bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compact U-Slotted Antenna for Broadband Radar Applications
Authors: Costanzo S. , Costanzo A.
Published: October 2013

The original U-shaped patch antenna is properly modified in this work to provide a compact and broadband antenna configuration with reduced cross-polar effects, well suitable for modern radar applications. The proposed antenna layout is applied to design, realize, and test two different prototypes working at P-band and C-band, typically adopted for ground-penetrating radar. The experimental results successfully demonstrate a large operating bandwidth between 15% and 20%, a significant reduction of size (about half of the standard configuration), and a low cross-polarization level within the operating frequency range.
Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: Assessment of the Surgical Learning Curve
Authors: Meier Lukas , Zulewski Henryk , Oertli Daniel
Published: October 2013

Background. We report a single surgeon’s experience of 52 transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomies (LAs) performed between 2001 and 2010. In addition, we compared this series with our first published series of LAs performed between 1994 and 2001. Methods. Our series includes 24 left, 20 right, and 4 bilateral LAs performed in 48 patients. To estimate the learning curve, we chronologically divided the sample of unilateral LAs into two groups of 22 patients and compared the operating time, estimated blood loss, maximum diameter of the lesion, complications, and length of hospital stay. Results. Mean operating time was significantly lower (94 versus 78 min, ) and mean intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower (156 versus 60 mL, ) after more experience had been gained. Additionally, a trend towards removing larger lesions was observed. There was no significant difference in terms of hospital stay. Conclusions. Observing a single surgeon’s experience of nine years in laparoscopic adrenalectomy, this study indicates that it takes approximately 20–25 procedures to flatten the learning curve. Thus, for single centers with a volume of approximately five LAs performed per year, we suggest a selection of a few experienced surgeons to perform LAs in order to improve outcomes.
Microabrasion: An Effective Method for Improvement of Esthetics in Dentistry
Authors: Balan Biji , Madanda Uthaiah Chengappa , Narayanan Sreejesh , Mookalamada Monnappa Priyadarshini
Published: October 2013

Enamel microabrasion can eliminate enamel irregularities and discoloration defects, thus improving the appearance of teeth. This paper presents the latest treatment protocol of enamel microabrasion to remove stains on the enamel surface. It has been verified that teeth submitted to microabrasion acquire a yellowish colour because of the thinness of the remaining enamel, revealing the colour of dentinal tissue to a greater degree. Enamel microabrasion is a technique that can be used to correct discoloured enamel. Enamel microabrasion was developed in the mid-1980s as a method of eliminating enamel discolouration defects and improving the appearance of teeth. Several years after the method was developed, much has been learned about this technique, long-term results of treatment, and microscopic changes to the enamel surface that have distinguishable clinical implications. In addition, certain patients can benefit from enamel microabrasion to yield attractive cosmetic results. The aim of this study was to report the clinical case of a male patient of 25 years with moderate fluorosis, whose smile was re-established by the use of an enamel microabrasion technique, with 18% hydrochloric acid and pumice slurry shown to be a safe and efficient method for removing fluorosis stains.
Adrenomedullin Blockade Suppresses Growth of Human Hormone–Independent Prostate Tumor Xenograft in Mice
Authors: Berenguer-Daizé Caroline , Boudouresque Françoise , Bastide Cyrille , Tounsi Asma , Benyahia Zohra , Acunzo Julie , Dussault Nadège , Delfino Christine , Baeza Nathalie , Daniel Laurent , Cayol Mylène , Rossi Dominique , El Battari Assou , Bertin Denis , Mabrouk Kamel , Martin Pierre-Marie , Ouafik L'Houcine
Published: October 2013

Purpose: To study the role of the adrenomedullin system [adrenomedullin and its receptors (AMR), CLR, RAMP2, and RAMP3] in prostate cancer androgen-independent growth.

Experimental Design: Androgen-dependent and -independent prostate cancer models were used to investigate the role and mechanisms of adrenomedullin in prostate cancer hormone-independent growth and tumor-associated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.

Results: Adrenomedullin and AMR were immunohistochemically localized in the carcinomatous epithelial compartment of prostate cancer specimens of high grade (Gleason score >7), suggesting a role of the adrenomedullin system in prostate cancer growth. We used the androgen-independent Du145 cells, for which we demonstrate that adrenomedullin stimulated cell proliferation in vitro through the cAMP/CRAF/MEK/ERK pathway. The proliferation of Du145 and PC3 cells is decreased by anti-adrenomedullin antibody (αAM), supporting the fact that adrenomedullin may function as a potent autocrine/paracrine growth factor for prostate cancer androgen-independent cells. In vivo, αAM therapy inhibits the growth of Du145 androgen-independent xenografts and interestingly of LNCaP androgen-dependent xenografts only in castrated animals, suggesting strongly that adrenomedullin might play an important role in tumor regrowth following androgen ablation. Histologic examination of αAM-treated tumors showed evidence of disruption of tumor vascularity, with depletion of vascular as well as lymphatic endothelial cells and pericytes, and increased lymphatic endothelial cell apoptosis. Importantly, αAM potently blocks tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis, but does not affect established vasculature and lymphatic vessels in normal adult mice.

Conclusions: We conclude that expression of adrenomedullin upon androgen ablation in prostate cancer plays an important role in hormone-independent tumor growth and in neovascularization by supplying/amplifying signals essential for pathologic neoangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Clin Cancer Res; 19(22); 6138–50. ©2013 AACR.
An Overview of Children's Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment: From Scale Development to Measuring Outcomes
Authors: Genderson M.W. , Sischo L. , Markowitz K. , Fine D. , Broder H.L.
Published: October 2013

The objectives of this paper are to present an overview of children's oral health-related quality of life and include specific applications for using quality of life assessment in dental research. The process of developing pediatric oral health- related quality of life measures, in particular the Child Oral Health Impact Profile, is outlined. Examples of children's oral health-related quality of life measurement in caries research are also provided. Quality of life outcomes are presented and discussed in the context of caries research. Lastly, the relevance of measuring clinically meaningful difference in the context of measuring outcomes research is highlighted with recommendations for future research.
Platelet Lysate as Replacement for Fetal Bovine Serum in Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Cultures
Authors: Bieback Karen
Published: October 2013

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) emerged as highly attractive in cell-based regenerative medicine. Initially thought to provide cells capable of differentiation towards mesenchymal cell types (osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes etc.), by and by potent immunoregulatory and pro-regenerative activities have been discovered, broadening the field of potential applications from bone and cartilage regeneration to wound healing and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Due to the limited frequency in most tissue sources, ex vivo expansion of MSC is required compliant with good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines to yield clinically relevant cell doses. Though, still most manufacturing protocols use fetal bovine serum (FBS) as cell culture supplement to isolate and to expand MSC. However, the high lot-to-lot variability as well as risk of contamination and immunization call for xenogenic-free culture conditions. In terms of standardization, chemically defined media appear as the ultimate achievement. Since these media need to maintain all key cellular and therapy-relevant features of MSC, the development of chemically defined media is still - albeit highly investigated - only in its beginning. The current alternatives to FBS rely on human blood-derived components: plasma, serum, umbilical cord blood serum, and platelet derivatives like platelet lysate. Focusing on quality aspects, the latter will be addressed within this review.
Comparison of the Effects of Desflurane and Sevoflurane on Middle Ear Pressure: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Duger Cevdet , Dogan Mansur , Isbir Ahmet Cemil , Ozdemir Kol Iclal , Gursoy Sinan , Kaygusuz Kenan , Sahin Omer Fatih , Uysal Ismail Onder , Mimaroglu Caner
Published: October 2013

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of two inhalation anesthetics, desflurane and sevoflurane, on middle ear pressure. Methods: After we obtained written consent from the patients and the approval from our institutional ethical committee, we included 56 ASA I-II patients aged between 18 and 60 years in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups of 28 patients each. Desflurane 4-6% (Group D) or sevoflurane 1-2% (Group S) were used for anesthesia management in patients. Baseline tympanometry was carried out and recorded before the induction of anesthesia on both ears, and 3 more measurements were done and recorded 5, 15 and 30 min after induction. Results: In both groups, middle ear pressure values were found to be significantly elevated when compared to baseline measurements (p < 0.05). When middle ear pressure was compared between the groups, no difference was found between the values obtained at baseline and at 5 min in Group S, while especially the values obtained at 15 min revealed significantly higher middle ear pressures in Group D. Conclusion: It was observed that the increase in middle ear pressure caused by sevoflurane was significantly lower than that caused by desflurane.
Fatal Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Evolving from a Localized Verrucous Epidermal Nevus
Authors: Riad Hassan , Mansour Khaled , Al Sada Hussein , Al Naama Khalifa , Al Shaigy Amal , Hussain Khairunnisa
Published: October 2013

A malignant transformation is known to occur in many nevi such as a sebaceous nevus or a basal cell nevus, but a verrucous epidermal nevus has only rarely been associated with neoplastic changes. Keratoacanthoma, multifocal papillary apocrine adenoma, multiple malignant eccrine poroma, basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) have all been reported to develop from a verrucous epidermal nevus. CSCC has also been reported to arise from other nevoid lesions like a nevus comedonicus, porokeratosis, a sebaceous nevus, an oral sponge nevus and an ichthyosiform nevus with CHILD syndrome. Here we report a case of progressive poorly differentiated CSCC arising from a localized verrucous epidermal nevus, which caused both spinal cord and brain metastasis.
Hollywood as Music Museum & Patron: Bringing Various Musical Styles to a Wide Audience
Authors: Greenspan Charlotte
Published: October 2013

The role of Hollywood films in holding up a mirror–albeit sometimes a distorted one–to the American public is indisputable. Less discussed is their role in bringing a wide range of music–popular, classical, jazz, avant-garde, ethnic–to an unsuspecting audience. Whether the music is in the foreground, as in biographical movies about composers, for example, or in the background supporting the narrative, watching a movie educates the viewers' ears. Indeed, the role of movies in widening the public's aural palate has parallels with the role of art museums in broadening the public's visual taste. To supply the music needed for movies, Hollywood studios have employed a large number of composers of the most varied backgrounds, taking on a significant function as patron of contemporary music. This essay briefly examines some of the varied interactions of movies, music, and the public.
Long Time, No Song: Revisiting Fats Waller's Lost Broadway Musical
Authors: McWhorter John H.
Published: October 2013

Just before he died in 1943, Fats Waller wrote the music for a Broadway book musical with a mostly white cast, the first black composer to do so–and the only one ever to do it with commercial success. Yet “Early to Bed” is largely ignored by historians of musical theater, while jazz scholars describe the circumstances surrounding its composition rather than the work itself. Encouraging this neglect is the fact that no actual score survives. This essay, based on research that assembled all surviving evidence of the score and the show, gives a summary account of “Early to Bed” and what survives from it. The aim is to fill a gap in Waller scholarship, calling attention to some of his highest quality work, and possibly stimulating further reconstruction work that might result in a recording of the score.
The Impact of Different Absolute Solar Irradiance Values on Current Climate Model Simulations
Authors: Rind David H. , Lean Judith L. , Jonas Jeffrey
Published: October 2013

Simulations of the preindustrial and doubled CO2 climates are made with the GISS Global Climate Middle Atmosphere Model 3 using two different estimates of the absolute solar irradiance value: a higher value measured by solar radiometers in the 1990s and a lower value measured recently by the Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment. Each of the model simulations is adjusted to achieve global energy balance; without this adjustment the difference in irradiance produces a global temperature change of 0.4°C, comparable to the cooling estimated for the Maunder Minimum. The results indicate that by altering cloud cover the model properly compensates for the different absolute solar irradiance values on a global level when simulating both preindustrial and doubled CO2 climates. On a regional level, the preindustrial climate simulations and the patterns of change with doubled CO2 concentrations are again remarkably similar, but there are some differences. Using a higher absolute solar irradiance value and the requisite cloud cover affects the model’s depictions of high-latitude surface air temperature, sea level pressure, and stratospheric ozone, as well as tropical precipitation. In the climate change experiments it leads to an underestimation of North Atlantic warming, reduced precipitation in the tropical western Pacific, and smaller total ozone growth at high northern latitudes. Although significant, these differences are typically modest compared with the magnitude of the regional changes expected for doubled greenhouse gas concentrations. Nevertheless, the model simulations demonstrate that achieving the highest possible fidelity when simulating regional climate change requires that climate models use as input the most accurate (lower) solar irradiance value.
Pacific–North American Teleconnection Controls on Precipitation Isotopes (δ18O) across the Contiguous United States and Adjacent Regions: A GCM-Based Analysis
Authors: Liu Zhongfang , Yoshmura Kei , Bowen Gabriel J. , Welker Jeffrey M.
Published: October 2013

The Pacific–North American (PNA) teleconnection pattern has a strong influence on North America’s winter climate, but much less is known about how the PNA pattern controls precipitation isotopes (e.g., δ18O) across the United States. In this study, an isotopically equipped atmospheric general circulation model (isoGSM) is used to investigate how divergent phases of the PNA affect precipitation δ18O values across the United States. A simulation using observational climate and isotope data over the United States is evaluated first. The simulation explains 84% of the spatial variability of winter precipitation δ18O, with an overestimation in the northern Rocky Mountains and the Great Lakes. Temporally, the simulation explains 29%–81% of the interannual variability of winter precipitation δ18O, with typically a higher explained variance in the east than the west. The modeled winter precipitation δ18O exhibits a clear northwest–southeast (NW–SE) dipolelike pattern in response to shifts in the PNA pattern, with the center of positive polarity in the northwestern United States and the Canadian prairies and the center of negative polarity over the Ohio River valley. This dipolelike spatial pattern is a result of the difference in atmospheric circulation and moisture sources associated with the PNA pattern. These results highlight the importance of the PNA-associated circulation dynamics in governing precipitation isotope patterns across the United States. This understanding improves our ability to interpret paleoclimate records of water isotope/hydrologic change across the United States with a much greater appreciation of regional traits. The robust antiphase oscillation in precipitation isotopes in response to shifting the PNA pattern provides a promising opportunity to reconstruct the past variability in the PNA pattern that may be recorded in ice cores, tree rings, lake sediments, and speleothems.
Relational Models of Organizational Inequalities
Authors: Vallas Steven , Cummins Emily
Published: October 2013

In recent years, theorists of social inequality have increasingly rejected analytic models using the individual as the unit of analysis, favoring “relational” models centered on the dynamic, group-level interactions that can account for disparities in the distribution of job rewards. In this article we scrutinize three distinct strands of relational thinking: categorical theories, analysis of symbolic boundaries, and theories of intersectionality. Our goals are twofold: first, to identify some of the major conceptual and methodological limitations in this field and, second, to begin the task of conjoining insights from each strand of thinking, fostering conceptually richer and more powerful theoretical formulations of organizational inequalities. The article sketches some potential avenues for empirical analysis that seem likely to advance relational models and highlight their advantages—advantages that provide rich sociological guideposts—compared to more individually centered or even aggregate descriptive models that have governed the field since World War II.
Antiplatelet Treatment and Prothrombotic Diathesis Following Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Trellopoulos G. , Georgiadis G. S. , Nikolopoulos E. S. , Kapoulas K. C. , Georgakarakos E. I. , Lazarides M. K.
Published: October 2013

Prothrombotic diathesis expressed by elevated levels of coagulation-specific biomarkers has been reported in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and after AAA endovascular repair (EVAR). This study investigates the effect of antiplatelet agents (APLs) on the prothrombotic diathesis in the post-EVAR period. Forty elective EVAR patients had thrombin–antithrombin complex, d-dimer, fibrinopeptide A, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein measured before, at 24 hours, 1 month, and 6 months after EVAR. Patients receiving APLs postoperatively were compared with those not receiving APLs. All biomarkers were above the normal limits preoperatively and increased significantly 24 hours postoperatively followed by a drop at 1 and 6 months. No statistically significant changes were noted among patients receiving APLs in comparison with those not receiving APLs. The preoperative and postoperative prothrombotic diathesis of AAA following EVAR was confirmed in line with other reports. There was however no significant alteration of the examined biomarkers in patients receiving APLs.
Metafictions of development: The Enigma of Arrival, You Can’t Get Lost in Cape Town, and the place of the world in world literature
Authors: Donnelly Kara Lee
Published: October 2013

This article examines two works of fiction: V.S. Naipaul’s The Enigma of Arrival and Zoë Wicomb’s You Can’t Get Lost in Cape Town. Although these are works by authors who write out of different cultural formations, both link their narrator’s development to his or her success at becoming a published author. To be fully mature, the narrator must recognize his or her own experiences as a disenfranchised subject from the colonial hinterland as the appropriate subject for literature. In conjunction with this particular form of character development, both Naipaul and Wicomb use metafiction to reflect on the complex and unequal structures that shape world literary markets. They integrate their protagonists into global markets by strategically deploying the Bildungsroman. These formal features allow these works to serve as a critique of world literature even as they participate in world literary culture and markets. Taking the impetus from these works of fiction, this article proposes a redefinition of world literature as literary works that develop strategies of representation that respond to fundamental global inequalities.
Seeking Common Ground through Oral Tradition
Authors: Sramek Jordan
Published: October 2013

Performers specializing in early music share many of the questions, challenges, and issues faced by scholars working with oral traditions in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In this article, I draw on my experience as a scholar-musician and artistic director of an early-music ensemble to address matters relating to performance philosophy, cultural sensitivity and authenticity that arise when early musicians endeavor to incorporate in their concert programs oral traditions transmitted through music. In addition, I speak to important questions raised by the other articles in this volume regarding matters of transmission, notation (or the absence thereof), improvisation, and reception. Through this “dialogue” it is my hope to call attention to the gains that may be had when musicians and scholars partner together.
Changes in the nature and sequence of placements experienced by children in care, 1980–2010
Authors: Bullock Roger , Blower Sarah
Published: October 2013

This article compares the nature and sequence of placements experienced by children entering care in England (and in one case Wales) in 1980 and in 2010. The two samples comprise sequential admissions from a selected date. In each case, results are presented for those who left care early (within six months) and those who were still there 12 months after entry. It was found that residential care was widely used in 1980, both as an initial placement and following foster care disruption, but by 2010 its use had virtually disappeared. The demise of observation and assessment centres is especially significant for reflecting practice changes with regard to the assessment of children’s needs. The results for the amount of children’s movement between placements while in care were varied, showing a slight increase for the short-stay group and only a modest reduction for those who stayed longer. The implications of the findings for policy and practice are discussed.
Holland’s constructs in relation to career persistence and career change: A study of Australian managerial and professional workers
Authors: Donohue Ross
Published: October 2013

This study tested Holland’s propositions that career persisters are more congruent, have greater vocational identity, and more differentiated and consistent personalities than career changers. His proposition that people who change career move to more congruent occupations was also tested. The study examined if vocational identity, differentiation, consistency, age or gender moderate the congruence–career persistence/change relation. The sample comprised 285 managers/professionals (241 persisters; 44 changers) first assessed in groups over 5 years and followed up after 18 months to gauge their career persistence/change status. Results showed persisters were more congruent and had stronger vocational identity than changers, but their personalities were not more differentiated or consistent. Changers were found to move to careers more congruent than their previous careers. There was no evidence the proposed moderators interacted with congruence in predicting career persistence/change.
Intercondylar Roof Impingement After Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Patients With Knee Hyperextension
Authors: Matsubara Hirokazu , Okazaki Ken , Tashiro Yasutaka , Toyoda Kazutaka , Uemura Munenori , Hashizume Makoto , Iwamoto Yukihide
Published: October 2013

Background:

Although an anatomically placed graft in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is reported to have a low risk of roof impingement, which may cause deterioration of the graft or an extension deficit, the incidence of roof impingement by these grafts has not been evaluated in hyperextensible knees.

Purpose:

To evaluate the incidence of roof impingement by the native ACL in hyperextensible knees and to examine the risk of roof impingement by anatomic placement of the ACL graft in hyperextensible knees.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Twelve patients were selected for a hyperextensible knee group (group A), defined as having hyperextension of the knee of greater than 10°. Twelve patients were recruited to a normal extension knee group (group B) with normal extension of the knee of less than 5° of hyperextension. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the knee positioned in 30° of flexion and full extension were acquired from all patients. The shape of the native ACL at full extension was compared between the groups. A 3-dimensional (3D) bone model was created from the acquired 2D MRI scans. A virtual anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction in each patient and a virtual anatomic single-bundle reconstruction in the patients in group A were performed using the 3D MRI bone models. The volume of the overlap between the graft and roof was calculated to evaluate graft impingement in each instance.

Results:

The MRI scans showed posterior bowing of the native ACL in the group A knees. The simulated double-bundle ACL reconstruction showed that the overlapped volume was significantly greater in patients in group A than in patients in group B ( P < .05). However, the overlap of the simulated single-bundle ACL reconstruction was significantly less than for the double-bundle ACL reconstruction ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

To reduce the risk of roof impingement by the graft, single-bundle ACL reconstruction with the graft placed at the center of the footprint might be the better method for patients with a hyperextensible knee than an anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction.

Clinical Relevance:

It is recommended that surgeons cautiously consider roof impingement after anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction in patients with a hyperextensible knee.
Holocene changes in marine productivity and terrestrial organic carbon inputs into an Icelandic fjord: Application of molecular and bulk organic proxies
Authors: Moossen Heiko , Abell Richard , Quillmann Ursula , Bendle James
Published: October 2013

This study examines the dynamics of organic carbon contributions from different sources to the sediments of a ~39 m core from Ísafjarðardjúp Fjord, Northwest Iceland, throughout the Holocene. Furthermore, it shows that the variability of terrestrial organic carbon (OCterr) and marine organic carbon (OCmar) is linked to palaeoclimatic change throughout the Holocene. glycerol-dialkyl-glycerol-tetraether (GDGT), alkenone, n-alkane, total OC and total nitrogen analyses were conducted on 326 samples to yield high-resolution branched versus isoprenoid tetraether index (BIT-index), n-alkane/alkenone index and C/N ratio records from ~10,800 to ~300 cal. a BP. These records were used to estimate the OCterr and the OCmar contributions to the sediments. Three different approaches of estimating the OCterr contribution yield different relative amounts, but similar long-term trends. These results indicate that the combination of biomarker records is a good approach to reconstruct OCterr contributions but also highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the individual biomarkers. The OCterr contribution to the total OC inventory continually increases throughout much of the Holocene but does not rise above 30%. It seems to have been driven by changing climate rather than changing sedimentation rates, and during the late Holocene, anthropogenic activity may have been an influence. The reconstructed OCmar contribution to the sediment was used to model changes in palaeoproductivity throughout the Holocene. These changes were likely forced by changes in nutrients supplied both by the catchment area and the Irminger Current.
Digital prosumption labour on social media in the context of the capitalist regime of time
Authors: Fuchs Christian
Published: October 2013

So-called social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Weibo and LinkedIn are an expression of changing regimes of time in capitalist society. This paper discusses how corporate social media are related to the capitalist organization of time and the changes this organization is undergoing. It uses social theory for conceptualizing changes of society and its time regime and how these changes shape social media. These changes have been described with notions such as prosumption, consumption labour, play labour (playbour) and digital labour. The paper contextualizes digital labour on social media with the help of a model of society that distinguishes three subsystems (the economy, politics, culture) and three forms of power (economic, political, culture). In modern society, these systems are based on the logic of the accumulation of power and the acceleration of accumulation. The paper discusses the role of various dimensions of time in capitalism with the help of a model that is grounded in Karl Marx’s works. It points out the importance of the category of time for a labour theory of value and a digital labour theory of value. Social media are expressions of the changing time regimes that modern society has been undergoing, especially in relation to the blurring of leisure and labour time (play labour), production and consumption time (prosumption), new forms of absolute and relative surplus value production, the acceleration of consumption with the help of targeted online advertising and the creation of speculative, future-oriented forms of fictitious capital.
Dalfampridine improves walking speed, walking endurance, and community participation in veterans with multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Cameron Michelle H , Fitzpatrick Mary , Overs Shannon , Murchison Charles , Manning Jane , Whitham Ruth
Published: October 2013

Background:

In short-term trials, dalfampridine extended release (ER) improves walking in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The tolerability and effects of dalfampridine-ER in clinical practice have not been reported.

Objectives:

The objective of this paper is to determine the clinical tolerability and effects of dalfampridine on walking and community participation.

Methods:

All patients at the Portland VA Medical Center prescribed dalfampridine-ER over one year completed the Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12), Two-Minute Timed Walk (2MTW), and Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) at baseline and follow-up clinic visits. Ongoing use and measures over one year were analyzed.

Results:

A total of 39 patients (mean age 56.5 years, mean disease duration 19.5 years, 82% male, 38% relapsing–remitting MS, 62% progressive MS) were prescribed dalfampridine-ER. Twenty-four (62%) continued to take dalfampridine-ER. At initial follow-up, all measures improved significantly from baseline (T25FW: –2.7 s, p = 0.004; 2MTW: 41 feet (ft), p = 0.002; MSWS12: –11, p < 0.001; CIQ: 1.2, p = 0.003). At one year, walking endurance and self-perceived walking were still significantly improved (2MTW: 33 ft, p = 0.03; MSWS-12: 5.9, p = 0.007).

Conclusions:

Dalfampridine-ER was associated with short-term improvements in walking speed and community participation, and sustained improvements in walking endurance and self-perceived impact of MS on walking for one year. Our study supports the utility of this medication in late MS.
The travel behaviours of international students
Authors: Gardiner Sarah , King Brian , Wilkins Hugh
Published: October 2013

International students represent a large and potentially lucrative market for various sectors of the tourism industry. Although previous empirical studies have examined this topic, most treated the market as homogeneous and small sample sizes have been the norm. The present Australia-based study represents the first large-scale investigation of the travel activities of international students. The large sample size ( N = 4633) has allowed the researchers to identify nationality-based differences between international student travel behaviours and the factors that constrain their travel. The approach that has been adopted extends theoretical and applied understanding of this important tourism market and informs how tourism industry leaders may capitalise on the opportunities by undertaking initiatives, such as innovative tourism marketing, product development and packaging initiatives.
Observational learning by individuals with autism: A review of teaching strategies
Authors: Plavnick Joshua B , Hume Kara A
Published: October 2013

Observational learning is the process used to explain the acquisition of novel behaviors or performance of previously acquired behaviors under novel conditions after observing the behavior of another person and the consequences that follow the behavior. Many learners with autism do not attend to environmental stimuli at a level sufficient to learn a range of prosocial behaviors through observation of others. Modeling, group or dyadic instruction, and explicit observation training can improve the extent to which individuals with autism learn through observation. This article reviews previous research that involved observational learning by individuals with autism and outlines future research that could benefit instructional practices.
Vascular graft thrombosis secondary to activated protein C resistance: a case report and literature review
Authors: Pejkić Siniša , Savić Nebojša , Paripović Miroslav , Sladojević Miloš , Đorić Predrag , Ilić Nikola
Published: October 2013

Hypercoagulability is a well-documented and prominent risk factor for venous thromboembolism. The role of thrombophilia in arterial thrombotic events is less well defined. A 52-year-old male patient with multiple atherogenic risk factors was admitted for non-healing pedal ulcer and absent distal pulses. Based on the clinical presentation, Doppler ultrasound and angiography findings, the patient underwent elective in situ bypass arterial reconstruction. The saphenous vein graft was of satisfactory quality and the procedure went routinely. Acute graft thrombosis on postoperative day 0 was recognized immediately and prompted an emergent surgical revision. No technical errors or anatomical/mechanical causes for failed reconstruction were found and the graft was successfully thrombectomized using a Fogarty balloon-catheter. Graft rethrombosis, however, ensued after several hours. Considering the absence of threatening limb ischemia and the idiopathic recurrent thrombosis, raising suspicion of prothrombotic state, conservative treatment was pursued. Postoperative thrombophilia testing proved positive for activated protein C resistance, mandating introduction of chronic oral anticoagulation. Six months later, the operated extremity is viable. Inexplicable vascular graft thrombosis, particularly if early and recurrent, should raise suspicion of underlying thrombophilia. If confirmed by laboratory testing, long-term secondary antithrombotic prophylaxis may be required.
Gender Roles and Expectations
Authors: Eisenchlas Susana A.
Published: October 2013

One consequence of the advent of cyber communication is that increasing numbers of people go online to ask for, obtain, and presumably act upon advice dispensed by unknown peers. Just as advice seekers may not have access to information about the identities, ideologies, and other personal characteristics of advice givers, advice givers are equally ignorant about their interlocutors except for the bits of demographic information that the latter may offer freely. In the present study, that information concerns sex. As the sex of the advice seeker may be the only, or the predominant, contextual variable at hand, it is expected that that identifier will guide advice givers in formulating their advice. The aim of this project is to investigate whether and how the sex of advice givers and receivers affects the type of advice, through the empirical analysis of a corpus of web-based Spanish language forums on personal relationship difficulties. The data revealed that, in the absence of individuating information beyond that implicit in the advice request, internalized gender expectations along the lines of agency and communality are the sources from which advice givers draw to guide their counsel. This is despite the trend in discursive practices used in formulating advice, suggesting greater language convergence across sexes.
Imaging of Urethral Bulking Agents
Authors: Denson Lindsay , Shobeiri S. Abbas
Published: October 2013

Urethral bulking is an office procedure for treatment of stress urinary incontinence that has increased in popularity in recent years. Numerous types of urethral bulking agents have been used since its introduction in the 1930s. Typically, these agents are imaged using specialty 3D 360° field-of-view transducers; however, a sonographer, during a pelvic or renal examination, may inadvertently find and image an echogenic structure near the urethrovesical junction in patients with a history of urethral bulking. Familiarizing oneself with the sonographic appearance of urethral bulking agents and optimizing techniques to obtain improved images of these agents may eliminate the need for additional imaging for the patient. Urethral bulking can be readily imaged with transducers commonly found in most ultrasound departments. This review will focus on the sonographic characteristics of urethral bulking agents and knowing when and how to use appropriate transducers to image the urethra.
Role of IGF-1 pathway in lung fibroblast activation
Authors: Hung Chi F , Rohani Maryam G , Lee Sung-soon , Chen Peter , Schnapp Lynn M
Published: October 2013

Background

IGF-1 is elevated in pulmonary fibrosis and acute lung injury, where fibroblast activation is a prominent feature. We previously demonstrated that blockade of IGF pathway in murine model of lung fibrosis improved outcome and decreased fibrosis. We now expand that study to examine effects of IGF pathway on lung fibroblast behaviors that could contribute to fibrosis.

Methods

We first examined mice that express αSMA promoter upstream of GFP reporter treated with A12, a blocking antibody to IGF-1 receptor, after bleomycin induced lung injury. We then examined the effect of IGF-1 alone, or in combination with the pro-fibrotic cytokine TGFβ on expression of markers of myofibroblast activation in vitro, including αSMA, collagen α1, type 1, collagen α1, type III, and TGFβ expression.

Results

After bleomycin injury, we found decreased number of αSMA-GFP + cells in A12 treated mice, validated by αSMA immunofluorescent staining. We found that IGF-1, alone or in combination with TGF-β, did not affect αSMA RNA expression, promoter activity, or protein levels when fibroblasts were cultured on stiff substrate. IGF-1 stimulated Col1a1 and Col3a1 expression on stiff substrate. In contrast, IGF-1 treatment on soft substrate resulted in upregulation of αSMA gene and protein expression, as well as Col1a1 and Col3a1 transcripts. In conclusion, IGF-1 stimulates differentiation of fibroblasts into a myofibroblast phenotype in a soft matrix environment and has a modest effect on αSMA stress fiber organization in mouse lung fibroblasts.
Examination of categorical approach to symptom assessment: cross-validation of foulds’ Delusions-Symptoms-States Inventory with Korean non-patient and patient groups
Authors: Hwang Samuel Suk-Hyun , Kim Yeni , Chang Jae Seung , Yun Da Young , Kim Yong Sik , Jung Hee Yeon
Published: October 2013

Background

Foulds’ Delusions-Symptoms-State Inventory (DSSI) has been purported to be a reliable, systematic categorical measure to assess the patients with schizophrenia according to the degree of illness. However, further cross-validations using other clinical measures and diverse samples from other cultures have not been advanced recently. We aimed to examine the validity of the DSSI hierarchical class model using both Korean non-patient and patient (schizophrenia and depression) groups.

Method

The hypothesis of inclusive, non-reflexive relationships among the DSSI classes was tested. The power of DSSI to detect presence of symptoms was assessed via cross-validation with other clinical measures, and the differences between the clinical features among the DSSI classes were examined using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI).

Results

The high rate of model conformity (91.1%) across the samples and cross-validation with other criterion measures provided further support for the validity of DSSI.

Conclusions

DSSI is a reliable self-report measure that can be applied to both patient and non-patients to assess the presence and severity of psychiatric illness. Future studies that include more diverse clinical groups are necessary to lend further support for its utility in clinical practice.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment with peginterferon-alfa-2a versus peginterferon-alfa-2b for patients with chronic hepatitis C under the public payer perspective in Brazil
Authors: Barros Fabio MR , Cheinquer Hugo , Tsuchiya Carolina T , Santos Eduardo AV
Published: October 2013

Background

Chronic hepatitis C affects approximately 170 million people worldwide, and thus being one of the main causes of chronic liver disease. About 20% of patients with chronic hepatitis C will develop cirrhosis over 20 years, and present an increased risk of developing hepatic complications. Sustained virological response (SVR) is associated with a better prognosis compared to untreated patients and treatment failures.

The objective of this analysis was to compare treatment costs and outcomes of pegylated interferon-alfa-2a versus pegylated interferon-alfa-2b, both associated with ribavirin, in the therapeutic scheme of 24 weeks and 48 week for hepatitis C genotypes 2/3 and genotype 1, respectively, under the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) scenario.

Methods

To project disease progression, a Markov model was built based on clinical stages of chronic disease. A Delphi panel was conducted to evaluate medical resources related to each stage, followed by costing of related materials, services, procedures and pharmaceutical products. The evaluation was made from a public payer perspective. The source used for costing was government reimbursement procedures list (SAI/SIH–SUS). Drug acquisition costs were obtained from the Brazilian Official Gazette and “Banco de Preços em Saúde” (government official source). It was assumed a mean patient weight of 70 kg. Costs were reported in 2011 Brazilian Reais (US$1 ≈ $Brz1.80). A systematic review followed by a meta-analysis of the 7 identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared pegylated interferons, was conducted for obtaining relative efficacy of both drugs: for genotype 2/3, mean rate of SVR was 79.2% for peginterferon-alfa-2a and 73.8% for peginterferon-alfa-2b. For genotype 1, SVR mean rate was 42.09% versus 33.44% (peginterferon-alfa-2a and peginterferon-alfa-2b respectively). Time horizon considered was lifetime. Discount rate for costs and outcomes was 5%, according to Brazilian guidelines for Health Technology Assessment (HTA).

Results

Analysis showed that peginterferon-alfa-2a is a dominant therapy compared to peginterferon-alfa-2b for genotype 1 ($Brz 4,345 savings and 0.10 LY/0.25 QALY gains) as well for genotype 2/3 ($Brz 8,001 savings and 0.16 LY/0.39 QALY gains). Projections indicated that for each 1000 patients treated with peginterferon-alfa-2a instead of peginterferon-alfa-2b, the amount of resources saved would be of $Brz 4.3 million for genotypes 2/3 and up to $Brz 8 million for genotype 1.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that treatment with peginterferon-alfa-2a is more effective and less costly when compared to peginterferon-alfa-2b under SUS perspective in Brazil.
Multi-nutrient supplement improves hormone ratio associated with cancer risk
Authors: Bazzan Anthony J , Zabrecky George P , Newberg Andrew B
Published: October 2013

Background

Gynecological cancers are among the most common in women and are directly related to a variety of hormonal factors. One potential risk factor associated with developing a gynecological malignancy is the ratio of two hormone metabolites, 2-Hydroxyestrone (2-HE) and 16alpha-Hydroxyestrone (16alpha-HE). A number of botanical constituents such as indoles, flavonoids, and resveratrol have been shown to have a favorable effect on the metabolic pathways that affect this ratio. The present study was designed to evaluate if a multi-nutrient supplement containing targeted botanical constituents would affect the 2-HE/16 alpha-HE ratio in middle-aged women.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 76 female patients (mean age 54 years) who received 2-HE/16 alpha-HE ratio assessments at two separate time points. The ratio assessment was part of standard care for women who presented with risk indicators associated with a high proliferative state. All patients who completed pre and post assessments were included. Sixty-five of the patients received a multi-nutrient supplement, Lucentia Peak®, during the study period. Eleven patients chose not to take the supplement, but did receive ratio assessments at similar time points as the treatment group, allowing for between group comparisons. Paired t-tests were used to compare the changes in the 2-HE and 16alpha-HE measures as well as their ratio, both within groups and between groups.

Results

The results demonstrated a significant increase in the 2-HE/16alpha-HE ratio in the treated group (pre 0.38 to post 0.57, p<0.0001), and was significantly different (p=0.02) compared to the change in the control group (pre 0.65 to post 0.64). This change appears to be mediated primarily by an increase in the 2-HE level. Individually, 54 patients given Lucentia Peak® had increased ratios while 11 patients had a decrease. In the control group, 3 patients had an increase in their ratio and 8 patients had a decrease.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that women receiving the Lucentia Peak® multi-nutrient supplement had significant increases in their 2-HE:16alpha-HE ratio, which appears to be mediated primarily by increasing the 2-HE levels. These results suggest further research on phytonutrients that might positively affect estrogen metabolism is warranted.