bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preventing Underfeeding and Overfeeding: A Clinician’s Guide to the Acquisition and Implementation of Indirect Calorimetry
Authors: Ladd Amy K. , Skillman Heather E. , Haemer Matthew A. , Mourani Peter M.
Published: May 2017

Background: In critically ill patients, indirect calorimetry (IC) is the gold standard to determine energy needs, as the use of predictive equations can result in underfeeding or overfeeding. The aim of this quality improvement (QI) initiative was to describe the rationale for and implementation of a process to target energy provision according to IC measurements in a tertiary academic medical center pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Materials and Methods: To justify the purchase of an indirect calorimeter for clinical use, a needs assessment was conducted, followed by a training and implementation period. PICU patients were selected for IC according to published guidelines. Measured energy expenditure was compared with predicted energy expenditure and the provided energy prescription. The dietitians assessed IC results and adjusted energy prescriptions, if indicated. Results: Thirty‐five total tests were completed with 24 patients. Sixty‐nine percent of measurements resulted in energy delivery adjustments. Fifteen (47%) energy prescriptions decreased by a mean of 27% ± 11%, and 7 (22%) increased by a mean of 17% ± 15%. Staff and patient/guardians accommodated the use of IC, and PICU dietitian recommendations for IC tests and to adjust nutrition regimens were universally implemented. Conclusions: Data to support the procurement of IC are vital to promote best practice to measure energy expenditure. Critically ill pediatric patients exhibit metabolic alterations that cannot be predicted by standard equations. Our QI initiative demonstrated the implementation and application of IC in the critically ill population and the ability to target energy provision to prevent energy imbalances.
Study on electrical discharge machining for cemented carbide with non-flammable dielectric liquid: Influence of form of oxygen supplied to dielectric liquid on machining
Authors: Yoshida Masahiro , Ishii Yuu , Ueda Takemi
Published: May 2017

One of the problems faced in the finish electrical discharge machining of cemented carbide is the slow machining speed due to frequent abnormal discharges and concentrated discharge. To resolve this problem, in this study, attempts were made to supply oxygen to oil-type non-flammable dielectric liquid used in finish electrical discharge machining. First, the effects of the form of the oxygen when it is supplied to the dielectric liquid were investigated. As a result, it was found that when oxygen is supplied to the machining gap in the microbubble state, machining is not affected at all. When dissolved in the dielectric liquid and supplied, machining speed was seen to improve. Next, machining experiments were conducted, varying the percentage of 35 wt% hydrogen peroxide water mixed with the dielectric liquid to change the amount of oxygen in the dielectric liquid. As a result, the following were clarified. (1) The machining speed was six times faster than normal dielectric liquid when 15 wt% of oxygen was mixed; (2) at this time, the tool electrode wear had decreased to one-fifth that of normal dielectric liquid; (3) the surface roughness obtained was below Ra 1 µm regardless of the mixed percentage of hydrogen peroxide water; and (4) better machining characteristics were obtained when the workpiece was set as the positive electrode.
Investing in education in Europe: Evidence from a new survey of public opinion
Authors: Busemeyer Marius R. , Garritzmann Julian L. , Neimanns Erik , Nezi Roula
Published: May 2017

Public opinion research has found that increasing the investment in education is generally very popular among citizens in Western Europe. However, this evidence from publicly available opinion surveys may be misleading, because these surveys do not force respondents to prioritize between different parts of the education system or between education and other social policies, nor do they provide information about citizens’ willingness to pay for additional investment in education. To address these deficiencies, we conducted an original, representative survey of public opinion on education and related policies in eight European countries. Our analysis confirms that citizens express high levels of support for education even when they are forced to choose between education and other areas of social spending. But not all educational sectors enjoy equally high levels of support: increasing spending on general schooling and vocational education is more popular than increasing spending on higher education and early childhood education. Furthermore, we find that citizens are, in fact, willing to pay additional taxes in order to finance investment in education, at least in some countries and for some sectors of the education system.
Professional values and career choice of nursing students
Authors: Alkaya Sultan Ayaz , Yaman Şengül , Simones Joyce
Published: May 2017

Background and aim:

Professional values are abstract and general behavioral principles that provide basic standards to judge aims and actions, and these principles are formed by strong emotional loyalty of members of the profession. Research was conducted to compare the career choice and professional values of nursing students at two universities in the upper Midwest of the United States and in the middle of Turkey.

Materials and Methods:

A descriptive and comparative design was used. The participants of the study were comprised nursing students from a university in the upper Midwest of United States and a university in the middle of Turkey. The sample consisted of 728 students in all grades. Data were collected by a questionnaire, The Nurses Professional Values Scale–Revised and Vocational Choices in Entering Nursing Scale. Number, percentage distribution, mean, standard deviation, t test, and one-way variance analysis were used in the analysis of data.

Ethical considerations:

Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Commission. Informed consent was received from the students.

Results:

The students’ mean age for American students was 24.3 ± 5.6 years, while the mean age for Turkish students was 19.8 ± 1.7 years. Mean score of American students on The Vocational Congruency (a subgroup of the Vocational Choices in Entering Nursing Scale) was 38.5 ± 5.9 and Turkish students was 29.6 ± 8.9 (p < 0.05). Mean score of American students on The Nurses Professional Values Scale–Revised was 109.2 ± 12.3 and that of Turkish students was 101.6 ± 17.0.

Conclusion:

This study concluded that the majority of nursing students had high professional values, and when students’ scores were compared, American students had higher professional values, and in career choice, they considered primarily fitness of the profession to themselves and their goals, while Turkish students primarily thought of their living conditions.
Market Integration and Price Leadership in India’s Onion Market
Authors: Paul Ujjwal Kanti , Das Gurudas , Debnath Avijit , Mathur Tanuj
Published: May 2017

Despite being the second largest producer in the world, the price of onion witnesses a significant degree of temporal and spatial variation in India. Addressing this issue has become a major challenge for the policymakers of the country. The present study intends to identify the most influential onion markets in India. Johansen cointegration and vector error correction model (VECM) techniques are used to analyse the monthly wholesale price between 2005 and 2015 in 10 major markets. The results show that Hubli is the most dominant market jointly followed by Kolkata and Lasalgaon. The results exhibit the predominant role played by the non-producing markets.
Integration of Stock Returns and Volatility of Emerging Equity Markets
Authors: Kumar Rakesh
Published: May 2017

The efforts are made in this study to examine the integration of a set of nine emerging equity markets under risk and uncertainty for a period from January 2000 to December 2014. The research methodology applied in the study includes application of Ljung–Box (L–B) test to examine the cross-correlation in stock returns, GARCH(1,1)-in-mean model for the estimation of volatility, and further L–B as a diagnostic testing of fitted model, and finally correlations to examine the integration of these markets in terms of stock returns and volatility. The L–B statistics suggests the presence of autocorrelation, which signifies volatility clustering in stock returns of all stock markets in questions. The findings report a significant integration between expected and unexpected volatilities between all the stock markets. The so obtained results bring out the important element of investment strategy. Investors across the markets respond in the same line with the emergence of global expected and unexpected economic and non-economic shocks and they will not be able to make extra returns by diversifying their funds in the long run.
Acute procedural outcomes of orbital atherectomy for the treatment of common femoral artery disease: Sub-analysis of the CONFIRM Registries
Authors: Lee Michael S , Heikali Daniel , Mustapha Jihad , Adams George , Mahmud Ehtisham
Published: May 2017

This analysis compared the angiographic outcomes of patients treated with orbital atherectomy for calcified common femoral artery (CFA) and superficial femoral artery (SFA) disease. The ideal revascularization strategy for CFA disease is unknown. Endarterectomy has been considered the standard of care for CFA disease for over 50 years. Endovascular intervention is becoming more commonly used to revascularize the CFA given the advances in technology and the less invasive nature of the procedure. Patient demographics, lesion characteristics, and procedure data for all CONFIRM patients with at least one CFA lesion location ( n=147 patients; n=200 lesions) were compared to patients with at least one SFA lesion location ( n=1508 patients; n=2367 lesions). The primary endpoint was angiographic complication, defined as the composite of dissection, perforation, slow flow, closure, spasm, embolism, or thrombosis. The CFA group had more patients with Rutherford class 4 and shorter lesion length. The CFA group had a higher final residual stenosis, shorter total run time, and shorter total inflation time. The primary endpoint was lower in the CFA group compared with the SFA group (17% vs 24%, p=0.02), driven by a lower dissection rate (10% vs 15%, p=0.04). Plaque modification of the CFA with orbital atherectomy was safe and compared favorably with SFA disease. The need for bail-out stenting was low. A randomized trial is needed to determine the ideal treatment strategy for calcified CFA disease.
Interpreting expertise: Finnish journalists’ accounts on journalistic judgement of expertise on healthy eating
Authors: Saikkonen Sampsa
Published: May 2017

Previous research on journalism and expertise has tended to point out the shortcomings and biases in how journalists consider expertise and use expert sources. Such analyses, however, rely on a substantialist preconception of expertise and treat the issue of expertise and journalism as a normative issue. Based on 10 in-depth interviews with journalists drawn from a broader interview study, this study draws on the notion of interpretative repertoire as an analytical tool and investigates how journalists account for journalistic judgement of expertise in the context of healthy eating. The article identifies four different repertoires, in which each journalistic judgement of dietetic expertise is interpreted and constructed in different terms. It argues that this interpretative variability in journalists’ accounts might be less telling of an incomplete understanding of expertise than of the complexity and tensions involved in how expertise in the context of health is judged in journalism.
Functionalization of stretchable networks with sensors and switches for composite materials
Authors: Guo Zhiqiang , Kim Kyunglok , Salowitz Nathan , Lanzara Giulia , Wang Yinan , Peumans Peter , Chang Fu-Kuo
Published: May 2017

An investigation was performed to develop appropriate techniques to design and fabricate (using complementary metal-oxide semiconductor/micro-electro-mechanical systems technologies) highly stretchable networks of distributed sensors and organic diodes that could be stretched, and surface-mounted or embedded into polymeric materials to cover an area several orders of magnitude larger than its original size. Both analysis and experiments were performed to validate the design and fabrication methods. The techniques sought to reduce stresses due to network expansion, and a new spin-coated fabrication process was developed to enable high-resolution features in the network. Networks with temperature sensors and piezoelectric sensors were fabricated and tested to demonstrate functionality in advanced composite materials that are common in aircraft.
Initial Experience With the 6-F and 8-F Indigo Thrombectomy System for Acute Renovisceral Occlusive Events
Authors: Bisdas Theodosios , Stavroulakis Konstantinos , Beropoulis Efthymios , Schwindt Arne , Stachmann Arne , Austermann Martin , Torsello Giovanni
Published: May 2017

Purpose: To examine the safety and effectiveness of the new large-bore Indigo thrombectomy catheters to treat patients with acute renovisceral occlusion without the need of thrombolytic agents. Methods: Between November 2015 and 2016, 7 consecutive patients (mean age 65±5 years; 5 men) with acute renovisceral artery occlusion were treated with the new large-bore (6-F and 8-F) vacuum-assisted thrombectomy catheters. The occluded vessels were 6 renal arteries and 3 superior mesenteric arteries (SMAs); 5 of the 9 thromboses were in bridging stent-grafts associated with branched endografts. Mean lesion length was 63±36 mm. For the SMA and all bridging stent-grafts, 8-F catheters are routinely used through a brachial access, whereas 6-F aspiration catheters were used in native renal arteries. Technical success was defined as restoration of antegrade blood flow without the need of lysis or alternative thrombectomy/revascularization strategies. Safety endpoints were any in-hospital major adverse events. Pre- and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were compared. Results: Technical success was 100% with no major adverse events or fatal bleeding. The mean amount of aspirated blood was 219±97 mL. The mean hemoglobin and hematocrit values were 13.1±2.1 g/dL and 39%±6% prior to and 11.6±2.2 g/dL (p=0.001) and 34%±6% (p<0.0001) directly after the intervention, respectively. Conclusion: The first assessment of the new large-bore Indigo thrombectomy catheters showed them to be an effective and safe lysis-free frontline therapy for acute renovisceral artery occlusion in a small cohort of patients. New users should be fully aware of the potential blood loss during aspiration.
Human Amniotic Membrane Is Not Suitable for the Grafting of Colon Lesions and Prevention of Adhesions in a Xenograft Rat Model
Authors: Barski Dimitri , Gerullis Holger , Ecke Thorsten , Varga Gabriella , Boros Mihaly , Pintelon Isabel , Timmermans Jean-Pierre , Otto Thomas
Published: May 2017

Introduction. New biological materials are needed for specific applications in reconstructive bowel surgery and for the prevention of adhesion formation. Amniotic membranes (AMs) are assumed to have a number of unique characteristics that enhance the ingrowth of the surrounding tissue. The aim of the present study was to provide proof of these qualities in a xenograft model. Materials and methods. A multilayer human AM (HAM) was applied to repair defined colon wall defects in Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 18). The control group was repaired with a suture (n = 6). The animals were killed humanely at 7, 21, and 42 days after implantation. Adhesions and perioperative complications were examined. Histological and immunohistological analyses were performed to assess a number of parameters, including degradation of the HAM, inflammation, graft rejection, and smooth muscle ingrowth. Results. Two rats in the treated group died. No other severe complications were observed. Adhesion formation was more prominently visible in the HAM group ( P < .05). The initially increased inflammation in the HAM group reduced over time but remained significantly increased ( P < .05). The HAM degraded over time and a subtle transient glomerulitis could be observed. Conclusion. HAMs were found to increase adhesion formation and were not suitable for bowel augmentation in the presented xenograft model.
An Application of Soft Systems Methodology in the Sugar Industry
Authors: Proches Cecile Naomi Gerwel , Bodhanya Shamim
Published: May 2017

This research describes and analyses a methodological approach, known as Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). SSM was applied in the sugar industry, which is characterized by diverse stakeholders who have multiple and often competing objectives. SSM is a methodology that was developed in response to the limitations of the systems engineering approach. It uses a flexible, yet organized process to bring about action to improve problematical situations. A qualitative research approach was used. Interviews and SSM workshops were held with growers and the miller, and other stakeholders. Interviews were conducted with the focus on identifying the goals of the various stakeholders in the mill area, and how communication, trust, and overall efficiency were perceived by the stakeholder groups, on their own and as a whole. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Purposeful activity models were created after an analysis of the interview transcripts, and rich pictures were constructed by stakeholders in a SSM workshop. Stakeholders were invited to a second SSM workshop where they were presented with SSM tools that were constructed. Participants then chose to work on a model and engaged in debate about how the model compared to the real world, and considered how to take action to bring about improvement. The research illustrated the value of applying SSM in the sugar industry by bringing together diverse stakeholders to identify and address the multiple perspectives held about the overlapping problems. Through the SSM process, various problematic aspects of the sugar industry were uncovered and presented to stakeholders to bring about action. SSM facilitated the identification of the various objectives that the stakeholder groups were individually pursuing, and also created space for discussions into how to jointly create a desired future that could benefit all stakeholders. This collaborative methodology enabled meaningful and systemic interaction between the researcher and participants, by providing an opportunity for respondents to share their multiple and valid perspectives about the problems, challenges and opportunities in the mill area. Through the use of the SSM tools, further insight was gained into the roles, goals, values, power, and culture of the study context.
The Role of the School Nurse in the Special Education Process: Part 2: Eligibility Determination and the Individualized Education Program
Authors: Shannon Robin Adair , Yonkaitis Catherine Falusi
Published: May 2017

This is the second of two articles outlining the professional school nurse’s role in the special education process for students with disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act of 2004 mandates the special education process: identification, full and individual evaluation, eligibility determination, and development of the individual education program (IEP), including special education placement. Part 1 focused on the importance of the school nurse’s role in student identification, response to intervention, and the full and individual evaluation. Part 2 highlights the school nurse’s vital and unique contribution to the subsequent special education steps of eligibility determination, IEP development, and special education services placement and minutes.
Augmented care: An alternative model of care for people with chronic disease
Authors: Gill Michael
Published: May 2017

This opinion piece challenges the concept of ‘patient’ and discusses an alternative aspect to delivering health care for those with chronic disease. Chronic conditions are defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as illnesses requiring ongoing management over a long period of time and may address a wide range of health issues. Success is highly dependent upon optimised patient empowerment. I argue that it is not health care that really matters but opportunities to build upon optimising wellness. This leads to the idea where I suggest that current health system rigidities inadvertently promote illness.
The Effects of Media Coverage of Scientific Retractions on Risk Perceptions
Authors: Sarathchandra Dilshani , McCright Aaron M.
Published: May 2017

Media coverage of scientific studies identifying technological risks generally amplifies public risk perceptions. Yet, if subsequent media coverage reports that those studies have been retracted, are risk perceptions reversed or attenuated? Or, once amplified, do risk perceptions remain elevated? Answering such questions may improve our understanding of risk perceptions of some publicly controversial technologies, for example, childhood vaccines and genetically modified (GM) food. We engage with the social amplification of risk framework, especially scholarship on news media as a risk amplification (or attenuation) station. In a between-subjects experiment, we examine the extent to which perceived risk of GM food is influenced by (a) news of a study reporting that eating GM food causes cancer and/or (b) news of its retraction. Whereas initial news coverage amplified all measured risk perceptions, news of the study’s retraction effectively reversed them to nonamplified levels.
The Developmental State and Food Sovereignty in Tanzania
Authors: Mbunda Richard
Published: May 2017

Tanzania has been experiencing different periods of food shortages mainly because of insufficient food production. While the country has an undisputable potential for food production, the state and its development partners, such as the World Bank, believe that the unsustainable peasant food production is the main cause of the food crisis. As a panacea to the food crisis, a call for de-peasantization in favour of commercial large-scale farming, is advocated. Inspired by the work of Sam Moyo, this article argues that achieving food self-sufficiency should begin with improving peasant agriculture instead of dispossessing peasants of their land. The principles of food sovereignty must be adopted and the orientation of the state must be developmental. The state must play an activist role in investing heavily in agricultural-related projects.
Ownership-driven Entrepreneurial Saga: A Case Study of Vinod Super Shop
Authors: Jha ‘Bidyarthi’ H. M. , Dande Mayur A. , Kuchar Pawan M. , Mishra Satya Mohan , Shrivastava Ashish K.
Published: May 2017

Vinod Ramanlal Didwaniya, son of a marginal farmer, had the only worries of sustenance of his family members after he was a postgraduate in commerce from a local college. He started a small retail shop named Vinod Provisions in July 1993 in a rented space of 7 × 11 sq. ft area with a meagre working capital of ₹17,800 only. It was run by his family members including his father and wife with a daily turnover of ₹1,000 approximately (annual turnover of ₹0.30 million). Vinod reared a distinguishing character of sense of ownership and drew immense pleasure out of everything, every decision that he owned. This drove his small family business to rise to Vinod Super Shop in about 20 years’ time which is run today in 3,000 sq. ft area with a working capital investment of ₹7 million besides ₹15 million invested on creating owned infrastructure for this supermarket. Its annual turnover has grown from ₹0.30 million to ₹15 million (50 times growth), and it has 18 employees today. By heart a poet, Vinod feels within him every stakeholder of his business in whose interest he has been taking decisions involving management fundamentals and ethical issues. The present case study attempts to capture this unique entrepreneurial saga amidst highly competitive retail sector that leaves a number of lessons to learn.
Managing Change at Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd
Authors: Bhatt P. R. , Bhatt R. Rathish
Published: May 2017

Tuan Haji Mohamed Taib bin Ibrahim, chairman of Muhibbah Engineering Bhd (MEB), called a meeting of the board of directors to discuss the issue of Asia Petroleum Hub (APH) project on 27 July 2012. The construction works for APH were stopped as APH financier of CIMB Bank Bhd, suspended its financing in 2009. Asia Petroleum Hub was later wound up under a winding-up petition filed by a creditor in October 2012. Muhibbah board decided to pay net debt exposure of RM 245 million certified claims from APH keeping Muhibbah’s right to pursue recovery. Mac Ngan Boon, the managing director, suggested drastic changes in the company’s structure, roles, responsibilities and organizational culture to put the company on a path to sustainable profits. Datuk Zakaria bin Abdul Hamid, vice chairman and independent non-executive director, and Abd Hamid bin Ibrahim, another independent non-executive director, endorsed Mac Ngan Boon’s suggestions. The board has to decide the way forward.
Patanjali Ayurveda Limited: Attraction of Ayurveda Products
Authors: Yadav Rambalak
Published: May 2017

Patanjali Ayurved Limited (PAL) is a company in India that deals in Ayurveda and herbal products in food, personal care and home care categories. The company started with an aim to link the rising destiny of millions of rural masses on the one hand and many more suffering and leading an unhealthy lifestyle on the other. The company within a very short span of time had succeeded in getting its foothold in the competitive Indian fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market and has reached a gross revenue of ₹25,000 million (about US$380 million) in the fiscal year 2015. The case discusses the marketing mix strategy adopted by PAL and how it helped the firm get a competitive advantage over other players in the industry. Further, the case also discusses the challenges and road ahead for the PAL.
The ‘BIBA’ Woman of India: A Model for Women Economic Empowerment
Authors: Sharma Seema , Gambhir Dhwani
Published: May 2017

This teaching case narrates the entrepreneurial journey of Meena Bindra, the founder of the Indian apparel retail brand (BIBA), from 1983 to 2014. Her enterprise achieved incredible growth and has developed a magnificent vision for the future. The case describes the entrepreneurial outlook and decisions that helped tap opportunities and achieve rapid growth amidst the changing business environment. Her success story breaks many myths related to small start-ups by women entrepreneurs and highlights the immense potential and economic contributions by women. It serves as an example and provides support to the call for the active promotion of women’s economic empowerment. The case is based on both primary and secondary data.
Effects of Changing Business Environment on Organization Performance: The Case of HMT Watches Ltd.
Authors: Chattopadhyay Utpal , Bhawsar Pragya
Published: May 2017

Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) Limited was incorporated in 1953 by the Government of India as a machine tool manufacturing company. In the later years, the company diversified into other products including watches. Its watch division, known as the HMT Watches Limited, started in 1961 with the support of Japan’s Citizen Watch Company. Over the years, HMT made tremendous progress in all business dimensions to emerge as a market leader in the Indian watch industry. The company also earned the reputation of ‘the time keeper of the nation’ for its profound impact on the country’s watch business. Hindustan Machine Tools established itself as a strong brand in the Indian market. However, post-liberalization in 1991, HMT’s performance started dwindling. The policies of liberalization, privatization and globalization paved the way for the entry of many private brands, both domestic and foreign, into the Indian watch market that became hyper-competitive. The HMT management did not show enough agility to make necessary changes in its business models to cope with the changing business environment. Gradually, HMT lost its numero uno position to Titan Watches of the Tata Group. Hindustan Machine Tools inability to understand the needs of modern-day customers and its less-than-adequate attention towards new product development made things even worse for the organization. With losses accumulating over the years, HMT became financially unviable. After several failed attempts to turn around, the government finally closed down HMT Watches in early 2016. With this, HMT became a brand of the bygone era. This case portrays the long and eventful journey of HMT Watches and then analyzes the major reasons behind its failure. It implies a few important strategic lessons for the management students.
Identification of Barrier for Development of the Sri Lankan Small- and Medium-scale Gem Mining Enterprises: A Case Study Based on Ratnapura District
Authors: Dasanayaka S.W.S.B. , Jayaratne W. , Rangajeewa D.G.T. , Sardana G.D.
Published: May 2017

Small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) have been recognized as a critical segment and lifeline to push development and social improvement in Sri Lanka. Several studies have pointed out that people involved in some informal sector SME activities are opposing to develop that sector due to many reasons. Further, it will be same for the gem mining sector too. Along these lines, this examination may be directed towards recognizing those essential trademarks of gem mining SMEs. This study discusses the primary issues which thwart those improvements in this industry and will suggest necessary arrangements. Methodology should also overcome these imperatives. This study is composed of an investigation in Ratnapura locale with organized questionnaire surveys and meetings with magic stakeholders. Furthermore, this creates far-reaching expositive expression audit. The vicious cycle of the SME model may be utilized to study the prevailing barriers in this industry. Discoveries of the exploration demonstrate that this business is male-dominated. Different ages are also included. Marketing, technology, data and administration and administrative issues are identified as main barriers and basic problems in gem mining industry. Furthermore, gems prices are kept at falsely low level toward those purchasers who come for repeat buys. This is the major barrier in the development of lifestyle of the gem mining people who spend a miserable life, while cunning gem buyers are living a luxurious life on the shoulders of poor. This research endeavour will be directed towards a situational examination.
Quadriceps Strength in Patients With Isolated Cartilage Defects of the Knee: Results of Isokinetic Strength Measurements and Their Correlation With Clinical and Functional Results
Authors: Hirschmüller Anja , Andres Tasja , Schoch Wolfgang , Baur Heiner , Konstantinidis Lukas , Südkamp Norbert P. , Niemeyer Philipp
Published: May 2017

Background:

Recent studies have found a significant deficit of maximum quadriceps strength after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) of the knee. However, it is unclear whether muscular strength deficits in patients with cartilage damage exist prior to operative treatment.

Purpose:

To isokinetically test maximum quadriceps muscle strength and quantify the impact of possible strength deficits on functional and clinical test results.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

To identify clinically relevant muscular strength deficits, 24 patients (5 females, 19 males; mean age, 34.5 years; body mass index, 25.9 kg/m2) with isolated cartilage defects (mean onset, 5.05 years; SD, 7.8 years) in the knee joint underwent isokinetic strength measurements. Maximal quadriceps strength was recorded in 3 different testing modes: pure concentric contraction (flexors and extensors alternating work; con1), concentric-eccentric (only the extensors work concentrically and eccentrically; con2), and eccentric contraction in the alternating mode (ecc). Results were compared for functional performance (single-leg hop test), pain scales (visual analog scale [VAS], numeric rating scale [NRS]), self-reported questionnaires (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale [KOOS]), and defect size (cm2).

Results:

Compared with the uninjured leg, significantly lower quadriceps strength was detected in the injured leg in all isokinetic working modes (con1 difference, 27.76 N·m [SD 17.47; P = .003]; con2 difference, 21.45 N·m [SD, 18.45; P =.025]; ecc difference, 29.48 N·m [SD, 21.51; P = .001]), with the largest deficits found for eccentric muscle performance. Moderate negative correlations were observed for the subjective pain scales NRS and VAS. The results of the IKDC and KOOS questionnaires showed low, nonsignificant correlations with findings in the isokinetic measurement. Moreover, defect sizes (mean, 3.13 cm2) were of no importance regarding the prediction of the strength deficit. The quadriceps strength deficit between the injured and the uninjured leg was best predicted by the results of the single-leg hop test.

Conclusion:

Patients with isolated cartilage defects of the knee joint have significant deficits in quadriceps muscle strength of the injured leg compared with the uninjured leg. The single-leg hop test may be used to predict quadriceps strength deficits. Future research should address whether preoperative strength training in patients with cartilage defects of the knee could be effective and should be taken into consideration in addition to surgical treatment.
How Will India’s Urban Future Affect Social Identities?
Authors: Kapur Devesh
Published: May 2017

Urbanisation is as much a social process as it is an economic and spatial process. Cities are sites of social change that offer possibilities for social mobility by disrupting the social stratifications of rural societies. If so, what does India’s rapid urbanisation mean for social identities and social cleavages in the country? The article examines some of the principal mechanisms that will determine whether India’s urban future lies in a burgeoning cosmopolitan sensibility or in sharpening social cleavages. These include new and varied occupations and patterns of employment, the nature of housing and transportation and, crucially, the nature and role of the middle class. If urbanisation’s promise in transforming social identities in India is to be realised, the pattern of urbanisation and urban governance must fundamentally change. India needs many more large cities, which are also better funded and governed, which is unlikely to happen unless the promise of the 74th amendment to the Indian Constitution empowering urban local bodies is realised. The degree to which this will occur will have profound effects on India’s urban trajectory—and with it, the very nature of Indian society and its social cleavages.
Trace-element geochemistry of pyrite and arsenopyrite: ore genetic implications for late Archean orogenic gold deposits in southern India
Authors: Hazarika Pranjit , Mishra Biswajit , Lochan Pruseth Kamal
Published: May 2017

The distribution of Au and associated trace elements in pyrite and arsenopyrite from late Archean Hutti and Hira-Buddini orogenic gold deposits, eastern Dharwar Craton, southern India was investigated by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. X-ray element maps acquired by electron probe microanalyser reveal oscillatory zoning of Co and As indicating the crystallization of pyrite and arsenopyrite in an episodic fluid flow regime in which fluid salinity fluctuated due to fault-valve actions. The absence of any relationship between Au and As in pyrite obviate the role of As in the incorporation of Au into pyrite, particularly here and may be generally the case in orogenic gold deposits. On the other hand, positive correlations of Au with Cu, Ag and Te suggest possible influence of these chalcophile elements in the enhanced gold concentrationin sulfides. Pb-Bi-Te-Au-Ag bearing micro-particles (<2 μm) are observed exclusively in micro-fractures and pores in arsenopyrite. The absence of replacement features and element gradient suggests direct precipitation of Pb, Bi, Te, Au and Ag from a fluid that was unreactive towards arsenopyrite. An intermittent fall in fluid pressure caused by the fault-valve action would have resulted in the sporadic precipitation of Au, Pb, Ag, Bi and Te.
Impact of residual pulmonary obstruction on the long-term outcome of patients with pulmonary embolism
Authors: Pesavento Raffaele , Filippi Lucia , Palla Antonio , Visonà Adriana , Bova Carlo , Marzolo Marco , Porro Fernando , Villalta Sabina , Ciammaichella Maurizio , Bucherini Eugenio , Nante Giovanni , Battistelli Sandra , Muiesan Maria Lorenza , Beltramello Giampietro , Prisco Domenico , Casazza Franco , Ageno Walter , Palareti Gualtiero , Quintavalla Roberto , Monti Simonetta , Mumoli Nicola , Zanatta Nello , Cappelli Roberto , Cattaneo Marco , Moretti Valentino , Corà Francesco , Bazzan Mario , Ghirarduzzi Angelo , Frigo Anna Chiara , Miniati Massimo , Prandoni Paolo
Published: May 2017

The impact of residual pulmonary obstruction on the outcome of patients with pulmonary embolism is uncertain.

We recruited 647 consecutive symptomatic patients with a first episode of pulmonary embolism, with or without concomitant deep venous thrombosis. They received conventional anticoagulation, were assessed for residual pulmonary obstruction through perfusion lung scanning after 6 months and then were followed up for up to 3 years. Recurrent venous thromboembolism and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension were assessed according to widely accepted criteria.

Residual pulmonary obstruction was detected in 324 patients (50.1%, 95% CI 46.2–54.0%). Patients with residual pulmonary obstruction were more likely to be older and to have an unprovoked episode. After a 3-year follow-up, recurrent venous thromboembolism and/or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension developed in 34 out of the 324 patients (10.5%) with residual pulmonary obstruction and in 15 out of the 323 patients (4.6%) without residual pulmonary obstruction, leading to an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.26 (95% CI 1.23–4.16).

Residual pulmonary obstruction, as detected with perfusion lung scanning at 6 months after a first episode of pulmonary embolism, is an independent predictor of recurrent venous thromboembolism and/or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Towards an expert consensus to delineate a clinical syndrome of chronic breathlessness
Authors: Johnson Miriam J. , Yorke Janelle , Hansen-Flaschen John , Lansing Robert , Ekström Magnus , Similowski Thomas , Currow David C.
Published: May 2017

Breathlessness that persists despite treatment for the underlying conditions is debilitating. Identifying this discrete entity as a clinical syndrome should raise awareness amongst patients, clinicians, service providers, researchers and research funders.

Using the Delphi method, questions and statements were generatedviaexpert group consultations and one-to-one interviews (n=17). These were subsequently circulated in three survey rounds (n=34, n=25, n=31) to an extended international group from various settings (clinical and laboratory; hospital, hospice and community) and working within the basic sciences and clinical specialties. Thea prioritarget agreement for each question was 70%. Findings were discussed at a multinational workshop.

The agreed term, chronic breathlessness syndrome, was defined as breathlessness that persists despite optimal treatment of the underlying pathophysiology and that results in disability. A stated duration was not needed for “chronic”. Key terms for French and German translation were also discussed and the need for further consensus recognised, especially with regard to cultural and linguistic interpretation.

We propose criteria for chronic breathlessness syndrome. Recognition is an important first step to address the therapeutic nihilism that has pervaded this neglected symptom and could empower patients and caregivers, improve clinical care, focus research, and encourage wider uptake of available and emerging evidence-based interventions.
miR-146a-5p plays an essential role in the aberrant epithelial–fibroblast cross-talk in COPD
Authors: Osei Emmanuel T. , Florez-Sampedro Laura , Tasena Hataitip , Faiz Alen , Noordhoek Jacobien A. , Timens Wim , Postma Dirkje S. , Hackett Tillie L. , Heijink Irene H. , Brandsma Corry-Anke
Published: May 2017

We previously reported that epithelial-derived interleukin (IL)-1α drives fibroblast-derived inflammation in the lung epithelial–mesenchymal trophic unit. Since miR-146a-5p has been shown to negatively regulate IL-1 signalling, we investigated the role of miR-146a-5p in the regulation of IL-1α-driven inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Human bronchial epithelial (16HBE14o-) cells were co-cultured with control and COPD-derived primary human lung fibroblasts (PHLFs), and miR-146a-5p expression was assessed with and without IL-1α neutralising antibody. Genomic DNA was assessed for the presence of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2910164. miR-146a-5p mimics were used for overexpression studies to assess IL-1α-induced signalling and IL-8 production by PHLFs.

Co-culture of PHLFs with airway epithelial cells significantly increased the expression of miR-146a-5p and this induction was dependent on epithelial-derived IL-1α. miR-146a-5p overexpression decreased IL-1α-induced IL-8 secretion in PHLFsviadownregulation of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-1. In COPD PHLFs, the induction of miR-146a-5p was significantly less compared with controls and was associated with the SNP rs2910164 (GG allele) in the miR-146a-5p gene.

Our results suggest that induction of miR-146a-5p is involved in epithelial–fibroblast communication in the lungs and negatively regulates epithelial-derived IL-1α induction of IL-8 by fibroblasts. The decreased levels of miR-146a-5p in COPD fibroblasts may induce a more pro-inflammatory phenotype, contributing to chronic inflammation in COPD.
Can we design a better anti-cytokine therapy?
Authors: Drutskaya Marina S , Efimov Grigory A , Kruglov Andrei A , Nedospasov Sergei A
Published: May 2017

Cytokine neutralization is successfully used for treatment of various autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions. The complex biology of the two well-characterized proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-6 implicates unavoidable consequences when it comes to their global blockade. Because systemic cytokine ablation may result in unwanted side effects, efforts have been made to develop more specific cytokine inhibitors, which would spare the protective immunoregulatory functions of a given cytokine. In this article, we review current research and summarize new strategies for improved anti-TNF and anti-IL-6 biologics, which specifically target only selected parts of the signaling cascades mediated by these ligands.
In Solidarity
Authors: Awartani Sara
Published: May 2017

This article examines how Chicago Puerto Rican independentistas imagine the colonial relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States through an analysis of their articulations and actions with and on behalf of Palestinian self-determination in the 1970s and early 1980s. Drawing primarily on the writings of individuals imprisoned for alleged participation in the Puerto Rican armed clandestine organization Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional (FALN; Armed Forces of National Liberation), this article argues that Chicago independentistas constructed a reimagined geography of liberation that simultaneously declared solidarity while also disrupting narratives of US exceptionalism—what we might term the articulation of Palestine in the Puerto Rican political imaginary. Ultimately, it contends that we move beyond the aura of exceptionality that so often characterizes Puerto Rico's ambiguous political status by locating demands for Puerto Rican independence within a transnational, comparative framework of anticolonial and anti-imperial resistance movements.
Intrinsic frequency response patterns in mechano-sensory neurons of the leech
Authors: Fischer Linda , Scherbarth Frank , Chagnaud Boris , Felmy Felix
Published: May 2017

Animals employ mechano-sensory systems to detect and explore their environment. Mechano-sensation encompasses stimuli like constant pressure, surface movement or vibrations at various intensities that need to be segregated in the central nervous system. Besides different receptor structures sensory filtering via intrinsic response properties could provide a convenient way to solve this problem. In leech, three major mechano-sensory cell types can be distinguished according to their stimulus sensitivity into nociceptive, pressure and touch cells. Using intracellular recordings we show that the different mechano-sensory neuron classes in Hirudo medicinalis differentially respond supra-threshold to distinct frequencies of sinusoidal current injections between 0.2 and 20 Hz. Nociceptive cells responded with a low pass filter characteristic, pressure cells as high pass filters and touch cells like an intermediate band pass filter. Each class of mechano-sensory neurons is thus intrinsically tuned to a specific frequency range of voltage oscillation that could help segregate mechano-sensory information centrally.
Mechanisms mitigating problems associated with multiple kinetochores on one microtubule in early mitosis
Authors: Yue Zuojun , Komoto Shinya , Gierlinski Marek , Pasquali Debora , Kitamura Etsushi , Tanaka Tomoyuki U.
Published: May 2017

Proper chromosome segregation in mitosis relies on correct kinetochore interaction with spindle microtubules. In early mitosis, each kinetochore usually interacts with the lateral side of each microtubule and is subsequently tethered at the microtubule end. However, since eukaryotic cells carry multiple chromosomes, multiple kinetochores could occasionally interact with a single microtubule. The consequence of this is unknown. Here, we find that, although two kinetochores (two pairs of sister kinetochores) can interact with the lateral side of one microtubule, only one kinetochore can form a sustained attachment to the microtubule end in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). This leads to detachment of the other kinetochore from the microtubule end (or a location in its proximity). Intriguingly, in this context, kinetochore sliding along a microtubule towards a spindle pole delays and diminishes discernible kinetochore detachment. This effect expedites collection of the entire set of kinetochores to a spindle pole. We propose that cells are equipped with the kinetochore-sliding mechanism to mitigate problems associated with multiple kinetochores on one microtubule in early mitosis.