bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of chronic neuropathic pain: a protocol for a multiple treatment comparison meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Mulla Sohail M , Buckley D Norman , Moulin Dwight E , Couban Rachel , Izhar Zain , Agarwal Arnav , Panju Akbar , Wang Li , Kallyth Sun Makosso , Turan Alparslan , Montori Victor M , Sessler Daniel I , Thabane Lehana , Guyatt Gordon H , Busse Jason W
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Chronic neuropathic pain is associated with reduced health-related quality of life and substantial socioeconomic costs. Current research addressing management of chronic neuropathic pain is limited. No review has evaluated all interventional studies for chronic neuropathic pain, which limits attempts to make inferences regarding the relative effectiveness of treatments.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic review of all randomised controlled trials evaluating therapies for chronic neuropathic pain. We will identify eligible trials, in any language, by a systematic search of CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, AMED, HealthSTAR, DARE, PsychINFO and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials. Eligible trials will be: (1) enrol patients presenting with chronic neuropathic pain, and (2) randomise patients to alternative interventions (pharmacological or non-pharmacological) or an intervention and a control arm. Pairs of reviewers will, independently and in duplicate, screen titles and abstracts of identified citations, review the full texts of potentially eligible trials and extract information from eligible trials. We will use a modified Cochrane instrument to evaluate risk of bias of eligible studies, recommendations from the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT) to inform the outcomes we will collect, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to evaluate our confidence in treatment effects. When possible, we will conduct: (1) in direct comparisons, a random-effects meta-analysis to establish the effect of reported therapies on patient-important outcomes; and (2) a multiple treatment comparison meta-analysis within a Bayesian framework to assess the relative effects of treatments. We will define a priori hypotheses to explain heterogeneity between studies, and conduct meta-regression and subgroup analyses consistent with the current best practices.

Ethics and Dissemination

We do not require ethics approval for our proposed review. We will disseminate our findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO (CRD42014009212).
Long-runout mechanism and landsliding behaviour of large catastrophic landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in Guanling, Guizhou, China
Authors: Xing Aiguo , Wang Gonghui , Li Bin , Jiang Yao , Feng Zhen , Kamai Toshitaka
Published: November 2014

A large catastrophic landslide was triggered by a heavy rainfall on 28 June 2010 in Guanling, Guizhou, China. The landslide buried two villages and killed 99 people along the runout path. The landslide involved the failure of about 985 000 m3of sandstone from the source area, with a runout of about 1.4 km over a total vertical distance of about 420 m. To understand the possible long-runout mechanism and behaviour of the landslide, a detailed field survey of the landslide was conducted and samples were taken from the runout path. The shear behaviour of the sample based on a series of ring shear tests was examined, and numerical simulation of the landsliding behaviour by using a numerical runout model (DAN-W) was performed in which the shear strength obtained by ring shear tests was used. The experimental results reveal that the residual shear strength measured along the pre-existing shear surface is independent of the shear displacement rate under partially drained conditions, suggesting that the relationship between shear and normal stresses obeys the frictional model. A bulk basal friction angle of 14.4° at the base of the moving mass was then obtained from the test results. The simulated results show that the selected rheological model and parameters based on ring shear tests could provide the best performance in simulating the landslide. Therefore, it is expected that the model and parameters could improve the precision of hazard zonation for areas with geological, topographical, and climatic features similar to the Guanling landslide area.
Microbiota of regular sodium and sodium-reduced ready-to-eat meat products obtained from the retail market
Authors: Miller Petr , Liu Xiaoji , McMullen Lynn M.
Published: November 2014

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of sodium content on the microbiota on the surface of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products purchased from the retail market in Canada. Products, including sliced and sausage-type deli meats, were analysed with culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. Bacteria were identified from 23 brands of products from different meat processors with claims of sodium content ranging from 390 to 1200 mg per 100 g of product. Out of 150 bacterial isolates, the most common were identified as Leuconostoc gelidum, Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Brochothrix thermosphacta, and Leuconostoc gasicomitatum. Vacuum-packaged RTE deli sliced meat products had the largest population of bacteria. Leuconostocci were the most common isolates in this group of products, while carnobacteria were prevalent on products with moderate loads of bacteria. A higher incidence of carnobacteria and lower incidence of B. thermosphacta were detected on sodium-reduced products. Simpson’s and Shannon–Wiener indices showed that low sodium products (25%–50% less sodium) had an overall higher bacterial diversity. This was also observed when individual low sodium products were compared with their regular sodium counterpart.
Dark matter halo as the dispersional gravitational lens
Authors: Chechin L. M.
Published: November 2014

Based on the time-variability of the dark matter (DM) parameter of state (PoS) type of [Formula: see text], the conception of dispersional gravitational lens (DGL) was proposed. The dependency of refractive index of DM halo on its own global oscillations was found. It was shown that DM does not oscillate with optical or ultraviolet and X-ray diapasons, but it may oscillate with essentially low frequency — ϖ DM ≥10-15 Hz . Hence, it is possible to talk about the ultra weak DM oscillations, and the very cold dark matter (VCDM) particles whose masses are larger than m VCDM ≥10-42 eV .

It was marked briefly that DM global oscillations will gradually pump with elastic energy the galaxy's baryonic matter. Hence, they may be the real reason of its subsequent fragmentation and the inner galaxy structure formation.
Effects of dark atom excitations
Authors: Cudell Jean-Rene , Khlopov Maxim Yu. , Wallemacq Quentin
Published: November 2014

New stable quarks and charged leptons may exist and be hidden from detection, as they are bound by Coulomb interaction in neutral dark atoms of composite dark matter. This possibility leads to fundamentally new types of indirect effects related to the excitation of such dark atoms followed by their electromagnetic de-excitation. Stable -2 charged particles O ––, bound to primordial helium in O-helium ( OHe ) atoms, represent the simplest model of dark atoms. Here we consider the structure of OHe atomic levels which is a necessary input for the indirect tests of such composite dark matter scenarios, and we give the spectrum of electromagnetic transitions from the levels excited in OHe collisions.
Platelet function testing in acute cardiac care – is there a role for prediction or prevention of stent thrombosis and bleeding?
Authors: Collet Jean-Philippe , Mair Johannes , Plebani Mario , Merkely Béla , Jaffe Allan S. , Möckel Martin , Giannitsis Evangelos , Thygesen Kristian , ten Berg Jurrien M. , Mueller Christian , Storey Robert F. , Lindahl Bertil , Huber Kurt , Aradi Dániel
Published: November 2014

The role of platelet function testing in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention remains controversial despite the fact that high platelet reactivity is an independent predictor of stent thrombosis and emerging evidence suggests also a link between low platelet reactivity and bleeding. In this expert opinion paper, the Study Group on Biomarkers in Cardiology of the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association and the Working Group on Thrombosis of the European Society of Cardiology aim to provide an overview of current evidence in this area and recommendations for practicing clinicians.
Gastric bypass in morbid obese patients is associated with reduction in adipose tissue inflammation via N-oleoylethanolamide (OEA)-mediated pathways
Authors: Quercioli Alessandra , Burger Fabienne , Thomas Aurélien , Lauer Estelle , Silva Analina Raquel da , Mach François , Vuilleumier Nicolas , Bobbioni-Harsch Elisabetta , Golay Alain , Montecucco Fabrizio , Lenglet Sébastien , Schindler Thomas H. , Pataky Zoltan
Published: November 2014

Paradoxically, morbid obesity was suggested to protect from cardiovascular co-morbidities as compared to overweight/obese patients. We hypothesise that this paradox could be inferred to modulation ofthe “endocannabinoid” system on systemic and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) inflammation. We designed a translational project including clinical and in vitro studies at Geneva University Hospital. Morbid obese subjects (n=11) were submitted to gastric bypass surgery (GBS) and followed up for one year (post-GBS). Insulin resistance and circulating and SAT levels of endocannabinoids, adipocytokines and CC chemokines were assessed pre- and post-GBS and compared to a control group of normal and overweight subjects (CTL) (n=20). In vitro cultures with 3T3-L1 adipocytes were used to validate findings from clinical results. Morbid obese subjects had baseline lower insulin sensitivity and higher hs-CRP, leptin, CCL5 and anandamide (AEA) levels as compared to CTL. GBS induced a massive weight and fat mass loss, improved insulin sensitivity and lipid profile, decreased C-reactive protein, leptin, and CCL2 levels. In SAT, increased expression of resistin, CCL2, CCL5 and tumour necrosis factor and reduced MGLL were shown in morbid obese patients pre-GBS when compared to CTL. GBS increased all endocannabinoids and reduced adipocytokines and CC chemokines. In morbid obese SAT, inverse correlations independent of body mass index were shown between palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and N-oleoylethanolamide (OEA) levels and inflammatory molecules. In vitro, OEA inhibited CCL2 secretion from adipocytes via ERK1/2 activation. In conclusion, GBS was associated with relevant clinical, metabolic and inflammatory improvements, increasing endocannabinoid levels in SAT. OEA directly reduced CCL2 secretion via ERK1/2 activation in adipocytes.
Effect of Weight Loss on Pulse Wave Velocity
Authors: Petersen Kristina S. , Blanch Natalie , Keogh Jennifer B. , Clifton Peter M.
Published: November 2014

Objective—

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials involving adults, to determine the effect of weight loss induced by energy restriction with or without exercise, antiobesity drugs or bariatric surgery on pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured at all arterial segments.

Approach and Results—

A systematic search of Pubmed (1966 to 2014), EMBASE (1947 to 2014), MEDLINE (1946 to 2014), and the Cochrane Library (1951 to 2014) was conducted and the reference lists of identified articles were searched to find intervention trials (randomized/nonrandomized) that aimed to achieve weight loss and included PWV as an outcome. The search was restricted to human studies. Two independent researchers extracted the data. Data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta Analysis version 2 using random effects analysis. A total of 22 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and 20 studies (3 randomized controlled trials), involving 1259 participants, were included in the meta-analysis. The standardized mean difference for the overall effect of weight loss on PWV measured at all sites was −0.32 (95% confidence interval, −0.41, −0.24;
P
=0.0001). Carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (standardized mean difference, −0.35; 95% confidence interval, −0.44, −0.26;
P
=0.0001; 16 studies) and brachial ankle PWV (standardized mean difference, −0.48; 95% confidence interval, −0.78, −0.18;
P
=0.002; 5 studies) were improved with weight loss. Meta-regression showed that change in blood pressure was a predictor of change in PWV (
P
<0.01).

Conclusion—

Modest weight loss (mean 8% of initial body weight) achieved with diet and lifestyle measures improved PWV. The results of this meta-analysis suggest that weight loss may reduce PWV, although future research is required.
Racing toward Tragedy?: China's Rise, Military Competition in the Asia Pacific, and the Security Dilemma
Authors: Liff Adam P. , Ikenberry G. John
Published: November 2014

In the post–Cold War period, scholars have considered the Asia Pacific to be ripe for military competition and conflict. Developments over the past decade have deepened these expectations. Across the region, rising military spending and efforts of various states to bolster their military capabilities appear to have created an increasingly volatile climate, along with potentially vicious cycles of mutual arming and rearming. In this context, claims that China's rapid economic growth and surging military spending are fomenting destabilizing arms races and security dilemmas are widespread. Such claims make for catchy headlines, yet they are rarely subject to rigorous empirical tests. Whether patterns of military competition in the Asia Pacific are in fact attributable to a security dilemma–based logic has important implications for international relations theory and foreign policy. The answer has direct consequences for how leaders can maximize the likelihood that peace and stability will prevail in this economically and strategically vital region. A systematic empirical test derived from influential theoretical scholarship on the security dilemma concept assesses the drivers of bilateral and multilateral frictions and military competition under way in the Asia Pacific. Security dilemma–driven competition appears to be an important contributor, yet the outcome is not structurally determined. Although this military competition could grow significantly in the near future, there are a number of available measures that could help to ameliorate or manage some of its worst aspects.
Generalised Trust, Institutional Trust and Political Participation
Authors: Kim Harris Hyun-soo
Published: November 2014

The main objective of this study is to examine the role of trust as it relates to individual political behaviour. Previous research suggests that social (generalised) trust and political (institutional) trust are associated with the likelihood of getting involved in both informal and formal political activities. Despite the large volume of studies, however, the extant scholarship is not clear on the exact nature of the relationship between trust and civic engagement. Moreover, the existing evidence is largely based on data that consist of Western-developed democracies. This study seeks to contribute to the literature by examining the associations between the two forms of trust and informal (signing a petition, boycotting, protesting) and formal (voting) political activities in the context of Central and Southeast Asia. The data come from AsiaBarometer Survey (2005), which contains cross-national data on probability samples from this region. Hierarchical linear models are estimated to examine the political impact of trust in strangers and confidence in political institutions. Findings show that only institutional trust is significantly related to voting, i.e., formal political participation. On the other hand, both forms of trust are found to be associated with informal political activities. There is also cross-level interaction between institutional trust and level of democracy. In a less democratic country, where individual democratic rights are limited, institutional trust plays a greater role in facilitating political participation.
Nisi per Spiritum sanctum—The Holy Spirit and the Confession of Faith
Authors: Ziegler Philip G.
Published: November 2014

The confession of faith in the lordship of Jesus Christ may be considered the originary practice of the Christian life. As such it recommends itself as a primary site at which to investigate the relation between the agency of the Holy Spirit and human activity. Focusing on 1Cor. 12:1–3, which identifies the act of the Spirit as the sine qua non of Christian confession, we examine its importance within the theological setting of Paul’s apocalyptic gospel in order to illumine classical Reformed debates about the nature of faith and ‘effectual calling’ in relation to the act of publicly confessing faith in Christ. Recognition of the Spirit as the present power of God’s eschatological reign, militant to shape reality, to win and secure faith, and to move women and men to a free creaturely acknowledgment of the same, proves essential to understanding the act of confessing the faith.
Jesus and the Anti-Roman Resistance
Authors: Bermejo-Rubio Fernando
Published: November 2014

Although the hypothesis according to which Jesus the Galilean was involved in anti-Roman, rebellious thinking and activity has been advanced since the eighteenth century, it is now held only by a minority of New Testament scholars. The aim of the present article is to carefully survey the arguments supporting that hypothesis, and at the same time putting them forward in a novel way. I contend that the cumulative effect of these arguments is compelling, and that only a reconstruction of Jesus in which the aspect of anti-Roman resistance is consistently contemplated deserves credibility. The essay argues that there is in the Gospels a great amount of material which points precisely in the direction of a seditious Jesus, that this material configures a recurrent pattern, and that this pattern enjoys the highest probability of historicity. Furthermore, I evaluate different interpretations which try to make sense of the pattern, with the aim of deciding which of them is historically the most plausible. The essay then argues that the hypothesis advanced here has the greatest explanatory power, that the proposed alternatives are unconvincing and often far-fetched, and that every objection levelled against the hypothesis can be reasonably countered. Finally, I point out the disastrous implications for scholarship of the dismissal of the seditious material and of the correlative rejection of the hypothesis.
The Treatment(s) of *-u- after a Coronal in Oscan: Dialect Variation and Chronology
Authors: Zair Nicholas
Published: November 2014

The evidence for the treatment in Oscan of *-u- after a coronal is examined. In the areas which use the Oscan alphabet (Campania and Samnium), this has become [i̯u]; in the areas which use the Greek alphabet (Lucania and Bruttium) it has become [y]. Contrary to previous assumptions, there is evidence for a change to [y] in the Latin-alphabet Tabula Bantina from Lucania, since the  in the forms petiropert ‘four times’ and manim ‘hand’ is most easily explained as coming directly from *-u-. Evidence from both relative and absolute chronology shows that this difference must be a dialectal rather than a chronological split between Campania-Samnium and Lucania-Bruttium, since the different reflexes of *-u- are already in place by the time of our earliest evidence, and are maintained throughout the history of Oscan.
Caesurae, Bridges, and the Colometry of Four Tocharian B Meters
Authors: Bross Christoph , Gunkel Dieter , Ryan Kevin M.
Published: November 2014

The Tocharians composed verse in hierarchical structures, with the verse dominating major cola, and the major colon in turn dominating one or more minor cola. After providing much-needed descriptive data on Tocharian meter, we assess the evidence for the distinction between major vs. minor caesurae in some of the most popular Tocharian B meters, finding support for the commonly assumed colometries in some but not all cases. Of particular interest is the recurring 4+3-syllable colon, since the violability of its internal (putatively minor) caesura varies significantly across meters. We argue that this varying strictness is indeed a function of the meter as opposed to position in the verse, verse length, idiosyncrasies of certain texts, and so forth. We then use a systematic prose comparison method to test the meters for bridges, finding evidence for monosyllable avoidance in (certain) colon-final positions, despite an overall preference for monosyllables in verse vis-à-vis prose. Finally, we discuss the implications that our study has for the restoration of fragmentary Tocharian texts.
Re-defining the Balance of Power in Lebanon: Sunni and Shiites Communities Transformations, the Regional Context and the Arab Uprisings
Authors: Di Peri Rosita
Published: November 2014

The paper analyzes the transformations occurred in the two most active and relevant communities in Lebanon after the end of the civil war, namely the Sunni and the Shiites, in the light of Arab uprisings and of the changes in the regional balance of power. If the meta-narrative of the ‘sectarianization’ of the Middle East, especially after 2011, has powered the interpretation of the regional events as marked by the struggle between Sunni and Shiites, the analysis of the transformations of the above mentioned communities in Lebanon and of their impact on the internal and external level, provides one of the best examples against this simplistic representation: the sectarian contraposition is deeply rooted in Lebanon, apars constituentof its system, but, despite the rhetoric, both communities tend to have more pragmatic and accommodating attitudes instead of exacerbating sectarian confrontation as the afore-mentioned meta-narrative tends to impose. While it is true that each community has witnessed the radicalization of certain positions and that, over the years, major changes are taking place, those have been fuelled by the meta-narrative that is emerging at the regional level and not by a desire to bring the country to the brink of the abyss.
Two new species in Castanopsis (Fagaceae) from Vietnam and their leaf cuticular features
Authors: Vuong Duy-Hung , Xia Nian-He
Published: November 2014

Two new species, Castanopsis grandicicatricata N. H. Xia & D. H. Vuong and C. multiporcata N. H. Xia & D. H. Vuong in Vietnam, are described and illustrated. C. grandicicatricata is similar to C. javanica, but differs in the thickly papery leaf texture, cupules 6–7 cm in diameter and scar covering 2/3 of nut. C. multiporcata mostly resembles C. buruana, but differs in leaf blade 5–8 cm long, papery firmness leaf texture, abaxially glabrescent, secondary veins 6–10 pairs, petioles 0.3–0.7 cm long, cupules 2–2.5 cm diameter and concave scar. The leaf cuticular morphology of the two new species and a key to distinguish them from other species of Castanopsis are provided. The systematic placement of the two new species in Castanopsis is discussed.
The correct name of the endemic Dasypus (Cingulata: Dasypodidae) from northwestern Argentina
Authors: FEIJÓ ANDERSON , CORDEIRO-ESTRELA PEDRO
Published: November 2014

We show that Dasypus mazzai Yepes 1933 is a senior synonym of Dasypus yepesi Vizcaíno 1995. We present morphological evidence that the holotype of D. mazzai is not a juvenile of Dasypus novemcinctus or any other species of this genus, but a distinct endemic species from northwestern Argentina undistinguishable from D. yepesi. Therefore, the correct name for the long-nosed armadillo of intermediate size occurring in the Argentinean provinces of Jujuy and Salta is Dasypus mazzai Yepes 1933.
Detection and Attribution of Climate Change Signal in Ocean Wind Waves
Authors: Dobrynin Mikhail , Murawski Jens , Baehr Johanna , Ilyina Tatiana
Published: November 2014

Surface waves in the ocean respond to variability and changes of climate. Observations and modeling studies indicate trends in wave height over the past decades. Nevertheless, it is currently impossible to discern whether these trends are the result of climate variability or change. The output of an Earth system model (EC-EARTH) produced within phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) is used here to force a global Wave Model (WAM) in order to study the response of waves to different climate regimes. A control simulation was run to determine the natural (unforced) model variability. A simplified fingerprint approach was used to calculate positive and negative limits of natural variability for wind speed and significant wave height, which were then compared to different (forced) climate regimes over the historical period (1850–2010) and in the future climate change scenario RCP8.5 (2010–2100). Detectable climate change signals were found in the current decade (2010–20) in the North Atlantic, equatorial Pacific, and Southern Ocean. Until the year 2060, climate change signals are detectable in 60% of the global ocean area. The authors show that climate change acts to generate detectable trends in wind speed and significant wave height that exceed the positive and the negative ranges of natural variability in different regions of the ocean. Moreover, in more than 3% of the ocean area, the climate change signal is reversible such that trends exceeded both positive and negative limits of natural variability at different points in time. These changes are attributed to local (due to local wind) and remote (due to swell) factors.
Amyloid-beta and depression in healthy older adults: A systematic review
Authors: Harrington Karra D , Lim Yen Ying , Gould Emma , Maruff Paul
Published: November 2014

Objective:

Depression has been shown to be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and in older adults may provide a marker for the beginning of the prodromal phase of AD. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the relationship between amyloid-β (Aβ), a key biomarker of AD, and depression in older adults.

Method:

The literature search was limited to studies conducted from 2006 to 2014 that were published in English in peer-reviewed journals. Studies were selected if they included a group of older adults who either met established criteria for Major Depressive Disorder or Dysthymia; or were assessed for depressive symptoms on a standardised measure. Studies were also required to include an outcome variable that was a direct measure of Aβ levels in either blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, or via neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET).

Results:

Nineteen studies were identified, 15 of which found significant differences in Aβ levels between depressed and non-depressed older adults. However, studies were limited by their cross-sectional design, reliance on blood-based measures of Aβ, and potential sample bias.

Conclusions:

Future investigations should consider prospective longitudinal design using neuroimaging and CSF measures of Aβ.
An Alternative Way to Model Population Ability Distributions in Large-Scale Educational Surveys
Authors: Wetzel Eunike , Xu Xueli , von Davier Matthias
Published: November 2014

In large-scale educational surveys, a latent regression model is used to compensate for the shortage of cognitive information. Conventionally, the covariates in the latent regression model are principal components extracted from background data. This operational method has several important disadvantages, such as the handling of missing data and the high model complexity. The approach introduced here to identify multiple groups that can account for the variation among students is to conduct a latent class analysis (LCA). In the LCA, one or more latent nominal variables are identified that can be used to classify respondents with respect to their background characteristics. These classifications are then introduced as predictors in the latent regression. The primary goal of this study was to explore whether this approach yields similar estimates of group means and standard deviations compared with the operational procedure. The alternative approaches based on LCA differed regarding the number of classes, the items used for the LCA, and whether manifest class membership information or class membership probabilities were used as independent variables in the latent regression. Overall, recovery of the operational approach’s group means and standard deviations was very satisfactory for all LCA approaches. Furthermore, the posterior means and standard deviations used to generate plausible values derived from the operational approach and the LCA approaches correlated highly. Thus, incorporating independent variables based on an LCA of background data into the latent regression model appears to be a viable alternative to the operational approach.
Variability of footprint ridge density and its use in estimation of sex in forensic examinations
Authors: Krishan Kewal , Kanchan Tanuj , Pathania Annu , Sharma Ruchika , DiMaggio John A
Published: November 2014

The present study deals with a comparatively new biometric parameter of footprints called footprint ridge density. The study attempts to evaluate sex-dependent variations in ridge density in different areas of the footprint and its usefulness in discriminating sex in the young adult population of north India. The sample for the study consisted of 160 young adults (121 females) from north India. The left and right footprints were taken from each subject according to the standard procedures. The footprints were analysed using a 5 mm × 5 mm square and the ridge density was calculated in four different well-defined areas of the footprints. These were: F1 – the great toe on its proximal and medial side; F2 – the medial ball of the footprint, below the triradius (the triradius is a Y-shaped group of ridges on finger balls, palms and soles which forms the basis of ridge counting in identification); F3 – the lateral ball of the footprint, towards the most lateral part; and F4 – the heel in its central part where the maximum breadth at heel is cut by a perpendicular line drawn from the most posterior point on heel. This value represents the number of ridges in a 25 mm2 area and reflects the ridge density value. Ridge densities analysed on different areas of footprints were compared with each other using the Friedman test for related samples. The total footprint ridge density was calculated as the sum of the ridge density in the four areas of footprints included in the study (F1 + F2 + F3 + F4). The results show that the mean footprint ridge density was higher in females than males in all the designated areas of the footprints. The sex differences in footprint ridge density were observed to be statistically significant in the analysed areas of the footprint, except for the heel region of the left footprint. The total footprint ridge density was also observed to be significantly higher among females than males. A statistically significant correlation is shown in the ridge densities among most areas of both left and right sides. Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the sexing potential of footprint ridge density was observed to be considerably higher on the right side. The sexing potential for the four areas ranged between 69.2% and 85.3% on the right side, and between 59.2% and 69.6% on the left side. ROC analysis of the total footprint ridge density shows that the sexing potential of the right and left footprint was 91.5% and 77.7% respectively. The study concludes that footprint ridge density can be utilised in the determination of sex as a supportive parameter. The findings of the study should be utilised only on the north Indian population and may not be internationally generalisable.
Support beyond high school for those with mental illness
Authors: Joyce-Beaulieu Diana , Grapin Sally
Published: November 2014

School personnel have many opportunities to assist students and families in preparing for a successful transition to college and careers. Initial high school efforts may include prescreening incoming freshman student files to identify those at-risk and assuring that support services and interventions are implemented quickly. Early supports for students with mental health needs are key to assuring higher graduation rates and building resiliency as they transition to adulthood. For students with Individualized Education Plans, a formal transition plan that identifies long-term goals and supports for reaching those goals as well as an exit summary that includes accommodation documentation can be helpful.
Bridge over troubled waters
Authors: Cokley Kevin , Cody Brettjet , Smith Leann , Beasley Samuel , Miller I.S. Keino , Hurst Ashley , Awosogba Olufunke , Stone Steven , Jackson Stacey
Published: November 2014

Meeting the mental health needs of black children will take more than just increasing access to mental health services and early identification. It also will require a critical evaluation of the practices and models being used to diagnose and treat mental health concerns. Frameworks have been established that use a positive, strengths-based, culturally appropriate approach in working with black children and adolescents. These models recognize that while black youth go through the same developmental processes as nonblack youth (e.g., puberty, identity, and maturation), culture and context play a unique role in their lives. School-based mental health clinics, wellness centers, and using peers as first responders are all proven solutions to help improve the mental health of not only black students but all students.
Power Modulates Over-Reliance on False Cardiac Arousal When Judging Target Attractiveness
Authors: Jouffre Stéphane
Published: November 2014

Individuals attempting to label their emotions look for a plausible source of their physiological arousal. Co-occurrence of plausible sources can lead to the misattribution of real (or bogus) physiological arousal, resulting in physically attractive individuals being perceived as more attractive than they actually are. In two experiments, female participants heard bogus heart rate feedback while viewing photos of attractive male models. Compared with low-power and control participants, high-power participants rated reinforced photos (increased heart rate) more attractive than non-reinforced photos (stable heart rate) to a greater extent when they heard their own bogus heart rate feedback (Experiments 1 and 2) and to a lesser extent when they heard a recording of another participant’s heart rate (Experiment 2). These findings, which suggest that power increases the tendency to misattribute one’s physiological arousal to physically attractive individuals, are discussed with reference to theories linking power and social perception.
Better Know When (Not) to Think Twice
Authors: Scholl Annika , Sassenberg Kai
Published: November 2014

Before approaching situations, individuals frequently imagine “what would happen, if . . . .” Such prefactual thought can promote confidence and facilitate behavior preparation when the upcoming situation can benefit from forethought, but it also delays action. The present research tested how social power predicts prefactual thought when its benefits are clear versus ambiguous. Power enhances flexible behavior adaptation and action tendencies—presumably without much forethought. We therefore proposed that power diminishes prefactual thought, unless the situation suggests that such thought is adaptive (i.e., could benefit performance). Power-holders indeed generated less prefactuals than the powerless (Experiments 1 and 2), but only if benefits for performance were ambiguous rather than clear (Experiment 3). These findings indicate that social context factors related to confidence affect prefactual thought, and that power-holders’ flexible adaptation to the situation sometimes elicits inaction (i.e., prefactual thought) rather than spontaneous action.
Effectiveness of a cognitive–behavioural group intervention for knee osteoarthritis pain: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Helminen Eeva-Eerika , Sinikallio Sanna H , Valjakka Anna L , Väisänen-Rouvali Rauni H , Arokoski Jari PA
Published: November 2014

Objective:

To assess the effectiveness of a six week cognitive–behavioural group intervention in patients with knee osteoarthritis pain.

Design:

Single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Study setting:

Primary care providers in a medium-sized city in Finland.

Patients:

A total of 111 participants aged from 35 to 75 with clinical symptoms and radiographic grading (Kellgren-Lawrence 2–4) of knee osteoarthritis were included.

Interventions:

In the intervention group, 55 participants attended a cognitive–behavioural training programme for pain management with six weekly group sessions supervised by a psychologist and a physiotherapist. Concurrently, they and the 56 participants of the control group continued in ordinary GP care that was not altered by the study.

Main measures:

The primary outcome on three-month and 12-month follow-up was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis index pain subscale. Secondary outcome measures included self-reports of pain and physical function, health-related quality of life, and a comprehensive set of psychological questionnaires.

Results:

Mixed model results showed no significant differences between the intervention and control group for any measures of pain or function. A significant difference between the groups was found in the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Pr = 0.022) in favour of the control group, and in the RAND-36 emotional well-being subscale in favour of the intervention group (Pr = 0.038). Conventional group comparisons of mean follow-up values showed no significant differences in any of the outcome variables.

Conclusion:

This trial could not confirm the hypothesized advantage of a cognitive–behavioural training programme over ordinary GP care in knee osteoarthritis pain patients.

Trial registration:

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN64794760
Improved outcome with combined US/CT guidance as compared to US guidance in percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of small renal masses
Authors: Andersson Mats , Hashimi Farida , Lyrdal David , Lundstam Sven , Hellström Mikael
Published: November 2014

Background

When performing percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of small renal masses (SRM), use of optimized periprocedural image guidance is essential to secure curative outcome of the treatment.

Purpose

To retrospectively compare the short-term radiological and clinical outcomes of RFA under combined ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) guidance with that of a previously performed US-guided series at the same institution.

Material and Methods

From November 2009 to November 2013, 60 patients (mean age, 70.1 years; range, 34–86 years) with renal masses measuring in the range of 13–50 mm in maximal diameter (mean diameter, 25.4 ± 6.8 mm) underwent percutaneous RFA with combined US/CT guidance. The technical success rate, recurrence-free survival, rate of complications, and the percentage change in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were compared with that of a previously published series of 41 patients with SRM treated with US-guided RFA between November 2002 and December 2008.

Results

The tumor and patient characteristics were similar between the two treatment groups. The primary and secondary technical success rate was significantly higher in the group treated with combined US/CT guidance compared with the group treated with US guidance alone (100% and 100% vs. 82% and 91%, respectively). The local recurrence-free survival was significantly better in the combined US/CT-guided group than in the US-guided group ( P = 0.016). There was no significant difference in the rate of overall complications (13% vs. 17%) or the mean percentage decrease in the eGFR after the respective treatment (1.1 ± 18.3% vs. 5.0 ± 11.7%).

Conclusion

The use of combined US/CT guidance when performing renal RFA resulted in superior primary and short-term outcome compared to the use of US guidance alone in patients treated at the same institution.
The Influence of Living Situations on Family Therapy Involvement Among Youth Adjudicated of a Sexual Crime
Authors: Yoder Jamie R.
Published: November 2014

Clinical and research professionals working with youth who have sexually offended have increasingly advocated for community-based care. However, other scholars have noted the appropriateness of residential placements for many youth. Research is inconclusive concerning the degree to which youth with sexually harmful behaviors receive family services, particularly family therapy in either community-based care settings or residential settings, and has yet to thoroughly identify how placement influences family therapy involvement. This study reviews the files of youth who have been adjudicated of a sexual crime ( N = 85) to quantitatively identify how living situations influence family therapy involvement. Using bivariate estimations, findings reveal that youth living out of the home and those who change placements were more involved in family therapy than those treated in their own communities or homes. Implications and future research directions are considered.
CitySection
Authors: Johnston Andrew S.
Published: November 2014

Planning education has engaged little with the question of how to educate our students regarding interdisciplinary inquiry. This article proposes pedagogy to educate planners and environmental designers to engage multidisciplinary theory and methods to perform interdisciplinary environmental research, synthesis, and interpretation. Experiential and situated learning theories guide a course design where students first perform a series of disciplinary inquiries, followed by collaborative interdisciplinary inquiries, along an urban research transect. Assessment of this pedagogy finds that (1) interdisciplinary understanding can successfully grow from disciplinary understanding and (2) “collaboration in parallel” can lead to successful interdisciplinary collaboration.
Ameliorative effect of butylated hydroxyanisole against ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats
Authors: Ansar S , Iqbal M
Published: November 2014

Ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) is a known renal carcinogen and has been shown to adversely induce oxidative stress and tissue toxicity after both acute and chronic exposure. Present studies were designed to study the hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a phenolic antioxidant used in foods on ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male albino rats of Wistar strain (4–6 weeks old) weighing 125–150 g were used in this study. Animals were given a single dose of Fe-NTA (9 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal) after a week’s treatment with BHA. BHA was administered orally once daily for 7 days at doses of 1 and 2 mg/animal/day. The hepatoprotective activity was assessed using various biochemical parameters as serum transaminases (alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST)) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Fe-NTA treatment increased ALT, AST, and LDH levels significantly when compared to the corresponding saline-treated group ( p < 0.001). Fe-NTA also depleted the levels of glutathione and the activities of antioxidant enzymes namely glutathione reductase and glutathione- S-tranferase ( p < 0.05). Pretreatment with BHA significantly decreased ALT, AST and LDH levels in a dose-dependent manner ( p < 0.05). BHA also increased antioxidant enzymes level and decreased lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide generation to 1.3–1.5-fold as compared to Fe-NTA-treated group. The results show the strong hepatoprotective activity of BHA which could be due to its potent antioxidant effects.
Biomonitoring of heavy metals using bottom fish and crab as bioindicator species, the Arvand River
Authors: Rahmanpour Shirin , Ashtiyani Seyede Masoumeh Lotfi , Ghorghani Nasrin Farzaneh
Published: November 2014

The main aim of this study was to biomonitor mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) concentrations in the Arvand River using Heteropnestis fossilis and Parasesarma persicum. Comparison of heavy metals among the stations indicated that the concentrations of Hg, As, Cd, Cu and Pb in sediment samples were apparently different among the stations. The results of linear regression analyses showed that there were significant correlations ( p < 0.05) between Hg, As and Pb elements in sediment and hepatopancreas of P. persicum and between As in sediment and liver of H. fossilis. These findings showed that P. persicum could be considered as a biomonitor of Hg, As and Pb and H. fossilis as a biomonitor of As contamination in sediment of the Arvand River.
The Developmental Evaluation of School Improvement Networks
Authors: Peurach Donald J. , Glazer Joshua L. , Winchell Lenhoff Sarah
Published: November 2014

The national education reform agenda has rapidly expanded to include attention to continuous improvement research in education. The purpose of this analysis is to propose a new approach to “developmental evaluation” aimed at building a foundation for continuous improvement in large-scale school improvement networks, on the argument that doing so is essential to producing the intellectual capital needed to replicate effective practices and desired outcomes throughout these networks. We begin by developing a rationale for developmental evaluation, both to illuminate the need and to discuss its coordination with other forms of evaluation. We continue by proposing a logic of developmental evaluation to support analyzing networks as learning systems. We then use that logic to structure a framework for developmental evaluation to support evaluators, network executives, and other stakeholders in analyzing and strengthening the foundation for continuous improvement in a given network. Our analysis suggests that building a foundation for continuous improvement among a large number of networks is an educational reform agenda unto itself, one that must be supported and sustained if these networks are to succeed at the level expected under current accountability regimes.
Venous thromboembolism among HIV-positive patients and anticoagulation clinic outcomes integrated within the HIV primary care setting
Authors: Modi Riddhi A , McGwin Gerald , Westfall Andrew O , Powell Deon W , Burkholder Greer A , Raper James L , Willig James H
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this study was to explore factors associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) among a cohort of HIV-infected patients and to describe early outcomes of warfarin anticoagulation therapy treated in a pharmacist-based anticoagulation clinic (ACC). A nested case-control study was conducted using the University of Alabama at Birmingham 1917 HIV Clinic Cohort. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate factors associated with VTE. Among HIV-infected VTE cases, ACC-managed patients were compared to primary care provider (PCP)-managed patients to determine Time within Therapeutic INR Range (TTR). CD4 < 200 cells/µl (OR = 4.50; 95% CI = 1.52, 13.37; p = 0.007) and prior surgical procedures (13.20; 1.56; 111.4; p = 0.018) demonstrated positive associations with VTE, whereas longer HIV duration demonstrated a negative association (0.87; 0.78, 0.98; p = 0.019). TTR was 56.2% among ACC-managed patients compared to 30.5% of PCP-managed patients ( p = 0.174). Overall, prior surgical procedures and low CD4 count were associated with an increased risk of VTE among HIV-infected patients. Despite small sample size, patients managed in ACC tend to achieve greater proportion of TTR compared to those managed by PCPs, suggesting that this model of therapy may provide additional benefits to HIV-infected patients.