bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corneal Elevation Topography in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Gil Pedro , Pires Joana , Matos Rita , Cardoso Mariana S. , Lopes Nádia , Matias João , Mariano Manuel 
Published: September 2016

Purpose of the Study:
The purpose of the study was to describe and compare anterior and posterior topographic elevation maps in primary open angle glaucoma patients with functional damage staging and in healthy controls.

Methods:
A total of 217 subjects were consecutively recruited, including 111 primary open angle glaucoma patients (patients), and 106 healthy individuals (controls). All patients performed Pentacam HR corneal topography. Mean anterior keratometry and anterior and posterior topographic elevation maps were compared in the central 3, 5, and 7 mm. Humphrey automated perimetry results from the patient group were classified according to the Glaucoma Staging System.

Results:
Age (patients: 72.32±8.09; controls: 70.82±8.36; P=0.18) and central corneal pachymetry (patients: 541.13±36.98; controls: 548.67±34.56; P=0.12) were similar in both groups. Maximum elevation readings in the central 5 mm were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the anterior (patients: 8.21±8.63; controls: 5.79±3.62) and posterior (patients: 16.17±8.72; controls: 13.92±6.03) corneal topography of the glaucomatous patients, as well as in the anterior (patients: 17.32±20.78; controls: 9.61±5.64) and posterior (patients: 38.81±19.78; controls: 26.38±12.73) central 7 mm. There was a weak but significant correlation between the Glaucoma Staging System stage and both the anterior 5 mm (r=0.397) and 7 mm (r=0.304) maximum, as well as the posterior 5 mm (r=0.233) and 7 mm (r=0.241) maximum.

Conclusions:
In patients with primary open angle glaucoma, there is a forward shifting of the posterior and anterior corneal surfaces. This appears to be correlated with more advanced stages of functional damage, pointing to a possible link between corneal structural changes and duration and intensity of elevated intraocular pressure. Further studies may ascertain the potential for this biological marker to be used in monitoring primary open angle glaucoma patients.
Cardiac Tumors
Authors: Capotosto Lidia , Elena Giulia , Massoni Francesco , De Sio Simone , Carnevale Aldo , Ricci Serafino , Vitarelli Antonio 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn the past, cardiac tumors were a just clinical curiosity and the prognosis was poor. Surgical management became possible after the advent of cardiopulmonary bypass, and more recently, preoperative diagnosis was greatly improved by the development of echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The value of echocardiography for diagnosing cardiac mass lesions has become well established. Numerous advances have occurred in the last 5 decades, and the evolution of echocardiography involves the development of its many modalities. This review is intended to help echocardiologists and forensic pathologists in providing good medical practice when faced with the challenge of investigating unexpected clinical signs, particularly in young people, or unexpected postmortem findings.
Efficacy of (S)-lacosamide in preclinical models of cephalic pain
Authors: Moutal Aubin , Eyde Nathan , Telemi Edwin , Park Ki Duk , Xie Jennifer Y. , Dodick David W. , Porreca Frank , Khanna Rajesh 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMigraine is one of the world's most common neurological disorders. Current acute migraine treatments have suboptimal efficacy, and new therapeutic options are needed. Approaches targeting calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) signaling are clinically effective, but small molecule antagonists have not been advanced because of toxicity. In this study, we explored the axonal growth/specification collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) as a novel “druggable” target for inhibiting CGRP release and for potential relevance for treatment of migraine pain. Collapsin response mediator protein 2 has been demonstrated to regulate N-type voltage-gated Ca2+channel activity and Ca2+-dependent CGRP release in sensory neurons. The coexpression of CRMP2 with N-type voltage-gated Ca2+channel and CGRP in trigeminal ganglia (TGs) sensory neurons suggested the possibility of a novel approach to regulate CGRP release in the trigeminal system. Screening protocols surprisingly revealed that (S)-lacosamide ((S)-LCM), an inactive analog of the clinically approved small molecule antiepileptic drug (R)-lacosamide (Vimpat), inhibited CRMP2 phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in rat TG slices and decreased depolarization-evoked Ca2+influx in TG cells in culture. (S)-LCM significantly blocked capsaicin-evoked CGRP release from dural nerve terminals in the rat in ex vivo cranial cup preparation. Additionally, cephalic and extracephalic cutaneous allodynia induced in rats by activation of dural nociceptors with a cocktail of inflammatory mediators, was inhibited by oral administration of (S)-LCM. The confirmation of CRMP2 as an upstream mediator of CGRP release, together with the brain penetrance of this molecule suggests (S)-LCM as a potential therapy for acute migraine.
Is Communication Improved With the Implementation of an Obstetrical Version of the World Health Organization Safe Surgery Checklist?
Authors: Govindappagari Shravya , Guardado Amanda , Goffman Dena , Bernstein Jeffrey , Lee Colleen , Schonfeld Sara , Angert Robert , McGowan Andrea , Bernstein Peter S. 
Published: September 2016

Objective
Communication failures are consistently seen as a root cause of preventable adverse outcomes in obstetrics. We assessed whether use of an Obstetric Safe Surgery Checklist for cesarean deliveries (CDs), based on the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist, can improve communication; reduce team member confusion about urgency of the case; and decrease documentation discrepancies among nursing, obstetric, anesthesia, and pediatric staff.

Methods
Retrospective review of 600 CDs on our 2 labor and delivery suites before and after the introduction of 2 consecutive versions of our obstetric safe surgery checklist (100 cases in each cohort) was undertaken. The first version was released in 2010, and after modifications based on initial findings, our current version was released in 2014. One hundred consecutive CDs were identified from each of the 3 periods at each hospital, and charts for those patients and newborns were abstracted. Notes by obstetricians, nurses, anesthesiologists, and pediatricians were reviewed. We compared the rates of agreement in the documentation of the indication for the CD between the different members of the team. Chi-square analyses were performed.

Results
Complete agreement among the 4 specialties in the documented indication for CD before introduction of our initial safe surgery checklist was noted in 59% (n = 118) of cases. After initial checklist introduction, agreement decreased to 43% (n = 86; P = 0.002). We then modified our checklist to include indication for CD and level of urgency and changed our policy to include pediatric staff participation in the timeout. Agreement in a subsequent chart review increased to 80% (n = 160), significantly better than in our initial analysis (P < 0.001) and our interim review (P < 0.001). The greatest improvement in agreement was observed between obstetricians and pediatricians.

Conclusions
Implementation of a safe surgery checklist can improve communication at CDs, but care should be taken when implementing checklists because they can have unanticipated consequences. Ongoing review and modification are critical to ensure safer medical care.
Overcoming confounding plate effects in differential expression analyses of single-cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Lun Aaron T. L. , Marioni John C. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAn increasing number of studies are using single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to characterize the gene expression profiles of individual cells. One common analysis applied to scRNA-seq data involves detecting differentially expressed (DE) genes between cells in different biological groups. However, many experiments are designed such that the cells to be compared are processed in separate plates or chips, meaning that the groupings are confounded with systematic plate effects. This confounding aspect is frequently ignored in DE analyses of scRNA-seq data. In this article, we demonstrate that failing to consider plate effects in the statistical model results in loss of type I error control. A solution is proposed whereby counts are summed from all cells in each plate and the count sums for all plates are used in the DE analysis. This restores type I error control in the presence of plate effects without compromising detection power in simulated data. Summation is also robust to varying numbers and library sizes of cells on each plate. Similar results are observed in DE analyses of real data where the use of count sums instead of single-cell counts improves specificity and the ranking of relevant genes. This suggests that summation can assist in maintaining statistical rigour in DE analyses of scRNA-seq data with plate effects.
Calculation of a distribution free estimate of effect size and confidence intervals using VBA/Excel
Authors: Goedhart Joachim 
Published: September 2016

AbstractReporting effect sizes aids the transparent presentation and independent interpretation of scientific data. However, calculation and reporting of effect sizes for data obtained in basic research is rare. A standardized effect size was reported by Norman Cliff, known as Cliff's delta. It has several advantageous features, as (i) it makes no assumption on the shape of the underlying distribution, (ii) it works well for small to moderate samples (n>10), (iii) it is easy to calculate, and (iv) its basis is readily understood by non statisticians. Here, a VBA macro, implemented in Excel, is presented. The macro takes two independent samples as input and calculates Cliff's delta with 95% confidence intervals. The macro will reduce the barrier for calculating the effect size and can be a valuable tool for research and teaching.
Phylogenetic factorization of compositional data
Authors: Washburne Alex D , Silverman Justin D , Leff Jonathan W , Bennett Dominic J , Darcy John L. , Mukherjee Sayan , Fierer Noah , David Lawrence A 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMarker gene sequencing of microbial communities has generated big datasets of microbial relative abundances varying across environmental conditions, sample sites and treatments. These data often come with putative phylogenies, providing unique opportunities to investigate how shared evolutionary history affects microbial abundance patterns. Here, we present a method to identify the phylogenetic factors driving patterns in microbial community composition. We use the method, “phylofactorization”, to re-analyze datasets from human body and soil microbial communities, demonstrating how phylofactorization can be a dimensionality-reducing tool, an ordination-visualization tool, and also mass-produce inferences on the edges in the phylogeny in which meaningful differences arose.
Cities futures. A critical assessment of how future studies are applied to cities
Authors: Fernández Güell José Miguel , López Javier González 
Published: September 2016

PurposeThis paper aims to assess recent foresight exercises applied to cities by evaluating three major issues. Have foresight practitioners understood cities complexity? Have urban planners used adequate tools to generate plausible future visions? Are city policy makers using foresight studies to limit urban uncertainty?Design/methodology/approachIn total, 20 city foresight examples were selected which either have international relevance or which constitute good examples of future-oriented initiatives. Case studies were classified into five taxonomies: European Union initiatives; local initiatives; academic initiatives; corporate initiatives; and architectural initiatives. A set of assessment criteria was established: city complexity conceptualization; methodological approach; and study impact.FindingsPreliminary research outcomes show growing doubts about the appropriateness of the foresight tools used in cities and about the competency of foresight practitioners in understanding the complex and dynamic nature of contemporary cities. Furthermore, policy makers do not seem to grasp the potential of foresight to formulate urban strategies.Research limitations/implicationsSome of the initiatives studied are relatively recent, so impact analysis has been limited by available data. Mostly, secondary documented sources were used to validate cases’ assessment. Research suggests a number of areas in which foresight studies may have a practical application to the urban realm.Originality/valueThe value of the present work lies in the effort for assessing and improving forward-looking activities undertaken at cities through a set of criteria which take into consideration the complexity and diversity of contemporary cities.
Energy foresight, scenarios and sustainable energy policy in Brazil
Authors: Horner Nathaniel , de Paula Oliveira Antonio Geraldo , Silberglitt Richard , Khaled Poppe Marcelo , Bressan Rocha Bárbara 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to use quantitative metrics to chart the unique history leading to Brazil’s leadership in renewable energy and identifies a set of meta-scenarios that define possible future carbon performance. These meta-scenarios provide a context for discussing specific energy policy implications both at the national scale and from the perspective of Brazil’s urban centres.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper defines and uses three metrics – energy efficiency, decarbonisation and carbon efficiency – to plot both Brazil’s historic energy pathway and a set of future energy scenarios put forth by various national and international energy agencies. The authors then use a meta-scenario approach to group these alternate pathways, identifying specific policy levers associated with the realisation of each.

Findings
The authors identify plausible policy changes that will help move Brazil off a current trajectory of stagnated energy performance to a “greener” scenario in which carbon efficiency improves even as Brazil’s economic growth continues. Such policies include energy efficiency programmes and continued expansion of the country’s already extensive hydropower and biomass capacity. Adoption of policies that would put Brazil on a more aggressive path towards a global sustainability scenario currently seems impractical.

Originality/value
This paper brings a standardized set of metrics to bear on Brazil’s unique energy history, which in turn helps identify specific policy impacts for continued GHG reduction in Brazil’s future from national and urban perspectives.
Exploring the mechanism of consumer responses to CSR activities of Islamic banks
Authors: Mostafa Rania B. , ElSahn Farid 
Published: September 2016

PurposeDrawing on social identity theory, the purpose of this paper is to propose and test a conceptual framework of the mechanism of customer response toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Islamic banks.Design/methodology/approachA survey was completed by 203 customers of Islamic banks in Bahrain. Structural equation modeling, was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsIslamic ethics fit partially mediates the relationship between CSR initiatives and consumer-bank identification (CBI) which in turn contributes positively to customer advocacy. These findings emphasize the importance of CSR practices compliance with Islamic ethics principles for customers to identify with and advocate Islamic bank.Research limitations/implicationsUnderstanding the mechanism of customers’ responses toward CSR initiatives of Islamic banks provides insights into the complexities of Islamic bank customers’ perceptions of CSR initiatives. The successful introduction of a mediating variable, namely, Islamic ethics fit suggests future research opportunities.Originality/valueMuch of the value of the present work is because of the findings regarding the relationship between CSR and customer responses. The originality of this study lies in being the first research examining the mediating role of Islamic ethics fit to the relationship between CSR initiatives and CBI which in turn enhances Islamic banks’ advocacy.
Investigating EU-Turkey renewable cooperation opportunities: a SWOT analysis
Authors: Karakosta Charikleia , Papapostolou Aikaterini , Dede Phaedra , Marinakis Vangelis , Psarras John 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to explore Turkey’s current energy status with a on renewable energy sources (RES) cooperation mechanisms, within the framework of RES Directive 2009/28/EC. The study uses the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis for drawing results about perspectives of RES cooperation between Turkey and European Union (EU) Member States. In particular, the SWOT analysis provides a clearer view of expanding RES in Turkey, as well as the level of utilization and potential of cooperation mechanisms and renewable energy in the country.

Design/methodology/approach
The approach followed incorporates desktop analysis, stakeholders’ mapping and involvement, key factors’ identification and results analysis and validation. The adopted approach is based on research conducted within the context of the “Bringing Europe and Third countries closer together through renewable Energies (BETTER)” (project number: IEE/11/845/SI2.616378) project, co-financed by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme.

Findings
Based on the SWOT analysis conducted for Turkey, there are huge opportunities for RES deployment and cooperation in the country, because of its large unexploited RES potential. Turkey is a country with strategic importance, e.g. regarding energy security. Substantial savings can occur for the EU28 Member States through this cooperation, whereas Turkey will also benefit through income and investments, as well as technology transfers and further synergies associated with the cooperation. For the above potentials to be reached, nevertheless, national policies for RES development would have to be strengthened substantially, and non-economic barriers mitigated.

Originality/value
The potential of Turkey to utilise cooperation mechanisms provides opportunities for RES exporting between the country and EU countries. An analysis of these opportunities for cooperation will allow drawing clearer conclusions on cooperation potentials and business cases for Turkey.
Perceived self-efficacy and interactive video retrieval
Authors: Albertson Dan , Ju Boryung 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine perceived self-efficacy of users within an interactive video retrieval context. The motivation for this research includes that understanding self-efficacy will provide insight on how potential users target resources and in turn promote and sustain use of retrieval tools and systems.

Design/methodology/approach
A survey method was employed. In total, 270 participants rated levels of perceived self-efficacy for successfully fulfilling different video needs if using a particular system. Perceived self-efficacy was explored quantitatively, both overall and across different potentially influential factors, such as topic type, topic familiarity, system experience, and system context. In addition, open-ended responses on the survey were categorized through content-analysis and subsequently analyzed using weighted frequencies.

Findings
Findings demonstrated significant associations between participants’ perceived self-efficacy and different topical factors, including familiarity and topic type, and also system factors, such as exposure (or experience) and system context.

Research limitations/implications
User confidence is one belief or attitude about technology acceptance, with self-efficacy intersecting multiple factors related to initial and sustained use of technologies. Findings give researchers a look at users’ preconceptions of interactive video retrieval situations, which, in turn, suggest positive implications for future research and design.

Originality/value
Video retrieval comprises considerations that are unique from other contexts due to the structure and physical makeup of video. However, until now, self-efficacy has not been directly examined in relation to video or according to several of the specific retrieval factors as explored in the current study, which is thus warranted.
Using grey incidence to analyze the energy audit reports and rough set for rule extraction
Authors: Karimi Tooraj , Forrest Jeffrey Yi-Lin 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the energy audit reports in order to define the most favorable factors affecting energy consumption of buildings. Since energy audit of buildings includes assessment of occupants comfort level in addition to the technical data of buildings so some rules are extracted to model the employees thermal comfort level in organization.

Design/methodology/approach
Some tools of RST and GIA are used in this research to analyze the energy consumption of official buildings. “Average energy consumption of building per year” is selected as a system characteristic in GIA and as a decision attribute in RST to show the behavior of buildings energy consumption. Ten technical sequences of buildings are chosen as relevant factors of behavior and conditional attributes in GIA and RST. In order to model the employees thermal comfort level in organization by RST, ten technical attributes of buildings are selected as condition attributes and thermal comfort level of employees is selected as decision attribute. Due to the different algorithms of data complement, discretization, reduction, and rule generation, four rule models are constructed. Cross-validation is used for evaluation of the model results and the best model is chosen with 62 rules and 99.8 percent of accuracy.

Findings
According to the results of GIA and RST, “Uncontrolled area of the building” has been diagnosed as the most important factor between other relevant factors/attributes and it has the greatest effect on energy consumption of building. Four rule models have been extracted from deferent decision tables in order to describe the thermal comfort level of employees in organization. The maximum number of rules relates to the conditional combination/GA model with 1263 rules and average accuracy of 99.7 percent and the minimum number relates to the conditional combination/Janson model with 62 rules and average accuracy of 99.8 percent.

Research limitations/implications
The total observations for rule extraction is 81 and the results can be improved by further samples.

Originality/value
It shows that “Uncontrolled area of the building” is the most important factor/attribute to define the consumption of buildings and thermal comfort level of employees in organization.