bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A multicentre validation of the 1-min sit-to-stand test in patients with COPD
Authors: Crook Sarah , Büsching Gilbert , Schultz Konrad , Lehbert Nicola , Jelusic Danijel , Keusch Stephan , Wittmann Michael , Schuler Michael , Radtke Thomas , Frey Martin , Turk Alexander , Puhan Milo A. , Frei Anja 
Published: March 2017

Our aim was to comprehensively validate the 1-min sit-to-stand (STS) test in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and explore the physiological response to the test.We used data from two longitudinal studies of COPD patients who completed inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation programmes. We collected 1-min STS test, 6-min walk test (6MWT), health-related quality of life, dyspnoea and exercise cardiorespiratory data at admission and discharge. We assessed the learning effect, test–retest reliability, construct validity, responsiveness and minimal important difference of the 1-min STS test.In both studies (n=52 and n=203) the 1-min STS test was strongly correlated with the 6MWT at admission (r=0.59 and 0.64, respectively) and discharge (r=0.67 and 0.68, respectively). Intraclass correlation coefficients (95% CI) between 1-min STS tests were 0.93 (0.83–0.97) for learning effect and 0.99 (0.97–1.00) for reliability. Standardised response means (95% CI) were 0.87 (0.58–1.16) and 0.91 (0.78–1.07). The estimated minimal important difference was three repetitions. End-exercise oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide output, ventilation, breathing frequency and heart rate were similar in the 1-min STS test and 6MWT.The 1-min STS test is a reliable, valid and responsive test for measuring functional exercise capacity in COPD patients and elicited a physiological response comparable to that of the 6MWT.
Follow-up of patients with uncontrolled asthma: clinical features of asthma patients according to the level of control achieved (the COAS study)
Authors: Munoz-Cano Rosa , Torrego Alfons , Bartra Joan , Sanchez-Lopez Jaime , Palomino Rosa , Picado Cesar , Valero Antonio 
Published: March 2017

Our aim was to study the asthma control achieved in patients with uncontrolled asthma who had received appropriate treatment according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2010 (valid at the time the study was designed), and to analyse the factors associated with a lack of asthma control.This was a multicentre study in routine clinical practice performed in patients with uncontrolled asthma according to GINA 2010. At visit 1, we recorded demographics, asthma characteristics and spirometry. We assessed asthma control using GINA 2010 criteria and the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Treatment was optimised according to GINA 2010. At visit 2, 3 months later, we reassessed spirometry, asthma control and factors associated with failure to achieve control.We recruited 1299 patients with uncontrolled asthma (mean age 46.5±17.3 years, 60.7% women, 25.8% obese). The mean percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 76.4±12.8% and the mean post-bronchodilator increase was 14.9±6.8%. We observed poor agreement between ACT and GINA 2010 when evaluating asthma control (kappa = −0.151). At visit 2, asthma in 71.2% of patients was still not fully controlled. Patients whose asthma remained uncontrolled were older, had a higher body mass index, greater disease severity, longer disease evolution and worse lung function.After treatment optimisation, most patients did not achieve optimal control according to GINA 2010. Risk factors for failure to achieve asthma control were time of disease evolution, severity, age, weight and lung function impairment (excluded in the GINA 2014).
Luseogliflozin reduces epicardial fat accumulation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a pilot study
Authors: Bouchi Ryotaro , Terashima Masahiro , Sasahara Yuriko , Asakawa Masahiro , Fukuda Tatsuya , Takeuchi Takato , Nakano Yujiro , Murakami Masanori , Minami Isao , Izumiyama Hajime , Hashimoto Koshi , Yoshimoto Takanobu , Ogawa Yoshihiro 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Background
Accumulation of epicardial fat (EF) is associated with increased cardio-metabolic risks and coronary events, independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the reduction of EF volume (EFV) may be associated with reduced cardio-metabolic risks and future cardiovascular events. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce body fat including visceral fat and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, it has still been unknown whether SGLT2 inhibitors can reduce EFV.

Methods
Type 2 diabetic patients with HbA1c 6.5–9.0% and body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) ≥25.0 were enrolled in this single arm pilot study. Participants were administered luseogliflozin 2.5 mg daily and the dosage was tolerated to be increased up to 5.0 mg daily. EFV [median (interquartile range), cm3] was measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Primary endpoint was the decrease in EFV at 12 weeks. Visceral fat area (VFA, cm2) and liver attenuation index (LAI) measured by the abdominal computed tomography, and skeletal muscle index (SMI) and body fat (%) measured by the whole body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were also determined at baseline and at 12 weeks.

Results
Nineteen patients (mean age: 55 ± 12 years; 26% female) completed this study. Luseogliflozin treatment significantly reduced EFV at 12 weeks [117 (96–136) to 111 (88–134), p = 0.048]. The body weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, SMI, and body fat were significantly reduced by luseogliflozin at 12 weeks. The reduction of EFV was significantly correlated with the reduction of C-reactive protein (r = 0.493, p = 0.019). Neither VFA nor LAI were significantly reduced by the luseogliflozin treatment. No severe adverse events were observed.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that luseogliflozin could reduce the EFV in parallel with the improvement of systemic micro-inflammation and the reduction of body weight in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. The reduction of muscle mass after the administration of SGLT2 inhibitors may require a particular attention.
Trial registration umin.ac.jp, UMIN000019072
Copper nano-sol loaded woven fabrics: structure and color characterization
Authors: Kanade Pragnya , Patel Bharat 
Published: March 2017

AbstractNano technology is an upcoming branch where lot of research work is being done with the intention of improving/changing properties of the materials. In this study polyester, cotton and polyester-cotton blended fabrics were coated with copper nano particles by pad-dry-cure technique. The morphology of nano-composite fabrics characterized using scanning electron microscope reveals that nanoparticles were dispersed on the fabric samples. The elemental analysis for confirming the presence of copper in the fabric samples was done using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the fabric samples helped to unveil that incorporation of copper nano particles increased the d-spacing value in polyester fabric to a greater extent in comparison to the cotton and polyester-cotton blended fabrics. The nano treated woven fabric samples were dyed using myrobolan; a natural dye. The samples were evaluated in terms of colourimetric parameters and colour fastness. The copper nano-sol treatment was found to improve both K/S and colour fastness.
Extracellular matrix and the myeloid-in-myeloma compartment: balancing tolerogenic and immunogenic inflammation in the myeloma niche
Authors: Asimakopoulos Fotis , Hope Chelsea , Johnson Michael G , Pagenkopf Adam , Gromek Kimberly , Nagel Bradley 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
The last 10–15 years have witnessed a revolution in treating multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of Ab-producing plasma cells. Advances in myeloma therapy were ushered in by novel agents that remodel the myeloma immune microenvironment. The first generation of novel agents included immunomodulatory drugs (thalidomide analogs) and proteasome inhibitors that target crucial pathways that regulate immunity and inflammation, such as NF-κB. This paradigm continued with the recent regulatory approval of mAbs (elotuzumab, daratumumab) that impact both tumor cells and associated immune cells. Moreover, recent clinical data support checkpoint inhibition immunotherapy in myeloma. With the success of these agents has come the growing realization that the myeloid infiltrate in myeloma lesions—what we collectively call the myeloid-in-myeloma compartment—variably sustains or deters tumor cells by shaping the inflammatory milieu of the myeloma niche and by promoting or antagonizing immune-modulating therapies. The myeloid-in-myeloma compartment includes myeloma-associated macrophages and granulocytes, dendritic cells, and myeloid-derived-suppressor cells. These cell types reflect variable states of differentiation and activation of tumor-infiltrating cells derived from resident myeloid progenitors in the bone marrow—the canonical myeloma niche—or myeloid cells that seed both canonical and extramedullary, noncanonical niches. Myeloma-infiltrating myeloid cells engage in crosstalk with extracellular matrix components, stromal cells, and tumor cells. This complex regulation determines the composition, activation state, and maturation of the myeloid-in-myeloma compartment as well as the balance between immunogenic and tolerogenic inflammation in the niche. Redressing this balance may be a crucial determinant for the success of antimyeloma immunotherapies.
STAT5 phosphorylation in CD4 T cells from patients with SLE is related to changes in their subsets and follow-up disease severity
Authors: Goropevšek Aleš , Gorenjak Maksimiljan , Gradišnik Suzana , Dai Klara , Holc Iztok , Hojs Radovan , Krajnc Ivan , Pahor Artur , Avčin Tadej 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Activation of the STAT5 signaling pathway up-regulates antiapoptotic protein Bcl2 and drives proliferation of autoreactive conventional CD4 T cells (Tcons). In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an increased T cell Bcl2 content and perturbed homeostasis of CD45RA−FOXP3hi activated regulatory T cells (aTregs) were described. We assessed Tcon/Treg subsets and phosphorylation of STAT5 (pSTAT5) in blood T cells from patients with SLE by using conventional and imaging flow cytometry. Forty-one patients with SLE, 33 healthy controls, and 29 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included. Long-term monitoring was performed in 39 patients with SLE, which were followed longitudinally for up to 1000 d. Significantly increased Bcl2 protein content in T cells from patients with SLE was associated with IL-7–dependent STAT5 activation, expressed as increased basal levels and nuclear localization of pSTAT5. pSTAT5 levels were significantly increased in the FOXP3 low-expressing CD4+ T cell subsets but not in the aTreg subset, which was significantly decreased in patients with SLE. In contrast to aTreg, SLE Tcon displayed significantly increased pSTAT5 and Bcl2 levels. Moreover, the percentage of Tcon-expressing proliferation marker Ki-67 was significantly increased in patients with SLE and was positively correlated with CD4 T cell pSTAT5 levels. Finally, a subgroup of patients characterized by an increased Tcon–pSTAT5/aTreg–pSTAT5 ratio experienced a more aggressive-relapsing disease course and displayed higher time-adjusted cumulative CD4 T cell pSTAT5 levels during follow-up, which were positively correlated with time-adjusted cumulative disease activity. Our results indicate that imbalanced STAT5 phosphorylation, which is related to Bcl2 and Ki-67 expression, may confer survival and proliferative advantage to Tcon over aTreg and could represent a possible marker of SLE disease severity.
Impact of pre-admission depression on mortality following myocardial infarction
Authors: Sundbøll Jens , Schmidt Morten , Adelborg Kasper , Pedersen Lars , Bøtker Hans Erik , Videbech Poul , Sørensen Henrik Toft 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundThe prognostic impact of previous depression on myocardial infarction survival remains poorly understood.AimsTo examine the association between depression and all-cause mortality following myocardial infarction.MethodUsing Danish medical registries, we conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study. We included all patients with first-time myocardial infarction (1995–2014) and identified previous depression as either a depression diagnosis or use of antidepressants. We used Cox regression to compute adjusted mortality rate ratios (aMRRs) with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsWe identified 170 771 patients with first-time myocardial infarction. Patients with myocardial infarction and a previous depression diagnosis had higher 19-year mortality risks (87% v. 78%). The overall aMRR was 1.11 (95% CI 1.07–1.15) increasing to 1.22 (95% CI 1.17–1.27) when including use of antidepressants in the depression definition.ConclusionsA history of depression was associated with a moderately increased all-cause mortality following myocardial infarction.
Neuronal hyperactivity causes Na+/H+ exchanger-induced extracellular acidification at active synapses
Authors: Chiacchiaretta Martina , Latifi Shahrzad , Bramini Mattia , Fadda Manuela , Fassio Anna , Benfenati Fabio , Cesca Fabrizia 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT
Extracellular pH impacts on neuronal activity, which is in turn an important determinant of extracellular H+ concentration. The aim of this study was to describe the spatio-temporal dynamics of extracellular pH at synaptic sites during neuronal hyperexcitability. To address this issue we created ex.E2GFP, a membrane-targeted extracellular ratiometric pH indicator that is exquisitely sensitive to acidic shifts. By monitoring ex.E2GFP fluorescence in real time in primary cortical neurons, we were able to quantify pH fluctuations during network hyperexcitability induced by convulsant drugs or high-frequency electrical stimulation. Sustained hyperactivity caused a pH decrease that was reversible upon silencing of neuronal activity and located at active synapses. This acidic shift was not attributable to the outflow of synaptic vesicle H+ into the cleft nor to the activity of membrane-exposed H+ V-ATPase, but rather to the activity of the Na+/H+-exchanger. Our data demonstrate that extracellular synaptic pH shifts take place during epileptic-like activity of neural cultures, emphasizing the strict links existing between synaptic activity and synaptic pH. This evidence may contribute to the understanding of the physio-pathological mechanisms associated with hyperexcitability in the epileptic brain.
TYPOLOGICAL APPROACH TO QUALITY LEVEL DEFINITION OF OBJECTS AND PROCESSES IN ORGANIZATION SYSTEM CONTROL
Authors: Морозова Анна , Morozova Anna , Мельников Владимир , Melnikov Vladimir , Дроздов Игорь , Drozdov Igor , Смоленцев Владислав , Smolentsev Vladislav 
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this work consists in the presentation of the results of the theoretical generalization of the problem in the quality level definition in processes and objects of arbitrary origin with the use of a typological approach as a basis of control in organization systems.
In the investigation there were used methods of a system analysis, a mathematical modeling of multi-parametric social objects, methods of a structural anal-ysis and also a methodology of a universal quality management (UQM).
Investigation results. A multidimensional information object space of matrices of groups of quality indices is considered, a generalized model of a twodimensional matrix of relations of quality indices parameters in Cartesian coordinates is presented, quality indices are shown and their application for adaptive marketing control is shown, a procedure for the quality assessment of objects with the aid of models of a neuro-network typification is offered, and the expediency of basic directions realization in strategy of quality control regarding the set of objects and processes of an organization system under analysis is also substantiated. As an example there is considered a neuro-network approach at the typification of engineering positions in modern mechanical engineering and procedures on the basis of a competence approach of the identification process of young specialists with available vacant seats.
Conclusions. The quality parameters are a com-plex category in control of objects/processes and can be considered as a general methodological approach to the control of different organization systems. At the same time there can be used simulators of quality me-tering and typification, and also clusterization and grouping quality indices with the aid of which it is possible to ensure efficiently enough the realization of the identification procedure of objects/processes on quality indices with the application of neuro-network models.
ALGORITHMS OF CLUSTERING AT DECODING PHOTOES OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (DRONES)
Authors: Карлова Татьяна , Karlova Tatyana , Гурьев Александр , Gurev Aleksandr , Алешко Роман , Aleshko Roman , Шошина Ксения , Shoshina Kseniya , Шептунов Сергей , Sheptunov Sergey 
Published: March 2017

The procedures and algorithms automating a process of a multilevel subject decoding are of particular interest. In the paper there is described a development of algorithms for automatic object identification on the basis of clustering. In the investigation the algorithm for a cluster analysis of AKM (improved of k- means) which allows identifying first an object in the picture and then highlighting it graphically is used. This algorithm is formed on the basis of the k-means al-gorithm allowing the fulfillment of a rapid cluster analysis. The improvement of AKM algorithm consists in a possibility of the computation of an optimum cluster number at a specified maximum cluster number.
The accuracy of the results of subject decoding is as-sessed. One of the methods for the assessment of relia-bility is a statistic assessment of picture decoding re-liability. For this it is necessary to create a matrix of errors at cluster definition and to calculate accuracy. It is possible to use a method of cross-tabulation for the presentation of pixels defined correctly in an obtained subject map of forest roads and a map formed on the basis of UAV pictures and data of ground investiga-tions. A general accuracy of object decoding as a re-sult of the work of AKM algorithm and a procedure of UAV picture processing of forest roads characterizes a degree of reliability as a high one.
The options for the further improvement of a procedure and algorithms are offered.
The Impact of Supply Chains on Firm-Level Productivity
Authors: Serpa Juan Camilo , Krishnan Harish 
Published: March 2017

Firms in a vertical relationship are likely to affect each other’s productivity. Exactly how does productivity spill over across this type of relationship (i.e., through which mechanisms)? Additionally, how does the relative importance of these mechanisms depend on the structure of the supply chain? To answer these questions, we decompose the channels of upstream productivity spillovers—from customers to suppliers—by developing a structural econometric model on a sample of approximately 22,500 supply chain dyads. We find that the “endogenous channel” (i.e., the effect of the customer’s own productivity on the supplier’s productivity) is by far the most important source of spillovers. This is especially true if (i) the supplier has a concentrated customer base, (ii) the supplier and the customer have similar operational characteristics, and (iii) the relationship has medium maturity. In the converse scenarios, we find, it is more important to have a partner with a portfolio of favorable “contextual” characteristics (high inventory turnover, financial liquidity, and asset turnover) than to have a productive partner.The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2632 .This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.
Managing Performance Signals Through Delay: Evidence from Venture Capital
Authors: Chakraborty Indraneel , Ewens Michael 
Published: March 2017

This paper examines whether agency conflicts during venture capital (VC) fundraising impact investment behavior. Using novel investment-level decisions of VCs in the process of raising new funds, we find that venture capitalists take actions hidden from their investors—i.e., limited partners (LPs)—that delay revealing negative information about VC fund performance until after a new fund is raised. After fundraising is complete, write-offs double and reinvestments in relatively worse-off entrepreneurial firms increase. We find that these observations cannot be explained by strategic bundling of news or effort constraints due to the newly raised fund. Funds with both long and short fundraising track record exhibit this behavior and the delay is costly for fund investors (LPs). This strategic delay shows that fundraising incentives have real impacts on VC fund investment decisions, which are often difficult for LPs to observe. The Internet appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2662 . This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
Approximation Algorithms for Optimal Decision Trees and Adaptive TSP Problems
Authors: Gupta Anupam , Nagarajan Viswanath , Ravi R. 
Published: March 2017

We consider the problem of constructing optimal decision trees: given a collection of tests that can disambiguate between a set of m possible diseases, each test having a cost, and the a priori likelihood of any particular disease, what is a good adaptive strategy to perform these tests to minimize the expected cost to identify the disease? This problem has been studied in several works, with O(log m)-approximations known in the special cases when either costs or probabilities are uniform. In this paper, we settle the approximability of the general problem by giving a tight O(log m)-approximation algorithm. We also consider a substantial generalization, the adaptive traveling salesman problem. Given an underlying metric space, a random subset S of vertices is drawn from a known distribution, but S is initially unknown—we get information about whether any vertex is in S only when it is visited. What is a good adaptive strategy to visit all vertices in the random subset S while minimizing the expected distance traveled? This problem has applications in routing message ferries in ad hoc networks and also models switching costs between tests in the optimal decision tree problem. We give a polylogarithmic approximation algorithm for adaptive TSP, which is nearly best possible due to a connection to the well-known group Steiner tree problem. Finally, we consider the related adaptive traveling repairman problem, where the goal is to compute an adaptive tour minimizing the expected sum of arrival times of vertices in the random subset S; we obtain a polylogarithmic approximation algorithm for this problem as well.
Emotion Recognition in Children With Down Syndrome: Influence of Emotion Label and Expression Intensity
Authors: Cebula Katie R. , Wishart Jennifer G. , Willis Diane S. , Pitcairn Tom K. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSome children with Down syndrome may experience difficulties in recognizing facial emotions, particularly fear, but it is not clear why, nor how such skills can best be facilitated. Using a photo-matching task, emotion recognition was tested in children with Down syndrome, children with nonspecific intellectual disability and cognitively matched, typically developing children (all groups N = 21) under four conditions: veridical vs. exaggerated emotions and emotion-labelling vs. generic task instructions. In all groups, exaggerating emotions facilitated recognition accuracy and speed, with emotion labelling facilitating recognition accuracy. Overall accuracy and speed did not differ in the children with Down syndrome, although recognition of fear was poorer than in the typically developing children and unrelated to emotion label use. Implications for interventions are considered.