms and benefits on each side. Despite strong moral and theological objections to twu’s stance on same-sex relationships, the authors argue that, in this instance the balancing of harms and benefits weighs in favour of freedom of religion.
Mindanao Current and Undercurrent: Thermohaline Structure and Transport from Repeat Glider Observations
Authors: Schönau Martha C. , Rudnick Daniel L.
Published: May 2017

Autonomous underwater Spray gliders made repeat transects of the Mindanao Current (MC), a low-latitude western boundary current in the western tropical North Pacific Ocean, from September 2009 to October 2013. In the thermocline (<26 kg m−3), the MC has a maximum velocity core of −0.95 m s−1, weakening with distance offshore until it intersects with the intermittent Mindanao Eddy (ME) at 129.25°E. In the subthermocline (>26 kg m−3), a persistent Mindanao Undercurrent (MUC), with a velocity core of 0.2 m s−1 and mean net transport, flows poleward. Mean transport and standard deviation integrated from the coast to 130°E is −19 ± 3.1 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) in the thermocline and −3 ± 12 Sv in the subthermocline. Subthermocline transport has an inverse linear relationship with the Niño-3.4 index and is the primary influence of total transport variability. Interannual anomalies during El Niño are greater than the annual cycle for sea surface salinity and thermocline depth. Water masses transported by the MC/MUC are identified by subsurface salinity extrema and are on isopycnals that have increased finescale salinity variance (spice variance) from eddy stirring. The MC/MUC spice variance is smaller in the thermocline and greater in the subthermocline when compared to the North Equatorial Current and its undercurrents.
Hyperlink Network Analysis of a Tourism Destination
Authors: Raisi Hossein , Baggio Rodolfo , Barratt-Pugh Llandis , Willson Gregory
Published: May 2017

Hyperlinks critically impact the online visibility of a tourism destination and the effectiveness of information flow between tourism organizations and enterprises on the Internet. This study investigates the hyperlink network of the tourism industry in Western Australia. Network analysis is applied to explore, analyze, and visualize this network of 1,515 tourism websites. Several dimensions of network structure are examined, and the results indicate that the hyperlink network of this destination has a very sparse, centralized and hierarchical structure, and that the websites tend to form communities based on their geographical locations. Public tourism organizations and information services play a central and significant role in the destination network. The key implication for organizations and the industry as a whole is that education about the instrumental importance of hyperlinks could increase interconnectivity and therefore industry performance.
Randomised clinical trial of early specialist palliative care plus standard care versus standard care alone in patients with advanced cancer: The Danish Palliative Care Trial
Authors: Groenvold Mogens , Petersen Morten Aagaard , Damkier Anette , Neergaard Mette Asbjoern , Nielsen Jan Bjoern , Pedersen Lise , Sjøgren Per , Strömgren Annette Sand , Vejlgaard Tove Bahn , Gluud Christian , Lindschou Jane , Fayers Peter , Higginson Irene J , Johnsen Anna Thit
Published: May 2017

Background:

Beneficial effects of early palliative care have been found in advanced cancer, but the evidence is not unequivocal.

Aim:

To investigate the effect of early specialist palliative care among advanced cancer patients identified in oncology departments.

Setting/participants:

The Danish Palliative Care Trial (DanPaCT) (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01348048) is a multicentre randomised clinical trial comparing early referral to a specialist palliative care team plus standard care versus standard care alone. The planned sample size was 300. At five oncology departments, consecutive patients with advanced cancer were screened for palliative needs. Patients with scores exceeding a predefined threshold for problems with physical, emotional or role function, or nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnoea or lack of appetite according to the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) were eligible. The primary outcome was the change in each patient’s primary need (the most severe of the seven QLQ-C30 scales) at 3- and 8-week follow-up (0–100 scale). Five sensitivity analyses were conducted. Secondary outcomes were change in the seven QLQ-C30 scales and survival.

Results:

Totally 145 patients were randomised to early specialist palliative care versus 152 to standard care. Early specialist palliative care showed no effect on the primary outcome of change in primary need (−4.9 points (95% confidence interval −11.3 to +1.5 points); p = 0.14). The sensitivity analyses showed similar results. Analyses of the secondary outcomes, including survival, also showed no differences, maybe with the exception of nausea/vomiting where early specialist palliative care might have had a beneficial effect.

Conclusion:

We did not observe beneficial or harmful effects of early specialist palliative care, but important beneficial effects cannot be excluded.
A posture adjustment optimization method of the laser inspection device for large complex surface parts
Authors: Zhou Guanyan , Li Yingguang , Liu Changqing , Hao Xiaozhong
Published: May 2017

The blank of large complex surface parts such as aircraft skin parts is formed by roll–bending process, which always introduces a big shape deviation between actual blanks and the desired ones. The cutting tool path for the blank machining planned based on the nominal digital model of the part may scrap the part due to the shape deviation. In order to address this issue, laser inspection method is used to inspect the blank before machining to obtain the actual shape of the blank which can be used as a reference for cutting tool path generation in addition to the nominal digital model of the part. While the laser inspection device posture adjustment is an important factor for inspection precision, it should be intensively focused. The difficulty of the laser inspection device posture adjustment optimization is that it can only be performed based on the nominal digital model of the part, while the real inspection object is the actual blank whose real shape is unknown, which may lead to the inspection precision disqualification. In order to address the above difficulty, the actual blank profile is first constructed with a few of laser inspection points obtained by rough inspecting. An inspection path planning method is proposed based on the actual blank profile. A genetic algorithm is used to optimize the pendulum angles of the laser inspection device based on the inspection path and the actual blank profile, and the optimized postures of the actual blank can be calculated based on the pendulum angles. The proposed method of this article is verified by the inspection of an aircraft skin part, and the experiment results show that this method can ensure the final inspection precision.
The Importance of What You Leave Behind: A Conversation With Carl Smith
Authors: Teagarden Jim , Zabel Robert , Kaff Marilyn
Published: May 2017

Dr. Carl Smith shares his reflections on a varied career that included many different roles and responsibilities but shared a focus on children with behavior disorders. Dr. Smith also provides insight into where he believes the field is heading and offers his advice to those just entering the field. Perhaps the lasting advice to all is to focus on the importance of what you leave behind.
Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) in Clinical Versus Nonclinical Individuals: Generalizability of Psychometric Features
Authors: Bach Bo , Sellbom Martin , Simonsen Erik
Published: May 2017

The Personality Inventory for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fifth Edition (PID-5) was developed for the assessment of pathological traits in clinical settings. However, most research on the PID-5 is derived from nonclinical samples. To date, the comparability and generalizability of PID-5 constructs across nonclinical and clinical samples have not been adequately investigated. Therefore, we investigated the measurement invariance, five-factor structure, and factor correlations across clinical and nonclinical samples. The clinical sample ( n = 598) comprised patients with nonpsychotic disorders (81% women; mean age = 28.95), whereas a matched nonclinical sample ( n = 598) comprised community-dwelling individuals (81% women; mean age = 29.59). Measurement invariance was analyzed using a 13-step, two-group exploratory structural equation modeling approach. The results demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties for both samples and supported strong measurement invariance across the groups at the domain level.
Implications of the 21st Century Cures Act for the Behavioral and Social Sciences at the National Institutes of Health
Authors: Riley William T. , Blizinsky Katherine D.
Published: May 2017

The 21st Century Cures Act provides funding for key initiatives relevant to the behavioral and social sciences and includes administrative provisions that facilitate health research and increase the privacy protections of research participants. At about the same time as the passage of the Act, the National Institutes of Health Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research released its Strategic Plan 2017-2021, which addresses three scientific priorities: (a) improve the synergy of basic and applied behavioral and social sciences research; (b) enhance and promote the research infrastructure, methods, and measures needed to support a more cumulative and integrated approach to behavioral and social sciences; and (c) facilitate the adoption of behavioral and social sciences research findings in health research and in practice. This commentary describes the implications of the Cures Act on these scientific priorities and on the behavioral and social sciences more broadly.
The moot audition: Preparing music performers as expert listeners
Authors: Mitchell Helen , Benedict Roger
Published: May 2017

Listening is regarded as the most fundamental contact with music performers, but this is challenged by a growing body of evidence which suggests that sight is as important as sound in evaluating music performers. Music students learn traditional performance skills for the music profession, but do not learn to think critically about preparation and sound evaluation for auditions, competitions and examinations. Conservatorium students were invited to act as auditioner and auditionee in a moot audition. Auditioners experienced live performances before and behind a screen, and formed a panel to evaluate performances. Performances were audio and video recorded, and arranged into three presentation conditions, audio-only, visual-only and audiovisual for a second audition session. Auditioners affirmed the primacy of sound in evaluation but became acutely aware of how vision impacted their judgements. Separating audio and visual elements highlighted subtle features, and contributed to their mental picture of performers’ sound. Results support more robust training to engender skills beyond the traditional craft and equip the next generation of expert listeners for the profession.
Structural evaluation and mechanical properties of AZ31/SiC nano-composite produced by friction stir welding process at various welding speeds
Authors: Abdollahzadeh A , Shokuhfar A , Omidvar H , Cabrera JM , Solonin A , Ostovari A , Abbasi M
Published: May 2017

A metal matrix composite made of AZ31 containing SiC nano-particles was successfully produced by friction stir welding (FSW), and the effect of processing parameters such as rotational and transversal speeds on the microstructure (grain size) and mechanical properties (tensile and hardness tests) were investigated. Prior to friction stir welding, nano-sized SiC particles were incorporated into the joint line and then different rotational (600, 800 and 1000 r/min) and transversal speeds (25, 75, 125 and 175 mm/min) were tested. The results indicated that the grain size of the matrix and SiC nano-particles are two key parameters controlling different characteristics of the developed composite. Both parameters, in turns, are dependent on the heat generated during the FSW process. The increase of rotational speed and decrease of transversal speed result in high amount of heat and homogeneous distribution of SiC nano-particles. The former leads to grain growth and decrease of strength and hardness, while the latter causes grain refinement and increases of strength and hardness. Accordingly, the heat input has opposite effects on matrix grain growth and homogeneous distribution of particles. Therefore, optimum values of rotational and transversal speeds were found (800 r/min and 75 mm/min) to produce the best microstructure and mechanical properties.
Counter-monumentality and the vulnerability of memory
Authors: Osborne James F
Published: May 2017

Monuments have been a staple of archaeology since the beginning of the discipline and have been used as case-studies for a diverse range of topics. In recent years, monuments have been considered particularly often in studies of social memory. By materializing memorial ambitions, however, the creation of monuments provides a venue for collective memories to be challenged. Despite their outward appearance of strength and permanence, monuments additionally render the memory of their creators vulnerable and open to contestation. In particular, the practice of counter-monumentality, or active and deliberate interventions in traditional monuments, illustrates how the erection of monuments exposes the inherent fragility of memory. Examples from the present and the past demonstrate these points: a statue of Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson in Baltimore, Maryland, and a corpus of monumental statues from southeastern Anatolian and northern Syria during the Iron Age.
Problem-Based Learning and Civic Engagement in Undergraduate Education
Authors: Keegan Louise C. , Losardo Angela , McCullough Kim C.
Published: May 2017

Problem-based learning and civic engagement are complementary constructivist andragogical approaches that emphasize active learning by guiding students to develop their own understanding and knowledge of a topic through experience and reflection. By providing examples of clinical cases and community-based experiences, these approaches can enhance and expand the sociocultural perceptions of the students, while also allowing them an opportunity to develop the valuable interprofessional skill of collaboration. This article introduces the reader to these two andragogical approaches, and argues that, when implemented concurrently, these approaches are ideal for undergraduate students completing communication sciences and disorders degrees. These teaching methods provide students with an opportunity to cultivate a professional identity, and by assuming responsibility for their own learning, begin to develop research and clinical skills.
Laparoscopic Surgery in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Mari Giulio , Scanziani Renzo , Auricchio Sara , Crippa Jacopo , Maggioni Dario
Published: May 2017

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an effective renal replacement therapy for the treatment of end-stage renal disease. Patients on PD undergoing abdominal open surgery often fail to resume PD. Laparoscopic surgery has recently become a serious alternative to open surgery in patients on PD to treat different abdominal pathologies. However, only a few studies have reported successful procedures without Tenckhoff catheter removal. The aim of this review is to describe how a laparoscopic technique can allow PD patients to deal with abdominal surgery without shifting to hemodialysis. Only 50 cases of laparoscopic surgical intervention in PD patients have been published to our knowledge. These case series largely concern laparoscopic cholecystectomies, appendectomies, nephrectomies, colectomies, and bariatric procedures. The reported cases show how laparoscopic surgery can be accepted as a valid option for several abdominal surgical procedures in patients on PD with good outcomes and early resumption of PD.
Clarification of Eponymous Anatomical Terminology: Structures Named After Dr Geoffrey V. Osborne That Compress the Ulnar Nerve at the Elbow
Authors: Wali Arvin R. , Gabel Brandon , Mitwalli Madhawi , Tubbs R. Shane , Brown Justin M.
Published: May 2017

Background: In 1957, Dr Geoffrey Osborne described a structure between the medial epicondyle and the olecranon that placed excessive pressure on the ulnar nerve. Three terms associated with such structures have emerged: Osborne’s band, Osborne’s ligament, and Osborne’s fascia. As anatomical language moves away from eponymous terminology for descriptive, consistent nomenclature, we find discrepancies in the use of anatomic terms. This review clarifies the definitions of the above 3 terms. Methods: We conducted an extensive electronic search via PubMed and Google Scholar to identify key anatomical and surgical texts that describe ulnar nerve compression at the elbow. We searched the following terms separately and in combination: “Osborne’s band,” “Osborne’s ligament,” and “Osborne’s fascia.” A total of 36 papers were included from 1957 to 2016. Results: Osborne’s band, Osborne’s ligament, and Osborne’s fascia were found to inconsistently describe the etiology of ulnar neuritis, referring either to the connective tissue between the 2 heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle as described by Dr Osborne or to the anatomically distinct fibrous tissue between the olecranon process of the ulna and the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Conclusions: The use of eponymous terms to describe ulnar pathology of the elbow remains common, and although these terms allude to the rich history of surgical anatomy, these nonspecific descriptions lead to inconsistencies. As Osborne’s band, Osborne’s ligament, and Osborne’s fascia are not used consistently across the literature, this research demonstrates the need for improved terminology to provide reliable interpretation of these terms among surgeons.
Concurrent maternal and fetal tachyarrhythmia in pregnancy
Authors: Gabarin Nadia , Jaeggi Edgar T , Spears Danna A , Sermer Mathew , Silversides Candice K , Bhagra Catriona J
Published: May 2017

The occurrence of a maternal and fetal tachyarrhythmia together in pregnancy is exceedingly rare. We report a case of a persistent fetal atrial ectopic tachycardia occurring in conjunction with a maternal atrial tachycardia with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Amiodarone was effective in treating both maternal and fetal arrhythmias.
Hippocampal Volume as an Amplifier of the Effect of Social Context on Adolescent Depression
Authors: Schriber Roberta A. , Anbari Zainab , Robins Richard W. , Conger Rand D. , Hastings Paul D. , Guyer Amanda E.
Published: May 2017

Recent models have focused on how brain-based individual differences in social sensitivity shape affective development in adolescence, when rates of depression escalate. Given the importance of the hippocampus in binding contextual and affective elements of experience, as well as its putative role in depression, we examined hippocampal volume as a moderator of the effects of social context on depressive symptoms in a sample of 209 Mexican-origin adolescents. Adolescents with larger versus smaller hippocampal volumes showed heightened sensitivity in their depressive symptoms to a protective factor inside the home (sense of family connectedness) and a risk factor outside the home (community crime exposure). These interactive effects uniquely predicted depressive symptoms and were greater for the left side, suggesting two independent social-contextual contributions to depression that were moderated by left hippocampal volume. Results elucidate complex brain-environment interplay in adolescent depression, offering clues about for whom and how social context plays a role.
Don’t Know or Won’t Say? Exploring How Colorblind Norms Shape Item Nonresponse in Social Surveys
Authors: Alexander Elizabeth C.
Published: May 2017

Colorblind norms play an important role in shaping how people discuss race. There is reason to believe that these norms also affect the ways respondents interact with social surveys. Specifically, some respondents may be using nonresponse as a tactic to not discuss race in social surveys. If this is the case, very different demographics of respondents would be most prone to nonresponse, and the phenomenon should also vary on the basis of the interviewer’s race. The author conducted bivariate and multivariate analysis of the Chicago Area Study to examine whether colorblindness may be promoting “don’t know” responses and item refusals. The author finds that nonresponse to a perceived race of interviewer item follows a distinct pattern consistent with previous research on colorblind norms. For example, white respondents have nearly five times the rate of nonresponse compared with blacks and Latinos. Bolstering the colorblindness theory, an interracial interview context nearly triples the nonresponse rate compared with same-race interviews. Findings of this research have important implications for both survey researchers using social surveys to examine race and racial attitudes and race scholars who seek to understand the prevalence of colorblind norms across society.
User experience analysis of e-TB Manager, a nationwide electronic tuberculosis recording and reporting system in Ukraine
Authors: Konduri Niranjan , Sawyer Kelly , Nizova Nataliya
Published: May 2017

Ukraine has successfully implemented e-TB Manager nationwide as its mandatory national tuberculosis registry after first introducing it in 2009. Our objective was to perform an end-of-programme evaluation after formal handover of the registry administration to Ukraine's Centre for Disease Control in 2015.

We conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional, anonymous, 18-point user experience survey, and stratified the registry's transaction statistics to demonstrate usability.

Contrary to initial implementation experience, older users (aged >50 years), often with limited or no computer proficiency prior to using the registry, had significantly better user experience scores for at least six of the 12 measures compared to younger users (aged 18–29 years). Using the registry for >3 years was associated with significantly higher scores for having capacity, adequacy of training received and satisfaction with the registry. Of the 5.9 million transactions over a 4-year period, nine out of 24 oblasts (regions) and Kiev city accounted for 62.5% of all transactions, and corresponded to 59% of Ukraine's tuberculosis burden. There were 437 unique active users in 486 rayons (districts) of Ukraine, demonstrating extensive reach.

Our key findings complement the World Health Organization and European Respiratory Society's agenda for action on digital health to help implement the End TB Strategy.
Staying in the cities or returning home? An analysis of the rural-urban migration behavior in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Loc Duc , Grote Ulrike , Sharma Rasadhika
Published: May 2017

This paper investigates the migration behavior of rural-urban migrants within Vietnam. It focuses on the length and intensity of migration and its respective determinants. The analysis uses panel data of 2200 rural households and data from a migrant tracking survey of 299 migrants from Vietnam. The findings show that migrants coming from rural households that faced a higher number of idiosyncratic shocks increase their stays in the cities, while those from households that experienced covariate shocks such as floods, droughts, or economic shocks shorten the lengths of their stays in the cities. An increased length of migration is also observed among migrants and households with higher human capital. Furthermore, a decreased income gap between rural and urban provinces due to the higher economic growth in the cities increases the duration of migration. With respect to the migration intensity, migrants intend to return sooner when they face shocks in the cities and the living conditions at their original places improve.

JEL Classification:D13, J28, J61, O15, O18, Z13
Creativity of images: using digital consensual assessment to evaluate mood boards
Authors: Freeman Charles , Marcketti Sara , Karpova Elena
Published: May 2017

Mood boards are used frequently in design and product development as well as in academic courses related to fashion design. However objectively evaluating the creativity of fashion design mood boards is often difficult. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation is to examine reliability of a digital consensual assessment instrument measuring creativity, using expert (from related domains) and non-expert raters (students). Creativity measures were compared with the mood board themes to further investigate any relationships between mood board types and the consensual assessment. Independent samplesttest comparing group means indicated expert raters evaluated the mood boards significantly higher in creativity than the non-experts,t(99) = −6.71,p < .001, (95% CI −.57, −.29), while Pearson correlation results indicate a significant relationship between the two groups of raters,r(50) = .33,p < .01. ANOVA results for all raters indicated a significant difference between the five subject matter categories;F(4, 95) = 4.64,p < .005. Overall, expert and non-expert raters reported significant reliability, which further supports prior research using consensual assessment for creativity measures across domains.
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome–related lymphopenia is associated with adenosine A1 receptor dysfunction
Authors: Riff Reut , Cohen Yair , Eini-Rider Hadar , Naamani Oshri , Mazar Julia , Haviv Yosef S , Chaimovitz Cidio , Douvdevani Amos
Published: May 2017

SIRS is associated with lymphopenia, and prolonged lymphopenia of septic patients has been associated with increased mortality risk. We hypothesize that elevated adenosine during SIRS down-regulates Gi-coupled A1R, which signals an effect that sensitizes a cAMP-dependent lymphotoxic response. In this study, we evaluate the role of adenosine in SIRS-mediated lymphopenia and impaired IL-15 production. Cecal ligation and puncture was used to induce sepsis-associated SIRS in mice. BMDCs were cultured and used to measure the effect of adenosine on IL-15. We found that A1R mRNA levels were significantly down-regulated and A1R-dependent Gi activity was abolished in T cells of septic mice. In accordance, cAMP was elevated in isolated T cells from cecal ligation and puncture compared with sham-treated mice. Similar to septic mice, leukopenia was evident in sham A1R-KO mice, after treatment with the A1R antagonist (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine), or after A1R desensitization. In contrast, A2AR-KO mice were protected from leukopenia. In addition, we observed that septic A1R-KO mice exhibited low IL-15 levels. Cultured BMDC agonists of A2AR and A2BR inhibited IL-15 production and adenosine blocked IL-15–dependent proliferation of cytotoxic T cells that were cocultured with stimulated BMDCs. To conclude, we suggest that SIRS-associated lymphopenia is initiated by A1R desensitization and adenosine-mediated inhibition of IL-15 production is part of the mechanism that accounts for the delay in leukopenia recovery in patients with severe sepsis. Interference with adenosine signaling may thus be potentially beneficial for septic patients with leukopenia.
Inference of multi-Gaussian relative permittivity fields by probabilistic inversion of crosshole ground-penetrating radar data
Authors: Hunziker Jürg , Laloy Eric , Linde Niklas
Published: May 2017

In contrast to deterministic inversion, probabilistic Bayesian inversion provides an ensemble of solutions that can be used to quantify model uncertainty. We have developed a probabilistic inversion approach that uses crosshole first-arrival traveltimes to estimate an underlying geostatistical model, the subsurface structure, and the standard deviation of the data error simultaneously. The subsurface is assumed to be represented by a multi-Gaussian field, which allows us to reduce the dimensionality of the problem significantly. Compared with previous applications in hydrogeology, novelties of this study include an improvement of the dimensionality reduction algorithm to avoid streaking artifacts, it is the first application to geophysics and the first application to field data. The results of a synthetic example show that the model domain enclosed by one borehole pair is generally too small to provide reliable estimates of geostatistical variables. A real-data example based on two borehole pairs confirms these findings and demonstrates that the inversion procedure also works under realistic conditions with, for example, unknown measurement errors.
A Structured Transfer of Care Process Reduces Perioperative Complications in Cardiac Surgery Patients
Authors: Hall Michael , Robertson Jamie , Merkel Matthias , Aziz Michael , Hutchens Michael
Published: May 2017

INTRODUCTION:

Serious complications are common during the intensive care of postoperative cardiac surgery patients. Some of these complications may be influenced by communication during the process of handover of care from the operating room to the intensive care unit (ICU) team. A structured transfer of care process may reduce the rate of communication errors and perioperative complications.

METHODS:

We hypothesized that a collaborative, comprehensive, structured handover of care from the intraoperative team to the ICU team would reduce a specific set of postoperative complications. We tested this hypothesis by developing and introducing a comprehensive multidisciplinary transfer of care process. We measured patient outcomes before and after the intervention using a linkage between 2 care databases: an Anesthesia Information Management System and a critical care complication registry database.

RESULTS:

There were 1127 total postoperative cardiac surgery admissions during the study period, 550 before and 577 after the intervention. There was no statistical difference between overall complications before and after the intervention (P = .154). However, there was a statistically significant reduction in preventable complications after the intervention (P = .023).

DISCUSSION:

The main finding of this investigation is that the introduction of a collaborative, comprehensive transfer of care process from the operating room to the ICU was associated with patients suffering fewer preventable complications.
Stroke Volume Variation and Pulse Pressure Variation Are Not Useful for Predicting Fluid Responsiveness in Thoracic Surgery
Authors: Jeong Dae Myoung , Ahn Hyun Joo , Park Hyo Won , Yang Mikyung , Kim Jie Ae , Park Joohyun
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND:

Stroke volume variation (SVV) and pulse pressure variation (PPV) are used as indicators of fluid responsiveness, but little is known about the usefulness of these dynamic preload indicators in thoracic surgery, which involves an open thoracic cavity and 1-lung ventilation (OLV). Therefore, we investigated whether SVV and PPV could predict fluid responsiveness, and whether the thresholds of these parameters should be adjusted for thoracic surgery.

METHODS:

This was a prospective, controlled study conducted in a tertiary care center. Eighty patients scheduled for an elective lobectomy requiring OLV were included (n = 40, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS); n = 40, open thoracotomy). Twenty minutes after opening the thoracic cavity, 7 mL/kg hydroxyethyl starch was administered for 30 minutes. Various hemodynamic parameters were measured before and after fluid challenge.

RESULTS:

Among the 80 patients enrolled in this study, 37% were fluid responders (increase in stroke volume index ≥10%). SVV before fluid challenge was not different between nonresponders and responders (mean ± SD: 7.1 ± 2.7% vs 7.4 ± 2.6%, P = .68). This finding was true regardless of whether the surgery involved open thoracotomy or VATS. PPV before fluid challenge showed the difference between nonresponders and responders (mean ± SD: 6.9 ± 3.0% vs 8.4 ± 3.2%; P = .045); however, the sensitivity and specificity of the threshold value (PPV = 7%) were low (58% and 62%, respectively) and the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was only 0.63 (95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.74; P = .041).

CONCLUSIONS:

Dynamic preload indicators are not useful for predicting fluid responsiveness in VATS or open thoracic surgery.
Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Decreases Oxidative Lung Damage After Pulmonary Lobectomy: A Single-Center Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial
Authors: García-de-la-Asunción José , Bruno Laura , Perez-Griera Jaume , Galan Genaro , Morcillo Alfonso , Wins Richard , García-del-Olmo Eva , Guijarro Ricardo , Sarriá Benjamín , Martí Francisco , Soro Marina , Belda Francisco Javier
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND:

During lobectomy in patients with lung cancer, the operated lung is often collapsed and hypoperfused. Ischemia/reperfusion injury may then occur when the lung is re-expanded. We hypothesized that remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) would decrease oxidative lung damage and improve gas exchange in the postoperative period.

METHODS:

We conducted a single-center, randomized, double-blind trial in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer undergoing elective lung lobectomy. Fifty-three patients were randomized to receive limb RIPC immediately after anesthesia induction (3 cycles: 5 minutes ischemia/5 minutes reperfusion induced by an ischemia cuff applied on the thigh) and/or control therapy without RIPC. Oxidative stress markers were measured in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and arterial blood immediately after anesthesia induction and before RIPC and surgery (T0, baseline); during operated lung collapse, immediately before resuming two-lung ventilation (TLV) (T1); immediately after resuming TLV (T2); and 120 minutes after resuming TLV (T3). The primary outcome was 8-isoprostane levels in EBC at T1, T2, and T3. Secondary outcomes included the following: NO2
−+NO3
−, H2O2 levels, and pH in EBC and in blood (8-isoprostane, NO2
−+NO3
−) and pulmonary gas exchange variables (PaO2/FiO2, A-aDO2, a/A ratio, and respiratory index).

RESULTS:

Patients subjected to RIPC had lower EBC 8-isoprostane levels when compared with controls at T1, T2, and T3 (differences between means and 95% confidence intervals): −15.3 (5.8–24.8), P = .002; −20.0 (5.5–34.5), P = .008; and −10.4 (2.5–18.3), P = .011, respectively. In the RIPC group, EBC NO2
−+NO3
− and H2O2 levels were also lower than in controls at T2 and T1–T3, respectively (all P < .05). Blood levels of 8-isoprostane and NO2
−+NO3
− were lower in the RIPC group at T2 (P < .05). The RIPC group had better PaO2/FiO2 compared with controls at 2 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours after lobectomy in 95% confidence intervals for differences between means: 78 (10–146), 66 (14–118), and 58 (12–104), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Limb RIPC decreased EBC 8-isoprostane levels and other oxidative lung injury markers during lung lobectomy. RIPC also improved postoperative gas exchange as measured by PaO2/FiO2 ratio.
Labeling glycans on living cells by a chemoenzymatic glycoengineering approach
Authors: Almaraz Ruben T. , Li Yanhong
Published: May 2017

Structural glycobiology has traditionally been a challenging field due to a limited set of tools available to investigate the diverse and complexity of Glycan molecules. However, we cannot ignore that glycans play critical roles in health as well as in disease, are present in more than 50% of all proteins and on over 80% of all surface proteins. Chemoenzymatic Glycoengineering (CEG) methods are a powerful set of tools to synthesize complex glycans but its full potential has not been explored in cell biology yet. Herein, we report the labeling of live CHO cells by employing three highly specific glycosyltransferases: a sialyltransferase, a galactosyltransferase, and an N-acetyl-glucosaminyl transferase. We verified our results by bio-orthogonal blots and further rationalized them by computational modeling. We expect CEG applications in cell biology to rise and their implementation will assist in structural-functional discoveries in glycobiology. This research will contribute to this effort.