bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public spending, corruption, and income inequality: A comparative analysis of Asia and Latin America
Authors: Wong Mathew YH
Published: June 2016

Based on data from 16 Asian and 18 Latin American countries from 1996 to 2009, this article argues that corruption does indeed affect the distributive outcomes of government spending, but not necessarily in the expected direction. The incentives for bureaucrats and politicians to abuse their power during the budgetary process suggests that corruption should concentrate public funds in the hands of elites, exacerbating inequality. However, this should only be expected when corruption takes the form of looting (embezzlement). When it takes the form of cheating (vote-buying), it may actually reduce inequality as it involves resource distribution and building of clientelistic linkages. It is the level of political competition rather than regional differences that determines the distributional effects of corruption in Asia and Latin America. This article has profound implications for the study of corruption and policy outcomes, suggesting that the level of political competition is a key factor in determining the outcomes of corruption.
Emphysematous aortitis leading to esophagopleural fistula
Authors: Ufuk Furkan , Herek Duygu , Karabulut Nevzat
Published: June 2016

Emphysematous aortitis is a form of septic aortitis. It is a rare disease with a high mortality rate, necessitating prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment. We present the computed tomography features of emphysematous aortitis leading to esophageal rupture and esophageal-pleural fistula in a 76-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis.
Action Congruency Influences Crowding When Discriminating Biological Motion Direction
Authors: Ikeda Hanako , Watanabe Katsumi
Published: June 2016

Identification and discrimination of peripheral stimuli are often difficult when a few stimuli adjacent to the target are present (crowding). Our previous study showed that crowding occurs for walking direction discrimination of a biological motion stimulus. In the present study, we attempted to examine whether action congruency between the target and flankers would influence the crowding effect on biological motion stimuli. Each biological motion stimulus comprised one action (e.g., walking, throwing wastepaper, etc.) and was rotated in one of five directions around the vertical axis. In Experiment 1, observers discriminated between the directions of the target stimulus actions, which were surrounded by two flankers in the peripheral visual field. The crowding effect was stronger when the flankers performed the same action as the target and the directions differed. The congruency of action type enhanced the crowding effect in the direction-discrimination task. In Experiment 2, observers discriminated between action types of target stimuli. The crowding effect for the action-discrimination task was not modulated by the congruency of action direction. Thus, identical actions induced a larger crowding effect for action-direction discrimination, but congruent directions did not influence crowding for action-type discrimination. These results suggest that the processes involved in direction discrimination of biological motion are partially distinct from action discrimination processes.
Biological Form is Sufficient to Create a Biological Motion Sex Aftereffect
Authors: Hiris Eric , Mirenzi Aaron , Janis Katie
Published: June 2016

In a series of five experiments we sought to determine what causes the biological motion sex aftereffect—adaptation of a general representation of the stimulus sex, adaptation to the motion in the stimulus, or adaptation to the form in the stimulus. The experiments showed that (a) adaptation to gendered faces and gendered full body images did not create a biological motion sex aftereffect; (b) adaptation to moving partial biological motion displays containing the most important motion cues for sex discrimination (shoulders and hips or shoulders, hips, and feet) did not create a biological motion sex aftereffect; and (c) adaptation to a static frame or shapes derived from a static frame did create a biological motion sex aftereffect. These results suggest that form information is sufficient to create a biological motion sex aftereffect and suggests that biological motion sex aftereffects may be a result of lower level rather than higher level adaptation in the visual system.
Olfactory Sensitivity for the Mammalian Blood Odor Component Trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal in CD-1 Mice
Authors: Sarrafchi Amir , Laska Matthias
Published: June 2016

Using a conditioning paradigm and an automated olfactometer, we investigated the olfactory sensitivity of CD-1 mice for the mammalian blood odor component trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal. We found that two of the animals significantly discriminated concentrations down to 3.0 ppt (parts per trillion) from the solvent, and three animals even successfully detected dilutions as low as 0.3 ppt. Intraspecific comparisons between the olfactory detection thresholds obtained here with those obtained in earlier studies with other odorants show that mice are extraordinarily sensitive to this blood odor component. Interspecific comparisons of olfactory detection thresholds show that human subjects are even more sensitive to trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal than the mice tested here. Both intra- and inter-specific comparisons suggest that neither neuroanatomical properties such as the size of the olfactory epithelium, the total number of olfactory receptor neurons, or the size of olfactory brain structures, nor genetic properties such as the number of functional olfactory receptor genes or the proportion of functional relative to the total number of olfactory receptor genes allow us to reliably predict a species’ olfactory sensitivity. In contrast, the results support the notion that the behavioral relevance of an odorant rather than neuroanatomical or genetic properties may determine a species’ olfactory sensitivity.
Anxiety and depression in probable migraine: A population-based study
Authors: Song Tae-Jin , Cho Soo-Jin , Kim Won-Joo , Yang Kwang Ik , Yun Chang-Ho , Chu Min Kyung
Published: June 2016

Background

Although probable migraine (PM) is common among headache sufferers, there is little knowledge of the prevalence and impacts of comorbid anxiety and depression in patients with PM. We assessed the prevalence and impact of anxiety and depression among PM sufferers in the general population.

Methods

We recruited Korean individuals aged 19–69 years via stratified random sampling and assessed headache type, anxiety, and depression among them using structured interviews.

Results

In a representative sample of 2695 individuals, 143 (5.3%) and 379 (14.1%) had migraine and PM, respectively. Fewer patients with PM had anxiety (17.7% vs. 30.1%, p = 0.002) and depression (8.7% vs. 16.8%, p = 0.007) compared to those with migraine. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was lower in people with PM than in those with migraine in univariable analysis, but insignificant after including headache intensity and headache frequency for adjustment. Headache frequency, headache intensity, and impact of headache were significantly higher among PM and migraine patients with anxiety and depression than among those without.

Conclusions

The prevalence of anxiety and depression was lower among individuals with PM compared to those with migraine. However, they were still prevalent and associated with an exacerbation of symptoms among individuals with PM.
The Child–Adolescent Perfectionism Scale
Authors: Flett Gordon L. , Hewitt Paul L. , Besser Avi , Su Chang , Vaillancourt Tracy , Boucher Daniel , Munro Yvette , Davidson Lisa A. , Gale Olga
Published: June 2016

There is growing interest in perfectionism among children and adolescents as well as growing interest in the measures designed to assess perfectionism in young people. The current article describes the development and psychometric characteristics of the Child–Adolescent Perfectionism Scale (CAPS), a measure that assesses self-oriented perfectionism and socially prescribed perfectionism. The results of three studies involving multiple samples are reported. The psychometric features of this measure are summarized, including extensive data that attest to the reliability and validity of the CAPS subscales. Normative data are also provided in Study 1. The results of Study 2 suggest that the academic behavior of perfectionistic students is motivated by a complex blend of factors that include a strong emphasis on introjected regulation in both self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism; however, there are key motivational differences between these perfectionism dimensions. Finally, Study 3 confirmed that self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism are associated with various indices of stress, distress, and maladjustment. Collectively, our results support the use of the CAPS and the notion that vulnerable children and adolescents who are perfectionistic are under substantial pressure to meet expectations. The assessment and theoretical implications of these results are discussed.
Evaluating the Construct Validity of Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being Using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Hsu Hsien-Yuan , Hsu Tze-Li , Lee KoFan , Wolff Lori
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the construct validity of Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB) using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). The data were drawn from the national survey of Midlife in the United States conducted during 1994 and 1995. Measurement models assuming different number of factors (1-6 factors) and considering the effect of negatively wording items were specified and compared to determine optimal number of underlying factors. The discriminant validity was assessed following Farrell’s suggestions. The results showed the discriminant validity was questionable due to five indicators with considerable cross-loadings.
Reduction of Laboratory Utilization in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Raad Samih , Elliott Rachel , Dickerson Evan , Khan Babar , Diab Khalil
Published: June 2016

Objective:

In our academic intensive care unit (ICU), there is excess ordering of routine laboratory tests. This is partially due to a lack of transparency of laboratory-processing costs and to the admission order plans that favor daily laboratory test orders. We hypothesized that a program that involves physician and staff education and alters the current ICU order sets will lead to a sustained decrease in routine laboratory test ordering.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

Academic closed medical ICU (MICU).

Patients:

All patients admitted to the MICU.

Methods:

We consistently educated residents, faculty, and staff about laboratory test costs. We removed the daily laboratory test option from the admission order sets and asked residents to order needed laboratory test results every day. We only allowed the G3+I-STAT (arterial blood gas only) cartridges in the MICU in hopes of decreasing duplicative laboratory test results. We added laboratory review to the daily rounding checklist.

Measurement and Main Results:

Total number of laboratory tests per patient-day decreased from 39.43 to an average of 26.74 ( P <.001) over a 9-month period. The number of iSTAT laboratory tests per patient-day decreased from 7.37 to an average of 1.16 ( P < .001) over the same time period. The number of iSTAT/central laboratory processing duplicative laboratory tests per patient-day decreased from 0.17 to an average of 0.01 ( P < .001). The percentage of patients who have daily laboratory test orders decreased from 100% to an average of 11.94% ( P <. 001). US$123 436 in direct savings and US$258 035 dollars in indirect savings could be achieved with these trends. Intensive care unit morbidity and mortality were not impacted.

Conclusion:

A simple technique of resident, nursing, and ancillary staff education, combined with alterations in order sets using electronic medical records, can lead to a sustained reduction in laboratory test utilization over time and to significant cost savings without affecting patient safety.
Treatment of Bignathic Malocclusions With Multistage Active Force Orthodontic Movements in a Cat
Authors: Lothamer Chad W. , Soukup Jason W.
Published: June 2016

Untreated malocclusions may lead to negative oral health sequelae including, but not limited to, pain, dental trauma, periodontal disease, and endodontic disease. Thus, orthodontic treatments of malocclusion in companion animals are often pursued for reasons other than cosmesis. Treatment may provide a pain-free, functional occlusion with the opportunity for the best possible long-term oral health. This report describes the multistage orthodontic treatment of a bignathic malocclusion in a cat, highlighting the complexities and complications that may arise with orthodontic movement of multiple teeth.
Metabonomic analysis of the protective effect of quercetin on the toxicity induced by mixture of organophosphate pesticides in rat urine
Authors: Qi L , Cao C , Hu L , Chen S , Zhao X , Sun C
Published: June 2016

The present study aims to investigate the protective effect of quercetin against the joint toxic action induced by the mixture of four organophosphate pesticides (mixture-OPs) (dimethoate, acephate, dichlorvos, and phorate) at their corresponding no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) using metabonomics. Rats were randomly divided into control, quercetin-treated, mixture-OPs-treated, and quercetin plus mixture-OPs-treated groups. Mixture-OPs and quercetin were given to the rats daily through drinking water and intragastric administration, respectively, for 90 days. The metabonomic profiles of rat urine were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS). The 14 metabolites significantly changed in the treatment groups compared with the control group, including the biomarkers of OPs exposure (dimethylphosphate, dimethyldithiophosphate, diethylphosphate) and the metabolites of quercetin (quercetin and isorhamnetina). The intensities of gentisic acid, creatinine, suberic acid, hippuric acid, uric acid, and citric acid significantly decreased, whereas the intensities of 7-methylguanine, estrone sulfate, and cholic acid significantly increased, in the mixture-OPs-treated group compared with the control group ( p < 0.01). The variation tendency of the aforementioned metabolites was significantly ameliorated in the high-dose quercetin (50 mg/(kg bw day)) plus mixture-OPs-treated group compared with the mixture-OPs-treated group ( p < 0.05). However, the intensities of these metabolites in the high-dose quercetin plus mixture-OPs-treated group were still significantly different from those of the control group ( p < 0.05). Results indicated that high dose of quercetin elicits a partial protective effect on the toxicity induced by mixture-OPs, including fatty acid and energy metabolism, antioxidant defense system, DNA damage, and liver and kidney function.
Emotional intelligence and job satisfaction of academic librarians: An assessment of the relationship
Authors: Khan Asad , Masrek Mohamad Noorman , Nadzar Fuziah Mohd
Published: June 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and general job satisfaction of librarians. For this purpose, a quantitative study was conducted on librarians serving in university libraries of Pakistan. A randomly selected sample of Pakistani university librarians completed a questionnaire survey measuring their responses on emotional intelligence and job satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis indicated that all indicators of emotional intelligence were significant predictors of job satisfaction. The results showed that self-assessment was the strongest predictor while optimism was the weakest predictor of job satisfaction. The findings are useful for libraries and other organizations interested in developing emotional intelligence and improving workers’ job satisfaction, which ultimately may lead to effective performance.
(Reinforcing) factors influencing a physical education teacher’s use of the direct instruction model teaching games
Authors: Jayantilal Kumar , O’Leary Nick
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study was to explore how a physical education (PE) teacher employed the direct instruction model (DIM) teaching games in a United Kingdom secondary school. The research sought to identify how the teacher utilised the DIM and those factors that influenced his use of the model. Occupational socialization was used to identify the factors that encouraged his use of the DIM. Data were collected from interviews and lesson observations. Inductive data analysis showed that while the teacher presented a ‘full version’ of the DIM, his limited content knowledge impacted on the use of the model in teaching cricket. Factors influencing his use of the model were a sporting perspective, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education mentor and the ability and behaviour of the students. These factors reinforced his undergraduate learning and subsequent use of the DIM. It is suggested that the comparable backgrounds of many PE student teachers may make the DIM an apt model to learn in undergraduate and postgraduate PE courses. However, effective use of the model requires students to be taught and to possess in-depth content knowledge of the game(s)/activities being taught and learned.
Site, local, and regional earthquake ground motion characterization and application
Authors: Hong HP , Liu TJ
Published: June 2016

A systematic overview and comparison is presented on the seismic hazard assessment based on the observations and seismic hazard model and the characteristics of earthquake ground motions for a site, a local area, and a region. It shows that the seismic hazard estimated by directly using the observations could differ from that evaluated using an adopted seismic hazard model. It indicates the importance to judiciously select the seismic hazard model, as well as to understand that historical records for a limited period may not fully reflect the seismic hazard. The comparison of the ground motion characteristics is focused on the variability of the ground motion measures, the coherency for record components in two orthogonal orientations, and the spatial correlation and spatial coherency. Procedures for simulating bidirectional excitations at a site and record components at multiple sites for a scenario seismic event are given. The application of the simulated record components to estimate the seismic loss for a portfolio of hypothetical buildings by considering a scenario event is shown, indicating the effectiveness of the presented methodology for seismic loss estimation.
Vibration-based damage identification of an unreinforced masonry house model
Authors: Oyarzo-Vera Claudio , Ingham Jason , Chouw Nawawi
Published: June 2016

Non-destructive vibration-based damage identification techniques are especially attractive for assessing damage in structures of high historical and architectural value. So far, most studies have focused on slender structures built using relatively homogeneous materials. In this study, global damage identification methods based on vibration response parameters were applied for identifying damage in an unreinforced masonry full-scale house model (non-homogeneous material and non-slender structure). The house model was dynamically loaded using an eccentric-mass shaker. Structural damage to the walls was initiated by increasing the amplitude of the applied load. At each damage state, a modal test was performed by impacting the walls with a calibrated hammer. Statistically significant variations of modal frequencies and the modal assurance criteria were considered as suitable parameters to identify damage. It was concluded that different sets of modes can be found for different states of damage because of material degradation, change in the support and connectivity conditions, and breaks in the members continuity generated by damage. All these changes are reflected in variations of modal frequencies and modal assurance criteria. It was also established that prior to identifying the damage distribution on the entire building, it was necessary to determine how the modal frequencies were related to each wall.
The effect of concrete shear key on the performance of segmental columns subjected to impact loading
Authors: Zhang Xihong , Hao Hong , Li Chao
Published: June 2016

Conventional precast segmental columns with seismic resistance design consist of only flat concrete segments with prestress tendon. This is because friction between adjacent segments is sufficient to resist the lateral forces from earthquake-induced actions. However, the friction between segments is not necessarily sufficient to resist lateral impact loads such as vehicle impact the column might experience during its service life. This article investigates the effectiveness of using concrete shear key in segments of precast segmental column in resisting the lateral impact loading. The precast reinforced concrete segments were designed with concrete shear keys to improve the column shear resistance capacity and minimize the relative displacement between adjacent segments. Two groups of segmental columns with and without shear key were designed and tested using a pendulum impact system. The effectiveness of shear key in resisting lateral impact loads was analysed by comparing the performance of the two groups of segmental columns. The testing results revealed that by introducing concrete shear key to segmental column, the relative displacement between adjacent segments could be effectively reduced. However, the large concrete shear key increased stress concentration in the concrete segments. Relatively, more severe damages to concrete segments were found on the columns with shear key. Further improvements on shear key designs should be made for better performance of segmental columns against impact loading.
Design of periodic unit cell in cellular materials with extreme properties using topology optimization
Authors: Chen Wenjiong , Tong Liyong , Liu Shutian
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a topology optimization method to design periodic unit cell in cellular materials with extreme properties using a moving iso-surface threshold method. The aim is to determine the optimal distribution of material within the periodic unit cell. The effective properties of cellular material are obtained by using a finite element-based homogenization method. The penalty function approach is introduced to construct the objective function for designing material with extreme properties under condition of square or isotropic symmetry. New characteristic response functions of moving iso-surface threshold are proposed for maximum shear or bulk modulus, maximum shear modulus or negative Poisson’s ratio under isotropic symmetry. Several examples are presented and the results are compared to those obtained with the solid isotropic material with penalization method to demonstrate the validity of the method. A series of new and interesting microstructures with extreme properties are found and presented.
The Chinese Herbal Mixture Tien-Hsien Liquid Augments the Anticancer Immunity in Tumor Cell–Vaccinated Mice
Authors: Yang Pei-Ming , Du Jia-Ling , Wang George Nian-Kae , Chia Jean-San , Hsu Wei-Bin , Pu Pin-Ching , Sun Andy , Chiang Chun-Pin , Wang Won-Bo
Published: June 2016

Background. The Chinese herbal mixture, Tien-Hsien liquid (THL), has been used as an anticancer dietary supplement for more than 20 years. Our previous studies have shown that THL can modulate immune responseand inhibit tumor growth. In this study, we further evaluated the effect of THL on anticancer immune response in mice vaccinated with γ-ray-irradiated tumor cells. Methods. The antitumor effect of THL was determined in mice vaccinated with low-tumorigenic CT-26-low colon cancer cells or γ-ray-irradiated high-tumorigenic CT-26-high colon cancer cells. The number of natural killer (NK) cells and T lymphocytes in the spleen was analyzed by flow cytometry. The tumor-killing activities of NK cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were analyzed by flow cytometry using YAC-1 and CT-26-high cells, respectively, as target cells. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α were determined by ELISA. Results. THL suppressed the growth of CT-26-high tumor in mice previously vaccinated with low-tumorigenic CT-26-low cells or γ-irradiated CT-26-high cells. THL increased the populations of NK cells and CD4+ T lymphocytes in the spleen and enhanced the tumor-killing activities of NK cells and CTL in mice vaccinated with γ-irradiated CT-26-high cells. THL increased the production of IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α in mice vaccinated with γ-irradiated CT-26-high cells. Conclusion. THL can enhance the antitumor immune responses in mice vaccinated with killed tumor cells. These results suggest that THL may be used as a complementary medicine for cancer patients previously treated with killed tumor cell vaccines, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.
Protective Effect of Aerobic Physical Activity on Sleep Behavior in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Roveda Eliana , Vitale Jacopo A. , Bruno Eleonora , Montaruli Angela , Pasanisi Patrizia , Villarini Anna , Gargano Giuliana , Galasso Letizia , Berrino Franco , Caumo Andrea , Carandente Franca
Published: June 2016

Hypotheses. Sleep disorders are associated with an increased risk of cancer, including breast cancer (BC). Physical activity (PA) can produce beneficial effects on sleep. Study design. We designed a randomized controlled trial to test the effect of 3 months of physical activity on sleep and circadian rhythm activity level evaluated by actigraphy. Methods. 40 BC women, aged 35-70 years, were randomized into an intervention (IG) and a control group (CG). IG performed a 3 month of aerobic exercise. At baseline and after 3 months, the following parameters were evaluated both for IG and CG: anthropometric and body composition measurements, energy expenditure and motion level; sleep parameters (Actual Sleep Time-AST, Actual Wake Time-AWT, Sleep Efficiency-SE, Sleep Latency-SL, Mean Activity Score-MAS, Movement and Fragmentation Index-MFI and Immobility Time-IT) and activity level circadian rhythm using the Actigraph Actiwatch. Results. The CG showed a deterioration of sleep, whereas the IG showed a stable pattern. In the CG the SE, AST and IT decreased and the AWT, SL, MAS and MFI increased. In the IG, the SE, IT, AWT, SL, and MAS showed no changes and AST and MFI showed a less pronounced change in the IG than in the CG. The rhythmometric analysis revealed a significant circadian rhythm in two groups. After 3 months of PA, IG showed reduced fat mass %, while CG had improved weight and BMI. Conclusion. Physical activity may be beneficial against sleep disruption. Indeed, PA prevented sleep worsening in IG. PA can represent an integrative intervention therapy able to modify sleep behaviour.
Inclusive Education National Research Advocacy Agenda
Authors: Morningstar Mary E. , Allcock Heather C. , White Julia M. , Taub Deborah , Kurth Jennifer A. , Gonsier-Gerdin Jean , Ryndak Diane L. , Sauer Janet , Jorgensen Cheryl M.
Published: June 2016

The TASH Inclusive Education National Committee responded to Horner and Dunlap’s call to ensure that future research integrates inclusive values with strong science by developing an inclusive education national research advocacy agenda. Qualitative methods were implemented to answer three questions: (a) What is the state of inclusive education research? (b) What research still must be done? and (c) What are recommendations for a national inclusive education research advocacy agenda? The findings include 15 areas organized within three domains advocating for continued research across systems-level capacity building, building and classroom capacity, and student learning and development. Implications for research and policy reform are discussed.
From ‘filth’ and ‘insanity’ to ‘peaceful moral watchdogs’: Police, news media, and the gang label
Authors: Linnemann Travis , McClanahan Bill
Published: June 2016

This paper engages the cultural politics of criminal classifications by aiming at one of the state’s most powerful, yet ambiguous markers—the ‘gang.’ Focusing on the unique cases of ‘crews’ and collectives within the ‘straight edge’ and ‘Juggalo’ subcultures, this paper considers what leads members of the media and police to construct—or fail to construct—these street collectives as gangs in a seemingly haphazard and disparate fashion. Juxtaposing media, cultural, and police representations of straight edge ‘crews’ and Juggalo collectives with the FBI’s Gang Threat Assessment, we detail how cultural politics and ideology underpin the social reality of gangs and thus the application of the police power. This paper, furthermore, considers critical conceptualizations of the relationship between police and criminal gangs.
Trehalose diester glycolipids are superior to the monoesters in binding to Mincle, activation of macrophages in vitro and adjuvant activity in vivo
Authors: Huber Alexandra , Kallerup Rie S , Korsholm Karen S , Franzyk Henrik , Lepenies Bernd , Christensen Dennis , Foged Camilla , Lang Roland
Published: June 2016

The T-cell adjuvanticity of mycobacterial cord factor trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM) is well established. The identification of the C-type lectin Mincle on innate immune cells as the receptor for TDM and its synthetic analogue trehalose 6,6'-dibehenate (TDB) has raised interest in development of synthetic Mincle ligands as novel adjuvants. Trehalose mono- (TMXs) and diesters (TDXs) with symmetrically shortened acyl chains [denoted by X: arachidate (A), stearate (S), palmitate (P), and myristate (M)] were tested. Upon stimulation of murine macrophages, G-CSF secretion and NO production were strongly augmented by all TDXs tested, in a wide concentration range. In contrast, the TMXs triggered macrophage activation only at high concentrations. Macrophage activation by all TDXs required Mincle, but was independent of MyD88. The superior capacity of TDXs for activating macrophages was paralleled by direct binding of TDXs, but not of TMXs, to a Mincle-Fc fusion protein. Insertion of a short polyethylene glycol between the sugar and acyl chain in TDS reduced Mincle-binding and macrophage activation. Immunization of mice with cationic liposomes containing the analogues demonstrated the superior adjuvant activity of trehalose diesters. Overall, immune activation in vitro and in vivo by trehalose esters of simple fatty acids requires two acyl chains of length and involves Mincle.
The effect of an occupation-based intervention in patients with hand-related disorders grouped using the sense of coherence scale: Study protocol
Authors: Hansen Alice Ø , Cederlund Ragnhild , Kristensen Hanne K , Tromborg Hans
Published: June 2016

Introduction

High-quality rehabilitation is required if patients with hand-related disorders are to achieve high levels of functioning. Occupation-based interventions are effective in stroke, hip fractures, and for elderly people, but there is limited knowledge of their effect in hand therapy. Sense of coherence may affect rehabilitation outcome, since patients with weak sense of coherence experience lower functioning, are less satisfied with their occupational performance, have inferior quality of life and more pain compared to patients with stronger sense of coherence .

Method

Following SPIRIT guidelines, we present a randomized, controlled, parallel-grouped trial. It investigates the effect of an occupation-based intervention for outpatients with hand-related disorders and whether sense of coherence influences the outcomes. Patients are stratified into three groups (weak, medium and strong sense of coherence) and randomized to occupation-based or exercise-based hand therapy. Sample size calculation indicates that 70 patients are required in each intervention in each separate sense of coherence group. With an expected drop-out of 20%, a total of 504 participants will be randomized. Primary analysis is score change in functioning measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand from start of rehabilitation to three months’ follow-up. Secondary outcomes are self-evaluated occupational performance and satisfaction with occupational performance.

Conclusion

This study will add valuable knowledge to the field of hand therapy regarding the therapeutic use of occupations that patients find meaningful. Moreover, it may show which patients will benefit the most from an occupation-based intervention in relation to their sense of coherence.
Fluoroquinolone resistance colonization from initial to repeat prostate biopsy
Authors: Liss Michael A , Gillis Kyle , Sakamoto Kyoko , Fierer Joshua
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

Fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistant (FQR) bacteria are a major cause of infection after transrectal prostate biopsy (TRPB). We determined the prevalence of FQR in initial and subsequent rectal cultures from men undergoing repeat prostate biopsies.

Materials and methods:

After IRB approval, men presenting for TRPB at the San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center between January 1, 2010, and February 6, 2014, underwent pre-TRPB rectal culture. The rectal swab was collected from the patient immediately prior to TRPB. Rectal swabs were streaked onto locally prepared ciprofloxacin-supplemented (4 mg/L) MacConkey agar plates. A representative colony was selected for identification and susceptibility testing.

Results:

Of 617 patients who had rectal cultures done, 7% (43/617) had a repeat rectal culture performed in relation to a second prostate biopsy. All cipro-resistant bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli. The median time and interquartile range between first and second biopsy was 2.3 years (range 1.2–3.6 years). On first biopsy, 16.3% (7/43) had FQR, which was not statistically different from the 18.6% of patients who had FQR on their second biopsy ( p=0.78). Overall, 74% (32/43) of patients tested absent for FQR at both prostate biopsies, and 9.3% (4/43) tested present at both ( p=0.015). However, 9.3% (4/43) converted from absent to present FQR, and 7.0% (3/43) converted from present FQR to absent ( p=0.69). Seventy percent of the FQR E. coli were also resistant to gentamicin, and 22% were resistant to cefepime.

Conclusions:

Patients undergoing prostate biopsy should be examined for FQR prior to each individual biopsy because prior culture results do not always predict whether a patient will be colonized with FQR E. coli.
Does the public want mini-publics? Voter responses to the Citizens’ Initiative Review
Authors: Gastil John , Rosenzweig Elizabeth , Knobloch Katherine R. , Brinker David
Published: June 2016

Deliberative democratic theory has proposed the use of mini-publics to discern a more reflective public opinion, which can then be conveyed to policymakers or back to the wider public. In 2009, the legislature in the State of Oregon (USA) created one such process in the Citizens’ Initiative Review to help the public make informed choices on statewide ballot measures. This study investigated how the public conceptualizes and assesses the Citizens’ Statements that Citizens’ Initiative Review panels place in the statewide Voters’ Pamphlet. We pose a series of research questions concerning how the public perceives the role of the Citizens’ Initiative Review in initiative elections. We investigate those questions with usability testing sessions held in the final weeks before the 2014 election. Forty interviews were conducted in Portland, Oregon, and 20 were held in Denver, CO, where a pilot version of the Citizens’ Initiative Review was held. Online survey data collected in Oregon and Colorado followed up on the themes that emerged from the usability tests to obtain more general findings about these electorates’ views of elections and the Citizens’ Initiative Review. Key results showed that voters found the Citizens’ Initiative Review Statements to be a useful alternative source of information, although they required more information about the Citizens’ Initiative Review to make robust trust judgments about the process. Voters were uncertain of the value of the vote tally provided by Citizens’ Initiative Review panelists, but reading the Citizens’ Initiative Review Statement inspired some to vote on ballot measures they might have skipped.
US gender- and sexuality-related asylum law: The politics of transgender asylum
Authors: McKinnon Sara L.
Published: June 2016

This essay addresses the politics undergirding the incorporation of transgender refugee provisions in the US system of political asylum. I first outline how asylum provisions for trans persons have developed through legal decisions in relation to two related categories of asylum law—gender-based asylum and sexuality-related asylum. I then question the future of transgender asylum in the context of US transnational aspirations and anxieties. What does the incorporation of particular trans asylum seekers enable? What does it conceal? What US geopolitical and economic motivations help us make sense of trans asylum? This essay serves as both a meditation on the history of trans incorporation in this institution as well as a forecasting of the future for gender-related, sexuality-related, and transgender asylum in the United States.
Idelalisib in the management of lymphoma
Authors: Cheah Chan Yoon , Fowler Nathan H.
Published: June 2016

Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway as an anticancer therapeutic strategy was realized with the approval of the orally bioavailable small molecule PI3Kδ inhibitor idelalisib. In this focused review, we highlight the rationale for targeting the pathway in lymphomas, provide a brief summary of the preclinical data, and describe the clinical experience with this agent in patients with lymphoma. We describe some of the idiosyncratic toxicities of this agent, some of the mechanisms of resistance, and some of the ongoing combination strategies.
Disclosing Jackson Pollock’s palette in Alchemy (1947) by non-invasive spectroscopies
Authors: Rosi F. , Grazia C. , Fontana R. , Gabrieli F. , Pensabene Buemi L. , Pampaloni E. , Romani A. , Stringari C. , Miliani C.
Published: June 2016

Alchemy (1947, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice) is one of the most materic works by J. Pollock, whose palette is extensive, ranging from white to yellow, red, green, violet, blue, black, and silver. Each layer of color was laid on top of a previously dried one and effectively separated from the lower one forming a quite complex stratigraphy with colors intersecting each other. In this study, a non-invasive multi-technique method combining point analysis with Vis–NIR multispectral imaging has been exploited to give insights on the painting technique of the American abstract expressionist. The molecular identification of pigments, colorants and extenders contained in fifteen different paints has been achieved combining key spectral markers from elemental, electronic and vibrational spectroscopies. For those colors exhibiting similar hues but different chemical compositions, a mapping procedure based on false color rendering, obtained by properly mixing three spectral planes from the Vis–NIR multispectral imaging set, has been successfully applied. Relevant for the understanding of the evolution of Pollock’s drip technique is the identification of both traditional oil-based paints and oil-modified alkyd media. Point analysis by reflection FTIR scattered throughout the painting enabled mapping the distinct use of traditional and new binding media among painted, squeezed and dripped paints.
Exploring the MACH Model’s Potential as a Metacognitive Tool to Help Undergraduate Students Monitor Their Explanations of Biological Mechanisms
Authors: Trujillo Caleb M. , Anderson Trevor R. , Pelaez Nancy J.
Published: June 2016

When undergraduate biology students learn to explain biological mechanisms, they face many challenges and may overestimate their understanding of living systems. Previously, we developed the MACH model of four components used by expert biologists to explain mechanisms: Methods, Analogies, Context, and How. This study explores the implementation of the model in an undergraduate biology classroom as an educational tool to address some of the known challenges. To find out how well students’ written explanations represent components of the MACH model before and after they were taught about it and why students think the MACH model was useful, we conducted an exploratory multiple case study with four interview participants. We characterize how two students explained biological mechanisms before and after a teaching intervention that used the MACH components. Inductive analysis of written explanations and interviews showed that MACH acted as an effective metacognitive tool for all four students by helping them to monitor their understanding, communicate explanations, and identify explanatory gaps. Further research, though, is needed to more fully substantiate the general usefulness of MACH for promoting students’ metacognition about their understanding of biological mechanisms.
Development of aLacOperon Concept Inventory (LOCI)
Authors: Stefanski Katherine M. , Gardner Grant E. , Seipelt-Thiemann Rebecca L.
Published: June 2016

Concept inventories (CIs) are valuable tools for educators that assess student achievement and identify misconceptions held by students. Results of student responses can be used to adjust or develop new instructional methods for a given topic. The regulation of gene expression in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes is an important concept in genetics and one that is particularly challenging for undergraduate students. As part of a larger study examining instructional methods related to gene regulation, the authors developed a 12-item CI assessing student knowledge of the lac operon. Using an established protocol, the authors wrote open-ended questions and conducted in-class testing with undergraduate microbiology and genetics students to discover common errors made by students about the lac operon and to determine aspects of item validity. Using these results, we constructed a 12-item multiple-choice lac operon CI called the Lac Operon Concept Inventory (LOCI), The LOCI was reviewed by two experts in the field for content validity. The LOCI underwent item analysis and was assessed for reliability with a sample of undergraduate genetics students (n = 115). The data obtained were found to be valid and reliable (coefficient alpha = 0.994) with adequate discriminatory power and item difficulty.
Multiples: Signal or noise?
Authors: Weglein Arthur B.
Published: June 2016

Migration and migration inversion are the seismic processing methods for structural determination and subsequent amplitude analysis, respectively. To date, the most well-founded and physically interpretable migration method is based on predicting a coincident source and receiver experiment at depth at time equals zero. We have extended that migration method for heterogeneous media and to accommodate two-way propagation in a local sense at every point from the source to the target reflector and back from the reflector to the receiver and in a global sense, separately for each of the two legs from the source to the reflector and from the reflector to the receiver. That provides the first migration method that avoids high-frequency assumptions in the imaging principle and how it is implemented, and hence, it is equally effective at all frequencies at the target or reservoir. This advance for two-way wave propagation migration then provides a tool to quantitatively, unambiguously, and definitively define the role of primaries and multiples in migration. Our conclusion was that with data consisting of primaries and multiples, for an accurate discontinuous velocity model, only primaries contribute to migration with the same image and inversion results independent of whether multiples are kept or removed. However, for a smooth and continuous velocity model (i.e., generally assumed in practice), every multiple will result in a false, misleading, and potentially injurious subsurface image and hence must be removed before migration. In practice, we migrate with a smooth velocity model, and hence multiples must be removed. When the collection of primaries is incomplete, a multiple can be used to provide an approximate image of an unrecorded primary. However, it is always the migration of primaries that provides subsurface structure and amplitude information.
A laboratory investigation of the thermoelectric effect
Authors: Revil A. , Meyer C. D. , Niu Q.
Published: June 2016

One contribution to self-potential signals is the thermoelectric coupling associated with a temperature gradient in a porous material, which causes mobile ions to diffuse from hot to cold regions. We have developed 35 laboratory experiments to measure the value of the Seebeck coefficient in two clean (silica) sands and two clayey sandstones fully saturated by NaCl solutions to explore the influence of salinity upon the Seebeck coefficient over four orders of magnitude in salinity. The two sands are characterized by two distinct grain sizes (coarse and medium) and therefore two low values of surface conductivity. Portland sandstone, rich in illite and kaolinite, is characterized by a high surface conductivity, and the Berea sandstone is characterized by an intermediate surface conductivity. The Seebeck coefficient of the sands ranges from [Formula: see text] (at intermediate salinities) to [Formula: see text] at very low salinities, for which surface conductivity, associated with electromigration and electrodiffusion in the electrical double layer, dominates. For the Portland sandstone, the Seebeck coefficient is positive in the range [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] and decreases with the increase of the salinity. A similar trend is observed for the Berea sandstone with the Seebeck coefficient going from positive to negative values at high salinity. Our experimental data can be fairly reproduced by a simple model accounting for the effect of surface conductivity due to the electrical double layer coating the surface of the grains and the dependence on salinity of the partial entropies of the ions in the pore water.
Traveltime approximations and parameter estimation for orthorhombic media
Authors: Masmoudi Nabil , Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: June 2016

Building anisotropy models is necessary for seismic modeling and imaging. However, anisotropy estimation is challenging due to the trade-off between inhomogeneity and anisotropy. Luckily, we can estimate the anisotropy parameters if we relate them analytically to traveltimes. Using perturbation theory, we have developed traveltime approximations for orthorhombic media as explicit functions of the anellipticity parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] in inhomogeneous background media. The parameter [Formula: see text] is related to Tsvankin-Thomsen notation and ensures easier computation of traveltimes in the background model. Specifically, our expansion assumes an inhomogeneous ellipsoidal anisotropic background model, which can be obtained from well information and stacking velocity analysis. We have used the Shanks transform to enhance the accuracy of the formulas. A homogeneous medium simplification of the traveltime expansion provided a nonhyperbolic moveout description of the traveltime that was more accurate than other derived approximations. Moreover, the formulation provides a computationally efficient tool to solve the eikonal equation of an orthorhombic medium, without any constraints on the background model complexity. Although, the expansion is based on the factorized representation of the perturbation parameters, smooth variations of these parameters (represented as effective values) provides reasonable results. Thus, this formulation provides a mechanism to estimate the three effective parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]. We have derived Dix-type formulas for orthorhombic medium to convert the effective parameters to their interval values.