bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Networks
Authors: Foster Kirk A. , Charles Victoria
Published: February 2017

Social networks are structures composed of relational patterns of interactions among a set of actors. These actors may be communities, organizations, nations, populations, cultures, or any other collective body connected through expressed ties that allow information and resources to flow within and through the network. Considering a social network approach in research and practice shifts the focus from the attributes of actors within the network to the relations between them. In understanding how the relational ties influence issues of concern, we may better understand phenomena and devise targeted interventions effectively and efficiently.
Grief and Loss
Authors: Sanders Sara , Tvedte Matthew , Espinal-Lujan Mercedes
Published: February 2017

This article summarizes the history of grief theory and provides an overview of major theoretical frameworks for understanding grief and grief work. Specific types of losses are defined and described, including the newer concept of community grief and loss. Interventions for individuals, groups, and communities are outlined, followed by a discussion of the role of social workers in addressing grief and loss.
Financial Capability
Authors: Sherraden Margaret Sherrard , Huang Jin , Ansong David
Published: February 2017

In a context of financial insecurity and inequality, exacerbated by a global pandemic in which many people are struggling to survive, financial capability has become increasingly important. Financial capability combines the ability to act with the opportunity to act in ways that contribute to financial well-being. Improving financial capability requires improved lifelong access to appropriate and beneficial policies, financial products, and services, along with financial education and guidance. Historically, social work played a key role in building financial capability through interventions in households, organizations, communities, and policies. In the 21st century, despite significant developments, social workers must do more to eliminate systemic and persistent economic, racial, and political barriers to financial well-being.
Designing and Facilitating Groups with Adolescents
Authors: Garvin Charles D.
Published: February 2017

This article presents an overview of group work with adolescents and examines how social justice is an important consideration in such work. It discusses the kinds of issues faced by adolescents and how group work assists them in coping with these. Both support and treatment groups are described along with citations of empirical evidence of their effectiveness. A typology of treatment approaches is included as well as details of the phases of the group work process.
Sleep
Authors: Black Jessica M.
Published: February 2017

Sleep is required for healthy and adaptive neurobehavioral and psychosocial functioning throughout the life course. Sleep is restorative, facilitates memory consolidation, improves immune function, and regulates emotional responses. Sleep deprivation, whether due to sleep disorders or other life conditions and transitions, is a significant risk factor for negative developmental outcomes at all stages in the life course. This article adheres to the biopsychosocial model to review current research describing the benefits of adequate sleep and ways in which insufficient sleep, as determined by developmental needs throughout the life course, can undercut healthy development. Particular attention is paid to social issues of relevance to social workers, with a closing discussion of policy and implications for future work within the field.
Lobbying
Authors: Rome Sunny Harris , Kiser Sabrina Gillan
Published: February 2017

Lobbying is the process of influencing public policy. It involves developing and implementing strategies to persuade those in power. Consistent with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and the Global Social Statement of Ethical Principles, many social workers participate in lobbying campaigns to advance the well-being of their clients and to promote social justice. Some social workers become professional lobbyists, focusing their careers on government relations work. Successful lobbying involves forming and nurturing relationships with decision-makers and generating and sharing information. Key elements of a lobbying campaign include agenda setting, meeting with policymakers, coalition building, field organizing, testifying, and the strategic use of media. Social work education provides opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for engaging in lobbying efforts. Lobbying activity is regulated by government entities; although social workers and their employers should understand and comply with these rules, social workers are encouraged to remain as active as possible within these parameters. Future challenges include the demand for evidence to support policy recommendations and the inadequate numbers of social workers pursuing lobbying careers. While social workers can apply these concepts to international practice, this entry predominantly focuses on lobbying within the United States.
Egyptian Book of the Dead
Authors: Backes Burkhard
Published: February 2017

Today, the so-called Book of the Dead (BD) is certainly the most prominent corpus of funerary texts from ancient Egypt. Its name as well as the numbering of its c. 200 “spells” or “chapters” were established only in the nineteenth century (in the following “BD xy”), while in Egyptian it was called “(spells of) going out by day.” “Book(s) of the Dead” is also the common designation for funerary papyri inscribed with BD spells. Furthermore, texts and illustrations (“vignettes”) from the BD are also found on other types of objects, such as mummy bandages, walls of tombs and sarcophagi, coffins, and more such that the number of preserved BD sources of all kinds exceeds three thousand. The Book of the Dead is normally said to be a product of the Second Intermediate Period (c. 1700–1550 bce) because the oldest attestations of some BD spells have been identified on objects from that era. But only some generations after the beginning of the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 bce), the custom of equipping the deceased with “Books of the Dead,” that is, papyrus scrolls combining a series of funerary spells and vignettes, became frequent and, with only few and relatively short interruptions, remained popular for almost 1,500 years. About half of the texts normally counted as BD spells stem from older corpora, mostly the so-called coffin texts used during the Middle Kingdom (c. 2050–1700 bce). Therefore, it is generally believed that an “editorial” process consisting of collecting, choosing, reformulating, and adding funerary texts took place, certainly in the upper Egyptian capital of Thebes. This is why the BD of the New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period (c. 1070–700 bce) is often referred to as “Theban Recension.” From this corpus, spells were chosen—sometimes complemented by others—to compile individual textual programs. From the Late Period (25/26th dynasty) onward, a number of papyri show an almost invariable order of spells, counted today from 1 to 165. This standardized version of the BD is called “Saite” (named after the “Saite,” 26th dynasty) or “Late Recension.” The last funerary papyri that can justly be called “Books of the Dead” are dated to the first century bce. Apart from a better understanding of the content of the spells, questions raised by the enormous variability of the corpus, its complex transmission, and its embedding in diverse forms of funerary, ritual, and social practice are prime goals of BD research.
Tibetan Buddhist Verse Literature
Authors: Jackson Roger
Published: February 2017

There is no single Tibetan term that covers the full range of the English word “poetry,” but versified verbal expression that evinces the qualities of imagery (gzugs), vitality (srog), and ornamentation (rgyan) has been central to Tibetan culture since before the establishment of writing some 1400 years ago. The Tibetan plateau in the era of literacy came to be dominated by the aesthetic, ideological, and institutional power of Buddhism, which was imported, primarily from India, between the 7th and 14th centuries. As a result, much—though certainly not all—of what constitutes Tibetan literature is Buddhist literature (some of it Indian, in translation, most of it originally Tibetan), and a significant portion of the Buddhist literature, across a wide range of genres, is found in one or another of the verse-forms identified by Tibetan authors. These include “folk”-based song styles such as lu (glu) and yang (dbyangs); the bardic tradition of drung (sgrung); expressions of personal accomplishment such as “songs,” or gur (mgur) (which include “spiritual songs” [nyams mgur] and “view songs” [lta mgur]); and the ornate style known as nyengak (snyan ngag). These various types of verse are not completely compartmentalized. Indeed, over the centuries, popular and epic forms influenced the developing Buddhist literature, while Buddhist forms imported from India, such as dohā (= gur) and kāvya (= nyengak), reshaped the original Tibetan genres and pushed the literary tradition to new levels of sophistication and depths of personal expression. Although poetry anthologies sometimes were included in a master’s collected works, or sungbum (gsung ’bum), much of Tibetan Buddhist verse literature is found scattered in thousands of works by hundreds of authors—whether celebrated, obscure, or anonymous. Among the most notable sources of verse are, to name but a few, biographies and autobiographies, songs of praise and supplication, ritual texts, long-life prayers, instruction manuals, and philosophical treatises. In this article, we will proceed more or less chronologically. After the first four general sections, we will isolate early verse forms that, while showing little Buddhist influence, were foundational to all subsequent poetic development in Tibet. We then will identify key Indian sources, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist, that helped shape Tibetan literary aesthetics. Returning to the plateau, we will trace developments from the Tibetan “Renaissance” (when Indian traditions were most influential) down to the 21st century. We will conclude with an examination of some of the permutations of “modern” Tibetan poetry, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist.
Foreknowledge
Authors: Rennick Stephanie
Published: February 2017

Foreknowledge transcends traditional discipline boundaries: discussion of it appears in philosophy of religion, time, action, free will, decision theory, logic, and epistemology. Nonetheless, the literature can be divided roughly into three overlapping categories. The first concerns divine foreknowledge, and the problems thought to arise from it: theological fatalism (that is, the incompatibility of God’s foreknowledge and human free will) and divine providence. The second covers the diverse texts exploring the potential prerequisites of foreknowledge—such as future contingents having truth values, or the reality of the future—and their consequences: logical fatalism, determinism, necessity, predictability. The final category, loosely conceived, contains the literature connecting foreknowledge and causation, explaining the former in terms of backward causation or time travel, or postulating the generation of causal loops as a side effect. The sections in this article cover each of these and more, beginning with general overviews and historical classics and then undertaking a hitherto unattempted journey through the complex and varied landscape that is the philosophical treatment of foreknowledge.
Girolamo Cardano
Authors: Baldi Marialuisa
Published: February 2017

Cardano (Girolamo, Gerolamo, b. 1501–d. 1576) is an Italian polymath, one of the most prominent authors of the Renaissance. He was not only a physician, mathematician, and astrologer but also a philosopher and a curious researcher of nature, interested in all areas of human knowledge and experience. At the end of his life, he was brought to trial by the Catholic Inquisition, and all his works, except the medical ones, were condemned. Yet his writings in the philosophy of nature, especially the encyclopedic De subtilitate and De rerum varietate, were frequently read until the Enlightenment. For the general public, his name is renowned for some inventions and discoveries as the solution of cubic equations. What we call Cardan joint is named after him. His fascinating autobiography has been translated in many languages. Scholars read him as a radical thinker, crypto-Reformer critic of religions, and a forerunner of the new science still immersed in magic. A more complex image of Cardano has now been emerging, thanks to recent editions and translations of his works. Cardano sensed the crisis of the humanistic tradition in the age of the Counter-Reformation. As then, he still offers tools for understanding what is continuously transforming, and getting closer to the truth.
Forts, Fortresses, and Fortifications
Authors: Reese Ty M.
Published: February 2017

Forts, fortresses, and fortifications were constructed throughout the Atlantic world and by a great variety of peoples. In Europe, they served a role in the state-building that was occurring and have become part of the debate surrounding whether a military revolution occurred in Europe and, if so, what type of revolution was it and when did it commence. They were built in the Americas and West Africa for similar reasons but within those environments they took on even more roles, especially with regard to the ways in which they participated in ongoing cultural interaction and trade. For example, the forts of West Africa, predominately along the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) were symbols of power, but they played more of an economic and diplomatic function than a military one. Forts are most often seen as defensive military structures, but they were much more than that. They were built in a vast variety of ways, including from the trace italienne style of Europe to the structures built by American Indians. While forts were everywhere, they are a little harder to locate in the scholarly literature. Forts are the subject of a great deal of popular works and also literature, often harder to access, produced by local, county, regional, and state history associations with it all being, for the most part, informative and well done. Beyond that, much of the literature about forts, fortresses, and fortifications forms part of other debates concerning the military revolution, the built environment, cultural interaction, trade, pirates and privateers, and larger imperial struggles.
Nineteenth-Century Atlantic World
Authors: Fogleman Aaron Spencer
Published: February 2017

In recent years, the 19th century has become increasingly important to the study of the Atlantic world. Whereas only a few years ago most Atlantic history scholars were early modernists and colonialists who focused primarily on Britain and its American colonies and ended their studies in c. 1800, now many historians incorporate much, if not all of the 19th century, into their studies, and they study all geographic areas of the Atlantic world. This has led to three important historiographical trends: First, more than ever historians are now studying developments from the late 18th and 19th centuries in ways that incorporate their full Atlantic context. This includes subjects such as the Age of Revolution, the Age of Emancipation, the Black Atlantic, and capitalism and slavery. In doing so they recognize connections and influences among people from Europe, Africa, and the Americas throughout the region. Second, historians have become interested in explaining how and when to “end” the history of the Atlantic world. They have pushed the end date deep into the 19th century, and there is now a consensus that this era must be studied in order to understand the end or transformation of the early modern Atlantic world that has been the focus of so much interest in the past generation. Last, many historians are studying the 19th century as a period of transition, in which previous relationships among Africans, Europeans, and Native Americans can be better understood in global terms. Historians writing in a number of languages addressing themes such as slavery, abolition, and migration have produced a lively scholarly literature that, among other things, better incorporates the South Atlantic into discussions of the Atlantic world.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Authors: Andreoli Giovanbattista , Hofmann Stefan G.
Published: February 2017

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically based and short-term treatment that is based on the notion that maladaptive thought processes and behaviors are causally connected to emotional and physiological distress. CBT does not exclude biological, genetic, or cultural factors and recognizes the importance of certain pharmacological treatments. In CBT, the patient is involved as an active collaborator in the treatment process. In general, CBT is at least as effective as medication for treating phobias, panic, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance abuse.
Lemon Technologies and Adoption: Measurement, Theory and Evidence from Agricultural Markets in Uganda*
Authors: Bold Tessa , Kaizzi Kayuki C. , Svensson Jakob , Yanagizawa-Drott David
Published: February 2017

To reduce poverty and food insecurity in Africa requires raising productivity in agriculture. Systematic use of fertilizer and hybrid seed is a pathway to increased productivity, but adoption of these technologies remains low. We investigate whether the quality of agricultural inputs can help explain low take-up. Testing modern products purchased in local markets, we find that 30% of nutrient is missing in fertilizer, and hybrid maize seed is estimated to contain less than 50% authentic seeds. We document that such low quality results in low average returns. If authentic technologies replaced these low-quality products, however, average returns are high. To rationalize the findings, we calibrate a learning model using data from our agricultural trials. Because agricultural yields are noisy, farmers’ ability to learn about quality is limited and this can help explain the low quality equilibrium we observe, but also why the market has not fully collapsed.
How Should Remote Clinical Monitoring Be Used to Treat Alcohol Use Disorders?: Initial Findings From an Expert Round Table Discussion
Authors: Gordon Alan , Jaffe Adi , McLellan A. Thomas , Richardson Gary , Skipper Gregory , Sucher Michel , Tirado Carlos F. , Urschel Harold C.
Published: February 2017

Scientific evidence combined with new health insurance coverage now enable a chronic illness management approach to the treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUDs), including regular monitoring of blood alcohol content (BAC), as a useful indicator of disease control. Recent technical advances now permit many different types of remote, real-time monitoring of BAC. However, there is no body of research to empirically guide clinicians in how to maximize the clinical potential of remote BAC monitoring.

As an initial step in guiding and supporting such research, the manufacturer of one remote BAC monitoring system sponsored a group of experienced clinicians and clinical researchers to discuss 8 issues that generally affect remote, clinical BAC monitoring of “adults in outpatient AUD treatment.”

The expert panel unanimously agreed that remote BAC monitoring for at least 12 months during and after the outpatient treatment of AUD was a clinically viable deterrent to relapse. There was also consensus that positive test results (ie, recent alcohol use) should lead to intensified care and monitoring. However, there was no agreement on specific types of clinical intensification after a positive test. The panel agreed that sharing positive and negative test results with members of the patient support group was helpful in reinforcing abstinence, yet they noted many practical issues regarding information sharing that remain concerning. Significant differences within the panel on several important clinical issues underline the need for more clinical and implementation research to produce empirically-supported guidelines for the use of remote BAC monitoring in AUD treatment.
Goals of Chronic Pain Management
Authors: Henry Stephen G. , Bell Robert A. , Fenton Joshua J. , Kravitz Richard L.
Published: February 2017

Objective:

Assess patient-physician agreement on management goals for chronic musculoskeletal pain and its associations with patient and physician visit experiences.

Materials and Methods:

Pre-visit and post-visit questionnaires for 87 primary care visits that involved patients taking opioids for chronic musculoskeletal pain and primary care resident physicians. After each visit, patients and physicians independently ranked 5 pain treatment goals from most to least important.

Results:

In total, 48% of patients ranked reducing pain intensity as their top priority, whereas 22% ranked finding a diagnosis as most important. Physicians ranked improving function as the top priority for 41% of patients, and ranked reducing medication side effects as most important for 26%. The greatest difference between patient and physician rankings was for reducing pain intensity. In regression analyses, neither overall agreement on goals (ie, the physician’s first or second priority included the patient’s top priority) nor difference in patient versus physician ranking of pain intensity was significantly associated with patient-reported visit experience (β for overall agreement, −0.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.45 to 0.30; P=0.69; β for intensity, −0.06; 95% CI, −0.17 to 0.04; P=0.24) or physician-reported visit difficulty (β for overall agreement, 1.92; 95% CI, −2.70 to 6.55; P=0.41; β for intensity, 0.42; 95% CI, −0.87 to 1.71; P=0.53).

Discussion:

Patients and physicians prioritize substantially different goals for chronic pain management, but there is no evidence that agreement predicts patient experience or physician-reported visit difficulty. Primary care physicians may have adapted to new recommendations that emphasize functional goals and avoidance of long-term opioid therapy, whereas patients continue to focus on reducing pain intensity.
A Fortified Donor Milk Policy is Associated With Improved In-Hospital Head Growth and Weight Gain in Very Low-Birth-Weight Infants
Authors: Ginovart Gemma , Gich Ignasi , Gutiérrez Antonio , Verd Sergio
Published: February 2017

Background:

Previous research has reported that infants fed donor milk grow slower than those fed formula. However, most of the trials used unfortified donor milk, which limits the ability to generalize the results to current clinical practice.

Purpose:

To evaluate the impact of early human milk feeding (donor milk and/or mother's own milk) with standard fortification on in-hospital growth of very low-birth-weight infants.

Methods:

This pre-/postretrospective study included selected newborn infants less than 1500 g admitted to a level IV neonatal intensive care unit before and after the introduction of a policy providing donor milk when mother's own milk was not available in sufficient quantity to meet her infant's need. When enteral feeds reached 80 mL/kg per day, all human milk was fortified.

Results:

Seventy-two “before” (any formula-fed) and 114 “after” (human milk-fed) infants were enrolled in this study. Infant characteristics and neonatal morbidity were similar in both groups. Outcomes revealed that an initial human milk diet with standard fortification was associated with significantly higher early extrauterine weight gain and head growth in very low-birth-weight infants than a formula-fed diet.

Implications for Practice:

Very early initiation of fortified breast and/or donor milk feeding can help promote in-hospital head growth and weight gain of preterm infants. Formula may not be appropriate for early use among preterm infants.

Implications for Research:

Further large-scale clinical trials are needed to determine the best initiation and composition of enteral feeding for preterm infants.
Prenatal Breastfeeding Education
Authors: Crook Kimberley , Brandon Debra
Published: February 2017

Background:

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a growing problem in the United States, affecting 32,000 infants annually. Although breastfeeding would benefit infants with NAS, rates among these mothers are low.

Purpose:

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase breastfeeding rates and decrease hospital length of stay (LOS) for infants with NAS through prenatal breastfeeding initiatives.

Method:

A pre-/postquality improvement design was used to assess the relationship between breastfeeding initiatives on breastfeeding rates and LOS in infants with NAS. A 3-class curriculum was offered to pregnant women at risk for delivering an infant with NAS. Chart review was completed for all infants evaluated for NAS in a hospital at baseline (n = 56), after Baby Friendly Status (BFS) (n = 75), and after BFS plus breastfeeding education (n = 69).

Results:

Although not statistically significant, the BFS plus breastfeeding education cohort had the largest percentage of exclusively breastfed infants during hospitalization (24.6%) and at discharge (31.9%). There was a statistically significant decrease in LOS (P < .001) between cohorts.

Implications for Practice:

The small sample made it not possible to infer direct impact of the intervention. However, results suggest that prenatal education may contribute to an increase in the numbers of infants with NAS who receive human milk and a decrease in hospital LOS.

Implication for Research:

Refinement of best practices around breastfeeding education and support for mothers at risk of delivering an infant with NAS is recommended so that breastfeeding may have the greatest impact for this subgroup of women and their infants.
Metastatic Cellular Blue Nevus: A Rare Case With Metastasis Beyond Regional Nodes
Authors: Bui Justin , Ardakani Nima Mesbah , Tan Irene , Crocker Andrew , Khattak Muhammad Adnan , Wood Benjamin A.
Published: February 2017

In this study, we present a rare case of a 35-year-old man with a long-standing blue-black lesion on his left hand with subsequent infraclavicular and axillary lymph node tumor deposits. The hand lesion and lymph nodes were excised revealing histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings consistent with cellular blue nevus. Despite nonregional lymph node involvement, there has been no progression at 12-months follow-up. This is an index case of a cellular blue nevus with metastasis to both regional and nonregional lymph nodes. The lack of atypical/malignant features in this lesion makes the metastatic behavior extraordinary, and hence the prognosis of lesions of this type is indeterminate.
Label-Free Imaging of Female Genital Tract Melanocytic Lesions With Pump-Probe Microscopy: A Promising Diagnostic Tool
Authors: Robles Francisco E. , Deb Sanghamitra , Fischer Martin C. , Warren Warren S. , Selim Maria Angelica
Published: February 2017

Objectives

Melanomas of the female genital tract present a unique clinical challenge. Not only are these lesions in an anatomically sensitive area, but also they tend to be multifocal and have high recurrence rates. Furthermore, several benign melanocytic proliferations resemble early-stage melanoma clinically and/or histopathologically. Thus, there is a significant need for additional tools that can help correctly diagnose and stage these lesions. Here, we quantitatively and nondestructively analyze the chemical composition of melanin in excised pigmented lesions of the female genital tract using pump-probe microscopy, a high-resolution optical imaging technique that is sensitive to many biochemical properties of melanin.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-one thin (~5 μm) tissue sections previously excised from female genital tract melanocytic lesions were imaged with pump-probe microscopy and analyzed.

Results

We find significant quantitative differences in melanin type and structure between melanoma and nonmalignant melanocytic proliferations. Our analysis also suggests a link between the molecular signatures of melanins and lesion-specific genetic mutations. Finally, significant differences are found between metastatic and nonmetastatic melanomas. The limitations of this work include the fact that molecular information is restricted to melanin pigment and the sample size is relatively small.

Conclusions

Pump-probe microscopy provides unique information regarding the biochemical composition of genital tract melanocytic lesions, which can be used to improve the diagnosis and staging of vulvar melanomas.
Impact of Age at Conization on Obstetrical Outcome: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Chevreau Julien , Mercuzot Antonin , Foulon Arthur , Attencourt Chirstophe , Sergent Fabrice , Lanta Ségolène , Gondry Jean
Published: February 2017

Objective

The aim of the study was to assess whether an age younger than 25 years at conization affected future pregnancy outcome as an independent factor.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study of 115 women who underwent both loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and subsequent pregnancy follow-up in a referral center was conducted. Two groups were considered: patients younger than 25 years at the time of LEEP (n = 42) and 25 years or older (n = 73). Analyzed data were occurrence of preterm adverse obstetrical event and, specifically, preterm labor (PL) and preterm rupture of membranes; stratification based on term of occurrence was performed: less than 37 weeks of amenorrhea (WA), less than 34 WA, and less than 26 WA.

Results

Patients characteristics were comparable in terms of excised specimen thickness and pathological analysis, as well as for tobacco intoxication during pregnancy. Although there was no difference of term at delivery or total number of preterm adverse obstetrical events, we found a significant increase of events (19% vs 4.1%) and PL (19% vs 0%) before 26 WA in the group of patients younger than 25 years. After adjusting for excised specimen thickness, the same results were found for thickness of 15 mm or less (respectively, 16.7% vs 3.3% and 16.7% vs 0%). For thickness of greater than 15 mm, only ratio of PL before 26 WA was higher in the group of patients younger than 25 years (33.3% vs 0%).

Conclusions

Age younger than 25 years at the time of LEEP seems to be is associated with a more frequent occurrence of extremely early preterm adverse obstetrical events, particularly PL.
Triaging Atypical Squamous Cells—Cannot Exclude High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion With p16/Ki67 Dual Stain
Authors: Šekoranja Daja , Repše Fokter Alenka
Published: February 2017

Objectives

The management of women with Pap cytology results categorized as “atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion” (ASC-H) can often be challenging. We assessed the performance of p16/Ki67 dual-stained cytology as a potential triage tool for the detection of biopsy-confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) in women with ASC-H.

Materials and Methods

Women with ASC-H were followed for a period of 36 months by repeat cytology and colposcopy. p16/Ki67 dual staining was performed retrospectively on the initial Pap cytology slide with ASC-H interpretation. Results were compared with the final histological diagnosis and/or cytological follow-up for at least 1 year. All outcomes were defined as clinically significant at the threshold of HSIL (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse).

Results

One hundred sixty-nine cases fulfilled all conditions to be included in the study group. The rate of histologically confirmed HSIL was 57.4%, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion was diagnosed in 17.7% of the patients and normal histology or follow-up in 24.9% of the patients. Overall sensitivity and specificity of p16/Ki67 dual stain were 95% and 72%, respectively. Overall positive likelihood ratio of p16/Ki67 in detection of HSIL was 3.41, considerably increasing pretest probability from 57% to posttest probability of 82%.

Conclusions

A substantial subset of patients with ASC-H interpretations is associated with an appreciable risk of clinically significant cervical disease. p16/Ki67 dual stain can provide additional valuable information that may lead to higher-quality management of women with ASC-H, especially when initial colposcopy or biopsy results do not show HSIL lesions.
Validation of a Self‐efficacy Scale for Adolescents and Young Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Izaguirre Marisa Rodriguez , Taft Tiffany , Keefer Laurie
Published: February 2017

Self‐efficacy (SE) is a strong predictor of health outcomes in chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to develop a valid and reliable SE scale for adolescents and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Participants with IBD, 12 to 25 years’ old, were recruited via outpatient gastroenterology clinics and online to provide demographic and clinical information and to complete psychosocial questionnaires. Reliability statistics, principle components factor analysis, and Pearson correlations with psychosocial variables assessed the psychometric properties of the IBD Self‐efficacy Scale for Adolescents and Young Adults (IBDSES‐A). A total of 95 participants completed the study. Internal consistency and split‐half reliability of the IBDSES‐A fell above the acceptable standard cutoff. Principle components factor analysis yielded 3 potential subscales. Test‐retest reliability was excellent. Construct validity is supported by significant positive correlations with self‐esteem and health‐related quality of life, and negative correlations with depression and anxiety. IBDSES‐A, a 13‐item disease‐specific scale to assess SE toward disease management, demonstrates good reliability and construct validity and could be a useful tool in understanding the role of SE in pediatric IBD self‐management and outcomes.
Role of Commodity Boards in Advancing the Understanding of the Health Benefits of Whole Foods
Authors: Bowen Phyllis E.
Published: February 2017

Food and agriculture commodity boards have become important funders of nutrition research. There are benefits and cautions (biases toward health benefits, failure to publish negative results, and aggressive promotion of single studies) for this activity. The California Dried Plum Board, along with other commodity boards, have developed independent Scientific Nutrition Advisory Panels to guide and evaluate the research they fund. In the case of the California Dried Plum Board, this has resulted in research that has distinguished the nature and dose of dried plum and juice to maintain bowel health and opened up a surprising new function for dried plum in the prevention of age-related bone loss.
A Selective Biomarker Panel Increases the Reproducibility and the Accuracy in Endometrial Biopsy Diagnosis
Authors: Nastic Denis , Shanwell Emma , Wallin Keng-Ling , Valla Marit , Måsbäck Anna , Mateoiu Claudia , Lidang Marianne , Liakka Annikki , Lappi-Blanco Elisa , Grove Anni , Davidson Ben , Carpen Olli , Bertelsen Bjørn I. , Bak Julia , Abusland Anne B. , Selling Jonas , Carlson Joseph W.
Published: February 2017

Grading and histologic typing of endometrial cancer in biopsy material has a direct impact on the decision to perform lymphadenectomy and/or omentectomy in many cancer centers. Endometrial biopsies are among the most common general surgical pathology specimens. Multiple studies have shown that biopsy diagnosis suffers from a lack of reproducibility. Although many biomarkers have been proposed, none have been demonstrated to improve the diagnosis in the biopsy setting. In this study, 70 biopsies with endometrial carcinoma were supplemented with a biomarker panel consisting of ER, PR, P53, and DNA ploidy. A representative H&E slide was scanned digitally and made available to 12 gynecologic pathologists in 4 Nordic countries: Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Reviewers diagnosed the cases both before and after being provided with the biomarker results. The interobserver percent agreement and Cohen κ improved from 75.8% (κ=0.52, moderate) to 84% (κ=0.68, substantial) with inclusion of the biomarker panel. Agreement with the subsequent hysterectomy diagnosis also improved from 83.6% (κ=0.67) to 88.7% (κ=0.77). There was no statistical improvement between a reflex (84% agreement) and a reflective testing algorithm (82.9% agreement), suggesting that the selective use of biomarkers is appropriate. Difficult cases were almost exclusively high-grade tumors. Finally, a statistical model indicated that only P53 and DNA ploidy, in conjunction with an H&E review, had an impact on the decision to upgrade or downgrade cases.
Genome-wide phenotypic analysis of growth, cell morphogenesis and cell cycle events in Escherichia coli.
Authors: Campos Manuel , Govers Sander K , Irnov Irnov , Dobihal Genevieve S , Cornet Francois , Jacobs-Wagner Christine
Published: February 2017

Cell size, cell growth and the cell cycle are necessarily intertwined to achieve robust bacterial replication. Yet, a comprehensive and integrated view of these fundamental processes is lacking. Here, we describe an image-based quantitative screen of the single-gene knockout collection of Escherichia coli, and identify many new genes involved in cell morphogenesis, population growth, nucleoid (bulk chromosome) dynamics and cell division. Functional analyses, together with high-dimensional classification, unveil new associations of morphological and cell cycle phenotypes with specific functions and pathways. Additionally, correlation analysis across ~4,000 genetic perturbations shows that growth rate is surprisingly not predictive of cell size. Growth rate was also uncorrelated with the relative timings of nucleoid separation and cell constriction. Rather, our analysis identifies scaling relationships between cell size and nucleoid size and between nucleoid size and the relative timings of nucleoid separation and cell division. These connections suggest that the nucleoid links cell morphogenesis to the cell cycle.
A fluorogenic nanobody array tag for prolonged single molecule imaging in live cells
Authors: Ghosh Rajarshi P. , Draper Will E. , Franklin J. Matthew , Shi Quanming , Liphardt Jan T.
Published: February 2017

Prolonged single molecule imaging in live cells requires labels that do not aggregate, have high contrast, and are photo-stable. To address these requirements, we have generated arrays of modular protein domains that function as fluorophore recruitment platforms. ArrayG, a linear repeat of GFP-nanobodies, recruits free monomeric wild-type GFP, which brightens ~15-fold upon binding the array. The fluorogenic ArrayG tag effectively eliminates background fluorescence from free binders, a major impediment to high-throughput acquisition of long trajectories in recruitment based imaging strategies. The photo-stability of ArrayG and consistently low background made it possible to continuously track single integrins for as long as 105 seconds (2100 frames). Prolonged tracking of both kinesin and integrin revealed repeated state-switching events, a measurement capability that is crucial to a mechanistic understanding of complex cellular processes. We also report an orthogonal array tag, based on a DHFR-nanobody, for prolonged dual color imaging of single molecules.
Novel CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive constructs inDrosophilareveal insights into mechanisms of resistance allele formation and drive efficiency in genetically diverse populations
Authors: Champer Jackson , Reeves Riona , Yeon Oh Suh , Liu Chen , Liu Jingxian , Clark Andrew G. , Messer Philipp W.
Published: February 2017

A functioning gene drive system could fundamentally change our strategies for the control of vector-borne diseases by facilitating rapid dissemination of transgenes that prevent pathogen transmission or reduce vector capacity. CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive promises such a mechanism, which works by converting cells that are heterozygous for the drive construct into homozygotes, thereby enabling super-Mendelian inheritance. Though CRISPR gene drive activity has already been demonstrated, a key obstacle for current systems is their propensity to generate resistance alleles. In this study, we developed two CRISPR gene drive constructs based on thenanosandvasapromoters that allowed us to illuminate the different mechanisms by which resistance alleles are formed in the model organismDrosophila melanogaster.We observed resistance allele formation at high rates both prior to fertilization in the germline and post-fertilization in the embryo due to maternally deposited Cas9. Assessment of drive activity in genetically diverse backgrounds further revealed substantial differences in conversion efficiency and resistance rates. Our results demonstrate that the evolution of resistance will likely impose a severe limitation to the effectiveness of current CRISPR gene drive approaches, especially when applied to diverse natural populations.
Tracing the influence of land-use change on water quality and coral reefs using a Bayesian model
Authors: Brown Christopher J. , Jupiter Stacy D. , Albert Simon , Klein Carissa J. , Mangubhai Sangeeta , Mbui Maina , Mumby Peter , Olley Jon , Stewart-Koster Ben , Tulloch Vivitskaia , Wenger Amelia
Published: February 2017

Coastal ecosystems can be degraded by poor water quality. Tracing the causes of poor water quality back to land-use change is necessary to target catchment management for coastal zone management. However, existing models for tracing the sources of pollution require extensive data-sets which are not available for many of the world’s coral reef regions that may have severe water quality issues. Here we develop a hierarchical Bayesian model that uses freely available satellite data to infer the connection between land-uses in catchments and water clarity in coastal oceans. We apply the model to estimate the influence of land-use change on water clarity in Fiji. We tested the model’s predictions against underwater surveys, finding that predictions of poor water quality are consistent with observations of high siltation and low coverage of sediment-sensitive coral genera. The model thus provides a means to link land-use change to declines in coastal water quality.
Gene editing in rat embryonic stem cells to producein vitromodels andin vivoreporters
Authors: Chen Yaoyao , Spitzer Sonia , Agathou Sylvia , Karadottir Ragnhildur Thora , Smith Austin
Published: February 2017

Rat embryonic stem (ES) cells offer the potential for sophisticated genome engineering in this valuable biomedical model species. However, germline transmission has been rare following conventional homologous recombination and clonal selection. Here we used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to target genomic mutations and insertions. We first evaluated utility for directed mutagenesis and recovered clones with biallelic deletions inLef1.Mutant cells exhibited reduced sensitivity to glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibition during self-renewal. We then generated a non-disruptive knock-in ofDsRedat theSox10locus. Two clones produced germline chimaeras. Comparative expression of DsRed and Sox10 validated the fidelity of the reporter. To illustrate utility, oligodendrocyte lineage cells were visualised by live imaging of DsRed in neonatal brain slices and subjected to patch clamp recording. Overall these results show that CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology in germline competent rat ES cells is enabling forin vitrostudies and for generating genetically modified rats.
5-[(Benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)methyl]-3-[4-(pyridin-2-yl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydroisoxazole
Authors: El-Khatatneh Nasseem , Vinayaka A. C. , Chandra  , Sadashiva M. P. , Jeyaseelan S. , Mahendra M.
Published: February 2017

In the molecule of the title compound C22H18N2O3, the benzodioxole and dihydroisoxazole rings are bridgedviaa methylene (CH2) group. The linkage is disordered over two positions with a occupancy factors of 0.887 (5) and 0.113 (5). The dihydroisoxazole and pyridine rings exhibitsyn-clinalandanti-periplanarconformations with respect to the benzodioxole and benzene ring groups, as quantified by the torsion angle values of 70.7 (3) and 157.00 (17)°. Aside from van der Waals contacts, there are no significant intermolecular interactions.
cis,trans-Dicarbonyldichlorido(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione-κ2N,N′)ruthenium(II)
Authors: Takase Tsugiko , Takahashi Kasumi , Oyama Dai
Published: February 2017

In the title compound, [RuCl2(C12H6N2O2)(CO)2], the RuIIatom (site symmetry ..2) adopts a distorted octahedral coordination sphere defined by two carbonyl C atoms, two Cl−anions and two N atoms from the chelating 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione) ligand. The carbonyl ligands arecisto each other, while the Cl atoms aretrans. In the phendione ligand, the C=O [1.239 (5) Å] and the C—C [1.537 (5) Å] bond lengths in the diketone moiety have typical values. In the crystal, C—H...Cl and C—H...O hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of a three-dimensional supramolecular network.
Dibromido(N-phenylbenzamidine-κN′)tin(II)
Authors: Ma Xiuming
Published: February 2017

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [SnBr2(C13H12N2)], contains an amidine ligand and tin(II) bromide moiety. In the amidine ligand, the phenyl rings present a head-to-tail configuration mode. The tin atom is coordinated by the terminal N atom of the amidine ligand, and the two Br atoms extend to both sides of the Sn atom in a V-shape. The phenyl rings are twisted from the mean N/C/N plane by 26.14 (18) and 79.50 (8)°. The crystal structure features N—H...Br hydrogen bonds.
African innovations in harnessing farmer assets as collateral
Authors: Chapoto Tendayi , Aboagye Anthony Q.Q.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document and appraise two innovations by which nontraditional forms of collateral are being used to make smallholder crop and livestock farmers bankable in Ghana and Zimbabwe.

Design/methodology/approach

The setup and operations of the warehouse receipt system (WRS) in Ghana were evaluated for the extent to which the WRS was meeting crop farmers’ expectations and the WRS’s own objectives. Owners of the WRS, a certified warehouse operator in a big city, and two operators of certified community warehouses in farming communities were interviewed. Two focus group discussions with crop farmers were also held. Information about the setup and operations of the Tawanda Nyambirai Livestock Trust (TNLT) Private Limited in Zimbabwe (TNLT) and extent of serving the credit needs of livestock farmers was obtained by telephone from the managing director. Data were gathered in April 2014 and were analyzed later.

Findings

Due to low output no smallholder farmer targeted by the WRS had been issued with a tradable certified warehouse receipts to serve as collateral to potential lenders. Grain aggregators (non-farmers) have aggregated enough grains from farmers to be issued warehouse receipts. Grain farmers report substantial reduction in post-harvest losses when they lodge farm proceeds with certified community warehouses. For the TNLT, more than 140 farmers had deposited 700 cattle and had been issued with tradable certificates of deposit within one year of TNLT to obtain revolving credit from one bank. Other benefits and challenges are highlighted.

Originality/value

Both approaches have potential of helping to solve liquidity constraints of farmers.