bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of ranolazine on glycaemia in adults with and without diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Teoh Ik Hur , Banerjee Moulinath
Published: December 2018

Background

Ranolazine is an antianginal drug reported to have hypoglycaemic effects.

Objectives

To assess the effect of ranolazine versus placebo on glycaemic control for adults with and without diabetes.

Methods

A systematic search of seven databases was conducted to identify all randomised controlled trials that compared the effect of ranolazine versus placebo on haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and/or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and/or incidence of hypoglycaemia. We used mean differences in HbA1c and FPG to express intervention effect estimates and analysed the data with random-effects model for meta-analyses using Revman 5.3.

Results

We identified seven trials including 6543 subjects to assess the effect of ranolazine on HbA1c and/or FPG. A separate trial that included 944 subjects was included to assess the effect of ranolazine on hypoglycaemia. The change in HbA1c for all patients was −0.36% (95% CI −0.57% to −0.15%; p=0.0004, I2=78%). In patients with diabetes, the change in HbA1c was −0.41% (95% CI −0.58% to −0.25%; p<0.00001, I2=65%). There was no significant difference in FPG between ranolazine and placebo groups (−2.58 mmol/L, 95% CI −7.02 to 1.85; p=0.25; I2=49%) or incidence of hypoglycaemia between ranolazine and placebo groups (OR 1.70, 95% CI 0.89 to 3.26; p=0.61, I2=0%).

Conclusions

Our meta-analytic findings support the fact that ranolazine improves HbA1c without increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia. It therefore has a potential of having an additional benefit of improving glycaemic control in patients with chronic stable angina and diabetes.
Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in people with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised and non-randomised trials
Authors: Smart Neil A , King Nicola , Lambert Jeffrey D , Pearson Melissa J , Campbell John L , Risom Signe S , Taylor Rod S
Published: December 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to undertake a contemporary review of the impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) targeted at patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

We conducted searches of PubMED, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library of Controlled Trials (up until 30 November 2017) using key terms related to exercise-based CR and AF. Randomised and non-randomised controlled trials were included if they compared the effects of an exercise-based CR intervention to a no exercise or usual care control group. Meta-analyses of outcomes were conducted where appropriate.

Results

The nine randomised trials included 959 (483 exercise-based CR vs 476 controls) patients with various types of AF. Compared with control, pooled analysis showed no difference in all-cause mortality (risk ratio (RR) 1.08, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.53, p=0.64) following exercise-based CR. However, there were improvements in health-related quality of life (mean SF-36 mental component score (MCS): 4.00, 95% CI 0.26 to 7.74; p=0.04 and mean SF-36 physical component score: 1.82, 95% CI 0.06 to 3.59; p=0.04) and exercise capacity (mean peak VO2: 1.59 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 0.11 to 3.08; p=0.04; mean 6 min walk test: 46.9 m, 95% CI 26.4 to 67.4; p<0.001) with exercise-based CR. Improvements were also seen in AF symptom burden and markers of cardiac function.

Conclusions

Exercise capacity, cardiac function, symptom burden and health-related quality of life were improved with exercise-based CR in the short term (up to 6 months) targeted at patients with AF. However, high-quality multicentre randomised trials are needed to clarify the impact of exercise-based CR on key patient and health system outcomes (including health-related quality of life, mortality, hospitalisation and costs) and how these effects may vary across AF subtypes.
Foraging behaviour of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) in conifer forests regenerating after fire
Authors: Hutchen J. , Hodges K.E.
Published: December 2018

Wildfires in conifer forests create patchy, heterogeneous landscapes. For many animal species, this post-fire variability means having to navigate quite different habitat patches to locate adequate cover and food. For snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777), post-fire landscapes could include risky open patches, as well as dense regenerating stands rich in food and cover. We analyzed snowshoe hare tortuosity, speed of movement, and amount of browse along winter foraging pathways in unburned mature forest and in dense regenerating stands or open areas with sparse regeneration 12–13 years after the Okanagan Mountain Park fire (>25 000 ha near Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada) to determine whether hares change foraging behaviour in relation to cover type. Hares moved the fastest and browsed the least in open habitats. Hares browsed most often in areas where sapling regeneration was dense; their main forage was lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon). No differences were found in pathway tortuosity in relation to cover type (open, regenerating, or mature patches). When hares moved slower along foraging pathways, they also moved slightly more tortuously and ate more. These results suggest that hares prefer post-fire areas with dense tree regeneration.
Boundary-Functional Broadside and Skewed-Load Tests
Authors: Pomeranz Irith
Published: December 2018

Close-to-functional broadside tests are used for avoiding overtesting of delay faults that can result from non-functional operation conditions, while avoiding test escapes because of faults that cannot be detected under functional operation conditions. When a close-to-functional broadside test deviates from functional operation conditions, the deviation can affect the entire circuit. This article defines the concept of a boundary-functional broadside test where non-functional operation conditions are prevented from crossing a preselected boundary. Using the procedure described in this article, the boundary maintains the same values under a boundary-functional broadside test as under a functional broadside test from which it is derived. Indirectly, this ensures that the deviations from functional operation conditions throughout the entire circuit are limited. The concept of a boundary-functional broadside test is extended to skewed-load tests, and to partial-boundary-functional tests. Experimental results are presented for benchmark circuits to demonstrate the fault coverage improvements that can be achieved using boundary-functional broadside and skewed-load tests as well as partial-boundary-functional tests of both types.
Fine-Mapping of Xq25.1–27.2 Shows Association of Early Childhood Caries with Genetic Variants Depending on Dietary Habits, Protecting Children Who Drink Milk before Going to Bed
Authors: Abbasoğlu Zerrin , Bussaneli Diego G. , Tanboğa İlknur , Henn Indiara W. , Modesto Adriana , Vieira Alexandre R.
Published: December 2018

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a chronic, infectious disease that affects the primary dentition of young children. It is the result of unequal contributions of risk factors and protective factors that influence the disease. The aim of this study was to assess if the X chromosome region previously linked to caries was associated with ECC. Two hundred and fifty-nine unrelated children with no chronic illnesses from 2 to 5 years of age who had no systemic fluoride consumption were evaluated using a cross-sectional design. Data on oral habits were obtained through a questionnaire, and caries experience data were collected by clinical examination. Twenty-three markers in ten genes were studied. Genotyping of the selected polymorphisms was carried out by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Regression analyses were performed comparing individuals with and without caries experience. Of 259 subjects, 123 were caries free. The markers in Xq25.1–27.2 were associated with ECC when children were using milk bottle for longer times (p = 0.01) and had more snacks over the course of a day (p = 0.05). Conversely, the markers in the X chromosome studied here were protective for ECC (p = 0.008) in children consuming milk before going to sleep. The genes located in the X chromosome possibly contribute to ECC and have an impact on ECC depending on the dietary habits.
Jagged1 is Clinically Prognostic and Promotes Invasion of Glioma-Initiating Cells by Activating NF-κB(p65) Signaling
Authors: Hai Long , Liu Peidong , Yu Shengping , Yi Li , Tao Zhennan , Zhang Chen , Abeysekera Iruni Roshanie , Li Tao , Tong Luqing , Ma Haiwen , Liu Bo , Xie Yang , Zhou Xingchen , Lin Yu , Zhu Meng , Zhang Kai , Ren Bingcheng , Ming Haolang , Huang Yubao , Yang Xuejun 
Published: December 2018

Background/Aims: Jagged1 is the ligands of the Notch signaling and has been shown to promote glioma-initiating cells (GICs) in glioblastoma. The role of Jagged1 in GICs invasion and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: Survival data from R2 genomics analysis, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) and visualization platform database were used to evaluate the effects of Jagged1 on overall patient survival. we investigated Jagged1 induced the GICs cells’ invasion by matrix degradation assays and Transwell cell invasion assays in vitro, then we further explored the underlying molecular mechanisms using Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) analysis. Results: High expression of Jagged1 in human glioma was associated with poor survival. Clinical data analysis showed that the Jagged1 was positively correlated with NF-κB(p65). Jagged1-induced invasion of GICs cells through activation of NF-κB(p65) pathway. In vivo, knockdown of Jagged1 could suppress the tumorigenicity of GICs cells through NF-κB(p65) signaling. Conclusion: Insights gained from these findings suggest that Jagged1 plays an important oncogenic role in GICs malignancy by activation of NF-κB(p65) signaling, and Jagged1 could be employed as an effective therapeutic target for GICs.
СИСТЕМНО-БІОЛОГІЧНІ ТА СИСТЕМНО-МЕДИЧНІ УЯВЛЕННЯ ПРО ФУНКЦІОНУВАННЯ ОРГАНІЗМУ. ЧАСТИНА 1. УПОРЯДКУВАННЯ ТА СТРУКТУРУВАННЯ МЕДИЧНОЇ ІНФОРМАЦІЇ
Authors: Mintser O. P.
Published: December 2018

Розглянуто принципи інформаційної впорядкованості. Підкреслюється думка, що без обґрунтування процесів упорядкування та структурування біологічної і медичної інформації домогтися підвищення її валідності неможливо. Останнє істотно ускладнить процедури створення електронної охорони здоров'я. Серед можливих шляхів розвитку системи медичної термінології звертається увага на використання онтології знань. Розглядаються також питання збереження раніше використаних і новостворюваних термінів. Робиться висновок про необхідність створення уні-версуму медичних знань.
ІНФОРМАЦІЙНІ ТА МІКРОЕЛЕКТРОННІ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ ДЛЯ ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ В МОБІЛЬНІЙ МЕДИЦИНІ. НАДІЇ ТА ОБМЕЖЕННЯ
Authors: Mintser O. P. , Romanov V. A. , Galelyuka I. B. , Antomonov A. V.
Published: December 2018

Розглянуто питання використання в медичній практиці інформаційних і мікроелектронних технологій. Підкреслюється думка про необхідність врахування для діагностики патологічного процесу даних передісторії захворювання й узагальнення відомостей про попередні та паралельні дослідження пацієнта в інших закладах охорони здоров'я робить малоперспективним широке застосування подібних пристроїв у практичній медицині. Зроблено висновки про те, що сфера їх використання в мобільній медицині обмежена практичними випадками, які не вимагають детального знання та передісторії патологічного процесу. Підкреслюється також, що на нинішньому етапі розвитку медицини істотне розширення напрямів застосування мікроелектронної техніки може бути забезпечено шляхом спільного її використання зі штучним інтелектом.
ПРИНЦИПИ, МЕТОДИ ТА ГАЛУЗІ МЕДИКО-БІОЛОГІЧНИХ ЗАСТОСУВАНЬ ОПТИЧНИХ ІМУНОСЕНСОРІВ
Authors: Martseniuk V. P. , Klos-Witkowska A. , Sverstiuk A. S. , Bihunyak T. V.
Published: December 2018

Стаття присвячена дослідженню основних принципів проектування та фізико-біологічних методів використання оптичних імуносенсорів. Ми досліджуємо основні шляхи застосування оптичних імуносенсорів у біології та медицині, включаючи тестування якості харчових продуктів, захист природного середовища, медичну діагностику.
ІНФОРМАЦІЙНА ТЕХНОЛОГІЯ КРИПТОГРАФІЧНО-ЗАХИЩЕНОГО ЕКСПОРТУ/ІМПОРТУ РЯДКІВ ТАБЛИЦЬ БАЗИ ДАНИХ
Authors: Lopin Ye. B.
Published: December 2018

У статті наведено опис розробленої інформаційної технології криптографічно-захищеного експорту/імпорту інформації таблиць бази даних медичної інформаційної системи, а також результати здійснених за допомогою даної технології експериментів із експорту/імпорту інформації двох баз даних обліку пацієнтів закладів охорони здоров'я Міністерства оборони України. Отримані результати хронометражу експорту/імпорту інформації були зіставлені та порівняні із визначеними можливими щодобовими обсягами експорту/імпорту інформації у двох закладах охорони здоров'я Міністерства оборони України, в результаті чого зроблено висновки про можливість використання розробленої технології у медичних інформаційних системах. Наведено переваги, що забезпечуються шляхом застосування розробленої інформаційної технології. Визначено напрями використання розробленої інформаційної технології для побудови комплексних систем захисту інформації.
КАРДІОЛОГІЧНІ АСПЕКТИ МЕРЕЖЕВОЇ МЕДИЦИНИ
Authors: Mintser O. P. , Zalisky V. M.
Published: December 2018

У статті подано короткий огляд основних публікацій із мережевої медицині та застосування комплексного мережевого аналізу білкових взаємодій у вивченні захворювань людини. З огляду на функціональні взаємозалежності між молекулярними компонентами в клітині людини, захворювання рідко є наслідком аномалії в одному гені, але відображає комплексні аномалії внутрішньоклітинної мережі. Нові інструменти мережевої медицини пропонують платформу для системного вивчення не лише молекулярної складності конкретного захворювання (що веде до ідентифікації модулів і шляхів захворювання), але також і молекулярних відносин між явно вираженими (патогенними) фенотипами.

Постулюється, що, виявляючи нові гени захворювань, необхідно визначати біологічну значимість пов'язаних із захворюванням мутацій, виявлених у результаті досліджень геному в цілому, та повного секвенування геному, а також виявлення мішеней і біомаркерів складних захворювань.

Робиться також висновок, що мережева медицина й онтологія знань мають багато спільного як у стратегії створення, так і в технологіях використання. Проте завдання багатовимірного моделювання сьогодні переважно виконуються в стратегії «онтологія знань». Те ж можна сказати й про освіту, де онтологічні рішення більш популярні.

Увагу приділено питанням мережевого взаємозв'язку різних кардіологічних захворювань на молекулярному та фенотипічному рівнях. Багато захворювань серця розглядаються за допомогою комплексних клінічних фенотипів, що формуються в результаті інтегративного впливу на молекулярному (інтерактомному), генетичному (геномному) та екологічному (метаболомному) рівнях.
ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ІНДУСТРІАЛЬНИХ ОЦІНОК ДЛЯ ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ЯКОСТІ НАДАННЯ МЕДИЧНОЇ ДОПОМОГИ В УМОВАХ ДЕРЖАВНО-ПРИВАТНОГО ПАРТНЕРСТВА
Authors: Hanynets P. P. , Sinyenko N. O.
Published: December 2018

Розглянуто питання застосування деяких індустріальних оцінок для кількісного визначення якості надання допомоги пацієнтам на реабілітаційному етапі лікування. Водночас проводили зіставлення цих оцінок у структурах об'єктів державного і приватного секторів. Підкреслюється, що якщо фінансові та адміністративні питання подібної взаємодії певною мірою вивчені, то кількісна оцінка якості надання медичної допомоги в умовах державно-приватного партнерства (ДПП) до сьогодні викликає питання. Вони особливо очевидні в аналізі ефективності співпраці під час реабілітації пацієнтів. Розглянуто аспекти використання застосування теорії ефективності Парето і функції втрат Тагучі. Обговорено теоретичні підходи до застосування науково-технологічного інструментарію реалізації ДПП у медичних установах, зокрема в реабілітаційному центрі. В їхню основу закладено інструментальні підходи оцінки якості медичної допомоги. Показано, що застосування методик оцінки Парето і функції втрат Тагучі дозволяє кількісно охарактеризувати поліпшення якості надання медичної допомоги за ДПП. Показано також, що показники клінічної роботи та середні результати реабілітації близькі. Однак, повторюваність результатів за ДПП була значно вищою, а число лікарських помилок зменшилося на 42%±3%. Інтегральна оцінка за методами Парето і Тагучі виявилася зміщеною в бік ДПП. Величина відстані ВА становила 1,7 умовних одиниць, що можна вважати кількісним доказом ефективності нового формату діяльності санаторію.
ОПТИМІЗАЦІЯ ПРОЦЕСУ РЕЄСТРАЦІЇ ТА СПИСАННЯ ЛАБОРАТОРНОГО ВИТРАТНОГО МАТЕРІАЛУ І РЕАГЕНТІВ
Authors: Stetsyuk V. Z. , Babintseva L. Yu. , Muha I. P. , Barvinska O. Yu. , Chyzh Yu. M.
Published: December 2018

Описано комп'ютерну десктопну програму для автоматизації ведення обліку хімічного посуду, реагентів і звітності про їх надходження та списання «Облік матеріалів та реагентів медичної лабораторії». Представлене програмне забезпечення дозволяє оптимізувати роботу лікарів-лаборантів і персоналу медичної лабораторії, а також забезпечує процес реєстрації, обліку та списання лабораторного витратного матеріалу та регентів.
Psicanálise com crianças: sobre identificações e escolhas de objetos transicionais durante a sessão analítica
Authors: Cappellari Amanda , Linhares Garcia Edna
Published: December 2018

Considerando-se aspectos relacionados à invenção da infância e à inauguração da possibilidade do trabalho terapêutico com crianças por meio da psicanálise, propõe-se, neste artigo, discutir algumas questões importantes no que tange à psicoterapia infantil, suscitadas a partir da realização do Estágio Integrado em Psicologia, na prática de psicoterapia de base analítica. Para tanto, serão discutidas as noções de resistência e suas articulações com a transferência, bem como a identificação de crianças com animais e a escolha de objetos transicionais durante a sessão, que se mostram como potentes aliados para a expressão da criança e constituem vias de acesso ao inconsciente.
De que se trata ser freudiano pela psicanálise lacaniana? Os quatro conceitos fundamentais da psicanálise em Freud e em Lacan
Authors: Leitão Iagor Brum , Mendes Flávio Martins de Souza
Published: December 2018

O artigo versa sobre os quatros conceitos considerados por Lacan como fundamentais da psicanálise: inconsciente, repetição, transferência e pulsão. Privilegia-se um Lacan menos hermético em seu retorno a Freud, comparando e discutindo o estado da arte dos fundamentos de ambos os autores e com o auxílio de alguns comentadores. O estudo propõe apontar por que estes quatro conceitos foram considerados por Lacan como fundamentais da psicanálise, e como eles foram reposicionados para uma leitura no campo da linguagem, apostando que essas discussões evidenciem as implicações da psicanálise lacaniana sobre a freudiana e vice-versa. Considera-se fundamental o retorno de Lacan a Freud, principalmente no que diz respeito à crítica e aos estudos destes quatro conceitos, a partir dos quais se acredita ser possível compreender a lógica da psicanálise e seu modus operandi.
Hiroshi Kawano (1925–2012): Japan’s Pioneer of Computer Arts
Authors: Gristwood Simone
Published: December 2018

Hiroshi Kawano was one of the earliest pioneers of the use of computers in the arts in Japan, and indeed the world, publishing his first ideas about aesthetics and computing in 1962 and computer-generated images in 1964. This paper provides an introductory overview to Kawano’s work and influences from his earliest studies in aesthetics and his interest in the work of Max Bense in the 1950s, to his change of approach in the 1970s through his developing interest in artificial intelligence, until his final exhibition, a retrospective of his work held at the ZKM | Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie in 2011. This paper utilizes previously unused sources including interviews conducted by the author with Kawano in 2009 and subsequent correspondence, as well as Kawano’s rich archive that was donated to ZKM in 2010.
Equivalence of Equilibrium Propagation and Recurrent Backpropagation
Authors: Scellier Benjamin , Bengio Yoshua
Published: December 2018

Recurrent backpropagation and equilibrium propagation are supervised learning algorithms for fixed-point recurrent neural networks, which differ in their second phase. In the first phase, both algorithms converge to a fixed point that corresponds to the configuration where the prediction is made. In the second phase, equilibrium propagation relaxes to another nearby fixed point corresponding to smaller prediction error, whereas recurrent backpropagation uses a side network to compute error derivatives iteratively. In this work, we establish a close connection between these two algorithms. We show that at every moment in the second phase, the temporal derivatives of the neural activities in equilibrium propagation are equal to the error derivatives computed iteratively by recurrent backpropagation in the side network. This work shows that it is not required to have a side network for the computation of error derivatives and supports the hypothesis that in biological neural networks, temporal derivatives of neural activities may code for error signals.
National Policy for Regional Development: Historical Evidence from Appalachian Highways
Authors: Jaworski Taylor , Kitchens Carl T.
Published: December 2018

How effective are policies aimed at integrating isolated regions? We answer this question in the context of a highway system in one of the poorest regions in the United States. With construction starting in 1965, the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) ultimately consisted of over 2,500 high-grade road miles. We use a simple model of interregional trade to motivate our empirical analysis, which quantifies the relationship between market access and income. We then calibrate the model to evaluate the aggregate impact of the ADHS and compare this with alternative counterfactual proposals. We find that removing the ADHS would have reduced total income by $53.7 billion in the United States, with $22 billion of the losses in Appalachian counties. Our findings highlight the potential aggregate benefits of transportation infrastructure policies and suggest that leakage outside the targeted area may be substantial.
Modeling Time-Varying Uncertainty of Multiple-Horizon Forecast Errors
Authors: Clark Todd E. , McCracken Michael W. , Mertens Elmar
Published: December 2018

We estimate uncertainty measures for point forecasts obtained from survey data, pooling information embedded in observed forecast errors for different forecast horizons. To track time-varying uncertainty in the associated forecast errors, we derive a multiple-horizon specification of stochastic volatility. We apply our method to forecasts for various macroeconomic variables from the Survey of Professional Forecasters. Compared to simple variance approaches, our stochastic volatility model improves the accuracy of uncertainty measures for survey forecasts.
Bitentaculate Cirratulidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) collected chiefly during cruises of the R/V Anton Bruun, USNS Eltanin, USCG Glacier, R/V Hero, RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer, and R/V Polarstern from the Southern Ocean, Antarctica, and off Western South America
Authors: BLAKE JAMES A.
Published: December 2018

Forty-one species in five genera of bitentaculate cirratulids are reported from new collections from South America, the Southern Ocean, and seas around Antarctica. Twenty-seven species are new to science; one new genus is described to deal with some species formerly identified as Chaetozone. New records, synonymies, and new combinations are reported. Previous records are reviewed with type specimens of most species reexamined and redescribed. The sub-Antarctic species Aphelochaeta cincinnata (Ehlers, 1908) does not occur in Antarctica: the numerous published records of this species instead belong to several new species. The types of Tharyx epitocus Monro, 1930, and Tharyx fusiformis Monro, 1939, have spines in posterior setigers and are referred to other genera. Among the 41 species treated in this study, 11 belong to Aphelochaeta, eight are new; eight species belong to Caulleriella, six are new; six species belong to Chaetocirratulus n. gen., three are new; 12 species belong to Chaetozone, seven are new; and four species belong to Tharyx, three are new. Numerous samples come from slope and abyssal depths, expanding our knowledge of the distribution of Southern hemisphere deep-sea cirratulids.
Czeska koncepcja zdrady jako element mitu monachijskiego
Authors: Kubok Beata
Published: December 2018

The Czech concept of betrayal as an element of the Munich mythThis article explores the cultural significance of the “Munich myth”, focusing on the concept of “Western betrayal” and its connotations associated with the idea of destiny and sacrifice. It also examines how the myth influenced the formation of Czech national identity, especially during and shortly after the Second World War. Opening with an analysis of a poem by František Halas written in the midst of the Munich Conference, it also reviews a number of writings which increased the popularity of the ideas of betrayal and sacrifice and, as a result, have made them synonymous with the “Czech fate”: excerpts from the memoirs of Zdeněk Štĕpánek and Edvard Beneš, essays by Karel Kosík and Milan Kundera, and Bedřich Fučík’s literary criticism. The article concludes with a discussion of the key findings of the book Mnichovský komplex (The Munich Complex) by Jan Tesař, a polemic study discrediting and deconstructing the myth of the “Munich betrayal”. Czeska koncepcja zdrady jako element mitu monachijskiegoArtykuł dotyczy fenomenów kulturowych zawartych w micie monachijskim, szczególnie takich, jak koncepcja zdrady i powiązane z nią konotacje (figura ofiary, losu, teatralizacja życia społecznego). Przedstawia także proces formowania się wojennej oraz powojennej czeskiej tożsamości narodowej pod wpływem tego mitu. W artykule poddano analizie wiersze Františka Halasa z okresu wydarzeń monachijskich, a także te fragmenty wspomnień (Zdenĕk Štĕpánek, Edvard Beneš), eseistyki (Karel Kosík, Milan Kundera) i krytyki literackiej (Bedřich Fučík), które przyczyniły się do rozpowszechnienia koncepcji zdrady i ofiary jako czynnika konstytuującego „czeski los”. Artykuł kończy prezentacja najważniejszych tez zawartych w książce pt. Monachijski kompleks autorstwa Jana Tesařa o charakterze polemicznym i dekonstrukcyjnym wobec mitu „zdrady monachijskiej”.
The usage and meaning of "mentioned" ("wspomniany") and "described" ("opisany") metatext markers in Polish scientific texts
Authors: Czoska Agnieszka
Published: December 2018

The usage and meaning of mentioned (wspomniany) and described (opisany) metatext markers in Polish scientific textsMetatext markers (MMs) are defined as expressions used in a text to inform readers of its structure or relations between its elements (Fraser, 1999; Goldman & Rakestraw, 2000; Schiffrin, 1988). In this paper the usage of two MMs "mentioned" ("wspomniany") and "described" ("opisany") in scientific texts is described and the relation between their meaning and usage is analysed. In Study 1, the frequency, scope and direction of the MM is analysed in a corpus of peer-reviewed scientific texts in Polish. In Experiment 2, participants decided whether to use the aforementioned MMs to fill gaps in short scientific texts. The results of both experiments suggest that while the meaning of an MM may influence its usage, this relation may be affected by the size of the whole text. Użycie i znaczenie operatorów metatekstowych wspomniany i opisany w tekstach naukowych po polskuOperatory metatekstowe (OM) to wyrażenia informujące czytelnika o strukturze tekstu, w którym zostały umieszczone, oraz o relacjach pomiędzy jego elementami (Fraser, 1999; Goldman & Rakestraw, 2000; Schiffrin, 1988). W poniższej pracy zostało opisane użycie dwóch OM wspomniany i opisany w tekstach naukowych, przeanalizowano także relację pomiędzy ich znaczeniem i używaniem. W badaniu 1 zostały przeanalizowane częstość użycia, zakres i ukierunkowanie OM w tekstach naukowych pisanych po polsku. W badaniu 2 czytelnicy decydowali o tym, czy umieścić dodatkowy OM w krótkim tekście naukowym. Wyniku obydwu badań wskazują, że znaczenie OM może wpływać na sposób jego używania, ale wpływ ten zmienia się wraz z wielkością tekstu.
A Diagnostic-Predictive Assessment of Winter Precipitation over the Laurentian Great Lakes: Effects of ENSO and Other Teleconnections
Authors: Fu Wang , Steinschneider Scott
Published: December 2018

This study examines the primary atmospheric controls over winter precipitation variability in the Great Lakes basin and the potential for seasonal prediction. We employ partial least squares (PLS) regression to identify the primary modes of joint variability between winter precipitation over each of the Great Lakes and concurrent anomalies in midlevel atmospheric flow. We find that the first identified pattern (PLS1) is related to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), while the other patterns represent unique anomalies in atmospheric flow that govern precipitation gradients over the basin, with limited seasonal predictability. Nonlinearities are found in the relationship between a sea surface temperature (SST)-based index for ENSO and PLS1 with respect to the phase, strength, and type of ENSO event. An examination of the ENSO-related propagating wave train that drives variability of PLS1 precipitation reveals that seasonally lagged tropical Pacific convection, as measured by remotely sensed outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), is more strongly and linearly related to Great Lakes winter precipitation than SST-based ENSO indices. Cross-validated linear regressions based on October OLR signals explain 20%–32% of the out-of-sample precipitation variability in the Great Lakes basin. We conclude with a deeper assessment of the underlying relationship between patterns of OLR anomalies in the western equatorial Pacific and Great Lakes winter precipitation. Results show that precipitation response to El Niño is similar regardless of OLR intensity in the tropical Pacific, but for La Niña events, the precipitation response is stronger under weak tropical OLR anomalies. The potential for further improvements in ENSO-based seasonal forecasts are discussed.
The Apparent Locus of Managerial Decision Making and Perceptions of Fairness in Public Personnel Management
Authors: Stritch Justin M. , Pedersen Mogens Jin
Published: December 2018

A topic that remains underexplored in public management research is how the appearance of a formal rule or policy as guiding personnel decisions may affect employee perceptions of organizational decision outcomes. In this article, we consider how the locus of decision making (e.g., the apparent source of a decision) affects perceptions of a decision’s fairness. We examine this question with three survey experiments using case vignettes, each describing a distinct personnel decision-making scenario. In each case vignette, we manipulate the locus of decision making (a single supervisor, a team of supervisors, or an organizational policy). We find heterogeneous effects across the three case vignettes. We conclude with a discussion of the implications and future directions for public management research.
Risking forgiveness after Charleston
Authors: Shepherd Aaron Pratt
Published: December 2018

Confronted by the White supremacists who had murdered their loved ones in June 2015, many of the family members of those killed at Mother Immanuel AME Church spoke words of forgiveness. The families’ actions sparked sharp responses. In this essay, I will argue that critical responses misunderstood the practice of Black Christian forgiveness. I claim that Black Christian forgiveness is a practical political response to White supremacist violence, one richly grounded in the principles of personalism, the logic of nonviolence and a unique understanding of the meaning of the Christian gospel as a way to ‘redeem the soul of America’.
Predicting policy performance: Can the Work and Health Programme work for chronically ill or disabled people?
Authors: Benstead Stef
Published: December 2018

Many developed countries consider that disability benefit receipt is too high and more disabled people should be in paid work. Employment programmes designed to achieve this have tended towards less financial support and more requirement to engage in activity. But emphasis on social inclusion through paid work coupled with inadequate benefits and mandated activity can cause distress and worsened health. It is therefore vital that politicians understand the likely impact of employment programmes before introducing them. In this article, a new framework based on five ‘Ds’ (diagnosis, destination, development, design and delivery) is used to analyse the UK’s Work and Health Programme. It is shown that the programme is likely to fail: it includes measures that do not work, and may cause harm, whilst ignoring measures that are known to work. Based on this, it is recommended that this programme be scrapped and the government start listening to disabled people.
Modelling the Price, Performance and Contract Characteristics of it Outsourcing
Authors: Domberger Simon , Fernandez Patrick , Fiebig Denzil G
Published: December 2018

The rapidly increasing use of outsourcing for IT services, both in the public and private sectors, has attracted much interest from researchers and practitioners alike. While early studies of IT outsourcing were largely qualitative in nature, more recent studies have attempted to analyse the outcomes achieved in quantitative terms. This paper is consistent with the latter, but goes further by modelling the price, performance and contract characteristics that are relevant to IT outsourcing. A two-equation recursive regression model was used to analyse 48 contracts for IT support and maintenance. The results did not reveal any quantitatively significant price-performance trade-off, but did suggest that first-term contracts (i.e. the first ever contract awarded by a client for the provision of a particular IT service) were more expensive than repeat contracts. Although competitive tendering did not result in lower prices than directly negotiated contracts, it was associated with comparatively better performance. Well-defined expectations of an organization's IT requirements were also likely to lead to improved performance when the service was outsourced.
Computer Language: Impact on Information Systems Development
Authors: Middleton Peter
Published: December 2018

The impact of a particular computer language on the process of developing an information system is not well understood. This paper explores the issues through interviews with 16 software developers who changed, or considered changing, from a third to a fourth generation computer language. The conclusion is that there can be considerable costs in hardware, inflexibility and project planning errors incurred by changing to a fourth generation language. The benefits are unlikely to compensate for the costs of changing languages. The key factors influencing the productivity of software developers emerged as social, not technical.
An Empirical Evaluation of the Impact of Case on Developer Productivity and Software Quality
Authors: Coupe R.T. , Onodu N.M.
Published: December 2018

This paperpresents the findings of research into the impact of computer aided software engineering (CASE) tools. It is based on a questionnaire survey of software developers in UK organizations. CASE had a positive effect on developer productivity and the quality of applications software. It particularly improved the reliability and accuracy of applications software, though this was sometimes offset by a deterioration in software efficiency. There was little evidence of productivity being ‘traded’ for quality, since developers citing productivity gains also tended to report quality improvements. The extent to which organizations were able to realize the benefits of CASE depended on the experience, competence and training of individual developers. This has significant implications for the selection and training of personnel and the use of consultants. Methodologically, the findings also serve to underline the importance of explicitly taking account of prior development environments, when using retrospective methods to evaluate different software technologies.
Understanding Slow Internet Adoption: ‘Infomediation’ in Ship-Broking Markets
Authors: Pisanias Nikolaos , Willcocks Leslie
Published: December 2018

Debate on the impact of the Internet on socioeconomic and business environments has been dominated by technological determinist perspectives, narrowing the range of discourse around the implications of these new technologies. One important and neglected dimension is the impact on market relationships. Technological determinism suggests that the transactional efficiencies associated with the new medium should have a major impact on market structures. If that argument is correct, the case should be stronger in broking markets where information exchange, information mediation and communication flows are paramount. However, an examination of various broking markets reveals significant differences in the implications of this technological innovation. Drawing upon participant observation research conducted in 1998–99 in the shipbroking market, the paper explores the limitations of the technological determinist perspective and puts forward a model to explore the changing nature and dynamics of market relationships generated by information flows via the Internet. Application of the model helps to locate the reasons for slow adoption of the Internet in ship-broking markets.
“Is It Too Much to Ask That We’re Allowed to Win the Game?”: Character Attachment and Agency in the Mass Effect 3 Ending Controversy
Authors: Burgess Jacqueline , Jones Christian M.
Published: December 2018

The interaction between the concepts of character attachment, agency, and choice in a video game narrative was investigated using BioWare’s Mass Effect trilogy. Posts on a BioWare forum discussing the depiction of their player characters in the ending sequences of Mass Effect 3, the final game in the trilogy, were downloaded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Players demonstrated emotional attachment for the characters and narrative and expected to see the consequences of their choices play out, as in the previous games. Furthermore, players conflated winning the game with achieving a narratively satisfactory ending for the game world and its characters indicating emotional consequences for players that developers should consider when designing games with a high degree of player choice and agency. However, for some players character attachment is incongruous as they described Shepard as “acting out of character,” which needs further research.
Evaluation of a Simplified Risk Stratification Twice-Daily Aspirin Protocol for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis After Total Joint Replacement
Authors: Ng Candy , Zavala Sarah , Davis Elissa S. , Adams William , Pinzur Michael S.
Published: December 2018

Objective

To determine using a simplified risk-stratified protocol to select candidates for aspirin therapy have similar death and postoperative complications as universal warfarin therapy in patients undergoing total joint replacement (TJR).

Methods

Retrospective cohort study comparing 30-day postoperative outcomes 6 months before and after the implementation of the aspirin protocol (January 1, 2015) in patients undergoing TJR. The control group was comprised of patients using warfarin for VTE prophylaxis. The protocol group included patients who used aspirin 325 mg twice-daily or warfarin if deemed high thrombotic risk or aspirin intolerant by the criteria set forth by the aspirin protocol.

Results

This study included 449 patients. No difference was found in the rates of 30-day postoperative bleeding, VTE, death, composite end point of VTE and death, and length of stay between the control and the protocol groups (all P > .05). Thirty-day postoperative surgical site infections (SSIs; 5.8% vs 1.2%; P = .02) and return to operative room (OR; 3.9% vs 0.4%; P = .03) were less frequent in the protocol group.

Conclusion

A simplified risk-stratified protocol used to choose patients for aspirin 325 mg twice-daily therapy is safe and effective in patients undergoing TJR, and SSI and return to OR rates may be lower when compared to universal warfarin therapy.
Successful re-introduction of alectinib after inducing interstitial lung disease in a patient with lung cancer
Authors: Hwang Andrew , Iskandar Andrew , Dasanu Constantin A
Published: December 2018

Alectinib is a member of the family of anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors. This agent is effective in the treatment of advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer and has excellent blood–brain barrier penetrability. It is generally well tolerated; however, significant toxicities such as interstitial lung disease have been reported. We present herein an instance of interstitial lung disease four weeks into alectinib treatment. Alectinib was held, and the patient showed clinical and radiographic improvement of her interstitial lung disease. Alectinib was then resumed at half dosage without further complications. Prompt recognition of adverse reactions to this targeted agent is paramount. Cessation of therapy may be needed on a case-to-case basis. However, as our case highlights, safe re-introduction of alectinib can be accomplished in some cases.
Recent debate on landmark anti-caste legislation in India
Authors: Guha Ayan
Published: December 2018

The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was enacted to prevent atrocities against the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). It prescribed penalties that are more stringent than the corresponding offences under the Indian Penal Code and other laws. Despite flaws in implementation, this Act has provided the SCs and STs with some sense of security. But it is often alleged that this law is frequently misused. A recent Supreme Court order has attempted to introduce some procedural safeguards to curb the misuse of this Act. But many, particularly the Dalit groups, believe that in doing so the Supreme Court has ended up diluting this landmark legislation. In this context, this article analyses the recent judicial pronouncement and presents the arguments for and against it.
Dehumanization, prejudice, and social policy beliefs concerning people with developmental disabilities
Authors: Parker Laura R. , Monteith Margo J. , South Susan C.
Published: December 2018

We investigated the nature of prejudice toward people with developmental disabilities, its potential roots in dehumanization, its implications for social policy beliefs affecting this target group, and strategies for reducing prejudice toward people with developmental disabilities. Studies 1 ( N = 196, MTurk) and 2 ( N = 296, undergraduates) tested whether prejudice took a hostile or ambivalent (both hostile and benevolent components) form. Consistent support for a hostile prejudice model was found. This model was comprised of beliefs that people with developmental disabilities may harm others, should be kept separate from others, and are dependent on others. Also, greater dehumanization was associated with greater prejudice, and prejudice mediated the effect of dehumanization on participants’ social policy beliefs. Study 3 ( N = 151, MTurk) provided construct validity for the newly developed multidimensional measure of prejudice. Study 4 ( N = 156, undergraduates) showed that presenting a person with developmental disabilities in either humanizing or individuating ways reduced dehumanization and prejudice and, in turn, increased the favorability of social policy beliefs.
Vacuum-Assisted Wound Closure and Permanent Onlay Mesh–Mediated Fascial Traction: A Novel Technique for the Prevention of Incisional Hernia after Open Abdomen Therapy Including Results From a Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Petersson P. , Montgomery A. , Petersson U.
Published: December 2018

Background and Aims:

Incisional hernia development is a frequent long-term sequel after open abdomen treatment. This report describes a novel technique, the vacuum-assisted wound closure and permanent onlay mesh–mediated fascial traction for temporary and final closure of the open abdomen, with the intention to decrease incisional hernia rates. Primary aim was to evaluate incisional hernia development and secondary aims to describe short-term complications and patient-reported outcome.

Materials and Methods:

The basics of the technique is an onlay mesh, applied early during open abdomen treatment by suturing to the fascia in two rows with a 3- to 4-cm overlap from the midline incision, used for traction and kept for reinforced permanent closure. A retrospective case series, including chart review, evaluation of computed tomography/ultrasound images, and an out-patient clinical examination were performed. The patients were asked to answer a modified version of the ventral hernia pain questionnaire.

Results:

A total of 11 patients were treated with vacuum-assisted wound closure and permanent onlay mesh–mediated fascial traction with median follow-up of 467 days. Fascial closure rate was 100% and 30 day mortality 0%. Two of nine patients, eligible for incisional hernia follow-up, developed a hernia. Neither of the hernias were symptomatic nor clinically detectable. Six of 10 patients eligible for short-term follow-up had a prolonged wound-healing time exceeding 3 weeks. One of seven patients eligible for patient-reported outcome have had pain during the last week.

Conclusion:

The vacuum-assisted wound closure and permanent onlay mesh–mediated fascial traction is a promising new technique for open abdomen treatment and reinforced fascial closure. The results of the first 11 patients treated with this technique show a low incisional hernia rate with manageable short-term wound complications and few patient-reported disadvantages.