bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult children of parents with mental illness: Dehumanization of a parent – ‘She wasn't the wreck in those years that she was to become later’
Authors: Murphy Gillian , Peters Kath , Wilkes Lesley , Jackson Debra
Published: December 2017

Children who have lived with parental mental illness experience long‐standing reduced health and social outcomes, alongside ongoing personal distress. While there has been some dialogue regarding interventions to support children who are living with parental mental illness, there remains a paucity of knowledge regarding adult children's experiences and potential needs. Given this, the aim of the present study was to establish parenting narratives of adult children who had experienced childhood parental mental illness. This included their experiences of being parented alongside their own subsequent parenting roles. Three men and 10 women, ranging from 30 to 78 years old, met individually with a researcher to tell their stories. Narratives were thematically analysed to establish themes. The findings of the study demonstrated that individuals who have lived with childhood parental mental illness dehumanized their parent with mental illness. The authors argue that all mental health services should be underpinned with a whole of family assessment and care philosophy. There is also a need for all mental health services to consider how policies and procedures might inadvertently dehumanize clients who are parents, which could contribute to familial dehumanization. This could prevent the dehumanization of parents who experience mental illness to preserve parental and child relationships.
Prospective Validation of a Screening Tool to Identify Older Adults in Need of a Driving Evaluation
Authors: Betz Marian E. , Haukoos Jason S. , Schwartz Robert , DiGuiseppi Carolyn , Kandasamy Deepika , Beaty Brenda , Juarez‐Colunga Elizabeth , Carr David B.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To prospectively validate and refine the 5‐item “CRASH” screening tool for identifying older drivers needing a behind‐the‐wheel (BTW) test.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Geriatric and internal medicine primary care clinics affiliated with a tertiary care hospital and a local BTW program.

Participants

Cognitively intact drivers aged 65 and older (N = 315).

Measurements

Participants completed baseline questionnaire (including CRASH tool) and assessments and BTW test (evaluator blinded to questionnaire results) and participated in 1‐month telephone follow‐up. Analysis included descriptive statistics and examination of predictive ability of the CRASH tool to discriminate normal (pass) from abnormal (conditional pass or fail) on the BTW test, with logistic regression and CART techniques for tool refinement.

Results

Two hundred sixty‐six participants (84%) had a BTW test; of these, 17% had a normal rating and 83% an abnormal rating. Forty‐five percent of those with an abnormal score were advised to limit driving under particular conditions. Neither the CRASH tool nor its individual component variables were significantly associated with the summary BTW score; in refined models with other variables, the best‐performing tool had approximately 67% sensitivity and specificity for an abnormal BTW score. Most participants found the BTW test useful and were willing to pay a median of $50. At 1‐month follow‐up, no participants had stopped driving.

Conclusion

The CRASH screening tool cannot be recommended for use in clinical practice. Findings on older adults' perceived utility of the BTW test and the stability of driving patterns at 1‐month follow‐up could be useful for future research studies and for design of older driver programs.
Consejos as a Family Process in Transnational and Mixed‐Status Mayan Families
Authors: Hershberg Rachel M.
Published: December 2017

This article describes a constructivist grounded theory study about cross‐border relationships within Mayan families divided between the United States and Guatemala. Nine families participated, and each included a U.S.‐based undocumented migrant parent and a Guatemala‐based adolescent and caregiver. Findings pertaining to the family process of consejos—defined as a communication practice in Latino families wherein older family members pass on conventional wisdom to younger family members—are discussed. Although consejos has been identified as an important cultural practice in Latino families, it has rarely been examined in Mayan families or explored as an important aspect of transnational family relationships. Findings suggest that for some transnational and mixed‐status Mayan families, consejos has become an important family process and a way in which migrant parents maintain a presence in their children's lives despite being physically separated. Implications for future research with transnational migrant families, and Mayan families in particular, are discussed.
Developing the Functional Assertiveness Scale: Measuring Dimensions of Objective Effectiveness and Pragmatic Politeness
Authors: Mitamura Takashi
Published: December 2017

The purpose of the present study was to develop a measure for functional assertiveness, the Functional Assertiveness Scale (FAS). Functional assertiveness is a new concept of assertiveness that represents a method of appropriate self‐expression. Functional assertiveness is defined as interpersonal communication that occurs when a speaker encounters interpersonal problems that should be resolved or has objectives that should be achieved, and the speaker's message is perceived as appropriate by the listener (Mitamura & Tanaka‐Matsumi, 2010, 2010c). Five studies were conducted in order to develop the FAS. In Study 1, we generated an item pool for FAS, and in Study 2 we developed the FAS prototype using this item pool. Study 3 examined the factorial validity, concurrent validity, and internal consistency of the FAS. Study 4 examined test–retest reliability of the FAS. Study 5 examined responsiveness on the FAS. The validity and reliability of the FAS and potential utility and clinical implication of the FAS are discussed.
Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy locking‐compression plates for stabilisation of canine and feline ilial body fractures
Authors: Guthrie J. W. , Kalff S.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes following surgical stabilisation of ilial fractures in dogs and cats using a laterally applied Synthes TPLO locking compression plate.

Materials and Methods

Medical records and radiographs of seven dogs and two cats which had undergone surgical repair of an ilial body fracture with a TPLO locking compression plate were reviewed. Long‐term clinical follow‐up was obtained from an owner or referring veterinarian questionnaire.

Results

Fracture reduction was anatomic in six of nine ilia and near‐anatomic in three of nine. All but one fracture achieved osseous union by 6 weeks after surgery. No screw loosening or implant‐related complications occurred in any patient. There was pelvic canal narrowing in six of nine patients (median reduction in pelvic canal diameter was 4·9%). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported.

Clinical Significance

Lateral plating of canine and feline ilial fractures with a Synthes TPLO locking compression plate was associated with a low complication rate and satisfactory radiographic and clinical outcomes in this small case series.
Expression of a carotenoid‐modifying gene and evolution of red coloration in weaverbirds (Ploceidae)
Authors: Twyman Hanlu , Prager Maria , Mundy Nicholas I. , Andersson Staffan
Published: December 2017

Red carotenoid colours in birds are widely assumed to be sexually selected quality indicators, but this rests on a very incomplete understanding of genetic mechanisms and honesty‐mediating costs. Recent progress was made by the implication of the gene CYP2J19 as an avian carotenoid ketolase, catalysing the synthesis of red C4‐ketocarotenoids from yellow dietary precursors, and potentially a major mechanism behind red coloration in birds. Here, we investigate the role of CYP2J19 in the spectacular colour diversification of African weaverbirds (Ploceidae), represented by five genera and 16 species: eight red, seven yellow and one without carotenoid coloration. All species had a single copy of CYP2J19, unlike the duplication found in the zebra finch, with high expression in the retina, confirming its function in colouring red oil droplets. Expression was weak or undetected in skin and follicles of pigment‐depositing feather buds, as well as in beaks and tarsi, including those of the red‐billed quelea. In contrast, the hepatic (liver) expression of CYP2J19 was consistently higher (>14‐fold) in seven species with C4‐ketocarotenoid coloration than in species without (including one red species), an association strongly supported by a phylogenetic comparative analysis. The results suggest a critical role of the candidate ketolase, CYP2J19, in the evolution of red C4‐ketocarotenoid colour variation in ploceids. As ancestral state reconstruction suggests that ketocarotenoid coloration has evolved twice in this group (once in Euplectes and once in the Quelea/Foudia clade), we argue that while CYP2J19 has retained its ancestral role in the retina, it has likely been co‐opted for red coloration independently in the two lineages, via increased hepatic expression.
Social dimensions of health across the life course: Narratives of Arab immigrant women ageing in Canada
Authors: Salma Jordana , Keating Norah , Ogilvie Linda , Hunter Kathleen F.
Published: December 2017

The increase in ethnically and linguistically diverse older adults in Canada necessitates attention to their experiences and needs for healthy ageing. Arab immigrant women often report challenges in maintaining health, but little is known about their ageing experiences. This interpretive descriptive study uses a transnational life course framework to understand Arab Muslim immigrant women's experiences of engaging in health‐promoting practices as they age in Canada. Women's stories highlight social dimensions of health such social connectedness, social roles and social support that are constructed and maintained within different migration contexts across the life course. Barriers and facilitators to healthy ageing in this population centred around five themes: (i) the necessity of staying strong, (ii) caring for self while caring for others, (iii) double jeopardy of chronic illnesses and loneliness, (iv) inadequate support within large social networks and (v) navigating access to health‐supporting resources. The findings point to transnational connections and post‐migration social support as major influencers in creating facilitators and barriers to healthy ageing for Arab Muslim immigrant women.
Normative values and factors affecting water‐perfused esophageal high‐resolution impedance manometry for a Chinese population
Authors: Tseng P.‐H. , Wong R. K. M. , Wu J.‐F. , Chen C.‐C. , Tu C.‐H. , Lee Y.‐C. , Lee H.‐C. , Wang H.‐P. , Wu M.‐S.
Published: December 2017

Background

Combined esophageal high‐resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) measures multiple pressures and bolus transit simultaneously, facilitating detailed assessment of esophageal motility. Currently, normative values for water‐perfused HRIM systems for Chinese populations are lacking.

Methods

Healthy volunteers were enrolled for comprehensive anthropometric measures, blood biochemistry tests, and an HRIM study using 22 water‐perfused pressure sensors and 12 impedance channels. Ten 5‐mL liquid swallows of saline at 30‐second intervals were conducted. The following parameters were calculated: distal contractile integral (DCI), distal latency (DL), lower esophageal sphincter (LES) basal pressure, 4‐second integrated relaxation pressure (IRP‐4s), and complete bolus transit percentage. Normal values were established based on the 5th and 95th percentiles.

Key Results

All 66 participants (34 male, 32 female, aged 21‐64 years) completed the study and tolerated the HRIM procedure well. The upper normal limit (95th percentile) of IRP‐4 second was 20 mmHg. The 5th‐95th percentile range for DCI, DL, and complete bolus transit was 99‐2186 mmHg●s●cm, 6.2‐11.3 second, and 50%‐100%, respectively. Age was negatively correlated with DL. Females had significantly higher upper limits for IRP‐4s and median DCI than males. Multivariate analyses confirmed that IRP‐4s was higher in females, and that higher body mass index and waist circumference were associated with reduced DL and better bolus transit, respectively.

Conclusions and Inferences

We established normative values for the water‐perfused HRIM system for a Chinese population. Gender and anthropometric factors may affect various major HRIM parameters and should be taken into account when interpreting HRIM results in clinical practice.
Internal venous anomalies in patients with a genital venous malformation
Authors: Peterman Caitlin M. , Todd Patricia S. , Lillis Anna P. , Fishman Steven J. , Liang Marilyn G.
Published: December 2017

Background

Cutaneous venous malformation (VM) can be associated with internal vascular anomalies. Our objective was to investigate the frequency of internal vascular anomalies in patients with an isolated genital venous malformation to assess the utility of screening for internal findings.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed our Vascular Anomalies Center database for patients with a focal genital venous malformation presenting between 1999 and 2016. Abdominal and pelvic imaging reports were reviewed for internal vascular anomalies. Endoscopy reports were also reviewed when available.

Results

A focal genital venous malformation was found in 22 patients (14 female, 8 male). Ten (45%) had a venous malformation of at least one internal structure, most commonly the pelvic floor (n = 6), colon (n = 5), urethra (n = 4), and/or bladder (n = 3). Eight experienced hematuria, hematochezia, and/or rectorrhagia secondary to their internal venous malformation. In patients with internal venous malformations, the mean age of symptom presentation was 7.3 years (range 1‐22 years). Two patients had malformed inferior mesenteric and portal veins visible using ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. They required surgical intervention to prevent thrombosis and decrease urogenital and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Conclusion

Nearly half of our patients with a focal genital venous malformation had internal venous anomalies. Physicians should suspect urogenital or gastrointestinal venous malformations in patients with a focal genital venous malformation, especially if they develop hematuria, hematochezia, or rectorrhagia. Significant mesenteric venous trunk anomalies can also occur. Because these require surgical intervention, early recognition is important. We recommend that all patients with a focal genital venous malformation undergo abdominal and pelvic ultrasound to evaluate for internal venous anomalies.
The influence of personal, relational, and contextual factors on forgiveness communication following transgressions
Authors: EDWARDS TIMOTHY , PASK ELIZABETH B. , WHITBRED ROBERT , NEUENDORF KIMBERLY A.
Published: December 2017

The way that individuals adapt to stress in their romantic relationships plays a major role in determining relational satisfaction. This study used the Vulnerability‐Stress‐Adaptation Model as a framework to examine how individuals adapt to a relational transgression in their romantic relationships. This study examined individuals' attachment dimensions and perceived relational equity as factors that influenced how they used forgiveness strategies following a relational transgression. The results revealed that both attachment dimensions and perceptions of relational equity inform our understanding of the strategies that individuals use to communicate forgiveness to a romantic relationship partner. Furthermore, the results suggest that the communication of forgiveness has important implications for relational satisfaction.
He being dead, yet speaketh: the preacher's voice in early seventeenth‐century posthumous sermon collections
Authors: Clement Jennifer
Published: December 2017

Recent studies of the early modern sermon argue that we need to read them in their historical context, but these studies often define context to mean, primarily, the original performance of the sermon, emphasizing how the paratexts of printed sermons preserve information about the time, place, and occasion of original delivery. Although I agree that understanding the conditions of the preached sermon is important, I suggest that the authority of the sermon event is less important to justify the printed sermon than we tend to assume. In this article, I focus on the paratextual means by which early seventeenth‐century sermon collections were framed, especially by editors of posthumous works, as the living voices of dead preachers. As I show, such collections do not preserve information about the original sermon event so much as they focus on print's ability to preserve the words, ideas, and wisdom of the dead.
Quantitative characterization of grain shape: Implications for textural maturity analysis and discrimination between depositional environments
Authors: Tunwal Mohit , Mulchrone Kieran F. , Meere Patrick A.
Published: December 2017

Grain shape plays an important role in textural analysis of sedimentary grains. Textural analysis helps to determine the formation, transportation and deposition processes of sedimentary rocks. However, there is a lack of standardized methodology for quantitative characterization of grain shapes. The utility of fully automated image analysis for grain shape measurement is assessed in this paper. This research aimed to identify the most useful shape parameters for textural characterization of populations of grains and determine the relative importance of the parameters. A key aspect of this study is to determine whether, in a particular sedimentary environment, textural maturity of the samples can be ranked based on their grain shape data. Furthermore, discrimination of sedimentary depositional environments is explored on the basis of grain shape. In this study, 20 loose sediment samples from four known depositional environments (beach, aeolian, glacial and fluvial) were analysed using newly implemented automatic image analysis methods. For each sample, a set of 11 shape parameters were calculated for 200 grains. The data demonstrate a progression in textural maturity in terms of roundness, angularity, irregularity, fractal dimension, convexity, solidity and rectangularity. Furthermore, statistical analysis provides strong support for significant differences between samples grouped by environment and generates a ranking consistent with trends in maturity. Based on novel application of machine learning algorithms, angularity and fractal dimension are found to be the two most important parameters in texturally classifying a grain. The results of this study indicate that textural maturity is readily categorized using automated grain shape parameter analysis. However, it is not possible to absolutely discriminate between different depositional environments on the basis of shape parameters alone. This work opens up the possibility of detailed studies of the relationship between textural maturity and sedimentary environment, which may be more complicated than previously considered.
Poor continuity of care for TB diagnosis and treatment in Zambian Prisons: a situation analysis
Authors: Hatwiinda S. , Topp S. M. , Siyambango M. , Harris J. B. , Maggard K. R. , Chileshe C. , Kapata N. , Reid S. E. , Henostroza G.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Prisons act as infectious disease reservoirs. We aimed to explore the challenges of TB control and continuity of care in prisons in Zambia.

Methods

We evaluated treatment outcomes for a cohort of inmates diagnosed with TB during a TB REACH funded screening programme initiated by the Zambia Prisons Service and the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia.

Results

Between October 2010 and September 2011, 6282 inmates from six prisons were screened for TB, of whom 374 (6.0%) were diagnosed. TB treatment was initiated in 345 of 374 (92%) inmates. Of those, 66% were cured or completed treatment, 5% died and 29% were lost to follow‐up. Among those lost to follow‐up, 11% were released into the community and 13% were transferred to other prisons.

Conclusions

Weak health systems within the Zambian prison service currently undermines continuity of care, despite intensive TB screening and case‐finding interventions. To prevent TB transmission and the development of drug resistance, we need sufficient numbers of competent staff for health care, reliable health information systems including electronic record keeping for prison facilities, and standard operating procedures to guide surveillance, case‐finding and timely treatment initiation and completion.
Rapid prediction of stem cell mobilization using volume and conductivity data from automated hematology analyzers
Authors: Villa Carlos H. , Porturas Thomas , Sell Mary , Wall Mark , DeLeo Gene , Fetters Jenna , Mignono Sam , Irwin Leah , Hwang Wei‐Ting , O'Doherty Una
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Rapid analytics to predict circulating hematopoietic stem cells are valuable for optimal management of mobilization, particularly for the use of newer and costly mobilization agents such as plerixafor.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We used stepwise, linear multiple regression modeling applied to cell population data collected by routine hematology analyzers (Beckman Coulter DxH 800) on patients undergoing autologous stem cell collection (n = 131). Beta coefficients were used to derive a formula for a stem cell index (SCI). We then tested the correlation of SCI with stem cell counts and performance of the SCI as a predictor of poor mobilization with external validation in a separate cohort (n = 183).

RESULTS

The SCI correlated strongly with CD34 counts by flow cytometry (r = 0.8372 in the development cohort, r = 0.8332 in the external validation cohort) and compares favorably with other rapid stem cell enumerating technologies. In the external validation cohort, the SCI performed well as a predictor (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve, 0.9336) of poor mobilization (CD34 count < 10), with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 93%. When prevalence of poor mobilization was 33%, this resulted in a positive predictive value of 83% and a negative predictive value of 87%. The SCI also showed promise in tracking responses to plerixafor administration.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrate the utility of the cell population data collected by hematology analyzers to provide rapid data beyond standard complete blood counts, particularly for stem cell count prediction, requiring no additional reagents, specimen, or instrumentation.
Credit, debit & funding value adjustments en valoración de instrumentos financieros: la realidad económica detrás del ajuste contable
Authors: Martínez Pablo
Published: December 2017

Este documento pretende resaltar la creciente importancia que para la profesión contable tienen el conocimiento y el continuo aprendizaje de conceptos profundos de finanzas y riesgos. Mediante un análisis económico-contable de los ajustes por riesgo de crédito de contraparte y propio propuestos por la IFRS 13, el autor pone de manifiesto debilidades recurrentes en los procesos de emisión y aplicación de normas contables que deben ser atendidos como desafíos propios de la profesión a corto y mediano plazo para garantizar que no se desvirtúe la esencia económica y financiera de la contabilidad. Se concluye que tener estándares políticamente fuertes pero técnicamente mal elaborados es servir a intereses diferentes a los
financieros y para la toma de decisiones. La contabilidad debe imitar la complejidad de las transacciones y no ocultar realidades como aparente solución a los problemas.
El uso de la estadística en la ejecución de trabajos de auditoría financiera*
Authors: Gómez Meneses Fabio Enrique
Published: December 2017

 Cuando se realizan auditorías en las organizaciones empresariales es probable que se manejen altos volúmenes de información financiera y contable, lo cual genera la necesidad de utilizar ciertas técnicas estadísticas y econométricas que faciliten la recolección y análisis de los datos, para obtener evidencia suficiente que dé seguridad razonable
 respecto a que la información analizada refleja la realidad económica de una determinada compañía. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior, en el presente documento se profundizará de manera teórica y práctica en el uso de la estadística en la ejecución de trabajos de auditoría financiera, como herramienta de gran significatividad para que los trabajos de este
 tipo tengan la mayor calidad posible. Para ello, el documento se estructura en tres partes, la introducción y marco teórico, el diseño metodológico y los ejemplos descriptivos y, finalmente, las conclusiones, las cuales están enfocadas en la contribución de este documento a la mejora de los procesos de formación de los contadores públicos en lo que se refiere al
 desempeño profesional en un trabajo de auditoría financiera.
Medición de las condiciones habitacionales: una propuesta metodológica para analizar desigualdades inter e intraterritorios urbanos
Authors: Di Pasquale Eugenio Actis
Published: December 2017

La medición de las condiciones habitacionales de un territorio resulta de especial interés para la implementación de políticas públicas. Los métodos tradicionales se concentran en la medición de los déficits y dejan de lado aquella parte de la población que se encuentra cerca del umbral. Con base en propuestas específicas, estándares de organismos internacionales, legislación nacional y la importante participación de especialistas, en este estudio se genera una metodología cuantitativa, que evita esa pérdida de información al incluir a toda la población de un territorio, asignándole un puntaje a cada persona de acuerdo a las características del hogar que habita. Para validar la propuesta, se presenta una aplicación con datos de Argentina, donde se constata su versatilidad, dado que permite detectar problemáticas particulares en cada dimensión, y también consigue analizar el nivel promedio, la distribución intra e interterritorios y la pérdida de bienestar por desigualdad.
La polisemia de lo común en el espacio público urbano
Authors: García-Doménech Sergio
Published: December 2017

El concepto de lo común puede presentar varios significados en contextos culturales diversos, constituyendo un claro ejemplo de polisemia, en particular en lengua española. La aplicación del término resulta de especial complejidad en el campo de la arquitectura y del fenómeno urbano. En poco lugar se percibe más lo común y su polisemia, que sobre el espacio público urbano. Este trabajo intenta poner en evidencia esa polisemia por medio de una doble reflexión: desde lo social y desde lo arquitectónico. El resultado es que no debemos interpretar lo común en el espacio público como algo trivial, sino como respuesta formal y efectiva, que la arquitectura y el urbanismo puede proponer para resolver la función social del espacio urbano en aras de su reconocimiento ciudadano.
Versiones de lo afro en Antioquia: una aproximación a las estéticas musicales de Girardota
Authors: Larraín González América , Madrid Garcés Pedro José
Published: December 2017

El objetivo del presente escrito es ofrecer una reflexión sobre las manifestaciones artísticas de una comunidad afrodescendiente en el departamento colombiano de Antioquia. A partir de un trabajo de campo interdisciplinar, exploramos con especial atención la música de cuerda pulsada que ha permitido visibilizar en el ámbito regional, nacional e internacional, a intérpretes y compositores de esta comunidad. La contribución de la investigación consignada en este texto es explorar el papel preponderante de estas manifestaciones en la afirmación étnica del grupo, donde a diferencia de otras poblaciones afro del continente, no existe una tradición musical de percusión. Esta investigación concluye que el grupo estudiado afirma su identidad a partir de la interpretación de música y otras prácticas que son asociadas a un origen ibérico, pero que en el contexto local han sido apropiadas e incorporadas como parte de su legado y tradiciones, tal como ocurre entre otros pocos grupos del país.
High temperature CO2 capture of hydroxyapatite extracted from tilapia scales
Authors: Ojeda-Niño Oscar H , Blanco Carolina , Daza Carlos E
Published: December 2017

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) was obtained from tilapia scales by two extraction
methods: direct calcination and acid-base treatment. The physicochemical
characteristics of the obtained HAps were evaluated by thermogravimetric
analysis, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, surface area, infrared spectroscopy, and basicity measurement at 298 K by CO2-pulse titration. Furthermore, the CO2 capture capacity of the solids at high temperature was also determined. Both methods showed the presence of a HAp phase although significant differences in the properties of the solids were found. The HAp obtained by direct calcination, exhibited a lower crystallinity and a greater surface area and basicity than the HAp obtained by the acid-base treatment. These features were correlated with the solid’s CO2 capture capacity. In this work, CO2 capture capacity values for HAp yielded by calcination ranged from 2.5 to 3.2 mg CO2 /g captured at 973 K, and for the acid-base treatment-derived HAp, CO2 capture capacity values between 1.2 to 2.5 mg CO2 /g were recorded. These results reveal the potential of HAps extracted from tilapia scales as solids with high CO2 capture capacity, thermal stability, and capture/release cycles reversibility.
Habermas y el rol de la religión en la esfera pública: el caso de las intervenciones ciudadanas en la Sentencia C–355-06
Authors: Aguirre-Román Javier , Silva-Rojas Alonso , Pabón-Mantilla Ana Patricia
Published: December 2017

La distinción entre esfera pública informal y esfera institucional es clave en la propuesta de Jürgen Habermas acerca del rol de la religión en la esfera pública. Este texto se pregunta por el carácter informal o institucional de las intervenciones ciudadanas y conceptos técnicos que se presentan en las acciones públicas de inconstitucionalidad. Para ello, se analiza la sentencia C-355-06, centrándose en aquellas intervenciones y conceptos con contenido religioso. El análisis permite concluir que es necesario que el ámbito de las intervenciones se considere como un
espacio mixto, pues la teoría democrática de Habermas requiere que la deliberación sea amplia e incluyente.
Estado constitucional y gobernanza: bases para una apertura democrática de las políticas públicas en México
Authors: Ordóñez-Sedeño Joaquín , González Isaac De Paz
Published: December 2017

Se da por hecho que un Estado es “constitucional”, porque tiene un cuerpo normativo que establece la estructura de gobierno, que reconoce como objetivo primordial los derechos humanos y que expresa mecanismos de control del poder a favor del pueblo. Sin embargo, sin un entramado democrático, las normas no garantizan que sus fines se cumplan. México ha tenido diversas reformas constitucionales que no han logrado cumplir su cometido. En este contexto, el trabajo alude que la crisis institucional, económica y de derechos humanos en México no se solucionará con reformas, sino mediante una reorientación de los actores implicados en los sectores políticos, administrativos y de administración de justicia. Asimismo, como aporte, el artículo propone nuevas líneas de acción para mejorar la gobernanza con bases y objetivos participativos; que hagan realidad las disposiciones jurídicas, económicas y políticas de la Constitución.
Hacia el reconocimiento de la inclusión digital como un derecho fundamental en Colombia
Authors: Chacón-Penagos Ángela María , Ordoñez-Cordoba José Armando , Anichiarico-González Angélica María
Published: December 2017

Este artículo aborda el reconocimiento de la inclusión digital como derecho fundamental en Colombia, para contribuir al desarrollo de la teoría constitucional sobre reconocimiento de derechos fundamentales en nuestro país. En los últimos años, ha habido una importante actividad de la comunidad nacional e internacional con respecto a la brecha digital como problemática intrínsecamente asociada con los derechos fundamentales, al considerar que la inclusión digital es un motor de desarrollo preponderante para individuos y Estados. En el artículo se realiza una evaluación de la doctrina y los criterios jurisprudenciales acerca de la incorporación de nuevos derechos fundamentales y la protección por medio de la acción de tutela, mediante una revisión documental y hermenéutica jurídica, para explorar algunos argumentos que permiten justificar el reconocimiento de la inclusión digital como derecho fundamental en el ordenamiento jurídico colombiano.
Contratación pública y colusión. Derecho de competencia frente al derecho administrativo
Authors: San Miguel Giralt Johannes
Published: December 2017

El presente artículo tiene por objeto la revisión y descripción del panorama doctrinal, legislativo, precedentual y casuístico de una de las modalidades de prácticas anticompetitivas, cual es la colusión en compras públicas, y su más importante tendencia actual: la participación accionarial horizontal. De igual forma, se concluye el carácter atípico y casi embrionario del derecho de competencia en América Latina y como ello repercute en la represión a las prácticas anticompetitivas en la contratación pública.
Usages and Practices in Contracts for the International Sale of Goods
Authors: Oviedo Albán Jorge
Published: December 2017

Uno de los aspectos de mayor relevancia en la Convención sobre compraventa internacional, consiste en poder precisar la forma como la misma prevé la aplicación de otras fuentes con las que se integra. Conforme a lo anterior, es necesario establecer el alcance de cada una de ellas, para de esa manera poder establecer el sistema de fuentes reguladoras de los contratos de compraventa internacional de mercaderías. En tal contexto, este trabajo tiene por objeto estudiar el valor y alcance de los usos y prácticas como fuente reguladora de los contratos de compraventa internacional en el marco de la Convención de Naciones Unidas de 1980. Para su elaboración se ha tenido en cuenta tanto la doctrina como las interpretaciones jurisprudenciales. 
Frequency dispersion and dielectric relaxation in postdeposition annealed high-κ erbium oxide metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitors
Authors: Khosla Robin , Sharma Satinder K.
Published: December 2017

The origin of frequency dispersion in postdeposition rapid thermal and furnace annealing treated Pt/Er2O3/Si/Pt, metal–insulator–semiconductor–metal (MISM) structure is systematically investigated. The cause of frequency dispersion in Pt/Er2O3/Si/Pt, MISM structure is attributed to the dielectric relaxation in high-κ Er2O3, after suppressing the extrinsic effects such as parasitic, lossy interfacial layer, surface roughness, polysilicon depletion, quantum confinement, and oxide tunneling. Further, the Havrilian–Negami law is used to model the frequency dispersion in postdeposition rapid thermal and furnace annealing treated Pt/Er2O3/Si/Pt, MISM structure up to 250 kHz. It is suggested that to obtain an accurate capacitance value, the dissipation factor must be minimum for the MISM structure with nanometer scale oxides/insulators. Additionally, a methodology is proposed for simple and efficient correction of measured capacitance from capacitance–voltage and capacitance–frequency characteristics. Moreover, the flatband voltage shift/hysteresis, frequency dependent border traps are estimated ∼0.45 V, ∼3.35 × 1012 traps/cm2 and ∼0.18 V, ∼1.84 × 1012 traps/cm2 for postdeposition rapid thermal and furnace annealing treated Pt/Er2O3/Si/Pt, MISM structures, respectively. Therefore, postdeposition furnace annealing treatment is superior to achieve high-quality high-κ Er2O3 (κ ∼16), with low frequency dispersion of ∼9% up to 250 kHz and minimal hysteresis (∼0.18 V) for next-generation complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor technology.
Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation as a biosensing platform to evaluate cell–surface interactions of osteoblast cells
Authors: Kılıç Abdulhalim , Kok Fatma Nese
Published: December 2017

Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) is one of the powerful techniques, which allow real time, quantitative and noninvasive analysis of the interaction of different cell types with various modified surfaces. In this study, the dynamic adhesion behavior of human fetal osteoblastic bone (hfOB) cell lines was first monitored on untreated and hydrophilically treated gold sensor surfaces as reference substrates. Adhesion was also observed under light microscopy to facilitate the evaluation. Cells increased their surface contact area and spread more on hydrophilic surfaces, and showed distinct profile with an increased rigidity at the interfacial layer, which is assigned to extracellular matrix remodeling. Further, the adhesion strength and kinetics were characterized on cell adhesive (poly-l-lysine and fibronectin) and repellent (bovine serum albumin) surfaces. The overall results indicated that protein-mediated specific interactions contributed mostly to the dissipation changes (ΔD) or acoustic ratio (ΔD/Δf). Finally, the potential of QCM-D to distinguish healthy and cancerous cells were evaluated by comparing the results of hfOB cells with that of SaOS-2 (osteosarcoma) cancerous cells. Cancerous cells interacted more strongly and showed more viscoelastic characteristic than the healthy cells.
Noise reduction with complex bilateral filter
Authors: Matsumoto Mitsuharu
Published: December 2017

This study introduces a noise reduction technique that uses a complex bilateral filter. A bilateral filter is a nonlinear filter originally developed for images that can reduce noise while preserving edge information. It is an attractive filter and has been used in many applications in image processing. When it is applied to an acoustical signal, small-amplitude noise is reduced while the speech signal is preserved. However, a bilateral filter cannot handle noise with relatively large amplitudes owing to its innate characteristics. In this study, the noisy signal is transformed into the time-frequency domain and the filter is improved to handle complex spectra. The high-amplitude noise is reduced in the time-frequency domain via the proposed filter. The features and the potential of the proposed filter are also confirmed through experiments.
Self-masking and overlap-masking from reverberation using the speech-evoked auditory brainstem response
Authors: Al Osman Rida , Dajani Hilmi R. , Giguère Christian
Published: December 2017

This study introduces an improved method to investigate the effects of reverberation using the speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) that more realistically captures the influence of self- and overlap-masking induced by room reverberation. Speech-evoked ABR was measured under three acoustic scenarios: anechoic, mild reverberation with dominance of early reflections, and severe reverberation with dominance of late reverberation. Responses were significantly weaker and had longer latencies with severe reverberation relative to anechoic and mild reverberation. Although larger responses and shorter latencies were observed with mild reverberation than anechoic, possibly due to early reflections, these reached significance in only one of six ABR response measures.
Placental abruption leading to hysterectomy
Authors: Sylvester Hannah Catherine , Stringer Madeleine
Published: December 2017

A 32-year-old multigravid patient at 21 weeks gestation presents with major concealed placental abruption and subsequent fetal demise. During an eventually failed misoprostol regime aiming for vaginal delivery she develops severe disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Subsequent hysterotomy reveals Couvelaire uterus with major haemorrhage and requires subtotal hysterectomy for haemostasis. This case highlights the severity of the systemic response to abruption and fetal demise in utero and the multifactorial nature of its management.
Critical research gaps and recommendations to inform research prioritisation for more effective prevention and improved outcomes in colorectal cancer
Authors: Lawler Mark , Alsina Deborah , Adams Richard A , Anderson Annie S , Brown Gina , Fearnhead Nicola S , Fenwick Stephen W , Halloran Stephen P , Hochhauser Daniel , Hull Mark A , Koelzer Viktor H , McNair Angus G K , Monahan Kevin J , Näthke Inke , Norton Christine , Novelli Marco R , Steele Robert J C , Thomas Anne L , Wilde Lisa M , Wilson Richard H , Tomlinson Ian
Published: December 2017

Objective

Colorectal cancer (CRC) leads to significant morbidity/mortality worldwide. Defining critical research gaps (RG), their prioritisation and resolution, could improve patient outcomes.

Design

RG analysis was conducted by a multidisciplinary panel of patients, clinicians and researchers (n=71). Eight working groups (WG) were constituted: discovery science; risk; prevention; early diagnosis and screening; pathology; curative treatment; stage IV disease; and living with and beyond CRC. A series of discussions led to development of draft papers by each WG, which were evaluated by a 20-strong patient panel. A final list of RGs and research recommendations (RR) was endorsed by all participants.

Results

Fifteen critical RGs are summarised below:RG1: Lack of realistic models that recapitulate tumour/tumour micro/macroenvironment;RG2: Insufficient evidence on precise contributions of genetic/environmental/lifestyle factors to CRC risk;RG3: Pressing need for prevention trials;RG4: Lack of integration of different prevention approaches;RG5: Lack of optimal strategies for CRC screening;RG6: Lack of effective triage systems for invasive investigations;RG7: Imprecise pathological assessment of CRC;RG8: Lack of qualified personnel in genomics, data sciences and digital pathology;RG9: Inadequate assessment/communication of risk, benefit and uncertainty of treatment choices;RG10: Need for novel technologies/interventions to improve curative outcomes;RG11: Lack of approaches that recognise molecular interplay between metastasising tumours and their microenvironment;RG12: Lack of reliable biomarkers to guide stage IV treatment;RG13: Need to increase understanding of health related quality of life (HRQOL) and promote residual symptom resolution;RG14: Lack of coordination of CRC research/funding;RG15: Lack of effective communication between relevant stakeholders.

Conclusion

Prioritising research activity and funding could have a significant impact on reducing CRC disease burden over the next 5 years.
Ethical considerations for the design and implementation of child injury prevention interventions: the example of delivering and installing safety equipment into the home
Authors: Scholtes Beatrice , Schröder-Bäck Peter
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Public health ethics is a growing field of academic interest but ethical discussion of injury prevention seems to have received limited attention. Interventions that promise to be effective are not necessarily—without explicit justification—‘good’ and ‘right’ interventions in every sense. This paper explores public health ethics in the context of child injury prevention with the objective to initiate interdisciplinary dialogue on the ethics of child safety interventions.

Method

A framework of seven public health ethics principles (non-maleficence, health maximisation, beneficence, respect for autonomy, justice, efficiency and proportionality) were applied to an intervention to promote child safety in the home.

Results

Preventing child injury in the home is ethically challenging due to the requirement for the state to intervene in the private sphere. Non-maleficence and beneficence are difficult to judge within this intervention as these are likely to be highly dependent on the nature of intervention delivery, in particular, the quality of communication. Respect for autonomy is challenged by an intervention occurring in the home. The socioeconomic gradient in child injury risk is an important factor but a nuanced approach could help to avoid exacerbating inequalities or stigmatisation. Equally, a nuanced approach may be necessary to accommodate the principles of proportionality and efficiency within the local context.

Conclusion

We conclude that this intervention is justifiable from an ethical perspective but that this type of reflection loop is helpful to identify the impact of interventions beyond effectiveness.
The incidence of military training-related injuries in Chinese new recruits: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hua Wei , Chen Q , Wan M , Lu J , Xiong L
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Training-related injuries are the main reason for disability, long-term rehabilitation, functional impairment and premature discharge from military service. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of injuries in the training of Chinese new recruits via a systematic review of the literature.

Method

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the combined incidence of military training-related injuries in Chinese new recruits. The electronic databases of full-text journals were searched, and the Loney criteria were used to assess the quality of eligible articles. Summary estimates were obtained using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses and publication bias tests were performed.

Results

Fifty-five eligible articles representing 109 611 Chinese new recruits met the inclusion criteria, of which 21 253 recruits were clinically diagnosed with military training-related injuries. The combined incidence of military training-related injuries in Chinese new recruits was found to be 21.04%.

Conclusions

An increased incidence of training injuries was found in more recent years, underscoring the need for further research on the risk factors associated with their causation.
Necessity to evaluate PI3K/Akt signalling pathway in proarrhythmia
Authors: Ezeani Martin , Elom Sunday
Published: December 2017

The incidence of QT prolongation and torsades de pointes is on the rise due to the use of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular drugs. Robust efforts have been made and are still ongoing to understand the underlying mechanisms that can enhance or prevent the development of drug-induced proarrhythmia. A caveat in the use of antiarrhythmic drugs is the ability to obtain safe action potential prolongation therapeutic effects, through IKr blockade. This remains as yet completely unachievable, as blockers of the potassium channel have not provided complete safe measures. Because of this, efforts at understanding the mechanisms of proarrhythmia have continued. PI3K/Akt signalling pathway appears to possess some potential advantage in this regard because cardiomyocytes intracellular dialysis with phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) normalises ion channel alterations and eliminates proarrhythmic features. However, there is a conundrum. Increased activities of PIP3 signalling can enhance cell proliferation and survival, and reduced activities of PIP3 signalling can lead to proarrhythmia. PI3K inhibitors used in cancer treatment have been found to cause proarrhythmia, and represent a potential avenue for the research and evaluation of potential effectiveness of a battery of antiarrhythmic and cancer drugs that are either currently in use or in development. Despite this knowledge, limited information is available on PI3K/Akt signalling and arrhythmogenesis. This highlights the need to search for new ways to improve testing of antiarrhythmic drugs and increase our understanding in PI3K/Akt signalling and arrhythmogenesis.