bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Rise of
Authors: Gannagé Emma
Published: November 2016

On First Philosophy is the most emblematic work of Abū Yūsuf Ya‛qūb b. Isḥāq al-Kindī’s (ca. 801–ca. 870) surviving treatises. Aiming primarily to prove the oneness of God, the surviving part of the treatise consists of four chapters that form a consistent unit. The chapter provides a close reading of and commentary on the four chapters and shows how the texts unfold by following a very tight argument leading to the thesis toward which the whole treatise seems to aim: the true One, who is the principle of unity and hence the principle of existence of all beings, on the one hand, and the absolutely transcendent God, which can be approached only through a negative theology, on the other, are one and the same principle. In the meantime, al-Kindī would have demonstrated the noneternity of the world and shown the impossibility of finding sheer unity in the sensible world.
Ibn Abī Jumhūr al-Aḥsāʾī (d. after 1491) and his
Authors: Schmidtke Sabine
Published: November 2016

This chapter discusses Ibn Abī Jumhūr al-Aḥsāʾī (d. after 906/1501), the first Imāmī scholar to amalgamate, in his magnum opus, KitābMujlī mirʾāt al-munjī fī l-kalām wa-l-ḥikmatayn wa-l-taṣawwuf, Muʿtazilite and Ashʿarite kalām, Peripatetic and Illuminationist philosophy, and philosophical mysticism. Ibn Abī Jumhūr’s work—an autocommentary on the Kitāb al-Nūr al-munjī min al-ẓalām, which in turn was a commentary on the author’s Kitāb Maslak—was written at a later stage of the author’s life. Among later thinkers, it was in particular Shaykh Aḥmad al-Aḥsāʾī (d. 1241/1826) who quotes the Mujlī extensively. The author employs ideas originating with the Peripatetic and Illuminationist traditions, philosophical mysticism, and kalām throughout, and the chapter discusses the ways in which the work relates to Ibn Abī Jumhūr’s thought as expressed in his earlier works as well as in his commentary on al-ʿAllāma al-Ḥillī’s al-Bāb al-ḥādī ʿashar, which he composed after the completion of the Mujlī.
Mīr Dāmād’s (d. 1631)
Authors: Rizvi Sajjad
Published: November 2016

It is rare to find a philosopher so fixated on a single issue as the much-neglected thinker, prominent at the court of Shah ʿAbbās, Mīr Dāmād. His corpus is very much concerned with reconciling the key theological dispute between the “philosophical” position holding that the cosmos exists as a logical consequence of the principle and hence a cosmos that is coeternal with God, and the theological (scriptural even) imperative that God creates out of nothing in time. Mīr Dāmād offers a solution that mirrors some early modern scholastic approaches to middle knowledge and a way to reconcile eternal and temporal origination of the cosmos through the notion of “perpetual creation” (ḥudūth dahrī). We consequently find thinkers in the later Safavid-Mughal period contesting this solution, with some key students of Mīr Dāmād defending it. But broadly it remained an artifact of Islamic intellectual history in the early modern period.
Aḥmad al-Mallawī (d. 1767)
Authors: El-Rouayheb Khaled
Published: November 2016

The Egyptian scholar Aḥmad al-Mallawī (d.1767) penned perhaps the most detailed treatment of the topic of the immediate implications of hypothetical propositions since the fourteenth century. His work, written when he was a mere eighteen years old, is a commentary on his own versification of the relevant section of a fifteenth-century handbook on logic. This often critical work highlights a number of historically significant points: that the Arabic logical tradition in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries cannot be dismissed as dogmatic and uncritical exposition of received views; that interest in the formal implications of disjunctions and conditionals was alive and well in North Africa, at a time when interest in that topic has largely ceased in the eastern parts of the Islamic world; and that the literary genres of versification and commentary do not preclude critical reflection on received scholarly views.
Averroes (d. 1198),
Authors: Belo Catarina
Published: November 2016

In his Decisive Treatise, Andalusian philosopher Averroes (1126–1198) analyzes the relation between philosophy and religion from an Islamic legal perspective. He emphasizes the obligation upon some Muslims to study philosophy and how philosophy can be considered one of the Islamic sciences. He mentions the significance of a nonliteral reading of the Qur’ān and defends the compatibility between Aristotelian philosophy and Islamic religion.
The Many Constitutions of Europe
Authors: Tuori Kaarlo
Published: November 2016

The article discusses two main senses of the “many constitutions in Europe.” First, it argues that the European constitution—identified in the article with the constitution of the European Union—should be examined as a multidimensional and multitemporal process of constitutionalization. A distinction is made between the framing juridical and political constitutions, and the sectoral constitutions: micro- and macroeconomic, social, and security constitutions. Second, the article explores the relations between the transnational European and the national member state constitutions. It is claimed that the debate on constitutional pluralism has one-sidedly focused on merely one aspect (the conflictual one) of these relations within merely one (the juridical) constitutional dimension.
Sentencing and Plea Bargaining
Authors: Tata Cyrus , Gormley Jay M.
Published: November 2016

In the daily work of criminal justice, the relationship between plea decision-making and sentencing is important. Meanwhile in the academic and policy literatures, it is one of the most controversial. This essay appraises the international empirical literature and the moral arguments surrounding this plea-dependent (guilty/not guilty) “sentence differential.” Sentence differential is the morally neutral term used here to denote practices variously termed as “sentence discount,” “trial tax/penalty,” “guilty plea discount/reduction,” and “sentence bargain/negotiation.” Section II analyzes whether the sentence differential undermines the presumption of innocence. Section III investigates whether the sentence differential violates legal equality. Section IV assesses the three main justifications for the differential. Section V scrutinizes measurement of the sentence differential. Section VI proposes an agenda for future research, including the need for deeper research into the experiences of and interpretations by defendants of the justice process.
Sentencing of White-Collar Offenders in U.S. Federal Courts
Authors: Albonetti Celesta A.
Published: November 2016

This paper begins by discussing variables influencing sentence severity imposed in white-collar cases in federal courts. Sentence outcomes imposed under indeterminate, presumptive, and advisory federal sentencing policies are discussed in terms of the effect of defendant characteristics, legally relevant case characteristics, and process-related variables on the probability of imprisonment, length of imprisonment, and probability of receiving a suspended sentence. Federal sentencing guidelines legalities are presented, with attention to white-collar crimes of larceny, embezzlement, counterfeiting, fraud and deceit, and forgery. Attention shifts to legal issues relevant to the adjudication and sentencing of white-collar offenders. The blurring of criminal and civil law in statutory law governing criminal prosecution and sentencing of white-collar offenders is dicussed. In addition, attention is given to both the offense-specific features of the federal sentencing guidelines, to mechanisms of discretion, and guideline departures, as they apply to sentencing in economic crimes.
Adult Offender Assessment and Classification in Custodial Settings
Authors: Bonta James , Wormith J.S.
Published: November 2016

This chapter describes the developments that have occurred over the past three decades in the area of offender assessment and classification, including discussion of why offender classification is so vital to correctional agencies. The importance of using actuarial approaches to predicting the risk of reoffending and danger to others is discussed, as well as the inclusion of static and dynamic factors on composite measures of offender risk and need. Particular attention is paid to the application of the principles of Risk, Need, and Responsivity (RNR) to offender assessment, classification, and subsequent work with the offender, often described as “offender case management.” How prison environments (including inmate and officer subcultures) can potentially interfere with the accuracy of risk and needs assessments is also debated.
Genetics of Bipolar and Unipolar Disorders
Authors: Berrettini Wade , Lohoff Falk W.
Published: November 2016

Bipolar and unipolar mood disorders are common, chronic illnesses with high morbidity and mortality. This chapter reviews evidence of heritable components of risk from twin, family, adoption, and molecular studies. Heritability (that fraction of risk due to germline DNA variation) of bipolar disorders is estimated at 65–80%, while unipolar disorders heritability is less, ~40%. Genome-wide association studies of bipolar disorder have identified several risk alleles in brain-expressed genes, including ankyrin 3 and a subunit of an L-type calcium channel. Similar studies of unipolar disorders have yielded evidence for risk alleles, probably due to inadequate sample sizes, given the lower heritability of this disorder. Both disorders are characterized by shared genetic susceptibility with other psychiatric nosologic categories, including schizophrenia and attention deficit disorder. The molecular studies have indicated that both disorders are polygenic, with hundreds of common susceptibility alleles, each conveying a very small amount of risk.
Multinational Firms and International Business Cycle Transmission*
Authors: Cravino Javier , Levchenko Andrei A.
Published: November 2016

We investigate how multinational firms contribute to the transmission of shocks across countries using a large multicountry firm-level data set that contains cross-border ownership information. We use these data to document two novel empirical patterns. First, foreign affiliate and headquarter sales exhibit strong positive comovement: a 10% growth in the sales of the headquarter is associated with a 2% growth in the sales of the affiliate. Second, shocks to the source country account for a significant fraction of the variation in sales growth at the source-destination level. We propose a parsimonious quantitative model to interpret these findings and to evaluate the role of multinational firms for international business cycle transmission. For the typical country, the impact of foreign shocks transmitted by all foreign multinationals combined is non-negligible, accounting for about 10% of aggregate productivity shocks. On the other hand, since bilateral multinational production shares are small, interdependence between most individual country pairs is minimal. Our results do reveal substantial heterogeneity in the strength of this mechanism, with the most integrated countries significantly more affected by foreign shocks.
Smart and Illicit: Who Becomes an Entrepreneur and Do They Earn More?*
Authors: Levine Ross , Rubinstein Yona
Published: November 2016

We disaggregate the self-employed into incorporated and unincorporated to distinguish between “entrepreneurs” and other business owners. We show that the incorporated self-employed and their businesses engage in activities that demand comparatively strong nonroutine cognitive abilities, while the unincorporated and their firms perform tasks demanding relatively strong manual skills. People who become incorporated business owners tend to be more educated and—as teenagers—score higher on learning aptitude tests, exhibit greater self-esteem, and engage in more illicit activities than others. The combination of “smart” and “illicit” tendencies as youths accounts for both entry into entrepreneurship and the comparative earnings of entrepreneurs. Individuals tend to experience a material increase in earnings when becoming entrepreneurs, and this increase occurs at each decile of the distribution.
Internal Bone Grafting for the Treatment of Scaphoid Nonunions
Authors: Aydin Utkan , Thirkannad Sunil M.
Published: November 2016

Scaphoid fracture is the most common carpal fracture of the upper extremity and a significant proportion of these can eventually progress to nonunion. Excision of pseudoarthrosis and fibrous scar tissue at the nonunion site is regarded as one of the important steps in management of scaphoid nonunions. We describe a technique of internal bone grafting, where curettage of the nonunion site was performed through a drill hole in the scaphoid and bone graft was packed through this same hole before fixation with a headless compression screw. We have been able to achieve a union rate of 86% using this technique. The advantage of the technique is that it does not disturb the external fibrocartilaginous shell that would have formed around the nonunion site, thus leaving the articular surface undisturbed.
Recent advances in nuclear medicine in endocrine oncology
Authors: Luster Markus , Pfestroff Andreas , Verburg Frederik A.
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

The purpose is to review recent advances concerning the role of nuclear medicine in endocrine oncology.

Recent findings

For 131I therapy of thyroid cancer a thyrotropin (TSH) more than 30 mU/l has for many years been deemed a condition sine qua non. However, new data show that patients with lower TSH levels at the time of ablation have the same rate of successful ablation as those with TSH more than 30 mU/l.

I-124 combined integrated positron emission tomography and computed X-ray tomography was shown to be highly accurate in predicting findings on posttherapy radioiodine scanning and was shown to have a high prognostic power.

In neuroendocrine tumors, long-term complication rates of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy were reported. Furthermore first preclinical and clinical results of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with somatostatin receptor antagonists were published.

In nuclear medicine, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radionuclide imaging and therapy is of interest. PSMA was shown to also be expressed in neoplasms of the thyroid, the adrenal glands and neuroendocrine tumors.

Further individualization of thyroid cancer patient care by means of I-124-positron emission tomography and computed X-ray tomography-based selection of the therapeutic strategy is possible. 131I therapy might not require as intensive TSH stimulation as thought previously. For endocrine-related malignancies PSMA targeting deserves further investigation.
Cutaneous Horn of the Eyelid in 13 Cases
Authors: Pointdujour-Lim Renelle , Marous Molly R. , Satija Celine E. , Douglass Alexzandra M. , Eagle Ralph C. , Shields Jerry A. , Shields Carol L.
Published: November 2016

Introduction:

Cutaneous horn of the eyelid is uncommon. The authors evaluate the features of benign, premalignant, and malignant tumors at the base of cutaneous horn of the eyelid.

Objective:

To describe the clinical and histopathologic features of cutaneous horn of the eyelid.

Design:

A retrospective analysis of 13 cases of cutaneous horn of the eyelid treated between 1994 and 2014 was performed.

Participants:

Thirteen patients participated in this study.

Main outcome measures:

Main outcome measures include clinical and histopathologic features and outcomes of cutaneous horn.

Results:

The mean patient age was 54 years (median 64 years, range 9–91 years), and 6 patients (46%) were women. The cutaneous horn affected the upper (n = 5), lower (n = 6) eyelid, or was not indicated (n = 2). The mean height of the cutaneous horn was 7.6 mm (median 8mm, range 4-12 mm) and mean basal diameter was 3.8 mm (median 3mm, range 2-6 mm). The cutaneous horn was comprised of superficial layers of keratin with hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis overlying a solid tumor at the base in all cases. The tumor base included benign (n = 6, 46%), premalignant (n = 4, 31%), and malignant (n = 3, 23%) conditions. The benign basal lesions included seborrheic keratosis (n = 1), nevus sebaceous of Jadassohn (n = 1), pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (n = 1), trichilemmoma (n = 1), and inverted follicular keratosis (n = 2). Premalignant basal lesions were actinic keratosis (n = 4), and malignant basal lesions included squamous cell carcinoma (n = 2) and sebaceous gland carcinoma (n = 1).

Conclusions:

The clinical significance of cutaneous horn of the eyelid lies not in the horn itself but the nature of the underlying base. Malignancy was found in 23% of patients.
Comparison of Colorado Microdissection Needle Versus Scalpel Incision for Aesthetic Upper and Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Authors: Arat Yonca O. , Sezenoz Almila S. , Bernardini Francesco P. , Alford Mark A. , Tepeoglu Merih , Allen Richard C.
Published: November 2016

Purpose:

Traditionally, eyelid skin incisions with electro-cautery devices have been avoided due to the concerns of aesthetically unacceptable scar formation. The purpose of this study is to compare ecchymosis, cosmesis, and histologic tissue damage of incisions made with a scalpel or Colorado needle in patients undergoing upper and lower aesthetic blepharoplasty. To the best of authors’ knowledge, no previous study has been performed before to compare these 2 modalities in aesthetic blepharoplasty surgery.

Methods:

This is a multicenter, prospective, interventional, comparative case series. The study protocol was approved by Institutional Review Board in each institution. Patients underwent bilateral upper and/or transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty with 1 side randomly selected for skin incision with the scalpel, the other side with the Colorado needle. Ecchymosis was evaluated using a 10-point Likert scale and the wounds using a Hollander score. The margins of excised tissues were evaluated histologically.

Results:

A total of 254 eyelids of 101 patients were included in the study. No significant difference was observed in ecchymosis on postoperative day 1 and 7 and scar cosmesis on day 30 and 180 between the 2 techniques. Histologically, necrosis was noted only with the Colorado needle sides (p = 0.001). No adverse events occurred on the Colorado needle side at any time after surgery.

Conclusions:

No clinical difference is noted between Colorado needle and scalpel incisions in terms of ecchymosis and scar cosmesis after aesthetic blepharoplasty.
Patellofemoral Pain and Instability in Adolescent Athletes
Authors: Bessette Matthew , Saluan Paul
Published: November 2016

Injuries and disorders of the patellofemoral joint in the adolescent athlete can encompass a wide spectrum of symptomatology and pathology. Anterior knee pain is a common presenting symptom in sports medicine clinics, and can have numerous underlying etiologies. This activity-related pain may be the manifestation of enthesopathy, tendinopathy, fat pad impingement, or numerous other conditions, but is more commonly related to more subtle skeletal and muscular imbalances. Treatment is typically nonoperative in nature, and excellent results are reported with physical therapy. Patellofemoral instability usually has a more dramatic onset in the form of dislocation or subluxation events, commonly experienced during athletics. Concomitant injuries to the patellofemoral articular cartilage are common. Again, treatment is typically nonoperative initially, but recurrent or recalcitrant instability may necessitate reconstructive or realignment procedures. Skeletal maturity often dictates what procedures can be safely attempted.
Analysis of the Duodenal Microbiome in Autistic Individuals
Authors: Kushak Rafail I. , Winter Harland S. , Buie Timothy M. , Cox Stephen B. , Phillips Caleb D. , Ward Naomi L.
Published: November 2016

Objectives:

There is evidence that symptoms of maldigestion or malabsorption in autistic individuals are related to changes in the indigenous microbiota. Analysis of colonic bacteria has revealed microbial dysbiosis in children with autism; however, characteristics of the duodenal microbiome are not well described. In the present study the microbiome of the duodenal mucosa of subjects with autism was evaluated for dysbiosis, bacteria overgrowth, and microbiota associated with carbohydrate digestion. The relationship between the duodenal microbiome and disaccharidase activity was analyzed in biopsies from 21 autistic subjects and 19 children without autism.

Methods:

Microbiota composition was determined by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, and disaccharidase activity via biochemical assays.

Results:

Although subjects with autism had a higher frequency of constipation (P < 0.005), there was no difference in disaccharidase activity between groups. In addition, no differences in microbiome diversity (species richness and evenness) were observed. Bacteria belonging to the genus Burkholderia were more abundant in subjects with autism, whereas members of the genus Neisseria were less abundant. At the species level, a relative decrease in abundance of 2 Bacteroides species and Escherichia coli was found in autistic individuals. There was a positive correlation between the abundance of Clostridium species, and disaccharidase activity, in autistic individuals.

Conclusions:

There are a variety of changes at the genus and species level in duodenal microbiota in children with autism that could be influenced by carbohydrate malabsorption. These observations could be affected by variations in individual diets, but also may represent a more pervasive dysbiosis that results in metabolites that affect the behavior of autistic children.
Spectral Electroencephalogram Analysis for the Evaluation of Encephalopathy Grade in Children With Acute Liver Failure*
Authors: Press Craig A. , Morgan Lindsey , Mills Michele , Stack Cynthia V. , Goldstein Joshua L. , Alonso Estella M. , Wainwright Mark S.
Published: November 2016

Objective:

Spectral electroencephalogram analysis is a method for automated analysis of electroencephalogram patterns, which can be performed at the bedside. We sought to determine the utility of spectral electroencephalogram for grading hepatic encephalopathy in children with acute liver failure.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Patients:

Patients between 0 and 18 years old who presented with acute liver failure and were admitted to the PICU.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Electroencephalograms were analyzed by spectral analysis including total power, relative δ, relative θ, relative α, relative β, θ-to-Δ ratio, and α-to-Δ ratio. Normal values and ranges were first derived using normal electroencephalograms from 70 children of 0–18 years old. Age had a significant effect on each variable measured (p < 0.03). Electroencephalograms from 33 patients with acute liver failure were available for spectral analysis. The median age was 4.3 years, 14 of 33 were male, and the majority had an indeterminate etiology of acute liver failure. Neuroimaging was performed in 26 cases and was normal in 20 cases (77%). The majority (64%) survived, and 82% had a good outcome with a score of 1–3 on the Pediatric Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended at the time of discharge. Hepatic encephalopathy grade correlated with the qualitative visual electroencephalogram scores assigned by blinded neurophysiologists (r
s = 0.493; p < 0.006). Spectral electroencephalogram characteristics varied significantly with the qualitative electroencephalogram classification (p < 0.05). Spectral electroencephalogram variables including relative Δ, relative θ, relative α, θ-to-Δ ratio, and α-to-Δ ratio all significantly varied with the qualitative electroencephalogram (p < 0.025). Moderate to severe hepatic encephalopathy was correlated with a total power of less than or equal to 50% of normal for children 0–3 years old, and with a relative θ of less than or equal to 50% normal for children more than 3 years old (p > 0.05). Spectral electroencephalogram classification correlated with outcome (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Spectral electroencephalogram analysis can be used to evaluate even young patients for hepatic encephalopathy and correlates with outcome. Spectral electroencephalogram may allow improved quantitative and reproducible assessment of hepatic encephalopathy grade in children with acute liver failure.
Adult Outcomes After Newborn Respiratory Failure Treated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation*
Authors: Engle William A. , West Karen W. , Hocutt Gail A. , Pallotto Eugenia K. , Haney Barbara , Keith Rachel J. , Stewart Dan L. , Knodel Ellen , Suttner Denise , Chapman Rachel , Thomas Alison , Schwerin Beverly , Stork Eileen , Crowley Moira , Piazza Anthony J. , Heard Micheal L. , Gebregziabher Netsanet , Fadel William , Bartlett Robert
Published: November 2016

Objective:

To describe the outcome of young adults treated for hypoxemic respiratory failure with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as neonates.

Design:

The study was designed as a multisite, cross sectional survey.

Setting:

The survey was completed electronically or on paper by subjects and stored in a secure data base.

Subjects:

Subjects were surviving neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients from eight institutions who were18 years old or older.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

A questionnaire modified from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the 2011 National Health Interview Survey with additional unique questions was completed by subjects. Results were compared to age-matched national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and National Health Interview Survey data. One hundred and forty-six subjects participated (8.9% of eligible candidates). The age at questionnaire submission was 23.7 ± 2.89 years. Subjects differed statistically from national cohorts by being more satisfied with life (93% vs 84.2%); more educated (some college or degree; 80.1% vs 57.7%); more insured for healthcare (89.7% vs 72.3%); less frequent users of healthcare in the last 12 months (47.3% vs 58.2%); more limited because of physical, mental, and developmental problems (19.9% vs 10.9%); and having more medical complications. Furthermore, learning problems occurred in 29.5% of the study cohort. The congenital diaphragmatic hernia group was generally less healthy and less well educated, but equally satisfied with life. Perinatal variables contributed little to outcome prediction.

Conclusions:

Most young adult survivors in this study cohort treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as neonates are satisfied with their lives, working and/or in college, in good health and having families. These successes are occurring despite obstacles involving health issues such as asthma, attention deficit disorder, learning difficulties, and vision and hearing problems; this is especially evident in the congenital diaphragmatic hernia cohort. Selection bias inherent in such a long-term study may limit generalizability, and it is imperative to note that our sample may not be representative of the whole.
Cimex lectularius (“Bed Bugs”)
Authors: McMenaman Kathryn S. , Gausche-Hill Marianne
Published: November 2016

Reports of bed bug infestations in major cities in the United States and abroad have been in the public press. Physicians and other clinicians who care for children need to be able to recognize bed bug bites and understand the social, psychological, and medical implications that this diagnosis will have on patients and their families. In this article, a case presentation serves to guide discussion regarding establishing the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and the management of bed bug bites and their complications. Integrated pest management programs involving housing managers, residents, and professional pest exterminators provide both chemical and nonchemical solutions for eradication of bed bug infestations.
Qualitative Study About the Experiences of Colleagues of Health Professionals Involved in an Adverse Event
Authors: Ferrús Lena , Silvestre Carmen , Olivera Guadalupe , Mira José Joaquín
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Identify what occurs among health-care providers (HCPs) after an adverse event (AE) and what colleagues could do to help them.

Method

A qualitative study with participation by physicians and nurses from hospitals and primary care facilities.

Results

Fifteen HCPs and 12 health professionals with quality management responsibilities with between 8 and 30 years of experience participated; 15 (56%) were physicians (9 general practitioners, 3 surgeons, 2 intensivists, and 1 from an emergency unit), and 12 (44%) were nurses (5 worked in primary care and 7 in hospitals). There was consensus that second victims require support from colleagues and management; however, instead, many times they perceive rejection. They experience repetitive thoughts, fear, and loneliness. Formal channels of information favor the implementation of improvements. Health-care providers reported that information about measures for preventing a new adverse event is inaccessible, whereas management said that a change in behavior was necessary to promote a culture of safety. Common informal channels were the hallways and cafeteria. Reactions by colleagues of second victims were of surprise and to avoid involvement.

Conclusions

Organized plans and protocols about what to do to help HCPs after an AE are uncommon. Formal channels of information mitigate rumors and misinformation. Informal channels hinder learning from the experience and strengthening the culture of safety, and they encourage incidents to be hidden. Approaches that permit HCPs involved in an AE to speak about what has happened offer a positive response to their emotional needs.
Physicochemical properties that control protein aggregation also determine whether a protein is retained or released from necrotic cells
Authors: Samson Andre L. , Ho Bosco , Au Amanda E. , Schoenwaelder Simone M. , Smyth Mark J. , Bottomley Stephen P. , Kleifeld Oded , Medcalf Robert L.
Published: November 2016

Amyloidogenic protein aggregation impairs cell function and is a hallmark of many chronic degenerative disorders. Protein aggregation is also a major event during acute injury; however, unlike amyloidogenesis, the process of injury-induced protein aggregation remains largely undefined. To provide this insight, we profiled the insoluble proteome of several cell types after acute injury. These experiments show that the disulfide-driven process of nucleocytoplasmic coagulation (NCC) is the main form of injury-induced protein aggregation. NCC is mechanistically distinct from amyloidogenesis, but still broadly impairs cell function by promoting the aggregation of hundreds of abundant and essential intracellular proteins. A small proportion of the intracellular proteome resists NCC and is instead released from necrotic cells. Notably, the physicochemical properties of NCC-resistant proteins are contrary to those of NCC-sensitive proteins. These observations challenge the dogma that liberation of constituents during necrosis is anarchic. Rather, inherent physicochemical features including cysteine content, hydrophobicity and intrinsic disorder determine whether a protein is released from necrotic cells. Furthermore, as half of the identified NCC-resistant proteins are known autoantigens, we propose that physicochemical properties that control NCC also affect immune tolerance and other host responses important for the restoration of homeostasis after necrotic injury.
An unusual case of vaginal myiasis
Authors: Soulsby Hannah , Jones Brian L. , Coyne Michael , Alexander Claire L.
Published: November 2016

Introduction:

Myiasis, a term used to describe the infestation of a live animal by fly larvae, is rarely reported in human subjects. The adult fly lays its eggs on living tissue that progresses to become larvae that feed on living tissue having gone through three developmental stages known as the first, second and third instar. The larvae become pupae before finally developing into adults.

Case presentation:

We describe an unusual case of a 79-year-old female who collapsed in her garden and lay there for several days before presenting to her local hospital Accident and Emergency department with an infestation of larvae in her vagina labia, identified as those from the Protophormia species northern blowfly. After complete removal of the larvae using tweezers followed by cleansing of the affected area and a course of antibiotics, the patient’s condition improved. A follow-up review by the local gynaecology team revealed no evidence of further infestation.

Conclusion:

It is our understanding that this is the first highly unusual case of a blowfly larvae infestation to be reported in a human within the UK.
Prioritisation of Structural Variant Calls in Cancer Genomes
Authors: Ahdesmäki Miika J , Chapman Brad , Cingolani Pablo E , Hofmann Oliver , Sidoruk Aleksandr , Lai Zhongwu , Zakharov Gennadii , Rodichenko Mikhail , Alperovich Mikhail , Jenkins David , Carr T. Hedley , Stetson Daniel , Dougherty Brian , Barrett J. Carl , Johnson Justin J
Published: November 2016

Sensitivity of short read DNA-sequencing for gene fusion detection is improving, but is hampered by the significant amount of noise composed of uninteresting or false positive hits in the data. In this paper we describe a tiered prioritisation approach to extract high impact gene fusion events. Using cell line and patient DNA sequence data we improve the annotation and interpretation of structural variant calls to best highlight likely cancer driving fusions. We also considerably improve on the automated visualisation of the high impact structural variants to highlight the effects of the variants on the resulting transcripts. The resulting framework greatly improves on readily detecting clinically actionable structural variants.
A mouse model of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia generated by transmammary-delivered immunoblocking of BMP9 and BMP10
Authors: Ruiz Santiago , Zhao Haitian , Chandakkar Pallavi , Chatterjee Prodyot K. , Blanc Lionel , Metz Christine N. , Campagne Fabien , Marambaud Philippe
Published: November 2016

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a potentially life-threatening genetic vascular disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the genes encoding activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1), endoglin, Smad4, and bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9). Injections of mouse neonates with BMP9/10 blocking antibodies lead to HHT-like vascular defects in the postnatal retinal angiogenesis model. Mothers and newborns share the same immunity through the transfer of maternal antibodies during breastfeeding. Here, we investigated whether the transmammary delivery route could improve the ease and consistency of administering anti-BMP9/10 antibodies in the postnatal retinal angiogenesis model. We found that anti-BMP9/10 antibodies, when intraperitoneally injected into lactating dams, are efficiently transferred into the circulation of breastfed neonatal pups. Strikingly, pups receiving anti-BMP9/10 antibodiesviabreastfeeding displayed consistent and robust vascular pathology in the retina, which included hypervascularization and defects in arteriovenous specification, as well as the presence of multiple and massive arteriovenous malformations. Furthermore, RNA-Seq analyses of neonatal retinas identified an increase in the key pro-angiogenic factor, angiopoietin-2, as the most significant change in gene expression triggered by the transmammary delivery of anti-BMP9/10 antibodies. Transmammary-delivered BMP9/10 immunoblocking in the mouse neonatal retina is therefore a practical, noninvasive, reliable, and robust model of HHT vascular pathology.
Major histocompatibility complex haplotyping and long-amplicon allele discovery in cynomolgus macaques from Chinese breeding facilities
Authors: Karl Julie A. , Graham Michael E. , Wiseman Roger W. , Heimbruch Katelyn E. , Gieger Samantha M. , Doxiadis Gaby G. M. , Bontrop Ronald E. , O’Connor David H.
Published: November 2016

Very little is currently known about the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region of cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis;Mafa) from Chinese breeding centers. We performed comprehensive MHC class I haplotype analysis of 100 cynomolgus macaques from two different centers, with animals from different reported original geographic origins (Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Cambodian/Indonesian mixed-origin). Many of the samples were of known relation to each other (sire, dam, and progeny sets), making it possible to characterize lineage-level haplotypes in these animals. We identified 52Mafa-Aand 74Mafa-Bhaplotypes in this cohort, many of which were restricted to specific sample origins. We also characterized full-length MHC class I transcripts using Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) RS II single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing. This technology allows for complete read-through of unfragmented MHC class I transcripts (~1,100 bp in length), so no assembly is required to unambiguously resolve novel full-length sequences. Overall, we identified 313 total full-length transcripts in a subset of 72 cynomolgus macaques from these Chinese breeding facilities; 131 of these sequences were novel and an additional 116 extended existing short database sequences to span the complete open reading frame. This significantly expands the number ofMafa-A,Mafa-B, andMafa-Ifull-length alleles in the official cynomolgus macaque MHC class I database. The PacBio technique described here represents a general method for full-length allele discovery and genotyping that can be extended to other complex immune loci such as MHC class II, killer immunoglobulin-like receptors, and Fc gamma receptors.
First Indications for Long-Term Benzodiazepine and Z-drugs use in the United Kingdom
Authors: Davies J. , Rae T. C. , Montagu L.
Published: November 2016

Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs (BZDs), hypnotic drugs used for insomnia and anxiety, are prescribed millions of times a year in the UK. Although guidance from the relevant regulatory authorities (NICE and BNF) indicates them only for short-term use, the evidence suggests that many patients have been taking these drugs for much longer, often for decades. At present, there are no up-to-date, evidence-based estimates of the scale of long-term BZD use in the UK, which has prevented making a strong case for the need for withdrawal services. However, data obtained recently on BZD use from a number of GP surgeries (covering nearly 100,000 registered patients) in the North of England, allow such projections to be calculated. Scaling the results to a national level suggests that there are over a quarter of a million patients in the UK using BZDs for periods far longer than recommended. The projections also suggest that nearly half this number may be willing to accept help to stop their dependency on BZDs. These results indicate a serious problem, which should be addressed by more research into the harms associated with long-term BZD use, the provision of withdrawal services, and a national helpline to support patients with BZD dependency.
Quod erat demonstrandum? No restriction endonuclease fold in MIF
Authors: Iyer Lakshminarayan M. , Aravind L.
Published: November 2016

It was claimed in a recently published article that MIF functions as an exo/endo-DNase mediating cell-death upon being induced by DNA damage and PARP1. MIF, for which tautomerase activity has been previously reported, is a member of the tautomerase superfamily which does not feature nucleases. The central premise of the authors to suggest that MIF functions as a DNase is the supposed structural relationship to nucleases of the Restriction endonuclease (REase) fold, which frequently but not always contain a motif of the form PD-(D/E)XK. However, we present evidence to show that this claim is entirely unsupported.
Microbes use encapsulin protein organelles to sequester toxic reactions
Authors: Giessen Tobias W. , Silver Pamela A.
Published: November 2016

Cells organize and regulate their metabolism via membrane-or protein-bound organelles. In this way, incompatible processes can be spatially separated and controlled. In prokaryotes, protein-based compartments are used to sequester harmful reactions and store useful compounds. These protein compartments play key roles in various metabolic and ecological processes ranging from iron homeostasis to carbon fixation. We identified more than 900 proteinaceous encapsulin nanocompartment systems in bacterial and archaeal genomes. Encapsulins can be found in 15 bacterial and 2 archaeal phyla. Our analysis reveals 1 new capsid type and 9 previously unknown cargo proteins targeted to the interior of encapsulins. We experimentally characterize 3 newly identified encapsulin systems and illustrate their involvement in iron mineralization, oxidative and nitrosative stress resistance and anaerobic ammonium oxidation, a process responsible for 30% of the N lost from the oceans. We propose that encapsulins represent a widespread strategy for toxic reaction sequestration in prokaryotes.
Exploring Anti-correlated Resting State BOLD Signals Through Dynamic Functional Connectivity and Whole-brain Computational Modeling
Authors: Demirtaş Murat , Gilson Matthieu , Murray John D. , Popovic Dina , Vieta Eduard , Pintor Luis , Prčkovska Vesna , Villoslada Pablo , Deco Gustavo
Published: November 2016

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion weight imaging became a conventional tool to study brain connectivity in healthy and diseased individuals. However, both techniques provide indirect measures of brain connectivity leading to controversies on their interpretation. Among these controversies, interpretation of anti-correlated functional connections and global average signal is a major challenge for the field. In this paper, we used dynamic functional connectivity to calculate the probability of anti-correlations between brain regions. The brain regions forming task-positive and task-negative networks showed high anti-correlation probabilities. The fluctuations in anti-correlation probabilities were significantly correlated with those in global average signal and functional connectivity. We investigated the mechanisms behind these fluctuations using whole-brain computational modeling approach. We found that the underlying effective connectivity and intrinsic noise reflect the static spatiotemporal patterns, whereas the hemodynamic response function is the key factor defining the fluctuations in functional connectivity and anti-correlations. Furthermore, we illustrated the clinical implications of these findings on a group of bipolar disorder patients suffering a depressive relapse (BPD).
Appropriate delay analysis techniques to analyse delays in road construction projects in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ekanayake E.M.K. , Perera B.A.K.S.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Delays represent one of the most critical factors that affect the cost of a construction project. They have to be therefore analysed comprehensively using appropriate techniques. The purpose of this paper is to find out the delay analysis techniques (DATs) that are most commonly used in road projects in Sri Lanka, the extent of their usage, the criteria that can be used in selecting them and the technique that is most appropriate for the selection.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology adopted included an extensive literature review, expert interviews and a questionnaire survey.

Findings

In road projects in Sri Lanka, five types of DATs are mainly used. The “As-planned v. As-built Analysis” technique is the most commonly used technique while “Window Analysis” is the least used technique. Out of the nine criteria identified for selecting a DAT, the most important criterion is the acceptability of the technique to courts and tribunals. “Window Analysis” was found to be the most appropriate DAT that can be used in road construction projects in Sri Lanka.

Originality/value

“Window Analysis” can be recommended as the most appropriate DAT for road projects in Sri Lanka.
Indoor environmental quality and occupants’ productivity
Authors: Mallawaarachchi Harshini , De Silva Lalith , Rameezdeen Raufdeen
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship between indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and occupants’ productivity improvements in green buildings in order to propose probable enhancements of national green certification criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey approach was selected under quantitative phenomenon. Hence, questionnaire survey was selected as a primary data collection technique. It was linked to semi-structured interviews to validate survey results. The survey data were analysed by using nonparametric statistical analysis techniques, such as significance testing and Spearman’s correlation. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) v.20 statistical analysis software was used in data analysis.

Findings

Seven factors were identified as significant factors which showed statistically significant monotonic correlation to major IEQ dimensions. Among those, air quality and acoustical partitioning factors confirmed a statistically significant weak positive monotonic correlation, whilst system control showed strongly positive monotonic correlation to occupants’ productivity in green buildings.

Practical implications

The findings can be practically implied as a basis to review the existing evaluation criteria of IEQ in national green certification system to propose probable enhancements.

Originality/value

The significant IEQ factors influencing occupants’ productivity were determined as the focal point of this research. Accordingly, new provisions were proposed to enhance the national green certification criteria.
Malaysian experience with public-private partnership (PPP)
Authors: Zin Zawawi Muhammad Imran , Kulatunga Udayangani , Thayaparan Menaha
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Lack of competition in procurement processes may affect the sustainable procurement due to overpriced and low-quality infrastructure. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the current practices in Malaysian public-private partnership (PPP) in handling unsolicited proposals within PPP and to suggest ways in which the practices can be improved to achieve sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study was conducted within which 13 semi-structured interviews were carried out with different groups: the policy makers, the practitioners and the experts. The study also scrutinised published guidelines and relevant regulations used by in management of unsolicited proposals in Malaysian PPP.

Findings

The Government of Malaysia welcomes unsolicited proposals from the private sector, even though it does not publish any established mechanisms to handle such proposals. Lack of competition in unsolicited proposals is a major concern in achieving sustainable goals of procurement. This could be addressed by introducing a competitive element to unsolicited proposals.

Originality/value

There are limited study and reports on the implementation of unsolicited proposals by the Malaysian Government. Besides adding to the literature, this paper reveals the management of unsolicited proposals. Most importantly, it is useful in assisting potential Malaysian PPP stakeholders and investors in what to expect, based on findings from the actual practice.