bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Autonomy on Health-seeking Behaviour
Authors: S. Nayak , Varambally K.V.M.
Published: February 2017

Background:

A strong body of evidence suggests the presence of positive association between autonomy and health-seeking behaviour among women. It has been examined that women’s autonomy is a significant influencer refining the dismal state of maternal health. The paper also tries to probe the influence of dimensions of women’s autonomy and the other associated factors on health-seeking behaviour among women, in the rural contour of India.

Method:

A multistage sampling technique is employed to select 600 women from the rural households in Karnataka state of India. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect the data and SPSS 16 version employed to analyze the data collected. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and logistics regression were carried out to identify the influence of dimensions of women’s autonomy on healthcare service utilization.

Results:

Women’s autonomy significantly influences health-seeking behaviour. Woman’s control over economic resources at the household level did not influence woman’s decision to seek healthcare, whereas woman’s freedom of movement had a significant influence on their health-seeking behaviour.
LDOC1 regulates Wnt5a expression and osteosarcoma cell metastasis and is correlated with the survival of osteosarcoma patients
Authors: Yong Bi-Cheng , Lu Jin-Chang , Xie Xian-Biao , Su Qiao , Tan Ping-Xian , Tang Qing-Lian , Wang Jing , Huang Gang , Han Ju , Xu Hong-Wen , Shen Jing-Nan
Published: February 2017

Osteosarcomas are common bone malignancies in children and adolescents. LDOC1 (leucine zipper, down-regulated in cancer 1), a tumor suppressor, is down-regulated in many cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of LDOC1 in tumor metastasis and its prognostic significance in osteosarcomas. We established osteosarcoma cells stably expressing LDOC1, driven by an HIV-based lentiviral system. We investigated the impact of LDOC1 on migration and invasion abilities in these cells using a transwell assay. LDOC1-associated changes in expression of metastasis-promoting genes were analyzed with a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction primer array. A xenograft tumor model (n = 7 mice/group) was used to assess the effect of LDOC1 on osteosarcoma metastasis in vivo. The overall survival and disease-free survival of osteosarcoma patients (n = 74) were analyzed retrospectively based on immunohistochemical analysis of LDOC1 levels in tumors and Kaplan–Meier analysis. LDOC1-expressing osteosarcoma cells displayed decreased migration and invasion in vitro. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction primer array data showed that increased LDOC1 expression up-regulated many metastasis-suppressor genes. In the xenograft model, micro-computed tomography imaging data indicated that increased LDOC1 expression is associated with weaker lung metastasis ability. The Wnt5a signaling pathway promotes osteosarcoma metastasis; LDOC1 expression decreased Wnt5a levels in osteosarcoma cells. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that higher LDOC1 expression was associated with improved osteosarcoma patient overall survival and disease free survival (p = 0.022). Our data show that LDOC1 is a tumor suppressor in osteosarcoma, and that it regulates metastasis of osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, LDOC1 might be a valuable prognostic marker in osteosarcomas.
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor increases tumor growth and angiogenesis directly by promoting endothelial cell function and indirectly by enhancing the mobilization and recruitment of proangiogenic granulocytes
Authors: Zheng Qiaowei , Li Xueqian , Cheng Xiaoliang , Cui Ting , Zhuo Yingcheng , Ma Wenbin , Zhao Xue , Zhao Peipei , Liu Xuanlin , Feng Weiyi
Published: February 2017

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor has been widely used as an adjuvant therapy for cancer patients exhibiting myelosuppression induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, the effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on tumor growth, as well as its precise mechanism, are still controversial due to inconsistent evidence. This study investigated the effect of exogenous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on the growth of B16 melanoma, S180 sarcoma, and U14 cervical carcinoma in mice. The angiogenesis and recruitment of bone-marrow-derived cells were analyzed in tumor tissues. Interactions among granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, bone-marrow-derived cells, and B16 tumor cells were investigated in vitro. Proangiogenic types of bone-marrow-derived cells in blood were assessed both in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor markedly facilitated the growth of B16 and S180 tumors, but not U14 tumors. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor increased the densities of blood vessels and the number of bone-marrow-derived cells in B16 tumor tissues. The granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor–induced enhancement of tumor cell proliferation was mediated by bone-marrow-derived cells in vitro. Meanwhile, a distinct synergistic effect on endothelial cell function between granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and bone-marrow-derived cells was observed. After separating two types of bone-marrow-derived cells, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor–induced enhancement of tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo was mediated by proangiogenic cells in granulocytes, but not monocytes, with CD11b+, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, and C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 granulocytes possibly involved. These data suggest that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor contributes to the growth and angiogenesis of certain types of tumor, and these mechanisms are probably mediated by proangiogenic cells in granulocytes. Applying granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor may attenuate the antitumor effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in certain types of tumor.
Plasma matrix metalloprotease 9 correlates with blood lymphocytosis, leukemic cell invasiveness, and prognosis in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Gusella Milena , Bolzonella Caterina , Paolini Rossella , Rodella Elisabetta , Bertolaso Laura , Scipioni Cinzia , Bellini Silvia , Cuneo Antonio , Pasini Felice , Ramazzina Emilio
Published: February 2017

The complex biology underlying chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell migration and tissue invasiveness is not yet completely understood and might provide novel predictive markers and therapeutic targets. A total of 36 patients out of treatment from at least 3 months were enrolled and followed up for a median period of 44.2 months (range: 4.4–99.2). Matrix metalloprotease 9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases 1 plasma levels and production/release from lymphoid cells were measured by zymography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis. Malignant and normal lymphocyte mobility and matrix-degradation capability were studied using a Boyden chamber system, with and without autologous plasma. Free matrix metalloprotease 9 plasma levels were related with blood lymphocytosis, especially in more advanced stages (p = 0.003), and higher concentrations were associated with an increased disease progression risk (hazard ratio = 9.0, 95% confidence interval = 1.5–13.8). Leukemic cells expressed and secreted very little matrix metalloprotease 9. On the contrary, normal lymphocytes derived from the same leukemic patients showed matrix metalloprotease 9 intracellular levels that were lower in subjects with higher blood lymphocytosis (p = 0.024) and more advanced stages (p = 0.03); the released quantities were inversely associated with matrix metalloprotease 9 plasma concentrations (p = 0.035). Leukemic cells had a reduced spontaneous mobility and matrix-degradation capability that were stimulated by autologous plasma (p = 0.001) and normal lymphocytes (p = 0.005), respectively. Matrix metalloprotease 9 affected cell invasiveness depending on concentration and disease stage. In conclusion, chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells have a reduced mobility, matrix-degradation capability, and matrix metalloprotease 9 production compared to their own autologous normal lymphocytes. They are exposed to matrix metalloprotease 9 of prevalently systemic origin whose higher levels are associated with both leukemic and normal lymphocyte accumulation in the peripheral blood and have a negative prognostic value.
The pride of east Belfast: Glentoran Football Club and the (re)production of Ulster unionist identities in Northern Ireland
Authors: Bleakney Judith , Darby Paul
Published: February 2017

It has become a truism that football provides a revealing window into how various forms of identity are (re)produced. There is a not insubstantial body of academic work which illustrates that football in Northern Ireland has long served as a vehicle for individuals to come together, develop a sense of belonging, share in common bonds of loyalty and articulate both semantic and syntactical forms of identity. This certainly holds true for the country’s Ulster unionist population. Indeed, in many ways, the game has been inextricably bound up with the development of unionist politics and identities. As such, football and football clubs in Northern Ireland represent a particularly useful, yet currently under-utilised, lens through which to analyse the development and nature of the identities of the majority population and how these have manifested themselves in civil society at various points in time. Better understanding how these identities are generated and articulated is important in the context of a society emerging from almost four decades of internecine, ethno-sectarian conflict and particularly at a time when sections of the unionist community have grown disaffected at what they consider to be deliberate attempts to dilute and diminish their identity and cultural traditions. This article contributes to and expands on what is barely a fledgling scholarship on sport and Ulster unionism by examining the ways in which unionist and loyalist identities have developed through and coalesced around Glentoran Football Club, one of Northern Ireland’s leading domestic teams.
State observation–based control algorithm for dynamic vibration absorbing systems featuring magnetorheological elastomers: Principle and analysis
Authors: Qian Li-Jun , Xin Fu-Long , Bai Xian-Xu , Wereley Norman M
Published: February 2017

Based on state observation, a rapid, stable, and effective control algorithm for magnetorheological elastomer (MRE)–based dynamic vibration absorbers (DVAs) applied to automobile powertrain mount systems is proposed and investigated in this article. The state-space model for powertrain mount systems with MRE-based DVAs is established using the rank criterion method for observable systems. According to the principle of system reconfiguration, a full state observation model using an adaptive Kalman filter with Sage–Husa noise estimator is developed. With the state vectors estimated by the Kalman filter, the phase difference between the displacement of the dynamic mass of the MRE-based DVA relative to the powertrain and the absolute displacement of the powertrain is updated continuously based on Simpson’s rule. By adjusting the applied current to the MRE-based DVA with fuzzy logic control corresponding to the cosine value of the phase difference, the natural frequency of the MRE-based DVA could track the excitation frequency of the powertrain well, which results in vibration attenuation of the powertrain mount system. With consideration of excitation noise, time delays, and parametric uncertainties, the simulation experiments of vibration attenuation performance of the MRE-based DVA for the powertrain mount systems when under time-varying excitation are carried out to verify the effectiveness and the stability of the proposed algorithm with fuzzy steps. The simulation results show that when using the proposed algorithm with fuzzy steps, the MRE-based DVA could attenuate the powertrain vibration rapidly and effectively, and the vibration attenuation performance will not be influenced by noise, time delays, and parametric uncertainties.
Predictors of Career Decision Self-Efficacy
Authors: Shin Yun-jeong , Lee Ji-yeon
Published: February 2017

We examined sex, socioeconomic status (SES), classism, modern sexism, and locus of control as uniquely contributing factors to college students’ career decision self-efficacy. A total of 139 college students participated in the survey, and the hypothesis was tested with hierarchical regression. Results revealed that (a) sex and SES do not significantly contribute to classism and modern sexism to college students’ career decision self-efficacy and (b) classism and modern sexism, internality and luck uniquely contributed to college students’ career decision self-efficacy above and beyond the variances accounted for sex and SES. Results indicate the importance of classism and modern sexism over actual sex and SES in predicting college students’ career decision self-efficacy.
Tax Compliance Costs
Authors: Eichfelder Sebastian , Hechtner Frank
Published: February 2017

As documented by empirical research, tax compliance costs are a considerable burden for households and businesses. However, cost estimates may be biased due to survey nonresponse and questionnaire framing effects. Investigating both aspects, we do not find significant evidence for a nonresponse bias. By contrast, our results indicate that framing effects regarding the temporal dimension of cost measurement (temporal framing effects) might alter cost estimates by about 39 percent downward (65 percent upward) on average and by up to 53 percent downward (respectively, 112 percent upward) for small businesses. We also test a number of cost drivers with a focus on e-government features. We do not find any evidence that the use of Belgian e-government applications in 2002 and 2004 significantly reduced compliance costs.
Species-Dependent Mechanisms of Cardiac Arrhythmia: A Cellular Focus
Authors: Edwards Andrew G , Louch William E
Published: February 2017

Although ventricular arrhythmia remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, available antiarrhythmic drugs have limited efficacy. Disappointing progress in the development of novel, clinically relevant antiarrhythmic agents may partly be attributed to discrepancies between humans and animal models used in preclinical testing. However, such differences are at present difficult to predict, requiring improved understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms across species. To this end, we presently review interspecies similarities and differences in fundamental cardiomyocyte electrophysiology and current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the generation of afterdepolarizations and reentry. We specifically highlight patent shortcomings in small rodents to reproduce cellular and tissue-level arrhythmia substrate believed to be critical in human ventricle. Despite greater ease of translation from larger animal models, discrepancies remain and interpretation can be complicated by incomplete knowledge of human ventricular physiology due to low availability of explanted tissue. We therefore point to the benefits of mathematical modeling as a translational bridge to understanding and treating human arrhythmia.
The Cinema Cities Index: comparing urban cinema cultures around the world
Authors: Coate Bronwyn , Verhoeven Deb , Davidson Alwyn
Published: February 2017

[Cinema culture varies markedly around the globe and between cities. While this is obvious, the drivers of cinema culture are complex and interact in different ways across different locations and often give rise to a distinct character of localised cinema. This can be witnessed at different scales: across countries, between cities and, on a more granular level, based on localised neighbourhoods. In this article, we apply quantitative methods to investigate cities’ ability to support cinema-going, or what we term ‘cinemability’. We focus on four inter-related aspects that we argue contribute to a city’s cinemability. These include the physical infrastructure of cinemas, the number and variety of films available, the presence of film festivals as a form of cultural signalling and the average cost of cinema admissions. In this article, we construct a ranked index of ‘cinemability’ based on data sourced from the Kinomatics Screen Dataset in order to facilitate a global comparison of contemporary cinema-going across 311 world cities. Our Cinema Cities Index is then compared with public contributions on the Cinema Cities website, http://www.cinemacities.com , where users can generate their own version of the index by assigning weights to the different variables based on their personal preferences. The results of our analysis reveal that the public place emphasis on factors such as the diversity of films offered and the affordability of cinema admission as key contributors to what makes a particular city amendable to ‘cinemability’.
Trait neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness in multiple sclerosis: Link to cognitive impairment?
Authors: Roy Shumita , Drake Allison S , Eizaguirre María Bárbara , Zivadinov Robert , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca , Chapman Benjamin P , Benedict Ralph HB
Published: February 2017

Background:

Previous research suggests that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have higher neuroticism, lower extraversion, and lower conscientiousness relative to healthy controls (HCs). However, the prevalence of this maladaptive profile in MS and its relation to cognition is unknown.

Objective:

Determine prevalence of maladaptive personality among MS patients, compared to HCs, and examine how it relates to cognitive dysfunction.

Methods:

A sample of 275 MS patients and 55 HCs completed neuroperformance measures of information processing speed and memory. Self and informant ratings were obtained on the NEO Five-Factor Inventory.

Results:

MS patients had higher neuroticism and lower extraversion than HCs. Cognitively impaired patients were also lower in conscientiousness. Cluster analysis revealed a configuration of these same three traits, representing a maladaptive profile. This profile was found in 50% of the overall MS sample, compared to 24% of HCs. However, only cognitively impaired MS patients had a higher prevalence of maladaptive personality compared to HCs. Among cognitively impaired patients, those with maladaptive traits were impaired in more cognitive domains than those with more adaptive traits.

Conclusion:

Cognitively impaired MS patients have a higher prevalence of seemingly maladaptive traits compared to HCs, demonstrating an association between cognition and personality in MS.
Multiple sclerosis: Serum-derived exosomes express myelin proteins
Authors: Galazka Grazyna , Mycko Marcin P , Selmaj Igor , Raine Cedric S , Selmaj Krzysztof W
Published: February 2017

Background:

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that provide cell-to-cell communication and are involved in immunoregulation.

Objective:

To investigate serum exosomes for the presence of myelin proteins outside the central nervous system (CNS) and their role in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

Serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were collected from 45 patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), 30 patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS), and 45 healthy controls. Exosomes were isolated using a polymer formulation method, and their size, concentration, and CNS myelin protein contents were measured by a nanoparticle tracking analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and Western blot.

Results:

We found that exosomes expressed three major myelin proteins, myelin basic protein, proteolipid protein, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). Exosomal content of MOG strongly correlated with disease activity and was highest in RRMS patients in relapse and in SPMS patients. Serum-derived exosomes induced proliferation of MOG-T cell receptor transgenic T cells confirming that serum exosomes maintained MOG immunogenicity.

Conclusion:

Exosomes isolated outside CNS tissue expressed myelin proteins, and the presence of MOG correlated strongly with disease activity. We conclude that exosomes might enhance and/or perpetuate anti-myelin immune reactions in MS and may provide novel markers of disease activity.
The temporal dimension of issue competition
Authors: Schröder Valentin , Stecker Christian
Published: February 2017

Existing accounts of issue competition have focused on content: What issues do parties choose to compete with. We complement this literature with an account of parties’ choices on when to compete. Conceiving of the object of competition – public attention – as a common-pool resource, we explain the timing of party attempts at acquiring issues as an interdependent process. Outside of election times, parties coordinate their attempts along a tit-for-tat logic. Within election times, they raise rates of their attempts, rendering coordination futile. This especially concerns opposition parties. We test our hypotheses with a novel data set on roll call vote (RCV) requests in the 16 German state parliaments. These parliaments lend themselves to comparative analysis since they are nearly identical in institutional features and political positions of parties, yet diverse as concerns party strength and government participation at any point in time. The data set covers all 4849 RCVs held in 16.968 plenary sessions in the period 1947–2011.
Cleft lip and palate in context: Learning from, and adding to, the sociological literature on long-term conditions
Authors: Abualfaraj Raed , Daly Blanaid , McDonald Fraser , Scambler Sasha
Published: February 2017

Cleft lip and palate is a common congenital anomaly affecting males and females. While there is psychological research on cleft lip and palate, there is relatively little research exploring the social context of cleft lip and palate and the experiences of living with the condition on a daily basis. Drawing on common themes emerging from sociological work which have explored the experiences of people living with long-term conditions (uncertainty, social relations, self-esteem and self-image and biomedical concerns), we argue that these themes can be used to help elucidate the experiences of people living with cleft lip and palate. Within this framework, the findings of a qualitative study exploring the experiences of people living with cleft lip and palate are presented. The results suggest that all four themes can be found within the accounts of people living with cleft lip and palate, and there are many commonalities between the experiences of these people and those living with other long-term conditions. Conversely there are interesting areas of divergence. Unlike most long-term conditions, cleft lip and palate is not degenerative and treatment means symptoms will reduce over time. This is reflected in narratives around ‘normality’ as the endpoint of the care pathway. In addition, prenatal diagnosis means that the vast majority of participants within this study were born into, and grew up within, the care pathway. This has implications for the way in which cleft lip and palate is understood and the provision of information, relationships with members of the care team over time and the temporal and contextualised impact of cleft lip and palate on social relations and the self.
Radiological variation of indoor radon and thoron levels by pinhole dosimeter in different seasons
Authors: Mittal Sudhir , Rani Asha , Mehra Rohit , Sahoo B. K. , Sapra B. K.
Published: February 2017

The annual variation in radon and thoron concentrations in different seasons has been revealed for 40 different locations of Jodhpur, Nagaur, Bikaner and Jhunjhunu districts of Northern Rajasthan by using pinhole dosimeter, and the results have been compared with ventilation conditions and building materials. The indoor radon concentration was observed to vary from 109 ± 17 to 334 ± 13 Bq m−3, 63 ± 17 to 255 ± 21 Bq m−3, 45 ± 11 to 128 ± 19 Bq m−3 and 74 ± 9 to 300 ± 21 Bq m−3 and thoron concentration varies from 26 ± 15 to 418 ± 21 Bq m−3, 3 ± 2 to 134 ± 33 Bq m−3, 12 ± 6 to 140 ± 19 Bq m−3 and 6 ± 4 to 408 ± 29 Bq m−3 for winter, spring, summer and autumn seasons, respectively. In winter season, indoor radon concentration of about 50% dwellings was observed to be within or higher than the action level as recommended by International Commission of Radiation Protection. However, in summer the action level is lower than the action limit. The exposure of human beings to indoor radon and thoron and the associated risk has also been examined. The total annual mean effective dose due to indoor radon and thoron in Northern Rajasthan are less than or close to the action level 3–10 mSv y−1 as recommended by International Commission of Radiation Protection.
A tool for signage placement recommendation in hospitals based on wayfinding metrics
Authors: Greenroyd Fraser L , Hayward Rebecca , Price Andrew , Demian Peter , Sharma Shrikant
Published: February 2017

Navigating a healthcare facility can prove challenging to both new and existing patients and visitors. Poor or ineffective use of signage within the facility may enhance navigational difficulties. Signage strategies within facility design tend to be produced without consideration of how people typically navigate a space. Thus, strategies that ‘work on paper’ may not, in reality, aid or optimize patient and visitor wayfinding. Existing strategies for determining signage placement may also prove costly in terms of time spent on manual analysis of a facility’s floor space, including the potential for overlooking prime signage locations when analysing large floor plans. This paper presents a tool which aims to aid signage placement strategies by analysing facility design and routes within it, based on natural wayfinding metrics found in existing literature. The tool is designed to enable quick analysis of large designs for analysing multiple routes, highlighting areas where signage placement would aid natural wayfinding. The outputs of the tool are presented as a colour map which overlays the original 3D model design, highlighting the key areas where signage may be appropriate. An example of how the tool can be utilised to aid effective sign strategy is demonstrated on a small healthcare facility design.
From friendfunding to crowdfunding: Relevance of relationships, social media, and platform activities to crowdfunding performance
Authors: Borst Irma , Moser Christine , Ferguson Julie
Published: February 2017

Crowdfunding involves raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet and social networks, to fund a project. Crowdfunding projects are mainly funded by the project creator’s relatively small network of family and friends. We argue that mobilizing funders outside this close network positively contributes to the success of a crowdfunding success. To study how project creators seek to attract funding from more distant/potential resources (latent ties) in addition to existing networks (strong and weak ties), we examined usage of social media (Facebook and Twitter) and the crowdfunding platform (website). We analyzed 10 cultural projects hosted on the Dutch crowdfunding platform “Voordekunst.” Our results contribute to theorizing on latent tie activation by demonstrating that social media messages and platform updates add economic value to the crowdfunding effort. Our study also explains the moderating effect of these messages on funders of various tie strengths.
Involving institutionalized people with dementia in their care-planning meetings: Impact on their quality of life measured by a proxy method: Innovative Practice
Authors: Villar Feliciano , Celdrán Montserrat , Vila-Miravent Josep , Fernández Elena
Published: February 2017

The objective of the study was to assess the impact of an intervention in which people with dementia attended meetings to discuss their individual care plans on their quality of life. Fifty-two older people ( M = 86.7 years, SD = 7.3) diagnosed with moderate-to-severe dementia living in four nursing homes in Spain participated in the study. The intervention was implemented with 27 residents at two of the nursing homes; the other 25 cases at the other two homes acted as controls. A proxy measure of quality of life was used. Improvements were found in quality of life as assessed by staff members, in both within and between-group comparisons, which suggests that including older people with dementia in care-planning meetings may improve their quality of life. However, further controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
State Transition Graphs for Semantic Analysis of Movement Behaviours
Authors: Andrienko Natalia , Andrienko Gennady
Published: February 2017

A behaviour can be defined as a sequence of states or activities occurring one after another. A behaviour consisting of a finite number of reoccurring states/activities may be represented by a directed weighted graph with nodes and edges corresponding, respectively, to the possible states and transitions between them, while the weights represent the probabilities or frequencies of the state and transition occurrences. The same applies to multiple behaviours sharing the same set of possible states. In analysis of movement data, state transition graphs can be used to represent semantic abstractions of mobility behaviours, where states correspond to semantic categories of visited places (such as ‘home’, ‘work’, ‘shop’), activities of moving objects (‘driving’, ‘walking’, ‘exercising’, etc.) or characteristics of the movement (‘straight movement’, ‘sharp turn’, ‘acceleration’, ‘stop’, etc.). Such a representation supports the exploration and analysis of the semantic aspect (i.e. the meaning or purposes) of movement. For comprehensive analysis of movement data, state transition graphs need to be combined with representations reflecting the spatial and temporal aspects of the movement. This requires appropriate coordination between different visual displays (graphs, maps and temporal views) and appropriate reaction to analytical operations applied to any of the representations of the same data. We define in an abstract way the reactions of a graph display to analytical operations of querying, partitioning and direct selection. We also propose visual and interactive display features supporting comparisons between data subsets and between results of different operations. We demonstrate the use of the display features by examples of real-world and synthetic data sets.
Backstepping control for a 3DOF model helicopter with input and output constraints
Authors: Mei Rong , Cui Qingliang
Published: February 2017

In this article, a backstepping control scheme is developed for the motion control of a Three degrees of freedom (3DOF) model helicopter with unknown external disturbance, modelling uncertainties and input and output constraints. In the developed robust control scheme, augmented state observers are applied to estimate the unknown states, unknown external disturbance and modelling uncertainties. Auxiliary systems are designed to deal with input saturation. A barrier Lyapunov function is employed to handle the output saturation. The stability of closed-loop system is proved by the Lyapunov method. Simulation results show that the designed control scheme is effective at dealing with the motion control of a 3DOF model helicopter in the presence of unknown external disturbance and modelling uncertainties, and input and output saturation.
Robust entry guidance using linear covariance-based model predictive control
Authors: Luo Jianjun , Jin Kai , Wang Mingming , Yuan Jianping , Li Gefei
Published: February 2017

For atmospheric entry vehicles, guidance design can be accomplished by solving an optimal issue using optimal control theories. However, traditional design methods generally focus on the nominal performance and do not include considerations of the robustness in the design process. This paper proposes a linear covariance-based model predictive control method for robust entry guidance design. Firstly, linear covariance analysis is employed to directly incorporate the robustness into the guidance design. The closed-loop covariance with the feedback updated control command is initially formulated to provide the expected errors of the nominal state variables in the presence of uncertainties. Then, the closed-loop covariance is innovatively used as a component of the cost function to guarantee the robustness to reduce its sensitivity to uncertainties. After that, the models predictive control is used to solve the optimal problem, and the control commands (bank angles) are calculated. Finally, a series of simulations for different missions have been completed to demonstrate the high performance in precision and the robustness with respect to initial perturbations as well as uncertainties in the entry process. The 3σ confidence region results in the presence of uncertainties which show that the robustness of the guidance has been improved, and the errors of the state variables are decreased by approximately 35%.
Tranexamic acid for acute intracerebral hemorrhage growth predicted by spot sign trial: Rationale and design
Authors: Liu Liping , Wang Yilong , Meng Xia , Li Na , Tan Ying , Nie Ximing , Liu Dacheng , Zhao Xingquan
Published: February 2017

Rationale

Acute intracerebral hemorrhage inflicts a high-economic and -health burden. Computed tomography angiography spot sign is a predictor of hematoma expansion, is associated with poor clinical outcome and is an important stratifying variable for patients treated with haemostatic therapy.

Aims

We aim to compare the effect of treatment with tranexamic acid to placebo for the prevention of hemorrhage growth in patients with high-risk acute intracerebral hemorrhage with a positive spot sign.

Design

The tranexamic acid for acute intracerebral hemorrhage growth predicted by spot sign (TRAIGE) is a prospective, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, investigator-led, randomized clinical trial that will include an estimated 240 participants. Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage demonstrating symptom onset within 8 h and with the spot sign as a biomarker for ongoing hemorrhage, and no contraindications for antifibrinolytic therapy, will be enrolled to receive either tranexamic acid or placebo. The primary outcome measure is the presence of hemorrhage growth defined as an increase in intracerebral hemorrhage volume >33% or >6 ml from baseline to 24 ± 2 h. The secondary outcomes include safety and clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

The TRAIGE trial evaluates the efficacy of haemostatic therapy with tranexamic acid in the prevention of hemorrhage growth among high-risk patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage.
A robust reliability redundancy allocation problem under abnormal external failures guided by a new importance measure
Authors: Xiong Guozhen , Zhang Chi , Zhou Fei
Published: February 2017

Besides inherent failures under normal conditions studied by classical reliability engineering, systems may also be subject to abnormal external failures, whose probabilities are hard, if not impossible, to predict, such as failures caused by natural disasters (e.g. earthquakes, floods, and tornados) and malicious attacks. Thus, abnormal external failures need to be considered when designing a system, as in reliability redundancy allocation problem. To deal with the uncertainty of abnormal external failures and based on robust optimization, this research proposes a multi-objective optimization approach that can simultaneously maximize system reliability under both normal and the worst cases of abnormal external failures for redundancy allocation problem. Since the amount of abnormal external failures is usually unknown, the worst case for each possible amount of abnormal external failures needs to be identified first. For this purpose, a new importance measure that can quantify the importance of a subset of system components with arbitrary cardinality is proposed. We also revise a widely used multi-objective evolutionary algorithm, multi-objective probabilistic solution discovery algorithm, to deal with the complexity of redundancy allocation problem. The merits of the revised algorithm are demonstrated by extensive experiments.
Modification of sample processing for the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay enhances detection of inflammogenic endotoxin in intact bacteria and organic dust
Authors: Hoppe Parr Kimberly A , Hađina Suzana , Kilburg-Basnyat Brita , Wang Yifang , Chavez Dulce , Thorne Peter S , Weiss Jerrold P
Published: February 2017

The pro-inflammatory potency and causal relationship with asthma of inhaled endotoxins have underscored the importance of accurately assessing the endotoxin content of organic dusts. The Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay has emerged as the preferred assay, but its ability to measure endotoxin in intact bacteria and organic dusts with similar sensitivity as purified endotoxin is unknown. We used metabolically radiolabeled Neisseria meningitidis and both rough and smooth Escherichia coli to compare dose-dependent activation in the LAL with purified endotoxin from these bacteria and shed outer membrane (OM) blebs. Labeled [14C]-3-OH-fatty acids were used to quantify the endotoxin content of the samples. Purified meningococcal and E. coli endotoxins and OM blebs displayed similar specific activity in the LAL assay to the purified LPS standard. In contrast, intact bacteria exhibited fivefold lower specific activity in the LAL assay but showed similar MD-2-dependent potency as purified endotoxin in inducing acute airway inflammation in mice. Pre-treatment of intact bacteria and organic dusts with 0.1 M Tris-HCl/10 mM EDTA increased by fivefold the release of endotoxin. These findings demonstrate that house dust and other organic dusts should be extracted with Tris/EDTA to more accurately assess the endotoxin content and pro-inflammatory potential of these environmental samples.
Bovine serum albumin–glutaraldehyde (BioGlue®) tissue adhesive versus standard renorrhaphy following renal mass enucleation: a retrospective comparison
Authors: Bahouth Zaher , Moskovitz Boaz , Halachmi Sarel , Nativ Ofer
Published: February 2017

Background:

To present the operative and post-operative comparison between patients who underwent tumor-bed closure with sutures compared with bovine serum albumin–glutaraldehyde (BioGlue®) tissue sealant only.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed data from our ongoing database of 507 eligible patients who underwent open NSS nephron-sparing surgery in our department between January 1995 and May 2014. Patients had tumor-bed closure with sealant adhesive (255 patients) or standard suture technique (252 patients). Demographic, clinical and perioperative data were compared between the two groups, by Chi-square test or by Fisher–Irwin exact test for categorical variables, and by t test for differences in means or by Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables. A multivariate analysis was also done.

Results:

Patients’ baseline characteristics showed similar distribution of the analyzed parameters among both groups, with few differences: younger age in the sealant group (65.4 versus 68.4 years, p = 0.01) and slightly larger mass size in the suture group (4.0 versus 3.9 cm, p = 0.03). Ischemia time was significantly shorter in the sealant group (21.8 versus 27.0 minutes, p = 0001). Blood loss and transfusion rate (0.8% versus 11.9%, p = 0.0001) were significantly less in the sealant group. A multivariate analysis showed date of surgery and blood loss as the major parameters affecting transfusion rate.

Conclusions:

Closing the tumor bed with BioGlue® tissue adhesive is feasible, safe, can shorten ischemia time and potentially reduce transfusion rate.
Computed tomography perfusion-based selection of endovascularly treated acute ischaemic stroke patients – Are there lessons to be learned from the pre-evidence era?
Authors: Psychogios Marios-Nikos , Knauth Michael , Bshara Raya , Schregel Katharina , Tsogkas Ioannis , Papageorgiou Ismini , Maier Ilko , Liman Jan , Behme Daniel
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Some of the latest groundbreaking trials suggest that noncontrast cranial computed tomography and computed tomography-angiography are sufficient tools for patient selection within six hours of symptom onset. Before endovascular stroke therapy became the standard of care, patient selection was one of the most useful tools to avoid futile reperfusions. We report the outcomes of endovascularly treated stroke patients selected with a perfusion-based paradigm and discuss the implications in the current era of endovascular treatment.

Material and methods

After an interdisciplinary meeting in September 2012 we agreed to select thrombectomy candidates primarily based on computed tomography perfusion with a cerebral blood volume Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Scale (CBV-ASPECTS) of <7 being a strong indicator of futile reperfusion. In this study, we retrospectively screened all patients with an M1 thrombosis in our neurointerventional database between September 2012 and December 2014.

Results

In 39 patients with a mean age of 69 years and a median admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale of 17 the successful reperfusion rate was 74% and the favourable outcome rate at 90 days was 56%. Compared to previously published data from our database 2007–2011, we found that a two-point increase in median CBV-ASPECTS was associated with a significant increase in favourable outcomes.

Conclusion

Computed tomography perfusion imaging as an additional selection criterion significantly increased the rate of favourable clinical outcome in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy. Although computed tomography perfusion has lost impact within the six-hour period, we still use it in cases beyond six hours as a means to broaden the therapeutic window.
Acute brain injury following illicit drug abuse in adolescent and young adult patients: spectrum of neuroimaging findings
Authors: Shrot Shai , Poretti Andrea , Tucker Elizabeth W , Soares Bruno P , Huisman Thierry AGM
Published: February 2017

The use of illicit drugs is currently a major medical problem among adolescents. Several illicit drugs have a high abuse potential and can be neurotoxic causing high morbidity and mortality. The clinical manifestation of adolescents with acute drug-induced neurotoxicity is often characterized by non-specific symptoms and findings. Early diagnosis is important to prevent death and permanent long-term neurological impairments. We report on clinical and neuroimaging findings in five adolescents with acute brain imaging following illicit drug intoxication to highlight the role of neuroimaging findings in the diagnostic work-up of pediatric acute drug-induced neurotoxicity. Our patients reveal two main neuroimaging patterns of brain injury: diffuse symmetric subcortical white matter injury with preferential cerebellar involvement (leukoencephalopathy pattern) or multiple foci of ischemic infarctions in a non-arterial territory distribution (ischemic pattern). Familiarity with these two neuroimaging patterns of findings in the evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging studies in adolescents with acutely altered mental status may suggest the correct diagnosis, narrow the differential diagnosis, and consequently allow early initiation of targeted laboratory investigations and treatment, potentially improving outcome.
Influence of Coactors on Saccadic and Manual Responses
Authors: Oliva Manuel , Niehorster Diederick C. , Jarodzka Halszka , Holmqvist Kenneth
Published: February 2017

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of coaction on saccadic and manual responses. Participants performed the experiments either in a solitary condition or in a group of coactors who performed the same tasks at the same time. In Experiment 1, participants completed a pro- and antisaccade task where they were required to make saccades towards (prosaccades) or away (antisaccades) from a peripheral visual stimulus. In Experiment 2, participants performed a visual discrimination task that required both making a saccade towards a peripheral stimulus and making a manual response in reaction to the stimulus’s orientation. The results showed that performance of stimulus-driven responses was independent of the social context, while volitionally controlled responses were delayed by the presence of coactors. These findings are in line with studies assessing the effect of attentional load on saccadic control during dual-task paradigms. In particular, antisaccades – but not prosaccades – were influenced by the type of social context. Additionally, the number of coactors present in the group had a moderating effect on both saccadic and manual responses. The results support an attentional view of social influences.
The impact of database restriction on pharmacovigilance signal detection of selected cancer therapies
Authors: Hauben Manfred , Hung Eric , Wood Jennifer , Soitkar Amit , Reshef Daniel
Published: February 2017

Background:

The aim of this study was to investigate whether database restriction can improve oncology drug pharmacovigilance signal detection performance.

Methods:

We used spontaneous adverse event (AE) reports in the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. Positive control (PC) drug medical concept (DMC) pairs were selected from safety information not included in the product’s first label but subsequently added as label changes. These medical concepts (MCs) were mapped to the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) preferred terms (PTs) used in FAERS to code AEs. Negative controls (NC) were MCs with circumscribed PTs not included in the corresponding US package insert (USPI). We calculated shrinkage-adjusted observed-to-expected (O/E) reporting frequencies for the aforementioned drug–PT pairs. We also formulated an adjudication framework to calculate performance at the MC level. Performance metrics [sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value (PPV, NPV), signal/noise (S/N), F and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC)] were calculated for each analysis and compared.

Results:

The PC reference set consisted of 11 drugs, 487 PTs, 27 MCs, 37 drug–MC combinations and 638 drug–event combinations (DECs). The NC reference set consisted of 11 drugs, 9 PTs, 5 MCs, 40 drug–MC combinations and 67 DECs. Most drug–event pairs were not highlighted by either analysis. A small percentage of signals of disproportionate reporting were lost, more noise than signal, with no gains. Specificity and PPV improved whereas sensitivity, NPV, F and MCC decreased, but all changes were small relative to the decrease in sensitivity. The overall S/N improved.

Conclusion:

This oncology drug restricted analysis improved the S/N ratio, removing proportionately more noise than signal, but with significant credible signal loss. Without broader experience and a calculus of costs and utilities of correct versus incorrect classifications in oncology pharmacovigilance such restricted analyses should be optional rather than a default analysis.
Comparison of EAU and UK guidelines on priapism
Authors: Muneer Asif
Published: February 2017

Priapism is a rare condition defined as a prolonged penile erection lasting for more than four hours in the absence of sexual stimulation and remains despite orgasm. Priapism guidelines have been published following an evidence review by the European Association of Urology (EAU). Within the UK, local guidelines are sometimes available and these tend to be adaptations of guidelines from the American Urological Association or the EAU together with input from the local haematology department since sickle cell patients represent a high-risk group. As yet there are no guidelines available from the British Association of Urological Surgeons.