bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Swedish nurses’ perceptions of influencers on patient advocacy
Authors: Josse-Eklund Anna , Jossebo Marie , Sandin-Bojö Ann-Kristin , Wilde-Larsson Bodil , Petzäll Kerstin
Published: January 2014

Background:

A limited number of studies have shown that patient advocacy can be influenced by both facilitators and barriers which can encourage and discourage nurses to act as patient advocates.

Objective:

This study’s aim was to describe Swedish nurses’ perceptions of influencers on patient advocacy.

Research design and context:

Interviews with 18 registered nurses from different Swedish clinical contexts were analysed using the phenomenographic method.

Ethical considerations:

Ethical revisions were made in accordance with national legislation and guidelines by committees for research ethics at Karlstad University.

Findings:

Three levels of hierarchically related influencers on patient advocacy were found in the descriptive categories. The fundamental influencer, the nurse’s character traits, was described in the perceptions that advocacy is influenced by nurse’s having a moral compass, having control over the care situation, being protective and feeling secure as a nurse. The second most vital influencer, the nurse’s bond with the patient, was expressed in the perceptions of knowing the patient and feeling empathy for the patient. The third level of influencers, the organisational conditions, was described in the perceptions that the organisational structures and organisational culture influence patient advocacy.

Discussion:

The results correspond with findings from earlier research but add an understanding that influencers on patient advocacy exist at three hierarchically related levels.

Conclusion:

The nurse’s character traits are the fundamental influencer to patient advocacy, but in order to be comfortable and secure when advocating for patients, nurses also need to be familiar with both the patient and the situation. A supposition could be that all influencers interact, which needs to be further addressed in future studies.
Reporting a bottom-up political process: Local perceptions of cross-border cooperation in the southern Portugal–Spain region
Authors: González-Gómez Teresa , Gualda Estrella
Published: January 2014

Beyond the national political-territorial borders in Europe, the cross-regional dimension maintains an experimental democratic character. Entities developed to foster cross-border cooperation, such as working communities and Euroregions, are conceived as mechanisms of democratisation through the decentralisation of regional or/and local governmental bodies. However, scholarly debate suggests that the top-down policy-making process that is characteristic of cross-border programmes seems to cast doubt on the fulfilment of a European participatory democracy. In this respect, the cross-border cooperation process seems to contribute an added value to the dilemma of the European democratic deficit. The objective of this paper is to present a regional contribution to this debate through a study of local experts’ perspectives on the implementation and impact of cross-border cooperation policies in the southern Portugal–Spain border region and the possibilities for local and social participation. This paper utilises data from two related investigations in the southern cross-border area between Portugal and Spain, including qualitative interviews, focus groups and content analysis of secondary data. The results reveal a positive attitude towards the recent regional top-down initiatives of European integration, although local experts question the potential for the inclusion of local perspectives in cross-border initiatives. In addition, during this period of economic crisis, political contradictions may be observed, and political initiatives related to the Spanish–Portuguese border may hamper the existing cross-border flows and dynamics of progressive integration. In this sense, local authorities play an important role as the nexus between transnational institutions of cross-border cooperation and the inhabitants of border regions.
Export-led Growth Hypothesis in Nigeria
Authors: Ojide MakuaChukwu Gabriel , Ojide Kelechi Charity , Ogbodo Joseph Charles
Published: January 2014

A key policy objective of most oil-producing economies, especially among developing countries like Nigeria, is sustainable diversification of national income sources. For most oil-producing economies, this depends significantly on exploring the full potential of the non-oil sector. Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model and co-integration analysis are used in this article to evaluate the growth impact of non-oil exports and sustainability of non-oil exports vis-à-vis growth in Nigeria. The regression result and the co-integration analysis show that growth evidence of non-oil exports exists in Nigeria; it is also sustainable. In other words, beyond export-led growth hypothesis, non-oil export-led growth hypothesis also holds in Nigeria.
Africa 2050
Authors: Racki Jeffrey , Patel Praful , DeGroot David
Published: January 2014

The fast-evolving process of urbanization will transform Africa’s future. Urbanization can be harnessed to build an effective urban platform for the continent’s social and economic development, but this requires the right policies to capture the benefits of urban growth. The scope and scale of urban growth requires a fundamentally different approach to the current practice of making sporadic, large-scale infrastructure investments. Cities must be enabled to facilitate and finance ongoing investment programs, in partnership with local businesses and communities.

This article puts forward an agenda for achieving the 2050 vision that focuses on unlocking a more systematic approach to urban development and management. This requires the development of new partnerships for urban development and management, between tiers of government, with the private sector and citizens. It requires a greater focus on using local resources to leverage the financing needed to support urban growth. And it requires strengthened capacity for city planning and management to meet projected demand for land and services. National governments will need to play a leading role in repositioning and strengthening local city managers to meet the challenges of urban growth.
Improved Ticagrelor Antiplatelet Effect on Discontinuation of Phenytoin
Authors: Weeks Phillip , Sieg Adam , Vahdat Khashayar , Raissi Farshad , Nathan Sriram
Published: January 2014

Objective: To report the influence of phenytoin on the antiplatelet effects of ticagrelor using a validated platelet aggregation study. Case Summary: A 71-year-old man with coronary artery disease underwent percutaneous coronary intervention to revascularize several major coronary arteries. The patient was previously on phenytoin and was initiated on ticagrelor for antiplatelet therapy following stent placement. While the patient was receiving both drugs, platelet aggregation studies revealed less platelet inhibition than would be expected in a patient not taking a concomitant inducer of ticagrelor metabolism. On discontinuation of phenytoin, platelet inhibition improved. Discussion: Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor antagonist following placement of coronary stents is critical to prevent stent thrombosis and subsequent myocardial infarction. Ticagrelor is a recently approved P2Y12 receptor antagonist that is subject to drug-drug interactions involving the hepatic cytochrome P450-3A4 enzyme system because of its metabolic elimination pathway. This case demonstrates ticagrelor’s drug-drug interaction with phenytoin through a platelet aggregation study and supports the manufacturer recommendation to avoid the combination of ticagrelor with any known inducers of cytochrome P450-3A4 metabolism. Conclusion: The combination of ticagrelor and phenytoin may represent a potentially clinically significant drug-drug interaction because of phenytoin induction of ticagrelor metabolism and reduced P2Y12 receptor inhibition in patients who have recently undergone percutaneous coronary intervention and cardiac stent placement.
Amputation Neuroma Growing Intravascularly Into a Thrombus
Authors: Schulz Wade L. , Manivel J. Carlos
Published: January 2014

An adult man underwent arm amputation for a sarcoma. Pain and three masses observed radiologically prompted surgical exploration five years later. Microscopically, the masses represented amputation neuromas. One of them was located in the lumen of an artery, in a remote organized thrombus. Intravascular growth of an amputation neuroma has not been described previously.
Making Self-Care a Priority for Women At Risk of Breast Cancer–Related Lymphedema
Authors: Radina M. Elise , Armer Jane M. , Stewart Bob R.
Published: January 2014

Estimates suggest that between 41% and 94% of breast cancer survivors may develop the chronic condition of secondary lymphedema at some point during their lifetimes. Self-care is critical for effective lymphedema management and risk-reduction. At the same time, women in general have been characterized as engaging in self-sacrificing behaviors in which they choose other-care over self-care. This study explored the self-care experiences of women with breast cancer within the contexts of complex and demanding familial and work-related responsibilities. Participants ( N = 14) were enrolled in a behavioral-educational intervention aimed at lymphedema risk-reduction. This feminist family theory-informed secondary analysis of qualitative data focused on women’s familial roles and the balance or lack of balance between self-sacrifice and self-care. Findings included participants’ struggles with time management and prioritizing self-care over care of others as well as making a commitment to self-care. Findings have implications for patient and family-level education and research with regard to gender role-based barriers to self-care and self-care within complex social contexts.
Moods, Tones, Flavors
Authors: Gale Ken
Published: January 2014

This article relishes indistinctness; it revels in hidden spaces and in voices crying to be heard. It draws attention to what is not realized and, in the realizing, celebrates the moving on into the not yet known and the politics of movement. Using a Deleuzian “logic of sense” and sensing immersion in Bachelard’s “poetics of space” the article plays with opacity, fragility, and imperceptibility as mistiness, flavor, perfume, tone, and mood populate its word plays and topics of concern. The article listens to and creates narratives that live in moments as events. The article actively desires to talk, listen, and hesitate in the excitement of dreams of un/dis/re/covery. By tentatively working with and in the post-human, the article toils in the indistinctness of those always opening and closing crevices, fissures, and interstices that dis/appear in the slow-moving glacial heaves, flows, and overflows of discourse and materiality.
You Need to Find a Version of the World You Can Be In
Authors: Elsgray Fiona
Published: January 2014

Working with the principles of poetic transcription and creative representation, this hybrid poem was constructed as a creative data set for my doctoral research into women’s experiences of the continuum of men’s intrusive practices in public space (commonly termed street harassment). Inspired by the works of poets/researchers, including Corrine Glesne, Monica Prendergast, and Rosemary Reilly, the poem is constructed solely from the words of 50 female participants. Sentences are taken directly as spoken within the research interviews, with every individual intrusive practice from men reported by participants interlaced with each mention made by women of their habitual embodied responses. It was designed to enable a method of data preparation retaining the phenomenological, the experiential, and evocative nature of women’s accounts while contrasting women’s responses against the particularity of individual men’s intrusive practices.
Intimate Partner Violence in Late Life
Authors: Roberto Karen A. , McPherson Marya C. , Brossoie Nancy
Published: January 2014

This integrated review of the empirical literature synthesizes a decade of scientific research across scholarly and professional publications addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) in late life. Deriving insights through a qualitative coding scheme and detailed analysis of 57 empirical sources, we discuss the theoretical frameworks, conceptual themes, and methodological approaches that cut across the literature. Based on these findings, we identify future research directions for improved understanding of late-life IPV as well as implications for policy development and refined community interventions.
Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Across Medical and Surgical Health Care Settings
Authors: Sprague Sheila , Goslings J. Carel , Hogentoren Celine , de Milliano Simone , Simunovic Nicole , Madden Kim , Bhandari Mohit
Published: January 2014

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious health problem and a leading cause of nonfatal injury in North American females. Prevalence of IPV has ranged from less than 20% to more than 50% across primary care, emergency medicine, and family medicine. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to examine best estimates of IPV prevalence as opportunities for targeted interventions in health care specialties. We included 37 articles in this study. Based on our pooled data, best estimates of the lifetime prevalence of any type of IPV were 38% in family medicine and 40% in emergency medicine.
Intimate Partner Violence and Neighborhood Income
Authors: Bonomi Amy E. , Trabert Britton , Anderson Melissa L. , Kernic Mary A. , Holt Victoria L.
Published: January 2014

This investigation used a longitudinal design to examine the relationship between neighborhood-level income, individual-level predictors, and police-reported intimate partner violence in 5,994 urban couples followed over 2 years. At the baseline abuse incident, intimate partner violence rates were highest in the poorest neighborhoods (13.8 per 1,000 women in the lowest income quartile, followed by 12.1, 8.2, and 5.0 in the respective higher income quartiles). However, in the longitudinal analysis, weapon use at the baseline abuse event was a much stronger predictor of repeat abuse (incident rate ratios ranging from 1.72 for physical abuse to 1.83 for non-physical abuse) than neighborhood income.
Structural brain abnormalities are related to retinal nerve fiber layer thinning and disease duration in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
Authors: von Glehn Felipe , Jarius Sven , Cavalcanti Lira Rodrigo Pessoa , Alves Ferreira Maria Carolina , von Glehn Fadua H Ribeiro , Costa e Castro Stella Maris , Beltramini Guilherme Coco , Bergo Felipe PG , Farias Alessandro S , Brandão Carlos Otávio , Wildemann Brigitte , Damasceno Benito P , Cendes Fernando , Santos Leonilda M B , Yasuda Clarissa Lin
Published: January 2014

Background:

Although aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is widely expressed in the human brain cortex, lesions are rare in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorders (NMOSD). Recently, however, several studies have demonstrated occult structural brain atrophy in NMO.

Objective:

This study aims to investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) abnormalities in patients with NMOSD and to assess the visual pathway integrity during disease duration correlation of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and pericalcarine cortex thickness.

Methods:

Twenty-one patients with NMOSD and 34 matched healthy controls underwent both high-field MRI (3T) high-resolution T1-weighted and diffusion-tensor MRI. Voxel-based morphometry, cortical analyses (Freesurfer) and diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) analyses (TBSS-FSL) were used to investigate brain abnormalities. In addition, RNFL measurement by optic-coherence tomography (OCT) was performed.

Results:

We demonstrate that NMOSD is associated with GM and WM atrophy, encompassing more frequently the motor, sensory and visual pathways, and that the extent of GM atrophy correlates with disease duration. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time a correlation between RNFL and pericalcarine cortical thickness, with cortical atrophy evolving over the course of disease.

Conclusions:

Our findings indicate a role for retrograde and anterograde neurodegeneration in GM atrophy in NMOSD. However, the presence atrophy encompassing almost all lobes suggests that additional pathomechanisms might also be involved.
A systematic review of sensory processing interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Case-Smith Jane , Weaver Lindy L , Fristad Mary A
Published: January 2014

Children with autism spectrum disorders often exhibit co-occurring sensory processing problems and receive interventions that target self-regulation. In current practice, sensory interventions apply different theoretic constructs, focus on different goals, use a variety of sensory modalities, and involve markedly disparate procedures. Previous reviews examined the effects of sensory interventions without acknowledging these inconsistencies. This systematic review examined the research evidence (2000–2012) of two forms of sensory interventions, sensory integration therapy and sensory-based intervention, for children with autism spectrum disorders and concurrent sensory processing problems. A total of 19 studies were reviewed: 5 examined the effects of sensory integration therapy and 14 sensory-based intervention. The studies defined sensory integration therapies as clinic-based interventions that use sensory-rich, child-directed activities to improve a child’s adaptive responses to sensory experiences. Two randomized controlled trials found positive effects for sensory integration therapy on child performance using Goal Attainment Scaling (effect sizes ranging from .72 to 1.62); other studies (Levels III–IV) found positive effects on reducing behaviors linked to sensory problems. Sensory-based interventions are characterized as classroom-based interventions that use single-sensory strategies, for example, weighted vests or therapy balls, to influence a child’s state of arousal. Few positive effects were found in sensory-based intervention studies. Studies of sensory-based interventions suggest that they may not be effective; however, they did not follow recommended protocols or target sensory processing problems. Although small randomized controlled trials resulted in positive effects for sensory integration therapies, additional rigorous trials using manualized protocols for sensory integration therapy are needed to evaluate effects for children with autism spectrum disorders and sensory processing problems.
Bearing time-to-failure estimation using spectral analysis features
Authors: Reuben Lim Chi Keong , Mba David
Published: January 2014

With the increasing use of health usage monitoring systems on helicopters, a lot of research has been undertaken for diagnosis of transmission components. However, most of these works are performed in laboratory environments and there are hardly any published works on in-service application. In this study, we present an experience in diagnosis of a helicopter gearbox bearing using actual service data gathered from AH64D helicopters belonging to the Republic of Singapore Air Force. A number of helicopters have been found with grease leak and radial play in the tail rotor gearbox output shaft during field maintenance. Subsequent tear-down inspections of the tail rotor gearboxes revealed that they had similar defects of bearing race spalling and widespread pitting of the rolling elements. Spectral analysis was carried out on the accelerometer data from these helicopters and correlated with the tear-down inspection findings. The fault patterns exhibited correspond well to progressing stages of bearing wear and are consistent across defective gearboxes from different helicopters. It is demonstrated that simple spectral analysis can be effective in tracking progressive stages of bearing damage using both low-frequency and high-frequency bandwidths. The observed fault patterns are extracted as features for diagnosis and used to determine the bearings’ estimated time to failure for maintenance planning.
Managerial Coaching
Authors: Beattie Rona S. , Kim Sewon , Hagen Marcia S. , Egan Toby M. , Ellinger Andrea D. , Hamlin Robert G.
Published: January 2014

The Problem

While managerial coaching becomes increasingly popular in both scholarly and practical circles, the line managers who need to execute this coaching may be neither capable nor interested in the coaching process. Furthermore, while the research on coaching seems promising, little is known about how to test the individual and environmental appropriateness of a coaching intervention.

The Solution

This review will inform and support evidence-based human resource development (HRD) professionals tasked with developing managers’ coaching capability. It is designed to help line managers who wish to enhance their managerial coaching practice.

The Stakeholders

This literature review and model will benefit organizations, HRD professionals, and line managers to determine whether coaching is an appropriate learning intervention for their context and at that particular time. Furthermore, if it is deemed appropriate, this review and resulting framework may aid in determining how practitioners should approach coaching within their organizational setting.
Identifying Homogeneous Subgroups in Neurological Disorders
Authors: Tanadini Lorenzo G. , Steeves John D. , Hothorn Torsten , Abel Rainer , Maier Doris , Schubert Martin , Weidner Norbert , Rupp Rüdiger , Curt Armin
Published: January 2014

Background. The reliable stratification of homogeneous subgroups and the prediction of future clinical outcomes within heterogeneous neurological disorders is a particularly challenging task. Nonetheless, it is essential for the implementation of targeted care and effective therapeutic interventions. Objective. This study was designed to assess the value of a recently developed regression tool from the family of unbiased recursive partitioning methods in comparison to established statistical approaches (eg, linear and logistic regression) for predicting clinical endpoints and for prospective patients’ stratification for clinical trials. Methods. A retrospective, longitudinal analysis of prospectively collected neurological data from the European Multicenter study about Spinal Cord Injury (EMSCI) network was undertaken on C4-C6 cervical sensorimotor complete subjects. Predictors were based on a broad set of early (<2 weeks) clinical assessments. Endpoints were based on later clinical examinations of upper extremity motor scores and recovery of motor levels, at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Prediction accuracy for each statistical analysis was quantified by resampling techniques. Results. For all settings, overlapping confidence intervals indicated similar prediction accuracy of unbiased recursive partitioning to established statistical approaches. In addition, unbiased recursive partitioning provided a direct way of identification of more homogeneous subgroups. The partitioning is carried out in a data-driven manner, independently from a priori decisions or predefined thresholds. Conclusion. Unbiased recursive partitioning techniques may improve prediction of future clinical endpoints and the planning of future SCI clinical trials by providing easily implementable, data-driven rationales for early patient stratification based on simple decision rules and clinical read-outs.
Gender Differences in Policing
Authors: Schuck Amie M.
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this article was to examine emotional labor skills and the acculturation of extreme masculine values as two pathways by which gender may influence the behavior of officers in the field. The results indicated that female officers were less likely than male officers to assimilate hypermasculine beliefs into their identity. Lower levels of hypermasculinity were related to an officer’s perceptions of less negative behavior by citizens and fewer complaints. In addition, the findings suggest that female officers are more likely to use caring strategies, such as empathy, whereas males are more likely to use cognitive behavioral strategies.
Pharmacy-based Immunization in Rural Communities Strategy (PhICS)
Authors: Marra Fawziah , Kaczorowski Janusz , Gastonguay Louise , Marra Carlo A. , Lynd Larry D. , Kendall Perry
Published: January 2014

Background:

Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Canada, with up to 7000 influenza-related deaths occurring every year. The elderly and individuals with chronic diseases are at increased risk for influenza-related morbidity and mortality.

Methods:

We conducted a 2-year, community cluster-randomized trial targeting elderly people and at-risk groups to assess the effectiveness of pharmacy-based influenza vaccination clinics on influenza vaccination rates. Small rural communities in interior and northern British Columbia were randomly allocated to the intervention or control. In the intervention communities, pharmacy-based influenza vaccination clinics were held and were promoted to eligible patients using personalized invitations from the pharmacists, invitations distributed opportunistically by a pharmacist to eligible patients presenting to pharmacies during the flu season and community-wide promotion using posters and the local media. The main outcome measure was a difference in the mean influenza vaccination rates. The immunization rates were calculated using the number of immunizations given in each community divided by the population size estimated from the census data.

Results:

Baseline influenza immunization rates in the population ≥65 years of age were the same in the control ( n = 10, mean 85.6% [SD 16.6]) and intervention ( n = 14, mean 83.8% [SD 16.3]) communities in 2009 ( p = 0.79). In 2010, the mean influenza immunization rate was 56.9% (SD 28.0) in the control communities ( n = 15) and 80.1% (SD 18.4) in the intervention communities ( n = 14) ( p = 0.01) for those ≥65 years of age. However, in 2010, for those 2 to 64 years with chronic medical conditions, the immunization rates were lower in the intervention communities (mean 16.3% [SD 7.1]) compared with the control communities (mean 21.2% [SD 5.8]) ( p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Clinics were feasible and well attended and they resulted in increased vaccination rates for elderly residents. In contrast, vaccination rates in the younger population with comorbidities remained low and unchanged.
Analysis of scores and arrow grouping at major international archery competitions
Authors: Park James L , Larven James E
Published: January 2014

Archers lose score for a variety of reasons. While some of those have been studied, there appears to have been little consideration of their relative importance. Archers’ scores and arrow groups on the target were analysed at two of the major international tournaments held during 2013. It was found that many archers lose score through incorrectly adjusting their sights, which can have a major impact on their final placing in the event. It was also found that as the archer’s ability improves, so does the relative importance of factors with regard to their equipment and technique, which result in score loss that increase faster than linearly with distance.
Econophysics: An Experimental Course for Advanced Undergraduates in the Nanyang Technological University
Authors: Cheong Siew Ann
Published: January 2014

In this article, I have described an experimental econophysics course for advanced undergraduates in the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. This course was offered for the first time in Semester II (January– April 2013) of the 2012/2013 academic year, and is a student-led participatory learning experiment aimed at developing an open-source textbook on econophysics. The course covered an introduction to the history of econophysics, a review of probability and statistics, statistical properties of single high-frequency financial time series, correlations within a high-frequency financial time series cross section, and agent-based models of financial markets. In spite of the heavier workload resulting from the experimental course format, feedbacks from the nine students taking the course were highly positive, and an improved version of the econophysics course will be offered again in the first half of 2014.
Book Review: Econophysics and Companies—Statistical Life and Death in Complex Business Networks
Authors: Guhathakurta Kousik
Published: January 2014

Hideaki Aoyama, Yoshi Fujiwara, Yuchi Ikeda, Hiroshi Iyetomi and Wataru Souma, Econophysics and Companies—Statistical Life and Death in Complex Business Networks, 2011, New York, USA: Cambridge University Press, 234 pp., $114.
Book Review: Econophysics: Background and Applications in Economics, Finance, and Sociophysics
Authors: Gangopadhyay Kausik
Published: January 2014

Gheorghe Săvoiu (Ed.), Econophysics: Background and Applications in Economics, Finance, and Sociophysics, 2013, Oxford, UK and Waltham, USA: Academic Press, 178 pp., $39.95.
Death and Memory: Clothing Bequests in English Wills 1650–1830
Authors: Lambert Miles
Published: January 2014

Specific clothing bequests form a distinct and often intimate feature in a range of English wills during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Carefully and symbolically allocated to new owners, garments were thus imbued with commemoration as well as financial worth. This paper suggests that gender differentials in this practice have been exaggerated as individual men could be as committed to the process as their female counterparts. Crucially, men and women without children or partners were most disposed to draw up detailed wills reallocating a range of possessions, especially clothing. In this creation of stewardship for chosen garments, individual personality and familial situation were more decisive than any general social or economic considerations.
Welfare Reforms, Labour Markets and Inter-Firm Relations in South Korea since 1997: An Inter-Institutional Approach
Authors: Cho Sungik
Published: January 2014

This study explores the paradoxical consequences of social welfare reforms in South Korea since the 1997 financial crisis. Despite efforts to implement a comprehensive social insurance system (SIS), the South Korean government did not succeed in providing access to people who qualified for aid. This study examines the dynamics of the implementation of the SIS in relation to the policy domains of labour markets and inter-firm relations, rather than a narrow focus on social welfare policies. This study shows how the implementation of the SIS becomes self-eroding as a result of various actors' exploitation of tensions between the SIS and other institutional domains.
Crisis-Related Changes in the Specialization of Advanced Economies in Global Value Chains
Authors: Sass Magdolna , Szalavetz Andrea
Published: January 2014

Analysis of globalization-induced gains and losses necessitates not only new types of data to complement that compiled in traditional trade statistics but also new analytical approaches. This article surveys the literature that addresses the evolution of the global value chain approach, an analytical perspective that is able to capture in greater depth than earlier theories the causes and consequences of the ongoing process of global reorganization of production. Our specific focus is, on the one hand, changing activity specialization within the new global division of labour and the related changes in competitiveness of advanced economy actors; and, on the other hand, crisis-related changes in global value chains. We conjecture that advanced economy actors have been continuously shifting their specialization towards ‘the edges of the value chains’ into activities requiring higher skills, which result in the capture of higher value for them. We show that this process has further accelerated during the financial crisis.
Industrial Districts and the Collapse of the Marshallian Model: Looking at the Italian Experience
Authors: De Marchi Valentina , Grandinetti Roberto
Published: January 2014

In the last 15 years, Italy's industrial districts (IDs) have been undergoing profound changes. Based on a number of empirical studies, this article analyzes several phenomena now amply evident in Italian IDs, including globalization and its effects on the firm population of each district and its fabric of interorganizational relationships; the impact of immigration on how the social structure and the production structure mutually interpenetrate; the shrinking reproducibility of the entrepreneurial factor; the diversification of the local production structure; an increased concentration of the turnover and workforce within the districts; and a weakening of the fabric of relations between enterprises. The combined effect of these phenomena has been to dismantle the Marshallian model that once characterized the majority of Italian IDs. Given this picture, the article focuses on the directions now being taken by these districts. By systematizing evidence emerging from existing studies on various single districts, we identify four scenarios.
Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma: a report from the German Hodgkin Study Group
Authors: Eichenauer Dennis A. , Thielen Indra , Haverkamp Heinz , Franklin Jeremy , Behringer Karolin , Halbsguth Teresa , Klimm Beate , Diehl Volker , Sasse Stephanie , Rothe Achim , Fuchs Michael , Böll Boris , von Tresckow Bastian , Borchmann Peter , Engert Andreas
Published: January 2014

Key Points

Occurrence of t-AML/MDS after Hodgkin lymphoma is a rare event correlating with the intensity of first-line chemotherapy. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation appears to improve the generally poor prognosis of patients with t-AML/MDS after Hodgkin lymphoma.
Berinde-Borcut tripled fixed point theorem in partially ordered (intuitionistic) fuzzy normed spaces
Authors: Kumam Poom , Martínez-Moreno Juan , Roldán-López-de-Hierro Antonio-Francisco , Roldán-López-de-Hierro Concepción
Published: January 2014

In this paper, we prove some tripled fixed point theorems in fuzzy normed spaces. Our results improve and restate the proof lines of the main results given in the paper (Abbas et al. in Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2012:187, 2012).
Maximizing Kolmogorov Complexity for accurate and robust bright field cell segmentation
Authors: Mohamadlou Hamid , Shope Joseph C , Flann Nicholas S
Published: January 2014

Background

Analysis of cellular processes with microscopic bright field defocused imaging has the advantage of low phototoxicity and minimal sample preparation. However bright field images lack the contrast and nuclei reporting available with florescent approaches and therefore present a challenge to methods that segment and track the live cells. Moreover, such methods must be robust to systemic and random noise, variability in experimental configuration, and the multiple unknowns in the biological system under study.

Results

A new method calledmaximal-informationis introduced that applies a non-parametric information theoretic approach to segment bright field defocused images. The method utilizes a combinatorial optimization strategy to select specific defocused images from each image stack such that set complexity, a Kolmogorov complexity measure, is maximized. Differences among these selected images are then applied to initialize and guide a level set based segmentation algorithm. The performance of the method is compared with a recent approach that uses a fixed defocused image selection strategy over an image data set of embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293T) from multiple experiments. Results demonstrate that the adaptivemaximal-informationapproach significantly improves precision and recall of segmentation over the diversity of data sets.

Conclusions

Integrating combinatorial optimization with non-parametric Kolmogorov complexity has been shown to be effective in extracting information from microscopic bright field defocused images. The approach is application independent and has the potential to be effective in processing a diversity of noisy and redundant high throughput biological data.
Direct vitamin k antagonist anticoagulant treatment health care costs in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Hidalgo-Vega Álvaro , Askari Elham , Vidal Rosa , Aranda-Reneo Isaac , Gonzalez-Dominguez Almudena , Ivanova Alexandra , Ene Gabriela , Llamas Pilar
Published: January 2014

Background

There is evidence suggesting that most thromboembolic complications could be prevented with adequate pharmacological anticoagulation. We estimated the direct health care costs of anticoagulant treatment with oral vitamin K antagonists in patients diagnosed with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Methods

This observational study examined the clinical records of patients diagnosed with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who received anticoagulant treatment with oral vitamin K antagonists. Data from clinical records were used in the study: international normalized ratio, number of monitoring visits, type of anticoagulant, hospital admissions from complications, and concomitant medication. Drug cost was calculated based on the official Spanish Ministry of Health price list. Monitoring expenses were included the cost of the medical supplies used in the procedures. Hospitalization costs were calculated using the Diagnosis Related Group price for each case. Hospital visits costs were calculated by one of four different scenarios, using either the invoice rates for the regional health care authority or cost per visit as established by analytical accounting methods.

Results

We collected data from 1,257 patients diagnosed with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who were receiving oral anticoagulant therapy. Depending on the scheme used, the direct health care costs for these patients ranged from €423,695 - €1,436,038 per annum. The average cost per patient varied between €392 - €1,341, depending on the approach used. Patients with international normalized ratio values within the therapeutic range on 25% of their visits represented an average cost between €441.70 - €1,592. Those within the therapeutic range on 25%–50% of visits had associated costs of €512.37 - €1,703.91. When international normalized ratio values were within the therapeutic range on 50% - 75% of the visits, the costs ranged between €400.80- €1,375.74. The average cost was €305.23 - €1,049.84 when the values were within the therapeutic range for over 75% of visits.

Conclusions

Most direct health care costs associated with the sampled patients arise from the specialist-care monitoring required for the treatment. Good monitoring is inversely related to direct health care costs.
Estimated and forecasted trends in domain specific time-use and energy expenditure among adults in Russia
Authors: Dearth-Wesley Tracy , Popkin Barry M , Ng Shu Wen
Published: January 2014

Background

Examination of historical trends and projections in estimated energy expenditure in Russia is important given the country’s economic downturns and growth.

Methods

Nationally representative data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) from 1995–2011 was used to determine the metabolic equivalents of task (MET)-hours per week from occupational, domestic, travel, and active leisure physical activity (PA) domains, as well as sedentary leisure time (hours per week) among adults 18–60 years. Additionally, we projected what these values would be like in 2020 and 2030 if observed trends continue.

Results

Among male adults, the largest contributor to total PA was occupational PA followed by travel PA. In contrast, domestic PA followed by occupational PA contributed most to total PA among female adults. Total PA was 282.9 MET-hours per week in 1995 and declined to 231.7 in 2011. Total PA is projected to decrease to 216.5 MET-hours per week in 2020 and to 193.0 MET-hours per week in 2030. The greatest relative declines are occurring in travel PA. Female adults are also exhibiting significant declines in domestic PA. Changes in occupational and active leisure PA are less distinct.

Conclusions

Policies and initiatives are needed to counteract the long-term decline of overall physical activity linked with a modernizing lifestyle and economy among Russian adults.
Defense against HSV-1 in a murine model is mediated by iNOS and orchestrated by the activation of TLR2 and TLR9 in trigeminal ganglia
Authors: Zolini Guilherme Pimenta , Lima Graciela Kunrath , Lucinda Natália , Silva Mariana Almeida , Dias Marcela França , Pessoa Natália Lima , Coura Bruna Pizziolo , Cartelle Christiane Teixeira , Arantes Rosa Maria Esteves , Kroon Erna Geessien , Campos Marco Antônio
Published: January 2014

Background

Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) causes various human clinical manifestations, ranging from simple cold sores to encephalitis. Innate immune cells recognize pathogens through Toll-like receptors (TLRs), thus initiating the immune response. Previously, we demonstrated that the immune response against HSV-1 is dependent on TLR2 and TLR9 expression and on IFN gamma production in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) of infected mice. In this work, we further investigated the cells, molecules, and mechanisms of HSV-1 infection control, especially those that are TLR-dependent.

Methods

C57BL/6 wild-type (WT), TLR2−/−, TLR9−/−, and TLR2/9−/−mice were intranasally infected with HSV-1. On the viral peak day, the TG and brains were collected from mice and TLR expression was measured in the TG and brain and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was measured in the TG by real-time PCR. Immunofluorescence assays were performed in mice TG to detect iNOS production by F4/80+cells. Intraperitoneal macrophages nitric oxide (NO) production was evaluated by the Griess assay. WT, CD8−/−, RAG−/−, and iNOS−/−mice were intranasally infected in a survival assay, and their cytokine expression was measured in the TG by real-time PCR.

Results

Infected WT mice exhibited significantly increased TLR expression, compared with their respective controls, in the TG but not in the brain. TLR-deficient mice had moderately increased TLR expression in the TG and brain in compare with the non-infected animals. iNOS expression in the WT infected mice TG was higher than in the other groups with increased production by macrophages in the WT infected mice, which did not occur in the TLR2/9−/−mice. Additionally, the intraperitoneal macrophages of the WT mice had a higher production of NO compared with those of the TLR-deficient mice. The CD8−/−, RAG−/−, and iNOS−/−mice had 100% mortality after the HSV-1 infection compared with 10% of the WT mice. Cytokines were overexpressed in the iNOS−/−infected mice, while the RAG−/−mice were nearly unresponsive to the virus.

Conclusion

TLRs efficiently orchestrate the innate immune cells, eliciting macrophage response (with NO production by the macrophages), thereby controlling the HSV-1 infection through the immune response in the TG of mice.
Beneficial effects of the nutritional supplements on the development of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Kowluru Renu A , Zhong Qing , Santos Julia M , Thandampallayam Mangayarkarasi , Putt Doug , Gierhart Dennis L
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Increased oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators are implicated in the development of diabetic retinopathy, and in rats, its development can be prevented by antioxidants. Carotenoids are some of the powerful antioxidants, and diabetes decreases lutein and zeaxanthin levels in the serum and retina. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of carotenoid containing nutritional supplements (Nutr), which is in clinical trials for ‘Diabetes Vision Function’, on diabetic retinopathy.

Methods

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (Wistar, male) were fed Purina 5001 supplemented with nutritional supplements containing zeaxanthin, lutein, lipoic acid, omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients, or without any supplementation. Retinal function was analyzed at ~4 months of diabetes by electroretinography. After 11 months of diabetes, capillary cell apoptosis (TUNEL-staining) and histopathology (degenerative capillaries) were quantified in trypsin-digested retinal vasculature. Retina was also analyzed for mitochondrial damage (by quantifying gene expressions of mtDNA-encoded proteins of the electron transport chain), VEGF and inflammatory mediators, interleukin-1β and NF-k B.

Results

Diabetes impaired retinal function decreasing the amplitudes of both a- and b-waves. In the same animals, retinal capillary cell apoptosis and degenerative capillaries were increased by 3–4 fold. Gene expressions of mtDNA encoded proteins were decreased, and VEGF, interleukin-1β and NF-k B levels were elevated. Supplementation with the nutrients prevented increased capillary cell apoptosis and vascular pathology, and ameliorated these diabetes-induced retinal abnormalities.

Conclusions

Nutritional supplementation prevents diabetic retinopathy, and also maintains normal retinal function, mitochondrial homeostasis and inflammatory mediators. Thus, this supplementation could represent an achievable and inexpensive adjunct therapy to also inhibit retinopathy, a slow progressing disease feared most by diabetic patients.
Tranilast administration reduces fibrosis and improves fatigue resistance in muscles of mdx dystrophic mice
Authors: Swiderski Kristy , Todorov Michelle , Gehrig Stefan M , Naim Timur , Chee Annabel , Stapleton David I , Koopman René , Lynch Gordon S
Published: January 2014

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and progressive muscle-wasting disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that result in the absence of the membrane-stabilising protein dystrophin. Dystrophic muscle fibres are susceptible to injury and degeneration, and impaired muscle regeneration is associated with fibrotic deposition that limits the efficacy of potential pharmacological, cell- and gene-based therapies. Novel treatments that can prevent or attenuate fibrosis have important clinical merit for DMD and related neuromuscular diseases. We investigated the therapeutic potential for tranilast, an orally bioavailable anti-allergic agent, to prevent fibrosis in skeletal muscles of mdx dystrophic mice.

Results

Three-week-old C57Bl/10 and mdx mice received tranilast (~300 mg/kg) in their food for 9 weeks, after which fibrosis was assessed through histological analyses, and functional properties of tibialis anterior muscles were assessed in situ and diaphragm muscle strips in vitro. Tranilast administration did not significantly alter the mass of any muscles in control or mdx mice, but it decreased fibrosis in the severely affected diaphragm muscle by 31% compared with untreated mdx mice (P < 0.05). A similar trend of decreased fibrosis was observed in the tibialis anterior muscles of mdx mice (P = 0.10). These reductions in fibrotic deposition were not associated with improvements in maximum force-producing capacity, but we did observe small but significant improvements in the resistance to fatigue in both the diaphragm and TA muscles of mdx mice treated with tranilast.

Conclusion

Together these findings demonstrate that administration of potent antifibrotic compounds such as tranilast could help preserve skeletal muscle structure, which could ultimately increase the efficacy of pharmacological, cell and gene replacement/correction therapies for muscular dystrophy and related disorders.