bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anaesthesia in Ethiopia: providers' perspectives on the current state of the service
Authors: Bashford Tom
Published: November 2013

The improvement of surgical and anaesthetic safety in low-resource settings is hampered by a lack of reliable information on the current provision of these services. Ethiopia is one of the world's poorest countries and, despite large amounts of both foreign and domestic investment, still reports some of the worst health outcomes. However, information on anaesthesia and surgical provision is sparse. This work reproduces a questionnaire study, first used in Uganda in 2006, to survey practising anaesthetists regarding the current state of anaesthesia services across Ethiopia. The results indicate that a large proportion of centres remain unable to provide safe general, spinal, paediatric and obstetric anaesthesia, at all levels of hospital and across almost all of the country's regions. In addition to a lack of equipment and pharmaceuticals, anaesthetists report problems with professional recognition and a lack of access to continuing professional development as key barriers to service development.
Human Capital, Social Collaboration, and Patent Renewal Within U.S. Pharmaceutical Firms
Authors: Liu Kun
Published: November 2013

Human capital has received much attention as the microfoundation for a firm to achieve competitive advantage. For knowledge-intensive firms, inventors’ human capital plays an important role in developing intellectual assets such as patents. Little research, however, has explored how inventors’ human capital influences the firm’s decisions of which patent to maintain or to abandon. This study investigates the effects of inventors’ human capital and collaboration characteristics on patent renewal decisions in the context of U.S. pharmaceutical firms. The results show that having star inventors on the inventor team, having more coinventors, and having inventors from multiple locations significantly increase chances of patent renewal. In addition, having more coinventors positively moderates the effects of star inventors on patent renewal. Implications for research are discussed.
Topologies of Race
Authors: M’charek Amade , Schramm Katharina , Skinner David
Published: November 2013

Territorial borders just like other boundaries are involved in a politics of belonging, a politics of “us” and “them”. Border management regimes are thus part of processes of othering. In this article, we use the management of borders and populations in Europe as an empirical example to make a theoretical claim about race. We introduce the notion of the phenotypic other to argue that race is a topological object, an object that is spatially and temporally folded in distributed technologies of governance. To elaborate on these notions, we first examine a number of border management technologies through which both race and Europe are brought into being. More specifically we focus on how various such technologies aimed at monitoring the movement of individuals together with the management of populations have come to play crucial roles in Europe. Different border management regimes, we argue, do not only enact different versions of Europe but also different phenotypic others. We then shift the focus from border regimes to internal practices of governance, examining forensic DNA databanks to unravel articulations of race in the traffic between databases and societies.
Limited Evidence: Higher Efficacy of Nasal Saline Irrigation over Nasal Saline Spray in Chronic Rhinosinusitis—An Update and Reanalysis of the Evidence Base
Authors: van den Berg Jelle W. G. , de Nier Linden M. , Kaper Nina M. , Schilder Anne G. M. , Venekamp Roderick P. , Grolman Wilko , van der Heijden Geert J. M. G.
Published: November 2013

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of nasal saline irrigation in adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Data Sources

PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library.

Review Methods

A comprehensive search was performed, and 2 authors independently screened publications. The design of selected studies was assessed on directness of evidence and risk of bias.

Results

Of 1596 publications, 1 open‐label randomized trial with high directness of evidence and moderate risk of bias was included. In this study, 127 patients were randomly allocated to isotonic nasal saline irrigation or isotonic nasal saline spray, as added to their usual medication. The mean 20‐Item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐20) scores of those treated with nasal irrigation improved more than those allocated to nasal spray. While the authors consider an improvement of 16 or more to be clinically meaningful, the changes from baseline in mean SNOT‐20 scores of those treated with irrigation (and the differences with those treated with nasal spray) at 2, 4, and 8 weeks were 12.2 (difference 5.5, [95% confidence interval −0.04 to 11.0]), 16.2 (difference 8.8 [3.2 to 14.4]), and 15.0 (difference 6.5 [0.4 to 12.6]), respectively. Side effects of posttreatment nasal dripping were common but minor and did not lead to discontinuation of treatment.

Conclusion and Recommendation

It should be explained to adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis that there is limited information on the relative effect of nasal saline irrigation and nasal saline spray on subjective symptom improvement, since there is only 1 trial available with a moderate risk of bias showing limited benefit of irrigation over spray.
No Evidence for Distinguishing Bacterial from Viral Acute Rhinosinusitis Using Fever and Facial/Dental Pain: A Systematic Review of the Evidence Base
Authors: Hauer Allard J. , Luiten Eric L. , van Erp Nicole F. , Blase Peter E. , Aarts Mark C. J. , Kaper Nina M. , van der Heijden Geert J. M. G.
Published: November 2013

Objective

To assess the diagnostic value of fever and facial and dental pain in adults suspected of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.

Data Sources

PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library.

Review Methods

A comprehensive systematic search was performed on March 18, 2013. We included articles reporting studies on the diagnostic value of fever or facial and dental pain in patients suspected of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. For included articles, the reported study design was assessed for directness of evidence and risk of bias. Prevalences, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values were extracted.

Results

Of 3171 unique records, we included 1 study with a high directness of evidence and a moderate risk of bias. The prior probability of bacterial rhinosinusitis was 0.29 (95% confidence interval: 0.24 to 0.35). We could not extract posterior probabilities with accompanying positive and negative predictive values. The study reported an odds ratio from univariate analysis for fever of 1.02 (0.52 to 2.00) and 1.65 (0.83 to 3.28) for facial and dental pain. In subsequent multivariate analysis, the odds ratio of facial and dental pain was 1.86 (1.06 to 3.29).

Conclusion and Recommendation

There is 1 study with moderate risk of bias, reporting data in such a manner that we could not assess the value of fever and facial and dental pain in adults suspected of an acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Therefore, these symptoms should not be used in clinical practice to distinguish between a bacterial and viral source of acute rhinosinusitis or for decision making about prescribing antibiotic treatment.
Cities of Uncertainty: Jakarta, the Urban Majority, and Inventive Political Technologies
Authors: Simone AbdouMaliq
Published: November 2013

When people inhabit a city, they situate themselves and are situated through the intersections of infrastructure and technical systems, and the particular domains and modalities of occupation – settlement and work – that are configured by them. At the same time, people are also inhabited by the city, as a kind of possession, endowment, and series of conundrums. People figure themselves out through figuring arrangements of materials, of designing what is available to them in formats and positions that enable them particular vantage points and ways of doing things. What it is possible for people to do with each other is largely a question of what it is that exists between them, and how this ‘between’ can be shaped as active points of reference, connection and anchorage. Infrastructure exerts a force – not simply in the materials and energies it avails, but also the way it attracts people, draws them in, coalesces and expends their capacities. If territory is a bundle of political technologies for measuring, administering and regulating the scope of what it is possible to do in the city, then other inventive political technologies are also at work in the making of urban life.
Prevalence of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in multiple sclerosis: a blinded sonographic evaluation
Authors: Tromba L , Blasi S , Vestri A , Kiltzanidi D , Tartaglia F , Redler A
Published: November 2013

Objectives:

To verify the prevalence of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in patients affected by different clinical forms of multiple sclerosis and in healthy subjects using the Zamboni ultrasound protocol combined with M-mode ultrasound examination.

Materials and methods:

We enrolled 112 patients with multiple sclerosis and 67 healthy subjects from 20 to 67 years of age. All the patients underwent Duplex and color-Doppler sonography of the neck vessels, transcranial colour duplex sonography, M-mode study of the valve system and of venous abnormalities. Subjects were positive for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency when at least two of five hemodynamic criteria of the Zamboni protocol were fulfilled. Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency condition was further analyzed by a multivariate analysis including age, sex, disease duration, subtypes of multiple sclerosis and expanded disability status scale score as independent variables.

Results:

No healthy subjects was positive for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, while in the sample of patients affected by multiple sclerosis the diagnosis was made in 59.8% of cases ( p < 0.0001). The first criterion was the most frequent in patients affected by multiple sclerosis and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (respectively 54.4% and 76.1%, p < 0.001). The second, third and fourth criteria were never present in healthy subjects but were detected in patients with multiple sclerosis. The positivity of the second criterion was associated with diagnosis of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in 100% of cases. The third criterion had a prevalence of 52.2% in the subgroup of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency patients. It was positive in 36 multiple sclerosis patients and was associated with chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency diagnosis in all cases except one. The multivariate analysis showed that age, disease duration, sex, subtypes of multiple sclerosis and expanded disability status scale score were not considered predictors of this haemodynamic condition.

Conclusion:

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency is a haemodynamic condition strongly associated with multiple sclerosis and is not found in normal controls. The addition of M-mode ultrasound to the diagnostic protocol allows improved observation of venous valve abnormalities.
Comparing cold and warm tumescent anesthesia for pain perception during and after the endovenous laser ablation procedure with 1470 nm diode laser
Authors: Dumantepe Mert , Uyar Ibrahim
Published: November 2013

Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare the pain perception and side effects during and after endovenous laser ablation with a 1470 nm diode laser using cold or room temperature tumescence anesthesia.

Methods:

One hundred and one patients were randomly assigned in two groups. Group A received room temperature (+24℃) and Group B received cold (+4℃) tumescence fluid, which was used for local anesthesia in the track of great saphenous vein. A visual analog score was recorded immediately after the procedure. Patients were asked to register pain scores and the amount of pain medication consumed during the week.

Results:

There was no significant difference concerning gender, age, Clinical Etiological Anatomical Pathological Classification, body mass index, or diameter of the treated vein. In Group A, the mean linear endovenous energy density was 59.5 J/cm and in Group B, it was 60.4 J/cm. The average visual analog score after the endovenous laser ablation procedure in Group A was 5 and in Group B was 2. Third day after the procedure, the average visual analog score in Group A was 3 and in Group B was 1. Patients in Group B needed significantly less analgesics compared with patients in Group A ( p<0.05). The most frequent side effects in both groups were ecchymosis, induration, and minor paraesthesia, all of which were more common in Group A ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

To date, most published endovenous laser ablation series describe the use of room temperature tumescence fluid infiltration of the perivenous stroma for tumescent analgesia and protection against thermal injury to the nearby structures. We describe an alternative technique using cold tumescence fluid infiltration, which is equally effective as, but safer than, room temperature tumescence fluid infiltration, and which yields better visual analog scores.
Transitional cell and clear cell renal carcinoma: differentiation of distinct histological types with multiphase CT
Authors: Bata Pal , Tarnoki David Laszlo , Tarnoki Adam Domonkos , Novak Pal Kaposi , Gyebnar Janos , Kekesi Dora , Szendroi Attila , Fejer Bence , Szasz A Marcell , Nyirady Peter , Karlinger Kinga , Berczi Viktor
Published: November 2013

Background

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) may mimic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) when it develops in a similar location, therefore, differentiation with imaging techniques might be challenging. Preoperative differentiation may have a significant role indicating the type of surgical treatment (nephrectomy vs. ureteronephrectomy).

Purpose

To retrospectively analyze the differences in the contrast enhancement of TCC and RCC.

Material and Methods

Images of 20 RCC and 12 TCC (mean ages, 62.3 ± 14.1 and 67.4 ± 12.0 years, respectively) were analyzed from patients who underwent multiphase computed tomography (CT) examinations following 1.5 mL/kg non-ionic contrast agent administration. Unenhanced corticomedullary (30–45 s), nephrographic (70–90 s), and excretory (300–480 s) phases were imaged. The attenuation characteristics of RCC and TCC were compared to the attenuation of the normal renal cortex.

Results

Significant differences were found in the attenuation ratios between RCC or TCC in the corticomedullary ( P = 0.040) and nephrographic ( P = 0.004) phases using three regions of interest (ROIs) of 10 mm2 size. If measuring ROIs comprising the complete tumor lesion instead of three small ROIs, no significant difference was observed in the attenuation ratios between RCC in TCC in any phases.

Conclusion

Our study reports significant attenuation differences between RCC and TCC in the corticomedullary and nephrographic phases by multiphase CT. The findings underscore the importance of multiphase CT in the differentiation of these two different entities. Using multiple small (three) ROIs is more accurate than measuring the whole tumor attenuation.
The perils and promises of microbial abundance: Novel natures and model ecosystems, from artisanal cheese to alien seas
Authors: Paxson Heather , Helmreich Stefan
Published: November 2013

Microbial life has been much in the news. From outbreaks of Escherichia coli to discussions of the benefits of raw and fermented foods to recent reports of life forms capable of living in extreme environments, the modest microbe has become a figure for thinking through the presents and possible futures of nature, writ large as well as small. Noting that dominant representations of microbial life have shifted from an idiom of peril to one of promise, we argue that microbes – especially when thriving as microbial communities – are being upheld as model ecosystems in a prescriptive sense, as tokens of how organisms and human ecological relations with them could, should, or might be. We do so in reference to two case studies: the regulatory politics of artisanal cheese and the speculative research of astrobiology. To think of and with microbial communities as model ecosystems offers a corrective to the scientific determinisms we detect in some recent calls to attend to the materiality of scientific objects.
Insulin resistance in migraineurs: Results from a case-control study
Authors: Sacco S , Altobelli E , Ornello R , Ripa P , Pistoia F , Carolei A
Published: November 2013

Objectives:

Several studies have suggested an association between migraine and insulin resistance (IR) without adequately addressing the issue according to migraine type. We assessed IR in subjects with migraine with aura (MwA) and migraine without aura (MwoA) to estimate the consistency of the possible association.

Methods:

In a case-control study we included case subjects with MwA and MwoA, who were consecutively selected from those referred to our Regional Headache Center from September 2011 to February 2013, and age-matched control subjects selected using general practitioners’ databases. IR was calculated by means of the homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR), β-cell function (HOMA-B), and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) measuring glucose and insulin values in a blood sample collected in the morning after overnight fasting. Data regarding anthropometric measures, comorbidity risk factors, and migraine characteristics were also recorded.

Results:

We recruited 50 case subjects with MwA (38 women) and 50 with MwoA (40 women) and 50 control subjects (40 women). Proportions of arterial hypertension, cigarette smoking, hypercholesterolemia, use of oral contraceptives, and mean values of the body mass index (BMI) were similar in the three groups. We found significantly different glucose values among and within groups considering case subjects with MwA and MwoA and control subjects (4.9 ± 0.6 vs 4.7 ± 0.5 vs 4.6 ± 0.5 mmol/l; p = 0.018) in the absence of any difference in insulin (53.1 ± 24.0 vs 56.7 ± 34.4 vs 53.8 ± 24.4 pmol/l; p = 0.811), HOMA-IR (1.6 ± 0.8 vs 1.7 ± 1.0 vs 1.6 ± 0.7; p = 0.765), HOMA-B (121.4 ± 71.1 vs 149.2 ± 93.8 vs 162.8 ± 109.7; p = 0.107), and QUICKI (0.36 ± 0.03 vs 0.37 ± 0.03 vs 0.37 ± 0.03; p = 0.877) values. The logistic regression model showed increased odds of MwA in subjects exposed to the highest tertile of glucose values. This association was confirmed in the adjusted model, in which case subjects with MwA were compared with those with MwoA but not with control subjects.

Conclusions:

In contrast to what has been shown by the majority of the available studies, the results of our study do not support the association of migraine with IR. As our study was not population-based and several patients had low disease activity, these findings need further confirmation.
Age and Test Setting Affect the Prevalence of Invalid Baseline Scores on Neurocognitive Tests
Authors: Lichtenstein Jonathan D. , Moser Rosemarie Scolaro , Schatz Philip
Published: November 2013

Background:

Prevalence rates of invalid baseline scores on computerized neurocognitive assessments for high school, collegiate, and professional athletes have been published in the literature. At present, there is limited research on the prevalence of invalid baseline scores in pre–high school athletes.

Hypothesis:

Pre–high school athletes assessed with baseline neurocognitive tests would show higher prevalence rates of invalidity than older youth athletes, and those athletes, regardless of age, who were tested in a large group setting would show a higher prevalence rate of invalidity than athletes tested in a small group setting.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 502 athletes between the ages of 10 and 18 years completed preseason baseline neurocognitive tests in “large” or “small” groups. All athletes completed the online version of ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing). Baseline test results that were “flagged” by the computer software as being of suspect validity and labeled with a “++” symbol were identified for analysis. Participants were retrospectively assigned to 2 independent groups: large group or small group. Test administration of the large group occurred off-site in groups of approximately 10 athletes, and test administration of the small group took place at a private-practice neuropsychology center with only 1 to 3 athletes present.

Results:

Chi-square analyses identified a significantly greater proportion of participants obtaining invalid baseline results on the basis of age; younger athletes produced significantly more invalid baseline scores (7.0%, 17/244) than older athletes (2.7%, 7/258) (χ2 (1) = 4.99; P = .021). Log-linear analysis revealed a significant age (10-12 years, 13-18 years) × size (small, large) interaction effect (χ2 (4) = 66.1; P < .001) on the prevalence of invalidity, whereby younger athletes tested in larger groups were significantly more likely to provide invalid results (11.9%) than younger athletes tested in smaller groups (5.4%), older athletes tested in larger groups (2.7%), and older athletes tested in smaller groups (2.7%).

Conclusion:

Younger athletes tend to exhibit a greater prevalence of invalid baseline results on neurocognitive computerized tests than older youth athletes; the prevalence increases when testing is conducted in a large group and nonclinical setting.
Spatial effect of new municipal solid waste landfill siting using different guidelines
Authors: Ahmad Siti Zubaidah , Ahamad Mohd Sanusi S , Yusoff Mohd Suffian
Published: November 2013

Proper implementation of landfill siting with the right regulations and constraints can prevent undesirable long-term effects. Different countries have respective guidelines on criteria for new landfill sites. In this article, we perform a comparative study of municipal solid waste landfill siting criteria stated in the policies and guidelines of eight different constitutional bodies from Malaysia, Australia, India, USA, Europe, China and the Middle East, and the World Bank. Subsequently, a geographic information system (GIS) multi-criteria evaluation model was applied to determine new suitable landfill sites using different criterion parameters using a constraint mapping technique and weighted linear combination. Application of Macro Modeler provided in the GIS-IDRISI Andes software helps in building and executing multi-step models. In addition, the analytic hierarchy process technique was included to determine the criterion weight of the decision maker’s preferences as part of the weighted linear combination procedure. The differences in spatial results of suitable sites obtained signifies that dissimilarity in guideline specifications and requirements will have an effect on the decision-making process.
Exploratory Bifactor Analysis of the WJ-III Cognitive in Adulthood via the Schmid–Leiman Procedure
Authors: Dombrowski Stefan C.
Published: November 2013

The Woodcock–Johnson-III cognitive in the adult time period (age 20 to 90 plus) was analyzed using exploratory bifactor analysis via the Schmid–Leiman orthogonalization procedure. The results of this study suggested possible overfactoring, a different factor structure from that posited in the Technical Manual and a lack of invariance across both age ranges under study. Even when forcing the seven-factor fit, the structure was problematic. The results from the 20 to 39 age group displayed patterns of convergence with and divergence from the Technical Manual’s structure. The results from the 40 and above age group were generally consistent with the Technical Manual’s structure except for retrieval fluency. This study is consistent with the body of exploratory factor analysis structural validity evidence suggesting that contemporary tests of cognitive ability, particularly those based on Cattell–Horn–Carroll theory, are overfactored and lack alignment with their respective Technical Manual’s presented structure.
Does Leadership Style Make a Difference? Linking HRM, Job Satisfaction, and Organizational Performance
Authors: Vermeeren Brenda , Kuipers Ben , Steijn Bram
Published: November 2013

With the rise of New Public Management, public organizations are confronted with a growing need to demonstrate efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In this study, we examine the relationship between public organizational performance and human resource management (HRM). Specifically, we focus on job satisfaction as a possible mediating variable between organizational performance and HRM, and on the influence of a supervisor’s leadership style on the implementation of Human Resource (HR) practices. Drawing on a secondary analysis of data from a national survey incorporating the views of 6,253 employees of Dutch municipalities, we tested our hypotheses using structural equation modeling. The findings indicate that (a) job satisfaction acts as a mediating variable in the relationship between HRM and organizational performance and (b) a stimulating leadership style has a positive effect on the amount of HR practices used, whereas (c) a correcting leadership style has no effect on the amount of HR practices used.
Diversity Management in Public Organizations and Its Effect on Employees’ Affective Commitment
Authors: Ashikali Tanachia , Groeneveld Sandra
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this article is to explore the link between diversity management in public organizations and employees’ affective commitment by testing hypotheses on the mediating roles of transformational leadership and inclusive organizational culture. By combining theories on human resource management and performance with theories on diversity and inclusiveness, a theoretical model is built explaining when and why diversity management should positively affect employees’ affective commitment. Survey data from a representative sample of 10,976 Dutch public sector employees were used in testing our hypotheses using structural equation modeling techniques. Results show that the effect of diversity management on employees’ affective commitment can partially be explained by its impact on the inclusiveness of the organizational culture. In addition, the impact is influenced through the transformational leadership shown by supervisors who can be considered as the implementers of diversity management and as agents in creating inclusiveness. The implications for future research and management practice are further discussed.
Ethnic fractionalization, natural resources and armed conflict
Authors: Wegenast Tim C. , Basedau Matthias
Published: November 2013

Thus far, researchers working on ethnicity and resources as determinants of civil conflict have operated largely independently of each other. While there is plenty of evidence that natural resources may spur armed conflict, empirical evidence for the nexus between ethnic fractionalization and conflict remains inconclusive. Some authors conclude that ethnically fractionalized societies are actually spared from intrastate violence. Others find either a positive relationship or none at all between ethnic fragmentation and internal conflict. In this context, this paper serves two purposes: first, it shows that salience-based fractionalization indices are associated with a higher risk of ethnic conflict onset; second, it finds evidence that oil further increases the conflict potential within fractionalized countries. The combination of oil and a shared identity seems to help overcome the collective action problems associated with rebellion, by providing recruitment pools, strong motives and the necessary financial means for insurgency. Employing logit models for pooled time-series cross-sectional data, our quantitative analysis shows that various ethnic fractionalization indicators are robustly linked to a substantially increased risk of ethnic armed conflict onset in a subset of oil-abundant countries.
Unpacking the effects of genocide and politicide on forced migration
Authors: Uzonyi Gary
Published: November 2013

Scholars have not found a consistent connection between state-sponsored mass killing and forced migration. I argue that disaggregating mass killing into its various forms can illuminate these mixed findings. As genocide targets specific groups, the effect of this killing should not have a large effect on creating forced migrants amongst the rest of the population. Conversely, politicides aim to eradicate individuals whom the government sees as a threat. As the focus of politicide cuts across groups, this type of mass killing should affect a larger proportion of the population and lead to greater numbers of displaced persons.
Bronchoscopic Intubation During Continuous Nasal Positive Pressure Ventilation in the Treatment of Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure
Authors: Barjaktarevic Igor , Berlin David
Published: November 2013

Endotracheal intubation is difficult in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure who deteriorate despite treatment with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). Maintaining NIPPV during intubation may prevent alveolar derecruitment and deterioration in gas exchange. We report a case series of 10 nonconsecutive patients with NIPPV failure who were intubated via a flexible bronchoscope during nasal mask positive pressure ventilation. All 10 patients were intubated in the first attempt. Hypotension was the most frequent complication (33%). Mean decrease in oxyhemoglobin saturation during the procedure was 4.7 ± 3.1. This method of intubation may extend the benefits of preoxygenation throughout the whole process of endotracheal intubation. It requires an experienced operator and partially cooperative patients. A prospective trial is necessary to determine the best intubation method for NIPPV failure.
Recovering Drug-Dependent Mothers’ Perspective on Gender-Sensitive Therapy
Authors: Gueta Keren , Addad Moshe
Published: November 2013

This study examined issues of gender-sensitive therapy, such as relational self, motherhood, and single-gender treatments from the perspective of recovering drug-dependent mothers. Using a social constructionism framework, 25 recovering drug-dependent mothers in different stages of recovery were interviewed and 5 of them were followed for another 2 years. The results challenge the argument presented by advocates of gender-sensitive therapy in the addiction field and underscore the importance of context, especially the therapeutic narrative that elicited an alternative construction of gender, motherhood, and gender-sensitive therapy. The findings suggest possible new directions for addressing therapeutic issues and the need for additional research.
Narrow versus broad judicial decisions
Authors: Fox Justin , Vanberg Georg
Published: November 2013

A central debate among judges and legal scholars concerns the appropriate scope of judicial opinions: should decisions be narrow, and stick to the facts at hand, or should they be broad, and provide guidance in related contexts? A central argument for judicial ‘minimalism’ holds that judges should rule narrowly because they lack the knowledge required to make general rules to govern unknown future circumstances. In this paper, we challenge this argument. Our argument focuses on the fact that, by shaping the legal landscape, judicial decisions affect the policies that are adopted, and that may therefore subsequently be challenged before the court. Using a simple model, we demonstrate that in such a dynamic setting, in which current decisions shape future cases, judges with limited knowledge confront incentives to rule broadly precisely because they are ignorant.
Executive appointments: Duration, ideology, and hierarchy
Authors: Chiou Fang-Yi , Rothenberg Lawrence S
Published: November 2013

While contemporary scholars generally view the Senate’s nominee approval role as impacting bureaucratic capacities and the president’s ability to realize campaign pledges, empiricists and theorists focus on different elements of bargaining. Since empiricists typically study confirmation delays, and theorists normally analyze equilibrium nomination preferences, theory and data rarely inform one another.

We remedy this by specifying an executive appointment model jointly incorporating delays and appointee ideologies. Besides predicting appointees’ equilibrium ideologies, and contrary to past claims about the relationship between ideology and duration, this theory details how ideological differences between the president and his opposition do not straightforwardly induce longer delays; rather, effects are conditioned by factors such as the office’s policy importance and divided government. Additionally, different pathways for parties to impact appointee ideology and duration are flexibly incorporated. Empirically, theoretical hypotheses receive support and evidence of parties impacting Senate trade-offs between delay and policy outcomes and successfully pressuring key members over high-stakes appointments are uncovered.
Evaluation of pre-stresses in the menisci of human knee joint using microindentation
Authors: Kwak Dai Soon , Bae Ji Yong , Kim Sung Youb , Jeon Insu , Lu Tian Jian
Published: November 2013

To evaluate the pre-stress in the menisci of a human knee joint, the technique of microindentation was adopted. Five specimens each for lateral and medial menisci attached to the tibia were prepared from the knee joints of Korean cadavers to represent the pre-stress state of the meniscus. To create test specimens for the stress-free state of the meniscus, each meniscus was resected from the tibia and cut into three parts, which were subsequently attached to a metal plate. Indentations were carried out in each meniscus in both the pre-stress state and the stress-free state. The pre-stresses in the menisci were evaluated using the load-versus-depth curves. Compressive pre-stresses were found in the menisci. For each indentation region, the pre-stresses in the medial meniscus were higher than in the lateral meniscus. The highest pre-stress in both the lateral and medial meniscus was found in the posterior regions, while the anterior regions experienced the lowest pre-stress. The obtained pre-stresses can be used for the accurate numerical analysis, the fabrication of artificial menisci, and the diagnosis of meniscal disease progression for human knee joints.
What Is the Difference Between OASIS and OPERA? Roughly Five Pixels
Authors: Chetail Fabienne , Content Alain
Published: November 2013

A thorough understanding of monosyllabic-word-recognition processes, in contrast with multisyllabic-word processing, has accumulated over the past decades. One fundamental challenge regarding multisyllabic words concerns their parsing into smaller units and the nature of the cues determining the parsing. We propose that the organization of consonant and vowel letters provides powerful cues for parsing, and we present data from a new task showing that a word’s orthographic structure, as determined by the number of vowel-letter clusters, influences estimations of its length. Words were briefly presented on a computer screen, and participants had to estimate word length by drawing a line on the screen with the mouse. In three experiments, participants estimated words comprising fewer orthographic units as shorter than words comprising more units even though the words matched for number of letters. Further results demonstrated that the length bias was driven by orthographic information and not by phonological structure.
Plasma IL-6 levels correlate with clinical and ultrasound measures of arthritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Ball EMA , Gibson DS , Bell AL , Rooney MR
Published: November 2013

Objective

The objective of this paper is to elucidate the role of specific cytokines in lupus (SLE) arthritis.

Methods

Fifty SLE and 40 RA patients had an ultrasound (US) scan of their hand as per standardized protocols. US scores were expressed per joint and as a total ‘US activity’ score, (sum of power Doppler (PD) and grey-scale synovial hypertrophy scores in all joints) and a total erosion score. SLE disease activity was assessed (BILAG and SELENA-SLEDAI). Plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha and BLyS were measured using sandwich ELISA kits (Quantikine kits, R & D).

Results

On the basis of the US results SLE patients were divided into three groups: erosive arthritis ( n = 20), non-erosive arthritis ( n = 18) and those with a normal US scan ( n = 12). Across the SLE groups plasma IL-6 levels correlated with CRP ( p < 0.001), hand deformity scores ( p = 0.005), BILAG musculoskeletal score ( p = 0.009), wrist PD score ( p = 0.01), the presence of tenosynovitis ( p = 0.008) and total US activity score ( p < 0.001) (which remained constant when corrected for total BILAG score). Neither TNF-alpha nor BLyS levels correlated with US or clinical measures of lupus arthritis; however, TNF-alpha correlated with total BILAG score ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This is the first study to examine levels of specific cytokines in a cohort of SLE patients stratified in terms of joint disease by US, where the most significant finding is that IL-6 levels correlated both with clinical and US measures of arthritis disease activity.
Violence and Economic Conditions in the United States, 1973-2011
Authors: Lauritsen Janet L. , Rezey Maribeth L. , Heimer Karen
Published: November 2013

To more fully understand how economic conditions and the latest economic downturn might be associated with rates of violence, this research examines a variety of economic indicators and their relationships to subgroup rates of violence overall and by victim–offender relationship. We find that the recent recession of 2007 to 2009 has not produced significant increases in victimization for any of the groups or violence types analyzed here. We also find that several economic indicators are associated with violence during the 1973 to 2000 period, yet these same factors fail to be significantly correlated with the trends from 2001 to 2011. This suggests that historical conditions unique to the more recent period are moderating the relationships between trends in the macroeconomy and violence, and that future research should focus on developing and modeling indicators of various potential moderating influences. We also caution, however, that this recent change in the association between the economy and the violence is based on the data from a relatively few number of years and may not continue into the future.
Reevaluating Foreclosure Effects on Crime During the “Great Recession”
Authors: Wolff Kevin T. , Cochran Joshua C. , Baumer Eric P.
Published: November 2013

High rates of foreclosures during the “Great Recession” raised concerns about the potential harmful effects of the housing crisis not just on the economy, but also on levels of crime. Grounded primarily in theories of social disorganization and incivility, a growing body of empirical research has been directed at exploring whether the foreclosure crisis stimulated higher crime rates in America than would otherwise have been experienced. Many studies have now reported a significant association between rates of foreclosure and crime during the recession, but we are skeptical of whether this represents a causal effect because it is unclear whether the traditional regression approaches applied in most of the extent research account sufficiently for preexisting differences present in areas that experienced varying levels of foreclosure. We advance the literature on foreclosure and crime by employing a propensity score matching (PSM) technique to better account for such differences, evaluating whether U.S. counties that received larger “doses” of foreclosure during the recent recession experienced higher levels of property crime than comparable counties in which rates of foreclosure remained relatively low. Our analysis shows that, once prerecession differences between counties with high versus medium-to-low foreclosure rates are removed, there is no evidence of a significant association between rates of foreclosure and crime.
Primitive Myxoid Mesenchymal Tumor of Infancy With Rosettes
Authors: Cipriani Nicole A. , Ryan Daniel P. , Nielsen G. Petur
Published: November 2013

Primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumor of infancy (PMMTI) is a relatively recently described tumor arising in infants and demonstrating a unique histomorphology. We present an unusual case of PMMTI with rosettes, a hitherto undescribed finding in the reported cases. We also present the cytogenetic and ultrastructural findings of this tumor and review the literature. As awareness of PMMTI increases, additional clinical data and histopathologic findings will aid in the morphologic and behavioral characterization of this neoplasm.
A New Type of Renal Cancer—Tubulocystic Carcinoma of the Kidney
Authors: Bhullar Jasneet Singh , Varshney Neha , Bhullar Amanpreet Kaur , Mittal Vijay K.
Published: November 2013

In 2004, A new peculiar subtype of renal cell carcinoma, which later received the name of tubulocystic carcinoma (TCC-RC), was recognized. Though the tumor has distinct macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical features, the tumor was previously considered to have some similarities to various other renal cancers. We did an extensive review of literature using PubMed and CrossRef, which yielded more than 80 cases reported from various parts of the world. We evaluated the epidemiology, tumor presentations, pathological characteristics, treatment, and outcome of TCC-RC.
Oral Fibroma With HPV-Associated Epithelial Dysplasia
Authors: Argyris Prokopios P. , Koutlas Ioannis G.
Published: November 2013

Fibromas are the most common soft tissue lesions of the oral cavity and are generally attributed to trauma. Koilocytic dysplasia refers to human papillomavirus (HPV)–related epithelial cytopathic effect. Koilocytic dysplasia is considered neoplastic. Herein, we report a case of oral fibroma with HPV-induced dysplastic changes of the surface epithelium confirmed by immunohistochemical stains for p16 and p53 as well as HPV in situ hybridization.
Diuretics
Authors: Roush George C. , Kaur Ramdeep , Ernst Michael E.
Published: November 2013

Diuretics have been recommended as first-line treatment of hypertension and are also valuable in the management of hypervolemia and electrolyte disorders. This review summarizes the key features of the most commonly used diuretics. We then provide an update of clinical trials for diuretics during the past 5 years. Compared to other classes of medications, thiazide diuretics are at least as effective in reducing cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients with hypertension and are more effective than β-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in reducing stroke. Observational cohort data and a network analysis have shown that CVEs are lowered by one-fifth from chlorthalidone when compared to the commonly used thiazide, hydrochlorothiazide. Relative to placebo, chlorthalidone increases life expectancy. In those aged 80 years and older, the diuretic, indapamide, lowers CVEs relative to placebo. The aldosterone antagonist, eplerenone, lowers total mortality in early congestive heart failure. The benefit of eplerenone following acute myocardial infarction (MI) is limited to administration within 3 to 6 days post-MI. Aldosterone antagonists have been shown to lower the incidence of sudden cardiac death and to reduce proteinuria. In the setting of heart failure, long acting loop diuretics azosemide and torasemide are more effective in improving heart failure outcomes than the far more commonly used short acting furosemide. Evening dosing of diuretics appears to lower CVEs relative to morning dosing. In conclusion, diuretics are a diverse class of drugs that remain extremely important in the management of hypertension and hypervolemic states.
Does Cancer Reduce Labor Market Entry? Evidence for Prime-Age Females
Authors: Moran John R. , Short Pamela Farley
Published: November 2013

Existing studies of the labor market status of cancer survivors have focused on the extent to which cancer disrupts the employment of individuals who were working when diagnosed with cancer. We examine how surviving cancer affects labor market entry and usual hours of work among females aged 28 to 54 years who were not working when first diagnosed. We find that prime-age females have employment rates 2 to 6 years after diagnosis that are 12 percentage points lower than otherwise similar women who were initially out of the labor force, full-time employment rates that are 10 percentage points lower, and usual hours of work that are 5 hours per week lower. These estimates are somewhat larger than estimates for prime-age women employed at the time of diagnosis and highlight the importance of considering nonworking females when assessing the economic and psychosocial burden of cancer.
Prognostic value of plasma levels of thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor in Egyptian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Hagag Adel AE , Abdel-Lateef Amal E , Aly Rabab
Published: November 2013

Background

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common childhood malignancies, representing nearly one-third of all pediatric cancers. Thrombomodulin is a membrane glycoprotein in the vascular endothelium. Its plasma level depends on the integrity of the endothelium. Soluble thrombomodulin is derived from injured endothelial cells or proteolytically cleaved from thrombomodulin by proteases. Von Willebrand factor is a blood glycoprotein involved in homeostasis. Its plasma level increases in neoplastic diseases and arises from adverse changes in the endothelium. Severe endothelial dysfunction is present during the acute phase of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor and soluble thrombomodulin have been used as indexes of endothelial dysfunction.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess serum soluble thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor levels in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during acute phase of the disease to assess their potential prognostic value.

Patients and methods

Forty patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia included 26 males and 14 females with their ages ranged from 2 to 10 years and 20 healthy children of matched age and sex were included in this study. We analyzed serum soluble thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

In children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, there was a significant increase in soluble thrombomodulin, and von Willebrand factor levels during the acute phase of the disease. Children with an unfavorable outcome had higher levels of thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor levels.

Conclusions

Serum thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor levels as a parameter of endothelial dysfunction during the acute phase of acute lymphoblastic leukemia might represent an additional prognostic marker in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.