bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Foot Movement in Tai Chi Exercise
Authors: Mao De Wei , Hong Youlian , Li Jing Xian
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose. The concept of proper foot movement is always emphasized in practicing Tai Chi (TC). The purposes of this study were to describe the foot movement characteristics of TC and to compare duration of single- and double-limb support time during TC and during walking. Subjects. Sixteen experienced TC practitioners participated in the study. Methods. The participants’ performance of a whole set of 42-form TC movements was recorded with 2 cameras. A motion analysis system was used to identify the supporting and stepping characteristics of the foot during the practice. Results. Seven foot support patterns and 6 step directions were identified. The results revealed that, compared with normal walking, TC movement had more double-limb support and less single-limb support in terms of total duration. The duration of each support pattern was longer, and movement from one pattern to the next was slow. The duration of each step direction was short, and changes of direction were frequent. Discussion and Conclusion. Support patterns changed slowly, and, combined with various step directions, they were found to be better than those of walking in simulating the gait challenges that may be encountered in daily activities.
Effects of Repetitive Shortwave Diathermy for Reducing Synovitis in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: An Ultrasonographic Study
Authors: Jan Mei-Hwa , Chai Huei-Ming , Wang Chung-Li , Lin Yeong-Fwu , Tsai Li-Ying
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose. Shortwave (SW) diathermy can be used to improve vascular circulation and reduce inflammation and pain for patients with osteoarthritis. However, reduction in synovial inflammation has never been explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether repetitive SW diathermy, using ultrasonographic examination, could reduce synovitis in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Subjects and Methods. Thirty subjects with 44 osteoarthritic knees participated in this study. Eleven subjects received SW, and 10 subjects received SW and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Nine subjects received no treatment and served as a control group. Synovial sac thickness superior, medial, and lateral to the patella was measured using ultrasonography. The sum of these 3 measurements was taken as the total synovial sac thickness. Subjects in the treatment groups underwent ultrasonographic examination before and after 10, 20, and 30 treatments, whereas control subjects underwent ultrasonographic examination before the experiment and then once every 2 or 3 weeks for a total of 3 follow-up measurements.

Results. After 10 SW diathermy treatments, the total synovial sac thickness in both treatment groups was significantly less than the initial thickness, and the synovial sac continued to become significantly thinner with 20 sessions of treatment. These observations were not made in the control subjects.

Discussion and Conclusion. The results indicate that SW diathermy in patients with knee osteoarthritis can significantly reduce both synovial thickness and knee pain. Such reductions of synovial sac thickness and pain index continue over treatment sessions. [Jan MH, Chai HM, Wang CL, et al. Effects of repetitive shortwave diathermy for reducing synovitis in patients with knee osteoarthritis: an ultrasonographic study. Phys Ther. 2006;86:236–244.]
Comparing 2 Versions of the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory With the Action Research Arm Test
Authors: Barreca Susan R , Stratford Paul W , Masters Lisa M , Lambert Cynthia L , Griffiths Jeremy
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose. The Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI) is a new, validated upper-limb measure that uses a 7-point quantitative scale in order to assess functional recovery of the arm and hand after a stroke. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine whether the longitudinal validity of scores on 2 versions of a new upper-limb measure, the CAHAI (CAHAI-9 and CAHAI-13), was greater than that of scores on the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and (2) to determine whether the cross-sectional and longitudinal validity of the CAHAI-13 scores was greater than that of the CAHAI-9 scores. Subjects. One hundred five people with upper-limb dysfunction following a stroke were stratified into 2 impairment groups (mild to moderate and severe), which were expected to change by different amounts. Methods. The CAHAI-13 and ARAT were administered twice (time between assessments varied from 2 to 6 weeks). Receiver operating characteristic curves, Pearson product moment coefficient of correlation, and regression analyses were used. Results. Receiver operating characteristic curve areas (CAHAI-13=0.86, CAHAI-9=0.82, ARAT=0.72) were significantly greater for the CAHAI versions. Scores on both CAHAI versions had identical levels of cross-sectional validity. Discussion and Conclusion. Both CAHAI versions demonstrated more sensitivity to change than the ARAT. It remains unclear whether the CAHAI-9 provides precise estimates of CAHAI-13 scores at the individual level. [Barreca SR, Stratford PW, Masters LM, et al. Comparing 2 versions of the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory with the Action Research Arm Test. Phys Ther. 2006;86:245–253.]
Training of Balance Under Single- and Dual-Task Conditions in Older Adults With Balance Impairment
Authors: Silsupadol Patima , Siu Ka-Chun , Shumway-Cook Anne , Woollacott Marjorie H
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose. Traditionally, rehabilitation programs emphasize training balance under single-task conditions to improve balance and reduce risk for falls. The purpose of this case report is to describe 3 balance training approaches in older adults with impaired balance. Case Descriptions. Three patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 interventions: (1) single-task balance training, (2) dual-task training under a fixed-priority instructional set, and (3) dual-task training under a variable-priority instructional set. Outcomes. The patients who received balance training under dual-task conditions showed dual-task training benefits; these training benefits were maintained for 3 months. The patient who received variable-priority training showed improvement on novel dual tasks. Discussion. Older adults may be able to improve their balance under dual-task conditions only following specific types of balance training. This case report gives insight on how this intervention might be combined with more traditional physical therapy intervention. [Silsupadol P, Siu KC, Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott MH. Training of balance under single- and dual-task conditions in older adults with balance impairment. Phys Ther. 2006;86:269–281.]
Passive Leg Movements and Passive Cycling Do Not Alter Arterial Leg Blood Flow in Subjects With Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Ter Woerds Walter , De Groot Patricia CE , van Kuppevelt Dirk HJM , Hopman Maria TE
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose. Subjects with a spinal cord injury (SCI) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease–related secondary complications, such as pressure ulcers and attenuated wound healing. It has been suggested that passive exercise enhances blood flow via mechanical pump effects or reflex activation. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of passive leg movements and passive cycling on the arterial circulation in subjects with SCI.

Subjects. Eight men with motor complete SCI and 8 male control subjects participated.

Methods. Echo Doppler measurements were obtained to measure leg blood flow at rest, during and after 10 minutes of standardized passive leg movements, and during and after 20 minutes of passive leg cycling. Blood pressure was measured continuously, and total vascular resistance and leg vascular resistance were calculated.

Results. In both groups, no changes in leg blood flow, vascular resistance, or blood pressure were observed during or after the 2 interventions.

Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the study demonstrate that passive leg movements and passive cycling do not alter the arterial peripheral circulation in subjects with SCI or control subjects. Although the results do not support the use of passive movements or exercise for the prevention of cardiovascular disease–related secondary complications, physical therapists should not be dissuaded from using these techniques to address musculoskeletal concerns.
Electromyographic Analysis of Traditional and Nontraditional Abdominal Exercises: Implications for Rehabilitation and Training
Authors: Escamilla Rafael F , Babb Eric , DeWitt Ryan , Jew Patrick , Kelleher Peter , Burnham Toni , Busch Juliann , D’Anna Kristen , Mowbray Ryan , Imamura Rodney T
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose. Performing nontraditional abdominal exercises with devices such as abdominal straps, the Power Wheel, and the Ab Revolutionizer has been suggested as a way to activate abdominal and extraneous (nonabdominal) musculature as effectively as more traditional abdominal exercises, such as the crunch and bent-knee sit-up. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of traditional and nontraditional abdominal exercises in activating abdominal and extraneous musculature. Subjects. Twenty-one men and women who were healthy and between 23 and 43 years of age were recruited for this study. Methods. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to assess muscle activity from the upper and lower rectus abdominis, external and internal oblique, rectus femoris, latissimus dorsi, and lumbar paraspinal muscles while each exercise was performed. The EMG data were normalized to maximum voluntary muscle contractions. Differences in muscle activity were assessed by a 1-way, repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results. Upper and lower rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and latissimus dorsi muscle EMG activity were highest for the Power Wheel (pike, knee-up, and roll-out), hanging knee-up with straps, and reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees. External oblique muscle EMG activity was highest for the Power Wheel (pike, knee-up, and roll-out) and hanging knee-up with straps. Rectus femoris muscle EMG activity was highest for the Power Wheel (pike and knee-up), reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees, and bent-knee sit-up. Lumbar paraspinal muscle EMG activity was low and similar among exercises. Discussion and Conclusion. The Power Wheel (pike, knee-up, and roll-out), hanging knee-up with straps, and reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees not only were the most effective exercises in activating abdominal musculature but also were the most effective in activating extraneous musculature. The relatively high rectus femoris muscle activity obtained with the Power Wheel (pike and knee-up), reverse crunch inclined 30 degrees, and bent-knee sit-up may be problematic for some people with low back problems.
Effectiveness of Radial Shock-Wave Therapy for Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder: Single-Blind, Randomized Clinical Study
Authors: Cacchio Angelo , Paoloni Marco , Barile Antonio , Don Romildo , de Paulis Fosco , Calvisi Vittorio , Ranavolo Alberto , Frascarelli Massimo , Santilli Valter , Spacca Giorgio
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose. Radial shock-wave therapy (RSWT) is a pneumatically generated, low- to medium-energy type of shock-wave therapy. This single-blind, randomized, “less active similar therapy”-controlled study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of RSWT for the management of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Subjects. Ninety patients with radiographically verified calcific tendinitis of the shoulder were tested. Methods. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (n=45) or a control group (n=45). Pain and functional level were evaluated before and after treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Radiographic modifications in calcifications were evaluated before and after treatment. Results. The treatment group displayed improvement in all of the parameters analyzed after treatment and at the 6-month follow-up. Calcifications disappeared completely in 86.6% of the subjects in the treatment group and partially in 13.4% of subjects; only 8.8% of the subjects in the control group displayed partially reduced calcifications, and none displayed a total disappearance. Discussion and Conclusion. The results suggest that the use of RSWT for the management of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder is safe and effective, leading to a significant reduction in pain and improvement of shoulder function after 4 weeks, without adverse effects.
Toward a Common Language for Function, Disability, and Health
Authors: Jette Alan M
Published: February 2017

Within physical therapy, the disablement model has proven useful as a language to delineate the consequences of disease and injury. This perspective provides an update on the changing language of disablement, reviews selected contemporary disablement models, and discusses some challenges that need to be addressed to achieve a universal disablement language that can be used to discuss physical therapy research and clinical interventions. The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework has the potential of becoming a standard for disablement language that looks beyond mortality and disease to focus on how people live with their conditions. If widely adopted, the ICF framework could provide the rehabilitation field with a common, international language with the potential to facilitate communication and scholarly discourse across disciplines and national boundaries, to stimulate interdisciplinary research, to improve clinical care, and ultimately to better inform health policy and management.
Interpreting Change Scores of Tests and Measures Used in Physical Therapy
Authors: Haley Stephen M , Fragala-Pinkham Maria A
Published: February 2017

Over the past decade, the methods and science used to describe changes in outcomes of physical therapy services have become more refined. Recently, emphasis has been placed not only on changes beyond expected measurement error, but also on the identification of changes that make a real difference in the lives of patients and families. This article will highlight a case example of how to determine and interpret “clinically significant change” from both of these perspectives. The authors also examine how to use item maps within an item response theory model to enhance the interpretation of change at a content level. Recommendations are provided for physical therapists who are interpreting changes in the context of clinical practice, case reports, and intervention research. These recommendations include a greater application of indexes that help interpret the meaning of clinically significant change to multiple clinical, research, consumer, and payer communities.
Effect of Brisk Walking in 1 or 2 Daily Bouts and Moderate Resistance Training on Lower-Extremity Muscle Strength, Balance, and Walking Performance in Women Who Recently Went Through Menopause: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Asikainen Tuula-Maria , Suni Jaana H , Pasanen Matti E , Oja Pekka , Rinne Marjo B , Miilunpalo Seppo I , Nygård Clas-Håkan A , Vuori Ilkka M
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose. Menopause may induce a phase of rapid decreases in bone mineral density, aerobic fitness, muscle strength, and balance, especially in sedentary women. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects and feasibility of an exercise program of 1 or 2 bouts of walking and resistance training on lower-extremity muscle strength (the force-generating capacity of muscle), balance, and walking performance in women who recently went through menopause. Subjects and Methods. The subjects were 134 women who recently went through menopause. The study was a 15-week, randomized, controlled trial with continuous and fractionated exercise groups. The outcomes assessed were lower-extremity muscle strength, balance, and walking time over 2 km. Feasibility was assessed by questionnaires, interviews, and training logs. Results. One hundred twenty-eight women completed the study. Adherence to the study protocol was 92%. Both continuous and fractionated exercise groups improved equally in lower-extremity muscle strength and walking time but not in balance. Almost 70% of the subjects considered the program to be feasible. Two daily walking sessions caused fewer lower-extremity problems than did continuous walking. Discussion and Conclusion. Brisk walking combined with moderate resistance training is feasible and effective. Fractionating the walking into 2 daily sessions is more feasible than continuous walking.
Functional Electrical Stimulation Changes Dynamic Resources in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Ho Chia-Ling , Holt Kenneth G , Saltzman Elliot , Wagenaar Robert C
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often are faced with difficulty in walking. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) applied to the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle complex on the ability to produce appropriately timed force and reduce stiffness (elastic property of the body) and on stride length and stride frequency during walking. Subjects and Methods. Thirteen children with spastic CP (including 4 children who were dropped from the study due to their inability to cooperate) and 6 children who were developing typically participated in the study. A crossover study design was implemented. The children with spastic CP were randomly assigned to either a group that received FES for 15 trials followed by no FES for 15 trials or a group that received no FES for 15 trials followed by FES for 15 trials. The children who were having typical development walked without FES. Kinematic data were collected for the children with CP in each walking condition and for the children who were developing typically. Impulse (force-producing ability) and stiffness were estimated from an escapement-driven pendulum and spring system model of human walking. Stride length and stride frequency also were measured. To compare between walking conditions and between the children with CP and the children who were developing typically, dimensional analysis and speed normalization procedures were used. Results. Nonparametric statistics showed that there was no significant difference between the children with CP in the no-FES condition and the children who were developing typically on speed-normalized dimensionless impulse. In contrast, the children with CP in the FES condition had a significantly higher median value than the children who were developing typically. The FES significantly increased speed-normalized dimensionless impulse from 10.02 to 16.32 when comparing walking conditions for the children with CP. No significant differences were found between walking conditions for stiffness, stride length, and stride frequency. Discussion and Conclusion. The results suggest that FES is effective in increasing impulse during walking but not in decreasing stiffness. The effect on increasing impulse does not result in more typical spatiotemporal gait parameters. [Ho CL, Holt KG, Saltzman E, Wagenaar RC. Functional electrical stimulation changes dynamic resources in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Phys Ther. 2006;86:987–1000.]
Sleepiness Enhances Distraction During a Monotonous Task
Authors: Anderson Clare , Horne James A.
Published: February 2017

Study Objectives:

Although sleepiness appears to heighten distraction from the task at hand, especially if the latter is dull and monotonous, this aspect of sleep loss has not been assessed in any systematic way. Distractions are a potential cause of performance lapses (as are microsleeps). Here, we investigate the effects of sleepiness on a monotonous task, with and without distraction.

Design:

Repeated Measures 2 × 2 counterbalanced design, comprising Sleepiness (night sleep restricted to 5 hours × normal sleep) and Distraction (distraction × no distraction).

Setting:

Participants underwent 30-minute sessions on the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (2:00 PM - 3:10 PM), with or without an attractive distraction to be ignored, under normal and sleep-restricted conditions.

Participants:

Sixteen healthy young adults (mean age 21.10 years; 21-25 years [8 men; 8 women]) without any sleep or medical problems and without any indication of daytime sleepiness.

Interventions:

Normal sleep versus sleep restricted to 5 hours and distraction versus no distraction. Distraction comprised a television in the visual periphery, showing an attractive video that had to be ignored.

Measurements & Results:

Psychomotor Vigilance Test performance was monitored, as were the participants' head turns toward the television via videocameras. There was a significant increase in both head turns and lapses during sleep restriction plus distraction. Moreover, sleepiness also increased head turns even during no distraction. Distracting effects of sleepiness were clearly evident during the initial 10 minutes of testing. Conclusions: Distractibility is an important aspect of sleepiness, which has relevance to safety in the real world, eg, sleepy driving.

Citation:

Anderson C; Horne JA. Sleepiness enhances distraction during a monotonous task.
Low-dimensional representation of near-wall dynamics in shear flows, with implications to wall-models
Authors: Schmid P. J. , Sayadi T.
Published: February 2017

The dynamics of coherent structures near the wall of a turbulent boundary layer is investigated with the aim of a low-dimensional representation of its essential features. Based on a triple decomposition into mean, coherent and incoherent motion and a dynamic mode decomposition to recover statistical information about the incoherent part of the flow field, a driven linear system coupling first- and second-order moments of the coherent structures is derived and analysed. The transfer function for this system, evaluated for a wall-parallel plane, confirms a strong bias towards streamwise elongated structures, and is proposed as an ‘impedance’ boundary condition which replaces the bulk of the transport between the coherent velocity field and the coherent Reynolds stresses, thus acting as a wall model for large-eddy simulations (LES). It is interesting to note that the boundary condition is non-local in space and time. The extracted model is capable of reproducing the principal Reynolds stress components for the pretransitional, transitional and fully turbulent boundary layer.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Toward the development of high-fidelity models of wall turbulence at large Reynolds number’.
Structure identification in pipe flow using proper orthogonal decomposition
Authors: Hellström Leo H.O. , Smits Alexander J.
Published: February 2017

The energetic motions in direct numerical simulations of turbulent pipe flow at
Re

τ

=685 are investigated using proper orthogonal decomposition. The procedure is extended such that a pressure component is identified in addition to the three-component velocity field for each mode. The pressure component of the modes is shown to align with the streamwise velocity component associated with the large-scale motions, where positive pressure coincides with positive streamwise velocity, and vice versa. The streamwise evolution of structures is then visualized using a conditional mode, which exhibit a strong similarity to the large-scale, low-momentum motions. A low-pressure region is present in the downstream section of the structure, and a high-pressure region is present in the upstream section.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Toward the development of high-fidelity models of wall turbulence at large Reynolds number’.
Clusterization in head and neck squamous carcinomas based on lncRNA expression: molecular and clinical correlates
Authors: de Lena Pelayo G. , Paz-Gallardo Abel , Paramio Jesús M. , García-Escudero Ramón
Published: February 2017

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key players in a remarkably variety of biological processes and pathologic conditions, including cancer. Next-generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatics procedures predict the existence of tens of thousands of lncRNAs, from which we know the functions of only a handful of them, and very little is known in cancer types such as head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs).

Results

Here, we use RNA-seq expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and various statistic and software tools in order to get insight about the lncRNome in HNSCC. Based on lncRNAs expression across 426 samples, we discover five distinct tumor clusters that we compare with reported clusters based on various genomic/genetic features. Results demonstrate significant associations between lncRNA-based clustering and DNA-methylation, TP53 mutation, and human papillomavirus infection. Using “guilt by association” procedures, we infer the possible biological functions of representative lncRNAs of each cluster. Furthermore, we found that lncRNA clustering is correlated with some important clinical and pathologic features, including patient survival after treatment, tumor grade or sub-anatomical location.

Conclusions

We present a landscape of lncRNAs in HNSCC, and provide associations with important genotypic and phenotypic features that may help to understand the disease.
Constrained design optimization of active magnetic bearings through an artificial immune system
Authors: Chou Yu-Cheng , Fan Yi-Hua , Nakajima Madoka , Liao Yi-Lin
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the use of artificial immune systems (AISs) to solve constrained design optimization problems for active magnetic bearings (AMBs).

Design/methodology/approach

This research applies the AIS approach, more specifically, a representative clonal selection-based AIS called CLONALG, to the single-objective structural design optimization of AMBs. In addition, when compared with a genetic algorithm (GA) developed in the previous work, the CLONALG fails to produce best solutions when a nearly zero feasible ratio occurs in an AMB design problem. Therefore, an AIS called ARISCO (AIS for constrained optimization) is proposed to address the above issue.

Findings

A total of six AMB design cases are solved by the GA, CLONALG, and ARISCO. Based on the simulation results, in terms of solution quality, the ARISCO is shown to have better overall performance than the CLONALG and GA. In particular, when solving a problem with a nearly zero feasible ratio, the ARISCO and GA perform equally and both outperform the CLONALG.

Originality/value

In summary, the contributions of this paper include: this research applies the AIS approach, more precisely, the CLONALG, to the single-objective structural design optimization of AMBs; the ARISCO overall produces better AMB designs than the CLONALG and a GA developed in the previous work; in situations where a nearly zero feasible ratio occurs, the ARISCO and GA perform equally, and they both outperform the CLONALG.
Are European sovereign bond spreads in concordance with macroeconomic variables evolution?
Authors: Sorrosal-Forradellas M. Teresa , Martinez Lisana B. , Terceño Antonio
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The last great financial crisis which arose in the middle of 2007 in the USA produced contagion effects over others economies. The purpose of this paper is focused on analyzing the evolution of a set of economic variables of 17 European countries since 1991 until 2013. Sovereign bond spreads are also considered to compare the incidence of the financial crisis over the economies considering macroeconomics fundamentals and fixed bonds.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-organizing maps (SOMs) are used to achieve the purpose of the research. With this methodology, it is possible to analyze the evolution of the macroeconomic fundamentals of each country, obtaining particular and general conclusions according to the position of each country in the SOM. Moreover, the countries are compared between them and with its respective sovereign bond spreads level for each year of analysis.

Findings

The impact of the crisis is different between the countries was analyzed. Belonging to the European Monetary Union is an interesting characteristic of some of the most affect economies.

Research limitations/implications

This research presents wide implications for the economies to control the most vulnerable economic variables in front of financial crisis to prevent the contagion effect. The inclusion of more economic variables and countries could enhance the study.

Originality/value

This research analyzes the relationship between macroeconomic variables and sovereign bond spreads using an infrequent methodology. The results obtained are valuable because they highlight how the present crisis has differently affected the European countries.
Expertons and uncertain averaging operators versus correlational approaches
Authors: Yepes-Baldó Montserrat , Boria-Reverter Sefa , Romeo Marina , Torres Luis
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR), work-life balance (WLB) and effectiveness by
comparing a correlational approach, expertons method and uncertain averaging operators (uncertain average [UA], uncertain weighted average [UWA], uncertain probabilistic aggregation [UPA] and uncertain probabilistic weighted averaging [UPWA]).

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were 814 employees from two Chilean companies with different levels of development on CSR policies. The Survey work–home Interaction – Nijmegen for Spanish Speaking Countries and the balanced scorecard were used. Results showed differences between companies with different levels of CSR development on individual effectiveness and relations between WLB and individual effectiveness.

Findings

Expertons methodology and uncertain averaging operators allow more accurate results than correlational statistics.

Originality/value

Expertons method and uncertain averaging operators (UA, UWA, UPA and UPWA) are common in the field of economics and engineering but very innovative in the human resources research, allowing more accurate analyses of workers’ perceptions.
Using genetic algorithms to evolve type-2 fuzzy logic systems for predicting bankruptcy
Authors: Georgescu Vasile
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Type-2 fuzzy sets became attractive in practice because of their footprint of uncertainty that gives them more degrees of freedom. This paper aims to use genetic algorithms (GAs) to design an interval Type-2 fuzzy logic system (IT2FLS) for the purpose of predicting bankruptcy.

Design/methodology/approach

The shape of type-2 membership functions, the parameters giving their spread and location in the fuzzy partitions and the set of fuzzy rules are evolved at the same time by encoding all together into the chromosome representation. The enhanced Karnik–Mendel algorithms are used for the centroid type-reduction and defuzzification stage. The performance in predicting bankruptcy is evaluated by benchmarking IT2FLSs against type-1 FLSs. The experimental setup consists of evolving 100 configurations for both the T1FLS and IT2FLS and comparing their in-sample and out-of-sample average accuracy.

Findings

The experiments confirm that representing and capturing uncertainty with more degrees of freedom is an important advantage. It is this extra potential of IT2FLSs that allows them to outperform T1FLS, especially in terms of generalization capability.

Originality/value

The strategy followed in this paper is to train an IT2FLS from scratch rather than tuning the parameters of an existing T1FLS. Because this leads to solving a mixed integer optimization problem, the GA-based approach is specifically designed and uses genetic operators that are most suited for such a case: tournament selection, extended Laplace crossover and power mutation. Finally, the trained IT2FLS is applied to bankruptcy prediction, and its generalization capability is compared with related techniques.
Forensic Considerations in Cases of Myotonic Dystrophy at Autopsy
Authors: Omond Kimberley J. , Byard Roger W.
Published: February 2017

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a chronic, slowly progressive, autosomal‐dominant disorder with delayed muscle relaxation after contraction, distal skeletal muscle weakness, and atrophy. It has a reduced life expectancy due predominantly to respiratory failure or sudden cardiac death. The mortality rate is approximately 7.3 times greater than the general population with a mean age at death of 53 years. Degeneration of the cardiac conduction system causes atrioventricular block, arrhythmias, and ventricular failure. A case of sudden death in a 44‐year‐old woman with DM type 1 is reported to demonstrate an alternative lethal mechanism. At autopsy, there was extensive infiltration of skeletal muscles with adipose tissue. The heart was structurally normal. A deep venous thrombosis of the right calf was identified with a large saddle pulmonary thromboembolus and bilateral peripheral thromboemboli. DM1‐related thrombosis had most likely occurred because of the decedent's impaired mobility, possible hypercoagulable state, and serum changes from muscle necrosis.
Diagnostic Value and Effect of Bedside Ultrasound in Acute Appendicitis in the Emergency Department
Authors: Gungor Faruk , Kilic Taylan , Akyol Kamil Can , Ayaz Gizem , Cakir Umut Cengiz , Akcimen Mehmet , Eken Cenker
Published: February 2017

Objective

Early and accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) with ultrasound (US) can minimize the morbidity and mortality of the patients. In this regard, US can help emergency physicians (EPs) in the diagnosing process and clinical decision making for AA. Therefore, we primarily aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of point‐of‐care US (POCUS) in clinical decision making of EPs for the diagnostic evaluation for AA in the emergency department (ED).

Methods

The study sample consisted of patients aged > 18 years who presented to the ED with abdominal pain and underwent diagnostic evaluation for AA. All patients were examined initially with POCUS by EPs and then with radiology‐performed US (RADUS) by radiologists. Pre‐ and post‐POCUS median diagnostic certainty values (MDCVs) for AA were determined with visual analog scale (VAS) scores (0 = not present, 100 = certainly present) by POCUS performers. Definitive diagnoses were determined by surgery, pathologic evaluation of appendectomy specimens, or clinical follow‐up results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) for POCUS and RADUS together with pre‐ and post‐POCUS VAS scores for MDCVs were compared.

Results

A total of 264 patients were included into the final analysis and 169 (64%) had a diagnosis of AA. The sensitivity, specificity, PLR, and NLR of US examinations were 92.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 87.2%–95.8%), 95.8% (89.5%–98.8%), 21.9 (8.4–57.2), and 0.08 (0.05–0.1) for POCUS and 76.9% (69.8–83%), 97.8% (84.9–99.7%), 36.4 (9.25–144.3), and 0.24 (0.18–0.31) for RADUS, respectively. Pre‐POCUS and post‐POCUS VAS scores for MDCVs were 60 (interquartile range [IQR] = 50–65) and 95 (IQR = 20–98), respectively (p = 0.000).

Conclusion

Point‐of‐care ultrasonography, when performed in ED for the diagnosis of AA, has high sensitivity and specificity and had a positive impact on the clinical decision making of EPs.
Genius begins at home: Shared social identity enhances the recognition of creative performance
Authors: Steffens Niklas K. , Haslam S. Alexander , Ryan Michelle K. , Millard Kathryn
Published: February 2017

The present research examines the extent to which the recognition of creative performance is structured by social group membership. It does this by analysing the award of merit prizes for Best Actor and Actress in a Leading Role for the international award ofUS‐based Oscars and British‐basedBAFTAs sinceBAFTA's inception of this category in 1968. For both awards, the exclusive assessment criterion is the quality of artists’ performance in the international arena. Results show thatUSartists won a greater proportion of Oscars thanBAFTAs (odds ratio: 2.10), whereas British artists won a greater proportion ofBAFTAs than Oscars (OR: 2.26). Furthermore, results support the hypothesis that these patterns are more pronounced as the diagnostic value of a quality indicator increases – that is, in the conferring of actual awards rather than nominations. Specifically,USartists won a greater proportion of Oscar awards than nominations (OR: 1.77), while British artists won a greater proportion ofBAFTAawards than nominations (OR: 1.62). Additional analyses show that the performances of in‐group actors in movies portraying in‐group culture (USculture in the case of Oscars, British culture in the case ofBAFTAs) are more likely to be recognized than the performances of in‐group actors in movies portraying the culture of other (out‐)groups. These are the first data to provide clear evidence from the field that the recognition of exceptional creative performance is enhanced by shared social identity between perceivers and performers.
Immune‐complex level of cofilin‐1 in sera is associated with cancer progression and poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Satoh Mamoru , Takano Shigetsugu , Sogawa Kazuyuki , Noda Kenta , Yoshitomi Hideyuki , Ishibashi Masumi , Mogushi Kaoru , Takizawa Hirotaka , Otsuka Masayuki , Shimizu Hiroaki , Miyazaki Masaru , Nomura Fumio
Published: February 2017

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignancies. To improve its outcome, reliable biomarkers are urgently needed. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the key molecules involved in PDAC progression using proteomics approaches. First, we undertook 2‐D electrophoresis to identify the proteins overexpressed in PDAC tissues. Following the analysis of agarose gel spots, cofilin‐1 was identified and verified as a candidate protein commonly upregulated in PDAC tissues. In immunohistochemistry, cofilin‐1 was strongly expressed in the cytoplasm of PDAC cells. Samples were divided into two groups based on the level of cofilin‐1 expression. The high expression group showed significantly higher incidence of hematogenous dissemination in relapsed patients than the low expression group (P = 0.0083). In in vitro experiments, knockdown of cofilin‐1 significantly decreased chemotaxis in PDAC cell lines. After we confirmed that cofilin‐1 was secreted from PDAC cells, we established a detection system for the immune‐complex of cofilin‐1 in sera. Using this system, we measured the IC levels of cofilin‐1 in sera and observed that the IC levels of cofilin‐1 in PDAC patients were higher than those in healthy volunteers and patients with pancreatitis (PDAC vs. healthy volunteers, P < 0.0001; PDAC vs. patients with pancreatitis, P < 0.026). Notably, the IC levels of cofilin‐1 showed a stepwise increase during PDAC progression (P = 0.0034), and high IC levels of cofilin‐1 indicated poor prognosis of patients after surgery (P = 0.039). These results suggest that the IC of cofilin‐1 in sera is a potentially attractive serum biomarker for the prognosis of PDAC.
DEPDC5 mutations in familial and sporadic focal epilepsy
Authors: Tsai M.‐H. , Chan C.‐K. , Chang Y.‐C. , Yu Y.‐T. , Chuang S.‐T. , Fan W.‐L. , Li S.‐C. , Fu T.‐Y. , Chang W.‐N. , Liou C.‐W. , Chuang Y.‐C. , Ng C.‐C. , Hwang D.‐Y. , Lim K.‐S.
Published: February 2017

Background and Aims

Mutations in the disheveled, Egl‐10 and pleckstrin domain‐containing protein 5 (DEPDC5) gene have emerged as an important cause of various familial focal epilepsy syndromes. However, the significance of DEPDC5 mutations in patients with sporadic focal epilepsy has yet to be characterized.

Materials and Methods

We studied a kindred of familial focal epilepsy with variable foci using whole‐exome sequencing. We subsequently studied a cohort of 293 patients with focal epilepsy and sequenced all exons of DEPDC5 using targeted resequencing.

Results

We reported a Taiwanese family with a novel splice site mutation which affected mRNA splicing and activated the downstream mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Among patients with focal epilepsies, the majority (220/293) of these patients had sporadic focal epilepsy without malformation of cortical development. Two (0.9%) of these patients had probably pathogenic mutations in the
DEPDC5 gene.

Discussion and Conclusions

Our finding suggests that DEPDC5 is not only the most common gene for familial focal epilepsy but also could be a significant gene for sporadic focal epilepsy. Since focal epilepsies account for more than 60% of all epilepsies, the effect of mTORC1 inhibitor on patients with focal epilepsy due to DEPDC5 mutations will be an important future direction of research.
Competition and facilitation may lead to asymmetric range shift dynamics with climate change
Authors: Ettinger Ailene , HilleRisLambers Janneke
Published: February 2017

Forecasts of widespread range shifts with climate change stem from assumptions that climate drives species' distributions. However, local adaptation and biotic interactions also influence range limits and thus may impact range shifts. Despite the potential importance of these factors, few studies have directly tested their effects on performance at range limits. We address how population‐level variation and biotic interactions may affect range shifts by transplanting seeds and seedlings of western North American conifers of different origin populations into different competitive neighborhoods within and beyond their elevational ranges and monitoring their performance. We find evidence that competition with neighboring trees limits performance within current ranges, but that interactions between adults and juveniles switch from competitive to facilitative at upper range limits. Local adaptation had weaker effects on performance that did not predictably vary with range position or seed origin. Our findings suggest that competitive interactions may slow species turnover within forests at lower range limits, whereas facilitative interactions may accelerate the pace of tree expansions upward near timberline.
The ‘Mixed’ Constituent Legitimacy of the European Federation
Authors: Niesen Peter
Published: February 2017

Constitutional lawyers and political scientists have described the European Union as a federation of states (fédération, Bund). They deny that federations generate a new union‐wide constituent authority besides the pouvoirs constituants of the member states. Habermas argues that federative constituent power lies with individuals in their dual roles as citizens of the several states and as citizens of the Union. I argue that from the perspective of democratic theory, this view is methodologically superior to other ‘dualist’ views of federative constituent power (J. Cohen), but go on to criticize it in two respects. It gives insufficient justification for the persistence of domestic pouvoirs constituants, and it reifies their defensive function.
Manipulating field margins to increase predation intensity in fields of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Mansion‐Vaquié A. , Ferrante M. , Cook S. M. , Pell J. K. , Lövei G. L.
Published: February 2017

The effectiveness of natural enemies to control pests can be enhanced through habitat manipulation. However, due to the differences in their ecology, generalist and specialist species may respond differently to the same manipulation. Moreover, interactions among natural enemies (i.e. cannibalism, intraguild predation, hyperparasitism) may complicate the assumption that a higher density of natural enemies would increase the level of biological control. We investigated the natural enemy guild composition and the predation rate along flower vs. grass margins at the edge of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) fields in Denmark. Natural enemies were sampled by pitfall trapping and by suction sampling; predation intensity was measured using two different sentinel prey methods: artificial caterpillars made of plasticine, and sentinel aphid colonies. Specialist and generalist species responded differently to the two margin types: specialists (mostly parasitic wasps) were attracted by the flower margins, while generalists (ground beetles, rove beetles and spiders) were more active in grass margins. The number of artificial caterpillars attacked was significantly greater in grass margins (mean = 48.9%, SD = 24.3) than in flower margins (mean = 30.7%, SD = 17.4). We found a significant positive relationship between the number of artificial caterpillars attacked by chewing insects, and activity density for large (≥15 mm) ground beetles. Predation of sentinel aphids in wheat fields did not vary significantly in relation to margin type. Our results suggest that flowering margins may be beneficial for canopy‐active specialist natural enemies, but grassy margins are more useful for ground‐active generalist predators.
Using data mining to predict success in a weight loss trial
Authors: Batterham M. , Tapsell L. , Charlton K. , O'Shea J. , Thorne R.
Published: February 2017

Background

Traditional methods for predicting weight loss success use regression approaches, which make the assumption that the relationships between the independent and dependent (or logit of the dependent) variable are linear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between common demographic and early weight loss variables to predict weight loss success at 12 months without making this assumption.

Methods

Data mining methods (decision trees, generalised additive models and multivariate adaptive regression splines), in addition to logistic regression, were employed to predict: (i) weight loss success (defined as ≥5%) at the end of a 12‐month dietary intervention using demographic variables [body mass index (BMI), sex and age]; percentage weight loss at 1 month; and (iii) the difference between actual and predicted weight loss using an energy balance model. The methods were compared by assessing model parsimony and the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

The decision tree provided the most clinically useful model and had a good accuracy (AUC 0.720 95% confidence interval = 0.600–0.840). Percentage weight loss at 1 month (≥0.75%) was the strongest predictor for successful weight loss. Within those individuals losing ≥0.75%, individuals with a BMI (≥27 kg m–2) were more likely to be successful than those with a BMI between 25 and 27 kg m–2.

Conclusions

Data mining methods can provide a more accurate way of assessing relationships when conventional assumptions are not met. In the present study, a decision tree provided the most parsimonious model. Given that early weight loss cannot be predicted before randomisation, incorporating this information into a post randomisation trial design may give better weight loss results.