bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjusting for Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis
Authors: McShane Blakeley B. , Böckenholt Ulf , Hansen Karsten T.
Published: September 2016

We review and evaluate selection methods, a prominent class of techniques first proposed by Hedges (1984) that assess and adjust for publication bias in meta-analysis, via an extensive simulation study. Our simulation covers both restrictive settings as well as more realistic settings and proceeds across multiple metrics that assess different aspects of model performance. This evaluation is timely in light of two recently proposed approaches, the so-called p-curve and p-uniform approaches, that can be viewed as alternative implementations of the original Hedges selection method approach. We find that the p-curve and p-uniform approaches perform reasonably well but not as well as the original Hedges approach in the restrictive setting for which all three were designed. We also find they perform poorly in more realistic settings, whereas variants of the Hedges approach perform well. We conclude by urging caution in the application of selection methods: Given the idealistic model assumptions underlying selection methods and the sensitivity of population average effect size estimates to them, we advocate that selection methods should be used less for obtaining a single estimate that purports to adjust for publication bias ex post and more for sensitivity analysis—that is, exploring the range of estimates that result from assuming different forms of and severity of publication bias.
‘I Am Not a Conspiracy Theorist’: Relational Identifications in the Dutch Conspiracy Milieu
Authors: Harambam Jaron , Aupers Stef
Published: September 2016

Despite their popularity and normalization, the public image of conspiracy theory remains morally tainted. Academics contribute by conceiving of conspiracy theorists as a coherent collective: internal variety is sacrificed for a clear external demarcation. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in the Netherlands, we explore variation in the conspiracy milieu through people’s own self-understanding. More particularly, we study how these people identify with and distinguish themselves from others. The analysis shows that they actively resist their stigmatization as ‘conspiracy theorists’ by distinguishing themselves from the mainstream as ‘critical freethinkers’. The trope ‘I am not a conspiracy theorist’ is used to reclaim rationality by labelling others within the conspiracy milieu the ‘real’ conspiracy theorists. Secondly, their ideas of self and other make three groups apparent: ‘activists’, ‘retreaters’ and ‘mediators’. Conspiracy culture, we conclude, is not one monolithic whole, but rather a network of different groups of people, identifying with different worldviews, beliefs, and practices.
LPS-induced expression of CD14 in the TRIF pathway is epigenetically regulated by sulforaphane in porcine pulmonary alveolar macrophages
Authors: Yang Qin , Pröll Maren J , Salilew-Wondim Dessie , Zhang Rui , Tesfaye Dawit , Fan Huitao , Cinar Mehmet U , Große-Brinkhaus Christine , Tholen Ernst , Islam Mohammad A , Hölker Michael , Schellander Karl , Uddin Muhammad J , Neuhoff Christiane
Published: September 2016

Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (AMs) are important in defense against bacterial lung inflammation. Cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) is involved in recognizing bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through MyD88-dependent and TRIF pathways of innate immunity. Sulforaphane (SFN) shows anti-inflammatory activity and suppresses DNA methylation. To identify CD14 epigenetic changes by SFN in the LPS-induced TRIF pathway, an AMs model was investigated in vitro. CD14 gene expression was induced by 5 µg/ml LPS at the time point of 12 h and suppressed by 5 µM SFN. After 12 h of LPS stimulation, gene expression was significantly up-regulated, including TRIF, TRAF6, NF-κB, TRAF3, IRF7, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-β. LPS-induced TRAM, TRIF, RIPK1, TRAF3, TNF-α, IL-1β and IFN-β were suppressed by 5 µM SFN. Similarly, DNMT3a expression was increased by LPS but significantly down-regulated by 5 µM SFN. It showed positive correlation of CD14 gene body methylation with in LPS-stimulated AMs, and this methylation status was inhibited by SFN. This study suggests that SFN suppresses CD14 activation in bacterial inflammation through epigenetic regulation of CD14 gene body methylation associated with DNMT3a. The results provide insights into SFN-mediated epigenetic down-regulation of CD14 in LPS-induced TRIF pathway inflammation and may lead to new methods for controlling LPS-induced inflammation in pigs.
Hepatocellular adenoma: when and how to treat? Update of current evidence
Authors: Thomeer Maarten G. , Broker Mirelle , Verheij Joanne , Doukas Michael , Terkivatan Turkan , Bijdevaate Diederick , De Man Robert A. , Moelker Adriaan , IJzermans Jan N.
Published: September 2016

Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) is a rare, benign liver tumor. Discovery of this tumor is usually as an incidental finding, correlated with the use of oral contraceptives, or pregnancy. Treatment options have focused on conservative management for the straightforward, smaller lesions (<5 cm), with resection preferred for larger lesions (>5 cm) that pose a greater risk of hemorrhage or malignant progression. In recent years, a new molecular subclassification of HCA has been proposed, associated with characteristic morphological features and loss or increased expression of immunohistochemical markers. This subclassification could possibly provide considerable benefits in terms of patient stratification, and the selection of treatment options. In this review we discuss the decision-making processes and associated risk analyses that should be made based on lesion size, and subtype. The usefulness of this subclassification system in terms of the procedures instigated as part of the diagnostic work-up of a suspected HCA will be outlined, and suitable treatment schemes proposed.
The regulation of bone turnover in ameloblastoma using an organotypic in vitro co-culture model
Authors: Eriksson Tuula M , Day Richard M , Fedele Stefano , Salih Vehid M
Published: September 2016

Ameloblastoma is a rare, odontogenic neoplasm with benign histopathology, but extensive, local infiltrative capacity through the bone tissue it originates in. While the mechanisms of ameloblastoma invasion through the bone and bone absorption are largely unknown, recent investigations have indicated a role of the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand regulatory mechanisms. Here, we present results obtained using a novel in vitro organotypic tumour model, which we have developed using tissue engineering techniques. Using this model, we analysed the expression of genes involved in bone turnover and detected a 700-fold increase in receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand levels in the co-culture models with ameloblastoma cells cultured with bone cells. The model described here can be used for gene expression studies, as a basis for drug testing or for a more tailored platform for testing of the behaviour of different ameloblastoma tumours in vitro.
Cultural adaptation and validation of Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 version in Uganda: A small-scale study
Authors: Kamwesiga Julius T , von Koch Lena , Kottorp Anders , Guidetti Susanne
Published: September 2016

Background:

Knowledge is scarce about the impact of stroke in Uganda, and culturally adapted, psychometrically tested patient-reported outcome measures are lacking. The Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 is recommended, but it has not been culturally adapted and validated in Uganda.

Objective:

To culturally adapt and determine the psychometric properties of the Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 in the Ugandan context on a small scale.

Method:

The Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 was culturally adapted to form Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 Uganda ( in English) by involving 25 participants in three different expert committees. Subsequently, Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 Uganda from English to Luganda language was done in accordance with guidelines. The first language in Uganda is English and Luganda is the main spoken language in Kampala city and its surroundings. Translation of Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 Uganda ( both in English and Luganda) was then tested psychometrically by applying a Rasch model on data collected from 95 participants with stroke.

Results:

Overall, 10 of 59 (17%) items in the eight domains of the Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 were culturally adapted. The majority were 6 of 10 items in the domain Activities of Daily Living, 2 of 9 items in the domain Mobility, and 2 of 5 items in the domain Hand function. Only in two domains, all items demonstrated acceptable goodness of fit to the Rasch model. There were also more than 5% person misfits in the domains Participation and Emotion, while the Communication, Mobility, and Hand function domains had the lowest proportions of person misfits. The reliability coefficient was equal or larger than 0.90 in all domains except the Emotion domain, which was below the set criterion of 0.80 (0.75).

Conclusion:

The cultural adaptation and translation of Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 Uganda provides initial evidence of validity of the Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 when used in this context. The results provide support for several aspects of validity and precision but also point out issues for further adaptation and improvement of the Stroke Impact Scale.
Is scrotal ultrasound scan necessary in patients with clinically suspected benign testis pathology?
Authors: Wardak Shafiullah W , Rai Jaskarn , Khan Masood A
Published: September 2016

Objective:

The objective of this study was to assess whether scrotal ultrasound scan is necessary in patients with clinically suspected benign testis pathology.

Patients and methods:

Between January 2012 and December 2013 a total of 3297 men with a median age of 37 years (range 16–60 years) underwent a scrotal ultrasound scan performed by a mixture of radiographers and radiologists. Of these, 1378/3297 (42%) with a median age of 36 years (range 16–60 years) were included in our study; 1919 (58%) were excluded, as they were thought to have an infective, malignant or traumatic testis.

Results:

Twenty-six out of 1378 (1.9%) had a sinister scrotal ultrasound scan and were referred to the urology multidisciplinary team. Of these, 17/26 (65%) with a median age of 32 years (range 19–59 years) were still regarded as having a malignant pathology and underwent an orchidectomy. Histology revealed a malignant pathology in 14/17 (82%) with a median age of 32 years (range 23–52 years). Overall, 17/1378 (1.2%) had an unexpected suspicious scrotal ultrasound scan supported at the multidisciplinary team review, with 14/1378 (1%) having a confirmed malignant pathology.

Conclusion:

Our large retrospective study has demonstrated that 1% of men with clinically benign testis lesion will actually have an underlying unsuspected malignant pathology. Therefore, scrotal ultrasound scan should be considered in all men presenting with a testis lesion.
Collective bargaining as the negotiation of competing stories
Authors: Long Brad S
Published: September 2016

Leaders assume to have recourse to narratives of crisis in order to legitimize their command authority to act as desired. Yet leaders are never the singular storytellers in organizations, and resistance to the stories they tell is possible. A recent case of collective bargaining is presented as a case of competing storytelling about an organization (a university). Drawing from excerpts from publicly available texts, the differences in narrative social construction are illustrated. The case highlights the central role for communications in leadership as leaders attempt to manage the sensemaking of organizational members through discursive activity. As a result, we are forced to rethink leadership as a set of dialectical relationships where meaning is co-constructed.
Examining the Role of Psychological Ownership and Feedback in Customer Empowerment Strategies
Authors: Hair Joe F. , Barth Kati , Neubert Doreen , Sarstedt Marko
Published: September 2016

Customers increasingly seek to engage with companies by actively taking part in the value creation process. Companies have reacted to this trend by integrating customers into product development processes in an effort to better fulfil their needs and simultaneously decrease costs. While research has explored various antecedents and consequences of such co-creation activities, only little is known about the psychological ownership’s role and its interaction with peer feedback. This research shows that psychological ownership emerges when customers engage with companies in creating the product portfolio. Furthermore, implementing feedback loops accelerates customer engagement’s positive effects in terms of product evaluations and customers’ willingness to pay. Negative feedback reverses these effects suggesting that companies should pay closer attention to feedback options when integrating customers into value creation processes.
Stalled: Gender-Neutral Public Bathrooms
Authors: Sanders Joel , Stryker Susan
Published: September 2016

A long-simmering moral panic over the presence of transgender people in sex-segregated public toilets has reached an acute state since the spring of 2015, as an unprecedented wave of mass-culture visibility for trans* issues has intersected with recent court decisions guaranteeing trans* people access to gender-appropriate toilets. The current backlash against trans* people using public toilets that match their gender identity reflects a longer history of public toilets, which themselves date to early eighteenth-century Paris, and registers social anxieties grounded in misogyny, homophobia, and the fear of gender non-conformance. However, rather than confront these underlying cultural apprehensions head on, opponents and proponents of gender-neutral bathrooms narrowly pose the issue as a question of safety, framing it as an ostensibly objective problem that can be solved through a neo-functionalist architectural approach. Shifting the terms of the debate, we propose an alternative bathroom design that accommodates the urgent needs of the transgender community while also meeting the needs of different races, genders, and disabilities. Our proposal does away with traditional sex-segregated bathrooms and consolidates everyone within one space that encourages mixing. Increasing occupancy allows more people to self-police and makes bathrooms safer. Most important, our proposal fosters acceptance by encouraging people of diverse identities to comfortably interact with one another in public space.
HIF-2α phosphorylation by CK1δ promotes erythropoietin secretion in liver cancer cells under hypoxia
Authors: Pangou Evanthia , Befani Christina , Mylonis Ilias , Samiotaki Martina , Panayotou George , Simos George , Liakos Panagiotis
Published: September 2016

Hypoxia inducible factor 2 (HIF-2) is a transcriptional activator implicated in the cellular response to hypoxia. Regulation of its inducible subunit, HIF-2α (also known as EPAS1), involves post-translational modifications. Here, we demonstrate that casein kinase 1δ (CK1δ; also known as CSNK1D) phosphorylates HIF-2α at Ser383 and Thr528 in vitro. We found that disruption of these phosphorylation sites, and silencing or chemical inhibition of CK1δ, reduced the expression of HIF-2 target genes and the secretion of erythropoietin (EPO) in two hepatic cancer cell lines, Huh7 and HepG2, without affecting the levels of HIF-2α protein expression. Furthermore, when CK1δ-dependent phosphorylation of HIF-2α was inhibited, we observed substantial cytoplasmic mislocalization of HIF-2α, which was reversed upon the addition of the nuclear protein export inhibitor leptomycin B. Taken together, these data suggest that CK1δ enhances EPO secretion from liver cancer cells under hypoxia by modifying HIF-2α and promoting its nuclear accumulation. This modification represents a new mechanism of HIF-2 regulation that might allow HIF isoforms to undertake differing functions.
Asymmetric energetic costs in reciprocal-cross hybrids between carnivorous mice (Onychomys)
Authors: Shipley J. Ryan , Campbell Polly , Searle Jeremy B. , Pasch Bret
Published: September 2016

Aerobic respiration is a fundamental physiological trait dependent on coordinated interactions between gene products of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Mitonuclear mismatch in interspecific hybrids may contribute to reproductive isolation by inducing reduced viability (or even complete inviability) due to increased metabolic costs. However, few studies have tested for effects of mitonuclear mismatch on respiration at the whole organism level. We explored how hybridization affects metabolic rates in closely related species of grasshopper mice (genus Onychomys) to better understand the role of metabolic costs in reproductive isolation. We measured metabolic rate across a range of temperatures to calculate basal metabolic rates (BMR) and cold-induced metabolic rates (MRc) in O. leucogaster, O. torridus, and O. arenicola, and in reciprocal F1 hybrids between the latter two species. Within the genus, we found a negative correlation between mass-specific BMR and body mass. Although O. arenicola was smaller than O. torridus, hybrids from both directions of the cross resembled O. arenicola in body mass. In contrast, hybrid BMR was strongly influenced by the direction of the cross: reciprocal F1 hybrids were different from each other but indistinguishable from the maternal species. In addition, MRc was not significantly different between hybrids and either parental species. These patterns indicate that metabolic costs are not increased in Onychomys F1 hybrids and, while exposure of incompatibilities in F2 hybrids cannot be ruled out, suggests that mitonuclear mismatch does not act as a primary barrier to gene flow. Maternal matching of BMR is suggestive of a strong effect of mitochondrial genotype on metabolism in hybrids. Together, our findings provide insight into the metabolic consequences of hybridization, a topic that is understudied in mammals.
The Power of Forward Guidance Revisited
Authors: McKay Alisdair , Nakamura Emi , Steinsson Jón
Published: September 2016

In recent years, central banks have increasingly turned to forward guidance as a central tool of monetary policy. Standard monetary models imply that far future forward guidance has huge effects on current outcomes, and these effects grow with the horizon of the forward guidance. We present a model in which the power of forward guidance is highly sensitive to the assumption of complete markets. When agents face uninsurable income risk and borrowing constraints, a precautionary savings effect tempers their responses to changes in future interest rates. As a consequence, forward guidance has substantially less power to stimulate the economy. (JEL E21, E40, E50)
On the Timing and Pricing of Dividends: Reply
Authors: van Binsbergen Jules H. , Koijen Ralph S. J.
Published: September 2016

Schulz (2016) replicates the findings of van Binsbergen, Brandt, and Koijen (2012)—henceforth, BBK—and agrees that the average pretax returns on short-term dividend strips are higher than those of the index, but argues that the after-tax returns are not. He thus provides a possible economic interpretation of the results in BBK: taxes. Schulz (2016) estimates the differential tax rates of dividends versus capital gains from ex-dividend day returns. We show that these estimated tax rates are suspect and imprecisely measured, peaking at over 100 percent in some periods. The results in BBK are robust to using tax rates from the literature (Sialm 2009). The arguments in Schulz (2016) thus crucially depend on implausibly large tax esti mates. We further discuss two other financial market imperfections discussed in the literature and show that they are also unlikely to explain the results in BBK. (JEL G11, G12, G35)
Whose sample is it anyway? Widespread misannotation of samples in transcriptomics studies
Authors: Toker Lilah , Feng Min , Pavlidis Paul
Published: September 2016

Concern about the reproducibility and reliability of biomedical research has been rising. An understudied issue is the prevalence of sample mislabeling, one impact of which would be invalid comparisons. We studied this issue in a corpus of human transcriptomics studies by comparing the provided annotations of sex to the expression levels of sex-specific genes. We identified apparent mislabeled samples in 46% of the datasets studied, yielding a 99% confidence lower-bound estimate for all studies of 33%. In a separate analysis of a set of datasets concerning a single cohort of subjects, 2/4 had mislabeled samples, indicating laboratory mix-ups rather than data recording errors. While the number of mixed-up samples per study was generally small, because our method can only identify a subset of potential mix-ups, our estimate is conservative for the breadth of the problem. Our findings emphasize the need for more stringent sample tracking, and that re-users of published data must be alert to the possibility of annotation and labelling errors.
Factors affecting stone free rate of primary percutaneous nephrolithotomy on staghorn calculi: a single center experience of 15 years
Authors: Atmoko Widi , Birowo Ponco , Rasyid Nur
Published: September 2016

Objectives: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy on staghorn calculi is challenging for urologists because it is difficult to remove all of the stones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associated factors of stone-free rate after primary percutaneous nephrolithotomy on staghorn calculi in a large series of patients at a single, tertiary referral, endourologic stone center.

Methods: We collected data from medical record between January 2000 and December 2015. A total of 345 primary percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures were performed for patients with staghorn calculi. This study included both and made no distinction between partial and complete staghorn calculi. Stone-free is defined as the absence of residual stones after undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the first time. Significant factors from univariate analysis that correlated with stone-free rate after primary percutaneous nephrolithotomy of staghorn stone were further analyzed using multivariate regression analysis.

Results: The mean patient age was 52.23±10.38 years. The stone-free rate of percutaneous nephrolithotomy monotherapy was 62.6%. The mean operating time was 79.55±34.46 minutes. The mean length of stay in hospital was 4.29±3.00 days. Using the chi-square test, history of ipsilateral open renal stone surgery (p = 0.01), stone burden (p = < 0.001), and type of anesthesia (p = 0.04) had a significant impact on the stone-free. From multivariate analysis, the history of ipsilateral open renal stone surgery [OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.28-0.81; p 0.01] and the stone burden [OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.18-0.45; p 0.00] were significant independent risk factors for stone-free.
Complex Diagnostics of the Situation in the Field of Civics Education in Russia: Tendencies and Prospects of Development (Based on the National Survey on the Quality of Civics Education Assessment)
Authors: Положевец  , Polozhevets P. , Иоффе  , Ioffe A. , Болотина  , Bolotina Tatyana
Published: September 2016

The article analyses the main results of the National Survey on the Qulity of Civics Education Assessment in Russia. Conclusions about the existing

educational situation are made. The recommendation in the field of further development and prospects of civics education in Russia are given.
Activity Approach As the Basis for the Organization of Educational Process in Terms of Implementation and Realization of the Federal State Educational Standard
Authors: Красношлыкова  , Krasnoshlykova Olga , Новикова  , Novikova Svetlana
Published: September 2016

The article gives a brief characteristic of activity approach and its essences. The authors analyze the features of implementation of educational standards

(FSES) — using of activity approach by the organization of educational process.
Supply Chain Coordination with Multiple Shipments: The Optimal Inventory Subsidizing Contracts
Authors: Chen Shi , Lee Hau , Moinzadeh Kamran
Published: September 2016

We study a supply chain involving a supplier–retailer relationship. When production lead-time is long and the selling season is short, the retailer has to place an order ahead of the season, which resembles the classical Newsvendor model. However, we consider the situation when the supplier agrees to deliver the order in multiple shipments in the season, and then the retailer needs to determine the quantity and/or timing of each shipment. Under a centralized setting, we derive the optimal quantity and/or timing decisions of the retailer. Under a decentralized setting, incentive misalignment arises from ineffective allocation of inventory costs between the parties, in addition to the well- known double marginalization effect. Hence, we devise an incentive contract, which involves a risk-sharing mechanism at the end of the season and an inventory subsidizing scheme for the entire season; in practice, the inventory subsidizing scheme can be implemented in different ways, such as a direct subsidizing scheme or a delayed-payment scheme. The proposed contract can achieve channel coordination and Pareto optimality. Furthermore, we can show that the inventory subsidizing scheme plays a key role in channel coordination because without the inventory subsidizing scheme, the loss of supply chain efficiency is almost always significant.
The early outcome of kinematicversusmechanical alignment in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Waterson H. B. , Clement N. D. , Eyres K. S. , Mandalia V. I. , Toms A. D.
Published: September 2016

Aims

Our aim was to compare kinematic with mechanical alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Patients and Methods

We performed a prospective blinded randomised controlled trial to compare the functional outcome of patients undergoing TKA in mechanical alignment (MA) with those in kinematic alignment (KA). A total of 71 patients undergoing TKA were randomised to either kinematic (n = 36) or mechanical alignment (n = 35). Pre- and post-operative hip-knee-ankle radiographs were analysed. The knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), American Knee Society Score, Short Form-36, Euro-Qol (EQ-5D), range of movement (ROM), two minute walk, and timed up and go tests were assessed pre-operatively and at six weeks, three and six months and one year post-operatively.

Results

A total of 78% of the kinematically aligned group (28 patients) and 77% of the mechanically aligned group (27 patients) were within 3° of their pre-operative plan. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean KOOS (difference 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) -9.4 to 12.1, p = 0.80), EQ-5D (difference 0.8, 95% CI -7.9 to 9.6, p = 0.84), ROM (difference 0.1, 95% CI -6.0 to 6.1, p = 0.99), two minute distance tolerance (difference 20.0, 95% CI -52.8 to 92.8, p = 0.58), or timed up and go (difference 0.78, 95% CI -2.3 to 3.9, p = 0.62) between the groups at one year.

Conclusion

Kinematically aligned TKAs appear to have comparable short-term results to mechanically aligned TKAs with no significant differences in function one year post-operatively. Further research is required to see if any theoretical long-term functional benefits of kinematic alignment are realised or if there are any potential effects on implant survival. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1360–8.
Does location of patellofemoral chondral lesion influence outcome after Oxford medial compartmental knee arthroplasty?
Authors: Konan S. , Haddad F. S.
Published: September 2016

Aims

Medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is associated with successful outcomes in carefully selected patient cohorts. We hypothesised that severity and location of patellofemoral cartilage lesions significantly influences functional outcome after Oxford medial compartmental knee arthroplasty.

Patients and Methods

We reviewed 100 consecutive UKAs at minimum eight-year follow-up (96 to 132). A single surgeon performed all procedures. Patients were selected based on clinical and plain radiographic assessment. All patients had end-stage medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA) with sparing of the lateral compartment and intact anterior cruciate ligaments. None of the patients had end-stage patellofemoral OA, but patients with anterior knee pain or partial thickness chondral loss were not excluded. There were 57 male and 43 female patients. The mean age at surgery was 69 years (41 to 82). At surgery the joint was carefully inspected for patellofemoral chondral loss and this was documented based on severity of cartilage loss (0 to 4 Outerbridge grading) and topographic location (medial, lateral, central, and superior or inferior). Functional scores collected included Oxford Knee Score (OKS), patient satisfaction scale and University College Hospital (UCH) knee score. Intraclass correlation was used to compare chondral damage to outcomes.

Results

All patients documented significant improvement in pain and improved functional scores at mid-term follow-up. There were four revisions (mean 2.9 years, 2 to 4; standard deviation (sd) 0.9) in this cohort, three for tibial loosening and one for femoral loosening. There was one infection that was treated with debridement and insert exchange. The mean OKS improved from 23.2 (sd 7.1) to 39.1 (sd 6.9); p < 0.001. The cohort with central and lateral grade 3 patellofemoral OA documented lower mean satisfaction with pain (90, sd 11.8) and function (87.5, sd 10.3) on the patient satisfaction scale. On the UCH scale, patients reported significantly decreased mean overall scores (7.3, sd 1.2 vs 9, sd 2.3) as well as stair climb task (3.5, sd 0.3 vs 5, sd 0.1) when cartilage lesions were located centrally or laterally on the PFJ. Patients with medial chondral PFJ lesions behave similar to patients with no chondral lesions.

Conclusion

Topographical location and severity of cartilage damage of the patella can significantly influence function after successful Oxford medial UKA. Surgeons should factor this in when making their operative decision, and undertake to counsel patients appropriately. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B(10 Suppl B):11–15.
The results of Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in the United States
Authors: Emerson R. H. , Alnachoukati O. , Barrington J. , Ennin K.
Published: September 2016

Aims

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2004, the Phase III Oxford Medial Partial Knee is used to treat anteromedial osteoarthritis (AMOA) in patients with an intact anterior cruciate ligament. This unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is relatively new in the United States, and therefore long-term American results are lacking.

Patients and Methods

This is a single surgeon, retrospective study based on prospectively collected data, analysing a consecutive series of primary UKAs using the Phase III mobile-bearing Oxford Knee and Phase III instrumentation. Between July 2004 and December 2006, the senior author (RHE) carried out a medial UKA in 173 patients (213 knees) for anteromedial osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis (AVN). A total of 95 patients were men and 78 were women. Their mean age at surgery was 67 years (38 to 89) and mean body mass index 29.87 kg/m2 (17 to 62). The mean follow-up was ten years (4 to 11).

Results

Survivorship of the Oxford UKA at ten years was 88%, using life table analysis. Implant survivorship at ten years was 95%. The most common cause for revision was the progression of osteoarthritis in the lateral compartment. The mean knee score element of the American Knee Society Score (AKSS) was 50 pre-operatively and increased to 93 post-operatively. The mean AKSS function score was 56 pre-operatively rising to 78 post-operatively

Conclusion

This ten-year follow-up study of the Oxford UKA undertaken in the United States shows good survivorship and excellent function in a wide selection of patients with AMOA and AVN. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B(10 Suppl B):34–40.
Stable-Isotope Dilution HPLC–Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Quantifying Hydroxyurea in Dried Blood Samples
Authors: Marahatta Anu , Megaraj Vandana , McGann Patrick T , Ware Russell E , Setchell Kenneth D R
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a life-threatening blood disorder characterized by the presence of sickle-shaped erythrocytes. Hydroxyurea is currently the only US Food and Drug Administration–approved treatment and there is a need for a convenient method to monitor compliance and hydroxyurea concentrations, especially in pediatric SCA patients.

METHODS

We describe a novel approach to the determination of hydroxyurea concentrations in dried whole blood collected on DMPK-C cards or volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) devices. Hydroxyurea was quantified by electrospray ionization LC-MS/MS using [13C15N2]hydroxyurea as the internal standard. Calibrators were prepared in whole blood applied to DMPK-C cards or VAMS devices.

RESULTS

Calibration curves for blood hydroxyurea measured from DMPK-C cards and VAMS devices were linear over the range 0.5–60 μg/mL. Interassay and intraassay CVs were <15% for blood collected by both methods, and the limit of detection was 5 ng/mL. Whole blood hydroxyurea was stable for up to 60 days on DMPK-C cards and VAMS devices when frozen at −20 °C or −80 °C. Whole blood hydroxyurea concentrations in samples collected on DMPK-C cards or VAMS devices from SCA patients were in close agreement.

CONCLUSIONS

This tandem mass spectrometry method permits measurement of hydroxyurea concentrations in small volumes of dried blood applied to either DMPK-C cards or VAMS devices with comparable performance. This method for measuring hydroxyurea from dried blood permits the evaluation of therapeutic drug monitoring, individual pharmacokinetics, and medication adherence using heel/finger-prick samples from pediatric patients with SCA treated with hydroxyurea.
What design can bring to the food industry
Authors: Schifferstein Hendrik N. J.
Published: September 2016

Even though designers are specifically trained to create and build new products, their contribution to innovation in the food industry is relatively small. The industry seems unfamiliar with the ways in which designers operate and may be unaware of the added value they may provide. Therefore, this article identifies the potential roles that designers could fulfil within large food companies. The development of new consumer products requires knowledge of target consumers, production technology and the business environment. These three types of expertise are often concentrated in different departments. Although highly experienced product experts such as culinary chefs may be able to integrate this knowledge, involving designers may be a more fruitful strategy. First of all, designers tend to approach design challenges holistically, which broadens the scope of the project. As a consequence, designers will provide more innovative solutions, which can guide multiple project aspects simultaneously (production, packaging, marketing). Second, designers shape their own tools, which will engage the others involved. Third, designers are equipped to manage the product development process and can facilitate cooperation between the disciplinary experts. Fourth, designers can play a role in bringing together and integrating the knowledge from the different disciplines. By strengthening these roles, large food companies can deliver innovations that address actual consumer needs, provide a positive contribution to society and consolidate long-term profitability and growth.

For designers, foods represent interesting prototyping materials, which are firmly rooted in daily, cultural practices and can be enjoyed through all the senses. Their regional, seasonal and perishable character challenges designers to connect consumers with agriculture, trading and processing methods.
The pixillated doodler: Illustrating Finnegans Wake
Authors: Lord John Vernon
Published: September 2016

This article is adapted from John Vernon Lord’s lecture for IBIS (Imaginative Book Illustration Society), given on 7 May 2014 at the Art Workers’ Guild, Queen Square, London. John Lord explains in detail the process by which he illustrated the Folio Society’s 2014 edition of Finnegans Wake; the first time the book had been illustrated with the complete text. Finnegans Wake by James Joyce is an important work of twentieth century Modernist literature. Although it is complex and difficult to summarize, the article provides an insight into Lord’s intensive study of the text over a number of years and presents his interpretation of the main themes of the book. This is set within the context of Lord’s view of the function and purpose of illustration more generally. The process of illustration of Finnegans Wake is then revealed in detail. The Folio Society edition illustrations are presented alongside detailed descriptions of the process and thinking behind each one. Further insight into the process of illustration of Finnegans Wake is provided by a selection of John Vernon Lord’s sketchbooks, at the end of the article, in which he is seen progressively working through the themes of the text, as he develops the illustrations.
Editorial
Authors: Pawlak Mirosław
Published: September 2016

Editorial
Classroom-oriented research from a complex systems perspective
Authors: Larsen-Freeman Diane
Published: September 2016

Bringing a complex systems perspective to bear on classroom-oriented research challenges researchers to think differently, seeing the classroom ecology as one dynamic system nested in a hierarchy of such systems at different levels of scale, all of which are spatially and temporally situated. This article begins with an introduction to complex dynamic systems theory, in which challenges to traditional ways of conducting classroom research are interwoven. It concludes with suggestions for research methods that are more consistent with the theory. Research does not become easier when approached from a complex systems perspective, but it has the virtue of reflecting the way the world works.
Review of Positive psychology in second language acquisition; Editors: Peter D. MacIntyre, Tammy Gregersen, Sarah Mercer; Publisher: Multilingual Matters, 2016; ISBN: 9781783095346; Pages: 388
Authors: Gabryś-Barker Danuta
Published: September 2016

Book review
Equitable Coloring of Graphs. Recent Theoretical Results and New Practical Algorithms
Authors: Furmańczyk Hanna , Jastrzębski Andrzej , Kubale Marek
Published: September 2016

In many applications in sequencing and scheduling it is desirable to have an underlaying graph as equitably colored as possible. In this paper we survey recent theoretical results concerning conditions for equitable colorability of some graphs and recent theoretical results concerning the complexity of equitable coloring problem. Next, since the general coloring problem is strongly NP-hard, we report on practical experiments with some efficient polynomial-time algorithms for approximate equitable coloring of general graphs.
Identification of Cows Susceptible to Mastitis based on Selected Genotypes by Using Decision Trees and A Generalized Linear Model
Authors: Zaborski Daniel , Proskura Witold Stanisław , Wojdak-Maksymiec Katarzyna , Grzesiak Wilhelm
Published: September 2016

The aim of the present study was to: 1) check whether it would be possible to detect cows susceptible to mastitis at an early stage of their utilization based on selected genotypes and basic production traits in the first three lactations using ensemble data mining methods (boosted classification tress – BT and random forest – RF), 2) find out whether the inclusion of additional production variables for subsequent lactations will improve detection performance of the models, 3) identify the most significant predictors of susceptibility to mastitis, and 4) compare the results obtained by using BT and RF with those for the more traditional generalized linear model (GLZ). A total of 801 records for Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White cows were analyzed. The maximum sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the test set were 72.13%, 39.73%, 55.90% (BT), 86.89%, 17.81%, 59.49% (RF) and 90.16%, 8.22%, 58.97% (GLZ), respectively. Inclusion of additional variables did not have a significant effect on the model performance. The most significant predictors of susceptibility to mastitis were: milk yield, days in milk, sire’s rank, percentage of Holstein-Friesian genes, whereas calving season and genotypes (lactoferrin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, lysozyme and defensins) were ranked much lower. The applied models (both data mining ones and GLZ) showed low accuracy in detecting cows susceptible to mastitis and therefore some other more discriminating predictors should be used in future research.
Combined Angiotensin II Type-1 Receptor Blockade and Superoxide Anion Scavenging Affect the Post-Ischemic Kidney in Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Ivanov Milan , Mihailović-Stanojević Nevena , Marković-Lipkovski Jasmina , Jovović Đurđica , Karanović Danijela , Miloradović Zoran , Grujić-Milanović Jelica
Published: September 2016

Ischemic acute kidney injury is characterized by renal vasoconstriction, filtration failure, tubular obstruction, tubular backleak and overproduction of angiotensin II and reactive oxygen species. Considering this complexity, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of angiotensin II type-1 receptor blocker - Losartan and superoxide anion scavenger - Tempol, in a combined treatment on acute kidney injury in postischemic hypertensive rats.

The experiment was performed in anesthetized, adult male spontaneously hypertensive rats. The right kidney was removed and the left renal artery was occluded for 40 minutes. Experimental groups received combined treatment (Losartan + Tempol) or saline in the femoral vein 5 minutes before, during and 175 minutes after clamp removal.

Hemodynamics and biochemical parameters were measured and kidney specimens were collected 24h after reperfusion. Histological examination was performed by optical microscopy.

Combined treatment improves renal haemodynamics parameters which were exacerbated due to acute kidney injury. Acute kidney injury significantly decreased creatinine and urea clearance and increased lipid peroxidation in the plasma. Treatment with Losartan and Tempol induced a significant increase of creatinine and urea clearance. Lipid peroxidation in the plasma decreased and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity in the erythrocytes increased after Losartan + Tempol treatment. This combined treatment reduced cortico-medullary necrosis and tubular dilatation in the kidney.

Our results indicate that synergism of Losartan and Tempol treatment could have beneficial effects on blood pressure and kidney function, during postischemic acute kidney injury development in experimental hypertension.
Automatic parametric fault detection in complex analog systems based on a method of minimum node selection
Authors: Bilski Adrian , Wojciechowski Jacek
Published: September 2016

The aim of this paper is to introduce a strategy to find a minimal set of test nodes for diagnostics of complex analog systems with single parametric faults using the support vector machine (SVM) classifier as a fault locator. The results of diagnostics of a video amplifier and a low-pass filter using tabu search along with genetic algorithms (GAs) as node selectors in conjunction with the SVM fault classifier are presented. General principles of the diagnostic procedure are first introduced, and then the proposed approach is discussed in detail. Diagnostic results confirm the usefulness of the method and its computational requirements. Conclusions on its wider applicability are provided as well.
Vision based persistent localization of a humanoid robot for locomotion tasks
Authors: Martínez Pablo A. , Castelán Mario , Arechavaleta Gustavo
Published: September 2016

Typical monocular localization schemes involve a search for matches between reprojected 3D world points and 2D image features in order to estimate the absolute scale transformation between the camera and the world. Successfully calculating such transformation implies the existence of a good number of 3D points uniformly distributed as reprojected pixels around the image plane. This paper presents a method to control the march of a humanoid robot towards directions that are favorable for visual based localization. To this end, orthogonal diagonalization is performed on the covariance matrices of both sets of 3D world points and their 2D image reprojections. Experiments with the NAO humanoid platform show that our method provides persistence of localization, as the robot tends to walk towards directions that are desirable for successful localization. Additional tests demonstrate how the proposed approach can be incorporated into a control scheme that considers reaching a target position.
The Game of the Sphere or of the Universe — a Spiral Race Game from 17th century France
Authors: Seville Adrian
Published: September 2016

Simple race games, played with dice and without choice of move, are known from antiquity. In the late 16th century, specific examples of this class of game emerged from Italy and spread rapidly into other countries of Europe. Pre-eminent was the Game of the Goose, which spawned thousands of variants over the succeeding centuries to the present day, including educational, polemical and promotional variants.1

The educational variants began as a French invention of the 17th century, the earliest of known date being a game to teach Geography, the Jeu du Monde by Pierre Duval, published in 1645. By the end of the century, games designed to teach several of the other accomplishments required of the noble cadet class had been developed: History, the Arts of War, and Heraldry being notable among them.

A remarkable example of a game within this class is the astronomical game, Le Jeu de la Sphere ou de l’Univers selon Tycho Brahe, published in 1661 by E(s)tienne Vouillemont in Paris. The present paper analyses this game in detail, showing how it combines four kinds of knowledge systems: natural philosophy, based on the Ptolemaic sphere; biblical knowledge; astrology, with planetary and zodiacal influences; and classical knowledge embodied in the names of the constellations. The game not only presents all four on an equal footing but also explores links between them, indicating some acceptance of an overall knowledge-system. Despite the title, there is no evidence of the Tychonian scheme for planetary motion, nor of any Copernican or Galilean influence.

This game is to be contrasted with medieval race games, based on numerology and symbolism, and with race games towards the end of the Early Modern period in which science is fully accepted.
Insight into Prospects of Islamic Banking: from Past to Present
Authors: Kļaviņš Kaspars , Abu Al-Haija Elias
Published: September 2016

Islamic banking is one of the alternative financial models of the modern world, which is currently gaining more and more international recognition and reliability both in the East and West. The article reveals separate historical aspects of the genesis of Islamic banking in order to better demonstrate the potential of this financial system now and in the future. The purpose of the research is to highlight the ability of Islamic banking to integrate into the western-dominated economy and society.
Diagnosis is driven by probabilistic reasoning: counter-point
Authors: Cahan Amos
Published: September 2016

Uncertainty is involved in each and every step of the diagnostic process. Trying to eliminate doubt altogether is too costly, is likely to fail, and may lead to patient harm. Acknowledging this, the threshold approach aims to optimize diagnosis-making by adopting the explicit use of probability estimates and by discouraging the pursuit of 100% certainty. Yet physicians are affected by cognitive biases which compromise their probabilistic reasoning and may lead to unreliable estimates. Health informatics tools helping to overcome human limitations by empowering physicians to handle probabilities are needed to increase the efficiency of diagnostic process.