bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patients’ comorbidities reduce the clinical value of emergency colonoscopy: results of a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cremone Cristiano , Esch Anouk , Gagniere Charlotte , Fugazza Alessandro , Mesli Faria , Levy Michael , Amiot Aurelien , Laurent Alexis , LeBaleur Yann , Hemery Francois , De’Angelis Nicolas , Brunetti Francesco , Sobhani Iradj
Published: November 2017

Background and study aims Urgent endoscopy is often used to diagnose and sometimes treat acute upper gastrointestinal syndromes (hemorrhage, toxic ingestion, and occlusion). However, its suitability concerning the management of lower gastrointestinal conditions in emergency circumstances is controversial.

Patients and methods We studied the role of emergency colonoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of all consecutive patients presenting with acute lower gastrointestinal symptoms referred to our hospital on an emergency basis. All patients were first managed by physicians from the emergency room and/or the intensive care unit (ICU); the treatments included fluid resuscitation, blood transfusion, and antibiotic or cardiotonic as needed. Bowel cleansing was performed to purge the colon of clots, stool, and blood when clinically possible; alternatively, a bowel enema was used. Patients only underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan prior to the colonoscopy in clinically relevant situations. Colonoscopy was performed within 6 – 36 hours after hospitalization or the beginning of the clinical symptoms (hemorrhage, sepsis, colon distension) or occlusion, as assessed by abdominal CT scan.

Results From 2010 to 2015, 603 patients underwent urgent colonoscopy; among them, 214 (36 %) presented with lower GI bleeding, while 264 (44 %) had symptoms suggestive of intestinal ischemia; almost half (49 %, n = 295) of the patients were hospitalized in the ICU. Patients received therapies, such as clips (15 %), epinephrine injections (5 %), bipolar coagulation (7 %), or devolvulation (3 %) using colonoscopy or antibiotic therapy when needed. No perforation was observed after colonoscopy and only three cases of hemorrhage recurrence were documented as complications after the procedure. Overall, 192 patients died within 1 month after colonoscopy due to four independent risk situations, as follows: septic shock, heart transplantation, multiorgan failure, and ischemic colitis. Only 67 (35 %) underwent urgent intestinal surgery when ischemic colitis was identified, and this did not have a significant effect on the mortality rate.

Conclusions Urgent bedside colonoscopy is feasible and safe for routine use. The highest advantage was observed in patients with red blood hemorrhage, diarrhea, and colon distension when symptoms were not associated with multiorgane failure, heart transplantation, or septic shock. As revealed by colonoscopy and pathological features, ischemic colitis is associated with a bad prognosis, and patients experience a higher rate of early mortality regardless of whether they undergo urgent colon surgery.
Der Einsatz eines Mikrosensors in der Amblyopietherapie
Authors: Januschowski Kai , Rickmann Annekatrin , Emmerich Caroline , Abaza Annegret , Bechtold Till Edward , Schott Timm Cornelius , Schramm Charlotte
Published: November 2017

Amblyopie stellt eine der häufigsten kindlichen Sehstörungen dar. Die aktuelle Standardtherapie der Amblyopie besteht in der Abdeckung (Okklusion) des besseren Auges durch ein Pflaster, um das schlechtere Auge zu fördern und eine kortikale Suppression des schwächeren Auges zu verhindern. Entscheidend für den Therapieerfolg ist dabei die Compliance. Es gibt inzwischen einen nur 8 × 12 mm kleinen Tragezeitmesser (TheraMon-Chip, MC Technology GmbH). Dieser Sensor ermöglicht eine einfache objektive Dokumentation der Compliance sowohl an Pflastern als auch an Brillen. Die Sensoren messen in vorgegebenen Zeitabständen die Umgebungstemperatur. Durch die spezifische Temperatur kann auf die Tragezeit rückgeschlossen werden und damit die Therapieüberwachung objektiv ermöglicht werden. Daher könnte ein neuer studienorientierter Ansatz mit dem TheraMon-Sensor zur Überwachung der Compliance und folglich eventuellen Optimierungen von definierten Trageprotokollen in der Amblyopietherapie zielführend sein.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis with a silicone-covered nitinol short bilaterally flared stent: a case series
Authors: Manta Raffaele , Zulli Claudio , Zullo Angelo , Forti Edoardo , Tringali Alberto , Dioscoridi Lorenzo , Zito Francesco , Bertani Helga , Conigliaro Rita , Mutignani Massimiliano
Published: November 2017

Background and study aim Gallbladder drainage in patients with cholecystitis who are unsuitable for surgery may be performed by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided placement of specifically designed fully covered metal stents. We describe the first case series of patients treated with a silicone-covered nitinol stent with bilateral anchor flanges.

Patients and methods Data from consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis who were deemed unsuitable candidates for surgery were collected. The stent placement procedure was performed in two tertiary endoscopy centers by four experienced endoscopists. Technical and clinical success rates, as well as adverse events and clinical outcome at follow-up, were assessed.

Results EUS-guided drainage for cholecystitis was performed in 16 patients (mean age 84 years; nine males). Technical and clinical success rates were 100 % (16/16) and 94 % (15/16), respectively; an early failure due to stone impaction occurred in the remaining case and required placement of a new stent. Symptom relief occurred in 11/15 cases (73 %) within 1 day, and within 2 days in the remaining 4 patients. Bleeding occurred in two patients (13 %): in one patient intraprocedural bleeding was successfully stopped during endoscopy; and delayed bleeding occurred in one patient requiring arterial embolization for catastrophic bleeding (patient died 10 days later). No cases of cholecystitis recurrence or biliary obstruction were observed during a median follow-up of 112 days (range 49 – 180 days).

Conclusions Our data showed that EUS-guided gallbladder drainage with a specially designed stent is feasible and successful in patients with acute cholecystitis who are unfit for surgery.
Endoscopic ultrasound in diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions: Elastography or contrast-enhanced harmonic alone versus the combination
Authors: Chantarojanasiri Tanyaporn , Hirooka Yoshiki , Kawashima Hiroki , Ohno Eizaburo , Kuwahara Takamichi , Yamamura Takeshi , Funasaka Kohei , Nakamura Masanao , Miyahara Ryoji , Ishigami Masatoshi , Watanabe Osamu , Hashimoto Senju , Hirakawa Akihiro , Ratanachu-ek Thawee , Goto Hidemi
Published: November 2017

Background and study aims Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) elastography (EUS-E) and contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CH-EUS) are useful methods for the diagnosis of pancreatic lesions. This study aims to compare the accuracy of combined EUS-E and CH-EUS with that of EUS-E or CH-EUS alone in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic solid lesions.

Patients and methods One hundred thirty-six patients with solid pancreatic lesions underwent EUS with both EUS-E and CH-EUS were included. Diagnoses were classified as adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumor (NET), and inflammatory pseudotumor in 95, 22, and 19 patients, respectively. EUS records in each case were rearranged into 3 groups: EUS-E, CH-EUS, and combination. Each modality was randomly reviewed by 3 reviewers with different levels of clinical experience. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of each modality according to each diagnosis group were evaluated. For the combined diagnosis populations, the proportions of correct diagnoses among the 3 modalities were compared by using the multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results The accuracies of EUS-E, CH-EUS, and the combination of them were 68.4 %, 65.4 %, and 75.7 %, respectively, for adenocarcinoma group; 83.8 %, 82.4 %, and 86.8 % for NET group; 80.1 %, 78.7 %, and 81.6 % for inflammatory pseudotumor group. The multivariate logistic regression analysis for the combined diagnosis populations showed that the proportion of correct diagnoses when EUS-E and CH-EUS were combined was slightly higher than with the other 2 modalities, although the significant differences among them were not observed.

Conclusion EUS-E and CH-EUS combined may improve differential diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions compared with use of the individual modalities.
Neue orale Antikoagulantien (NOAK) in der
Schlaganfall-Therapie
Authors: Küpper Clemens , Kellert Lars , Tiedt Steffen , Wollenweber Frank Arne
Published: November 2017

Zur Prophylaxe des kardioembolischen Schlaganfalls stehen neben Vitamin
K-Antagonisten in Deutschland seit 2011 die sogenannten neuen oralen
Antikoagulantien (NOAK) zur Verfügung. Eine Zulassung besteht für
nicht-valvuläres Vorhofflimmern. Obwohl in Deutschland eine intensive
Kontroverse zu diesem Thema geführt wird, wird das Nutzen-Risiko-Verhältnis der
NOAK im Vergleich zu Vitamin K-Antagonisten von den neurologischen und
kardiologischen Fachgesellschaften als günstiger bewertet. Dieser Effekt wird
insbesondere durch die Risikoreduktion für intrazerebrale Blutungen vermittelt.
Ein spezifisches Antidot steht für Dabigatran zur Verfügung und ist für die
Faktor Xa-Inhibitoren in der klinischen Prüfung. Aus Mangel an direkten
Vergleichsstudien kann keines der NOAK dem anderen als überlegen angesehen
werden. Die Auswahl eines NOAK sollte sich daher unter Berücksichtigung der
Ergebnisse der Zulassungsstudien an praktischen Aspekten und Komorbiditäten des
einzelnen Patienten orientieren.
Preliminary experience with pancreatic sphincterotomy as treatment for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm-associated recurrent pancreatitis
Authors: Bernardoni Laura , Crinò Stefano , De Conti Giorgia , Conti Bellocchi Maria , De Pretis Nicolò , Amodio Antonio , Frulloni Luca , Gabbrielli Armando
Published: November 2017

Background and study aims Pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) are cystic tumors of the pancreas characterized by a malignant potential. IPMN have been associated with recurrent pancreatitis (RP). Obstruction of the main pancreatic duct by thick mucus has been postulated to be the cause of pancreatitis. In a few isolated reports, pancreatic sphincterotomy (PS) has been reported to reduce the frequency of pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of PS in patients with IPMN-associated RP.

Patients and methods We retrospectively identified patients with RP and IPMN who underwent PS from June 2010 to December 2015. Patients were included in two different groups: (a) main duct/mixed type IPMN (MD-IPMN) and (b) branch duct IPMN (BD-IPMN) with or without worrisome features/high risk stigmata. Other causes of RP were excluded. The number of pancreatitis episodes occurring during a comparable time period before and after PS was evaluated.

Results In total, 16 patients were analyzed (seven included in the MD-IPMN group and nine in the BD-IPMN group). The numbers of pancreatitis episodes occurring before and after PS were 3.5 ± 2.32 and 0.56 ± 1.03, respectively (P < 0.0001). Mean follow-up was 27.4 months (range 6 – 63 months). Complete, partial (reduction of pancreatitis episodes > 50 %), and no response were obtained in 11 (68.7 %), 3 (18.7 %), and 2 patients (12.5 %), respectively. One (6.25 %) case of mild post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis was observed. No cancer was detected in resected patients. None of the BD-IPMN group patients had or developed worrisome features/high risk stigmata during follow-up.

Conclusions PS seems to be effective in reducing the number of episodes of IPMN-associated pancreatitis and should be considered as a treatment option in selected clinical settings. However, active surveillance should be continued considering the malignant potential of IPMN. Further prospective controlled studies are needed to confirm our results.
Gender Differences in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Metabolically Healthy Normal Weight Adults with Central Obesity
Authors: Šebeková Katarína , Csongová Melinda , Gurecká Radana , Krivošíková Zora , Šebek Jozef
Published: November 2017

We investigated whether metabolically healthy normal weight adults with central obesity display worse cardiometabolic profile compared with their centrally lean counterparts. This retrospective, cross-sectional study, comprised 1 135 subjects (64% females) aged 18-to-81 years, presenting ≤2 components of metabolic syndrome. They were classified as centrally lean (waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)<0.5 and waist circumference<80 cm in females and<94 cm in males) or presenting central obesity (WHtR ≥0.5, regardless of waist circumference). Data on blood pressure, glucose homeostasis, lipid profile, renal function, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), uric acid, adiponectin, leptin, and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products were compared between the groups, separately in males and females. 5.7% of males and 6.9% of females presented WHtR ≥0.5. Compared with centrally lean subjects, those with central obesity had higher BMI-adjusted fasting plasma glucose (p<0.001), and leptin levels (p<0.05); females also presented higher blood pressure (p<0.001), while males had higher hsCRP concentrations (p=0.021). These changes associated with significantly higher BMI-adjusted odds to present fasting plasma glucose >5.6 mmol/l in both genders, higher odds to present hsCRP >3 mg/l in males, and those to present elevated blood pressure in females. Our analysis suggests that in metabolically healthy normal weight subjects WHtR ≥0.5 might indicate “early increased health risk”.
The Effect of Hypolipidemic Agents on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Treated with Levothyroxine and Selenomethionine
Authors: Krysiak Robert , Szkróbka Witold , Okopień Bogusław
Published: November 2017

Background Levothyroxine and selenomethionine were found to reduce thyroid antibody titers in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The same effect was produced by intensive statin therapy. The aim of the present study was to assess whether hypolipidemic agents modulate the impact of thyroid hormone supplementation and selenomethionine on thyroid autoimmunity.

Methods The study included 62 women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis treated for at least 6 months with levothyroxine and selenomethionine. On the basis of plasma lipids, women were divided into three groups: women with isolated hypercholesterolemia (group A; n=20), women with isolated hypertriglyceridemia (group B; n=17), and women with normal plasma lipids (group C; n=25). Group A were then treated with atorvastatin (20 mg daily), while group B received micronized fenofibrate (200 mg daily). Serum titers of thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies, as well as serum levels of thyrotropin, free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were measured at the beginning of the study and 6 months later.

Results Fenofibrate decreased triglycerides and increased HDL cholesterol, while simvastatin decreased total and LDL cholesterol. Fenofibrate reduced titers of thyroid peroxidase and, to a lesser extent, thyroglobulin antibodies. Atorvastatin tended to increase thyroid peroxidase antibodies. No changes in thyrotropin, free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were observed in any treatment group. Fenofibrate-induced changes in thyroid antibody titers correlated with baseline antibody titers, as well as with treatment-induced changes in HDL cholesterol and insulin sensitivity.

Conclusions The obtained results indicate that only fibrates may potentiate the effect of selenomethionine and levothyroxine on thyroid autoimmunity in women.
Exploring multiband tunneling for uncoupled particles: A polynomial view
Authors: Marín Sara Zapata , Reyes-Retana J. A. , Fernández-Anaya G. , Mendoza-Álvarez A. , Flores-Godoy J. J. , Diago-Cisneros L.
Published: November 2017

A new approach based on a polynomial-scattering formalism was developed and exercised for n-cell multi-channel layered heterostructures. The model reproduces the majority of considered experimental measurements, better than prior theoretical results. Closed analytical formulae of scattering quantities for uncoupled particles of multiband-multicomponent systems have been derived; furthermore, long-standing numerical difficulties of the transfer matrix scheme were overcome. We predict the earlier arrival of uncoupled holes and several patterns followed by the transmission rate, the two-probe Landauer total conductance, and the phase time. Anomalous events such as the Ramsauer-Townsend oscillations and the paradoxical Hartman effect of pure holes are confirmed in detail; besides, we predict other appealing structural-dependent features to be tuned as well. For such quasi-particles, we do not find evidence of the generalized Hartman effect. The relevant phase tunneling time limit of bandmixing-free holes when n→∞ has been resolved analytically as well as simulated, and it turns qualitatively comparable with that measured for photons.

At the request of the authors, this article is being retracted effective 17 November 2021.
Tuning high frequency magnetic properties and damping of FeGa, FeGaN and FeGaB thin films
Authors: Cao Derang , Cheng Xiaohong , Pan Lining , Feng Hongmei , Zhao Chenbo , Zhu Zengtai , Li Qiang , Xu Jie , Li Shandong , Liu Qingfang , Wang Jianbo
Published: November 2017

A series of FeGa, FeGaN and FeGaB films with varied oblique angles were deposited by sputtering method on silicon substrates, respectively. The microstructure, soft magnetism, microwave properties, and damping factor for the films were investigated. The FeGa films showed a poor high frequency magnetic property due to the large stress itself. The grain size of FeGa films was reduced by the additional N element, while the structure of FeGa films was changed from the polycrystalline to amorphous phase by the involved B element. As a result, N content can effectively improve the magnetic softness of FeGa film, but their high frequency magnetic properties were still poor both when the N2/Ar flow rate ratio is 2% and 5% during the deposition. The additional B content significantly led to the excellent magnetic softness and the self-biased ferromagnetic resonance frequency of 1.83 GHz for FeGaB film. The dampings of FeGa films were adjusted by the additional N and B contents from 0.218 to 0.139 and 0.023, respectively. The combination of these properties for FeGa films are helpful for the development of magnetostrictive microwave devices.
Influence of movement direction on levitation performance and energy dissipation in a superconducting maglev system
Authors: Huang Chen-Guang , Yong Hua-Dong , Zhou You-He
Published: November 2017

During the regular operation of a maglev system, the superconducting levitation body may move away from the working position due to the external disturbance and the curved part of the guideway. Based on the A − V formulation of magnetoquasistatic Maxwell’s equations, in this paper, a two-dimensional numerical model is applied to study the influence of movement direction on a typical maglev system consisting of an infinitely long high-temperature superconductor and a guideway of two infinitely long parallel permanent magnets with opposite horizontal magnetization. After the highly nonlinear current-voltage characteristic of the superconductor is taken into account, the levitation performance change and the energy dissipation induced by the relative movement of the superconductor and the guideway are discussed. The results show that the levitation force, guidance force and power loss are strongly dependent on the movement direction and speed of the superconductor when it moves away from the working position. If the superconductor moves periodically through the working position, these three physical quantities will change periodically with time. Interestingly, the power loss drastically increases during the first cycle, and after the first cycle it starts to decrease and finally tends to a dynamic steady state. Moreover, an increase in the tilt angle of movement direction will improve the maximum levitation force and, simultaneously, enhance the energy dissipation of the maglev system.
Imaging magnetic skyrmions with high spatial resolution reveals fine structures
Authors: Kim Meeri
Published: November 2017

Researchers use off-axis electron holography to map the magnetization of skyrmions in an FeGe thin film.
Magnetic fields melt dusty plasma crystals
Authors: Woo Marcus
Published: November 2017

Experiments reveal how magnetic fields rotate plasma crystals and drive a phase transition.
Simulation isolates confinement effects in dusty plasma experiments
Authors: Kim Meeri
Published: November 2017

Where previous simulations failed to take into account the role of confinement effects in dusty plasmas, a new model reveals a surprising relationship to dust density.
Australia's Public Sector Higher Education Monopoly: The End of an Era
Authors: Bostock William W
Published: November 2017

Until the 1980s, Australia's higher education sector was a state monopoly. Modelled on the British civic universities but with participation rates more like those of North America, in later times government became critical of its expense. It was decided to deregulate and allow the establishment of Bond University and any other suitable project, and also allow the state universities to combine with private developers in mixed initiatives as a way of cutting costs and increasing provision of places, and it is now evident that the private sector will become a permanent feature of the Australian higher education landscape.
Rhetoric and Strategy: Australian Mining and the Conflict over Coronation Hill
Authors: Young Liz
Published: November 2017

This paper considers the political mobilisation of the mining industry in response to increasing levels of popular concern regarding environmental issues. The focus is upon the rhetoric used by mining companies in their endeavour to gain government permission to mine Coronation Hill in Australia's Northern Territory. In order to ensure profitability mining companies will individually and collectively undertake political activities. In recent years a growing awareness of environmental degradation and a wave of popular concern for protecting the environment has left Australian mining companies worrying that their perceived right to exploit the environment is threatened. This is especially so for an industry so reliant on extracting resources from the natural environment. The mining industry has responded to this political challenge by developing various forms of rhetoric to justify its continued exploitation, and indeed degradation, of the natural environment.
Two and Two make One: The Collapse of the State Bank of South Australia
Authors: McCarthy Greg
Published: November 2017

This paper is concerned with the construction of truth. The introduction gives the necessary background to the subsequent discussion of two publicly funded inquiries into the causes of the debt crises of the State Bank of South Australia (SBSA). The rest of the paper tells the story of these two inquiries using the metaphor of a circus, where the multiple reasons for the Bank's difficulties become reduced to a single truth; that of political failure. The article concludes with an epilogue saying that this truth has now displaced all others and has become metaphorically speaking a prologue for the privatisation and globalisation of the local economy.
The Australian National Training Reform Strategy and the Promises for Women Employed in the Service Sector
Authors: Roan Amanda
Published: November 2017

The National Training Reform Strategy identifies two broad policy goals that can be aided by reform of Australia's vocational training system. Implementation of the strategy is intended to improve Australia's competitiveness both internationally and domestically and also improve the quality of life of all Australians, including disadvantaged groups, through greater access to and quality in employment. Australia has been identified as one of the most gender segregated workforces amongst all industrial nations. Women are concentrated in service industries and in a small range of occupations which have not traditionally had their skills recognised or credentialised. The reform agenda offers a number of broad strategies that are designed to improve women's equity in employment. This paper sets out to explore the promise of reform for women workers in two areas of service sector employment: hospitality and retailing industries. It questions whether the training policy is adequately addressing structural biases faced by women in the workforce.
Fukuyama's Hijacking of Chinese Trust
Authors: Lever-Tracy Constance
Published: November 2017

Fukuyama's extolling of traditions of business trust, now under threat from a ‘culture of rights’, may have some validity, but attempts to associate such traditions with the emergence of large corporations are far from convincing. His counterposition of both to the claimed ‘low trust’ business traditions of Italians and Chinese is theoretically crude and empirically incorrect and it involves him in tangles with significant ‘anomalies’ some of which he himself acknowledges but does not resolve. In fact, as this paper argues, Chinese business culture is strongly focussed on the development and fostering of trust beyond the family and this is a major source of its strength.
Conflicting Mandates: The Australian Democrats and the Howard Government
Authors: Sugita Hiroya
Published: November 2017

During 1996 the Australian Democrats faced a number of challenges ranging from outside forces to those internal. The electoral battle against the national Green Party saw some success with the party securing its medium term future which appeared under threat post the 1993 federal election. Faced with the Coalition government's agenda, the process of opposition gave the Party and its leader Senater Kernot many opportunities to defeat or modify government legislation. But in the process, the first leader of the Australian Democrats, Don Chipp, criticised the nature aspects of Democrat opposition claiming that the party had no mandate to frustrate a government's key reforms. This paper argues that, as many voters vote differently for two houses of parliament, there exist two conflicting mandates; one given to the House of Representatives and the other given to the Senate. The Democrats' parliamentary activity during 1996 refects a continuity with its past opposition and review of Labor bills and, ultimately, this suggests the transformation of Australian politics from ‘majoritarian’ to ‘consensual’.
Selling Water: The Outsourcing of South Australia's Water Supply
Authors: McCarthy Greg
Published: November 2017

The following article tells the story of the selling of the South Australian water and sewerage supply to an overseas consortium. The paper argues that the contract was invested with the dual identity of the State's economic progress and the leadership aspirations of its chief advocate Minister John Olsen. The argument is that the contract was shallow and probing by Parliament and the media hardly touched the surface. The finding is that the combination of globalisation and media representation saw the erosion of Parliamentary accountability.
Money for nothing: The Ethics of Social Welfare
Authors: Allan Rodney
Published: November 2017

This article critically examines the main neo-conservative moral and economic arguments for cutting social welfare provision, and for dismantling or downsizing the welfare states established in the Western nations in the earlier post-war years. It argues that considerations of social ethics do not support slashing welfare expenditures, or the conservative projects of dismantling the universal dimensions of the welfare state and restricting welfare benefits to the ‘deserving poor’. On the contrary, there are good reasons for strengthening the welfare state and extending welfare provision and other forms of social income. The article argues for moral principles that would underpin generous and unconditional social welfare nets, and various forms of universal social income.
Debating Policy Issues—Facts and Values Concerning Euthanasia, Domestic Violence and Education Resource Allocation
Authors: Jewell Paul
Published: November 2017

The formation of policy necessarily requires consideration of both facts and values. Policies are proposed because it is predicted that they will lead to outcomes that are desired. Ideally, a policy proposal will provide a clear statement of values and desirability of objectives on the one hand, and on the other hand, an analysis of current circumstances along with plausible and justified predictions as to the likely circumstances with and without the adoption of the proposed policy. The public debate of social policy may fail to meet these standards. Such a failure can result in fundamental obstacles strewn in the path of the resolution of the debate.
Picking Industry Winners: Networks and the Australian Magnesium Industry
Authors: Riemens Wendy
Published: November 2017

The Australian debate over industry policy centers on arguments about tariffs, micro-economic reform, corporate welfare and tax incentives. It is not surprising then that our understanding of industry development is relatively poor. The key point missed by the standard economic models is that industries do not develop in isolation. This paper examines the complex social, political and economic relationships associated with the emergence of the Australian magnesium metal industry. The purpose of the paper is to show that ‘networks’ play an important part in industry development. They enable a company to cope with either technological uncertainty, lack of knowledge, skills or funding. The study illustrates the process of networking as a development strategy for a small company. Finally, it is argued that ‘innovation networks’ could be a means of policy reorientation. This approach recognises how essential it is to involve potential users in industry development. The case study shows the need of an activist industry policy in order to pick industry winners.
The Politics of Waterfront Reform in Australia
Authors: Stratton Simon
Published: November 2017

Waterfront reform represents a crucial arena for micro-economic reform in Australia. In recent months reform has stalled due to an ill conceived campaign by the Howard Government to undermine the labour supply monopoly exercised by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA). Stevedore companies, themselves enjoying a duopoly, are cooperating with the government to discredit work practices by drawing upon dubious international comparisons regarding waterfront productivity. A propaganda war is being waged to win public opinion over to the government and, in the process, garner support for further deregulation of labour markets and anti-union legislation. Meanwhile goods lie idle in Australian ports. The stevedores and government may well have underestimated the MUA's power. In spite of the frequency of critical media, the union holds some trump cards in the form of its members support for their leaders and, significantly, the International Transport Federation (ITF). The ITF has threatened ship owners with world-wide bans if they use non-union labour in Australian ports. In this troubled industry it appears that the Howard Government dogmatic faith in deregulated labour markets, and crude industrial tactics by some stevedore company managers, will only harm the nation's exporters and actually setback the processes of forging genuine waterfront reform.
Interpreting China's strategic thinking about ASEAN from its response to the regional crisis
Authors: Zhang Jie
Published: November 2017

The word ‘crisis’ appears regularly in dispatches from Asia. As the East Asia financial crisis worsens and economic depression appears likely, especially so given the declining capacity of Japan to stimulate growth, attention shifts toward China's promise to avoid devaluing its currency (RMB). The focus of this article is on China's role in the crisis and in particular how to interpret China's growing power and its impact on neighbour states, especially those in Southeast Asia. I argue that the regional economic crisis provides China with a unique opportunity to accelerate its process of ‘confidence-building’ within the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN). Furthermore, the crisis offers China opportunities to enhance its power vis a vis the United States, Japan and the Southeast Asian region.
A Phoenix Arises
Authors: Fossum John Erik , Robinson P Stuart
Published: November 2017

Students of regional integration in Europe have found it difficult to identify the nature of the European Union (EU). For some, it is the product of states rationally deciding to belong to an inter-governmental organisation to promote their utilitarian goals. For others, it is a putative supranational polity whose development requires the progressive diminution of state sovereignty. The authors argue that it is more fruitful to see the EU as a unique kind of regional ‘institution’. Its endurance depends upon its ability to reflect and instantiate established social ‘practices’ rather than convergent ‘interests’ among member states.
Competition and Competitiveness
Authors: Griffin Gerard , Svensen Stuart , Teicher Julian
Published: November 2017

National Competition Policy (NCP) has been a highly contentious public policy issue in Australia since its introduction in 1995. This paper examines the development and implementation of NCP, and its relationship to other modalities of state restructuring such as privatisation. We also analyse selected aspects of NCP in operation, including issues of market failures such as the 1998 gas, electricity and water supply crises; the role of competition regulators in the labour market; and issues of public interest. We track changes in the way NCP has been enforced by the regulatory authority, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which is taking an increasingly interventionist approach to labour market issues, but a more laissez-faire approach to other markets. These developments are analysed in the context of a globalised economic system dominated by large business corporations that often do not operate in classic, competitive markets. The forces of globalisation and the development of a strong community backlash against NCP In rural and regional Australia are placing increasing pressure on Australian competition policy as it is currently configured.
Post- or Neo-Fordism?
Authors: Murakami Thomas
Published: November 2017

During the last decade, workplace changes in the Australian manufacturing industry resulted in an intense debate as to whether their nature is Post- or Neo-Fordist. This paper analyses the policies of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union on groupwork and relates these to workplace reform at the General Motors Holden plant in Adelaide, concluding that the industry is moving towards a Neo-Fordist model of production.
The Burma Road to Nowhere: The Failure of the Developmental State in Myanmar
Authors: Mathieson David Scott
Published: November 2017

The prospects for peaceful change in Burma are bleak. Since the Burmese military “recaptured” the state in 1988, they have ruled the country with the aim of solidifying their monopoly on power. The cosmetic transformation from the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in November 1997 witnessed little change but a renewed impulse to hold on to power. This has seen a resurgent attack on the domestic opposition forces in the country, the downwardwardly spiraling economy due to corruption and poor management, and the degradation of civil society in terms of health, education, and human rights. This paper argues that the need for effective dialogue between opposing forces is becoming increasingly urgent to arrest the slide toward a new depth of chaos and poverty. The regime's inability to construct greater state-society synergy is the key reason that their reform process has failed. Recent events have reinforced the necessity for greater societal participation. The tone of this paper is not positive that this will be forthcoming, and trends indicate a more repressive government line, with nationwide deleterious effects.
Lessons for the Australian Trade Union Movement from the Industrial Relations Policy Experiences of Britain and New Zealand
Authors: Abbott Keith
Published: November 2017

This paper draws on the industrial relations experiences of Britain and New Zealand in periods when economic rationalism held the ascendancy in their national policy agendas. In so doing, it looks at the impact of deregulatory provisions contained in laws directed at controlling the organisation and activities of trade unions. The paper finds that legislative reforms aimed at controlling the behaviour of trade unions are less effective in industrial relations environments characterised by a history of voluntarism and strong trade union presence in the workplace; and conversely, that reforming legislation aimed at achieving these ends is likely to be more effective in environments marked by a history of strong state support for compulsory arbitration and where trade unions are organisationally weak in the workplace. In view of the ‘Second Wave’ industrial relations legislation currently being considered by the Howard Government, the implication of these findings for Australian trade unions suggests that they must improve existing levels of workplace organisation if they are to avoid the fate of their New Zealand counterparts.
The politics of community consultation: Democratic deliberation and welfare reform in contemporary Australia
Authors: Lilburn Sandra
Published: November 2017

What political motivations underlie the notion of community consultation in the policy-making process? Drawing on two recent examples of community consultation, this article raises questions about why and how we are being consulted and who is asking us to participate in these policy consultation processes. Utilising Iris Young's (1997a & b) understanding of deliberation I argue that community consultation in the policy-making process is propelled by two essentially distinct needs — the state's need to regulate the population and the Individual's (or a group's) need to be involved in the process. In recent examples it satisfies only one — the former.
The Media and ‘Quality’ in Higher Education
Authors: Coleman David
Published: November 2017

Media rankings of universities have become common in many countries. Although frequently criticised by a range of commentators, media rankings are used by students in destinational decision-making, and by universities in their own marketing. By critically reading three prominent media ranking systems, several trends emerge. Asiaweek, U.S. News & World Report and Maclean's magazines each adopt an activist/investigative stance as a justification for their hierarchical rankings of higher educational institutions. Central to this position is an argument for opening up universities to public scrutiny, resulting in greater accountability to students, parents and taxpayers. However, an analysis of the data collection methodologies shows that these stakeholders are excluded from the evaluation process. Instead, all quantitative data is collected from university central administrations, and the subjective reputational surveys are completed by senior university staff and similarly empowered ‘experts’. Rather than acting as intrusive tools of public accountability, the media rankings serve to reinforce existing conceptualisations of ‘the university’ and ‘quality’ as expressed by the tertiary sector's prominent players.
Hasse principle violations for Atkin-Lehner twists of Shimura curves
Authors: Clark Pete , Stankewicz James
Published: November 2017

Let

D
>
546

D > 546

be the discriminant of an indefinite rational quaternion algebra. We show that there are infinitely many imaginary quadratic fields

l

/

Q

l/\mathbb {Q}

such that the twist of the Shimura curve

X
D

X^D

by the main Atkin-Lehner involution

w
D

w_D

and

l

/

Q

l/\mathbb {Q}

violates the Hasse Principle over

Q

\mathbb {Q}

. More precisely, the number of squarefree

d
d

with

|

d

|

≤
X

|d| \leq X

such that the quadratic twist of

(

X
D

,

w
D

)

(X^D,w_D)

by

Q

(

d

)

\mathbb {Q}(\sqrt {d})

violates the Hasse Principle is

≫
\gg

X

/

log

α
D

⁡
X

X/\log ^{\alpha _D} X

and

≪
X

/

log

β
D

⁡
X

\ll X/\log ^{\beta _D} X

for explicitly given

0
>

β
D

>

α
D

>
1

0 > \beta _D > \alpha _D > 1

such that

α
D

−

β
D

→
0

\alpha _D - \beta _D \rightarrow 0

as

D
→
∞

D \rightarrow \infty

.
microRPM: a microRNA prediction model based only on plant small RNA sequencing data
Authors: Tseng Kuan-Chieh , Chiang-Hsieh Yi-Fan , Pai Hsuan , Chow Chi-Nga , Lee Shu-Chuan , Zheng Han-Qin , Kuo Po-Li , Li Guan-Zhen , Hung Yu-Cheng , Lin Na-Sheng , Chang Wen-Chi
Published: November 2017

Motivation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding small RNAs (of about 22 nucleotides), which play an important role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression via either mRNA cleavage or translation inhibition. Several machine learning-based approaches have been developed to identify novel miRNAs from next generation sequencing (NGS) data. Typically, precursor/genomic sequences are required as references for most methods. However, the non-availability of genomic sequences is often a limitation in miRNA discovery in non-model plants. A systematic approach to determine novel miRNAs without reference sequences is thus necessary.

Results

In this study, an effective method was developed to identify miRNAs from non-model plants based only on NGS datasets. The miRNA prediction model was trained with several duplex structure-related features of mature miRNAs and their passenger strands using a support vector machine algorithm. The accuracy of the independent test reached 96.61% and 93.04% for dicots (Arabidopsis) and monocots (rice), respectively. Furthermore, true small RNA sequencing data from orchids was tested in this study. Twenty-one predicted orchid miRNAs were selected and experimentally validated. Significantly, 18 of them were confirmed in the qRT-PCR experiment. This novel approach was also compiled as a user-friendly program called microRPM (miRNA Prediction Model).

Availability and implementation

This resource is freely available at http://microRPM.itps.ncku.edu.tw.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Foramen Magnum Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Clinical Presentations and Treatment Outcomes, A Case-Series of 12 Patients
Authors: Motebejane Mogwale S , Choi In Sup
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are usually seen in relation to the venous sinuses, but in certain rare instances fistulas may not drain directly into the venous sinuses but rather drain into the cortical veins. This rare form of DAVF may present with either intracranial hemorrhage or myelopathy. The mode of clinical presentation is influenced by the venous outflow into either intracranial drainage or caudally intraspinal drainage.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical presentations, angioarchitectural characteristics, and treatment of 12 patients who presented with DAVF in the region of the foramen magnum.

METHODS

In this case series we reviewed clinical charts, radiological images, and operative notes of 12 patients who were diagnosed of foramen magnum DAVF from December 1993 until April 2017. The angiographic studies were analyzed for feeding arteries, the location of the shunt, the venous drainage patterns, and the presence of venous side aneurysms.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were angiographically confirmed with foramen magnum DAVFs. They included 11 males and 1 female (M:F = 11:1). Mean age of 55.6 yr ranging between 42 yr and 71 yr of age. Eight patients presented with progressive myelopathy, 3 patients with posterior fossa intracranial hemorrhage, and 1 patient presented with lower cranial nerve IX and XII palsies due to mass effect.

CONCLUSION

A dural arteriovenous shunt, which may be located in the region of the foramen magnum, should be suspected in those cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage in the posterior fossa or progressive myelopathy mimicking spinal DAVF.
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
Authors: Whitaker Kerry L.
Published: November 2017

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is an autoantibody-mediated thrombophilic disorder that causes a hypercoagulable state and can lead to venous thromboembolism, stroke, multiple miscarriages, and other pregnancy complications with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. This article reviews screening, diagnosis, and management of APS with a focus on the prevention of long-term complications.
Transforming the Nursing Classroom into a Clinical Setting
Authors: Cole Leslie G. , Graves B. Ann , Turner Stephanie
Published: November 2017

Providing clinical opportunities for students to gain experience in managing cardiac dysrhythmias is a challenge for nursing faculty. High-risk experiences are often not available for all students or are too life-threatening to entrust to students. Faculty shortages and increasing enrollments add to declines in clinical opportunities. The use of human patient simulation (HPS) has added opportunities to experience high-risk, low-frequency clinical situations. HPS may be employed in the classroom setting to teach content related to dysrhythmia treatments. This innovative approach to HPS utilization engages students and helps them apply theory into clinical nursing practice.
Teaching Culturally Competent Veteran Nursing Care in Prelicensure Programs
Authors: Kautzmann Cynthia L. , Lancaster Rachelle J.
Published: November 2017

With the publication of Healthy People 2020, health disparities have been redefined to expand concepts beyond traditional racial and ethnic minorities and include a broader range of populations. Veterans, with their unique experiences and values, comprise a distinct culture with health risks and potential disparities. Although accrediting agencies require programs of nursing to teach culturally competent care, it is unknown whether nurse faculty recognize veterans as having a culture distinct from the rest of the population. Recognizing veterans as possessing a distinct culture is a first step in the provision of culturally competent care.
The GRIND Project: Get Ready to Initiate a Nursing Degree
Authors: Washington Philisie Starling
Published: November 2017

Numbers of students who declare a prenursing major and who enter a nursing program are vastly different. The GRIND (Get Ready to Initiate a Nursing Degree) research project, which operated for 3-week sessions from 2011 to 2015, exposed students to the nursing career through hospital tours and human simulation while instructing in study skills, dosage calculation, and standardized test preparation. Participants’ understanding of nursing improved, and most felt at least somewhat to extremely prepared for nursing after participation. Student success in nursing is predicated on the tools learners acquire; investment in prenursing programs adds to student success.
Using a Complex Patient Management Scenario to Help Bridge the Education-Practice Gap
Authors: Burgess Adriane , Murphy Buc Hannah , Brennan Janice M.
Published: November 2017

Preparing nursing students for transition to practice is challenging in light of the increasing complexity of today’s health care environment. A clinical simulation was developed to engage senior-level bachelor of science in nursing students in the management of a critically ill patient whose deterioration warranted timely transfer to an intensive care unit. In this fast-paced, highly charged simulation, students were challenged to implement priority setting, delegation, communication methods, and teamwork. This article examines the gaps in students’ understanding of complex patient situations and points to the need for simulations that bridge the gap between education and practice.