bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Body image dissatisfaction, physical activity and screen-time in Spanish adolescents
Authors: Añez Elizabeth , Fornieles-Deu Albert , Fauquet-Ars Jordi , López-Guimerà Gemma , Puntí-Vidal Joaquim , Sánchez-Carracedo David
Published: August 2016

This cross-sectional study contributes to the literature on whether body dissatisfaction is a barrier/facilitator to engaging in physical activity and to investigate the impact of mass-media messages via computer-time on body dissatisfaction. High-school students ( N = 1501) reported their physical activity, computer-time (homework/leisure) and body dissatisfaction. Researchers measured students’ weight and height. Analyses revealed that body dissatisfaction was negatively associated with physical activity on both genders, whereas computer-time was associated only with girls’ body dissatisfaction. Specifically, as computer-homework increased, body dissatisfaction decreased; as computer-leisure increased, body dissatisfaction increased. Weight-related interventions should improve body image and physical activity simultaneously, while critical consumption of mass-media interventions should include a computer component.
A Comparison of the Regional Circulation in the Feet between Dialysis and Non-Dialysis Patients using Indocyanine Green Angiography
Authors: Nishizawa M. , Igari K. , Kudo T. , Toyofuku T. , Inoue Y. , Uetake H.
Published: August 2016

Background and Aims:

Peripheral artery disease in dialysis cases is more prone to critical limb ischemia compared to non-dialysis cases, with a significantly high rate of major amputation of the lower limbs. Lesions are distributed on the more distal side in dialysis critical limb ischemia cases. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of indocyanine green angiography to determine differences in the regional circulation in the foot between dialysis and non-dialysis patients.

Materials and Methods:

The subjects included 62 cases, among which 20 were dialysis patients and 42 were non-dialysis patients. We compared the indocyanine green angiography parameters for regions of interest in the dialysis and non-dialysis groups, which included the magnitude of intensity from indocyanine green onset to maximum intensity (Imax), the time from indocyanine green onset to maximum intensity (Tmax), the time elapsed from the fluorescence onset to half the maximum intensity (T1/2), and the time from maximum intensity to declining to 90% of the maximum intensity (Td90%). These indocyanine green angiography parameters were measured at region of interest 1 (the Chopart joint), region of interest 2 (the Lisfranc joint), and region of interest 3 (the distal region of the first metatarsal bone).

Results:

In the comparison between the dialysis and non-dialysis groups, a significant difference was observed regarding Tmax, T1/2, and Td90%, especially in region of interest 3.

Conclusion:

In this study, we show that regional tissue perfusion is more deteriorated in dialysis patients compared with non-dialysis patients using indocyanine green angiography. Tmax, T1/2, and Td90% could be useful clinical parameters to compare ischemic severity of the lower limb between dialysis and non-dialysis patients.
Coefficients of thermal expansion of carbon nanotube-reinforced polyimide nanocomposites: A micromechanical analysis
Authors: Ansari R , Hassanzadeh-Aghdam MK , Darvizeh A
Published: August 2016

In this work, a unit cell-based micromechanical model with a proper representative volume element is proposed to evaluate the coefficients of thermal expansion of carbon nanotube-reinforced polyimide nanocomposites. The model takes an interphase between carbon nanotube and polyimide matrix into account which characterizes the non-bonded van der Waals interaction between two phases. The effects of some important parameters on the coefficients of thermal expansion such as thickness and adhesion exponent of interphase, temperature deviation as well as volume fraction, diameter and waviness of carbon nanotubes are investigated in detail. It is found that the interphase plays a critical role in determining the coefficients of thermal expansion and should be incorporated into the modeling of nanocomposite. According to the obtained results, there exists a specific value for carbon nanotube diameter beyond which further increasing in carbon nanotube diameter does not affect the coefficients of thermal expansion of nanocomposite. Also, the results reveal that the carbon nanotube waviness has a significant influence on the coefficients of thermal expansion of the nanocomposite. The results of the present model are compared with those of finite element method and a very good agreement is pointed out.
Talking about change – Positioning and interpretative repertoires in stories about substance abuse and change
Authors: Selseng Lillian Bruland , Ulvik Oddbjørg Skjær
Published: August 2016

Understandings of as well as negotiations about change are constantly present in social work practice and in many instances these are decisive for how social work is formed. Employing discourse theories, this article analyses interpretative repertoires used by social workers in describing how they experience change and absence of change among clients having substance abuse problems, and how they position themselves accordingly. Examination of data drawn from interviews with counsellors working for the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration reveal three distinct subject positions in their discursive constructions of change and absence of change. These include (a) ‘the position of despair’, (b) ‘the position of limited professional responsibility’ and (c) ‘the position of resistance’ – each with its own distinctive set of interpretative repertoires. The article relates these to the complexities and varieties of constructions and understandings of change involved in working with substance abusing clients, where the counsellors’ experiences of success and of responsibility have central roles. In addition, the article shows that the institutional context is often significant for how change is constructed and understood by the counsellors.
Do strategic groups explain differences in multimarket competition spillovers?
Authors: Gómez Jaime , Orcos Raquel , Palomas Sergio
Published: August 2016

Multimarket competition theory states that if two firms coincide in multiple markets, the level of rivalry between them changes, which, in turn, affects their performance. This article extends this perspective in two ways. We first propose that multimarket competition affects not only the rivalry levels of multimarket rivals but also the rivalry experienced by the other firms present in the markets in which these multimarket rivals operate. We refer to these indirect effects as multimarket competition spillovers, and we propose that they affect firm performance. Second, we conjecture that multimarket competition spillovers are more intense when the firm that creates the spillover and the one that receives it belong to the same strategic group. Our analyses of the Spanish retail banking sector show that the performance of firms is significantly affected by the multimarket competition spillovers of rivals that belong to the same strategic group.
Performance anxiety in academia: Tensions within research assessment exercises in an age of austerity
Authors: Holland Charlotte , Lorenzi Francesca , Hall Tony
Published: August 2016

The current recessionary economic climate in Ireland has (re-) awakened a neoliberal agenda that is changing the dynamic of what is being valued within research assessment exercises, specifically across Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) disciplines in higher education. Research assessment exercises in AHSS disciplines now place a greater emphasis on measuring performance in terms of quantitative research metrics (such as: bibliometrics, impact factors and/ or citation indices), in an attempt to demonstrate greater accountability and value-for-money within this age of austerity. This practice has the potential to impact negatively on the quality and diversity of research, as well as on the independence and autonomy of those undertaking AHSS research in Ireland and elsewhere. This article critically reviews research assessment exercises, with particular reference to the assessment of educational research in Ireland. It examines issues in the assessment of research within the neoliberal agenda that is evident in Ireland, and elsewhere. For example, in other jurisdictions, the neoliberal drive for accountability has been accompanied by an increase in ‘citation clubs’, a malpractice involving a group of researchers consistently citing each other’s work to increase their citation index. It also challenges the validity of utilising predominantly quantitative research metrics in light of the recent move towards the online publication of research, where the manipulation of meta-data (key words that describe the research) has the potential to unfairly increase the citation indices of those researchers with a better understanding of search optimisation techniques within online contexts. The discussion concludes by summarising some of the emerging and emergent anxieties in relation to assessing research performance within assessment exercises.
A Competency-Based Framework for Health Education Specialists—2015
Authors: Shelton Melissa E.
Published: August 2016

A Competency-Based Framework for Health Education Specialists—2015 is a new publication by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Inc., and the Society for Public Health Education, Inc. This new publication is a vital resource to identify and describe the latest Responsibilities, Competencies, and Subcompetencies that are important to contemporary health education/promotion practice. The book describes the methods and results of the updated psychometric study of the Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis project. The study results have implications for professional preparation, credentialing, and professional development of health education specialists. The Seven Areas of Responsibility contain a comprehensive set of Competencies and Subcompetencies defining the role of the health education specialist and serve as the basis of the Certified Health Education Specialist and Master Certified Health Education Specialist exams.
Tibiopedal Access for Crossing of Infrainguinal Artery Occlusions
Authors: Walker Craig M. , Mustapha Jihad , Zeller Thomas , Schmidt Andrej , Montero-Baker Miguel , Nanjundappa Aravinda , Manzi Marco , Palena Luis Mariano , Bernardo Nelson , Khatib Yazan , Beasley Robert , Leon Luis , Saab Fadi A. , Shields Adam R. , Adams George L.
Published: August 2016

Purpose: To report a prospective, multicenter, observational study ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01609621) of the safety and effectiveness of tibiopedal access and retrograde crossing in the treatment of infrainguinal chronic total occlusions (CTOs). Methods: Twelve sites around the world prospectively enrolled 197 patients (mean age 71±11 years, range 41-93; 129 men) from May 2012 to July 2013 who met the inclusion criterion of at least one CTO for which a retrograde crossing procedure was planned or became necessary. The population consisted of 64 (32.5%) claudicants (Rutherford categories 2/3) and 133 (67.5%) patients with critical limb ischemia (Rutherford category ≥4). A primary antegrade attempt to cross had been made prior to the tibiopedal attempt in 132 (67.0%) cases. Techniques used for access, retrograde lesion crossing, and treatment were at the operator’s discretion. Follow-up data were obtained 30 days after the procedure. Results: Technical tibiopedal access success was achieved in 184 (93.4%) of 197 patients and technical occlusion crossing success in 157 (85.3%) of the 184 successful tibial accesses. Failed access attempts were more common in women (9 of 13 failures). The rate of successful crossing was roughly equivalent between sexes [84.7% (50/59) women compared to 85.6% (107/125) men]. Technical success did not differ significantly based on a prior failed antegrade attempt: the access success rate was 92.4% (122/132) after a failed antegrade access vs 95.4% (62/65) in those with a primary tibiopedal attempt (p=0.55). Similarly, crossing success was achieved in 82.8% (101/122) after a failed antegrade access vs 90.3% (56/62) for patients with no prior antegrade attempt (p=0.19). Minor complications related to the access site occurred in 11 (5.6%) cases; no patient had access vessel thrombosis, compartment syndrome, or surgical revascularization. Conclusion: Tibiopedal access appears to be safe and can be used effectively for the crossing of infrainguinal lesions in patients with severe lower limb ischemia.
Comparison of Transradial vs Transfemoral Access for Aortoiliac and Femoropopliteal Interventions
Authors: Roy Andrew K. , Garot Phillipe , Louvard Yves , Neylon Antoinette , Spaziano Marco , Sawaya Fadi J. , Fernandez Leticia , Roux Yann , Blanc Raphael , Piotin Michel , Champagne Stephane , Tavolaro Oscar , Benamer Hakim , Hovasse Thomas , Chevalier Bernard , Lefèvre Thierry , Unterseeh Thierry
Published: August 2016

Purpose: To compare the procedure and safety outcomes of the transradial approach (TRA) with the femoral approach (FA) for treating aortoiliac and femoropopliteal stenoses and occlusions. Methods: A single-center retrospective study was conducted involving 188 patients (mean age 66.4±10.8 years; 116 men) with lower limb claudication or critical limb ischemia who underwent aortoiliac (131, 62.4%) or femoropopliteal (79, 37.6%) interventions on 210 lesions over a 3-year period. Operator discretion determined TRA suitability; exclusions included Raynaud’s disease, upper limb occlusive disease, previous TRA difficulties, or planned hemodialysis. Lesion characteristics, clinical endpoints, and access site complications were compared. Results: FA was used primarily in 123 patients and the TRA (12 left and 53 right radial arteries) in 65 procedures. Eleven (16.9%) TRAs failed vs 9 (7.3%) FAs (p=0.42). Crossover to FA was due to occlusive lesions requiring alternative equipment in 9 cases and to tortuosity of the aortic arch vessels in 2 patients. The 134 FA interventions (balloon angioplasty, stents) were retrograde (112, 83.6%) or antegrade (22, 16.4%). There were significantly more TASC C/D lesions in the FA group (p=0.02). Sheath sizes (5-F to 8-F) did not differ between groups, and no significant differences were found between FA vs TRA in terms of procedure time (50.0±28.9 vs 46.8±25.1 minutes, p=0.50) or length of stay (2.2±0.6 vs 2.1±0.3 days, p=0.24). While there were no strokes, access site complications occurred in 6.0% of the FA patients vs 3.7% of the TRA patients (p=0.12). Conclusion: The transradial approach for aortoiliac and femoropopliteal interventions is safe and efficacious compared with the transfemoral approach for a range of lesion subtypes. Nevertheless, there remains a need for improvements in peripheral device and catheter technology to decrease transradial failure rates.
Characterization of structure and physical properties of centrifugal glass fiber felts and preparation technology
Authors: Yang Yong , Chen Zhaofeng , Li Binbin , Sha Lili , Chen Zhou , Wu Cao , Li Yanming
Published: August 2016

In this paper, glass fiber felts are fabricated by centrifugal-spinneret-blow process. Swing cylinder is designed to obtain a micro-layer structure, and the phase difference of two swing cylinders is π/2 + 2kπ. Tensile strength, flexural rigidity, and thermal conductivity of various glass fiber felts are investigated. The experimental results indicate that the tensile strength of micro-layer glass fiber felts and random glass fiber felts is 0.015 MPa and 0.013 MPa, respectively. In addition, the tensile strength of glass fiber felts is also improved with the increase of the density and the resin content of glass fiber felts. The micro-layer structure decreases the flexural rigidity of glass fiber felts, and the flexural rigidity of glass fiber felts with micro-layer and random structures is 43.4 g.cm and 101.3 g.cm, respectively. The mean thermal conductivity of glass fiber felts with micro-layer and random structures is 31.57 mW/m·k and 35.69 mW/m·k, respectively.
Fabrication of antistatic fibers with core/sheath and segmented-pie configurations
Authors: Hu Che-Chia , Chang Sheng-Shan , Liang Nai-Yun
Published: August 2016

Artificial antistatic fibers due to their low cost as well as providing desirable properties based on their constitutive components, have attracted considerable interests. In the present study, bicomponent antistatic fibers with various cross-sectional configurations (i.e. core/sheath and segmented-pie structures) were produced using the mixture of carbon black/dispersing agent/PBT and polyethylene terephthalate. To investigate their practical application, woven fabrics were produced and then examined upon their antistatic characteristics as well their thermal properties, wash durability and breaking strength and elongation. Moreover, the effect of dispersing agent during fiber spinning was examined. Among the produced fibers with different structural configuration, it was concluded that the core/sheath antistatic fibers exhibited higher breaking strength and elongation, as well as lower electrical resistivity. Rheological investigations based on the pressure tests indicated that the homogeneous distribution of the fillers (e.g. carbon black) within the polyester pellets is required for manufacturing the uniform fibers. Moreover, it was determined that surface resistivity of the fabrics could be kept unchangeable even after 20 times of washing, revealing their reliable wash durability. Finally, it was found out that the mixture of carbon black/dispersing agent/PBT provides such desirable conductivity; also, the fabrics comprised of fibers with core/sheath configuration could be a good candidate for antistatic applications within the textile industry.
Meta-survey on medium access control surveys in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Arain Waseem M , Ghani Sayeed
Published: August 2016

Medium access control layer has been the hotbed of research in the field of wireless sensor networks since huge amount of research in wireless sensor networks has focused on saving energy and lately reducing latency. For the most part, medium access control layer solutions in wireless sensor networks are entrusted to save energy, to reduce latency, and at times to ensure reliability perhaps through cross-layer solutions. In this article, we review the surveys at medium access control layer and point to readers some of their strengths and relevancies to medium access control layer protocols. Furthermore, we classify the surveys subject-wise to show trend and usability. To cross compare, we devise a unified lexicon for the purpose and expose the coverage given to the wireless sensor networks’ medium access control protocols by different studies. We present medium access control solutions’ popularity on a known but hitherto unused metric: average citations/year from over 200 medium access control solutions. Our approach to assess the impact factor of protocols for ranking is validated prima facie from the coverage of these solutions by top ranking surveys. We believe it is the widest of such a study involving more than 30 survey papers and over 200 wireless sensor network medium access control protocols.
Mobility-assisted big data collecting in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Zhu Jinghua , Yin Xuming , Bai Jingsi , Wang Yake
Published: August 2016

In recent years, the big data emerged as a hot topic because of the rapid growth of the information and wireless communication technology. One of the significant sources of the big data is wireless sensor networks. Due to the power limitation of sensor nodes, energy-efficient big data collecting is a challenging task in wireless sensor networks. Being considered as an effective solution to address this challenge is to utilize sink’s mobility to assist data collecting. Although this method can reduce the volume of data transfer between sensor nodes and thus save energy consumption of nodes, the low speed of mobile sink hinders its use in data-intensive sensing applications with time constraint. In this article, we propose a four-phase mobility-assisted data collecting protocol consisting of network clustering, routes planning, routes combination, and data collecting. Two heuristic routes planning algorithms are presented to build a set of trajectories which satisfy the deadline constraint and have the minimum overall movement cost. Numeric results show that our approaches have better performance in terms of energy saving, latency, and movement cost.
Development of a sensor for corona current measurement under high-voltage direct-current transmission lines
Authors: Xin Encheng , Yuan Haiwen
Published: August 2016

A sensor-based distributed measurement system is designed for collecting and monitoring the corona current under the extremely high-voltage direct-current transmission lines. It is highly significant for researching the corona characteristics of extremely high-voltage direct-current transmission lines to reduce the corona effect, operating loss, and environmental impact. A new shared memory strategy has been studied based on field-programmable gate array and ARM. Based on field-programmable gate array technology, the fiber-optic transmission scheme for wide-frequency corona current high-speed signal has been set up to ensure the safety and the reliability of corona current measurement system. The proposed system has been used in China’s state grid high-voltage direct-current test base and the in situ power transmission projects. Based on the experimental results, the proposed measurement system demonstrates that it can adapt to the complex electromagnetic environment under the transmission lines and can accomplish the accurate, flexible, and stable demands of the electric-field measurement.
Efficient distributed storage strategy based on compressed sensing for space information network
Authors: Kong Bo , Zhang Gengxin , Zhang Wei , Bian Dongming , Xie Zhidong
Published: August 2016

This article investigates the distributed data storage problem with compressed sensing in the space information network. Since there exists a performance-energy trade-off, most existing strategies focus only on improving the compressed sensing construction performance or reducing the energy consumption, respectively. In order to achieve a better balance, a novel and efficient strategy, referred to as distributed storage strategy based on compressed sensing, is proposed in this article. Unlike other strategies which require source packets visiting the entire network, the proposed strategy is a “one-hop” method since information exchange is only performed between neighbors. Therefore, the compressed sensing measurement matrix depends heavily on the degree of each space node. We prove that the proposed strategy guarantees the compressed sensing reconstruction performance under both sparse orthonormal basis and dense orthonormal basis. Simulation results validate that, compared with the representative CStorage strategy and compressive data persistence strategy, the proposed strategy consumes the least energy and computational overheads, while almost without sacrificing the compressed sensing reconstruction performance.
Short-term traffic flow prediction model using particle swarm optimization–based combined kernel function-least squares support vector machine combined with chaos theory
Authors: Shang Qiang , Lin Ciyun , Yang Zhaosheng , Bing Qichun , Zhou Xiyang
Published: August 2016

Short-term traffic flow prediction is an important part of intelligent transportation systems research and applications. For further improving the accuracy of short-time traffic flow prediction, a novel hybrid prediction model (multivariate phase space reconstruction–combined kernel function-least squares support vector machine) based on multivariate phase space reconstruction and combined kernel function-least squares support vector machine is proposed. The C-C method is used to determine the optimal time delay and the optimal embedding dimension of traffic variables’ (flow, speed, and occupancy) time series for phase space reconstruction. The G-P method is selected to calculate the correlation dimension of attractor which is an important index for judging chaotic characteristics of the traffic variables’ series. The optimal input form of combined kernel function-least squares support vector machine model is determined by multivariate phase space reconstruction, and the model’s parameters are optimized by particle swarm optimization algorithm. Finally, case validation is carried out using the measured data of an expressway in Xiamen, China. The experimental results suggest that the new proposed model yields better predictions compared with similar models (combined kernel function-least squares support vector machine, multivariate phase space reconstruction–generalized kernel function-least squares support vector machine, and phase space reconstruction–combined kernel function-least squares support vector machine), which indicates that the new proposed model exhibits stronger prediction ability and robustness.
Theoretical analysis and finite element method simulations on dynamic sensitivity of hemisphere-shaped electrostatic sensors
Authors: Tang Xin , Chen Zhongsheng , Li Yue , Hu Zheng , Yang Yongmin
Published: August 2016

Electrostatic sensors are key components of electrostatic monitoring systems. Their sensitivity characteristics have a direct influence on monitoring accuracy. In previous studies, spatial sensitivity, which is called static sensitivity here, was used to describe the sensitivity characteristics. However, it only reflects a basic relationship between static charged particles and induced charges on an electrostatic sensor’s probe. Besides, as a three-dimensional defined parameter, it is difficult to build a unified model if actual boundary conditions are considered. Thus, it is not quite proper for applications that detect moving particles. To solve this problem, dynamic sensitivity is proposed in this article. As for a hemisphere-shaped electrostatic sensor, first, a more accurate model of static sensitivity is built. Based on it, dynamic sensitivity is defined and modeled analytically. Then, a calibration method is proposed to improve the model’s accuracy under actual boundary conditions. In the end, finite element method simulations are done for validations. The results demonstrate that dynamic sensitivity reflects a relationship between moving charged particles and the actual output signals of a sensor, thus it is direct and practical for moving particles. And the theoretical results are highly consistent with the simulated ones. Moreover, the dynamic sensitivity indicates localized sensing characteristics of hemisphere-shaped electrostatic sensors.
Prolyl isomerase Pin1 and neurotrophins: a loop that may determine the fate of cells in cancer and neurodegeneration
Authors: Angelucci Francesco , Hort Jakub
Published: August 2016

Increased survival, differentiation, and apoptotic death are common mechanisms relevant for both cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Although these disorders are characterized by different manifestations, it appears that a common mechanism may be present which directs the fate of a cell to either degeneration or proliferation. There are two classes of proteins that have been extensively investigated in these diseases but their possible interaction during signal transduction has not been studied. Prolyl isomerase Pin1 is an enzyme which translates Ser/Thr-Pro phosphorylation into conformational changes able to modify the activities of its substrates. Its role in cancer development has been linked to its capacity to induce conformational changes to the tumor suppressor gene p53. Neurotrophins belong to a family of proteins that induce opposite effects on neuronal cells such as increased survival, development, and function. According to their function, alteration of these proteins during neurodegenerative processes has been investigated and reported in a number of experimental paradigms involving animal models and humans. However, in recent years, it has been shown that Pin1 downregulation is present in neurodegenerative disorders, while increased expression of neurotrophins and their receptors is found in certain types of cancer and correlate with poor prognosis. Notably, at the level of signal transduction, Pin1 and neurotrophin activity regulate the outcome of similar pathways such as proline-directed kinase and, most importantly, p53 signaling. Thus the possible existence of a loop between Pin1 and neurotrophins was investigated to understand the pathogenesis of these diseases.
A Multicenter Evaluation of the Performance and Usability of a Novel Glucose Monitoring System in Chinese Adults With Diabetes
Authors: Ji Linong , Guo Xiaohui , Guo Lixin , Ren Qian , Yu Nan , Zhang Jie
Published: August 2016

Objective:

Flash glucose monitoring is a new glucose sensing technique that measures interstitial glucose levels for up to 14 days and does not require any calibration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of the new system in Chinese patients with diabetes.

Methods:

A multicenter, prospective, masked study was performed in a total of 45 subjects with diabetes. Subjects wore 2 sensors at the same time, for up to 14 days. The accuracy was evaluated against capillary blood glucose (BG) and venous Yellow Springs Instrument (YSI; Yellow Springs, OH) measurements. During all 14 days, subjects were asked to perform at least 8 capillary BG tests per day. Each subject attended 3 days of 8-hour clinic sessions to measure YSI and sensor readings every 15 minutes.

Results:

Forty subjects had evaluable glucose readings, with 6687 of 6696 (99.9%) sensor and capillary BG pairs within consensus error grid zones A and B, including 5824 (87.0%) in zone A. The 6969 sensor and venous YSI pairs resulted in 6965 (99.9%) pairs within zones A and B, including 5755 (82.6%) in zone A. The sensor pairs with BG and YSI result in mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of 10.0% and 10.7%, respectively. Overall between-sensor coefficient of variation (CV) was 8.0%, and the mean lag time was 3.1 (95% confidence interval 2.54 to 4.29) minutes.

Conclusions:

The system works well for people with diabetes in China, and it is easy to wear and use.
Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation of a New Specific Point-of-Care Test for Intact Proinsulin
Authors: Pfützner Andreas , Pfützner Anke H. , Kann Peter H. , Burgard Gunther
Published: August 2016

Background:

Intact proinsulin is a biomarker for pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction. In large prospective studies in nondiabetic subjects, elevated intact proinsulin predicted development of type 2 diabetes and/or macrovascular events up to 7 years in advance. This study was performed to evaluate a new semiquantitative lateral flow-based point-of-care rapid test (POCT) for elevated intact proinsulin (cutoff: 15 pmol/L). The test requires 10 µL of capillary whole blood, with visual readout after 5 minutes. It is best applied at 2 hours after a glucose challenge or a meal.

Methods:

POCT results were obtained by health care professionals from 60 patients and healthy subject (33 female, 27 male, 28 type 2 diabetes, age: 53.6 ± 12.3 years). An additional venous blood sample was obtained from all participants for measurement of intact proinsulin by means of a quantitative ELISA reference method (TecoMedical, Sissach, Switzerland).

Results:

Elevated intact proinsulin levels (>15 pmol/L) were determined by the reference method in 26 participants, of whom 22 were also positive with the POCT (sensitivity: 85%). All 34 subjects with low intact proinsulin levels were tested negative by the POCT (specificity: 100%).

Conclusions:

The test successfully detected elevated postprandial intact proinsulin levels in 85% of the tested subjects and no false positive test result occurred. This POCT can therefore serve as a simple screening tool for identification of patients with prevalent ß-cell dysfunction, who are at high risk for development of type 2 diabetes and/or macrovascular events within the next 5-7 years.
Pulvinar sign in a case of anti-HU paraneoplastic encephalitis
Authors: Gamache Pierre-Luc , Gagnon Maude-Marie , Savard Martin , Émond François
Published: August 2016

This article reports the case of a 68-year-old patient with anti-HU antibodies paraneoplastic encephalitis. The clinical manifestations were atypical and the paraclinical work-up, notably the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing bilateral posterior thalamic hyperintensities (pulvinar sign), misleadingly pointed towards a variant Creutzfeld–Jakob disease. After presenting the case, the differential diagnosis of the pulvinar sign is discussed along with other important diagnostic considerations.
Extraction of a migrated coil from the Enterprise stent strut using a Solitaire AB stent
Authors: Ge Huijian , Jin Hengwei , Li Youxiang , Lv Xianli
Published: August 2016

A 56-year-old woman was admitted to stent-assisted coiling for a 2-mm A1 aneurysm of the left anterior cerebral artery and a left 3-mm internal carotid artery aneurysm. While coiling the A1 aneurysm, the first 2 mm × 20 mm coil migrated through the 4.5 mm × 37 mm Enterprise stent struts, lodging at the distal anterior cerebral artery. A 4 mm × 15 mm Solitaire AB stent was used successfully in this case to remove the displaced coil. The A1 aneurysm was re-treated with a 2 mm × 40 mm coil after placement of the Enterprise stent, and the ophthalmic ICA aneurysm was also coiled through the stent struts. The patient was neurologically intact after treatment.
What do interviewer intelligence ratings actually measure?
Authors: Motta Matthew P.
Published: August 2016

Political scientists interested in studying the political implications of citizens’ cognitive abilities often turn to readily available “intelligence ratings” in the American National Election Studies (ANES). These ratings are generally thought to represent respondents’ cognitive abilities, albeit imperfectly. I hypothesize that these ratings do not reflect more-objective tests of cognitive ability, and instead better capture considerations related to the political subject of the interviews and other contextual factors. In the 2012 ANES, which contained a cognitive ability test (“Wordsum”), I find that political engagement and demographic factors but not actual measurements of cognitive ability are associated with interviewer intelligence rating scores. In bivariate analyses, verbal intelligence and interviewer ratings are moderately correlated with one another, consistent with conventional wisdom. But this correlation is a spurious one, as the same is also true for political engagement, education, and household income. Further, in multivariate models, Wordsum scores were neither statistically nor substantively predictive of interviewer ratings. The results suggest that interviewer ratings are better understood as proxies for political engagement, not cognitive ability. I conclude by arguing that the growing importance of studying cognitive ability in political science makes it necessary to include more-objective verbal intelligence tests more frequently in public opinion surveys.
Algorithms and their others: Algorithmic culture in context
Authors: Dourish Paul
Published: August 2016

Algorithms, once obscure objects of technical art, have lately been subject to considerable popular and scholarly scrutiny. What does it mean to adopt the algorithm as an object of analytic attention? What is in view, and out of view, when we focus on the algorithm? Using Niklaus Wirth's 1975 formulation that “algorithms + data structures = programs” as a launching-off point, this paper examines how an algorithmic lens shapes the way in which we might inquire into contemporary digital culture.
Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy caused by prostate carcinoma
Authors: Katayama Daisuke , Kuriyama Keiko , Kinoshita Tatsuya , Nagai Keisuke , Hongyo Hidenari , Kishimoto Kentaro , Inoue Atsuo , Takamura Manabu , Choi Soomi
Published: August 2016

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a fatal malignancy-related condition that involves rapidly progressing hypoxia and pulmonary hypertension. We report a case of PTTM caused by prostate carcinoma, which was diagnosed before autopsy in an 81-year-old man. Computed tomography showed diffuse ground-glass opacities, consolidation, and small nodules in the peripheral regions of the lung. Autopsy showed adenocarcinoma cells embolizing small pulmonary arteries with fibrocellular intimal proliferation, which was consistent with PTTM caused by prostate carcinoma.
A Look at Leadership Styles and Workplace Solidarity Communication
Authors: Kelly Stephanie , MacDonald Patrick
Published: August 2016

Leadership styles that promote upward and downward communication have been shown to foster a plethora of positive outcomes within the workplace, group collaborations, and team contexts. Similarly, supervisor-subordinate solidarity communication has been related to desirable workplace outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate leadership styles as related to solidarity communication. The authoritarian leadership style was associated with the lowest solidarity and consistently yielded the least job satisfaction and highest burnout in subordinates. Furthermore, subordinates with authoritarian leaders did not fit the supervisor-subordinate solidarity model. A more nuanced explanation of leadership communication as related to solidarity is discussed.
Magnesium/Calcium Ratio in Serum Predicts Periodontitis and Tooth Loss in a 5-Year Follow-up
Authors: Meisel P. , Pink C. , Nauck M. , Jablonowski L. , Voelzke H. , Kocher T.
Published: August 2016

In the cross-sectional Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-0), subjects with an adequate magnesium supply had a lower risk of periodontal disease and more teeth than those with low magnesium levels. The authors analyzed 5-y follow-up data (SHIP-1) to determine whether the baseline magnesium levels had a long-term effect on attachment level and number of teeth lost. Of the participants examined dentally in the baseline study, 3,300 (75%) were examined for progression or recession of periodontal attachment level after 5 y. For 2,432 subjects, the authors related the outcome variables of periodontal attachment level and tooth loss to baseline characteristics, especially serum magnesium and calcium concentrations, as well as systemic markers of inflammation. The progression of periodontitis was associated with the magnesium/calcium (Mg/Ca) ratio at baseline in a dose-dependent manner. Progression of mean attachment loss was prevented in the upper quartile of the Mg/Ca ratio ( P < 0.001) with antagonistic effects of magnesium and calcium irrespective of inflammatory state. With respect to tooth loss, Mg/Ca exerted dimorphic effects. In inflammatory states as indicated by high C-reactive protein (>3 mg/L), tooth loss was prevented in subjects with high Mg/Ca ratio (incidence rate ratio = 0.60, 95% confidence interval: 0.45 to 0.80, P = 0.001), but the contrary was observed in subjects with low C-reactive protein levels (incidence rate ratio = 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 0.97 to 1.34, NS). Similar results were observed with stratifying the regression on tooth loss by interleukin 6 or fibrinogen threshold. An adequate magnesium serum level and Mg/Ca balance may prevent progression of attachment level and tooth loss, especially in inflammatory states.

Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study present evidence that an adequate magnesium supply may be important in the prevention of periodontal diseases and future tooth loss. A diet high in magnesium could improve periodontal health, notwithstanding its beneficial effects on systemic disease. In populations with a high prevalence of hypomagnesemia, additional intake of supplements is advisable.
How I treat essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Rumi Elisa , Cazzola Mario
Published: August 2016

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is an indolent myeloproliferative neoplasm that may be complicated by vascular events, including both thrombosis and bleeding. This disorder may also transform into more aggressive myeloid neoplasms, in particular into myelofibrosis. The identification of somatic mutations of JAK2, CALR, or MPL, found in about 90% of patients, has considerably improved the diagnostic approach to this disorder. Genomic profiling also holds the potential to improve prognostication and, more generally, clinical decision-making because the different driver mutations are associated with distinct clinical features. Prevention of vascular events has been so far the main objective of therapy, and continues to be extremely important in the management of patients with ET. Low-dose aspirin and cytoreductive drugs can be administered to this purpose, with cytoreductive treatment being primarily given to patients at high risk of vascular complications. Currently used cytoreductive drugs include hydroxyurea, mainly used in older patients, and interferon α, primarily given to younger patients. There is a need for disease-modifying drugs that can eradicate clonal hematopoiesis and/or prevent progression to more aggressive myeloid neoplasms, especially in younger patients. In this article, we use a case-based discussion format to illustrate our approach to diagnosis and treatment of ET.
An ensemble framework for identifying essential proteins
Authors: Zhang Xue , Xiao Wangxin , Acencio Marcio Luis , Lemke Ney , Wang Xujing
Published: August 2016

Background

Many centrality measures have been proposed to mine and characterize the correlations between network topological properties and protein essentiality. However, most of them show limited prediction accuracy, and the number of common predicted essential proteins by different methods is very small.

Results

In this paper, an ensemble framework is proposed which integrates gene expression data and protein-protein interaction networks (PINs). It aims to improve the prediction accuracy of basic centrality measures. The idea behind this ensemble framework is that different protein-protein interactions (PPIs) may show different contributions to protein essentiality. Five standard centrality measures (degree centrality, betweenness centrality, closeness centrality, eigenvector centrality, and subgraph centrality) are integrated into the ensemble framework respectively. We evaluated the performance of the proposed ensemble framework using yeast PINs and gene expression data. The results show that it can considerably improve the prediction accuracy of the five centrality measures individually. It can also remarkably increase the number of common predicted essential proteins among those predicted by each centrality measure individually and enable each centrality measure to find more low-degree essential proteins.

Conclusions

This paper demonstrates that it is valuable to differentiate the contributions of different PPIs for identifying essential proteins based on network topological characteristics. The proposed ensemble framework is a successful paradigm to this end.
Principles and Practices Fostering Inclusive Excellence: Lessons from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Capstone Institutions
Authors: DiBartolo Patricia Marten , Gregg-Jolly Leslie , Gross Deborah , Manduca Cathryn A. , Iverson Ellen , Cooke David B. , Davis Gregory K. , Davidson Cameron , Hertz Paul E. , Hibbard Lisa , Ireland Shubha K. , Mader Catherine , Pai Aditi , Raps Shirley , Siwicki Kathleen , Swartz Jim E.
Published: August 2016

Best-practices pedagogy in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) aims for inclusive excellence that fosters student persistence. This paper describes principles of inclusivity across 11 primarily undergraduate institutions designated as Capstone Awardees in Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s (HHMI) 2012 competition. The Capstones represent a range of institutional missions, student profiles, and geographical locations. Each successfully directed activities toward persistence of STEM students, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups, through a set of common elements: mentoring programs to build community; research experiences to strengthen scientific skill/identity; attention to quantitative skills; and outreach/bridge programs to broaden the student pool. This paper grounds these program elements in learning theory, emphasizing their essential principles with examples of how they were implemented within institutional contexts. We also describe common assessment approaches that in many cases informed programming and created traction for stakeholder buy-in. The lessons learned from our shared experiences in pursuit of inclusive excellence, including the resources housed on our companion website, can inform others’ efforts to increase access to and persistence in STEM in higher education.
Psychosocial Pathways to STEM Engagement among Graduate Students in the Life Sciences
Authors: Clark Sheri L. , Dyar Christina , Maung Nina , London Bonita
Published: August 2016

Despite growing diversity among life sciences professionals, members of historically underrepresented groups (e.g., women) continue to encounter barriers to academic and career advancement, such as subtle messages and stereotypes that signal low value for women, and fewer opportunities for quality mentoring relationships. These barriers reinforce the stereotype that women’s gender is incompatible with their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field, and can interfere with their sense of belonging and self-efficacy within STEM. The present work expands this literature in two ways, by 1) focusing on a distinct period in women’s careers that has been relatively understudied, but represents a critical period when career decisions are made, that is, graduate school; and 2) highlighting the buffering effect of one critical mechanism against barriers to STEM persistence, that is, perceived support from advisors. Results of the present study show that perceived support from one’s advisor may promote STEM engagement among women by predicting greater gender–STEM identity compatibility, which in turn predicts greater STEM importance among women (but not men). STEM importance further predicts higher sense of belonging in STEM for both men and women and increased STEM self-efficacy for women. Finally, we describe the implications of this work for educational policy.
Offset-continuation stacking: Theory and proof of concept
Authors: Coimbra Tiago A. , Novais Amélia , Schleicher Jörg
Published: August 2016

The offset-continuation operation (OCO) is a seismic configuration transform designed to simulate a seismic section, as if obtained with a certain source-receiver offset using the data measured with another offset. Based on this operation, we have introduced the OCO stack, which is a multiparameter stacking technique that transforms 2D/2.5D prestack multicoverage data into a stacked common-offset (CO) section. Similarly to common-midpoint and common-reflection-surface stacks, the OCO stack does not rely on an a priori velocity model but provided velocity information itself. Because OCO is dependent on the velocity model used in the process, the method can be combined with trial-stacking techniques for a set of models, thus allowing for the extraction of velocity information. The algorithm consists of data stacking along so-called OCO trajectories, which approximate the common-reflection-point trajectory, i.e., the position of a reflection event in the multicoverage data as a function of source-receiver offset in dependence on the medium velocity and the local event slope. These trajectories are the ray-theoretical solutions to the OCO image-wave equation, which describes the continuous transformation of a CO reflection event from one offset to another. Stacking along trial OCO trajectories for different values of average velocity and local event slope allows us to determine horizon-based optimal parameter pairs and a final stacked section at arbitrary offset. Synthetic examples demonstrate that the OCO stack works as predicted, almost completely removing random noise added to the data and successfully recovering the reflection events.