bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of 2-Year Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Tibiofemoral or Patellofemoral Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation
Authors: Ebert Jay R. , Schneider Adrian , Fallon Michael , Wood David J. , Janes Gregory C.
Published: September 2017

Background:

Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) has demonstrated encouraging clinical results in the treatment of knee chondral defects. However, earlier studies suggested that chondrocyte implantation in the patellofemoral (PF) joint was less effective than in the tibiofemoral (TF) joint.

Purpose:

To compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of those undergoing MACI to either the femoral condyles or PF joint.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 194 patients were included in this analysis, including 127 undergoing MACI to the medial (n = 94) and lateral (n = 33) femoral condyle, as well as 67 to the patella (n = 35) or trochlea (n = 32). All patients were evaluated clinically (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], visual analog scale, Short Form–36) before surgery and at 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was undertaken at 3, 12, and 24 months, with the MOCART (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue) scoring system employed to evaluate the quality and quantity of repair tissue, as well as an MRI composite score. Patient satisfaction was evaluated.

Results:

No significant group differences ( P > .05) were seen in demographics, defect size, prior injury, or surgical history, while the majority of clinical scores were similar preoperatively. All clinical scores significantly improved over time ( P < .05), with a significant group effect observed for KOOS activities of daily living ( P = .008), quality of life ( P = .008), and sport ( P = .017), reflecting better postoperative scores in the TF group. While the PF group had significantly lower values at baseline for the KOOS activities of daily living and quality of life subscales, it actually displayed a similar net improvement over time compared with the TF group. At 24 months, 93.7% (n = 119) and 91.0% (n = 61) of patients were satisfied with the ability of MACI to relieve their knee pain, 74.0% (n = 94) and 65.7% (n = 44) with their ability to participate in sport, and 90.5% (n = 115) and 83.6% (n = 56) satisfied overall, in the TF and PF groups, respectively. MRI evaluation via the MOCART score revealed a significant time effect ( P < .05) for the MRI composite score and graft infill over the 24-month period. While subchondral lamina scored significantly better ( P = .002) in the TF group, subchondral bone scored significantly worse ( P < .001). At 24 months, the overall MRI composite score was classified as good/excellent in 98 TF patients (77%) and 54 PF patients (81%).

Conclusion:

MACI in the PF joint with concurrent correction of PF maltracking if required leads to similar clinical and radiological outcomes compared with MACI on the femoral condyles.
Social Structure of Accumulation Theory, Marxist Theory, and System Transformation
Authors: Kotz David M.
Published: September 2017

This paper locates social structure of accumulation (SSA) theory in relation to traditional Marxism. It then applies SSA theory to analyze the current trajectory of system transformation in the global system. Drawing lessons from the global crisis of the 1930s, it uses SSA theory to illuminate the causes and possible consequences of the system transformation that now appears to be developing—a transformation that may be replacing parliamentary democracies by right-wing nationalist repressive regimes in many countries.
Dismantling Stereotypes About Latinos in STEM
Authors: Hernandez Diley , Rana Shaheen , Rao Analia , Usselman Marion
Published: September 2017

The present study compared the effectiveness of a self-affirmation and a role model guest lecture intervention on reducing students’ perceptions of science-related social identity threat. Participants included 67 Latino high school students enrolled in a college preparation program. Students were randomly assigned either to a self-affirmation intervention or a self-affirmation control task, and the role model intervention was open to all students, with some choosing to participate. Results from an ANCOVA found the combination of both interventions had an identity threat reducing effect of moderate magnitude on perceptions of identity threat, and planned contrasts found statistically significant differences in perceptions of identity threat between students who received both interventions and no intervention, and between students who received both interventions and the self-affirmation task alone. Our research suggests that using multiple and combined interventions might provide an important advantage in order to reduce perceptions of identity threat in Latino students.
Light Dominates Peripheral Circadian Oscillations in Drosophila melanogaster During Sensory Conflict
Authors: Harper Ross E. F. , Ogueta Maite , Dayan Peter , Stanewsky Ralf , Albert Joerg T.
Published: September 2017

In Drosophila, as in other animals, the circadian clock is a singular entity in name and concept only. In reality, clock functions emerge from multiple processes and anatomical substrates. One distinction has conventionally been made between a central clock (in the brain) and peripheral clocks (e.g., in the gut and the eyes). Both types of clock generate robust circadian oscillations, which do not require external input. Furthermore, the phases of these oscillations remain exquisitely sensitive to specific environmental cues, such as the daily changes of light and temperature. When these cues conflict with one another, the central clock displays complex forms of sensory integration; how peripheral clocks respond to conflicting input is unclear. We therefore explored the effects of light and temperature misalignments on peripheral clocks. We show that under conflict, peripheral clocks preferentially synchronize to the light stimulus. This photic dominance requires the presence of the circadian photoreceptor, Cryptochrome.
Workplace Victimization and Discrimination in China: A Nationwide Survey
Authors: Zhang Huiping
Published: September 2017

Workplace victimization and discrimination have been intensively studied in the West, especially on the antecedents and consequences of this phenomenon. Surprisingly, little is known about the incidence and associated health problems of workplace victimization and discrimination in contemporary China. Using a representative nationwide sample of 1,138 Chinese employees conducted in 2015, this study attempted to estimate the prevalence, risk factors, and associated consequences of workplace victimization and discrimination in China. It is found that the prevalence rate of preceding 5-year workplace discrimination and victimization was 33% and 12.9%, respectively. Male employees who perceived higher work gains were less likely to experience workplace victimization and those who had higher career efficacy and unemployment anxiety were more likely to experience job discrimination or victimization. Female employees who received tertiary education were less likely to experience job discrimination and being married tended not to experience workplace victimization. Perceived job discrimination had negative impact on male employees’ job satisfaction as well as on female employees’ happiness. The implications of these findings are finally discussed in the Chinese context.
Violence and Disability: Experiences and Perceptions of Victimization Among Deaf People
Authors: Admire Amanda , Ramirez Blanca
Published: September 2017

Research on the unique experiences of deaf people is rare, and limited information exists regarding the nature and extent of violence against this population. Existing scholarship highlights the increased vulnerabilities of deaf individuals; however, there remains a paucity of research that examines how deaf and hard of hearing individuals perceive their own victimization. Also lacking is research on the experiences of deaf individuals outside of the United States, where cultural norms and the status of the deaf may be quite different. In this article, we examine the relationship between violence and disability among 60 deaf people from developing countries. Each respondent is seeking legal asylum in the United States, and their asylum depositions provide the data for analysis. Thematic analyses reveal that deaf individuals experience abuse and violence within various social institutions and draw upon social perceptions of disability to explain their negative treatment. Notably, respondents cite their status as “devalued persons” as the driving factor behind institutional and interpersonal experiences of violence and, in some cases, respondents internalize this devalued status. The results suggest social conceptualizations of disability and deafness are important to consider in the context of violence and abuse.
Life-Space Predicts Health Care Utilization in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Kennedy Richard E. , Williams Courtney P. , Sawyer Patricia , Lo Alexander X. , Connelly Kay , Nassel Ariann , Brown Cynthia J.
Published: September 2017

Objective: To determine whether decline in life-space mobility predicts increased health care utilization among community-dwelling older adults. Method: Health care utilization (number of emergency department [ED] visits and hospitalizations) was self-reported during monthly interviews among 419 community-dwelling African American and non-Hispanic White adults aged 75 years and older in The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Study of Aging II. Life-space was measured using the UAB Life-Space Assessment. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations of life-space at the beginning of each interval with health care utilization over the 1-month interval. Results: Overall, 400 participants were followed for 36 months. A 10-point decrease in life-space was associated with 14% increased odds of an ED visit and/or hospitalization over the next month, adjusting for demographics, transportation difficulty, comorbidity, and having a doctor visit in the last month. Discussion: Life-space is a practical alternative in predicting future health care utilization to performance-based measures, which can be difficult to incorporate into clinical or public health practice.
Dynamic analysis of finger seal in the complex working state
Authors: Zhao Hai-Lin , Chen Guo-Ding , Wang Li-Na , Su Hua
Published: September 2017

With the development of aero-engine industry technology, the operating conditions for finger seal become more horrible, including that high temperature, assembly type of finger seal, rotor tilt, and impact of rotor coexist. Unfortunately, the coupled effect on the dynamic performance of finger seal is not studied in previous works for the dynamic of finger seal. In this paper, the parameters of equivalent dynamic model for finger seal, including the equivalent structure stiffness of finger stick, the contact stiffness between finger stick and rotor, the friction heat between finger boot and rotor and the rotor displacement excitation, are corrected when the coupled effect of rotor tilt, assembly condition, temperature, and impact are considered. In addition, the distributed mass equivalent dynamic model is developed for considering the complex working conditions (including rotor tilt, assembly condition, temperature effect, and impact effect). Based on this model, the dynamic performance of finger seal in the complex working state is analyzed, and the influence of the complex working state on the dynamic performance is also studied. The results indicate that effect of the complex working state on the leakage performance and wear performance of finger seal is complex. The work in this paper demonstrates the necessity of considering the complex working conditions in the analysis of the dynamic performance of finger seal.
Relative Effects of Forward and Backward Planning on Goal Pursuit
Authors: Park Jooyoung , Lu Fang-Chi , Hedgcock William M.
Published: September 2017

Considerable research has shown that planning plays an important role in goal pursuit. But how does the way people plan affect goal pursuit? Research on this question is scarce. In the current research, we examined how planning the steps required for goal attainment in chronological order (i.e., forward planning) and reverse chronological order (i.e., backward planning) influences individuals’ motivation for and perceptions of goal pursuit. Compared with forward planning, backward planning not only led to greater motivation, higher goal expectancy, and less time pressure but also resulted in better goal-relevant performance. We further demonstrated that this motivational effect occurred because backward planning allowed people to think of tasks required to reach their goals more clearly, especially when goals were complex to plan. These findings suggest that the way people plan matters just as much as whether or not they plan.
Pattern-recognition receptors: signaling pathways and dysregulation in canine chronic enteropathies—brief review
Authors: Heilmann Romy M. , Allenspach Karin
Published: September 2017

Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) are expressed by innate immune cells and recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) as well as endogenous damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecules. With a large potential for synergism or convergence between their signaling pathways, PRRs orchestrate a complex interplay of cellular mediators and transcription factors, and thus play a central role in homeostasis and host defense. Aberrant activation of PRR signaling, mutations of the receptors and/or their downstream signaling molecules, and/or DAMP/PAMP complex–mediated receptor signaling can potentially lead to chronic auto-inflammatory diseases or development of cancer. PRR signaling pathways appear to also present an interesting new avenue for the modulation of inflammatory responses and to serve as potential novel therapeutic targets. Evidence for a dysregulation of the PRR toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR9, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain–containing protein (NOD)2, and the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) exists in dogs with chronic enteropathies. We describe the TLR, NOD2, and RAGE signaling pathways and evaluate the current veterinary literature—in comparison to human medicine—to determine the role of TLRs, NOD2, and RAGE in canine chronic enteropathies.
Amplification of Mycoplasma haemofelis DNA by a PCR for point-of-care use
Authors: Hawley Jennifer , Yaaran Tal , Maurice Sarah , Lappin Michael R.
Published: September 2017

We compared a qualitative in-clinic (IC)-PCR for the detection of Mycoplasma haemofelis DNA with the results of a commercial qualitative laboratory-based, conventional (c)PCR. In order to determine the specificity of both tests, Bartonella spp. samples were included. Forty-three previously tested blood samples with known PCR results for hemoplasmas and Bartonella spp. were selected. The samples were split between 2 laboratories. At the first laboratory, DNA was purified and run on 2 cPCR assays for the detection of hemoplasmas and Bartonella spp. At the second laboratory, DNA was purified using 2 purification protocols and both run in the IC-PCR assay. The cPCR results confirmed that 18 samples were positive for M. haemofelis, 5 for ‘ Candidatus M. haemominutum’, 8 for Bartonella henselae, 2 for Bartonella clarridgeiae, and 10 were negative for both genera. No mixed infections were observed. The IC-PCR assay for the detection of M. haemofelis had a sensitivity of 94.4% and specificity of 96%, when using the same DNA purification method as the first laboratory. Using the second purification method, the sensitivity of the IC-PCR assay was 77.8% and specificity was 96%. Bartonella species were not detected by the IC-PCR M. haemofelis assay. The IC-PCR assay decreased the amount of time to final result compared to a cPCR assay.
Odontomas in two long-finned ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
Authors: Vorbach Bryan S. , Wolf Jeffrey C. , Yanong Roy P.
Published: September 2017

Two adult long-finned ocellaris clownfish ( Amphiprion ocellaris) from 2 different aquaculture facilities were examined at the University of Florida, Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory for oral masses. Incisional biopsies were obtained from the masses under anesthesia, and histologic examination revealed both to be odontomas. Most benign odontomas are classified as hamartomas (disorganized proliferations of tissues found normally at the site of origin). Odontomas have previously been reported in wild teleost fish in association with viral infections and pollution.
Tenure and Promotion Experiences of Music Teacher Educators: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Pellegrino Kristen , Conway Colleen M. , Millican J. Si
Published: September 2017

To examine music education faculty members’ promotion and tenure experiences, we interviewed ( N = 9) and surveyed ( N = 124) music teacher educators (MTEs) who were pretenure or tenured within the past 3 years. Findings highlighted MTE’s perceptions of evaluative criteria and standards, mentoring programs and experiences, professional identity, and work-life balance. We found that MTEs valued three aspects of their professional identity: teacher educator, researcher, and musician, although most reported that music activities did not count as scholarly activities. We also found that MTEs need multiple mentors: someone familiar with institutional tenure policy and expectations and MTEs within and/or outside of the same institution. MTE survey respondents (70%) reported feeling stress related to the tenure process. Male respondents were more likely to feel satisfied (63%) with the balance of teaching, research, and service than female respondents (33%), and more likely to feel satisfied with the balance achieved between personal life and professional life (57%) than their female counterparts (36%).
Family Counseling With High-Conflict Separated Parents
Authors: Mutchler Matthew S.
Published: September 2017

When parents separate and divorce, they and their children often suffer dire emotional consequences, especially when the parents have a “high-conflict” relationship. When the parents are able to have a more collaborative relationship, however, outcomes are more positive. Family counseling can be an excellent resource for these parents, but the literature in this area is sparse. This article reviews a framework of understanding high conflict in the context of separated parents. After establishing this base of understanding, common challenges in working with high-conflict separated parents are presented, along with nonmodel-dependent strategies for meeting these challenges. Case examples are provided to illustrate both the challenges counselors may face and the strategies that are suggested for meeting those challenges.
IgG4-Related Cholangiopathy and Its Mimickers: A Case Report and Review Highlighting the Importance of Early Diagnosis
Authors: Geary Kyle , Yazici Cemal , Seibold Anita , Guzman Grace
Published: September 2017

Immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a recently described clinical entity that can involve multiple organs. It is an autoimmune disorder characterized by a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, storiform fibrosis, and obliterative phlebitis. A key distinguishing factor is its dramatic response to steroid therapy. Although best described in cases of autoimmune pancreatitis, IgG4-related disease has also been implicated in patients with cholangitis and is now commonly referred to as IgG4-related cholangiopathy. It is characterized by elevated serum IgG4 levels, an IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration with storiform fibrosis/obliterative phlebitis of the bile duct wall, and a response to steroids. It is crucial to differentiate IgG4-related cholangiopathy from its mimickers, such as primary biliary cholangitis, secondary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, secondary sclerosing cholangitis, and cholangiocarcinoma, because treatment modalities and outcomes of IgG4-related cholangiopathy differ significantly from these disorders. Here, we present an interesting case of IgG4-related cholangiopathy, discuss clinical and pathological features crucial to its early diagnosis, and compare and contrast this condition with its potentially confounding mimickers.
Second Opinion Expert Pathology Review in Bladder Cancer: Implications for Patient Care
Authors: Gordetsky Jennifer , Collingwood Robin , Lai Win Shun , Del Carmen Rodriquez Pena Maria , Rais-Bahrami Soroush
Published: September 2017

Objectives. To review bladder specimens referred to our facility for secondary review to determine the frequency and degree of changes in pathological diagnoses, which could affect patient care. Methods. A retrospective review of 246 bladder specimens sent to our pathology department for second opinion pathological review was performed. All consultation specimens were reviewed by a single genitourinary (GU)-subspecialized surgical pathologist. Any changes in the pathological grade, stage, or histological tumor type were noted as well as patient demographic data. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the frequency and type of discrepancies in diagnoses and determine any associations with patient demographic parameters. Results. Secondary pathology consultation of 246 bladder specimens from 233 patients were reviewed and compared with the primary diagnosis. The diagnosis was altered in 91/246 cases (37.0%). The number of cases reviewed per patient and specimen type was not associated with a change in diagnosis ( P = .19; P = .1). Of the cases with a change in diagnosis, 8 (8.8%) changed malignancy status, 46 (50.5%) changed stage, 16 (17.6%) changed tumor type (ie, change from urothelial carcinoma to prostate adenocarcinoma), 16 (17.6%) changed histological variant subtype, and 14 (15.4%) changed grade. There was no association noted between age, gender, or race and changes in diagnosis ( P = .53; P = .41; P = .70). Conclusions. Secondary pathology review with a GU-subspecialized surgical pathologist can change the stage, grade, or histological subtype on bladder biopsy and tumor resection specimens in more than one-third of cases. Age and gender were not associated with the frequency of change in diagnosis on consultation review.
Collective Biography: Using Memory Work to Explore the Space-in-Between Normativity and Difference/Disability
Authors: De Schauwer Elisabeth , Van De Putte Inge , Davies Bronwyn
Published: September 2017

This article works with the methodology of collective biography to explore the space-in-between normativity and difference/disability. Working with the memories of the participants, collective biography explores the processes of subjectification through which individuals are made social, and through which they are discursively and intracorporeally constituted. The authors of this article work with memories generated in a collective biography workshop in which they set out to explore the ethico-onto-epistemological nature of their own encounters with difference/disability. This methodology opens up the possibility of thinking differently about disability, and of seeing all human beings, notwithstanding the processes of categorization, as multiple and intra-active, and as always becoming in intra-action with others.
A Statistic’s Five Years: A Story of Teacher Attrition
Authors: Raab Rebecca Raine
Published: September 2017

The author is one of the almost 50% of beginning U.S. public school teachers who leave the profession within 5 years (Ingersol, 2003; Scherff, 2008). The first year she left teaching, 2012-2013, she became part of the 7% who exited the profession that year (U.S. Department of Education, 2014). Teacher educators use attrition statistics often without knowing the stories behind the numbers. Rebecca is a statistic, and this is her story in five poems, which span 5 years teaching in public schools. She uses poetry to explore her statistical meaning, following the footsteps of others who use poetry and narrative to explore their own stories (Limes-Taylor, 2014; Pelias, 2011; Spry, 2011). She also writes this for those teachers, like herself, who loved their students, but could no longer remain within the K-12 system.
The Game of Knowledge Brokering
Authors: Olejniczak Karol
Published: September 2017

Knowledge brokering is a promising practice for addressing the challenge of using research evidence, including evaluation findings, in policy implementation. For public policy practitioners, it means playing the role of an intermediary who steers the flow of knowledge between producers (researchers) and users (decision makers). It requires a set of specific skills that can be learnt most effectively by experience. The article explains how to develop knowledge brokering skills through experiential learning in a risk-free environment. It reports on the application of an innovative learning method—a game-based workshop. The article introduces the conceptual framework for designing game-based learning. Then, it demonstrates how this framework was applied in practice of teaching knowledge brokering. In conclusion, article discusses the first lessons of game application in training public policy practitioners. It concludes that game-based workshop is a promising method for learning about knowledge brokering strategies that increase evaluation use.
Preliminary pharmacokinetics of intravenous and subcutaneous dolasetron and pharmacodynamics of subcutaneous dolasetron in healthy cats
Authors: Herndon Andrea K , Quimby Jessica M , Sieberg Liberty G , Davis Leigh , Caress Amber L , Ligas Sabina , Hansen Ryan J , Wittenburg Luke A , Gustafson Danial L
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The objectives were to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) dolasetron and the pharmacodynamics (PD) of SC dolasetron in healthy cats.

Methods

Five cats with unremarkable complete blood count, serum biochemistry and urinalyses were utilized. In the PK study, cats received 0.8 mg/kg SC and IV dolasetron in a crossover format. Serum samples were obtained via a jugular catheter at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after the administration of dolasetron. Dolasetron and the active metabolite hydrodolasetron were measured using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Non-compartmental PK analysis was performed. In the PD study, SC dolasetron (0.8 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg) and saline were administered 30 mins prior to administration of 0.44 mg/kg intramuscular xylazine in a randomized three-way crossover. Number of emetic events, lip licks, time to onset of emesis and visual nausea score were scored by a blinded observer.

Results

In the PK study, dolasetron was quickly metabolized to the active metabolite hydrodolasetron, limiting assessment of dolasetron PK parameters. Median (range) PK parameters for IV hydrodolasetron were as follows: maximum serum concentration (Cmax) 116 ng/ml (69–316 ng/ml), time to maximum concentration (Tmax) 0.5 h (0.3–0.5 h), half-life 3.3 h (2.9–7.2 h) and area under the curve until the last measurable concentration (AUClast) 323 h/ng/ml (138–454 h/ng/ml). Median (range) PK parameters for SC hydrodolasetron were as follows: Cmax 67.9 ng/ml (60.4–117 ng/ml), Tmax 0.5 h (0.5–1.0 h), half-life 3.8 h (2.9–5.3 h) and AUClast 437 h/ng/ml (221.5–621.8 h/ng/ml). There was no significant difference in exposure to hydrodolasetron between the routes of administration. With regard to PD, when dolasetron was administered prior to xylazine, there was no significant difference in the mean number of emetic events, lip licks, time to onset of emesis or visual nausea score when compared with saline.

Conclusions and relevance

Administration of 0.8 mg/kg dolasetron does not maintain serum concentrations of active metabolite for 24 h. Administration of dolasetron at 0.8 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg did not prevent xylazine-induced vomiting. Additional feline dose studies are needed to determine if a higher dose is efficacious.
Anatomical and Functional Organization of Inhibitory Circuits in the Songbird Auditory Forebrain
Authors: Jeong Jin Kwon , Tremere Liisa A. , Ryave Michael J. , Vuong Victor C. , Pinaud Raphael
Published: September 2017

Recent studies on the anatomical and functional organization of GABAergic networks in central auditory circuits of the zebra finch have highlighted the strong impact of inhibitory mechanisms on both the central encoding and processing of acoustic information in a vocal learning species. Most of this work has focused on the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM), a forebrain area postulated to be the songbird analogue of the mammalian auditory association cortex. NCM houses neurons with selective responses to conspecific songs and is a site thought to house auditory memories required for vocal learning and, likely, individual identification. Here we review our recent work on the anatomical distribution of GABAergic cells in NCM, their engagement in response to song and the roles for inhibitory transmission in the physiology of NCM at rest and during the processing of natural communication signals. GABAergic cells are highly abundant in the songbird auditory forebrain and account for nearly half of the overall neuronal population in NCM with a large fraction of these neurons activated by song in freely-behaving animals. GABAergic synapses provide considerable local, tonic inhibition to NCM neurons at rest and, during sound processing, may contain the spread of excitation away from un-activated or quiescent parts of the network. Finally, we review our work showing that GABAA-mediated inhibition directly regulates the temporal organization of song-driven responses in awake songbirds, and appears to enhance the reliability of auditory encoding in NCM.
Slick (Kcnt2) Sodium-Activated Potassium Channels Limit Peptidergic Nociceptor Excitability and Hyperalgesia
Authors: Tomasello Danielle L , Hurley Edward , Wrabetz Lawrence , Bhattacharjee Arin
Published: September 2017

The Slick (Kcnt2) sodium-activated potassium (KNa) channel is a rapidly gating and weakly voltage-dependent and sodium-dependent potassium channel with no clearly defined physiological function. Within the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), we show Slick channels are exclusively expressed in small-sized and medium-sized calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP)-containing DRG neurons, and a pool of channels are localized to large dense-core vesicles (LDCV)-containing CGRP. We stimulated DRG neurons for CGRP release and found Slick channels contained within CGRP-positive LDCV translocated to the neuronal membrane. Behavioral studies in Slick knockout (KO) mice indicated increased basal heat detection and exacerbated thermal hyperalgesia compared with wild-type littermate controls during neuropathic and chronic inflammatory pain. Electrophysiologic recordings of DRG neurons from Slick KO mice revealed that Slick channels contribute to outward current, propensity to fire action potentials (APs), and to AP properties. Our data suggest that Slick channels restrain the excitability of CGRP-containing neurons, diminishing pain behavior after inflammation and injury.
Distress among Prostate Cancer Patients and Spouses is Associated with Hormone Treatment and Participation in Decision-Making
Authors: Salminen E.K. , Portin R. , Nurmi M.J.
Published: September 2017

Background

The aim of this study was to chart cancer experience and distress shared between prostate cancer (PC) patients and their spouses, focusing on effects of hormone treatment and treatment decision-making.

Patients and methods

This observational prospective study involved 203 PC patients and 194 spouses surveyed within 5 years from being diagnosed with PC. Fifty percent of the patients had received hormone treatment.

Results

Younger (<65 years) patients and spouses were significantly more distressed than the older. Patients receiving hormone treatment tended to be more distressed than those not treated (sum of scores, 5.6 vs 4.3, p = 0.017), and the same trend was seen in their spouses (p = 0.08). The spouse experienced difficulties in concentration and decision-making (Chi-squared test, p = 0.012) and somatic symptoms (p = 0.049) more often if the patient suffered the same problems. Use of alcohol/drugs was significantly more common among younger (<65 years) spouses (27.8% vs 7.2%, p < 0.001) and in those with higher level of education (26.1% vs 12.2%, p = 0.015).

Conclusions

Significant associations were observed in distress variables between prostate cancer patients and spouses, especially among younger patients and when hormone treatment was used. Distress among patients was associated with participation in treatment-decision making, and among spouses with age and educational level.
‘I’d rather you didn’t come’: The impact of stigma on exercising with epilepsy
Authors: Collard Sarah S , Ellis-Hill Caroline
Published: September 2017

Epilepsy is a common but hidden disorder, leading to stigma in everyday life. Despite stigma being widely researched, little is known about the impact of stigma for people with epilepsy within a sports and exercise setting. Using constructionist grounded theory, we explored the barriers and adaptations to exercise for people with epilepsy. Three focus groups (2–3 participants per group) and three semi-structured interviews were conducted (11 participants in total). Stigma negatively impacted joining team sports, running groups, and disclosure to others. The effect of stigma was reduced by educating others about epilepsy, thus creating more awareness and understanding.
‘Neighbourhood is if they come out and talk to you’: Neighbourly connections and bonding social capital
Authors: Redshaw Sarah , Ingham Valerie
Published: September 2017

Neighbourly relations have been theorised as ‘friendly distance’ in contrast to connections which are theorised as strong or intensive ties. The article explores the neighbourly relationships between residents of a peri-urban regional area outside Sydney in Australia. Strong interview themes emerged regarding the ways in which residents who were well connected within their locality talked about their neighbours, and this was in direct contrast to those living with a chronic condition – these people expressed a lack of connection with their neighbours. The major theme, ‘not in each other’s pockets’ reflects the negotiated nature of neighbour interactions, while the theme ‘neighbourhood is if they come out and talk to you’ speaks of isolation. The interactions of neighbours may in many cases constitute bonding capital as important weak or casual ties. These may not be available to the chronically ill or socially isolated or adequate without linking and bridging capital.
Introduction
Authors: Sánchez-Jankowski Martín
Published: September 2017

Introduction to Innovations in Ethnographic Methodology. From a conference hosted by the Center for Ethnographic Research at the University of California, Berkeley a number of original papers developing new methodologies in conducting ethnographic research were advanced. Each paper offers innovations to aid scholars in conducting research within both the phenomenological (Symbolic Interaction and Ethnomethodolgy) and scientific traditions.
Transnational habitus: Educational, bilingual and biliteracy practices of Chinese sojourner families in the U.S.
Authors: Chao Xia , Ma Xiufang
Published: September 2017

Grounded in the perspectives of language socialization and transnational habitus, this one-year ethnographic case study explores two middle-class Chinese sojourner families’ educational, bilingual and biliterate practices after their arrival in the U.S. It addresses the process that their middle childhood children experienced, from the excitement of the new English-speaking environment to linguistic and social isolation, to their adaptation to the environment and, finally, to transnational uplift. The families’ transnational practices throughout the four phases are shaped by their economic, educational and sociocultural dispositions that link together their country of origin and the U.S. They tend to cross national borders in language, literacy and education as well as to circulate glocalized English–Chinese biliteracy. This study reveals the disjunction between the families’ “imagined world” of the U.S. and the reality of a language barrier and ideological conflicts underpinned in an English-only society. The families’ transnational migration is an educational practice with access to their children’s “imagined world”. This study suggests that ESL learning should be considered as a socialization practice, which is tied to and structured by transnational fields in today’s globalized world.
Integrated Multicomponent Interventions for Safety and Health Risks Among Black Female Survivors of Violence: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sabri Bushra , Gielen Andrea
Published: September 2017

The epidemic of violence disproportionately affects women, including Black women. Black women survivors of violence have been found to face multiple safety and health issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV, and poor reproductive health. Many health issues co-occur, and this co-occurrence can be associated with additional safety and health-related challenges for survivors. Consequently, there is a need for multicomponent interventions that are designed to concurrently address multiple health issues commonly faced by Black survivors of violence. This systematic review of literature determines the efficacy of various strategies used in the existing evidence-based multicomponent interventions on violence reduction, promotion of reproductive health, reduction in risk for HIV, reduction in levels of stress, and improvement in mental health. Sixteen intervention studies were identified. Examples of components found to be efficacious in the studies were safety planning for violence, skill building in self-care for mental health, education and self-regulatory skills for HIV, mindfulness-based stress reduction for reducing stress, and individual counseling for reproductive health. Although some strategies were found to be efficacious in improving outcomes for survivors, the limitations in designs and methods, and exclusive focus on intimate partner violence calls for more rigorous research for this population, particularly for Black survivors of all forms of violence. There is also need for culturally responsive multicomponent interventions that account for diversity among Black survivors.
Managing Communication of Students With Cochlear Implants in Schools for the Deaf: Professional Practices
Authors: Okalidou Areti , Papavassiliou-Alexiou Ioanna , Zourna Christina , Anagnostou Flora E.
Published: September 2017

Despite the trend for mainstreaming children with cochlear implants (CI), a considerable number, either with or without additional disabilities, attend schools for the deaf today. The purpose of this study was to address approaches and practices, interdisciplinary involvement, and challenges within schools for the deaf for managing the communication needs of students with CI. Focused semistructured interviews of school personnel were used for documenting current practices and drawing out areas of concern. Several differences emerged across schools but also between past and current practices in managing the communication of students with CI. These included management of technology, speech–language pathologist (SLP) involvement, instruction models, student regrouping, and modifications in communication mode in teacher–student interchange. Challenges were related to technology, interactions with other professionals and carriers, and reaching the student’s oral communication potential. The importance of an interdisciplinary approach and the school’s orientation are discussed as key factors in the management process.
Management of Post-Traumatic Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens via Right-to-Left Femoral Vein to Femoral Vein Bypass (Palma Procedure)
Authors: Dua Anahita , Heller Jennifer , Lee Cheong
Published: September 2017

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a rare condition resulting from venous occlusion that impairs arterial flow. We report a rare case of post-traumatic PCD after ligation of the iliac vein with successful treatment by right-to-left femoral vein to femoral vein bypass using left great saphenous vein (Palma procedure). The clinical presentation, diagnostic process, and approach to management along with a literature review on the operative management of PCD are presented in this case report.
The Practice of Research Ethics in Lebanon and Qatar: Perspectives of Researchers on Informed Consent
Authors: Nakkash Rima , Qutteina Yara , Nasrallah Catherine , Wright Katharine , El-Alti Leila , Makhoul Jihad , Al-Ali Khalid
Published: September 2017

Informed consent requirements for conducting research with human participants are set by institutional review boards (IRBs) following established guidelines. Despite this, researchers continue to face challenges in seeking and obtaining informed consent. This study discusses researchers’ views of such problems in Lebanon and Qatar, which vary in research regulation. We conducted in-depth interviews with 52 academic researchers from various fields of research in both countries and analyzed them using thematic analysis. Important disjunctions emerged between IRB requirements and actual practice. Variations in obtaining informed consent were affected by the research context, type of research, and the prevalent cultural norms and values. Regulatory systems and guidelines for informed consent do not necessarily ensure ethical research conduct. Implications for improvement are presented.
Particle swarm optimization–based minimum residual algorithm for mobile robot localization in indoor environment
Authors: Zhang Yunzhou , Hu Hang , Fu Wenyan , Jiang Hao
Published: September 2017

For indoor mobile robots, many localization systems based on wireless sensor network have been reported. Received signal strength indicator is often used for distance measurement. However, the value of received signal strength indicator always has large fluctuation because radio signal is easily influenced by environmental factors. This will bring adverse effect on the distance measurement and deteriorate the performance of robot localization. In this article, the measured data are dealt with weighted recursive filter, which can depress the measurement noise effectively. In the linearization procedure, the least square method often causes additional error because it seriously relies on anchor nodes. Therefore, a minimum residual localization algorithm based on particle swarm optimization is proposed for a mobile robot running in indoor environment. With continuous optimization and update of particle swarm, the position that gets the best solution of objective function can be adopted as the final estimated position. Experiment results show that the proposed algorithm, compared with traditional algorithms, can attain better localization accuracy and is closer to Cramer–Rao lower bound.
Perceptions of U.S. Veterans Affairs and community healthcare providers regarding cross-system care for heart failure
Authors: Pope Charlene A , Davis Boyd H , Wine Leticia , Nemeth Lynne S , Haddock K Sue , Hartney Tom , Axon R Neal
Published: September 2017

Objectives

This study explores perceptions of US Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA healthcare providers caring for Veterans with heart failure (HF) regarding Veteran knowledge and motivations for dual use, provider roles in recommending and coordinating dual use, systems barriers and facilitators, and suggestions for improving cross-system care.

Methods

Twenty VA and 11 non-VA providers participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using parallel qualitative content and discourse analysis.

Results

VA and non-VA providers described variable HF knowledge and self-management among Veterans, and both groups described the need for improved education addressing medication adherence, self-care, and management of acute symptoms. Both groups described highly limited roles for providers in shaping choices surrounding dual use. VA and non-VA providers had significantly different perceptions regarding the availability, quality, and effectiveness of VA HF services. Multiple non-VA providers expressed frustration with and difficulty in contacting VA providers, accessing records, and making referrals into the VA system. Suggestions for improved care focused on patient education and care coordination.

Discussion

Dual healthcare system use for Veterans is increasingly common. Similarities and contrasts in perceptions of VA and non-VA providers are instructive and should be incorporated into future policy and program initiatives.
eHealth and behavioral weight loss interventions for female cancer survivors: A review
Authors: Harvey Jean , Dittus Kim , Mench Elise
Published: September 2017

Cancer survivors are at increased risk of chronic disease and diminished quality of life. The presence of overweight and obesity can exacerbate these health risks. Fortunately, even small weight losses have been found to produce clinically meaningful health outcomes. However, effective obesity treatment is difficult to access, and recently, efforts have been made to disseminate interventions using eHealth or distantly delivered technology. This review aims to focus on the efficacy and limitations of these technologies for female cancer survivors. Suggestions are also provided to encourage further meaningful work in this area.
Context is everything: From cardiovascular disease to cerebral microbleeds
Authors: Charidimou Andreas , Blacker Deborah , Viswanathan Anand
Published: September 2017

Increasingly, our approach to cerebrovascular disease has become blurred by evidence published in literature often without careful consideration of what this evidence implies for specific patients at hand. In this essay, we analyze key contextual issues in cerebrovascular small vessel disease, in an attempt to highlight the symbolic gap that exists between research and clinical practice, a recurring theme in medicine. We highlight the importance of considering context when using data from epidemiologic, neuroimaging, and biomarker studies in determining relevance to the patient at hand. We argue, that while biomarkers and neuroimaging may eventually serve to help to identify individuals with specific cerebrovascular diseases, we must always continue to understand patients in a specific clinical context. These reflections are particularly relevant when considering cerebral microbleeds—a key marker of cerebrovascular small vessel disease whose detection often raises thorny clinical dilemmas.
Comparative Handling Analysis of Different Insulin Pump Systems
Authors: Waldenmaier Delia , Schöllkopf Katharina , Westhoff Antje , Heinemann Lutz , Freckmann Guido
Published: September 2017

Insulin pumps are used by many patients with diabetes to manage their diabetes therapy. Adequate handling of the systems is important to avoid errors. In this study, one aspect of device handling—the number of steps required to operate the system—was evaluated for different insulin pump systems. Specific tasks that are usually performed by insulin pump users were simulated and all necessary actions were documented. Differences between the required numbers of steps strongly depended on the specific task. So did the level of guidance for these tasks provided by the systems. Results of this study provide an overview of this particular aspect of insulin pump handling rather than a general advice.