bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of State Music Education Certification and Licensure Practices in the United States
Authors: May Brittany Nixon , Willie Karen , Worthen Cherilyn , Pehrson Allyssa
Published: April 2017

Teacher certification and licensure practices for music educators vary by state. Enhancing music teacher educator knowledge of state music education certification and licensure practices can inform music teacher preparation and improve future music teacher quality. The purpose of this study was to compile relevant information for music educators about the certification practices of each of the United States and the District of Columbia as of January 2016, and to examine the commonalities and differences among the states’ policies. Results revealed a movement toward comprehensive certification for all grade levels and music subject areas. Researchers noted heightened accountability through increased testing requirements and the inclusion of teacher performance assessments.
Community Pharmacy–Based Inducement Programs Associated With Better Medication Adherence: A Cohort Study
Authors: Simpson Scot H. , Lin Mu , Eurich Dean T.
Published: April 2017

Background: Inducement programs can promote customer loyalty; however, the clinical effects of these programs are unknown. Objective: To examine relationships among inducement program use, medication adherence, and health outcomes. Methods: Alberta residents with ≥ 1 physician visit for diabetes or hypertension between April 2008 and March 2014 were eligible for this study and included if they were new statin users and alive at least 455 days after the first statin dispensation. Group assignment was based on whether all statin dispensations in the first year were obtained from pharmacies with or without inducement programs. Discontinuation was defined as no statin dispensations between 275 and 455 days after the first statin dispensation. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) hospitalizations or deaths were identified between 456 days and 3 years after the first statin dispensation. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships among inducement program use, discontinuation, and ACS events. Results: Among the 159 998 new statin users, mean age was 60.2 (±13.7) years and 67 534 (42%) were women. Statin discontinuation occurred in 22 455 (28.9%) of 77 803 inducement group participants and 25 816 (31.4%) of 82 195 noninducement group participants (adjusted odds ratio = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.86-0.90). Risk of an ACS event was similar between groups (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.00; 95% CI 0.92-1.08); however, discontinuing statin therapy was associated with a higher risk of an ACS event (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.16-1.39). Conclusions: Inducement programs are associated with better adherence and not directly associated with risk of health outcomes.
Test–Retest Reliability of Common Measures of Eating Disorder Symptoms in Men Versus Women
Authors: Forbush Kelsie T. , Hilderbrand Lindsay A. , Bohrer Brittany K. , Chapa Danielle A. N.
Published: April 2017

Approximately 10% to 30% of individuals with eating disorders (EDs) are male, yet because measures often have not been tested among male participants, it is unclear whether the psychometric properties of ED measures are equivalent between sexes. The purpose of this study was to compare the test–retest reliability of common ED measures in men versus women. Participants ( N = 227; 58.1% female) completed self-report measures of body dissatisfaction, restrained eating, disinhibited eating, bulimic symptoms, and desire-for-muscularity at baseline and 2-to-4 weeks later. Intraclass correlations were used to compute retest correlations. Spearman’s rho was used to compute retest correlations for skewed and kurtotic variables. We compared 95% confidence intervals for intraclass correlation coefficients to determine whether measures differed in reliability between sexes. Most ED measures had at least acceptable test–retest reliabilities. However, few measures of disinhibited and binge eating demonstrated good reliability in men. Results highlight the utility of several ED measures for assessing symptom change over time, and the need for additional research to identify and correct for sources of gender unreliability among ED self-report measures in men—particularly for assessing constructs that include binge-eating behavior.
Adaptation, Further Elaboration, and Validation of a Scale to Measure Hope as Perceived by People: Discriminant Value and Predictive Utility Vis-à-Vis Dispositional Hope
Authors: Krafft Andreas M. , Martin-Krumm Charles , Fenouillet Fabien
Published: April 2017

Against the background of different psychological conceptualizations of hope, this article elaborates and validates a measure to assess hope as perceived by the general public adapting it from the hope and optimism subscale of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Spirituality, Religion and Personal Beliefs Questionnaire. The results presented here are part of a yearly Internet-based cross-sectional survey in Germany and Switzerland called Hope-Barometer, from which 4 samples of 3 different years with about 17,500 participants have been used. Following the results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses as well as convergent validity, discriminant value, and predictive utility, our findings suggest that the six items of the resulting Perceived Hope Scale exhibits robust psychometric properties, and that perceived hope is distinct and broader than dispositional hope, in which it relates not only to cognitive but also to spiritual, religious, and altruistic dimensions.
Structural changes in biscuits made with cellulose emulsions as fat replacers
Authors: Sanz Teresa , Quiles Amparo , Salvador Ana , Hernando Isabel
Published: April 2017

Biscuits are a popular baked cereal food much appreciated by consumers. In the last few years, cellulose derivatives have been successfully used as fat replacers in biscuits. In this way, not only is the total amount of fat reduced but also the saturated fatty acids and the trans fatty acids are eliminated. The aim of this study is to increase understanding of the functionality of different cellulose ether emulsions used as fat replacers in biscuits. For this purpose, three emulsions with different cellulose ethers were designed: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose and methylcellulose with greater methoxyl substitution (MCH). The microstructure and textural properties of the doughs and biscuits prepared with these emulsions were studied and the effects of cellulose types and glycerol as textural improver were also analysed. The results showed that the incorporation of glycerol in the doughs made with methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose cellulose emulsions seems to make the dough softer, bringing the values closer to those of the control dough; however, this effect disappears once the dough is baked. The presence of glycerol does not seem to have an effect on the hardness of the doughs and biscuits made using the methylcellulose with greater methoxyl substitution (MCH) emulsion.
Trait and Ability Emotional Intelligence in Children With ADHD
Authors: Climie Emma A. , Saklofske Donald H. , Mastoras Sarah M. , Schwean Vicki L.
Published: April 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine trait and ability emotional intelligence (EI) in children with ADHD. Method: Forty-one children with ADHD (9-11 years) completed two measures of EI—the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version–short form (EQi:YV-Brief) and the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, Youth Research Version (MSCEIT-YRV). Results: Children with ADHD did not differ on total EI scores from the normative data on either the ability or trait EI measures. However, they scored above the group norms on the MSCEIT-YRV subscale of Managing Emotions and lower on Understanding Emotions. On the EQi:YV-Brief, children with ADHD reported significantly lower Interpersonal and Adaptability EI. Conclusion: Children with ADHD are relatively similar to children without ADHD when examining EI scores. However, there is some variability in the EI measures which should be considered when creating intervention programs.
Cumulative Risk and Physiological Stress Responses in African American Adolescents
Authors: Kliewer Wendy , Robins Jo Lynne W.
Published: April 2017

Objective:

To investigate associations between components of cumulative risk (CR) and physiological stress responses in African American adolescents and evaluate emotion regulation as a mediator and sex as a moderator of these associations.

Methods:

Cortisol and salivary alpha amylase (sAA) were collected in adolescents ( N = 205; 55% female; 12.1 ± 1.6 years at baseline) as part of a longitudinal study of stress and adjustment in families. CR was assessed at baseline and emotion regulation was assessed at baseline and 2 years later at Wave 3 (W3) using caregiver and adolescent reports. Cortisol and sAA responses to the social competence interview were assessed at W3.

Results:

Repeated-measures analyses of variance predicting cortisol and controlling for time of day, adolescent age, medication usage, and pubertal status revealed significant interactions of time with both psychosocial and sociodemographic risk. In both analyses, youths with higher levels of risk showed a steeper decline in cortisol than youths with lower levels of risk. In parallel analyses predicting sAA, time interacted with psychosocial but not with sociodemographic risk. There were no interactions with sex in any of the analyses. Although CR was associated with changes in emotion regulation, there was no evidence that these changes accounted for the observed CR–stress response associations.

Conclusions:

These findings illustrate the potential importance of disentangling CR and suggest that additional work is needed to help explicate why and how CR is associated with specific physiological responses to stress.
When one’s group is beneficial: The effect of group-affirmation and subjective group identification on prejudice
Authors: Villicana Adrian J. , Rivera Luis M. , Garcia Donna M.
Published: April 2017

In three experiments, we examined whether group-affirmation reduces prejudice against outgroups. In Experiments 1 and 2, White participants completed a test of abilities then were assigned to one of three affirmation conditions. Participants either received positive feedback about their ingroup’s performance, positive feedback about their personal performance, or no feedback. Participants then provided judgments toward Blacks. Across both experiments, participants who received the ingroup performance feedback expressed the lowest levels of anti-Black prejudice, but Experiment 2 indicated this effect was limited to strongly White-identified participants. In Experiment 3, we used a different group-affirmation procedure (writing about American values) and outgroup target (Middle Easterners). Among strongly American-identified participants, those who explained why a value was important for Americans expressed lower levels of prejudice against Middle Easterners compared to those in a control condition. We suggest that affirming one’s group—or social identity—can serve as a beneficial resource in the domain of prejudice.
Anger as a catalyst for change? Incremental beliefs and anger’s constructive effects in conflict
Authors: Shuman Eric , Halperin Eran , Reifen Tagar Michal
Published: April 2017

The traditional understanding of the role of anger in conflicts is that it leads to aggressive actions that escalate conflict. However, recent research has found that under certain circumstances anger can have constructive effects such as increasing support for more risky conciliatory steps in negotiation. The current study aims to identify a psychological moderator that determines whether anger has such destructive or constructive effects. We propose that people’s beliefs about the malleability of groups (i.e., implicit theories about groups) moderate whether anger leads to conciliatory, constructive behaviors or destructive, aggressive behaviors. We test this hypothesis in two different contexts (a) race relations in the US in the context of recent protests against police brutality, and (b) the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Results indicated that induced anger (compared to control condition) increased support for aggressive policies for participants who believed that groups cannot change. In contrast, for those who believed groups can change, inducing anger actually increased support for conciliatory policies compared to a control condition. Together, this indicates that anger can have constructive effects in conflict when people believe that groups can change.
A study on the influence of hull wake on model scale cavitation and noise tests for a fast twin screw vessel with inclined shaft
Authors: Tani Giorgio , Viviani Michele , Villa Diego , Ferrando Marco
Published: April 2017

The study of ship underwater radiated noise is nowadays a topic of great and largely recognized importance. This is due to the fact that in the last decades, the problem of the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine life has been addressed with higher emphasis, giving rise to different efforts aimed to the analysis of its effects on different organisms and, in parallel, to means for the reduction of shipping noise. In this context, attention is focused on the propeller noise, which, in cavitating conditions, may represent the most important noise source of the ship. The propeller noise has been studied for long time with different approaches. One of the most effective approaches is represented by model scale testing in cavitation tunnels or similar facilities. Despite having been adopted for several years, radiated noise experiments in model scale are usually affected by significant scale effects and technical issues. One of these aspects is represented by the correct modelling of the propeller inflow; different techniques are adopted, depending on the facility, in order to reproduce a certain target wake. One of the main problems is to define this target wake, which should in principle coincide with the ship wake; as it is well known, it is usually derived from model scale towing tank measurements, with the necessity for the prediction of the full-scale wake field. Starting from the outcomes of a previous work on the influence of different approaches for the prediction of the full-scale wake field for a single screw ship, in this work, attention is focused on the case of a fast twin screw vessel, analysing the different issues which may be connected to this hull form.
Leximancer Software as a Research Tool for Social Marketers
Authors: Biroscak Brian J. , Scott Jenny E. , Lindenberger James H. , Bryant Carol A.
Published: April 2017

The amount of human effort required to do content analysis research “by hand” is often time-consuming, and unreliability is a common concern. Our aim was to conduct a content analysis that traces the history of Social Marketing Quarterly ( SMQ) articles by using Leximancer (version 4.5)—a software tool designed for analyzing natural-language text data. We adhered to Krippendorff’s network of steps to address two research questions: (1) “What are the prevailing conceptualizations of the application of social marketing?” and (2) “How have those conceptualizations changed over time?” We identified all SMQ volumes/issues published between May 1994 (inaugural issue) and September 2015. Our sampling units consisted of all SMQ “Application” articles published during that time ( n = 162). Leximancer output includes a conceptual map representing the main concepts within the text and how they are related (themes). Based on conceptual and relational analyses, one would surmise that social marketing applications (e.g., campaigns) predominantly address health-related problems through behavioral influence strategies, informed by audience research and designed to include the elements of the marketing mix (e.g., messaging). The predominant health topic addressed by social marketing applications has been tobacco use and smoking. Leximancer has a number of desirable features including an ability to quickly handle large amounts of text in various formats and languages. However, those features are no substitute for a content analysis design that makes the research reproducible and available for critical examination—a shortcoming of previous content analyses of the social marketing field.
Measurement-converted Kalman filter tracking with Gaussian intensity attenuation signal in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Wen Sha , Xing Liqiang , Hu Xiaoqing , Zhang Hui
Published: April 2017

In this article, the target tracking problem in a wireless sensor network with nonlinear Gaussian signal intensity attenuation model is considered. A Bayesian filter tracking algorithm is presented to estimate the locations of moving source that has unknown central signal intensity. This approach adopts a measurement conversion method to remove the measurement nonlinearity by the maximum likelihood estimator, and a linear estimate of the target position and its associated noise statistics obtained by the Newton–Raphson iterative optimization steps are applied into the standard Kalman filter. The Monte Carlo simulations have been conducted in comparison with the commonly used extended Kalman filter with an augmented state that consists of both the original target state and the augmentative central signal intensity. It is observed that the proposed measurement-converted Kalman filter can yield higher accurate estimate and nicer convergence performance over existing methods.
Research on shear-slip characteristics with different-size rectangular zigzag gouge by double-direct tests
Authors: Liu Yang , Lu Cai-Ping , Zhao Tong-bin
Published: April 2017

We designed and manufactured several types of simulated faults with different-size rectangular zigzag gouges, and sheared them by traditional double-direct shear tests. Simultaneously, the shear force and corresponding acoustic emissions were recorded during shear-slip of rectangular zigzag gouge, and the variations of shear force and acoustic emission energy characteristics related to shear-slip events were analyzed. Especially, the relationship between shear-slip characteristics and zigzag length and width was also revealed. In addition, the significant differences of slip characteristic parameters between shear-slip of an intact zigzag and friction and sliding on rough plane of a sheared zigzag were summarized, and it might be used to judge the different stages of a fault slip with zigzag gouge. In conclusion, this work may reveal the characteristics of shear-slip and friction under conditions of different-size rectangular zigzag gouges of simulated fault and thus provide valuable insights into precursors of earthquake.
Pregnancy Criminalization, Reproductive Asymmetry, and Race: An Experimental Study
Authors: Daniels Cynthia , Munsch Christin L.
Published: April 2017

Despite scientific evidence to the contrary, pregnancy criminalization cases are based on assumptions of reproductive asymmetry—the belief that women are exclusively responsible for fetal health. In this article, we test the impact of disrupting this assumption. In Study 1, when asked to read a case involving charges of chemical endangerment, participants exposed to testimony about the effects of paternal drug use on pregnancy outcomes viewed both Black and White defendants as less culpable than participants in the control group. In Study 2, a homicide case, information about male-mediated harm reduced perceptions of culpability for White, but not Black, defendants.
The Role of Antibiotic Stewardship in Promoting Appropriate Antibiotic Use
Authors: Ha David R. , Haste Nina M. , Gluckstein Daniel P.
Published: April 2017

Antibiotics are one of the most significant medical discoveries in human history. The widespread use of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This fact, coupled with the paucity of new antibiotic developments, has spurred efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. One of the most critical components of these efforts is antibiotic stewardship, a multidisciplinary endeavor, employing a collection of interventions in a variety of health care settings with the aim of promoting appropriate utilization of antibiotics. This article describes antibiotic stewardship programs and key practices used to minimize the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens including the optimization of antibiotic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, the application of rapid diagnostic tools, and the use of computerized provider order entry tools.
Formation mechanism of surface topography in low-speed wire electrical discharge machining Inconel 718 and its on-line prediction based on acoustic emission technology
Authors: Wang Yan , He Duxing , Yang Lin , Xiong Wei
Published: April 2017

The mechanism of surface topography formation of Inconel 718 in low-speed wire electrical discharge machining was studied, and its on-line prediction based on acoustic emission detection technology is carried out. An optimized truncated cone-shaped thermal conduction model considering the scattering velocity difference between electrons and ions was put forward. Based on this model, discharge craters and temperature variation at different discharge energy conditions were systematically discussed in finite element analysis. Experimentally, five machining regimes that are reduced in accordance with the discharge energy were conducted with acoustic emission detection technology in low-speed wire electrical discharge machining. A novel denoising method has been proposed, which combines filtering analysis and Fast Fourier Transform. The experimental results indicate that acoustic emission testing technique provides great technical support in researching the discharge energy variation rule in low-speed wire electrical discharge machining. It is also concluded that the change trends of the theoretically calculated temperature in the discharge channel and acoustic emission signal root mean square and the surface roughness value and the acoustic emission signal root mean square show a similar exponential growth law. A regression equation about the arithmetic mean roughness ( Ra) values and root mean square values of acoustic emission is established to predict surface roughness value Ra whose error is less than 1%.
A continuum approach to study vapor vaporization within textured surface
Authors: Chen Ke-Ren , Chiang Bo-Lin , Hsu Hua-Yi
Published: April 2017

To keep a high heat transfer rate, it is important to retain the water in nucleate boiling regime and prevent film boiling. In this research, the continuum approach is applied to study liquid vaporization within a textured surface. The volume-of-fluid method and cavitation model are used in this simulation. The primary focus is on reproducing qualitative trends using continuum as molecular dynamic studies and gaining insights into the underlying mechanisms. From the simulation results, it is found that the superhydrophilic surface stabilizes the liquid existing inside the pore.
Foucault and Education
Authors: Marshall James D.
Published: April 2017

It is argued in this paper that Michel Foucault's work has much to offer education even though, in the main, educationalists have ignored his work to date. Section I is a general introduction to his work. In Section 2, his account of power/knowledge is outlined. Power/knowledge turns us into governable individuals who will lead useful, practical and docile lives tied to our real selves by knowledge of ourselves. This power/knowledge is exercised in what Foucault calls ‘the disciplines’. How this happens is outlined in Section 3. Finally the educational implications for schools and our work as professional educators are outlined.
Estimation and Hypothesis Testing for the Loglinear Model
Authors: Busk Patricia L. , Marascuilo Leonard A.
Published: April 2017

In recent years, the loglinear model has been proposed and used for analysing frequency data in multidimensional contingency tables. The primary focus of the literature has been on model building and only secondarily on hypothesis testing and estimation. This paper extends Kennedy's (1988) description by presenting post hoc procedures for statistically evaluating treatment effects, contrasts, and confidence intervals. It illustrates methods for main effect and interaction contrasts and pays special attention to odds ratios and their interval estimates. Procedures are described for treating the variables as interdependent and for the case where there are independent and dependent variables—both ordered and unordered.
Music for All: Including young people with intellectual disability in a university environment
Authors: Rickson Daphne , Warren Penny
Published: April 2017

We investigated a continuing education course in creative music making, initiated to promote the inclusion of young people with intellectual disability in a university setting. Despite organizers’ attempts to foster diversity within the student cohort, enrolments were almost exclusively from students who had intellectual disability. Being in the university environment, and in a place of higher learning, seemed to be valued by some. However, students’ main focus was on group musicking in a dedicated music room rather than interacting with the wider university community. Those who did not identify as disabled believed it was important to continue to address the barriers to wider inclusion. While acknowledging the risks around mediating the social interactions of young people with intellectual disability, we argue that future courses should include activities specifically designed to bring them to classes with typical students and to the wider activities of the university.
Acute angle closure glaucoma – A potential blind spot in critical care
Authors: Petsas Anna , Chapman George , Stewart Richard
Published: April 2017

We report a case of a 69-year-old gentleman who developed an acutely painful eye with loss of visual acuity whilst on the critical care unit. He was admitted three days previously with an infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. In addition, he received intravenous antibiotics, steroids, nebulised bronchodilators and intravenous aminophylline, together with noradrenaline for blood pressure support. On development of visual symptoms, an emergency ophthalmology review diagnosed acute angle closure glaucoma. Treatment with pilocarpine eye drops, intravenous acetazolamide and bilateral YAG laser iridotomies provided immediate symptom relief and he went on to make an excellent recovery. Acute angle closure glaucoma is a potentially devastating ophthalmic emergency. Critical care patients are at particular risk for the development of this condition due to the use of predisposing medications, such as sympathomimetics and beta agonists. Sedated patients also run a risk of delayed diagnosis so a high index of suspicion is required.
Giant arachnoid cyst associated with acute subdural haematoma: A case report
Authors: Di Gaeta Alfredo , Giurazza Francesco , Guarnieri Gianluigi , Muto Mario
Published: April 2017

Arachnoid cysts are extra-cerebral, intra-arachnoidal cerebrospinal fluid collections – the most frequent congenital developmental intracranial cystic lesions. They are often diagnosed incidentally during imaging exams acquired for different reasons, and are usually asymptomatic. Rare complications are post-traumatic rupture with consequent subdural haematomas. Spontaneous bleeding should be acknowledged as a rare but possible complication of this benign lesion. We report on the case of a patient presenting with a giant arachnoid cyst extending to the left frontal, temporal and parietal lobes associated with acute subdural haematoma without history of trauma.
A systematic review of transition studies of pulmonary arterial hypertension specific medications
Authors: Sofer Avraham , Ryan Michael J. , Tedford Ryan J. , Wirth Joel A. , Fares Wassim H.
Published: April 2017

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive potentially fatal disease. Multiple pharmacologic options are now available, which facilitated transitions between different therapeutic options, although the evidence for such transitions has not been well described. We sought to review the evidence supporting the safety and/or efficacy of transitioning between PAH‐specific medications. We performed a systematic review of all published studies in the Medline database between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2016 reporting on any transition between the currently Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved PAH‐specific medications. Studies reporting on three or more adult patients published in the English language reporting on transitions between FDA‐approved PAH medications were extracted and tabulated. Forty‐one studies met the selection criteria, nine of which included less than eight patients (and thus were reported separately in the supplement), for a total of 32 studies. Transitioning from parenteral epoprostenol to parenteral treprostinil appears to be safe and efficacious in patients who have less severe disease and more favorable hemodynamics. Transitioning from a prostacyclin analogue to an oral medication may be successful in patients who have favorable hemodynamics and stable disease. There is conflicting evidence supporting the transition from a parenteral to an inhaled prostacyclin analogue, even in patients who are on background oral therapy. Currently, the only evidence in support of transitioning between oral PDE5 inhibitors is from sildenafil to tadalafil. Patients on higher doses of sildenafil are more likely to fail. In patients with liver abnormalities due to bosentan or sitaxentan, the transition to ambrisentan appears to be safe and can result in clinical improvement. Studies regarding PAH medication transitions are limited. Patients who have less severe disease, better functional status, and are on lower medications doses may be more successful at transitioning.
Comparison of six methods to estimate adherence in an ART-naïve cohort in a resource-poor setting: which best predicts virological and resistance outcomes?
Authors: Orrell Catherine , Cohen Karen , Leisegang Rory , Bangsberg David R. , Wood Robin , Maartens Gary
Published: April 2017

Background

Incomplete adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) results in virologic failure and resistance. It remains unclear which adherence measure best predicts these outcomes. We compared six patient-reported and objective adherence measures in one ART-naïve cohort in South Africa.

Methods

We recruited 230 participants from a community ART clinic and prospectively collected demographic data, CD4 count and HIV-RNA at weeks 0, 16 and 48. We quantified adherence using 3-day self-report (SR), clinic-based pill count (CPC), average adherence by pharmacy refill (PR-average), calculation of medication-free days (PR-gaps), efavirenz therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and an electronic adherence monitoring device (EAMD). Associations between adherence measures and virologic and genotypic outcomes were modelled using logistic regression, with the area under the curve (AUC) from the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses derived to assess performance of adherence measures in predicting outcomes.

Results

At week 48 median (IQR) adherence was: SR 100% (100–100), CPC 100% (95–107), PR-average 103% (95–105), PR-gaps 100% (95–100) and EAMD 86% (59–94), and efavirenz concentrations were therapeutic (>1 mg/L) in 92%. EAMD, PR-average, PR-gaps and CPC best predicted virological outcome at week 48 with AUC ROC of 0.73 (95% CI 0.61–0.83), 0.73 (95% CI 0.61–0.85), 0.72 (95% CI 0.59–0.84) and 0.64 (95% CI 0.52–0.76) respectively. EAMD, PR-gaps and PR-average were highly predictive of detection of resistance mutations at week 48, with AUC ROC of 0.92 (95% CI 0.87–0.97), 0.86 (0.67–1.0) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.65–1.0) respectively. SR and TDM were poorly predictive of outcomes at week 48.

Conclusion

EAMD and both PR measures predicted resistance and virological failure similarly. Pharmacy refill data is a pragmatic adherence measure in resource-limited settings where electronic monitoring is unavailable.

Trial registrationThe trial was retrospectively registered in the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry, number PACTR201311000641402, on the 13 Sep 2013 (www.pactr.org). The first participant was enrolled on the 12th July 2012. The last patient last visit (week 48) was 15 April 2014
Efficacy and safety of setipiprant in seasonal allergic rhinitis: results from Phase 2 and Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-referenced studies
Authors: Ratner Paul , Andrews Charles P. , Hampel Frank C. , Martin Bruce , Mohar Dale E. , Bourrelly Denis , Danaietash Parisa , Mangialaio Sara , Dingemanse Jasper , Hmissi Abdel , van Bavel Jay
Published: April 2017

Background

Antagonism of chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule on T-helper type-2 cells (CRTH2), a G-protein coupled receptor for prostaglandin D2, could be beneficial for treating allergic disorders. We present findings on the efficacy and safety/tolerability of a CRTH2 antagonist (setipiprant) in participants with seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) in a real-life setting over 2 weeks.

Methods

A Phase 2 trial and a Phase 3 trial were conducted at seven centers in Texas, USA during the Mountain Cedar pollen season. Both were prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-referenced (cetirizine) studies. The Phase 2 trial assessed setipiprant 100–1000 mg b.i.d. and 1000 mg o.d. versus placebo in adult and elderly participants. The Phase 3 trial assessed setipiprant 1000 mg b.i.d. in adolescent, adult, and elderly participants. Efficacy was assessed using daytime nasal symptom scores (DNSS), night-time nasal symptom scores (NNSS) and daytime eye symptom scores (DESS).

Results

579 participants were randomized in the Phase 2 trial (mean age 41.6–43.4 years); 630 were randomized in the Phase 3 trial (mean age 37.5–40.7 years). A statistically significant, dose-related improvement in mean change from baseline DNSS was observed over 2 weeks with setipiprant 1000 mg b.i.d. versus placebo in the Phase 2 trial (−0.15 [95% CI −0.29, −0.01]; p = 0.030). Setipiprant 1000 mg b.i.d. had no significant effect on this endpoint in the Phase 3 trial (−0.02 [95% CI −0.12, 0.07]; p = 0.652). Total and individual NNSS and DESS symptom scores were significantly improved with setipiprant 1000 mg b.i.d. versus placebo in the Phase 2 but not the Phase 3 trial. Setipiprant showed a favorable safety/tolerability profile.

Conclusions

The Phase 2 trial was the first large clinical study to assess a CRTH2 antagonist in seasonal AR in a real-life setting. Setipiprant dose-related efficacy in the Phase 2 trial was not confirmed during Phase 3. Setipiprant was well tolerated in both studies.

Trial registrationNCT01241214 and NCT01484119
The first Canadian experience with the Afirma® gene expression classifier test
Authors: Kay-Rivest Emily , Tibbo Jamie , Bouhabel Sarah , Tamilia Michael , Leboeuf Rebecca , Forest Veronique-Isabelle , Hier Michael P. , Savoury Loren , Payne Richard J.
Published: April 2017

Background

Thyroid nodules are common and often benign, although prove to be malignant upon surgical pathology in 5–15% of cases. When assessed with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (USFNA), 15–30% of the nodules yield an indeterminate result. The Afirma® gene expression classifier (AGEC) was developed to improve management of indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs) by classifying them as “benign” or “suspicious.” Objectives were (1) to assess the performance of the AGEC in two Canadian academic medical centres (2), to search for inter-institutional variation and (3) to compare AGEC performance in Canadian versus American institutions.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective cohort study of patients with indeterminate cytopathology (Bethesda Class III or IV) as per USFNA who underwent AGEC testing. We reviewed patient demographics, cytopathological results, AGEC data and, if the patient underwent surgery, results from their final pathology.

Results

In total, we included 172 patients with Bethesda Class III or IV thyroid nodules underwent AGEC testing, 109 in Montreal, Quebec and 63 in St. John's, Newfoundland, in this study. Among the nodules sent for testing, 55% (60/109) in Montreal and 46% (29/63) in St. John's returned as “benign.” None of these patients underwent surgery. On the other hand, 45% (49/109) nodules in Montreal and 54% (34/63) in St. John's were found to be “suspicious,” for a total of 83 specimens. Seventy seven of these patients underwent surgery. Both in Montreal and St. John's, the final pathology yielded malignant thyroid disease in approximately 50% of the specimens categorized as “suspicious.” Since 2013, no patient diagnosed with a benign nodule as per AGEC testing was found to harbor a malignant thyroid nodule on follow-up.

Conclusions

Molecular analysis is increasingly used in the management of indeterminate thyroid nodules. This study highlights the experience of two Canadian centres with AGEC testing. We found inter-institutional variability in the rate of nodules returning as “benign,” however we found similar rates of confirmed malignancy in nodules returning as “suspicious.” According the literature, results for AGEC testing in two Canadian institutions align with results reported in American centres.
The value of constrained conjugate-gradient least-squares migration in seismic inversion: Application to a fractured-basement play, Texas Panhandle
Authors: Ha Thang , Marfurt Kurt
Published: April 2017

Seismic inversion has become almost routine in quantitative 3D seismic interpretation. To ensure the quality of the seismic inversion, the input seismic data need to have a high signal-to-noise ratio. With the current low oil price environment, seismic reprocessing is often preferred over reacquisition to improve data quality. Common filter pairs include forward and inverse [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] and Radon transforms. Forward and inverse migrations (i.e., migration and demigration) are a more recently introduced transform pair that, when used together in an iterative workflow, results in a least-squares migration algorithm. Least-squares migration compensates for surface variation in data density and, when combined with a filter applied to prestack migrated images, suppresses the operator and data aliasing. We apply a least-squares migration workflow to a fractured-basement data set from the Texas Panhandle to demonstrate the enhancement in signal-to-noise ratio, the reduction in acquisition footprint and migration artifacts, and the improvement in the P-impedance inversion result.
Indigenous Sexualities: Rosamond S. King's Island Bodies and the Radical Politics of Scholarship
Authors: Outar Lisa
Published: April 2017

This essay offers a critical engagement with Rosamond S. King's Island Bodies: Transgressive Sexualities in the Caribbean Imagination (2014), arguing that King enacts a ground-shifting interdisciplinary and translinguistic approach to the study of Caribbean sexualities and gender explorations. King's work is notable for its bridging of the divide between scholarship, literature, and activism, producing new understandings of transgression and agency that challenge both those who see the Caribbean as homophobic and those who see gender-nonconformity and sexual freedom of expression as global North–influenced corruptions. The essay explores the implications for King's conception of the “Caribglobal” and for her expansive and nuanced explications of the ways Caribbean peoples engage with gender, sexuality, visibility, and community belonging.
Behind the Orange Door
Authors: Civil Gabrielle , King Rosamond S.
Published: April 2017

What does it mean to embody the Caribbean as performance/art? In this coolaborative essay, two Caribbean women artists respond to this question in a dynamic dialogue of text and images. Each has individually performed at and been exhibited in more than fifty venues across the Caribbean, Africa, and the United States. Artistic comrades for twenty years, they have also collaborated with each other in performance and video. Here, they offer a deep exchange about their creative practice, paying special attention to two works individually premiered on a split bill in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, in 2004. Incorporating both self- and peer reflection, their remarks provide historical and critical context for their own and each other's work. They also address the Caribbean as influence and inspiration, and as both a real and an imagined site.
Identity and Change in the Work of Édouard Glissant
Authors: Britton Celia
Published: April 2017

The theme of identity runs throughout Édouard Glissant's work and constitutes one of his most original contributions to postcolonial thought. It is always considered in relation to change, but his formulations of both identity and change themselves change in the course of his career. In this essay, three different versions of the interrelation of identity and change are considered. In Glissant's 1981 Le discours antillais, the emphasis is on the conscious construction of a collective identity as a means of promoting the struggle for independence. In his texts of the 1990s, in contrast, identity is formed through contacts with others within the nexus of Relation and créolisation, whereas in his 2006 Une nouvelle région du monde, it is largely a question of the relationship between human beings and place. In this essay, Glissant's ideas are compared with those of the theorists of créolité, from the point of view of the question of essentialism.
Emerging roles of MICAL family proteins – from actin oxidation to membrane trafficking during cytokinesis
Authors: Frémont Stéphane , Romet-Lemonne Guillaume , Houdusse Anne , Echard Arnaud
Published: April 2017

Cytokinetic abscission is the terminal step of cell division, leading to the physical separation of the two daughter cells. The exact mechanism mediating the final scission of the intercellular bridge connecting the dividing cells is not fully understood, but requires the local constriction of endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-III-dependent helices, as well as remodelling of lipids and the cytoskeleton at the site of abscission. In particular, microtubules and actin filaments must be locally disassembled for successful abscission. However, the mechanism that actively removes actin during abscission is poorly understood. In this Commentary, we will focus on the latest findings regarding the emerging role of the MICAL family of oxidoreductases in F-actin disassembly and describe how Rab GTPases regulate their enzymatic activity. We will also discuss the recently reported role of MICAL1 in controlling F-actin clearance in the ESCRT-III-mediated step of cytokinetic abscission. In addition, we will highlight how two other members of the MICAL family (MICAL3 and MICAL-L1) contribute to cytokinesis by regulating membrane trafficking. Taken together, these findings establish the MICAL family as a key regulator of actin cytoskeleton dynamics and membrane trafficking during cell division.
Raccoon dog model shows preservation of bone during prolonged catabolism and reduced physical activity
Authors: Mustonen Anne-Mari J. , Finnilä Mikko A. J. , Puukka Katri S. , Jämsä Timo J. , Saarakkala Simo , Tuukkanen Juha K. , Nieminen T. Petteri
Published: April 2017

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is a promising animal model capable of preventing disuse-induced osteoporosis. Previous data suggest that this species resembles bears in the preservation of bone mass and biomechanical properties during prolonged passivity and catabolism. This longitudinal study examined the osteological properties of tibiae in farm-bred raccoon dogs that were either fed or fasted (n=6/group) for a 10-week period. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography was utilized and plasma markers of bone turnover measured before fasting and at 9 weeks followed by mechanical testing (three-point bending), micro-computed tomography and Fourier transform infrared imaging at 10 weeks. Passive wintering with prolonged catabolism (body mass loss 32%) had no significant effects on bone mineralization, porosity or strength. The concentration of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, indicative of bone resorption, increased in the plasma of the fasted raccoon dogs, while the bone formation markers were unchanged. The levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D reduced in the fasted animals. Based on these data, the preservation of bone in wintering raccoon dogs shares characteristics of bears with no apparent decrease in the formation of bone but increased resorption. To conclude, raccoon dogs were able to minimize bone loss during a 10-week period of catabolism and passivity.
Restoration of Color Caused by Redox Reactions of Copper(I) Complexes Bearing 2,2′-Bipyridine and (R)-(+)-2,2′-Bis(di-p-tolylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl Ligands
Authors: Nishikawa Michihiro , Tsuji Masakata , Ohishi Tomoyuki , Tsubomura Taro
Published: April 2017

Copper(I) complexes bearing (R)-(+)-2,2′-bis(di-p-tolylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl and 2,2′-bipyridine derivative ligands were newly synthesized and characterized. Despite many known copper(I) complexes bearing diimine and diphosphine ligands, which are well-investigated for their photofuntions, exhibit irreversible oxidation, the present complex shows clear spectral changes on oxidation and reduction reactions.
AR2, a novel automatic muscle artifact reduction software method for ictal EEG interpretation: Validation and comparison of performance with commercially available software
Authors: Weiss Shennan Aibel , Asadi-Pooya Ali A , Vangala Sitaram , Moy Stephanie , Wyeth Dale H , Orosz Iren , Gibbs Michael , Schrader Lara , Lerner Jason , Cheng Christopher K , Chang Edward , Rajaraman Rajsekar , Keselman Inna , Churchman Perdro , Bower-Baca Christine , Numis Adam L , Ho Michael G , Rao Lekha , Bhat Annapoorna , Suski Joanna , Asadollahi Marjan , Ambrose Timothy , Fernandez Andres , Nei Maromi , Skidmore Christopher , Mintzer Scott , Eliashiv Dawn S , Mathern Gary W , Nuwer Marc R , Sperling Michael , Engel Jr Jerome , Stern John M
Published: April 2017

Objective: To develop a novel software method (AR2) for reducing muscle contamination of ictal scalp electroencephalogram (EEG), and validate this method on the basis of its performance in comparison to a commercially available software method (AR1) to accurately depict seizure-onset location.

Methods: A blinded investigation used 23 EEG recordings of seizures from 8 patients. Each recording was uninterpretable with digital filtering because of muscle artifact and processed using AR1 and AR2 and reviewed by 26 EEG specialists. EEG readers assessed seizure-onset time, lateralization, and region, and specified confidence for each determination. The two methods were validated on the basis of the number of readers able to render assignments, confidence, the intra-class correlation (ICC), and agreement with other clinical findings.

Results: Among the 23 seizures, two-thirds of the readers were able to delineate seizure-onset time in 10 of 23 using AR1, and 15 of 23 using AR2 (p<0.01). Fewer readers could lateralize seizure-onset (p<0.05). The confidence measures of the assignments were low (probable-unlikely), but increased using AR2 (p<0.05). The ICC for identifying the time of seizure-onset was 0.15 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.11-0.18) using AR1 and 0.26 (95% CI 0.21-0.30) using AR2.  The EEG interpretations were often consistent with behavioral, neurophysiological, and neuro-radiological findings, with left sided assignments correct in 95.9% (CI 85.7-98.9%, n=4) of cases using AR2, and 91.9% (77.0-97.5%) (n=4) of cases using AR1.

Conclusions: EEG artifact reduction methods for localizing seizure-onset does not result in high rates of interpretability, reader confidence, and inter-reader agreement. However, the assignments by groups of readers are often congruent with other clinical data. Utilization of the AR2 software method may improve the validity of ictal EEG artifact reduction.