bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pain in Community‐Dwelling Older Adults with Dementia: Results from the National Health and Aging Trends Study
Authors: Hunt Lauren J. , Covinsky Kenneth E. , Yaffe Kristine , Stephens Caroline E. , Miao Yinghui , Boscardin W. John , Smith Alex K.
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To report prevalence, correlates, and medication management of pain in community‐dwelling older adults with dementia.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Setting

In‐person interviews with self‐ or proxy respondents living in private residences or non‐nursing home residential care settings.

Participants

Nationally representative sample of community‐dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older enrolled in the National Health and Aging Trends Study 2011 wave.

Measurements

Dementia status was determined using a modified previously validated algorithm. Participants were asked whether they had had bothersome and activity‐limiting pain over the past month. A multivariable Poisson regression model was used to determine the relationship between bothersome pain and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Results

Of the 7,609 participants with complete data on cognitive function, 802 had dementia (67.2% aged ≥80, 65.0% female, 67.9% white, 49.7% proxy response, 32.0% lived alone, 18.8% lived in residential care); 670 (63.5%) participants with dementia experienced bothersome pain, and 347 (43.3%) had pain that limited activities. These rates were significantly higher than in a propensity score–matched cohort without dementia (54.5% bothersome pain, P < .001, 27.2% pain that limited activity, P < .001). Proxies reported slightly higher rates of pain than self‐respondents, but differences were statistically significant only for activity‐limiting pain (46.6% proxy vs 40.1% self, P = .03). Correlates of bothersome pain included arthritis, heart and lung disease, less than high school education, activity of daily living disability, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and low energy. Of those reporting pain, 30.3% stated that they rarely or never took any medications for pain.

Conclusion

Community‐living older adults with dementia are at high risk of having pain. Creative interventions and programs are needed to manage pain adequately in this vulnerable population.
Use of Medications with Anticholinergic Activity and Self‐Reported Injurious Falls in Older Community‐Dwelling Adults
Authors: Richardson Kathryn , Bennett Kathleen , Maidment Ian D. , Fox Chris , Smithard David , Kenny Rose Anne
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To assess the association between the use of medications with anticholinergic activity and the subsequent risk of injurious falls in older adults.

Design

Prospective, population‐based study using data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Setting

Irish population.

Participants

Community‐dwelling men and women without dementia aged 65 and older (N = 2,696).

Measurements

Self‐reported injurious falls reported once approximately 2 years after baseline interview. Self‐reported regular medication use at baseline interview. Pharmacy dispensing records from the Irish Health Service Executive Primary Care Reimbursement Service in a subset (n = 1,553).

Results

Nine percent of men and 17% of women reported injurious falls. In men, the use of medications with definite anticholinergic activity was associated with greater risk of subsequent injurious falls (adjusted relative risk (aRR) = 2.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.33–4.88), but the risk of having any fall and the number of falls reported were not significantly greater. Greater anticholinergic burden was associated with greater injurious falls risk. No associations were observed for women. Findings were similar using pharmacy dispensing records. The aRR for medications with definite anticholinergic activity dispensed in the month before baseline and subsequent injurious falls in men was 2.53 (95% CI = 1.15–5.54).

Conclusion

The regular use of medications with anticholinergic activity is associated with subsequent injurious falls in older men, although falls were self‐reported after a 2‐year recall and so may have been underreported. Further research is required to validate this finding in men and to consider the effect of duration and dose of anticholinergic medications.
Functional Impairments Mediate Association Between Clinical Fracture Risk and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Older Women
Authors: Lee Richard H. , Pieper Carl F. , Colón‐Emeric Cathleen
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To examine the effect of functional impairments in older women with diabetes mellitus (DM) on incident clinical fractures.

Design

Secondary analysis of two large prospective cohort studies.

Setting

North Carolina Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) and Women's Health Initiative (WHI) clinical trials.

Participants

EPESE included 2,704 community‐dwelling women aged 65 and older; WHI clinical trials included 68,125 postmenopausal women.

Measurements

Women with DM at baseline were compared with women without in successive Cox proportional hazards models. Functional limitations were determined according to self‐reported difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs) and physical activities.

Results

The risk of any clinical fracture during the study period was greater in women with DM, after controlling for age, race and ethnicity, and body mass index, in the EPESE (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–1.72) and WHI (HR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.19–1.39) cohorts. After inclusion of functional limitations, the greater risk of fracture associated with DM decreased in the EPESE (HR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.98–1.59) and WHI (HR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.12–1.31) cohorts. In participants with DM, difficulties with moderate physical activities, such as bending or stooping, walking several blocks, and heavy housework, were significantly associated with incident fracture (P < .05).

Conclusion

Older women with DM are at greater risk of clinical fractures than those without, independent of bone mineral density. Greater functional impairment in moderate physical activities mediates this greater fracture risk in part, although there remains an unexplained residual DM–associated risk for fracture.
Confiding About Problems in Marriage and Long‐Term Committed Relationships: A National Study
Authors: Lind Seal Kirsten , Doherty William J. , Harris Steven M.
Published: July 2015

This study examined confiding patterns in a national sample of 1000 U.S. adults aged 25–70 to inform the development of an educational program for confidants, called Marital First Responders. Results showed that 73% of U.S. adults have been a confidant to someone with a problem in a marriage or long‐term committed relationship. The most common confiding relationship was between friends, followed by siblings. Confidants reported a wide range of problems brought to them, ranging from everyday complaints to serious issues such as infidelity and divorce. Confiders identified the most and least helpful responses. Findings suggest that naturally occurring confiding relationships have considerable potential to be the first level of help for troubled couple relationships.
Palonosetron in combination with 1‐day versus 3‐day dexamethasone for prevention of nausea and vomiting following paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with gynecologic cancers: A randomized, multicenter, phase‐II trial
Authors: Matsuura Motoki , Satohisa Seiro , Teramoto Mizue , Tanaka Ryoichi , Iwasaki Masahiro , Nishikawa Akira , Mizunuma Masahiro , Tanaka Satoshi , Hayakawa Osamu , Saito Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2015

Aim

Chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) can affect a patient's quality of life, leading to poor compliance with further treatments. Previous studies have provided minimal data about carboplatin‐based regimens. Female sex is a known risk factor for CINV. The purpose of this study was to evaluate palonosetron plus single‐dose dexamethasone (DEX) for preventing CINV caused by carboplatin plus paclitaxel combination therapy (TC regimen) in patients with gynecologic cancers.

Material and Methods

Patients were recruited for this phase‐II, multicenter, randomized trial from 12 hospitals in Hokkaido, Japan. Eligible patients were women with uterine cervical, endometrial or ovarian cancer scheduled to receive conventional TC regimen or dose‐dense TC regimen; 116 patients were randomly assigned to receive palonosetron in combination with 1‐day DEX or 3‐day DEX.

Results

During the overall period, complete response (CR) was observed in 67.9% (95% confidence interval, 53.7–80.1) of patients in the 3‐day DEX arm, and 60.7% (95% confidence interval, 46.8–73.5) of patients in the 1‐day DEX arm; CR was significantly lower in the 1‐day DEX arm if motion sickness was already present (P = 0.0370). In the severe hyperemesis gravidarum cohort, CR in the 1‐day DEX arm tended to be lower than in the 3‐day DEX arm.

Conclusion

Combination therapy of palonosetron and 1‐day DEX was effective for subjects undergoing a TC regimen for gynecologic cancers. However, the possibility of reduced efficacy of 1‐day only DEX therapy in women undergoing a TC regimen could not be refuted and requires further investigation.
Justice, Wealth, Taxes
Authors: Cohen Aryeh
Published: July 2015

A story of rabbinic poverty relief serves as the fulcrum of this presentation of a rabbinic perspective on wealth and taxes. The rabbinic move, from biblical to Mishnaic law, places the obligation of poverty relief on the city and suggests that the institutions of the polis are the only way to achieve justice on this scale. However, the city must be aware of the individual Other in making policy. In essence the story suggests that when policies ignore the face of an individual stranger, they do not fulfill the demands of justice. This is the rabbinic attempt at threading the needle by walking in the tension between the obsessive asymmetry of the obligation towards the other person and the need for a larger more equitable system of justice which must (by definition) include others.
Morality, Inescapable Rational Authority, and a God's Wishes
Authors: Harrison Gerald K.
Published: July 2015

It is a supposed conceptual truth about moral norms that we have reason to comply with them even if we desire not to. This combination of rational authority and inescapability is thought to be incompatible with instrumentalism about practical reason. This essay argues that there are ways in which norms with inescapable rational authority can exist alongside instrumentalism about practical reason. One way involves positing an afterlife and a powerful supernatural agency—so, a kind of god—who has total control over our welfare in that afterlife. I go on to argue that the attitudes of this god would also provide something answering to our impressions of moral desert.
Contempt and the Cultivation of Character
Authors: West Ryan
Published: July 2015

Macalester Bell urges the cultivation of apt contempt as the best response to what she calls “the vices of superiority” (arrogance, hypocrisy, racism, and the like). In this essay, I sketch two character profiles. The first—the ideal contemnor—paradigmatically answers the vices of superiority with contempt. The second—the ideal Christian neighbor—is marked by humility and love, and answers the vices of superiority in non‐contemptuous ways. I argue that the latter character rivals (and may even outshine) the former as a fitting moral response to the vices of superiority. Furthermore, I argue that the two character profiles are incompatible, so one cannot jointly cultivate humble love and contempt. Given contempt's nastiness, and the alternative resources available for answering the vices of superiority, I suggest one should focus one's character‐formation efforts on the cultivation of humility and love.
Introduction to Little/Sachedina Conversation
Authors: Kelsay John
Published: July 2015

This essay provides a brief introduction to the articles by David Little and Abdulaziz Sachedina.
Continuing the Conversation About Comparative Ethics
Authors: Sachedina Abdulaziz
Published: July 2015

This essay clarifies my stance on the distinctive facets of Christianity as a sole paradigm for a liberal interpretation of Islam in the area of human rights. It attempts to demonstrate the limits of applying a comparative ethics methodology without a firm grounding in historical studies that reveal the contextual aspects of the debate whether any religion, including Islam, is incapable of providing cultural legitimacy to the secular Universal Declaration of Human Rights among Muslim traditionalists. In the absence of the “Church,” Islam has congruent scriptural resources to offer a distinctly enhanced system that works as an alternative to the uncritical secularization of moral‐spiritual scriptural resources. Critical evaluation of the political history of Christianity and Islam reveals internal hermeneutical dynamics that lead to accommodation with the demands of secularization to advance human rights across cultures and nations.
Comparison of two passive warming devices for prevention of perioperative hypothermia in dogs
Authors: Potter J. , Murrell J. , MacFarlane P.
Published: July 2015

OBJECTIVE

To compare effects of two passive warming methods combined with a resistive heating mat on perioperative hypothermia in dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty‐two dogs were enrolled and randomly allocated to receive a reflective blanket (Blizzard Blanket) or a fabric blanket (VetBed). In addition, in the operating room all dogs were placed onto a table with a resistive heating mat covered with a fabric blanket. Rectal temperature measurements were taken at defined points. Statistical analysis was performed comparing all Blizzard Blanket‐treated to all VetBed‐treated dogs, and VetBed versus Blizzard Blanket dogs within spay and castrate groups, spay versus castrate groups and within groups less than 10 kg or more than 10 kg bodyweight.

RESULTS

Data from 39 dogs were used for analysis. All dogs showed a reduction in perioperative rectal temperature. There were no detected statistical differences between treatments or between the different groups.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study supports previous data on prevalence of hypothermia during surgery. The combination of active and passive warming methods used in this study prevented the development of severe hypothermia, but there were no differences between treatment groups.
Urethrotomy of theglans penisin three male dogs with urolithiasis
Authors: Cinti F. , Pisani G. , Carusi U. , Buracco P.
Published: July 2015

Three intact male dogs with stranguria and haematuria caused by uroliths in the penile urethra underwent urethrotomy using a novel surgical approach directly over the caudal part of theos penisbecause conservative procedures to resolve the obstructions had failed. Haemorrhage was minimal, and the incisions healed rapidly by second intention. Complications did not occur during the 6‐month follow‐up period. Urethrotomy directly over theos penisis straightforward, associated with few complications and holds promise for the removal of urinary calculi in the penile urethra.
The Increasing Effectiveness of National Gender Quotas, 1990–2010
Authors: Paxton Pamela , Hughes Melanie M.
Published: July 2015

National gender quotas—policies that require a certain percentage of women candidates or legislators—are becoming more effective over time. Using data on 145 countries from 1990 to 2010, we document this trend with latent growth‐curve models. Part of the explanation for increasing effectiveness is that countries have ratcheted up targets for women's inclusion and that quotas are increasingly written in ways that make them more effective at achieving stated goals. Activists, political elites, and policy makers have learned over time which quota policies are most effective, resulting in quotas with provisions that more often lead to success. But, changes in rules alone do not account for the increasing effectiveness of quotas over time. It appears that changing norms about women's incorporation in politics are also increasing quota effectiveness regardless of policy design.
Informative Committees and Legislative Performance in the American States
Authors: Lin Nick C.N.
Published: July 2015

The information theory of legislative organization suggests that legislative committees are designed to provide their parent chamber with necessary information to legislate. Despite empirical evidence for various aspects of the theory, we have limited knowledge of committees’ influence on legislative outputs. I argue that informative committees are more than information providers, that they also substantively impact legislative outcomes. With supportive evidence from the US state legislatures, this article shows that the presence of an informative committee system not only lowers the number of bills introduced to the legislature but also enhances the chamber's efficiency in transforming legislative proposals into laws.
Angiographic Evaluation of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Sucato Vincenzo , Evola Salvatore , Novo Giuseppina , Sansone Angela , Quagliana Angelo , Andolina Giuseppe , Assennato Pasquale , Novo Salvatore
Published: July 2015

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate myocardial perfusion and coronary blood flow through validated angiography indices to assess whether there is greater MVD in patients with microvascular angina and HFPEF compared to those who do not have.

Methods

Our study was performed on a population of 286 patients with stable angina that underwent coronary angiography and echocardiography. They showed epicardial coronary arteries free from stenosis. We divided the sample into two categories: patients with HFPEF and those without. We calculated indices for each patient based on angiographic images, including TFC, MBG, and TMBS.

Results

Our sample compared two groups: HFPEF (n = 155) and non‐HFPEF (n = 135) patients. We showed that patients with HFPEF had a longest TFC of three major coronary arteries (TFC LAD 44.7 ± 12.5; TFC RCA 26.2 ± 6.9; TFC CX 27 ± 5.9) than non‐HFPEF patients (TFC LAD 40.7 ± 11.6; TFC RCA 25 ± 6.3; TFC CX 21 ± 4.7). On the other hand, we found lower MBG on three coronary arteries (MBG LAD 2.1 ± 0.3; MBG RCA 2.1 ± 0.3; MBG CX 2.0 ± 0.32) in HFPEF than non‐HFPEF patients (MBG LAD 2.6 ± 0.5; MBG RCA 2.2 ± 0.47; MBG CX 2.3 ± 0.4).

Conclusion

Analysis of microcirculation through angiography indices in patients with and without HFPEF has led to assess that the HFPEF population has a greater involvement of microcirculation than patients without HFPEF.
Obstructive sleep apnea‐related symptoms in Japanese people with Down syndrome
Authors: Ono Junji , Chishaki Akiko , Ohkusa Tomoko , Sawatari Hiroyuki , Nishizaka Mari , Ando Shin‐ichi
Published: July 2015

This study evaluated the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea‐related symptoms and assessed the relationship with obesity or unusual sleep postures in Down syndrome patients in Japan. We obtained the demographic characteristics, sleep postures, and obstructive sleep apnea‐related symptoms experienced by 90 people as reported by their caregivers. Although 71% reported snoring and 59% arousals, obstructive sleep apnea‐related symptoms were not significantly different between obese and non‐obese participants. The youngest age group had the fewest obstructive sleep apnea‐related symptoms, especially symptoms of snoring. The odds for arousal, nocturia, and apnea tended to be higher in the unusual sleep‐postures group. Unusual sleep postures were most frequent in the group 6–15 years of age. People with Down syndrome might sleep in unusual postures to avoid upper airway obstruction caused by other anatomical factors. For nurses and other health professionals working in mainstream service, it is important to screen all persons with Down syndrome for symptoms suggestive of obstructive sleep apnea, particularly those six years of age and older, and to refer them for further evaluation for sleep disorders.
A new look at stress: abscisic acid patterns and dynamics at high‐resolution
Authors: Jones Alexander M.
Published: July 2015

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key phytohormone promoting abiotic stress tolerance as well as developmental processes such as seed dormancy. A spatiotemporal map of ABA concentrations would greatly advance our understanding of the cell type and timing of ABA action. Organ and tissue‐level ABA measurements, as well as indirect in vivo measurements such as cell‐specific transcriptional analysis of ABA metabolic enzymes and ABA‐responsive promoters, have all contributed to current views of the localization and timing of ABA accumulations. Recently developed Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensors for ABA that sense ABA levels directly promise to add unprecedented resolution to in vivo ABA spatiotemporal mapping and expand our knowledge of the mechanisms controlling ABA levels in space and time.

Contents

Summary
38

I.
Introduction
38

II.
ABA in the coordination of whole plant responses to water stress
39

III.
Mapping developmental and stress‐induced ABA biosynthesis
39

IV.
ABA on the move
41

V.
ABA inactivation
41

VI.
Direct biosensing for improved quantitation of ABA
41

VII.
Conclusions
42

Acknowledgements
42

References
42
Widespread noncoding circular RNAs in plants
Authors: Ye Chu‐Yu , Chen Li , Liu Chen , Zhu Qian‐Hao , Fan Longjiang
Published: July 2015

A large number of noncoding circular RNAs (circRNAs) with regulatory potency have been identified in animals, but little attention has been given to plant circRNAs.

We performed genome‐wide identification of circRNAs in Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana using publically available RNA‐Seq data, analyzed and compared features of plant and animal circRNAs.

circRNAs (12037 and 6012) were identified in Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana, respectively, with 56% (10/18) of the sampled rice exonic circRNAs validated experimentally. Parent genes of over 700 exonic circRNAs were orthologues between rice and Arabidopsis, suggesting conservation of circRNAs in plants. The introns flanking plant circRNAs were much longer than introns from linear genes, and possessed less repetitive elements and reverse complementary sequences than the flanking introns of animal circRNAs. Plant circRNAs showed diverse expression patterns, and 27 rice exonic circRNAs were found to be differentially expressed under phosphate‐sufficient and ‐starvation conditions. A significantly positive correlation was observed for the expression profiles of some circRNAs and their parent genes.

Our results demonstrated that circRNAs are widespread in plants, revealed the common and distinct features of circRNAs between plants and animals, and suggested that circRNAs could be a critical class of noncoding regulators in plants.
Development of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant for the treatment of noninfectious posterior segment uveitis
Authors: Whitcup Scott M. , Robinson Michael R.
Published: July 2015

Uveitis is a group of ocular inflammatory disorders that can lead to severe vision loss. Despite advances in anti‐inflammatory therapy, many patients are resistant to or intolerant of existing treatments. A biodegradable, sustained‐release implant, dexamethasone intravitreal implant 0.7 mg (Ozurdex), has been developed to deliver dexamethasone to target tissues in the posterior segment of the eye, minimizing systemic drug exposure and limiting side effects. The implant releases dexamethasone over a period of up to 6 months as the poly(d,l‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) polymer matrix of the implant is metabolized to carbon dioxide and water. The implant is placed in the vitreous of the eye with a single‐use applicator in a sutureless, office‐based procedure. Treatment with a single dexamethasone intravitreal implant in patients with noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis has been shown to produce significant improvements in intraocular inflammation and best‐corrected visual acuity with treatment benefit sustained for 6 months. Dexamethasone intravitreal implant has also been shown to reduce central retinal thickness and improve best‐corrected visual acuity in patients with macular edema of various etiologies. The implant has been approved for treatment of noninfectious uveitis involving the posterior segment, diabetic macular edema, and macular edema associated with branch and central retinal vein occlusion.
Resveratrol as a novel treatment for diseases with mTOR pathway hyperactivation
Authors: Alayev Anya , Berger Sara Malka , Holz Marina K.
Published: July 2015

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway is hyperactivated in a variety of cancers and tumor syndromes. Therefore, mTORC1 inhibitors are being actively investigated for treatment of neoplasms. The concern with the monotherapy use of mTORC1 inhibitors, such as rapamycin, is that they cause upregulation of autophagy, a cell survival mechanism, and suppress the negative feedback loop to the oncogene Akt. In turn, Akt promotes cell survival, causing the therapy to be partially effective, but relapse occurs upon cessation of treatment. In this review, we describe the current literature on resveratrol as well as our work, which uses rapamycin in combination with resveratrol. We found that this combination treatment efficiently blocked upregulation of autophagy and restored inhibition of Akt in different cancer and tumor models. Interestingly, the combination of rapamycin and resveratrol selectively promoted apoptosis of cells with mTOR pathway hyperactivation. Moreover, this combination prevented tumor growth and lung metastasis when tested in mouse models. Finally, mass spectrometry–based identification of cellular targets of resveratrol provided mechanistic insight into the mode of action of resveratrol. The addition of resveratrol to rapamycin treatment may be a promising option for selective and targeted therapy for diseases with mTORC1 hyperactivation.
Evaluating resveratrol as a therapeutic bone agent: preclinical evidence from rat models of osteoporosis
Authors: Tou Janet C.
Published: July 2015

Resveratrol (RSV) is a naturally occurring plant polyphenol that has potential to attenuate osteoporosis with distinct pathologies. This review evaluates preclinical evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of RSV as a therapeutic bone agent using different rat models. Limitations of these animal models are discussed, and suggestions for strengthening the experimental design of future studies are provided. The ovariectomized rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis reported that RSV supplementation attenuated estrogen deficiency–induced bone loss and trabecular structural deterioration. RSV safety was indicated by the absence of stimulation of estrogen‐sensitive tissue. Providing RSV to rats aged >6 months attenuated age‐related bone mass loss and structural deterioration but produced inconsistent effects on bones in rats aged <6 months. The hindlimb‐suspension rat model of disuse osteoporosis reported that RSV attenuated bone loss in old rats, but higher doses and longer duration supplementation before mechanical loading were required for younger rats. Limitations common to studies using rat models of osteoporosis include requirements to include animals that are skeletally mature, longer study durations, and to adjust for potential confounding effects due to altered body weight and endocrine function. Strengthening experimental design can contribute to translation of animal results to clinically relevant recommendations for humans.
Pathological differences between white and grey matter multiple sclerosis lesions
Authors: Prins Marloes , Schul Emma , Geurts Jeroen , van der Valk Paul , Drukarch Benjamin , van Dam Anne‐Marie
Published: July 2015

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease characterized by demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in widespread formation of white matter lesions (WMLs) and grey matter lesions (GMLs). WMLs are pathologically characterized by the presence of immune cells that infiltrate the CNS, whereas these immune cells are barely present in GMLs. This striking pathological difference between WMLs and GMLs raises questions about the underlying mechanism. It is known that infiltrating leukocytes contribute to the generation of WMLs; however, since GMLs show a paucity of infiltrating immune cells, their importance in GML formation remains to be determined. Here, we review pathological characteristics of WMLs and GMLs, and suggest some possible explanations for the observed pathological differences. In our view, cellular and molecular characteristics of WM and GM, and local differences within WMLs and GMLs (in particular, in glial cell populations and the molecules they express), determine the pathway to demyelination. Further understanding of GML pathogenesis, considered to contribute to chronic MS, may have a direct impact on the development of novel therapeutic targets to counteract this progressive neurological disorder.
Prospective cohort feasibility study of a transdiagnostic group intervention for common mental health problems: The Take Control Course
Authors: Morris Lydia , Mansell Warren , Emsley Richard , Bates Rachel , Comiskey Jody , Pistorius Emma , McEvoy Phil
Published: July 2015

Objectives

While transdiagnostic psychological treatments appear to be promising, they require greater empirical support. Further, a number of available transdiagnostic treatments are targeted at clients with a specific category of disorder, such as clients with anxiety disorders. This study is a preliminary examination of the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a new transdiagnostic six‐session group‐based intervention (Take Control Course; TCC) predominantly aimed at clients within primary care. The group is aimed at a broad range of clients; it is derived from an integrative transdiagnostic theory, which specifies mechanisms of psychopathology across disorders. Briefer interventions are gaining an increasing evidence base, and this study seeks to compare the TCC to an established brief intervention within primary care.

Design

Prospective cohort study comparing two active psychological treatments.

Methods

Take Control Course group (n = 66) was compared to a non‐randomized control group of clients accessing individual low‐intensity interventions (n = 43) using random‐effect regression models. Primary outcomes were depression and anxiety scores; additional outcomes included social and other functioning.

Results

For the TCC group, changes on all pre–post outcomes were significant with moderate effect sizes. The between‐group differences were not significant.

Conclusions

Results show potential for TCC to be an effective intervention, but further work is required to validate these findings in a more rigorous, randomized study.

Practitioner points

Transdiagnostic understandings of psychological distress may inform pragmatic and effective treatments that can be offered to a broad range of clients.

This study describes a transdiagnostic intervention (TCC) that targets maintenance processes common across disorders, and presents initial outcome data.

The TCC was found to reduce pre–post scores on measures of anxiety and depression.
Racial Disparities in Seeking Care for Help Getting Pregnant
Authors: Chin Helen B. , Howards Penelope P. , Kramer Michael R. , Mertens Ann C. , Spencer Jessica B.
Published: July 2015

Background

Fertility counselling and treatment can help women achieve their desired family size; however, disparities exist in the utilisation of this care.

Methods

This study examines the persistence of a racial disparity in visiting a doctor for help getting pregnant by estimating the direct effect of this association using data from the Furthering Understanding of Cancer Health and Survivorship in Adult Women's Study, a population‐based cohort study. This cohort included 1073 reproductive age women (22–45 years) with 28% reporting infertility. We fit log binomial models to quantify the magnitude of the racial difference in reported care seeking after adjustment for hypothesised mediators using inverse probability weighting.

Results

Compared with white women, black women were less likely to visit a doctor in the total population [adjusted risk ratio (RR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41, 0.80] and in the subgroup of women with infertility [RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.56, 0.99]. In addition, black women waited twice as long, on average, before seeking help compared with white women.

Conclusions

There were notable racial differences in visiting a doctor for help getting pregnant in this study although reports of infertility were similar by race. These differences may be mitigated through improved communication about the range of counselling and treatment options available.
Validation in the Absence of Observed Events
Authors: Lathrop John , Ezell Barry
Published: July 2015

This article addresses the problem of validating models in the absence of observed events, in the area of weapons of mass destruction terrorism risk assessment. We address that problem with a broadened definition of “validation,” based on stepping “up” a level to considering the reason why decisionmakers seek validation, and from that basis redefine validation as testing how well the model can advise decisionmakers in terrorism risk management decisions. We develop that into two conditions: validation must be based on cues available in the observable world; and it must focus on what can be done to affect that observable world, i.e., risk management. That leads to two foci: (1) the real‐world risk generating process, and (2) best use of available data. Based on our experience with nine WMD terrorism risk assessment models, we then describe three best use of available data pitfalls: SME confidence bias, lack of SME cross‐referencing, and problematic initiation rates. Those two foci and three pitfalls provide a basis from which we define validation in this context in terms of four tests—Does the model: … capture initiation? … capture the sequence of events by which attack scenarios unfold? … consider unanticipated scenarios? … consider alternative causal chains? Finally, we corroborate our approach against three validation tests from the DOD literature: Is the model a correct representation of the process to be simulated? To what degree are the model results comparable to the real world? Over what range of inputs are the model results useful?
KIR3DL1*0040102 – a novel three‐domain KIR subtype isolated from donors of African descent
Authors: Yindom L.‐M. , James K. , de Silva T. I. , Rowland‐Jones S. L.
Published: July 2015

KIR3DL1*0040102 allele differs from KIR3DL1*0040101 by a single‐nucleotide change at position 12356 (intron 6).
An Extension Mechanism to Verify, Constrain and Enhance Geoprocessing Workflows Invocation
Authors: Qi Kunlun , Gui Zhipeng , Li Zhenqiang , Guo Wei , Wu Huayi , Gong Jianya
Published: July 2015

Geospatial web service composition is a promising means for processing and analyzing geospatial data in distributed computing environments. However, convenient and effective approaches for assisting the invocation of geoprocessing workflows are still missing. Invocation errors frustrate users and eventually impact the popularity and application of geoprocessing workflows due to their complexity, inadequate description, constraints, and prompts for input/output parameters, workflow models, and their components. This article proposes an extension method for easy invocation of geoprocessing workflows to solve these problems. The proposed method facilitates the generation of Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and invocation messages, for human‐computer interaction and client‐workflow interaction respectively, by supplementing verification and constraints for workflow descriptions. Furthermore, by providing descriptive information, constraint mechanisms, and visualization functions, this approach enhances human‐computer interactivity during invocation. An exemplary user case demonstrates the feasibility of the method.
Incidence of infection according to intravenous immunoglobulin use in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Park S. , Jung C.W. , Jang J.H. , Kim S.J. , Kim W.S. , Kim K.
Published: July 2015

Background

Although intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is not routinely recommended, many centers still use IVIG during the post‐hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) period.

Method

A total of 162 multiple myeloma (MM) patients who underwent autologous (auto‐) HSCT between January 2008 and June 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Primary objective was determination of the impact of IVIG on post‐transplant infection, and secondary objectives included identification of overall incidence of infection, type of infection, and risk factors for infection after auto‐HSCT in MM patients.

Results

After auto‐HSCT, 53 of 162 patients (32.7%) experienced 104 infectious events. Upper respiratory infection was most common (n = 31, 29.8%) and pneumonia (n = 27, 26.0%) and herpes zoster (n = 15, 14.4%) came next. Among the identifiable organisms causing respiratory infection, influenza virus (n = 10) and Pneumococcus (n = 9) were predominant. Incidence of infection was not statistically different according to IVIG use (34.8% in IVIG (−) vs. 31.3% in IVIG (+), P = 0.631). Incidence of infection requiring hospitalization and multiple episodes of infection showed no difference between the groups (P = 0.147, P = 0.156). In a Cox proportional hazard model, none of the factors including age, gender, type of disease, stage, tandem (vs. single) transplantation, and IVIG was prognostic for infectious event after auto‐HSCT (P = 0.955, hazard ratio 0.980 with 95% confidence interval 0.481‐1.997 for IVIG).

Conclusion

In auto‐HSCT recipients with MM, incidence of post‐transplant infection was not different according to prophylactic IVIG use.
Subcellular Distribution ofNTLTranscription Factors inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Liang Mingwei , Li Hongjuan , Zhou Fang , Li Huiyong , Liu Jin , Hao Yi , Wang Yingdian , Zhao Heping , Han Shengcheng
Published: July 2015

NACwith a transmembrane (TM) motif1‐like (NTL) transcription factors, containing three regions: the N‐terminalNACdomain (ND), the middle regulation region (RR), and the C‐terminal TM domain, belong to the tail‐anchored proteins. Although theseNTLsplay numerous essential roles in plants, their subcellular distribution and the mechanism of translocation into the nucleus (NU) remain unclear. In this study, we found that most of the full‐lengthNTLswere localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), with the exception ofNTL11andNTL5, which were restricted to theNU. Furthermore, we found thatNTL11contains aTMdomain, whereasNTL5does not. TheNDof all of theNTLswas responsible for nuclear localization in plants. After truncation of theTMdomain, NTL8_NR, NTL10_NR and NTL13_NR localized in the cytoplasm (CT) andNU, and other NTL_NRs were only localized in theNU, suggesting that theRRofNTL8,NTL10andNTL13contains some inhibitory region to mask the nuclear localization signal sequence in theNDdomain and permit their diffusion betweenCTandNU. Furthermore, the N‐terminus ofNTL11was translocated to theNU, but the C‐terminus was degraded inArabidopsismesophyll protoplasts. The chimeric construct of NTL11_ND with NTL10_RR andTMdomain (11ND‐10RT) was localized exclusively in theER, and not in theNU. However,10ND‐11RTwas found mainly in theNU. Our results indicated that theTMdomain is essential forNTLtargeting theERand the N‐terminal fragment, includingNDandRR, is translocated into theNUafter activation through proteolytic cleavage events upon stimulation by internal and external environmental signals.
Effect of Housing Support on Bearing Dynamics
Authors: Cao Lijun , Brouwer Matthew D. , Sadeghi Farshid , Stacke Lars-Erik
Published: July 2015

The objective of this investigation was to determine the effect of housing support on bearing performance and dynamics. In order to achieve the objective, an existing dynamic bearing model (DBM) was coupled with flexible housing model to include the effect of support structure on bearing dynamics and performance. The DBM is based on the discrete element method, in which the bearing components are assumed to be rigid. To achieve the coupling, a novel algorithm was developed to detect contact conditions between the housing support and bearing outer race and then calculate contact forces based on the penalty method. It should be noted that although commercial finite element (FE) software such as abaqus is available to model flexible housings, combining these codes with a bearing model is quite difficult since the data transfer between the two model packages is time-consuming. So, a three-dimensional (3D) explicit finite element method (EFEM) was developed to model the bearing support structure for both linear elastic and nonlinear inelastic elastomeric materials. The constitutive relationship for elastomeric material is based on an eight chain model, which captures hyperelastic behavior of rubber for large strains. The viscoelastic property is modeled by using the generalized Maxwell-element rheological model to exhibit rate-dependent behaviors, such as creep and hysteresis on cyclic loading. The results of this investigation illustrate that elastomeric material as expected has large damping to reduce vibration and absorb energy, which leads to a reduction in ball–race contact forces and friction. A parametric study confirmed that the viscoelastic stress (VS) contributes significantly to the performance of the material, and without proper amount of viscoelasticity it loses its advantage in vibration reduction and exhibits linear elastic material characteristics. As expected, it is also demonstrated that housing supports made of linear elastic material provide minimal damping and rely on the bearing friction to dissipate energy. A study of housing support geometry demonstrates that bearing support plays a large role on the dynamic performance of the bearing. Motion of bearing outer race is closely related to the geometry and symmetry of the housing.
Simulation of an Innovative Startup Phase for SOFC Hybrid Systems Based on Recompression Technology: Emulator Test Rig
Authors: Damo U. M. , Ferrari M. L. , Turan A. , Massardo A. F.
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a novel startup approach for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) hybrid systems (HSs) based on recompression technology. This startup approach shows a novel method of managing a complete plant to obtain better performance, which is always also a difficult task for equipment manufactures. The research activities were carried out using the HS emulator rig located in Savona (Italy) and developed by the Thermochemical Power Group (TPG) of the University of Genoa. The test rig consists of three integrated technologies: a 100 kWe recuperated microturbine modified for external connections, a high temperature modular vessel necessary to emulate the dimensions of an SOFC stack, and, for air recompression, a turbocharger necessary to increase fuel cell pressure (using part of the recuperator outlet flow) as required for efficiency increase and to manage the cathodic recirculation. It was necessary to develop a theoretical model in order to prevent abnormal plant startup conditions as well as motivated by economic considerations. This transient model of the emulator rig was developed using Matlab®-Simulink® environment to study the time-dependent (including the control system aspects) behavior during the entire system (emulator equipped with the turbocharger) startup condition. The results obtained were able to demonstrate that the HS startup phase can be safely managed with better performance developing a new control logic. In detail, the startup phase reported in this paper shows that all important parameters were always inside acceptable operating zones (surge margin kept above 1.1, turbine outlet temperature (TOT), and fuel flow maintained lower than 918.15 K and 7.7 g/s, respectively).
A Numerical Study of Turbulent Mixed Convection in a Smooth Horizontal Pipe
Authors: Faheem Ahmed , Ranzi Gianluca , Fiorito Francesco , Lei Chengwang
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a numerical study aimed at identifying a suitable turbulence model to describe the fully developed turbulent mixed convention of air in smooth horizontal pipes. The flow characteristics considered here are relevant to those typically observed in ventilated hollow core slab (VHCS) applications and, because of this, the adopted geometry and boundary conditions are represented by the Reynolds number and Richardson number of about 23,000 and 1.04, respectively. Empirical expressions available in the literature are used as reference to evaluate the accuracy of different turbulence models in predicting the dimensionless velocity (u+) and temperature (T+) profiles as well as the Nusselt number (Nu). Among the turbulence models considered, the standard and realizable k-ε models provide the best overall predictions of u+, T+, and Nu in the fully developed flow, and the former is recommended for the modeling of VHCS systems as it gives slightly better estimates of the Nu values.
Biomedical imaging in the undergraduate physics curriculum: Module on optical microscopy
Authors: Scalettar Bethe A. , Abney James R.
Published: July 2015

We recently developed an undergraduate course in which biomedical imaging serves as a foundation for integrating physics with material relevant to students majoring in physics and the life sciences. Our course is taught using a mix of lecture- and laboratory-based pedagogical approaches and deals extensively with optical microscopy, due to its importance in applied physics and the life sciences, as well as with techniques like magnetic resonance imaging. Here we give an overview of the course, emphasizing the content of our microscopy module, and describe specific laboratory exercises.
Accurate energies of the He atom with undergraduate quantum mechanics
Authors: Massé Robert C. , Walker Thad G.
Published: July 2015

Estimating the energies and splitting of the 1s2s singlet and triplet states of helium is a classic exercise in quantum perturbation theory but yields only qualitatively correct results. Using a six-line computer program, the 1s2s energies calculated by matrix diagonalization using a seven-state basis improve the results to 0.4% error or better. This is an effective and practical illustration of the quantitative power of quantum mechanics, at a level accessible to undergraduate students.
Counterintuitive effect of gravity on the heat capacity of a solid sphere: Re-examination of a well-known problem
Authors: De Palma Giacomo , Sormani Mattia C.
Published: July 2015

A well-known high-school problem asking the final temperature of two identical spheres that are given the same amount of heat, one lying on a table and the other hanging from a thread, is re-examined. The conventional solution states that the sphere on the table ends up colder, because thermal expansion raises its center of mass. This solution violates the second law of thermodynamics and is therefore incorrect. Two different new solutions are proposed. The first uses statistical mechanics, while the second is based on purely classical thermodynamical arguments. Gravity produces a counterintuitive effect on the heat capacity, and the new answer to the problem goes in the opposite direction of what has been traditionally thought.