bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Branded on the Tongue”
Authors: Taylor Hillary
Published: January 2015

The laboring population of early modern England (ca. 1550–1750) has long been characterized as “inarticulate”—by contemporary elites and historians alike. This article uses transcribed linguistic exchanges between lower-class speakers and their social superiors—especially those that occurred in the context of the criminal justice system—to reconsider the causes and consequences of plebeian inarticulacy during the period, and beyond. It suggests that certain varieties of inarticulacy—including stammering—should be understood in relation to the radically hierarchical social structure of early modern England and the particular forms of subordination and deference that it demanded of and engendered in lower-class individuals. This allows for a reconsideration of the relationship between language and class as well as the role of quotidian subordinate-superior exchanges in reproducing socioeconomic and political inequality.
The Oklahoma City Sonic Boom Experiment and the Politics of Supersonic Aviation
Authors: Suisman David
Published: January 2015

In 1964, the US government conducted an experiment in which it bombarded Oklahoma City with eight sonic booms a day, every day, for six months, in order to test community reaction. The experiment was part of a large-scale program to build a supersonic transport (SST), an aircraft that would have produced sonic booms affecting many millions of people. This article explores the history of sonic booms, with special focus on the causes, contexts, and consequences of the Oklahoma City experiment. It argues that within the political economy of the Cold War, sonic booms became a new kind of state power that touched people through their senses and functioned as a kind of “technopolitics” that intruded upon the practice of everyday life. The final section considers the legacy of sonic booms and the militarization of sound in the twenty-first century.
Symphony of Sirens
Authors: Baker Catherine
Published: January 2015

I have been teaching courses about music and politics since 2011, firstly as a part-time instructor replacing a faculty member during her research leave and later at a different institution as a faculty member myself. This piece considers some of the constraints and opportunities that sound introduces into the process of learning and teaching. The object of study in these modules, music, originally consisted of sound, but in study and assessment the balance between hearing sound (let alone producing sound) and reading and writing about sound favors the written rather than the aural. The scarcity of recorded music for certain topics, the length of time needed to play sound during teaching or assessment sessions, and the difficulties of lyrics that require translation are three obstacles to greater incorporation of sound. The essay concludes by discussing the voice in the classroom, unplanned disruptive sounds, and the significance sound might have in emotional learning.
Levodopa effects on [11C]raclopride binding in the resting human brain
Authors: Black Kevin J. , Piccirillo Marilyn L. , Koller Jonathan M. , Hseih Tiffany , Wang Lei , Mintun Mark A.
Published: January 2015

Rationale: Synaptic dopamine (DA) release induced by amphetamine or other experimental manipulations can displace [11C]raclopride (RAC*) from dopamine D2-like receptors. We hypothesized that exogenous levodopa might increase dopamine release at striatal synapses under some conditions but not others, allowing a more naturalistic assessment of presynaptic dopaminergic function. Presynaptic dopaminergic abnormalities have been reported in Tourette syndrome (TS).

Objective: Test whether levodopa induces measurable synaptic DA release in healthy people at rest, and gather pilot data in TS.

Methods: This double-blind crossover study used RAC* and positron emission tomography (PET) to measure synaptic dopamine release 4 times in each of 10 carbidopa-pretreated, neuroleptic-naïve adults: before and during an infusion of levodopa on one day and placebo on another (in random order). Five subjects had TS and 5 were matched controls. RAC* binding potential (BPND) was quantified in predefined anatomical volumes of interest (VOIs). A separate analysis compared BPND voxel by voxel over the entire brain.

Results: DA release declined between the first and second scan of each day (p=0.012), including on the placebo day. Levodopa did not significantly reduce striatal RAC* binding and striatal binding did not differ significantly between TS and control groups. However, levodopa’s effect on DA release differed significantly in a right midbrain region (p=0.002, corrected), where levodopa displaced RAC* by 59% in control subjects but increased BPND by 74% in TS subjects.

Discussion: Decreased DA release on the second scan of the day is consistent with the few previous studies with a similar design, and may indicate habituation to study procedures. We hypothesize that mesostriatal DA neurons fire relatively little while subjects rest, possibly explaining the non-significant effect of levodopa on striatal RAC* binding. The modest sample size argues for caution in interpreting the group difference in midbrain DA release with levodopa.
Market Positioning by IT Service Vendors Through Imitation
Authors: Ruckman Karen , Saraf Nilesh , Sambamurthy Vallabh
Published: January 2015

Information technology (IT) services vendors operate in a highly competitive but also institutional environment that render their service-line offerings mutually observable. This suggests that imitation of rivals’ decisions can be an efficient means for IT vendors when reconfiguring their service-line offerings. To explore how such imitation unfolds in this sector, we estimate a series of logistic regression models of 116 IT vendors’ service-line choices over three time periods. First, from the strategic imitation literature we identify the key imitation “referents,” which is a group of firms or a single firm with specific traits, and we test the relative influence of each referent. All of our analysis includes these referents as predictors of service-line choice. Next, we tested more nuanced models using theoretically guided subsamples as follows. One, based on information systems (IS) literature, we consider the IT vendors as embedded in three distinct “institutional spheres,” each corresponding to a knowledge domain, namely, technical, functional, and vertical industry domains. We separately examine imitation in each subsample corresponding to the three types of service lines. Two, based on strategy literature, we consider that the influence of the imitation referents differs when the choice under consideration is the addition of a new service line versus a withdrawal. Our results across all of these subsamples uncover a nuanced pattern of imitation that sometimes contrasts the full-sample results. The most prominent result is that although imitation is highly salient, the different imitation referents are not universally influential across all knowledge domains and between development versus withdrawal decisions. Specifically, the imitation of similar firms is widespread, whereas the imitation of largest firms or offering popular service-lines, which indicates bandwagon effects, are at play only selectively. This study contributes to the IS literature by laying a basis for a variety of research directions including resource spillovers and vicarious learning in IT sectors.
Global Sourcing and Foreign Knowledge Seeking
Authors: Berry Heather , Kaul Aseem
Published: January 2015

We develop and test a rigorous theoretical account of firm global sourcing decisions, distinguishing the antecedents of offshore integration from those of offshore outsourcing. Although traditional theories of global sourcing focus on lowering costs, we argue that as high-performing firms seek to develop new capabilities by tapping into foreign knowledge, they will increasingly turn to offshore integration to reap colocation benefits and overcome expropriation challenges. By contrast, offshore outsourcing will be preferred by less profitable firms seeking to tap into low-cost inputs, especially as investments in information technology lower monitoring costs. Empirical analysis of a comprehensive panel of cross-border product transfers by U.S. manufacturing multinational corporations from 1989 to 2004 reveals support for these arguments. Our study thus highlights the effect of foreign knowledge seeking on global sourcing and helps explain recent trends in this increasingly important phenomenon, especially the increasing reliance on offshore integration in technology intensive industries.

This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
Resource Allocation Decisions Under Imperfect Evaluation and Organizational Dynamics
Authors: Schlapp Jochen , Oraiopoulos Nektarios , Mak Vincent
Published: January 2015

Research and development (R&D) projects face significant organizational challenges, especially when the different units who run these projects compete among each other for resources. In such cases, information sharing among the different units is critical, but it cannot be taken for granted. Instead, individual units need to be incentivized to not only exert effort in evaluating their projects, but also to truthfully reveal their findings. The former requires an emphasis on individual performance, whereas the latter relies on the existence of a common goal across the organization. Motivated by this commonly observed tension, we address the following question: How should a firm balance individual and shared incentives, so that vital information is both acquired, and equally importantly, disseminated to the entire organization? Our model captures two key characteristics of R&D experimentation: information is imperfect and it is also costly. Our analysis yields several important implications for the design of such incentive schemes and the management of R&D portfolios.

This paper was accepted by David Hsu, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Methods for biogeochemical studies of sea ice: The state of the art, caveats, and recommendations
Authors: Miller Lisa A. , Fripiat Francois , Else Brent G.T. , Bowman Jeff S. , Brown Kristina A. , Collins R. Eric , Ewert Marcela , Fransson Agneta , Gosselin Michel , Lannuzel Delphine , Meiners Klaus M. , Michel Christine , Nishioka Jun , Nomura Daiki , Papadimitriou Stathys , Russell Lynn M. , Sørensen Lise Lotte , Thomas David N. , Tison Jean-Louis , van Leeuwe Maria A. , Vancoppenolle Martin , Wolff Eric W. , Zhou Jiayun
Published: January 2015

Over the past two decades, with recognition that the ocean’s sea-ice cover is neither insensitive to climate change nor a barrier to light and matter, research in sea-ice biogeochemistry has accelerated significantly, bringing together a multi-disciplinary community from a variety of fields. This disciplinary diversity has contributed a wide range of methodological techniques and approaches to sea-ice studies, complicating comparisons of the results and the development of conceptual and numerical models to describe the important biogeochemical processes occurring in sea ice. Almost all chemical elements, compounds, and biogeochemical processes relevant to Earth system science are measured in sea ice, with published methods available for determining biomass, pigments, net community production, primary production, bacterial activity, macronutrients, numerous natural and anthropogenic organic compounds, trace elements, reactive and inert gases, sulfur species, the carbon dioxide system parameters, stable isotopes, and water-ice-atmosphere fluxes of gases, liquids, and solids. For most of these measurements, multiple sampling and processing techniques are available, but to date there has been little intercomparison or intercalibration between methods. In addition, researchers collect different types of ancillary data and document their samples differently, further confounding comparisons between studies. These problems are compounded by the heterogeneity of sea ice, in which even adjacent cores can have dramatically different biogeochemical compositions. We recommend that, in future investigations, researchers design their programs based on nested sampling patterns, collect a core suite of ancillary measurements, and employ a standard approach for sample identification and documentation. In addition, intercalibration exercises are most critically needed for measurements of biomass, primary production, nutrients, dissolved and particulate organic matter (including exopolymers), the CO2 system, air-ice gas fluxes, and aerosol production. We also encourage the development of in situ probes robust enough for long-term deployment in sea ice, particularly for biological parameters, the CO2 system, and other gases.
Letters
Authors: Slome Julie , Cro Suzanne , Preston Julia , Baldwin PC , Ross Jules , O'Driscoll Muriel
Published: January 2015

Cord snapping at waterbirth

Authors' response

Removal of a baby for adoption

Consultant midwives

Help needed
Providing women with evidence-based information
Authors: Campbell Elizabeth , Thompson Susan , Lavender Tina
Published: January 2015

NHS consumers need accurate, accessible, evidence-based information from which to make decisions about their care. However, consumer involvement in designing and disseminating this information is greatly neglected. This project aims to enable a group of consumers to work in partnership with a midwife to review and reformat the current recommended best practice. This project will enable information to be disseminated in a number of different formats to suit a wide range of needs. Over the last decade, the issues of choice and informed consent have predominated the midwifery press, with the policy agenda for maternity care prioritizing ‘woman-centred‘ services (Welsh Office, 1991; Department of Health, 1993). Pivotal to this approach is the provision of appropriate information on which women can base their childbirth decisions. Various methods are used in maternity units to disseminate information, however, maternal views on the suitability of this information is inconclusive.
Step 48: Rules on disclosure
Authors: Dimond Bridgit
Published: January 2015

In the last Steps article we considered the role of the Patient Information Advisory Group in advising the Secretary of State (SoS) on regulations for the disclosure of patient information. This article considers the regulations which were passed under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001.
Radiotherapy-induced skin reactions: prevention and cure
Authors: Morgan Kàren
Published: January 2015

This article describes the prophylactic use of Mepitel Film in three breast-cancer patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy. Each patient had significant risk factors for developing severe radiotherapy-induced skin reactions. This article details the experience encountered by these patients through their treatment courses, with observations by the review radiographers responsible for the care and support of these patients during their radiotherapy and the patients themselves. The film was found to be easy to use by the clinical team and resulted in a significant reduction in adverse side effects to the skin, with an associated improvement in patient satisfaction. There was found to be a financial benefit with the use of Mepitel Film when compared to the foam dressings often required for wound management if the patients had suffered moist desquamation.
Is neglect neglected by the physiotherapist?
Authors: Bailey Maggie J , Mears Jemma , Riddoch Jane
Published: January 2015

Hemineglect is associated with poor functional outcome in stroke patients. Physiotherapists need to effectively assess and treat this problem. Knowledge about current clinical practice in this area is necessary to stimulate discussion and to enhance rehabilitation research. A survey was undertaken to gather information about these issues using a sample of members of the neurology clinical interest group, the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology.
Developing stroke services in a district general hospital
Authors: Dick Fiona , Wilkieson Phyllis , McAlpine Christine
Published: January 2015

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability for individuals, a major cost to the NHS and a Health of the Nation priority. Many hospitals are currently examining the provision of their stroke services. A structured approach to the multidisciplinary care of stroke patients is vital. This article discusses how with a small increase in resources, a coordinated approach can organize stroke services better and so improve service quality and outcomes for stroke patients.
Community and hospital stroke patients: long-term rehabilitation
Authors: Noad Rupert , Lincoln Nadina , Challen Kesten
Published: January 2015

This article compares the outcomes and services provided for stroke patients who had not been admitted to hospital with those provided to patients who had been admitted to hospital for less than 1 month. Patients were assessed 1 month and 1 year after stroke on measures of impairment and disability. The rehabilitation they had received was recorded. There were 243 stroke patients notified by GPs of whom 124 had not been admitted to hospital. Of these, 93 were assessed at 1 month and 76 at 1 year after stroke. There were 97 patients admitted to hospital, 86 were assessed at 1 month and 65 1 year after stroke. Comparison between community and hospital patients showed no significant difference on the Barthel Index, but a significant difference on the Extended Activities of Daily Living scale at 1 month and 1 year after stroke. There were few significant differences in motor function, cognitive impairment or mood, but community patients showed significantly less handicap. The provision of rehabilitation services was low, but those admitted to hospital received significantly more rehabilitation, despite few differences in their abilities. Admission to hospital is associated with better provision of rehabilitation services regardless of patients' disabilities.
Pupil premium plans
Authors: Allingham Sue
Published: January 2015

Following the announcement that children will be assessed against a baseline upon entry to reception, we are now digesting plans to introduce the pupil premium in the early years, to address disadvantage.
Assessing rectal bleeding: A common symptom of haemorrhoids
Authors: Hibberts Fiona
Published: January 2015

Rectal bleeding is a ‘red flag’ sign and one of the referral criteria for a 2-week wait to see a specialist. However, in most cases, it is commonly associated with benign anorectal conditions such as haemorrhoids and fissures. Patients presenting with rectal bleeding need be examined, and may require further investigation and treatment. Fiona Hibberts outlines the process of diagnosis and the available conservative, invasive or surgical options in managing this common condition.
Do clinical nurse specialists in palliative care de-skill or empower general ward nurses?
Authors: Mytton Elizabeth J , Adams Ann
Published: January 2015

This article reports on a small-scale exploratory study looking into the relationships between specialist nurses and general nurses in acute palliative care to establish mutual role expectations and conditions under which generalists exhibit empowered or de-skilled behaviour. The main aims were to investigate understandings of role expectation and to establish the conditions under which generalists exhibited empowered or de-skilled behaviour. Semi-structured interviews, based on a patient vignette, were conducted with eight general nurses and two specialist nurses in one UK NHS trust. It was found that generalists valued specialists' clinical knowledge and skills, especially their communication skills. However, generalists demonstrated little insight into the work methods or full job remit, particularly the educational role, of specialists. There was a common understanding of the generalist’s role by both generalists and specialists. Generalists shared anxieties about palliative care. De-skilling was not reported, but generalists acknowledged ‘handing over’ care and a disinclination to develop challenging clinical skills. Empowerment was not found to be associated with clinical grade, but with motivation to learn about palliative care. Further research is required to verify these preliminary findings.
Author's response
Authors: Kelly Daniel
Published: January 2015

I agree with Smith et al that the reality of palliative care is often far from ideal. Indeed, this was a subject I explored earlier in my research career. I would also agree that people are busy, resources (both human and physical) are often limited and that professionals' experience, motivation and confidence vary enormously when dealing with dying patients. However, none of this detracts from the limitations within the pathway/variance approach to palliative care.
The role of occupation in behaviour change for alcohol abusers
Authors: McQueen Jean , Allan Linda
Published: January 2015

Within the UK the numbers of people abusing alcohol is continuing to rise. News bulletins regularly report on the increasing incidence of alcohol misuse and the binge drinking culture. Prolonged alcohol abuse over a sustained period of time impacts on health, family and relationships. The consequences can be far reaching with each alcoholic negatively affecting at least four other people (National Council on Alcohol, 1982). Different categories of alcohol abuse have been identified ranging from hazardous or harmful to alcohol dependent.
Observations of activity levels and social interaction in a residential care setting
Authors: Sackley Cath , Levin Sonya , Cardoso Karina , Hoppitt Thomas
Published: January 2015

Immobility, inactivity and the lack of social interaction are associated with poor physical and mental health. The main aim of this study was to examine the type and frequency of activities and social interactions with took place in a care home for older people.

Residents within the communal area of a care home were observed over a period of 16 hours at 10-minute intervals by two psychologists. Residents' positions, activities and interactions were recorded. The majority of observations (97%) found residents sitting and not engaged in activity (60.7%). Only 10.7% of observations involved social interaction of residents either with each other or with a carer. The results demonstrate a very low level of daily activity and interaction in the care home setting. The risks of immobility and inactivity related complications such as pressure sores, muscle weakness, depression and anxiety are high.
Breastfeeding support and promotion: The health professional's perspective
Authors: Marks Dougie , O'Connor Rory
Published: January 2015

Background: Despite their important role in breastfeeding promotion, there is a lack of research regarding professionals' attitudes towards breastfeeding, and the impact these may have on breastfeeding promotion. Aim: To investigate health professionals' views regarding breastfeeding, the influences on those views, and how they have an impact on breastfeeding promotion. Methods: In this qualitative study, 10 focus groups were carried out with health professionals involved with breastfeeding promotion. Results: Several themes emerged. These were: powerlessness and pessimism, breastfeeding promotion vs coercion/education, and the function of breastfeeding promotion. Professionals felt positively towards breastfeeding, but saw their influence as minimal due to an array of external influences on the mother's decision. They felt that promotion was not always carried out appropriately, and were wary of moralising breastfeeding. Professionals felt their role was one of informing, rather than promotion.
Lungworm in cattle in the United Kingdom: a review
Authors: Tilling Oliver
Published: January 2015

Lungworm in cattle can cause severe respiratory disease. Combined with subsequent sub-optimal health and loss of production this leads to economic losses in affected herds. There have been continuing changes in disease pattern dynamics requiring the clinician to re-evaluate treatment and control measures. This article discusses the changing role of lungworm in cattle in the United Kingdom. As well as a parasitological summary, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and control options are discussed.
BVD — why vaccination alone is not the complete answer to eradication
Authors: Brownlie Joe
Published: January 2015

This article is primarily about controlling and eradicating bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV). For some, it might appear to be just a repetitive article about bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) but it is hoped it is more than that. It would be good to explore in greater detail the value of vaccination in the process of controlling an infectious disease.
Current therapeutic options for intra-articular medication in horses
Authors: Parker Russell
Published: January 2015

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant problem in horses and may affect young athletes through to geriatric patients. Management of OA and the resulting lameness is a multifaceted challenge faced by veterinary surgeons involving financial, ethical, regulatory and owner related considerations. Intra-articular medication allows targeted therapy at the site of pathology and a wide range of products are available for use. An evidencebased approach to the selection of intra-articular medication is desirable but is hindered by the complex disease processes and difficulty extrapolating in vitro data to the clinical situation. Furthermore the activity of many therapeutic agents in either the modification of the disease process, or more realistically amelioration of the clinical symptoms, is controversial and hard to quantify. In recent times the availability of novel biological treatments, many of which have convenient ‘patient side’ preparation has lead to their widespread use amongst equine practitioners without rigorous scientific testing, leading to a concerning disparity between clinical use and scientific understanding.
Personalisation and self-determination: the same difference?
Authors: Williams-Findlay Bob
Published: January 2015

Personalisation has become one of the major buzz words within service delivery in a short space of time. It is said to have its roots/routes within the disabled people’s movement because of its association with concepts such as ‘self-determination’, ‘independent living’, ‘choice’ and ‘control’. Rather than explore what personalisation is, this article considers the central ideas that have informed disability politics within the United Kingdom over the last 30 years to see to what extent they have indeed informed the personalisation agenda. It will be argued that the tensions between dominant ideologies and practices associated with disability and the alternative social oppression approach have not been resolved, but hidden by the process of transforming radical ideas into ones that can be absorbed into the status quo. The chameleon characteristics of the personalisation agenda have allowed it to appear attractive to the more politically accommodating sections of the disabled community.
Contested Memories: A Cosmopolitan and Feminist Analysis of Four Provincial Museums in Turkey
Authors: Sade Mete Özge
Published: January 2015

This article examines four archaeological and ethnographic museums in the provinces of Turkey designed by Erten Altaban, a female architect. While these museums have long been neglected and viewed as a sign of Turkey’s failure to preserve its cultural heritage, this study suggests that they reveal a conscious project of forgetting – a negligence of the diversity of memories in the creation of official histories. From a cosmopolitan and feminist perspective, this paper points out that the abandoned spaces of these archaeological and ethnographic museums contain the potential to draw attention to what has been forgotten within the official historiographies. Unlike existing scholarship that focuses on central museums and views them as representations of dominant historical narratives, this study points at peripheral structures as conveyers of memories left out of prevailing accounts.
Revisiting a Graduate Design Studio on Sacred Architecture: A Mosque Design in Yazd, Iran
Authors: Stubblefield Thomas , Kirchner Samia Rab , Sheehi Stephen , Sharma Sunil , Aube Sandra
Published: January 2015

Photography’s Orientalism: New Essays on Colonial Representation, Ali Behdad and Luke Gartlan (eds.) (2013) Los Angeles: Getty Research Institute, 224 pp., 45 b/w illus., 27 colour plates ISBN 9781606061510, $35 (paperback)

From a Nation Torn: Decolonizing art and Representation in France, 1945–1962), Hannah Feldman (2014) Durham and London: Duke University Press, 336 pp., 88 illus. ISBN 9780822353713, $27.95 (paperback)

Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism in the Middle East, Mohammad Al-Asad (2012) Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 320 pp., approx. 550 illus. ISBN 9780813040172, $50 (hardback)

Cairo to Constantinople: Francis Bedford’s Photographs of the Middle East, Sophie Gordon (2013) London: Royal Collection Publications, 256 pp., 220 colour illus. ISBN: 9781905686186, $60 (hardback)

Eros and Sexuality in Islamic Art, Francesca Leoni and Mika Natif (eds.) (2013) Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate, 244 pp., 56 b/w illus., 8 colour plates ISBN 9781409464389, $109.95 (hardback)

Politics, Patronage and the Transmission of Knowledge in 13th–15th Century Tabriz, Judith pfeiffer (ed.) (2014) Leiden and Boston: Brill, Iran Studies, volume 8, 397 pp., 34 illus. ISBN 9789004255395, 131€/$182 (hardback)
Being, Forgetting, Remembering: Stewardship, Spirituality, and Change in the Vernacular Built Environment
Authors: Khan Hasan-Uddin
Published: January 2015

The correlation between belief in the stewardship of the earth and vernacular architecture yields a sensitivity to nature and to the spirituality of place in building construction. Patterns in nature are thus reflected in the organic forms of buildings and in various urban interventions. The notion of stewardship is also deeply embed in the teachings of Islam and other religions and cultural systems. Past architecture exhibits knowledge about the relationship and balance between the built and natural environment (A Place of Being). The scientific revolution, the industrial revolution and specialization seemed to bring with them the separation of beauty and utility and also encouraged an aggressive attitude toward the exploitation of nature. In the larger project of modernity ‘progress and development’ deepened the rupture between the built and natural realms (A Place of Forgetting). In the past two decades or so, environmental awareness and economic imperatives have begun to generate programs that have resulted in built works that attempt to heal the scars in the landscape and to be more sensitive to place (A Place of Remembering). Today, some architectural projects, based on ethical concerns, are beginning to reconnect contemporary architectural projects to the wisdom of the past in order to produce solutions for a sustainable built environment (A New Place of Being), and perhaps a new vernacular built environment.
The adherence of postmenopausal osteoporosis patients to therapy with combination medication contains alendronic acid and colecalciferol and its impact on the effectiveness of treatment
Authors: Marchenkova L A , Dreval A V , Prokhorova E A , Loseva V A
Published: January 2015

Objectives. We examined the level of persistence (remaining on therapy) and compliance (taking the medication according to directions) and its impact on the effectiveness of therapy in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) treating with combination medication containing 70 mg alendronic acide and 2800 IU colecalciferol - Fosavance under the supervision of medical practitioners. Material and methods. The trial was performed in the form of 2-year prospective observational multicenter study that included 373 patients with PMO aged 40-88 years, initiated therapy with Fosavance under the supervision of 20 physicians had their medical practice in Moscow (18) or Moscow region (2). Patient compliance and persistence with therapy assessed every 6 months for 2 years, the effectiveness of treatment evaluated in 2 years on the dynamics of bone mineral density (BMD) and indicators of quality of life (QOL) by the SF-36 scale. Results. 70.2% of recruited in the study PMO patients prematurely stopped therapy with Fosavance, including 41% - in the first 6 months. Among the patients who dropped out, 42.7% were lost to follow by medical practitioners, 28.6% switched to another drug therapy, 19.1% had no money to buy medication. 22.5% from 111 women who continued treatment after 2 years were non-compliant due to the high cost of therapy (52%), optionality with the purchase of the drug at the pharmacy (28%) or taking pills (16%), or lack of medication in the pharmacy (4%). There were no statistically significant differences in BMD change in compliant (CP) and non-compliant patients (NCP) in lumbar spine, trochanter and total proximal femur in 2 years. But the increase in femoral neck BMD was higher in CP vs. NCP (Δ=1.97% [-1.41; 13.3] and Δ=-2.03 [-10.4 5.20], p=0.0267). CP had greater increase in QOL by SF-36 scoring at role-physical functioning (Δ=5 points [0; 25] at CP vs. Δ=0 points [-50; 0] at NCP, p=0.0195), role-emotional functioning (Δ=50 points [0; 84] and Δ=0 points [-100; 0] respectively, p=0.0001) and social functioning (Δ=13 points [-13; 25] and Δ=-13 points [-25; 0] respectively, p=0.0048). Conclusions. Low adherence to Fosavance negative impact on the effectiveness of treatment PMO and QOL. At the initiation of therapy it's requires close interaction between the doctor and the patient, maintaining patients on regular treatment motivation and selection of the drug taking into account convenience of the reception.
Actor Analysis in Case Studies for (regional) Sustainable Development
Authors: Burandt Simon , Gralla Fabienne , John Beatrice
Published: January 2015

Specific local situations or phenomena pose specific challenges for regional (sustainable) development. These challenges require mostly local or regional solution paths for existing social-environmental systems that have to be investigated. Here the balance between studying and developing solution options can have a high impact on decision making and community choices.Processes of regional (sustainable) development are controlled by social players and these are the ones who finally decide and interact. These processes can be investigated with practical relevance in order to contribute (information) for sustainable solutions, for examples how to steer regional development processes, how to solve existing conflicts and to deliver information for strategy development.In this article, the method actor analysis is introduced and different options for implementation in practice are provided by using a case study conducted in the Ore Mountains as illustration. The described steps of an actor analysis can be read as guideline for implementing an analysis, but also the examples given are intended to show the potential and different options which aspects of social interactions could be in focus of investigation and how ideas or solutions with practical relevance can be generated.
Acute Hepatitis in a Child Heterozygous for the I259V MEFV Gene Variant
Authors: Tzifi Flora , Hawkins Philip , Atsali Erato , Kotzia Doxa , Attilakos Achilleas
Published: January 2015

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a systemic auto-inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent episodes of fever accompanied by synovial, serosal and/or cutaneous inflammation. Liver involvement has been described mainly in patients with paired FMF gene mutations, i.e. involving both alleles, and rarely in patients heterozygous for FMF mutations. These patients may present with acute or chronic hepatitis, with or without liver failure. Non-alcoholic hepatitis, mild hyperbilirubinemia, and elevation of liver enzymes of unknown etiology should also raise suspicion of FMF. Patients with FMF and liver involvement usually respond to colchicine medication. The mutation I259V (c.775A<G) on exon 2 of the MEFV gene has not been reported in FMF patients with liver involvement. Furthermore, among several MEFV gene variants, it has been reported so far in only one heterozygous FMF patient of Turkish ancestry presenting with abdominal pain without any hepatic complication. Herein, the second case of a FMF patient heterozygous for the above mentioned mutation is discussed. It is a male child with FMF clinical phenotype which presented two consecutively episodes of acute hepatitis during fever attacks, that spontaneously resolved. Therapeutic trial with colchicine was successful, since no other fever attacks and acute hepatitis episodes were noticed.
Gallbladder Paraganglioma: Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings
Authors: Koplay Mustafa , Sivri Mesut , Alptekin Hüsnü , Erdoğan Hasan , Nayman Alaaddin
Published: January 2015

Paragangliomas are benign tumors that can be association with sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. More rarely, they can be located in the gallbladder. In this paper, we describe the appearance of an unusual case of paraganglioma in the gallbladder.
International specialization and the return to capital
Authors: Batista Cátia , Potin Jacques
Published: January 2015

How does factor accumulation affect an open economy’s pattern of international specialization and returns to capital? We provide a new integrated treatment to this question using a panel of 44 developing and developed countries over the period 1976–2000. The data confirm the Heckscher-Ohlin prediction that, with sufficient differences in country endowments, there is no factor price equalization and countries specialize in different subsets of goods. Innovatively, we obtain the returns to capital implied by this model: these are consistent with the Lucas paradox, which we explain after accounting for cross-country differences in the cost of capital goods. Our findings are also consistent with Ventura’s hypothesis that the growth of small open economies can be promoted by “beating the curse of diminishing returns” – indeed we find no decrease in the return to capital at any given capital-labor ratio despite capital accumulation by most countries within a cone of diversification.
Permissible limits for uncertainty of measurement in laboratory medicine
Authors: Haeckel Rainer , Wosniok Werner , Gurr Ebrhard , Peil Burkhard
Published: January 2015

The international standard ISO 15189 requires that medical laboratories estimate the uncertainty of their quantitative test results obtained from patients’ specimens. The standard does not provide details how and within which limits the measurement uncertainty should be determined. The most common concept for establishing permissible uncertainty limits is to relate them on biological variation defining the rate of false positive results or to base the limits on the state-of-the-art. The state-of-the-art is usually derived from data provided by a group of selected medical laboratories. The approach on biological variation should be preferred because of its transparency and scientific base. Hitherto, all recommendations were based on a linear relationship between biological and analytical variation leading to limits which are sometimes too stringent or too permissive for routine testing in laboratory medicine. In contrast, the present proposal is based on a non-linear relationship between biological and analytical variation leading to more realistic limits. The proposed algorithms can be applied to all measurands and consider any quantity to be assured. The suggested approach tries to provide the above mentioned details and is a compromise between the biological variation concept, the GUM uncertainty model and the technical state-of-the-art.
Cloning and expression of a sesquiterpene synthase gene from Taiwania cryptomerioides
Authors: Hsieh Hui-Ling , Ma Li-Ting , Wang Sheng-Yang , Chu Fang-Hua
Published: January 2015

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) is a conifer species native to Taiwan, which is known for several bioactive secondary metabolites extracted from it. In this study, a sesquiterpene synthase (TPS) gene isolated from Taiwania was in focus. First, a pair of degenerate primers was designed for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction based on the total RNA extracted from the leaves of a mature tree. A DNA fragment with the conserved region of TPS gene was obtained. After 5′- and 3′-end amplification, the full-length gene was obtained, which contains an open reading frame of 1791 bp and encodes a predicted molecular mass of 70.2-kDa protein. The gene was highly expressed in young leaves, female flowers, and cones. The expression in leaves was enhanced by salicylic acid. To identify the function of TPS, the recombinant protein from Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani & Chalmers was incubated with farnesyl diphosphate. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis and retention time as well as mass spectrum matching with authentic standards revealed that the major product of TPS is sesquiterpene α-gurjunene. The gene was, therefore, designated as Tc-Gur.
Antinociceptive effects of FTY720 during trauma-induced neuropathic pain are mediated by spinal S1P receptors
Authors: Zhang Dong Dong , Linke Bona , Suo Jing , Zivkovic Aleksandra , Schreiber Yannick , Ferreirós Nerea , Henke Marina , Geisslinger Gerd , Stark Holger , Scholich Klaus
Published: January 2015

FTY720 (fingolimod) is, after its phosphorylation by sphingosine kinase (SPHK) 2, a potent, non-selective sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonist. FTY720 has been shown to reduce the nociceptive behavior in the paclitaxel model for chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain through downregulation of S1P receptor 1 (S1P1) in microglia of the spinal cord. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the antinociceptive effects of FTY720 in a model for trauma-induced neuropathic pain. We found that intrathecal administration of phosphorylated FTY720 (FTY720-P) decreased trauma-induced pain behavior in mice, while intraplantar administered FTY720-P had no effect. FTY720-P, but not FTY720, reduced the nociceptive behavior in SPHK2-deficient mice, suggesting the involvement of S1P receptors. Fittingly, intrathecal administration of antagonists for S1P1 or S1P3, W146 and Cay10444 respectively, abolished the antinociceptive effects of systemically administered FTY720, demonstrating that activation of both receptors in the spinal cord is necessary to induce antinociceptive effects by FTY720. Accordingly, intrathecal administration of S1P1 receptor agonists was not sufficient to evoke an antinociceptive effect. Taken together, the data show that, in contrast to its effects on chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, FTY720 reduces trauma-induced neuropathic pain by simultaneous activation of spinal S1P1 and S1P3 receptor subtypes.
Comprehensive obesity evaluation and treatment of three adolescents: a case series
Authors: Taylor Sharonda J. Alston , Peterson Mitchell A. , Garland Beth H. , Hastings Elisabeth S.
Published: January 2015

Background: Adolescent obesity is a chronic disease that is impacted from each patient’s biopsychosocial milieu. Successfully treating pediatric obesity requires long-term, innovative, systematic involvement to facilitate patient and family engagement and change.

Methods: Extensive chart review was done for three obese adolescents who underwent comprehensive weight management in an adolescent clinic seen within the past 5 years. The charts were reviewed starting from the time of initial contact through the last visit in the clinic. The patients are no longer receiving care within the clinic.

Results: The patients presented with BMI>99th percentile, family history of obesity, severe psychosocial stressors, and multiple obesity-related comorbidities. Their treatment involved comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention in an adolescent weight management clinic within a tertiary care center. In addition to rigorous support through frequent office visits, these patients all eventually required temporary, alternative living arrangements to successfully implement recommendations. One patient resided with another family member; two went to inpatient weight management program care for 2–3 months. All subjects successfully lost weight when away from their primary residence, and they demonstrated improvement or resolution of comorbidities.

Conclusions: This case series of three adolescents who underwent comprehensive obesity evaluation and treatment demonstrates multidisciplinary care across interconnected treatment programs and active engagement of family. Those who maintained successful weight loss reduced sedentary time, demonstrated family support (e.g., key members attending follow-up visits), and altered their living environment and were committed to their own health goals.
Needs and expectations of adolescent in-patients: the experience of Gaslini Children’s Hospital
Authors: Massimo Luisa , Rossoni Nicoletta , Mattei Francesca , Bonassi Stefano , Caprino Daniela
Published: January 2015

Background: Adolescents affected by a severe disease who undergo high-risk treatment may experience stress, pain, extreme frustration, depression, and anger. In this large spectrum of emotions, several situations must be considered carefully. To improve coping and quality of services offered to adolescents in paediatric hospitals, we elaborated a semi-structured interview and a short questionnaire (Quality of life-adolescent-Istituto Giannina Gaslini, QoL-adol-IGG scale) to investigate the quality of life, the needs and expectations of adolescent in-patients.

Methods: The study sample includes 117 in-patients aged between 10 and 20 years coming from several Italian regions who were admitted to the G. Gaslini Research Children’s Hospital for a period of 10 days or more, regardless of the disease. The QoL-adol-IGG scale was administered – after obtaining informed consent from the children and their parents – in one single encounter by trained psychologist. The distribution of the answers was evaluated after stratification by patient’s age, gender, area of residence, and clinical diagnosis. Continuous data were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis, while the χ2-test was used for categorical data.

Results: Seventy-two percent had difficulty practicing normal daily activities during their stay in the hospital, not only because of the disease (40%), but also because of the poor organization within the hospital, the lack of proposals/activities and space for spare time, and the limited access to technologies. Adolescents ≥15 years were more frequently dissatisfied than youngsters concerning the access to Internet and other technologies, the possibility to make new friends and to take part in social activities.

Conclusion: The results of this study, which evaluated the hospital’s organization, but also psychological functioning in a representative sample of patients, may contribute to optimize internal procedures of clinical departments where adolescent in-patients are present, on the basis of their requests and taking into account their age.