bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of friction between prepreg tape and compaction roller for prepreg tape hoop winding
Authors: Kang Chao , Shi Yaoyao , Yu Tao , Zhao Pan , Deng Bo , Chen Zhen , Zhang Hongji
Published: March 2018

As an inevitable issue in the filament winding technology, the process-induced friction has gained increasing attention. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the experimental investigation of friction between prepreg tape and hot compaction roller in prepreg tape hoop winding system. Based on the modified version of Howell’s equation, the friction model is established to offer an indirect method for measuring the frictional coefficient during the actual composite fabricating process. Three types of prepreg tapes, namely T300/Y69 unidirectional prepreg tape, T300/DFQS-3 and BWT260-82/DFQS-3 orthogonal prepreg tapes are selected to discuss the effect of process parameters on friction under different processing conditions. The experimental results reveal that the friction behavior transfers from resin-dominated friction to fiber-governed friction as the temperature rises. Besides, acceleration of the spindle speed on the frictional coefficient can be markedly improved due to the increase of resin strain rate. Meanwhile, the fiber has a stronger ability to increase friction than resin. It is also observed that the friction plays a role in amplifying the winding tension by comparing the winding tension with the outgoing winding tension.
Influences of in-plane and out-of-plane fiber waviness on mechanical properties of carbon fiber composite laminate
Authors: Wu Chenjun , Gu Yizhuo , Luo Liang , Xu Peng , Wang Shaokai , Li Min , Zhang Zuoguang
Published: March 2018

Based on the curing process of carbon fiber/epoxy prepreg with autoclave, two kinds of unidirectional carbon fiber laminates with in-plane and out-of-plane waviness were fabricated by rolling prefabricated out-of-plane waviness and inserting prepreg strip, respectively. Fiber waviness defects in composites were characterized by waviness ratio. The specimens containing fiber waviness were successfully prepared with almost the same fiber content and low porosity. The influences of fiber waviness with different waviness ratio on tensile, compressive, and charpy impact properties of unidirectional laminates were studied, and the corresponding failure modes were observed. The mechanism of the effects of fiber waviness on mechanical properties was discussed. The experimental results show that tensile property and compressive property decrease by in-plane buckling and out-of-plane wrinkling, especially with large waviness ratio. Reduction of 33.0% of compressive strength with out-of-plane wrinkling is seen in the case of 0.037 waviness ratio, while 25.4% reduction is obtained for in-plane buckling under 0.038 waviness ratio. Charpy impact strength decreases by in-plane buckling, whereas increases by out-of-plane wrinkling. Failure morphologies of various specimens are changed by fiber waviness, which are consistent with the mechanical degradation. In addition, there are some differences on the sensitivity of mechanical properties to different types of fiber waviness. Tensile strength is more sensitive to in-plane buckling in comparison with out-of-plane wrinkling, and compressive property is more sensitive to out-of-plane wrinkling.
Feminist commentary by women a whisper among op-ed voices
Authors: Bachmann Ingrid , Loke Jaime , Harp Dustin
Published: March 2018

A textual analysis of 312 columns penned by women in 10 prominent U.S. newspapers shows that one-tenth of articles articulated issues from a feminist standpoint, usually matters of gender equality. Findings show the range of how gender issues are publicly presented by females in major outlets, and highlight that feminist concerns are yet to be mainstreamed through women’s voices in a typically male domain such as the editorial pages.
On the flexural and vibration behavior of imperfection sensitive higher order functionally graded material skew sandwich plates in thermal environment
Authors: Tomar Sanjay Singh , Talha Mohammad
Published: March 2018

This work presents an investigation on the flexural and vibration behavior of imperfection sensitive higher order functionally graded material skew sandwich plates in thermal environment. Material properties have been assumed to be temperature dependent and graded in transverse direction following the power law distribution. Reddy’s higher order shear deformation theory has been used to model displacement field kinematics of skew sandwich plate. Variational principle has been used for deriving the governing equations. Finite element methodology has been adopted to discretize plate domain. Convergence and comparison studies have been performed to demonstrate the reliability of present formulation. Effect of various system parameters such as thickness ratio, volume fraction index, skew angle, imperfection parameter, and boundary conditions on the flexural and vibration response have been investigated.
How Do Labor Market Institutions Influence the Preference to Work in Family Firms? A Multilevel Analysis Across 40 Countries
Authors: Block Jörn H. , Fisch Christian O. , Lau James , Obschonka Martin , Presse André
Published: March 2018

Family firms must attract talented employees to stay competitive. They have different employer characteristics than nonfamily firms. For example, although they generally offer lower wages, they also typically offer higher job security and a more cooperative and entrepreneurial work environment. However, drawing on occupational choice theory, we argue that the importance of these unique family firm characteristics depends on the national labor market context in which the family firm is embedded. A multilevel investigation of 12,746 individuals in 40 countries shows that individuals prefer to work in family firms in labor markets with flexible unregulated hiring and firing practices, centralized wage determination, and low labor–employer cooperation. A cross-level analysis further shows that the national labor market context moderates the effects of individual-level factors determining the preference to work in a family firm (e.g., entrepreneurship intention). Our article is the first to consider labor market institutions in research on family firms as employers. Practical implications exist for family firms regarding their employer branding and intrapreneurship strategies.
Consult, Negotiate, and Involve: Evaluation of an Advanced Communication Skills Program for Health Care Professionals
Authors: Coad Jane , Smith Joanna , Pontin David , Gibson Faith
Published: March 2018

Effective communication is central to children, young people, and their families’ experiences of health care. Most patient complaints in developed health care systems result from ineffective communication, including inadequate information provision, not feeling listened to, failure to value patients concerns, and patients not feeling involved in care decisions. Advanced communication skills training is now embedded within cancer care policy in the United Kingdom and now features prominently within cancer education in many countries. Here, we share findings from a research evaluation of an advanced communication skills training program dedicated to health professionals caring for children and young people with cancer. We evaluated participants’ (n = 59) perceptions of the program, impact on their skills, knowledge, competence, and confidence. An appreciative inquiry design was adopted; data included interviews, precourse-postcourse evaluations, e-mail blog survey, and 360-degree reflective work records. The framework approach underpinned data analysis and triangulation of data sets. Key findings highlighted good and poor practice in health professionals’ engagement with children, young people, and their families; the purpose of communicating effectively was not always consistent with collaborative working. Attending a program helped participants expand their knowledge of communication theories and strategies. Participants valued using simulated scenarios to develop their skills and were keen to use their new skills to enhance care delivery. Our emphasis within this evaluation, however, remained on what was communicated, when and how, rather than to what effect. The impact of programs such as these must now be evaluated in terms of patient benefit.
Prevalence of Cleft Lip/Palate in the Fangshan District of Beijing, 2006-2012
Authors: Yang Yanfen , Liu Hui , Ma Ruixin , Jin Lei
Published: March 2018

Objective:

To estimate the cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) prevalence among births between 2006 and 2012 in Fangshan district of Beijing, China.

Design:

Surveillance data analysis.

Setting:

All hospitals that provide obstetric services in the district.

Patients:

The CL/P cases presented for this report were from 13 weeks’ gestation to 7 days postpartum.

Main Outcome Measures:

The CL/P prevalence was defined as the number of cases per 10 000 births, including live births and stillbirths at 28 weeks’ gestation or beyond.

Results:

The overall CL/P prevalence was 18.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.1-22.7) per 10 000 births. From 2006 to 2012, the CL/P prevalence was 19.3, 20.2, 10.9, 16.1, 17.5, 25.4, and 22.3 per 10 000 births; annually, no significant change was noted ( Pfor trend= .311). The prevalence of cleft palate, cleft lip, and cleft lip and palate were 3.4 (95% CI: 2.0-5.4), 6.2 (95% CI: 4.2-8.8), and 9.4 (95% CI: 6.9-12.4) per 10 000 births, respectively. The CL/P prevalence among the nonpermanent residents (31.4 per 10 000 births) was 2.31 times that of permanent residents (13.6 per 10 000 births). Among nonpermanent residents, the CL/P prevalence showed an upward trend over the study period ( Pfor trend= .036), that increased from 38.8 (95% CI: 16.5-76.6) per 10 000 births in 2006 to 54.6 (95% CI: 25.7-100.4) per 10 000 births in 2012.

Conclusions:

The overall CL/P prevalence was stable in the Fangshan district. However, the CL/P prevalence of the nonpermanent residents increased significantly.
Political Gender Stereotypes in a List-PR System with a High Share of Women MPs: Competent Men versus Leftist Women?
Authors: Devroe Robin , Wauters Bram
Published: March 2018

On the basis of a candidate’s sex, voters ascribe particular personality traits, capacities, and opinions to candidates (often to the detriment of women), which are referred to as political gender stereotypes. The prevalence of political gender stereotypes has almost exclusively been investigated in the United States. As the presence of these stereotypes is highly dependent on contextual factors, we switch the context and investigate whether they are also present in a List-Proportional Representation (PR) system with a high share of women in parliament spread over different parties. The results of our experimental study, conducted in Flanders (Belgium), provide evidence for the existence of stereotypical patterns. The differences in perceived issue competence are, however, rather small and not always unequivocal, but larger differences were found in terms of ideological position. This leads us to conclude that misperceptions about women’s ideological orientation might be persistent and difficult to overcome. Moreover, our results demonstrate that the argument that female politicians are perceived as more leftist because they disproportionately belong to leftist parties does not hold, as female politicians are rather equally spread over the different parties in Belgium.
Reworking Prejudice in Qualitative Inquiry With Gadamer and De/Colonizing Onto-Epistemologies
Authors: Bhattacharya Kakali , Kim Jeong-Hee
Published: March 2018

In this article, the authors explore prejudice from Gadamerian and de/colonial perspectives, grounded in methodological discourses of qualitative inquiry. Using a vignette of a typical conversation in a dissertation defense, the authors perform a Gadamerian and de/colonial reading informed by Anzaldúa, Mohanty, Smith, and Chakravorty Spivak. Through these readings the authors enact a fusion of horizons, a possibility forwarded by Gadamer as a critique of Enlightenment-based onto-epistemologies, which situate prejudice as a reminder to engage in expansive knowledge-making moves. De/colonial scholars add arguments about positionality and the need to engage with one’s own stuck places, places of contradictions and tensions, and conditions that cultivate deep introspection. The politics of evidence-based research continues to stifle and discipline the ways in which qualitative research can be engaged. Therefore, the authors offer possibilities in this article that would allow movement from Enlightenment-based onto-epistemologies to other more fluid and culturally situated expansive spaces of knowledge construction.
Get Published, Now: An Introduction to Qualitative Education Research (QER)
Authors: Creps Karenanna Boyle
Published: March 2018

This article is the unanticipated product of a doctoral student’s first research endeavor, originally designed to investigate the impact of a change in one school district’s arts education policy. What began as a qualitative pilot study, grounded in stakeholder interviews, became a jarring disruption of the researcher’s assumptions about the implications of institutional review board (IRB)–approved, social-justice-oriented research. This project reveals concerns about the assumed beneficence of educational research. The poem’s full “text” includes giving it actual voice through performance. This vox autobiographia poetic inquiry addresses areas of serious ethical concern for graduate students training to become professional researchers and their academic mentors.
Sensitivity and Specificity Analysis: Use of Emoticon for Screening of Depression in Elderly in Singapore
Authors: Tan Laurence , Toh Hui Jin , Sim Lai Kiow , Low James Alvin
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND: The current screening tools for depression can be tedious to administer, especially in the elderly population with hearing impairment and/or limited proficiency in English language. OBJECTIVES: To look at the feasibility of using emoticon as a screening and assessment tool for depression in the elderly. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHOD: A total of 77 elderly patients completed the study from June 2014 to August 2015 in a general geriatric outpatient clinic of an acute care hospital in Singapore. Patients rated their mood using an emoticon scale, which ranges from 1 ( most happy face) to 7 ( most sad face). Depression was assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) criteria as the gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity for depression were calculated for the cutoff scores from 1 to 7 on the emoticon scale. RESULTS: The sensitivity percentages were low across all cutoff scores. The specificity was more than 90% for the cutoff score of 5 and above on the emoticon scale. However, all the patients who had depression diagnosed using the DSM-IV criteria did not have emoticon scores of 5 and above. CONCLUSIONS: The emoticon scale was easy to use, but its effectiveness in the screening of depression in the elderly needs to be explored further. The inability to use the emoticon scale as a tool may be the lack of measurements in the other domains of the DSM-IV criteria (sleep, energy, appetite, etc.), rather than failure of the emoticon scale to assess mood.
Geometrically nonlinear dynamic response and vibration of shear deformable eccentrically stiffened functionally graded material cylindrical panels subjected to thermal, mechanical, and blast loads
Authors: Duc Nguyen Dinh , Duc Tuan Ngo , Hong Cong Pham , Dinh Dat Ngo , Dinh Khoa Nguyen
Published: March 2018

Based on the first order shear deformation shell theory, this paper presents an analysis of the nonlinear dynamic response and vibration of imperfect eccentrically stiffened functionally graded material (ES-FGM) cylindrical panels subjected to mechanical, thermal, and blast loads resting on elastic foundations. The material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent and graded in the thickness direction according to simple power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. Both functionally graded material cylindrical panels and stiffeners having temperature-dependent properties are deformed under temperature, simultaneously. Numerical results for the dynamic response of the imperfect ES-FGM cylindrical panels with two cases of boundary conditions are obtained by the Galerkin method and fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. The results show the effects of geometrical parameters, material properties, imperfections, mechanical and blast loads, temperature, elastic foundations and boundary conditions on the nonlinear dynamic response of the imperfect ES-FGM cylindrical panels. The obtained numerical results are validated by comparing with other results reported in the open literature.
The diagnosis is correct, but National Institute of Health and Care Excellence guidelines are part of the problem not the solution
Authors: Timimi Sami
Published: March 2018

Mike Scott’s study provides data demonstrating that the national Improving Access to Psychological Therapies project is not leading to improved outcomes or value for money. I present further data from both the adult and children and young people’s versions of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies that lends supports to this conclusion. However, while Scott argues in favour of better compliance with National Institute of Health and Care Excellence guidelines and greater model expertise, I argue that it is this ‘technical’ focus that is part of the problem not the solution.
A detailed experimental study of the validity and applicability of slotted stand-off layer rail dampers in reducing railway vibration and noise
Authors: Zhao Caiyou , Wang Ping , Yi Qiang , Sheng Xi , Lu Jun
Published: March 2018

This paper is concerned with an experimental study of improved slotted stand-off layer rail dampers in reducing railway vibration and noise. To achieve the goal, based on the idea of molecular design, polyurethane/vinyl ester resin interpenetrating polymer network damping materials with high damping properties was developed in the laboratory for the material of the damping layer. The effects of vinyl ester resin and organic small molecule hybridization on the damping properties of the polyurethane/vinyl ester resin interpenetrating polymer network material were investigated. The structural style of the damper was improved for ease of installation and removal in situ. Then, these improvements of damping material and structural style were used to make optimized slotted stand-off layer dampers, which were applied in a test section. The measurements indicate that the structural style improvement could improve the application convenience while also maintaining the noise reduction effect. The improved rail dampers could greatly increase the track decay rate at frequencies above 100 Hz and reduce noise levels by up to 6 dB at the speed of 60 km/h.
Exploring self-reflection in dual relationship decision-making
Authors: Brownlee Keith , LeBlanc Heather , Halverson Glenn , Piché Tammy , Brazeau James
Published: March 2018

Social workers practicing in small rural towns regularly encounter overlapping or dual relationships with clients. This can lead to boundary crossing and conflicts of interest that require an ethical decision. Previous research on how rural social workers approach ethical decision-making in these situations has suggested that while they might draw on ethical codes, many rely on intuitive or personal viewpoints rather than systematic decision-making processes. Although social workers are often trained to engage in self-reflection when faced with the complexities of practice and the possibilities of personal biases, the role of systematic self-reflection in personal decision-making about dual relationships has not been sufficiently documented in the literature. Using qualitative inquiry, this study explored the lived experiences with dual relationships reported by 44 practitioners working in small towns in rural Canada.

Findings

The findings confirm that practitioners were frequently guided in their decisions by an intuitive or emotional understanding of dual relationships rather than by external codes, and while self-reflection was seen to play a role, a formal or systematic approach to personal self-reflection was not reported.

Applications

The findings suggest that educational or professional development on more intentional use of self-reflection in practice would aid in safeguarding the client and the worker when dealing with dual relationships, while providing an ethical process congruent with a rural and remote community identity. Explicit decision-making would also make the process more defensible and justifiable, not only to themselves, but also to colleagues, supervisors, and to their professional association.
Active learning strategies and academic self-efficacy relate to both attentional control and attitudes towards plagiarism
Authors: du Rocher Andrew R
Published: March 2018

Active learning strategies, goals, values, self-efficacy and thus study motivation are all thought to affect the depth of student engagement with their work. Plagiarism is a common problem and must reflect a shallow level of student engagement. Cognitive perspectives on learning and teaching should consider how variations in attentional control might be implicated in both study motivation and plagiarism. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between these variables, with the intention of informing learning and teaching practices. Increased self-efficacy, active learning strategies and learning values were robustly related to a more negative attitude towards plagiarism. Attentional control was unrelated to attitudes towards plagiarism, but was robustly related to increased self-efficacy and active learning strategies. Research concerning how both active learning and self-efficacy are affected by attentional control processes should be instrumental in improving teaching techniques. Increasing students’ active learning and self-efficacy during their degree should prove to be of particular utility when developing plagiarism interventions.
Homicide clearance in Western Europe
Authors: Liem Marieke , Suonpää Karoliina , Lehti Martti , Kivivuori Janne , Granath Sven , Walser Simone , Killias Martin
Published: March 2018

This study provides an overview of homicide clearance in four West European countries: Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. Using data from the European Homicide Monitor, employing similar definitions and uniform coding schemes, this study allowed for unique cross-country comparisons in factors influencing differences in homicide clearance rates. Findings based on homicides occurring in the period 2009–14 revealed overall low homicide rates in all countries, with a wide variety in homicide clearance rates, ranging from 77 percent in the Netherlands to 98 percent in Finland. Results further showed that both event-based as well as victim-based characteristics significantly influenced the likelihood of homicide clearance, suggesting that homicide clearance rates can, for a large part, be attributed to the prevalent types of homicide in each of these European countries.
The Role and Influence of Prostate Cancer Caregivers Across the Care Continuum
Authors: Piervil Esther , Odedina Folakemi , Young Mary Ellen
Published: March 2018

Background. Black men endure a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality related to prostate cancer (CaP). Increasingly family members are assuming the role of providing care and support to family members with chronic disease. Understanding the role and influence of the caregiver is a necessary part of developing resources to assist individuals learning to provide care. Aim. The analysis aimed to explore CaP survivors’ perceptions of the role and influence of family caregivers to better understand existing opportunities for improving experiences and outcomes for both the caregiver and the care receiver. Design. Secondary analysis of qualitative interview transcripts. Data were analyzed to explore new inquiries related to CaP survivors’ perceptions of family caregivers’ role and influence at each stage of care. Content analysis was used to group data into established categories. Data Source. Data included qualitative interview transcripts with 32 CaP survivors from the Florida Prostate Cancer Care and Survivorship Project. Results. The role of the family caregiver is complex. Caregivers in this community seem to have a significant influence on behavior modification and cues to action for Black men with prostate cancer. According to the men in this group, caregivers functioned as normalizing agents, coordinating care and creating a new normal, throughout the various stages of care and survivorship. Conclusions. Findings inform areas for future research to develop culturally tailored health promotion programs designed to improve outcomes and address the needs of both the family caregiver and the care receiver across the care continuum.
HPV Knowledge and Vaccine Initiation Among Mexican-Born Farmworkers in North Carolina
Authors: Furgurson Katherine F. , Sandberg Joanne C. , Hsu Fang-Chi , Mora Dana C. , Quandt Sara A. , Arcury Thomas A.
Published: March 2018

The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine is an effective but underused cancer prevention tool. This study assessed knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine initiation among Mexican-born farmworkers in North Carolina. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were conducted with 100 Latino farmworkers and 100 nonfarmworker Latino North Carolina residents in 2015 as part of an ongoing community-based participatory research project. Farmworkers had low levels of knowledge about HPV and the HPV vaccine. They had a similar amount of HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge compared to nonfarmworkers. Farmworkers and nonfarmworkers learned about the HPV vaccine from different sources. Adolescent children of farmworkers and nonfarmworkers had low HPV vaccine initiation. However, for children living in the United States with farmworker parents, vaccine initiation was high. To prevent HPV-related cancers and improve health equity, interventions are needed in order to increase HPV education and vaccine initiation among children of Mexican-born farmworkers and nonfarmworkers. Public health programs should look for partners outside the traditional health care setting to reach underserved populations. Other key strategies include promoting catch-up vaccines, improving patient–provider communication, and providing case management services.
The effect of sildenafil on gastric motility and satiation in healthy controls
Authors: Carbone F , Tack J
Published: March 2018

Sildenafil induces relaxation of smooth muscle cells by blocking PDE5. Dyspepsia is one of sildenafil's most frequently reported adverse events, suggesting its effect on gastric motility. Our aim was to study the effect of sildenafil on gastric accommodation (GA) and gastric emptying (GE) in healthy volunteers (HVs).

Methods

Sildenafil (50 mg) or placebo was randomly administered to 16 blinded HVs. After a manometry probe and an infusion catheter were positioned in the proximal stomach, the intragastric pressure (IGP) was measured before and during nutrient drink infusion (ND, 60 ml/min). HVs were asked to score their hunger, satiation and six epigastric symptoms at five‐minute intervals. The experiment ended when the HVs scored maximal satiation during ND infusion at one‐minute intervals. To assess GE, breath samples were collected every 15 minutes for six hours after the meal (244 kcal).

Results

ND infusion induced a drop in proximal stomach IGP, which was suppressed by sildenafil (average area under the curve for sildenafil: −33.6 ± 8.8 mmHg; placebo: −60.8 ± 11.3 mmHg, p = 0.005). Sildenafil‐treated volunteers reached earlier maximal satiation compared to placebo (678 ± 70 ml vs. 836 ± 82.6 ml, p = 0.019). Finally, GE was significantly slower after sildenafil (90.6 ± 5.9 min vs. 76.6 ± 7.1 min, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Sildenafil inhibits GA, leading to significantly decreased nutrient tolerance, and slightly delays the GE rate in humans.
Who Is Presidential? Women’s Political Representation, Deflection, and the 2016 Election
Authors: Boyle Kaitlin M. , Meyer Chase B.
Published: March 2018

In 2016, Hillary Clinton was the first woman to gain the presidential nomination from a major political party in the United States, yet she was unsuccessful. The current study explores barriers to being elected as president for women generally and Hillary Clinton specifically. Using the propositions and tools of affect control theory, we demonstrate how women’s political representation shapes cultural sentiments about women and the president. In a nationwide sample of Americans surveyed shortly before the election, we find women’s representation on the state level influences voter preferences through these cultural sentiments: More women in politics makes a woman president feel less deflecting, which is associated with a greater likelihood of voting for Clinton. We also demonstrate how sentiments about Clinton—as an individual, not merely a woman running for president—conflict with Democratic voters’ expectations for presidential qualities and behaviors, which may have further prevented victory in 2016.
Playing the Trump Card: Masculinity Threat and the U.S. 2016 Presidential Election
Authors: Carian Emily K. , Sobotka Tagart Cain
Published: March 2018

Using an experimental study fielded before the U.S. 2016 presidential election, we test one potential mechanism to explain the outcome of the election: threatened gender identity. Building on masculine overcompensation literature, we test whether threat to masculinity can explain differential support for Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton among men, and adjudicate between two mediators: desire for a male president and desire for a masculine president. As predicted, we find that masculinity threat increases desire for a masculine president (but not desire for a male president), which in turn increases support for Trump and decreases support for Clinton among men. This study empirically documents the role masculinity threat may have played in the 2016 presidential election and politics more generally. This study also contributes to theory by providing evidence that masculine overcompensation works symbolically to reassert the status of masculinity over femininity rather than to simply emphasize maleness over femaleness.
Persistence of Diabetes and Hypertension After Multimodal Treatment of Acromegaly
Authors: González Baldomero , Vargas Guadalupe , de los Monteros Ana Laura Espinosa , Mendoza Victoria , Mercado Moisés
Published: March 2018

Context

Diabetes and hypertension are frequent comorbidities of acromegaly.

Objective

To analyze the course of diabetes and hypertension at diagnosis and after multimodal therapy in a large cohort of patients with acromegaly.

Design and Setting

Retrospective study at a tertiary care center.

Patients and Methods

A total of 522 patients with acromegaly treated according to a preestablished protocol.

Main Outcome Measures

Prevalence of diabetes and hypertension and its relationship with biochemical indices of acromegalic control.

Results

The cohort was stratified according to disease activity upon last visit to clinic: (1) surgical remission (n = 122), (2) pharmacologically controlled (n = 92), (3) active disease (n = 148), (4) insulinlike growth factor (IGF)-1 discordance (n = 64), and (5) growth hormone (GH) discordance (n = 96). The prevalence of diabetes and hypertension at diagnosis was 30% and 37%, respectively, and did not change upon the last visit (30.6% and 38%). Both comorbidities were more prevalent at diagnosis and on the last visit than in the general population. Diabetes was less prevalent on the last visit in patients who achieved surgical remission than in those who persisted with active disease (25% vs 40%, P = 0.01). Upon multivariate analysis, diabetes was associated with an IGF-1 at diagnosis >2× upper limit of normal, with the persistence of active acromegaly, the presence of hypertension upon the last visit, with the presence of a macroadenoma, and with female sex.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore the importance of an integral approach when managing these patients, focusing not only on the control of GH and IGF-1 levels but also on the timely diagnosis and the specific treatment of each comorbidity.
Neurocognition, sleep, and PET findings in type 2 vs type 1 narcolepsy
Authors: Huang Yu-Shu , Hsiao Ing-Tsung , Liu Feng-Yuan , Hwang Fang-Ming , Lin Kuang-Lin , Huang Wen-Cheng , Guilleminault Christian
Published: March 2018

Objective

To analyze differences in functional brain images collected in patients with type 2 and type 1 narcolepsy compared to normal controls and the relationship among brain images, objective neuropsychologic tests, and sleep findings.

Methods

Data collection included comprehensive clinical investigation, study of sleep/wake with actigraphy, polysomnography, Multiple Sleep Latency Test, human leukocyte antigen typing, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET, and cognitive tests obtained from 29 patients with type 2 narcolepsy, 104 patients with type 1 narcolepsy, and 26 sex- and age-matched normal control individuals. Conners’ Continuous Performance Test (CPT II) and Wisconsin Card-Sorting Task were performed simultaneously with the FDG-PET examination. After analyses of variance, data between patients with type 1 and type 2 narcolepsy were compared by post hoc analysis, and correlation between functional brain imaging findings and results of neurocognitive tests was obtained.

Results

All patients with narcolepsy presented with at least 2 sleep-onset REM periods (SOREMP) and subjective sleepiness. Patients with type 2 narcolepsy compared to patients with type 1 narcolepsy had significantly less SOREMP, longer mean sleep latencies, and lower body mass indexes, apnea-hypopnea indexes, and frequency of human leukocyte antigen DQ-Beta1*0602. In patients with type 2 narcolepsy, FDG-PET studies showed significantly less hypermetabolism in the fusiform gyrus, striatum, hippocampus, thalamus, basal ganglia, and cerebellum than in patients with type 1 narcolepsy, and significantly less hypometabolism in the regions of frontal lobe, posterior cingulum, angular gyrus, and part of the parietal lobe; these changes were associated with fewer errors on the CPT.

Conclusion

Young patients with type 2 narcolepsy have fewer clinical impairments and less distinct brain functional abnormalities than patients with type 1 narcolepsy, who are significantly more affected.
The Optimal Timing of Unemployment Benefits: Theory and Evidence from Sweden
Authors: Kolsrud Jonas , Landais Camille , Nilsson Peter , Spinnewijn Johannes
Published: March 2018

This paper provides a simple, yet robust framework to evaluate the time profile of benefits paid during an unemployment spell. We derive sufficient-statistics formulae capturing the marginal insurance value and incentive costs of unemployment benefits paid at different times during a spell. Our approach allows us to revisit separate arguments for inclining or declining profiles put forward in the theoretical literature and to identify welfare-improving changes in the benefit profile that account for all relevant arguments jointly. For the empirical implementation, we use administrative data on unemployment, linked to data on consumption, income, and wealth in Sweden. First, we exploit duration-dependent kinks in the replacement rate and find that, if anything, the moral hazard cost of benefits is larger when paid earlier in the spell. Second, we find that the drop in consumption affecting the insurance value of benefits is large from the start of the spell, but further increases throughout the spell. In trading off insurance and incentives, our analysis suggests that the flat benefit profile in Sweden has been too generous overall. However, both from the insurance and the incentives side, we find no evidence to support the introduction of a declining tilt in the profile. (JEL D82, E21, E24, J64, J65)
Corporate Finance and Monetary Policy
Authors: Rocheteau Guillaume , Wright Randall , Zhang Cathy
Published: March 2018

We develop a general equilibrium model where entrepreneurs finance random investment opportunities using trade credit, bank-issued assets, or currency. They search for bank funding in over-the-counter markets where loan sizes, interest rates, and down payments are negotiated bilaterally. The theory generates pass-through from nominal interest rates to real lending rates depending on market microstructure, policy, and firm characteristics. Higher banks' bargaining power, for example, raises pass-through but weakens transmission to investment. Interest rate spreads arise from liquidity, regulatory, and intermediation premia and depend on policy described as money growth or open market operations. (JEL E43, E52, G21, G31, G32, L26)
Fe/O ratio behavior as an indicator of solar plasma state at different solar activity manifestations and in periods of their absence
Authors: Минасянц Геннадий , Minasyants Gennady , Минасянц Тамара , Minasyants Tamara , Томозов Владимир , Tomozov Vladimir
Published: March 2018

We report the results of the investigation into plasma physical characteristics at various solar activity manifestations and in periods of their absence. These results have been obtained from quantitative estimates of the relative abundance of Fe/O ions in different energy ranges. Maximum values of the Fe/O ratio is shown to correspond to particle fluxes from impulsive flares for ions with energies <2 MeV/n (the most significant manifestation of the FIP effect). In particle fluxes from gradual flares, the Fe/O value decreases smoothly with ion energy and is noticeably inferior to values of fluxes in impulsive events. We have established that the properties of flares of solar cosmic rays indicate their belonging to a separate subclass in the total population of gradual events. Relying on variations in the abundance of Fe/O ions, we propose an xplanation of the solar plasma behavior during the development of flares of both classes. Magnetic clouds (a separate type of coronal mass ejections (CME)), which have regions of turbulent compression and are sources of strong geomagnetic storms, exhibit a relative composition of Fe ions comparable to the abundance of Fe in ion fluxes from gradual flares. We have found out that the Fe/O value can be used to detect penetration of energetic flare plasma into the CME body at the initial phase of their joint development and to estimate its relative contribution. During solar minimum with complete absence of sunspots, the Fe/O ratio during periods of “quiet” solar wind show absolutely low values of Fe/O=0.004–0.010 in the energy range from 2–5 to 30 MeV/n. This is associated with the manifestation of the cosmic ray anomalous component, which causes an increase in the intensity of ion fluxes with a high first ionization potential, including oxygen (O), and elements with a low first ionization potential (Fe) demonstrate weakening of the fluxes. As for particles with higher energies (Ek>30 MeV/n), the Fe/O increase is due to the decisive influence of galactic cosmic rays on the composition of impurity elements in the solar wind under solar minimum conditions. The relative content of heavy elements in galactic cosmic rays 30–500 MeV/n is similar to values in fluxes from gradual flares during high solar activity. During solar minimum without sunspots, the behavior of Fe/O for different ion energy ranges in plasma flows from coronal holes (CH) and in the solar wind exhibits only minor deviations. At the same time, plasma flows associated with the disturbed frontal CH region can be sources of moderate geomagnetic storms.
Neurogenic hyperkinetic movement disorders in dogs
Authors: Prikryl Miroslav , Cherubini Giunio Bruto , Palus Viktor
Published: March 2018

Hyperkinetic movements are generally described as involuntary movements. They can be focal, affecting just one group of muscles in limbs, trunk or face, or generalised causing the whole body to be affected. We choose to classify them based on their clinical appearance as that can be the primary complaint of the owner and the only clinical sign observed. Many of these disorders have a genetic component and breed predisposition, or may be a clinical manifestation of an underlying neurological disease. Therefore the aim of this article is to provide brief information regarding these hyperkinetic disorders classified by their clinical appearance and possibly by their breed predisposition.
Reptile anaesthesia and analgesia
Authors: Perpiñán David
Published: March 2018

Anaesthesia and analgesia in reptiles is not more difficult than in any other veterinary species. However, general practitioners often lose the opportunity to perform different procedures in snakes, lizards, chelonians and crocodilians because they may feel uncomfortable with anaesthesia and analgesia of these patients. It is unfortunately common for veterinary surgeons, even those seeing reptiles on a regular basis, to under-use analgesics in reptile patients ( Read, 2004 ). This article will guide practitioners on performing proper and safe anaesthetic procedures, and will discuss the developing science of reptile analgesia.
Mandatory chipping: how much has changed in 2 years?
Authors: Prior Sebastian
Published: March 2018

It is 2 years since it became law for all UK dogs to have a microchip. There is reason for optimism that more pets are being microchipped, but more stilll needs to be done on keeping details updated.
Adaptive interaction as a method of non-verbal communication in individuals with dementia
Authors: Currie Linda
Published: March 2018

In the final stages of dementia, individuals may lose the ability to use verbal language. Linda Currie explains how staff in general practice can use a method called adaptive interaction to help communicate with people living with dementia

Significant numbers of people in the UK are living with dementia. In the final stages of dementia, individuals may experience a loss of verbal language ability. All staff in general practice are in a key position to engage with individuals using non-verbal communication methods. Adaptive interaction is one such method, which is simple to initiate, and in doing so offers a lifeline to help prevent social isolation.
Effect of MATE 1, MATE 2 and OCT1 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Metformin Action in Recently Diagnosed Egyptian Type-2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Mostafa-Hedeab Gomaa , Mohamed Alaa Abdelhamed , Thabet Gamal , Sabry Dina , Salam Randa Fayez , Hassen Manal Ewaiss
Published: March 2018

Objective: to study the effect of MATE 1, MATE 2 and OCT1 genetic variants on metformin action in recently diagnosed Egyptian Type-2 diabetic patients. Patients & Methods: One hundred type-2 DM patients and forty healthy control were included in the study. All patients were recently diagnosed receiving no treatment before participation in the study. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were Genotyped using real time PCR, Sequence Detection System: MATE1 (rs2252281), OCT1 coding variants (rs12208357) (SLC22A1) and MATE2 (rs12943590). Results: there is a significant differences between control and patients regarding MATE2 (p<0.05), OCT1 (P<0.005) distribution; in which GG (54%), CC (62%) is the most prevalent among studied patients respectively. MATE1 SNP; Patients with CC alleles and TT allele had better HBA1C (8.577±.2924), (8.7±.25) compared to CT allele patients (9.584±.3023) (P= .04) (P=.019) respectively. OCT1 SNP; CG allele patients showed better RBS (251±9.565) compared to CC allele (294.42±8.476) (p=0.004). Logistic regression test showed that RBS (p=.00001), ALT (p=.0001) and TLC (p=.025) are independent factors affecting blood glucose. Conclusion: MATE1 and OCT1 SNPs may have a potential role in metformin efficacy.
The scaling of growth, reproduction and defense in colonies of Amazonian Termites
Authors: Pequeno Pedro A. C. L. , Franklin Elizabeth
Published: March 2018

Phenotypes can evolve through life-history tradeoffs. Termites have been the first eusocial insects on Earth, prompting life history evolution at the colony level. Despite this, termite life-history allocation strategies are poorly known. Here, we addressed this issue using novel data on three common species from the diverse, yet understudied Amazonian termite fauna: Neocapritermes braziliensis, Labiotermes labralis and Anoplotermes banksi. Using Oster and Wilson’s optimal caste ratio theory and Higashi et al.’s termite caste allocation theory as frameworks, we assessed how termite colonies should invest in growth (immatures), reproduction (alates) and defense (soldiers) as they accumulate workers. We also examined whether soldier loss in soil-feeding Apicotermitinae (A. banksi) may have affected allocation strategies. We found that: (1) the scaling of immature number was isometric in the three species, contrary to the leveling off expected under resource limitation; (2) colonies of all sizes were equally likely to produce any number of alates, rather than having a size threshold for reproduction; (3) the scaling of soldier number was unrelated to alate production, but varied from isometry in N. braziliensis to negative allometry in L. labralis despite their similar defense strategies; (4) A. banksi had more immatures per worker and a higher maximum alate number per worker than the other species, suggesting that soldier loss may have allowed higher relative investment in colony growth and, possibly, reproduction. Termites can provide novel insights into life-history allocation strategies and their relation to social evolution, and should be better incorporated into sociobiological theory.
Efects of Usnic, Barbatic and Fumarprotocetraric acids on Survival of Nasutitermes corniger (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae)
Authors: Martins Monica C B , Lopes Rosineide Silva , Barbosa Patricia Silva , Santiago Rocio , Rodrigues Bruno Rafael , Albuquerque Auristela Correia de , Flacão Emerson Peter S. , Lima Vera Lucia de M. , Silva Nicácio H. da , Pereira Eugênia C.
Published: March 2018

Lichens (Algal-Fungal association) synthesize unique chemical substances with different biological activities. Three pure lichen compounds were assayed to evaluate their potential insecticidal activity against the termite Nasutitermes corniger on Petri dishes. Usnic, fumarprotocetraric and barbatic acids were isolated and purified from the lichens Cladonia substellata, C. verticillaris and Cladia aggregata, respectively, using thin-layer and high-performance liquid chromatography for attesting their purity. Nuclear proton magnetic resonance and infrared spectrophotometry was used for their chemical characterization. After exposure, mortality of termites (workers and soldiers) was determined during 11 days period. The termiticidal effect was influenced by the exposure time and the type of member colony. The results showed that lichen substances, tested at 5, 7 and 10 mg mL-1, have a termiticidal activity (~100%) on worker termites after 8th days of treatment, in comparison with controls. However, no significant effect on soldiers was found. These findings indicate that usnic, fumarprotocetraric and barbatic acids are potential compounds for use in the control of this urban pest.