bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How are sexual health clinics in England managing men who have sex with men who refuse to be tested for HIV?
Authors: Hoyos Miller Juan , Clarke Emily , Patel Raj , Kell Philip , Desai Monica , Nardone Anthony
Published: April 2017

The aim of this study was to ascertain the existence of written policies and common clinical practices in sexual health clinics in England for the management of men who have sex with men who refuse to test for HIV. All sexual health clinics in England ( n = 223) were invited to complete an online questionnaire in August–September 2014. The questionnaire covered the four domains of clinic policies, management practices, training and monitoring. We assess differences by region. Overall, 92 clinics participated. Only three clinics reported having a written policy. In contrast, most reported having a common agreed practice (94% in London vs. 71.6% elsewhere). When encountering a refusal, 72.2% of the London clinics and 53.4% of the clinics from elsewhere offered a less invasive option. Few clinics (17.4%) provided information on home sampling kits and 74.4% informed about other testing options. Eighty-seven per cent of the clinics recorded the occurrence of refusals, but only 37.8% reviewed the collected data. Providing staff with training was more common in London (94.1% vs. 73.8%). Clear policies should be developed to guide professionals when encountering men who have sex with men who refuse an HIV test. Offering less invasive testing options and information on alternative testing options could be easily introduced into routine practice. Efforts should be made to review monitoring data in order to identify implications of test refusals and introduce improvements in management of refusals.
HIV/sexually transmitted infections and intimate partner violence: Results from the Togo 2013–2014 Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Nguyen Anthony H , Giuliano Anna R , Mbah Alfred K , Sanchez-Anguiano Aurora
Published: April 2017

Among clinic-based studies, intimate partner violence (IPV) has been shown to contribute to HIV/AIDS among young girls and women. Results from studies among the general population have been less consistent. This study evaluated the associations between HIV infection, any sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and IPV in a population-based sample of Togolese women. Data from the Togo 2013–2014 Demographic and Health Survey were utilized for these analyses. Women aged 15–49, who were currently married, had HIV test results, and answered the Domestic Violence Module were analyzed (n = 2386). Generalized linear mixed-models adjusting for sociodemographic variables, risk behaviors, and cluster effect were used to estimate HIV and STI risks with experience of IPV. HIV prevalence was 2.8%. Prevalence of IPV was 39% among HIV-positive women and 38% among HIV-negative women. Significant associations between IPV and HIV infection were not detected. Adjusted models found significant associations between experience of any IPV and having had STIs (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.25–3.35). The high rates of violence in this setting warrant community-based interventions that address abuse and gender inequity. These interventions should also discuss the spectrum of STIs in relation to IPV.
Bypassing the ‘rapid-clearance-in-males-buffer’: A fourth mechanism to explain how concurrency enhances STI spread
Authors: Kenyon Chris R
Published: April 2017

A number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) persist for a considerably shorter period in the male urethra than the vagina. If the gap between sequential partnerships is longer than the duration of STI colonization in males, then this would protect future female partners from this STI in a setting of serial monogamy. If, however, males have more than one partner at a time (concurrency), then this would enable the STI to bypass this gap/buffer. We therefore propose bypassing the rapid-clearance-in-males-buffer as a fourth mechanism, whereby concurrency could enhance the spread of STIs.
Daily Spousal Responsiveness Predicts Longer-Term Trajectories of Patients’ Physical Function
Authors: Wilson Stephanie J. , Martire Lynn M. , Sliwinski Martin J.
Published: May 2017

Everyday interpersonal experiences may underlie the well-established link between close relationships and physical health, but multiple-timescale designs necessary for strong conclusions about temporal sequence are rarely used. The current study of 145 patients with knee osteoarthritis and their spouses focused on a novel pattern in everyday interactions, daily spousal responsiveness—the degree to which spouses’ responses are calibrated to changes in patients’ everyday verbal expression of pain. Using couple-level slopes, multilevel latent-variable growth models tested associations between three types of daily spousal responsiveness (empathic, solicitous, and punishing responsiveness), as measured during a 3-week experience-sampling study, and change in patients’ physical function across 18 months. As predicted, patients whose spouses were more empathically responsive to their pain expression showed better physical function over time compared with those whose spouses were less empathically responsive. This study points to daily responsiveness, a theoretically rooted operationalization of spousal sensitivity, as important for long-term changes in patients’ objective physical function.
Locating, understanding and celebrating disability: Revisiting Erikson’s “stages”
Authors: Jordan Karen , Tseris Emma
Published: April 2017

The assumption of universal human developmental tasks is central to Erikson’s influential Eight Stages of Man. While grand developmental theories have been strongly critiqued from a feminist perspective, it is necessary for feminists to also consider the implications of Erikson’s theory from a critical disability perspective. Applications of Erikson’s theory have claimed that disabled people experience stagnated development because they are unable to complete the achievements required for full participation in adulthood. However, we argue that the positioning of disabled people as diminished adults is open to question, as it is based on narrowly defined notions of “autonomy”, “industry” and “initiative”. Additionally, constructions of disabled adults as “dependent” or “vulnerable” render invisible the systematic exclusion of disabled people from social and economic opportunities. Human service workers who adopt normative developmental understandings may not realize the potential for “well-intentioned” disability services to cause harm through paternalism and a culture of low expectations. It is essential that universalized models of adulthood are deconstructed from both feminist and critical disability perspectives, in order to locate, understand and celebrate diverse developmental experiences. We offer some ideas about how this deconstruction might be enacted within a university education context.
Multilevel growth curve models that incorporate a random coefficient model for the level 1 variance function
Authors: Goldstein Harvey , Leckie George , Charlton Christopher , Tilling Kate , Browne William J
Published: May 2017

Aim

To present a flexible model for repeated measures longitudinal growth data within individuals that allows trends over time to incorporate individual-specific random effects. These may reflect the timing of growth events and characterise within-individual variability which can be modelled as a function of age.

Subjects and methods

A Bayesian model is developed that includes random effects for the mean growth function, an individual age-alignment random effect and random effects for the within-individual variance function. This model is applied to data on boys’ heights from the Edinburgh longitudinal growth study and to repeated weight measurements of a sample of pregnant women in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort.

Results

The mean age at which the growth curves for individual boys are aligned is 11.4 years, corresponding to the mean ‘take off’ age for pubertal growth. The within-individual variance (standard deviation) is found to decrease from 0.24 cm2 (0.50 cm) at 9 years for the ‘average’ boy to 0.07 cm2 (0.25 cm) at 16 years. Change in weight during pregnancy can be characterised by regression splines with random effects that include a large woman-specific random effect for the within-individual variation, which is also correlated with overall weight and weight gain.

Conclusions

The proposed model provides a useful extension to existing approaches, allowing considerable flexibility in describing within- and between-individual differences in growth patterns.
Verapamil augments carmustine- and irradiation-induced senescence in glioma cells by reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species and calcium ion levels
Authors: Ham Seok Won , Jeon Hee-Young , Kim Hyunggee
Published: May 2017

Resistance to conventional therapies and frequent recurrence are the major obstacles to the treatment of high-grade gliomas, including glioblastoma. Thus, the development of new therapeutic strategies to overcome these obstacles is necessary to improve the treatment outcomes. In this study, we found that verapamil, a pan–adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette transporter and L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel inhibitor, sensitized U87MG glioma cells to carmustine- and irradiation-induced senescence. Furthermore, our results indicated that verapamil treatment, in combination with carmustine and irradiation, rendered U87MG glioma cells and several patient-derived glioma stem cells more sensitive to therapy-induced senescence than individual or dual-combination treatments. When investigating the underlying mechanism, we found that verapamil treatment markedly decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species and calcium ion levels. Reactive oxygen species reduction with N-acetylcysteine, a reactive oxygen species scavenger, rendered U87MG glioma cells more sensitive to carmustine and irradiation whereas the protein kinase C agonist, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, mitigated the effects of carmustine and irradiation. Taken together, our results indicate that verapamil may be a potent therapeutic sensitizer for increasing the effectiveness of glioblastoma treatment.
Relationships of MMP-9, E-cadherin, and VEGF expression with clinicopathological features and response to chemosensitivity in gastric cancer
Authors: Gao Hongyu , Lan Xiuwen , Li Sen , Xue Yingwei
Published: May 2017

The matrix metalloproteinase-9, E-cadherin, and vascular endothelial growth factor play an important role in behavior of tumor cell growth, invasion, and metastasis. In this study, we investigated the relationships of matrix metalloproteinase-9, E-cadherin, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression with clinicopathological features and results of chemosensitivity tested by collagen gel droplet–embedded culture–drug sensitivity test in gastric cancer. Fresh specimens were used for collagen gel droplet–embedded culture–drug sensitivity test and paired fixed specimens were used for immunohistochemistry. Positive expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 was associated with poorly differentiated carcinoma (p = 0.032), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.022), and tumor stage (p = 0.023). Negative expression of E-cadherin was associated with poorly differentiated carcinoma (p = 0.007), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.012), and tumor stage (p = 0.007). Positive expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was associated with tumor size (p = 0.040) and stage (p = 0.007). Collagen gel droplet–embedded culture–drug sensitivity test was successfully evaluated in 56 patients. Among them, 29 (51.7%) patients were resistant to TS-1 and 31 (55.3%) patients were resistant to L-OHP. The L-OHP resistance rate in vascular endothelial growth factor positive patients was significantly higher than that in negative patients (p = 0.031). The L-OHP resistance rate in E-cadherin negative patients was significantly higher than that in positive patients (p = 0.014). In conclusion, matrix metalloproteinase-9, E-cadherin, and vascular endothelial growth factor were involved in tumor invasion and metastasis. Positive expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor and negative expression of E-cadherin were malignant markers for gastric cancer. Positive expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and negative expression of E-cadherin were associated with L-OHP resistance.
Role of microRNA-7 and selenoprotein P in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tarek Marwa , Louka Manal Louis , Khairy Eman , Ali-Labib Randa , Zakaria Zaky Doaa , Montasser Iman F
Published: May 2017

There is an obvious need to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma using novel non-invasive and sensitive biomarkers. In this regard, the aim of this study was to evaluate and correlate both relative quantification of microRNA-7 using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and quantitative analysis of selenoprotein P using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in sera of hepatocellular carcinoma patients, chronic liver disease patients, as well as normal healthy subjects in order to establish a new diagnostic biomarker with a valid non-invasive technique. In addition, this study aimed to investigate whether changes in selenium supply affect microRNA-7 expression and selenoprotein P levels in human hepatocarcinoma cell line (HepG2). The results showed a highly significant decrease in serum microRNA-7 relative quantification values and selenoprotein P levels in malignant group in comparison with benign and control groups. The best cutoff for serum microRNA-7 and selenoprotein P to discriminate hepatocellular carcinoma group from benign and control groups was 0.06 and 4.30 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, this study showed that changes in selenium supply to HepG2 cell line can alter the microRNA-7 profile and are paralleled by changes in the concentration of its target protein (selenoprotein P). Hence, serum microRNA-7 and selenoprotein P appear to be potential non-invasive diagnostic markers for hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, the results suggest that selenium could be used as an anticancer therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma by affecting both microRNA-7 and selenoprotein P.
Reactive oxygen species modulator 1, a novel protein, combined with carcinoembryonic antigen in differentiating malignant from benign pleural effusion
Authors: Chen Xianmeng , Zhang Na , Dong Jiahui , Sun Gengyun
Published: May 2017

The differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and benign pleural effusion remains a clinical problem. Reactive oxygen species modulator 1 is a novel protein overexpressed in various human tumors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of joint detection of reactive oxygen species modulator 1 and carcinoembryonic antigen in the differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and benign pleural effusion. One hundred two consecutive patients with pleural effusion (including 52 malignant pleural effusion and 50 benign pleural effusion) were registered in this study. Levels of reactive oxygen species modulator 1 and carcinoembryonic antigen were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Results showed that the concentrations of reactive oxygen species modulator 1 both in pleural fluid and serum of patients with malignant pleural effusion were significantly higher than those of benign pleural effusion (both p < 0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of pleural fluid reactive oxygen species modulator 1 were 61.54% and 82.00%, respectively, with the optimized cutoff value of 589.70 pg/mL. However, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of serum reactive oxygen species modulator 1 were only 41.38% and 86.21%, respectively, with the cutoff value of 27.22 ng/mL, indicating that serum reactive oxygen species modulator 1 may not be a good option in the differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and benign pleural effusion. The sensitivity and specificity of pleural fluid carcinoembryonic antigen were 69.23% and 88.00%, respectively, at the cutoff value of 3.05 ng/mL, while serum carcinoembryonic antigen were 80.77% and 72.00% at the cutoff value of 2.60 ng/mL. The sensitivity could be raised to 88.17% in parallel detection of plural fluid reactive oxygen species modulator 1 and carcinoembryonic antigen concentration, and the specificity could be improved to 97.84% in serial detection.
Novel candidate genes may be possible predisposing factors revealed by whole exome sequencing in familial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Forouzanfar Narjes , Baranova Ancha , Milanizadeh Saman , Heravi-Moussavi Alireza , Jebelli Amir , Abbaszadegan Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2017

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is one of the deadliest of all the cancers. Its metastatic properties portend poor prognosis and high rate of recurrence. A more advanced method to identify new molecular biomarkers predicting disease prognosis can be whole exome sequencing. Here, we report the most effective genetic variants of the Notch signaling pathway in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility by whole exome sequencing. We analyzed nine probands in unrelated familial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma pedigrees to identify candidate genes. Genomic DNA was extracted and whole exome sequencing performed to generate information about genetic variants in the coding regions. Bioinformatics software applications were utilized to exploit statistical algorithms to demonstrate protein structure and variants conservation. Polymorphic regions were excluded by false-positive investigations. Gene–gene interactions were analyzed for Notch signaling pathway candidates. We identified novel and damaging variants of the Notch signaling pathway through extensive pathway-oriented filtering and functional predictions, which led to the study of 27 candidate novel mutations in all nine patients. Detection of the trinucleotide repeat containing 6B gene mutation (a slice site alteration) in five of the nine probands, but not in any of the healthy samples, suggested that it may be a susceptibility factor for familial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Noticeably, 8 of 27 novel candidate gene mutations (e.g. epidermal growth factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, MET) act in a cascade leading to cell survival and proliferation. Our results suggest that the trinucleotide repeat containing 6B mutation may be a candidate predisposing gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, some of the Notch signaling pathway genetic mutations may act as key contributors to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Metabolic perturbation of epigenome by inhibiting S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase elicits senescence through DNA damage response in hepatoma cells
Authors: Wu Guozhen , Wang Ning , Luo Ying , Zhang Yanyan , Wang Peng , Zhu Zhengyan , Gao Yingtang , Du Zhi , Yang Bin
Published: May 2017

Cellular senescence is a key physiological barrier against tumor and represents an option for therapeutic intervention. One pivotal intracellular stimulus causing senescence is DNA damage response, while the senescence-associated heterochromatin in cancer limits the strength of the DNA damage response to endogenous genotoxic stress or DNA-damaging agents. Therefore, targeting the maintenance of compacted chromatin in cancer cells represents an optional intervention to improve the therapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment. Given a crosstalk between methionine cycle and histone methylation, we hypothesize that pharmacologically disrupting methylation potential, defined as the ratio of cellular S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocysteine, could affect the chromatin structures in cancer cells and thus enhance their sensitivity to DNA damage response signaling. Our results showed that 3-deazaneplanocin A, a chemical inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, elicited a typical cellular senescence in hepatoma cells. Therapy-induced senescence by 3-deazaneplanocin A was mediated through p53–p21 pathway and triggered by enhanced ataxia-telangiectasia mutated activation related to chromatin changes. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that metabolic perturbation of chromatin status in oncogene-activated cancers could be an optional intervention to sensitize DNA damage response signaling.
Design and integration sensitivity of a morphing trailing edge on a reference airfoil: The effect on high-altitude long-endurance aircraft performance
Authors: Della Vecchia Pierluigi , Corcione Salvatore , Pecora Rosario , Nicolosi Fabrizio , Dimino Ignazio , Concilio Antonio
Published: May 2017

Trailing edge modification is one of the most effective ways to achieve camber variations. Usual flaps and aileron implement this concept and allow facing the different needs related to take-off, landing, and maneuver operations. The extension of this idea to meet other necessities, less dramatic in terms of geometry change yet useful a lot to increase the aircraft performance, moves toward the so-called morphing architectures, a compact version of the formers and inserted within the frame of the smart structures’ design philosophy. Mechanic (whether compliant or kinematic), actuation and sensor systems, together with all the other devices necessary for its proper working, are embedded into the body envelope. After the successful experiences, gained inside the SARISTU (SmARt Intelligent Aircraft STrUctures) project where an adaptive trailing edge was developed with the aim of compensating the weight variations in a medium-size commercial aircraft (for instance, occurring during cruise), the team herein exploits the defined architecture in the wing of a typical airfoil, used on high-altitude long-endurance aircraft such as the Global Hawk. Among the peculiarities of this kind of aerial vehicle, there is the long endurance, in turn, associated with a massive fuel storage (approximately around 50% of the total weight). A segmented, finger-like, rib layout is considered to physically implement the transition from the baseline airfoil to the target configurations. This article deals with an extensive estimation of the possible benefits related to the implementation of this device on that class of planes. Parametric aerodynamic analyses are performed to evaluate the effects of different architectural layouts (in-plane geometry extension) and different shape envelopes (namely, the rotation boundaries). Finally, the expected improvements in the global high-altitude long-endurance aircraft performance are evaluated, following the implementation of the referred morphing device.
A method for monitoring bolt torque in a composite connection using an embedded fiber Bragg grating sensor
Authors: Yeager Mike , Whitaker Anthony , Todd Michael
Published: May 2017

This work presents a new method for monitoring the preload torque in a composite bolted connection using an embedded fiber Bragg grating sensor. A unique washer was designed to impose a specified nonuniform strain field across the grating, causing distortion in the reflected optical spectrum. Using the full-width at half maximum bandwidth of the Bragg reflection spectrum as the preload-sensitive feature, it is shown that this feature increases monotonically—and quite linearly—with increasing applied bolt torque. It is also demonstrated that, although distorted, the spectral structure of the sensor is maintained such that it is simultaneously able to function in its typical use as a uniaxial strain sensor, thus essentially creating a dual-purpose sensor. The computational design approach is validated with a prototype experiment.
Effectiveness of Total Contact Orthosis for Plantar Pressure Redistribution in Neuropathic Diabetic Patients During Different Walking Activities
Authors: Nouman Muhammad , Leelasamran Wipawan , Chatpun Surapong
Published: April 2017

Background:

Using a total contact orthosis (TCO) is an effective method to offload in diabetic patients with foot neuropathy. However, the redistribution of peak plantar pressure is mostly observed during level walking, which may differ from other walking activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the plantar pressure from 4 regions of the foot during different walking activities (level walking, ramp ascending, ramp descending, stair ascending, and stair descending) in neuropathic diabetic patients with and without a TCO.

Methods:

Sixteen neuropathic diabetic patients aged 40 to 60 years with calluses and hallux valgus were included in this study and were provided with TCOs made up of multifoam, Plastazote, and microcellular rubber. The plantar pressure and contact area with the TCO and without the TCO were recorded using the Pedar X system during different walking activities.

Results:

A significant reduction of plantar pressure during different walking activities at the toes and forefoot regions was observed while walking with the TCO compared with walking without the TCO (control condition). Plantar pressure increased at the midfoot region when walking with the TCO, and no significant difference was observed at the hindfoot region between the control and TCO conditions. Furthermore, maximum contact area was observed during level walking with the TCO compared with other walking activities.

Conclusion:

The TCO significantly reduced and redistributed the peak plantar pressure from the sites where the ulceration rate is higher at the toes and forefoot compared with the other regions of the foot.

Level of evidence:

Therapeutic level II, lesser quality randomized controlled trial
Olfactory Loss and Regain: Lessons for Neuroplasticity
Authors: Reichert Johanna L. , Schöpf Veronika
Published: May 2017

For the visual and auditory senses, an array of studies has reported on neuronal reorganization processes after sensory loss. In contrast to this, neuroplasticity has been investigated only scarcely after loss of the olfactory sense. The present review focuses on the current extent of literature on structural and functional neuroplasticity effects after loss, with a focus on magnetic resonance imaging–based studies. We also include findings on the regain of the olfactory sense, for example after successful olfactory training. Existing studies indicate that widespread structural changes beyond the level of the olfactory bulb occur in the brain after loss of the olfactory sense. Moreover, on a functional level, loss of olfactory input not only entails changes in olfaction-related brain regions but also in the trigeminal system. Existing evidence should be strengthened by future longitudinal studies, a more thorough investigation of the neuronal consequences of congenital anosmia, and the application of state-of-the-art neuroimaging methods, such as connectivity analyses and joint analyses of brain structure and function.
Mode coupling instability mitigation in friction systems by means of nonlinear energy sinks: Numerical highlighting and local stability analysis
Authors: Bergeot Baptiste , Berger Sébastien , Bellizzi Sergio
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we study the problem of passive control of friction-induced vibrations due to mode coupling instability in braking systems. To achieve that, the well-known two degrees of freedom Hultén’s model, which reproduces the typical dynamic behavior of friction systems, is coupled to two ungrounded nonlinear energy sinks (NES). The NES involves an essential cubic restoring force and a linear damping force. First, using numerical simulations it is shown that the suppression or the mitigation of the instability is possible and four steady-state responses are highlighted: complete suppression, mitigation through periodic response, mitigation through strongly modulated response, and no suppression of the mode coupling instability. Then the system is analyzed applying a complexification-averaging method and the resulting slow-flow is finally analyzed using geometric singular perturbation theory. This analysis allows us to explain the observed steady-state response regimes and predict some of them. The boundary values of the friction coefficient for some of the transitions between these regimes are predicted. However, the appearance of a three-dimensional super-slow flow subsystem highlights the limitation of the local linear stability analysis of the slow-flow to predict all these boundaries.
Mutiny on the Bay: Investigating the Presentation of the Scott Olsen Police Assault on the Websites of San Francisco Bay Area Local Television Stations
Authors: Leavey Sean T.
Published: May 2017

In the fall of 2011, the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protests emerged, becoming a global movement. In the United States, the Occupy Oakland demonstrations witnessed instances of violence, most notably in the injury of Scott Olsen, an Occupy Oakland supporter and former U.S. Marine who was struck by a police projectile. This article investigates the presentation of the Olsen injury on the websites of five major local television stations in the San Francisco Bay area, as a way to illustrate the negative coverage of dissident social movement activists, even when they are former military veterans, a group treated respectfully in the media. In this case, Olsen’s presence created a conflict in the application of the themes and devices composing the “protest paradigm.” The findings of this study suggest the existence of a “patriotism paradigm,” a news treatment that neutralizes the credibility of individuals or groups seeking a claim to the positive associations of patriotism and military service of the post-9/11 United States, and can allow news treatments such as the “protest paradigm” to exist without being contradicted.
Is Reality TV a Bad Girls Club? Television Use, Docusoap Reality Television Viewing, and the Cultivation of the Approval of Aggression
Authors: Scharrer Erica , Blackburn Greg
Published: May 2017

In this study, associations between overall amount of television viewing as well as viewing of reality programs featuring adults in romantic, friendship-oriented, or familial settings and the approval of physical and verbal aggression are examined. Consistent with genre-specific cultivation theory, findings among 248 U.S. adult survey respondents show the ability of exposure to docusoap reality television as well as its perceived reality to predict normative beliefs about aggression, even under multiple controls. Additional analyses explore differences between men and women in the sample and explore approval of female-perpetrated compared with male-perpetrated aggression.
Carry-over of antineoplastic drug contamination in Dutch hospital pharmacies
Authors: Crul M , Simons-Sanders K
Published: April 2017

Background

To prevent occupational exposure of hospital staff to cytostatics, a mandatory national guideline describing a set of safety measures was issued in the Netherlands in 2004. The guideline includes, among other directives, obligatory annual wipe testing to assess the efficacy of the local cleaning protocol. Full implementation of this guideline was executed in all Dutch hospital pharmacies over the next couple of years.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the effect of the national guideline on contamination levels, and specifically on the phenomenon of carry-over of traces of antineoplastic drugs through contact with surfaces, since this is a potential route of exposure.

Methods

From a database including wipe sample results of 9 hospitals over 10 years, we extracted all sampled locations in the compounding areas as well as in adjacent or bypass rooms and locks. We considered only the locations outside safety cabinets or isolators, to examine the containment of contamination and to address possible routes of how a contamination can migrate through the preparation and distribution areas. The dataset consisted of 2647 wipe samples.

Results

In adjacent rooms, 18 out of 275 wipe samples were contaminated (6%). Inside the compounding room, the extracted locations away from the safety workbench showed a positive percentage for contamination of 13% (39 out of 297). When stratifying the data to sample year, it was shown that contaminations outside the preparation room were no longer detectable after 2008.

Conclusion

With this study, we show that implementation of a set of guidelines on safety measures can prevent spreading of cytostatic traces from the compounding area in hospital pharmacies.
Pleasures of policing: An additional analysis of xenophobia
Authors: Sausdal David
Published: May 2017

In police research, dominant explanations of why law enforcers harbour xenophobic attitudes are most often dressed in cultural or political rationalizations. Based on an ethnographic study of Danish police detectives and their noticeable negativity towards foreign suspects, this article offers an additional explanation of xenophobia. It demonstrates how resentments are spurred not only by cultural prejudice or politics but also by the ways in which foreigners complicate quite ordinary yet, from a police perspective, valued work practices. Following this ethnographic observation, the article ultimately constitutes a call for a better grounding of our criminological theories in the wider context of the workday situations and sensibilities of law enforcement.
Experimental investigation of aerodynamic effect–induced dynamic characteristics of an OC4 semi-submersible floating wind turbine
Authors: Chen Jiahao , Hu Zhiqiang
Published: April 2017

Compared to onshore wind turbines, aerodynamics-induced dynamic characteristics of a floating wind turbine are more complicated due to its coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic behaviours. The study investigates these aerodynamics-induced dynamic characteristics using an OC4 semi-submersible floating wind turbine. In this research, a high-fidelity wind field and a 1/50th scale model were tested. The dynamic characteristics induced by the aerodynamic effects were investigated in detail via the experimental results, including aerodynamic damping effects, gyroscopic effects, dynamic responses of the Rotor-Nacelle-Assembly and dynamic responses of the mooring system. It is found that aerodynamic damping is active in reducing surge and pitch resonant responses and probably increases with the inflow wind speed and the rotating-blades–induced induction coefficient; the gyroscopic effect intensifies the yaw motion and increases with the rotational speed of a rotor; the significant responses from the Rotor-Nacelle-Assembly may occur when the natural frequencies of the tower are close to aerodynamic periodic frequencies; and the mooring system is more sensitive to wave loads rather than to aerodynamic loads. This study presents the complexity of the dynamic characteristics induced by the aerodynamic effects in a floating wind turbine, and in the design code, using time-domain analysis software, which considers the coupling effects between the wind- and wave-induced loads and responses are suggested.
Efficient swept sine chirp excitation in the non-linear vibro-acoustic wave modulation technique used for damage detection
Authors: Dziedziech Kajetan , Pieczonka Lukasz , Adamczyk Maciej , Klepka Andrzej , Staszewski Wieslaw J
Published: May 2017

In this article, the non-linear vibro-acoustic modulation technique is used for structural damage detection. A new experimental configuration and data processing strategy are proposed to improve the damage detection capability of the technique. The swept sine chirp excitation is used for both low-frequency vibration/modal and high-frequency ultrasonic excitations. The adaptive resampling procedure is then applied to extract information about modulation intensity that relates to damage. The proposed method is illustrated using numerical simulations and experimental tests. The latter involves crack detection in an aluminium beam. The results of the proposed method are compared with the classical approach based on single harmonic excitation, demonstrating that similar damage detection information can be extracted. However, the major advantage of the proposed method is simplicity and robustness since no a priori selection of excitation frequencies is needed. As a result, crack detection is more reliable and unambiguous.
Breathable-windproof membrane via simultaneous electrospinning of PU and P(AMPS-GO) hybrid nanofiber: Modeling and optimization with response surface methodology
Authors: Gorji Mohsen , Sadeghian Maryan Ali
Published: April 2017

In this work, a new bimodal fiber diameter distributed structure composed of polyurethane (PU) and poly (2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) (PAMPS) hybrid nanofibers was synthesized and used as a breathable-windproof membrane (BWM). Graphene oxide (GO) was compounded with AMPS through polymerization process to increase the membrane performance. Water vapor permeability (WVP), air permeability (AP), and tensile strength at break were evaluated as BWMs performance. The effects of PU and PAMPS fiber density and GO loading on the membrane performance were modeled and analyzed using the response surface methodology (RSM). The results show that when PU fiber density declined and GO loading increased, WVP of membranes improved. Also, an increase in PU and PAMPS coverage density led to a decrease in AP. Tensile strength at break increased as PU fiber density and GO loading rose. RSM also predicted that with using 6.07 g/m2 PU fiber density, 2.40 g/m2 PAMPS fiber density, and 2% GO loading, the optimum performance of BWM, that is, the maximum order of tensile strength (18.45 MPa) and WVP (848.22 g/m2/day) and the minimum order of AP (15.66 lit/m2/s), can be obtained. The results of experimental tests are in good agreement with predicted values by RSM.
MicroRNA-34a alleviates steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head by targeting Tgif2 through OPG/RANK/RANKL signaling pathway
Authors: Peng Wu-Xun , Ye Chuan , Dong Wen-Tao , Yang Lei-Luo , Wang Chun-Qing , Wei Ze-An , Wu Jian-Hua , Li Qing , Deng Jin , Zhang Jian
Published: April 2017

The study aims to investigate the effect of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) targeting Tgif2 on steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head (SANFH) by regulating OPG/RANK/RANKL signaling pathway. SD rats were divided into normal control and model (RNAKL rat models) groups. The model group was further assigned into model control, negative control, miR-34a mimics and miR-34a inhibitors groups. QRT-PCR was applied to detect miR-34a, Tgif2, OPG, RANK and RNAKL mRNA expressions. Femoral head tissues were collected for Micro-CT scanning and HE staining. QRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect expressions of miR-34a, Tgif2, OPG, RANK, RANKL and Runx2, OPN and OC in bone tissues. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to testify the target relationship between miR-34a and Tgif2. Compared with the normal control group, the model group showed increased Tgif2, RANK and RANKL mRNA expressions, but decreased miR-34a and OPG mRNA expressions. Tgif2 mRNA expression was negatively correlated with miR-34a and OPG mRNA expressions. Micro-CT showed cystic degeneration of femoral head, with decreased bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), bone surface area/bone volume and trabecular number in the model control group compared with the normal control group. Compared with the model control group, the miR-34a mimics group showed increased BV/TV and trabecular thickness and Runx2, OPN and OC expressions, while the parameters decreased in the miR-34a inhibitors group. Compared with the normal control group, the other groups showed increased Tgif2, RANK and RANKL expressions but decreased miR-34a and OPG expressions. Compared with the model control group, Tgif2, RANK and RANKL expressions decreased and miR-34a and OPG expressions increased in the miR-34a mimics group, while the miR-34a inhibitors group had a reverse trend in contrast to the miR-34a mimics group. Tgif2 is a target gene of miR-34a. In conclusion, miR-34a can alleviate SANFH through targeting Tgif2 and further regulating OPG/RANK/RANKL signaling pathway.

Impact statement

miR-34a can alleviate SANFH through targeting Tgif2 and further regulating OPG/RANK/RANKL signaling pathway, which can be used as a new theoretical basis for SANFH treatment.
The Best Approach for Laparoscopic Fluorescence Cholangiography: Overview of the Literature and Optimization of Dose and Dosing Time
Authors: Boogerd Leonora S. F. , Handgraaf Henricus J. M. , Huurman Volkert A. L. , Lam Hwai-Ding , Mieog J. Sven D. , van der Made Wendeline J. , van de Velde Cornelis J. H. , Vahrmeijer Alexander L.
Published: April 2017

Background: Fluorescence cholangiography using indocyanine green (ICG) can enhance orientation of bile duct anatomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To ensure clear discrimination between bile ducts and liver, the fluorescence ratio between both should be sufficient. This ratio is influenced by the ICG dose and timing of fluorescence imaging. We first systematically identified all strategies for fluorescence cholangiography. Second, we aimed to optimize the dose of ICG and dosing time in a prospective clinical trial. Methods: PubMed was searched for clinical trials studying fluorescence cholangiography. Furthermore, 28 patients planned to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy were divided into 7 groups, receiving different intravenous doses (5 or 10 mg ICG) at different time points (0.5, 2, 4, 6, or 24 hours prior to surgery). Results: The systematic review revealed 27 trials including 1057 patients. The majority of studies used 2.5 mg administered within 1 hour before imaging. Imaging 3 to 24 hours after ICG administration was never studied. The clinical trial demonstrated that the highest bile duct-to-liver ratio was achieved 3 to 7 hours after administration of 5 mg and 5 to 25 hours after administration of 10 mg ICG. Up to 3 hours after administration of 5 mg and up to 5 hours after administration of 10 mg ICG, the liver was equally or more fluorescent than the cystic duct, resulting in a ratio ≤1.0. Conclusion: This study shows for the first time that the interval between ICG administration and intraoperative fluorescence cholangiography should be extended. Administering 5 mg ICG at least 3 hours before imaging is easy to implement in everyday clinical practice and results in bile duct-to-liver ratios >1.0.
Negative spaces: Terrorist attempts to erase cultural history and the critical media coverage
Authors: Klein Adam
Published: May 2017

The recent annihilation of the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud by ISIS represents a disturbing trend in how some terrorist groups are trying to erase historical sites for the cultures they communicate. This study explores how one of these devastated spaces is still expressed in the media years after its destruction by examining another act of iconoclasm that occurred in 2001 when the Taliban annihilated the 1,500-year-old Buddhas of Bamiyan statues. The research explores the conception of negative spaces in communication and the means by which they are created through warfare and terrorism. A frame and critical analysis of popular magazines then assesses how the Bamiyan Buddhas’ identity has been transformed over time, and some of the journalistic practices that have enabled these renderings. The results reveal how the Buddhas have gradually become journalism’s touchstone for modern cultural terrorism, while in 70 percent of the coverage the site’s actual history has been replaced by the narrative of its destruction.
Passive instability control by a heat exchanger in a combustor with nonuniform temperature
Authors: Surendran Aswathy , Heckl Maria A
Published: May 2017

Thermoacoustic instabilities, caused by the feedback between unsteady heat release and acoustic pressure perturbations, are characterised by large-amplitude pressure oscillations. These oscillations, if uncontrolled, pose a threat to the integrity of combustion systems. One strategy to mitigate them is by installing cavity-backed perforated plates with bias flow into the combustion chamber. In this study, we consider a generic combustor configuration: a one-dimentional tube (with open and/or closed ends) containing a compact heat source and a heat exchanger tube row. The idea is to use the heat exchanger tube row as a device (analogously to a cavity-backed perforated plate) to manipulate the downstream end condition. We simulate the row of heat exchanger tubes by a slit-plate with bias flow. We derive the characteristic equation for the complex eigenfrequencies of this set-up. From the growth rates (imaginary parts of the eigenfrequencies), we construct stability maps for various system parameter combinations. The results, obtained for the first two modes of the system, show that by varying the cavity length or the bias flow velocity through the slits, we can stabilise a previously unstable combustion system.
Aquaporin-1 Expression in Herniated Human Lumbar Intervertebral Discs
Authors: Hoffman Haydn , Choi Aaron W. , Chang Victor , Kimball Jon , S. Verkman Alan , Virani Rubeen , Kim Brian , Niu Tianyi , Lu Daniel C.
Published: May 2017

Study Design:

Case series.

Objective:

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is the cause of spondylosis. The pathogenesis is poorly understood, but disc dehydration often plays a role. In this study, we aim to identify and quantify aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in ex vivo human degenerated IVDs obtained intraoperatively and to investigate the relationship between AQP1 levels and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 intensity of the disc.

Methods:

Ex vivo samples of nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue from lumbar IVDs were obtained from 18 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for disc herniation at L4/5 and L5/S1 level. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the presence of AQP1 expression, and this was quantified by Western blot analysis. AQP1 expression was compared to preoperative IVD signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI.

Results:

NP tissue was obtained from 18 patients (9 for L4/5 level and 9 for L5/S1 level). AQP1 expression was detected in all samples by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. AQP1 expression had a linear correlation with the preoperative IVD signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI at L4/5 level ( R2 = 0.90) and at L5/S1 level ( R2 = 0.92). AQP1 expression was 52.2 ± 59.0 at L5/S1 level and 15.9 ± 20.6 at L4/5 ( P = .10).

Conclusions:

Our results show that AQP1 can be detected in IVD obtained from live human subjects. Increased AQP1 expression is associated with greater disc hydration as measured by signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI. AQP1 may have a role in the dehydration associated with disc degeneration.