bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Instant Stent-Accentuated Three-Dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography Guided Selection of Proper Distal Cell for Side Branch Dilatation in Bifurcation Stenting
Authors: Nakao Fumiaki
Published: May 2015

In the bifurcation stenting, the distal rewiring for the side branch postdilatation confirmed by two-dimensional modalities may not lead to favorable results in some cases. If there are two distal cells divided by the link bridging from the carina, the rewiring through the larger distal cell may be recommended for the side branch postdilatation. Detailed confirmation of the rewired cell by the intraprocedural instant stent-accentuated three-dimensional optical coherence tomography is important.
Trisacryl Gelatin Microembolism and Metastases in the Lung after Renal Artery Embolization and Nephrectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Borja Alvarez Andres , Leventhal Jack P. , Cortese Cherise , McComb Barbara L. , Thiel David D. , Khoor Andras
Published: May 2015

This is the first report, to our knowledge, of widespread, histologically confirmed trisacryl gelatin pulmonary microembolism after renal artery embolization (RAE). In addition, this is the first report of lung involvement by both metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and an embolic agent used for RAE. The patient was a 63-year-old woman who recently presented with both dyspnea on exertion and productive cough. Her past medical history included clear cell RCC, which was treated with preoperative trisacryl gelatin microsphere RAE and right nephrectomy 9 years earlier. Computed tomography of the chest showed multiple lung nodules, a mass-like density in the left lower lobe, and mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. Wedge resections of the lung showed multiple foci of metastatic RCC and extensive involvement of the muscular pulmonary arteries by trisacryl gelatin microspheres.
Adaptive Synchronization of Chaotic Systems considering Performance Parameters of Operational Amplifiers
Authors: Ruíz-Hernández Sergio , Ortega-Torres Eduardo , Sánchez-López Carlos , Carrasco-Aguilar Miguel Angel , Ochoa-Montiel Rocio , Ilhuicatzi-Roldán Rocio , Taneco-Hernández Marco Antonio
Published: May 2015

This paper addresses an adaptive control approach for synchronizing two chaotic oscillators with saturated nonlinear function series as nonlinear functions. Mathematical models to characterize the behavior of the transmitter and receiver circuit were derived, including in the latter the adaptive control and taking into account, for both chaotic oscillators, the most influential performance parameters associated with operational amplifiers. Asymptotic stability of the full synchronization system is studied by using Lyapunov direct method. Theoretical derivations and related results are experimentally validated through implementations from commercially available devices. Finally, the full synchronization system can easily be reproducible at a low cost.
Therapeutic Touch Has Significant Effects on Mouse Breast Cancer Metastasis and Immune Responses but Not Primary Tumor Size
Authors: Gronowicz Gloria , Secor Eric R. , Flynn John R. , Jellison Evan R. , Kuhn Liisa T.
Published: May 2015

Evidence-based integrative medicine therapies have been introduced to promote wellness and offset side-effects from cancer treatment. Energy medicine is an integrative medicine technique using the human biofield to promote well-being. The biofield therapy chosen for study was Therapeutic Touch (TT). Breast cancer tumors were initiated in mice by injection of metastatic 66cl4 mammary carcinoma cells. The control group received only vehicle. TT or mock treatments were performed twice a week for 10 minutes. Two experienced TT practitioners alternated treatments. At 26 days, metastasis to popliteal lymph nodes was determined by clonogenic assay. Changes in immune function were measured by analysis of serum cytokines and by fluorescent activated cells sorting (FACS) of immune cells from the spleen and lymph nodes. No significant differences were found in body weight gain or tumor size. Metastasis was significantly reduced in the TT-treated mice compared to mock-treated mice. Cancer significantly elevated eleven cytokines. TT significantly reduced IL-1-a, MIG, IL-1b, and MIP-2 to control/vehicle levels. FACS demonstrated that TT significantly reduced specific splenic lymphocyte subsets and macrophages were significantly elevated with cancer. Human biofield therapy had no significant effect on primary tumor but produced significant effects on metastasis and immune responses in a mouse breast cancer model.
Optimal Hemoglobin A1c Levels for Screening of Diabetes and Prediabetes in the Japanese Population
Authors: Shimodaira Masanori , Okaniwa Shinji , Hanyu Norinao , Nakayama Tomohiro
Published: May 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to identify individuals with diabetes and prediabetes in the Japanese population. A total of 1372 individuals without known diabetes were selected for this study. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes. The ability of HbA1c to detect diabetes and prediabetes was investigated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The kappa (κ) coefficient was used to test the agreement between HbA1c categorization and OGTT-based diagnosis. ROC analysis demonstrated that HbA1c was a good test to identify diabetes and prediabetes, with areas under the curve of 0.918 and 0.714, respectively. Optimal HbA1c cutoffs for diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes were 6.0% (sensitivity 83.7%, specificity 87.6%) and 5.7% (sensitivity 60.6%, specificity 72.1%), respectively, although the cutoff for prediabetes showed low accuracy (67.6%) and a high false-negative rate (39.4%). Agreement between HbA1c categorization and OGTT-based diagnosis was low in diabetes (κ=0.399) and prediabetes (κ=0.324). In Japanese subjects, the HbA1c cutoff of 6.0% had appropriate sensitivity and specificity for diabetes screening, whereas the cutoff of 5.7% had modest sensitivity and specificity in identifying prediabetes. Thus, HbA1c may be inadequate as a screening tool for prediabetes.
Unbalance Identification of Speed-Variant Rotary Machinery without Phase Angle Measurement
Authors: Yue Cong , Ren Xingmin , Yang Yongfeng , Deng Wangqun
Published: May 2015

As rotary mechanical structure becomes more complicated, difficulty arises in receiving prime correction mass and optimum balancing plane efficiently. An innovative modal balancing process for estimating the residual unbalance from different equilibrium plane of complex flexible rotor system is presented. The method is based on a numerical approach with modal ratio among measurement points (MRMP) coefficient and triple phase method (TPM). The veracity of calculation result is verified by an academic rotor model. The latter study in this paper is subsequently put forward through a power turbine rotor modeled by finite element method. Simulation results show that proper equilibrium plane performs commendably in recognizing residual unbalance and reducing the vibration effect through the critical region. Moreover, the inherent unbalance recognized by experimental data from a turbine rotor with slender shaft is found to be in certain difference under different counterweight combination. Choosing suitable balancing planes will improve the accuracy of unbalance identification.
Characteristic of Hybrid Cellulose‐Amino Functionalized POSS‐Silica Nanocomposite and Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Ramesh Sivalingam , Kim Jaehwan , Kim Joo-Hyung
Published: May 2015

Recently, cellulose has much attention as an emerging renewable nanomaterial which holds promising properties having unique piezoelectricity, insulating, and biodegradable nature for various applications. Also, the modified properties of cellulose by appropriate chemical modifications in various functional groups with outstanding properties or significantly improved physical, chemical, biological, and electronic properties will widen the way for it to be utilized in different usages. Therefore, in this paper, cellulose‐functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) based materials were considered an important class of high‐performance hybrid nanocomposite materials. To functionalize the regenerated cellulose, amino functionalized POSS material was synthesized via sol‐gel covalent crosslinking process in presence of amino coupling agent. In this reaction, tetraethoxsilane (TEOS) and γ‐aminopropyltriethoxy silane (γ‐APTES) as coupling agent for metal precursors were selected. The chemical structure of cellulose‐amine functionalized bonding and covalent crosslinking hybrids was confirmed by FTIR and 1H NMR spectral analysis. From the TEM results, well‐dispersed hybrid cellulose‐functionalized POSS‐silica composites are observed. The resulting cellulose‐POSS‐silica hybrid nanocomposites materials provided significantly improved the optical transparency, and thermal and morphological properties to compare the cellulose‐silica hybrid materials. Further, antimicrobial test against pathogenic bacteria was carried out.
Serum Levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, TGF‐β, and MMP‐9 in Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting and Regulation of MMP‐9 in a New In Vitro Model of THP‐1 Cells Activated by Stenting
Authors: Zhang Rongrong , Jiang Fan , Chen Cindy Si , Wang Tianzhu , Feng Jinzhou , Tao Tao , Qin Xinyue
Published: May 2015

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiological process after carotid artery stenting (CAS). Monocyte is a significant source of inflammatory cytokines in vascular remodeling. Telmisartan could reduce inflammation. In our study, we first found that, after CAS, the serum IL‐1β, IL‐6, TGF‐β, and MMP‐9 levels were significantly increased, but only MMP‐9 level was elevated no less than 3 months. Second, we established a new in vitro model, where THP‐1 monocytes were treated with the supernatants of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) that were scratched by pipette tips, which mimics monocytes activated by mechanical injury of stenting. The treatment enhanced THP‐1 cell adhesion, migration and invasion ability, and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Elk‐1 and MMP‐9 expression were significantly increased. THP‐1 cells pretreated with PD98095 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) attenuated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Elk‐1 and upregulation of MMP‐9, while pretreatment with telmisartan merely decreased the phosphorylation of Elk‐1 and MMP‐9 expression. These results suggested that IL‐1β, IL‐6, TGF‐β, and MMP‐9 participate in the pathophysiological process after CAS. Our new in vitro model mimics monocytes activated by stenting. MMP‐9 expression could be regulated through ERK1/2/Elk‐1 pathway, and the protective effects of telmisartan after stenting are partly attributed to its MMP‐9 inhibition effects via suppression of Elk‐1.
miR-1322 Binding Sites in Paralogous and Orthologous Genes
Authors: Niyazova Raigul , Berillo Olga , Atambayeva Shara , Pyrkova Anna , Alybayeva Aigul , Ivashchenko Anatoly
Published: May 2015

We searched for 2,563 microRNA (miRNA) binding sites in 17,494 mRNA sequences of human genes. miR-1322 has more than 2,000 binding sites in 1,058 genes withΔG/ΔGmratio of 85% and more. miR-1322 has 1,889 binding sites in CDSs, 215 binding sites in 5′ UTRs, and 160 binding sites in 3′ UTRs. From two to 28 binding sites have arranged localization with the start position through three nucleotides of each following binding site. The nucleotide sequences of these sites in CDSs encode oligopeptides with the same and/or different amino acid sequences. We found that 33% of the target genes encoded transcription factors. miR-1322 has arranged binding sites in the CDSs of orthologousMAMLD1,MAML2, andMAML3genes. These sites encode a polyglutamine oligopeptide ranging from six to 47 amino acids in length. The properties of miR-1322 binding sites in orthologous and paralogous target genes are discussed.
Equivalent Air Spring Suspension Model for Quarter-Passive Model of Passenger Vehicles
Authors: Abid Haider J. , Chen Jie , Nassar Ameen A.
Published: May 2015

This paper
investigates the GENSIS air spring suspension
system equivalence to a passive suspension
system. The SIMULINK simulation together with
the OptiY optimization is used to obtain the air
spring suspension model equivalent to passive
suspension system, where the car body response
difference from both systems with the same road
profile inputs is used as the objective function
for optimization (OptiY program). The parameters
of air spring system such as initial pressure,
volume of bag, length of surge pipe, diameter of
surge pipe, and volume of reservoir are obtained
from optimization. The simulation results show
that the air spring suspension equivalent system
can produce responses very close to the passive
suspension system.
Effects of Atrazine on the Development of Neural System of Zebrafish,Danio rerio
Authors: Wang Hao , Mu Shumei , Zhang Fengjuan , Wang Hailing , Liu Huan , Zhang Han , Kang Xianjiang
Published: May 2015

By comparative analysis of histomorphology and AChE activity, the changes of physiological and biochemical parameters were determined in zebrafish embryos and larvae dealt with atrazine (ATR) at different concentrations (0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/L). This study showed that the development of the sarcomere and the arrangement of white muscle myofibers were affected by ATR significantly and the length of sarcomere shortened. Further analysis of the results showed that the AChE activity in juvenile fish which was treated with ATR was downregulated, which can indicate that the innervation efficiency to the muscle was impaired. Conversely, the AChE activity in zebrafish embryos which was treated with ATR was upregulated. A parallel phenomenon showed that embryonic primary sensory neurons (Rohon-Beard cells), principally expressing AChE in embryos, survived the physiological apoptosis. These phenomena demonstrated that the motor integration ability of the zebrafish was damaged by ATR which can disturb the development of sensory neurons and sarcomere and the innervations of muscle.
Combined EGFR/MEK Inhibition Prevents the Emergence of Resistance in EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancer
Authors: Tricker Erin M. , Xu Chunxiao , Uddin Sharmeen , Capelletti Marzia , Ercan Dalia , Ogino Atsuko , Pratilas Christine A. , Rosen Neal , Gray Nathanael S. , Wong Kwok-Kin , Jänne Pasi A.
Published: June 2015

Irreversible pyrimidine-based EGFR inhibitors, including WZ4002, selectively inhibit both EGFR-activating and EGFR inhibitor–resistant T790M mutations more potently than wild-type EGFR. Although this class of mutant-selective EGFR inhibitors is effective clinically in lung cancer patients harboring EGFRT790M, prior preclinical studies demonstrate that acquired resistance can occur through genomic alterations that activate ERK1/2 signaling. Here, we find that ERK1/2 reactivation occurs rapidly following WZ4002 treatment. Concomitant inhibition of ERK1/2 by the MEK inhibitor trametinib prevents ERK1/2 reactivation, enhances WZ4002-induced apoptosis, and inhibits the emergence of resistance in WZ4002-sensitive models known to acquire resistance via both T790M-dependent and T790M-independent mechanisms. Resistance to WZ4002 in combination with trametinib eventually emerges due to AKT/mTOR reactivation. These data suggest that initial cotargeting of EGFR and MEK could significantly impede the development of acquired resistance in EGFR-mutant lung cancer.

Significance: Patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer develop acquired resistance to EGFR and mutant-selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Here, we show that cotargeting EGFR and MEK can prevent the emergence of a broad variety of drug resistance mechanisms in vitro and in vivo and may be a superior therapeutic regimen for these patients. Cancer Discov; 5(9); 960–71. ©2015 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 893
Distribution of the T2-MITE Family Transposons in the Xenopus (Silurana) tropicalis Genome
Authors: Hikosaka Akira , Uno Yoshinobu , Matsuda Yoichi
Published: June 2015

The T2 family of miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (T2-MITE) is a prevalent MITE family found in both Xenopus(Silurana) tropicalis and X. laevis. Some subfamilies, particularly T2-A1 and T2-C, may have originated prior to the diversification of the 2 Xenopus lineages and currently include active members in X. tropicalis, whereas another subfamily, T2-E, may have lost its transposition activity even earlier. The distribution of each T2-MITE subfamily in X. tropicalis was investigated and compared to evaluate the evolutionary dynamics of the T2-MITE subfamilies. The subfamilies showed differences in chromosomal distribution, uniformity of insertion density on scaffolds, ratios of upstream to downstream insertions with respect to genes, and their distance from genes. Among these, the T2-C subfamily was interesting because it was frequently inserted upstream and close to genes and because genes with close insertions of this subfamily showed high correlations in spatial expression patterns. This unique distribution and long-lived transposition activity may reflect a mutual relationship evolved between this subfamily and the host.
Time-Trend Analyses of Bleeding and Mortality After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention During Out of Working Hours Versus In-Working Hours
Authors: Iqbal M. Bilal , Khamis Ramzi , Ilsley Charles , Mikhail Ghada , Crake Tom , Firoozi Sam , Kalra Sundeep , Knight Charles , Archbold Andrew , Lim Pitt , Mathur Anthony , Meier Pascal , Rakhit Roby D. , Redwood Simon , Whitbread Mark , Bromage Dan , Rathod Krishna , Jones Daniel A. , Wragg Andrew , Dalby Miles , MacCarthy Phil , Malik Iqbal S.
Published: June 2015

Background—

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the treatment of choice for ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. Resources are limited during out of working hours (OWH). Whether PPCI outside working hours is associated with worse outcomes and whether outcomes have improved over time are unknown.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed 11 466 patients undergoing PPCI between 2004 and 2011 at all 8 tertiary cardiac centers in London, United Kingdom. We defined working hours as 9
am
to 5
pm
(Monday to Friday). We analyzed in-hospital bleeding and all-cause mortality ≤3 years, comparing OWH versus in-working hours. A total of 7494 patients (65.3%) were treated during OWH. Multivariable analyses demonstrated that PPCI during OWH was not a predictor for bleeding (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97–2.24;
P
=0.071) or 3-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.94–1.32;
P
=0.20). This was confirmed in propensity-matched analyses. Time-stratified analyses demonstrated that PPCI during OWH was a predictor for bleeding (odds ratio, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.06–3.80;
P
=0.034) and 3-year mortality during 2005 to 2008 (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.00–1.50;
P
=0.050), but this association was lost during 2009 to 2011. During 2005 to 2008, transradial access was predominantly used during in-working hours and PPCI during OWH was predictive of reduced transradial access use (odds ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71–0.98;
P
=0.033), but this association was lost during 2009 to 2011.

Conclusions—

In this study of unselected patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction, PPCI during OWH versus in-working hours had comparable bleeding and mortality. Time-stratified analyses demonstrated a reduction in adjusted bleeding and mortality during OWH over time. This may reflect the improved service provision, but the increased adoption of transradial access during OWH may also be contributory.
MicroRNA-103/107 Regulate Programmed Necrosis and Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through Targeting FADD
Authors: Wang Jian-Xun , Zhang Xiao-Jie , Li Qian , Wang Kun , Wang Yin , Jiao Jian-Qin , Feng Chang , Teng Sun , Zhou Lu-Yu , Gong Ying , Zhou Zhi-Xia , Liu Jia , Wang Jian-Ling , Li Pei-feng
Published: June 2015

Rationale:

Necrosis is one of the main forms of cardiomyocyte death in heart disease. Recent studies have demonstrated that certain types of necrosis are regulated and programmed dependent on the activation of receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase (RIPK) 1 and 3 which may be negatively regulated by Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD). In addition, microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs have been shown to play important roles in various biological processes recently.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that microRNA-103/107 and H19 can participate in the regulation of RIPK1- and RIPK3-dependent necrosis in fetal cardiomyocyte-derived H9c2 cells and myocardial infarction through targeting FADD.

Methods and Results:

Our results show that FADD participates in H
2
O
2
-induced necrosis by influencing the formation of RIPK1 and RIPK3 complexes in H9c2 cells. We further demonstrate that miR-103/107 target FADD directly. Knockdown of miR-103/107 antagonizes necrosis in the cellular model and also myocardial infarction in a mouse ischemia/reperfusion model. The miR-103/107-FADD pathway does not participate in tumor necrosis factor-α–induced necrosis. In exploring the molecular mechanism by which miR-103/107 are regulated, we show that long noncoding RNA H19 directly binds to miR-103/107 and regulates FADD expression and necrosis.

Conclusions:

Our results reveal a novel myocardial necrosis regulation model, which is composed of H19, miR-103/107, and FADD. Modulation of their levels may provide a new approach for preventing myocardial necrosis.
Homocysteine, Ischemic Stroke, and Coronary Heart Disease in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Han Liyuan , Wu Qunhong , Wang Changyi , Hao Yanhua , Zhao Jinshun , Zhang Lina , Fan Rui , Liu Yanfen , Li Runhua , Chen Zhongwei , Zhang Tao , Chen Sihan , Ma Jianping , Liu Shengyuan , Peng Xiaolin , Duan Shiwei
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose—

Total homocysteine level (tHcy) is a risk factor of ischemic stroke (IS) and coronary heart disease. However, the results are conflicting and mainly focused on healthy individuals in developed countries.

Methods—

A prospective, population-based cohort study was conducted among 5935 participants from 60 communities in the city of Shenzhen, China. A Cox regression analysis was applied to evaluate the contribution of tHcy to the risk of IS and coronary heart disease. The effect of folic acid supplementation on tHcy levels was also evaluated among 501 patients with essential hypertension, who received an average of 2.5 years of folic acid supplementation.

Results—

After adjustment for confounding factors, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of IS caused by hyperhomocysteinemia were 2.18 (1.65–2.89), 2.40 (1.56–3.67), and 2.73 (1.83–4.08) in the total, male, and female participants, respectively. Compared with normal levels of tHcy (<15 μmol/L), the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for IS in the highest tHcy category (≥30 μmol/L) were 4.96 (3.03–8.12), 6.11 (3.44–10.85), and 1.84 (0.52–6.46) in the total, males, and females participants, respectively. However, we did not observe a significant relationship between tHcy and the risk of coronary heart disease. The 2.5 years of folic acid supplementation reduced tHcy levels by 6.7 μmol/L (27.92%) in patients with essential hypertension.

Conclusions—

Hyperhomocysteinemia in Chinese hypertensive patients is significantly associated with IS risk but not coronary heart disease susceptibility, and folic acid supplementation can efficiently reduce tHcy levels.
Taxonomic revision of the Neotropical genus Parastagmatoptera Saussure, 1871 (Dictyoptera, Mantidae, Stagmatopterinae) with a biogeographic comment
Authors: Lombardo Francesco , Umbriaco Rita , Ippolito Salvatrice
Published: June 2015

A full taxonomic revision of the Neotropical genusParastagmatopteraSaussure is presented, including the description of two new species:Parastagmatoptera bororoisp.n. andParastagmatoptera sottileisp.n.The following species are synonyms:Parastagmatoptera tessellataSaussure & Zehntnersyn.n.(male nec female) andParastagmatoptera hoorieCaudellsyn.n.ofParastagmatoptera flavoguttata(Serville);Parastagmatoptera confusaG.-Tossyn.n.ofParastagmatoptera pellucidaG.-Tos;Parastagmatoptera tessellataSaussure & Zehntnersyn.n.(female nec male),Parastagmatoptera serricornisKirbysyn.n.andParastagmatoptera vitrepennisBrunersyn.n.ofParastagmatoptera unipunctata(Burmeister);Parastagmatoptera concolorJantschsyn.n.ofParastagmatoptera theresopolitanaG.-Tos.Parastagmatoptera vitreola(Stål), previously treated as a synonym ofParastagmatoptera flavoguttatais returned to species status;P. flavoguttata var. immaculataChopard is recognized as a valid species.Parastagmatoptera amazonicaWerner andParastagmatoptera glauca(Rehn) are transferred to the subfamily Photinainae. In total, nine species are recognized, each of which is presented with a diagnosis, a full description, assessments, distribution data and a comprehensive bibliography. A taxonomic history of the genus and its species is provided. A key to allParastagmatopteraspecies is included and each is fully illustrated. Comments about the biogeography ofParastagmatopteraare also presented.
The Validity of Dvorak Intensity Change Constraints for Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Cangialosi John P. , Kimberlain Todd B. , Beven John L. , Demaria Mark
Published: June 2015

The Dvorak technique is used operationally worldwide for tropical cyclone intensity analysis. This study tests Dvorak intensity change constraints, using a database of simultaneous aircraft and satellite fixes for tropical cyclones (TCs) in the 1998–2012 period. Results indicate that, in the vast majority of cases, Dvorak intensity constraints are valid with only a small percentage of strengthening TCs violating the constraints. Of the small sample that broke the constraints, most had initial intensities ranging from moderately strong tropical storms to minimal hurricanes.
Why people co-produce within activation services: the necessity of motivation and trust – an investigation of selection biases in a municipal activation programme in the Netherlands
Authors: Fledderus Joost , Honingh Marlies
Published: June 2015

Activation services that aim at re-employment of jobseekers often suffer from ‘creaming’, i.e. selecting those who have the best qualifications to re-enter the labour market. New ways of delivery, such as co-production, are supposed to be less subject to selection mechanisms. To analyse whether co-produced activation programmes suffer from selection biases, participants in a local innovative activation programme ( n = 60) were compared to non-participants ( n = 18). Participants are more motivated in general and showed higher levels of generalized, municipal and interpersonal trust. Moreover, high general motivation relates to high levels of trust and perceived control. This indicates that there is indeed a selection bias within co-produced activation programmes. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether co-production is more successful in dealing with creaming than common types of service delivery.

Points for practitioners

Public services, in the field of activation policies for instance, are increasingly delivered in a fashion that requires more responsibility and effort from users. This study shows that such demands elicit a selection of users. Professionals dealing with co-produced services should be aware that when they choose clients they are likely to leave out vulnerable individuals. In particular, when intrinsic motivation is an important selection criterion, those who have low levels of trust and perceived control will not be involved. Consequently, seemingly inclusive strategies could in fact lead to exclusion.
Public and Private Spheres of Neighborhood Disorder
Authors: O’Brien Daniel Tumminelli , Sampson Robert J.
Published: June 2015

Objectives:

“Broken windows” theory is an influential model of neighborhood change, but there is disagreement over whether public disorder leads to more serious crime. This article distinguishes between public and private disorder, arguing that large-scale administrative data provide new opportunities to examine broken windows theory and alternative models of neighborhood change.

Method:

We apply an ecometric methodology to two databases from Boston: 1,000,000+ 911 dispatches and indicators of physical disorder from 200,000+ requests for nonemergency services. Both distinguish between disorder in public and private spaces. A cross-lag longitudinal analysis was conducted using two full years of data (2011–2012).

Results:

The two databases provided six dimensions of physical and social disorder and crime. The cross-lag model revealed eight pathways by which one form of disorder or crime in 2011 predicted a significant increase in another in 2012. Although traditional interpretations of broken windows emphasize the role of public disorder, private conflict most strongly predicted future crime.

Conclusions:

Our results describe a social escalation model where future disorder and crime emerge not from public cues but from private disorder within the community, demonstrating how “big data” from administrative records, when properly measured and interpreted, represent a growing resource for studying neighborhood change.
Development and Feasibility of a Cell Phone–Based Transitional Intervention for Women Prisoners With Comorbid Substance Use and Depression
Authors: Johnson Jennifer E. , Williams Collette , Zlotnick Caron
Published: June 2015

This article describes the development and feasibility testing of a cell phone–based intervention (Sober Network IPT) among 22 women with comorbid substance use and depressive disorders transitioning from prison to surrounding communities. Feasibility/acceptability measures included phone logs, exit interviews, and pre–post measures of substance use, and depressive symptoms up to 9 months post-release. Results indicated that phone-based transitional treatment is feasible and acceptable. Participants valued the opportunity to maintain contact with familiar prison treatment providers by phone after release, and used the cell phones for help with service linkage, support, and crisis management. We describe relational and practical lessons learned.
Robust estimation of arc length in a GMAW process by an adaptive extended Kalman filter
Authors: Mousavi Anzehaei Mohammad , Haeri Mohammad
Published: June 2015

An adaptive extended Kalman filter is designed to estimate the arc length in a gas metal arc welding system. The simulation results show that the estimated variables track the true variables of the non-linear model with negligible error and are robust against parameters uncertainties. The proposed estimator also operates adequately in a highly noisy welding environment. Because of the low computational requirements and little lag produced in the process dynamic, use of the proposed estimator would be valuable in the design of a controller for the gas metal arc welding system.
Velocity measurement for omni-directional intelligent wheelchair
Authors: Li Xiuzhi , Zhao Guanrong , Jia Songmin , Xu Chuanluo , Qin Baoling
Published: June 2015

This paper presents an optical flow-based novel technique to perceive the instant motion velocity of a smart wheelchair robot. The primary focus of this study is to determine the wheelchair’s ego-motion using a displacement field in temporally consecutive image pairs. In contrast to most previous approaches for estimating velocity, the proposed strategy has two main innovations. Firstly, the proposed tilted overlooking camera set-up instead of conventional downward-looking camera and the corresponding ego-motion model is presented for compact indoor mobile robots. Secondly, by virtue of the graphic processing unit-accelerated TV- L1 algorithm, which is coupled with motion priors-based pixel prediction, we are permitted to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the optical flow estimation significantly. In order to render our method more robust with respect to noise and outliers, we propose a quadratic motion model-based random sample consensus (RANSAC) refinement of flow fields. Advantages of our proposal are validated by real experimental results carried on our smart wheelchair platform and contrast evaluations conducted on Pioneer robot.
Urban heat island analysis of Greater Manchester, UK using sky view factor analysis
Authors: Cheung HKW , Coles D , Levermore GJ
Published: June 2015

The sky view factor has been used as an indicator of the amount of sky that can be seen from the ground in an urban area. It was also found to be correlated to the formation of urban heat island effect. Sky view factors can be calculated by analysing photographs taken with a camera with a fisheye lens. However, calculations of sky view factor can vary; therefore, a detailed and more accurate method was developed in this paper to analyse photos and to calculate sky view factors. This method can process the now available higher resolution black and white JPEG (the commonly used digital photo standard created by the Joint Photographic Experts Group) photos and can give more accurate sky view factor values than the previous methods. Sky view factor values were calculated for 59 sites where air temperatures were measured and logged in Manchester, UK. Urban heat island intensities were calculated and linear relationships between sky view factors and urban heat island intensities were found for both summer and winter. However, the linearity tended to be stronger with sites having sky view factor values smaller than 0.65, i.e. the deeper canyons.

Practical application: The new method can be used to calculate sky view factors from photographs taken from a camera with a fisheye lens with the original JPGE format. Compared to the other two methods, this new method can deal with photographs with a higher resolution. The SVF values calculated can then be used with canyon models to estimate the maximum urban heat island effect of a particular building site. The SVFs were found to be useful indicators in Manchester, UK.
Profanation in Spinoza and Badiou: Religion and Truth
Authors: Diken Bülent
Published: June 2015

This article focuses on two different styles of profanation in Spinoza and Badiou. Notwithstanding the significant differences between them, their shared desire for profanation testifies to an interesting convergence. I deal with this convergence in divergence as a case of disjunctive synthesis through a comparison of the different understandings of religion in Spinoza and Badiou’s truth procedures. It is commonly held that Spinoza operates with three understandings of religion (superstition, the universal faith, and the true religion). But I argue that Spinoza’s thought opens up the space for a fourth understanding of ‘religion’ (which can accommodate instrumental reason and which, for the same reason, can be compared to Benjamin’s ‘capitalism as religion’). Then I discuss the formal similarity between Spinoza’s four religions and Badiou’s four truth procedures. I illustrate this discussion through two diagrams. I claim that Badiou’s truth procedures could be perceived as the Spinozist diagram’s re-entry into itself.
Individualism in Western advertising: A comparative study of Spanish and US newspaper advertisements
Authors: Pineda Antonio , Hernández-Santaolalla Víctor , Rubio-Hernández María del Mar
Published: June 2015

Following an extended tradition in cross-cultural research about individualism and collectivism as defining features of national cultures, this article aims to go in depth by taking into account the implications of these complex concepts. Under the premise that advertising is a product that reflects cultural values, this article focuses on a comparative content analysis of newspaper advertisements from the United States and Spain, two presumably different Western countries as far as the individualism–collectivism continuum is concerned. The conclusions obtained challenge some theoretical assumptions regarding this topic. The evolution of Spanish society as mirrored by advertising is discussed as well.
Visual cues combined with treadmill training to improve gait performance in Parkinson’s disease: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Schlick Cornelia , Ernst Alina , Bötzel Kai , Plate Annika , Pelykh Olena , Ilmberger Josef
Published: June 2015

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of visual cues combined with treadmill training on gait performance in patients with Parkinson’s disease and to compare the strategy with pure treadmill training.

Design:

Pilot, exploratory, non-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

University Hospital of Munich, Germany.

Subjects:

Twenty-three outpatients with Parkinson’s disease (Hoehn and Yahr stage II–IV).

Interventions:

Patients received 12 training sessions within five weeks of either visual cues combined with treadmill training ( n = 12) or pure treadmill training ( n = 11).

Main measures:

Outcome measures were gait speed, stride length and cadence recorded on the treadmill. Functional tests included the Timed Up and Go Test, the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale and the Freezing of gait-questionnaire. Assessments were conducted at baseline, after the training period and at two months follow-up.

Results:

After the training period ( n = 20), gait speed and stride length had increased in both groups ( p ⩽ 0.05). Patients receiving the combined training scored better in the Timed Up and Go Test compared with the patients receiving pure treadmill training ( p ⩽ 0.05). At two months follow-up ( n = 13), patients who underwent the combined training sustained better results in gait speed and stride length ( p ⩽ 0.05) and sustained the improvement in the Timed Up and Go Test ( p ⩽ 0.05).

Conclusions:

This pilot study suggests that visual cues combined with treadmill training have more beneficial effects on gait than pure treadmill training in patients with a moderate stage of Parkinson’s disease. A large-scale study with longer follow-up is required.
Home care by general practitioners for cancer patients in the last 3 months of life: An epidemiological study of quality and associated factors
Authors: Pivodic Lara , Harding Richard , Calanzani Natalia , McCrone Paul , Hall Sue , Deliens Luc , Higginson Irene J , Gomes Barbara
Published: June 2015

Background:

Stronger generalist end-of-life care at home for people with cancer is called for but the quality of end-of-life care delivered by general practitioners has been questioned.

Aim:

To determine the degree of and factors associated with bereaved relatives’ satisfaction with home end-of-life care delivered by general practitioners to cancer patients.

Design:

Population-based mortality followback survey.

Setting/participants:

Bereaved relatives of people who died of cancer in London, United Kingdom (identified from death registrations in 2009–2010), were invited to complete a postal questionnaire surveying the deceased’s final 3 months of life.

Results:

Questionnaires were completed for 596 decedents of whom 548 spent at least 1 day at home in the last 3 months of life. Of the respondents, 55% (95% confidence interval: 51%–59%) reported excellent/very good home care by general practitioners, compared with 78% (95% confidence interval: 74%–82%) for specialist palliative care providers and 68% (95% confidence interval: 64%–73%) for district/community/private nurses. The odds of high satisfaction (excellent/very good) with end-of-life care by general practitioners doubled if general practitioners made three or more compared with one or no home visits in the patient’s last 3 months of life (adjusted odds ratio: 2.54 (95% confidence interval: 1.52–4.24)) and halved if the patient died at hospital rather than at home (adjusted odds ratio: 0.55 (95% confidence interval: 0.31–0.998)).

Conclusion:

There is considerable room for improvement in the satisfaction with home care provided by general practitioners to terminally ill cancer patients. Ensuring an adequate offer of home visits by general practitioners may help to achieve this goal.
Auditory event-related potentials in methadone substituted opiate users
Authors: Wang Grace Y , Kydd Robert , Russell Bruce R
Published: June 2015

The effects of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) on neurophysiological function are unclear. Using an auditory oddball paradigm, event-related potential (ERP) amplitudes and latencies were measured in 32 patients undertaking MMT, 17 opiate users who were addicted but not receiving substitution treatment and 25 healthy control subjects. Compared with healthy control subjects, the MMT and opiate user groups showed an increased P200 amplitude in response to target stimuli. The opiate user group also exhibited a decreased amplitude and an increased latency of N200, and a greater number of task-related errors than either healthy control subjects or patients undertaking MMT. There were no significant group differences in the P300 amplitude. However, it is noteworthy that the frontal P300 amplitude of the MMT group was greater than that of opiate users or healthy controls. Our findings suggest that altered sensory information processing associated with a history of opiate use remains in patients undertaking MMT. However, there are less marked ERP abnormalities in those receiving MMT than in active opiate users. The deficits in information processing associated with illicit opiate use are likely to be reduced during MMT.
The Impact of the Bystander’s Relationship With the Victim and the Perpetrator on Intent to Help in Situations Involving Sexual Violence
Authors: Bennett Sidney , Banyard Victoria L. , Edwards Katie M.
Published: June 2015

A large body of research has explored the individual and situational factors that influence bystander intervention for sexual violence. However, little research has explored the how the bystander’s relationship to the victim and the perpetrator impacts helping. To explore this gap in the literature, the present study used vignettes to experimentally manipulate the bystander’s relationship to the victim, and the bystander’s relationship to the perpetrator to examine how these factors impact intent to help in low (i.e., unwanted contact) and high (i.e., situation at high risk of rape) severity situations of sexual violence. The gender of the bystander was also examined by recruiting a sample of women and men. Results suggested that bystanders were more likely to intervene when the situation was more severe and when the bystander was female. Results were mixed regarding intent to help when the bystander knew the victim or the perpetrator. Moreover, these factors interacted in complicated ways such that, for example, women are equally likely to intend to help a victim whether they know the perpetrator or not while men are more likely to help a victim if the perpetrator is someone they do not know. The results of this study suggest that bystander intervention for situations involving sexual violence are complex and future research should further tease out the moderating effects. Prevention programs using a bystander framework may need some segments of training that are more gender specific and that directly address the relationship between the bystander and the victim and perpetrator.
Witnessing Partner Violence
Authors: Gonzalez-Mendez Rosaura , Yanes José M. , Ramírez-Santana Gustavo
Published: June 2015

Research has shown that witnessing partner violence (WPV) increases the likelihood of experiencing or perpetrating violence in later romantic relationships, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying this process. This study examines the relationships between preference for unsuitable partners and teen dating violence (TDV) among adolescents who have witnessed parental violence or not. Attachment was also considered. Participants were 356 adolescents, both witnesses and non-witnesses of partner violence. Results showed no difference in preferences (for good, risky, or loving partners) between the two groups. However, preference for unsuitable partners did significantly predict TDV perpetration and victimization, but only among witnesses. Also, loving-partner preference moderates the relationship between WPV and TDV perpetration among highly avoidant witnesses. Findings indicate a new avenue for prevention through targeting partner preferences.
Leveraging the Delphi Technique to Enrich Knowledge and Engage Educational Policy Problems
Authors: Maxey Daniel , Kezar Adrianna
Published: June 2015

The Delphi technique is a research method that involves experts and stakeholders in structured deliberation about topics through multiple, iterative rounds of data collection such as surveys or in-person meetings. Although it has been utilized extensively in other fields for researching problems, when there is disagreement among key stakeholders or as issues are just emerging, it has been less common in educational research. In this article, the authors outline the Delphi technique, review the scope of its recent applications in educational research, and offer recommendations to advance efforts to support changes in policies and practices through Delphi approaches to research.
Multi-objective vehicle routing problem with time windows: Improving customer satisfaction by considering gap time
Authors: Sivaramkumar V , Thansekhar MR , Saravanan R , Miruna Joe Amali S
Published: June 2015

The vehicle routing problem with time windows is a combinatorial optimisation problem in distribution logistics. It has been infrequently measured as a multi-objective optimisation problem for the benefit of customers. For the purposes of this research, the measurement of multi-objective vehicle routing problem with time windows will be in terms of a minimisation of the total distance travelled by all vehicles, the total number of vehicles used (management beneficial objectives) and the total gap between ready time and issuing time (customer beneficial objective). It is possible to satisfy customers by issuing the goods as close as possible to the customer ready time. This is because possibilities for going out of stock during the above said time gap (by chance of improper inventory maintenance) are reduced with a minimised total time gap, which in turn increases the sales orders for the manufacturing management. An improved genetic algorithm, called the fitness aggregated genetic algorithm, has been implemented to resolve the problem. The proposed algorithm incorporates a fitness aggregation approach and dedicated operators, such as selection based on aggregate fitness value and best cost route crossover, to resolve the multi-objective problem. The algorithm was validated on Solomon’s bi-objective benchmark models for the minimisation of the total distance travelled and total number of vehicles used, and the results formed by proposed algorithm are competitive to best known results. After validating the proposed algorithm on bi-objective models, the third objective – namely, the total time gap between ready time and issuing time – is included in the bi-objective model. The results show that the suggested algorithm creates improved customer-satisfied routes without drastically affecting the total distance travelled and total number of vehicles used.