bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of cryopreservation on the expression of canine regulatory T‐cell markers
Authors: Tarpataki Noemi , Wawrzyniak Marcin , Akdis Cezmi A. , Rückert Beate , Meli Marina L. , Fischer Nina M. , Favrot Claude , Rostaher Ana 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundRegulatory T (Treg) cells have been described as key regulators in various immunological processes and are of growing interest in veterinary allergy. Cryopreservation of immune cells is performed routinely in human basic science research and in clinical studies. As such, it allows batch testing of collected samples at a single time point, resulting in a significant reduction in sample variability. Data which describe the effects of cryopreservation on Treg cell frequency and functionality in the canine species are important to inform future research.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to establish a robust freeze/thaw procedure and flow cytometric staining protocol for canine Treg cells, and to compare the frequencies of different canine Treg cell phenotypes before and after cryopreservation.AnimalsNine privately owned dogs.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and Treg cells stained and analysed by flow cytometry, before and after three months of cryopreservation. The recovery percentages and the corresponding correlations (fresh versus cryopreserved) for CD4+CD25+, CD4+FOXP3+ and CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cell populations were calculated.ResultsA high recovery rate of 97.2 (r = 0.94, P < 0.0001), 93.9 (r = 0.77, P < 0.01) and 101.7% (r = 0.99, P < 0.0001) for CD4+CD25+, CD4+FOXP3+ and CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cell populations, respectively, was observed.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates an optimized protocol for freezing, thawing and quantifying canine Treg cells. These results indicate that cryopreservation does not substantially affect the expression of surface and intracellular markers of canine Treg cells; however, additional studies will be necessary to assess whether functionality of the cells is also maintained.
On the expanding phase of a singular bounce and intermediate inflation: The modified gravity description
Authors: Oikonomou V. K. 
Published: March 2017

We demonstrate that the intermediate inflation scenario is a singular inflation cosmology, with the singularity at the origin t = 0 being a pressure and energy density singularity and particularly a Type III singularity. Also, we show that the expanding phase of a singular bounce can be identical to the intermediate inflation scenario, if the singular bounce has a Type III singularity at the origin. For the intermediate inflation scenario we examine the cosmological implications on the power spectrum in the context of various forms of modified gravity. Particularly, we calculate the power spectrum in the context of F(R), F(G) Gauss–Bonnet gravity and also for F(T) gravity and we discuss the viability of each scenario by comparing the resulting spectral index with the latest observational data.
Evolutionary computation, Winter 2016, vol. 24
Authors: Chicano Francisco , Blum Christian , Ochoa Gabriela 
Published: March 2017

In combinatorial optimization, the goal is to find an optimal solution, according to some objective function, from a discrete search space. These problems arise widely in industry and academia and, unfortunately, many of them are NP-hard and no polynomial time algorithm can guarantee their solution to a certified optimality unless P=NP. Therefore, in the last decades researchers have investigated the use of stochastic search algorithms to find near optimal solutions to these problems. In particular, great research efforts have been devoted to the development and application of metaheuristic algorithms to solve combinatorial optimization problems
This special issue contains six high-quality articles addressing practical applications and theoretical developments of metaheuristic algorithms in the context of combinatorial optimization problems. The articles in this issue have been selected from among 23 submissions after a thorough peer review process. Their contents, outlined in the next paragraphs, reflect the diversity of the application domains and the methods applied to solve the problems.
The Impact of International Sanctions on Russia’s Media Economy
Authors: Kiriya Ilya 
Published: March 2017

To punish Russia for the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, the United States and the European Union introduced a set of economic sanctions against Russian state companies and individuals closely affiliated with the Kremlin. The goal of this article is to look at the sanctions in relation to the process of the current consolidation of media assets and revenues in the hands of Russia’s biggest media empires, most of whom are close to the Kremlin. It questions whether the sanctions achieved the intended goal of undermining economic stability inside Russia or if, rather, they benefitted major state-aligned media corporations.
The main conclusion drawn from the study is that the international sanctions have radically changed the structure of Russia’s media in a manner contrary to their intention. The sanctions unwittingly favored the biggest players to the detriment of the smaller, protecting state-aligned media and their financial incomes. In the climate of sanctions, media tycoons close to the Kremlin used their lobbying capacity in parliament to acquire advantages, primarily in terms of advertisement. Thus, smaller competitors were pushed out of the market and their shares were redistributed among a few major stakeholders.
A new species of velvet skate, Notoraja sereti n.sp. (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae) from Papua New Guinea
Authors: WHITE WILLIAM T. , LAST PETER R. , MANA RALPH R. 
Published: March 2017

A new arhynchobatin skate, Notoraja sereti n. sp., is described based on three specimens collected from off Madang (Papua New Guinea) at depths of 800–980 m. This medium-size Notoraja skate shares with other velcro skates from the Western Pacific, N. alisae, N. fijiensis, N. inusitata and N. longiventralis, a ventral surface covering of fine denticles giving the skin a velvety feel. Notoraja sereti differs from all of these species in having a shorter snout (preorbital length 10.1–11.1 vs. 11.5–14.5% TL, prenasal length 8.2–8.9 vs, 9.8–12.1% TL), shorter head (dorsal head length 15.2–16.2 vs. 17.1–19.3% TL, ventral head length 21.6–22.9 vs. 22.9–25.9% TL), fewer pectoral-fin radials (total radials 58–60 vs. 61–74), and fewer vertebrae (predorsal diplospondylous centra 66–71 vs. 72–82, predorsal centra 90–95 vs. 98–107, total centra 126–131 vs. 135–152).
Creating Preemptive Suspects: National Security, Border Defense, and Immigration Policy, 1980–Present
Authors: Stephen Lynn 
Published: March 2017

Analysis of U.S. immigration, border defense, and national security policies and their impact on individuals, families, and communities from Mexico and Central America who have migrated or fled to the United States as refugees since the mid-1980s suggests that through immigration programs such as Prevention through Deterrence, the United States has crafted a set of policies that creates “preemptive suspects”—categories of people from Central America and Mexico that may be systematically excluded as dangerous, criminal, undeserving, and less valuable than U.S. citizens. Un análisis de las políticas de inmigración, defensa fronteriza y seguridad nacional y su impacto en individuos, familias y comunidades de México y Centroamérica que residen en los Estados Unidos como inmigrantes o refugiados desde mediados de la década de 1980 sugiere que los Estados Unidos ha creado, a través de programas migratorios como la Prevención por Disuasión, un conjunto de políticas que generan “sospechosos preventivos,” es decir, categorías de personas de América Central y México que pueden ser sistemáticamente excluidas como peligrosas, criminales, indignas y de menos valor que los ciudadanos estadunidenses.
Otolaryngology Education: Recent Trends in Publication
Authors: Cass Nathan D. , Okland Tyler S. , Rodriguez Kenny , Mann Scott E. 
Published: March 2017

Objectives(1) Evaluate peer‐reviewed publications regarding education in otolaryngology since 2000. (2) Analyze publication trends as compared with overall otolaryngology publications.Study DesignBibliometric analysis.SettingAcademic medical center.Subjects and MethodsA search for articles regarding education in otolaryngology from 2000 to 2015 was performed with MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, yielding 1220 articles; 362 relevant publications were categorized by topic, subspecialty, subject, article type, and funding source. Impact factors for each journal by year were obtained, and trends of each category over time were analyzed. These were then compared with publication numbers and impact factors for all otolaryngology journals.ResultsFrom 2000 to 2015, publications in otolaryngology education increased more rapidly than the field of otolaryngology overall. The most published topics included operative skills training, surgical simulation, and professionalism/career development. Recently there has been a decline in publications related to residency administration and duty hours relative to other topics. Only 12.2% of publications reported a funding source, and only 12.2% of studies were controlled.ConclusionRecent trends in otolaryngology literature reflect an increasing focus on education; however, this work is underfunded and often lacks high‐quality evidence.
Optimal frequency/time combination of whole body vibration training for developing physical performance of people with sarcopenia: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wei Ning , Pang Marco YC , Ng Shamay SM , Ng Gabriel YF 
Published: March 2017

Objective: To determine whether frequency and exposure time to whole body vibration influenced its effects on physical performance in seniors with sarcopenia. Design: Randomized controlled trial Setting: A university sports training laboratory. Subjects: Eighty community dwelling seniors with sarcopenia were recruited. Interventions: Participants were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely, low-frequency (LG: 20Hz x 720s), medium-frequency (MG: 40Hz x 360s), high-frequency (HG: 60Hz x 240s) and control (CG: no extra training) for 12 weeks of whole body vibration training and 12 weeks of follow-up. Main measures: Assessments were done at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, mid-follow-up, and final follow-up for five-repetition sit-to-stand, 10-meter walking test with self-preferred speed and timed-up-and-go test. Results: There was significant time × group interaction effect in timed-up-and-go test (F12, 304 = 3.333, effect size = 0.116, p < 0.001). Between-group differences in percentage change from baseline were significant between medium-frequency group and control group on all outcome variables after 12-week whole body vibration training (Five-repetition sit-to-stand test: 10.46 ± 2.28 (–16.12%), p = 0.008; 10-meter walking test: 1.05 ± 0.16 (11.18%), p = 0.04; Timed-up-and-go test: 11.32 ± 1.72 (–15.08%), p = 0.001). Conclusion: With the total number of vibrations controlled, the combination of 40Hz and 360s of whole body vibration has the best outcome on physical performance of people with sarcopenia.
Autologous Cartilage Chip Transplantation Improves Repair Tissue Composition Compared With Marrow Stimulation
Authors: Christensen Bjørn Borsøe , Olesen Morten Lykke , Lind Martin , Foldager Casper Bindzus 
Published: March 2017

Background: Repair of chondral injuries by use of cartilage chips has recently demonstrated clinical feasibility. Purpose: To investigate in vivo cartilage repair outcome of autologous cartilage chips compared with marrow stimulation in full-thickness cartilage defects in a minipig model. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Six Göttingen minipigs received two 6-mm chondral defects in the medial and lateral trochlea of each knee. The two treatment groups were (1) autologous cartilage chips embedded in fibrin glue (ACC) (n = 12) and (2) marrow stimulation (MST) (n = 12). The animals were euthanized after 6 months, and the composition of repair tissue was quantitatively determined using histomorphometry. Semiquantitative evaluation was performed by means of the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) II score. Collagen type II staining was used to further evaluate the repair tissue composition. Results: Significantly more hyaline cartilage was found in the ACC (17.1%) compared with MST (2.9%) group ( P < .01). Furthermore, the ACC group had significantly less fibrous tissue (23.8%) compared with the MST group (41.1%) ( P < .01). No significant difference in fibrocartilage content was found (54.7% for ACC vs 50.8% for MST). The ACC group had significantly higher ICRS II scores for tissue morphological characteristics, matrix staining, cell morphological characteristics, surface assessment, mid/deep assessment, and overall assessment ( P < .05). The ACC-treated defects had significantly more collagen type II staining (54.5%) compared with the MST-treated defects (28.1%) ( P < .05). Conclusion: ACC transplant resulted in improved quality of cartilage repair tissue compared with MST at 6 months postoperatively. Clinical Relevance: Further studies are needed to investigate ACC as a possible alternative first-line treatment for focal cartilage injuries in the knee.
Factors Affecting the Perceived Effectiveness of Pictorial Health Warnings on Cigarette Packages in Gulf Countries: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Mansour Ameerah Y , Bakhsh Zuhair 
Published: March 2017

Objectives: To explore the perceived effectiveness of pictorial health warning (PHW) labels required by the Gulf Cooperation Council, to compare them with the Food and Drug Administration–approved PHW labels, and to determine factors affecting their perceived effectiveness. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of adult smokers and nonsmokers was conducted. The data were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire. The perceived effectiveness scores of PHW labels were calculated and compared among different subgroups using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Dunn multiple comparison test at a .05 significance level. Results: Of the 90 people invited to participate in the survey, 77 (86%) completed it, with 39 (50%) nonsmokers, 22 (29%) smokers, and 16 (21%) former smokers. Overall, labels having graphic images of illness or pathology are perceived to be most effective. Smokers generally perceived labels significantly less effective compared with former smokers and nonsmokers. Also, 55 respondents (71%) suggested that the presence of a telephone quit-line would be effective. Conclusions: Smoking status and image type had the most effect on the perceived effectiveness of the PHW labels on cigarette packs. Pictorial health warning labels with graphic images of pathology and a telephone quit-line are perceived to be most effective.
The efficacy of evolocumab in the management of hyperlipidemia: a systematic review
Authors: AlHajri Lamia , AlHadhrami Asma , AlMheiri Shama , AlMutawa Yalwah , AlHashimi Zainab 
Published: March 2017

Background: Hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia has been a concern for a long time, with various guidelines emphasizing the importance of managing the lipid profile to prevent cardiac incidences. Although statins have been found to be highly effective, resistance and intolerability to side effects will continue to be a stumbling block for certain patients. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors tackle lipid profile via a novel mechanism and therefore provide an additional effective option for managing lipid profile. The overarching aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of evolocumab among various populations with hypercholesterolemia. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in ProQuest Health & Medical Complete, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed to identify potential records; then titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened using the inclusion criteria to filter out irrelevant studies. Data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken using standardized tools and the results were narratively synthesized and presented in tables. Results: Eight studies were included in this systematic review after screening 1191 records. All studies demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values in the groups that received evolocumab compared with the comparator groups ( p < 0.05). The decline in LDL-C levels from baseline in the majority of studies ranged from 40% to 80%, whether used alone or in combination with other agents. Also, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein (a) and apolipoprotein B were improved with the use of evolocumab. Conclusions: This study helped to collate evidence from studies that tested the effectiveness of evolocumab in the management of hyperlipidemia. Evolocumab seems to be highly effective in reducing LDL-C and other lipid parameters. Hence, it provides an excellent alternative for patients with refractory disease or patients who develop intolerable side effects, therefore helping to overcome the stumbling block to achieving optimal lipid management.
Replication of the principal component analyses of the human genome diversity panel
Authors: Charlon Thomas , Di Cara Alessandro , Voloshynovskiy Sviatoslav , Wojcik Jérôme 
Published: March 2017

Background. In 2008, several principal component analyses (PCAs) applied on 660,918 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 938 individuals from 51 worldwide populations of the Human Genome Diversity Panel were published by Li et al. PCAs were applied on subsets of individuals sharing a common geographic origin and showed that in several geographic regions, genome-wide variations of SNPs grouped individuals by populations in the two first principal components. In this study, we replicated the PCAs applied on two geographic subsets, first on individuals from Europe and second on individuals from the Middle East & North Africa. Methods. Quality control, feature selection, and PCA were applied on each geographic subset. The results were displayed on the two first principal components and compared to the original figures. Results. The replicated figures were found to match closely to the original figures. Conclusions. Therefore, the main results were replicated and can be independently reproduced by using publicly available data, source code, and computing environment.
Deceptive Advertising with Rational Buyers
Authors: Piccolo Salvatore , Tedeschi Piero , Ursino Giovanni 
Published: March 2017

We study a simple game in which two sellers supply goods whose quality cannot be assessed by consumers even after consumption but can be verified with some probability by a public authority. Sellers may induce a prospective buyer into a bad purchase through comparative deceptive advertising. The central contribution of this paper is the characterization of a class of pooling equilibria in which low-quality sellers deceive a buyer who is Bayes-rational and makes a purchase decision on the basis of the available information. The analysis of these equilibria suggests that high-quality firms should pursue more intensive advertising campaigns than their low-quality competitors. Surprisingly, we find conditions under which sellers’ expected profit is higher in pooling equilibria than in the separating equilibrium in which quality is reflected by prices and there is no need to waste resources in advertising. Hence, we show that there are plausible cases in which firms should be ex ante willing to tolerate some degree of deceptive advertising by low-quality competitors. In addition, although in these equilibria the buyer purchases low-quality goods with positive probability, the expected utility can be higher than in a separating equilibrium in which the buyer purchases the high-quality good for sure. In this sense, the model also offers an argument in favor of a lenient regulatory approach to deceptive advertising. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2665 . This paper was accepted by J. Miguel Villas-Boas, marketing.
Individual Differences in Correspondence Bias: Measurement, Consequences, and Correction of Biased Interpersonal Attributions
Authors: Scopelliti Irene , Min H. Lauren , McCormick Erin , Kassam Karim S. , Morewedge Carey K. 
Published: March 2017

Across consequential attributions of attitudes, ability, emotions, and morality, people make correspondent inferences. People infer stable personality characteristics from others’ behavior, even when that behavior is caused by situational factors. We examined the structure of correspondent inferences and report the development and validation of an instrument measuring individual differences in this correspondence bias (a Neglect of External Demands scale, or “NED”). The NED is internally consistent and distinct from scales and measures of intelligence, cognitive ability, cognitive reflection, general decision-making ability, preference for control, and attributional style. Individual differences in correspondence bias predict blaming people for harmful accidents, believing coerced confessions, correcting for job and task difficulty when making performance evaluations and incentive-compatible personnel selections, and separating market and fund performance when making incentive-compatible investments. Fortunately, the tendency to commit correspondence bias can be reduced. Making situational information easier to process debiases those most prone to correspondence bias. Data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2668 . This paper was accepted by Yuval Rottenstreich, judgment and decision making.
A New Budget Allocation Framework for the Expected Opportunity Cost
Authors: Gao Siyang , Chen Weiwei , Shi Leyuan 
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we present a new budget allocation framework for the problem of selecting the best simulated design from a finite set of alternatives. The new framework is developed on the basis of general underlying distributions and a finite simulation budget. It adopts the expected opportunity cost (EOC) quality measure, which, compared to the traditional probability of correct selection (PCS) measure, penalizes a particularly bad choice more than a slightly incorrect selection, and is thus preferred by risk-neutral practitioners and decision makers. To this end, we establish a closed-form approximation of EOC to formulate the budget allocation problem and derive the corresponding optimality conditions. A sequential budget allocation algorithm is then developed for implementation. The efficiency of the proposed method is illustrated via numerical experiments. We also link the EOC and PCS-based budget allocation problems by showing that the two are asymptotically equivalent. This result explains, to some extent, the similarity in performance between the EOC and PCS allocation procedures observed in the literature. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/opre.2016.1581 .