bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Safety of Canagliflozin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Stage 3 Nephropathy
Authors: Yamout Hala , Perkovic Vlado , Davies Melanie , Woo Vincent , de Zeeuw Dick , Mayer Cristiana , Vijapurkar Ujjwala , Kline Irina , Usiskin Keith , Meininger Gary , Bakris George
Published: July 2014

Background/Aims: Some sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are approved for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≥45 ml/min/1.73 m2. The efficacy and safety of canagliflozin, an approved SGLT2 inhibitor, was evaluated in patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD; eGFR ≥30 to <60 ml/min/1.73 m2). Methods: This analysis used integrated data from four randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 studies that enrolled patients with T2DM and stage 3 CKD. Results are presented for the overall population as well as subgroups with stage 3a CKD (eGFR ≥45 and <60 ml/min/1.73 m2) and stage 3b CKD (eGFR ≥30 and <45 ml/min/1.73 m2). Results: Among all subjects studied with stage 3 CKD, placebo-subtracted reductions in HbA1c (-0.38 and -0.47%; p < 0.001), body weight (-1.6 and -1.9%; p < 0.001), and systolic blood pressure (-2.8 and -4.4 mm Hg; p < 0.01) were seen with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg, respectively. Decreases in HbA1c, body weight, and systolic blood pressure were examined in the stage 3a and 3b CKD subgroups, with greater decreases in HbA1c, -0.47% (-0.61, -0.32) and body weight in subjects in stage 3a CKD, -1.8% (-2.3, -1.2) with canagliflozin 100 mg. Initial declines in eGFR were seen early following treatment initiation with canagliflozin, but trended towards baseline over time. The most common adverse events with canagliflozin included genital mycotic infections and adverse events related to reduced intravascular volume likely secondary to osmotic diuresis. Conclusion: In subjects with T2DM and stage 3 CKD, canagliflozin reduced HbA1c, body weight, and blood pressure, and was generally well tolerated.
Whole Slide Imaging of Pap Cell Block Preparations versus Liquid-Based Thin-Layer Cervical Cytology: A Comparative Study Evaluating the Detection of Organisms and Nonneoplastic Findings
Authors: Tawfik Ossama , Davis Marilyn , Dillon Susan , Tawfik Laila , Diaz Francisco J. , Fan Fang
Published: July 2014

Objective: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, yet it is preventable by population screening. In a previous study, we confirmed the feasibility of utilizing whole slide imaging (WSI) of cell block (CB) preparations to overcome the limitations of digitizing cytologic samples. In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of WSI in identifying various organisms and nonneoplastic findings. Study Design: A total of 335 WS images from Pap CB preparations were analyzed using the Aperio system. The test performance characteristics of ThinPrep (TP) and WSI samples were compared for adequacy, for the presence of bacterial vaginosis (BV), fungi, Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) and for nonneoplastic findings. Results: The WSI samples contained optimal material from all preparations. BV was diagnosed in 33 WSI versus 36 TP samples. Budding yeasts and/or pseudohyphal forms were noted in 18 WSI versus 19 TP samples. TV organisms (10 of 11 samples) and 1 HSV case were accurately identified in the WSI and TP samples. Squamous metaplasia, keratosis and reactive/reparative and inflammatory changes were easily identified by WSI. Conclusions: The concept of WSI from Pap CB preparations is potentially feasible for adoption. Digital remote web-based technology eliminates the need for an individual on site, saving time and resources.
Cor a 14: Missing Link in the Molecular Diagnosis of Hazelnut Allergy?
Authors: Faber Margaretha A. , De Graag Maaike , Van Der Heijden Catherina , Sabato Vito , Hagendorens Margo M. , Bridts Chris H. , De Clerck Luc S. , Ebo Didier G.
Published: July 2014

Background: Hazelnut allergy shows distinct clinical patterns that can be predicted through component-resolved diagnosis. However, identification of sensitization profiles remains incomplete. Methods: Sera of 75 patients allergic to hazelnuts, 14 infants with atopic dermatitis (AD) sensitized to hazelnuts, 15 hazelnut-tolerant individuals with specific IgE (sIgE) to hazelnuts and 15 healthy control individuals were tested for sIgE reactivity to rCor a 1.04, rCor a 8, nCor a 9, nCor a 11, rCor a 14, rBet v 1, rBet v 2 and cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs). Results: Sensitization to Cor a 14 was observed in 18 out of 20 preschool children, 8 out of 10 school-aged children and 2 out of 7 adults with generalized reactions and in 3 out of 14 infants with AD. Only 2 out of 38 patients with an oral allergy syndrome (OAS) were sensitized to Cor a 14. No sensitization to Cor a 14 was observed in the group of hazelnut-tolerant and healthy control individuals. Sensitization to Cor a 1.04 was seen in 36 out of 38 OAS patients and in 14 out of 37 patients with generalized reactions. However, only 3 patients with generalized reactions were monosensitized to Cor a 1.04. Sensitization to Cor a 9 was observed in 26 out of 37 patients with generalized reactions and in 4 out of 14 infants with AD. Sensitization to Cor a 11, Cor a 8, rBet v 2 and CCDs was rare. Conclusions: Sensitization to Cor a 14 can have early onset and shows age-related variations. Together with Cor a 9, Cor a 14 enables us to correctly identify almost 90% of children with generalized reactions to hazelnut.
Effect of Orally Administered Potentized Capsaicin and Dihydrocapsaicin in Humans: A Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trial
Authors: Shah Rajesh
Published: July 2014

Background: A homeopathic pathogenetic trial is a procedure to examine the disease-producing effect of any substance on humans. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin are known as pain-producing agents. According to the homeopathic law of similars, any substance having the capacity to produce certain symptoms should also be able to treat them in return, when administered in small (potentized) dose. Methods: In a doubleblind, randomized placebo-controlled homeopathic pathogenetic trial with 22 volunteers, 15 received a combination of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin as a single remedy in 30c potency, while 7 received placebo. The volunteers' symptoms during 5 weeks were carefully noted as per protocol. The participants signed an informed consent, the study was approved by the ethics committee, and laboratory investigations were documented and safety measures adopted. Results: A preparation of orally administered ultra-high diluted capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin unveiled qualitatively and quantitatively distinct symptoms, comparable with effects of the crude substance. Compared to placebo, the homeopathic preparation produced significant symptoms in healthy human volunteers. These findings can subsequently be used therapeutically. Conclusion: The administration of potentized capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin combination produced symptoms of pain (and others) in healthy volunteers. This preparation can be applied therapeutically following a basic homeopathic principle. Further research to confirm the assumptions is warranted.
Misguided Progression Analysis by Optical Coherence Tomography: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Kennedy Jeffrey B. , SooHoo Jeffrey R. , Seibold Leonard K. , Kahook Malik Y.
Published: July 2014

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SOCT) is an important tool for the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. In an effort to help automate the detection of progressive structural glaucomatous optic nerve damage, Carl Zeiss Meditec has developed Guided Progression Analysis (GPA) software in conjunction with the Cirrus SOCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, Calif., USA). Here, we report a case in which the GPA merged information from 2 different patients, and another case in which data from alternate eyes was compared, making the final analysis invalid.
Choroidal Excavation in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease
Authors: Hashida Noriyasu , Fok Andrew , Nishida Kohji
Published: July 2014

Purpose: To report a case of choroidal excavation accompanied by Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH). Methods: A 54-year-old Japanese woman who was complaining of bilateral blurring of vision associated with headache underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography as well as a routine ophthalmological examination. Results: Fundoscopy showed papilloedema and serous retinal detachment in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography detected bilateral multifocal leakage with pooling of dye in the subretinal space. Indocyanine green angiography showed patches of hyperfluorescence and hypofluorescent spots bilaterally. A diagnosis of VKH was reached soon afterwards. OCT of the left eye revealed the presence of a unilateral choroidal excavation under the fovea and subretinal fibrin over the site of the excavation. Treatment successfully resolved VKH symptoms with gradual resolution of subretinal fibrin and fluid; however, the choroidal excavation remained. Conclusions: This case is the first report of choroidal excavation associated with VKH. Our results suggest that choroidal excavation can be induced by choroidal inflammation caused by VKH.
Metastasis-Related Processes Show Various Degrees of Activation in Different Stages of Pancreatic Cancer Rat Liver Metastasis
Authors: Al-Taee Khamael K. , Ansari Shariq , Hielscher Thomas , Berger Martin R. , Adwan Hassan
Published: July 2014

Background: Most pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients who undergo tumor resection will develop postoperative liver metastasis within the first 2 years. Our hypothesis was that, during liver colonization, the temporal modulation of processes related to metastasis will change in a specific manner and that information on these changes might be used for new therapeutic approaches. Material and Methods: PDAC rat ASML cells were inoculated into the liver of BDX rats and re-isolated after different time periods of liver colonization (early, intermediate, advanced, and terminal). The total RNA of these samples was used to evaluate the expression profiles of more than 23,000 genes by chip array analysis. Results: Depending on the time span following re-isolation, 7-15% of all known genes were deregulated. These genes were assigned to metastasis-related processes during the 4 stages of colonization. Except for apoptosis, all other processes were not activated in the early and middle colonization stages. In the terminal phase of liver colonization, cell proliferation, cell homing, cell movement, and vasculogenesis were significantly activated. Conclusion: We hypothesize that targeting the relatively few deregulated genes in the early stage of liver colonization could ultimately improve the survival of PDAC patients.
Novel peptides that inhibit heparanase activation of the coagulation system
Authors: Axelman Elena , Henig Israel , Crispel Yonatan , Attias Judith , Li Jin-Ping , Brenner Benjamin , Vlodavsky Israel , Nadir Yona
Published: July 2014

Heparanase is implicated in cell invasion, tumour metastasis and angiogenesis. It forms a complex and enhances the activity of the blood coagulation initiator – tissue factor (TF). We describe new peptides derived from the solvent accessible surface of TF pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI-2) that inhibit the heparanase procoagulant activity. Peptides were evaluated in vitro by measuring activated coagulation factor X levels and co-immunoprecipitation. Heparanase protein and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were injected intra-peritoneally and inhibitory peptides were injected subcutaneously in mouse models. Plasma was analysed by ELISA for thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), D-dimer as markers of coagulation activation, and interleukin 6 as marker of sepsis severity. Peptides 5, 6, 7, 21 and 22, at the length of 11–14 amino acids, inhibited heparanase procoagulant activity but did not affect TF activity. Injection of newly identified peptides 5, 6 and 7 significantly decreased or abolished TAT plasma levels when heparanase or LPS were pre-injected, and inhibited clot formation in an inferior vena cava thrombosis model. To conclude, the solvent accessible surface of TFPI-2 first Kunitz domain is involved in TF/heparanase complex inhibition. The newly identified peptides potentially attenuate activation of the coagulation system induced by heparanase or LPS without predisposing to significant bleeding tendency.
Antibody-based prevention of von Willebrand factor degradation mediated by circulatory assist devices
Authors: Rauch Antoine , Legendre Paulette , Christophe Olivier , Goudemand Jenny , Belle Eric van , Vincentelli André , Denis Cécile , Susen Sophie , Lenting Peter
Published: July 2014

Haemorrhagic episodes in patients carrying circulatory assist devices represent a severe life-threatening clinical complication. These bleeding episodes may originate from a reduced functionality of von Willebrand factor (VWF), a multimeric protein pertinent to the formation of a haemostatic plug. It has been reported that the reduced functionality is due to increased proteolytic degradation by the enzyme ADAMTS13, a phenomenon that is facilitated by device-induced increases in shear stress to which VWF is exposed. Here, we have tested a series of VWF-derived protein fragments and monoclonal murine anti-VWF antibodies for their capacity to reduce shear stress-dependent degradation of VWF. Via direct binding experiments, we identified an anti-VWF antibody that partially blocked VWF-ADAMTS13 interactions (46 ± 14%). Epitope mapping experiments revealed that the antibody, designated mAb508, is directed against the distal portion of the VWF D4-domain (residues 2134–2301) and recognises a synthetic peptide encompassing residues 2158–2169. Consistent with its partial inhibition of VWF-ADAMTS13 interactions in binding assays, mAb508 reduced ADAMTS13-mediated VWF degradation in a vortex-based degradation assay by 48 ± 10%. In a HeartMateII-based whole bloodperfusion system, mAb508 was able to reduce degradation of highmolecular- weight (HMW)-VWF-multimers dose-dependently, with a maximal inhibition (83 ± 8%) being reached at concentrations of 10 μg/ml or higher. In conclusion, we report that partial inhibition of VWF-ADAMTS13 interactions using an anti-VWF antibody can prevent excessive degradation of HMW-VWF multimers. This strategy may be used for the development of therapeutic options to treat bleeding episodes due to shear stress-dependent VWF degradation, for instance in patients carrying circulatory assist devices.
Sarcomere Mutation-Specific Expression Patterns in Human Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Helms Adam S. , Davis Frank M. , Coleman David , Bartolone Sarah N. , Glazier Amelia A. , Pagani Francis , Yob Jaime M. , Sadayappan Sakthivel , Pedersen Ellen , Lyons Robert , Westfall Margaret V. , Jones Richard , Russell Mark W. , Day Sharlene M.
Published: July 2014

Background—

Heterozygous mutations in sarcomere genes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are proposed to exert their effect through gain of function for missense mutations or loss of function for truncating mutations. However, allelic expression from individual mutations has not been sufficiently characterized to support this exclusive distinction in human HCM.

Methods and Results—

Sarcomere transcript and protein levels were analyzed in septal myectomy and transplant specimens from 46 genotyped HCM patients with or without sarcomere gene mutations and 10 control hearts. For truncating mutations in
MYBPC3
, the average ratio of mutant:wild-type transcripts was ≈1:5, in contrast to ≈1:1 for all sarcomere missense mutations, confirming that nonsense transcripts are uniquely unstable. However, total
MYBPC3
mRNA was significantly increased by 9-fold in HCM samples with
MYBPC3
mutations compared with control hearts and with HCM samples without sarcomere gene mutations. Full-length MYBPC3 protein content was not different between
MYBPC3
mutant HCM and control samples, and no truncated proteins were detected. By absolute quantification of abundance with multiple reaction monitoring, stoichiometric ratios of mutant sarcomere proteins relative to wild type were strikingly variable in a mutation-specific manner, with the fraction of mutant protein ranging from 30% to 84%.

Conclusions—

These results challenge the concept that haploinsufficiency is a unifying mechanism for HCM caused by
MYBPC3
truncating mutations. The range of allelic imbalance for several missense sarcomere mutations suggests that certain mutant proteins may be more or less stable or incorporate more or less efficiently into the sarcomere than wild-type proteins. These mutation-specific properties may distinctly influence disease phenotypes.
Socioeconomic Position and Incidence of Ischemic Stroke in Denmark 2003–2012. A Nationwide Hospital‐Based Study
Authors: Andersen Klaus Kaae , Steding‐Jessen Marianne , Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg , Olsen Tom Skyhøj
Published: July 2014

Background

A greater burden of stroke risk factors in general is associated with a higher risk for stroke among people of lower than those of higher socioeconomic position. The relative impact of individual stroke risk factors is still unclear.

Methods and Results

We studied the relations between socioeconomic position, measured as household income and length of education, and all hospital admissions for a first ischemic stroke among 54 048 people over the age of 40 years in Denmark in 2003–2012 in comparison with the general Danish population (23.5 million person‐years). We also studied the cardiovascular risk factor profile associated with socioeconomic position in stroke patients. Relative risks for stroke were estimated in log‐linear Poisson regression models. The risk for hospitalization for a first ischemic stroke was almost doubled for people in the lowest income group, and the risk of those of working age (<65 years) was increased by 36% among people with the shortest education. Diabetes, obesity, smoking, and high alcohol consumption in particular and, to a lesser extent, previous myocardial infarction or intermittent arterial claudication were significantly overrepresented among stroke patients with lower socioeconomic position. Atrial fibrillation and hypertension were not.

Conclusions

In Denmark, there is a strong relation between low socioeconomic position and risk for hospitalization for stroke. Lifestyle, as indicated by smoking, obesity, and alcohol consumption, and diabetes appears to increase the risk for stroke in people with lower socioeconomic position.
Ancient Chinese Musical Notation Discovered in the Old Library of St John’s College, Cambridge
Authors: Yang Jian
Published: July 2014

This article outlines the significance of a Chinese printed musical text entitled Xian di pipa pu, ‘Music score for Chinese flute and pipa’, which was recently discovered in the Library of St John’s College, Cambridge, by the author. It is one volume out of the six sets of books donated to the Library by the mathematician James Inman (1776–1859), who chanced to visit China in 1804.
Species of Neoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from Henan Province, China
Authors: Li Weihai , Li Shan , FENG GUANGWEI , WANG YUNBING
Published: July 2014

A new species, Neoperla jigongshana Li & Li, sp. nov., is proposed from Henan Province, China and compared with related congeners. Two additional species, N. cavaleriei (Navás, 1922) and N. forcipata Yang & Yang, 1992, are reported from the Province for the first time and descriptions of female and egg of N. baotianmana Li & Wang, 2011 are also presented. A provisional key to the known species of the Henan Province is presented.
Revision of Scissurellidae, Anatomidae and Fissurellidae (Gastropoda: Vetigastropoda) from the Plio-Pleistocene of the Philippines
Authors: HELWERDA RENATE A. , WESSELINGH FRANK P.
Published: July 2014

The taxonomy, paleo-ecology and biogeography of the highly diverse “Cabarruyan” fauna are explored further. Eight species of three vetigastropod families are discussed here, one of which is described as new: Zeidora geigeri nov. spec. The other seven species were previously described from Recent material and three of these are also known from other fossil deposits. Most of the species still occur around the Philippines today.
Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy
Authors: Davis Joel M. , DeBenedictis Marianna , Frank Douglas K. , Lessin Michael E.
Published: July 2014

Introduction:

The melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is an exceptionally rare neoplasm. Despite their potential for local invasion, MNTI are considered benign neoplasms. Sporadic cases have been reported of MNTI acting in a malignant fashion; however, the majority of these tumors were of extragnathic origin.

Methods:

A 2-month-old male presented with a rapidly expanding maxillary mass. The patient underwent excisional biopsy of the mass and a diagnosis of MNTI was returned. Tumor recurrence was appreciated postoperatively. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was initiated to render it more amenable to surgical resection. Chemotherapy was suspended prematurely and the patient returned to the operating room for hemimaxillectomy. The postchemotherapy surgical pathology report demonstrated a unique mixed chemotherapy response.

Discussion:

This report highlights the aggressive nature of gnathic MNTI, the importance of early diagnosis and definitive intervention, and the mixed clinical and histologic response of the lesion to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Predictors of mental health-related acute service utilisation and treatment costs in the 12 months following an acute psychiatric admission
Authors: Siskind Dan , Harris Meredith , Diminic Sandra , Carstensen Georgia , Robinson Gail , Whiteford Harvey
Published: July 2014

Objective:

A key step in informing mental health resource allocation is to identify the predictors of service utilisation and costs. This project aims to identify the predictors of mental health-related acute service utilisation and treatment costs in the year following an acute public psychiatric hospital admission.

Method:

A dataset containing administrative and routinely measured outcome data for 1 year before and after an acute psychiatric admission for 1757 public mental health patients was analysed. Multivariate regression models were developed to identify patient- and treatment-related predictors of four measures of service utilisation or cost: (a) duration of index admission; and, in the year after discharge from the index admission (b) acute psychiatric inpatient bed-days; (c) emergency department (ED) presentations; and (d) total acute mental health service costs. Split-sample cross-validation was used.

Results:

A diagnosis of psychosis, problems with living conditions and prior acute psychiatric inpatient bed-days predicted a longer duration of index admission, while prior ED presentations and self-harm predicted a shorter duration. A greater number of acute psychiatric inpatient bed-days in the year post-discharge were predicted by psychosis diagnosis, problems with living conditions and prior acute psychiatric inpatient admissions. The number of future ED presentations was predicted by past ED presentations. For total acute care costs, diagnosis of psychosis was the strongest predictor. Illness acuity and prior acute psychiatric inpatient admission also predicted higher costs, while self-harm predicted lower costs.

Discussion:

The development of effective models for predicting acute mental health treatment costs using existing administrative data is an essential step towards a workable activity-based funding model for mental health. Future studies would benefit from the inclusion of a wider range of variables, including ethnicity, clinical complexity, cognition, mental health legal status, electroconvulsive therapy, problems with activities of daily living and community contacts.
Examining the utility of Assessment Literacy Inventory and its portability to education systems in the Asia Pacific region
Authors: Hailaya Wilham , Alagumalai Sivakumar , Ben Francisco
Published: July 2014

Teachers use assessment to ascertain and enhance student learning, thus the importance of assessment literacy. One of the instruments that has been used to examine teachers’ assessment literacy is the Assessment Literacy Inventory developed by Mertler and Campbell. The Assessment Literacy Inventory has been validated using pre-service teachers and employing traditional statistical techniques. This study reports on the evaluation of the Assessment Literacy Inventory utility using 582 in-service teachers through employing the Rasch model and confirmatory factor analysis. The results indicate that the Assessment Literacy Inventory works well at the item level. However, the Assessment Literacy Inventory seven-factor structure, based on the Standards for Teacher Competence in Educational Assessment of Students, poses challenges against newer psychometric techniques. Hence, recommendations are presented. This article concludes with relevant implications for instrument development, educational assessment research, policy and practice, and teachers’ professional development.
Reevaluating the Effect of Recent Immigration on Crime
Authors: Stansfield Richard
Published: July 2014

The United Kingdom experienced a rapid inflow of migrants from European Union accession countries between 2004 and 2011, many of whom participated in the Worker Registration Scheme (WRS). Given the relative labor market position of this recent migrant wave, scholars argued that returns to criminal activity were negligible. Yet, recent data from London’s Metropolitan Police estimated that foreign-born nationals from Poland, Lithuania, and other Eastern European nations were responsible for almost 25% of alleged crimes in London between 2010 and 2011. With the United Kingdom set to see an influx of Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants starting in 2014, political and public arenas became rife with fears of a growing Eastern European crime wave. This article attempted to bring some coherence to the relationship between recent Eastern European immigration and multiple forms of crime in the United Kingdom. Using data from 348 local authorities in England and Wales, this study examined recent immigration composition effects on crime. The study also went beyond existing studies on immigration and crime by examining the effects of change in employment-related migration flows, study-related migration, and other migration flows since 2004. Results confirmed that areas that saw the highest rates of immigration do not have higher rates of violence. These areas did exhibit higher rates of drug offenses, however, that could not be explained away by differences in structural conditions. Finally, evidence was found that the reason for migration was critical in predicting criminal returns.
Interactionist Labeling
Authors: Kavish Daniel Ryan , Mullins Christopher W. , Soto Danielle A.
Published: July 2014

This article critically reviews prior labeling theory research concerning juvenile delinquency and crime, and proposes a new study using a recent data set. The labeling perspective is outlined as it was originally presented, and the theoretical elaborations that have taken place since are highlighted. Distinctions are made between formally applied criminal justice labels and the informal labels that are applied by educational institutions, significant others, and parental figures. An interactionist labeling model is presented to explain levels of juvenile delinquency among a nationally representative sample of American adolescents: the first three waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Finally, negative binomial regression models are estimated to better explain the dynamic relationship between labels and delinquency. Consistent with labeling theory, formal labeling significantly increased future delinquency.
On domains: Cyber and the practice of warfare
Authors: McGuffin Chris , Mitchell Paul
Published: July 2014

Cyberspace is a new and evolving realm of human interaction with specific security and defence concerns. Threats to commercial and government interests are being identified and many nations have accepted cyberspace as a domain of military of operations. While governments are investing in the development of military cyber capabilities, there are few examples of military cyber operations from which military doctrine can be developed. In order to bridge the gap between speculation and experience, the principles related to land, sea, and air forces can be used to provide a helpful reference for the cyber domain. The adoption of cyberspace as a domain has more to do with marketing than doctrinal consistency with physical domains. Until some future military cyber operations are categorized as armed attacks, there is insufficient cause to categorize cyberspace as a distinct domain.
Women Forgotten after Childbirth: Evidence from Comparative Analysis of Maternal Mortality before and after Delivery in Burkina Faso
Authors: Lougue Siaka , Susuman A Sathiya , Kouanda Seni
Published: July 2014

The aim of this paper is to determine and compare the risk factors of maternal mortality before and after childbirth in Burkina Faso. Analyses are performed at both bivariate and multivariate level using conditional logistic regression. An Emergency Obstetric Care (EMOC) survey of Burkina Faso for 2010 provided the data utilized for the analyses. The diagnosis of health professionals indicated that abortion with 36.3% is the main direct cause of prenatal maternal deaths while haemorrhage with 41.6% is the main direct cause of maternal mortality after delivery. In addition, 29.4% of post-natal maternal deaths were due to infection while only 23.5% of prenatal maternal deaths were due to the same cause.
“Look Before You Leap”: Lessons from Urban Water Sector Reforms in Ghana
Authors: Zaato Joshua Jebuntie
Published: July 2014

The article is primarily a case study of the use of a management contract for the reform of urban water in Ghana and addresses two main questions: (1) is contractualism suitable for the reform of urban water sector activities in developing countries; (2) under what conditions can contracting actually promote efficiency in the water sector? The findings point to answers for both questions. First, contractualism is a defective tool for reforming the politically sensitive water sector. Second, in order for contractualism to actually promote efficiency, certain fundamental conditions − context, agency task specificity and creative adaptation − must be adequately addressed.
The Politics of the Public Food Distribution System in Bangladesh: Regime Survival or Promoting Food Security?
Authors: Islam Mohammad Mozahidul
Published: July 2014

This paper attempts to examine the politics of the public food distribution system (PFDS) in Bangladesh. Conventional literature mainly reveals the inherent weaknesses of the system, focusing on its ‘targeting errors’ and ‘leakage errors’. In contrast, this study demonstrates that successive regimes purposefully fostered target and leakage errors through politically motivated projects and programs. By offering a historical−political analysis, this paper argues that leakage and target errors are merely the mechanism of regime survival through the distribution of opportunities by using state resources. It is only through examining political motivations that a more nuanced study of PFDS can be undertaken.
Patriarchy, Women, Land and Livelihoods on A1 farms in Zimbabwe
Authors: Chiweshe Manase Kudzai , Chakona Loveness , Helliker Kirk
Published: July 2014

In this article, we focus on patriarchy, women, land and livelihoods on A1 farms in Zimbabwe which arose from the fast track land reform programme. There is now significant literature on A1 farms in Zimbabwe. These studies include a number of ethnographic and comparative studies but this literature does not give sustained attention to patriarchy and women. In addition, though, a small number of works have appeared based upon a more focused gender analysis. We draw upon this more focused literature and offer fresh fieldwork evidence based on recent studies undertaken by two of the authors, in Goromonzi and Mazowe districts. At times, radical socio-spatial reorganisation such as fast track may destabilise systems of patriarchy. In the case of fast track, there has been a reconfiguration of relations between men and women yet this is uneven and contradictory and remains within the confines of patriarchal structures, practices and discourses. At the same time, women have manoeuvred and negotiated at local levels to enhance their lives and livelihoods.
Gender and General Strain Theory
Authors: Moon Byongook , Morash Merry
Published: July 2014

The present study of 659 Korean adolescents tests General Strain Theory’s (GST) utility in explaining gender differences in delinquency causation. It models the effects of key strains, negative emotions, and a composite measure of several conditioning factors separately for boys and girls and for delinquency. Consistent with the theory, males and females experience different strains and different emotions in response, and they vary in influences hypothesized to alter the connections of strains or emotions to delinquency. Strains that males experience more than females are significantly related to their violent and property delinquency, and those concentrated among females explain their status offending. For boys, family conflict influences different types of delinquency and examination-related strain predicts violent and status offending. The empirical research suggested that GST falls short in explaining boys’ and girls’ property and status offending, and in showing how a composite measure of conditioning factors act as a moderator in explaining their delinquency.
Driving to the “Net”
Authors: Norman Mark , Ventresca Matt , Szto Courtney , Darnell Simon C.
Published: July 2014

On October 24, 2012, the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League announced a plan to move from their current stadium in Nassau County to the recently opened Barclays Center in the borough of Brooklyn, marking the end of a decades-long political saga about whether and where to build a new home arena for the club. During this time, the Islanders franchise strove to mobilize support for the ostensible benefits of the stadium development and the importance of the team for the local community and economy. In this article, we offer an analysis of the ways in which such processes were interpreted, supported, and/or resisted by some of its highly invested fans through the act of blog writing. Based on content analysis and interviews, the results suggest that bloggers saw little choice but to support plans that kept the team as close to Nassau County as possible. We use this data to discuss the hegemony of neoliberalism as an organizing principle of professional sport, the agency of fans that negotiate such politics when supporting their club, and the Internet as a platform for communication and potential collective action in sport.
Gandhi’s Prescription
Authors: Mattausch John
Published: July 2014

For Gandhi, swaraj was premised upon the ethic of self-mastery and self-reliance, including taking responsibility for personal and public hygiene, which Gandhi himself was keen to practise and instil in his followers. While the article shows that much of Gandhi’s biography and development occurred by chance, it focuses ultimately on the persistence of ‘night scavenging’ in India today, perhaps the starkest failure of Gandhi’s swaraj campaign. The fate of Gujarat’s numerous Bhangis, who remain trapped in lives of misery, filth and danger, is contrasted to that of England’s earlier ‘night workers’, whose extinction as a professional class—it is argued—was brought about by chance events rather than by political design, intention or political campaigning. Ultimately, though, some people still have to do ‘dirty’ work which, in some cases, may be attractive even in India.
Gamification
Authors: Dale Steve
Published: July 2014

Gamification is about understanding and influencing human behaviours that organizations want to encourage amongst their workforce or customers. Gamification seeks to take enjoyable aspects of games – fun, play and challenge – and apply them to real-world business processes. Analysts are predicting massive growth of gamification over the next few years, but is there any substance to the benefits being touted? This article takes a critical look at the potential of gamification as a business change agent that can deliver a more motivated and engaged workforce.
Perspectives
Authors: White Martin
Published: July 2014

This article is the second of a regular column which explores the wider world of Sage Publications to open our eyes to relevant and transferable research and experience that can enhance what we do for our own organizations and provide insight for our professional development.
Text mining
Authors: Upshall Michael
Published: July 2014

Text mining is an umbrella term covering a wide range of software tools, including natural language analysis, use of statistical techniques, and machine learning, designed to extract entities (names of people and places), index terms, and relationships. This article outlines these tools, and describes how text mining is being applied in enterprises to solve user problems. A standard measure of accuracy enables text-mining tools to be compared. Text mining is often applied to unstructured content, but the most impressive results come from applying text-mining tools on structured text within a specific subject domain, using an iterative process to train the software.
Changing demands for content
Authors: Al-Nakaash Paul
Published: July 2014

Information managers are now bombarded with information from multiple sources: traditional media, the Internet and more recently social media. The demand for fast insight from this data is becoming the primary challenge for those tasked with managing information for business advantage. This article explores how the consumption, analysis and delivery of insight from content are changing and how this will impact information managers in the future.
Out of the box
Authors: James Roger
Published: July 2014

In this series of articles for Business Information Review, I have discussed the dramatic impact of technology and digitization on the world of information. At times, these articles have addressed the need for new skills and competencies from the Information Scientist; they have also introduced the impact of big data in science and society.

In this article, I use my recent experience in academic research to explain how the essential disciplines of good records management (RM) are a necessary foundation for big data research. Like the quality movement of the 1990s, embedding good RM in big data research will avoid costly rework, illuminating erroneous conclusions and advancing research. There is more that the Information Scientist can bring to big data – managing the unpublishing process and guiding the integration of documents via structured data. Areas in which Information Scientists have the necessary background, discipline and experience.
Modulation of neuronal microcircuit activities within the medial prefrontal cortex by mGluR5 positive allosteric modulator
Authors: Pollard Marie , Bartolome Jose Manuel , Conn P Jeffrey , Steckler Thomas , Shaban Hamdy
Published: July 2014

Suppressing anxiety and fear memory relies on bidirectional projections between the medial prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. Positive allosteric modulators of mGluR5 improve cognition in animal models of schizophrenia and retrieval of newly formed associations such as extinction of fear-conditioned behaviour. The increase in neuronal network activities of the medial prefrontal cortex is influenced by both mGluR1 and mGluR5; however, it is not well understood how they modulate network activities and downstream information processing. To map mGluR5-mediated network activity in relation to its emergence as a viable cognitive enhancer, we tested group I mGluR compounds on medial prefrontal cortex network activity via multi-electrode array neuronal spiking and whole-cell patch clamp recordings. Results indicate that mGluR5 activation promotes feed-forward inhibition that depends on recruitment of neuronal activity by carbachol-evoked up states. The rate of neuronal spiking activity under the influence of carbachol was reduced by the mGluR5 positive allosteric modulator, N-(1,3-Diphenyl-1 H-pyrazolo-5-yl)-4-nitrobenzamide (VU-29), and enhanced by the mGluR5 negative allosteric modulator, 3-((2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride (MTEP). Spontaneous inhibitory post-synaptic currents were increased upon application of carbachol and in combination with VU-29. These results emphasize a bias towards tonic mGluR5-mediated inhibition that might serve as a signal-to-noise enhancer of sensory inputs projected from associated limbic areas onto the medial prefrontal cortex neuronal microcircuit.
Thermogravimetric characteristics and kinetics of scrap tyre and Juglans regia shell co-pyrolysis
Authors: Uzun BB , Yaman E
Published: July 2014

The degradation kinetics of Juglans regia shell, scrap tyre and their blends were investigated using a thermogravimetric analysis method. Experiments were performed under dynamic conditions and a nitrogen atmosphere in the range 293 to 973 K at different heating rates. During pyrolysis of J. regia shell three mass loss zones were specified as removal of water, decomposition of hemicelluloses and cellulose, and decomposition of lignin. The degradation curves of scrap tyre showed merely one stage which was due to decomposition of styrene butadiene rubber. The kinetic parameters were calculated using both Arrhenius and Coats–Redfern methods. By adopting the Arrhenius method, the average value of activation energies of J. regia shell, scrap tyre and their 1 : 1 blends were found to be 69.22, 71.48 and 47.03 kJ mol−1, respectively. Additionally, by using the Coats–Redfern method, the average value of activation energies of J. regia shell, scrap tyre and their 1 : 1 blend were determined as 99.85, 78.72 and 63.81 kJ mol−1, respectively. The addition of J. regia shell to scrap tyre caused a reduction in the activation energies. The difference of weight loss was measured to examine interactions between raw materials. The maximum difference between experimental and theoretical mass loss was 5% at about 648 K with a heating rate of 20 K min−1. These results indicated a significant synergistic effect was available during co-pyrolysis of J. regia shell and scrap tyre in the high temperature region.
Implantation du Soutien au comportement positif (SCP) dans les écoles québécoises
Authors: Bissonnette Steve , St-Georges Normand
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a first assessment of the implementation of Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS), translated into French as Soutien au comportement positif (SCP), in elementary and secondary schools in Quebec. The SCP proposes the establishment of a support system in terms of behaviour management throughout the school to create an environment conducive to learning. The results indicate that it is possible to implement SCP with fidelity in elementary and secondary schools in Quebec; however, fidelity of implementation seems to depend on the leadership of school principals.
A study on tool condition monitoring and diagnosis of micro-grinding process based on feature extraction from force data
Authors: Lee Pil-Ho , Kim Dae Hoon , Baek Dae Seong , Nam Jung Soo , Lee Sang Won
Published: July 2014

In this article, a new algorithm for diagnosing tool conditions in micro-scale grinding process is proposed using features extracted from measured tangential grinding force data with the aid of wavelet packet decomposition and back-propagation neural network methods. The tangential grinding forces are measured in a series of micro-grinding experiments by varying depth of cut and feed rate, and those measured profiles are analyzed to define the tool conditions—sharp, middle and dull. From each tangential grinding force signal, 32 node energies are extracted by applying a wavelet packet decomposition method, and a total of 34 features including 32 node energies, depth of cut and feed rate are used to build the micro-grinding tool condition diagnosis model based on a back-propagation neural network approach. In this model, the grinding tool condition can be represented as a numerical confidence value. The experimental verification is conducted and it is demonstrated that the developed model is applicable for effectively diagnosing the micro-grinding tool conditions.
Characteristics of the double-cycled motion-ruled surface of the Schatz linkage based on differential geometry
Authors: Cui Lei , Dai Jian S , Lee Chung-Ching
Published: July 2014

This paper applies Euclidean invariants from differential geometry to kinematic properties of the ruled surfaces generated by the coupler link and the constraint-screw axes. Starting from investigating the assembly configuration, the work reveals two cycle phases of the coupler link when the input link finishes a full rotation. This leads to analysis of the motion ruled surface generated by the directrix along the coupler link, where Euclidean invariants are obtained and singularities are identified. This work further presents the constraint ruled surface that is generated by the constraint screw axes and unveils its intrinsic characteristics.
Road profile measurement using the two degrees of freedom response-type mechanism
Authors: Kavianipour O , Montazeri-Gh M , Moazamizadeh M
Published: July 2014

This paper deals with the two degrees of freedom response-type mechanism (2 DOF RTM) designed at Iran University Science and Technology. The applications of the 2 DOF RTM are to measure the longitudinal road profile and assess the vehicle suspension system. When the 2 DOF RTM is connected to a vehicle, it is able to measure the longitudinal road profile and it is capable of assessing the vehicle suspension system while it is perched upon the exciting device. The most important part of the 2 DOF RTM is its hub planned for decreasing the vehicle movement effects on the measurement. Moreover, this paper develops a novel procedure in order to convert the measured profile from the variable speed to the constant speed. To examine the 2 DOF RTM, a profile of a road is measured by the mechanism in the time-domain, and then the highly significant roughness indices such as power spectral density (PSD) of the road unevenness, international roughness index (IRI) and present serviceability index (PSI) are estimated using the measured profile.
Pitch angular velocity dynamics property in transverse galloping pattern from the passive dynamic perspective
Authors: Wei Xiaohui , Wang Chunlei , Long Yongjun , Wang Shigang
Published: July 2014

This paper employs the simplified quadrupedal passive dynamic model to analyze the underlying property of the transverse gallop. First, the simplified sagittal quadrupedal planar model of the transverse gallop, the trot, and searching methods for achieving the periodic motion are introduced. Next, we explore the dynamic performance of the transverse galloping pattern on the simplified quadrupedal passive dynamic model at different forward speeds and different stiffnesses of legs in a range of initial angular velocities at which the periodic motion is achieved, and there exists a particular property that is defined as the pitch angular velocity dynamics (PAVD) property. If the forward speed and the stiffness of legs are adequate in the transverse galloping pattern, the PAVD emerges and the forces (e.g. peak ground reaction force and average vertical force) that the model undergoes during locomotion are sharply reduced. The Froude numbers of the minimum forward speed where PAVD holds at a fixed stiffness of legs for different samples are virtually the same. Moreover, a comparison between the trot and the transverse gallop illustrates that a trot is more favorable in the range of forward speeds where the PAVD property is not achieved, while a transverse gallop is better after the property emerges.