bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The next step in translational research: lessons learned from the first preclinical randomized controlled trial
Authors: Llovera Gemma , Liesz Arthur 
Published: March 2016

AbstractFor years, low reproducibility of preclinical trials and poor translation of promising preclinical therapies to the clinic have posed major challenges to translational research in most biomedical fields. To overcome the limitations that stand between experimental and clinical research, international consortia have attempted to establish standardized guidelines for study design and for reporting the resulting data. In addition, multicenter preclinical randomized controlled trials (pRCTs) have been proposed as a suitable tool for ‘bridging the gap’ between experimental research and clinical trials. We recently reported the design and results of the first such pRCT in which we confirmed the feasibility of using a coordinated approach with standardized protocols in collaboration with independent multinational research centers. However, despite its successes, this first pRCT also had several difficulties, particularly with respect to following the protocols established in the study design and analyzing the data. Here, we review our experiences performing the study, and we analyze and discuss the lessons learned from performing the first pRCT. Moreover, we provide suggestions regarding how obstacles can be overcome to improve the performance and outcome of future pRCT studies.
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Translational research is hampered by low reproducibility of preclinical studies and countless failed clinical trials. International consortia have proposed preclinical multicenter trials as an intermediate step to overcome this ‘translational roadblock’. We have recently performed the first such preclinical randomized controlled trial (pRCT) by adopting key elements of clinical study design to preclinical research. In this review, we discuss the lessons learned from this trial and provide suggestions how to optimize future pRCTs.This article is part of the 60th Anniversary special issue.
Assessment scales for the diagnosis of polyneuropathy
Authors: Hanewinckel Rens , Ikram M. Arfan , van Doorn Pieter A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractEpidemiological studies that investigate the occurrence and determinants of chronic length‐dependent polyneuropathy are scarce. Population‐based studies on polyneuropathy require a valid and reliable screening protocol with both good sensitivity and specificity. Several questionnaires and scoring scales have been developed for the detection of polyneuropathy, grading the severity of the disease, or evaluating the clinical course during follow‐up. This review summarizes the aims and content of existing diagnostic polyneuropathy screening tools in order to help future studies decide which scale to use for screening in specific situations. We searched the PubMed database and identified 27 scales, 13 are based on symptoms alone, 8 on neurological signs alone, and 6 on a combination of symptoms and signs. Scales that combine questions concerning symptoms and a neurological examination with a focus on sensory alterations seem to have the best discriminatory power. However, all scoring scales were developed for and investigated in prespecified patient populations. Therefore, the generalizability of specific findings to the general population may be limited. We also discuss other limitations of existing scales. Future studies are required to determine which clinimetrically well‐developed scales are preferred for use in population‐based studies.
Variety, sex and ontogenetic differences in the pelvic limb muscle architectural properties of leghorn chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and their links with locomotor performance
Authors: Rose Kayleigh A. , Nudds Robert L. , Codd Jonathan R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractLeghorn (layer) chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) differ in locomotor morphology and performance due to artificial selection for standard (large) and bantam (small) varieties, sexual dimorphisms and ontogenetic stage. Here, the hind limb skeletal muscle architectural properties of mature and juvenile standard breeds and mature bantams are compared and linked to measures of locomotor performance. Mature males possessed greater relative muscle physiological cross‐sectional areas (PCSAs) than their conspecific females, indicative of greater force‐generating capacity, and in line with their greater maximum sustainable speeds compared with females. Furthermore, some of the relative fascicle lengths of the pennate muscles were greater in mature males than in mature females, which may permit greater muscle contractibility. Immature standard leghorns, however, did not share the same dimorphisms as their mature forms. The differences in architectural properties between immature and mature standard males indicate that with the onset of male sexual maturity, concomitant with increasing muscle mass in males, the relative fascicle lengths of pennate muscles and the relative PCSAs of the parallel‐fibred muscles also increase. The age‐related differences in standard breed male muscle architecture are linked to the presence and absence of sex differences in maximum aerobic speeds. Males of bantam and standard varieties shared similar muscle proportions (% body mass), but exhibited intrinsic muscle differences with a tendency for greater force‐generating capabilities in bantams and greater contractile capabilities in standards. The metabolic costs associated with the longer fascicle lengths, together with more crouched limbs in standard than in bantam males may explain the lack of allometry in the minimum metabolic cost of transport between these birds of different size.
Obstructive sleep apnoea: patients' experiences of oral appliance treatment
Authors: Nordin E. , Stenberg M. , Tegelberg Å. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryOver the past few decades, there has been a pronounced increase in the number of patients being treated by general dental practitioners for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The purpose of this study was to survey the care and patient experiences and the self‐reported effectiveness of OSA treatment with an oral appliance (OA) incorporating mandibular advancement. The design was a retrospective, cross‐sectional study, with follow‐up between 6 months to 1 year after commencement of treatment. A survey form was posted to 1150 subjects, identified in the regional register over a 1‐year period as having been treated with an OA for OSA. The questionnaire comprised 70 questions and assertions in various domains, such as general health/lifestyle, changes in symptoms/quality of life and sleep‐related experiences, daytime sleepiness, changes in life situation, evaluation of treatment and the value of treatment. The overall response rate was 64% (n = 738). Treatment with OA gave relief of symptoms in 83% of the respondents. Quality of life, somatic and cognitive symptoms improved significantly in patients who used the appliance frequently (P < 0·001). Daytime sleepiness decreased significantly (P < 0·001). Treatment satisfaction and willingness to recommend the similar treatment to a friend were high (>85%). OA treatment of OSA by general dental practitioners is a safe procedure. Most of the survey respondents experienced relief of symptoms. Those who used their appliance frequently reported improvement in quality of life, somatic and cognitive symptoms. Excessive daytime sleepiness was reduced in the majority of the patients under treatment.
Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with effortful swallowing on post‐stroke oropharyngeal dysphagia: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Park J.‐S. , Oh D.‐H. , Hwang N.‐K. , Lee J.‐H. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryNeuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been used as a therapeutic intervention for dysphagia. However, the therapeutic effects of NMES lack supporting evidence. In recent years, NMES combined with traditional swallowing therapy has been used to improve functional recovery in patients with post‐stroke dysphagia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of effortful swallowing combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on hyoid bone movement and swallowing function in stroke patients. Fifty stroke patients with mild dysphagia who were able to swallow against the resistance applied by using NMES and cooperate actively in training were included. This study was designed as a 6‐week single‐blind, randomised, controlled study. In the experimental group, two pairs of electrodes were placed horizontally in the infrahyoid region to depress the hyoid bone. The NMES intensity was increased gradually until the participants felt a grabbing sensation in their neck and performed an effortful swallow during the stimulation. In the placebo group, the same procedure was followed except for the intensity, which was increased gradually until the participants felt an electrical sensation. All participants underwent this intervention for 30 min per session, 5 sessions per week, for 6 weeks. Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) were carried out before and after the intervention and kinematics of the hyoid bone and swallowing function were analysed based on the VFSS. The experimental group revealed a significant increase in anterior and superior hyoid bone movement and the pharyngeal phase of the swallowing function. This intervention can be used as a novel remedial approach in dysphagic stroke patients.
Self‐Reported bruxism and associated factors in Israeli adolescents
Authors: Emodi Perlman A. , Lobbezoo F. , Zar A. , Friedman Rubin P. , van Selms M. K. A. , Winocur E. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryLittle is known about the epidemiological characteristics of sleep and awake bruxism (SB and AB) in adolescents. The aims of the study were: to assess the prevalence rates of self‐reported SB and AB in Israeli adolescents; to determine the associations between SB/AB and several demographical, exogenous and psychosocial factors in Israeli adolescents; and to investigate the possible concordance between SB and AB. The study made use of a questionnaire. The study population included 1000 students from different high schools in the centre of Israel. Prevalence of self‐reported SB and AB in the Israeli adolescents studied was 9·2% and 19·2%, respectively. No gender difference was found regarding the prevalence of SB and AB. Multiple variable regression analysis revealed that the following predicting variables were related to SB: temporomandibular joint sounds (P = 0·002) and feeling stressed (P = 0·001). The following predicting variables were related to AB: age (P = 0·018), temporomandibular joint sounds (P = 0·002), oro‐facial pain (P = 0·006), and feeling stressed (P = 0·002) or sad (P = 0·006). A significant association was found between SB and AB; that is, an individual reporting SB had a higher probability of reporting AB compared with an individual who did not report SB (odds ratio = 5·099). Chewing gum was the most common parafunction reported by adolescents. The results of this study demonstrate that self‐reports of AB and SB are common in the Israeli adolescents population studied and are not related to gender. The significant correlation found between SB and AB may be a confounding bias that affects proper diagnosis of bruxism through self‐reported questionnaires only.
Choosing the best image processing method for masticatory performance assessment when using two‐coloured specimens
Authors: Vaccaro G. , Pelaez J. I. , Gil J. A. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryObjective masticatory performance assessment using two‐coloured specimens relies on image processing techniques; however, just a few approaches have been tested and no comparative studies are reported. The aim of this study was to present a selection procedure of the optimal image analysis method for masticatory performance assessment with a given two‐coloured chewing gum. Dentate participants (n = 250; 25 ± 6·3 years) chewed red‐white chewing gums for 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 25 cycles (2000 samples). Digitalised images of retrieved specimens were analysed using 122 image processing methods (IPMs) based on feature extraction algorithms (pixel values and histogram analysis). All IPMs were tested following the criteria of: normality of measurements (Kolmogorov–Smirnov), ability to detect differences among mixing states (anova corrected with post hoc Bonferroni) and moderate‐to‐high correlation with the number of cycles (Spearman's Rho). The optimal IPM was chosen using multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA). Measurements provided by all IPMs proved to be normally distributed (P < 0·05), 116 proved sensible to mixing states (P < 0·05), and 35 showed moderate‐to‐high correlation with the number of cycles (|ρ| > 0·5; P < 0·05). The variance of the histogram of the Hue showed the highest correlation with the number of cycles (ρ = 0·792; P < 0·0001) and the highest MCDA score (optimal). The proposed procedure proved to be reliable and able to select the optimal approach among multiple IPMs. This experiment may be reproduced to identify the optimal approach for each case of locally available test foods.
Part‐Time Employment and Problem Behaviors: Evidence From Adolescents in South Korea
Authors: Lee Moosung , Oi‐yeung Lam Beatrice , Ju Eunsu , Dean Jenny 
Published: March 2016

This study explores the impact of adolescent part‐time work experience on problem behaviors in the South Korean context. To achieve this, propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were employed based on data from the Korean Education Employment Panel (KEEP). Results indicate that adolescents' part‐time employment during their secondary school years had significantly undesirable effects on drinking and smoking, even after preexisting differences between the two groups (i.e., those adolescents who participated in part‐time work and those who did not) were controlled by PSM. However, an insignificant difference was detected in the likelihood of running away from home. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of changes in the meanings of adolescence and of participating in part‐time work in South Korea.
Understanding Liking in Relation to Sensory Characteristics, Consumer Concept Associations, Arousal Potential and “Appropriateness for Use” Using Apple Juice as an Application
Authors: Stolzenbach Sandra , Bredie Wender L.P. , Christensen Rune H.B. , Byrne Derek V. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIt is crucial to understand influential parameters for acquisition of consumer liking to ensure succesful product introduction and competativeness in the marketplace. This article aims to study and understand liking in relation to sensory characteristics, consumer concept associations, arousal potential and appropriateness for use using apple juices as an application. First, a laboratory panel (n = 15: F = 10, M = 5) determined the sensory profile of the apple juices using the methods Partial Napping and Ultra Flash Profiling based on taste and flavor. Next, consumers (n = 196: F = 136, M = 60) evaluated key apple juice parameters. The basic tastes sweet and sour were key properties and played a central role in liking acquisition. Apple juices having a sweet/sour balance were most liked. The importance of balance in sensory properties was underlined by the fact that consumer liking was related to the concept balanced. Additionally, the consumers liked the apple juices when associated with exclusive, National identity, interesting, complex and unique. High levels of perceived complexity, surprising and novelty increased the consumers' liking. The most liked apple juices received the highest ratings in appropriateness for use regardless of use situation.Practical ApplicationsFood producers can use the information to understand how a food product's sensory characteristics, consumer concept associations, arousal potential and appropriateness for use influence liking. This information is useful in new food product development and marketing of the products.
Interpretation of Fabric Tactile Perceptions through Visual Features for Textile Products
Authors: Xue Z. , Zeng X. , Koehl L. , Shen L. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn this article, a systematic method based on two sensory experiments has been proposed to explore the relations between the visual and haptic perceptions of the tactile properties of a number of textile samples. The first experiment is designed to investigate to what extent fabric tactile properties could be perceived through the samples' visual representations. On this basis, the second experiment is carried out to study the mathematical relation between different sensory (visual and tactile) datasets. In this study, a new approach has been proposed based on rough inclusion degree and fuzzy inference system to deal with the sensory relations. The results show that for the discussed samples, most fabric tactile properties could be well perceived via vision. With the help of a fuzzy neural model, it is possible to predict a certain tactile property from the numerical scores of its principal visual features.Practical ApplicationsCompared with researches focused on the development of mechanical simulative devices, the approach proposed here is much less expensive and could provide more direct and reasonable interpretation of fabric tactile information as both two sides of the model are from sensory systems which work as a whole during perception. Based on our model, with the help of image processing techniques, visual attributes will be automatically extracted from static or dynamic images, and interpreted by our rules to fabric tactile properties. Besides, this study will serve as a fundamental to the study on virtual fitting technologies in that the manufacturers or designers will be able to actively manipulate the virtual displays of textile products to provide our consumers with the most close‐to‐real sense of fabric.
Beliefs and Public Good Provision with Anonymous Contributors
Authors: MALDONADO WILFREDO LEIVA , RODRIGUES‐NETO JOSE A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe analyze a static game of public good contributions where finitely many anonymous players have heterogeneous preferences about the public good and heterogeneous beliefs about the distribution of preferences. In the unique symmetric equilibrium, the only individuals who make positive contributions are those who most value the public good and who are also the most pessimistic; that is, according to their beliefs, the proportion of players who most like the public good is smaller than it would be according to any other possible belief. We predict whether the aggregate contribution is larger or smaller than it would be in an analogous game with complete information and heterogeneous preferences, by comparing the beliefs of contributors with the true distribution of preferences. A trade‐off between preferences and beliefs arises if there is no individual who simultaneously has the highest preference type and the most pessimistic belief. In this case, there is a symmetric equilibrium, and multiple symmetric equilibria occur only if there are more than two preference types.
Should the Carbon Price Be the Same in All Countries?
Authors: D'AUTUME ANTOINE , SCHUBERT KATHELINE , WITHAGEN CEES 
Published: March 2016

AbstractInternational differences in fuel taxation are huge, and may be justified by different local negative externalities that taxes must correct, as well as by different preferences for public spending. In this context, should a worldwide uniform carbon tax be added to these local taxes to correct the global warming externality? We address this question in a second best framework à la Ramsey, where public goods have to be financed through distortionary taxation and the cost of public funds has to be weighted against the utility of public goods. We show that when lump‐sum transfers between countries are allowed for, the second best tax on the polluting good may be decomposed into three parts: one, country‐specific, dealing with the local negative externality, a second one, country‐specific, dealing with the cost of levying public funds, and a third one, global, dealing with the global externality and which can be interpreted as the carbon price. Our main contribution is to show that the uniformity of the carbon price should still hold in this second best framework. Nevertheless, if lump‐sum transfers between governments are impossible to implement, international differentiation of the carbon price is the only way to take care of equity concerns.
Strategic Network Disruption and Defense
Authors: HOYER BRITTA , JAEGHER KRIS DE 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe study a game between a network designer, who uses costly links to connect nodes in a network, and a network disruptor who tries to disrupt the resulting network as much as possible by deleting either nodes or links. For low linking costs networks with all nodes in symmetric positions are a best response of the designer under both link deletion and node deletion. For high linking costs the designer builds a star network under link deletion, but for node deletion excludes some nodes from the network to build a smaller but stronger network. For intermediate linking costs the designer again builds a symmetric network under node deletion but a star‐like network with weak spots under link deletion.
BURIAL, TEMPERATURE AND MATURATION HISTORY OF THE AUSTRAL AND WESTERN MALVINAS BASINS, SOUTHERN ARGENTINA, BASED ON 3D BASIN MODELLING
Authors: Sachse V.F. , Anka Z. , Littke R. , Rodriguez J. F. , Horsfield B. , di Primio R. 
Published: March 2016

This paper presents a numerical petroleum systems model for the Jurassic‐Tertiary Austral (Magallanes) Basin, southern Argentina, incorporating the western part of the nearby Malvinas Basin. The modelling is based on a recently published seismo‐stratigraphic interpretation and resulting depth and thickness maps. Measured vitrinite reflectance data from 25 wells in the Austral and Malvinas Basins were used for thermal model calibration; eight calibration data sets are presented for the Austral Basin and four for the Malvinas Basin. Burial history reconstruction allowed eroded thicknesses to be estimated and palaeo heat‐flow values to be determined. Six modelled burial, temperature and maturation histories are shown for well locations in the onshore Austral Basin and the western Malvinas Basin. These modelled histories, combined with kinetic data measured for a sample from the Lower Cretaceous Springhill Formation, were used to model hydrocarbon generation in the study area. Maps of thermal maturity and transformation ratio for the three main source rocks (the Springhill, Inoceramus and Lower Margas Verdes Formations) were compiled. The modelling results suggest that deepest burial occurred during the Miocene followed by a phase of uplift and erosion. However, an Eocene phase of deep burial leading to maximum temperatures cannot be excluded based on vitrinite reflectance and numerical modelling results. Relatively little post‐Miocene uplift and erosion (approx. 50–100 m) occurred in the Malvinas Basin.Based on the burial‐ and thermal histories, initial hydrocarbon generation is interpreted to have taken place in the Early Cretaceous in the Austral Basin and to have continued until the Miocene. A similar pattern is predicted for the western Malvinas Basin, with an early phase of hydrocarbon generation during the Late Cretaceous and a later phase during the Miocene. However, source rock maturity (as well as the transformation ratio) remained low in the Malvinas Basin, only just reaching the oil window. Higher maturities are modelled for the deeper parts of the Austral Basin, where greater subsidence and deeper burial occurred.