bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Typical Immune T/B Subset Profile Characterizes Bicuspid Aortic Valve: In an Old Status?
Authors: Balistreri Carmela R. , Buffa Silvio , Allegra Alberto , Pisano Calogera , Ruvolo Giovanni , Colonna-Romano Giuseppina , Lio Domenico , Mazzesi Giuseppe , Schiavon Sonia , Greco Ernesto , Palmerio Silvia , Sciarretta Sebastiano , Cavarretta Elena , Marullo Antonino G. M. , Frati Giacomo
Published: April 2018

Bicuspid valve disease is associated with the development of thoracic aortic aneurysm. The molecular mechanisms underlying this association still need to be clarified. Here, we evaluated the circulating levels of T and B lymphocyte subsets associated with the development of vascular diseases in patients with bicuspid aortic valve or tricuspid aortic valve with and without thoracic aortic aneurysm. We unveiled that the circulating levels of the MAIT, CD4+IL−17A+, and NKT T cell subsets were significantly reduced in bicuspid valve disease cases, when compared to tricuspid aortic valve cases in either the presence or the absence of thoracic aortic aneurysm. Among patients with tricuspid aortic valve, these cells were higher in those also affected by thoracic aortic aneurysm. Similar data were obtained by examining CD19+ B cells, naïve B cells (IgD+CD27−), memory unswitched B cells (IgD+CD27+), memory switched B cells (IgD−CD27+), and double‐negative B cells (DN) (IgD−CD27−). These cells resulted to be lower in subjects with bicuspid valve disease with respect to patients with tricuspid aortic valve. In whole, our data indicate that patients with bicuspid valve disease show a quantitative reduction of T and B lymphocyte cell subsets. Future studies are encouraged to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this observation and its pathophysiological significance.
Oxidative Stress in the Muscles of the Fish Nile Tilapia Caused by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Its Modulation by Vitamins C and E
Authors: Abdelazim Aaser M. , Saadeldin Islam M. , Swelum Ayman Abdel-Aziz , Afifi Mohamed M. , Alkaladi Ali
Published: April 2018

The effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on antioxidants in Nile tilapia muscles and the protective role of vitamins C and E were examined. Two hundred males of Nile tilapia were held in aquaria (10 fishes/aquarium). Fishes were divided into 5 groups: 40 fishes in each group; the first group was the control; the 2nd and 3rd groups were exposed to 1 and 2 mg/L of ZnONPs, respectively; and the 4th and 5th group were exposed to 1 and 2 mg/L of ZnONPs and treated with a (500 mg/kg diet) mixture of vitamin C and E mixture (250 mg/kg diet of each). Muscles were collected on the 7th and 15th day of treatments. Muscle malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activities were measured after treatments. Relative quantification of SOD, CAT, GR, GPx, and GST mRNA transcripts was detected in the muscles. Results showed that MDA and GSH concentration; SOD, CAT, GR, GPx, and GST activities; and mRNA expression were significantly decreased in groups exposed to ZnONPs. Vitamins C and E significantly ameliorated the toxic effects of ZnONPs. In conclusion, vitamins C and E have the ability to ameliorate ZnONP oxidative stress toxicity in Nile tilapia.
Immune Regulation of RAW264.7 Cells In Vitro by Flavonoids from Astragalus complanatus via Activating the NF-κB Signalling Pathway
Authors: Li Yu , Hao Ning , Zou Suping , Meng Tingting , Tao Huanqing , Ming Pengfei , Li Manman , Ding Hongyan , Li Jinchun , Feng Shibin , Wang Xichun , Wu Jinjie
Published: April 2018

The current study aimed at investigating the effects of flavonoids from Astragalus complanatus (FAC) on the proliferation, the contents, and gene expression levels of cytokines, secretion of surface stimulating factors, cell cycle, and the expression level of the NF-κB signalling pathway in RAW264.7 cells. Our results revealed that compared with control group, the contents of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and NO and the mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and iNOS in FAC-treated groups significantly increased (p<0.01). Moreover, FAC induced macrophage activation to release the above-mentioned mediators partly involved in NF-κB/MAPK signalling pathways. Therefore, FAC regulates immune function in RAW264.7 cells via activating the NF-κB signalling pathway. FAC could be applicable for agriculture, drug research, and food industry as a potent immune-modulatory agent.
Diet Quality and Its Relationship with Antioxidant Status in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Prescha Anna , Zabłocka-Słowińska Katarzyna , Płaczkowska Sylwia , Gorczyca Daiva , Łuczak Anna , Majewska Marcelina , Grajeta Halina
Published: April 2018

A direct contribution towards destructive, proliferative synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been attributed to reactive oxygen species action. Some nutrients are considered to be capable of improving the oxidant/antioxidant status in RA; however the impact of diet composition on the antioxidant capacity of serum has not yet been studied in this disease. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between diet quality and antioxidant status in patients with RA and healthy controls. Nutritional assessment was performed, and antioxidant status in serum, without and with deproteinization (TAS and DSAS, resp.), was determined in 82 RA and 87 healthy subjects. The diet of the RA group was low‐energy and imbalanced. TAS and DSAS were significantly lower in RA patients than in controls. Antioxidant status significantly correlated with the supply of foods and nutrients influencing antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory defense in RA; however, in this group, TAS was more sensitive to diet than DSAS. In healthy subjects, the nonprotein pool of serum antioxidants was more tightly linked to diet. These outcomes indicate the need to monitor diet quality of patients with RA and the usefulness of TAS measurements in this monitoring.
Lung Dysfunction and Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Mukai Hideyuki , Ming Pei , Lindholm Bengt , Heimbürger Olof , Barany Peter , Stenvinkel Peter , Qureshi Abdul Rashid
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: Lung dysfunction associates with increased mortality but the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is less clear. We evaluated lung function and its association with mortality among individuals with normal to severely reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Methods: 404 individuals representing GFR category G1 (n=31; GFR >90 mL/min/1.73 m2), G2 (n=46), G3 (n=33), G4 (n=49) and G5 (n=245; GFR< 15 mL/min/1.73 m2) underwent spirometry yielding lung function indices forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Associations of lung function indices expressed as percentages of predicted values (%FEV1, %FVC and %PEF) with 5-year mortality were analyzed by competing-risk regression models. Results: The prevalence of obstructive (6% in G1 and 11% in G5) and especially restrictive (9% in G1 to 36% in G5) lung dysfunction increased with declining GFR and with higher comorbidity burden. In patients (n=22) with protein-energy wasting, inflammation and cardiovascular disease, the prevalence of restrictive lung function was 64%. The highest tertiles of % FEV1 and %FVC associated with lower sub-hazard ratios (sHR) for all-cause mortality, 0.49 (95% CI, 0.27-0.88)) and 0.56 (95% CI, 0.32-0.98), and that of %FEV1 also with lower cardiovascular mortality risk (sHR 0.16; 95%CI 0.04-0.69) after adjusting for multiple confounders. Restrictive lung dysfunction (FEV1/FVC ≥ 0.70, and %FVC < 80) associated with increased mortality risk (sHR 1.80, 95%CI, 1.04-3.13) while the association with obstructive lung impairment was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Lung dysfunction and in particular restrictive lung dysfunction associates with degree of renal function impairment and presence of comorbidities, and is an independent predictor of increased mortality in CKD patients.
An Observational Study of the Association of Video- Versus Text-Based Informed Consent With Multicenter Trial Enrollment
Authors: Fanaroff Alexander C. , Li Shuang , Webb Laura E. , Miller Vincent , Navar Ann Marie , Peterson Eric D. , Wang Tracy Y.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Patient participation in clinical research is low, in part because of the length and complexity of the informed consent process. Video informed consent may enhance the appeal of research and help break down barriers to participation.

Methods and Results:

The PALM study (Patient and Provider Assessment of Lipid Management) enrolled 7904 patients at cardiology, endocrinology, and primary care clinics across the United States to evaluate cholesterol management practices. Of 153 participating clinics, 67 (43.8%) secured institutional review board approval to use a tablet-based video informed consent tool that patients could select to navigate through the informed consent process instead of traditional text-based informed consent. At sites without institutional review board approval of video consent, all patients read a text-based informed consent document. Site activation times and enrollment volumes, as well as characteristics of enrolled patients, were compared between sites with and without video consent capability. Sites with video consent capability more often used a central institutional review board (89.6% versus 73.3%), were more often rural (16.7% versus 3.8%), and tended to have fewer providers. Compared with sites without video consent capability, sites with video consent capability had shorter times from site approach to first patient enrollment (median 178 versus 207 days;
P
=0.02). Sites with video consent capability enrolled similar numbers of patients as sites without video consent capability (
P
=0.48) but enrolled a greater proportion of patients who were ≥75 years old (27.5% versus 23.6%;
P
<0.001) and nonwhite (17.7% versus 14.2%;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions:

In this observational study of recruitment in a multicenter registry, sites approved for video consent use enrolled the same number of patients as sites with only traditional text-based informed consent but had faster speed to first patient enrolled and more often enrolled older and nonwhite patients. Future randomized trials are needed to assess the impact of video consent on enrollment mechanics and demographics.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02341664
Rac1 Modulates Endothelial Function and Platelet Aggregation in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Schiattarella Gabriele Giacomo , Carrizzo Albino , Ilardi Federica , Damato Antonio , Ambrosio Mariateresa , Madonna Michele , Trimarco Valentina , Marino Marina , De Angelis Elena , Settembrini Silvio , Perrino Cinzia , Trimarco Bruno , Esposito Giovanni , Vecchione Carmine
Published: April 2018

Background

Vascular complications and abnormal platelet function contribute to morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus. We hypothesized that the Rho‐related
GTP
ase protein, Rac1, can influence both endothelial and platelet function and might represent a potential novel therapeutic target in diabetes mellitus.

Methods and Results

We used both in vitro and ex vivo approaches to test the effects of pharmacological inhibition of Rac1 during hyperglycemic condition. We evaluated the effect of
NSC
23766, a pharmacological inhibitor of Rac1, on vascular function in diabetic mice and platelet aggregation in diabetic subjects. We demonstrated that the administration of
NSC
23766 protects from hyperglycemia‐induced endothelial dysfunction, restoring NO levels, and reduces oxidative stress generated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase. Mechanistically, we identified Rho‐associated coiled‐coil serine/threonine kinase‐1 as a downstream target of Rac1. Moreover, we reported that during hyperglycemic conditions, human platelets showed hyperactivation of Rac1 and impaired
NO
release, which were both partially restored after
NSC
23766 treatment. Finally, we characterized the antiplatelet effect of
NSC
23766 during hyperglycemic conditions, demonstrating the additional role of Rac1 inhibition in reducing platelet aggregation in diabetic patients treated with common antiplatelet drugs.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that the pharmacological inhibition of Rac1 could represent a novel therapeutic strategy to reduce endothelial dysfunction and platelet hyperaggregation in diabetes mellitus.
Trends in Forecasting the Tracks of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Neumann Charles J.
Published: April 2018

Errors in official 24 h forecasts of tropical cyclone motion over the Atlantic for the period 1954–80 are examined for the purpose of isolating any long-term trends in the data. It is shown that the magnitude of a forecast error has been primarily a function of forecast difficulty, i.e., how well storm motion adheres to climatology and persistence. Another contributing factor (in the negative partial correlation sense) is shown to be the storm's initial longitude—a measure of the adequacy of initial analyses.

After adjusting 24 h forecast error for these two factors, it is shown that errors have declined gradually over the 27 years from near 124 n mi in 1954 to near 107 n mi in 1980—a 13.7% reduction. Most of the decline since the mid-1960s is attributed to better specification of initial storm motion through satellite imagery.

Although the decline of forecast errors is encouraging, a disturbing aspect is that the rate of decline appears to have slowed in recent years. This leveling-off is attributed to a loss in the ability to assess environmental steering through mid-level analysis deficiencies that have been compounding since 1965 and, more recently, to a plateauing in the ability to obtain still better storm initial-motion vectors. To assure a continued monotonic decline in 24 h forecast errors, mid-level initial analysis (500 mb) over the essentially data-void tropical cyclone basins must be improved.
13th Technical Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology, AMS, 1–5 December 1980, Miami Beach, Fla.
Authors: Sheets Robert C.
Published: April 2018

The 13th Technical Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology was held in Miami Beach, Fla., during 1–5 December 1980. The special emphasis of this conference was placed upon hurricanes in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the formation of the National Hurricane Research Project. Participants came from around the world and 167 people registered for the conference. The first six sessions of the conference were devoted to invited survey or overview papers focused upon advancements in hurricane research and prediction during the past 25 years.
ALPEX The GARP Mountain Subprogram
Authors: Kuettner Joachim P. , O'Neill Thomas H. R.
Published: April 2018

The problem of airflow over and around mountains, as originally proposed by J. Charney, R. Hide, F. Mesinger, and G. Goetz, was approved in 1978 as a subprogram of the Global Atmospheric Research Program (GARP) by the Joint Organizing Committee (JOC) of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).3 ALPEX will be the field project of this subprogram and, as the name indicates, the general area of the Alps has been selected as its site. The primary observing period will be during March and April 1982. ALPEX will complete the series of large international field projects of GARP (UCAR, 1980; ICSU/WMO, 1980e).
Forecasting an Unusual Weather Event in Colorado: 15 October 1980
Authors: Weaver John F. , Brown John M.
Published: April 2018

On 15 October 1980, a weather system that had been to the west of Colorado was forecast to move into the state, and to bring with it light to moderate snow in the Rockies, and generally light rain and thundershower activity over the plains to the east. In most regions this forecast was adequate. However, substantially heavier activity (including a small tornado, large hail, heavy rain, and snow) also occurred in some areas. In this paper we show how all relevant real-time data, when properly merged, could have enabled formulation of a useful short-term forecast. In addition we point out how mesonet surface data gathered after the fact could have helped narrow down the forecast area of severe weather and heavy precipitation.
Views of Climate Change: A Delphi Experiment in the Midwest
Authors: Changnon Stanley A.
Published: April 2018

A midwestern group of 46 scientists and 16 nonscientists were polled at a recent AMS meeting about their beliefs on climate change, the CO2 issue, and the overall importance of these issues. Most indicated a belief in a trend to a climate that is colder, wetter, and has more weather variability. The group also indicated that the reports on CO2 were confusing to them and especially to the public. Finally, they indicated that the ongoing climate shift has been important to their lives.
Interpretation of Some Terms and Phrases in Public Weather Forecasts
Authors: Murphy Allan H. , Brown Barbara G.
Published: April 2018

This paper reports some results of a study in which two groups of individuals—undergraduate students and professional meteorologists at Oregon State University—completed a short questionnaire concerning their interpretations of terminology commonly used in public weather forecasts. The questions related to terms and phrases associated with three elements: 1) cloudiness—fraction of sky cover; 2) precipitation—spatial and/or temporal variations; and 3) temperature—specification of intervals.

The students' responses indicate that cloudiness terms are subject to wide and overlapping ranges of interpretation, although the interpretations of these terms correspond quite well to National Weather Service definitions. Their responses to the precipitation and temperature questions reveal that some confusion exists concerning the meaning of spatial and temporal modifiers in precipitation forecasts and that some individuals interpret temperature ranges in terms of asymmetric intervals. When compared to the students' responses, the meteorologists' responses exhibit narrower ranges of interpretation of the cloudiness terms and less confusion about the meaning of spatial/temporal precipitation modifiers.

The study was not intended to be a definitive analysis of public understanding of forecast terminology. Instead, it should be viewed as a primitive form of the type of forecast-terminology study that must be undertaken in the future. Some implications of this investigation for future work in the area are discussed briefly.
Corrections and Additions to Verification Study of Performance of 1976 University of Wisconsin Model2
Authors: Harnack Robert P. , Sammler William R.
Published: April 2018

Revised and complete verification statistics for mainland United States long-range forecasts made for the period 1976–80 by the 1976 version of the University of Wisconsin model are presented. Corrections to earlier published values are given, as well as skill scores obtained using a much more complete set of stations for which forecasts were made.

The overall skill score for the pentad temperature forecasts made for January, April, July, and October is negative (−0.14), while those for pentad precipitation and individual year July precipitation forecasts are positive (0.12 and 0.04, respectively). The individual year January temperature forecast skill score was unchanged at −0.08 overall.
The Second Haurwitz Memorial Lecture: Stationary Planetary Waves
Authors: Holton James R.
Published: April 2018

The linear theory for stationary Rossby waves excited by flow over long ridges is reviewed. The traditional “textbook” model, in which there is no disturbance of the potential temperature surfaces or streamlines upstream of the ridge, is shown to be inadequate. For both the β-plane and the f-plane cases, pressure forces cause lifting of the isentropes and a cyclonic turning of the streamlines upstream of the ridge. The β-plane and f-plane solutions are, however, totally different for long ridges owing to the resonant excitation of stationary Rossby waves and the vertical propagation of the long-wave components in the β-plane case. Curiously, the vertical displacement of the isentropic surfaces is nearly identical in the β-plane and f-plane solutions in the lower troposphere where the response is dominated by the short-wave vertically decaying components.
Contesting Commercialization: Political Influence, Responsive Authoritarianism, and Cultural Resistance
Authors: Yue Lori Qingyuan , Wang Jue , Yang Botao
Published: April 2018

We develop theory on how a contentious moral market can develop, and we test it with data from a study of the commercialization of Buddhist temples in China from 2006 to 2016, as local government officials try to boost the local economy by transforming temples into tourist enterprises that charge admission fees. The practice is resisted by monks and the public such that the central government, which values public appearances of social justice, is pressured to support their resistance to local officials’ economic demands. Using a data panel of 141 temples, we show that temples’ admission fees are significantly related to the pressure that local government officials face to develop the economy. We also find that resistance to the fees exploits a factional political structure, as the monk-led movement leverages the influence of one political clique that is highly concerned with public appearances of social justice to resist the request of another. In addition, bottom-up channels such as the Internet and marketized media help the public voice its grievances, coordinate collective action, and therefore align with and mobilize the central government to override local government. The contentious view enhances our understanding of how resistance can be possible and effective, especially in an authoritarian regime.
Do audit firm and audit costs/fees influence earnings management in Swedish municipalities?
Authors: Donatella Pierre , Haraldsson Mattias , Tagesson Torbjörn
Published: April 2018

Previous research on the private sector shows that auditors and auditing firms are important actors in ensuring high-quality reporting based on accrual accounting. The aim of this study is to explore whether audit firms and audit costs/fees influence municipalities’ probability of applying earnings management in their annual accounts. The empirical data, which covered the financial years 2011–13, were handpicked from annual reports or retrieved from other sources. In general, our study shows that the probability of earnings management increased if audit costs/fees increased. However, there were differences regarding the probability of earnings management relating to which audit firm was engaged. This implies that audit quality is a factor that affects the probability of earnings management in Swedish municipalities. The study also indicates that different audit firms make different trade-offs between professional versus commercial logics, and that this is reflected in the clients’ propensity to engage in earnings management.

Points for practitioners

Today a majority of developed countries have adopted accrual-based accounting for municipalities. Along with accrual-based accounting follows the risk of earnings management. Problems regarding accounting quality imply an increased importance of the financial audit. However, our study shows that there is no obvious positive relationship between audit cost/fees and audit quality. The ability to constrain earnings management seems to vary between audit firms. The important implication for practitioners is that auditing must have quality standards that are subject to follow-up and control, which applies both on a system level and also when municipalities procure and contract audit firms for audit assignments.
International field placements: The models Australian social work programmes are currently using
Authors: Fox Mim , Hugman Richard
Published: April 2018

International field placements have become increasingly common in Australian social work programmes. This article looks at the models of organising international placements, in sending or receiving social work students. Four such models are identified: informal linkages for individual students, linkages between Australian social work programmes, formalised university to university agreements and formalised university to agency agreements. Although there appears to be a preference for formalised ongoing relationships between institutions in different countries, drawing on all four models as appropriate and feasible will enable everyone involved in international placements to achieve the most positive practice possible.
Effect of a thermal treatment on thermoplastic polyurethane– metal hybrids
Authors: Puentes-Parodi Alejandro , Gedan-Smolka Michaela , Leuteritz Andreas , Gehde Michael , Kuehnert Ines
Published: April 2018

The effect of a thermal treatment, i.e. annealing, on the adhesion of a thermoplastic polyurethane overmolded on a precoated steel substrate was evaluated. The hybrid part was subjected to three different annealing temperatures after the overmolding process. Adhesion of the thermoplastic elastomer was achieved by using an in-house-developed, two-step curable organic powder coating, which was selectively crosslinked to a polyallophanate state. The powder material was applied to the steel substrate by electrostatic charging followed by molecular crosslinking in an oven. The influence of the metal surface pretreatment was also evaluated regarding adhesion. The effects of the postthermal treatment were assessed through mechanical peel test, differential scanning calorimetry, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Interesting results were obtained regarding strong adhesion between the precoated metal sheets and thermoplastic polyurethane after injection molding, especially in hybrids that were annealed at higher temperatures with the in-house adhesive coating.
Filling the mobility gaps: The shared taxi industry in Kano, Nigeria
Authors: Madugu Yusuf Umar
Published: April 2018

This paper aims to analyse the growth of the taxi and shared taxi industries in Nigeria after the 1980s Structural Adjustment Programs. The reduction of public bus services and growing urbanisation fuelled the rise of (paid) car-pooling and eventually a change in the taxi regime. This new system offered an increasingly flexible shared service which (partially) met urban mobility demands. Although this system is common to many African cites, and similar to post-1989 socialist states in Europe and central Asia, focusing on the city of Kano (Nigeria) allows us to identify some of its peculiarities. Relying on secondary sources and on interviews with witnesses, this paper traces the trajectory of shared taxi services from the 1950s to today.
“Peek-A-Boo, We See You Too”: Homelessness and visuality in New York City
Authors: Goldfischer Eric
Published: April 2018

This paper examines an anti-homeless visual campaign which appeared in New York City in the summer of 2015, in the midst of a resurgence of public concern over the visibility of homeless New Yorkers. The campaign, produced by a police union and titled “Peek-A-Boo, We See You Too” encouraged police officers and allies concerned with a perceived decline in “quality of life” to photograph homeless people on the street, tagging their locations and uploading the photographs to a website. Using the photographs, concurrent discourses, and evidence from surveys conducted by a homeless-led organization, I argue that this campaign represents more than simply an instance of revenge upon and against the homeless. Rather, I suggest that it represents a moment of what philosopher Kristie Dotson calls “epistemic backgrounding” a case in which the people visually displayed at the center of the pictures are “backgrounded” in the knowledge produced off of their images. Connecting this singular campaign with a broader conception of anti-homeless actions, I suggest that we might understand the relationship of visuality and homelessness as one which relies on revanchism for its political logic but produces the simultaneous absence and presence of homeless people through epistemic backgrounding.
Localized morphea after breast implant for breast cancer: A case report
Authors: Moretti A , Bianchi F , Abbate IV , Gherardi G , Bonavita M , Passoni E , Nazzaro G , Bramati A , Dazzani MC , Piva S , Paternò E , Frungillo N , Farina G , La Verde N
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

Early breast cancer follow-up guidelines for patients who underwent surgery suggest a regular and accurate clinical examination of the breast area, for an early identification of cutaneous or subcutaneous breast cancer relapse. Nonetheless, breast skin lesions arising in patients treated with mastectomy for breast cancer can be caused by several diseases. A series of diagnostic hypotheses should be considered, not only focusing on cutaneous metastasis, but also on dermatologic and systemic diseases.

Case report:

In February 2015, a 37-year-old patient underwent a right subcutaneous mastectomy for stage IIA breast cancer. Five months after beginning adjuvant chemotherapy, she noted hyperpigmentation and thickening of the skin on the right breast. Differential diagnosis included local relapse, skin infection, lymphoma, or primary cutaneous disease, and a skin biopsy was performed. The histopathologic specimen showed full-thickness sclerosis, with features of localized morphea. Therapy with clobetasol was prescribed, with progressive resolution of the thickness. The collaboration between many professionals in a multidisciplinary team (oncologist, dermatologist, plastic surgeon, and pathologist) was crucial to achieving the diagnosis.

Conclusion:

In the literature, some articles describe correlation between connective tissue diseases and silicone breast implants, but the pathogenetic mechanisms are unknown. We report a rare case of breast morphea after positioning a silicone implant in a patient who had undergone mastectomy. This clinical report represents an interesting model of multidisciplinary management of a patient with breast cancer who developed an uncommon dermatologic disease. Further studies are needed to clarify the association between silicone implants and breast morphea.
Metal Resurfacing Inlay Implant for Osteochondral Talar Defects After Failed Previous Surgery: A Midterm Prospective Follow-up Study
Authors: Vuurberg Gwendolyn , Reilingh Mikel L. , van Bergen Christiaan J.A. , van Eekeren Inge C.M. , Gerards Rogier M. , van Dijk C. Niek
Published: April 2018

Background:

Treatment of osteochondral talar defects (OCDs) after failed previous surgery is challenging. Promising short-term results have been reported with use of a metal resurfacing inlay implant.

Purpose:

To evaluate the midterm clinical effectiveness of the metal implant for OCDs of the medial talar dome after failed previous surgery.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

We prospectively studied all patients who met the inclusion criteria and received a metal resurfacing inlay implant between 2007 and 2014. The primary outcome measure was implant survival, as measured by reoperation rate. Secondary outcome measures were numeric rating scales for pain at rest and during walking, running, and stair climbing; the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS); the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle Hindfoot Scale; the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36); return to work and sports; and radiographic evaluation.

Results:

This study included 38 patients with a mean age of 39 years (SD, ±13 years) and a mean follow-up of 5.1 years (SD, ±1.5 years). Two patients (5%) underwent revision surgery by means of an ankle arthrodesis (2 and 6 years postoperatively). In 8 patients, computed tomography scanning was conducted to assess postoperative complaints. These scans showed impression of the tibial plafond (n = 4), a small tibial cyst (<2.5 mm; n = 1), and cyst formation around the implant screw (n = 4). A total of 21 reoperations were performed, including medial malleolar screw removal (n = 12), arthroscopic removal of bony anterior impingement (n = 7), and calcaneal realignment osteotomy (n = 2). All secondary outcome measures improved significantly, apart from pain at rest, the FAOS symptoms subscale, and the SF-36 mental component scale. The mean time for return to sport was 4.1 months (SD, ±3 months), and 77% of patients resumed sporting activities postoperatively. Only 1 patient did not return to work postoperatively. Radiographs at final follow-up showed cyst formation (n = 2), subchondral periprosthetic radiolucency (n = 2), and non-preexisting joint space narrowing (n = 2).

Conclusion:

This study shows that the metal implant is an effective technique when assessed at midterm follow-up for OCDs of the medial talar dome after failed previous surgery.
Developing Adaptive E-Learning Environment Using Cognitive and Noncognitive Parameters
Authors: Siddique Ansar , Durrani Qaiser S. , Naqvi Husnain A.
Published: April 2018

The falling learning outcome is one of the major challenges faced by most of the educational systems. Adaptive educational systems (AESs) are viewed as catalyst to reinforce learning. Several AESs have been developed considering only single aspect of learners, for example, learning styles. The impact of learning style-based AESs in terms of improving learning outcomes is still unclear. In this study, an adaptive learning system is being proposed considering combination of multiple sources of personalization such as learning styles, working memory capacity, and prior knowledge. An experiment was conducted using sample size of 184 students to assess the impact of proposed approach in comparison to traditional classroom teaching and learning. The student sample was equally divided into control and experimental groups. Both groups further consisted of subgroups formed on the basis of their cognitive and noncognitive characteristics, identified using standardized tools. The experimental subgroups learned the subject contents with proposed adaptive learning system, whereas control subgroups learned in traditional classroom environment. The results revealed that the participants of experimental subgroups exhibit significantly better learning performance than their counterparts of control subgroups.
The Conceptualization of Volunteering Among Nonvolunteers: Using the Net-Cost Approach to Expand Definitions and Dimensions of Volunteering
Authors: Haski-Leventhal Debbie , Oppenheimer Melanie , Holmes Kirsten , Lockstone-Binney Leonie , Alony Irit , Ong Faith
Published: April 2018

Based on the four dimensions of volunteering (time, object, nature, and environment) and net-cost analysis theory, this article examines the conceptualization of volunteering among nonvolunteers and what could attract them to volunteer (attractors). Using flashcard images of volunteering activities among a nationally representative sample in Australia, we reveal nonvolunteers perceived the existing four dimensions of volunteering and, in addition, two new dimensions of volunteering emerged: ability (required skill level) and social (who one volunteers with). Of these dimensions, object, nature, and abilities were found to be the most attractive dimensions of volunteering to nonvolunteers. The study further partially supports the use of net-cost theory as a framework for linking nonvolunteer’s perceptions of volunteering to their likelihood of volunteering, with the findings suggesting that low net-cost activities are more attractive to nonvolunteers.
Older Workers and Occupational Identity in the Telecommunications Industry: Navigating Employment Transitions through the Life Course
Authors: MacKenzie Robert , Marks Abigail
Published: April 2018

The article examines the relationship between restructuring and work-based identity among older workers, exploring occupational identity, occupational community and their roles in navigating transitions in the life course. Based on working-life biographical interviews with late career and retired telecoms engineers, the article explores the role of occupational identity in dealing with change prior to and following the end of careers at BT, the UK’s national telecommunications provider. Restructuring and perpetual organizational change undermined key aspects of the engineering occupational identity, inspiring many to seek alternative employment outside BT. For older workers, some seeking bridge employment in the transition to retirement, the occupational community not only served as a mechanism for finding work but also provided a sustained collective identity resource. Distinctively, the research points to a dialectical relationship between occupational identity and the navigation of change as opposed to the former simply facilitating the latter.
Group Influences on Engaging Self-Control: Children Delay Gratification and Value It More When Their In-Group Delays and Their Out-Group Doesn’t
Authors: Doebel Sabine , Munakata Yuko
Published: April 2018

Self-control emerges in a rich sociocultural context. Do group norms around self-control influence the degree to which children use it? We tested this possibility by assigning 3- to 5-year-old children to a group and manipulating their beliefs about in-group and out-group behavior on the classic marshmallow task. Across two experiments, children waited longer for two marshmallows when they believed that their in-group waited and their out-group did not, compared with children who believed that their in-group did not wait and their out-group did. Group behavior influenced children to wait more, not less, as indicated by comparisons with children in a control condition who were assigned to a group but received no information about either groups’ delay behavior (Experiment 1). Children also subsequently valued delaying gratification more if their in-group waited and their out-group did not (Experiment 2). Childhood self-control behavior and related developmental outcomes may be shaped by group norms around self-control, which may be an optimal target for interventions.
Numerical investigation of three turbulence simulation models for S809 wind turbine airfoil
Authors: Sanei Maryam , Razaghi Reza
Published: April 2018

The contributions in terms of energy production and reliability benefits of horizontal axis wind turbines are growing on a yearly basis throughout the world, which has made them the predominant technology for wind energy harvesting. When numerically simulating wind turbines, the selection of turbulence modelling approach can be of pivotal importance since it defines the numerical costs and gains of the simulation. In this paper, 2D computational fluid analysis of S809 Don Somners airfoil is targeted to evaluate the merits, drawbacks, and capabilities of three different common turbulence-modeling approaches, namely Spalart-Allmaras, k-w SST, and Transition SST models. The results are validated through comparison against experimental data on pressure coefficient distribution; a significant agreement between experimental data and Transition SST model is observed, which makes this model the reference model in this study. The other two approaches are compared with the results of the aforementioned model in terms of pressure distribution and flow separation predictions. The results indicate that k-w and Spalart-Allmaras models are as reliable as Transition SST when the Reynolds number and angle of attack are high enough (i.e. higher than 10 to 12°). At low Reynolds numbers, which means under 5 to 6°, the reference model is observed to be the most reliable among the three. The results of this study are of great importance when full rotor simulation is the task in hand, since they define the most appropriate approach to use with each flow condition to achieve an optimized numerical simulation procedure.
Students as Valuable Customers
Authors: Wali Andy Fred , Andy-Wali Hope Adanne
Published: April 2018

This article investigates the value of integrating a social media marketing (SMM) platform into customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities for marketing higher education (HE) services in Nigerian public universities. The qualitative research design and specifically multilevel face-to-face focus group (FG) and unsynchronized FG e-mail interviews were chosen for this study. The framework of analysis were undergraduates students in three public universities in Rivers State of Nigeria and three multilevel face-to-face FGs, and three unsynchronized e-mail interviews were held. Thematic template and content analysis techniques were employed for rigorous data analysis with NVivo 11. Four themes, market reach, academic coordination, post-academic services feedback, and students and staff collaboration, showed support for the role of SMM in CRM effectiveness for students’ recruitments and retention.
Competence Enhancement Program of Expressive Arts in End-of-Life Care for Health and Social Care Professionals: A Mixed-Method Evaluation
Authors: Nan J.K.M. , Lau Bobo Hi-Po , Szeto M.M.L. , Lam K.K.F. , Man J.C.N. , Chan C.L.W.
Published: April 2018

In the recent decades, expressive arts (EXA) has been used in end-of-life care (EOLC) for facilitating the quality of life of the patients and the caregivers. However, it may not be practical for every EOLC service to dispense EXA activities solely by extensively trained art therapy specialists. There is currently a lack of brief training for nonart therapists, which may have stifled the application of the techniques in clinical settings. The current study therefore described and evaluated the effectiveness of a 2-day EXA training workshop in enhancing practice, knowledge, and self-competence among health and social care professionals working in EOLC using a mixed-method approach. The quantitative findings show significant improvement in perceived competence of providing services per holistic and person-centered EOLC objectives, nonpharmaceutical management of symptoms, and evidence-based psychosocial care as well as self-competence in death work (SCDW) after the workshop. The qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative results by suggesting that the improvement in competence could be associated with enhanced communication, meaning reconstruction, and therapeutic relationship with the clients as well as the improvement in mood, socialization, and self-esteem among the clients through the learned EXA activities. Our findings support the efficacy of a brief training of EXA activities for nonart therapists in enhancing multifaceted intervention competence. Further research on brief training will be needed to promote the use of EXA activities in the EOLC context.
Burden of Care of Various Infant Orthopedic Protocols for Improvement of Nasolabial Esthetics in Patients With CUCLP
Authors: Singer Emily , Daskalogiannakis John , Russell Kathy A. , Mercado Ana M. , Hathaway Ronald R. , Stoutland Alicia , Long Ross E. , Fessler Jennifer , Semb Gunvor , Shaw William C.
Published: April 2018

Objectives:

1. To evaluate the orthodontic burden of care of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) and modified McNeil for the treatment of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP). 2. To compare the esthetic outcomes of each with those of centers not utilizing infant orthopedics (IO).

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Institutional.

Participants:

Four cohorts with repaired CUCLP (n = 149) from 3 centers.

Interventions:

Two cohorts were treated in the same center and had either traditional infant orthopedics (TIO) or NAM and 2 were treated in centers not employing IO.

Main Outcome Measures:

Burden of care data for the IO groups were compared using t tests. Frontal and profile photographs at approximately age 5 were collected for ratings of nasolabial esthetics, using a modification of the Asher-McDade method. Intrarater and interrater reliabilities were determined using weighted κ statistics. Median ratings were compared using a Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results:

The burden of care of NAM was significantly greater than TIO for both the number of visits (9.9 vs 6.6, [ P < .001]); and treatment duration (127 vs 112 days, [ P < .05]). Significant differences in nasolabial esthetic ratings were noted among the 3 centers. No significant differences were observed in the nasolabial esthetic outcomes between the NAM and TIO groups.

Conclusions:

1. NAM required more visits and longer overall duration compared with TIO. 2. The center employing IO showed favorable nasolabial esthetics compared to those not utilizing IO. 3. No significant differences were found in the nasolabial esthetics of patients who have received NAM compared with TIO.
Impact of Vancomycin Treatment on Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells During Osteogenic Differentiation
Authors: Bariteau Jason T. , Kadakia Rishin J. , Traub Brian C. , Viggeswarapu Manjula , Willett Nick J.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Vancomycin is frequently applied locally to the operative site during foot and ankle procedures to help prevent infection. Although the efficacy of locally applied vancomycin has been demonstrated in spine surgery, there is no consensus on dosing and indication within foot and ankle surgery. Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) is key to healing of both fractures and arthrodesis. The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of vancomycin on human hMSCs during the process of osteogenic differentiation.

Methods:

hMSCs were cultured in osteogenic differentiation media to promote osteogenic differentiation. Cells were treated with vancomycin at differing concentrations of 0, 50, 500, and 5000 µg/mL. Viability and cell growth were assessed via LIVE/DEAD viability/cytotoxicity kit (Invitrogen, Waltham, MA) after 1, 3, and 7 days of vancomycin treatment. Differentiation and mineralization was assessed via alizarin red staining after 21 days of treatment. Mean cell viability, cell number, and mineralization were compared between treatment groups using 1-way analysis of variance and the Tukey-Kramer method for post hoc pairwise comparisons.

Results:

At the highest concentrations of vancomycin, there was a significant reduction in cell viability and proliferation after 3 days compared with all other treatment groups. Mineralization was also significantly decreased with higher doses of vancomycin.

Conclusion:

At high concentrations, vancomycin may impair hMSC viability and osteogenic differentiation.

Clinical Relevance:

Surgeons should exercise caution and consider the limited soft tissue envelope when applying vancomycin locally during foot and ankle surgery, especially during arthrodesis procedures.