bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Posaconazole in lung transplant recipients: use, tolerability, and efficacy
Authors: Robinson C.L. , Chau C. , Yerkovich S.T. , Azzopardi M. , Hopkins P. , Chambers D. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundFungal infection is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in lung transplant recipients (LuTR). Treatment failure to first‐line antifungals because of resistance or intolerance is an increasing problem. Posaconazole (PCZ), a triazole antifungal, is an attractive treatment option.MethodsWe performed a single‐center retrospective study to describe the use, tolerability, efficacy, and drug interaction effect (with tacrolimus) of PCZ oral suspension in LuTR.ResultsSeventy‐eight patients were treated with PCZ oral suspension for prophylaxis (n = 15), pre‐emptive treatment (n = 31), and treatment of possible (n = 7) and probable (n = 25) invasive fungal infection. A range of fungal isolates was encountered. Resolution was observed in 52.4% (probable, possible, and pre‐emptive treatment groups). Aggregate all‐cause 1‐year mortality was 12.8%. PCZ was well tolerated with 11.5% of patients experiencing adverse effects. Despite dose adjustment strategies, 11.7% of patients experienced supratherapeutic tacrolimus levels, which in 5 cases was associated with a rise (mean 21.6 μmol/L) in serum creatinine.ConclusionsPCZ is well tolerated and appears effective in the management of fungal infection after lung transplantation. Patients receiving concurrent tacrolimus require careful therapeutic drug monitoring.
Prognostic impact of neoadjuvant aglepristone treatment in clinicopathological parameters of progesterone receptor‐positive canine mammary carcinomas
Authors: Guil‐Luna S. , Millán Y. , De Andres J. , Rollón E. , Domingo V. , García‐Macías J. , Sánchez‐Céspedes R. , Martín de las Mulas J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractNeoadjuvant treatment of canine mammary carcinomas with the progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist aglepristone has a PR expression‐related inhibiting effect on proliferation index (PI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the treatment in the disease‐free period (DFP) and overall survival (OS) of canine mammary carcinomas. Fifty female dogs with mammary carcinomas were treated with aglepristone (n = 34) or oil vehicle (n = 16) before surgery (day 15). PR expression and PI were analysed by immunohistochemistry in samples taken at days 1 and 15. Epidemiological and clinicopathological data were assessed. DFP and OS data were retrieved every 4–6 months for at least 24 months after surgery. Aglepristone treatment increased DFP of animals bearing PR+ tumours with size smaller than 3 cm, complex and mixed tumours, with histologic grades I and II, and with PI ≤ 10%. Although further studies are necessary, current evidence points to treatment with aglepristone as useful for the management of canine mammary tumours.
DNA damage is a feature of feline injection‐site sarcoma
Authors: Kang S. , Southard T. , Hume K. R. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFeline injection‐site sarcoma (FISS) is commonly treated with surgery and radiation therapy. Despite aggressive therapy, FISS has a high recurrence rate. The true benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy is not known. DNA damage response mechanisms help protect against genomic instability but can also promote chemoresistance. In order to determine whether DNA damage is a feature of FISS, we evaluated tumour tissues with γH2AX immunohistochemistry. H2AX is phosphorylated to form γH2AX following DNA double strand breaks. Seventeen FISS specimens were evaluated prospectively. DNA damage ranged from 2.18 to33.7%, with a median of 16.2%. Significant differences were noted between cats (P < 0.0001). Mitotic index ranged from 0 to 57 with a median of 13 and did not correlate with γH2AX positivity (P = 0.2). Further studies are needed to determine if γH2AX expression may predict chemosensitivity and have independent value as a prognostic factor.
Underwater Vehicle System Identification Using Laser Light, Decoupled Dynamics and Evolutionary Algorithm
Authors: Chou Yu-Cheng 
Published: January 2016

This paper presents a new hybrid method, which integrates the structured laser light, decoupled dynamic models, and evolutionary optimization strategy, to identify dynamic parameters of autonomous underwater vehicles. This is the first research that investigates the utilization of laser scanned images for the system identification of underwater vehicles.
The AUV’s equations of motions and the dynamic parameter identification using the AUV’s decoupled motions will be illustrated. The working principles to calculate the AUV’s positons using the structured laser light will be explained with respect to the surge and pitch motions. The evolutionary optimization strategy used to generate the AUV’s dynamic parameters will be presented.
Influences of the Facing Edge Condition on the Flank Load Carrying Capacity of Helical Gears
Authors: Kadach Daniel , Matt Peter , Tobie Thomas , Stahl Karsten 
Published: January 2016

This paper presents the main results of the performed experimental investigations and theoretical studies carried out to investigate the main parameters affecting facing edge tooth flank fracture damages of case carburized helical gears.
These facing edge tooth fractures were observed in different industrial gearbox applications as well as within several experimentally based research projects on the pitting load carrying capacity of case hardened gears. The crack origin of these unexpected tooth flank fractures was found to be in the area of the acute facing edge.
As a part of a special research project extensive experimental and test-accompanying investigations as well as theoretical studies were carried out to investigate the main parameters affecting facing edge tooth flank fractures.
The herein found failure mechanism is discussed in detail. Finally, recommendations to avoid gear facing edge tooth flank fractures are given in order to optimize the gear load carrying capacity.
Haptic Interface of Data-Drone Operation Considering Human Operator’s Force Sensitivity
Authors: Irannejad Niloufar , Chen YangQuan , Huang Jiacai 
Published: January 2016

Lots of drone crashes happen when the operator goes out of the control loop. In drone controlling scenarios, exerting force feedback to the operator keeps the human in the loop and improves the performance of the operation. Thus, having the required knowledge about human force sensitivities will have a great influence on applying the proper amount of force-feedback to the operator. One of the important human factors is the so-called “just noticeable difference” (JND) that describes the minimum noticeable difference for any stimulus, which has been investigated in the literature.
The goal of this study is to utilize the results of previous researches on extracting force JND values for human wrist and shoulder, use them in a drone control scenario to present the effects of these factors. Even though the final goal of this project is to control a drone in the real world situation, we focus on a simulated case with 1 DoF. We create a virtual environment that a drone can be controlled with a 1 DoF haptic device. Any change in the drone state will be reflected as a force change on the haptic interface that is applied to the operator. We calculate the force change in different ways, and report the influences on the control performance.
Determination of Power and Torque Curves of Electric Driven Vehicles Based on Diagnostic Methods
Authors: Lakatos István , Pup Dániel , Czeglédi Dávid 
Published: January 2016

The transmitted power of motors can be defined by test bench examinations, in which the motor needs to be dismounted. By applying diagnostic methods only minimal disassembly, or indeed none at all, is necessary. In this paper diagnostic methods are systematized by different studies. Moreover, a new diagnostic procedure (established by the authors) is also introduced, which can be carried out by a relatively cheap measuring system design.
Power measurement on a roller test bench is a well-tried technique for vehicle examination. Basically, the wheel parameters (tractive force, torque, power) are measured, but there are also procedures for motor power measurement. By applying the new procedure, the diagnostic method, (simple construction and test bench construction at a favourable price) torque and power characteristics of the mounted motor can be defined. The theoretical considerations of the new measuring technique and the implementation of the measuring system are introduced in this paper.
Test bench for drive motor power and torque curve determination.
In this study the diagnostical measuring systems and, for the first time, the measuring principle and technology of the new theory-based roller power test bench are presented. For its construction measurements have been carried out which make an important contribution to the research.
The results of the research contribute to the development of diagnostics methods and to making them more wide-spread.
Inverse Kinematics of Discretely Actuated Ball-Joint Manipulators Using Workspace Density
Authors: Dong Hui , Fan Taosha , Du Zhijiang , Chirikjian Gregory 
Published: January 2016

We present a workspace-density-based (WSDB) method to solve the inverse kinematics of discretely actuated ball-joint manipulators. Intuitively speaking, workspace density measures the flexibility of a robotic manipulator when the end-effector is fixed at a certain pose or position. We use the SE(3) Fourier transform to derive the workspace density for ball-joint manipulators and show that the workspace density has a concise and elegant form. Then we show that the state for each joint is determined by maximizing the workspace density of subsequent sub-manipulators.
We demonstrate our method with several numerical examples. In particular, we show that our method can provide a solution that approximately minimizes the deviation of the end-effector and its computational complexity is linear with respect to the number of joints. Hence our method is very efficient in solving the inverse kinematics of redundant discretely actuated ball-joint manipulators. In addition, we prove that the solution space of our method is reduced from the rotation group SO(3) to a one-dimensional interval.
On the Synthesis of Three-Poses Rigid-Body Guidance Mechanisms
Authors: Figliolini Giorgio , Rea Pierluigi 
Published: January 2016

A graphical approach that is based on the use of the pole triangle among the three poles of the finite rotation, along with its circumcircle and those of the three image pole triangles, which intersect each other at the orthocenter of the pole triangle, is presented in this paper.
This method is applied and parameterized in SolidWorks to synthesize different types of mechanisms for any triple of prescribed positions, as four-bar linkages (4R), slider-crank/rocker mechanisms (3RP), double-sliders (2R2P), guiding mechanisms (RPRP).
Finally, the kinematic characteristics of the rigid-body guidance mechanisms for three finitely and infinitesimally separated positions are compared via significant examples.
Analysis of the Complex Environmental Impact on Urban Trajectories
Authors: Tamás Péter , Lakatos István , Ferenc Szauter 
Published: January 2016

Modeling traffic processes on large-scale road networks leads to the application of positive non-linear systems, Luenberger (1979). Running profiles can be gained from the applied large-size network model based on previous validations, which are sufficiently complex, complicated and built up by accelerations, decelerations and frequent stops. To develop accelerated methods for analyzing complex environmental impact on urban trajectories.
Our planned researches on emission encourage the further standardization and beyond that, the bilateral interoperability. According to our goals we point out on the differences, which have to be taken into account in the urban traffic also, and of which the lab measurements may vary. Real processes operate like this, which differ from those applied in laboratories and on roller brake test bench. In reality, however, vehicle emission strongly depends on driving style; moreover, it is also affected by any change in traffic flow. Significant differences can be realized in various regions and countries. The role of the optimal vehicle control is highlighted in every case. The same can be stated of the environmental loads of pollutant emissions and concerning the vehicle and environment dynamic. The detailed analysis introduced above has big impact on further automotive researches as being rapid and applicable for big number of vehicles providing statistical support.
Increasing compliance with neuromuscular training to prevent ankle sprain in sport: does the ‘Strengthen your ankle’ mobile App make a difference? A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Van Reijen M , Vriend I , Zuidema V , van Mechelen W , Verhagen E A 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundE-health has the potential to facilitate implementation of effective measures to prevent sports injuries.AimWe evaluated whether an interactive mobile application containing a proven effective exercise programme to prevent recurrent ankle sprains resulted in higher compliance as compared with regular written exercise materials.Methods220 athletes participated in this randomised controlled trial with a follow-up of 8 weeks; 110 athletes received a booklet explaining an 8-week neuromuscular training programme; 110 athletes participated in the same programme in an interactive mobile App (Strengthen your ankle). The primary outcome was compliance with the exercise programme. Secondary outcome measure was the incidence density of self-reported recurrent ankle sprains.ResultsThe mean compliance to the exercise scheme was 73.3% (95% CI 67.7% to 78.1%) in the App group, compared with 76.7% (95% CI 71.9% to 82.3%) in the Booklet group. No significant difference in compliance was found between groups. The incidence densities of self-reported time-loss recurrences were not significantly different between both groups (HR 3.07; 95% CI 0.62 to 15.20).SummaryThis study shows that the method of implementing the exercises by using an App or a Booklet does not lead to different compliance rates.New findingsThe use of a mobile App or a Booklet lead to similar compliance and injury rates in the short term.Trial registration numberThe Netherlands National Trial Register NTR 4027. The NTR is part of the WHO Primary Registries.
Tackle technique and tackle-related injuries in high-level South African Rugby Union under-18 players: real-match video analysis
Authors: Burger Nicholas , Lambert Michael I , Viljoen Wayne , Brown James C , Readhead Clint , Hendricks Sharief 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundThe high injury rate associated with rugby union is primarily due to the tackle, and poor contact technique has been identified as a risk factor for injury. We aimed to determine whether the tackle technique proficiency scores were different in injurious tackles versus tackles that did not result in injury using real-match scenarios in high-level youth rugby union.MethodsInjury surveillance was conducted at the under-18 Craven Week tournaments (2011–2013). Tackle-related injury information was used to identify injury events in the match video footage and non-injury events were identified for the injured player cohort. Injury and non-injury events were scored for technique proficiency and Cohen's effect sizes were calculated and the Student t test (p<0.05) was performed to compare injury versus non-injury scores.ResultsThe overall mean score for front-on ball-carrier proficiency was 7.17±1.90 and 9.02±2.15 for injury and non-injury tackle events, respectively (effect size=moderate; p<0.05). The overall mean score for side/behind ball-carrier proficiency was 4.09±2.12 and 7.68±1.72 for injury and non-injury tackle events, respectively (effect size=large; p<0.01). The overall mean score for front-on tackler proficiency was 7.00±1.95 and 9.35±2.56 for injury and non-injury tackle events, respectively (effect size=moderate; p<0.05). The overall mean score for side/behind tackler proficiency was 5.47±1.60 and 8.14±1.75 for injury and non-injury tackle events, respectively (effect size=large; p<0.01).SummaryHigher overall mean and criterion-specific tackle-related technique scores were associated with a non-injury outcome. The ability to perform well during tackle events may decrease the risk of injury and may manifest in superior performance.
A cluster randomised controlled trial of advice, exercise or multifactorial assessment to prevent falls and fractures in community-dwelling older adults: protocol for the prevention of falls injury trial (PreFIT)
Authors: Bruce Julie , Lall Ranjit , Withers Emma J , Finnegan Susanne , Underwood Martin , Hulme Claire , Sheridan Ray , Skelton Dawn A , Martin Finbarr , Lamb Sarah E 
Published: January 2016

IntroductionFalls are the leading cause of accident-related mortality in older adults. Injurious falls are associated with functional decline, disability, healthcare utilisation and significant National Health Service (NHS)-related costs. The evidence base for multifactorial or exercise interventions reducing fractures in the general population is weak. This protocol describes a large-scale UK trial investigating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of alternative falls prevention interventions targeted at community dwelling older adults.Methods and analysisA three-arm, pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial, conducted within primary care in England, UK. Sixty-three general practices will be randomised to deliver one of three falls prevention interventions: (1) advice only; (2) advice with exercise; or (3) advice with multifactorial falls prevention (MFFP). We aim to recruit over 9000 community-dwelling adults aged 70 and above. Practices randomised to deliver advice will mail out advice booklets. Practices randomised to deliver ‘active’ interventions, either exercise or MFFP, send all trial participants the advice bookletanda screening survey to identify participants with a history of falling or balance problems. Onward referral to ‘active’ intervention will be based on falls risk determined from balance screen. The primary outcome is peripheral fracture; secondary outcomes include number with at least one fracture, falls, mortality, quality of life and health service resource use at 18 months, captured using self-report and routine healthcare activity data.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol has approval from the National Research Ethics Service (REC reference 10/H0401/36; Protocol V.3.1, 21/May/2013). User groups and patient representatives were consulted to inform trial design. Results will be reported at conferences and in peer-reviewed publications. A patient-friendly summary of trial findings will be published on the prevention of falls injury trial (PreFIT) website. This protocol adheres to the recommended SPIRIT Checklist. Amendments will be reported to relevant regulatory parties.Trial registration numberISRCTN 71002650; Pre-results.
Role ofHelicobacter pyloriand interleukin 6 -174 gene polymorphism in dyslipidemia: a case–control study
Authors: Pohjanen Vesa-Matti , Koivurova Olli-Pekka , Niemelä Seppo E , Karttunen Riitta A , Karttunen Tuomo J 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveTo assess the role ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection and interleukin 6 polymorphism -174 (rs1800795) in dyslipidemia.DesignCase–control study comparing serum lipids betweenH. pyloripositive and negative patients and controlling for IL-6 -174 polymorphism, age, sex and smoking.Setting3 hospitals performing outpatient endoscopies in the city of Oulu, Finland.Participants199 adult patients with dyspepsia symptoms fulfilling Rome criteria originating from ethnically Finnish population. Patients with an immunosuppressive disorder or malignant disease, treatedH. pyloriinfection, immunosuppressive or anticoagulant medication, previous gastric surgery or ongoing antibiotic treatment were excluded.Primary outcome measuresAssociation ofH. pyloriinfection and serum lipid concentrations in the whole group or in genotype-based subgroups. The associations between peptic ulcer, gastric mucosal inflammation and serum lipid concentrations were assessed as secondary outcomes.ResultsThe median high-density lipoprotein (HDL) serum concentration was significantly lower in theH. pyloripositive group (0.81 mmol/L) than in the negative group (0.95 mmol/L; p<0.001). In the genotype subgroup analyses, a similar association betweenH. pyloriinfection and HDL serum levels was seen within the IL-6 -174 CC genotype group (HDL 0.72 vs 1.06 mmol/L, respectively; p<0.001), but no significant associations were seen in the GC or GG genotype groups. Additionally, patients with peptic ulcer demonstrated lower HDL levels (0.75 mmol/L) thanH. pyloripositive patients without ulcer (0.86 mmol/L; p=0.010).ConclusionsH. pyloriinfection associated significantly with low serum levels of HDL in the IL-6 -174 CC genotype patients but not in the other genotypes. This suggests that the association betweenH. pyloriinfection and serum HDL could be transmitted through IL-6. We suggest that the role of IL-6 genotype should also be studied in relation to other associations between gastrointestinal microbiome and cardiovascular risk factors.
Accuracy of non-invasive prenatal testing using cell-free DNA for detection of Down, Edwards and Patau syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Taylor-Phillips Sian , Freeman Karoline , Geppert Julia , Agbebiyi Adeola , Uthman Olalekan A , Madan Jason , Clarke Angus , Quenby Siobhan , Clarke Aileen 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveTo measure test accuracy of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for Down, Edwards and Patau syndromes using cell-free fetal DNA and identify factors affecting accuracy.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of published studies.Data sourcesPubMed, Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase and the Cochrane Library published from 1997 to 9 February 2015, followed by weekly autoalerts until 1 April 2015.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesEnglish language journal articles describing case–control studies with ≥15 trisomy cases or cohort studies with ≥50 pregnant women who had been given NIPT and a reference standard.Results41, 37 and 30 studies of 2012 publications retrieved were included in the review for Down, Edwards and Patau syndromes. Quality appraisal identified high risk of bias in included studies, funnel plots showed evidence of publication bias. Pooled sensitivity was 99.3% (95% CI 98.9% to 99.6%) for Down, 97.4% (95.8% to 98.4%) for Edwards, and 97.4% (86.1% to 99.6%) for Patau syndrome. The pooled specificity was 99.9% (99.9% to 100%) for all three trisomies. In 100 000 pregnancies in the general obstetric population we would expect 417, 89 and 40 cases of Downs, Edwards and Patau syndromes to be detected by NIPT, with 94, 154 and 42 false positive results. Sensitivity was lower in twin than singleton pregnancies, reduced by 9% for Down, 28% for Edwards and 22% for Patau syndrome. Pooled sensitivity was also lower in the first trimester of pregnancy, in studies in the general obstetric population, and in cohort studies with consecutive enrolment.ConclusionsNIPT using cell-free fetal DNA has very high sensitivity and specificity for Down syndrome, with slightly lower sensitivity for Edwards and Patau syndrome. However, it is not 100% accurate and should not be used as a final diagnosis for positive cases.Trial registration numberCRD42014014947.