bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bevacizumab for Recurrent Glioma - A Personal View
Authors: Roger Stupp
Published: April 2011

Treatment of recurrent glioma remains a therapeutic challenge. Unprecedented high response rates associated with rapid clinical improvement have been observed. Despite the absence of definitive data and while definitive trial has not even been started, regulatory approval was requested. And while the United States Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval based on 2 small uncontrolled phase II trials, the European Medicines Agency rejected the application.
Development of Sorafenib in Malignant Gliomas: Rationale and Early Clinical Experience
Authors: Rachel Grossman  , Jaishri Blakeley
Published: April 2011

Sorafenib is a multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), with activity against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1), VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, Raf-1, B-Raf, C-Raf, and plateletderived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) -α and -β. Currently, sorafenib has regulatory approval for use in metastatic renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. An attractive activity profile, pre-clinical evidence of antitumor activity in human malignant glioma models and a promising safety profile have led to recent phase I/II clinical trials for patients with malignant gliomas. Here we review the current data, and future directions for the development of sorafenib for malignant glioma.
Aflibercept (VEGF-Trap) in High-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Drappatz Jan , D. Norden Andrew , Y. Wen Patrick
Published: April 2011

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the key protein in the regulation of pathological
angiogenesis, a hallmark of glioblastomas. Inhibition of VEGF has become a major strategy in glioma therapy.
Most clinical trial data generated to date have been with bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against
VEGF. Aflibercept (VEGF Trap; Regeneron, Inc.), is an engineered soluble receptor made from extracellular
domains of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 which binds to all isoforms of VEGF and to placental growth factor (PlGF).
The avidity with which aflibercept binds to VEGF-A and VEGF-B is significantly higher than that for
bevacizumab. The toxicities observed include hypertension and proteinuria and are similar to those with other
therapies targeting the VEGF pathway. A phase II trial in patients with relapsed high-grade glioma demonstrated
encouraging activity. Ongoing trials are evaluating aflibercept in combination with temozolomide and radiation in
newly-diagnosed glioblastoma.
Chinese RITS in Development
Authors: Zhuo Wang , Li-min Jia
Published: April 2011

This chapter describes RITS structure model in three levels that acquirement and recognition needed
by users, the realization of demand, all types of resources support for demand realization, and gives the location
of existing information systems in the future RITS. And many Chinese RITS system in construction are
introduced in this chapter either, such as: Qinhai-Tibet Line Emergency Rescue institutions and Emergency
Rescue Command Information System; Geographic Information System of Qinhai-Tibet Line; and
Comprehensive Monitoring System of Railway Operational Safety for Qinhai-Tibet Line etc. Finally RITS
development strategy and vision analysis are introduced.
Integration of Statistical-Model-Based Voice Activity Detection and Noise Suppression for Noise Robust Speech Recogni
Authors: Fujimoto Masakiyo
Published: April 2011

This chapter addresses robust front-end processing for automatic speech recognition in
noisy environments. To recognize corrupted speech accurately, it is necessary to employ robust
methods against various types of interference. Usually, noise suppression is used for the frontend
processing of speech recognition in the presence of noise. Voice activity detection (VAD)
is also used for front-end processing to eliminate the redundant non-speech period. VAD and
noise suppression are typically combined as series processing. VAD and noise suppression should
not be assumed to be separate techniques, because the output information of these methods is
mutually beneficial. Thus, this chapter introduces the integrated front-end processing of VAD and
noise suppression, which can utilize each others' input-output information.
Using GARCH Process for Voice Activity Detection
Authors: Tahmasbi Rasool
Published: April 2011

GARCH (Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity) models are
new statistical methods that are used especially in economic time series. There is a consensus
that speech signals exhibit variance that changes through time. GARCH models are a popular
choice to model these changing variances. In this chapter, we propose three methods for VAD,
which are based on GARCH models. In the first method, heteroscedasticity will be modeled by
GARCH process and hard detection is the result of comparing a Multiple Observation
Likelihood Ratio Test (MOLRT) with a threshold function. In the second method, no distinct
probability functions are assumed for speech and noise distributions and no LRT is employed.
We will show that VAD is related to the parameter constancy test in GARCH process. For
testing parameter constancy in GARCH models, the algorithm of the Cramer-von Mises (CVM)
test is described. In the last method, the process of outlier detection in GARCH model is
presented and the motivation for using it and its relation with VAD are discussed.
Voice Activity Detection Using Contextual Information for Robust Speech Recognition
Authors: Ramirez J. , Gorriz J. M.
Published: April 2011

Emerging applications in the field of speech processing are demanding increasing levels of performance in noise adverse environments. These systems often require a noise reduction scheme working in combination with a precise voice activity detector (VAD). This chapter shows an overview of the main challenges in robust speech detection and a review of the state of the art and applications. Experimental results show the effectiveness of VADs using contextual information when compared to recently reported algorithms.
Statistical Model based Techniques for Robust Speech Communication
Authors: Kim Nam Soo , Chang Joon-Hyuk
Published: April 2011

Acoustic interferences such as the background noise and reverberation are the major
causes of quality degradation in speech communication. During the several decades, a huge
number of attempts to reduce the effect of these interferences have been made by employing
statistical model based techniques. In the statistical model based techniques, not only the clean
speech source but also the background noise and acoustic echo are assumed to be generated from
a class of parametric distributions for which there exist efficient methods to estimate the relevant
parameters. In this chapter, we review the parametric models and their application to voice activity
detection, noise reduction, and echo suppression, which are important preprocessing parts in
robust speech communication systems.
Bayesian Networks and Discrete Observations for Robust Speech Recognition
Authors: Miguel Antonio , Ortega Alfonso , Lleida Eduardo
Published: April 2011

Traditionally, in speech recognition, the hidden Markov model state emission probability
distributions are usually associated to continuous random variables, by using Gaussian
mixtures. Thus, the inter-feature dependence is not accurately modeled by the covariance matrix,
since it only considers pairs of variables. The mixture is the part of the model which usually
captures this information, but this is done in a loose and inefficient way. Graphical models provide
a precise and simple mechanism to model the dependencies among two or more variables.
We propose the use of discrete random variables as observations and graphical models to extract
the internal dependence structure in the feature vectors. A method to estimate a graphical model
with a constrained number of dependencies is shown in this chapter, which is a special kind of
Bayesian network. Experimental results show that this method can be considered robust as compared to standard baseline systems.
Distribution-Based Feature Compensation for Robust Speech Recognition
Authors: Chen Berlin , Lin Shih-Hsiang
Published: April 2011

The performance of current automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems often degrades dramatically when the input speech is corrupted by various kinds of noise sources. In this chapter, we first discuss several prominently-used and effective distribution-based feature compensation methods to improving ASR robustness, and then review two polynomial regression methods that have the merit of directly characterizing the relationship between speech features and their corresponding distribution characteristics to compensate for noise interference. All these methods were thoroughly investigated and compared using the Aurora-2 standard database and task. The empirical results demonstrate that most of these distribution-based feature compensation methods can achieve considerable word error rate reductions over the baseline system for either clean-condition or multi-condition training settings.
Effective Multiple Regression for Robust Singleand Multi-channel Speech Recognition
Authors: Li Weifeng , Takeda Kazuya , Itakura Fumitada
Published: April 2011

Conventional single- andmulti-channel speech enhancementmethods aimat improving
the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal signals captured through distant microphones, which
do not specifically target the improvements of ASR performance. We investigate a nonlinear
multiple regression to extract robust features for automatic speech recognition (ASR). The idea
is to approximate the log spectra of a close-talking microphone by effectively combining of the
log spectra of distant microphones. The devised system turns out to be a generalized log spectral
subtraction framework for the robust speech recognition. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the
proposed approach through our extensive evaluations on the single- and multi-channel isolated
word recognition experiments conducted in 15 real car-driving environments.
Advances in Human-Machine Systems for In-Vehicle Environments: Noise and Cognitive Stress/Distraction
Authors: Hansen John H.L. , Angkititrakul Pongtep , Kim Wooil
Published: April 2011

As computing technology advances, the ability to integrate a wider range of personal
services for in-vehicle environments increases. These technologies include hands-free wireless
communications, video/data/internet within the vehicle, route planning and navigation, access to
music and information download, command and control of vehicle instrumentation, as well as
inter-vehicle communications. While these advances offer a diverse range of entertainment and
information access opportunities, they generally are introduced into the vehicle with limited
understanding of their impact to driver distraction and cognitive stress load. As the diversity of
speech, video, biometric, and vehicle signals increases, improved corpora and system
formulation are needed. In this study, we consider recent advances for in-vehicle humanmachine
systems for route navigation, noise suppression for robust speech recognition, and
driver behavior modeling. Multi-microphone array processing based on combined fixedadaptive
beamforming is developed for noise suppression for hands-free communications as
well as improved automatic speech recognition for route dialog interaction. Next, advances in
modeling driver behavior are considered in the UT-Drive project, which is focused on
advancing smart vehicle technologies for improved safety while driving. Finally, a general
discussion considers next generation advances for in-vehicle environments which sense driver
cognitive stress/distraction to adapt interactive systems to improve safety.
Bioinformatics Tools for Mass Spectrometry-based Proteomics Analysis
Authors: Di Silvestre D. , Daminelli S. , Brunetti P. , Mauri PL.
Published: April 2011

In recent years mass spectrometry-based proteomics became very important and now it is the
leading approach employed in high-throughput analysis. Its relevance increased thanks to availability of
genome-sequence database and the development of high sensitivity instruments allows a rapid and automated
proteins profiling. The need to analyze complex biological samples at a large-scale level required the
development of computational tools to analyze and statistically evaluate data generated from mass
spectrometry (MS) experiments. These aspects have stimulated the young emerging field of bioinformatics in
proteomics to introduce new software and algorithms to handle large and heterogeneous data sets and to
improve the knowledge of discovery process. This review discusses of the most recent progresses in
bioinformatics tools useful in mass spectrometry-based proteomics. In particular we will be focusing on
software applications applied to proteomics profiling biomarker discovery and cluster analysis. Finally since
most known mechanisms leading to biological processes involve different molecules here are reported the
most recent methodologies to investigate biological systems through their underlying interactions with
particular attention to protein-protein interaction.
Control of the Level of Apoptosis by Different Analytical Techniques
Authors: Starek Małgorzata , Dąbrowska Monika , Skuciński Jerzy
Published: April 2011

The process of programmed cell death, or apoptosis is characterized by distinct morphological and
biochemical mechanisms. Inappropriate apoptosis (too little or too much) is a factor in many human
conditions including neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders and many types of cancer. Although
many assays for apoptosis detection have been established so far, precise differentiating apoptosis and
necrosis in single cells is still a hallenge. In this study we present the most common analytical techniques for
the control of the level of apoptosis.
Cytokinins: Progress and Developments in Analytical Methods
Authors: Wan Hong Yong Jean , Ge and Swee Ngin Tan Liya
Published: April 2011

Since the discovery in the 1950s, cytokinins have been considered to play various important roles
in life science. Many analytical procedures, therefore, have been developed for determination of the types,
levels and metabolic profiling of endogenous cytokinins. The primary focus of this comprehensive review is
on the various analytical methods designed to meet the requirements for cytokinin analyses in complex
matrices with special emphasis on gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC) and capillary
electrophoresis (CE), mostly combined with mass spectrometry (MS). The advantages and drawbacks of the
described analytical methods are discussed. As plant tissue contains cytokinins in trace amounts (usually at
levels below 30 pmol per gram of fresh weight), the sample pre-treatment steps (extraction, preconcentration
and purification) for cytokinins are also reviewed. Finally, the present status and future trends
of the analytical approaches are outlined.
Advances in the Field Theory of Flows
Authors: Yahalom Asher
Published: April 2011

We introduce a three independent functions field formalism for stationary and
non-stationary barotropic flows. This is less than the four variables which
appear in the standard equations of fluid dynamics which are the velocity
field v and the density ρ.
Variational analysis of electromagnetic fields in closed and open structures
Authors: Yahalom Asher
Published: April 2011

Possible variational principles for excitation of an electromagnetic field in
a wave guide are discussed. Our emphasis is not on the calculation of the
modal shapes, which is common in previous art, but rather on the calculation
of modal amplitude evolution, which are important in electron devices such
as free electron lasers and gyrotrons. The variational formalism allows us
to show that the electromagnetic field can be defined by a single complex
function.
Collapse of Wave-Packet component Phases: A Dispersion Relation Treatment
Authors: Englman Robert
Published: April 2011

Kramers-Kronig or dispersion relations that arise from the analytic behavior
of electromagnetic and other classical waves are here adapted to quantum
waves. In the framework of theories that view the wave packet (wp) collapse
as a time-continuous process, we postulate analytic properties for the
component-amplitudes in a wp as functions of a complex time. We then construct
a model which embodies the removal of the non-selected components
in the aftermath of the measurement, to be ultimately followed by a thermalequilibrium
like superposition state of the system. Conjugate relations hold
between component-moduli and phases and these show that a non-selected
component (one that vanishes in the measurement) acquires within the duration
of the collapse a fast oscillating phase factor. Thus, by virtue of
mathematical properties, both phase-decoherence and amplitude-decay have
to occur in a collapse process, indifferently to the physical mechanism.
Compilation of Greek Regional Nameas and Emission Intensities for the Year 2005
Authors: Economidis Charalambos , Stromplos Nikos , Sfetsos Athanasios
Published: April 2011

The aim of this paper is to compile and examine regional NAMEA tables for the Greek economy and
for the year 2005. The five main regions of Greece have been determined in accordance with the National
Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) approved by the European Commission for the period 2007-2013.The
present work utilizes basic data on air emissions derived from the Greek Ministry of the Environment, Physical
Planning and Public Works. The economic data are from the 2005 Input-Output regional tables for the Greek
economy produced by the National Statistical Service of Greece, the Greek Academy and the single NAMEA
Table for 2005. The derived regional NAMEA tables are a valuable tool for examining regional variations by
using a series of environmental-economic indices such as the direct emission intensity coefficient, the direct and
indirect emission intensity coefficients and each emission factor intensity on each component of final demand of
the Greek economy. The paper also aims to establish in which regions there is an accumulation of emissions
(particularly CO2) so that an anti-pollution policy can be formulated along with possible policies for substituting
polluting production methods.
Input-Output Table for Environmental Analysis of Japan: Construction and Application Study to Solar Power Satellites
Authors: Nakano Satoshi , Asakura Keiichiro
Published: April 2011

This paper presents the construction method of the 2000 Input-Output Table for Environmental
Analysis of Japan and its application study. The first half of the paper describes the construction of energy inputs
and CO2 emissions tables corresponding to the official Input-Output Table by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and
Communications, using economic and energy statistics. The second half quantifies the CO2 emission of new
power generation technology; Solar Power Satellites (SPS) as one of the application study.
The Gas Pump and the (Square) Root of All Evil - Money Made Real
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

People can and will, when sufficiently motivated, act as measuring instruments to tell you how happy
they are if you give them something. People know how they feel when they get something, or at least they seem
to act as if they know. They feel natural. There may be one or two questions, but you don’t get a sense that they
are feeling strained. Of course, it is important to make the ‘something’ meaningful. We couch the something in
‘dollar’s, but there’s no reason why we couldn’t couch this something in terms of other goods and services. When
it comes to taking something away from people, you have to be a bit more creative. People know what it is to
give away something.
Getting Under the Hood - Finding Out How to Price
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

In this chapter we are experimenting with new-to-the-world devices. Our data suggest two interesting
‘patterns’ that are worth exploring for their generality. First, when a new feature is ‘interesting’, i.e., leads to
expected purchase, people are willing to pay more for it. Second, even when people are not interested in buying
something, they still recognize incremental value. They will not buy it, but they will know that it is worth more.
Shopping - What’s Really Controlling Us?
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

We know there are many attributes like price, brand, appearance, quality, etc. that have an effect on the
decision process of people purchasing certain products. In order to analyze what aspects of buying situation drive
a person to buy the product, we asked thousands of shoppers across a variety of products what their key factors
are when purchasing an item. Our results show that Homo economicus exists, but it’s not about price mainly –
although price is very important. Price is extremely important for a number of items, and then almost irrelevant
for a lot of other items. The significance of price was not related to either the product type or to high vs. low price
items. Consumers are less price sensitive when purchasing more indulgent products. And when customers are
affluent relative to the price of emotional attraction like appearance or taste becomes more important in their
buying decision.
So Many Choices ... So Little Time... Which should I Choose?
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

Experimental psychologists, consumer researchers, sensory specialists and a host of statistical mavens,
gurus use paired comparisons, a form of choice, as the fundamental way to measure consumer response to
stimuli. The origin of those approaches is, of course, the (incorrect) belief that the person cannot really act as a
measuring instrument, and therefore the next best thing is to have people choose among alternatives. Our
approach is far different. We certainly believe that people can act as measuring instruments. We show the
elements of offers ‘head to head’. Rather than measuring the contributory effect of each stimulus element to one
response, we measure the simultaneous contributory effects of all stimulus elements to all responses. We use the
choice modeling to determine how the elements interact with each other, how they drive positive and negative
responses.
Who’s on First? How Brands, Prices, and ‘Emotions in the Form of Price Sensitivity’ Affect Responses
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

Price, although powerful, is not necessarily powerful to all people. Beyond the division of people into
price sensitives versus insensitives is the fact that these two groups show radically different dynamics. Price
sensitives do not see as many differences among product messages as do price insensitives. Price sensitives seem
to live in a flatter world, one with fewer nuances. To price sensitives, changing the brand or even the price of an
item does not change the response to messages about the product. To price insensitives, in contrast, changing the
brand or the price changes the response to the product messages. Simply said, price insensitives seem to be more
awake, and smell more of the ‘roses’ than do the price sensitives. The world of the price insensitives is filled with
more gradations, and perhaps more refined perceptions.
The Economics of Personal Distance: How Many Miles is a Phone Directory Ad Worth?
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

We see that through proper messaging it is possible to change the distance that one will travel for a
service. This distance comes from the ‘scoping’ exercise. Typically the distance is quite small. Doctors and lawyers
show the longest distances, but they are simply a few tenths of a mile longer than auto repair shops, restaurants, etc.
Fascinating is that despite the differences among the six topics being scoped, the basic relation is the same between
interest level and miles of traveling means the same increase in interest generates a more or less specific increase in
miles. The only exception is the plumber, because the plumber comes to the customer and not the other way around.
When the professional comes to the customer a little change in interest goes a much longer way than when the same
change in interest occurs for doctors, lawyers, and other individuals to whom the customer travels.
The Big Bow Wow and the Little Meow: The Dollar Value of the Veterinary Experience
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

In this chapter we explore the nature of what makes a pleasant experience, looking at the initial visit to
the veterinarians. We found clear and meaningful information about what clients want, and what interests them.
However, just because a client finds something interesting does not mean that the client will pay for it.
I Want to be your Spend Friend - Credit Cards, Co-Branding, and Stuff
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

What is the learning that a card issuer can take away from this chapter? 1. Instead of blasting out offers
to individuals who may or may not care, look for prospects who are somehow affiliated with the credit card
issuer. 2. Homo economicus reigns supreme. It’s not about emotions. It’s about money and stuff. Significant
reductions in what one expects to pay for a product or an experience. 3. There are segments, but for the most part
the segments focus on different aspects of the offers. The segmentation does not reveal a group of individuals
who respond to the emotion statements. Hopes that one can increase profitability by finding segments that are
‘emotion-sensitive’ and who can be swayed by emotion statements are probably not realistic. It is again a case of
WiiFM (what’s in it for me), but with the segments there is a greater homogeneity in what appeals
Time and Money - I’ll Buy it Today if I can Pay you on Tuesday (Wimpy)
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

A simple experimental design that varies the different features of a loan can teach us a great deal,
especially when we move out from simply rating the respondent’s interest in the loan to an estimate of how many
points in dollars the respondent is willing to pay to get the loan. The results can surprise. 1. No matter what the
repayment time, lower interest rates are clearly more attractive than high interest rates. 2. Some messages
increase interest in the loan, others decrease interest. 3. To maximize the points, increase the size of the loan (no
surprise here), increase the waiting time for repayment to begin, but avoid charging points for low FICO scores.
4. Men and women differ in how they respond to the terms of the offer. 5. Having a mortgage changes one’s
response to the loan offer. 6. The nature of one’s risk profile affects what’s important.
What Messaging Drives a Desire to Invest... or What Should you say About the Company?
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

In this chapter we’re dealing with the psychology of messaging, not the psychology of the dollar value.
All companies look for messages which appeal to people. It is just about which messages appeal more (but
positively), and which messages appeal less (but also positively). The big idea is performance. The emphasis on
performance appears to work when we deal with stock purchasing as a service on-line. People are not interested
in warm fuzzies, or in being part of a group, or in being patronizingly rewarded for knowing what to do. It’s their
money; they know the value of what they have. The bottom line is good service, low prices, and convenience.
Financial Services: Where to Put Your Money for that Rainy Day
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

When it comes to financial services a couple of rules emerge that are worth keeping in mind. 1.
Customers aren’t interested in what the company really has to offer. Most people don’t feel a need to buy. You
must convince them with the correct messaging. 2. For one of the few times we see differences by education,
perhaps because those with high school education or less feel uncomfortable with heavy-duty business terms.
Especially when talking about a topic that is so emotionally laden as is retirement. Retirement brings feelings of
death. The planner has to be sensitive. 3. It is possible to predict membership in the risk averse vs. balanced
groups by knowing certain types of external information about a person. 4. A better approach to understanding
the customer comes from mind-set segmentation. We see three quite different groups emerging; the planner, the
truster and the student.
Taxes, Social Policy, Passions, and Citizenship
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

The methods we used so far to study individual responses to economic aspects of daily life, products,
services, and so forth, are equally applicable to public policy. One needs, of course, to modify some of the
instructions, to call attention to the fact that the concepts deal with public policy, not one’s own life. Properly done,
however, we begin to see the potential of experimentation in public policy. And so we now open yet a new chapter,
this time in the psychological economics of public policy. The key: We combine the experimental method (conjoint
analysis), with two key questions, one of interest and one of economics (taxes willing to pay). The combination
provides an interesting tool by which to assess key aspects of public policy, in our case education.
Addressable Minds - A Step into the Future
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

The notion of addressable minds produces a different type of database about a person. Rather than
knowing who a person is, knowing what the person does, addressable minds work in the so-called ‘here and
now’, at the micro-level. Today’s advertising is often one-way, even though the trend is to go from mass
advertising on television and radio to more micro-targeted advertising on the Internet. Search-based advertising is
growing rapidly. When a person searches for something, it’s likely that he is interested in that product, and may
even be in a buying mode. What about knowing the person’s membership in a mind-set segment for the particular
product being searched? Such information, gathered either early on in the creation of these large databases, or
even obtained at the time of search, allows the marketer to better understand the needs of the prospective
customer, and provide a targeted offer.
The ‘Full Monty’
Authors: Galanter Eugene , Moskowitz Howard , Silcher Matthias
Published: April 2011

In this chapter we extend the idea of segmentation and typing individuals to a bigger picture. Rather
than creating one specific study dealing with a single topic, we create parallel studies for many different, but
related topics. We believe that such an approach is not only possible but feasible, and in the age of the Internet,
absolutely straightforward. In this chapter we demonstrated how data from experiments on the shopping
experience can be converted to segments, and those segments transformed into mental genotypes.
In Search of an Optimal Bedside Screening Program for Arteriovenous Fistula Stenosis
Authors: Tessitore Nicola , Bedogna Valeria , Melilli Edoardo , Millardi Deborah , Mansueto Giancarlo , Lipari Giovanni , Mantovani William , Baggio Elda , Poli Albino , Lupo Antonio
Published: April 2011

Background and objectives:

Guidelines recommend systematically screening for stenosis using various methods, but no studies so far have compared all of the options. A prospective blinded study was performed to compare the performance of several bedside tests performed during dialysis in diagnosing angiographically proven >50% fistula stenosis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

In an unselected population of 119 hemodialysis patients with mature fistulas, physical examination (PE) was conducted; dynamic and derived static venous pressure (VAPR), blood pump flow/arterial pressure (Qb/AP) ratio, recirculation (R), and access blood flow (Qa) were measured; and angiography was performed.

Results

Angiography identified 59 stenotic fistulas: 43 stenoses were located upstream from the venous needle (inflow stenosis), 12 were located downstream (outflow stenosis), and 4 were located at both sites. The optimal tests for identifying an inflow stenosis were Qa < 650 ml/min and the combination of a positive PE “or” Qa < 650 ml/min (accuracy 80% and 81%, respectively), the latter being preferable because it was more sensitive (85% versus 65%, respectively) for a comparable specificity (79% versus 89%, respectively). The best tests for identifying outflow stenosis were PE and VAPR, with no difference between the two (accuracy 91% and 85%, sensitivity 75% and 81%, specificity 93% and 86%, respectively), the former being preferable because it was more reproducible, easier to perform, and applicable to all fistulas.

Conclusions

This study showed that fistula stenosis can be detected and located during dialysis with a moderate-to-excellent accuracy using PE and Qa measurement as screening procedures.
Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity and Rate of Renal Function Decline and Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Chen Szu-Chia , Chang Jer-Ming , Liu Wan-Chun , Tsai Yi-Chun , Tsai Jer-Chia , Hsu Po-Chao , Lin Tsung-Hsien , Lin Ming-Yen , Su Ho-Ming , Hwang Shang-Jyh , Chen Hung-Chun
Published: April 2011

Background and objectives

Increased arterial stiffness was reported to be associated with decreased estimated GFR (eGFR). Previous studies suggested that arterial stiffness might play a role in renal function progression in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether there was an independent association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), a marker of arterial stiffness, and renal function progression in CKD patients.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This longitudinal study enrolled 145 patients with CKD stages 3 to 5. The baPWV was measured by using an ABI-form device. The change in renal function was estimated by eGFR slope. The study endpoints were defined as commencement of dialysis or death.

Results

After a stepwise multivariate analysis, the eGFR slope was positively associated with baseline eGFR and negatively associated with hypertension and baPWV (β = −0.165, P = 0.033). Seventeen patients entering dialysis, and eight deaths were recorded. Multivariate forward Cox regression analysis identified that higher baPWV (hazard ratio, 1.001; P = 0.001), lower baseline eGFR, and higher serum phosphate level were independently associated with progression to commencement of dialysis or death.

Conclusions

Our results show an independent association between baPWV and renal function decline and progression to commencement of dialysis or death in patients with CKD. Screening CKD patients by means of baPWV may help identify a high-risk group of rapid renal function decline and progression to commencing dialysis or death.
Library of the SASA Institute of Musicology
Authors: Milin Melita
Published: April 2011

This text describes the Library of the Institute of Musicology of the SASA in
the continuity of its existence since the foundation of the Institute in
1948 until today. The gradual enlargement of its funds is taken account of,
as well as the ways of acquisition of books, journals, scores and sound editions. The structure of the Library is commented upon and its most valuable possessions named. It is also mentioned that the Institute has never had a professional librarian, so that the fellows of the Institute collectively took care of it.
Legacy collection of composers in the SASA Institute of Musicology
Authors: Milanovic Biljana
Published: April 2011

The study is dedicated to the Legacy Collection of composers maintained by
the Institute of Musicology of SASA. Due attention is paid to the history of
its formation as well as to its unique contents which refers to the primary
and very important archive sources related to the Serbian musical history.
The text also provides a discourse which highlights issues concerning the strategies and perspectives of Serbian musicology. The Supplement gives a short description of each composer?s legacy.
Audio collection in the SASA Institute of Musicology
Authors: Lajic-Mihajlovic Danka
Published: April 2011

The paper is relating to audio collection of the Institute of Musicology SASA as extremely important part of this institution?s fund. The collection
comprises of valuable sound materials, especially significant collections of
fieldwork recordings of traditional folk and church music, as also
recordings of pieces of the 19th and 20th century Serbian composers.
Information on sound carriers, methodologies and circumstances in which the
recordings have been made, their preservation and further treatment with
modern technologies, are a part of ethnomusicological and musicological
histories in Serbia. According to number of sound recordings, diachronical
dimensions that encompass, geographical areas and genre diversity, this
collection is one of the most important sound collections of scientific
profile in Serbia.
Capital Structure, Cost of Capital, and Voluntary Disclosures
Authors: Bertomeu Jeremy , Beyer Anne , Dye Ronald A.
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT: This paper develops a model of financing that jointly determines a firm’s capital structure, its voluntary disclosure policy, and its cost of capital. Investors who receive securities in return for supplying capital sometimes incur losses when they trade their securities with an informed trader. The firm’s disclosure policy and the structure of its securities determine the information advantage of the informed trader and, hence, the size of investors’ trading losses and the firm’s cost of capital.

We establish a hierarchy of optimal securities and disclosure policies that varies with the volatility of the firm’s cash flows. Debt securities are often optimal, with the form of debt—risk-free, investment grade, or “junk”—varying with the firm’s cash flow volatility. Though the model predicts a negative association between firms’ cost of capital and the extent of information firms disclose, more expansive voluntary disclosure does not cause firms’ cost of capital to decline. Mandatory disclosures alter firms’ voluntary disclosures, their capital structure choices, and their cost of capital.
Assessment of microcirculatory changes by use of sidestream dark field microscopy during hemorrhagic shock in dogs
Authors: Peruski Ann M. , Cooper Edward S.
Published: April 2011

Objective—To directly assess microcirculatory changes associated with induced hemorrhagic shock by use of sidestream dark field microscopy (SDM) and correlate those values with concurrently measured macrovascular and blood gas variables in healthy anesthetized dogs.

Animals—12 adult dogs.

Procedures—Dogs were anesthetized and splenectomized. Instrumentation and catheterization were performed for determination of macrohemodynamic and blood gas variables. Hemorrhagic shock was induced via controlled hemorrhage to a mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of 40 mm Hg. Dogs were maintained in the shock state (MAP, 35 to 45 mm Hg) for 60 minutes. An SDM device was used to image microcirculation of buccal mucosa, and vascular analysis software was used to determine microcirculatory variables. These values were compared with other cardiovascular and blood gas variables to determine correlations.

Results—Following hemorrhage, there was a significant decrease in microvascular variables (mean ± SD), including proportion of perfused vessels (82.77 ± 8.32% vs 57.21 ± 28.83%), perfused vessel density (14.86 ± 2.64 mm/m2 vs 6.66 ± 4.75 mm/m2), and microvascular flow index (2.54 ± 0.52 vs 1.59 ± 0.85). Perfused vessel density individually correlated well with macrovascular variables, with heart rate (zero order, partial correlation, and part correlation coefficients = −0.762, −0.884, and −0.793, respectively) and oxygen extraction ratio (−0.734, −0.832, and −0.746, respectively) being the most important predictors.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—SDM allowed real-time imaging of the microvasculature and has potential as an effective tool in experimental and clinical applications for monitoring microcirculatory changes associated with hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation in dogs.
Determination of lying behavior patterns in healthy beef cattle by use of wireless accelerometers
Authors: Robért Bradley D. , White Brad J. , Renter David G. , Larson Robert L.
Published: April 2011

Objective—To describe daily, hourly, and animal-to-animal effects on lying behavior in steers.

Animals—25 crossbred beef steers.

Procedures—Wireless accelerometers were used to record behavioral data for cattle housed in a drylot cattle research facility during two 20-day periods (winter 2007 [n = 10 steers] and spring 2008 [15]). Behavioral data were categorized into lying, standing, and walking behaviors for each time point recorded. Logistic regression models were used to determine potential associations between the percentage of time spent lying and several factors, including time (hour) of day, day of trial, and steer.

Results—Lying behavior was significantly associated with hour of day, and a distinct circadian rhythm was identified. Steers spent > 55% of the time between 8:00 pm and 4:00 am lying and were most active (<30% lying behavior) during feeding periods (6:00 am to 7:00 am and 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm). Model-adjusted mean percentage of time spent lying was significantly associated with study day and was between 45% and 55% on most (27/40 [67.5%]) days. Lying behavior varied significantly among steers, and mean ± SD percentage of time spent lying ranged from 28.9 ± 6.1 % to 66.1 ± 6.6%.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Cattle had distinct circadian rhythm patterns for lying behavior, and percentage of time spent lying varied by day and among steers. Researchers need to account for factors that affect lying patterns of cattle (ie, time of day, day of trial, and individual animal) when performing research with behavioral outcomes.
Computed tomographic anatomy of the equine stifle joint
Authors: Van der Vekens Elke , Bergman Erik H. J. , Vanderperren Katrien , Raes Els V. , Puchalski Sarah M. , Bree Henri J. J. van , Saunders Jimmy H.
Published: April 2011

Objective—To provide a detailed computed tomography (CT) reference of the anatomically normal equine stifle joint.

Sample—16 hind limbs from 8 equine cadavers; no horses had evidence of orthopedic disease of the stifle joints.

Procedures—CT of the stifle joint was performed on 8 hind limbs. In all limbs, CT was also performed after intra-articular injection of 60 mL of contrast material (150 mg of iodine/mL) in the lateral and medial compartments of the femorotibial joint and 80 mL of contrast material in the femoropatellar joint (CT arthrography). Reformatted CT images in the transverse, parasagittal, and dorsal plane were matched with corresponding anatomic slices of the 8 remaining limbs.

Results—The femur, tibia, and patella were clearly visible. The patellar ligaments, common origin of the tendinous portions of the long digital extensor muscle and peroneus tertius muscle, collateral ligaments, tendinous portion of the popliteus muscle, and cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments could also be consistently evaluated. The cruciate ligaments and the meniscotibial ligaments could be completely assessed in the arthrogram sequences. Margins of the meniscofemoral ligament and the lateral and medial femoropatellar ligaments were difficult to visualize on the precontrast and postcontrast images.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—CT and CT arthrography were used to accurately identify and characterize osseous and soft tissue structures of the equine stifle joint. This technique may be of value when results from other diagnostic imaging techniques are inconclusive. The images provided will serve as a CT reference for the equine stifle joint.
Evaluation of a fibrillin 2 gene haplotype associated with hip dysplasia and incipient osteoarthritis in dogs
Authors: Friedenberg Steven G. , Zhu Lan , Zhang Zhiwu , Foels Wendy van den Berg , Schweitzer Peter A. , Wang Wei , Fisher Patricia J. , Dykes Nathan L. , Corey Elizabeth , Vernier-Singer Margaret , Jung Seung-Woo , Sheng Xihui , Hunter Linda S. , McDonough Sean P. , Lust George , Bliss Stuart P. , Krotscheck Ursula , Gunn Teresa M. , Todhunter Rory J.
Published: April 2011

Objective—To determine whether a mutation in the fibrillin 2 gene (FBN2) is associated with canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and osteoarthritis in dogs.

Animals—-1,551 dogs.

Procedures—Hip conformation was measured radiographically. The FBN2 was sequenced from genomic DNA of 21 Labrador Retrievers and 2 Greyhounds, and a haplotype in intron 30 of FBN2 was sequenced in 90 additional Labrador Retrievers and 143 dogs of 6 other breeds. Steady-state values of FBN2 mRNA and control genes were measured in hip joint tissues of fourteen 8-month-old Labrador Retriever–Greyhound crossbreeds.

Results—The Labrador Retrievers homozygous for a 10-bp deletion haplotype in intron 30 of FBN2 had significantly worse CHD as measured via higher distraction index and extended-hip joint radiograph score and a lower Norberg angle and dorsolateral subluxation score. Among 143 dogs of 6 other breeds, those homozygous for the same deletion haplotype also had significantly worse radiographic CHD. Among the 14 crossbred dogs, as the dorsolateral subluxation score decreased, the capsular FBN2 mRNA increased significantly. Those dogs with incipient hip joint osteoarthritis had significantly increased capsular FBN2 mRNA, compared with those dogs without osteoarthritis. Dogs homozygous for the FBN2 deletion haplotype had significantly less FBN2 mRNA in their femoral head articular cartilage.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The FBN2 deletion haplotype was associated with CHD. Capsular gene expression of FBN2 was confounded by incipient secondary osteoarthritis in dysplastic hip joints. Genes influencing complex traits in dogs can be identified by genome-wide screening, fine mapping, and candidate gene screening.
Fluorophotometric and tonometric evaluation of ocular effects following aqueocentesis performed with needles of various sizes in dogs
Authors: Allbaugh Rachel A. , Roush James K. , Rankin Amy J. , Davidson Harriet J.
Published: April 2011

Objective—To measure ocular effects (blood-aqueous barrier breakdown and intraocular pressure [IOP]) following aqueocentesis performed with needles of various sizes in dogs.

Animals—28 healthy adult dogs.

Procedures—24 dogs underwent unilateral aqueocentesis (24 treated eyes and 24 contra-lateral untreated eyes); 25-, 27-, or 30-gauge needles were used in 3 treatment groups (n = 8/group). Four dogs were untreated controls. Aqueocentesis was performed during sedation and topical anesthesia. Anterior chamber fluorophotometry was performed before and after aqueocentesis on day 1. On days 2 through 5, sedation and fluorophotometry were repeated. Intraocular pressure was measured with a rebound tonometer at multiple time points.

Results—Aqueocentesis resulted in blood-aqueous barrier breakdown detected via fluorophotometry in all treated eyes, with barrier reestablishment by day 5. On day 2, the contralateral untreated eyes of all 3 groups also had significantly increased fluorescence. Use of a 25-gauge needle resulted in a significant increase in treated eyes' anterior chamber fluorescence on days 3 and 5 as well as a significant increase in IOP 20 minutes following aqueocentesis, compared with the other treatment groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Aqueocentesis performed with a 25-gauge needle resulted in the greatest degree of blood-aqueous barrier breakdown and a brief state of intraocular hypertension. Use of a 27- or 30-gauge needle is recommended for aqueous paracentesis. A consensual ocular reaction appeared to occur in dogs following unilateral traumatic blood-aqueous barrier breakdown and may be of clinical importance.