bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taurolidine/Citrate Lock Therapy for Primary Prevention of Catheter-Related Infections in Cancer Patients: Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Phase IV Trial (ATAPAC)
Authors: Longo Raffaele , Llorens Mathieu , Goetz Christophe , Platini Christian , Eid Nada , Sellies Jocelyne , Ouamara Nadia , Quétin Philippe
Published: May 2017

Background: Totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP)-related infections (RIs) remain a serious health problem in cancer patients receiving an intravenous (i.v.) therapy. Patients and Methods: The ATAPAC study was a prospective, randomized, monocentric, phase IV trial evaluating the efficacy of taurolidine lock solution versus standard saline solution for primary TIVAP-RI prevention in nonhematological cancer patients receiving i.v. chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was the TIVAP-RI incidence rate. From December 2014 to September 2015, 163 patients were enrolled in the study (taurolidine: n = 86 vs. control: n = 77). Four patients in the control group (5%) had a Staphylococcus epidermidis TIVAP-RI, and 1 patient (1%) in the taurolidine group had a Staphylococcus aureus infection. The TIVAP-RI incidence rate was 0.4 and 0.1‰ catheter-days, respectively (p = 0.21). The infection-free TIVAP survival was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). TIVAP-RI required a total of 22 hospitalization days in the taurolidine group versus 106 days in the control arm with associated costs of EUR 4,849 and EUR 36,020, respectively. Taurolidine-related toxicity was transitory and classified as grade I. Conclusions: The ATAPAC trial did not show a significant risk-infection reduction by TauroLock™. A larger, prospective, randomized trial is needed to assess TauroLock efficacy for primary TIVAP-RI prevention in low-risk cancer patients.
Recognition of Extraperitoneal Colonic Perforation following Colonoscopy: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Tiwari Abhinav , Sharma Himani , Qamar Khola , Sodeman Thomas , Nawras Ali
Published: May 2017

Colon perforation is an uncommon but serious complication of colonoscopy. It may occur as either intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal perforation or in combination. The majority of colonic perforations are intraperitoneal, causing air and intracolonic contents to leak into the peritoneal space. Rarely, colonic perforation can be extraperitoneal, leading to the passage of air into the retroperitoneal space causing pneumoretroperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema. A literature review revealed that 31 cases of extraperitoneal perforation exist, out of which 20 cases also reported concomitant intraperitoneal perforation. We report the case of a young female with a history of ulcerative colitis who developed combined intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal perforation after colonoscopy. We also report the duration of onset of symptoms, clinical features, imaging findings, site of leak, and treatment administered in previously reported cases of extraperitoneal colonic perforation.
Ensaio visual
Authors: Bethônico Mabe
Published: April 2017

ensaio gráfico de Mabe Bethônico, sobre a obra do artista John Stezaker.
环境因素对建立关系和宗教身份的影响∶中国研究生在美国两个社会文化环境中的个案分析
Authors: Zhang Cynthia Baiqing
Published: May 2017

Linking concepts from networks, identities, and ecology, I draw on material collected during sixty interviews to show how a group of culturally homogeneous Chinese graduate students, when placed in two sociocultural environments in the United States, displayed different processes of religious identity network formation. In a large and heterogeneous community with more possible identities, students showed human agency by forming religious identities less constrained by networks. Human agency is also exemplified in the expansion of their religious circle of friends once they developed a religious identity. Religious identity often preceded networks. However, in a small and homogeneous community, students did emotion work to stay in pro-religious groups, presumably due to the limitations they had in choosing friends, particularly Chinese friends. The formation of networks more likely preceded the emergence of religious identities premised on the coexistence of multiple relationships in dyads and solidarity within primary groups. The narratives demonstrate how ecology matters for the formation of network ties and religious identity.

根据对60个对硕士博士研究生的采访，通过运用网络分析、身份研究、和环境研究领域的概念，本文详述同属一个文化的中国留学生当处于美国两个不同城市文化环境中时，通过生活圈子发展特定身份的不同过程。在一个大型、充满差异的城市里，留学生的身份选择具有多样性。其主体性表现在自主选择宗教认同并扩大有宗教信仰的朋友圈子。他们的宗教认同常常先于他们的宗教朋友圈。而在一个小型、倡导同化的城市里，由于可选择的中国朋友人数少，留学生常常通过控制自我感情来维系与亲宗教的朋友的关系。他们的宗教网络常常先于他们的宗教认同。在这种环境中，当两人有多重社会关系，并处于一个高度团结的小群体中时，宗教认同才得以传播。本研究显示社区规模和文化是重要的影响身份和社会网络的环境因素。 (This article is in English.)
新教伦理与企业家精神∶意大利米兰的温州商人
Authors: Palombaro Ottavio
Published: May 2017

Despite challenges from the government because of its large Protestant population, Wenzhou has come to be known as “the Jerusalem of China.” Many of the city’s entrepreneurial “boss Christians” (laoban jidutu老板基督徒) have exported their successful businesses overseas. The empirical findings presented in this paper are part of an in-depth, comparative, qualitative study of Chinese entrepreneurs working in Milan, Italy. Treating the house churches as a sect and examining the nature of the “calling” (yi xiang异象) described by boss Christians provides an opportunity to reconsider Max Weber’s discussion of the so-called Protestant ethic and the concept ofBeruf(calling). The interviews were conducted among Protestant and non-Christian business owners active in Milan’s Chinatown and other areas in Italy, and also during fieldwork in their homeland in China. The study points out the connection between their business ethic and Protestantism.

温州因其庞大的基督徒群体而享誉为“中国的耶路撒冷。”当地许多“老板基督徒”成功地将商业活动开展至海外。本文是一项针对意大利米兰的温州企业家展开的深入比较质性研究。文中有关“异象”和家庭教会的分析，涉及到马克斯·韦伯的理论观点。研究方法结合了访谈和观察。作者访问了意大利米兰和其他地区中国城的基督徒和非基督徒企业家，并前往他们家乡做田野观察。本研究认为，他们的商业伦理与新教存在着联系。 (This article is in English.)
A Methodology for Estimating the Parameters in Three-Dimensional Cohesive Sediment Transport Models by Assimilating In Situ Observations with the Adjoint Method
Authors: Wang Daosheng , Zhang Jicai , Wang Ya Ping , Lv Xianqing , Yang Yang , Fan Daidu , Gao Shu
Published: May 2017

The model parameters in the suspended cohesive sediment transport model are quite important for the accurate simulation of suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs). Based on a three-dimensional cohesive sediment transport model and its adjoint model, the in situ observed SSCs at four stations are assimilated to simulate the SSCs and to estimate the parameters in Hangzhou Bay in China. Numerical experimental results show that the adjoint method can efficiently improve the simulation results, which can benefit the prediction of SSCs. The time series of the modeled SSCs present a clear semidiurnal variation, in which the maximal SSCs occur during the flood tide and near the high water level due to the large current speeds. Sensitivity experiments prove that the estimated results of the settling velocity and resuspension rate, especially the temporal variations, are robust to the model settings. The temporal variations of the estimated settling velocity are negatively correlated with the tidal elevation. The main reason is that the mean size of the suspended sediments can be reduced during the flood tide, which consequently decreases the settling velocity according to Stokes’s law, and it is opposite in the ebb tide. The temporal variations of the estimated resuspension rate and the current speeds have a significantly positive correlation, which accords with the dynamics of the resuspension rate. The temporal variations of the settling velocity and resuspension rate are reasonable from the viewpoint of physics, indicating the adjoint method can be an effective tool for estimating the parameters in the sediment transport models.
Object-Based Metrics for Forecast Verification of Convective Development with Geostationary Satellite Data
Authors: Rempel Martin , Senf Fabian , Deneke Hartwig
Published: May 2017

Object-based metrics are adapted and applied to geostationary satellite observations with the evaluation of cloud forecasts in convective situations as the goal. Forecasts of the convection-permitting German-focused Consortium for Small-Scale Modeling (COSMO-DE) numerical model are transformed into synthetic observations using the RTTOV radiative transfer model, and contrasted with the corresponding real observations. Threshold-based segmentation techniques are applied to the fields for object identification. The statistical properties of the traditional measures cold cloud cover and average brightness temperature amplitude are contrasted to object-based metrics of spatial aggregation and object structure. Based on 59 case days from the summer half-years between 2012 and 2014, a variance decomposition technique is applied to the time series of the metrics to identify deficits in day-to-day, diurnal, and weather-regime-related variability of cold cloud characteristics in the forecasts. Furthermore, sensitivities of the considered metrics are discussed, which result from uncertainties in the satellite forward operator and from the choice of parameters in the object identification techniques.
Preparation and characterization of phenolic foam reinforced with expandable graphite and expanded graphite
Authors: Yu Kejing , Luo Xia , Wang Menglei , Qian Kun
Published: May 2017

In this paper, two kinds of phenolic foams modified with expandable graphite and expanded graphite were prepared and the effect of particles on the mechanical properties and structure of the foams has been discussed. The mechanical properties, density and morphology of reinforced phenolic foams were studied. The images of scanning electron microscope showed that the size of the modified phenolic foams was smaller and more complete. The mean diameter of the expanded graphite-reinforced phenolic foams was smaller than that of the expandable graphite-reinforced phenolic foams due to the specific surface area of the expanded graphite. The compressive test results showed that the expandable graphite and expanded graphite could enhance the mechanical properties of the foams obviously. And the smaller cell size of the expanded graphite-reinforced foams provided them better mechanical properties. When the addition of the reinforcement reached to 0.8 wt%, the reinforced phenolic foams showed the best compression performance. The compressive strength and modulus with the 0.8 wt% expandable graphite were increased by 70% and 48% and that with the 0.8 wt% expanded graphite were increased by 80% and 69%.
Effects of contact method and acclimation on temperature and humidity in touch perception
Authors: Liao Xiao , Li Yi , Hu Junyan , Ding Xuemei , Zhang Xin , Ying Boan , Takatera Masayuki , Sukigara Sachiko , Pan Fukui , Sun Yongjun , Wang Yanyan , Feng Wenyan , Zhu Chunhong , Li Quanhai , Wu Xinxing
Published: May 2017

Physical stimuli from contacted objects are recorded by skin receptors and are transmitted to neural signals to the cerebrum to generate touch perceptions. Despite numerous studies having been conducted on the link between the physical properties of contacted objects and psychological sensations, factors besides the stimuli themselves have seldom been investigated. The contact method and acclimation to environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, could affect the functions of responsible receptors, which, in consequence, might affect the touch perception. This study is designed around a series of experiments involving 226 human subjects adapted to the climate environments of six East-Asia cities. The results revealed that the contact method affected the responses of smoothness sensation but not the stimuli discriminations. This agrees with the hypothesis that both the slowly adapting type I (SA1) fiber and the Pacinian afferent (PC) fiber are responsible for smoothness sensation. SA1 fibers can function through passive touch because of a superficial location in the dermis, while PC fibers, which are located deeper in the dermis, are triggered during active touching. The effect of contact method on softness sensation is not significant because the responsible receptor is the SA1 fiber. The effects of acclimation to temperature and relative humidity were also investigated. Positive relationships were found with smoothness perception and negative relationships were found with warmth perception. This suggests that acclimation to temperature and relative humidity can affect the receptor thresholds and, in consequence, affect the touch sensation.
A typology of employers’ organisations in the United Kingdom
Authors: Gooberman Leon , Hauptmeier Marco , Heery Edmund
Published: May 2017

This article examines employers’ organisations in the United Kingdom, drawing upon 70 interviews and a new dataset encompassing 447 employers’ organisations. The article’s contribution is to develop a new typology of employers’ organisations capturing their organisational change in the wake of the decline of collective bargaining. It does this by drawing on a conceptualisation of employers’ organisations as intermediary organisations before identifying four organisational types: lobbying, service, negotiating and standard-setting employers’ organisations. The article also identifies and discusses factors that underlie this pattern of differentiation.
Semantic concept model using Wikipedia semantic features
Authors: Saif Abdulgabbar , Omar Nazlia , Ab Aziz Mohd Juzaiddin , Zainodin Ummi Zakiah , Salim Naomie
Published: May 2017

Wikipedia has become a high coverage knowledge source which has been used in many research areas such as natural language processing, text mining and information retrieval. Several methods have been introduced for extracting explicit or implicit relations from Wikipedia to represent semantics of concepts/words. However, the main challenge in semantic representation is how to incorporate different types of semantic relations to capture more semantic evidences of the associations of concepts. In this article, we propose a semantic concept model that incorporates different types of semantic features extracting from Wikipedia. For each concept that corresponds to an article, four semantic features are introduced: template links, categories, salient concepts and topics. The proposed model is based on the probability distributions that are defined for these semantic features of a Wikipedia concept. The template links and categories are the document-level features which are directly extracted from the structured information included in the article. On the other hand, the salient concepts and topics are corpus-level features which are extracted to capture implicit relations among concepts. For the salient concepts feature, the distributional-based method is utilised on the hypertext corpus to extract this feature for each Wikipedia concept. Then, the probability product kernel is used to improve the weight of each concept in this feature. For the topic feature, the Labelled latent Dirichlet allocation is adapted on the supervised multi-label of Wikipedia to train the probabilistic model of this feature. Finally, we used the linear interpolation for incorporating these semantic features into the probabilistic model to estimate the semantic relation probability of the specific concept over Wikipedia articles. The proposed model is evaluated on 12 benchmark datasets in three natural language processing tasks: measuring the semantic relatedness of concepts/words in general and in the biomedical domain, semantic textual relatedness measurement and measuring the semantic compositionality of noun compounds. The model is also compared with five methods that depends on separate semantic features in Wikipedia. Experimental results show that the proposed model achieves promising results in three tasks and outperforms the baseline methods in most of the evaluation datasets. This implies that incorporation of explicit and implicit semantic features is useful for representing semantics of concepts in Wikipedia.
The Effects of Double Gloving on Microsurgical Skills
Authors: Hardison Scott A. , Pyon Grace , Le Audrey , Wan Wen , Coelho Daniel H.
Published: May 2017

Objective

To determine whether double gloving would negatively affect participants’ ability to perform a simulated microsurgical task.

Study Design

Randomized single‐blinded controlled crossover trial.

Setting

Temporal bone laboratory of an academic otolaryngology department.

Subjects and Methods

This study involved the simulated insertion of a stapes prosthesis into a model of the ossicular chain under microscopy. Forty‐one participants were recruited from our medical and dental school and randomized into 2 groups. All groups began by performing the task without gloves, acting as their own control arm. The first group (A) then performed the task with a single pair of gloves while the second group (B) next performed the task with 2 pairs of gloves. The groups then switched gloving methods. The total time taken to perform the task was recorded for each participant and the results subjected to a series of statistical measures.

Results

This study found a statistically significant difference in the average time taken to complete the task between the “no‐glove” arm of the study and both experimental groups but no difference between the 2 experimental groups. Likewise, no significant difference was found between the 2 experimental groups when comparing the rate at which they improved at performing the task.

Conclusion

These data suggest that wearing 2 pairs of surgical gloves does not negatively affect the speed at which a microsurgical procedure may be performed, lending support to the practice of double gloving, even in the setting of microsurgical fine motor tasks.
Have antipsychotics a different speed of action in the acute treatment of mania? A single-blind comparative study
Authors: Buoli Massimiliano , Esposito Cecilia Maria , Godio Marco , Caldiroli Alice , Serati Marta , Altamura A Carlo
Published: May 2017

Available antipsychotics show different efficacy on manic symptoms of bipolar patients, but few studies have investigated the speed of action of the various compounds. For this reason, purpose of the present paper was to compare antipsychotic mono-therapies in terms of speed of action in a sample of manic bipolar patients. In total, 155 bipolar patients, treated with antipsychotic mono-therapy and followed-up in Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic of University of Milan, were included in this single-blind comparative study. Clinical response was defined as a reduction of Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) scores ⩾50%, while remission as a YMRS score <10. After 4 days patients who had been treated with asenapine, were more likely to have achieved a clinical response than those in treatment with haloperidol ( p = 0.001). After 7 days, a more frequent clinical response was achieved by patients treated with asenapine than those who had been treated with haloperidol ( p < 0.001) or olanzapine ( p = 0.047). Asenapine appears to be faster in determining treatment response in manic patients compared with haloperidol and less markedly with olanzapine.
Flow model and dynamic characteristics of a direct spring loaded poppet relief valve
Authors: Lei Junbo , Tao Jianfeng , Liu Chengliang , Wu Yajin
Published: May 2017

This paper is concerned with the flow model and dynamic characteristics of the poppet relief valve. The flow model of the poppet valve orifice is established with a novel function of flow discharge coefficient, and the dynamic model including the aforementioned flow model of the poppet valve is established with consideration of the fluid forces caused by the valve body motion and the flowrate variation. Both the simulated and measured results of the dynamic response of the poppet relief valve shows that the experimental and simulation results are in fine accordance with each other in the perspective of the general shape of response, which confirm that the dynamic model of the poppet relief valve proposed in this paper is both accurate and efficient.
Free-form additive motions using conformal geometric algebra
Authors: Hunt Mat , Mullineux Glen , Cripps Robert J , Cross Ben
Published: May 2017

Free-form motions in B-spline form can be created from a number of prescribed control poses using the de Casteljau algorithm. With poses defined using conformal geometric algebra, it is natural to combine poses multiplicatively. Additive combinations offer alternative freedoms in design and avoid dealing with noninteger exponents. This paper investigates additive combinations and shows how to modify the conventional conformal geometric algebra definitions to allow such combinations to be well-defined. The additive and multiplicative approaches are compared and in general they generate similar motions, with the additive approach offering computational simplicity.
Perceptions of Organizational Politics: A Cross-cultural Perspective
Authors: Zibenberg Alexander
Published: May 2017

Despite the large number of studies on organizational politics, we still know very little about cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. The present study focuses on the roles of cultural values and the level of perceived national corruption in explaining cross-national differences in perceptions of organizational politics. Specifically, the study emphasizes the impact that cultural values may have on the degree to which employees perceive their organizational environment as political. In addition, it is proposed that in countries with a high level of corruption, corruption permeates throughout society, down to the individuals’ workplace such that citizens who perceive their country as corrupt will similarly perceive their workplace as corrupt. Two empirical illustrations support the argument that cultural values and perceptions of corruption in a country are related to perceptions of organizational politics.
Seasoned Equity Offerings: Further Evidence from Australia
Authors: Dutta Anupam
Published: May 2017

While numerous empirical studies document significant long-run underperformance of seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) in different security markets, Allen and Soucik (2008, Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, 78(2–3), 146–154) argue that such an underperformance is dependent on the definition of ‘long-run’. They show that if ‘long-run’ is defined as 12 years instead of the usual 5 years, Australian SEOs seem to turn around their performance particularly during the sixth and seventh year, and the abnormal performance tends to disappear by the eighth year. This article reassesses whether the underperformance following SEOs is related to the length of the holding period. To facilitate direct comparison with the findings of Allen and Soucik, we use the same data and sample period as them. In addition, we propose a refined calendar time portfolio (CTP) methodology to investigate the long-term performance of Australian SEOs. To assess the robustness of our findings, the buy-and-hold abnormal return (BHAR) approach has also been employed to measure the long-run performance of SEO stocks. The empirical analysis reveals that SEOs underperform when the abnormal returns are estimated by employing the BHAR methodology. Our refined CTP approach, on the other hand, finds evidence of abnormal performance only for equally weighted portfolios.
Fake News and Journalism Education
Authors: Richardson Nick
Published: May 2017

In a contested information environment, the phrase ‘fake news’ represents the existential challenge to journalists dealing with an audience losing its faith in what journalism does. The traditional role of the Fourth Estate and the responsibilities to inform and keep those in power accountable, are now constantly undermined by a determined counter-offensive that purports to show ‘truth’ and ‘accuracy’ are pliable concepts in the hands of the mainstream media. Journalism educators have to confront this dilemma head-on and affirm within the classroom the priority of the basic tenets of the job – not just reporting accurately and capturing balance, but committing to a process of verification that shows the rigour behind the best kind of journalism. This embrace of traditional journalism’s foundation skills is at the heart of re-establishing the credibility of the job, initially with students, and then, with the community.
Ride comfort of a higher speed rail vehicle using a magnetorheological suspension system
Authors: Sharma Sunil Kumar , Kumar Anil
Published: May 2017

In a railway vehicle, vibrations are generated due to the interaction between wheel and track. To evaluate the effect of vibrations on the ride quality and comfort of a passenger vehicle, the Sperling's ride index method is frequently adopted. This paper focuses on the feasibility of improving the ride quality and comfort of railway vehicles using semiactive secondary suspension based on magnetorheological fluid dampers. Equations of vertical, pitch and roll motions of car body and bogies are developed for an existing rail vehicle. Moreover, nonlinear stiffness and damping functions of passive suspension system are extracted from experimental data. In view of improvement in the ride quality and comfort of the rail vehicle, a magnetorheological damper is integrated in the secondary vertical suspension system. Parameters of the magnetorheological damper depend on current, amplitude and frequency of excitations. Three semi-active suspension strategies with magnetorheological damper are analysed at different running speeds and for periodic track irregularity. The performance indices calculated at different semi-active strategies are juxtaposed with the nonlinear passive suspension system. Simulation results establish that magnetorheological damper strategies in the secondary suspension system of railway vehicles reduce the vertical vibrations to a great extent compared to the existing passive system. Moreover, they lead to improved ride quality and passenger comfort.
Computational modelling of particulate-reinforced materials up to high volume fractions: Linear elastic homogenisation
Authors: Gentieu Timothée , Catapano Anita , Jumel Julien , Broughton James
Published: May 2017

This work focuses on the analysis of the micro and macroscopic mechanical response of particle-reinforced composites. A particular attention is paid to the influence of two fundamental design parameters, i.e. the particles shape and their volume fraction (up to very high values ranging from 0 to almost 0.8), on the overall mechanical response of the structure as well as on the resulting elastic symmetry of the material. The strain energy-based homogenisation technique of periodic media is here applied to a 2D finite element model of a representative volume element of the composite. Different algorithms are developed to generate, with a good level of accuracy, the real microstructure of the composite material characterised by circular as well as polygonal particles. Moreover, for each studied configuration, a link between the geometrical parameters of the microstructure (particles shape, size, distribution, and volume fraction) and the size of the representative volume element is also provided in order to properly describe the constitutive behaviour of the composite at the macroscopic scale. The numerical results are compared with analytical models taken from the literature to prove on the one hand the limitations of the analytical approaches and on the other hand the effectiveness of the proposed numerical models.
The 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty: New horizons for global social policy?
Authors: Koehler Gabriele
Published: May 2017

The article examines the approaches to poverty of the UN development decades, with a focus on the current 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Using the “5 R” criteria of global social policy discourse, the article’s main point is that a coherent analysis of poverty is absent from the agenda. While the agenda does address redistribution, social rights, and resource consciousness, and makes important contributions to social protection and care policy, it makes only superficial reference to the need for regulating of the economy. The main lacuna of the agenda, however, is that it does not address the issue of relationality – the systemic asymmetries in economic, social and political power. As a result, it is weak on policy, and there is the risk that poverty eradication will remain an elusive goal, even beyond 2030, despite the agenda’s transformative remit.
Patronage, welfare, tenders, private consultancies, and expert measurement: The example of SDG 4.2
Authors: Penn Helen
Published: May 2017

This article describes the background to subgoal SDG 4.2. It suggests that as with the SDG process more generally, the goal is a compromise and does not address the critical issue of inequality, The implementation of the goal is dependent on charitable interventions, and likely to be undertaken, if at all, through the processes of tendering with private individuals and companies. Efficacy is measured through globally developed criteria, heavily reliant on USA sources, with little attention to context.
Synthesizing disparate ideas: How a Chinese model of social assistance was forged
Authors: Leisering Lutz , Liu Tao , ten Brink Tobias
Published: May 2017

In 1993, the Shanghai government introduced a minimum income security program, causing contagious imitative behaviors in scores of local pilot projects in China. Invigorated by such local policy experiments, the central government in 1999 set up a Minimum Living Standard Scheme covering all urban regions and, from 2007, rural areas. In the process of designing this scheme, the Chinese epistemic social policy community translated foreign ideas into the national context to facilitate the social assistance reform through policy experimentation and reinterpretation of external ideas. This article argues that Chinese actors in the field of social assistance have synthesized disparate ideas from two world regions – the United States and Western Europe – and from Chinese traditions to forge a Chinese model of social assistance. It thus complements the existing literature on diffusion, which tends to assume that countries import or adapt a ready-made policy model from another country or from an international organization.
A Dose–Volume Response Model for Brain Metastases Treated With Frameless Single-Fraction Robotic Radiosurgery: Seeking to Better Predict Response to Treatment
Authors: Amsbaugh Mark J. , Yusuf Mehran B. , Gaskins Jeremy , Dragun Anthony E. , Dunlap Neal , Guan Timothy , Woo Shiao
Published: May 2017

Purpose/Objective(s):

To establish a dose–volume response relationship for brain metastases treated with single-fraction robotic stereotactic radiosurgery and identify predictors of local control.

Materials/Methods:

We reviewed a prospective institutional database of all patients treated for intact brain metastases with stereotactic radiosurgery alone using the CyberKnife robotic radiosurgery system from 2012 to 2015. Tumor response was determined based on Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors version 1.1. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Logistic regression modeling was used to identify predictors of outcome and establish a dose–volume response relationship. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to evaluate the predictive capability of the relationship.

Results:

There were 357 metastases evaluated in 111 patients with a median diameter of 8.14 mm (2.00-40.77 mm). At 6 and 12 months, local control was 86.9% and 82.2%, respectively. For lesions of similar volumes, higher maximum dose, mean dose, and minimum dose (all P values <.05) predicted for better local control. Tumor volume and diameter were strongly correlated, and a dose–volume response relationship was constructed using mean dose per lesion diameter (Gy/mm) that was predictive of local control (odds ratio: 1.34, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.70). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for local control and mean dose by volume was 0.6199 with a threshold of 2.05 Gy/mm (local failure 7.6% above and 17.3% below 2.05 Gy/mm).

Conclusion:

A dose–volume response relationship exists for brain metastases treated with robotic stereotactic radiosurgery. Mean dose per volume is strongly predictive of local control and can be potentially useful during stereotactic radiosurgery plan evaluation while respecting previously established dose constraints.
Carotid revascularization and medical management for asymptomatic carotid stenosis: Protocol of the CREST-2 clinical trials
Authors: Howard Virginia J , Meschia James F , Lal Brajesh K , Turan Tanya N , Roubin Gary S , Brown Robert D , Voeks Jenifer H , Barrett Kevin M , Demaerschalk Bart M , Huston John , Lazar Ronald M , Moore Wesley S , Wadley Virginia G , Chaturvedi Seemant , Moy Claudia S , Chimowitz Marc , Howard George , Brott Thomas G
Published: May 2017

Rationale

Trials conducted decades ago demonstrated that carotid endarterectomy by skilled surgeons reduced stroke risk in asymptomatic patients. Developments in carotid stenting and improvements in medical prevention of stroke caused by atherothrombotic disease challenge understanding of the benefits of revascularization.

Aim

Carotid Revascularization and Medical Management for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial (CREST-2) will test whether carotid endarterectomy or carotid stenting plus contemporary intensive medical therapy is superior to intensive medical therapy alone in the primary prevention of stroke in patients with high-grade asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

Methods and design

CREST-2 is two multicenter randomized trials of revascularization plus intensive medical therapy versus intensive medical therapy alone. One trial randomizes patients to carotid endarterectomy plus intensive medical therapy versus intensive medical therapy alone; the other, to carotid stenting plus intensive medical therapy versus intensive medical therapy alone. The risk factor targets of centrally directed intensive medical therapy are LDL cholesterol <70 mg/dl and systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg.

Study outcomes

The primary outcome is the composite of stroke and death within 44 days following randomization and stroke ipsilateral to the target vessel thereafter, up to four years. Change in cognition and differences in major and minor stroke are secondary outcomes.

Sample size

Enrollment of 1240 patients in each trial provides 85% power to detect a treatment difference if the event rate in the intensive medical therapy alone arm is 4.8% higher or 2.8% lower than an anticipated 3.6% rate in the revascularization arm.

Discussion

Management of asymptomatic carotid stenosis requires contemporary randomized trials to address whether carotid endarterectomy or carotid stenting plus intensive medical therapy is superior in preventing stroke beyond intensive medical therapy alone. Whether carotid endarterectomy or carotid stenting has favorable effects on cognition will also be tested.

Trial registration

United States National Institutes of Health Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02089217
Passage Through Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) Increases Germination of Cecropia pachystachya (Urticaceae) Seeds
Authors: Carvalho Nayara , Raizer Josué , Fischer Erich
Published: May 2017

Neotropical frugivorous bats are common seed dispersers of several pioneer plant species, conferring to the bats an important role for conservation purposes. However, the effects of bats on seed germination have been scarcely addressed. Here, we evaluate effects of passage of seeds through guts of Artibeus lituratus bats on the germination of the pioneer tree Cecropia pachystachya, accounting for seed storage time and fruit maturity as covariates. To control for seed sources, we collected infructescences and offered them partially to captive bats in order to obtain seeds passed through bats and seeds unpassed from the same infructescences. We then stored in glycerol subsets of seeds of both treatments through time until the beginning of the germination experiment. Germination success responded to storage time and fruit maturation stage. Among seeds from unripe fruits, those passed through the bat guts showed higher percentage of germination than seeds unpassed, but no difference occurred between treatments for seeds from mature fruits. In addition, passage through bats positively affected germination speed, irrespective of fruit maturity. Overall results support that bats can promote germination of C. pachystachya seeds, in addition to seed dispersal.
Calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the spine: imaging and pathological features
Authors: Saha Atin , Arevalo-Perez Julio , Peck Kyung K , Rosenblum Marc , Bilsky Mark , Lis Eric , Karimi Sasan
Published: May 2017

Calcifying pseudoneoplasms of the neuraxis are extremely rare calcified lesions that can occur anywhere in the central nervous system. These non-neoplastic lesions have been reported to arise both in the brain and spine with similar frequency and can be found intra-axially as well as extra-axially. The associated symptoms are generally due to mass effect rather than local invasion as calcifying pseudoneoplasms of the neuraxis are usually considered to be benign non-infiltrative lesions. We report a unique case of a 67-year-old male patient who developed lower extremity weakness and gait instability with imaging and histological features of calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis occurring in the spine with adhesive features and intradural extension. Calcifying pseudoneoplasms are benign, slow-growing masses that can present with a wide variety of symptoms depending on the size and location of the tumor. The differential diagnosis for these entities can be narrowed taking into consideration relevant imaging features as well as important clinical information.
Pembrolizumab, pomalidomide, and low-dose dexamethasone for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Badros Ashraf , Hyjek Elizabeth , Ma Ning , Lesokhin Alexander , Dogan Ahmet , Rapoport Aaron P. , Kocoglu Mehmet , Lederer Emily , Philip Sunita , Milliron Todd , Dell Cameron , Goloubeva Olga , Singh Zeba
Published: May 2017

Key Points

This is the first trial to investigate PD-1 inhibitor, pembrolizumab, and an IMiD (pomalidomide) in MM with promising clinical efficacy. PD-L1 expression on myeloma cells and PD-1 on marrow infiltrating T lymphocytes are potential biomarkers for efficacy of PD-1 blockade.
Addressing unmet needs in understanding asthma mechanisms
Authors: Edwards Michael R. , Saglani Sejal , Schwarze Jurgen , Skevaki Chrysanthi , Smith Jaclyn A. , Ainsworth Ben , Almond Mark , Andreakos Evangelos , Belvisi Maria G. , Chung Kian Fan , Cookson William , Cullinan Paul , Hawrylowicz Catherine , Lommatzsch Marek , Jackson David , Lutter Rene , Marsland Benjamin , Moffatt Miriam , Thomas Mike , Virchow J. Christian , Xanthou Georgina , Edwards Jessica , Walker Samantha , Johnston Sebastian L.
Published: May 2017

Asthma is a heterogeneous, complex disease with clinical phenotypes that incorporate persistent symptoms and acute exacerbations. It affects many millions of Europeans throughout their education and working lives and puts a heavy cost on European productivity. There is a wide spectrum of disease severity and control. Therapeutic advances have been slow despite greater understanding of basic mechanisms and the lack of satisfactory preventative and disease modifying management for asthma constitutes a significant unmet clinical need. Preventing, treating and ultimately curing asthma requires co-ordinated research and innovation across Europe. The European Asthma Research and Innovation Partnership (EARIP) is an FP7-funded programme which has taken a co-ordinated and integrated approach to analysing the future of asthma research and development. This report aims to identify the mechanistic areas in which investment is required to bring about significant improvements in asthma outcomes.
Lateral wedges with and without custom arch support for people with medial knee osteoarthritis and pronated feet: an exploratory randomized crossover study
Authors: Hunt Michael A. , Takacs Judit , Krowchuk Natasha M. , Hatfield Gillian L. , Hinman Rana S. , Chang Ryan
Published: May 2017

Background

Pronated foot posture is associated with many clinical and biomechanical outcomes unique to medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA). Though shoe‐worn insole treatment, including lateral wedges, is commonly studied in this patient population, their effects on the specific subgroup of people with medial knee OA and concomitant pronated feet are unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether lateral wedge insoles with custom arch support are more beneficial than lateral wedge insoles alone for knee and foot symptoms in people with medial tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis (OA) and pronated feet.

Methods

Twenty‐six people with pronated feet and symptomatic medial knee OA participated in a randomized crossover study comparing five degree lateral wedge foot insoles with and without custom foot arch support. Each intervention was worn for two months, separated by a two‐month washout period of no insoles wear. Main outcomes included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and physical function subscales, the revised short‐form Foot Function Index (FFI‐R) pain and stiffness subscales, and the timed stair climb test. Regression modeling was conducted to examine treatment, period, and interaction effects.

Results

Twenty‐two participants completed the study, and no carryover or interaction effects were observed for any outcome. Significant treatment effects were observed for the timed stair climb, with greater improvements seen with the lateral wedges with arch support. Within‐condition significant improvements were observed for WOMAC pain and physical function, as well as FFI‐R pain and stiffness with lateral wedges with arch support use. More adverse effects were reported with the lateral wedges alone, while more people preferred the lateral wedges with arch support overall.

Conclusions

Addition of custom arch support to a standard lateral wedge insole may improve foot and knee symptoms in people with knee OA and concomitant pronated feet. These preliminary findings suggest further research evaluating the role of shoe‐worn insoles for treatment of this specific sub‐group of people with knee OA is warranted.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02234895.
Application of high-order finite-element method to the P-wave propagation around and inside an underground cavity
Authors: Esterhazy Sofi , Schneider Felix , Perugia Ilaria , Bokelmann Götz
Published: May 2017

We have studied the scattering of P-waves from an acoustic inclusion in a 2D half-space with a free surface. The motivation for our study comes from detecting a cavity that might be caused by an underground nuclear explosion. This is relevant to on-site inspections, an element of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The waveform modeling we address is implemented in the frequency domain; i.e., we consider the wavefield as well as the source to be time harmonic. We numerically investigate the cases in which the source of the scattered field is either a plane wave from the bottom or the side as from passive sources, such as teleseismic waves or ambient noise, or a spherical wave from the surface as from an active point source, such as a vibroseis or an explosion. To this end, we split the total field in an incident and an unknown scattered field to understand the effects more explicitly. Modeling the response of a void in a medium is not trivial, and many numerical algorithms commonly used for seismic propagation modeling will fail. Therefore, we want to highlight the advantage of high-order methods for this type of application in general and reveal the benefit of using the finite-element method code Ngsolve. This is in particular the case for the situation we have at hand, in which the ratio between the size and the depth of the cavity is notably high. We have addressed this scenario numerically for the first time because there are few field observations of the effects and the number of papers addressing the theoretical basis is sparse. Finally, we found that our splitting strategy together with the numerical scheme that we apply give rise to a constructive approach for studying this specific issue.
Physical constraints on C13 for transversely isotropic shales and their applications
Authors: Chichinina Tatiana
Published: May 2017

The problem of theoretical prediction of the elastic stiffness parameter [Formula: see text] is important, as well as proper establishment of its theoretical bounds, which is extremely useful in the reliable [Formula: see text] estimation. We revise a formula for the lower bound [Formula: see text], empirically derived by F. Yan with coauthors, based on their empirical inequality between two Poisson’s ratios in a transversely isotropic elastic medium; i.e., [Formula: see text]. In doing this, we consider a theoretical counterexample derived on theoretical grounds by J. Sarout leading to the opposite inequality [Formula: see text]. Our analysis on shale anisotropy (using published data on various shale samples) proves both inequalities to be true. Therefore, we can divide shale data into two groups: 1 and 2; i.e., group 1 we define by the inequality [Formula: see text], and group 2 by [Formula: see text]. In the framework of the linear slip (LS) model, we found another restriction on two Poisson’s ratios [Formula: see text], which must be satisfied in the LS model. In addition, we found that the theoretical formula for the [Formula: see text] in the LS model and the bound [Formula: see text] should be equal: [Formula: see text]. Also, we found that [Formula: see text] depends on the normal fracture compliance [Formula: see text]. We postulate that there is a critical compliance [Formula: see text] predicted by the LS model that marks the transition between two inequalities of Poisson’s ratios: [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]. These inequalities become a part of a broader interpretation, in which the compliance [Formula: see text] acts as a transitional intermediate response (i.e., [Formula: see text]) between the two shale groups 1 and 2. Each shale group (i.e., [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]) is assigned to different [Formula: see text] (i.e., [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]), which imply differentiation of rock properties in two groups, such as different fluid saturation, as an example.