bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimized 4D time‐of‐flight MR angiography using saturation pulse
Authors: Shibukawa Shuhei , Nishio Hiroaki , Niwa Tetsu , Obara Makoto , Miyati Tosiaki , Hara Takuya , Imai Yutaka , Muro Isao
Published: December 2015

Purpose

To assess arterial visibility on 4D time‐of‐flight (4D‐TOF) by temporal magnetization transfer contrast pulse (t‐MTC) and temporal tilted optimized nonsaturating excitation (t‐TONE). 3D‐TOF magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is used for the noninvasive assessment of the intracranial arteries. However, it does not provide temporal information for diagnosing hemodynamics. To noninvasively obtain more detailed hemodynamics‐related information, we developed a novel time‐resolved MRA without the arterial spin labeling technique, termed 4D‐TOF MRA using saturation pulse.

Materials and Methods

On a 3.0T MRI, three techniques were compared to optimize the visibility of the arteries above the circle of Willis; 1) simple 4D‐TOF, 2) 4D‐TOF with t‐MTC, and 3) 4D‐TOF with t‐MTC and t‐TONE. Eight healthy volunteers were scanned with these three sequences. The contrast changes between the background tissue and the arteries in temporal phases were assessed and compared quantitatively and qualitatively.

Results

The contrast between the background and the arteries for 4D‐TOF with t‐MTC and t‐TONE was significantly higher than those for the other methods in delayed phases (P < 0.001).The qualitative assessment showed that 4D‐TOF with t‐MTC and with t‐MTC and t‐TONE provided better visualization of the intracranial artery than simple 4D‐TOF (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

4D‐TOF with t‐TONE and t‐MTC enabled observation of the intracranial hemodynamics. Optimized 4D‐TOF provides high‐quality images without image subtraction, and good visibility of the intracranial arteries even in the prolonged observation time. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1320–1326.
Climate change signals of CMIP5 general circulation models over the Alps – impact of model selection
Authors: Zubler Elias M. , Fischer Andreas M. , Fröb Friederike , Liniger Mark A.
Published: December 2015

Ensembles of regional climate models are widely used to obtain climate change signals and to evaluate associated uncertainties over a specific region. These models are forced by general circulation models (GCMs) at their lateral boundaries. The most recent multi‐model ensembles projects – ENSEMBLES and CORDEX – rely on a limited set of about 10 GCMs per greenhouse gas emission scenario. It was shown previously that in particular, RCM temperature responses tend to cluster according to their driving GCM. Therefore, it is important to better understand the relation among the driving models. In multi‐model ensembles as large as CMIP5, in which models tend to correlate due to their similar origin, model selection or weighting becomes an important issue. This study evaluates the distribution of climate change signals in the CMIP5 ensemble for temperature and precipitation over the Greater Alpine region and shows that different reasonable methods of model selection considerably influence the resulting temperature spread in the climate change signals at the end of the century relative to 1980–2009: excluding those GCMs with a poor representation of Alpine climate leads to a difference in spread of more than 1 °C compared to a selection strategy where all models are included and given the same weight. It is highlighted that the largest amount of spread can be retained with a weighting scheme based on a cluster analysis. Furthermore, we show in bivariate analyses that our understanding of the interplay between temperature and precipitation significantly depends on the model selection strategy. Hence, this work may have important implications for current and future design and analysis of multi‐model projects such as CMIP5 and CORDEX.
Bias in the variance of gridded data sets leads to misleading conclusions about changes in climate variability
Authors: Beguería Santiago , Vicente‐Serrano Sergio M. , Tomás‐Burguera Miquel , Maneta Marco
Published: December 2015

Many studies addressing climate change and climate variability over large regions rely on gridded data. Grids are preferred to station‐based data sets because they help avoiding bias arising from the irregular spatial distribution of the observations. However, while spatial interpolation techniques used for constructing gridded data are good at preserving the mean of the data, they do not offer an adequate representation of their variance. In fact, the grid's variance depends largely on the spatial density of observations used for constructing it. Most global and regional climate data sets are characterized by large temporal changes in the number of observations available for interpolation, with a strong reduction in the last 30 years. These changes in the sample size result in changes in the variance of gridded data that are merely an effect of the interpolation process, and ignoring this fact may lead to erroneous conclusions about changes in climate variability and extremes. We discuss this problem and we demonstrate its importance with a widely used global dataset of temperature and precipitation. We propose to move from interpolation techniques towards statistical simulation approaches that provide a better representation of climate variability when constructing climatic grids.
Developing an Agile Business Excellence Model for Organizational Sustainability
Authors: Dubey Manoj
Published: December 2015

Business excellence assessments—such as those proposed by the European Foundation for Quality Management and the administrators of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—have enabled many organizations to identify key areas for improvement, ranging from the role of leadership in developing a service‐oriented culture to day‐to‐day waste reduction. Research over the last 15 years, however, has revealed serious shortcomings in the business excellence models that organizational leaders have turned to for guidance, particularly in addressing the challenge of remaining competitive in a fast‐changing environment. The six‐stage model proposed here offers a construct to address these gaps and serves as a basis for further inquiry and refinement. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Postoperative complications and overall survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Pugalenthi Amudhan , Protic Mladjan , Gonen Mithat , Kingham T. Peter , Angelica Michael I.D’. , Dematteo Ronald P. , Fong Yuman , Jarnagin William R. , Allen Peter J.
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) performed for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) has a postoperative morbidity of 40–50%. In this study, we analyzed the impact of high grade complications after PD for PDA on overall survival.

Methods

A total of 596 patients that underwent PD for PDA between 2001 and 2009 were identified from a prospective database. Complications were defined and graded (1–5) as per our Institutional Surgical Secondary Events Program. High grade complications were defined as ≥grade 3. Postoperative mortality (≤90 days) was excluded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with overall survival.

Results

Median survival was 24 months. Overall complication rate was 51% (301/596). Low grade complications were recorded in 266 patients (45%) and high grade complications in 22% (n = 129). Our 90 day mortality was 3.7% (n = 22). Anastomotic fistula/leak/abscess rate was 14% (n = 82). Multivariate Cox‐Regression analysis identified node positivity, estimated blood loss (EBL) >600 ml, length of stay (LOS) >10 days, margin positivity, and vascular procedures as predictors of decreased overall survival (P < 0.05). High grade complications were not associated with overall survival (P = 0.948).

Conclusion

In this study, the occurrence of high grade postoperative complications was not associated with overall survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:188–193. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Superhydrophobic Hybrid Micro‐Nanocomposites with Various Applications
Authors: Nagappan Saravanan , Ha Chang‐Sik
Published: December 2015

Novel bio‐inspired superhydrophobic hybrid micro‐nanocomposites were prepared by using plant or tree leaf powder as a bio‐source with the help of polysiloxane and various silane precursors. The hybrid suspensions showed superhydrophobic property when coating on various substrates by simple evaporation of solvents on the substrates at room temperature. Similarly, the hybrid powders obtained by the complete evaporation of solvents from the suspension also maintained the superhydrophobicity. The prepared hybrid micro‐nanocomposite suspensions and hybrid powders were used for various types of applications such as selective oils and organic solvents spill capture, non‐stick and self‐cleaning coatings, selective adsorption of metal ions from metal complex solutions prepared from artificial sea water. Owing to the biocompatibility of the hybrid micro‐nanocomposite powder, this can also be used for various bio‐applications.
Changes in the Properties and Self‐Healing Behaviors of Zwitterionic Nanocomposite Gels Across Their UCST Transition
Authors: Haraguchi Kazutoshi , Ning Jinyan , Li Guang
Published: December 2015

Characteristic properties of zwitterionic nanocomposite (NC) gels consisting of a sulfobetaine copolymer and inorganic clay were investigated. The zwitterionic NC gels were synthesized with different ratios of monomer (x) and clay content (n) by the in situ free‐radical polymerization of two monomers, a sulfobetaine monomer (A3) and acrylamide derivative (D), in the presence of exfoliated clay in aqueous media. The resulting zwitterionic A3Dx‐NCn gels were all structurally uniform and mechanically tough because of the polymer–clay network. A3Dx‐NCn gels exhibited a thermoresponsive phase transition with an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) for x ≤ 10 and n ≤ 5. The changes in the property of the A3D10‐NC3 gel across the UCST transition were elucidated in terms of optical transmittance, gel volume, dynamic viscoelasticity, and tensile mechanical properties, in addition to the change in self‐healing behavior.
Light Dose‐Dependent Thickness Control of Photoacid Generator‐Bearing Hydrogel
Authors: Satoh Taku , Sumaru Kimio , Takagi Toshiyuki , Kanamori Toshiyuki
Published: December 2015

Blue light‐responsive photoacid generator (PAG) was pendant to poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) gel which bound on a glass plate. The gel was compressed in thickness direction by natural drying and then was irradiated with blue light. Reswelling of the gel in water was suppressed at irradiated area with a dose‐dependent effect. The results were probably due to formation of additional crosslinkng of polymer network by blue light‐irradiation at dry state. By using the PAG‐bearing gel, a microfluidic device was fabricated in which microchannel was formed by light irradiation and subsequent water filling.
Bring a complex texture of life experiences to campus with transfer students
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: December 2015

SAN DIEGO — Understanding the myriad of reasons that transfer students benefit your institution may help your institution's officials better understand what to look for during the recruitment phase. In a session at the recent National Association for College Admission Counseling annual conference, panelists Jim Rawlins, assistant vice president of enrollment management from the University of Oregon; Gary Clark, director of undergraduate admissions from the University of California, Los Angeles; Kirk Brennan, director of undergraduate admission from the University of Southern California; David Burge, vice president of enrollment management from George Mason University; and Dan Nannini, transfer center director from Santa Monica College, discussed the best practices, benefits and challenges of recruiting transfer students to their respective campuses.
Storytelling sells: A personal admissions approach
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: December 2015

My first position in higher education was as an admissions representative at a career school in Northeast Pennsylvania. There, we received a healthy dose of sales training, including frequent viewing of Zig Ziglar tapes. His “Someone Like You” close was a technique with which I immediately connected. I was already a high achiever, but when I started sharing stories, my numbers — and thus my institution's numbers — increased. It was simple: Tell instead of sell.
Implement best practices to help adult learners complete their programs, Part 2
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: December 2015

When adult students enroll at your institution, they expect to complete the programs that are going to help them in their careers.
The Occupational Profile of Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Authors: Pérez‐de‐Heredia‐Torres Marta , Huertas Hoyas Elisabet , Sánchez‐Camarero Carlos , Pérez‐Corrales Jorge , Fernández de‐las‐Peñas César
Published: December 2015

The aims of this study were to assess the functional level of women with fibromyalgia; to investigate the differences in the occupational activities between women with fibromyalgia and healthy women; and to analyse the perceived importance of occupational performance during self‐care, productivity and leisure activities. A cross‐sectional case control study was performed. Twenty women with fibromyalgia and 20 healthy women completed the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), a Numerical Pain Rating Scale, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and the SF‐36 health survey. The Chi‐square test (χ2), the Student's t test and the Spearman's test were used on the data. The FIM revealed significant differences regarding several activities: personal hygiene, bathing and memory (p < 0.01). The COPM scores did not reveal significant differences between groups (p > 0.10). Women with fibromyalgia had higher disability and reduced quality of life and required greater assistance to perform specific activities of daily living, i.e. hygiene, than healthy women. This highlights the specific occupational therapy needs these women have for performing many basic activities and for improving their quality of life. Limitations of the study include the small sample size, the exclusion of male participants and the possible influence of the women's psychological status on the assessments performed. Findings should be generalized with caution. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antifungal Saponins from the Maya Medicinal Plant Cestrum schlechtendahlii G. Don (Solanaceae)
Authors: Ta Chieu Anh Kim , Guerrero‐Analco J. Antonio , Roberts Elizabeth , Liu Rui , Mogg Christopher D. , Saleem Ammar , Otárola‐Rojas Marco , Poveda Luis , Sanchez‐Vindas Pablo , Cal Victor , Caal Federico , Subramaniam Rajagopal , Smith Myron L. , Arnason John T.
Published: December 2015

Bioassay‐guided fractionation of the crude extract (80% EtOH) of the leaves of Cestrum schlechtendahlii, a plant used by Q'eqchi' Maya healers for treatment of athlete's foot, resulted in the isolation and identification of two spirostanol saponins (1 and 2). Structure elucidation by MS, 1D‐NMR, and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic methods identified them to be the known saponin (25R)‐1β,2α‐dihydroxy‐5α‐spirostan‐3‐β‐yl‐O‐α‐l‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐β‐d‐galactopyranoside (1) and new saponin (25R)‐1β,2α‐dihydroxy‐5α‐spirostan‐3‐β‐yl‐O‐β‐d‐galactopyranoside (2). While 2 showed little or no antifungal activity at the highest concentration tested, 1 inhibited growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 15–25 μM), Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Fusarium graminearum (MIC of 132–198 μM). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of hydrophilic interaction chromatography with quadruple time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry for heparin and low molecular weight heparin disaccharide analysis
Authors: Ouyang Yilan , Wu Chengling , Sun Xue , Liu Jianfen , Linhardt Robert J. , Zhang Zhenqing
Published: December 2015

Rationale

Heparin and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are widely used as clinical anticoagulants. The determination of their composition and structural heterogeneity still challenges analysts.

Methods

Disaccharide compositional analysis, utilizing heparinase‐catalyzed depolymerization, is one of the most important ways to evaluate the sequence, structural composition and quality of heparin and LMWH. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled with quadruple time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HILIC/QTOFMS) has been developed to analyze the resulting digestion products.

Results

HILIC shows good resolution and excellent MS compatibility. Digestion products of heparin and LMWHs afforded up to 16 compounds that were separated using HILIC and analyzed semi‐quantitatively. These included eight common disaccharides, two disaccharides derived from chain termini, three 3‐O‐sulfo‐group‐containing tetrasaccharides, along with three linkage region tetrasaccharides and their derivatives. Structures of these digestion products were confirmed by mass spectral analysis. The disaccharide compositions of a heparin, two batches of the LMWH, enoxaparin, and two batches of the LMWH, nadroparin, were compared. In addition to identifying disaccharides, 3‐O‐sulfo‐group‐containing tetrasaccharides, linkage region tetrasaccharides were observed having slightly different compositions and contents in these heparin products suggesting that they had been prepared using different starting materials or production processes.

Conclusions

Thus, compositional analysis using HILIC/QTOFMS offers a unique insight into different heparin products. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computed tomographic study of anatomical relationship between pubic symphysis and ischial spines to improve interpretation of intrapartum translabial ultrasound
Authors: Arthuis C. J. , Perrotin F. , Patat F. , Brunereau L. , Simon E. G.
Published: December 2015

Objective

To analyze the anatomical relationship between the pubic symphysis and the ischial spines to determine reliable landmarks for the assessment of fetal head descent by intrapartum translabial ultrasound (ITU).

Methods

All computed tomography (CT) scans performed for breech presentation and for twin delivery between 2006 and 2014 in a tertiary university hospital were obtained for measurement and analysis by two operators. The symphysis–left ischial spine angle (SIA) and the symphysis–left ischial spine distance (SID) were measured on three‐dimensional reconstructions from the CT volume dataset. We calculated intra‐ and interobserver agreements for SIA and SID with 95% prediction intervals, created Bland–Altman plots with 95% limits of agreement and estimated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A sagittal plane projection from the SIA enabled calculation of a sagittal angle, corresponding to the angle of progression (AoP) on ITU.

Results

SIA and SID were obtained from CT images from 458 women. Reproducibility was good for both SIA (intraobserver ICC, 0.94 (95% CI, 0.88–0.97) and interobserver ICC, 0.81 (95% CI, 0.66–0.92)) and SID (intraobserver ICC, 0.92 (95% CI, 0.82–0.97) and interobserver ICC, 0.83 (95% CI, 0.73–0.92)). The median SIA was 106° (interquartile range (IQR), 105–109°) and median SID was 26.1 (IQR, 23.4–29.5) mm. SIA and SID were not correlated with pelvic diameter or height. The 50th percentile of AoP was 110°.

Conclusion

Knowledge of the anatomical relationship between the pubic symphysis and ischial spines makes it possible to establish a sonographic method for assesssing fetal head descent by taking into account the level of the ischial spines. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Conventional and modified TAS/OSTBC schemes in dual‐hop fixed‐gain amplify‐and‐forward relaying systems with imperfect feedback
Authors: Coşkun Ahmet Faruk , Kucur Oğuz
Published: December 2015

Modified transmit antenna selection (TAS)/orthogonal space‐time block coding (OSTBC) (M‐TAS/OSTBC) schemes have been shown to achieve superior error performance together with a reduced‐rate feedback channel in the presence of feedback errors (FEs) when compared with the conventional TAS/OSTBC (C‐TAS/OSTBC) schemes. This paper focuses on the bringing of fixed‐gain amplify‐and‐forward (FGAF) relaying schemes that employ M‐TAS/OSTBC schemes at both hops that provides reduced feedback‐rate and robust error performance in the presence of erroneous‐feedback channels. The exact expressions of the outage and error probabilities for both dual‐hop FGAF relaying schemes in Nakagami‐m fading channels have been derived and validated via Monte Carlo simulations. Additionally, with the help of high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) (i.e., asymptotic) approaches and some analytical approximations, the asymptotic diversity order analysis has been carried out. Besides, by providing a simulation‐based examination on the inclusion of power allocation within the modified scheme, the additional advantages on the performance have been exhibited. The extensive investigation and comparisons to the conventional schemes have shown that M‐TAS/OSTBC schemes employed at each transmission link provide full diversity order and considerable error performance as the C‐TAS/OSTBC scheme in ideal feedback cases and also achieve more robust error performance in the presence of FEs. Thus, by using M‐TAS/OSTBC schemes, the overall performances of the dual‐hop FGAF relaying schemes have been enhanced, which would result in reductions on the average SNR requirements to achieve a specified error rate constraint. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generation of complete test suites from mealy input/output transition systems
Authors: Paiva Sofia Costa , Simao Adenilso
Published: December 2015

Model-based testing overcomes challenges in software testing by generating automated test cases from behavior models, e.g. finite state machine (FSM) and input/output transition system (IOTS). Despite the existence of methods for IOTSs, the problem of selection of test cases is an important and difficult topic. The current methods from IOTSs do not provide the same support offered by the existing theory for FSMs, as complete fault coverage. In this paper, we propose a test generation method for IOTSs based on the W method developed for FSMs. The basic idea is to generate a transition cover set and a characterization set and concatenate them to generate complete test suites for IOTSs in a bounded number of steps. The method generates test suites with complete fault coverage for a given fault domain and is targeted at a class of IOTSs, called mealy IOTS, which accepts inputs only in stable states. Results from a case study show the proposed algorithm can achieve better results than a classical method for IOTSs.
Molecular Characteristics of Large Parathyroid Adenomas
Authors: Agarwal Amit , Pradhan Roma , Kumari Niraj , Krishnani Narendra , Shukla Pooja , Gupta Sushil Kumar , Chand Gyan , Mishra A. , Agarwal Gaurav , Verma Ashok Kumar , Mishra Saroj Kanta
Published: December 2015

Introduction

The clinical entity of large parathyroid adenomas (LPTAs) has not been well defined. It is speculated that LPTAs would have biochemical, histological, and molecular characteristics different from small adenomas. Our study aimed to find out occurrence of atypia and carcinomas in large parathyroid lesions and the presence of distinct molecular abnormalities in LPTAs.

Materials and methods

We divided the parathyroid lesions into large (>7 g, i.e., LPTAs) and small (<7 g) adenomas. We performed parafibromin, APC (adenomatous polyposis coli), galectin 3, and PGP9.5 (protein gene product 9.5) analysis by immunohistochemistry in adenomas without atypia, atypical adenomas, and carcinomas.

Results

Mean serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase, and intact PTH were significantly higher in large parathyroid tumor group. The presence of both atypical adenoma and carcinoma was higher in large parathyroid tumor group. There was higher percentage of atypia in patients with LPTAs >10 g (33 %), and 68 % of tumors showed at least one marker suggestive of malignancy in this group. Detailed analysis of immunohistochemical features of LPTA >10 g revealed that six patients showed complete loss of parafibromin immunoreactivity (out of these four showed atypia), while seven showed partial loss. In histopathologically proven malignancy (n = 9), six patients showed complete loss of parafibromin staining, 5 (55 %) APC negativity, and 45 % showed both galectin 3 and PGP9.5 positivity. Three out of these showed all IHC markers s/o malignancy, and all of them had evidence of metastases or recurrence. 32 % of atypical adenoma and 13 % of atypical adenoma showed complete loss of parafibromin staining, however none developed metastases or recurrence in follow‐up (median follow‐up 40 months). Loss of parafibromin staining (complete or partial) was higher in LPTA group (56 %) than that in small adenoma (39 %); however, it was not statistically significant. APC, galectin 3, and PGP9.5 markers suggestive were higher in LPTA group but were not significant.

Conclusion

LPTAs may show some morphological and immunohistochemical features suggestive of malignancy and can be considered a separate entity. However, the immunohistochemical markers are unable to clearly segregate those LPTAs that may show premalignant potential. Further, we would like to recommend that LPTAs showing complete parafibromin loss together with atypia should be kept under close follow‐up.
A Systematic Review of Stakeholder Involvement in Social Marketing Interventions
Authors: Buyucek Nuray , Kubacki Krzysztof , Rundle-Thiele Sharyn , Pang Bo
Published: December 2015

Stakeholder theory implies that involvement of stakeholders in intervention planning, implementation, and evaluation stages may enhance marketing outcomes. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify social marketing interventions published in peer reviewed journals whose reported aim was to reduce harm caused by alcohol from 2000 to May 2015. This paper considers the extent of stakeholder involvement in key stages of social marketing interventions, namely the formative research, implementation, and evaluation stages. The number of stakeholders was greatest in more complex community settings when compared to more narrow settings such as universities and schools. A restricted stakeholder focus was observed for evaluation. Stakeholder theory, a widely used management theory, can guide downstream social marketing intervention planning and design, implementation, and evaluation to deliver sustainable programmes. Limited stakeholder involvement in social marketing interventions limits their potential. Given limited stakeholder involvement was identified in the current review, the use of a broader array of stakeholders in formative research and evaluation is recommended to optimise behavioural outcomes.
Discriminative and prognostic potential of cerebrospinal fluid phosphoTau/tau ratio and neurofilaments for frontotemporal dementia subtypes
Authors: Pijnenburg Yolande A.L. , Verwey Nicolaas A. , van der Flier Wiesje M. , Scheltens Philip , Teunissen Charlotte E.
Published: December 2015

Introduction

A decreased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) p‐Tau181 to total tau ratio (p/t‐tau) is a biomarker for frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP43 inclusions (FTLD‐TDP) and for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). CSF light chain neurofilaments (NfL) are increased in ALS. We examined whether CSF p/t‐tau and NfL are related to ALS status in FTLD‐TDP.

Methods

We compared CSF p/t‐tau and NfL levels between patients with FTLD‐TDP with ALS (n = 15), FTLD‐TDP without ALS (n = 17), FTLD‐Tau (n = 6), Alzheimer's disease (AD; n = 25), and subjective memory complaints (SMC, n = 24).

Results

Apart from FTLD‐Tau, all groups differed significantly with increasing p/t‐tau ratios from FTLD‐TDP with ALS to FTLD‐TDP without ALS to AD and SMC. CSF NfL was very high in FTLD‐TDP with ALS followed by FTLD‐TDP without ALS, AD, and SMC. Both biomarkers correlated with survival.

Discussion

CSF p/t‐tau ratio and NfL levels are strongly driven by ALS status. These markers, therefore, appear to be more of prognostic than diagnostic significance.
Clinician attendance and delivery practices at hospital‐based vaginal deliveries in Western Kenya
Authors: Patel Suha J. , Bogaert Kelly , Gachuno Onesmus W. , Kibore Minnie W. , Unger Jennifer , Walker Dilys M.
Published: December 2015

Objective

To characterize delivery practices and factors associated with respectful, evidence‐based care at a referral hospital in Western Kenya.

Methods

An exploratory observational study used a standardized birth‐observation form to record information on patient characteristics and healthcare practitioner behaviors during uncomplicated vaginal deliveries between June 30, 2014 and July 17, 2014. All deliveries were monitored for whether healthcare staff performed six specific evidence‐based practices (three maternal and three neonatal practices).

Results

In total, 75 vaginal deliveries were observed. In 48 (64%) deliveries, nursing students were the only practitioners present. The mean number of evidence‐based practices performed at each delivery was 3.58. The number of evidence‐based practices performed by junior practitioners was higher when a nurse educator was assessing their performance (4.47 vs 3.36, P < 0.001). Lower mean respectful‐care scores were recorded when delivery teams comprised three or more practitioners (1.38; 95% confidence interval 0.93–1.84 vs 2.74; 95% confidence interval 2.16–3.31, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The present study found low rates of evidence‐based practice and respectful maternity care; this could serve as a deterrent for women seeking care at the study facility. These findings emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach in increasing the quality of patient care to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Non‐invasive detection of genome‐wide somatic copy number alterations by liquid biopsies
Authors: Heitzer Ellen , Ulz Peter , Geigl Jochen B. , Speicher Michael R.
Published: December 2015

Liquid biopsies, i.e. the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), are evolving into promising clinical tools. Indeed, a plethora of liquid biopsy technologies to deduce non‐invasively characteristics of the tumor genome from the peripheral blood have been developed over the last few years. For example, liquid biopsies have been used to assess the tumor burden, to monitor the evolution of tumor genomes, to unravel mechanisms of resistance, to establish the tumor heterogeneity, and for the identification of prognostic and predictive markers. In this review we focus on methods to establish genome‐wide profiles of somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) from plasma DNA and show how they provide novel insights into the biology of cancer and their impact on the management of patients.
We Built This City: Public Participation in Land Use Decisions in Singapore
Authors: LEE Jack Tsen-Ta
Published: December 2015

This article considers the extent to which the legal framework for making land use decisions in Singapore allows for public participation. It examines the issue from two angles: the creation and preservation of the built environment, and the transient use of public space. The first angle is discussed primarily from a heritage law viewpoint, focusing on planning law, compulsory acquisition law, and the legal regime for creating national monuments. As for the second angle, the article looks at how the use of common spaces for assemblies and processions is regulated. The foregoing are examined in the context of Edward Soja’s assertion in Seeking Spatial Justice (2010) that the equitable distribution of resources, services, and access in cities is an important right.
Genome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: Scherer Stephen W. , Visscher Peter M.
Published: December 2015

Over the last twenty years, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed a great deal about the genetic basis of a wide range of complex diseases and they will undoubtedly continue to have a broad impact as we move to an era of personalised medicine. This authoritative text, written by leaders and innovators from both academia and industry, covers the basic science as well as the clinical, biotechnological and pharmaceutical potential of these methods. With special emphasis given to highlighting pharmacogenomics and population genomics studies using next-generation technology approaches, this is the first book devoted to combining association studies with single nucleotide polymorphisms, copy number variants, haplotypes and expressed quantitative trait loci. A reliable guide for newcomers to the field as well as for experienced scientists, this is a unique resource for anyone interested in how the revolutionary power of genomics can be applied to solve problems in complex disease.
Classical Groups, Derangements and Primes
Authors: Burness Timothy C. , Giudici Michael
Published: December 2015

A classical theorem of Jordan states that every finite transitive permutation group contains a derangement. This existence result has interesting and unexpected applications in many areas of mathematics, including graph theory, number theory and topology. Various generalisations have been studied in more recent years, with a particular focus on the existence of derangements with special properties. Written for academic researchers and postgraduate students working in related areas of algebra, this introduction to the finite classical groups features a comprehensive account of the conjugacy and geometry of elements of prime order. The development is tailored towards the study of derangements in finite primitive classical groups; the basic problem is to determine when such a group G contains a derangement of prime order r, for each prime divisor r of the degree of G. This involves a detailed analysis of the conjugacy classes and subgroup structure of the finite classical groups.
Ethics, Medicine, and Information Technology
Authors: Goodman Kenneth W.
Published: December 2015

Information technology is transforming the practices of medicine, nursing, and biomedical research. Computers can now render diagnoses and prognoses more accurately than humans. The concepts of privacy and confidentiality are evolving as data moves from paper to silicon to clouds. Big data promises financial wealth, as well as riches of information and benefits to science and public health. Online access and mobile apps provide patients with an unprecedented connection to their health and health records. This transformation is as unsettling as it is exhilarating. This unique new book is essential for anyone who uses computers in health care, biomedical research or public health, and cares about the ethical issues that arise in their work. With chapters spanning issues from professionalism and quality to mobile health and bioinformatics, it establishes what will become the 'core curriculum' in ethics and health informatics, a growing field which encourages truly inter- and multidisciplinary inquiry.
The Politics of Corruption in Dictatorships
Authors: Yadav Vineeta , Mukherjee Bumba
Published: December 2015

The Politics of Corruption in Dictatorships studies how institutional and social factors influence corruption in dictatorships. Dictatorships are often synonymous with high levels of corruption, yet Vineeta Yadav and Bumba Mukherjee argue otherwise. The authors ask why corruption has declined in some but not other authoritarian regimes. What are the main political factors that drive some autocrats to curb corruption? The book explores the role that business mobilization can play in reducing corruption under some conditions in dictatorships. It investigates how political competition for an elected legislature affects the incentives of dictators to engage in corruption. The study relies on case studies from Jordan, Malaysia, and Uganda. The book is accessible to a wide audience without requiring sophisticated statistical training.
Democratization from Above
Authors: Bohlken Anjali Thomas
Published: December 2015

Democratization from Above seeks to explain why some national and state governments in the developing world introduce reforms to make local governance more democratic while others neglect or actively undermine democracy at local levels of government. The study challenges conventional wisdom that local democratization is implemented as a means of granting more autonomy to local actors. Instead, Anjali Bohlken argues that local democratization offers higher level government elites who lack control over party organizational networks an alternative means of increasing the effectiveness of local intermediaries on whom these elites rely to mobilize political support. The book starts with a focus on India and uses original data, and a combination of qualitative and quantitative evidence, to show support for the argument. The study then relies on an original cross-national dataset to show how the argument helps explain the variation in the implementation of local democratization reforms across the developing world.
Aristotle on Female Animals
Authors: Connell Sophia M.
Published: December 2015

Aristotle's account of female nature has received mostly negative treatment, emphasising what he says females cannot do. Building on recent research, this book comprehensively revises such readings, setting out the complex and positive role played by the female in Aristotle's thought with a particular focus on the longest surviving treatise on reproduction in the ancient corpus, the Generation of Animals. It provides new interpretations of the nature of Aristotle's sexism, his theory of male and female interaction in generation, and his account of inherited features. It also discusses a range of more general issues which can and should be re-examined in light of Aristotle's account of female animals: his methodology, hylomorphism, teleology and psychology. Aristotle on Female Animals will be valuable to all those interested in Aristotle's philosophy and the history of gender.
Cold War in the Countryside: Conflict in Guerrero, Mexico
Authors: Blacker O'Neill
Published: December 2015

“Our struggle has its inspirational roots in [our] national history and reality: our flag . . . is the same raised by Hidalgo, Morelos and Guerrero, Juarez, Zapata and Villa.”

Genaro Vazquez Rojas, La Asociacion Civica Nacional Revolucionaria, 1968
Demographic factors associated with loss to follow up in the management of chronic otitis media: case–control study
Authors: Nash R , Fox R , Srinivasan R , Majithia A , Singh A
Published: December 2015

Objective:

The likelihood of a patient attending regular follow up can affect decision making when planning and performing tympanomastoid surgery. This study investigated whether demographic factors were associated with loss to follow up.

Methods:

A database of patients who had been investigated and treated for chronic otitis media was searched. Patients lost to follow up and a matching sample of patients who were formally discharged were identified. The demographic factors of age, sex and postcode were compared between the two groups. The information collected was also used to provide measures of deprivation.

Results:

Fifty patients in each group were identified. Patients lost to follow up were significantly younger than patients formally discharged (p< 0.02), and were more likely to live in an area of education and training deprivation (p< 0.05).

Conclusion:

Younger patient age, and living in an area of education and training deprivation, are associated with a higher incidence of loss to follow up.
Native language influences on the production of second-language prosody
Authors: Kainada Evia , Lengeris Angelos
Published: December 2015

This study examined native language (L1) transfer effects on the production of second-language (L2) prosody by intermediate Greek learners of English, specifically the set of tonal events and their alignment, speech rate, pitch span and pitch level in English polar questions. Greek uses an L* L+H- L% melody giving rise to a low–high–low f0 contour at the end of the polar question that does not resemble any of the contours used by native speakers in English polar questions. The results showed that the Greek speakers transferred the full set of Greek tonal events into English associating them with stressed syllables, and consistently placed the focus on the verb. The Greek speakers also anchored the peak of the phrase accent in polar questions around the midpoint of the stressed vowel across L1/L2 despite using longer vowel durations in L2. At the same time, their productions deviated from L1 forms in terms of speech rate (slower in L2), pitch span (narrower in L2) and pitch level (lower in L2), indicating that even when learners adopt an L1 prosodic feature in their L2, they still produce interlanguage forms that deviate from L1.
18th International Congress of Phonetic Sciences
Authors: Keating Patricia A.
Published: December 2015

The 18th International Congress of Phonetic Sciences was held in Glasgow, Scotland, on 10–14 August 2015. It was jointly organized by the University of Glasgow, Queen Margaret University, University of Strathclyde, and the University of Edinburgh. In total, 774 presentations covered a wide variety of topics in phonetic sciences. These included 4 plenary sessions, 10 discussant sessions where 40 papers plus 10 discussions were presented, and 720 papers in regular sessions consisting of 345 oral presentations and 375 poster presentations. Over the five days, 978 delegates attended the Congress, including co-authors and those who did not present a paper. Contributions came from 46 countries. Two hundred and twenty-nine reviewers took part in the double-blind review of the Congress papers. Eight satellite meetings were also held. The Association warmly thanks the organizers for all their work, and all who attended, together making the Congress a great success.
Scepticism about Scepticism
Authors: Zangwill Nick
Published: December 2015

I argue that once we prioritize epistemic dependence and cast scepticism in those terms, rather than in modal terms, it is clear that skeptical arguments are no good. Skeptical arguments necessarily make dogmatic assumptions about what makes for knowledge or justification, or about what makes for lack of knowledge or justification. A dogmatist asserts an epistemic dependence relation at some level or other that something makes for knowledge or justification. But the skeptical assertion that something makes for the lack of knowledge or the lack of justification is then asserted dogmatically by the skeptic, and asserting that is as dogmatic as a non-skeptical assertion. Even if it is then said that both positive and negative epistemic views are not justified then we have a negative meta-epistemic dogmatic assertion. Wherever we draw the line, epistemic making relations are assumed. Both skeptical assertions and skeptical arguments assume such dependence claims. Dogmatism is our fate.
The limits of metrical segmentation: intonation modulates infants' extraction of embedded trochees
Authors: ZAHNER KATHARINA , SCHÖNHUBER MUNA , BRAUN BETTINA
Published: December 2015

We tested German nine-month-olds’ reliance on pitch and metrical stress for segmentation. In a headturn-preference paradigm, infants were familiarized with trisyllabic words (weak–strong–weak (WSW) stress pattern) in sentence-contexts. The words were presented in one of three naturally occurring intonation conditions: one in which high pitch was aligned with the stressed syllable and two misalignment conditions (with high pitch preceding vs. following the stressed syllable). Infants were tested on the SW unit of the WSW carriers. Experiment 1 showed recognition only when the stressed syllable was high-pitched. Intonation of test items (similar vs. dissimilar to familiarization) had no influence (Experiment 2). Thus, German nine-month-olds perceive stressed syllables as word onsets only when high-pitched, although they already generalize over different pitch contours. Different mechanisms underlying this pattern of results are discussed.
Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia: the great unmet need
Authors: Aquila Ralph , Citrome Leslie
Published: December 2015

Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia is present in almost all persons with the disorder and can be a substantial obstacle to efforts in the recovery process. In clinical research, cognition is assessed through neuropsychological testing as well as by different types of structured instruments focusing on function. Although nonpharmacological interventions such as cognitive remediation have been therapeutic, particularly in combination with vocational rehabilitation and supported employment, these modalities are not always easy to access. Pharmacological interventions are in development and have principally focused on the dopamine, glutamate, and acetylcholine neurotransmitter systems, aiming to target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and its interactions with other brain regions.
The Influence of Private Health Care Financing on Citizen Trust in Government
Authors: Cammett Melani , Lynch Julia , Bilev Gavril
Published: December 2015

Using individual-level data from the 2008 European Social Survey and country-level health care financing data we analyze the influence of private financing of health care on political trust in twenty-five European countries. Net of known predictors of trust at the individual and country level, we find that trust in government is significantly lower where the health system is financed to a greater degree by private sources. This negative relationship occurs because in countries with more private financing, low-income citizens perceive themselves to be at greater risk for not receiving needed health care. This perception of risk is associated with more negative evaluations of the performance of the health care system, which in turn is associated with less trust in government. When states do less to ensure the basic health care needs of members of society who are at greatest risk, these citizens may come to place less trust in government institutions. Hence, the increasing pressure on European governments to privatize the financing of health care in the wake of the financial crisis that is also characterized by growing income inequality threatens to make citizens trust government less. At the same time, implementation of the Affordable Care Act could signal a renaissance for political trust in the United States, if a growing role in the health care system is accompanied by a redistribution of risk.
Free mate choice enhances conservation breeding in the endangered giant panda
Authors: Martin-Wintle Meghan S. , Shepherdson David , Zhang Guiquan , Zhang Hemin , Li Desheng , Zhou Xiaoping , Li Rengui , Swaisgood Ronald R.
Published: December 2015

Conservation breeding programmes have become an increasingly important tool to save endangered species, yet despite the allocation of significant resources, efforts to create self-sustaining populations have met with limited success. The iconic giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) embodies the struggles associated with ex situ species conservation. Here we show that behavioural mate preferences in giant pandas predict reproductive outcomes. Giant pandas paired with preferred partners have significantly higher copulation and birth rates. Reproductive rates increase further when both partners show mutual preference for one another. If managers were to incorporate mate preferences more fully into breeding management, the production of giant panda offspring for China’s reintroduction programme might be greatly expedited. When extended to the increasing numbers of species dependent on ex situ conservation breeding to avoid extinction, our findings highlight that mate preference and other aspects of informed behavioural management could make the difference between success and failure of these programmes.