bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Motion planning for humanoid robot dynamically stepping over consecutive large obstacles
Authors: Guo Fayong , Mei Tao , Luo Minzhou , Ceccarelli Marco , Zhao Ziyi , Li Tao , Zhao Jianghai 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– Humanoid robots should have the ability of walking in complex environment and overcoming large obstacles in rescue mission. Previous research mainly discusses the problem of humanoid robots stepping over or on/off one obstacle statically or dynamically. As an extreme case, this paper aims to demonstrate how the robots can step over two large obstacles continuously.

Design/methodology/approach
– The robot model uses linear inverted pendulum (LIP) model. The motion planning procedure includes feasibility analysis with constraints, footprints planning, legs trajectory planning with collision-free constraint, foot trajectory adapter and upper body motion planning.

Findings
– The motion planning with the motion constraints is a key problem, which can be considered as global optimization issue with collision-free constraint, kinematic limits and balance constraint. With the given obstacles, the robot first needs to determine whether it can achieve stepping over, if feasible, and then the robot gets the motion trajectory for the legs, waist and upper body using consecutive obstacles stepping over planning algorithm which is presented in this paper.

Originality/value
– The consecutive stepping over problem is proposed in this paper. First, the paper defines two consecutive stepping over conditions, sparse stepping over (SSO) and tight stepping over (TSO). Then, a novel feasibility analysis method with condition (SSO/TSO) decision criterion is proposed for consecutive obstacles stepping over. The feasibility analysis method’s output is walking parameters with obstacles’ information. Furthermore, a modified legs trajectory planning method with center of mass trajectory compensation using upper body motion is proposed. Finally, simulations and experiments for SSO and TSO are carried out by using the XT-I humanoid robot platform with the aim to verify the validity and feasibility of the novel methods proposed in this paper.
The feasibility of introducing an adult safeguarding measure (survey) for inclusion in the adult social care outcomes framework (ASCOF): projecting costs
Authors: Norrie Caroline , Manthorpe Jill , Cartwright Cher , Rayat Pritpal , Petrie David 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– The Health and Social Care Information Centre undertook the development and piloting of a new adult safeguarding outcome measure (a face-to-face survey) for local authorities (LAs) that could be added to the adult social care outcomes framework (ASCOF). The ASCOF is a national collection of social care outcomes performance indicators collected from the perspective of people receiving partial or total funding from a LA for care services. The projected costs of introducing the survey as a new statutory measure in England were assessed. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– An outcome measure (a face-to-face interview based survey consisting of seven questions) was piloted during 2014 in 40 LAs with 20 adults at risk (or other informant) in each site who had been the subject of a safeguarding investigation (n=382). LAs were asked to estimate the cost to their LA of conducting the survey for two years, interviewing at least 15 per cent of their completed safeguarding cases each year.

Findings
– Extrapolating cost findings to the full 152 LAs in England would give an estimated total cost of implementing the survey of approximately £3 million in Year 1 and £2.1 million in Year 2. Set-up costs for the survey can therefore be estimated at around £900,000. Wide variations were identified in the costs per interview between LAs and reasons for this are discussed.

Originality/value
– The benefits of this unique survey are it enables LAs to measure how they are undertaking their adult safeguarding work from the perspective of adults at risk and others with a close interest. It also enables LAs to meet their new obligations under the Care Act 2014 Guidance to “understand what adults at risk think of adult safeguarding”.
Ranking of institutions and academic journals
Authors: Chan Kam C. , Fung Anna , Fung Hung-Gay , Yau Jot 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to provide a selective review of literature and presents a conceptual framework in journal and institution rankings. Several streams of ranking literature are analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors provide a conceptual framework to analyze the literature of journal and school ranking. Thus, several streams of ranking literature are analyzed to support the conceptual framework.

Findings
– Through the lens of a context-driven framework, the authors point to originality, utility, and timeliness as aspects that contribute to the recent increase of the ranking literature. Finally, the authors discuss other issues that arise within ranking due to subjective biases, institutional preferences and difficulties establishing weighting measurements, as well as the future direction of ranking.

Research limitations/implications
– The authors propose a context-based ranking framework to analyze rankings as factors that influence the environment may ultimately affect the usefulness of these rankings. It also implies that ranking of a journal or institution is a relative measure, as the context in which rankings are derived may change over time. Ultimately, the relative benchmarks used in the ranking will change as newer, more relevant metrics are developed.

Originality/value
– The conceptual framework is new and provides a useful benchmark to understand ranking of journals and school.
Does radiation dose matter in thyroid cancer?: Patterns of local‐regional failure in recurrent and metastatic well‐differentiated thyroid cancers treated with dose‐painted intensity‐modulated radiation therapy
Authors: Shugard Erin , Chen Josephine , Quivey Jeanne M , Glastonbury Christine M , Khanafshar Elham , Garsa Adam A , George Jonathan R , Yom Sue S 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIntroductionDue to complex multimodal treatments and a lengthy natural history of disease, the impact of radiation therapy for well‐differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) is challenging to evaluate. We analysed the effect of dose escalation, as enabled by intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), on preventing local‐regional failure (LRF) of microscopic and macroscopic WDTC.MethodWe performed a retrospective review of WDTC patients treated with IMRT from 1998–2011. Diagnostic imaging demonstrating first LRF was registered to the simulation CT containing the treated radiation isodose volumes. Areas of disease progression were contoured and the relationships of LRFs with isodose volumes were recorded.ResultsThirty patients had a median follow‐up of 56 months (range = 1–139). Seventeen (57%) had gross residual, five (17%) had microscopic residual and eight (27%) had clear margins at the time of IMRT. Nine patients (30%) developed LRF, at a median time of 44 months (range = 0–116). Of these, six (67%) had been radiated to gross disease and one (11%) had microscopic residual. In the seven analysable cases, only one (14%) LRF occurred within the 70 Gy isodose volume. Marginal LRFs were: four (57%) outside 70 Gy, one (14%) outside 60 Gy and one (14%) outside 50 Gy. All but one recurrence (86%) occurred in the perioesophageal region.ConclusionsLocal‐regional failure was seen most in patients who had gross disease at the time of IMRT, almost always occurred outside of the 70 Gy volume and was frequently in the area of oesophageal sparing. Meticulous surgical dissection, especially in the perioesophageal region, should be prioritised to prevent long‐term LRF.
Ten‐year outcomes using low dose rate brachytherapy for localised prostate cancer: An update to the first Australian experience
Authors: Wilson Craig , Waterhouse David , Lane Stephen E , Haworth Annette , Stanley John , Shannon Tom , Joseph David 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIntroductionTo report long‐term prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and toxicity outcomes for patients with localised prostate cancer treated with Iodine‐125 permanent implantation at a single Australian centre.MethodsBetween September 1994 and November 2007, 207 patients at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital with localised prostate cancer were consecutively treated with Iodine‐125 permanent interstitial implantation. Post‐therapy assessment was performed three times a month and included clinical review and biochemical (PSA) evaluation. PSA progression was evaluated using the Phoenix (nadir + 2.0) definition. Treatment‐related morbidity was assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 3.0 guidelines. The rate of biochemical failure was calculated by Kaplan–Meier plots. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate outcomes by pre‐treatment clinical prognostic factors and radiation dosimetry.ResultsMedian follow‐up was 7.8 years. The 10‐year biochemical disease‐free survival (bDFS) for the entire cohort was 89%. Ten‐year bDFS estimates by pre‐treatment risk group were 96% for low‐risk, 83% for intermediate‐risk and 50% for high‐risk disease. On multivariate analysis, pre‐treatment PSA was an independent predictor of bDFS. D90 dose did not show a statistically significant effect on bDFS. The peak incidences of late grade 3 or higher urinary and rectal toxicities were 10.7% and 1.1% respectively.ConclusionExcellent long‐term biochemical control was demonstrated with Iodine‐125 permanent interstitial implantation in appropriately selected patients with prostate cancer. The results of our single centre experience are comparable with those of other single institutions.
Reliability of Clinical Assessments in Older Adults With Syncope or Near Syncope
Authors: Nishijima Daniel K. , Laurie Amber L. , Weiss Robert E. , Yagapen Annick N. , Malveau Susan E. , Adler David H. , Bastani Aveh , Baugh Christopher W. , Caterino Jeffrey M. , Clark Carol L. , Diercks Deborah B. , Hollander Judd E. , Nicks Bret A. , Shah Manish N. , Stiffler Kirk A. , Storrow Alan B. , Wilber Scott T. , Sun Benjamin C. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectivesClinical prediction models for risk stratification of older adults with syncope or near syncope may improve resource utilization and management. Predictors considered for inclusion into such models must be reliable. Our primary objective was to evaluate the inter‐rater agreement of historical, physical examination, and electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in older adults undergoing emergency department (ED) evaluation for syncope or near syncope. Our secondary objective was to assess the level of agreement between clinicians on the patient's overall risk for death or serious cardiac outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study at 11 EDs in adults 60 years of age or older who presented with unexplained syncope or near syncope. We excluded patients with a presumptive cause of syncope (e.g., seizure) or if they were unable or unwilling to follow‐up. Evaluations of the patient's past medical history and current medication use were completed by treating provider and trained research associate pairs. Evaluations of the patient's physical examination and ECG interpretation were completed by attending/resident, attending/advanced practice provider, or attending/attending pairs. All evaluations were blinded to the responses from the other rater. We calculated the percent agreement and kappa statistic for binary variables. Inter‐rater agreement was considered acceptable if the kappa statistic was 0.6 or higher.ResultsWe obtained paired observations from 255 patients; mean (±SD) age was 73 (±9) years, 137 (54%) were male, and 204 (80%) were admitted to the hospital. Acceptable agreement was achieved in 18 of the 21 (86%) past medical history and current medication findings, none of the 10 physical examination variables, and three of the 13 (23%) ECG interpretation variables. There was moderate agreement (Spearman correlation coefficient, r = 0.40) between clinicians on the patient's probability of 30‐day death or serious cardiac outcome, although as the probability increased, there was less agreement.ConclusionsAcceptable agreement between raters was more commonly achieved with historical rather than physical examination or ECG interpretation variables. Clinicians had moderate agreement in assessing the patient's overall risk for a serious outcome at 30 days. Future development of clinical prediction models in older adults with syncope should account for variability of assessments between raters and consider the use of objective clinical variables.
Species’ traits affect the occurrence of birds in a native timber plantation landscape
Authors: Pryde E. C. , Nimmo D. G. , Holland G. J. , Watson S. J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMany of the world's terrestrial environments are dominated by production land‐uses, making the incorporation of production landscapes into conservation strategies critical for halting global biodiversity declines. Two challenges for developing such strategies are: (1) determining species’ capacity to survive in production land‐uses; and (2) understanding why some species can survive, while others cannot. The interaction between biological traits of organisms and their response to disturbances may assist in resolving these challenges. We compared species and trait composition of 41 lowland rainforest birds among unlogged and forestry production land‐uses on New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea. At least 92% of forest species occurred in mature, nativeEucalyptusplantation and regrown logged forest. However, composition changes demonstrated successive loss of some species (medium‐ and large‐bodied frugivores, forest specialists) with increasing intensity of disturbance, indicating that forestry management practices can affect the functional composition of forest birds. In contrast to many continental studies where endemism confers susceptibility to disturbance, we found endemic island species widely distributed across all land‐uses, reflecting their capacity for colonizing new environments. Ecological traits can help to explain species’ responses to landscape management, however, the type and intensity of disturbance and biogeography of the region affect the traits–disturbance interaction. Our study indicates that native plantations may be able to assist with biodiversity conservation while providing production values, but only if they are judiciously managed in concert with unlogged and regrown logged forest reserves.
Views on equine‐related research in Australia from the Australian equestrian community: perceived outputs and benefits
Authors: Thompson K , Clarkson L 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesThe extension of research into public practice is enhanced by communication and behaviour change strategies that are consistent with consumer needs and perspectives. To gain support for equine research (or to appreciate the perspectives contributing to disagreement), it is necessary to determine how aware consumers are of research, what research means to them, how they perceive its benefits (if at all) and how they engage with (or resist) it. Because of a surprising dearth of research evaluating consumer perceptions of research in any sector, our aim was to identify the perceived outputs and benefits of research from the perspective of the Australian horse owner.MethodsWe analysed the data for 930 participants in an online survey.ResultsParticipants’ understanding of research was associated with a broad terminology. Slightly more than half were aware of equine research that had taken place in Australia, with almost half reporting gaining some benefit, notably in relation to equine health. Although comments demonstrated an awareness of the collective benefit of research, research was made meaningful in relation to local conditions and participants’ own equestrian disciplines.ConclusionThere is a significant opportunity for increasing awareness of Australia‐based equine research and its value to owners of horses. The critical engagement with research by some owners suggests the need for communicators to present research in terms suitable for an intelligent lay audience, with clear identification of the personal and collective benefits for owners, horses and the equestrian community.
Lissencephaly in an adult Australian Kelpie
Authors: Fraser AR , le Chevoir MA , Long SN 
Published: March 2016

Case reportA 6‐year‐old neutered male Australian Kelpie presented with a 2‐year history of seizures. Neurological examination was consistent with a generalised prosencephalic lesion. Serum biochemical testing was performed in addition to magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a reduction in the number of sulci and gyri in addition to cortical thickening, resulting in a diagnosis of lissencephaly. The dog was treated with anticonvulsants and follow‐up information obtained from the referring veterinarian 11 months after diagnosis indicated that the dog had good seizure control.ConclusionThis is the first report of lissencephaly in the Australian Kelpie and would suggest that some dogs with the condition can be managed with long‐term anticonvulsant medication.
Testing for negligible interaction: A coherent and robust approach
Authors: Cribbie Robert A. , Ragoonanan Chantal , Counsell Alyssa 
Published: March 2016

Researchers often want to demonstrate a lack of interaction between two categorical predictors on an outcome. To justify a lack of interaction, researchers typically accept the null hypothesis of no interaction from a conventional analysis of variance (ANOVA). This method is inappropriate as failure to reject the null hypothesis does not provide statistical evidence to support a lack of interaction. This study proposes a bootstrap‐based intersection–union test for negligible interaction that provides coherent decisions between the omnibus test and post hoc interaction contrast tests and is robust to violations of the normality and variance homogeneity assumptions. Further, a multiple comparison strategy for testing interaction contrasts following a non‐significant omnibus test is proposed. Our simulation study compared the Type I error control, omnibus power and per‐contrast power of the proposed approach to the non‐centrality‐based negligible interaction test of Cheng and Shao (2007, Statistica Sinica, 17, 1441). For 2 × 2 designs, the empirical Type I error rates of the Cheng and Shao test were very close to the nominal α level when the normality and variance homogeneity assumptions were satisfied; however, only our proposed bootstrapping approach was satisfactory under non‐normality and/or variance heterogeneity. In general a × b designs, although the omnibus Cheng and Shao test, as expected, is the most powerful, it is not robust to assumption violation and results in incoherent omnibus and interaction contrast decisions that are not possible with the intersection–union approach.
How to diagnose mould allergy? Comparison of skin prick tests with specific IgE results
Authors: Kespohl S. , Maryska S. , Bünger J. , Hagemeyer O. , Jakob T. , Joest M. , Knecht R. , Koschel D. , Kotschy‐Lang N. , Merget R. , Mülleneisen N. K. , Rabe U. , Röseler S. , Sander I. , Stollewerk D. , Straube H. , Ulmer H. M. , van Kampen V. , Walusiak‐Skorupa J. , Wiszniewska M. , Wurpts G. , Brüning T. , Raulf M. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryBackgroundDiagnosis of mould allergy is complicated due to the heterogeneity of the test material and the decrease in the number of commercial mould skin test solutions that are currently available.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare skin prick tests (SPT) from different manufacturers to one another and concurrently with sIgE tests for Aspergillus fumigatus (Asp f), Cladosporium herbarum (Cla h), Penicillium chrysogenum (Pen ch), Alternaria alternata (Alt a) and Aspergillus versicolor (Asp v) to ascertain a feasible diagnostic procedure for mould sensitization.MethodsIn this multi‐centre study, 168 patients with mould exposure and/or mould‐induced respiratory symptoms were included. Mould SPT solutions were analysed biochemically and tested in duplicate on patients’ arms. Specific IgE (sIgE) concentrations to corresponding mould species and mould mix (mx1) were measured by ImmunoCAP. SPTs in accordance with one another and with sIgE were further considered. The test efficiency was calculated using receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.ResultsMould sensitization was more frequently detected by the SPT (90 of 168) than by the sIgE tests (56 of 168). Concordances of double SPT positives were only sufficient (≥ 80%) for environmental allergens, two Asp f and three Alt a SPT solutions, whereas all other mould solutions revealed concordances < 80%. The antigen content of SPT solutions was positively associated with concordant SPT double values as well as with sIgE. Taking sIgE as the ‘positive standard’, all mould SPT solutions revealed test efficiencies > 80%, but varied up to 20% in sensitivity and positive predictive value with the exception of Alt a.ConclusionsSPT solutions are sensitive and essential diagnostic tools for the detection of mould sensitization. Our recommendation for diagnosis would be to test at least Alt a, Asp f and Pen ch using SPT and additional sIgE test to mx1.
Low positive predictive value of midnight salivary cortisol measurement to detect hypercortisolism in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Steffensen Charlotte , Thomsen Henrik H. , Dekkers Olaf M. , Christiansen Jens S. , Rungby Jørgen , Jørgensen Jens Otto L. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryBackgroundHypercortisolism is prevalent in type 2 diabetes (T2D), but analytical and functional uncertainties prevail. Measurement of salivary cortisol is considered an expedient screening method for hypercortisolism, but its usefulness in the context of T2D is uncertain.AimTo compare late‐night salivary cortisol (LNSC) with the 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST), which was considered ‘reference standard’, in T2D.Patients and methodsA total of 382 unselected and recently diagnosed patients with T2D underwent assessment ofLNSCandDST, and the test outcome was related to age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and haemoglobin A1c levels. We used the following cut‐off values:LNSC≤ 3·6 nmol/l andDST≤ 50 nmol/l.ResultsThe median (range) levels ofLNSCandDSTwere 6·1 (0·3–46·2) nmol/l and 34 (11–547) nmol/l, respectively. Hypercortisolism was present in 86% based onLNSCvalues and 22% based onDST.LNSC, as compared toDST, had the following test characteristics: sensitivity: 85% (95%CI: 7–92%), specificity: 14% (95%CI: 10–19%), positive predictive value: 22% (95%CI: 17–27%), negative predictive value: 76% (95%CI: 63–87%), and overall accuracy: 30% (95%CI: 25–34%).LNSCandDSTvalues were not associated with haemoglobin A1c,BMIand age in this cohort of patients with T2D.ConclusionTheLNSCis characterized by very low specificity and poor positive predictive value as compared to theDST, resulting in an overall low accuracy. Further methodological and clinical studies are needed to substantiate the relevance of cortisol status in T2D.