bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value of spontaneous hyperdensity of cerebral venous thrombosis on helical CT
Authors: Garetier Marc , Rousset Jean , Pearson Ernesto , Tissot Valentin , Gentric Jean-Christophe , Nowak Emmanuel , Ferre Jean-Christophe , Timsit Serge , Salem Douraied Ben
Published: November 2013

Background

Excluding a cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) through imaging is a frequent request in the emergency setting. This assessment often starts by an unenhanced brain computed tomography (CT).

Purpose

Re-evaluate the value of spontaneous hyperdensity of CVT on helical unenhanced brain CT.

Methods

Multicentric retrospective study on CVT probability based on visual assessment of spontaneous hyperdensity of cerebral venous system, performed by four blinded radiologists, individually then collectively, on a population including 14 helical unenhanced brain CTs with CVT and 102 unenhanced brain CTs without CVT (all confirmed by CT or magnetic resonance [MR] venography). Exclusion criteria: no DICOM image, symptoms >15 days, CVT indirect signs on unenhanced CT. A fifth radiologist set 768 regions of interest to measure and to compare the density within the normal venous sinuses and the CVTs.

Results

After consensus reading, sensitivity of this sign for CVT diagnosis was 100%, specificity 95.1%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 100%, with high individual NPV (99–100%). Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.992 after consensus (0.976–0.986 individually). The spontaneous density was significantly different ( P <0.05) between normal sinuses and CVTs, with a density >70 HU reported only within the CVTs, except for the horizontal part of the superior sagittal sinus (hSSS).

Conclusion

The dense triangle sign on helical unenhanced brain CT has an excellent NPV to exclude a sinus thrombosis during the first 2 weeks. However, we believe that visual assessment of spontaneous hyperdensity is not sufficient for the diagnosis of CVT, with possible false-positive of the hSSS on unenhanced CT.
From hazard to habitat (or hazardous habitat)
Authors: Coates Peter
Published: November 2013

Rocky Flats (RF) is a former nuclear weapons manufacturing complex in Colorado, 26 km northwest of downwind Denver, at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains’ Front Range. At RF, between 1952 and 1989, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and its successors manufactured plutonium triggers. After remediation (1996–2005), 4000 acres of buffer zone were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), to manage as Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge (2007). Drawing on research materials from local libraries and archives, this essay explores the ‘weapons to wildlife’ (W2W) conversion of a militarized environment in Denver’s ‘Gunbelt’. The various phases in RF’s demilitarization (closure, cleanup, transition to wildlife refuge and refuge management planning) are examined with reference to recognition of biodiversity value, debate over the ex-plant’s future, and options for running a refuge still in an arrested state of development – closed to the public for want of funding. A further aim is to bring to the attention of physical geographers a growing body of scholarship by human geographers on environmental contamination at former nuclear sites and debates over remediation and post-industrial uses – and to contribute the additional perspective of an environmental historian.
Determination of the constants of material models at high strain rates and elevated temperatures using shot impact test
Authors: Majzoobi Gholam-Hossain , Hosseinkhani Ali R , Lahmi Saeed , Pipelzadeh Mohammad K , Hardy Stephen J
Published: November 2013

Material models are widely used in finite element codes for analysis of material deformations particularly at high strain rates and elevated temperatures. The problems such as necking and bulging limit the conventional test techniques to measure the stress–strain curves only up to small strains. This is while in some deformation processes, the strain can be greater than 1. In this study, steel shots of 6 mm in diameter are impacted on specimens at high impact velocities and at elevated temperatures using shot impact test. Strains up to 1.6 and strain rates up to about 4 × 106 s−1 are achieved in this study. The geometry of the crater created by the shot impact on the specimen is used for determination of the constants of Johnson–Cook material model. A combined experimental, numerical and optimization approach is used for determination of the constants. The experimental and numerical crater geometries coincide when the constants of material are chosen correctly. The selection of the constants is performed using an optimization technique such as genetic algorithm. The computed constants are verified by quasi-static tests. With this new technique, stress–strain curves are no longer needed to be obtained by experiment at high strain rates and elevated temperatures.
Chronic rhinitis and its association with headache frequency and disability in persons with migraine: Results of the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention (AMPP) Study
Authors: Martin Vincent T , Fanning Kristina M , Serrano Daniel , Buse Dawn C , Reed Michael L , Bernstein Jonathan A , Lipton Richard B
Published: November 2013

Background

Rhinitis is a comorbidity of migraine, but its relationship to migraine headache frequency and headache-related disability is unknown.

Objectives

To determine if rhinitis and its subtypes are associated with an increased frequency and associated disability of migraine.

Methods

The AMPP Study is a longitudinal study of individuals with “severe” headache from the US population. Respondents meeting ICHD-2 criteria for migraine in 2008 were identified and the presence of rhinitis was determined using the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). Those with rhinitis were subtyped as allergic, non-allergic, mixed and unclassified based on a rhinitis questionnaire. The primary outcome measures were categories of headache-day frequency and headache-related disability as measured by the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS). Logistic regression for ordered categories was used for modeling each outcome separately, adjusted for sociodemographics profile, headache features, headache treatments and comorbidities.

Results

The AMPP Study questionnaire was mailed to 17,892 persons and returned by 60.1% of respondents. Among the migraine sample ( n = 5849), 66.8% had rhinitis with mixed rhinitis as the most common form. The presence of rhinitis of any type was associated with headache frequency after adjusting for sociodemographic variables only (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.16, 1.53) and in the fully adjusted model (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.05–1.49). Headache-related disability (MIDAS category) was associated with rhinitis after adjusting for sociodemographic features (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.17–1.46), but lost significance in the fully adjusted model (OR 1.10; 95% CI 0.96–1.26). Mixed rhinitis was associated with an increased headache frequency category in the model adjusted for sociodemographics (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.24–1.70) and in that adjusted for all covariates (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.05–1.57). The odds ratio for MIDAS categories were similarly increased in both models for the mixed rhinitis group.

Conclusions

The frequency and disability of migraine are higher in persons with rhinitis, particularly those with mixed rhinitis. These results, however, should be considered preliminary until confirmed in future studies because of the modest questionnaire response rate in this study.
Comparison of Hamstring Tendon and Patellar Tendon Grafts in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in a Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Rahr-Wagner Lene , Thillemann Theis Muncholm , Pedersen Alma Becic , Lind Martin
Published: November 2013

Background:

The choice of graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) remains controversial, and despite numerous studies, there is still an ongoing debate on this topic. The 2 most widely used grafts are the hamstring tendon and patellar tendon.

Hypothesis:

In this study, we hypothesized that the revision rate after primary ACLR is greater when using hamstring tendon grafts compared with patellar tendon grafts.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

From the nationwide population-based Danish Knee Ligament Reconstruction Registry, we identified all primary ACLR procedures (n = 13,647) performed in Denmark between July 2005 and December 2011. The end point was revision ACLR. As other end points, we used objective measurements and patient-reported outcome scores. Revision rates and relative risk estimates for revision ACLR were calculated using Cox multiple regression.

Results:

The use of hamstring tendon grafts increased from 68% in 2005 to 85% in 2011. The cumulative revision rates for hamstring tendon grafts at 1 and 5 years were 0.65% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51%-0.82%) and 4.45% (95% CI, 3.94%-5.01%), respectively. For patellar tendon grafts, the revision rate was 0.16% (95% CI, 0.05%-0.50%) at 1 year and 3.03% (95% CI, 2.27%-4.05%) at 5 years. The adjusted overall relative risk of revision surgery in the hamstring tendon group compared with the patellar tendon group was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.03-1.92), and the adjusted relative risk of undergoing revision surgery performed after 1 and 5 years was 3.82 (95% CI, 1.20-12.2) and 1.90 (95% CI, 0.43-8.40), respectively.

Conclusion:

In this population-based study, the use of hamstring tendon grafts in ACLR was associated with an increased risk of revision compared with patellar tendon grafts, in particular during the first year after surgery. These results demonstrate that both hamstring and patellar tendon grafts reveal good results after ACLR and suggest that graft selection should be based on an individual evaluation of patient demands and graft morbidity.
Anterior Talofibular Ligament Ruptures, Part 1
Authors: Viens Nicholas A. , Wijdicks Coen A. , Campbell Kevin J. , LaPrade Robert F. , Clanton Thomas O.
Published: November 2013

Background:

The concept of utilizing nonabsorbable suture tape fixed directly to bone to augment Broström repairs of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) has been proposed. No biomechanical studies of this technique are available.

Hypothesis:

We hypothesized that suture tape augmentation alone and Broström repair with suture tape augmentation would have similar biomechanical properties to the intact ATFL at time zero in a cadaveric model.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Eighteen fresh-frozen cadaveric ankles were randomized into 3 groups of 6 specimens each: (1) intact ATFL, (2) suture tape augmentation, and (3) Broström repair with suture tape augmentation. The specimens were loaded to failure to determine the strength and stiffness of each construct.

Results:

The mean ultimate load to failure of suture tape augmentation (315.5 ± 66.8 N) was significantly higher than that of the intact ATFL (154.0 ± 63.7 N) ( P = .017). The mean ultimate load of the Broström repair with suture tape augmentation (250.8 ± 122.7 N) was not significantly different from that of the intact ATFL. The mean stiffness of augmentation alone (31.4 ± 9.9 N/mm) was significantly higher than that of the intact ATFL (14.5 ± 4.4 N/mm) ( P = .008). The mean stiffness of the Broström repair with augmentation (21.1 ± 9.1 N/mm) was not significantly different from that of the intact ATFL.

Conclusion:

The ATFL with suture tape augmentation is at least as strong and stiff as the native ATFL at time zero in a fresh-frozen cadaveric model.

Clinical Relevance:

The Broström repair for lateral ankle ligament ruptures is often unsuccessful in circumstances of poor tissue quality. Augmentations, such as with suture tape, have been proposed for these situations. Suture tape used alone or in combination with the Broström repair provided increased strength and stiffness compared with the standard Broström repair, which produced an immediate strength of less than 50% of the intact ATFL. Adding strength to the Broström repair may be valuable in patients with generalized ligamentous laxity, in large patients or elite athletes, or when graft reconstruction is not feasible.
The Life and Death of Political News
Authors: Bright Jonathan , Nicholls Tom
Published: November 2013

The rapid development of online media as a major location for news consumption has stimulated a variety of debates about how journalism is changing in the Internet era. Of particular importance have been worries about a potential turn toward populism, whereby journalists and editors shift away from reporting what is newsworthy to what their audience wants to hear supported by the widespread availability of audience metrics. A wealth of ethnographic research has pointed to the potential importance of such statistics; but little quantitative work has been conducted to test for the existence of a relationship between audience behavior and editorial decisions. This study seeks to fill that gap. Based on a novel data set of over 40,000 articles published in five major UK news outlets over a period of 6 weeks, we explore the relationship between a news story’s readership and its likelihood of being removed from the front page, based on the “most read” lists common to many news websites. We find that being a most read article decreased the short-term likelihood of being removed from the front page by around 25% and that this effect was broadly similar for both political and entertainment news. Surprisingly, we find a considerably greater influence in “quality” publications than their tabloid counterparts. Our results are discussed as evidence of a still limited, but potentially developing, turn toward online populism.
Repeating the Past
Authors: Zhang Shu , Cornwell James F. M. , Higgins E. Tory
Published: November 2013

Prevention-focused individuals are motivated to maintain the status quo. Given this, we predicted that individuals with a strong prevention focus, either as a chronic predisposition or situationally induced, would treat their initial decision on how to behave on a first task as the status quo and would thus be motivated to repeat that decision on a subsequent task—even for decisions that were ethically questionable. Results from five studies supported this prediction in multiple ethical domains: whether or not to overstate performance (Studies 1, 2a, and 2b), whether or not to disclose disadvantageous facts (Study 3), and whether or not to pledge a donation (Study 4). The prevention-repetition effect was observed both when the initial and subsequent decisions were in the same domain (Studies 1–3) and when they were in different domains (Study 4). Alternative accounts for this effect, such as justification for the initial decision and preference for consistency, were ruled out (Study 2b).
Crocin attenuates cisplatin-induced liver injury in the mice
Authors: Sun Y , Yang J , Wang L-Z , Sun L-R , Dong Q
Published: November 2013

Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most frequently used antitumor agents, but its application is significantly limited by its hepatotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated the effects of crocin against CDDP-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the liver of Kunming mice. Crocin was administered to the mice once daily for 7 consecutive days at the doses of 6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg body weight orally. On day 1, a single intraperitoneal injection of CDDP was given at the dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. Crocin treatment significantly improved CDDP-induced hepatic damage as indicated by serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. Crocin relieved CDDP-induced oxidative stress by reducing malondialdehyde level and recovering the levels of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. In addition, liver histopathology indicated that crocin alleviated CDDP-induced focal necrosis. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis showed that crocin significantly decreased the levels of phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), tumor protein 53 (p53), and cleaved caspase-3. Taken together, our data suggest that crocin provides protective effects against CDDP-induced hepatoxicity by attenuating oxidative stress and inhibiting the activation of p38 MAPK, p53, and caspase-3.
Newborn bloodspot results: predictive value of screen positive test for thalassaemia major
Authors: Streetly Allison , Latinovic Radoslav , Henthorn Joan , Daniel Yvonne , Dormandy Elizabeth , Darbyshire Phil , Mantio Debbie , Fraser Laura , Farrar Lisa , Will Andrew , Tetlow Lesley
Published: November 2013

Aim

There are limited published data on the performance of the percentage of haemoglobin A (Hb A) as a screening test for beta thalassaemia major in the newborn period. This paper aims to analyse data derived from a national newborn bloodspot screening programme for sickle cell disease on the performance of haemoglobin A (Hb A) as a screening test for beta thalassaemia major in the newborn period.

Methods

Newborn bloodspot sickle cell screening data from 2,288,008 babies were analysed. Data reported to the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme in England for the period 2005 to 2012 were also reviewed to identify any missed cases (4,599,849 babies).

Results

Within the cohort of 2,288,008 births, 170 babies were identified as screen positive for beta thalassaemia major using a cut-point of 1.5% HbA. There were 51 identified through look-back methods and 119 prospectively identified from 4 screening laboratories. Among 119 babies with prospective data, 7 were lost to follow up and 15 were false positive results. Using a cut-off value of 1.5% Hb A as a percentage of the total haemoglobin as a screening test for beta thalassaemia major in the newborn provides an estimated sensitivity of 99% (from the look back arm of the study) with a positive predictive value of 87% (from the prospective arm of the study). Excluding infants born before 32 weeks gestation, the positive predictive value rose to 95%.

Conclusion

A haemoglobin A value of less than 1.5% is a reliable screening test for beta thalassaemia major in the newborn period.
Exploring the Impact of Patient and Public Involvement in a Cancer Research Setting
Authors: Thompson Jill , Bissell Paul , Cooper Cindy L. , Armitage Chris J. , Barber Rosemary
Published: November 2013

An enduring theme in the literature exploring patient and public involvement (PPI) in research has been the focus on evaluating impact, defined usually in terms of participants’ practical contribution to enhancing research processes. By contrast, there has been less emphasis on the perspectives and experiences of those involved in PPI. Drawing on qualitative data with people involved in the National Cancer Research Network in the United Kingdom, we report on what motivated participants to get involved and their experiences of involvement in this setting. We highlight how those involved in PPI often espoused the notion of the “good citizen,” with PPI in research being a natural extension of their wider civic interests. However, our findings also highlight how PPI was an important resource, utilized by participants to make sense of living with chronic illness. We suggest that PPI in research also offers spaces for the reconfiguration of self and identity.
Collaborative design by sharing multiple-level encryption files
Authors: Kim Ki Chang , Yoo Sang Bong
Published: November 2013

A design file can grow in size as the complexity of the target object increases. A large design file can reside in a large parallel computing system, such as a cloud computing system, and many designers can work concurrently on the same file. In such a case, it is obvious that we need some kind of protection mechanism allowing each user to access only the area of the file they are permitted to access. We take the encryption approach to ensure the safety of a file, even in the public domain such as on a cloud system, and in this article, we suggest a multi-level encryption scheme allowing each user to access a file only at the level the user has legitimate right to access. Each level of the file is encrypted with a different key, and the keys are shown only to those who have the right access permission. This article describes the necessary file format used to achieve this goal and discusses the file manipulation functions used to handle this new file format.
Small Cell Tumors of the Thyroid Gland
Authors: Eloy Catarina , Cameselle-Teijeiro José Manuel , Rousseau Emmanuel , Sobrinho-Simões Manuel
Published: November 2013

The small cell group of thyroid tumors that includes lymphoma, poorly differentiated carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, secondary neoplasms, as well as tumors with uncertain histogenesis, remains as a valid diagnostic cul-de-sac due to its heterogeneous constitution. The existence of small cell thyroid tumors with EWSR1-FLI1 rearrangement together with neuroendocrine and/or carcinomatous differentiation raises not only differential diagnostic problems but also a very interesting therapeutic dilemma. This review explores the classification of small cell tumors of the thyroid taking into account the immunophenotype and molecular profile of such tumors.
Extruded Highly Proliferative Benign Mucous Neck Cells
Authors: Arnason Thomas , Lauwers Gregory Y.
Published: November 2013

Histologic mimics of poorly cohesive gastric carcinoma are uncommon but are important for pathologists to recognize. Here we report 2 cases of a novel histologic pattern mimicking poorly cohesive gastric carcinoma. In both cases, light microscopy revealed sheets of discohesive epithelial cells with prominent mitoses that have high proliferative activity, with a Ki67 proliferation index greater than 70%. One case was diagnosed as poorly cohesive carcinoma at an outside hospital and the other was referred in consultation as atypia of undetermined significance. Reexamination of the hematoxylin–eosin slides revealed morphologic clues that these sheets of discohesive cells represent artifactual extrusion of the highly proliferative neck zone from the surrounding benign mucosa. In contrast to poorly cohesive cancer, this artifact lacks all of the following diagnostic features: nuclear atypia, signet ring cell morphology, and intercellular stroma with infiltrating single cells between glands. Eight and 14 months later, both patients remain cancer free.
Fault diagnosis based on power spectral density basis transform
Authors: Li Han , Xiao De-yun
Published: November 2013

This paper proposes a novel data mapping technique to develop a fault diagnosis method. The data mapping technique takes advantage of rising empirical mode decomposition and non-negative matrix factorization to transform nonlinear and non-stationary signals into characteristic power spectral density (PSD) bases with physical interpretations. A number of mapped PSD basis vectors not only bear more distinctive features compared to the original data form, but also fuse separate features into an integrated one. Feature recognition quantifies the degree of similarity between different PSD bases to achieve fault recognition and classification. A simulated mechanical vibration signal is presented to illustrate that adopting PSD basis as a data feature yields better diagnostic performances than those obtained from other feature forms. Real faulted bearing data are also analyzed in different experiments to give a comprehensive verification of the proposed fault diagnosis method.
Being “at Home” in the Context of Home Care
Authors: Healey-Ogden Marion J.
Published: November 2013

The aim of this article is to describe one aspect of the lived experience of well-being that shows two interconnected components of being at home: the way people feel about the places and spaces in which they live and the way people feel about themselves. The results of this hermeneutic phenomenological research are woven together with results from research on home care drawn from the literature, thereby showing that one body of research can inform the other. Drawing from this evidence base, it is apparent that practitioners who provide care in the home according to a narrow view of what “home” entails run the risk of undermining the well-being experience of the recipient of care and of his or her family.
Genetic burden of common variants in progressive and bout-onset multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sorosina Melissa , Brambilla Paola , Clarelli Ferdinando , Barizzone Nadia , Lupoli Sara , Guaschino Clara , Osiceanu Ana Maria , Moiola Lucia , Ghezzi Angelo , Coniglio Gabriella , Patti Francesco , Mancardi Gianluigi , Manunta Paolo , Glorioso Nicola , Guerini Franca R , Bergamaschi Roberto , Perla Franco ,   PROGRESSO,   PROGEMUS, Martinelli Vittorio , Cusi Daniele , Leone Maurizio , Comi Giancarlo , D’Alfonso Sandra , Martinelli-Boneschi Filippo , Esposito F. , Liberatore G. , Rodegher M. , Rossi P. , Radaelli M. , Moiola L. , Colombo B. , Ghezzi A. , Annovazzi P. , Capra R. , Coniglio G. , Amato M. P. , Nacmias B. , D’Ambrosio A. , Tedeschi G. , Cavalla P. , D’Amico E. , Patti F. , Galimberti D. , Scarpini E. , Atzori M. , Gallo P. , Bucello S. , Grimaldi L. , Capello E. , Mancardi G. , Naldi P. , Bergamaschi R. , Galimberti D. , Scarpini E. , Di Sapio A. , Caputo D. , Rosso G. , Cordera S. , Cavalla P. , Cavallo R. , Benedetti D. , Salvetti M.
Published: November 2013

Background:

The contribution of genetic variants underlying the susceptibility to different clinical courses of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still unclear.

Objective:

The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the proportion of liability explained by common SNPs and the genetic burden of MS-associated SNPs in progressive onset (PrMS) and bout-onset (BOMS) cases.

Methods:

We estimated the proportion of variance in disease liability explained by 296,391 autosomal SNPs in cohorts of Italian PrMS and BOMS patients using the genome-wide complex trait analysis (GCTA) tool, and we calculated a weighted genetic risk score (wGRS) based on the known MS-associated loci.

Results:

Our results identified that common SNPs explain a greater proportion of phenotypic variance in BOMS (36.5%±10.1%) than PrMS (20.8%±6.0%) cases, and a trend of decrease was observed when testing primary progressive (PPMS) without brain MRI inflammatory activity ( p = 7.9 × 10−3). Similarly, the wGRS and the variance explained by MS-associated SNPs were higher in BOMS than PPMS in males (wGRS: 6.63 vs 6.51, p = 0.04; explained variance: 4.8%±1.5% vs 1.7%±0.6%; p = 0.05).

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that the liability of disease is better captured by common genetic variants in BOMS than PrMS cases. The absence of inflammatory activity and male gender further raise the difference between clinical courses.
Characteristics influencing therapy switch behavior after suboptimal response to first-line treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Teter Barbara , Agashivala Neetu , Kavak Katelyn , Chouhfeh Lynn , Hashmonay Ron , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca
Published: November 2013

Background:

Factors driving disease-modifying therapy (DMT) switch behavior are not well understood.

Objective:

The objective of this paper is to identify patient characteristics and clinical events predictive of therapy switching in patients with suboptimal response to DMT.

Methods:

This retrospective study analyzed patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and a suboptimal response to initial therapy with either interferon β or glatiramer acetate. Suboptimal responders were defined as patients with ≥1 MS event (clinical relapse, worsening disability, or MRI worsening) while on DMT. Switchers were defined as those who changed DMT within six to 12 months after the MS event.

Results:

Of 606 suboptimal responders, 214 (35.3%) switched therapy. Switchers were younger at symptom onset ( p = 0.012), MS diagnosis ( p = 0.004), DMT initiation ( p < 0.001), and first MS event ( p = 0.011) compared with nonswitchers. Compared with one relapse alone, MRI worsening alone most strongly predicted switch behavior (odds ratio 6.3; 95% CI, 3.1–12.9; p < 0.001), followed by ≥2 relapses (2.8; 95% CI, 1.1–7.3; p = 0.040), EDSS plus MRI worsening (2.5; 95% CI, 1.1–5.9; p = 0.031) and EDSS worsening alone (2.2; 95% CI, 1.2–4.1; p = 0.009).

Conclusions:

Younger patients with disease activity, especially MRI changes, are more likely to have their therapy switched sooner than patients who are older at the time of MS diagnosis and DMT initiation.
Partisan supply and voters’ positioning on the left–right scale in Europe
Authors: Medina Lucía
Published: November 2013

The main objective of this article is to provide a comparative analysis of the impact of the components that determine positions on the left–right scale using data from the European Social Survey (ESS) which, in addition and in contrast to previous studies, includes the post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Our findings show the stronger effect of the partisan component vis-à-vis other factors, resulting in further proof of the main role that parties play in influencing voters’ positions on the left–right scale, as long as they constitute the main and most visible actors around which electoral competition develops. Moreover, there are significant variations among countries regarding the impact of the partisan component, principally stemming from the degree of ideological polarization in party systems.
Intra-party democracy, political performance and the survival of party leaders
Authors: Ennser-Jedenastik Laurenz , Müller Wolfgang C
Published: November 2013

Political parties are central to modern democracy and the selection of their leaders is one of the most crucial decisions for any political party to make. Yet, the analysis of party leadership survival is still in its infancy. The pioneering research has been confined to few countries and decades and has focused exclusively on performance-related explanations. While performance is an obvious determinant of party leader survival, generations of research on party organizations suggest that intra-party factors should matter, too. We argue that, while the political performance of a party leader (winning elections, securing government participation) is important, intra-party support and the rules of leadership selection add substantively to our understanding of why party leaders survive or fall. We test these expectations on a new dataset covering all leaders of Austrian parties between 1945 and 2011. The results of our statistical analysis support our claim and show that intra-party factors have a considerable impact on party leader survival.
How democracy functions without parties
Authors: Veenendaal Wouter P
Published: November 2013

Whereas the belief that political parties are necessary elements of democracy is widespread in political science, it is in fact empirically false. Six small Pacific island democracies function without parties, and several explanations for the absence of parties in these countries have been developed. In the present article, an interview-based qualitative analysis of one of these six democracies without parties – the Republic of Palau – is offered in order to examine why parties are absent here, and how the Palauan democracy functions without parties. The findings of this case study indicate that both size and culture contribute to the non-existence of parties in Palau, and that the role of parties is in many ways fulfilled by clan structures. In several respects the absence of parties is found to undermine the functioning of Palauan democracy, whereas respondents paradoxically indicate that non-elected traditional leadership contributes positively to the performance of democracy in Palau.
Shellwork on show: Colonial history, Australian Aboriginal women and the display of decorative objects
Authors: Nugent Maria
Published: November 2013

This article explores the exhibition history of decorative shell-art objects made by Aboriginal women in southeast Australia since the late Victorian era. Although produced for over a century, Aboriginal women’s ‘shellwork’ (as it is known) has only recently received sustained curatorial attention. During the last few decades it has been acquired by private and public collectors and exhibited in both small independent and major public art galleries and museums. The article uses the contemporary curatorial interest in Aboriginal women’s shellwork as an occasion to trace a longer history of its exhibition and display. A historical view reveals the ‘cultural’, ‘aesthetic’ and ‘political’ work that these objects performed as they were displayed in ways designed to communicate messages about their makers and to mediate social relations under colonial conditions. Earlier histories of display and its rhetorical functions are often lost, ignored or downplayed when Aboriginal women’s shellwork is exhibited within contemporary exhibition spaces; but the author suggests that there is more continuity between old and new display cultures and practices than is generally acknowledged. In light of this, the article argues for greater recognition of earlier histories of display practices and visual rhetorics to inform the contemporary interpretation and exhibition of these objects. The article concludes with a recent installation of Aboriginal women’s shellwork that is suggestive of this approach.
The interface between feedback type, L2 proficiency, and the nature of the linguistic target
Authors: Li Shaofeng
Published: November 2013

This study investigated the interactions between feedback type, proficiency, and the nature of the linguistic target in the learning of Chinese as a foreign language. Seventy-eight learners from two large US universities participated in the study. The participants were divided into two proficiency levels based on their performance on a standardized proficiency test. At each proficiency level, they were randomly assigned to three feedback conditions: recasts, metalinguistic correction, and control. Learners in the experimental conditions received feedback on their nontargetlike use of classifiers and the perfective -le. Results revealed that for the perfective -le, recasts benefited the high-level but not low-level learners; at the high proficiency level, the effects of recasts were more sustainable than those of metalinguistic correction. With respect to classifiers, recasts were effective for learners at both proficiency levels. For both target structures, metalinguistic correction showed larger effects than recasts for the low-level learners, but the two feedback types were equally effective for the advanced learners. The results underscore the importance of taking an interactional approach to the investigation of corrective feedback. The results also undermine the commonly believed superiority of explicit feedback over implicit feedback.
Understanding the gap between cognitive abilities and daily living skills in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders with average intelligence
Authors: Duncan Amie W , Bishop Somer L
Published: November 2013

Daily living skills standard scores on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales–2nd edition were examined in 417 adolescents from the Simons Simplex Collection. All participants had at least average intelligence and a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regressions were used to examine the prevalence and predictors of a “daily living skills deficit,” defined as below average daily living skills in the context of average intelligence quotient. Approximately half of the adolescents were identified as having a daily living skills deficit. Autism symptomatology, intelligence quotient, maternal education, age, and sex accounted for only 10% of the variance in predicting a daily living skills deficit. Identifying factors associated with better or worse daily living skills may help shed light on the variability in adult outcome in individuals with autism spectrum disorder with average intelligence.
The utilisation of social science research – the perspectives of academic researchers in Australia
Authors: Cherney Adrian , Head Brian , Povey Jenny , Boreham Paul , Ferguson Michele
Published: November 2013

This article reports results from a survey of academic social scientists in Australian universities on reported levels of research utilisation by non-academic users. Using the scale of research utilisation we examine levels of research impact and explore a range of variables to understand factors influencing the use of academic social science research by policy-makers and practitioners. The results indicate that research uptake is enhanced through mechanisms that improve research transfer and the intensity of interactions between academic researchers and users. Our findings provide insights into how the impact of social science research can be improved and draws attention to factors that need to be considered in efforts to evaluate and enhance the impact of academic social research.
Limited Disproportionate Minority Contact Discourse may Explain Limited Progress in Reducing Minority Over-representation in the US Juvenile Justice System
Authors: Dillard Dorothy
Published: November 2013

This article provides a review of the development of the US federal government disproportionate minority contact (DMC) mandate for the juvenile justice system. Research assessing the reduction of disproportionate minority contact and demonstrating an overall lack of progress is examined. The connection between the lack of progress in reducing disproportionate minority contact and the lack of focus on the front end of the system is established. The impact on the juvenile justice system and, more importantly, on minority youth are discussed and recommendations in terms of expanding the discourse, policy and practice to more fully include police are made. Finally, the US experience and limitations are put into a global perspective, underscoring commonality across nations in addressing race, ethnic and age discrimination among police.
Client aggression and the disenchantment process among Israeli social workers: Realizing the gap
Authors: Tzafrir Shay S , Enosh Guy , Gur Amit
Published: November 2013

The professional habitus and values of social work, are challenged when social workers encounter client aggression. The current study was set up to understand the ways by which workers confront and cope with client aggression. In-depth interviews were conducted with 40 social workers in general municipal services. The participants included district managers, agency managers, supervisors, social workers and administrators. We identified a process consisting of four stages: (1) Rationalization, minimization, and denial of client aggression, including self-blame; (2) Emotional reactions, including hurt, anger, helplessness and shame; (3) Reevaluation of one’s beliefs, attitudes and values; (4) Behavioral transformation. The process of going through the four stages is not always linear, and workers may go back and forth between stages. The results are discussed in terms of the gaps between social workers’ values and the reality they are facing. Such gaps serve as an engine of change, explicated by theoretical concepts of social judgment theory.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Apolipoprotein E Concentration and Severity of Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Schmidt Christian , Becker Harry , Zerr Inga
Published: November 2013

Background/Objective:

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Altered cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma levels have been previously reported in patients with AD. We hypothesized that CSF apoE levels of patients with newly diagnosed AD might be associated with their cognitive performance.

Methods:

Patients with AD (N = 71) enrolled into an observational study underwent neuropsychological testing (Consortium to Establish a Registry for AD [CERAD] plus) at time of diagnosis. The CSF was obtained, and apoE concentrations were determined. Generalized linear models were constructed to assess the associations of apoE and neuropsychological measures while adjusting for important potential confounders.

Results:

No association of CSF apoE levels and cognitive function could be demonstrated. Still, the use of neuroleptic drugs, female gender, preprogression time, and lower education were linked to worse cognitive function in some domains.

Conclusion:

The CSF apoE appears not to be suitable as a biochemical surrogate of cognitive function in AD under the given circumstances. By means of longitudinal analyses, potential associations with the velocity of decline will be investigated in the near future.
Detection of Early Cognitive Impairment Using AD8 in a Young Patient With Stroke With Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy With Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome
Authors: Hsieh I-Chieh , Kuan Ta-Shen , Hsieh Pei-Chun , Chen Shu-Min , Yen Wei-Jang , Chang Wen-Chen , Lin I-Ling , Lin Yu-Ching
Published: November 2013

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) syndrome is a hereditary disease resulting from NOTCH3 gene mutation. The clinical presentations include migraine, recurrent stroke, and cognitive impairment. The severity of cognitive impairment varies in different stages, and early recognition poses a challenge. A 47-year-old lady presented with chronic migraine and sudden onset of hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed compatible findings of CADASIL, which was confirmed by mutation analysis of NOTCH3 gene. Early cognitive impairment was detected by her score of 3 in Ascertain Dementia 8 (AD8) questionnaire and confirmed by detailed neuropsychological assessments. After 21 months of follow-up, deterioration in her cognition and ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living were significant with a follow-up AD8 score of 7. Ascertain Dementia 8 questionnaire is an easy and valid screening tool for early cognitive impairment in patients with CADASIL syndrome.
Effect of Radiofrequency Ablation on Healing of Infected Full-Thickness Wounds in Minipigs
Authors: Yang Rungong , Zuo Tantan , Zhu Jialiang , Zhong Hongbin , Wu Kejian , Hou Shuxun
Published: November 2013

The success of debridement is critical to optimize the treatment outcomes of traumatic wounds. To investigate the impact of radiofrequency ablation on healing potential of infected wounds, minipigs with infected full-thickness skin defects on backs were divided into 4 treatment groups randomly: radiofrequency ablation debridement, electric knife debridement, sharp instrument debridement, and no treatment. The healing rate, healing time, tissue filling rate, bacterial quantitative, and histological assay were evaluated postoperatively. The results obtained provide evidence that the wounds after radiofrequency ablation treatment enhanced the skin wound-healing efficacy and had better outcomes of tissue filling compared with other debridement therapies. Furthermore, we quantified the bacterial counting level in wound samples, and the results revealed a more significant decreasing trend in radiofrequency ablation group than that of the electric knife debridement group and the sharp instrument debridement group. Postoperative histological measurements showed that there were better granulation formation and re-epithelialization and collagen deposition in radiofrequency ablation–treated wounds than those in other groups. The present findings demonstrate that radiofrequency ablation has a significantly influence on reducing the number of bacteria and improving the healing quality and is a promising candidate for treatment of infected wounds.
Factors Associated With Calcification in the Pedal Arteries in Patients With Diabetes and Neuropathy Admitted for Foot Disease and Its Clinical Significance
Authors: Aragón-Sánchez Javier , Lázaro-Martínez Jose L.
Published: November 2013

The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with calcification in the pedal arteries (CPAs) in a population of patients with diabetes admitted for acute foot disease and to find whether the presence of CPAs had any influence on the short-term outcomes. Electronic charts were retrospectively reviewed for patients admitted to our department for acute diabetic foot problems between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2012. Digital images of the plain x-rays, which were performed on patients during this period, were reviewed. Patients were classified into 2 groups: those with absence (group 1) and presence of CPAs (group 2). One hundred and sixty-five patients were included in the present study. Ninety-eight (59.4%) patients had CPAs in the plain x-rays. The predictive variables related to the presence of CPAs were duration of diabetes >20 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-4.3), retinopathy (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.0-4.6), albuminuria (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.5-7.4), and peripheral arterial disease (OR = 4.2, 95% CI = 2.0-8.7). Fifty-six patients underwent amputation (33.9%): 13 (19.4%) in group 1 and 43 (43.9%) in group 2 ( P < .01). Thirty-four patients (20.6) required reoperation: 6 (9%) in group 1 and 28 (28.6%) in group 2 ( P < .01). In conclusion, the predictive variables related to the presence of CPAs in a series of patients admitted for foot disease were duration of diabetes >20 years, retinopathy, albuminuria, and peripheral arterial disease. Differences in the outcomes were related to the association of CPAs with peripheral arterial disease.
Bone Marrow Cell Mobilization by the Systemic Use of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (GCSF) Improves Wound Bed Preparation
Authors: Iwamoto Satori , Lin Xiaofeng , Ramirez Ron , Carson Polly , Fiore David , Goodrich Jane , Yufit Tatyana , Falanga Vincent
Published: November 2013

Innovative approaches are needed to accelerate the healing of human chronic wounds not responding to conventional therapies. An evolving and promising treatment is the use of stem cells. Our group has previously described the use of expanded (in vitro) autologous stem cells aspirated from human bone marrow and applied topically in a fibrin spray to human acute and chronic wounds. More recently, we have sought ways to mobilize stem cells directly from the bone marrow, without in vitro expansion. In this report, we show that systemic injections of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) can mobilize stem cells from bone marrow into the peripheral blood and then to the wound site. Our objectives were to optimize parameters for this method by using mouse models and proof of principle in a human chronic wound situation. Mice were injected for 5 days with 2 different formulations of GCSF and compared to control saline. To monitor stem cell mobilization, flow cytometric measurements of Sca-1 and c-Kit and colony-forming cell assays were performed. Full-thickness tail wounds in mice were created and monitored for healing, and polyvinyl alcohol sponges were implanted dorsally to assess collagen accumulation. To determine bone marrow stem cell homing to the wound site, chimeric mice transplanted with Green Fluorescent Protein bone marrow cells were scanned by live imaging. Additionally, as proof of principle, we tested the systemic GCSF approach in a patient with a nonhealing venous ulcer. Our findings lay the ground work and indicate that the systemic administration of GCSF is effective in mobilizing bone marrow stem cells into the peripheral blood and to the wound site. These findings are associated with an increased accumulation of collagen and promising results in terms of wound bed preparation and healing.