bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Streptozotocin is equally diabetogenic whether administered to fed or fasted mice
Authors: Chaudhry Zunaira Z , Morris David L , Moss Dan R , Sims Emily K , Chiong Yien , Kono Tatsuyoshi , Evans-Molina Carmella
Published: June 2013

Streptozotocin (STZ) is a selective pancreatic β cell toxin used to generate experimental hyperglycemia in rodent models. Several laboratory animal protocols suggest that STZ be administered to fasted rodents to minimize competition between STZ and glucose for low affinity GLUT2 transporters on β cells. However, whether the diabetogenic effects of multiple low dose (MLD)-STZ administration are enhanced by fasting has not been addressed. Given that repeated bouts of fasting can cause undue metabolic stress in mice, we compared the efficacy of MLD-STZ injections (50 mg/kg body weight daily for 5 days) to induce experimental hyperglycemia in both NOD/SCID/γchainnull and C57BL/6J mice that were either ad libitum fed (STZ-Fed) or that had been fasted for 6 h (STZ-Fasted) prior to the time of STZ administration. Both STZ-Fed and STZ-Fasted mice had significantly worse glucose tolerance than vehicle-treated control mice 10 days after initiation of the MLD-STZ regimen. In C57BL/6J mice, fasting glucose levels, serum insulin levels, β cell mass, and glucose disposal during intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IPGTTs) were indistinguishable between STZ-Fed and STZ-Fasted mice 20 days after MLD-STZ. The glucose intolerant phenotypes persisted for 20 weeks thereafter, irrespective of whether C57BL/6J mice were fed or fasted at the time of STZ injections. However, STZ-Fasted C57BL/6J mice experienced significant weight loss during the repeated bouts of fasting/re-feeding that were required to complete the MLD-STZ protocol. In summary, induction of experimental hyperglycemia can be achieved using the MLD-STZ protocol without repeated bouts of fasting, which have the potential to cause metabolic stress in laboratory mice.
Oestrus cycle of the Desert hamster (Phodopus roborovskii, Satunin, 1903)
Authors: Scheibler E , Wollnik F
Published: June 2013

The Desert hamster, Phodopus roborovskii, is one of the lesser-known laboratory animal models and therefore knowledge of its reproductive system and physiology is limited. This study investigated the time course of vaginal and behavioural oestrus cycles by means of vaginal smear cytology, serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, wheel-running activity patterns, and pairing tests. The oestrus cycle lasts between four and six days and follows a pattern rather similar to that described for other rodent species. An important finding of this study is the existence of a fifth cycle stage between pre-oestrus and oestrus, the so-called early oestrus. Early oestrus differs from pre-oestrus by a complete lack of leucocytes in the vaginal cytology and a dramatic increase of serum LH levels just before activity onset. The early oestrus stage lasts 4–6 h, but was not observed in every female. When present it affects the length of the whole oestrus cycle. With early oestrus the pre-oestrus stage lasts only 14–18 h and the total length of the oestrus cycle length is four days. Without early oestrus, the pre-oestrus is prolonged to 18–36 h and the oestrus cycle length varies between four and six days. Desert hamsters showed only subtle oestrus-correlated changes in wheel-running activity, i.e. they failed to show the characteristic scalloping of activity onset, but showed prolonged activity during early oestrus. Pairing tests revealed characteristic changes in the relative frequencies of socio-positive, neutral, aggressive and sexual behaviour during the course of the oestrus cycle, with an elevated level of sexual behaviour during oestrus.
Applying findings and creating impact from conversation analytic studies of gender and communication
Authors: Stokoe Elizabeth
Published: June 2013

Studies of workplaces frequently focus on gender, investigating and challenging inequality. In that many studies start with ‘gender’ as a taken-for-granted category, measuring gender differences in organizational life, or interviewing participants to elicit accounts of their employment experiences, they exaggerate and even create stereotypical ‘common knowledge’ about gender. In contrast, this article illustrates a conversation analytic approach which can show if, when and how gender becomes consequentially relevant within any given communicative encounter. Drawing on a large corpus of institutional interaction, the article demonstrates two things: that (1) robust claims about the gendering of social life can be made once those claims are grounded in what people actually do; and (2) systematic patterns in people’s endogenous orientations to gender can be found in communication. Finally, the article showcases a real-world application of conversation analytic work, demonstrating the impact and relevance of such research programmes for understanding everyday gendered social life.
Postings on the Rise of the Rest
Authors: Birthisel Jessica , Parameswaran Radhika
Published: June 2013

This article analyzes customer reviews of Fareed Zakaria’s best-selling book, The Post-American World posted on Amazon.com . Zakaria’s book explores the emergence of a new world order in which the “rise of the rest,” particularly China and India, threatens the geopolitical dominance of the United States. Drawing on reception studies of print culture, debates over the virtual public sphere, and sponsorship of literacy, our article’s textual analysis of 281 customer reviews offers a window into audience reactions to this public intellectual’s deliberations on the beginning of a possible decentering of America in certain realms of globalization. Our analysis of consumer citizenship in Amazon.com ’s reviewer space identifies three dominant frameworks or “horizons of expectations” that structured interpretations of The Post-American World: readers’ framing of the book as a tool to foster enlightened citizenship, reviewers’ affective rhetoric of nation building, and the impact of Zakaria’s status as an immigrant intellectual on readers’ responses.
Effect of Experience and Educational Level on Job Satisfaction of Telecom Executives
Authors: Virk Harjeet Kaur
Published: June 2013

The concept of job satisfaction has gained much importance in modern times. Job satisfaction is determined by factors such as goal-setting, job design, demographic profile, rewards, leadership and individual differences. In the present study the effect of demographic variables, namely experience and educational level on job satisfaction of telecom executives was studied. Differences in job satisfaction across experience and educational level were studied on 320 executives working in telecommunication organizations located in North India, using job satisfaction scale developed by Spector (1985). The study revealed that there were significant differences between job satisfaction and its dimensions with regard to experience while there were no significant differences between job satisfaction and its dimensions with regard to educational level. The study implies that as the experience increases, job satisfaction also increases while educational level has no effect on job satisfaction of executives.
Pandemic alarm in the Dutch media: Media coverage of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic and the role of the expert sources
Authors: Vasterman Peter LM , Ruigrok Nel
Published: June 2013

In 2009, the outbreak of a new flu virus in Mexico developed into the first pandemic in more than 40 years. For years the world had been warned about such a catastrophic global epidemic, but influenza A/H1N1 (also called swine flu or Mexican flu) turned out to be even milder than the common flu. This study is based on a content analysis of newspaper and television coverage from April to December 2009, and focuses on the volume and the content of the news coverage of the pandemic in the Netherlands. The research shows that media coverage was intensive and alarming, especially during the first and third stages of the epidemic. As it turns out, news sources had about the same share of alarming messages as the media. Therefore, although the media were indeed alarming in their coverage, they were so on the authority of their sources, the experts and the public health officials.
Primary care trust commissioning of varicose vein intervention – New guidance needed?
Authors: Griffin Kathryn Jane , Cousins Simon , Bailey Marc Aaron , Berridge David , Scott David Julian Ashbridge
Published: June 2013

Objectives

In light of evidence of national variability in service commissioning of varicose vein intervention, our aim was to evaluate the current state of primary care trust commissioning for all forms of varicose vein intervention in England. We also sought to clarify the extent to which access to endovenous and surgical varicose vein services is being restricted.

Methods

Under the Freedom of Information Act (2001), a structured email survey was sent to 108 primary care trusts in England. Trusts were asked how many elective endovenous laser therapy and open procedures were commissioned from 2008 to 2011 and they were asked to submit their commissioning policy for analysis. The ‘qualifying criteria’ expressed in each policy were analysed by theme and geographical region.

Results

Of 108 surveys, 95 (88%) were completed and returned. Of these, 91 (96%) stated that varicose vein interventions were actively commissioned. Eighty-eight (97%) of primary care trusts that commissioned varicose vein interventions stated that access was restricted. Qualifying criteria varied considerably between regions.

Conclusions

Access to varicose vein intervention appears to be restricted, with national variation in commissioning across England. This might have an impact on patient care and surgical training. We propose that a national decision be made about which varicose vein patients should be offered funding for treatment on the National Health Service.
Flexure analysis of spoolable reinforced thermoplastic pipes for offshore oil and gas applications
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad A , Morozov Evgeny V , Shankar Krishnakumar
Published: June 2013

This article is concerned with the numerical modelling and analysis of the mechanical behaviour of composite pipes used for offshore oil and gas applications. Specifically, the bending of the reinforced thermoplastic pipes during the reeling process of reel-lay installation is modelled using non-linear finite-element procedures. In particular, the possible buckling of the reeled composite pipes has been investigated. Composite pipes reinforced with one angle-ply and two angle-ply layers are considered and the effects of different diameter-to-thickness ratios and different angle-ply combinations on the mechanical behaviour of these pipes have been studied.
Effect of surface treatments on properties of lacquer seed shell fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites
Authors: Zhou Yang , Long Chunguang , Huang Jialiang , Deng Zhigang , Cao Taishan
Published: June 2013

In this article, lacquer seed shell fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were prepared by transfer compression molding. The lacquer seed shell fiber was treated by NaOH and silane. The effect of surface treatment on the properties of the composites was studied by orthogonal experiment. It was found that the concentration of NaOH significantly affected the impact strength of the composites. The highest impact strength (6.94 kJ/m2, which is 300% higher than that of the untreated fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composite) was found in the composite treated by NaOH following silane treatment. The results of thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the thermal stability of fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites were better than that of neat poly(lactic acid). Moreover, the morphology of fracture surface evaluated by scanning electron microscopy indicated that surface treatment can make better adhesion between the fiber and the matrix.
Effect of fuel depth on flame spread over aviation kerosene
Authors: Guo Jin , Lu Shouxiang , Wang Changjian
Published: June 2013

The effect of fuel depth on flame spread over aviation kerosene and the characteristics of the subsurface flow has been investigated using schlieren system and a high-speed camera. For flame spread over aviation kerosene, there are shallow pool and deep pool regimes separated by a fuel depth of 8 mm. For the shallow pool regime, the pulsation amplitude of the main flame and the precursor flame increases, but the pulsation frequency of the flames decreases with an increase in fuel depth. For the deep pool regime, fuel depth has no obvious effect on the flame pulsation and the ratio of the length to the depth of the subsurface flow. The theoretical model of the rate of the subsurface flow based on the surface tension effect agrees well with experimental values.
New Revelations About Hans Berger, Father of the Electroencephalogram (EEG), and His Ties to the Third Reich
Authors: Zeidman Lawrence A. , Stone James , Kondziella Daniel
Published: June 2013

Hans Berger was a German neuropsychiatrist and head of the neurology department at the University of Jena, who discovered the human electroencephalogram (EEG). Many sources state that Berger was forced into retirement and suicide by the Nazis because he was at odds with the regime. In fact, Berger helped select his Nazi successor Berthold Kihn (complicit in “euthanasia” murders), financially supported the Nazi Schutzstaffel (SS), and was a willing participant on Nazi genetic health higher courts that reviewed appeals for forced sterilizations of neuropsychiatric patients. His motivations could be related to avoiding Nazi harassment, indoctrination by Nazi ideology, or less likely, career opportunism. His actions stand in contrast to colleagues who partially resisted the Nazis, and hopefully will serve as an example to future generations of neurologists regarding the danger of allowing one’s professional standing to be used as a tool to support the policies of tyranny and oppression.
Experimental investigations on performance characteristics in wire electro discharge machining of Ti50Ni42.4Cu7.6 shape memory alloy
Authors: Narendranath S , Manjaiah M , Basavarajappa S , Gaitonde VN
Published: June 2013

This article investigates the effect of pulse on time, peak current and pulse off time on wire electro discharge machining characteristics of Ti50Ni42.4Cu7.6 shape memory alloy. A Ti50Ni42.4Cu7.6 alloy was prepared by conventional tungsten arc melting. The machining experiments were performed as per Box–Behnken design on computer control wire electro discharge machining machine using molybdenum wire electrode. The relationships between the process parameters (pulse on time, peak current and pulse off time) and wire electro discharge machining responses (surface roughness and material removal rate) have been established using response surface methodology–based quadratic models. The analysis of variance has been employed to test the significance of the developed second-order mathematical models. The parametric analysis–based results reveal that low peak current with prolonged pulse on duration leads to reduced surface roughness. However, combination of low peak current with low pulse on time is beneficial for achieving better material removal rate for machining of shape memory alloy.
Effect of heat treatment on wheat dough rheology and wheat protein solubility
Authors: Mann Julia , Schiedt Birgitta , Baumann Andreas , Conde-Petit Beatrice , Vilgis Thomas A.
Published: June 2013

In the present study, the influence of moisture content, temperature and time during heat treatment of wheat flour was investigated. Heat treatment was carried out on laboratory scale in a water bath at 50–90 ℃ for times up to 3 h. Flour functionality was evaluated by analysing protein solubility in acetic acid as well as by the formation of bread-like doughs, which were then analysed with dynamic oscillatory and rotational rheometry. Effects during heat treatment were explained on a molecular level using a simplified physical model describing wheat dough as a continuous gluten matrix with starch as filler particles. Heat treatment causes the formation of gluten aggregates resulting in decreased protein solubility and lower network strength of dough. Rheological data also indicate the formation of starch aggregates and modified interactions between gluten and starch. The effects were more pronounced in heat-treated flours with increased moisture content due to a higher mobility of the molecules.
Children’s Structured Conceptualizations of Their Beliefs on the Causes of Learning Difficulties
Authors: Nowicki Elizabeth A. , Brown Jason , Stepien Magdalena
Published: June 2013

Elementary school children between 9 and 12 years of age were interviewed on what they believed to be the causes of learning difficulties and were invited to take part in the analysis of the data. We achieved this with Trochim’s concept mapping approach that combines qualitative and quantitative data analyses. Study results indicated that children were more knowledgeable than expected. Although each participant gave relatively few ideas, they collectively generated a list of 42 unique statements, which they categorized into a meaningful structured conceptualization. Results showed that children were competent and reliable participants in the concept mapping process. Educational, research, and methodological implications are discussed.
Interprovincial Variation in Access to Publicly Funded Pharmaceuticals
Authors: MacDonald Kara , Potvin Ken
Published: June 2013

Introduction:

Government-funded drug programs provide prescription medications for many Canadian residents, including senior citizens and social assistance recipients. Pharmaceuticals available for beneficiaries are typically listed in federal, provincial, and territorial formularies. We analyzed six Canadian drug formularies (for the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec) and report the extent of interprovincial variation in Canadians' access to publicly funded pharmaceuticals at the chemical subgroup (CSG) level of the World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (WHO ATC) classification system.

Methods:

A database profiling provincial formulary listings of CSGs was compiled to enable a cross-sectional analysis of drug benefits at a clinically meaningful level. The comprehensiveness of provincial drug reimbursement plans was evaluated in a quantitative comparison of CSGs. Therapeutic distribution of CSGs within anatomical main groups of the WHO ATC classification system was also investigated. Interprovincial formulary agreement of CSG listings (full, restricted, or not listed) was determined on the basis of kappa coefficients.

Results:

British Columbia and Nova Scotia provided residents with access to the greatest number of full-listing CSGs, 336 each. Manitoba had the fewest full-listing CSGs, 268. Kappa coefficients, representing agreement in provincial listing decisions, ranged from 0.23 (between British Columbia and Quebec) to 0.45 (between Alberta and Manitoba). All of these coefficients represent a fair-to-poor level of interprovincial agreement in CSG listing status.

Conclusion:

A large degree of variation is present in Canadian provincial drug formularies, even at the CSG level. This reflects differences in provincial listing decisions and has therapeutic implications for patients, in that there is differential access to entire categories of drug products across provincial drug plans.
Impact of Pharmacist Intervention on Osteoporosis Treatment after Fragility Fracture
Authors: Riley Karen , Martin Janet , Wazny Lori D.
Published: June 2013

Objective and Background:

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether increasing patient, nurse, and family physician awareness about osteoporosis had an effect on post-discharge initiation of osteoporosis treatment after fragility fracture. A recent study had found that less than 20% of patients with osteoporosis who were treated in hospital for bone fracture received subsequent investigation and treatment of their osteoporosis.

Methods:

The subjects consisted of a historical cohort of 33 patients and a prospective intervention group of 33 patients admitted to a community hospital with a diagnosis of fragility fracture. Data were analyzed for 28 patients in the historical control group and 27 patients in the intervention group. All patients in the latter group gave verbal consent to discuss risk factors and treatment options for osteoporosis. Subjects were included if they were at least 50 years of age and had been admitted to hospital because of hip, wrist, or ankle fracture. Patients were excluded if they had traumatic fractures or fractures related to cancer and if they had dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Patients in the intervention group received education from the pharmacist about osteoporosis. Patients in both groups received a follow-up phone assessment six months after the initial hospital admission. The main outcome measures were number of patients who received bone mineral density (BMD) tests and the number for whom osteoporosis treatment was initiated.

Results:

No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the number of BMD tests ordered ( p = 0.49), however, significantly more patients in the pharmacist intervention group had started treatment for osteoporosis at six months after the fragility fracture ( p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

When pharmacists provided education about osteoporosis to patients and nurses and provided information about osteoporosis to family physicians, the proportion of patients receiving treatment for osteoporosis after a fragility fracture was significantly greater than when such information was not provided.
MRSA: Why is it Bugging Us?
Authors: Zvonar Rosemary
Published: June 2013

The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasing, both in Canadian hospitals and worldwide, and is frequently covered in the media. As a result, pharmacists may get questions about MRSA, or encounter patients who are “MRSA-positive.” This letter will address a number of points regarding MRSA.
Community Pharmacists' Expectations of a Pharmacy Network: A Baseline Evaluation
Authors: MacDonald Don , Neville Doreen , Priddle Margot
Published: June 2013

Background:

The Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information has been mandated to build a provincial Health Information Network (HIN). Phase I, Unique Personal Identifier/Client Registry, is complete. Phase II, the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Network (Pharmacy Network), will provide integration among community and institutional pharmacies, the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program, hospital emergency rooms, and physician offices. This study was carried out to determine community pharmacists' perceived value of a pharmacy network pre-implementation.

Methods:

A four-part questionnaire was designed using a literature review and a pilot study. In December 2002, questionnaires were mailed to all 435 community pharmacists in the province.

Results:

Overall, 90.3% of community pharmacists agreed that drug utilization review would be an important function of the Pharmacy Network. The perceived value of computerized physician order entry was high. Removing problems with illegible handwriting received the strongest support (97.2%). Payment for providing various levels of pharmaceutical care also received strong support. The perceived value of a pharmacy network differed among community pharmacists with respect to age, sex, education, years in practice, and place of business.

Conclusions:

The results contributed important baseline information about community pharmacists' expectations pre-implementation. They also provided benchmarks for future comparative studies that measure perceived value after implementation of the Pharmacy Network.
Understanding Personality and Predicting Outcomes: The Utility of Cognitive-Behavioral Probes of Approach and Avoidance Motivation
Authors: Robinson Michael D. , Boyd Ryan L. , Liu Tianwei
Published: June 2013

Approach and avoidance motivation may represent important explanatory constructs in understanding how individuals differ. Such constructs have primarily been assessed in self-reported terms, but there are limitations to self-reports of motivation. Accordingly, the present review concentrates on the potential utility of implicit cognitive-behavioral probes of approach and avoidance motivation in modeling and understanding individual differences. The review summarizes multiple lines of research that have documented the utility of such probes to the personality-processing interface. Although multiple gaps in our knowledge exist, and are acknowledged, the value of such implicit cognitive-behavioral assessments is emphasized both in modeling multiple subcomponents of approach and avoidance motivation and in showing that such tendencies matter in ways that transcend momentary experiences or manipulations.
Approach and Avoidance Behaviour: Multiple Systems and their Interactions
Authors: Corr Philip J.
Published: June 2013

Approach–avoidance theories describe the major systems that motivate behaviours in reaction to classes of appetitive (rewarding) and aversive (punishing) stimuli. The literature points to two major “avoidance” systems, one related to pure avoidance and escape of aversive stimuli, and a second, to behavioural inhibition induced by the detection of goal conflict (in addition, there is evidence for nonaffective behavioural constraint). A third major system, responsible for approach behaviour, is reactive to appetitive stimuli, and has several subcomponents. A number of combined effects of these systems are outlined. Finally, the hierarchical nature of behavioural control is delineated, including the role played by conscious awareness in behavioural inhibition.
What is Approach Motivation?
Authors: Harmon-Jones Eddie , Harmon-Jones Cindy , Price Tom F.
Published: June 2013

We discuss some research that has examined approach motivational urges and how this research clarifies the definition of approach motivation. Our research and that of others have raised doubts about the commonly accepted definition of approach motivation, which views it as a positive affective state triggered by positive stimuli. We review evidence that suggests: (a) that approach motivation is occasionally evoked by negative stimuli; (b) that approach motivation may be experienced as a negative state; and (c) that stimuli are unnecessary to evoke approach motivation.
Avoidance Motivation and Conservation of Energy
Authors: Roskes Marieke , Elliot Andrew J. , Nijstad Bernard A. , De Dreu Carsten K. W.
Published: June 2013

Compared to approach motivation, avoidance motivation evokes vigilance, attention to detail, systematic information processing, and the recruitment of cognitive resources. From a conservation of energy perspective it follows that people would be reluctant to engage in the kind of effortful cognitive processing evoked by avoidance motivation, unless the benefits of expending this energy outweigh the costs. We put forward three empirically testable propositions concerning approach and avoidance motivation, investment of energy, and the consequences of such investments. Specifically, we propose that compared to approach-motivated people, avoidance-motivated people (a) carefully select situations in which they exert such cognitive effort, (b) only perform well in the absence of distracters that occupy cognitive resources, and (c) become depleted after exerting such cognitive effort.
Stability of conditioned pain modulation in two musculoskeletal pain models: investigating the influence of shoulder pain intensity and gender
Authors: Valencia Carolina , Kindler Lindsay L , Fillingim Roger B , George Steven Z
Published: June 2013

Background

Several chronic pain populations have demonstrated decreased conditioned pain modulation (CPM). However there is still a need to investigate the stability of CPM paradigms before the measure can be recommended for implementation. The purpose of the present study was to assess whether shoulder pain intensity and gender influence CPM stability within and between sessions.

Methods

This study examined two different musculoskeletal pain models, clinical shoulder pain and an experimental model of shoulder pain induced with eccentric exercise in healthy participants. Patients in the clinical cohort (N = 134) were tested before surgery and reassessed 3 months post-surgery. The healthy cohort (N = 190) was examined before inducing pain at the shoulder, and 48 and 96 hours later.

Results

Our results provide evidence that 1) stability of inhibition is not related to changes in pain intensity, and 2) there are sex differences for CPM stability within and between days.

Conclusions

Fluctuation of pain intensity did not significantly influence CPM stability. Overall, the more stable situations for CPM were females from the clinical cohort and males from the healthy cohort.
Ontario primary care reform and quality improvement activities: an environmental scan
Authors: Sibbald Shannon L , McPherson Charmaine , Kothari Anita
Published: June 2013

Background

Quality improvement is attracting the attention of the primary health care system as a means by which to achieve higher quality patient care. Ontario, Canada has demonstrated leadership in terms of its improvement in healthcare, but the province lacks a structured framework by which it can consistently evaluate its quality improvement initiatives specific to the primary healthcare system. The intent of this research was to complete an environmental scan and capacity map of quality improvement activities being built in and by the primary healthcare sector (QI-PHC) in Ontario as a first step to developing a coordinated and sustainable framework of primary healthcare for the province.

Methods

Data were collected between January and July 2011 in collaboration with an advisory group of stakeholder representatives and quality improvement leaders in primary health care. Twenty participants were interviewed by telephone, followed by review of relevant websites and documents identified in the interviews. Data were systematically examined using Framework Analysis augmented by Prior’s approach to document analysis in an iterative process.

Results

The environmental scan identified many activities (n = 43) designed to strategically build QI-PHC capacity, identify promising QI-PHC practices and outcomes, scale up quality improvement-informed primary healthcare practice changes, and make quality improvement a core organizational strategy in health care delivery, which were grouped into clusters. Cluster 1 was composed of initiatives in the form of on-going programs that deliberately incorporated long-term quality improvement capacity building through province-wide reach. Cluster 2 represented activities that were time-limited (research, pilot, or demonstration projects) with the primary aim of research production. The activities of most primary health care practitioners, managers, stakeholder organizations and researchers involved in this scan demonstrated a shared vision of QI-PHC in Ontario. However, this vision was not necessarily collaboratively developed nor were activities necessarily strategically linked.

Conclusions

Within the scope of this research, the scan affirmed that there is currently no province-wide, integrated, and measured quality improvement program for the primary healthcare sector in Ontario. This could be improved by the development of a coordinated plan, an accompanying accountability framework, and an appropriate sustainable funding envelope for QI-PHC at the provincial level.
Sequential preoperative hepatic vein embolization after portal vein embolization for extended left hepatectomy in colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Munene Gitonga , Parker Robyn D , Larrigan John , Wong Jason , Sutherland Francis , Dixon Elijah
Published: June 2013

Background

The role of portal vein embolization to increase future liver remnant (FLR) is well-established in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases. However, the role of hepatic vein embolization is unclear.

Case report

A patient with colorectal liver metastases received neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to attempted resection. At the time of resection his tumor appeared to invade the left and middle hepatic vein, requiring an extended left hepatectomy including segments five and eight. Post-operatively, he underwent sequential left portal vein embolization followed by left hepatic vein embolization and finally, middle hepatic vein embolization. Hepatic vein embolization was performed to increase the FLR as well as to allow collateral drainage of the FLR to develop. A left trisectionectomy was then performed and no evidence of postoperative liver congestion or morbidity was found.

Conclusion

Sequential portal vein embolization and hepatic vein embolization for extended left hepatectomy may be considered to increase FLR and may prevent right hepatic congestion after sacrificing the middle vein.
Nanopillar array with a λ/11 diameter fabricated by a kind of visible CW laser direct lithography system
Authors: Zhang Chen , Wang Kaige , Bai Jintao , Wang Shuang , Zhao Wei , Yang Fang , Gu Changzhi , Wang Guiren
Published: June 2013

Nanoscale functional structures are indispensable elements in many fields of modern science. In this paper, nanopillar array with a pillar diameter far smaller than Abbe's diffraction limit is realized by a new kind of continuous wave (CW) laser direct lithography technology. With atomic force microscopy technology, the average diameter of nanopillars on thin OIR906 photoresist film is about 65 nm and the smallest diameter is 48 nm, which is about 1/11 of the incident laser wavelength. Also, the influences of coma and astigmatism effects to the shape and size of nanopillar are numerically simulated by utilizing vector integral. As far as we know, it is the first time that nanopillar array is implemented by a donut-shaped 532-nm visible CW laser. The study presents a new, simple, inexpensive, and effective approach for nanopillar/pore array fabrication.
Comprehensive genotyping of the USA national maize inbred seed bank
Authors: Romay Maria C , Millard Mark J , Glaubitz Jeffrey C , Peiffer Jason A , Swarts Kelly L , Casstevens Terry M , Elshire Robert J , Acharya Charlotte B , Mitchell Sharon E , Flint-Garcia Sherry A , McMullen Michael D , Holland James B , Buckler Edward S , Gardner Candice A
Published: June 2013

Background

Genotyping by sequencing, a new low-cost, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to genotype 2,815 maize inbred accessions, preserved mostly at the National Plant Germplasm System in the USA. The collection includes inbred lines from breeding programs all over the world.

Results

The method produced 681,257 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers distributed across the entire genome, with the ability to detect rare alleles at high confidence levels. More than half of the SNPs in the collection are rare. Although most rare alleles have been incorporated into public temperate breeding programs, only a modest amount of the available diversity is present in the commercial germplasm. Analysis of genetic distances shows population stratification, including a small number of large clusters centered on key lines. Nevertheless, an average fixation index of 0.06 indicates moderate differentiation between the three major maize subpopulations. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) decays very rapidly, but the extent of LD is highly dependent on the particular group of germplasm and region of the genome. The utility of these data for performing genome-wide association studies was tested with two simply inherited traits and one complex trait. We identified trait associations at SNPs very close to known candidate genes for kernel color, sweet corn, and flowering time; however, results suggest that more SNPs are needed to better explore the genetic architecture of complex traits.

Conclusions

The genotypic information described here allows this publicly available panel to be exploited by researchers facing the challenges of sustainable agriculture through better knowledge of the nature of genetic diversity.
Teasaponin Reduces Inflammation and Central Leptin Resistance in Diet-Induced Obese Male Mice
Authors: Yu Yinghua , Wu Yizhen , Szabo Alexander , Wu Zhixiang , Wang Hongqin , Li Duo , Huang Xu-Feng
Published: June 2013

Chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Recently teasaponin, an extract from tea, has been shown to have antiinflammatory effects. We examined the effect of teasaponin on obesity, inflammation, glucose metabolism, and central leptin sensitivity in obese mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet for 16 weeks. Intraperitoneal injections of teasaponin (10 mg/kg, daily) for 21 days significantly decreased the food intake and body weight of HF diet-induced obese mice. Teasaponin treatment also reduced the protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and/or IL-1β) and nuclear factor-κB signaling (phosphorylated inhibitory-κB kinase and phosphorylated inhibitory-κBα) in adipose tissue and the liver. The antiinflammatory effects of teasaponin were associated with improved glycemic status in the treated animals, evidenced by improved glucose tolerance, homeostasis model assessment, and fasting plasma insulin. In the hypothalamus, teasaponin decreased both proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory signaling in the mediobasal hypothalamus. Teasaponin treatment also enhanced the anorexigenic effect of central leptin administration, restored leptin phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3) signaling in the arcuate nucleus, and increased hypothalamic expression of the anorexigenic peptide proopiomelanocortin. These results identify a potential novel application for teasaponin as an antiobesity and antiinflammatory agent.
Placebo Reforms
Authors: Spiegler Ran
Published: June 2013

I study a dynamic model of strategic reform decisions that potentially affect the stochastic evolution of a publicly observed economic variable. Policy makers maximize their evaluation by a boundedly rational public. Specifically, the public follows a rule that attributes recent changes to the most recent intervention. I analyze subgame perfect equilibrium in this model when the economic variable follows a linear growth trend with noise. Equilibrium is essentially unique and stationary, bearing a subtle formal relation to optimal search models. Policy makers tend to act during crises, display risk aversion conditional on acting, and prefer interventions that induce permanent noise. (JEL D78, D83)
Development of types of the public and municipal ­authorities or preservation of a form of autonomous non-profit organiz
Authors: Гросул Юрий , Grosul Yury
Published: June 2013

The author reflects on further destiny of autonomous, budgetary and state establishments in the Russian Federation. In article it is offered to keep a form of autonomous non-profit organization, including for increase of efficiency of transformations in the social sphere.
Working out of bills on insurance of workers in governmental structures and their discussion in the State Duma in 1905–1
Authors: Хаконова Ирина , Khakonova Irina
Published: June 2013

The process of discussion and application of legal acts regulating the insurance of workers in the Russian Empire in prewar years is considered in the article. The authors have shown that in historical and legal literature there were observed different assessments of the given process and have marked that the adoption of laws on insurance workers promoted the decrease of police control for “working question”, creation of definite compromise between capital and hired labor.
The organizational and legal factors promoting manifestation of corruption in system of executive authorities
Authors: Братановский Сергей , Bratanovsky Sergey , Зеленов Михаил , Zelenov Mikhail
Published: June 2013

On the basis of the practical analysis the reasons and conditions of corruption emergence and development in the state and municipal authorities in Russia, preconditions of corruption beha­vior of the executive officials are designated. The main directions of carrying out the control actions which are necessary for decrease of corruption are investigated. On the basis of the analysis of rules of law and positions of leading researchers in this area the classification of the organizational and legal factors promoting manifestation of corruption in system of the executive authorities is offered.
A Historic Review on R&D of China’s FCC Riser Termination Device Technologies
Authors: Lu Chunxi , Zhang Yongmin , Shi Mingxian
Published: June 2013

Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is a dominant refining conversion process in China’s most refineries. After decades of development, China has already become one of the major FCC technology licensors in the world. In this review, the research and development (R&D) activities on FCC riser termination device (RTD) technologies in China are reviewed and discussed. Emphasis is put on the R&D of a series of advanced RTD technologies led by China University of Petroleum, Beijing, which initiated in the early 1990s when more and more China’s FCC units chose to process more residue feedstock. Followed by the guideline of three “quick”s and two “high”s, two early types of RTD systems with coupled zones for gas–solids centrifugal separation and pre-stripping were developed and applied successfully in commercial units. Significantly reduced yields of coke and dry gas due to restrained post-riser reactions and satisfactory particle recovery efficiency were achieved. These were the fender-stripper cyclone and vortex quick separator systems designed for external- and internal-riser FCC units, respectively. Later, further improvement efforts led to the development of another two RTD systems, i.e. the circulating-stripper cyclone system for external-riser units and super vortex quick separator system for internal-riser units. By now, nearly 50 applications were commissioned with a sum FCC capacity of 40.0 Mton/a, nearly one-third of China’s total FCC processing capacity. Besides, other research efforts, such as the geometry optimization efforts on LD2 type separator, the studies on RTD for down-flow riser FCC units, and the idea of non-disengager FCC unit are also discussed in this review. To accommodate to degraded feedstock, more stringent environmental regulations and new FCC process technologies, future R&D efforts on RTD technologies should be put on improvements to further satisfy the three-“quick”s and two-“high”s requirements with changing FCC operating conditions and different process requirements.
Effects of treatment of reading skills in a child with borderline intellectual functioning
Authors: Di Blasi Francesco D. , Savelli Enrico , Zingale Marinella , Buono Serafino , Di Nuovo Santo F.
Published: June 2013

Background:People with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) show difficulties in academic achievements. They often struggle to read fluently and display poor reading comprehension. However, they usually are not properly diagnosed with specific reading deficits and, consequently, no treatment program is prescribed. Thus, reading remediation for subjects with BIF remains largely unexplored. This work investigated the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at improving reading in a child with BIF.

Methods:A computer reading program based on the dual-route model was used for a period of 3 months with the aim of automatizing word recognition and assembling of sub-lexical units (phonemes). Reading performance was measured before and after treatment.

Results:The reliable change index of reading skills during pre-post treatment and at follow-up showed significant improvements in text, word, and nonword reading accuracy, rather than in reading speed.

Discussion:Findings are discussed in terms of specific characteristics of the treatment and benefits that can be obtained in children with BIF.
Crystal structure of bis(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N) (tetrafluorophthalato-κO)nickel (II)-tetrafluorophtalic acid (1:1), [Ni(C8F4O4)(C12H8N2)2](C8H2F4O4), C40H18F8N4NiO8
Authors: Liu Yuan-Ying , Guo Jin-Fu , Li Hui-Yun , Zhao Guo-Yan
Published: June 2013

C40H18F8N4NiO8, triclinic, P1̅ (No. 2), a = 11.5061(2) Å, b = 11.8003(3) Å, c = 14.5181(3) Å, α = 111.888(2)°, β = 101.867(2)°, γ = 95.595(2)°, V = 1756.8 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0490, wRref(F2) = 0.1169, T = 296 K.
Mapping thermal resistance around vacancy defects in graphite
Authors: Oliveira Laura de Sousa , Greaney P. Alex
Published: June 2013

High purity bulk graphite is applicable in many capacities in the nuclear industry. The thermal conductivity of graphite has been found to vary as a function of how its morphology changes on the nanoscale, and the type and number of defects present. We compute thermal conductivities at the nanolevel using large scale classical molecular dynamics simulations and by employing the Green-Kubo method in a set of in silico experiments geared towards understanding the impact of defects in the thermal conductivity of graphite. We present the results obtained for systems with 1– 3 vacancies, and compile a summary of some of the methods applied and difficulties encountered.
Addressing some current challenges in ground improvement
Authors: Mitchell James K. , Kelly Richard
Published: June 2013

Ground improvement will be critically important in future geotechnical practice to achieve reductions in quantities of material used, reduction in carbon footprint, prevention and mitigation of natural disasters, treatment and recycling of industrial wastes, remediation of polluted soils, development of brownfield sites and maintenance and rehabilitation of existing structures. Challenges exist in providing cost-effective sustainable ground improvement under current economic conditions. These issues are addressed under categories of reduce, reuse and recycle in the first part of the paper. Selection processes for ground improvement methodologies, improved analysis, knowledge of long-term performance and understanding of effects of variability are required to develop more efficient designs. These issues are addressed in the second part of the paper.