bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Note: Belcacemi and Oussar v Belgium App no 37798/13 (ECtHR, 11 July 2017)
Authors: Doomen Jasper
Published: June 2018

The freedom of the individual can easily come into conflict with his or her obligation to integrate in society. The present case provides a good example. That some restrictions of citizens’ freedoms must be accepted for a state to function and, more basically, persist is evident and that, as a consequence, certain demands, incorporated in criminal law, are made from citizens is acceptable. The issue to what extent such restrictions are justified has increasingly become a topic of discussion. The present case raises a number of important questions with respect to the right to wear a full-face veil in public if the societal norm is that the face should be visible, the most salient of which are whether women should be ‘protected’ from unequal treatment against their will and to what extent society may impose values on the individual. I will argue that the Belgian law places unwarranted restrictions on citizens and that the values behind it testify to an outlook that is difficult to reconcile with the freedom of conscience and religion.
Crystal structure of 2-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine, C16H14N2
Authors: Jia Guo-Kai , Chen Xiao-Ming , He Fu-Lin , Chen Xiu-Wen , Wang Zong-Cheng
Published: June 2018

C16H14N2, orthorhombic, P212121, a = 6.449(8) Å, b = 10.548(14) Å, c = 17.84(2) Å, V = 1213(3) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0406, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0933, T = 296(2) K.
Milling process optimization for the best surface coat adhesion of the rigid polyurethane foam
Authors: Hafner Rok , Grguraš Damir , Kramar Davorin
Published: June 2018

In this research, the influences of milling parameters on the surface quality and coat adhesion of rigid polyurethane (PU) foam are highlighted. Several surface texture parameters were correlated with the milling parameters. The correlation between the coat adhesion strength, as determined by the pull-off test, and the milling parameters was also established. The investigation revealed that traditional height distribution roughness parameters, such as Ra, Sa, Rz, and Sz, do not offer sufficient information for a proper surface adhesion evaluation. Shaping and bearing surface parameters, on the contrary, provide more information for the surface quality assessment, although the structure of the PU was found to be inhomogeneous. The evaluation of milling process effects on surface texture and coat adhesion and the determination of optimal machining conditions were derived based on response surface methodology. The goal was an adequate surface texture that provides the best coat adhesion strength.
Laboratory Simulation of Dynamic Compressive Forces Experienced by a Package during Transport
Authors: Batt Gregory
Published: June 2018

The objective of laboratory performance testing is to simulate the packaged product distribution environment, reproducing the hazards and associated damage potential that packaged products will encounter. Simulating the dynamic compressive forces that occur between unit loads or stacked packaged products while undergoing vehicle transport can be time consuming and expensive. In some cases, the number of test specimens required to complete a full unit load or stack of packaged products are not available for testing. For this reason, industry-accepted test standards allow for the use of a single box and an equivalent dead load in place of a full stack of packaged products for vibration testing. In this study, a device is designed and validated to record the dynamic compressive forces created by a stack of corrugated boxes. Various experiments are conducted, recording the dynamic compressive forces that occur from stacks of packages for comparison to a single package with a dead load. The dynamic compression response is used to drive a vibration table with the force-measuring device serving as the control feedback sensor. It is concluded that the use of a dead load does not reproduce the same damage potential as a stack of packages when acceleration is used to drive and control a vibration table. However, the use of a dead load is an efficient and economical way to test dynamic compression of corrugated fiberboard packages if force, rather than acceleration, is used to drive the vibration table.
Poisson’s Ratio of Asphalt Concrete Mixes Using Indirect Tensile Test
Authors: Lindelöf Peter , Said Safwat , Ahmed Abubeker
Published: June 2018

Increased interest in mechanistic evaluation of flexible pavement structures has brought a demand for accurate and practical methods, models, or both to estimate the mechanical properties of asphalt concrete mixtures. One of these properties is the Poisson’s ratio (ν) of asphalt concrete mixtures, which is often assumed to have a constant value of 0.35 in asphalt concrete evaluations. However, investigations have reported that mixture type, air void content, and temperature produce considerable variation in measured ν-values that could have a significant effect on evaluations of asphalt concrete mixes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of air voids, binder type, and testing conditions on the measured ν-values. Indirect tensile (IDT) tests were conducted to measure ν-values. The study indicated that the Poisson’s ratio of the asphalt concrete mixes, on average, attained a maximum value at a particular level of air void content. Furthermore, when comparing the Poisson’s ratio values in relation to the dynamic modulus, calculated using the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) equation, higher ν-values were attained. This demonstrates the importance of measuring the Poisson’s ratio of a mix type.
Fairtrade Certification, Labor Standards, and Labor Rights
Authors: Raynolds Laura T.
Published: June 2018

Fairtrade International certification is the primary social certification in the agro-food sector intended to promote the well-being and empowerment of farmers and workers in the Global South. Although Fairtrade's farmer program is well studied, far less is known about its labor certification. Helping fill this gap, this article provides a systematic account of Fairtrade's labor certification system and standards and compares it to four other voluntary programs addressing labor conditions in global agro-export sectors. The study explains how Fairtrade International institutionalizes its equity and empowerment goals in its labor certification system and its recently revised labor standards. Drawing on critiques of compliance-based labor standards programs and proposals regarding the central features of a ‘beyond compliance’ approach, the inquiry focuses on Fairtrade's efforts to promote inclusive governance, participatory oversight, and enabling rights. I argue that Fairtrade is making important, but incomplete, advances in each domain, pursuing a ‘worker-enabling compliance’ model based on new audit report sharing, living wage, and unionization requirements and its established Premium Program. While Fairtrade pursues more robust ‘beyond compliance’ advances than competing programs, the study finds that, like other voluntary initiatives, Fairtrade faces critical challenges in implementing its standards and realizing its empowerment goals.
Local and Indigenous Knowledge for Disaster Prevention and Livelihood Protection in Rural North Central Vietnam
Authors: Bruun Ole , Ngoc Luu Bich
Published: June 2018

Based on research in rural villages of north-central Vietnam, this article examines the value of local and indigenous knowledge in adaptation to weather and climate-induced disasters. Diverse forms of knowledge were found to thrive and interact with the modern knowledge complex. The article argues that local knowledge has the potential to enhance human capital and contribute to local participation and mobilization around disaster risk reduction and sustainable rural development, but political adjustments must provide new avenues for rural participation beyond conventional state institutions as well as a greater space for civil society development.
Characterization, Expression, and Functional Analysis of a Novel NAC Gene Associated with Resistance to Verticillium Wilt and Abiotic Stress in Cotton
Authors: Wang Weina , Yuan Youlu , Yang Can , Geng Shuaipeng , Sun Quan , Long Lu , Cai Chaowei , Chu Zongyan , Liu Xin , Wang Guanghao , Du Xiongming , Miao Chen , Zhang Xiao , Cai Yingfan
Published: June 2018

Elucidating the mechanism of resistance to biotic and abiotic stress is of great importance in cotton. In this study, a gene containing the NAC domain, designated GbNAC1, was identified from Gossypium barbadense L. Homologous sequence alignment indicated that GbNAC1 belongs to the TERN subgroup. GbNAC1 protein localized to the cell nucleus. GbNAC1 was expressed in roots, stems, and leaves, and was especially highly expressed in vascular bundles. Functional analysis showed that cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt was reduced when the GbNAC1 gene was silenced using the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) method. GbNAC1-overexpressing Arabidopsis showed enhanced resistance to Verticillium dahliae compared to wild-type. Thus, GbNAC1 is involved in the positive regulation of resistance to Verticillium wilt. In addition, analysis of GbNAC1-overexpressing Arabidopsis under different stress treatments indicated that it is involved in plant growth, development, and response to various abiotic stresses (ABA, mannitol, and NaCl). This suggests that GbNAC1 plays an important role in resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses in cotton. This study provides a foundation for further study of the function of NAC genes in cotton and other plants.
Regulators of Long-Term Memory Revealed by Mushroom Body-Specific Gene Expression Profiling in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Widmer Yves F , Bilican Adem , Bruggmann Rémy , Sprecher Simon G
Published: June 2018

Memory formation is achieved by genetically tightly controlled molecular pathways that result in a change of synaptic strength and synapse organization. While for short-term memory traces, rapidly acting biochemical pathways are in place, the formation of long-lasting memories requires changes in the transcriptional program of a cell. Although many genes involved in learning and memory formation have been identified, little is known about the genetic mechanisms required for changing the transcriptional program during different phases of long-term memory (LTM) formation. With Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, we profiled transcriptomic changes in the mushroom body—a memory center in the fly brain—at distinct time intervals during appetitive olfactory LTM formation using the targeted DamID technique. We describe the gene expression profiles during these phases and tested 33 selected candidate genes for deficits in LTM formation using RNAi knockdown. We identified 10 genes that enhance or decrease memory when knocked-down in the mushroom body. For vajk-1 and hacd1—the two strongest hits—we gained further support for their crucial role in appetitive learning and forgetting. These findings show that profiling gene expression changes in specific cell-types harboring memory traces provides a powerful entry point to identify new genes involved in learning and memory. The presented transcriptomic data may further be used as resource to study genes acting at different memory phases.
Food-Dependent Plasticity in Caenorhabditis elegans Stress-Induced Sleep Is Mediated by TOR–FOXA and TGF-β Signaling
Authors: Goetting Desiree L , Soto Rony , Van Buskirk Cheryl
Published: June 2018

Behavioral plasticity allows for context-dependent prioritization of competing drives, such as sleep and foraging. Despite the identification of neuropeptides and hormones implicated in dual control of sleep drive and appetite, our understanding of the mechanism underlying the conserved sleep-suppressing effect of food deprivation is limited. Caenorhabditis elegans provides an intriguing model for the dissection of sleep function and regulation as these nematodes engage a quiescence program following exposure to noxious conditions, a phenomenon known as stress-induced sleep (SIS). Here we show that food deprivation potently suppresses SIS, an effect enhanced at high population density. We present evidence that food deprivation reduces the need to sleep, protecting against the lethality associated with defective SIS. Additionally, we find that SIS is regulated by both target of rapamycin and transforming growth factor-β nutrient signaling pathways, thus identifying mechanisms coordinating sleep drive with internal and external indicators of food availability.
Secretory Vesicle Polar Sorting, Endosome Recycling and Cytoskeleton Organization Require the AP-1 Complex in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Martzoukou Olga , Diallinas George , Amillis Sotiris
Published: June 2018

The AP-1 complex is essential for membrane protein traffic via its role in the pinching-off and sorting of secretory vesicles (SVs) from the trans-Golgi and/or endosomes. While its essentiality is undisputed in metazoa, its role in simpler eukaryotes seems less clear. Here, we dissect the role of AP-1 in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans and show that it is absolutely essential for growth due to its role in clathrin-dependent maintenance of polar traffic of specific membrane cargoes toward the apex of growing hyphae. We provide evidence that AP-1 is involved in both anterograde sorting of RabERab11-labeled SVs and RabA/BRab5-dependent endosome recycling. Additionally, AP-1 is shown to be critical for microtubule and septin organization, further rationalizing its essentiality in cells that face the challenge of cytoskeleton-dependent polarized cargo traffic. This work also opens a novel issue on how nonpolar cargoes, such as transporters, are sorted to the eukaryotic plasma membrane.
La redefinición de géneros musicales y la conciencia social en la poética de Calle 13
Authors: Cruz Ailén
Published: June 2018

El grupo musical Calle 13 goza de éxito a nivel mundial y ha usado su influencia para profundizar temas de justicia social y política mediante su lírica y fusión de géneros musicales. Este artículo establece el contexto socioeconómico del que nace la voz de Calle 13, particularmente su poesía. Mediante un análisis literario que abarca canciones que pertenecen a cada etapa de la discografía del grupo, el artículo explora los elementos únicos de Calle 13 que le han permitido trascender sus raíces y ser acogidos inclusive más allá de Latinoamérica. La investigación concluye que Calle 13 logra un arte revolucionario, exitoso y creíble mediante versos introspectivos y a veces inconsistentes, que logran esquivar convertirse en propaganda monolítica, ofreciendo al oyente un mensaje permeable y accesible.
Cerdos que se alimentan con oro: El imperialismo Yankee en las caricaturas costarricenses 1900-1930
Authors: Vindas Solano Sofìa
Published: June 2018

El siguiente artículo propone un análisis de caricaturas publicadas entre 1900 y 1930 en más de una docena de periódicos y revistas costarricenses, que se ocupaban de comentar los eventos sociopolíticos de aquel momento. Más de una centena de caricaturas creadas por intelectuales costarricenses, registran las tensiones tumultuosas entre las naciones de Centroamérica y Estados Unidos de América, especialmente a través de la icónica figura del Tío Sam y el Big Stick. El objetivo del análisis es caracterizar los discursos antiimperialistas que se difundieron a través de la caricatura en Costa Rica entre 1900-1930, para determinar el contexto en que se crean y las características que poseen. Esta investigación analiza la compleja representación de diversas nociones antiimperialistas expresadas por los dibujos en estos periódicos y revistas de amplia circulación en suelo costarricense. Estas caricaturas no solo evidencian la historia convulsa que vive Centroamérica en los albores del s. XX, sino que manifiestan y transmiten un sentimiento de resistencia a través del lente satírico que les caracteriza. Estos documentos artísticos son el testimonio de una complicada relación caracterizada por la fascinación de los centroamericanos con la cultura americana de principios del s. XX, y su absoluta indignación con las políticas exteriores dirigidas por Estados Unidos de América hacia Costa Rica y sus naciones vecinas.
Dixie Backlash? Anti-Southern Affect and Party Support Outside the South
Authors: Knuckey Jonathan
Published: June 2018

The literature on partisan change in the American electorate has devoted considerable attention to explaining Republican gains in the South. Less time has been devoted to examining changes outside of the South, where a Democratic majority has persisted-and indeed grown-over the past two decades. This article examines whether the realignment toward the Republican Party in the South has resulted in a move toward the Democratic Party outside the South. Specifically, it is posited that the growing influence of the South within the Republican Party has resulted in a backlash against the GOP. Using data from the American National Election Studies, this article examines affect toward southerners as a determinant of the political behavior of non-southerners. Findings indicate that even after controlling for other explanatory variables, affect toward southerners is a significant predictor of how non-southerners evaluate the political parties, as well as vote choice in the 2008 presidential election. While partisanship and ideology remain the best predictors of vote choice among non-southerners, anti-southern backlash should not be discounted for the GOP's "Northern problem" in recent elections.
Developing and procuring London’s highway infrastructure to enable an electric future
Authors: Clancy Louise , Palmer Spencer , Blake Jamie
Published: June 2018

Over 9000 Londoners may die early every year from toxic air. Transport is a major contributor to the problem, so the city plans to become Europe’s ultra-low-emissions vehicle capital and achieve zero transport emissions by 2050. However, to do so means overcoming a profound barrier to low-emission vehicle uptake: the availability of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This paper describes how a government-funded scheme is helping London’s boroughs install over 1000 charge points across the city by the end of 2020.
Calibration of traffic stream models on high-speed urban roads with heterogeneous traffic
Authors: Kumar Pallav , Arkatkar Shriniwas , Joshi Gaurang
Published: June 2018

The basic objective of this work was to identify best-fitting traffic stream models for the varying traffic flows on high-speed urban roads under heterogeneous traffic in India. To this end, traffic data on ten-lane, eight-lane and six-lane divided roadways were collected. An iterative process was developed to fit traffic stream models by optimising constant parameters using optimisation techniques. Different single-regime models, multi-regime models and models based on the car-following approach were fitted to the field-observed data set. Among the single-regime models, the Northwestern model fitted the data set with the highest level of accuracy. The three-regime model was found to be more accurate than the other multi-regime models. Various multi-variate car-following models were also applied and found to fit uncongested and congested data with higher accuracy than the use of a single equation. Among all the models examined, the model proposed by Van Aerde and Rakha provided the highest accuracy. This observation was also validated for roadway sections with varying carriageway widths. The outcome of this research may be useful for the development of correct trends of speed–flow relationships for similar kinds of roadway facilities in the Asia-Pacific nations. Using the most suitable trend, level-of-service boundaries can be delineated more effectively.
How Vulnerable are EME Corporates?
Authors: Beltran Daniel O. , Collins Christopher G.
Published: June 2018

This note provides an update on the health of EME corporates and examines the extent to which they are vulnerable to risks, including those that might be associated with monetary policy normalization in advanced economies.
La autotoma de muestra cervico-vaginal y la toma hecha por el ginecólogo en el diagnostico de cáncer de cuello uterino. Aplicabilidad en los programas de pesquisa de cáncer de cuello uterino
Authors: Bastidas Pacheco Gilberto Antonio , Iglesias Roman Lisandro , Pérez Amilcar Josue , Villegas ´Ávila Elci Josefina
Published: June 2018

Introducción: En el ámbito mundial el cáncer cervico-uterino es el segundo entre las mujeres. En los países de alto riesgo el cáncer cervical afecta a un número substancial de mujeres en edad reproductiva y laboralmente activas que tienen acceso limitado a actividades de detección o diagnóstico precoz por motivos económicos o por barreras culturales. 

Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal y de campo con base en toma de muestra cervical por la propia mujer y el profesional de la salud, para posterior pesquisa de cáncer de cuello uterino.

Resultados: En más del 98% de las muestras por autotoma hubo concordancia diagnóstica con las obtenidas por los profesionales de la salud. Conclusión: Existe alta correspondencia diagnóstica entre la toma de muestra realizada por la propia mujer y el profesional de la salud, que el nivel educativo de las féminas no influye en la decisión de realizarse la autotoma, ni en su capacidad para aprender la prueba, y que este estudio se trata del primero de este tipo realizado en Venezuela.
Counseling training in the format of co-therapy
Authors: Dorozhkin V.R.
Published: June 2018

Counseling with a co-therapist is gaining more and more supporters in group and family therapy, and also as a training of beginning psychotherapists. The article dwells upon the phenomena, principles, the evolution of relationships and professional ethics in co-therapy. We examine positive and negative specifics of work in pairs, symmetrical or nonsymmetrical in their counseling experience. Terms such as the group subject of discourse and the evolution of relationships between co-therapists are explained. We studied the influence of co-therapy as a method of professional training on personality and professional competence of beginning psychotherapists. According to the yielded results training in a pair helps students to overcome anxiety, increases their social intelligence and leads to deep understanding of their partner. We give advice on selecting a co-therapist and point out the types of work where co-therapy is most effective — family and group counseling and psychotherapy students training.
The experience of discussing suicidal topics in an outpatient support group for people with mental disorders
Authors: Boiko O.M. , Maklin M.V. , Enikolopov S.N.
Published: June 2018

The article reviews the experience of discussing suicidal topics at the support group for people with mental illness. We analyze the influence of suicidal manifestations on the group leaders and participants and discuss the main approaches to work with suicidal manifestations and the limitations set by the group and its participants’ mental disorders. We formulate the following goals, which emerge when suicidal topics arise in a support group: preventing suicide and preventing the formation of the syndrome of emotional burnout among the leaders. The tasks necessary to reach the goals are described: increasing the competence level of the group leaders with regards to suicide manifestations, clarifying the severity of suicidal behavior and risk, preventing suicidal behavior from becoming a common response, identifying personal motivation for suicidal behavior, detecting the relationship between the power of suicidal tendencies and the state of mental health and improving compliance. We discuss the ways of fulfilling these tasks and limitations associated with them.
Recovery of consciousness through the prism of psychology: psychological work with children after severe brain injury
Authors: Bykova V.I. , Harkovskiy A.N. , Fufaeva E.V. , Lukyanov V.I. , Sidneva Y.G.
Published: June 2018

The paper discusses psychological work with children after severe brain injury. We present the method of clinical anthropocentrism which lets the rehabilitation team sample the patient’s capabilities and determine his/her areas of proximal development at each stage of recovery, and also find the nearest and set out long-term tasks of psychological rehabilitation. We present the results of the comparative analysis of the recovery of two children in the state of reduced consciousness who were rehabilitated with the use of different methods: clinical anthropocentrism and standard complex approach (psychological support of the family, therapeutic physical training, massage, physiotherapy, pharmacotherapy, etc.). Conclusions: the method of clinical anthropocentrism used in work with children after severe brain injury raises the quality and intensity of his/her communication signals and expands the potential for movement and behavior.
Pregnancy as a stage of personal development of a woman
Authors: Mordas E.S. , Kharisova R.R.
Published: June 2018

Pregnancy is defined as a specific crisis stage of development of a woman’s personality. We consider the specifics of the personality’s structure, gender identity, object relations and self-concept in this regard. The process of personality formation in a woman during pregnancy is marked by integrity and connected to the processes of regression, transformation, integration, and restructuring of intrapersonal formations. During pregnancy Id’s libidinal and aggressive tendencies intensify, Ego’s structure expands and enriches itself by assimilating the child as an Ego-ideal, Super-Ego lessens its pressure. Gender identity is restructured as a result of gender ideal merging with the gender stereotype.
Reproducibility of task description questionnaire among brazilian pregnant workers
Authors: Rosa Priscila Cibils da , Moreira Géssica Maria , Mochizuki Luís , Sperandio Fabiana Flores
Published: June 2018

Background: The increase in the number of pregnant women working to the end of gestation has attracted interest in studying the effects of work on maternal fetal health. A task description questionnaire (TDQ) was developed to evaluate pregnant women and labor tasks performed in this period. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the TDQ and its questions regarding the labor tasks performed by pregnant workers. Methods: Test-retest reproducibility was performed with data collected at seven-day intervals in 37 pregnant women. A Spearman test and κ coefficients were calculated for test-retest agreement. Results: With regard to κ, the results showed good to total agreement for questions 3 and 4. The Spearman correlation was excellent to moderate (for questions 5 and 6). Conclusions: The results of the reproducibility of the TDQ reflected the good understanding of this tool, because it was simple, easy and fast to apply. A TDQ can detect the need for changes in the occupational environment of pregnant workers. This ensures the examination of maternal fetal health and safety.
Gastroskopide tesadüfen tanınan diffüz büyük B hücreli karaciğer lenfoması: Vaka sunumu
Authors: TOROS Ahmet Burak , YAŞAR Hüseyin , ÖZLÜ Mehmet Mustafa , KESİCİ Beşir
Published: June 2018

Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the liver is a very rare malignancy. Here, we report the case of a 78-year old man who presented with complaints of fatigue, slight weight loss and decreased appetite; since 6 months. Because he was anemic and regularly taking aspirine, we first suspected chronic blood loss from the stomach as a cause of anemia. Gastroduodenoscopy was planned as the next step. It revealed an external hemispheric, mobile compression on the greater curvatura of the stomach; which had to be further evaluated via whole abdominal computed tomography with contrast Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated hepatomegaly caused by multiple mass lesions, with necrosis at the center. Next, a positron-emission tomography was advised; and it revealed potential malignacy with widespread lymph node metastases and malignant ascites. Liver biopsy performed under ultrasonographic guidance revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the liver. The patient is now under medical oncology follow-up, and receiving chemotherapy. Based on our findings, physicians should be more aware and consider that external gastric compression on routine gastroscopy may be an indicator of a more serious disease.
Wellness Promotion Courses in University Settings: A Review of the Outcome Research
Authors: Beauchemin James , Gibbs Todd , Granello Paul
Published: June 2018

Background: Improving college student wellness continues to be a challenge due to concerns related to lifestyle, unhealthy behavior, and lack of accessible supports, often resulting in poor academic performance and high drop-out rates. As a result there has been an increase in wellness-promoting academic courses across colleges and universities with the goal of helping students to establish healthy lifestyle behaviors.Aim: This article critically reviews the existing literature related to college courses designed to promote student wellness.Methods: This scoping review examines research related to courses designed to improve wellness within the college student population between the years 2000-2017 using multiple electronic databases. Results: Review findings include a lack of rigorous research designs, lack of integration of evidence-based models of wellness, challenges associated with consensus conceptualizations of wellness, fidelity, and replicability of wellness-related courses.Conclusions: Wellness as an emerging paradigm continues to gain attention in the literature, particularly related to college students. However, there is a need for more rigorous study designs, examination of mechanisms of change, and consensus related to conceptualizations of wellness and component definitions to inform wellness-promotion efforts, and ultimately support health-enhancing change within the existing lifestyle culture on college campuses.
Editorial Advisory Board
Authors: BHAC Journal Building Healthy Academic Communities
Published: June 2018

No abstract available.
Significance of tissue microbiopsies in fine needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Jaswanthini A. R. , Prathap D. Vishnu , Swaminathan K.
Published: June 2018

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology smears prepared through conventional method, often contain well preserved viable tissue fragments which are intact (Tissue Micro biopsies). They will provide information on the tissue architecture and contribute to the tumour ontogeny.Methods: A prospective study of significance of tissue micro biopsies in FNAC were studied and interpreted in the Cytopathology laboratory of Department of Pathology, Tirunelveli Medical College, Tirunelveli. 100 cases with clinically palpable Swellings were studied.Results: Out of 100 cases, 82% of cases were coming under the category of conventional FNAC, 10% of the cases were USG guided and 8% were falling under CT guided FNAC. The organs with highest yield of micro biopsies were lymph nodes 34 cases (34%) followed by breast 24 cases, thyroid 11 cases, lung 8 cases, salivary gland 7 cases, liver and bone and soft tissue 4 cases each, abdominal mass 3cases, pancreas 2 cases, and single case each of ovary, spleen, anterior mediastinum. Of the total 100 cases, 56% of the cases were malignant and 44% of the cases were benign. Among the 56 malignant tumours 41(73.2%) cases were primary tumours and 15cases (26.8%) were metastatic tumours.Conclusions: FNA smears containing micro biopsies help in diagnosis, typing of tumour and predicting possible primary sites in cases of metastatic tumours which were not possible by cytology alone. Hence, this technique can be used to increase the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC if put into practice.
Superior vena cava syndrome: a case report of a rare form of presentation
Authors: Behera Bijaya K. , K. Vishnu , George Jaison , Nahak Susanta K.
Published: June 2018

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is the clinical manifestation of superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction, with severe reduction in venous return from the head, neck and upper extremities. It is a medical emergency. Obstruction to the SVC may be caused by neoplastic invasion of the venous wall associated with intravascular thrombosis or, more simply, by extrinsic pressure of a tumour mass against the relatively thin-walled SVC. More than 80% cases of SVCS are caused by malignant mediastinal tumours. We present a 42-year-old female patient who was admitted with 15 days history of swelling of face, neck and upper limbs and dyspnea of 5 days duration at MKCG Medical College Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, India. The patient was diagnosed as a case of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) which is a rare form of presentation. In this case report we would like to highlight that although lung carcinoma being the most common cause of acute superior vena cava syndrome, other malignancies like NHL should also be kept in mind and the importance of a detailed history, clinical examination and thorough investigations cannot be over emphasised.
Early outcome of surgical intervention in subaxial cervical spine injuries
Authors: S. Vignesh , B. Pradeep , D. Balasubramanian
Published: June 2018

Background: Sub-axial cervical spine includes the C3 through C7 segments, a very mobile area of the spine with potential for devastating injuries as a result of instability and risk of spinal cord injury. Goal of treatment is to stabilize the spine and decompress when necessary, in order to promote the optimal environment for recovery.Methods: This is a retrospective study of 40 patients with sub-axial cervical spine injury who underwent surgery in this institute from January 2016 to March 2017.Results: Most of the patients were young males with road traffic accident. They underwent cerival traction for reducing translation and surgical management, mostly anterior procedures and in some cases posterior stabilisation.Conclusions: Most of the subaxial spine injuries can be treated by anterior procedures. Preoperative neurological status is an important predictor in postoperative neurological improvement.
Correlation of portal vein diameter with the presence of oesophageal varices in chronic liver disease: a prospective study
Authors: Uppalapati Suraj , S. Lokesh
Published: June 2018

Background: Guidelines recommends upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for all the patients with cirrhosis of liver to rule out portal hypertension. Many patients may not be willing to undergo this unpleasant procedure or resources may not be available. In this study, authors aim to identify the effectiveness of portal vein size as a non-invasive predictor of esophageal varices.Methods: In this prospective observational study of 30 patients, patients with liver cirrhosis without a previous history of upper GI bleeding were included between November 2012 and October 2014. Relevant clinical parameters were assessed which included physical examination, complete hemogram, biochemical workup, upper GI endoscopy and ultrasonographic measurement of portal vein diameter.Results: Out of the study population 70% of the patients had Oesophageal varices. Ultrasonography abdomen showed portal vein dilatation(>13mm) in 66.6% cases. The mean portal vein diameter in our study group was 13.1mm and majority of patients had portal vein between 13-13.9 mm (43.3%). A cut-off point of more than 13 mm had strong significant relationship (p<0.01) with presence of esophageal varices (sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 90% and positive predictive value of 95.24%). Higher grades of esophageal varices exists with larger portal vein size.Conclusions: From present study, authors conclude that portal vein size and its dilatation detected ultrasonographically can determine the presence of esophageal varices and can hence identify the subset of patients who require endoscopy for the prophylactic management of variceal bleeding. Therefore, reduce the burden on the endoscopy units, avoiding unnecessary screening endoscopies. Apart from being non-invasive, portal vein diameter is a relatively inexpensive and easily reproducible parameter.
Clinical profile and treatment outcome of tuberculosis patients under programmatic management in a tuberculosis unit at a tertiary care center
Authors: Lamb Avinash R. , Khadilkar Hrishikesh A. , Shoukat Ali Syed Azhar Ali
Published: June 2018

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is currently one of the greatest health hazards in the world, more so in India. So this study was conducted to study the clinical profile and treatment outcome of TB patients in a tuberculosis unit attached to a tertiary care centre.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among the tuberculosis patients attending the tuberculosis unit attached to Government Medical College, Aurangabad, Maharashtra. In which patient’s clinico-demographic profile and treatment outcome was recorded.Results: A total of 2414 patients were included in this study of which 1377 (57.04%) were males and 1037 (42.96%) were females. The average age of patients was 33.4 years. 1811 (75.02%) patients had pulmonary, while 603 (24.98 %) patients had extra pulmonary involvement. Maximum patients were newly diagnosed type (77.51%) , while rest included defaulters, ATT (anti-tuberculous therapy) failure cases and relapse cases. 1795 patients (74.36%) belonged to category I ATT, 543 (22.49%) belonged to cat II ATT, and 76 (3.15%) belonged to category III ATT. Out of 2414 patients, 1088 (45.07%) were cured, while 834 (34.55%)successfully completed treatment. There were 232 defaulters (9.61%), 45 failures (1.86%) and 134 deaths (5.55%).Conclusions: Though this study showed a greater predominance of pulmonary TB. It also observe high percentage extra pulmonary TB. A high positive treatment outcome noted may be attributed to the availability of specialist doctors and diagnostic facilities in the tertiary care centre.
Evaluation of serum procalcitonin as a significant marker in cases of septic arthritis and osteomyelitis: a two year study
Authors: Koramutla Harsha Kumar , Koyagura Balakondaiah , Ravindran Bijju
Published: June 2018

Background: Acute bone infections like septic arthritis and osteomyelitis are a serious threat in management and diagnosis in the department of orthopaedics. Biochemical marker is needed with good sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing acute bone and joint infections. The aim of the present study was to study the role of PCT in conditions of septic arthritis and osteomyelitis.

Methods: A two year prospective study was done and cases were grouped into three group and laboratory parameters TC, ESR, CRP and PCT were measured. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were compared using SPSS software version 20.

Results: 238 patients, (males- 154 & Females– 84) with mean age 34.1±8.20 years. Group-1 included 52 patients with raised PCT and MRSA and Klebsiella as the common isolates. Group-2 with 89 patients and mean PCT in the study group was 4.99 ng/ml. Ninety seven were included in Group-3. The mean PCT value was 2.6 ng/ml. In group-1, the specificity of PCT (comparing Group-1 & 3) was 96.8 [95% CI, 94.2 -98.4], the sensitivity (26% [3.2-60.1], the PPV 16.1% [95% CI 2.3-48.3] and the NPV was 98% [95% CI, 95.5-99.8].

Conclusions: To conclude our study, highlights the role of PCT as a sensitive and specific marker in diagnosing cases of septic arthritis and Osteomyelitis. This opens a gateway to further research in evaluating the PCT effectiveness as a response marker to treatment. PCT is more sensitive than CRP in acute bone and joint bacterial infections and raises early and faster.
Surgical resection of Haglund deformity by lateral approach: our institutional experience on 29 heels
Authors: Mir Naseer A. , Ali Nadeem , Khan Kafeel , Dar Tahir A. , Khandy Rouf I. , Dhar Shabir A.
Published: June 2018

Background: Haglund deformity is a common cause of posterior heel pain and consists of a constellation of soft tissue and osseous abnormalities. The treatment starts with conservative approach and ends with surgical treatment in case conservative treatment fails and the symptoms are bothersome. Different surgical procedures and approaches have been used for this deformity. But in the literature, the results have been inconsistent. In this study we evaluated the clinical and functional outcome of osteotomy of the calcaneal tuberosity with debridement of the retrocalcaneal bursa and the Achilles tendon using a lateral approach at our institute.

Methods: A total of 29 feet in 25 patients that underwent surgical procedure from August 2013 to March 2017 at our institute were included in this study. The clinical and functional outcome was evaluated using AOFAS ankle-hind foot scale.

Results: The mean AOFAS ankle-hind foot score had improved by 32 points from the pre-operative mean score, with a mean score of 86 at the final follow up of one year. Five out of 29 operated feet had superficial surgical site infection in the postoperative period that responded to antibiotic therapy and regular antiseptic dressings. One patient had local betadine allergy.

Conclusions: We conclude lateral approach to debridement and calcaneal tuberosity resection is an effective method with good clinical and functional outcome in patients with refractory Haglund deformity. 
Surgical site infections in orthopaedic surgeries: incidence and risk factors at tertiary care hospital of South India
Authors: Koyagura Balakondaiah , Koramutla Harsha Kumar , Ravindran Bijju , Kandati Jithendra
Published: June 2018

Background: Health care associated infections (HAI) are infections that patients acquire while receiving medical care and are one of the most adverse events during health care delivery. Among the HAI surgical site infections [SSI] ranks the second among surgery patients. The present study aims to identify the risk factors, incidence and also to set the strategies required to prevent the development of SSI in orthopaedic surgeries primarily.

Methods: A one year prospective study was conducted with a follow up of cases for one year post surgery in orthopaedic department. Cases that had undergone surgery were followed for development of SSI with a detailed demographic history, risk factor details after ethical committee approval. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package Social Sciences software 16 package (Chicago, USA).

Results: The incidence of SSI was 6.5% with males 61% and females 39% with mean age of 34.12±8.01 years. In our present significant statistical correlation was observed with SSI and associated risk factors which include, Increased age, BMI >25, administration of prophylactic antibiotic’s, multiple fractures (>2 in number), contaminated wound, presence of drain at surgical site and blood transfusion. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolated pathogen (48.4%).

Conclusions: The occurrence of SSI was higher in orthopaedic surgery than general surgeries. So our study clearly indicates that increased age, increased duration of surgery, increased hospitalization post-surgery, placement of drain at surgical site and blood transfusion are significant risk factors in development of SSI in orthopaedic surgeries.
Six Years of Comunidades Solidarias Rurales: Impacts on School Entry of an Ongoing Conditional Cash Transfer Program in El Salvador
Authors: Sánchez Chico Ana , Macours Karen , Maluccio John A. , Stampini Marco
Published: June 2018

Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs are important anti-poverty programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. There is little evidence, however, of the effectiveness of ongoing CCT programs several years after they have begun. Such evidence is particularly relevant for policymakers because program effects may become larger, as with the operational cycle, or smaller, if enthusiasm on the part of the beneficiaries or the program team wanes. We analyze whether children exposed since birth to a CCT in El Salvador have better outcomes at initial school ages. As such, we capture the cumulative effects of the CCT during early childhood, combined with the current effects of the CCT transfers and conditionalities.Our results show exposure significantly increased school enrollment and early attainment for five-year olds, with smaller effects for six-year-olds. Families of the latter experienced a significant improvement as measured by a wealth index. The pattern of impacts suggests continued program exposure might be improving school readiness or shifting norms around child investment.
Manganese-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Detection and Characterization of Colorectal Cancers
Authors: Wen Liang , Shi Xinan , He Liping , Han Dan
Published: June 2018

Here, we investigated the diagnostic performance of manganese (Mn)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) in colorectal cancer (CRC). The ability of CRC cell lines SW620 and SW480 to uptake Mn was evaluated and compared with a normal colon cell using MEMRI. Subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice underwent MRI examination at tumor sizes of 5, 10, and 15 mm. Contrast enhancement was compared between gadolinium (Gd)- and Mn-enhanced MRI. SW620 and SW480 cell lines took up more Mn2+ than normal cells, resulting in 4.5 and 2 times greater T1 value shortening than normal cell using in vitro MEMRI (P < 0.001). Most xenografts (17/23) enhanced markedly on MEMRI. A heterogeneous enhancement pattern invariably noted whether Mn or Gd agents were administered, but tumors imaged using MEMRI showed a greater degree of enhancement with a larger extent of enhanced area than those imaged using Gd-enhanced MRI. The numbers of markedly Mn-enhanced cases were more in the 5-mm-size tumor group than in 10- or 15-mm-size tumor groups. Overall, MEMRI could enhance CRCs and it showed potential in detecting early small lesions and markedly enhancing tumors that had minimal Gd enhancement.
Agricultural Trade Policy: ‘America First’?
Authors: Ahrendsen Bruce L.
Published: June 2018

There has been a growing openness and importance in trade over time as indicated by an increasing ratio of trade to gross domestic product for the World. However, some recent movements have been more protectionist and less open to trade. The potential impacts of less trade are explored with the United States (US) taken as an example. Trade agreements have been important in increasing trade by the US, particularly for US agriculture which has had a trade surplus since 1959. Countries should benefit from trade according to economic theory. However, stances taken by the US administration during the first half of 2017 have resulted in the withdrawal of the US from the Trans-Partnership Agreement and an announced renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. With falling US farm income, the potential undoing of trade agreement benefits, and possible trade retaliations, US agriculture is concerned about any potential disruption in exports and losses from less trade. In addition, US consumers and importers of US agriculture should be concerned about a potential decrease in trade.

JEL Code: Q18