bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A randomized clinical trial for the timing of tracheotomy in critically ill patients: factors precluding inclusion in a single center study
Authors: Diaz-Prieto Antonio , Mateu Antoni , Gorriz Maite , Ortiga Berta , Truchero Consol , Sampietro Neus , Ferrer María Jesus , Mañez Rafael
Published: October 2014

Introduction

We investigated the potential benefits of early tracheotomy performed before day eight of mechanical ventilation (MV) compared with late tracheotomy (from day 14 if it still indicated) in reducing mortality, days of MV, days of sedation and ICU length of stay (LOS).

Methods

Randomized controlled trial (RCT) including all-consecutive ICU admitted patients requiring seven or more days of MV. Between days five to seven of MV, before randomization, the attending physician (AP) was consulted about the expected duration of MV and acceptance of tracheotomy according to randomization. Only accepted patients received tracheotomy as result of randomization. An intention to treat analysis was performed including patients accepted for the AP and those rejected without exclusion criteria.

Results

A total of 489 patients were included in the RCT. Of 245 patients randomized to the early group, the procedure was performed for 167 patients (68.2%) whereas in the 244 patients randomized to the late group was performed for 135 patients (55.3%) (P <0.004). Mortality at day 90 was similar in both groups (25.7% versus 29.9%), but duration of sedation was shorter in the early tracheotomy group median 11 days (range 2 to 92) days compared to 14 days (range 0 to 79) in the late group (P <0.02). The AP accepted the protocol of randomization in 205 cases (42%), 101 were included in early group and 104 in the late group. In these subgroup of patients (per-protocol analysis) no differences existed in mortality at day 90 between the two groups, but the early group had more ventilator-free days, less duration of sedation and less LOS, than the late group.

Conclusions

This study shows that early tracheotomy reduces the days of sedation in patients undergoing MV, but was underpowered to prove any other benefit. In those patients selected by their attending physicians as potential candidates for a tracheotomy, an early procedure can lessen the days of MV, the days of sedation and LOS. However, the imprecision of physicians to select patients who will require prolonged MV challenges the potential benefits of early tracheotomy.

Trial registration

Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN22208087. Registered 27 March 2014.
The clinical utility window for acute kidney injury biomarkers in the critically ill
Authors: Ralib Azrina Md , Pickering John W , Shaw Geoffrey M , Than Martin P , George Peter M , Endre Zoltán H
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) biomarker utility depends on sample timing after the onset of renal injury. We compared biomarker performance on arrival in the emergency department (ED) with subsequent performance in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

Urinary and plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL), and urinary Cystatin C (CysC), alkaline phosphatase, γ-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT), α- and π-Glutathione S-Transferase (GST), and albumin were measured on ED presentation, and at 0, 4, 8, and 16 hours, and days 2, 4 and 7 in the ICU in patients after cardiac arrest, sustained or profound hypotension or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. AKI was defined as plasma creatinine increase ≥26.5 μmol/l within 48 hours or ≥50% within 7 days.

Results

In total, 45 of 77 patients developed AKI. Most AKI patients had elevated urinary NGAL, and plasma NGAL and CysC in the period 6 to 24 hours post presentation. Biomarker performance in the ICU was similar or better than when measured earlier in the ED. Plasma NGAL diagnosed AKI at all sampling times, urinary NGAL, plasma and urinary CysC up to 48 hours, GGT 4 to 12 hours, and π-GST 8 to 12 hours post insult. Thirty-one patients died or required dialysis. Peak 24-hour urinary NGAL and albumin independently predicted 30-day mortality and dialysis; odds ratios 2.87 (1.32 to 6.26), and 2.72 (1.14 to 6.48), respectively. Urinary NGAL improved risk prediction by 11% (IDIevent of 0.06 (0.002 to 0.19) and IDInon-event of 0.04 (0.002 to 0.12)).

Conclusion

Early measurement in the ED has utility, but not better AKI diagnostic performance than later ICU measurement. Plasma NGAL diagnosed AKI at all time points. Urinary NGAL best predicted mortality or dialysis compared to other biomarkers.

Trial registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12610001012066. Registered 12 February 2010
Letting the data speak for themselves: a fully Bayesian approach to transcriptome assembly
Authors: Schulz Marcel H
Published: November 2014

A novel method for transcriptome assembly, Bayesembler, provides greater accuracy without sacrifice of computational speed, and particular advantages for alternative transcripts expressed at low levels.
Bayesian transcriptome assembly
Authors: Maretty Lasse , Sibbesen Jonas Andreas , Krogh Anders
Published: November 2014

RNA sequencing allows for simultaneous transcript discovery and quantification, but reconstructing complete transcripts from such data remains difficult. Here, we introduce Bayesembler, a novel probabilistic method for transcriptome assembly built on a Bayesian model of the RNA sequencing process. Under this model, samples from the posterior distribution over transcripts and their abundance values are obtained using Gibbs sampling. By using the frequency at which transcripts are observed during sampling to select the final assembly, we demonstrate marked improvements in sensitivity and precision over state-of-the-art assemblers on both simulated and real data. Bayesembler is available at https://github.com/bioinformatics-centre/bayesembler.
Importance of halide involving interactions at Hoogsteen sites in supramolecular architectures of some coordination metal complexes of N6-benzyl/furfuryl adenine
Authors: Jennifer Samson Jegan , Thomas Muthiah Packianathan , Tamilselvi Duraiswamy
Published: October 2014

Background

Most of the benzyladenine and furfuryladenine derivatives inhibit tumor/cancer cell growth; their toxicity is lesser than the compounds used for the treatment of cancer now-a-days. Many cytokinin derivatives are tested for anticancer activity.

Results

A series of transition metal complexes containing N6-benzyl/furfuryl aminopurines of formula [Mn(FAH)2(H2O)(Cl3)]2.Cl2
(1), [Co(FAH)2(H2O)(Cl3)]2.Cl2
(2), [Co(FAH)2(Cl4)]2 .[Co(FAH)2(H3O)(Cl3)].Cl2
(3), [Ni(FAH)2(H2O)(Cl3)]2.Cl2. (H2O) (4), [Zn(BAH)Br3] (5) and [Cd2(BAH)2(μ-Br)4Br2]n
(6) (where BAH and FAH benzyladeninium and furfuryladeninium cations respectively) have been synthesized and characterized. Crystal structures of (1-4) have similar distorted octahedral coordination geometry, while (5) and (6) have distorted tetrahedral geometry and octahedral geometries respectively. In (1-4) two halide ions and two cytokinin cations (BAH+/FAH+) are laterally coordinated to the metal ion. A water molecule and a halide ion are axially coordinated. But the coordination sphere of (5) consists of N7 coordinated benzyladeninium ion and three halide ions. The complex (6) is a coordination polymer bridged by bromide anions. A common notable feature in (1-4) is the presence of one or more lattice chloride anions. They help in a chain formation by N-H…Cl halide involving hydrogen bonding interactions in between the Hoogsteen site hydrogen.

Conclusions

The observed crystal structures emphasize the role of the halide ions in developing the supramolecular architectures by halide involving hydrogen bonding interactions. Also most of the reported cobalt cytokinin complexes possess tetrahedral coordination geometry, but some cobalt complexes have distorted octahedral coordination geometry, which are discussed and compared.
Life after genetics
Authors: Shendure Jay
Published: October 2014

Editorial summary

Gene finding is a finite exercise, and a means to an end, rather than an end in itself. The field of human genetics should increasingly shift its attention from disease gene identification to following through on next steps, most importantly pursuing the biological mechanisms underlying genotype-phenotype associations.
Immune checkpoint receptors in regulating immune reactivity in rheumatic disease
Authors: Ceeraz Sabrina , Nowak Elizabeth C , Burns Christopher M , Noelle Randolph J
Published: October 2014

Immune checkpoint regulators are critical modulators of the immune system, allowing the initiation of a productive immune response and preventing the onset of autoimmunity. Co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory immune checkpoint receptors are required for full T-cell activation and effector functions such as the production of cytokines. In autoimmune rheumatic diseases, impaired tolerance leads to the development of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren's syndrome. Targeting the pathways of the inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules CD152 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4) and CD279 (programmed death-1) in cancer shows robust anti-tumor responses and tumor regression. This observation suggests that, in autoimmune diseases, the converse strategy of engaging these molecules may alleviate inflammation owing to the success of abatacept (CD152-Ig) in rheumatoid arthritis patients. We review the preclinical and clinical developments in targeting immune checkpoint regulators in rheumatic disease.
Investigation of dust storms entering Western Iran using remotely sensed data and synoptic analysis
Authors: Boloorani Ali D , Nabavi Seyed O , Bahrami Hosain A , Mirzapour Fardin , Kavosi Musa , Abasi Esmail , Azizi Rasoul
Published: October 2014

Background

One of the natural phenomena which have had considerable impacts on various regions of the world, including Iran, is "dust storm". In recent years, this phenomenon has taken on new dimensions in Iran and has changed from a local problem to a national issue. This study is an attempt to investigate the formation of the dust storms crossing the Western Iran.

Methodology

To find the sources of the dust storms entering Iran, first we examine three determined dust paths in the region and their temporal activities, using MODIS satellite images. Then, four regions were identified as dust sources through soil, land cover and wind data. Finally, atmospheric analyses are implemented to find synoptic patterns inducing dust storms.

Results and discussion

Source 1 has covered the region between the eastern banks of Euphrates and western banks of Tigris. Source 2 is in desert area of western and south-western Iraq. Finally source 3 is bounded in eastern and south-eastern deserts of Saudi Arabia called Rub-Al-Khali desert, or Empty Quarter. Moreover, south-eastern part of Iraq (source 4) was also determined as a secondary source which thickens the dust masses originating from the above mentioned sources. The study of synoptic circulations suggests that the dust storms originating from source 1 are formed due to the intense pressure gradient between the low-pressure system of Zagros and a high-pressure cell formed on Mediterranean Sea. The dust events in sources 2 and 3 are outcomes of the atmospheric circulations dominant in the cold period of the year in mid-latitudes.
Bioclogging in porous media: influence in reduction of hydraulic conductivity and organic contaminants during synthetic leachate permeation
Authors: Kanmani Subramaniam , Gandhimathi Rajan , Muthukkumaran Kasinathan
Published: October 2014

In this study the concept of biofilm accumulation in the sand column was promoted to assess the changes in hydraulic conductivity and concentration of organic contaminants of the synthetic leachate. Four different combinations of column study were carried out using synthetic leachate as a substrate solution. Mixed and stratified mode of experiments with two different sizes (0.3 mm and 0.6 mm) of sand grains were used for column filling. Two columns were acting as a blank, the remaining two columns amended with mixed microbial cultures which were isolated from leachate. The column was operated with continuous synthetic leachate supply for 45 days. The results indicated that the highest hydraulic conductivity reduction occurred in the mixed sand microbial column with 98.8% when compared to stratified sand microbial column. The analysis of organic contaminants of the effluent leachate was also clearly shown that the mixed sand amended with microbes poses a suitable remedial measure when compared to natural and synthetic liners for controlling the leachate migration in the subsurface environment.
Magnetic field analysis of Morro do Leme nickel deposit
Authors: Louro Vinicius Hector Abud , Mantovani Marta Silvia Maria , Ribeiro Vanessa Biondo
Published: October 2014

The Morro do Leme laterite nickel deposit lies inside the western border of the Parecis Basin (Brazil). This deposit is characterized by high concentrations of lateritic Ni (about 1.8%) and anomalous contents of Pd, Au, Cu, Na, Co, Zn, and Pt in a peridotite and dunite layered intrusion. Besides the existence of geochemical and drilling data, the 3D distribution in the subsurface of this layered intrusion is still unknown. An airborne magnetic survey revealed three east–west elongated magnetic anomalies, characterized by a significant remanent magnetization. The sources of these anomalies were delimitated laterally and had their depths estimated between 90 and 150 m, using techniques that use derivatives. Further, the total magnetization direction was obtained from a distortion analysis of the magnetic anomalies. All these data were united in an initial model for the 3D inversion of the magnetic data. The total and induced magnetization directions were attributed to the inverted model of 0.12 (SI) susceptibility, allowing indirect estimation of the remanence. The model, defined by the depth, the inversion, and the remanence estimates, linked the intrusion to analogue events in the Rondonian-San Ignácio Province. The results indicated that to explore for laterite Ni, the best locations are the southern part of the main anomaly and in the cover above the two smaller anomalies, whereas to explore for Pd, Au, Cu, Na, Co, Zn, and/or Pt, the indicated region is the central portion of the main anomaly.
Managing delirium in everyday practice: towards cognitive-friendly hospitals
Authors: O'Connell Henry , Kennelly Sean P. , Cullen Walter , Meagher David J.
Published: November 2014

Providing optimal healthcare for increasingly elderly hospital populations who have high rates of cognitive disorder is a great challenge. Using delirium as an example, we describe how improved management of acute cognitive problems through a multifaceted hospital-wide programme can promote cognitive-friendly hospital environments. A specific plan of action is described that spans interventions in day-to-day clinical care of individual patients all the way to wider organisational practices.

Learning Objectives

•

Understand the concept of cognitive friendliness and how addressing the problem of delirium can contribute to this in our healthcare system.

•

Become more aware of specific aspects of a cognitive-friendly programme and how these can be implemented in practice.

•

Explore the key outstanding issues for research that can further enhance our awareness of cognitive-friendly practices.
A Tale of Two Mayan Babels: Vernacular Histories of the Maya and the Limits of Inclusion
Authors: Armstrong-Fumero Fernando
Published: November 2014

This article focuses on two narratives that claim that a pre-Hispanic pyramid at Chichén Itzá is the biblical Tower of Babel. One “Mayan Babel” is represented in a series of stories told by rural Maya speakers in Yucatán, the other in an unpublished manuscript written by an Anglo-American trucker. Though both of these stories reflect traditions that were marginalized by academic archaeology, they reflect very different experiences with the ruins as either physical objects or textual creations. This in turn has important implications for the politics of contemporary attempts to turn archaeology into a terrain that is inclusive of diverse stakeholder perspectives.
Dose–volume-related dysphagia after constrictor muscles definition in head and neck cancer intensity-modulated radiation treatment
Authors: Mazzola R , Ricchetti F , Fiorentino A , Fersino S , Giaj Levra N , Naccarato S , Sicignano G , Albanese S , Di Paola G , Alterio D , Ruggieri R , Alongi F
Published: October 2014

Objective:

Dysphagia remains a side effect influencing the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) after radiotherapy. We evaluated the relationship between planned dose involvement and acute and late dysphagia in patients with HNC treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), after a recontouring of constrictor muscles (PCs) and the cricopharyngeal muscle (CM).

Methods:

Between December 2011 and December 2013, 56 patients with histologically proven HNC were treated with IMRT or volumetric-modulated arc therapy. The PCs and CM were recontoured. Correlations between acute and late toxicity and dosimetric parameters were evaluated. End points were analysed using univariate logistic regression.

Results:

An increasing risk to develop acute dysphagia was observed when constraints to the middle PCs were not respected [mean dose (Dmean) ≥50 Gy, maximum dose (Dmax) >60 Gy, V50 >70% with a p = 0.05]. The superior PC was not correlated with acute toxicity but only with late dysphagia. The inferior PC was not correlated with dysphagia; for the CM only, Dmax >60 Gy was correlated with acute dysphagia ≥ grade 2.

Conclusion:

According to our analysis, the superior PC has a major role, being correlated with dysphagia at 3 and 6 months after treatments; the middle PC maintains this correlation only at 3 months from the beginning of radiotherapy, but it does not have influence on late dysphagia. The inferior PC and CM have a minimum impact on swallowing symptoms.

Advances in knowledge:

We used recent guidelines to define dose constraints of the PCs and CM. Two results emerge in the present analysis: the superior PC influences late dysphagia, while the middle PC influences acute dysphagia.
Case Report: Mammary and rectal metastases from an ovarian cancer: report of two cases and review of literature
Authors: Amzerin Mounia , Garcia Camilo , Stanciu Claudia , Veys Isabelle , Awada Ahmad , Errihani Hassan , Gombos Andrea
Published: October 2014

In this paper we report two interesting cases of metastatic ovarian cancer. The first case is a patient who developed rectal and breast metastases mimicking an inflammatory breast cancer. In the second case, subclinical breast and axillary lymph node metastases were revealed by PET/CT. Metastases in the breast originating from solid tumors are extremely rare. The ovarian primitive is the fourth most common origin. The occurrence of breast metastasis is associated with an advanced disease and a poor prognosis. Their incidence is increasing since they are found more often due to better imaging techniques and to better treatment that, accordingly, improve patients’ survival. Thus, unusual sites of metastases are more and more reported. Indeed, some authors reported the occurrence of colorectal metastases from ovarian cancer. However, they remain much less frequent.
Secretomes of apoptotic mononuclear cells ameliorate neurological damage in rats with focal ischemia
Authors: Altmann Patrick , Mildner Michael , Haider Thomas , Traxler Denise , Beer Lucian , Ristl Robin , Golabi Bahar , Gabriel Christian , Leutmezer Fritz , Ankersmit Hendrik Jan
Published: October 2014

The pursuit of targeting multiple pathways in the ischemic cascade of cerebral stroke is a promising treatment option. We examined the regenerative potential of conditioned medium derived from rat and human apoptotic mononuclear cells (MNC), rMNCapo sec and hMNCapo sec, in experimental stroke.

We performed middle cerebral artery occlusion on Wistar rats and administered apoptotic MNC-secretomes intraperitoneally in two experimental settings. Ischemic lesion volumes were determined 48 hours after cerebral ischemia. Neurological evaluations were performed after 6, 24 and 48 hours. Immunoblots were conducted to analyze neuroprotective signal-transduction in human primary glia cells and neurons. Neuronal sprouting assays were performed and neurotrophic factors in both hMNCapo sec and rat plasma were quantified using ELISA.

Administration of rat as well as human apoptotic MNC-secretomes significantly reduced ischemic lesion volumes by 36% and 37%, respectively. Neurological examinations revealed improvement after stroke in both treatment groups. Co-incubation of human astrocytes, Schwann cells and neurons with hMNCapo sec resulted in activation of several signaling cascades associated with the regulation of cytoprotective gene products and enhanced neuronal sprouting in vitro. Analysis of neurotrophic factors in hMNCapo sec and rat plasma revealed high levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Our data indicate that apoptotic MNC-secretomes elicit neuroprotective effects on rats that have undergone ischemic stroke.
Typification of specific and infraspecific names in Asian Platanthera (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Efimov Petr G. , Jin Xiao-Hua
Published: October 2014

Twenty names currently assigned to the genus Platanthera are lecto‐ or neotypified: Habenaria henryi, H. nematocaulon, H. pachycaulon, H. stenantha, H. zosterostyloides, Hemihabenaria stenantha var. auriculata, Platanthera chorisiana var. elata, P. delavayi, P. finetiana, P. florentii, P. komarovii, P. listeroides, P. mandarinorum, P. manubriata, P. matsudai, P. oreades, P. oreades var. brachycentron, P. oreades var. macrocentron, P. papuana and P. setchuanica.
Typification of the names Crepis pyrenaica and Crepisblattarioides (Compositae): Nomenclatural implications
Authors: Talavera María , Fernández-Piedra María Pilar , Talavera Salvador
Published: October 2014

The names Hieracium pyrenaicum L. (≡ Crepis pyrenaica (L.) Greuter), H. pappoleucon (= C. pyrenaica), C. grandiflora Willd. (= C. pyrenaica), H. blattarioides L. (≡ Crepis blattarioides (L.) Vill.) and H. pyrenaicum var. helveticum L. (≡ H. conyzifolium Gouan; Crepis conyzifolia (Gouan) A.Kern.; = C. blattarioides) are discussed and lectotypified if necessary. Hieracium conyzifolium is homotypic with H. pyrenaicum var. helveticum L., which is a heterotypic synonym of H. blattarioides. Picris pyrenaica L. (≡ Hieracium pyrenaicum var. pilosum L.) is also a heterotypic synonym of Hieracium blattarioides L. The types of other names referable to these two species (Crepis pyrenaica and C. blattarioides) are also considered. The name Crepis conyzifolia was misapplied by some authors to the species properly known as C. pyrenaica (L.) Greuter. Also C. blattarioides (L.) Vill. is no longer treated as synonym of C. pyrenaica (L.) Greuter. Therefore C. pyrenaica (L.) Greuter and C. blattarioides (L.) Vill. should be recognized as two distinct species.
A type for Gomphia (Ochnaceae)—once again
Authors: Greuter Werner , Rodríguez Rosa Rankin
Published: October 2014

Two previous attempts to designate a type for Gomphia Schreb. 1789 failed. The type here designated is Ochna nitida Sw. This confirms the status of Gomphia as a taxonomic synonym of Ouratea Aubl. 1775. Ochna squarrosa L. 1762 is a legitimate name, it is lectotypified here so as to make it a nomenclatural synonym of Ochna jabotapita L. 1753, confirming current practice.
Elucidating phylogenetic relationships and genus‐level classification within the fungal family Trypetheliaceae (Ascomycota: Dothideomycetes)
Authors: Nelsen Matthew P. , Lücking Robert , Aptroot André , Andrew Carrie J. , Cáceres Marcela , Plata Eimy Rivas , Gueidan Cécile , da Silva Canêz Luciana , Knight Allison , Ludwig Lars R. , Mercado-Díaz Joel A. , Parnmen Sittiporn , Lumbsch H. Thorsten
Published: October 2014

While the phylogenetic position of Trypetheliaceae has been the subject of recent molecular studies, the relationships within this family have been little studied. Here we construct a detailed genus‐level phylogeny of the family. We confirm previous morphology‐based findings suggesting that a substantial proportion of genera are not monophyletic, and that an overemphasis has been placed on certain character state combinations which do not strictly reflect phylogenetic relationships. Specifically, patterns of ascospore septation, ostiole orientation and type of ascomatal aggregation are evolutionarily labile, and of limited utility for the delimitation of genera as currently circumscribed. We show that species from a number of genera includingAstrothelium, Bathelium, Cryptothelium, LaureraandTrypetheliumtogether form a strongly supported group, referred to here as the“Astrothelium” clade. Species from Aptrootia, Architrypethelium, Campylothelium, Marcelaria(L. purpurina and L. cumingii groups),Pseudopyrenulaand species from theTrypethelium eluteriaegroup fall outside of the “Astrothelium” clade and each form monophyletic groups. In contrast, species fromArthopyrenia, MycomicrotheliaandPolymeridiumfall outside of the “Astrothelium” clade, and do not form monophyletic groups. The data presented here validate earlier morphology‐based findings suggesting generic delimitations are in need of revision, and provides a first step towards identifying the utility of individual characters and identifying which characters and character state combinations may be useful for future classification.
No Claim? Your Gain: Design of Residual Value Extended Warranties Under Risk Aversion and Strategic Claim Behavior
Authors: Gallego Guillermo , Wang Ruxian , Hu Ming , Ward Julie , Beltran Jose Luis
Published: November 2014

Traditional one-price-for-all extended warranties do not differentiate customers according to their risk attitudes, usage rates, or operating environment. These warranties are priced to cover the cost of high-usage customers who have more failures and are willing to pay a risk premium for their risk aversion. That makes traditional warranties economically unattractive to low-usage customers and those who are less risk averse. These issues can be addressed by residual value warranties, which refund part of the up-front price to customers who have zero or few claims according to a predetermined refund schedule. Residual value warranties may induce strategic claim behavior, since customers may prefer to pay for small failures out of pocket rather than claim failures now and give up potential refunds later.

We design and price residual value warranties to maximize expected profits, taking into account strategic claim behavior and risk attitudes. For the constant absolute risk aversion model, we characterize customers’ optimal claim strategy as well as the net value and support cost for residual value warranties. Surprisingly, the total support cost to the service provider, including repair costs and refunds, is lower for more risk-averse customers under the residual value warranties, whereas their willingness to pay is higher. As contingent contracts, residual value warranties can better price discriminate customers than traditional warranties. We identify conditions under which residual value warranties are strictly more profitable than traditional warranties in a homogeneous market, as well as in heterogeneous markets that differ in various dimensions, such as risk attitude, failure rate, and repair cost.
Sedation at the end of life: a hospice's decision-making practices in the UK
Authors: Dean Antonia , Miller Barbara , Woodwark Catherine
Published: October 2014

The administration of sedative drugs at the end of life raises both clinical and ethical challenges. This article details the evolution of sedation decision-making practices at a 14-bedded UK hospice over the course of 5 years through an initial review and two follow-up audits. Key areas, such as documented consideration of hydration status and discussion with family members, have been improved following the implementation of a checklist of decision-making prompts, demonstrating how practice can be improved and sustained over time.
Review
Authors: Bailey Sally
Published: October 2014

Trauma-Informed Drama Therapy: Transforming Clinics, Classrooms, and Communities, Nisha Sajnani and David Read Johnson (eds) (2014) Springfield, IL: C.C. Thomas, 414 pp., ISBN: 9780398087760, Hardback, $72.95, ISBN: 9780398087777, Paperback, $52.95
Trauma-centered developmental transformations as exposure treatment for young children
Authors: Pitre Renée , Sajnani Nisha , Johnson David Read
Published: October 2014

This article describes the use of Trauma-Centered Developmental Transformations therapy for imaginal exposure and desensitization of a young traumatized child. Case material is presented with detailed discussion of how the properties of developmental transformations can be successful in desensitizing a child to their traumatic past. The impact of gradual exposure, participation by the therapist and embodied play on establishing a safe space for exploring traumatic memories is described.
Three challenges for drama therapy research: Keynote NADTA conference, Montreal 2013
Authors: Jones Phil
Published: October 2014

The article reviews the current state of drama therapy research and argues that changes are needed. It firstly uses a discourse analysis of published research to identify the ways in which the field is in danger of creating segregated ways of knowing and encountering clients. A case is made for more dialogue between the qualitative and quantitative, between creativity and spirituality and for the field to refer to the existing knowledge presented in drama therapy published research. The article considers the need to challenge the ways in which power dynamics within research can mean that certain approaches are validated or foregrounded rather than others. Interviews with arts therapists in different countries are used to identify the need to build published accounts of good quality practitioner research. It examines how individual accounts can grow into field knowledge and contribute to meta- or systematic reviews.
Rigor e Relevância: que papel num modelo de referência para a Psicologia das Organizações, do Trabalho e dos Recursos Humanos?
Authors: Gomes Duarte , Antunes Teresa
Published: October 2014

A formação em Psicologia, e de um modo mais específico em Psicologia das Organizações, do Trabalho e dos Recursos Humanos, é objecto de reflexão neste artigo. Um modelo de referência para a mesma é aqui apresentado, sendo dada particular saliência a duas das suas características: rigor e relevância. Neste contexto, é ainda discutida a ligação entre formação científica e desempenho profissional.
Os Processos Grupais desde o Paradigma Sistêmico‑Complexo – uma Experiência de Intervenção Recursiva em um Grupo de Gestores
Authors: Cabral Patrícia Martins Fagundes , Seminotti Nedio
Published: October 2014

Esse artigo discute a intervenção em processos grupais, a partir de um método orientado pela perspectiva sistêmica-complexa. A pesquisa intervenção foi realizada com um grupo de gestores em uma indústria no Rio Grande do Sul/Brasil, que visou: a) ampliar as competências de liderança do grupo, em uma dimensão coletiva; b) analisar as possibilidades e limitações da construção de competências coletivas, nesse processo grupal. A partir dessa intervenção discutimos a abordagem teórica-metodológica desenvolvida nesta prática, com o objetivo de oferecer um método que sustente intervenções para o desenvolvimento da liderança em uma perspectiva coletiva. A intervenção teve a duração de 18 meses, período em que os participantes dessa pesquisa realizaram um Curso de Desenvolvimento de Lideranças promovido pela empresa em parceria com uma Universidade da região. A coleta de dados ocorreu em quatro momentos: 1) aplicação de um questionário sobre competências de grupo, aplicado individualmente; 2) grupo de discussão pautado pelos resultados do questionário; 3) grupo de discussão sobre o mapa sistêmico gerado na etapa anterior; 4) grupo de discussão final, a partir da síntese dialógica das idéias surgidas na etapa anterior. Como pressuposto central do método, nas intervenções, buscou-se a validade interna e externa para os dados produzidos no grupo. Nesse processo de intervenção, os dados emergentes das discussões do grupo foram analisados, visando a compreensão teórica do material empírico (validação externa); ao passo que ao trazer o grupo para uma releitura da sua própria produção, possibilitava-se a recorrência da discussão, e fundamentalmente, uma recursividade sistêmica (validação interna). A sustentação dessa prática encontra-se em elementos-chave das teorias sobre processos grupais e, principalmente, nos fundamentos preconizados pelo paradigma sistêmico-complexo: hologramaticidade, dialógica e recursão organizacional.
Efeitos da orientação para a aprendizagem e da segurança psicológica nos conflitos nas equipas
Authors: Passos Ana Margarida , Silva Sílvia A. , Santos Catarina M.
Published: October 2014

O objectivo do presente estudo foi o de avaliar o impacto de duas dimensões específicas do clima de equipa (clima de orientação para a aprendizagem e clima de segurança psicológica), enquanto factor contextual de natureza cognitiva, nos diferentes tipos de conflito das equipas. Colocou-se a hipótese de que a relação entre orientação para a aprendizagem e os diferentes tipos de conflito é moderada pelo clima de segurança psicológica. Participaram neste estudo 218 equipas (959 indivíduos) envolvidas numa competição de estratégia e gestão que decorreu ao longo de cinco semanas. Globalmente, os resultados suportaram as hipóteses da influência directa do clima de equipa nos conflitos intragrupais no sentido em que climas mais positivos diminuem os conflitos nas equipas. Os resultados suportaram igualmente a hipótese do papel moderador da segurança psicológica na relação entre orientação para a aprendizagem e o conflito relacional e o conflito de gestão de tempo, sendo que a orientação para a aprendizagem reduz os conflitos quer relacionais quer de gestão de tempo nas situações de elevada segurança psicológica. Estes resultados chamam a atenção para a importância dos climas de equipa nos processos e dinâmicas entre os membros.
Relação das práticas de responsabilidade social interna nas organizações com a satisfação no trabalho e as intenções de saída: O papel mediador do ajustamento pessoa-organização
Authors: Vicente Ana Luísa Fialho Meneses Sepúlveda , Rebelo Teresa Manuela Marques Santos Dias , Agostinho Celina Fernandes
Published: October 2014

A presente investigação teve como objectivo compreender o impacto das percepções de responsabilidade social das empresas (RSE) interna nos níveis de satisfação no trabalho (ST) e intenções de saída (IS) dos colaboradores, bem como clarificar o papel da variável ajustamento pessoa-organização (P-O Fit) nas relações anteriores. Visando testar o impacto das percepções de RSE interna na ST e IS, bem como o efeito mediador do P-O Fit, e tendo por base uma amostra de 422 colaboradores de 20 empresas do sector industrial português, foram conduzidas análises de regressão hierárquicas, em alinhamento com o procedimento de Baron e Kenny (1986). Os resultados indicam a RSE interna como preditora de ambas as variáveis (satisfação no trabalho e intenções de saída) e que o P-O Fit medeia parcialmente o impacto das percepções de RSE interna na satisfação no trabalho.
Measuring the Success of Counter-Trafficking Interventions in the Criminal Justice Sector: Who decides—and how?
Authors: Gallagher Anne , Surtees Rebecca
Published: October 2014

Global concern about human trafficking has prompted substantial investment in counter-trafficking interventions. That investment, and the human rights imperatives that underpin counter-trafficking work, demand that interventions demonstrate accountability, results and beneficial impact. How this can happen in practice is complicated and contested. This article, which considers success measurements with respect to criminal justice interventions, seeks to cut through the complexities presented by multiple theories and elaborate methodologies by focusing on one key issue: who decides success, and how? A review of evaluation reports and interviews with practitioners confirm that determinations of success (or failure) will vary according to: (i) who one consults and their role in the intervention; (ii) the criteria against which success is measured; and (iii) the assumptions that are built into that criteria. Each aspect is considered with reference to examples and insights drawn from recent practice. A major finding of the article is that the lack of an overarching vision of what “success” might look like allows mediocre or even harmful interventions to flourish and good work to go unrecognised and unrewarded.
GRETA’s First Years of Work: Review of the monitoring of implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings
Authors: Planitzer Julia
Published: October 2014

The monitoring mechanism of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (CoE Convention) consists of an independent group of experts (GRETA) and a Committee of Parties. GRETA, which began work in 2009, develops questionnaires for States Parties, reviews their replies and conducts study visits. It then produces a report that is used by the Committee of Parties to make recommendations. This article analyses GRETA’s work until November 2011 by assessing the available materials including the questionnaire, the three published replies of States Parties to the questionnaire and the five published final reports on the parties. The objective of the article is to examine the capacity of this process to contribute to enhancing the accountability of States Parties, and to consider whether the application of a human rights-based approach by the parties can, in fact, be effectively monitored. The article also considers the role of civil society in the monitoring process and the ways in which this could be enhanced.
Using Human Rights to Hold the US Accountable for its Anti-Sex Trafficking Agenda: The Universal Periodic Review and new directions for US policy
Authors: Lerum Kari , McCurtis Kiesha , Saunders Penelope , Wahab Stéphanie
Published: October 2014

Since the passing of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, anti-trafficking efforts have grown in funding, political strength, and popular-culture appeal in the United States and globally. Particularly influential in shaping anti-trafficking policy in the United States are anti-prostitution advocates who are primarily concerned with rehabilitating sex workers and eradicating sexual commerce. Simultaneous to the development of prohibitionist anti-trafficking and anti-prostitution efforts in the US, movements for sex worker rights have also grown in strength and visibility, influencing a variety of cultural, academic, and public health arenas. While sex worker activists have widened the dialogue around sex workers’ rights, their
A Lie More Disastrous than the Truth: Asylum and the identification of trafficked women in the UK
Authors: Stepnitz Abigail
Published: October 2014

This article explores the impact that nationality can have on a person’s experience of being identified as a victim of trafficking in the UK. Responses to individuals and disparities in rates of recognition depending on nationality are cause for great concern. The rhetoric and the response to women who have experienced trafficking varies considerably depending upon the citizenship, residency and documentation status of the individual, particularly highlighting the differential treatment of trafficking cases of British women, European Union nationals, and third-country (non UK, non EU) nationals, the majority of whom are also asylum seekers. This differential treatment is played out in multiple ways, many of which result in women’s inability to realise procedural and substantive rights. The article examines the use of official “identification” mechanisms that place women into the administrative category of “victim”, and the central role of the asylum system in all areas of UK anti-trafficking responses.
Accountability and the Use of Raids to Fight Trafficking
Authors: Ditmore Melissa , Thukral Juhu
Published: October 2014

Accountability in anti-trafficking efforts is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of deciding whether such efforts are truly rooted in a human rights framework. In a rush to help, and inspired by sensationalised views of what human trafficking is, many campaigns actually harm the very people they are supposed to assist. Law enforcement raids are one such effort, as they do not take into account the very different power dynamics between the actor engaging in the raid, and the person who is subject to the raid. Data from the United States suggests that raids conducted by local law enforcement agencies are an ineffective means of locating and identifying trafficked persons. Research also reveals that raids are all too frequently accompanied by violations of the human rights of trafficked persons and sex workers alike, and can therefore be counterproductive to the underlying goals of anti-trafficking initiatives. Findings suggest that a rights-based and “survivor-centred” approach to trafficking in persons requires the development and promotion of alternative methods of identifying and protecting the rights of trafficked persons which prioritise the needs, agency, and self-determination of trafficking survivors. They also indicate that preventative approaches, which address the circumstances that facilitate trafficking in persons, should be pursued over law enforcement based responses.
Educadores que atuam em Organizações Não Governamentais: uma análise de suas necessidades de formação
Authors: Príncepe Lisandra Marisa , André Marli
Published: October 2014

O texto relata dados de uma pesquisa que objetivou analisar as necessidades formativas de educadores que atuam em projetos de educação não formal promovidos por duas ONGs. Buscou-se identificar os principais desafios enfrentados pelos educadores em suas práticas cotidianas e as maneiras encontradas por eles para responder a esses desafios. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se entrevistas, observação de atividades pedagógicas e análise de documentos. Os educadores da ONG 1 indicaram como necessidades: adquirir conhecimentos sobre suas linguagens de trabalho, contextos onde atuam e finalidades educativas. Os educadores da ONG 2 sinalizaram a necessidade da busca de conhecimentos gerais e de outros campos científicos, respaldo de especialistas e atualização cultural.
Self-reactive and transplacental-acquired maternal T cells in SCID patients—time to update
Authors: Somech Raz
Published: October 2014

Patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) typically present with profoundly reduced T cells. In some cases, however, T cells may be affected by defects that allow some T-cell development but compromise T-cell function such as in Omenn syndrome (OS), which is characterized by impaired T cell differentiation in the presence of abnormal self-reactive cells. One distinctive feature of SCID patients, which can sometimes resemble the clinical picture of OS, is the presence of alloreactive cells that originated from transplacentally acquired maternal T lymphocytes. The traditional view is that self-reactive cells and transplacentally acquired maternal T cells cannot occur concomitantly in the same OS patient. This review provides an updated functional characterization of transplacentally acquired maternal T cells and compares them with the T cells of an OS patient. An unusual case of an immunodeficient SCID patient with a mild OS phenotype is also presented. This patient had both self-reactive cells and transplacentally acquired maternal T cells, allowing us to simultaneously evaluate the function and tolerance capacities of both cell types. We propose that coexistence of autologous and maternal T cells in patients exhibiting mild OS symptoms was rejected because it had not been studied before and not because the cells are mutually exclusive. Moreover, taking into consideration the milder clinical phenotype associated with transplacentally acquired maternal T cells in SCID patients, we believe that these cells may provide some degree of immunity and prevent autoimmunity, even though they do not actually function to protect against infections.

Statement of novelty: Autologous and transplacental-acquired maternal T cells can coexist in the same SCID patient. Although both cell types are nonfunctional for protecting against infections, maternal cells provide some degree of immunity and therefore are associated with only mild GVHD symptoms.
Vector-valued multiresolution analysis on local fields
Authors: Abdullah
Published: October 2014

In this paper,
we study vector-valued multiresolution analysis on local fields of positive characteristic p. The associated subspace V
0 of

L
2

(
K
,

ℂ
N

)

$L^2(K, \mathbb {C}^N)$

has an orthonormal basis, a collection of translates of the scaling function ϕ of the form

{
ϕ

(
t
-
u

(
k
)

)

}

k
∈
ℙ

$\lbrace \varphi (t- u(k))\rbrace _{ k \in \mathbb {P}}$

, where

ℙ
=
{
0
,
1
,
2
,
...
}

$\mathbb {P}=\lbrace 0, 1, 2,\ldots \rbrace $

. We find the necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of associated wavelets.
The value of red blood cell distribution width in endometrial cancer
Authors: Kemal Yasemin , Demirag Guzin , Baş Berk , Önem Soner , Teker Fatih , Yücel İdris
Published: October 2014

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a routinely examined parameter with the complete blood count. In recent studies, RDW levels have been associated with cardiovascular, liver and renal diseases and solid tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations of RDW levels in benign and malignant causes of postmenopausal bleeding and to investigate the association of RDW levels with clinicopathological parameters of endometrial cancer (EC) patients.

A retrospective study was made of a total of 884 females who were admitted to hospital for postmenopausal bleeding between May 2009 and December 2013. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 222 patients remained. Complete blood count data was obtained from the recorded computerized database. After pathological evaluation, the patients were divided into two groups, benign and malignant (EC).

The EC group (n=113) had significantly higher RDW levels compared to the benign group (14.78±2.02 vs. 13.88±1.05; p=0.000). Grade II and above EC patients had higher levels of RDW than Grade I patients (15.2±2.3 vs. 14.1±1.00; p=0.005). Correlation analyses also revealed a negative correlation between RDW and hemoglobin levels (p=0.000), RDW and mean corpuscular volume (p=0.000), RDW and lymphocyte count (p=0.035) but a positive correlation between RDW and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (p=0.030).

The results of the current study revealed the potential predicitve role of RDW in patients with postmenopausal bleeding. Significant associations were also determined between RDW and clinicopathological characteristics in EC patients.
Chemical reactivity of quinclorac employing the HSAB local principle - Fukui function
Authors: Mendoza Huizar Luis H. , Rios-Reyes Clara H. , Olvera-Maturano Nubia J. , Robles Juvencio , Rodriguez Jose A.
Published: October 2014

In the present work we have calculated several DFT reactivity descriptors for quinclorac at the B3LYP/6- 311++G(2d,2p) and MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) levels of theory in order to analyze its reactivity. Reactivity descriptors such as ionization energy, molecular hardness, electrophilicity, condensed Fukui function and total energies were determined to predict the reactivity of quinclorac. The influence of the solvent was taken into account employing the PCM model. The results indicate that the solvation modifies the values of quinclorac reactivity descriptors. The Fukui function values predict that an electrophilic attack on quinclorac might cause a dechlorination, while a nucleophilic attack might lead to a decarboxylation and a free radical attack would cause a hydrogen substitution on the quinoline ring. Quinclorac in deprotonated form would be susceptible to decarboxylation through an electrophilic attack while nucleophilic and free radical attacks would cause an attack on the hydrogens of the ring.