bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Handling incomplete smoking history data in survival analysis
Authors: Furukawa Kyoji , Preston Dale L. , Misumi Munechika , Cullings Harry M.
Published: October 2014

While data are unavoidably missing or incomplete in most observational studies, consequences of mishandling such incompleteness in analysis are often overlooked. When time-varying information is collected irregularly and infrequently over a long period, even precisely obtained data may implicitly involve substantial incompleteness. Motivated by an analysis to quantitatively evaluate the effects of smoking and radiation on lung cancer risks among Japanese atomic-bomb survivors, we provide a unique application of multiple imputation to incompletely observed smoking histories under the assumption of missing at random. Predicting missing values for the age of smoking initiation and, given initiation, smoking intensity and cessation age, analyses can be based on complete, though partially imputed, smoking histories. A simulation study shows that multiple imputation appropriately conditioned on the outcome and other relevant variables can produce consistent estimates when data are missing at random. Our approach is particularly appealing in large cohort studies where a considerable amount of time-varying information is incomplete under a mechanism depending in a complex manner on other variables. In application to the motivating example, this approach is expected to reduce estimation bias that might be unavoidable in naive analyses, while keeping efficiency by retaining known information.
The New National Core Music Standards in Practice
Authors: Bartolome Sarah J.
Published: October 2014

Halfway through our first year of teaching with the New National Core Music Standards, it is time to reflect on our work and share our experiences with general music colleagues across the country.
Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Consultations on Parent Stress and Competence
Authors: Sommers-Flanagan John , Polanchek Sara , Zeleke Waganesh A. , Hood Meredith H. E. , Shaw Sidney L.
Published: October 2014

Parenting is a challenging activity and many parents report high stress and feelings of incompetence. Both of these factors (a) stress and (b) feelings of incompetence are associated with a variety of negative parenting outcomes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based, solution-focused, 2-session parent consultation intervention on parent perceptions of stress and competence. A pre-post quasi-experimental design was employed. Forty-five consecutive parents who sought consultation services were administered three preintervention questionnaires. Results included positive outcomes across all three outcome measures as well as high ratings on a satisfaction questionnaire. Although significant reductions in parenting stress and increased parenting self-efficacy were obtained, the study design and small and homogeneous sample limit generalization of these findings. Nevertheless, this study highlights the possibility that a straightforward, positive, brief, and community-based intervention may have the potential to decrease parental stress and increase parenting sense of competence.
The Origins and Development of Frederic Kuder’s Preference Record
Authors: Zytowski Donald G.
Published: October 2014

Frederic Kuder’s venerable Preference Record, first published in 1938 and so different from the several interest assessments available at the time, is shown to have come from the same sources as its distinguished predecessor, the Strong Vocational Interest Blank. The course of its development in several editions, as well as several derivatives, is reviewed.
Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist and DSM-5 PTSD Symptom Set in a Long-Term Postearthquake Cohort in Armenia
Authors: Demirchyan Anahit , Goenjian Armen K. , Khachadourian Vahe
Published: October 2014

Psychometric properties of the Armenian-language posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist–Civilian version (PCL-C) and the DSM-5 PTSD symptom set were examined in a long-term cohort of earthquake survivors. In 2012, 725 survivors completed the instruments. Item-/scale-level analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed for both scales. In addition, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted for DSM-5 symptoms. Also, the differential internal versus external specificity of PTSD symptom clusters taken from the most supported PTSD structural models was examined. Both scales had Cronbach’s alpha greater than .9. CFA of PCL-C structure demonstrated an excellent fit by a four-factor (reexperiencing, avoidance, numbing, and hyperarousal) model known as numbing model; however, a superior fit was achieved by a five-factor model (Elhai et al.). EFA yielded a five-factor structure for DSM-5 symptoms with the aforementioned four domains plus a negative state domain. This model achieved an acceptable fit during CFA, whereas the DSM-5 criteria-based model did not. The Armenian-language PCL-C was recommended as a valid PTSD screening tool. The study findings provided support to the proposed new classification of common mental disorders, where PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety are grouped together as a subclass of distress disorders. Recommendations were made to further improve the PTSD diagnostic criteria.
The Journalism Writing Course
Authors: Moore Jensen , Jones Khristen
Published: October 2014

This study examined introductory journalism writing courses and compared hybrid (part online/part classroom) versus online grammar instruction. The hybrid structure allowed for grammar topics to be taught online, with a pretest following, and then reviewing missed/difficult pretest concepts in class prior to a posttest. The quasi-experimental separate-sample pretest–posttest research design spanned four semesters and included data from 567 students. Although differences emerged between hybrid and online regarding different grammatical concepts, overall results indicated that student grammar scores improved regardless of teaching method. However, students in the hybrid course were significantly more satisfied with overall media writing skills acquired than were online students.
2013 Annual Survey of Journalism Mass Communication Enrollments
Authors: Becker Lee Bernard , Vlad Tudor , Simpson Holly Anne
Published: October 2014

Enrollments in journalism and mass communication programs in the United States in the fall of 2013 were down from a year earlier for the third year in a row. Enrollments dropped at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, and the number of freshmen and sophomores were down dramatically from a year earlier. Enrollments in the journalism specialty have dropped, and enrollments in advertising and public relations also have stagnated. While the overall field of communication also seems to be slowing in terms of growth, the subfield of journalism and mass communication has been particularly hard hit.
Pricing Nonmarketed Outputs with an Application to Community Colleges
Authors: Färe Rolf , Grosskopf Shawna , Weber William L.
Published: October 2014

We use the directional output distance function in cost space to recover absolute prices of nonmarket goods such that the ratio of prices equals the marginal rate of transformation of outputs in production. As such, the method is quite useful for valuing nonmarketed goods such as those produced by government entities such as the National Park Service, public schools and universities, and municipalities. We provide an empirical illustration of our method using fourteen Missouri community colleges that produced full-time equivalent students, certificates, associate’s degrees, and real spending on public service and auxiliary enterprises during the period 2005–2006 to 2011–2012.
Conventionalized code-switching: Entrenched semantic-pragmatic patterns of a bilingual Basque–Spanish speech style
Authors: Lantto Hanna
Published: October 2014

Aims and objectives:

This article examines a grey area on the code-switching–borrowing continuum in a Basque–Spanish language contact situation. It is argued that the notion of conventionalized code-switching is needed to explain the clear semantic-pragmatic patterns that emerge under these specific sociolinguistic circumstances. A key aspect of conventionalized code-switching is its predictability: items that pertain to certain semantic-pragmatic categories are switched as default.

Approach:

The approach follows the principles of usage-based grammar: cognitive organization of linguistic material can be deduced from the usage. Conventionalized code-switching informs us about the bilingual informants’ mental representation of the contact varieties.

Data and analysis:

Two types of data were examined for this research: (1) 22 hours of naturally occurring speech data with 22 informants from the Greater Bilbao area, and (2) eight hours of metalinguistic conversations about code-switching with 33 informants.

Findings and conclusions:

The informants seem to use Spanish pragmatic markers, swear words and colloquialisms throughout the data as default expressions for these semantic-pragmatic domains. Their Basque equivalents are almost absent from the data. Even though frequently used, the conventionalized expressions still retain their Spanishness and have not become established borrowings for the informants.

Originality:

The discussion about code-switching and borrowing has concerned mainly single items. In this article, the focus is on patterns. The paper also connects the study of synchronic code-switching with loanword layers studied in historical contact linguistics.

Significance:

The article paints a comprehensive picture of ongoing lexical language change. Yet, conventionalized code-switching is fundamentally a synchronic phenomenon and does not always turn into diachronic establishment of these elements.

Limitations:

The code-switching of aforementioned semantic-pragmatic categories has been conventionalized in the bilingual community, but there is great variation of entrenched items in the individual repertoires. This individual variation is worth further study.
The pernicious effects of unstable work group membership: How work group changes undermine unique task contributions and newcomer acceptance
Authors: Rink Floor , Ellemers Naomi
Published: October 2014

This research demonstrates that group membership instability tends to raise self-related concerns that make it less likely that people value and accept constructive task contributions offered by newcomers. In Study 1 ( N = 88), unstable group membership heightened self-related concerns. Participants indicated increased intentions to make unique task contributions and lowered the evaluations of others’ contributions, particularly those from a newcomer. Study 2 ( N = 81) used an online minimal group paradigm to obtain behavioral outcomes. Unstable group membership again heightened self-related concerns and gave rise to unique task contributions, even when a newcomer had just offered a high-quality task solution that benefitted the group. Because of their self-related concerns, members with an unstable position also evaluated other members—and the newcomer in particular—more negatively than did members with a stable position. In this way, workgroup instability can undermine (rather than foster) change and innovation.
Interracial friendship and the trajectory of prominority attitudes: Assessing intergroup contact theory
Authors: Northcutt Bohmert Miriam , DeMaris Alfred
Published: October 2014

We analyze the trajectory of racial attitude change among White university students, over a 4-year time period, representing an advancement over previous studies’ use of longitudinal designs alone to test the causal ordering and nature of the relationship between contact and attitudes. Adding to the literature on intergroup friendships, we examined the impact of two types of intergroup contact (interracial friendships and neighborhood racial context) on two types of racial attitudes: attitudes supportive of affirmative action and feelings of commonality with minorities. Overall, we find that a greater number of interracial friendships is associated with more positive racial attitudes. Women and those with more interracial friendships experience a faster rate of increase in their endorsement of affirmative action policies. Individuals growing up in more racially homogeneous neighborhoods expressed less support for affirmative action and politically conservative students had lower support for both affirmative action and feelings of commonality.
The potential of catalysed exhaust gas recirculation to improve high-load operation in spark ignition engines
Authors: Parsons Dominic , Akehurst Sam , Brace Chris
Published: October 2014

Within the literature, there are a number of studies investigating the benefits of exhaust gas recirculation, and as a result it has become established as a promising technology for combustion control to allow engine downsizing technology to be advanced. Aside from the dilution effect of exhaust gas recirculation, some of the components, such as NO, CO, and hydrocarbons, can have significant chemical effects. The literature shows that the component within exhaust gas recirculation which has the largest chemical effect on combustion is NO, which can promote or inhibit the onset of autoignition causing reactions within the end gas at high load. The reduction in NOx gases in catalysed exhaust gas recirculation can increase the knock limit at high load, with some authors reporting up to a 5∘ crank angle improvement in combustion phasing. There is conflicting evidence on whether this translates to an improvement in fuel consumption, with one study finding a decrease of up to 2% comparing to another finding an increase of 1.5%-3.5%. Crude calculations on the emissions of a 2.0-L direct injection spark ignition engine operating at high load show that in an extreme case the reduction in the calorific value of the inlet charge due to catalysis of the recirculated gases can be up to 4.5%. Despite the potential benefits, the literature on catalysed exhaust gas recirculation is fairly limited and the evidence seems so far inconclusive as to whether this technology may have the potential to further enhance the benefits of exhaust gas recirculation. This article uses current literature to ascertain the potential benefits of catalysed exhaust gas recirculation, compare to pre-catalyst exhaust gas recirculation, and investigates its individual components in more detail to explain how chemical interactions can either promote or inhibit ignition depending on their concentration and temperature.
Innovation and role of corruption and diversity
Authors: DiRienzo Cassandra , Das Jayoti
Published: October 2014

Research has established that various socioeconomic and institutional factors affect the rate of country-level innovation. However, little attention has been given to the effects of corruption and cultural diversity on innovation in cross-country analyses. It is widely accepted that innovation is a major engine of national economic growth, and policy makers and business leaders have recognized the need to create environments that foster innovative activities. This study builds on previous research using the Global Innovation Index ( GII, 2009 ) to empirically explore the impact of corruption and its interactive relationship with economic development, in addition to the effect of three different measures of diversity on country-level innovation. The results of this analysis suggest that corruption significantly harms innovation activities across countries, but the effect is mitigated in wealthier countries. As expected, ethnic diversity weakens innovation activities; however, religious diversity, which can be a proxy for tolerance, is found to positively contribute to innovation.
Rawls on the embedded self: Liberalism as an affective regime
Authors: Banerjee Kiran , Bercuson Jeffrey
Published: October 2014

In recent years, political theorists have come to recognize the central role of affect in social and political life. A host of scholars, coming from a number of distinct traditions, have variously drawn our attention to the importance of the emotions to the tradition of the history of political thought, as well as to normative political theory. This attentiveness to affect is often cast as a break with earlier, Enlightenment-inspired liberal approaches towards politics, approaches that marginalized the emotions, dismissing the passions as potentially dangerous, or neglected them altogether. According to the conventional liberal view, emotions are said to have no place in the public sphere, while proceduralist institutions abstract away from citizens’ affective attachments, now cast as private preferences of individuals qua citizens. In this paper we challenge this prevalent view. We argue that no less a liberal theorist than John Rawls is deeply attentive to the place of emotions in his account of liberalism. This may seem counterintuitive given that Rawls' work has been frequently criticized for epitomizing some of the deepest problems of contemporary liberal theory, as a result of the emphasis on rationalism and reasonableness in his account of liberal justice. However, against this prevalent reading, we demonstrate that Rawls is in fact highly concerned with the role of affect and presents us with an account of the embedded liberal subject. By drawing out these dimensions of Rawls' thought, we hope to contribute to upending the conventional view of liberalism as affect-blind in order to encourage a more nuanced reading of the liberal tradition.
Rapamycin ameliorates IgA nephropathy via cell cycle-dependent mechanisms
Authors: Tian Jihua , Wang Yanhong , Liu Xinyan , Zhou Xiaoshuang , Li Rongshan
Published: October 2014

IgA nephropathy is the most frequent type of glomerulonephritis worldwide. The role of cell cycle regulation in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy has been studied. The present study was designed to explore whether rapamycin ameliorates IgA nephropathy via cell cycle-dependent mechanisms. After establishing an IgA nephropathy model, rats were randomly divided into four groups. Coomassie Brilliant Blue was used to measure the 24-h urinary protein levels. Renal function was determined using an autoanalyzer. Proliferation was assayed via Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry. Rat mesangial cells were cultured and divided into the six groups. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry were used to detect cell proliferation and the cell cycle phase. Western blotting was performed to determine cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase 2, p27Kip1, p70S6K/p-p70S6K, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2/p- extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 protein expression. A low dose of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin prevented an additional increase in proteinuria, protected kidney function, and reduced IgA deposition in a model of IgA nephropathy. Rapamycin inhibited mesangial cell proliferation and arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase. Rapamycin did not affect the expression of cyclin E and cyclin-dependent kinase 2. However, rapamycin upregulated p27Kip1 at least in part via AKT (also known as protein kinase B)/mTOR. In conclusion, rapamycin can affect cell cycle regulation to inhibit mesangial cell proliferation, thereby reduce IgA deposition, and slow the progression of IgAN.
Phosphorylation status of human RNA-binding protein 8A in cells and its inhibitory regulation by Magoh
Authors: Ishigaki Yasuhito , Nakamura Yuka , Tatsuno Takanori , Ma Shaofu , Tomosugi Naohisa
Published: October 2014

The RNA-binding protein 8A (RBM8A)–mago-nashi homolog, proliferation-associated (Magoh) complex is a component of the exon junction complex (EJC) required for mRNA metabolism involving nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). RBM8A is a phosphorylated protein that plays some roles in NMD. However, the detailed status and mechanism of the phosphorylation of RBM8A is not completely understood. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed in detail RBM8A phosphorylation in human cells. Accordingly, analysis of the phosphorylation status of RBM8A protein in whole-cell lysates by using Phos-tag gels revealed that the majority of endogenous RBM8A was phosphorylated throughout the cell-cycle progression. Nuclear and cytoplasmic RBM8A and RBM8A in the EJC were also found to be mostly phosphorylated. We also screened the phosphorylated serine by mutational analysis using Phos-tag gels to reveal modifications of serine residues 166 and 168. A single substitution at position 168 that concomitantly abolished the phosphorylation of serine 166 suggested the priority of kinase reaction between these sites. Furthermore, analysis of the role of the binding protein Magoh in RBM8A phosphorylation revealed its inhibitory effect in vitro and in vivo. Thus, we conclude that almost all synthesized RBM8A proteins are rapidly phosphorylated in cells and that phosphorylation occurs before the complex formation with Magoh.
Does Wnt/β-catenin pathway contribute to the stability of DNMT1 expression in urological cancer cell lines?
Authors: Varol Nuray , Konac Ece , Bilen Cenk Y
Published: October 2014

DNA methylation is considered as one of the most important epigenetic mechanisms and it is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). DNMT1 abundance has been frequently seen in urogenital system tumors but the reasons for this abundance are not well understood. We aimed to look into the effects of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on overexpression of DNMT1 and aberrant expression of UHRF1 and HAUSP which are responsible for stability of DNMT1 at transcriptional and protein levels in urogenital cancers. In this context, firstly, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was activated by using SB216763 which is a glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) β inhibitor. Cell proliferation levels in bladder cancer cells, renal cell carcinoma, and prostate cancer cells treated with GSK3β inhibitor (SB216763) were detected by WST-1 reagent. WIF-1 gene methylation profile was determined by methylation-specific PCR (MSP); expression levels of target genes β-catenin and WIF-1 by real-time PCR; and protein levels of β-catenin, DNMT1, pGSK3β(Ser9), HAUSP, and UHRF1 by Western Blot. Our results indicated that treatment with SB216763 caused an increased cell proliferation at low dose. mRNA levels of β-catenin increased after treatment with SB216273 and protein levels of pGSK3β(Ser9), β-catenin, and DNMT1 increased in comparison to control. HAUSP and UHRF1 were either up-regulated or down-regulated at the same doses depending on the type of cancer. Also, we showed that protein levels of DNMT1, β-catenin, HAUSP, and UHRF1 decreased after re-expression of WIF-1 following treatment with DAC. In Caki-2 cells, β-catenin pathway might have accounted for the stability of DNMT1 expression, whereas such relation is not valid for T24 and PC3 cells. Our findings may offer a new approach for determination of molecular effects of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway on DNMT1. This may allow us to identify new molecular targets for the treatment of urogenital cancers.
A suspicious reason for Raynaud’s phenomenon: Intrauterine device
Authors: Diken Adem İ , Yalçınkaya Adnan , Aksoy Eray , Yılmaz Seyhan , Çağlı Kerim
Published: October 2014

Primary Raynaud’s phenomenon may be insistent in patients under medical therapy, and intrauterine devices may be an unnoticed reason in these patients. Fluctuations in female sex hormone status were reported to be associated with the emergence of primary Raynaud’s phenomenon symptoms. The use of intrauterine devices was not reported to be associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon previously. Intrauterine device may stimulate vascular hyperactivity regarding hormonal or unknown mechanisms that result in Raynaud’s phenomenon. We present a postmenopausal patient who complained of primary Raynaud’s phenomenon symptoms and had recovery after the removal of her copper intrauterine device.
Community pharmacist–administered influenza immunization improves patient access to vaccination
Authors: Papastergiou John , Folkins Chris , Li Wilson , Zervas John
Published: October 2014

Objectives:

To describe the demographic characteristics and risk factors of patients receiving influenza vaccination in community pharmacies and to understand patient experiences and perceptions surrounding being vaccinated by a pharmacist.

Methods:

Survey data were collected by research pharmacists at 4 different community pharmacy locations in Toronto throughout a period of 8 weeks during October and November 2013. Participation in the survey was voluntary, and all patients vaccinated by pharmacists were invited to complete a survey following immunization.

Results:

During the course of the study, 2498 vaccine doses were administered among all study sites, and 1502 surveys were completed. Our data showed a high degree of patient satisfaction, with 92% of patients indicating they were very satisfied with the pharmacist’s injection technique and the services they received. Furthermore, 86% of patients were very comfortable with being vaccinated by a pharmacist, and 99% of patients reported they would recommend that friends and family be vaccinated by a pharmacist. Convenience and accessibility were major determinants of patient satisfaction, as shown by 46% of all written comments specifically addressing these factors. Of the patients surveyed, 25% were not regular annual vaccine recipients, and 47% were classified as being at high risk for influenza complications according to Public Health Agency of Canada criteria. Notably, 28% of total patients and 21% of high-risk patients reported that they would not have been immunized this year if pharmacy-based vaccination were not available.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that pharmacists provide a highly convenient and accessible option for seasonal flu vaccination that is viewed favourably by patients. Administration of the flu vaccine by pharmacists has the potential to positively affect public health by improving vaccination rates among high-risk patients, first-time or occasional vaccine recipients, and patients who may not otherwise have an opportunity to be vaccinated. It is hoped that expanding pharmacist vaccination services to include administration of other common vaccines would receive similar positive reception by patients and improve overall access to vaccination.
Comparison of pharmacist knowledge, perceptions and training opportunities regarding maternal-fetal medicine in Canada, Qatar and Uganda
Authors: Bains Serena , Kitutu Freddy E. , Rahhal Ala’a , Abu Samaha Rana , Wilby Kyle J. , Rowe Hilary
Published: October 2014

Background:

Although pharmacists have great potential to modify and optimize drug therapy in pregnancy and lactation, current literature demonstrates that they do not routinely provide this care and often feel ill equipped to do so. The objective of this study was to determine pharmacists’ knowledge and perceptions of maternal-fetal medicine in Canada, Uganda and Qatar. Secondary objectives were to determine factors associated with pharmacists’ knowledge and to characterize training opportunities and resources available to practising pharmacists.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey using online software (SurveyMonkey) was sent to the e-mails of potential research participants. Practising pharmacists and resident pharmacists in British Columbia, Canada; the country of Qatar; and the country of Uganda were eligible for inclusion. The survey was designed to assess knowledge and perceptions, and to create a baseline inventory of current practice and information resources used in practice.

Results:

The mean knowledge assessment scores of pharmacists in Canada, Qatar and Uganda were 62.9%, 53.3%, and 57.7%, respectively ( p < 0.05). Pharmacists in British Columbia scored higher on knowledge assessment than pharmacists in Qatar ( p < 0.05), but other country comparisons were not significant. No predefined factors (gender, years of experience, practice area or parental status) were found to be significant in determining the knowledge score. More than two-thirds of pharmacists expressed interest in participating in continuing education opportunities in maternal-fetal medicine.

Conclusion:

Pharmacists have differing levels of knowledge in the area of maternal-fetal medicine. Continuing education and degree curricula should be reviewed and developed to fill the knowledge gaps of student pharmacists and practising pharmacists in maternal-fetal medicine.
A likelihood-based approach for computing the operating characteristics of the 3+3 phase I clinical trial design with extensions to other A+B designs
Authors: Chiuzan Cody , Garrett-Mayer Elizabeth , Yeatts Sharon D
Published: October 2014

Background

In phase I clinical trials, the “3+3” algorithmic design has been unparalleled in its popularity. The statistical properties of the “3+3” design have been studied in the literature either in comparison with other methods or by deriving exact formulae of statistical quantities. However, there is still much to be known about its capabilities of describing and accounting for uncertainties in the observed data.

Purpose

The objective of this study is to provide a probabilistic support for analyzing the heuristic performance of the “3+3” design. The operating characteristics of the algorithm are computed under different hypotheses, levels of evidence, and true (or best guessed) toxicity rates. The dose-finding rules are further compared with those generated by the modified toxicity probability interval design and generalized for implementation in all “A+B” designs.

Methods

Our likelihood method is based on the evidential paradigm. Two hypotheses are chosen to correspond to two hypothesized dose-limiting toxicity rates, for example, [Formula: see text]—unsafe versus [Formula: see text]—acceptable. Given observed toxicities per dose, the likelihood-ratio is calculated and compared to a certain k threshold (level of evidence). Under various true toxicities, the probabilities of weak evidence, favoring [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], were computed under four sets of hypotheses and several k thresholds.

Results

For scenarios where the midpoint of the two hypothesized dose-limiting toxicity rates is around 0.30, and for a threshold of k = 2, the “3+3” design has a reduced probability (≈0.50) of identifying unsafe doses, but high chances of identifying acceptable doses. For more extreme scenarios targeting a relatively high or relatively low dose-limiting toxicity rate, the “3+3” design has no probabilistic support, and therefore, it should not be used. In our comparisons, the likelihood method is in agreement with the modified toxicity probability interval design for the majority of the hypothesized scenarios. Even so, based on the evidential paradigm, a “3+3” design is often incapable of providing sufficient levels of evidence of acceptability for doses under reasonable scenarios.

Limitations

Given the small sample size per dose, the levels of evidence are limited in their ability to provide strong evidence favoring either of the hypotheses.

Conclusion

In many situations, the “3+3” design does not treat enough patients per dose to have confidence in correct dose selection and the safety of the selected/unselected doses. This likelihood method allows consistent inferences to be made at each dose level, and evidence to be quantified regardless of cohort size. The approach can be used in phase I studies for identifying acceptably safe doses, but also for defining stopping rules in other types of dose-finding designs.
Genuine inquiry
Authors: Le Fevre Deidre M. , Robinson Viviane M.J. , Sinnema Claire E.L.
Published: October 2014

The concept of inquiry is central to contemporary discussions of teacher and leader professional learning and problem solving in interpersonal contexts. However, while few would debate its value, there has been little discussion of the significant challenges inherent in engaging in genuine inquiry. In this article, we distinguish between genuine and pseudo-inquiry, and define the former as motivated by an open-minded stance and desire to learn. We argue in our literature review, that while both forms of inquiry may share the same linguistic features, deeper analysis of underlying thoughts and motives is required to distinguish the two types of inquiry. We then report a descriptive study of how 13 school leaders (in a simulated setting) inquired into their concerns about a teacher’s behaviour. The analysis of their conversation transcripts showed that they engaged in limited genuine inquiry. Leaders’ capacity for genuine inquiry was constrained by their judgmental thinking, tendency to avoid negative emotion and desire to maximize staying in control of the conversation. Implications for further research on inquiry and for leadership development are discussed.
Voices of the Condemned: A Comparative Study of the Testimonies of Death Row Exonerees and Slave Narratives
Authors: Malkani Bharat
Published: October 2014

This article compares the slave narratives that were published in antebellum America with the more recent testimonies of death row exonerees. The structure, content and themes of the narratives and testimonies are compared, and particular attention is paid to the abolitionist purposes of the two. The methods adopted to achieve those purposes are also explored, and it is suggested that today’s exonerees can learn much from the slave narratives in order to make their testimonies more effective as tools of abolitionism.
Injury and Treatment Characteristics of Sport-Specific Injuries Sustained in Interscholastic Athletics
Authors: Lam Kenneth C. , Snyder Valier Alison R. , Valovich McLeod Tamara C.
Published: October 2014

Background:

The inclusion of clinical practice factors, beyond epidemiologic data, may help guide medical coverage and care decisions.

Hypothesis:

Trends in injury and treatment characteristics of sport-specific injuries sustained by secondary school athletes will differ based on sport.

Study Design:

Retrospective analysis of electronic patient records.

Level of evidence:

Level 4.

Methods:

Participants consisted of 3302 boys and 2293 girls who were diagnosed with a sport-related injury or condition during the study years. Injury (sport, body part, diagnosis via ICD-9 codes) and treatment (type, amount, and duration of care) characteristics were grouped by sport and reported using summary statistics.

Results:

Most injuries and treatments occurred in football, girls’ soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track and field. Sprain or strain of the ankle, knee, and thigh/hip/groin and concussion were the most commonly documented injuries across sports. The injury pattern for boys’ wrestling differed from other sports and included sprain or strain of the elbow and neck and general medical skin conditions. The most frequently reported service was athletic training evaluation/reevaluation treatment, followed by hot/cold pack, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy techniques, electrical stimulation, and strapping of lower extremity joints. Most sports required 4 to 5 services per injury. With the exception of boys’ soccer and girls’ softball, duration of care ranged from 10 to 14 days. Girls’ soccer and girls’ and boys’ track and field reported the longest durations of care.

Conclusion:

Injury and treatment characteristics are generally comparable across sports, suggesting that secondary school athletic trainers may diagnose and treat similar injuries regardless of sport.

Clinical Relevance:

Subtle sport trends, including skin conditions associated with boys’ wrestling and longer duration of care for girls’ soccer, are important to note when discussing appropriate medical coverage and care.
Syria in the Arab Spring: The integration of Syria’s conflict with the Arab uprisings, 2011–2013
Authors: Lynch Marc , Freelon Deen , Aday Sean
Published: October 2014

How did Syria’s conflict interact with the broader wave of regional protest known as the Arab Spring? This article uses a unique, complete Twitter dataset of tweets including the word “Syria” in English or Arabic to empirically test how Syria’s conflict was discussed online. The analysis shows a high level of interaction between Syria and other Arab countries through 2011. Other Arab countries experiencing popular protests (“Arab Spring countries”) were referenced far more often in 2011 than were Syria’s immediate neighbors, while keyword analysis shows the framing of the conflict in terms of Syria’s “regime” aligned the conflict with other Arab uprisings. In 2012–2013 this changed sharply, with significantly fewer mentions of other Arab countries, particularly Arab Spring countries, more fundraising and political appeals across the Gulf, and growing Islamization. These findings offer one of the first empirical demonstrations of the integration and disintegration of a unified Arab discourse from 2011 to 2013, with significant implications for theories of the diffusion of protest and ideas.
Regional integration and national social policies
Authors: Madeira Mary Anne
Published: October 2014

How does regionalization affect national social policies? Although there is an extensive literature on the effects of globalization on social protection, the literature on the impact of regional integration is much less developed. I argue that the distinctive nature of regionalization processes calls for rigorous empirical testing of the domestic policy effects of regional integration. To this end, using an innovative dataset that measures the degree to which countries are integrated into regional economic and political organizations, this article uses statistical analysis to consider the influence of regional integration on government social spending. The results are surprising: regionalization has a significant and positive relationship with government social spending, controlling for other factors, even when the European Union countries are excluded from the analysis. In fact, in the EU countries increasing regionalization is associated with lower social spending levels. These results suggest that regional economic and political integration does not necessarily lead to a “race to the bottom” of social spending. Instead, regionalization appears to accommodate wide divergence in national social policy commitments.
Antimycobacterial Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata Leaf Extracts Under Intracellular and Hypoxic Conditions
Authors: Bhatter Purva , Gupta Pooja , Daswani Poonam , Tetali Pundarikakshudu , Birdi Tannaz
Published: October 2014

The inhibition of the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by the extracts of Andrographis paniculata has been studied using intracellular and axenic hypoxic conditions. The inhibition (confirmed using the gold standard colony forming unit assay) was found to increase with “double stimuli” or higher concentration of the extract. Organic solvent extracts were found to inhibit bacterial growth more than the aqueous extracts under microaerophilic conditions mimicked through axenic and intracellular assays. This could be further explored to evaluate the potential of the plant to be used against nonreplicating/dormant bacilli.
Quality of Life and Treatment Satisfaction Observed Among Indians With Diabetes Foot Ulcers Undergoing Ayurvedic Adjunct Therapy
Authors: Debnath Parikshit , Prakash Abhay , Banerjee Subhadip , Rao Prasanna N. , Tripathy Tapas Brata , Adhikari Anjan , Shivakumar
Published: October 2014

The purpose of the study was to assess the health-related quality of life and treatment satisfaction of diabetes patients (n = 36) with foot ulcers undergoing insulin and ayurvedic adjunct therapy. Retrospective hospital based cross-sectional design considered patients with diabetes foot ulcers undergoing 4-week treatment with insulin and ayurvedic combinatorial therapy. The Audit of Diabetes Dependent Quality of Life Questionnaire and Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire were completed for the assessment. The mean duration of diabetes among participants was 9.32 ± 5.3 years. Assessment of Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (total treatment satisfaction) score was found to be 26.0139 ± 5.20369, and Audit of Diabetes Dependent Quality of Life Questionnaire (average weighted impact) score was −3.0819 ± 1.83003. Relationship with diabetes complications showed that Audit of Diabetes Dependent Quality of Life Questionnaire score ( P = .383) had no relationship, but Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire score ( P = .039) showed significance. Integrated approaches for diabetes foot ulcer management with insulin and ayurvedic management have a favorable impact on patient-perceived quality of life.
T-cell–restricted T-bet overexpression induces aberrant hematopoiesis of myeloid cells and impairs function of macrophages in the lung
Authors: Iriguchi Shoichi , Kikuchi Norihiro , Kaneko Shin , Noguchi Emiko , Morishima Yuko , Matsuyama Masashi , Yoh Keigyou , Takahashi Satoru , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Ishii Yukio
Published: October 2014

Key Points

Mice overexpressing T-bet in T cells show aberrant hematopoiesis of myeloid cells and functional conversion of regional macrophages. The mice developed a severe PAP-like disease with a hematopoietic disorder resembling the human disease.
Differential protein expression of Caco-2 cells treated with selenium nanoparticles compared with sodium selenite and selenomethionine
Authors: Fu Linglin , Yan Xuxia , Ruan Xinming , Lin Junda , Wang Yanbo
Published: October 2014

The study was designed to determine the differential protein expression of Caco-2 cells treated with different forms of selenium including sodium selenite, selenomethionine (Se-Met), and selenium nanoparticles (nano-Se). Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and mass spectrometry (MS) were used to identify the differentially expressed proteins. The results indicated that seven protein spots, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 (E2), glutathione synthetases (GS), triosephosphate isomerase (TSP), T-complex protein 1 subunit zeta (TCPZ), lamin-B1, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein F (hnRNP F), and superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] (Cu, Zn-SOD) were significantly different among all the groups. According to the order of control, sodium selenite, Se-Met, and Nano-Se, the expression levels of two proteins (E2 and GS) increased and the other differential proteins were reverse. Except for E2, there were no significant differences in other protein expressions between the groups treated with nano-Se and Se-Met.
Synthesis of titanium nitride for self-aligned gate AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors
Authors: Li Liuan , Nakamura Ryosuke , Wang Qingpeng , Jiang Ying , Ao Jin-Ping
Published: October 2014

In this study, titanium nitride (TiN) is synthesized using reactive sputtering for a self-aligned gate process. The Schottky barrier height of the TiN on n-GaN is around 0.5 to 0.6 eV and remains virtually constant with varying nitrogen ratios. As compared with the conventional Ni electrode, the TiN electrode presents a lower turn-on voltage, while its reverse leakage current is comparable with that of Ni. The results of annealing evaluation at different temperatures and duration times show that the TiN/W/Au gate stack can withstand the ohmic annealing process at 800°C for 1 or 3 min. Finally, the self-aligned TiN-gated AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors are obtained with good pinch-off characteristics.
Plasma heat shock protein 27 is associated with coronary artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral artery disease
Authors: Jin Cao , Phillips Victoria L , Williams Michael JA , van Rij Andre M , Jones Gregory T
Published: October 2014

Low protein levels of Hsp27 have been reported in atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, human studies have indicated that circulating Hsp27 levels are lower in coronary artery disease patients compared with controls. It remains, however, unclear whether this applies to other forms of atherosclerotic disease.

Plasma Hsp27 from 280 subjects was examined by ELISA. The cohort included 80 coronary artery disease (CAD), 40 peripheral artery disease (PAD) and 80 abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients. Eighty elderly subjects, without any clinical history of vascular diseases, were used as a control group. Receiver operating curve (ROC) and logistic regression model analysis were performed to evaluate the potential value of Hsp27 as a circulating biomarker.

Patients with atherosclerotic vascular diseases had significantly lower levels of Hsp27 than control subjects (p < 0.001). Moreover, Hsp27 was significantly lower in CAD patients than other atherosclerotic vascular disease groups (p < 0.001). There was no difference in Hsp27 levels between the AAA and PAD groups. Using the ROC-generated optimal cut-off values for Hsp27, logistic regression modeling indicated that low plasma Hsp27 was independently associated with the presence of multiple forms of atherosclerotic disease.

In conclusion, circulating Hsp27 is significantly lower in patients with multiple forms of atherosclerotic arterial disease.
miRNAs in Sera of Tunisian patients discriminate between inflammatory breast cancer and non-inflammatory breast cancer
Authors: Hamdi Khouloud , Goerlitz David , Stambouli Neila , Islam Mohammed , Baroudi Olfa , Neili Bilel , Benayed Farhat , Chivi Simon , Loffredo Christopher , Jillson Irene A , Benammar Elgaaied Amel , Blancato Jan K , Marrakchi Raja
Published: October 2014

In recent years, circulating miRNAs have attracted interest as stable, non-invasive biomarkers for various pathological conditions. Here, we investigated their potential to serve as minimally invasive, early detection markers for inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and non-inflammatory breast cancer (non-IBC) in serum. miRNA profiling was performed on serum from 20 patients with non-IBC, 20 with IBC, and 20 normal control subjects. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to measure the level of 12 candidate miRNAs previously identified in other research(miR-342-5p, miR-342--3p, miR-320, miR-30b, miR-29a, miR-24, miR-15a, miR-548d-5p, miR-486-3p, miR-451, miR-337-5p, miR-335).

We found that 4 miRNAs (miR-24, miR-342-3p, miR-337-5p and miR-451) were differentially expressed in serum of IBC patients compared to non-IBC, and 3 miRNAs (miR-337-5p ,miR-451and miR-30b) were differentially expressed in IBC and non-IBC patients combined compared to healthy controls. miR-24, miR-342-3p, miR-337-5p and miR-451 were found to be significantly down-regulated in IBC patients compared to non-IBC. Likewise, the expression level of mir-451 showed significant down-regulation in IBC serum, while mir-30b and miR-337-5p were up-regulated in non-IBC serum comparatively to normal controls. Using receiver operational curve (ROC) analysis, we show that dysregulated miRNAs can discriminate patients with IBC and non-IBC from healthy controls with sensitivity ranging from 76 to 81% and specificity from 66 to 80%, for three separate miRNAs. In conclusion, our data suggest that circulating miRNAs are potential biomarkers for classifying IBC and non-IBC, and may also be candidates for early detection of breast cancer.