bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a Health Coaching Experiential Learning Collaboration With Future Health Promotion Professionals
Authors: Ickes Melinda J. , McMullen Jennifer
Published: May 2016

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe the integration of experiential learning focused on health coaching in a graduate health promotion and behavior change course and (2) evaluate the impact of the experiential learning experience on students’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to health coaching. Method. All graduate students enrolled in a health behavior course were introduced to skills related to health coaching ( N = 15). Students partnered with a campus-based physical activity program for obese college students and were paired up with participants of the program as their health coaches. All students (i.e., health coaches) were sent e-mail invitations to participate in the research study prior to the program’s start and on completion of the semester. Participation in the online survey indicated consent for participation in the study. The survey questions sought to gauge health coaches’ gain in knowledge and self-efficacy as a result of being immersed in the experiential learning process. Results. Students reported improved comfortability with the skills necessary to be a health coach ( p = .02), improved self-efficacy for health coaching skills ( p ≤ .05), and improved knowledge scores ( p = .003). The majority ( n = 6; 75%) of the students also reported that the experiential learning and participation as a health coach was beneficial. Conclusion. Incorporating experiential learning into an existing health promotion course was beneficial, particularly in improving health coaching skills. Considering the growth of the health coaching field, this strategy may be integrated into additional programs training future health educators and health promotion professionals.
Web-of-Communication
Authors: Wagenheim Gary , McAdam Jacqueline
Published: May 2016

The web-of-communication exercise is a fun, highly interactive experiential activity that facilitates learning about team communication patterns. A ball of string is used to visually map the communication pattern that emerges during a team conversation. The exercise helps participants learn how patterns they create reinforce or break down barriers that shape meaning and exert influence on behavior. This exercise requires only a ball of string for each team, is easy to facilitate, takes very little time, energizes participants, and provides substantial learning opportunities. The exercise works with student teams in an organizational behavior course with modules on communication, team development, power and influence, or conflict management. The exercise works well with organizational teams, too.
The Impact of Reframing on Decision Making
Authors: White Susan , Sheehan Geralyn
Published: May 2016

Whether one views a community in poverty as needy, a community that can only be fixed though outside help, or a community with assets that can be used to better itself depends on one’s perception or framing of the problem. In this community development exercise, students are presented with accurate but differently framed descriptions of one community. When the issues are framed pessimistically, students find the problems unsolvable; when the community is painted optimistically, with well-defined assets, students have a base on which to build solutions. The community is La Laguna in Nicaragua, aided by Opportunity International’s Community Economic Development program in Opportunity Nicaragua. This exercise can be used in management classes, entrepreneurship classes, or a unit of a class that discusses developing economies.
Simultaneous Lung Point and Lung Pulse in Pneumothorax
Authors: Ortuño-Andériz Francisco , Núñez-Reiz Antonio , Álvarez-González Manuel , Alvarez-Fernández Jesús
Published: May 2016

Sonography of the lung has been shown to be a useful bedside diagnostic tool in critical care units for pneumothorax (PNX). A case of PNX is reported in which all the standard sonographic findings were present but coexisting with the lung pulse sonographic sign. Descriptions of the sonographic findings of PNX, the lung point sign, and the lung pulse sign are given and discussed, with the characteristics that should be used to avoid misdiagnosis.
Safety and efficacy of pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone in STRATUS (MM-010): a phase 3b study in refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Dimopoulos Meletios A. , Palumbo Antonio , Corradini Paolo , Cavo Michele , Delforge Michel , Di Raimondo Francesco , Weisel Katja C. , Oriol Albert , Hansson Markus , Vacca Angelo , Blanchard María Jesús , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Doyen Chantal , Kaiser Martin , Petrini Mario , Anttila Pekka , Cafro Anna Maria , Raymakers Reinier , San-Miguel Jesus , de Arriba Felipe , Knop Stefan , Röllig Christoph , Ocio Enrique M. , Morgan Gareth , Miller Neil , Simcock Mathew , Peluso Teresa , Herring Jennifer , Sternas Lars , Zaki Mohamed H. , Moreau Philippe
Published: May 2016

Key Points

STRATUS (MM-010), the largest POM + LoDEX trial, confirms the regimen offers clinically meaningful benefit and is generally well tolerated. STRATUS supports POM + LoDEX as a standard of care for patients with RRMM who have poor prognosis and high need for effective treatments.
Clinical profile of patients with adult-onset eosinophilic asthma
Authors: de Groot Jantina C. , Storm Huib , Amelink Marijke , de Nijs Selma B. , Eichhorn Edwin , Reitsma Bennie H. , Bel Elisabeth H.D. , ten Brinke Anneke
Published: May 2016

Adult-onset eosinophilic asthma is increasingly recognised as a severe and difficult-to-treat subtype of asthma. In clinical practice, early recognition of patients with this asthma subtype is important because it may have treatment implications. Therefore, physicians need to know the distinct characteristics of this asthma phenotype. The objective of the present study was to determine the characteristic profile of patients with adult-onset eosinophilic asthma.

130 patients with adult-onset (>18 years of age) asthma and high blood eosinophil counts (≥0.3×109 L−1) were compared with 361 adult-onset asthma patients with low (<0.3×109 L−1) blood eosinophils. Measurements included a series of clinical, functional and imaging parameters.

Patients with high blood eosinophils were more often male, had less well controlled asthma and higher exacerbation rates, despite the use of higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids. They had higher levels of total IgE without more sensitisation to common inhaled allergens. In addition, these patients had worse lung function, and more often showed fixed airflow limitation, air trapping, nasal polyposis and abnormalities on sinus computed tomography scanning. Chronic rhinosinusitis, air trapping and male sex were three independent factors associated with blood eosinophilia (adjusted OR 3.8 (95% CI 1.7–8.1), 3.0 (95% CI 1.1–8.1) and 2.4 (95% CI 1.3–4.4), respectively).

Patients with adult-onset asthma with elevated blood eosinophils exhibit a distinct profile, which can readily be recognised in clinical practice.
Identification of recurrent focal copy number variations and their putative targeted driver genes in ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhang Liangcai , Yuan Ying , Lu Karen H. , Zhang Li
Published: May 2016

Background

Genomic regions with recurrent DNA copy number variations (CNVs) are generally believed to encode oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) that drive cancer growth. However, it remains a challenge to delineate the key cancer driver genes from the regions encoding a large number of genes.

Results

In this study, we developed a new approach to CNV analysis based on spectral decomposition of CNV profiles into focal CNVs and broad CNVs. We performed an analysis of CNV data of 587 serous ovarian cancer samples on multiple platforms. We identified a number of novel focal regions, such as focal gain of ESR1, focal loss of LSAMP, prognostic site at 3q26.2 and losses of sub-telomere regions in multiple chromosomes. Furthermore, we performed network modularity analysis to examine the relationships among genes encoded in the focal CNV regions. Our results also showed that the recurrent focal gains were significantly associated with the known oncogenes and recurrent losses associated with TSGs and the CNVs had a greater effect on the mRNA expression of the driver genes than that of the non-driver genes.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that spectral decomposition of CNV profiles offers a new way of understanding the role of CNVs in cancer.
Management and Care of Women With Invasive Cervical Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Resource-Stratified Clinical Practice Guideline
Authors: Chuang Linus T. , Temin Sarah , Camacho Rolando , Dueñas-Gonzalez Alfonso , Feldman Sarah , Gultekin Murat , Gupta Vandana , Horton Susan , Jacob Graciela , Kidd Elizabeth A. , Lishimpi Kennedy , Nakisige Carolyn , Nam Joo-Hyun , Ngan Hextan Yuen Sheung , Small William , Thomas Gillian , Berek Jonathan S.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To provide evidence-based, resource-stratified global recommendations to clinicians and policymakers on the management and palliative care of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer.

Methods

ASCO convened a multidisciplinary, multinational panel of cancer control, medical and radiation oncology, health economic, obstetric and gynecologic, and palliative care experts to produce recommendations reflecting resource-tiered settings. A systematic review of literature from 1966 to 2015 failed to yield sufficiently strong quality evidence to support basic- and limited-resource setting recommendations; a formal consensus-based process was used to develop recommendations. A modified ADAPTE process was also used to adapt recommendations from existing guidelines.

Results

Five existing sets of guidelines were identified and reviewed, and adapted recommendations form the evidence base. Eight systematic reviews, along with cost-effectiveness analyses, provided indirect evidence to inform the consensus process, which resulted in agreement of 75% or greater.

Recommendations

Clinicians and planners should strive to provide access to the most effective evidence-based antitumor and palliative care interventions. If a woman cannot access these within her own or neighboring country or region, she may need to be treated with lower-tier modalities, depending on capacity and resources for surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and supportive and palliative care. For women with early-stage cervical cancer in basic settings, cone biopsy or extrafascial hysterectomy may be performed. Fertility-sparing procedures or modified radical or radical hysterectomy may be additional options in nonbasic settings. Combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy (including brachytherapy) should be used for women with stage IB to IVA disease, depending on available resources. Pain control is a vital component of palliative care. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/rs-cervical-cancer-treatment-guideline and www.asco.org/guidelineswiki . It is the view of ASCO that health care providers and health care system decision makers should be guided by the recommendations for the highest stratum of resources available. The guideline is intended to complement but not replace local guidelines.
A biological timer in the fat body comprised of Blimp-1, βFTZ-F1 and Shade regulates pupation timing in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Akagi Kazutaka , Sarhan Moustafa , Sultan Abdel-Rahman , Nishida Haruka , Koie Azusa , Nakayama Takumi , Ueda Hitoshi
Published: May 2016

During the development of multicellular organisms, many events occur with precise timing. In Drosophila melanogaster, pupation occurs about 12 hours after puparium formation, and its timing is believed to be determined by the release of a steroid hormone, ecdysone (E), from the prothoracic gland. Here, we demonstrate that the ecdysone-20-monooxygenase, Shade, determines the pupation timing by converting E to 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in the fat body, which is the organ that senses nutritional status. The timing of shade expression is determined by its transcriptional activator βFTZ-F1. The βFTZ-F1 gene is activated after a decline in the expression of its transcriptional repressor Blimp-1, which is temporally expressed around puparium formation in response to a high titer of 20E. The expression level and stability of Blimp-1 is critical for the precise timing of pupation. Thus, we propose that Blimp-1 molecules function as sands in an hourglass for this precise developmental timer system. Furthermore, our data suggest a biological advantage results from both the use of a transcriptional repressor for the time determination, and association of developmental timing with nutritional status of the organism.
miR-219 regulates neural progenitors by dampening apical Par protein-dependent Hedgehog signaling
Authors: Hudish Laura I. , Galati Domenico F. , Ravanelli Andrew M. , Pearson Chad G. , Huang Peng , Appel Bruce
Published: May 2016

The transition of dividing neuroepithelial progenitors to differentiated neurons and glia is essential to the formation of a functional nervous system. Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is a mitogen for spinal cord progenitors, but how cells become insensitive to the proliferative effects of Shh is not well understood. Because Shh reception occurs at primary cilia, which are positioned within the apical membrane of neuroepithelial progenitors, we hypothesized that loss of apical characteristics reduces Shh signaling response, causing cell cycle exit and differentiation. We tested this hypothesis using genetic and pharmacological manipulation, gene expression analysis and time-lapse imaging of zebrafish embryos. Blocking function of miR-219, a microRNA that down regulates apical Par polarity proteins and promotes progenitor differentiation, elevated Shh signaling. Inhibition of Shh signaling reversed the effects of miR-219 depletion and forced expression of Shh phenocopied miR-219 deficiency. Time-lapse imaging revealed that knockdown of miR-219 function accelerated the growth of primary cilia, revealing a possible mechanistic link between miR-219-mediated regulation of apical Par proteins and Shh signaling. Thus, miR-219 appears to decrease progenitor sensitivity to Shh signaling, thereby driving them toward differentiation.
A Versatile Surface Design to Disperse Nanoparticles in Ionic Liquids and Organic Solvents
Authors: Taniguchi Yuki , Yasue Ken , Kawai Tsuyoshi , Nakashima Takuya
Published: May 2016

Thiocholine bromide was proposed as a cationic capping ligand for a variety of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles with a good dispersibility in an ionic liquid (IL). The stability of NPs was improved in the IL compared to that in water, which was verified by an improved emission property of semiconductor nanoparticles and higher thermal stability of gold nanoparticles. The cationic thiocholine was further demonstrated as a surface ligand for CdTe nanoparticle dispersible in organic media in combination with various anions.
Intellectual Property Rights: Institutional Approach
Authors: Рогожин  , Rogozhin S. , Сазанова  , Sazanova S.
Published: May 2016

The authors consider the intellectual property rights from two points of view: legal theory and institutional

economical theory. Contents of “intellectual property” and “intellectual rights” concepts have been revealed

in this paper, and the necessity of their study has been justified not only from the legal point of view, but also

from the economic one. The authors emphasize that the institutional economics in general and the economic

theory of property rights, in particular, have a great potential in the study both of theoretical and practical

aspects related to intellectual rights. According to the authors, it is the institutional approach which will create

an effective legislation in this area.
Great Canadian Lagerstätten 5. Crawford Lake – A Canadian Holocene Lacustrine Konservat-Lagerstätte with Two-Century-Old Viable Dinoflagellate Cysts
Authors: Krueger Andrea M. , McCarthy Francine M.G.
Published: May 2016

In addition to commonly preserved microfossils like pollen and diatoms, the varved sediments of Crawford Lake, Ontario, contain the fossilized remains of otherwise rare microfossils. Bottom water anoxia resulted from the physiography of this small, deep lake and enhanced biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) during two distinct phases of human settlement: prehistoric Iroquoian (approximately 1268–1486 CE) and historic Euro-Canadians (since 1822 CE). The exceptional preservation of delicate organic-walled microfossils like rotifer loricae and cellulosic dinoflagellate thecae provides unparalleled insights into a Holocene freshwater lake ecosystem and allows the biological and taphonomic components of the fossil assemblage to be isolated. Bottom water anoxia may also have increased the longevity of cell contents: resting cysts of Parvodinium [Peridinium] inconspicuum (Lemmermann) Carty and Peridinium volzii Lemmermann. These were germinated from varves deposited nearly two centuries ago, extending the known span of viability of dinoflagellates.RÉSUMÉEn plus des microfossiles couramment conservés comme le pollen et les diatomées, les sédiments varvés du lac Crawford en Ontario, contiennent les restes fossilisés de microfossiles très rares. Le caractère anoxique des eaux de fond s’explique par la physiographie de ce petit lac profond et par une augmentation de la demande biochimique en oxygène (DBO) durant deux phases distinctes de peuplement humain : phase préhistorique iroquoienne (environ 1268 à 1486 CE) et une phase  historique euro-canadienne (depuis 1822 CE). La préservation exceptionnelle de délicats microfossiles à membranes organiques comme rotifère lorica et les thèques cellulosiques de dinoflagellés, ouvre une fenêtre inédite sur l’écosystème d’un lac d’eau douce Holocène et permet aux composants biologiques et taphonomiques de l'assemblage de fossiles d'être préservés isolément. L’anoxie des eaux de fond peut également avoir augmenté la longévité du contenu des cellules: kystes dormants de Parvodinium [Peridinium] inconspicuum (Lemmermann) Carty et de Peridinium volzii Lemmermann. Ces derniers ont été activés à partir de varves déposés il y a près de deux siècles, ce qui allonge la durée connue de la viabilité des dinoflagellés.
Disrupted hospitality – the impact of the Christchurch earthquake/s on accommodation hosts
Authors: Wilson Jude
Published: May 2016

This study examines the impact of the Christchurch earthquake/s on accommodation hosts. A total of 24 hosts, representing a range of accommodation types and spatial locations in the city, were interviewed about the impact of the earthquake/s and their post-earthquake hosting experiences during the eighteen-month period immediately following the February 2011 earthquake. By highlighting the resultant disruption to the hospitality encounter the research provides considerable insight into the criteria perceived to make a ‘good’ accommodation host and the importance of the wider city environments in which they operate their business. The article also adds empirical data to a growing body of research and literature on tourism destinations’ post-disaster response and recovery. What stands out in these accounts of earthquake impact was the extent to which these accommodation hosts felt connected with, and shouldered community responsibility for, what happened in ‘their’ city.
Bedeutung regional-ökonomischer Faktoren für die Entscheidung von Eigenheimbesitzern
Authors: Weiß Julika , Dunkelberg Elisa , Gossen Maike , Großmann Doreen
Published: May 2016

Der Gebäudezustand in zwei brandenburgischen Regionen unterscheidet sich trotz unterschiedlicher Wachstumsdynamik und Nutzungsperspektiven kaum. Für die Sanierungsentscheidung spielen regionalökonomische Faktoren bei selbstnutzenden Eigentümer/innen gegenüber individuellen Motiven nur eine untergeordnete Rolle.
Building Reputation in a War of Attrition Game: Hawkish or Dovish Stance?
Authors: Özyurt Selçuk
Published: May 2016

This paper examines a two-player war of attrition game in continuous-time, where (1) fighting (i. e., escalating the conflict) is costless for a player unless he quits, (2) at any point in time, each player can attack to his opponent and finalize the game with a costly war, (3) there is two-sided uncertainty regarding the players’ resolve, and (4) each player can choose his tone/stance (either hawkish or dovish) at the beginning of the game, which affects his quitting cost. The results imply that choosing hawkish (dovish) regime is optimal if and only if the benefit-cost ratio of the dispute is sufficiently high (low). If hawkish tone is going to give a player upper hand in a dispute, then choosing a more aggressive tone does not increase his payoff. However, choosing a more dovish tone increases a player’s payoff whenever dovish regime is optimal.
A study of resolvent set for a class of band operators with matrix elements
Authors: Osipov Andrey
Published: May 2016

For operators generated by a certain class of infinite three-diagonal matrices with matrix elements we establish a characterization of the resolvent set in terms of polynomial solutions of the underlying second order finite-difference equations. This enables us to describe some asymptotic behavior of the corresponding systems of vector orthogonal polynomials on the resolvent set. We also find that the operators generated by infinite Jacobi matrices have the largest resolvent set in this class.
The effect of tourists’ perceptions of a tourism product on memorable travel experience: Implications for destination branding
Authors: Tukamushaba Eddy K. , Xiao Honggen , Ladkin Adele
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study is to analyse how tourists’ perceptions of a destination’s tourism product influences memorable tourism experiences and how gender differences influence tourists’ perceptions of tourism product. To achieve these objectives, Uganda, one of the developing economies in East Africa, was chosen. The five A’s of tourism product was used as a basis for the questionnaire construction and data was analysed. Explanatory research design within the framework of confirmatory factor analysis - a structural equation modelling technique was adopted using the AMOS 18 program. A sample of 501 respondents consisting of tourists departing Uganda through Entebbe International Airport was used.

Results showed that both the measurement and structural models exhibited better model fit indices. Overall, tourists’ perceptions of the retained four dimensions of tourism product (Attractions, ancillary services, amenities and accommodation) had a positive effect on memorable travel experience. Additionally, the independent T-test for gender and tourists’ perceptions of Uganda’s tourism product showed that on average, females had a positive evaluation of Uganda tourism product compared to their male counterparts. However, the observed difference was not significant.

It is recommended that destination management organisations pay attention to infrastructure, particularly transport that links potential and actual tourists to key tourism attractions. This is likely to enhance positive perceptions and was found to positively influence memorable travel experience. Other implications for destination branding are discussed.
The index of tourist satisfaction with Lithuania
Authors: Pilelienė Lina , Grigaliūnaitė Viktorija
Published: May 2016

During the past decades, tourism has become one of the fastest growing areas in the service sector in the world. If the aspiration is to develop a well-organised tourism industry, then fulfilment of tourist needs and wishes should be achieved. The most common technique for identifying the compatibility between tourist needs and the experience with tourism destination is tourist satisfaction measurement.

Lithuania is a small country in the northern part of Central/ Eastern Europe; the country is rarely considered as an independent tourist destination, but mostly as one of the Baltic States. Foreign tourist satisfaction is very important for the country. Considering the necessity to excel in the region, the aim of the research is to develop the index of tourist satisfaction of Lithuania.

The previously elaborated model of Lithuanian tourist satisfaction index is used as a background. The index of tourist satisfaction of Lithuania is constructed by the following stages: 1. A questionnaire research with foreign tourists, based on a theoretical model of Lithuanian Tourist Satisfaction Index, is provided; 2. The impact of model’s variables on tourist satisfaction with Lithuania is determined; 3. The main variables having an impact on foreign tourist satisfaction with Lithuania are determined; and a general model of the index of tourist satisfaction of Lithuania is composed.
Risk management for sustainable tourism
Authors: Ural Mert
Published: May 2016

The world tourism industry suffered some severe losses as a result of a series of major international events and the magnitude of disaster/catastrophic risks has become a major topic of discussion for a sustainable tourism especially in the insurance industry. Risk management in the tourism context refers to the planning and implementation of processes directed towards managing the adverse effects of crises and disasters/catastrophes on tourism. The sustainability of a tourism destination is significantly influenced by its ability to adapt to changing market conditions, use resources efficiently and deliver innovative planning and development strategies about risk management. The aim of this paper is to consider the key elements of crises and disasters and their effects upon tourism destinations, and to provide background on risk management processes for sustainable tourism.
Statistical Inference for Data Adaptive Target Parameters
Authors: Hubbard Alan E. , Kherad-Pajouh Sara , van der Laan Mark J.
Published: May 2016

Consider one observes n i.i.d. copies of a random variable with a probability distribution that is known to be an element of a particular statistical model. In order to define our statistical target we partition the sample in V equal size sub-samples, and use this partitioning to define V splits in an estimation sample (one of the V subsamples) and corresponding complementary parameter-generating sample. For each of the V parameter-generating samples, we apply an algorithm that maps the sample to a statistical target parameter. We define our sample-split data adaptive statistical target parameter as the average of these V-sample specific target parameters. We present an estimator (and corresponding central limit theorem) of this type of data adaptive target parameter. This general methodology for generating data adaptive target parameters is demonstrated with a number of practical examples that highlight new opportunities for statistical learning from data. This new framework provides a rigorous statistical methodology for both exploratory and confirmatory analysis within the same data. Given that more research is becoming “data-driven”, the theory developed within this paper provides a new impetus for a greater involvement of statistical inference into problems that are being increasingly addressed by clever, yet ad hoc pattern finding methods. To suggest such potential, and to verify the predictions of the theory, extensive simulation studies, along with a data analysis based on adaptively determined intervention rules are shown and give insight into how to structure such an approach. The results show that the data adaptive target parameter approach provides a general framework and resulting methodology for data-driven science.
A Case Study of the Impact of Data-Adaptive Versus Model-Based Estimation of the Propensity Scores on Causal Inferences from Three Inverse Probability Weighting Estimators
Authors: Neugebauer Romain , Schmittdiel Julie A. , van der Laan Mark J.
Published: May 2016

Objective: Consistent estimation of causal effects with inverse probability weighting estimators is known to rely on consistent estimation of propensity scores. To alleviate the bias expected from incorrect model specification for these nuisance parameters in observational studies, data-adaptive estimation and in particular an ensemble learning approach known as Super Learning has been proposed as an alternative to the common practice of estimation based on arbitrary model specification. While the theoretical arguments against the use of the latter haphazard estimation strategy are evident, the extent to which data-adaptive estimation can improve inferences in practice is not. Some practitioners may view bias concerns over arbitrary parametric assumptions as academic considerations that are inconsequential in practice. They may also be wary of data-adaptive estimation of the propensity scores for fear of greatly increasing estimation variability due to extreme weight values. With this report, we aim to contribute to the understanding of the potential practical consequences of the choice of estimation strategy for the propensity scores in real-world comparative effectiveness research.

Method: We implement secondary analyses of Electronic Health Record data from a large cohort of type 2 diabetes patients to evaluate the effects of four adaptive treatment intensification strategies for glucose control (dynamic treatment regimens) on subsequent development or progression of urinary albumin excretion. Three Inverse Probability Weighting estimators are implemented using both model-based and data-adaptive estimation strategies for the propensity scores. Their practical performances for proper confounding and selection bias adjustment are compared and evaluated against results from previous randomized experiments.

Conclusion: Results suggest both potential reduction in bias and increase in efficiency at the cost of an increase in computing time when using Super Learning to implement Inverse Probability Weighting estimators to draw causal inferences.
Data-Adaptive Bias-Reduced Doubly Robust Estimation
Authors: Vermeulen Karel , Vansteelandt Stijn
Published: May 2016

Doubly robust estimators have now been proposed for a variety of target parameters in the causal inference and missing data literature. These consistently estimate the parameter of interest under a semiparametric model when one of two nuisance working models is correctly specified, regardless of which. The recently proposed bias-reduced doubly robust estimation procedure aims to partially retain this robustness in more realistic settings where both working models are misspecified. These so-called bias-reduced doubly robust estimators make use of special (finite-dimensional) nuisance parameter estimators that are designed to locally minimize the squared asymptotic bias of the doubly robust estimator in certain directions of these finite-dimensional nuisance parameters under misspecification of both parametric working models. In this article, we extend this idea to incorporate the use of data-adaptive estimators (infinite-dimensional nuisance parameters), by exploiting the bias reduction estimation principle in the direction of only one nuisance parameter. We additionally provide an asymptotic linearity theorem which gives the influence function of the proposed doubly robust estimator under correct specification of a parametric nuisance working model for the missingness mechanism/propensity score but a possibly misspecified (finite- or infinite-dimensional) outcome working model. Simulation studies confirm the desirable finite-sample performance of the proposed estimators relative to a variety of other doubly robust estimators.
Model-Based Recursive Partitioning for Subgroup Analyses
Authors: Seibold Heidi , Zeileis Achim , Hothorn Torsten
Published: May 2016

The identification of patient subgroups with differential treatment effects is the first step towards individualised treatments. A current draft guideline by the EMA discusses potentials and problems in subgroup analyses and formulated challenges to the development of appropriate statistical procedures for the data-driven identification of patient subgroups. We introduce model-based recursive partitioning as a procedure for the automated detection of patient subgroups that are identifiable by predictive factors. The method starts with a model for the overall treatment effect as defined for the primary analysis in the study protocol and uses measures for detecting parameter instabilities in this treatment effect. The procedure produces a segmented model with differential treatment parameters corresponding to each patient subgroup. The subgroups are linked to predictive factors by means of a decision tree. The method is applied to the search for subgroups of patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that differ with respect to their Riluzole treatment effect, the only currently approved drug for this disease.
Doubly Robust and Efficient Estimation of Marginal Structural Models for the Hazard Function
Authors: Zheng Wenjing , Petersen Maya , van der Laan Mark J.
Published: May 2016

In social and health sciences, many research questions involve understanding the causal effect of a longitudinal treatment on mortality (or time-to-event outcomes in general). Often, treatment status may change in response to past covariates that are risk factors for mortality, and in turn, treatment status may also affect such subsequent covariates. In these situations, Marginal Structural Models (MSMs), introduced by Robins (1997. Marginal structural models Proceedings of the American Statistical Association. Section on Bayesian Statistical Science, 1–10), are well-established and widely used tools to account for time-varying confounding. In particular, a MSM can be used to specify the intervention-specific counterfactual hazard function, i. e. the hazard for the outcome of a subject in an ideal experiment where he/she was assigned to follow a given intervention on their treatment variables. The parameters of this hazard MSM are traditionally estimated using the Inverse Probability Weighted estimation Robins (1999. Marginal structural models versus structural nested models as tools for causal inference. In: Statistical models in epidemiology: the environment and clinical trials. Springer-Verlag, 1999:95–134), Robins et al. (2000), (IPTW, van der Laan and Petersen (2007. Causal effect models for realistic individualized treatment and intention to treat rules. Int J Biostat 2007;3:Article 3), Robins et al. (2008. Estimaton and extrapolation of optimal treatment and testing strategies. Statistics in Medicine 2008;27(23):4678–721)). This estimator is easy to implement and admits Wald-type confidence intervals. However, its consistency hinges on the correct specification of the treatment allocation probabilities, and the estimates are generally sensitive to large treatment weights (especially in the presence of strong confounding), which are difficult to stabilize for dynamic treatment regimes. In this paper, we present a pooled targeted maximum likelihood estimator (TMLE, van der Laan and Rubin (2006. Targeted maximum likelihood learning. The International Journal of Biostatistics 2006;2:1–40)) for MSM for the hazard function under longitudinal dynamic treatment regimes. The proposed estimator is semiparametric efficient and doubly robust, offering bias reduction over the incumbent IPTW estimator when treatment probabilities may be misspecified. Moreover, the substitution principle rooted in the TMLE potentially mitigates the sensitivity to large treatment weights in IPTW. We compare the performance of the proposed estimator with the IPTW and a on-targeted substitution estimator in a simulation study.
One-Step Targeted Minimum Loss-based Estimation Based on Universal Least Favorable One-Dimensional Submodels
Authors: van der Laan Mark , Gruber Susan
Published: May 2016

Consider a study in which one observesnindependent and identically distributed random variables whose probability distribution is known to be an element of a particular statistical model, and one is concerned with estimation of a particular real valued pathwise differentiable target parameter of this data probability distribution. The targeted maximum likelihood estimator (TMLE) is an asymptotically efficient substitution estimator obtained by constructing a so called least favorable parametric submodel through an initial estimator with score, at zero fluctuation of the initial estimator, that spans the efficient influence curve, and iteratively maximizing the corresponding parametric likelihood till no more updates occur, at which point the updated initial estimator solves the so called efficient influence curve equation. In this article we construct a one-dimensional universal least favorable submodel for which the TMLE only takes one step, and thereby requires minimal extra data fitting to achieve its goal of solving the efficient influence curve equation. We generalize these to universal least favorable submodels through the relevant part of the data distribution as required for targeted minimum loss-based estimation. Finally, remarkably, given a multidimensional target parameter, we develop a universal canonical one-dimensional submodel such that the one-step TMLE, only maximizing the log-likelihood over a univariate parameter, solves the multivariate efficient influence curve equation. This allows us to construct a one-step TMLE based on a one-dimensional parametric submodel through the initial estimator, that solves any multivariate desired set of estimating equations.
Metal nanoparticles-PDMS nanocomposites for tunable optical filters and sensors
Authors: Algorri J.F. , Poudereux D. , García-Cámara B. , Urruchi V. , Sánchez-Pena J.M. , Vergaz R. , Caño-García M. , Quintana X. , Geday M.A. , Otón J.M.
Published: May 2016

The peculiar optical response of polydimethylsiloxane
(PDMS) doped with metallic nanoparticles can
be employed to develop optical sensing materials. These
nanocomposites may work in an ample range of temperatures,
showing good linearity and high sensitivity. Plasmon
resonances of the metallic nanoparticles produce interesting
effects on the optical response by affecting the
effective refractive index of PDMS. The high resonant response
leads to a number of different configurations of optical
filters and phase devices whose resonant frequency
depends on the chosen nanoparticle. Moreover, the wavelength
can be tuned up by external manufacturing conditions
such as nanoparticle size or fill factor, and by working
parameters such as temperature. This work develops
the theoretical background required for the design of these
structures, and evaluates the adequate dimensional and
doping ranges for device optimization.
Development of successive cambia and wood structure in stem of Rivea hypocriteriformis (Convolvulaceae)
Authors: Rajput Kishore S.
Published: May 2016

This study examined the formation of successive rings of cambia in Rivea hypocriteriformis Choisy (Convolvulaceae). The mature stem is composed of four to five rings of xylem alternating with phloem. Successive cambia originate as smaller and larger segments; union and anastomosing of small cambial segments often leads to the formation of discontinuous rings. In the initial stage of growth, several vascular bundles interconnect to form the first ring of vascular cambium. The cambium remains functional for one complete season and becomes dormant during summer; a new ring of cambium is completed prior to the subsequent monsoon season and sprouting of new leaves. Successive cambia are initiated from the pericyclic parenchyma situated three to four cell layers outside of the protophloem. Functionally, all the successive cambia are bidirectional and produce secondary xylem centripetally and phloem centrifugally. The secondary xylem is diffuse-porous, with indistinct growth rings and consisting of wide fibriform vessels, fibre tracheids, and axial and ray parenchyma cells. The xylem rays are uni- to multiseriate and heterocellular. The multiseriate rays contain lignified marginal ray cells and thin-walled, unlignified central cells. The central ray cells also show accumulations of starch and druses. Discrete strands of intraxylary phloem occur at the periphery of the pith, and additional intraxylary phloem develops from adjacent cells as secondary growth progresses. Earlier-formed phloem shows heavy accumulation of callose, followed by its compaction. The development of successive cambia is correlated with extension growth and with the phenology of the plant.
The Open Sore of Football: Aggressive Violent Behavior and Hooliganism
Authors: Gumusgul Osman , Acet Mehmet
Published: May 2016

Aggression and violence have been a customary part of life that mankind has had to live with from the beginning of time; it has been accepted by society even though it expresses endless negativity. Aggression and violence can find a place in sports events and football games because of the social problems of the audience watching the competitions or games, which sometimes fall into the category of hooliganism. Turkey is one of the countries that should consider this problem to be a serious social problem. Even during 2014 and 2015, a relatively short period of time, there were significant hazardous acts committed by hooligans. In February 2014, one supporter was killed after a game between Liverpool and Arsenal in England; in March 2014, a game between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce was left half-finished because of violent acts in the stadium that caused players in the pitch to believe that they could not leave stadium alive, although they finally left after a few hours; in another incident in March 2014, one supporter was killed after a game between Helsingborg and Djugarden in Sweden; in November 2014, one supporter was killed and 14 supporters were injured before the game between Atletico Madrid and Deportivo in Spain. These are all examples of aggression, violence, and hooliganism in football. This paper aims to discuss aggression, violence, and hooliganism in football, especially in recent years, and investigate what can be done to prevent these acts from occurring again in the future by examining them in hindsight.
Decay Mode Solutions for the Supersymmetric Cylindrical KdV Equation
Authors: Deng Shufang , Qin Weili , Xu Guiqiong
Published: May 2016

Supersymmetric cylindrical KdV equation is presented. Decay mode solutions for the supersymmetric KdV equation are derived by supersymmetric Hirota operator.
Evaluation of the methods to identify patients who may benefit from PARP inhibitor use
Authors: Lim Diana , Ngeow Joanne
Published: May 2016

The effectiveness of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) in treating cancers associated withBRCA1/2mutations hinges upon the concept of synthetic lethality and exemplifies the principles of precision medicine. Currently, most clinical trials are recruiting patients based on pathological subtypes or have includedBRCAmutation analysis (germ line and/or somatic) as part of the selection criteria. Mounting evidence, however, suggests that these drugs may also be efficacious in tumors with defects in other genes involved in the homologous recombination repair pathway. Advances in molecular profiling techniques together with increased research efforts have led to a better understanding of the molecular aberrations underlying this BRCA-like phenotype and helped broaden the concept of BRCAness. Hence, it is likely that the list of predictive biomarkers for PARPi therapy will increase in future. There is currently no gold standard method of testing for PARPi response and no universal guidelines are in place on how to incorporate biomarker testing into routine clinical diagnostics. In this review, we explore the concept of BRCAness and highlight the different methods that have been used to identify patients who may benefit from the use of these anticancer agents. The identification of predictive biomarkers is crucial in improving patient selection and expanding the clinical applications of PARPi therapy.
Hábitat y vivienda en Bogotá: ¿sentando las bases para el posconflicto?
Authors: Contreras Ortiz Yency
Published: May 2016

El presente artículo hace un acercamiento al régimen Colombiano, específicamente en  Bogotá, que busca garantizar a la población víctima, especialmente en condición de desplazamiento, las condiciones para el acceso a vivienda y hábitat dignos a partir de la Ley 1448 de 2011; así como una evaluación inicial de las principales oportunidades y dificultades de los programas y proyectos promovidos en el país y en la ciudad para cumplir tales fines. A través de un análisis cualitativo se estudian los incentivos que ha generado el marco institucional de atención a las víctimas en materia de vivienda y hábitat. Al mismo tiempo, se realiza un balance de los principales resultados del Programa de Vivienda Gratuita y los Programas del Plan de Desarrollo Bogotá Humana 2012-2016, en materia de acceso a subsidios y vivienda en Bogotá en dicho período. Lo anterior, con el fin de visibilizar las condiciones que se están generando desde la norma y en la práctica para cumplir los objetivos de la justicia transicional y para sentar las bases en un escenario de posconflicto para el largo plazo para la población víctima; no sólo para aquella que hoy habita la ciudad, sino para aquella que desea retornar a sus tierras.
Entrevista a David Harvey en la Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Authors: Torres-Tovar Carlos Alberto , Vargas-Moreno Johanna Eloísa , Garzón Juan Carlos
Published: May 2016

El geógrafo británico David Harvey es conocido por ser uno de los teóricos sociales más influyentes de las últimas décadas, uno de los autores más citados del mundo y uno de los críticos más agudos del sistema capitalista. Actual profesor distinguido de Antropología en el Graduate Center de la Universidad de la Ciudad de Nueva York (CUNY) y director del Centro Nacional de Estrategia para el Derecho al Territorio del Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales en Ecuador, cuenta con una de las obras más prolíficas en el pensamiento geográfico, en la cual, ha abordado tanto el urbanismo y la teoría social contemporánea, como “la teoría social clásica y la economía política donde la reflexión sobre la obra de Marx, ha sido uno de sus ejes centrales, así como sus detallados análisis de la expresión espacial del modelo capitalista” (Navarrete Cardona, 2015).