bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subpolitics and Democracy: The Role of New Media in the 2011 General Elections in Singapore
Authors: Sreekumar T.T. , Vadrevu Shobha
Published: July 2013

Making use of the recent STS focus on the idea of subpolitics, the study seeks to understand the limited yet important implications of the rise of the political twitterati1 for liberal democracy in Singapore. The phenomenon marks a significant development not in terms of facilitating mass upheavals or radical reforms as elsewhere in the world, but in terms of contributing towards the construction of counter narratives to the historically articulated and previously uncontested discourses of progress, efficiency, productivity and success that in part have legitimated the political establishment in Singapore. By critiquing the regime’s myriad narratives of accomplishments and constructing subversive counter narratives through ‘series tweets’ that were infused with wit, sarcasm, parody and satire, the political twitterati in Singapore has expanded the vistas of democratic participation while remaining loyal to the country’s non-Western liberal democratic framework.
Pain Assessment During a Vaso-Occlusive Crisis in the Pediatric and Adolescent Patient
Authors: Schiavenato Martin , Alvarez Ofelia
Published: July 2013

Pain assessment of the child and adolescent with sickle cell disease is complex and challenging. We present a paradigm of pain assessment during a vaso-occlusive crisis in children and adolescents based on the Pain Assessment as a Social Transaction model. Using this model, the assessment of pain severity in sickle cell disease is uniquely highlighted as comprising at least 4 key factors: the limitations of current pain assessment tools, the existence of acute pain of various origins and the emergence and coexistence of chronic pain, the prevalence of cognitive deficits, and the sociocultural dynamics in America. Improved tools for pain assessment and targeted practitioner education are warranted.
The Built Environment and Community Integration
Authors: Christensen Keith M. , Byrne Betsy C.
Published: July 2013

Olmstead v. L.C. upheld the civil rights of individuals with disabilities to live, learn, work, and socialize in the community of their choice. The built environment plays a role in the community integration of individuals with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate states’ Olmstead Plans to determine the extent to which they address the role of the built environment in community integration of individuals with disabilities. The majority of the reviewed plans did not demonstrate a reasonably clear acknowledgment of the role of the built environment in community integration. The Olmstead Plans did address housing and transportation. However, housing and transportation policies need to reach out beyond disability into the community to affect the community integration of individuals with disabilities. An important step toward community integration through community planning practices is the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the standard community processes at the policy level.
Bully Prevention in Positive Behavior Support
Authors: Ross Scott W. , Horner Robert H.
Published: July 2013

The current pilot study demonstrates the potential of adding simple and efficient bully prevention strategies to already established School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. The self-report surveys of third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students from three elementary schools evaluated the relationship between the implementation of Bully Prevention in Positive Behavior Support and attitudes related to bullying, harassment, and school safety. Results indicated significant improvements in 12 of the 13 dependent variables after the intervention was implemented. Student perceptions of assertiveness, bystander support, and use of a “stop” signal were particularly altered. Considerable methodological limitations are described along with potential implications for practice and recommendations for future research.
Mucinous Cystadenoma in the Upper Lip
Authors: Yamada Tomohiro , Takahashi Mayu , Matsumoto Manabu , Toi Makoto , Ohno Seiji , Kitamura Naoya , Sasabe Eri , Yamamoto Tetsuya
Published: July 2013

Mucinous cystadenoma of the salivary gland is a very rare disease, and only a few cases have been reported. We report here 2 cases of mucinous cystadenoma in the upper lip. The first case was a 57-year-old man and the second was a 42-year-old woman. The tumors were painless nodules with a smooth-surfaced mucosa, and surgical excisions were performed. Histologically, the tumors were surrounded by a fibrous capsule and were composed of multiple cysts lined with columnar epithelial cells. The tumor cells contain mucous substances that reacted with periodic acid-Schiff base and Alcian blue. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the tumor cells expressed cytokeratin (AE1/3 and CK7), but their immunoreactivity with MIB-1 (Ki-67) was less than 3%. They had negative immunoreactivity for neuroectoderm markers, S-100 protein, and myoepithelial markers, p63, α-smooth muscle actin, and calponin, except for the accompanying myoepithelial-like cells. No recurrences were noted after surgery at 7 years and 1 year, respectively.
REDD+ and Forest Governance in Indonesia
Authors: Mulyani Mari , Jepson Paul
Published: July 2013

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) represents the strategic linkage between a climate change regime and international forest policy. But the future success of REDD+ will depend, in part, on how policy makers perceive the challenges and opportunities it offers stakeholders. This study investigated perceptions toward REDD+ based on interviews with 60 Indonesia-based key-informants influencing REDD+ policy. Interviewees cited “governance reform,” “network building,” “conservation,” and “economic development” as opportunities. The perceived challenges included “REDD+’s complexity,” “uncertainty of REDD+ decisions,” “REDD+ is a tool of developed countries,” and problems inherent within existing forest governance related to coordination, lack of capacity, ambiguity of legal system, and corruption. Adopting a clientelist perspective we draw attention to the underlying causes of these problems and the implication for REDD+. Despite highlighting significant challenges, most informants viewed the REDD+ mechanism as a potentially useful instrument to improve forest governance. Based on our findings, we suggest that identifying governance reforms that do not require major structural changes in the bureaucratic system in the short-term hold the best chance of success for capitalizing on the opportunities REDD+ may offer in the future.
Untold Stories of Infant Loss
Authors: O’Leary Joann , Warland Jane
Published: July 2013

This article presents secondary analysis of data from parents who, 50 to 70 years ago, birthed stillborn babies or babies with lethal anomalies and from adult children born after these losses. The stories reflect a time in history when parents were “protected” from seeing or holding their babies and mothers were unable to attend the funeral. There was no understanding by society or caregivers for parents’ need to process the loss or resources to build memories. They provide a strong argument for health care providers to offer such resources to parents today and offer grief support.
Colleen’s Story
Authors: McGavin Colleen
Published: July 2013

As a patient who has also been a family caregiver, I would like to offer my reflections on the concept of “patient and family centered care.” How is it defined from a patient perspective? Why is it important? In what circumstances is it evident? And where is it lacking? I would like to leave the reader with a list of relatively small but, in my experience, powerful things that health care workers can do today to improve the patient and family experience.
Welcome to My Brain
Authors: Reinertsen Anne B.
Published: July 2013

This is about developing recursive, intrinsic, self-reflexive as de-and/or resubjective always evolving living research designs. It is about learning and memory cognition and experiment poetic/creative pedagogical science establishing a view of students ultimately me as subjects of will (not) gaining from disorder and noise: Antifragile and antifragility and pedagogy as movements in/through place/space. Further, it is about postconceptual hyperbolic word creation thus a view of using language for thinking not primarily for communication. It is brain research with a twist and becoming, ultimately valuation of knowledges processes: Becoming with data again and again and self-writing theory. I use knitting the Möbius strip and other art/math hyperbolic knitted and crocheted objects to illustrate nonbinary . . . perhaps. Generally; this is about asking how-questions more than what-questions.
Loving What I Leave
Authors: Hocker Joyce L.
Published: July 2013

The author decides to close her long-term practice of clinical psychology. She compares chosen endings with unchosen, traumatic endings. She explores in narrative writing her decision-making process, therapist–client relationships, grief over endings, and what causes one to decide to stop working. She includes a narrative on the influence of grief on life choices, concluding that one can choose, with integrity, to leave what one loves.
A Performative-Performance Analytical Approach
Authors: Morison Tracy , Macleod Catriona
Published: July 2013

Judith Butler’s theory of performativity provides gender theorists with a rich theoretical language for thinking about gender. Despite this, Butlerian theory is difficult to apply, as Butler does not provide guidance on actual analysis of language use in context. In order to address this limitation, we suggest carefully supplementing performativity with the notion of performance in a manner that allows for the inclusion of relational specificities and the mechanisms through which gender, and gender trouble, occur. To do this, we turn to current developments within discursive psychology and narrative theory. We extend the narrative-discursive method proposed by Taylor and colleagues, infusing it with Butlerian theory in order to fashion a dual analytical lens, which we call the performativity-performance approach. We provide a brief example of how the proposed analytical process may be implemented.
Mother is Not Brown
Authors: Moreira Claudio
Published: July 2013

In this performance autoethnography the author explores the simultaneity of telling and resisting stories of lived experience. In the process the author constructs the notion of “resisting stories” as autoethnographic performance narratives that both resist and demand telling in the process of making themselves public. Through his memories, the author tries to show the in-possible performance of brown-bodied, curlier hair woman, his Mother, in her yearning to Whiteness. However, the author too, cannot escape the stories his own hair tells. Please, keep your “hair straight.”
The Implementation of Domestic Violence Death Reviews in Australia
Authors: Bugeja Lyndal , Butler Anna , Buxton Emma , Ehrat Heidi , Hayes Michelle , McIntyre Sara-Jane , Walsh Carolyn
Published: July 2013

In Australia, a significant proportion of homicides occur in a domestic context, many following an identifiable history of domestic violence. For this reason, many domestic violence homicides are considered to be preventable. Sector advocacy and policy reform has reframed domestic violence as a serious social issue. In keeping with international trends, domestic violence death review teams have been introduced in Australia. These review teams examine domestic violence homicides to identify systemic gaps in service responses to prevent future deaths. This article describes the operational Australian domestic violence death review teams and the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Network.
Increasing Induction-Level Teachers’ Positive-to-Negative Communication Ratio and Use of Behavior-Specific Praise Through E-Mailed Performance Feedback and Its Effect on Students’ Task Engagement
Authors: Rathel Jeanna M. , Drasgow Erik , Brown William H. , Marshall Kathleen J.
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of e-mailed specific performance feedback that included progress monitoring graphs on induction-level teachers’ ratios of positive-to-negative communication behaviors and their use of behavior-specific praise in classrooms for students with emotional and behavioral disorders, mild intellectual disabilities, and learning disabilities. We also examined the effects of teachers’ communication behavior on students’ academic task engagement. Results indicate that the e-mailed performance-feedback intervention increased teachers’ use of positive communication behaviors and decreased their use of negative communication behaviors. These effects resulted in higher positive-to-negative ratios. Furthermore, the teacher praise became more behavior-specific for academic and social behaviors, and students’ level of task engagement improved and became more stable.
Therapeutic clowning in paediatric practice
Authors: Finlay Fiona , Baverstock Anna , Lenton Simon
Published: July 2013

Over the past 30 years, there has been much research into the health benefits of humour and laughter. Although often viewed very positively, rigorous evaluation of the therapeutic effect of clowning is complex. Clowning is a multi-modal intervention, which may have an impact on medical conditions, procedures, family functioning and health care teams. Clowns help children to adapt to their hospital surroundings and can distract from, and demystify, painful or frightening procedures through ‘doses of fun’ to complement traditional clinical interventions. This paper provides a review of the paediatric literature and reveals studies looking at the effect of clown interventions on various practical procedures and individual medical conditions, and the effects of clowning within clinical teams.
Parental cognitive appraisals and coping behaviours following child’s epilepsy diagnosis: A qualitative study
Authors: Nguyen Sylvia , Pertini Mark , Kettler Lisa
Published: July 2013

Management of childhood epilepsy places significant demands and increased stress on the family unit. How parents adjust to this illness-related stress is believed to be shaped by their cognitive appraisals of the situation and the coping behaviours that are employed (Wallander & Varni, 1992). We investigated the cognitive and behavioural strategies that regulated psychological symptomatology in mothers following an epilepsy diagnosis of their child. Twenty-one mothers participated in this qualitative study. Interview data was analyzed using theory-driven thematic analysis. The analysis revealed common effective cognitive appraisals that include maintaining a positive outlook, re-structuring expectations and finding meaning from their experiences. Problem-solving, emotional venting, time to self and speaking with parents in similar situations were behaviours that buffered against carer strain. The coping strategies identified in this study can be seen as sources of resilience and therefore provide a guide for improving parent outcomes in the context of pediatric illness. Implications for clinical services are discussed in this paper.
Playing by the market rules: Promotional priorities and commercialization in children’s virtual worlds
Authors: Grimes Sara M
Published: July 2013

This paper explores the emerging relationship between commercial priorities and technological design within children's virtual worlds, through a comparative case study analysis of the promotional contents and marketing features found within six commercial, game-themed virtual worlds targeted specifically to children under the age of 13: Disney's Club Penguin and Toontown, Mattel's BarbieGirls, Cookie Jar's Magi-Nation, Nickelodeon's Nicktropolis, and Corus Entertainment's GalaXseeds. Focusing on key trends identified across all six cases, the paper argues that these games are designed to mobilize virtual economies for real money transaction and self-promotion, utilizing game mechanics, virtual items, and other features for various forms of branding and third-party advertising strategies. A critical analysis of these trends and other relevant findings is provided, through a consideration of how such processes work to mobilize players' affective labor, while concurrently limiting potentially important opportunities for participation, communication, access, and cultural rights, such as freedom of speech.
Diachronic-information visualization in historical dictionaries
Authors: Theron Roberto , Fontanillo Laura
Published: July 2013

The field of computational linguistics has been dealing with the modeling of natural language from a computational perspective since the 1950s. However, the usage of advanced and interactive visualization techniques is very limited. This is especially the case of diachronic linguistics, which is devoted to the study of language change. This work is part of a project that aims to provide novel highly interactive visual solutions to ease the task of lexicographers, ensuring a rigorous treatment of the vocabulary beyond the use of traditional lexicographic sources and overcoming certain limitations of corpus linguistics. This article focuses on the choices made for the design and development of an interactive visual tool that supports different tasks related to the processes of drawing up and consulting historical dictionaries. Particularly, we describe solutions for the exploitation, analysis, and expert-directed validation of the data compiled in the available dictionaries in a manner that is both automatic (provided by computational methods) and intelligent (provided by the experts). We thus describe diachronlex diagrams, an interactive visual solution that facilitates linguistic work related to the understanding of the temporal evolution and the lexical relationships between the different meanings registered in subsequent editions of a dictionary.
Healthy Gardens/Healthy Lives
Authors: Lombard Kevin A. , Beresford Shirley A. A. , Ornelas India J. , Topaha Carmelita , Becenti Tonia , Thomas Dustin , Vela Jaime G.
Published: July 2013

Poor access to nutritious foods, departure from traditional diets, and reduced physical activity are associated with a rise in type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancers among the Navajo. Diabetes in particular is of concern because of its increased prevalence among Navajo youth. Gardening can successfully address issues of poor availability of fruits and vegetables and offer many other social and health benefits. Our assessment aimed to determine Navajo attitudes about gardening and health in San Juan County, New Mexico. We conducted seven focus groups (including 31 people) to assess knowledge and attitudes related to gardening and uncover barriers and facilitators to participation in a garden project. Each group session was moderated by two Navajo students. Transcripts revealed that many Navajo are aware of adverse health issues that occur on the reservation, predominantly obesity and diabetes. Participants expressed a preference for educational approaches that incorporated cultural traditions, respect for elders, use of visual aids, and experiential learning. Several social and agronomic barriers to gardening were also mentioned. Results suggested a broad interest in promoting gardening especially to reduce the risk of diabetes with the added value of enhancing social capital in Navajo communities.
Law, Fact, and the Threat of Reversal From Above
Authors: Smith Joseph L.
Published: July 2013

This article argues that the threat of review and reversal by supervising courts affects circuit court judges differently in disputes focusing on law compared to disputes focusing on facts. Because fact-bound cases are less likely to be reviewed than law-bound cases, lower court judges are freer to indulge their policy preferences in fact-bound cases. I test this argument using computer-assisted content analysis to measure the extent to which legal disputes are based on interpretations of facts and interpretations of relevant legal standards, respectively. The results of this content analysis are then used as independent variables in a model predicting the outcomes of legal challenges to the actions of administrative agencies. The results indicate that highly fact-bound decisions amplify the effects of judicial ideology while highly law-bound decisions constrain the effects of ideology.
Peptide and protein-based inhibitors of HIV-1 co-receptors
Authors: Recum Horst A von , Pokorski Jonathan K
Published: July 2013

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) afflicts an estimated 30 million people globally, making it a continuing pandemic. Despite major research efforts, the rate of new infections has remained relatively static over time. This article reviews an emerging strategy for the treatment of HIV, the inhibition of the co-receptors necessary for HIV entry, CCR5 and CXCR4. The aim of this article is to highlight potential therapeutics derived from peptides and proteins that show particular promise in HIV treatment. Molecules that act on CCR5, CXCR4 or on both receptors will be discussed herein.
Targeting the opioid growth factor: Opioid growth factor receptor axis for treatment of human ovarian cancer
Authors: Zagon Ian S , Donahue Renee , McLaughlin Patricia J
Published: July 2013

The opioid growth factor (OGF) – opioid growth factor receptor (OGFr) axis is a biological pathway that is present in human ovarian cancer cells and tissues. OGF, chemically termed [Met5]-enkephalin, is an endogenous opioid peptide that interfaces with OGFr to delay cells moving through the cell cycle by upregulation of cyclin-dependent inhibitory kinase pathways. OGF inhibitory activity is dose dependent, receptor mediated, reversible, protein and RNA dependent, but not related to apoptosis or necrosis. The OGF-OGFr axis can be targeted for treatment of human ovarian cancer by (i) administration of exogenous OGF, (ii) genetic manipulation to over-express OGFr and (iii) use of low dosages of naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, which stimulates production of OGF and OGFr for subsequent interaction following blockade of the receptor. The OGF-OGFr axis may be a feasible target for treatment of cancer of the ovary (i) in a prophylactic fashion, (ii) following cytoreduction or (iii) in conjunction with standard chemotherapy for additive effectiveness. In summary, preclinical data support the transition of these novel therapies for treatment of human ovarian cancer from the bench to bedside to provide additional targets for treatment of this devastating disease.
Patency in Arteriovenous Grafts in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Mousa Albeir Y. , Patterson William , Abu-Halimah Shadi , Hass Stephen M. , Alhalbouni Saadi , Sadek Betro T. , Nanjundappa Aravinda , Modak Asmita , Stone Patrick A. , Emmett Mary , AbuRahma Ali F.
Published: July 2013

Objective:

It is difficult to maintain a working access for patients on hemodialysis. Despite current Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiatives recommendations of “Fistula First,” not everyone qualifies for a fistula, and those patients undergoing the alternative treatment, a graft, can experience graft failure. This study examines factors associated with arteriovenous graft (AVG) patency.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was completed for all the patients who had an AVG during 2005 to 2010. Data were collected from electronic medical records, including date of first and subsequent interventions, salvage technique (surgical vs percutaneous), medical comorbidities, and use of antiplatelet medications (aspirin and clopidogrel). Continuous variables were compared with 2 sample t tests, and categorical variables with chi-square/Fisher exact test. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratio for risk factors associated with patency. A P value of <.05 was considered significant. All analyses were done using SAS 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, North Carolina).

Results:

A total of 193 unique patients had an AVG. Of the 193 patients, 64% were female, 83% were hypertensive, and 64% were diabetic. The locations of the grafts were 80% arm, 15% forearm, and 5% thigh. Configurations, including loop and straight, were 34% and 63%, respectively. Comorbidities were not associated with patency. Primary patency was not found to be different with respect to location and configuration of graft and type of intervention. Primary patency for patients taking only aspirin (n = 43) and only clopidogrel (n = 17) were significantly different from patients on a combination of aspirin and clopidogrel (n = 7), with a P = .0051 and P = .0447, respectively.

Conclusion:

Neither location nor configuration affects the primary patency of AVGs. Aspirin alone is not inferior to aspirin and clopidogrel. Further prospective studies may be warranted to establish a consensus regarding medications and patency with AVGs.
An Analysis of the Factors Influencing Radiation Dose and Fluoroscopic Time During Renal Artery Stent Placement
Authors: McBride J. , Schueler B. , Oderich G. , Misra S.
Published: July 2013

Purpose:

To determine the factors that affect mean absorbed dose and fluoroscopic times during renal artery stent placement. Materials and

Methods:

After institutional review board approval, the HI-IQ database was queried for patients undergoing renal artery stent placement only from January 2007 to June 2010. Procedures that were performed as part of other procedures such as iliac artery stents were excluded. The HI-IQ data included fluoroscopy time ( f) and radiation dose (mGy). Demographic, medical history, procedural details, and advanced preprocedural renal artery stent imaging were obtained. Variables (number of stents, average body mass index , number of stents placed per year and number of years’ service of an interventional physician, pre-procedural imaging, and use of embolic protection device) were analyzed using a t test after log transformation and testing for variance with an F test.

Results:

A total of 134 patients (75 males, 70.6 ± 10.5 years old) underwent the placement of 177 renal artery stents (unilateral [n = 95], average stent per patient = 1.3). Mean fluoroscopy time was 15.6 minutes and mean absorbed dose to the patient was 1729 mGy. The average fluoroscopic time and absorbed dose was significantly higher with bilateral stent placement compared to unilateral placement (13.8 vs 19.7 minutes, P = .002; 1803 vs 2380 mGy, P = .03). The average fluoroscopic time was significantly higher in patients undergoing abdominal aortogram prior to renal artery selection and stent placement.

Conclusion:

The placement of more than 1 stent with an abdominal angiogram prior to renal artery stent placement results in increased fluoroscopic time and mean absorbed dose.
Vascular Access Outcome in the Elderly Dialysis Patient in Combination With the Quality of Life
Authors: Leur Kevin de , Öztürk Çigdem , Zeeland Michiel L. P. Van , Groot Hans G. W. de , Heyligers Jan M. M. , Vriens Patrick W. H. E. , Ho Gwan H. , Laan Lijckle van der
Published: July 2013

Purpose:

We performed a retrospective study on hemodialysis fistulae in patients aged 75 years and older.

Methods:

Dialysis records of 2 hospitals were searched for patients of 75 years and older who had primary autologous radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (RCAVFs) and brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (BCAVFs). Outcome measures were primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency rates. Also, quality of life (QOL) was measured.

Results:

A total of 107 fistulae were placed in 90 patients; 65 (61%) RCAVFs and 42 (39%) BCAVFs were created. The primary patency rate ( P = .026) and the primary-assisted patency rate ( P = .016) of BCAVFs were significantly higher than that of RCAVFs. Secondary patency rates at 1 year ( P = .01) and 2 years ( P = .035) were higher in BCAVFs than in RCAVFs.

Conclusions:

The BCAVFs give significantly higher primary and primary-assisted patency rates and also significantly higher secondary patency rates at 1 and 2 years. Therefore, we suggest the placement of elbow fistulae in the elderly patients. The QOL was surprisingly high in this population despite a high mortality rate.
Longitudinal Outcomes After Tibioperoneal Angioplasty Alone Compared to Tibial Stenting and Atherectomy for Critical Limb Ischemia
Authors: Reynolds Shaun , Galiñanes Edgar Luis , Dombrovskiy Viktor Y. , Vogel Todd R.
Published: July 2013

Objectives:

There are limited data available evaluating longitudinal outcomes after tibioperoneal angioplasty (TA) alone compared to adjunctive tibial procedures including stenting and atherectomy.

Methods:

Using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services inpatient claims (2005-2007), patients evaluated TA only, TA plus stent placement (TA + S), and TA plus atherectomy (TA + A).

Results:

A total of 2080 patients with critical limb ischemia underwent percutaneous tibioperoneal intervention for the indication of ulceration. Procedures included TA (56.3%), TA + S (16.2%), and TA + A (27.5%). Rates of amputation were not statistically different between the groups at 30, 90, and 365 days after the intervention. Mean total hospital charges were TA ($35 867), TA + A ($41 698; P = .0004), and TA + S ($51 040; P < .0001).

Conclusions:

Patients undergoing TA alone compared to concomitant stenting or atherectomy for ulceration demonstrated no improvement in limb salvage. Future analysis of adjunctive tibioperoneal interventions is essential to temper cost, as they fail to improve long-term limb salvage.
Justice and revenge in online counter-publics: Emerging responses to sexual violence in the age of social media
Authors: Salter Michael
Published: July 2013

This paper is concerned with the impact of online technologies on public representations of sexual violence. Drawing on Habermas’s theories of the public sphere and Fraser’s associated critiques, it argues that the Internet has become host to ‘counter-publics’ in which allegations of sexual violence are being received, discussed and acted upon in ways contrary to established social and legal norms. The potentialities of online technology (and social media in particular) to foster and disseminate counter-hegemonic discourses are examined through three case studies in which girls and women have used various online platforms to make extrajudicial allegations of sexual violence and abuse. Where alleged perpetrators of sexual violence are publicly named, it has been argued that such action represents an invasion of their privacy and a subversion of their right to the presumption of innocence and a fair trial. In online contexts such allegations can be received and understood very differently, and these understandings are then circulated in ways that can directly influence ‘old media’ coverage and court outcomes. However, as the paper notes, the principles upon which online counter-publics operate are not radically discontinuous with those of the hegemonic public sphere and not all girls and women have equal access to the support of online networks and activists.
Evaluation of the scratch collapse test for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Makanji H. S. , Becker S. J. E. , Mudgal C. S. , Jupiter J. B. , Ring D.
Published: July 2013

This prospective study measured and compared the diagnostic performance characteristics of various clinical signs and physical examination manoeuvres for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), including the scratch collapse test. Eighty-eight adult patients that were prescribed electrophysiological testing to diagnose CTS were enrolled in the study. Attending surgeons documented symptoms and results of standard clinical manoeuvres. The scratch collapse test had a sensitivity of 31%, which was significantly lower than the sensitivity of Phalen’s test (67%), Durkan’s test (77%), Tinel’s test (43%), CTS-6 lax (88%), and CTS-6 stringent (54%). The scratch test had a specificity of 61%, which was significantly lower than the specificity of thenar atrophy (96%) and significantly higher than the specificity of Durkan’s test (18%) and CTS-6 lax (13%). The sensitivity of the scratch collapse test was not superior to other clinical signs and physical examination manoeuvers for CTS, and the specificity of the scratch collapse test was superior to that of Durkan’s test and CTS-6 lax. Further studies should seek to limit the influence of a patient’s clinical presentation on scratch test performance and assess the scratch test’s inter-rater reliability.
Flexor tendon injuries in the child
Authors: Al-Qattan M. M.
Published: July 2013

This review aims to highlight the differences in the management of flexor tendon injuries between children and adults. These include differences in epidemiology, anatomy, classification, diagnosis, incisions and skin closure, the size of the flexor tendons, technical aspects of zones I and II repairs, core suture purchase length, rehabilitation, results, and complications of primary flexor tendon repair. Finally, one- versus two-stage flexor tendon reconstruction in children is reviewed.
Quarrelsomeness in the workplace
Authors: Albert Lumina S. , Moskowitz D. S.
Published: July 2013

We identify “quarrelsomeness” as an important component in understanding destructive behaviors in organizational contexts. Quarrelsomeness has been studied both as a personality trait that generalizes over occasions and situations and as a reflection of interpersonal processes that unfold over time in association with event-specific cues. While a variety of studies have documented the role of quarrelsomeness in explaining behavior in interpersonal contexts, a review of the literature revealed few studies explicitly examining the influence of quarrelsomeness in organizational contexts. As work contexts typically involve frequent interpersonal interactions, it is plausible to expect that quarrelsomeness would be an influence on several organizationally relevant issues. The present article examines quarrelsomeness as a trait related to organizational issues such as dysfunctional conflict and workplace aggression, as a behavior that is likely to emerge in association with event-specific cues, and as a moderator of the association between organizational factors and individuals’ behavioral responses to these factors. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Use of Electronic Clinical Reminders to Increase Preventive Screenings in a Primary Care Setting
Authors: Onders Robert , Spillane James , Reilley Brigg , Leston Jessica
Published: July 2013

Purpose: The Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA) provides primary health care in Kodiak, Alaska and 6 outlying villages. KANA sought to actively improve key preventive screening rates for its patients. Methods: KANA adopted an electronic health record in 2008 and deployed national clinical reminders from the Indian Health Service for 5 key preventive screenings: tobacco use, alcohol use, depression, intimate partner violence, and a comprehensive cardiovascular exam. Clinical reminders were deployed in a 5-step process: ( a) establish clinical demand, ( b) pilot test reminder, ( c) expand reminder to all providers, ( d) measure outcomes and share results, and ( e) delegate clinical reminder follow-up (primarily to nurses). Results: Data from 2007-2011 show screening rates for all 5 measures improved considerably, to levels significantly above the national average for Indian Health Service facilities. Conclusions: Clinical reminders have been a key part of a multistep process to improve screening for depression, tobacco cessation, intimate partner violence, alcohol use, and cardiovascular disease. If deployed correctly, reminders are valuable tools in identifying patients who are overdue for preventive health screenings.
The Ecdysone receptor constrains wingless expression to pattern cell cycle across the Drosophilawing margin in a cyclin B-dependent manner
Authors: Mitchell Naomi C , Lin Jane I , Zaytseva Olga , Cranna Nicola , Lee Amanda , Quinn Leonie M
Published: July 2013

Background

Ecdysone triggers transcriptional changes via the ecdysone receptor (EcR) to coordinate developmental programs of apoptosis, cell cycle and differentiation. Data suggests EcR affects cell cycle gene expression indirectly and here we identify Wingless as an intermediary factor linking EcR to cell cycle.

Results

We demonstrate EcR patterns cell cycle across the presumptive Drosophila wing margin by constraining wg transcription to modulate CycB expression, but not the previously identified Wg-targets dMyc or Stg. Furthermore co-knockdown of Wg restores CycB patterning in EcR knockdown clones. Wg is not a direct target of EcR, rather we demonstrate that repression of Wg by EcR is likely mediated by direct interaction between the EcR-responsive zinc finger transcription factor Crol and the wg promoter.

Conclusions

Thus we elucidate a critical mechanism potentially connecting ecdysone with patterning signals to ensure correct timing of cell cycle exit and differentiation during margin wing development.
Variable promoter methylation contributes to differential expression of key genes in human placenta-derived venous and arterial endothelial cells
Authors: Joo Jihoon E , Hiden Ursula , Lassance Luciana , Gordon Lavinia , Martino David J , Desoye Gernot , Saffery Richard
Published: July 2013

Background

The endothelial compartment, comprising arterial, venous and lymphatic cell types, is established prenatally in association with rapid phenotypic and functional changes. The molecular mechanisms underpinning this process in utero have yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for DNA methylation to act as a driver of the specific gene expression profiles of arterial and venous endothelial cells.

Results

Placenta-derived venous and arterial endothelial cells were collected at birth prior to culturing. DNA methylation was measured at >450,000 CpG sites in parallel with expression measurements taken from 25,000 annotated genes. A consistent set of genomic loci was found to show coordinate differential methylation between the arterial and venous cell types. This included many loci previously not investigated in relation to endothelial function. An inverse relationship was observed between gene expression and promoter methylation levels for a limited subset of genes implicated in endothelial function, including NOS3, encoding endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase.

Conclusion

Endothelial cells derived from the placental vasculature at birth contain widespread methylation of key regulatory genes. These are candidates involved in the specification of different endothelial cell types and represent potential target genes for environmentally mediated epigenetic disruption in utero in association with cardiovascular disease risk later in life.
Monitoring the prevalence of viable and dead cariogenic bacteria in oral specimens and in vitro biofilms by qPCR combined with propidium monoazide
Authors: Yasunaga Ai , Yoshida Akihiro , Morikawa Kazumasa , Maki Kenshi , Nakamura Suguru , Soh Inho , Awano Shuji , Ansai Toshihiro
Published: July 2013

Background

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are associated with the development of dental caries in humans. However, previous diagnostic systems are unsuitable for monitoring viable cell numbers in oral specimens. Assessing the relationship between the numbers of viable and dead bacterial cells and oral status is important for understanding oral infectious diseases. Propidium monoazide (PMA) has been reported to penetrate dead cells following membrane damage and to cross-link DNA, thereby inhibiting DNA amplification. In the present study, we established an assay for selective analysis of two viable human cariogenic pathogens, S. mutans and S. sobrinus, using PMA combined with real-time PCR (PMA-qPCR).

Results

We designed species-specific primer sets for S. mutans and S. sobrinus, generated standard curves for measuring cell numbers, and evaluated the dynamic range of the assay. To determine the effectiveness of the assay, PMA was added to viable and autoclave-killed cell mixtures. PMA treatment effectively prevented DNA amplification from dead cells. No amplification of DNA from dead cells was observed in these organisms. In addition, we applied this assay to analyze viable cell numbers in oral specimens. A significant correlation was found between the number of viable S. mutans cells in saliva and that in plaque among caries-free patients, whereas no correlation was observed between saliva and carious dentin. The total and viable cell numbers in caries-positive saliva were significantly higher than those in caries-free saliva. Finally, we analyzed the usefulness of this assay for in vitro oral biofilm analysis. We applied PMA-qPCR for monitoring viable S. mutans cell numbers in vitro in planktonic cells and oral biofilm treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In planktonic cells, the number of viable cells decreased significantly with increasing H2O2 concentration, whereas only a small decrease was observed in biofilm cell numbers.

Conclusions

PMA-qPCR is potentially useful for quantifying viable cariogenic pathogens in oral specimens and is applicable to oral biofilm experiments. This assay will help to elucidate the relationship between the number of viable cells in oral specimens and the oral status.
A Method for generating marker-less gene deletions in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Amin Ismawati Mohammad , Richmond Grace E , Sen Paromita , Koh Tse Hsien , Piddock Laura JV , Chua Kim Lee
Published: July 2013

Background

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen that has become increasingly resistant to multiple antibiotics. Genetic manipulation of MDR A. baumannii is useful especially for defining the contribution of each active efflux mechanism in multidrug resistance. Existing methods rely on the use of an antibiotic selection marker and are not suited for multiple gene deletions.

Results

A tellurite-resistant (sacB
+, xylE
+) suicide vector, pMo130-TelR, was created for deleting the adeFGH and adeIJK operons in two clinical MDR A. baumannii, DB and R2 from Singapore. Using a two-step selection, plasmid insertion recombinants (first-crossover) were selected for tellurite resistance and the deletion mutants (second-crossover) were then selected for loss of sacB. The DNA deletions were verified by PCR while loss of gene expression in the ΔadeFGH, ΔadeIJK and ΔadeFGH ΔadeIJK deletion mutants was confirmed using qRT-PCR. The contribution of AdeFGH and AdeIJK pumps to MDR was defined by comparing antimicrobial susceptibilities of the isogenic mutants and the parental strains. The deletion of adeIJK produced no more than eight-fold increase in susceptibility to nalidixic acid, tetracycline, minocycline, tigecycline, clindamycin, trimethoprim and chloramphenicol, while the deletion of adeL-adeFGH operon alone had no impact on antimicrobial susceptibility. Dye accumulation assays using H33342 revealed increased dye retention in all deletion mutants, except for the R2ΔadeFGH mutant, where a decrease was observed. Increased accumulation of ethidium bromide was observed in the parental strains and all pump deletion mutants in the presence of efflux inhibitors. The efflux pump deletion mutants in this study revealed that only the AdeIJK, but not the AdeFGH RND pump, contributes to antimicrobial resistance and dye accumulation in MDR A. baumannii DB and R2.

Conclusions

The marker-less gene deletion method using pMo130-TelR is applicable for creating single and multiple gene deletions in MDR A. baumannii. The adeFGH and adeIJK operons were successfully deleted separately and together using this method and the impact of each efflux pump on antimicrobial resistance could be defined clearly.
Problem alcohol use among problem drug users in primary care: a qualitative study of what patients think about screening and treatment
Authors: Field Catherine Anne , Klimas Jan , Barry Joseph , Bury Gerard , Keenan Eamon , Smyth Bobby P , Cullen Walter
Published: July 2013

Background

Problem alcohol use is common and associated with considerable adverse outcomes among patients who attend primary care in Ireland and other European countries for opiate substitution treatment. This paper aims to describe patients’ experience of, and attitude towards, screening and therapeutic interventions for problem alcohol use in primary care.

Methods

This qualitative study recruited problem drug users (N = 28) from primary care based methadone programmes in the Ireland’s Eastern region, using a stratified sampling matrix to include size of general practice and geographical area. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis, and audited by a third reviewer.

Results

We identified three overarching themes relevant to the purpose of this paper: (1) patients’ experience of, and (2) attitude towards, screening and treatment for problem alcohol use in primary care, as well as their (3) views on service improvement. While most patients reported being screened for problem alcohol use at initial assessment, few recalled routine screening or treatment. Among the barriers and enablers to screening and treatment, patients highlighted the importance of the practitioner-patient relationship in helping them address the issue. Nevertheless, patients felt that healthcare professionals should be more proactive in the management of problem alcohol use at a primary care level and that primary care can play an important role in their treatment.

Conclusions

Problem alcohol use is an important challenge in the care of problem drug users. While primary care is well placed to address this issue, little data has reported on this topic. The development of interventions which promote screening and brief interventions in practice are likely to benefit this at-risk group and further research and education, that help achieve this goal, are a priority. Strategies such as dissemination of clinical guidelines, educational videos, academic detailing and practice visits, should be explored.
Dissemination of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii with new plasmid-borne bla
OXA-72 in Taiwan
Authors: Kuo Shu-Chen , Yang Su-Pen , Lee Yi-Tzu , Chuang Han-Chuan , Chen Chien-Pei , Chang Chi-Ling , Chen Te-Li , Lu Po-Liang , Hsueh Po-Ren , Fung Chang-Phone
Published: July 2013

Background

The systemic surveillance of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (IRAB) from multicenters in Taiwan revealed the emergence of isolates with bla
OXA-72. This study described their genetic makeup, mechanism of spread, and contribution to carbapenem resistance.

Methods

Two hundred and ninety-one non-repetitive isolates of A. baumannii were collected from 10 teaching hospitals from different geographical regions in Taiwan from June 2007 to September 2007. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by agar dilution. Clonality was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Plasmid was extracted and digested by restriction enzymes, and subsequently analyzed by electrophoresis and Southern blot for bla
OXA-72. The flanking regions of bla
OXA-72 were determined by inverse PCR. The contribution of bla
OXA-72 to imipenem MIC was determined by transforming plasmids carrying bla
OXA-72 into imipenem-susceptible A. baumannii.

Results

Among 142 IRAB in Taiwan, 27 harbored bla
OXA-72; 22 originated from Southern Taiwan, 5 from Central Taiwan, and none from Northern Taiwan. There were two major clones. The bla
OXA-72 was identified in the plasmids of all isolates. Two genetic structures flanking plasmid-borne bla
OXA-72 were identified and shared identical sequences in certain regions; the one described in previous literature was present in only one isolate, and the new one was present in the remaining isolates. Introduction of bla
OXA-72 resulted in an increase of imipenem MIC in the transformants. The overexpression of bla
OXA-72 mRNA in response to imipenem further supported the contribution of bla
OXA-72.

Conclusions

In conclusion, isolates with new plasmid-borne bla
OXA-72 were found to be disseminated successfully in Southern Taiwan. The spread of the resistance gene depended on clonal spread and dissemination of a new plasmid. Bla
OXA-72 in these isolates directly led to their imipenem-resistance.