bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fibrinogen as a Pleiotropic Protein Causing Human Diseases: The Mutational Burden of Aα, Bβ, and γ Chains
Authors: Paraboschi Elvezia , Duga Stefano , Asselta Rosanna
Published: December 2017

Fibrinogen is a highly pleiotropic protein that is involved in the final step of the coagulation cascade, wound healing, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Heterozygous mutations in Aα, Bβ, or γ fibrinogen-chain genes (FGA, FGB, FGG) have been described as being responsible for fibrinogen deficiencies (hypofibrinogenemia, hypo-dysfibrinogenemia, dysfibrinogenemia) and for more rare conditions, such as fibrinogen storage disease and hereditary renal amyloidosis. Instead, biallelic mutations have been associated with afibrinogenemia/severe hypofibrinogenemia, i.e., the severest forms of fibrinogen deficiency, affecting approximately 1–2 cases per million people. However, the “true” prevalence for these conditions on a global scale is currently not available. Here, we defined the mutational burden of the FGA, FGB, and FGG genes, and estimated the prevalence of inherited fibrinogen disorders through a systematic analysis of exome/genome data from ~140,000 individuals belonging to the genome Aggregation Database. Our analysis showed that the world-wide prevalence for recessively-inherited fibrinogen deficiencies could be 10-fold higher than that reported so far (prevalence rates vary from 1 in 106 in East Asians to 24.5 in 106 in non-Finnish Europeans). The global prevalence for autosomal-dominant fibrinogen disorders was estimated to be ~11 in 1000 individuals, with heterozygous carriers present at a frequency varying from 3 every 1000 individuals in Finns, to 1–2 every 100 individuals among non-Finnish Europeans and Africans/African Americans. Our analysis also allowed for the identification of recurrent (i.e., FGG-p.Ala108Gly, FGG-Thr47Ile) or ethnic-specific mutations (e.g., FGB-p.Gly103Arg in Admixed Americans, FGG-p.Ser245Phe in Africans/African Americans).
G Protein-Coupled Receptors at the Crossroad between Physiologic and Pathologic Angiogenesis: Old Paradigms and Emerging Concepts
Authors: De Francesco Ernestina , Sotgia Federica , Clarke Robert , Lisanti Michael , Maggiolini Marcello
Published: December 2017

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been implicated in transmitting signals across the extra- and intra-cellular compartments, thus allowing environmental stimuli to elicit critical biological responses. As GPCRs can be activated by an extensive range of factors including hormones, neurotransmitters, phospholipids and other stimuli, their involvement in a plethora of physiological functions is not surprising. Aberrant GPCR signaling has been regarded as a major contributor to diverse pathologic conditions, such as inflammatory, cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases. In this regard, solid tumors have been demonstrated to activate an angiogenic program that relies on GPCR action to support cancer growth and metastatic dissemination. Therefore, the manipulation of aberrant GPCR signaling could represent a promising target in anticancer therapy. Here, we highlight the GPCR-mediated angiogenic function focusing on the molecular mechanisms and transduction effectors driving the patho-physiological vasculogenesis. Specifically, we describe evidence for the role of heptahelic receptors and associated G proteins in promoting angiogenic responses in pathologic conditions, especially tumor angiogenesis and progression. Likewise, we discuss opportunities to manipulate aberrant GPCR-mediated angiogenic signaling for therapeutic benefit using innovative GPCR-targeted and patient-tailored pharmacological strategies.
Fibrinogen Gamma Chain Mutations Provoke Fibrinogen and Apolipoprotein B Plasma Deficiency and Liver Storage
Authors: Callea Francesco , Giovannoni Isabella , Sari Sinan , Guldal Esendagli , Dalgic Buket , Akyol Gulen , Sogo Tsuyoshi , Al-Hussaini Abdulrahman , Maggiore Giuseppe , Bartuli Andrea , Boldrini Renata , Francalanci Paola , Bellacchio Emanuele
Published: December 2017

p.R375W (Fibrinogen Aguadilla) is one out of seven identified mutations (Brescia, Aguadilla, Angers, Al du Pont, Pisa, Beograd, and Ankara) causing hepatic storage of the mutant fibrinogen γ. The Aguadilla mutation has been reported in children from the Caribbean, Europe, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and China. All reported children presented with a variable degree of histologically proven chronic liver disease and low plasma fibrinogen levels. In addition, one Japanese and one Turkish child had concomitant hypo-APOB-lipoproteinemia of unknown origin. We report here on an additional child from Turkey with hypofibrinogenemia due to the Aguadilla mutation, massive hepatic storage of the mutant protein, and severe hypo-APOB-lipoproteinemia. The liver biopsy of the patient was studied by light microscopy, electron microscopy (EM), and immunohistochemistry. The investigation included the DNA sequencing of the three fibrinogen and APOB–lipoprotein regulatory genes and the analysis of the encoded protein structures. Six additional Fibrinogen Storage Disease (FSD) patients with either the Aguadilla, Ankara, or Brescia mutations were investigated with the same methodology. A molecular analysis revealed the fibrinogen gamma p.R375W mutation (Aguadilla) but no changes in the APOB and MTTP genes. APOB and MTTP genes showed no abnormalities in the other study cases. Light microscopy and EM studies of liver tissue samples from the child led to the demonstration of the simultaneous accumulation of both fibrinogen and APOB in the same inclusions. Interestingly enough, APOB-containing lipid droplets were entrapped within the fibrinogen inclusions in the hepatocytic Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). Similar histological, immunohistochemical, EM, and molecular genetics findings were found in the other six FSD cases associated with the Aguadilla, as well as with the Ankara and Brescia mutations. The simultaneous retention of fibrinogen and APOB-lipoproteins in FSD can be detected in routinely stained histological sections. The analysis of protein structures unraveled the pathomorphogenesis of this unexpected phenomenon. Fibrinogen gamma chain mutations provoke conformational changes in the region of the globular domain involved in the “end-to-end” interaction, thus impairing the D-dimer formation. Each monomeric fibrinogen gamma chain is left with an abnormal exposure of hydrophobic patches that become available for interactions with APOB and lipids, causing their intracellular retention and impairment of export as a secondary unavoidable phenomenon.
Impact of Methods on the Measurement of mRNA Turnover
Authors: Wada Takeo , Becskei Attila
Published: December 2017

The turnover of the RNA molecules is determined by the rates of transcription and RNA degradation. Several methods have been developed to study RNA turnover since the beginnings of molecular biology. Here we summarize the main methods to measure RNA half-life: transcription inhibition, gene control, and metabolic labelling. These methods were used to detect the cellular activity of the mRNAs degradation machinery, including the exo-ribonuclease Xrn1 and the exosome. On the other hand, the study of the differential stability of mature RNAs has been hampered by the fact that different methods have often yielded inconsistent results. Recent advances in the systematic comparison of different method variants in yeast have permitted the identification of the least invasive methodologies that reflect half-lives the most faithfully, which is expected to open the way for a consistent quantitative analysis of the determinants of mRNA stability.
Restoration of Bi-Contrast MRI Data for Intensity Uniformity with Bayesian Coring of Co-Occurrence Statistics
Authors: Hadjidemetriou Stathis , Psychogios Marios , Lingor Paul , Von Eckardstein Kajetan , Papageorgiou Ismini
Published: December 2017

The reconstruction of MRI data assumes a uniform radio-frequency field. However, in practice, the radio-frequency field is inhomogeneous and leads to anatomically inconsequential intensity non-uniformities across an image. An anatomic region can be imaged with multiple contrasts reconstructed independently and be suffering from different non-uniformities. These artifacts can complicate the further automated analysis of the images. A method is presented for the joint intensity uniformity restoration of two such images. The effect of the intensity distortion on the auto-co-occurrence statistics of each image as well as on the joint-co-occurrence statistics of the two images is modeled and used for their non-stationary restoration followed by their back-projection to the images. Several constraints that ensure a stable restoration are also imposed. Moreover, the method considers the inevitable differences between the signal regions of the two images. The method has been evaluated extensively with BrainWeb phantom brain data as well as with brain anatomic data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) and with data of Parkinson’s disease patients. The performance of the proposed method has been compared with that of the N4ITK tool. The proposed method increases tissues contrast at least 4 . 62 times more than the N4ITK tool for the BrainWeb images. The dynamic range with the N4ITK method for the same images is increased by up to +29.77%, whereas, for the proposed method, it has a corresponding limited decrease of - 1 . 15 % , as expected. The validation has demonstrated the accuracy and stability of the proposed method and hence its ability to reduce the requirements for additional calibration scans.
Multiscale Analyses of Surface Failure Mechanism of Single-Crystal Silicon during Micro-Milling Process
Authors: Bai Jinxuan , Bai Qingshun , Tong Zhen
Published: December 2017

This article presents an experimental investigation on ductile-mode micro-milling of monocrystalline silicon using polycrystalline diamond (PCD) end mills. Experimental results indicate that the irregular fluctuation of cutting force always induces machined surface failure, even in ductile mode. The internal mechanism has not been investigated so far. The multiscale discrete dislocation plasticity framework was used to predict the dislocation structure and strain evolution under the discontinuous cutting process. The results showed that a mass of dislocations can be generated and affected in silicon crystal. The dislocation density, multiplication rate, and microstructure strongly depend on the milling conditions. In particular, transient impulse load can provide a great potential for material strength by forming dislocations entanglement structure. The continuous irregular cutting process can induce persistent slip bands (PSBs) in substrate surface, which would result in stress concentration and inhomogeneous deformation within grains.
The Microstructure of Nanocrystalline TiB2 Films Prepared by Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Huang Xiaoxiao , Sun Shuchen , Tu Ganfeng , Lu Shuaidan , Li Kuanhe , Zhu Xiaoping
Published: December 2017

Nanocrystalline titanium diboride (TiB2) ceramics films were prepared on a high purity graphite substrate via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The substrate was synthesized by a gas mixture of TiCl4, BCl3, and H2 under 1000 °C and 10 Pa. Properties and microstructures of TiB2 films were also examined. The as-deposited TiB2 films had a nano-sized grain structure and the grain size was around 60 nm, which was determined by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Further research found that a gas flow ratio of TiCl4/BCl3 had an influence on the film properties and microstructures. The analyzed results illustrated that the grain size of the TiB2 film obtained with a TiCl4/BCl3 gas flow ratio of 1, was larger than the grain size of the as-prepared TiB2 film prepared with a stoichiometric TiCl4/BCl3 gas flow ratio of 0.5. In addition, the films deposited faster at excessive TiCl4. However, under the condition of different TiCl4/BCl3 gas flow ratios, all of the as-prepared TiB2 films have a preferential orientation growth in the (100) direction.
Multiplicative Structure and Hecke Rings of Generator Matrices for Codes over Quotient Rings of Euclidean Domains
Authors: Matsui Hajime
Published: December 2017

In this study, we consider codes over Euclidean domains modulo their ideals. In the first half of the study, we deal with arbitrary Euclidean domains. We show that the product of generator matrices of codes over the rings mod a and mod b produces generator matrices of all codes over the ring mod

a
b

, i.e., this correspondence is onto. Moreover, we show that if a and b are coprime, then this correspondence is one-to-one, i.e., there exist unique codes over the rings mod a and mod b that produce any given code over the ring mod

a
b

through the product of their generator matrices. In the second half of the study, we focus on the typical Euclidean domains such as the rational integer ring, one-variable polynomial rings, rings of Gaussian and Eisenstein integers, p-adic integer rings and rings of one-variable formal power series. We define the reduced generator matrices of codes over Euclidean domains modulo their ideals and show their uniqueness. Finally, we apply our theory of reduced generator matrices to the Hecke rings of matrices over these Euclidean domains.
Study of Separation and Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes during Model Hydrolysate Solution Filtration
Authors: Ajao Olumoye , Rahni Mohamed , Marinova Mariya , Chadjaa Hassan , Savadogo Oumarou
Published: December 2017

Prehydrolysate, a dilute solution consisting mainly of pentoses, hexoses, and lesser quantities of organic acids, furfural and phenolics, is generated in the Kraft dissolving pulp process. An obstacle facing the valorization of the solution in hemicellulose biorefineries, by conversion of the sugars into bioproducts such as furfural, is the low sugar concentration. Membrane filtration is typically proposed in several hemicellulose based biorefineries for concentrating the solution, although they are usually generated using different wood species, pretreatment methods, and operating conditions. However, the chemical composition of the solutions is generally not considered. Also, the combined effect of composition and operating conditions is rarely investigated for biorefinery applications. The purpose of this work was to determine the impact of the prehydrolysate composition and operating parameters on the component separation and permeate flux during membrane filtration. Using model prehydrolysate solutions, two commercial reverse osmosis (RO) membranes were screened, and one was selected for use, based on its higher sugar and acetic acid retention. A Taguchi L18 experimental design array was then applied to determine the dominant parameters and limiting factors. Results showed that the feed pressure and temperature have the highest impact on permeate flux, but the least effect on sugar retention. Further experiments to quantify flux decline, due to fouling and osmotic pressure, showed that furfural has the highest membrane fouling tendency, and can limit the lifetime of the membrane. Regeneration of the membrane by cleaning with a sodium hydroxide solution is also effective for reversing fouling. It has been demonstrated that RO can efficiently and sustainably concentrate wood prehydrolysate.
Fiber Fabry-Perot Force Sensor with Small Volume and High Performance for Assessing Fretting Damage of Steam Generator Tubes
Authors: Huang Peijian , Wang Ning , Li Junying , Zhu Yong , Zhang Jie
Published: December 2017

Measuring the radial collision force between the steam generator tube (SGT) and the tube support plate (TSP) is essential to assess the fretting damage of the SGT. In order to measure the radial collision force, a novel miniaturized force sensor based on fiber Fabry-Perot (F-P) was designed, and the principle and characteristics of the sensor were analyzed in detail. Then, the F-P force sensor was successfully fabricated and calibrated, and the overall dimensions of the encapsulated fiber F-P sensor were 17 mm × 5 mm × 3 mm (L × W × H). The sensor works well in humid, high pressure (10 MPa), high temperature (350 °C), and vibration (40 kHz) environments. Finally, the F-P force sensors were installed in a 1:1 steam generator test loop, and the radial collision force signals between the SGT and the TSP were obtained. The experiments indicated that the F-P sensor with small volume and high performance could help in assessing the fretting damage of the steam generator tubes.
Improvement of Gaofen-3 Absolute Positioning Accuracy Based on Cross-Calibration
Authors: Deng Mingjun , Zhang Guo , Zhao Ruishan , Li Shaoning , Li Jiansong
Published: December 2017

The Chinese Gaofen-3 (GF-3) mission was launched in August 2016, equipped with a full polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensor in the C-band, with a resolution of up to 1 m. The absolute positioning accuracy of GF-3 is of great importance, and in-orbit geometric calibration is a key technology for improving absolute positioning accuracy. Conventional geometric calibration is used to accurately calibrate the geometric calibration parameters of the image (internal delay and azimuth shifts) using high-precision ground control data, which are highly dependent on the control data of the calibration field, but it remains costly and labor-intensive to monitor changes in GF-3’s geometric calibration parameters. Based on the positioning consistency constraint of the conjugate points, this study presents a geometric cross-calibration method for the rapid and accurate calibration of GF-3. The proposed method can accurately calibrate geometric calibration parameters without using corner reflectors and high-precision digital elevation models, thus improving absolute positioning accuracy of the GF-3 image. GF-3 images from multiple regions were collected to verify the absolute positioning accuracy after cross-calibration. The results show that this method can achieve a calibration accuracy as high as that achieved by the conventional field calibration method.
Induction of Inflammation In Vivo by Electrocardiogram Sensor Operation Using Wireless Power Transmission
Authors: Heo Jin-Chul , Kim Beomjoon , Kim Yoon-Nyun , Kim Dae-Kwang , Lee Jong-Ha
Published: December 2017

Prolonged monitoring by cardiac electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors is useful for patients with emergency heart conditions. However, implant monitoring systems are limited by lack of tissue biocompatibility. Here, we developed an implantable ECG sensor for real-time monitoring of ventricular fibrillation and evaluated its biocompatibility using an animal model. The implantable sensor comprised transplant sensors with two electrodes, a wireless power transmission system, and a monitoring system. The sensor was inserted into the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal area and operated for 1 h/day for 5 days using a wireless power system. Importantly, the sensor was encapsulated by subcutaneous tissue and induced angiogenesis, inflammation, and phagocytosis. In addition, we observed that the levels of inflammation-related markers increased with wireless-powered transmission via the ECG sensor; in particular, levels of the Th-1 cytokine interleukin-12 were significantly increased. The results showed that induced tissue damage was associated with the use of wireless-powered sensors. We also investigated research strategies for the prevention of adverse effects caused by lack of tissue biocompatibility of a wireless-powered ECG monitoring system and provided information on the clinical applications of inflammatory reactions in implant treatment using the wireless-powered transmission system.
Centralized Networks to Generate Human Body Motions
Authors: Vakulenko Sergei , Radulescu Ovidiu , Morozov Ivan , Weber Andres
Published: December 2017

We consider continuous-time recurrent neural networks as dynamical models for the simulation of human body motions. These networks consist of a few centers and many satellites connected to them. The centers evolve in time as periodical oscillators with different frequencies. The center states define the satellite neurons’ states by a radial basis function (RBF) network. To simulate different motions, we adjust the parameters of the RBF networks. Our network includes a switching module that allows for turning from one motion to another. Simulations show that this model allows us to simulate complicated motions consisting of many different dynamical primitives. We also use the model for learning human body motion from markers’ trajectories. We find that center frequencies can be learned from a small number of markers and can be transferred to other markers, such that our technique seems to be capable of correcting for missing information resulting from sparse control marker settings.
General-relativistic Simulations of Four States of Accretion onto Millisecond Pulsars
Authors: Parfrey Kyle , Tchekhovskoy Alexander
Published: December 2017

Accreting neutron stars can power a wide range of astrophysical phenomena including short- and long-duration gamma-ray bursts, ultra-luminous X-ray sources, and X-ray binaries. Numerical simulations are a valuable tool for studying the accretion-disk–magnetosphere interaction that is central to these problems, most clearly for the recently discovered transitional millisecond pulsars. However, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) methods, widely used for simulating accretion, have difficulty in highly magnetized stellar magnetospheres, while force-free methods, suitable for such regions, cannot include the accreting gas. We present an MHD method that can stably evolve essentially force-free, highly magnetized regions, and describe the first time-dependent relativistic simulations of magnetized accretion onto millisecond pulsars. Our axisymmetric general-relativistic MHD simulations for the first time demonstrate how the interaction of a turbulent accretion flow with a pulsar’s electromagnetic wind can lead to the transition of an isolated pulsar to the accreting state. This transition naturally leads to the formation of relativistic jets, whose power can greatly exceed the power of the isolated pulsar’s wind. If the accretion rate is below a critical value, the pulsar instead expels the accretion stream. More generally, our simulations produce for the first time the four possible accretion regimes, in order of decreasing mass accretion rate: (a) crushed magnetosphere and direct accretion; (b) magnetically channeled accretion onto the stellar poles; (c) the propeller state, where material enters through the light cylinder but is prevented from accreting by the centrifugal barrier; (d) almost perfect exclusion of the accretion flow from the light cylinder by the pulsar wind.
Identifications aliénantes et radicalisme religieux
Authors: Hirsch Denis
Published: December 2017

L’auteur traite des mécanismes intra-psychiques et inter-psychiques qui aliènent le moi inconscient dans le phénomène du terrorisme radical religieux. S’y intriquent nécessairement la psychologie individuelle et la psychologie collective, comme dans tous processus meurtriers à caractère totalitaire. Trois niveaux complémentaires d’aliénation et de « prise en otage » du moi inconscient sont repérés : Une régression du moi aliéné vers un moi-idéal vampirisé par une idole religieuse Une identification mélancolique au père déchu et un surmoi cruel « terroriste » qui mène à « l’attentat suicide » Une communauté de déni et de clivage qui scelle le pacte meurtrier et rend compte de la contagion de la radicalisation auprès des adolescents et jeunes adultes. Prenant en compte les modalités de défenses drastiques des adolescents en errance identitaire, l’auteur ouvre ensuite un débat sur l’origine fondamentale de toute violence terroriste radicale. Elle se situerait au carrefour entre une tentative désespérée de vérifier la survie de l’objet à la destructivité extrême et l’expression d’un masochisme de mort désintriqué. Le terrorisme intégriste religieux serait dès lors une figure contemporaine de la pulsion de mort. Le terrorisme religieux identitaire est aussi sous-tendu par les formes d’aliénation subjective et de malaise dans la culture contemporaine occidentale. Ce phénomène à haute contagiosité nous interroge sur la possible mélancolisation de nos sociétés hyper-moderne et néo-libérales.
Grozny : réinventer une « petite Union soviétique » dans le Caucase
Authors: Sperling Walter , Lefranc Alban
Published: December 2017

L’article analyse les ambiguïtés de la vie quotidienne soviétique dans le Caucase, en explorant le pluralisme ethnique de la ville de Grozny, et les façons dont ce souvenir est mis en scène et convoqué dans la Russie postsoviétique. Grozny peut être vu comme une métaphore pour d’autres communautés postsoviétiques qui regardent la période de transformation des années 1990 comme une catastrophe. Pour la communauté multiethnique de Grozny, composée de Russes, de Tchétchènes, d’Arméniens ou de Juifs, la perte n’est pas qu’une métaphore, mais une expérience concrète liée à deux guerres désastreuses qui ont ravagé le Nord Caucase. La construction mémorielle de Grozny, « notre petite Union soviétique », comme la désigne la communauté transnationale des anciens habitants de la ville, peut être vue comme un effort pour restaurer une identité perdue et rétablir un réseau de relations détruit par la violence et la guerre.
Using Modeling and Simulation Techniques to Improve the Accountability and the Performance of Human Resource Management
Authors: Valentina Florea Nicoleta , Daniela Manea Marinela
Published: December 2017

The analysis of human resources function and its contribution to obtain performance dates back to the 1920s. Now, the HR is an equal partner on the board of the companies, having a strategic role in obtaining performance, thus we try to show that compensating appropriately, the human capital it will be motivated to obtain performance. This paper examines the two different visions of different managers in which the human capital is perceived as a major cost for organization and the others which perceive it as an investment on long run. In this article, we analyse the impact could have the direct costs of human capital on individual and organizational performance using samples of some variables from European level, data between 2005-2016. Data used for the different years were analysed using simulation methods. Findings of this study show consistency with the theory in the filed, bringing a value in motivation and accountability of human capital and performance obtained through human capital.
TDOA-Based Acoustic Direction Finding
Authors: Cui Xunxue , Yu Kegen , Lu Songsheng
Published: December 2017

This chapter focuses on estimating the azimuth and elevation angles of a sound emitter based on time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) measurements using an array of acoustic sensors. The TDOA-based direction-finding problem is appropriate because in a range of scenarios the source only emits a transient signal and TDOA measurements provide a simple method of finding the direction of the received signal. Given the measurement of TDOA, three methods for calculating the actual bearing of an acoustic source are considered—algebraic calculations based on trigonometric functions, linear least squares, and nonlinear least squares—and these results are also compared with the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB). In this chapter, a comprehensive analysis of TDOA-based direction-finding methods is presented with regard to different application conditions, while their estimation performances are analysed with both simulation and field experimental results produced by 3-D microphone array.
Beyond the Embodied Digital Service Encounter
Authors: Sørensen Jannick Kirk
Published: December 2017

When a digital service encounter develops differently than anticipated, the client becomes a user. This transformation reveals the ambiguous nature of digital service encounter being neither well-functioning tools, nor having the same sensitivity to and tolerance for service failures as in human service encounters. Through the case-study of a service failure and subsequent co-creation of the service recovery, this chapter introduces and unfolds the concept of ‘cognitively dominated service encounters'. This category is suggested to supplement and criticize Paul Dourish's (2001) concept of Embodied Interaction. With a micro analysis of the interaction in this service journey, we identify the need for a category of knowledge intensive service encounters that acknowledge both the complexity of the service provided, but also the constraints and possibilities in the digital design material.
E-Services Mobile Applications and Conjoint fMRI Analysis
Authors: Heinonen Jarmo E.A.
Published: December 2017

Previous researches, documents and studies have shown that neuromarketing and conjoint analysis have been used in many areas of consumer research, and they provide benefit for further understanding of consumer behaviour. Together these two methods may reveal more information about hidden desires, expectations and restrains from customers' brain. This paper attempts to examine these two research methods together as a companied analysis. More specifically this study utilizes fMRI and conjoint analysis as a tool for analysing consumer´s preferences and decision making. This paper provides theoretical background with short history of conjoint analysis and contributions for the audience of consumer research 1) how conjoint evaluation models works, 2) different conjoint models, 3) counting attribute interactions in conjoint analysis, and 4) brain activation triggers in fMRI and connection to conjoint analysis. Researchers, scholars and practitioners of consumer behaviour may learn new method of understanding user´s preferences and decision making.
What is the “Learning” in Games-Based Learning?
Authors: Orr Karen , McGuinness Carol
Published: December 2017

This chapter explores the nature of “learning” in games-based learning and the cognitive and motivational processes that might underpin that learning by drawing on psychological theories and perspectives. Firstly, changing conceptions of learning over the last few decades are reviewed. This is described in relation to the changes in formal learning theories and connections made between learning theory and GBL. Secondly, the chapter reviews empirical research on the learning outcomes that have been identified for GBL, with specific focus on cognitive benefits, school attainment, collaborative working, and the motivational and engaging appeal of games. Finally, an overview of the dominant theoretical perspectives/findings mostly associated with GBL is presented in an attempt to broaden understanding of the potential for GBL in the classroom.
Determinantes Econômicos do uso de Stock Options em Companhias Brasileiras de Capital Aberto
Authors: Oliveira Isaac Gezer Silva de , Silva Junior Annor Da
Published: December 2017

Pretende-se com este estudo identificar os determinantes econômicos que influenciam a utilização de planos de opções por ações (stock options) em companhias brasileiras listadas na Bolsa Valores, Mercadorias e Futuros de São Paulo (BM&FBovespa). Teoricamente o estudo apoia-se na teoria de agência e no corpo de conhecimento acerca da governança corporativa e da remuneração de executivos. Foram traçadas quatro hipóteses de pesquisa concernentes ao desempenho financeiro e valor corporativo; ao endividamento; à concentração acionária; e ao tamanho. A amostra foi composta pelas 100 companhias com ações de maior liquidez e volume para um painel de 6 anos(de 2010à 2015). Os dados foram examinados a partir da regressão logística em painel. Os resultados levam à rejeição da primeira e da quarta hipóteses indicando, no caso da H1, que quanto maior o desempenho financeiro menor é a probabilidade de uso de opções por ações e,no caso da H4, que o tamanho se relaciona negativamente com a probabilidade de uso de opções de ações em seus planos de incentivos aos executivos. A terceira hipótese (H3) não foi rejeitada indicando que a concentração acionária se relaciona negativamente com o uso de opções por ações. Já em relação à segunda hipótese (H2) os resultados não apresentaram significância estatística indicando a ausência de relação entre o endividamento e o uso de opções por ações.Como síntese dos resultados constatou-se que o uso de opções por ações tende a ser utilizado por companhias de menor porte, com menor concentração acionária e de desempenho financeiro menor.
Divulgação de informações sobre recursos humanos e os fatores que influenciam sua evidenciação voluntária nos relatórios da administração
Authors: Félix Júnior Luiz Antonio , Oliveira Marcos Roberto Gois de , Miranda Luiz Carlos , Lagioia Umbelina Cravo Teixeira , Galvão Kécia da Silveira
Published: December 2017

Os recursos humanos são os responsáveis por executar serviços ou produzir produtos para que as organizações possam se desenvolver por meio da negociação destes. Desta forma, o fator humano tem sido tema recorrente de discussões nos meios empresariais e acadêmicos. Buscando compreender os esforços realizados pelas empresas para a realização da divulgação de informações sobre recursos humanos, definiu-se o seguinte objetivo de pesquisa: analisar os fatores que influenciam o nível de divulgação voluntária de informações sobre recursos humanos das companhias listadas no Índice IBrX100 durante os anos de 2009 à 2013. Para a construção desta pesquisa, foram analisados os relatórios da administração, formando assim o nível de divulgação de informação sobre recursos humanos, posteriormente foram levantadas as características das empresas a serem estudadas e por meio do desenvolvimento de uma regressão com dados em painel, realizou-se a análise inferencial. Como resultado de pesquisa, concluiu-se que os fatores que influenciam sobre o processo da divulgação de informações voluntárias sobre recursos humanos foram o tamanho, pois na medida em que as companhias são maiores elas buscam realizarem mais evidenciações, o mesmo acontece com a sua rentabilidade, mostrando que empresas com maior rentabilidade exercem mais a figura da publicidade acerca dos recursos humanos, já com relação ao balanço social na medida em que as empresas expõe esta demonstração, ela auxilia de forma a legitimar a companhia, mostrando os diversos aspectos sociais, inclusive a preocupação com o corpo funcional das empresas.
A unique case of foreign body aspiration and recurrent pneumothorax
Authors: Lima Mario , Ugolini Sara , Di Salvo Niel , Libri Michele , Gargano Tommaso , Ruggeri Giovanni
Published: December 2017

Paediatric foreign body aspiration can be related to a high morbidity/mortality rate, especially in young children, and pneumothorax can be a severe associated issue. We describe a case of a 13-year-old girl with recurrent pneumothorax in bilateral bullous lung, twice previously treated at our institution by robotassisted bullectomy, and once again showing same signs and symptoms. At conventional thoracoscopy an inorganic foreign body was found to be located pointing upwards the apex. We believe this may have acted as a contributory cause in the persistence of the clinical picture, despite the surgical removal of the underlying pathology.
High rates of bacterial vaginosis and Chlamydia in a low-income, high-population-density community in Cape Town
Authors: Lennard Katie S. , Dabee Smritee , Barnabas Shaun L. , Havyarimana Enock , Jaumdally Shameem Z. , Botha Gerrit , Mkhize Nonhlanhla N. , Bekker Linda-Gail , Gray Glenda , Mulder Nicola , Passmore Jo-Ann , Jaspan Heather B.
Published: December 2017

Young South African women, from resource-poor communities, face several sexual and reproductive health challenges. Here we describe the vaginal microbiota and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence of 102; 16–22-year-old, HIV-negative South African women from a low-income, high-population-density community in Cape Town (CPT). Vaginal microbiota were profiled using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing; bacterial vaginosis (BV) status was established using Nugent scoring and STIs were determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. STIs were common, with 55% of women having at least one STI; 41% were infected with high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) and a further 28% with low-risk HPV; 44% were infected with Chlamydia, 16% of whom had at least one additional STI. Similarly, BV rates were very high, with 55% of women classified as BV-positive (Nugent score ≥7), 7% as BV-intermediate (Nugent score 3–6) and 38% as BV-negative (Nugent 0–2). Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae), the leading cause of neonatal sepsis, was present in 25% of BV-positive women and 28% of BV-negative women, and was significantly more abundant among BV-negative women. Both Chlamydia infection and BV may adversely affect reproductive health and place these women at additional risk for HIV acquisition. The high abundance of Prevotella amnii, in particular, may increase HIV risk, given its inflammatory capacity. Laboratory-based testing for STIs (Chlamydia and Gonorrhoeae in particular) appear to be warranted in this community, together with further monitoring or treatment of BV.Research correlation: This article is the original version, of which an Afrikaans translation was made available to provide access to a larger readership, available here: https://doi.org/10.4102/satnt.v36i1.1495
Improvement in Context: Exploring Aims, Improvement Priorities, and Environmental Considerations in a National Sample of Programs Using “Small Data”
Authors: Philibert Ingrid , Beernink John H. , Bush Barbara H. , Caniano Donna A. , Chow Andrea , Coyle John J. , Gilhooly Joseph , Kraybill Donald E. , Larson David , Moran Sarah , Nace Mary Catherine , Robertson William W. , Rubin Judith D. , Sanford Theodore
Published: December 2017

Background

In 2013, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) transitioned into a new accreditation system to reduce burden, focus on outcomes, and promote innovation and improvement. One component is a self-study that includes aims, an environmental assessment, and setting improvement priorities. The ACGME initiated voluntary site visits following the self-study.

Objective

We explored common themes in program aims and assessment of their environment.

Methods

Using grounded theory, inductive and deductive qualitative methods, and truth grounding, we analyzed data from voluntary site visits of 396 core and subspecialty programs between June 2015 and September 2017, with a focus on common themes.

Results

We report common themes for aims and the dimensions of the environmental assessment. Themes for strengths include a collegial, supportive learning environment; responsive leaders; and experiences that prepare residents for unsupervised practice. Improvement priorities encompass low learner engagement and “content mismatch” in didactic education, balancing education and service at a time of growing clinical volumes, and improving the utility of assessment systems. Common opportunities encompass collaborations that improve education, involving alumni and harnessing technology to enrich education, while threats include an unsustainable effort for many program leaders, clinical pressures on faculty, and loss of external sites important for education. Linked dimensions of the environmental assessment suggest benefit in a growing focus on learners, and approaches to ensure a humanistic learning environment that allows for growth, self-determination, and inclusion.

Conclusions

The findings highlight actionable themes for the environmental assessment. We discuss implications for programs, institutions, and the ACGME.
Generalized Normal Product Adjacency in Digital Topology
Authors: Boxer Laurence
Published: December 2017

We study properties of Cartesian products of digital images for which
adjacencies based on the normal product adjacency are used. We show
that the use of such adjacencies lets us obtain many "product properties"
for which the analogous statement is either unknown or invalid if, instead,
we were to use c_u-adjacencies.
Fourier Transformation on Model Fitting for Pakistan Inflation Rate
Authors: Iqbal Anam , Ahmad Basheer , Iqbal Kanwal , Ali Asad
Published: December 2017

Inflation is one of the serious economic indicators in Pakistan. Inflation can be crawling, walking, running, hyper and stagflation according to nature. To model monthly inflation rate in Pakistan periodogram analysis and frequency domain analysis which is also known as Fourier analysis or spectral analysis is used. After analyzing the data, inflation cycle length is observed and appropriate Fourier series models are fitted to the data. Monthly inflation rate is also analyzed by Auto Regressive Integrated Moving average (ARIMA). Further, models are compared and it is found that Fourier series models are more suitable to forecast inflation rate of Pakistan.
Dissemination and Implementation of Evidence Based Best Practice Across the High
Value Healthcare Collaborative (HVHC) Using Sepsis as a Prototype – Rapidly Learning
from Others
Authors: Taenzer Andreas , Kinslow Allison , Gorman Christine , Schoepflin Sanders Shelley , Patel Shilpa J. , Kraft Sally , Savitz Lucy
Published: December 2017

The dissemination of evidence-based best practice through the entire health care
system remains an elusive goal, despite public pressure and regulatory guidance. Many
patients do not receive the same quality of care at different hospitals across the same
health care system. We describe the role of a data driven learning collaborative, the
High Value Healthcare Collaborative (HVHC), in the dissemination of best practice using
adherence to the 3-hour-bundle for sepsis care. Compliance with and adoption of sepsis
bundle care elements comparing sites with mature vs non-mature care delivery processes
were measured during the improvement effort for a cohort of 20,758 patients. Non-mature
sites increased their bundle compliance from 71.0 to 86.7 percent (p < 0.005). This
compliance increase was primarily based on increased compliance with the fluid element
of the bundle that improved for non-mature locations from 76.4 to 94.0 percent (p <
0.005).
A Data Quality Assessment Guideline for Electronic Health Record Data Reuse
Authors: Weiskopf Nicole G. , Bakken Suzanne , Hripcsak George , Weng Chunhua
Published: December 2017

Introduction: We describe the formulation, development, and initial expert review
of 3x3 Data Quality Assessment (DQA), a dynamic, evidence-based guideline to enable
electronic health record (EHR) data quality assessment and reporting for clinical
research.Methods: 3x3 DQA was developed through the triangulation results from three
studies: a review of the literature on EHR data quality assessment, a quantitative study
of EHR data completeness, and a set of interviews with clinical researchers. Following
initial development, the guideline was reviewed by a panel of EHR data quality
experts.Results: The guideline embraces the task-dependent nature of data quality and
data quality assessment. The core framework includes three constructs of data quality:
complete, correct, and current data. These constructs are operationalized according to
the three primary dimensions of EHR data: patients, variables, and time. Each of the
nine operationalized constructs maps to a methodological recommendation for EHR data
quality assessment. The initial expert response to the framework was positive, but
improvements are required.Discussion: The initial version of 3x3 DQA promises to enable
explicit guideline-based best practices for EHR data quality assessment and reporting.
Future work will focus on increasing clarity on how and when 3x3 DQA should be used
during the research process, improving the feasibility and ease-of-use of recommendation
execution, and clarifying the process for users to determine which operationalized
constructs and recommendations are relevant for a given dataset and study.
A Primer to the Structure, Content and Linkage of the FDA’s Manufacturer and User
Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) Files
Authors: Ensign Lisa Garnsey , Cohen K. Bretonnel
Published: December 2017

Introduction and Background: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s
Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database is a publicly
available resource providing over 4 million records relating to medical device safety.
Using downloadable MAUDE files avoids limitations of the online MAUDE search interface.
However, naïve file usage can result in errors, while independent discovery of the
nuances required to correctly work with the database can be time-consuming. Practical
information is provided to shorten this learning curve and obtain accurate results when
using the MAUDE database files.MAUDE File Descriptions: The MAUDE database consists of
135 fields in four primary (Master Event, Device, Patient, Text) and two supplemental
(Device Problems and Problem Code Descriptions) file types. When combined, these six
files provide a detailed account of an adverse event or product problem report. Website
instructions for joining the files are incomplete. Comprehensive details are provided to
enable precise file linking.Lessons Learned: MAUDE files have irregularities that must
be understood to download and work with the data efficiently. Accurate results depend
upon combining the files correctly and understanding the difference between report and
event denominators. Appreciating data availability can facilitate successful MAUDE
investigations.Conclusion: The MAUDE database can provide key insights about medical
device safety. Detailed information is provided about the structure, content and
interrelationships of the MAUDE database files to enable investigators to use this
valuable resource more quickly and accurately.
Utilizing Standard Data Transactions and Public-Private Partnerships to Support
Healthy Weight Within the Community
Authors: Mikles Sean P. , L. Wiltz Jennifer , Fourquet Lori , Painter Ian , Lober William Bill
Published: December 2017

Context: Obesity is a significant health issue in the United States that both
clinical and public health systems struggle to address. Electronic health record data
could help support multi-sectoral interventions to address obesity. Standards have been
identified and created to support the electronic exchange of weight-related data across
many stakeholder groups.Case Description: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
initiated a public-private partnership including government, industry, and academic
technology partners to develop workflow scenarios and supporting systems to exchange
weight-related data through standard transactions. This partnership tested the
transmission of data using this newly-defined Healthy Weight (HW) profile at multiple
health data interoperability demonstration events.Findings: Five transaction types were
tested by 12 partners who demonstrated how the standards and related systems support
end-to-end workflows around managing weight-related issues in the community. The
standard transactions were successfully tested at two Integrating the Healthcare
Enterprise (IHE) Connectathon events through 86 validated tests encompassing 38
multi-partner transactions.Discussion: We have successfully demonstrated the
transactions defined in the HW profile with a public-private partnership. These tested
IT products and HW standards could be used to support a continuum of care around health
related issues encompassing both health care and public health functions.Conclusion: The
use of the HW profile, including a set of transactions and identified standards to
implement those transactions, in IT products is a helpful first step in leveraging
health information technology to address weight-related issues in the United States.
Future work is needed to expand the use of these standards and to assess their use in
real world settings.