bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
German émigré psychologists in Tel Aviv (1934–58)
Authors: Liebscher Martin
Published: April 2017

The First International Congress for Analytical Psychology was held in Zurich from 7 to 12 August 1958. On this occasion a small group of Israeli psychologists, represented by Erich Neumann, was accepted as a charter group member of the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP), which marked the foundation of the Israel Association of Analytical Psychology. The history leading up to this official birth date is mainly associated with the efforts of Erich Neumann – and rightly so; however, a number of other therapists, scholars and patients have been forgotten or deleted from this historical narrative, to their detriment. While I was working on the edition of the correspondence between C. G. Jung and Erich Neumann I came across their names, which were often only casually mentioned re some episode, and I have since tried to find out their stories and what happened to them. In this article I discuss the contributions to the development of analytical psychology in British Mandate Palestine, later Israel, of two such figures, Max M. Stern (1895–1982) and Margarete Braband-Isaac (1892–1986). Both had been in personal contact with C. G. Jung and built a bridge between the isolated Jewish therapists in British Mandate Palestine and the Zurich circles. In Tel Aviv they collaborated for a while with Neumann, with whom for different reasons both fell out. The article shows the cause of these controversies with Neumann and tries to find out why those two characters were historically marginalized.
‘Subordination, authority, psychotherapy’
Authors: Freis David
Published: April 2017

This article explores the history of ‘subordination-authority-relation’ (SAR) psychotherapy, a brand of psychotherapy largely forgotten today that was introduced and practised in inter-war Vienna by the psychiatrist Erwin Stransky (1877–1962). I situate ‘SAR’ psychotherapy in the medical, cultural and political context of the inter-war period and argue that – although Stransky’s approach had little impact on historical and present-day debates and reached only a very limited number of patients – it provides a particularly clear example for the political dimensions of psychotherapy. In the early 20th century, the emerging field of psychotherapy was largely dominated by Freudian psychoanalysis and its Adlerian and Jungian offshoots. Psychotherapists’ relations with academic psychiatry were often uneasy, but the psychodynamic schools succeeded in establishing independent institutions for training and treatment. However, as this article shows, the gulf between mainstream psychiatry and psychotherapy was not as wide as many histories of the psy-disciplines in the early 20th century suggest. In inter-war Vienna, where these conflicts raged most fiercely, Stransky’s ‘SAR’ psychotherapy was intended as an academic psychiatrist’s response to the challenge posed by the emerging competitors. Moreover, Stransky also proposed a political alternative to the existing psychotherapeutic schools. Whereas psychoanalysis was a liberal project, and Adlerian individual psychology was closely affiliated with the socialist movement, ‘SAR’ psychotherapy with its focus on authority, subordination and social hierarchy tried to translate a right-wing, authoritarian understanding of society into a treatment for nervous disorders.
‘Cruel to be kind?’ Professionalization, politics and the image of the abstinent psychoanalyst, c. 1940–80
Authors: Koch Ulrich
Published: April 2017

This article investigates the changing justifications of one of the hallmarks of orthodox psychoanalytic practice, the neutral and abstinent stance of the psychoanalyst, during the middle decades of the 20th century. To call attention to the shifting rationales behind a supposedly cold, detached style of treatment still today associated with psychoanalysis, explanations of the clinical utility of neutrality and abstinence by ‘classical’ psychoanalysts in the United States are contrasted with how intellectuals and cultural critics understood the significance of psychoanalytic abstinence. As early as the 1930s, members of the Frankfurt School discussed the cultural and social implications of psychoanalytic practices. Only in the 1960s and 1970s, however, did psychoanalytic abstinence become a topic within broader intellectual debates about American social character and the burgeoning ‘therapy culture’ in the USA. The shift from professional and epistemological concerns to cultural and political ones is indicative of the changing appreciation of psychoanalysis as a clinical discipline: for psychoanalysts as well as cultural critics, I argue, changing social mores and the professional decline of psychoanalysis infused the image of the abstinent psychoanalyst with nostalgic longing, making it a symbol of resistance against a culture seen to be in decline.
‘The line between intervention and abuse’ – autism and applied behaviour analysis
Authors: Kirkham Patrick
Published: April 2017

This article outlines the emergence of ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) in the mid-20th century, and the current popularity of ABA in the anglophone world. I draw on the work of earlier historians to highlight the role of Ole Ivar Lovaas, the most influential practitioner of ABA. I argue that reception of his initial work was mainly positive, despite concerns regarding its efficacy and use of physical aversives. Lovaas’ work, however, was only cautiously accepted by medical practitioners until he published results in 1987. Many accepted the results as validation of Lovaas’ research, though both his methods and broader understanding of autism had shifted considerably since his early work in the 1960s. The article analyses the controversies surrounding ABA since the early 1990s, considering in particular criticisms made by autistic people in the ‘neurodiversity movement’. As with earlier critics, some condemn the use of painful aversives, exemplified in the campaign against the use of shock therapy at the Judge Rotenberg Center. Unlike earlier, non-autistic critics, however, many in this movement reject the ideological goals of ABA, considering autism a harmless neurological difference rather than a pathology. They argue that eliminating benign autistic behaviour through ABA is impermissible, owing to the individual psychological harm and the wider societal impact. Finally, I compare the claims made by the neurodiversity movement with those made by similar 20th- and 21st-century social movements.
Two-dimensional analysis of the influence of windbreaks on airflow over a high-speed train under crosswind using lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Mohebbi Masoud , Rezvani Mohammad A
Published: April 2017

This research is concerned with identifying the effects of windbreak geometry on attenuating aerodynamic loads that can be strong enough to disturb the running safety of high-speed trains. The idea is to suggest the proper geometry for the windbreaks that can make them more efficient and increase their overall performance. Generally speaking, the desired windbreak is the one that can minimize the aerodynamic forces on the surface of trains. In order to reach such an aim, the flow of air around an Intercity-Express 3 high-speed train has been estimated through a two-dimensional modeling by using the lattice Boltzmann method. The flow of crosswind that hits the train is considered as turbulent. The geometry of the windbreaks including the height, the slot, and the edge angles has been investigated. It has been concluded that the windbreak performance, among other parameters, is highly dependent on its height and edge angle. This research expedites the trail for finding suitable choices of windbreak geometries that can in turn provide a reliable degree of running safety of the railway fleet.
Multiobjective optimization of hard coating parameters designing for damping of the bladed disk
Authors: Chen Yugang , Zhai Jingyu , Han Qingkai
Published: April 2017

In this paper, the damping capacity and the structural influence of the hard coating on the given bladed disk are optimized by the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) coupled with the Kriging surrogate model. Material and geometric parameters of the hard coating are taken as the design variables, and the loss factors, frequency variations and weight gain are considered as the objective functions. Results of the bi-objective optimization are obtained as curved line of Pareto front, and results of the triple-objective optimization are obtained as Pareto front surface with an obvious frontier. The results can give guidance to the designer, which can help to achieve more superior performance of hard coating in engineering application.
TTK Chitra tilting disc heart valve model TC2: An assessment of fatigue life and durability
Authors: Subhash NN , Rajeev Adathala , Sujesh Sreedharan , Muraleedharan CV
Published: April 2017

Average age group of heart valve replacement in India and most of the Third World countries is below 30 years. Hence, the valve for such patients need to be designed to have a service life of 50 years or more which corresponds to 2000 million cycles of operation. The purpose of this study was to assess the structural performance of the TTK Chitra tilting disc heart valve model TC2 and thereby address its durability. The TC2 model tilting disc heart valves were assessed to evaluate the risks connected with potential structural failure modes. To be more specific, the studies covered the finite element analysis–based fatigue life prediction and accelerated durability testing of the tilting disc heart valves for nine different valve sizes. First, finite element analysis–based fatigue life prediction showed that all nine valve sizes were in the infinite life region. Second, accelerated durability test showed that all nine valve sizes remained functional for 400 million cycles under experimental conditions. The study ensures the continued function of TC2 model tilting disc heart valves over duration in excess of 50 years. The results imply that the TC2 model valve designs are structurally safe, reliable and durable.
Internalised abortion stigma: Young women’s strategies of resistance and rejection
Authors: Hoggart Lesley
Published: April 2017

This paper examines the ways in which young women articulated strategies of resistance to internalised abortion stigma. It does so through secondary analysis of young women’s narratives from two qualitative studies in England and Wales. Whilst participants felt stigmatised by their abortion[s] in different ways, many also resisted stigmatisation. They did this through different stigma resistance strategies that were shaped by a number of different interactions: their socio-economic situations, family and relationships contexts, the circumstances in which they became pregnant, and their beliefs and values with respect to abortion and motherhood. Being able to construct their abortion decision as morally sound was an important element of stigma resistance. Although socio-cultural norms and values on abortion, reproduction, and motherhood were shown to constrain women’s reproductive choices, these norms were all open to challenge. The women were more likely to struggle with their abortion decision-making when they had internalised negativity around abortion.
Paleoparasitological investigations on the Neolithic lakeside settlement of La Draga (Lake Banyoles, Spain)
Authors: Maicher Céline , Hoffmann Alizé , Côté Nathalie ML , Palomo Pérez Antoni , Saña Segui Maria , Le Bailly Matthieu
Published: April 2017

Paleoparasitological analyses were conducted on samples from the Neolithic lakeside settlement of La Draga in Spain (5320–4980 BC). Conventional microscopic analysis revealed the presence of tapeworms (genus Taenia/Echinoccocus and Diphyllobothrium), roundworms (genus Trichuris, Capillaria, and Ascaris), rumen fluke (genus Paramphistomum), and Acanthocephalan (genus Macracanthorhynchus). In addition, genetic analysis demonstrated the presence of the lancet liver fluke ( Dicrocoelium dendriticum) and the human pinworm ( Enterobius vermicularis) at the site. These results represent the first parasitological data from a Neolithic lakeside settlement related to the Cardial Pottery Culture. Some parasites are comparable with those retrieved from Neolithic lakeside sites studied in France, Germany, and Switzerland, which stem from and are posterior to the Linear Band Keramic Culture. However, some taxa were identified here for the first time during the Neolithic period, or represent the oldest mention of these parasites. This new paleoparasitological contribution reinforces our knowledge of intestinal parasites in Neolithic populations and provides new data on their history.
Metabolomics approach discriminates toxicity index of pyrazinamide and its metabolic products, pyrazinoic acid and 5-hydroxy pyrazinoic acid
Authors: Rawat A , Chaturvedi S , Singh AK , Guleria A , Dubey D , Keshari AK , Raj V , Rai A , Prakash A , Kumar U , Kumar D , Saha S
Published: April 2017

Pyrazinamide (PYZ)—an essential component of primary drug regimen used for the treatment and management of multidrug resistant or latent tuberculosis—is well known for its hepatoxicity. However, the mechanism of PYZ-induced hepatotoxicity is still unknown to researchers. Studies have shown that the drug is metabolized in the liver to pyrazinoic acid (PA) and 5-hydroxy pyrazinoic acid (5-OHPA) which individually may cause different degrees of hepatotoxicity. To evaluate this hypothesis, PYZ, PA, and 5-OHPA were administered to albino Wistar rats orally (respectively, at 250, 125, and 125 mg kg−1 for 28 days). Compared to normal rats, PYZ and its metabolic products decreased the weights of dosed rats and induced liver injury and a status of oxidative stress as assessed by combined histopathological and biochemical analysis. Compared to normal controls, the biochemical and morphological changes were more aberrant in PA- and 5-OHPA-dosed rats with respect to those dosed with PYZ. Finally, the serum metabolic profiles of rats dosed with PYZ, PA, and 5-OHPA were measured and compared with those of normal control rats. With respect to normal control rats, the rats dosed with PYZ and 5-OHPA showed most aberrant metabolic perturbations in their sera as compared to those dosed with PA. Altogether, the study suggests that PYZ-induced hepatotoxicity might be associated with its metabolized products, where 5-OHPA contributes to a higher degree in its overall toxicity than PA.
Socioeconomic Predictors of Adherence Behavior Among HIV-Positive Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Abdulrahman Surajudeen Abiola , Rampal Lekhraj , Othman Norlijah , Ibrahim Faisal , Kadir Shahar Hayati , Radhakrishnan Anuradha P.
Published: April 2017

Medication adherence remains a critical link between the prescribed ART regimen and treatment outcome. Several factors may influence adherence behavior. This cross-sectional study aimed to highlight socioeconomic predictors of adherence behavior among a cohort of 242 adult Malaysian patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Hospital Sungai Buloh, Malaysia, where they were enrolled in a parent study (single-blinded randomized controlled trial) between January and December 2014. Statistical analysis of secondary data on adherence behavior and sociodemographic characteristics of the patients revealed mean age of 33.4 years and ranged from 18 to 64 years; 88.8% were males. A total of 224 (93%) patients who completed 6 months’ adherence assessment were included in the model. Of these, 135 (60.3%) achieved optimal adherence. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis revealed that patient’s income and ethnicity were significant predictors of adherence behavior. This may be valuable for targeted programmatic interventions to further enhance successful treatment outcomes among the target population.
Analytical validation of an automated assay for ferric-reducing ability of plasma in dog serum
Authors: Rubio Camila Peres , Martinez-Subiela Silvia , Hernández-Ruiz Josefa , Tvarijonaviciute Asta , Ceron José Joaquín
Published: April 2017

We performed analytical validation of an automated ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay in the serum of dogs. Intra- and interassay precision, accuracy, detection limit, and effects of hemolysis and lipemia were evaluated. Intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were <1% and <13%, respectively. The assay showed a high correlation with a FRAP assay described previously, and results were linear when serial sample dilutions were tested. The detection limit was lower than the values observed in sera from healthy dogs; decreased serum FRAP was found in dogs with leishmaniosis. Lipemia and hemolysis caused a significant increase in the results of the assay.
Outbreaks of bovine herpesvirus 2 infections in calves causing ear and facial skin lesions
Authors: Watanabe Tatiane T. Negrão , Moeller Robert B. , Crossley Beate M. , Blanchard Patricia C.
Published: April 2017

We describe 3 outbreaks of superficial dermatitis caused by bovine herpesvirus 2 (BoHV-2) in dairy breed calves. Clinically, all of the affected calves were 12–26 d of age, had alopecia and crusts on the face and ears, and were non-pruritic and afebrile. Affected animals recovered spontaneously without any treatment within 2–4 wk after onset of clinical signs based on 1 herd with follow up. Histologic examination of all skin crust or tissue samples identified neutrophilic inflammation, mild hyperkeratosis, multinucleate syncytial cells, and intranuclear inclusion bodies in the syncytial cells. Real-time PCR testing on affected surface crusts or tissue provided evidence of BoHV-2, and testing, where performed, was negative for parapoxvirus including bovine papular stomatitis virus and the ovine form of malignant catarrhal fever tested in EDTA blood samples. Bovine viral diarrhea virus also was negative by ELISA, as well as bovine herpesvirus 1 by immunohistochemistry. Direct electron microscopy of infected tissues in the first outbreak revealed herpesvirus-like particles.
Preexisting lesions associated with complete diaphyseal fractures of the third metacarpal bone in 12 Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Gray Sarah N. , Spriet Mathieu , Garcia Tanya C. , Uzal Francisco A. , Stover Susan M.
Published: April 2017

We characterized features of complete diaphyseal fractures of third metacarpal bones in Thoroughbred racehorses. Given that stress fractures are known to occur in the third metacarpal bone, an additional aim was to determine if complete fractures are associated with signs of a preexisting incomplete stress fracture. Bilateral metacarpi from 12 Thoroughbred racehorses euthanized because of complete unilateral metacarpal diaphyseal fracture were examined visually and radiographically. Open, comminuted, transverse or short oblique fractures occurred in the middle of the diaphysis or supracondylar region. Periosteal surface discoloration and bone callus formation contiguous with the fracture line were present in fractured bones. All contralateral intact metacarpi had gross anatomic lesions, and 10 had radiographic abnormalities similar to those observed on fractured metacarpi. Catastrophic metacarpal fractures occurred in racehorses with bilateral evidence of preexisting bone injury.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for coproantigen detection of Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara canis in dogs and Toxocara cati in cats
Authors: Elsemore David A. , Geng Jinming , Cote Jennifer , Hanna Rita , Lucio-Forster Araceli , Bowman Dwight D.
Published: April 2017

We report the development and field validation of 2 ELISAs for the detection of Ancylostoma caninum or Toxocara canis coproantigens in the feces of dogs with experimental and natural infections, and evidence of cross-reactivity with respective feline counterparts. A. caninum–specific coproantigens were detected in feces of experimentally infected dogs starting at 9 d post-infection (dpi), whereas eggs were not seen until 23 dpi. T. canis–specific coproantigens were detected in 3 of 5 experimentally infected dogs by 31 dpi, and 4 of the 5 animals by 38 dpi. T. canis eggs were seen in feces of 4 of the 5 animals by 38 dpi. One dog had delayed coproantigen detection and low egg output. Additionally, 817 canine and 183 feline fecal samples from naturally infected animals tested by flotation were subjected to coproantigen ELISA testing. Of these 1,000 canine and feline samples, 13 and 23 samples, respectively, were positive for “hookworm” or “roundworm” eggs; 19 and 26 samples were ELISA positive, respectively. The T. canis ELISA detected T. cati coproantigen in cat fecal samples. Discrepant ELISA and flotation results were obtained for 16 hookworm- and 13 roundworm-positive samples. Re-examination of the egg-positive, ELISA-negative samples indicated several instances of possible misidentification or coprophagy, whereas detection of antigen in samples without egg observations is likely a reflection of true infection status with egg shedding below detection levels. There is good indication, based on accumulated field data, that these antigen tests also detect other hookworm and ascarid species.
Zebra-borne neurotropic equid herpesvirus 1 meningoencephalitis in a Thomson’s gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii)
Authors: Sakaguchi Kanako , Kim Kenneth , Langohr Ingeborg , Wise Annabel G. , Maes Roger K. , Pirie Gordon , Yanai Tokuma , Haridy Mohie , Gaschen Lorrie , Del Piero Fabio
Published: April 2017

We describe the histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of a case of meningoencephalitis in a Thomson’s gazelle ( Eudorcas thomsonii) naturally infected with zebra-borne equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and the implications for the molecular detection of zebra-borne EHV-1. A 4-y-old female Thomson’s gazelle was submitted for postmortem examination; no gross abnormalities were noted except for meningeal congestion. Microscopic evaluation demonstrated multifocal nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis with intranuclear eosinophilic and amphophilic inclusion bodies and EHV-9 antigen in neurons. PCR demonstrated the presence of a herpesvirus with a nucleotide sequence 99–100% identical to the corresponding sequences of zebra-borne EHV-1 and of EHV-9 strains. To determine whether EHV-1 or EHV-9 was involved, a PCR with a specific primer set for EHV-9 ORF59/60 was used. The sequence was identical to that of 3 recognized zebra-borne EHV-1 strains and 91% similar to that of EHV-9. This isolate was designated as strain LM2014. The partial glycoprotein G ( gG) gene sequence of LM2014 was also identical to the sequence of 2 zebra-borne EHV-1 strains (T-529 isolated from an onager, 94-137 from a Thomson’s gazelle). The histologic lesions of encephalitis and antigen localization in this gazelle indicate prominent viral neurotropism, and lesions were very similar to those seen in EHV-1– and EHV-9–infected non-equid species. Histologic lesions caused by EHV-9 and zebra-borne EHV-1 are therefore indistinguishable.
An Enhanced Cultural Competence Curriculum and Changes in Transcultural Self-Efficacy in Doctor of Nursing Practice Students
Authors: Singleton Joanne K.
Published: April 2017

Purpose: The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the most advanced clinical leadership role in nursing. Curricula prepare these students to design, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve high-quality culturally specific health care delivery and outcomes. Design: Guided by the cultural competence and confidence model, the Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool was used to assess the impact of an enhanced cultural competence curriculum on transcultural self-efficacy perceptions of DNP students ( n = 54). Method: The study used a pre–post paired t test, nonexperimental design. Findings: A significant gain from pre- to postmeasure in students’ overall transcultural self-efficacy was demonstrated. Discussion: Changes in DNP students’ transcultural self-efficacy were identified after completing an enhanced cultural competence curriculum. Conclusions: Transcultural self-efficacy may be influenced by formal education and learning experiences of DNP students. Implication for Practice: Educational outcomes research can demonstrate the impact of a DNP programs curriculum on meeting national and professional goals for culturally competent nursing practice.
Association Between Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Symptoms and Attentional Network and Working Memory in Primary Schoolchildren
Authors: Camprodon-Rosanas E. , Ribas-Fitó N. , Batlle S. , Persavento C. , Alvarez-Pedrerol M. , Sunyer J. , Forns J.
Published: April 2017

Background: Few consistent data are available in relation to the cognitive and neuropsychological processes involved in sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine the association of working memory and attentional networks with SCT symptoms in primary schoolchildren. Methods: The participants were schoolchildren aged 7 to 10 years ( n = 183) from primary schools in Catalonia (Spain). All the participants completed a working memory task (n-back) and an attentional network task (ANT). Their parents completed an SCT-Child Behavior Checklist self-report and a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic variables. Teachers of the participants provided information on ADHD symptoms and learning determinants. Results: SCT symptoms were correlated with lower scores in both the n-back and ANT. In multivariate regression analysis, SCT symptoms were associated with slower hit reaction times from the ANT. Conclusions: Our results suggest that SCT symptoms are associated with a neuropsychological profile that is different from the classical ADHD profile and characterized by slower reaction times.
Effect of transmucosal corn syrup application on postoperative blood glucose concentrations in kittens
Authors: Cornell Heather N , Shaver Stephanie L , Semick Danielle N , Bradley Nancy C , Kreisler Rachael E
Published: April 2017

Objectives

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a common clinical practice, the transmucosal (TM) application of corn syrup, on postoperative blood glucose concentrations in kittens.

Methods

This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Seventy-five kittens between the age of 8 and 16 weeks scheduled for surgical sterilization by gonadectomy at an animal shelter were enrolled. Kittens were randomly assigned to either a routine treatment group that received the shelter’s typical postoperative application of corn syrup immediately following gonadectomy or to a control group that did not receive typical treatment. Three blood glucose measurements were obtained per kitten: baseline reading prior to preoperative examination, immediately postoperatively and 20 mins postoperatively. The median values of the 20 min postoperative blood glucose reading for the control and treatment groups were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Results

Postoperative application of corn syrup to the oral mucosa of kittens did not result in significant elevations in blood glucose compared with controls. No kitten was hypoglycemic (⩽60 mg/dl) at any point during the study.

Conclusions and relevance

TM application of corn syrup did not affect postoperative blood glucose concentrations in kittens. Protocols that use routine TM administration of corn syrup in kittens should be re-evaluated.
Assessment of real-time PCR cycle threshold values in Microsporum canis culture-positive and culture-negative cats in an animal shelter: a field study
Authors: Jacobson Linda S , McIntyre Lauren , Mykusz Jenny
Published: April 2017

Objectives

Real-time PCR provides quantitative information, recorded as the cycle threshold (Ct) value, about the number of organisms detected in a diagnostic sample. The Ct value correlates with the number of copies of the target organism in an inversely proportional and exponential relationship. The aim of the study was to determine whether Ct values could be used to distinguish between culture-positive and culture-negative samples.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of Ct values from dermatophyte PCR results in cats with suspicious skin lesions or suspected exposure to dermatophytosis.

Results

One hundred and thirty-two samples were included. Using culture as the gold standard, 28 were true positives, 12 were false positives and 92 were true negatives. The area under the curve for the pretreatment time point was 96.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 94.2–99.5) compared with 74.3% (95% CI 52.6–96.0) for pooled data during treatment. Before treatment, a Ct cut-off of <35.7 (approximate DNA count 300) provided a sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 95.2%. There was no reliable cut-off Ct value between culture-positive and culture-negative samples during treatment. Ct values prior to treatment differed significantly between the true-positive and false-positive groups ( P = 0.0056). There was a significant difference between the pretreatment and first and second negative culture time points ( P = 0.0002 and P <0.0001, respectively). However, there was substantial overlap between Ct values for true positives and true negatives, and for pre- and intra-treatment time points.

Conclusions and relevance

Ct values had limited usefulness for distinguishing between culture-positive and culture-negative cases when field study samples were analyzed. In addition, Ct values were less reliable than fungal culture for determining mycological cure.
The Role of the Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor System in Visceral Adiposity
Authors: Lewitt Moira S
Published: April 2017

There is substantial evidence that the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is involved in the pathophysiology of obesity. Both GH and IGF-I have direct effects on adipocyte proliferation and differentiation, and this system is involved in the cross-talk between adipose tissue, liver, and pituitary. Transgenic animal models have been of importance in identifying mechanisms underlying these interactions. It emerges that this system has key roles in visceral adiposity, and there is a rationale for targeting this system in the treatment of visceral obesity associated with GH deficiency, metabolic syndrome, and lipodystrophies. This evidence is reviewed, gaps in knowledge are highlighted, and recommendations are made for future research.
The PACE trial: It’s time to broaden perceptions and move on
Authors: Petrie Keith J , Weinman John
Published: April 2017

The continued critiques of the PACE trial highlight how differing beliefs about the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome still influence how scientific studies in this area are accepted and evaluated. Causal beliefs about chronic fatigue syndrome and a modern version of Cartesian dualism are important in understanding the reaction to the PACE trial. The continued debate on the PACE trial seems to miss the fact that science is incremental. An unfortunate outcome of the PACE controversy and intimidation of researchers may be less research in the area. It is time to move on from criticism and collect more data on effective treatments.
Bare enterprise: US television and the business of dispossession (post-crisis, gender and property television)
Authors: Ouellette Laurie
Published: April 2017

This essay examines the quotidian forms of dispossession and bare enterprise that emerge when homes and belongings are repossessed and auctioned off for profit while TV cameras roll. Focusing on a spate of recent US reality programs revolving around pawnshops, repossession agents, storage unit auctions and foreclosed home flipping businesses, I chronicle an unabashedly ruthless performance of homo economicus. I link the biopolitics of disposability evidenced across these programs to an emerging stage of neoliberal governmentality that has little interest in transforming ‘failed’ citizens and, therefore, differs from the charitable interventions and makeover regimens circulated by US television. Finally, I consider some tensions and points of resistance that television’s cruel new turn may register.
Nonlinear joint model updating of strong column-weak beam type frames based on instantaneous characteristics of the responses under earthquake excitations
Authors: Yuan Ping-Ping , Wang Zuo-Cai , Ren Wei-Xin , He Wen-Yu
Published: April 2017

In this article, a novel method based on the instantaneous frequencies and amplitudes of the principal response components is presented for nonlinear joint model updating. The instantaneous frequencies and amplitudes are first extracted by a low-pass filter with Hilbert transform. Then, limited point values of the extracted instantaneous frequencies and amplitudes are applied to represent the response of the nonlinear structure. Finally, an objective function based on the residuals of instantaneous frequencies and amplitudes between experimental structure and finite element model is established using the response surface method. The optimal values of the nonlinear joint model parameters are obtained by minimizing the objective function using simulated annealing algorithm. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, a three-story frame with bilinear moment–rotation relationship at the beam-column joints under earthquake excitations is simulated as a numerical example. The accuracy of the proposed nonlinear joint model updating procedure is quantified using the defined error indices. The effects of the selected data point number and the weight factors in the objective function are also discussed in the article. The results indicate that the proposed method can effectively update the nonlinear joint model with high accuracy even with noise effect.
Probabilistic corrosion fatigue life assessment of a suspension bridge instrumented with long-term structural health monitoring system
Authors: Ye XW , Liu T , Ni YQ
Published: April 2017

The long-term performance of engineering structures in a corrosive environment will be significantly affected by the coupled action of corrosion and fatigue. In this article, a probabilistic corrosion fatigue analytical model is proposed by taking into account the effects of corrosion-induced reduction of the cross-sectional area and deterioration of the fatigue strength of structural components. The proposed model is exemplified to evaluate the probabilistic corrosion fatigue life of a typical welded joint in the suspension Tsing Ma Bridge instrumented with a long-term structural health monitoring system. A genetic algorithm–based mixture parameter estimation method is developed to facilitate the multimodal modeling of stress spectrum derived from the long-term monitoring data of dynamic strain. The achieved results demonstrate that with the increase in the service life, the reliability index of the investigated typical welded joint is dramatically reduced under the combined effect of corrosion and fatigue.
Revitalization of air using a potassium superoxide plate in hypoxic space: Performance and kinetic model under natural convection conditions
Authors: Wang Shu , Zhang Tian , Jin Longzhe
Published: April 2017

Potassium superoxide-based oxygen supply systems demonstrate a tremendous potential for applications associated with mine emergency rescue. In this study, the air revitalization performance of a potassium superoxide plate operating under natural convection conditions was investigated by a series of passive tests in a sealed chamber. Reaction resistance analysis based on experimental data revealed that increasing air temperature and humidity accelerates oxygen generation but reduces the system respiratory quotient as a result of the increased resistance of internal diffusion. Increasing the amount of plates or using them in combination with a carbon dioxide absorption curtain is a practical, effective method for meeting requirements of both oxygen generation rate and system respiratory quotient in underground refuge. Kinetics model that predicted the mean oxygen generation rate, carbon dioxide absorption rate, system respiratory quotient and total thermal output (Q) was also derived from experimental data in this study. Predicted results were found to be in good agreement with experimental data. The proposed model can aid in the design of air revitalization systems used in refuge stations for underground mines.
The Oksana Affair: Ambiguous resistance in an Israeli warehouse
Authors: Kaminer Matan
Published: April 2017

In volatile situations, resistance can often take an ambiguous form which demonstrates the power of the dominated but avoids provoking repression. Such ambiguity cannot be simply dispelled by ethnographers; rather, it must be acknowledged and accounted for through a methodology that is willing to accommodate uncertainty while demonstrating the researcher’s good faith and sufficient knowledge. I show how this can be done by narrating an episode of ambiguous resistance which took place during my fieldwork doing logistical labor in a warehouse in Ashdod, Israel, when the work crew of which I was a part successfully undertook to resist the removal of our popular forewoman, Oksana. Taking into account the precarious nature of warehouse employment and drawing on the ambiguous statements and non-verbal behavior of both workers and management, I probe the tactical advantages, strategic limitations and epistemological corollaries of ambiguous resistance in the struggle against domination.
Discomfort glare caused by white LEDs having different spectral power distributions
Authors: Huang WJ , Yang Y , Luo M Ronnier
Published: April 2017

This paper describes an experiment to investigate discomfort glare caused by white light-emitting diode (LED) lights having different spectral power distributions. It included two groups: a ‘Metamerism’ group and a ‘correlated colour temperatures (CCT)’ group. In the former group, it was found that white lights at 7000 K constructed from different blue LEDs and the same red and green LEDs gave about the same glare perception. In the latter group, there was a significant difference in glare perception between white lights having different CCTs. Finally, glare models, including unified glare rating (UGR) and the newly derived QUGRspd, and mUGRspd models, were tested using the data from the experiment. All of them gave quite accurate predictions of the data.
Expression and Clinicopathological Significance of Mel-18 and Bmi-1 in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ji Huaijun , Cao Ming , Ren Kunlun , Sun Ningbo , Wang Wei , Zhu Qiang , Zang Qi , Jiang Zhongmin
Published: April 2017

The Polycomb group genes are a general class of regulators that are responsible for maintaining homeotic gene expression throughout cell division. Polycomb group expression plays an important role in oncogenesis of several types of human cancer. Melanoma nuclear protein 18 and B-cell-specific Moloney leukemia virus insert site 1 are key Polycomb group proteins. Studies have shown that melanoma nuclear protein 18 is a potential tumor suppression, and B-cell-specific Moloney leukemia virus insert site 1 is overexpressed in several human malignancies. However, the roles of melanoma nuclear protein 18 and B-cell-specific Moloney leukemia virus insert site 1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma are still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the expression levels of melanoma nuclear protein 18 and B-cell-specific Moloney leukemia virus insert site 1 in 89 esophageal cancer tissues and paired normal mucosal tissues using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses. We found that the expression of melanoma nuclear protein 18 in the carcinoma tissues was significantly lower than that in the noncancerous mucosal tissues ( P < .05), and B-cell-specific Moloney leukemia virus insert site 1 expression in the carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in the noncancerous mucosal tissues ( P < .05). In addition, the expression of melanoma nuclear protein 18 was correlated with clinical stage, depth of invasion, and lymph node metastasis ( P < .05) but was not correlated with gender, age, degree of differentiation, or disease-free survival ( P > .05). B-cell-specific Moloney leukemia virus insert site 1 expression was strongly correlated with the degree of differentiation, clinical stage, and lymph node metastasis ( P <.05) but was not correlated with the gender, age, depth of invasion or disease-free survival ( P > .05). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between melanoma nuclear protein 18 and B-cell-specific Moloney leukemia virus insert site 1 expressions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( P < .05). Our study suggests that melanoma nuclear protein 18 and B-cell-specific Moloney leukemia virus insert site 1 may play a crucial role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma nuclear protein 18 or B-cell-specific Moloney leukemia virus insert site 1 may be a potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Vehicle recognition in acoustic sensor networks using multiple kernel sparse representation over learned dictionaries
Authors: Wang Rui , Cao Wenming , He Zhihai
Published: April 2017

Sparse representation–based classification and kernel methods have emerged as important methods for pattern recognition. In this work, we study the problem of vehicle recognition using acoustic sensor networks in real-world applications. To improve the recognition accuracy with noise sensor data collected from challenging sensing environments, we develop a new method, called multiple kernel sparse representation–based classification, for vehicle recognition. In the proposed multiple kernel sparse representation–based classification method, acoustic features of vehicles are extracted and mapped into a high-dimensional feature space using a kernel function, which combines multiple kernels to obtain linearly separable samples. To improve the recognition accuracy, we incorporate dictionary learning method K-singular value decomposition into the multiple kernel sparse representation–based classification framework. The vehicle recognition from acoustic sensor network is then formulated into an optimization problem. Our extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed multiple kernel sparse representation–based classification method with learned dictionaries outperforms other existing methods in the literature on vehicle recognition from complex acoustic sensor network datasets.
Reframing Photovoice to Boost Its Potential for Learning Research
Authors: Ciolan Lucian , Manasia Loredana
Published: April 2017

Visual methods are not new within education research field, but they are certainly an innovative approach, especially in higher education where students’ voice is understood as a central need. In this positional article, the authors intend to accomplish two key objectives. First, the article aims to emphasize that visual method, especially photovoice, can be enriching for studying the ways students engage in learning activities and support authentic conversations about how learning takes place and what students are thinking about this process (metacognition). The second objective is to set theoretical and methodological grounds to apply visually based methods such as photovoice and bubble dialogue in education research, particularly in learning research area. The considerations regarding specific methodological aspects are based on the discussion of a study conducted by using photovoice methodology. The authors suggest that participatory analysis and particularly interpretative phenomenological analysis are appropriate to complete the process of data analysis. The article, therefore, contributes to expanding knowledge about specific visual methods and set the ground for methodological innovation in learning research.
Analysis and improvement of the comfort performance of a car’s indoor environment based on the predicted mean vote–predicted percentage of dissatisfied and air age
Authors: Zhang Bingli , Xue Tielong , Hu Ning
Published: April 2017

Good thermal comfort of vehicle can make the passenger comfortable and the driver attention concentration, so as to enhance the competitiveness of the products. The purpose of this article is to study the comfort performance of a car’s indoor environment. First, the integral method is used to calculate the coupled heat transfer of gas and solid, and the effects of solar radiation and wall heat radiation on the field of velocity and temperature are considered. The three-dimensional flow field and thermal environment of vehicle are simulated, and the distribution of airflow, velocity field, temperature field, and predicted mean vote and predicted percentage of dissatisfied are obtained. The results are compared with the experimental data, and the difference is less than 5%. Second, the occupant’s thermal comfort is analyzed, and the average air age is used to evaluate the air freshness. The results show that the front passengers feel medium heat, the rear passengers feel mild heat, and the air is fresh in the cabin under setting environmental conditions. Finally, the air-conditioning system is improved according to the existing problems, and the new simulation results show that the thermal comfort of the cabin has been further improved.
Mixed control scheme for accurate control of robotic flexible endoscope
Authors: Zhang Aoyu , Han Zhimin , Wang Xiguang , Briggs Randall , Xie Tianyu
Published: April 2017

Tendon-driven endoscopes are mainly used in the current practice. Their flexible bodies may change frequently during the processes of biopsy, endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection. These changes lead to backlash hysteresis and nonlinear friction effects, which make it difficult to achieve accurate control. To address this problem, a mixed control scheme based on the combination of discrete and continuous models was proposed and quantitatively compared with a conventional feedback control scheme, a feedforward control scheme and an adaptive control scheme. These experiments were conducted using a robotic gastroscope. The results showed that our control scheme can achieve more accurate tracking performance when the configuration changes frequently, with mean square error of tracking performance decreased by 50–75%.
The potential role of adult stem cells in the management of the rheumatic diseases
Authors: Franceschetti Tiziana , De Bari Cosimo
Published: April 2017

Adult stem cells are considered as appealing therapeutic candidates for inflammatory and degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. A large body of preclinical research has contributed to describing their immune-modulating properties and regenerative potential. Additionally, increasing evidence suggests that stem cell differentiation and function are disrupted in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases. Clinical studies have been limited, for the most part, to the application of adult stem cell-based treatments on small numbers of patients or as a ‘salvage’ therapy in life-threatening disease cases. Nevertheless, these preliminary studies indicate that adult stem cells are promising tools for the long-term treatment of rheumatic diseases. This review highlights recent knowledge acquired in the fields of hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the management of systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) and the potential mechanisms mediating their function.