bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consensus on the Need for a Hierarchical List of Patient-reported Pain Outcomes for Metaanalyses of Knee Osteoarthritis Trials: An OMERACT Objective
Authors: Christensen Robin , Maxwell Lara J. , Jüni Peter , Tovey David , Williamson Paula R. , Boers Maarten , Goel Niti , Buchbinder Rachelle , March Lyn , Terwee Caroline B. , Singh Jasvinder A. , Tugwell Peter
Published: May 2015

Objective.

Although protocol registration for systematic reviews is still not mandatory, reviewers should be strongly encouraged to register the protocol to identify the methodological approach, including all outcomes of interest. This will minimize the likelihood of biased decisions in reviews, such as selective outcome reporting. A group of international experts convened to address issues regarding the need to develop hierarchical lists of outcome measurement instruments for a particular outcome for metaanalyses.

Methods.

Multiple outcome measurement instruments exist to measure the same outcome. Metaanalysis of knee osteoarthritis (OA) trials, and the assessment of pain as an outcome, was used as an exemplar to assess how Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT), the Cochrane Collaboration, and other international initiatives might contribute in this area. The meeting began with formal presentations of background topics, empirical evidence from the literature, and a brief introduction to 2 existing hierarchical lists of pain outcome measurement instruments recommended for metaanalyses of knee OA trials.

Results.

After discussions, most participants agreed that there is a need to develop a methodology for generation of hierarchical lists of outcome measurement instruments to guide metaanalyses. Tools that could be used to steer development of such a prioritized list are the COSMIN checklist (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments) and the OMERACT Filter 2.0.

Conclusion.

We list meta-epidemiological research agenda items that address the frequency of reported outcomes in trials, as well as methodologies to assess the best measurement properties (i.e., truth, discrimination, and feasibility).
ICT Literacy and Readiness in Using Computers among Headteachers in their Tertiary Learning Experiences and School Management Tasks
Authors: Mohamad Said Mohd Nihra Haruzuan , Mohd Tahir Lokman , Ali Mohd Fadzli , Megat Zakaria Megat Aman Zahiri
Published: April 2015

Headteachers are considered as the most influential role in teaching and learning using ICT (Internet, Communication and Technology) in the school setting. Numerous scholars emphasised that as school leaders, they are also competent with technology and computer as part of supporting role model in technological leadership and stewardship. Nevertheless, there is remarkably little research that investigates headteachers’ perceptions towards their learning process using ICT. This exploratory research is an attempt to gather data on headteachers’ readiness, attachment and their perception of the computer assisted learning process. As for the methodology, ten headteacherss were purposely selected and interviewed in order to address the three essential research questions which were their readiness of using computer; their attachment with computers and their perceptions of teaching and learning using computers in schools. Ten headteachers that were selected as subjects were undergraduate students who are currently enrolling in educational administration and leadership degree in a public university. Findings reveals that headteachers have positive remarks towards the usage of computer in their learning process since the utilization of computers will expose them to the relevant information which helps them as role model for technological stewardship. Secondly, most of headteachers are significantly ready in their learning process using computers and they also felt learning using computers give much opportunities in networking and connecting to other headteachers at other districts.
Memórias perdidas, identidades sem cidadania
Authors: Khosa Ungulani Ba Ka
Published: May 2015

Este texto procura contribuir para o debate sobre as políticas identitárias no Moçambique contemporâneo. Contrapondo, através de vários exemplos, a diversidade identitária do tecido social do país à altivez ignorante das estruturas de poder nele presentes, o texto procura problematizar, em vários momentos históricos, a fratura cognitiva entre o projeto político nacional, conceptualizado a partir das elites que controlam o Estado, e o plurilinguismo e a polifonia que constroem o tecido social real. A partir desta dicotomia o texto explora o discurso sobre a nação a várias vozes, problematizando os sentidos das lições da história de Moçambique e os múltiplos silenciamentos que a narrativa histórica dominante vem realizando.
Regard écologique sur le recul stratégique : atouts et risques pour la diversité végétale péri-urbaine marseillaise
Authors: Affre Laurence , Dumas Pierre-Jean , Dumas Estelle , Laffont-Schwob Isabelle , Tatoni Thierry
Published: May 2015

Les notions de vulnérabilité de la diversité végétale sont re-contextualisées vis-à-vis des changements globaux. Le cadre de l’étude se situe sur un territoire d’exception, le littoral rocheux péri-urbain de Marseille (inclus dans le Parc national des Calanques) où se développent des formations végétales remarquables et menacées, nommées les phryganes littorales. La destruction et/ou la dégradation anthropiques des habitats ont engendré une répartition extrêmement restreinte et fragmentée de leurs populations associée à une forte régression démographique locale (quasi-absence du recrutement, faible succès reproducteur, fortes nécroses individuelles du fait des embruns salés/pollués et importante compétition inter- spécifique des plantes co-occurrentes). Face à la vulnérabilité historique et actuelle des phryganes littorales, les questionnements sur les impacts d’une élévation potentielle du niveau de la mer et d’une bande littorale rocheuse déconstruite ou désurbanisée sont abordés avec le regard des écologues, rarement entendu dans les débats concernant le recul stratégique. Les éléments de réponse proposés suggèrent des mesures de gestion in situ et ex situ, mais surtout font émerger de nouvelles questions sur les relations de réciprocité entre système « urbain » et écosystème « naturel » basées sur une nouvelle notion du « vivre ensemble » en vue d’aménagements efficaces du territoire. Ceci permet de rappeler qu’il est crucial de conjuguer les facteurs écologiques, sociaux et économiques pour façonner un dialogue sociétal autour des enjeux de la biodiversité et mettre en œuvre des actions concrètes de préservation des milieux.
L’immigration clandestine à Mayotte : un phénomène révélateur de l'incidence des changements climatiques sur la sécurité humaine?
Authors: Wu-Tiu-Yen Nadia
Published: May 2015

Mayotte, département français situé au cœur de l’océan Indien subit une importante pression migratoire en provenance de l’archipel des Comores dont elle fait elle-même partie. Sous l’effet des changements climatiques, ce phénomène pourrait se renforcer ce qui peut paraître assez curieux dans la mesure où l’ensemble des îles composant l’archipel est placé dans des conditions géologiques et météorologiques similaires. Face à cette situation, la sécurité humaine constitue une grille d’analyse particulièrement intéressante en termes de vulnérabilité.
Perception des risques de submersion marine et capacité d’adaptation des populations littorales
Authors: Rulleau Bénédicte , Rey-Valette Hélène , Flanquart Hervé , Hellequin Anne-Peggy , Meur-Ferec Catherine
Published: May 2015

Cet article présente les résultats d’une enquête réalisée en 2009 et portant sur la perception des risques de submersion marine par les usagers et résidents de trois communes du littoral languedocien. En termes de lutte contre l’érosion des plages, les réponses se partagent entre méthodes souples et ouvrages « en dur ». Seuls 15 % des résidents se déclarent en faveur du laisser-faire ou du retrait stratégique. En effet, ces populations, principales et surtout secondaires, sont fortement attachées au territoire sur lequel elles vivent. Au contraire, touristes et excursionnistes, qui seraient moins directement affectés par ces mesures, leur sont plus favorables (respectivement 25,5 % et 48 %). Ces résultats renseignent sur les capacités et modes d’adaptation souhaités des différentes populations et apportent des éléments indispensables à la définition des politiques publiques.
Le recul stratégique : de l’anticipation nécessaire aux innovations juridiques
Authors: Lambert Marie-Laure
Published: May 2015

Les changements climatiques obligent aujourd’hui à réfléchir à de nouvelles pistes juridiques pour gérer l’urbanisme sur des littoraux vulnérables à l’élévation du niveau marin. En cas d’inaction des pouvoirs publics, les dommages aux biens et aux personnes peuvent se multiplier et les risques de responsabilité administrative ou pénale des élus sont nombreux. Il importe d’anticiper dès maintenant sur ce phénomène, afin de construire, notamment, un droit de la relocalisation des activités et des biens qui soit acceptable, durable et équitable. Il apparaît que le maintien ou le retour à l’état naturel ou peu anthropisé de la bande littorale la plus vulnérable soit, dans bien des cas, un moyen permettant de garantir la sécurité des personnes, la protection et l’attractivité de l’arrière-pays. La notion de « domaine public littoral » pourrait traduire le statut juridique de cet espace qui sera progressivement repris par la mer. Sur cette bande littorale, le droit doit innover pour permettre l’abandon par les propriétaires des constructions existantes, en intégrant le long terme : l’étalement dans le temps de la perte de propriété et l’introduction de critères d’équité sociale sont ici proposés. Enfin, il peut être opportun de lancer des pistes de réflexion sur les modes d’occupation du littoral, en imaginant des usages provisoires, adaptables et plus partagés de cet espace mouvant.
Investigation of Individual Emotions with GSR and FTT by Employing LabVIEW
Authors: Shivakumar G. , Vijaya P.A.
Published: April 2015

It is essential to distinguish between an imposter and a genuine emotion in certain applications. To facilitate this, the number of features is increased by incorporating physiological signals. Physiological changes in the human body cannot be pretended. Human emotional behavior changes the heart rate, skin resistance, finger temperature, EEG etc. These physiological signal parameters can be measured and included as the final feature vector. The network is to be trained considering all the feature points as inputs with a radial basis activation function at the hidden layer and a linear activation function at the output layer. The two physiological parameters galvanic skin response (GSR) and finger tip temperature (FTT) that are predominant in deciding the emotion of a person are considered in this chapter. The measurements made are transmitted to LabVIEW add-on card for further data processing and analysis. The results obtained are nearer to the reality with a good measure of accuracy.
EEG-Analysis for the Detection of True Emotion or Pretension
Authors: Kar Reshma , Konar Amit , Chakraborty Aruna
Published: April 2015

Several lobes in the human brain are involved differently in the arousal, processing and manifestation of emotion in facial expression, vocal intonation and gestural patterns. Sometimes people suppress their bodily manifestations to pretend their emotions. Detection of emotion and pretension is an open problem in emotion research. The chapter presents an analysis of EEG signals to detect true emotion/pretension: first by extracting the neural connectivity among selected brain lobes during arousal and manifestation of a true emotion, and then by testing whether the connectivity among the lobes are maintained while encountering an emotional context. In case the connectivity is manifested, the arousal of emotion is regarded as true emotion, otherwise it is considered as a pretension. Experimental results confirm that for positive emotions, the decoding accuracy of true (false) emotions is as high as 88% (72%), while for negative emotions, the classification accuracy falls off by a 12% margin for true emotions and 8% margin for false emotions. The proposed method has wide-spread applications to detect criminals, frauds and anti-socials.
Computing with Words Model for Emotion Recognition Using Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Kar Reshma , Halder Anisha , Konar Amit , Chakraborty Aruna , Nagar Atulya K.
Published: April 2015

This chapter provides a novel approach to emotion recognition of subjects from the user-specified word description of their facial features. The problem is solved in two phases. In the first phase, an interval type-2 fuzzy membership space for each facial feature in different linguistic grades for different emotions is created. In the second phase, a set of fuzzy emotion-classifier rules is instantiated with fuzzy word description about facial features to infer the winning emotion class. The most attractive part of this research is to autonomously transform user-specified word descriptions into membership functions and construction of footprint of uncertainty for each facial feature in different linguistic grades. The proposed technique for emotion classification is very robust as it is sensitive to changes in word description only, rather than the absolute measurement of features. Besides it offers a good classification accuracy over 87% and is thus comparable with existing techniques.
Military Robotics and Emotion
Authors: Galliott Jai
Published: April 2015

In this chapter the author considers the complex moral interplay between unmanned systems, emotion, and just war theory. The first section examines technologically mediated fighting and suggests that through a process of moral-emotional disengagement and emotional desensitisation, any pre-existing barriers to immoral conduct in war may be reduced. Having considered the impact on the long distance warrior's capacity or willingness to adhere to jus in bello norms, the author then examines the impact on the personal wellbeing of the operators themselves. Here, among other things, the author considers the impact of being simultaneously present in contrasting environments and argue that this, if nothing else, may lead to serious transgressions of just war principles. The fourth and final section asks whether we can eliminate or relieve some of these technologically mediated but distinctly human moral problems by further automating elements of the decision making process.
Emotional Intelligence Model for Managers in Turkish Banking Sector and an Application
Authors: Hacıoğlu Burcu , Yarbağ Pelin Şahin , Hacıoğlu Ümit , Dinçer Hasan , Tuğsal Türker
Published: May 2015

This chapter explores the relationship between the emotional intelligence talents of bank and finance managers and employee job satisfaction. The chapter proceeds as follows: First, the authors carefully reiterate the theoretical review of job satisfaction and emotional intelligence literature. Second, the authors present the methodology, conception of the research, assumptions and limitations, measuring tools, surveys and research hypothesis used in their research. Third, the authors discuss their research findings. Finally, their research conclusions are presented. With regard to the appropriate estimation technique-regression analysis, the authors findings have demonstrated that interpersonal relationship has a significant impact on job satisfaction in the banking and finance sector. Contrarily, there is not any significant relationship between social intelligence and commitment to workplace in the banking, finance, education, computer, health, textile, automotive, electronics, or packing sectors. The contribution of this research shows that the social intelligence factor affects interpersonal relationships, working conditions and impulse control factors of banking and finance managers both directly and intensely.
Evaluation of Branch-Based Efficiency in Turkish Deposit Banks
Authors: Hacıoğlu Ümit , Dinçer Hasan , Olgu Özlem
Published: May 2015

The aim of the chapter is to measure the non-interest income based branch efficiency among privately-owned banks in the Turkish banking sector between 2008 and 2012. The chapter is built on the three inputs and three outputs model of bank branch efficiency and empirical results are constructed with the data envelopment analysis (DEA) in the limitation of input-orientated constant returns to scale model. The results demonstrate that all privately-owned banks improve non-interest based efficiency performance by the years and mean efficiency in the sector regularly rises due to the increasing overall competitive factors.
Financial Analysis of Oil and Gas Exploration Companies Operating in Egypt
Authors: Olgu Özlem
Published: May 2015

This chapter studied financial statements of the three main oil and gas E&P companies in Egypt comparing 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 figures. The analysis is conducted with the help of horizontal and vertical analysis of income statements and balance sheets as well as financial ratios. All financial statements are obtained from the corporate web sites of relevant companies.
A New Financing Model in Banking Sector
Authors: Dinçer Hasan , Hacıoğlu Ümit , Kiskac Banu
Published: May 2015

It's a reality that the world economy is rapidly growing and developing. International foreign markets are in trouble about offsetting the funds that meet the finance demand with every passing day. In this case, the need of finding new sources is triggered off. In Islamic countries, in which interest is forbidden, bringing the idle funds to the economy is to be seen to offset these needs partially. Thanks to this, the investors, who reject to invest in financial markets due to their faith, have an alternative. In this chapter, Sukuk, the development in Islamic finance markets, an item of borrowing out of assets, is observed. In this regard, this study explains the structures, types and the actions of the sukuk hence one can conclude that Sukuk can be valued as an alternative investment item for Turkish markets.
Development Agencies, Grant System, and Financial Support for SMEs in Turkey
Authors: Dinçer Hasan , Hacıoğlu Ümit , Özkul Abdullah Önder
Published: April 2015

SMEs form 90% of commercial businesses in Turkey and the support given to SMEs means support directly given to the real sector in a vast scale. SMEs have some problems currently that are accepted as structural throughout Turkey, such as that they were constituted in form of family companies, that they do not use financial instruments sufficiently, that they do not work with professional executives, their commercial activities without invoice, etc. There could be other common problems that SMEs can meet with as related to sector or location. The main duties of Development Agencies is to mobilize commercial potential in region, to support sectors that have the potential to grow, and thus, to decrease the difference of development between regions. This chapter explores SMEs in Turkey.
Sino-Russian Strategic Partnership
Authors: Erdem Cagri
Published: April 2015

The colossal economic transformations and political intrusions had been affecting brutally China and the Soviet Union in the final decades of the twentieth century. Currently, Russia is a gigantic power struggling to rebuild its economic base in an era of globalization. On the other hand, the economic rise of China has attracted a great deal of attention and labeled as a success story by the Western world. China and Russia have made a number of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and improve cooperation on a number of economic/political/diplomatic fronts. Since the mid-1990s, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been an important feature of Eurasian politics and a vehicle to forge a new sort of cooperation between China and Russia. A number of issues related to geopolitics, security, the economy, and regional politics have been handled by the SCO member states.
The Role of Social Media and Social Networking in Information Service Provision
Authors: Onwuchekwa Edeama O.
Published: May 2015

Social networking is a Web-based service that allows individuals to construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and view and navigate their list of connections and those made by others within the system. No doubt, social media has great potential in taking library operations to the next level. It is in the light of this that this chapter examines the role of social media and social networking in information service provision in libraries. To achieve this objective, the chapter looks at social media as a tool in libraries, advantages of social media in libraries, social media and social networks, and practical examples on the use of social media and social network tools together with how libraries can forge ahead due to the use and application of social media and social networks to their daily operations. Conclusion and recommendations based on these highlights are provided.
The Social Library
Authors: Adigun Ganiyu Ojo , Adegbore Adebayo Muritala , Amuda Halimah Odunayo
Published: May 2015

This chapter discusses how to transform libraries into a social library by integrating social networking tools into library reference services. Social networking/media tools enable Reference Librarians to communicate, network, and share documents with many library clients regardless of location, and at little or no expense. Reference Librarians can build relationships and keep up to date with library clients. Social networking media, however, open up new forms of collaboration that are not so bounded by time, place, and access to funding. This chapter looks at the following: needs and purpose of reference services, social responsibility of library, social networking in library reference services, challenges and prospects of integrating social networking into reference services, social media platforms, and ways to improve the use of social networking in library reference services in the future.
Social Media as Weapon of Mass Instruction in Training Library and Information Science Students
Authors: Akinola Oluwatomisin Temitope
Published: May 2015

This chapter examines social media as a weapon of mass instruction in the training of library and information science students in Nigeria from the perspective of Library and Information Science (LIS) students. Survey research approach was adopted while the population comprised the Library and Information Science undergraduates selected from two universities offering LIS as course of studies. A self-designed questionnaire titled Social Media Instructional and Training Questionnaire (SMITQ) with r = 0.82 was used for the collection of data. Four research questions were developed and answered by the study. The results reveal that the majority of the undergraduate students were of the opinion that social media is very relevant in the training of library and information science students and can be used as weapon of mass instruction. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Wikis were the social media identified that can be used as weapons of mass instruction in LIS education.
Strategic Planning for Social Media in Libraries
Authors: Maisiri Esabel , Mupaikwa Elisha , Ngwenya Similo
Published: May 2015

Like in any endeavor, adoption and use of social media requires planning. However, this is not the case in Zimbabwe. To assess the situation, a study was conducted among different type of libraries in the country. Purposive sampling technique was adopted. The objectives were to find out the libraries which had social media strategic plans, and, among those which had none, to establish the extent to which social media use policies and principles corresponded to the basic strategic plan model. Results indicated that adopted tools include Facebook, Wikis, YouTube, Blogs, Twitter, Skype, Flicr, Ning, and LinkedIn. Reasons for adoption included being trendy as well as to enhance the library's efficiency, and goals included to continuously avail information in a variety of formats to clients within a short space of time and to effectively market library services. However, no library had a written social media strategic plan. The principles and policies for using social media covered strategies for implementation, surveillance, and monitoring of platforms for accountability.
Impact of Social Media on Information Professionals
Authors: Jain Priti
Published: May 2015

Social Media has opened new platforms for information professionals. It has provided diversified channels of information generation, dissemination, and collaboration. Increased user expectations place pressure on information professionals to acknowledge this trend and consider adopting these new channels of service provision. The main objective of the chapter is to discuss the impact of Social Media on information professionals. The specific objectives are to determine the new prospects and opportunities from the emergence of Social Media, identify the major challenges associated with it, reveal the emerging roles of 21st century information professional, and to establish new skills and competencies for the information professionals. Finally, the chapter puts forward recommendations on how Social Media can be utilized to its optimal potential in order to deliver enhanced library services to user community. The chapter is based on an in-depth review of literature and the author's own points of view.
Innovation through Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Sánchez-Hernández M. Isabel , Gallardo-Vázquez Dolores , Dziwiński Piotr , Barcik Agnieszka
Published: May 2015

In this chapter, the authors address institutional efforts in CSR carried out in two big European countries with different backgrounds but the same responsible goal for business and competitiveness: Spain and Poland. To illustrate how CSR pays off, the authors have selected two emblematic cases, one from each country: La Caixa Group and PKN Orlen. Although the degree of implementation of CSR is still different in the European countries in the European Union, and the institutional framework in Spain and Poland is clearly different, the two case-studies presented as best practices suggest promising new developments of CSR in both countries in the near future as CSR could be considered a vital component of innovation in national economies and a strategic variable of core's business determining future competitiveness through the social trend.
Internationalization Process of Innovative SMEs in Lebanon
Authors: Ramadan Maarouf
Published: May 2015

This chapter aims to highlight the relationship between innovation and internationalization in the context of international development of Lebanese innovative SMEs. The problems of the commitment of these SMEs in a process of internationalization is relevant in the Mediterranean countries in general and Lebanon in particular, but few empirical studies have been done so far to understand their international development (Ramadan, 2008; Ramadan and Levratto, 2011). The role of key factors such as size, age, international cooperation and strategic planning in the international development of Lebanese SMEs has rarely been comprehensively studied. Motivated by the literature that establishes a positive relationship between innovation and internationalization, this study presents a research proposal on these SMEs to bring out certain variables that characterize them. Moreover, the aim of the study is to verify the effect of the above factors and integrates into schools of thought that attempt to demonstrate that the international development of SMEs is influenced by a context that must be identified in the case of Lebanon.
Exploring the Degree of Consumer Readiness for Self Service Technologies
Authors: Tsourela Maria , Roumeliotis Manos
Published: May 2015

Constant developments of technology and increases in labor costs are the two major reasons for the creation and continuous evolvement of technology-based self services. Consumers' technology readiness should be taken into account in predicting the perception and behavior of potential consumers towards Self Service Technologies. An empirical study of consumers' readiness to use technology based self-services was undertaken in Greece. A survey instrument was developed to investigate the relationship between technology readiness, attitude, perceived ease of use, usefulness and consumers readiness towards adoption of Self Service Technologies. The results showed that population's technology readiness, the attitude of potential consumers towards and perceived usefulness of Self Service Technologies, are the factors that mostly affect their final success, since they define the level of readiness towards these services on behalf of potential consumers.
Preservice Teachers' Computer Use in Single Computer Training Courses; Relationships and Predictions
Authors: Zogheib Salah
Published: May 2015

Single computer courses offered at colleges of education are expected to provide preservice teachers with the skills and expertise needed to adopt computer technology in their future classrooms. However, preservice teachers still find difficulty adopting such technology. This research paper investigated relationships among preservice teachers' self-efficacy, control of learning beliefs, value-related beliefs--intrinsic goal orientation, extrinsic goal orientation, and task value--prior computer technology experience, frequency of computer use for general purposes, and computer use in single computer courses. Participants in the study were 227 preservice teachers enrolled in a one year bachelor's of education program. Regression analyses yielded significant results about the frequency of computer use for general purposes and intrinsic goal orientation. Self-efficacy and prior computer technology experience were significantly correlated with computer use in single computer courses. The findings send a clear message about the necessity to consider preservice teachers' beliefs, personal use of computer technology, and prior computer technology experience when designing computer courses.
Instructor Perceptions of Web Technology Feature and Instructional Task Fit
Authors: Strader Troy J. , Reed Diana , Suh Inchul , Njoroge Joyce W.
Published: April 2015

In this exploratory study, university faculty (instructor) perceptions of the extent to which eight unique features of Web technology are useful for various instructional tasks are identified. Task-technology fit propositions are developed and tested using data collected from a survey of instructors in business, pharmacy, and arts/humanities. It is proposed that the Web technology features can be classified into three groups. Ubiquity and universal standards are primary features that are useful for supporting all of the teaching tasks. Richness, interactivity, information density, and personalization are contextual features which are each useful for specific tasks. Global reach is of secondary importance for supporting traditional classroom instructional tasks. Support is found for each proposition except universal standards and social technology is not perceived to be as important as anticipated. Implications and conclusions are discussed for learning management system designers, instructors, and educational technology researchers.
FcRn: The Architect Behind the Immune and Nonimmune Functions of IgG and Albumin
Authors: Pyzik Michal , Rath Timo , Lencer Wayne I. , Baker Kristi , Blumberg Richard S.
Published: May 2015

The neonatal FcR (FcRn) belongs to the extensive and functionally divergent family of MHC molecules. Contrary to classical MHC family members, FcRn possesses little diversity and is unable to present Ags. Instead, through its capacity to bind IgG and albumin with high affinity at low pH, it regulates the serum half-lives of both of these proteins. In addition, FcRn plays an important role in immunity at mucosal and systemic sites through its ability to affect the lifespan of IgG, as well as its participation in innate and adaptive immune responses. Although the details of its biology are still emerging, the ability of FcRn to rescue albumin and IgG from early degradation represents an attractive approach to alter the plasma half-life of pharmaceuticals. We review some of the most novel aspects of FcRn biology, immune as well as nonimmune, and provide some examples of FcRn-based therapies.
Acromiohumeral Distance During Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation of the Lower Trapezius and Serratus Anterior Muscles in Healthy Participants
Authors: Bdaiwi Alya H. , Mackenzie Tanya Anne , Herrington Lee , Horsley Ian , Cools Ann M.
Published: May 2015

Context

Compromise to the acromiohumeral distance has been reported in participants with subacromial impingement syndrome compared with healthy participants. In clinical practice, patients with subacromial shoulder impingement are given strengthening programs targeting the lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA) muscles to increase scapular posterior tilt and upward rotation. We are the first to use neuromuscular electrical stimulation to stimulate these muscle groups and evaluate how the muscle contraction affects the acromiohumeral distance.

Objective

To investigate if electrical muscle stimulation of the LT and SA muscles, both separately and simultaneously, increases the acromiohumeral distance and to identify which muscle-group contraction or combination most influences the acromiohumeral distance.

Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Setting

Human performance laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

Twenty participants (10 men and 10 women, age = 26.9 ± 8.0 years, body mass index = 23.8) were screened.

Intervention(s)

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the LT and SA.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Ultrasound measurement of the acromiohumeral distance.

Results

Acromiohumeral distance increased during contraction via neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the LT muscle (t19 = −3.89, P = .004), SA muscle (t19 = −7.67, P = .001), and combined LT and SA muscles (t19 = −5.09, P = .001). We observed no differences in the increased acromiohumeral distance among the 3 procedures (F2,57 = 3.109, P = .08).

Conclusions

Our results supported the hypothesis that the muscle force couple around the scapula is important in rehabilitation and scapular control and influences acromiohumeral distance.
Common neuromusculoskeletal injuries amongst rock climbers in the Western Cape
Authors: Wegner Liezel , Pagel Jarryd E. , Smit Ashley W. , Straszacker Aimee , Swart Sarah L. , Taft St John
Published: April 2015

Background: Rock climbing is an extreme sport that is fast gaining interest in the Western Cape. Due to the physical nature of the sport, climbers often suffer neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) injuries. Physiotherapists are first-line practitioners who diagnose and treat NMS injuries, but no previous study has been conducted regarding common NMS injuries amongst rock climbers in the Western Cape.Objective: To determine the common NMS injuries amongst rock climbers, and the relationships between independent variables and injury.Method: A Quantitative, cross-sectional, retrospective descriptive study design utilised a self-developed survey based on the literature. This was completed by rock climbers from an indoor climbing gym in Cape Town and two outdoor crags in the Western Cape. Out of the total population of 650 climbers, 247 were conveniently sampled to complete the self-administered survey, making the results generalisable to the climbing population.Results: Finger flexor tendon pulley injuries were the most commonly diagnosed NMS injury. Injury to the fingers, hand and elbow regions were the most common self-reported injury by area. The risk of suffering climbing-related injuries was significantly correlated to gender, setting, grade and type of climbing, but not to frequency of climbing.Conclusion: The results of this study could assist physiotherapists to assess and manage the common NMS injuries that occur in this group of extreme athletes, as well as to raise awareness amongst rock climbers in the Western Cape about potential risk of injury.
Universality Under Szegő’s Condition
Authors: Totik Vilmos
Published: May 2015

This paper presents a theoremon universality on orthogonal polynomials/randommatrices under a weak local condition on the weight function w. With a new inequality for polynomials and with the use of fast decreasing polynomials, it is shown that an approach of D. S. Lubinsky is applicable. The proof works at all points that are Lebesgue-points for both the weight function w and logw.
Seasonal Transmission of Opisthorchis viverrini sensu lato and a Lecithodendriid Trematode Species in Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos Snails in Northeast Thailand
Authors: Namsanor Jutamas , Sithithaworn Paiboon , Kopolrat Kulthida , Kiatsopit Nadda , Pitaksakulrat Opal , Tesana Smarn , Andrews Ross H. , Petney Trevor N.
Published: April 2015

Seasonal changes play roles in the transmission success of fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FZT). This study examined the seasonal transmission patterns of Opisthorchis viverrini sensu lato (s.l.) and a virgulate cercaria (family Lecithodendriidae) in the snail intermediate host, Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos in northeast Thailand. Snail samples were collected monthly during the rainy, cool, and hot seasons during 2012–2013 to determine the prevalence and intensity of larval trematode infections. The prevalence of O. viverrini s.l. varied significantly with season, being 0.31%, 1.05%, and 0.37% in the rainy, cool, and hot seasons, respectively (P < 0.05). Similarly, the prevalence of virgulate cercariae was 3.11%, 6.80%, and 1.64% in the rainy, cool, and hot seasons, respectively (P < 0.05). The intensity of larval trematode infections also varied between seasons and peaked in the hot season (P < 0.05) in both species. The snails infected with O. viverrini s.l. were significantly smaller (P < 0.05) and those infected with virgulate cercariae were significantly larger (P < 0.05) than uninfected snails. Seasonal variation and the different sizes of B. s. goniomphalos parasitized by O. viverrini s.l. and virgulate trematodes indicate complex host–parasite interactions with important implications for the epidemiology of O. viverrini s.l.
Management of Chyle Leak in the Neck Following Thyroid Cancer Surgery: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Abraham Deepak Thomas , Cherian Anish , Paul Mazhuvanchary Jacob
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Surgery for thyroid cancers often necessitates a neck dissection. This is usually a safe procedure, but can be associated with complications. Chyle leak is one such complication, fortunately rare. There is a dearth of literature with regard to the management of chyle leak in the neck. We present a single center experience in the management of chyle leak in the neck, to improve the understanding of its management.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of patients with thyroid cancer, managed between January 1st 2005 and December 31st 2011, in a single institution was performed. Among these, patients with chyle leak were identified. All pertinent data collected and results analyzed using STATA (v10).

Results

Three hundred and seventy-three/eight hundred and twenty-one (45.4%) patients surgically managed for thyroid cancer underwent a neck dissection. Thoracic duct injury was recog- nized and managed intraoperatively in 20/373 (5.4%) patients. The leak was prevented in the majority (66.6%) of patients in whom a combination of methods were employed. 25/373 (6.7%) patients were diagnosed and managed for chyle leak postoperatively. Seven patients required re-exploration. This included patients with low output chyle leaks who may have settled in a week to 10 days with conservative management. A combination of techniques was successful in the majority (71.4%). The remaining patients were successfully managed conservatively.

Conclusion

We conclude that using a combination of methods to manage thoracic duct injury may be better than using a single modality alone. Early re-exploration was more economical and acceptable for a subset of our patients, as they come from long distances at personal cost.

How to cite this article

Cherian a, Ramakant P, Paul MJ, Abraham DT. Management of Chyle Leak in the Neck Following Thyroid Cancer Surgery: A Single Center Experience. World J Endoc Surg 2015;7(1):6-9.
A Cautionary Case: Adrenal Insufficiency after Unilateral Adrenalectomy for Adrenocortical Carcinoma
Authors: Player Heather , Babkowski Robert , Dong Xiang
Published: April 2015

Subclinical Cushing's syndrome among patients with incidentally discovered adrenal masses has been well documented in the literature. This population does not exhibit the classic signs of Cushing's syndrome, but nonetheless present with postoperative adrenal insufficiency after unilateral adrenalectomy of nonfunctioning incidentalomas. Further, the results of extensive preoperative testing do not correlate with postoperative hypoadrenalism with adequate sensitivity. The patient is an 84-year-old male, who presented with vague complaints of abdominal pain and fatigue, with computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrating an enlarging left adrenal gland up to 5.5 cm. The patient had no evidence of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction based on history, physical examination and preoperative testing. Thus, the lesion was presumed nonfunctional and was excised laparoscopically. Pathology demonstrated an unfortunate diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). On postoperative day 1, the patient exhibited hypotension and hypoglycemia, with a cortisol level of 0.3 mg/dl. The patient responded to hydrocortisone, supporting the presumed diagnosis of hypoadrenalism. ACC is a rare and aggressive tumor, with only 300 documented cases per year in the United States. Thus, there is a paucity of data related to pre- and postoperative management. Since a third of the patients present with nonfunctioning tumors, postsurgical care are based on literature from nonfunctional incidentalomas until further research establishes guidelines. Our experience with acute hypoadrenalism after unilateral adrenalectomy in the setting of ACC suggests the need for routine postoperative testing of cortisol levels.

How to cite this article

Player H, Babkowski R, Dong X. A Cautionary Case: Adrenal Insufficiency after Unilateral Adrenalectomy for Adrenocortical Carcinoma. World J Endoc Surg 2015;7(1):17-20.
Novel Design of an Intrauterine Insemination Cannula
Authors: Vasan Ritvik
Published: April 2015

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a method of assisted conception that involves transfer of fast moving sperms using an IUI cannula into the uterine cavity at the time of anticipated (or expected) ovulation, thereby increasing chance of pregnancy.

Existing cannulas are designed to be easy to use, harmless to the cervix/endometrium, capable of negotiating the cervical cavity, and to avoid the reflux of inseminate fluid. Some of the factors which influence success of pregnancy are actual number of motile sperms, number of sperms with normal morphology, volume of inseminate and sterility during procedure. This paper proposes a novel ‘completely closed loop’ design for an IUI cannula that ensures complete emptying of washed sperm during insemination, leaving no dead space while ensuring sterility during procedure.

How to cite this article

Vasan R. Novel Design of an Intrauterine Insemination Cannula. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2015;6(1): 15-19.
Cor Triloculare Biventriculare with Ventricular Septal Defect: Prenatal Diagnosis
Authors: Rajdeo Ravi Nirmalkumar , Taori Kishor , Rathod Jawahar , Sejpal Nekee Navin
Published: April 2015

Cor triloculare biventriculare is a very rare congenital cardiac anomaly in which there is complete absence of interatrial septum resulting in three-chambered heart. It can be associated with various other congenital abnormalities like ventricular septal defect, polysplenia, Ellis-van creveld syndrome or persistent left-sided superior vena cava. Here we report a case of antenatal diagnosis common atrium and ventricular septal defect in a fetus of average gestational age of 29 weeks in a primigravida.

How to cite this article

Rajdeo RN, Taori K, Rathod J, Sejpal NN. Cor Triloculare Biventriculare with Ventricular Septal Defect: Prenatal Diagnosis. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2015;6(1):40-42.
Antimicrobial Activity of a Tissue Conditioner Combined with a Biocide Polymer
Authors: Paleari André Gustavo , Toda Carina , Marin Danny Omar Mendoza , Rodriguez Larissa Santana , Pero Ana Carolina , Compagnoni Marco Antonio
Published: May 2015

Background

The characteristics of tissue conditioners support microorganism development that can threaten the health of the dentures user.

Purpose

The object of this study was to evaluate the effect on antimicrobial activity, roughness and wettability surface of a tissue conditioners material combined with the antimicrobial polymer poly (2-tert-butilaminoethyl) methacrylate (PTBAEMA).

Materials and methods

Specimens of tissue conditioner (Coe Soft®) were divided into three groups, according to the concentration of PTBAEMA incorporated (0, 10 and 25%). Antimicrobial activity was assessed by adherence assay of one of the microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Roughness measurements were made using a Mitutoyo SJ-400, and the mean arithmetic roughness values (Ra) obtained were used for the comparisons. The wettability properties were determined by contact angle measurements.

Results

The group containing 25% of PTBAEMA inhibited totally the S. aureus and S. mutans biofilm formation. A significant reduction in the S. aureus (Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0,001) and S. mutans (Kruscal-Wallis, p = 0,001) count for 10% PTBAEMA group compared with respective control group. No significant difference was found for C. albicans among PTBAEMA groups and control group (ANOVA, p > 0,05). Incorporating 10 and 25% PTBAEMA increased surface roughness and decreased contact angles (ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests, α = 5%).

Conclusion

Incorporating 10% PTBAEMA into tissue conditioner increases wettability and roughness of tissue conditioner surface; and decreases the adhesion of S. mutans and S. aureus on material surface, but did not exhibit antimicrobial effect against C. albicans.

Significance

The PTBAEMA incorporated into tissue conditioner could prevent biofilm formation on elderly patient.

How to cite this article

Toda C, Marin DOM, Rodriguez LS, Paleari AG, Pero AC, Compagnoni MA. Antimicrobial Activity of a Tissue Conditioner Combined with a Biocide Polymer. J Contemp Dent Pract 2015;16(2):101-106.