bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient's Needs and Problems from a Nursing Perspective
Authors: Burkhalter Hanna , Stucki-Thür Prisca , David Birgit , Lorenz Sven , Biotti Beatrice , Rogler Gerhard , Pittet Valerie ,   and the Swiss IBD Cohort Study Group
Published: February 2015

Background: In this study, we aimed at assessing Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients' needs and current nursing practice to investigate to what extent consensus statements (European Crohn's and Colitis Organization) on the nursing roles in caring for patients with IBD concur with local practice. Methods: We used a mixed-method convergent design to combine quantitative data prospectively collected in the Swiss IBD cohort study and qualitative data from structured interviews with IBD healthcare experts. Symptoms, quality of life, and anxiety and depression scores were retrieved from physician charts and patient self-reported questionnaires. Descriptive analyses were performed based on quantitative and qualitative data. Results: 230 patients of a single center were included, 60% of patients were males, and median age was 40 (range 18-85). The prevalence of abdominal pain was 42%. Self-reported data were obtained from 75 out of 230 patients. General health was perceived significantly lower compared with the general population (p < 0.001). Prevalence of tiredness was 73%; sleep problems, 78%; issues related to work, 20%; sexual constraints, 35%; diarrhea, 67%; being afraid of not finding a bathroom, 42%; depression, 11%; and anxiety symptoms, 23%. According to experts' interviews, the consensus statements are found mostly relevant with many recommendations that are not yet realized in clinical practice. Conclusion: Identified prevalence may help clinicians in detecting patients at risk and improve patient management.
Measurement of Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome Using Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Turan-Vural Ece , Yenerel Nursal , Okutucu Murat , Yildiz Elvin , Dikmen Nejla
Published: February 2015

Background/Aim: Pseudoexfoliation (PSX) syndrome is associated with blood flow disturbances; however, its exact effect on choroidal blood flow and thickness remains to be elucidated. This study compared subfoveal choroidal thickness in normal eyes and in eyes with PSX using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study included 35 eyes of 35 patients (20 males, 15 females) with unilateral or bilateral PSX and 26 eyes of 26 healthy volunteers (13 males, 13 females). Besides a comprehensive ocular and physical examination, all subjects underwent EDI-OCT examination using an Optovue RTVue OCT device (Optovue Inc., Fremont, Calif., USA). Results: The mean choroidal thickness (CT) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) were lower in the PSX group than in the healthy controls (249.4 ± 46.3 vs. 282.5 ± 55.8 µm, p = 0.014 and 40.7 ± 5.8 vs. 44.3 ± 4.3 mm Hg, p = 0.007, respectively). In addition, both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure measurements were lower among the PSX patients. However, no correlation was found between CT and OPP. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that PSX is associated with an overall thinning of the subfoveal choroid and a significant decrease in OPP. Future studies are warranted to further examine these relations.
Recharging Red Blood Cell Surface by Hemodialysis
Authors: Kliche Katrin , Gerth Ulrich , Pavenstädt Hermann , Oberleithner Hans
Published: February 2015

Background: Similar as in vascular endothelium the negatively charged glycocalyx of erythrocytes selectively buffers sodium. Loss of glycocalyx (i.e. loss of negative charges) leads to increased erythrocyte sodium sensitivity (ESS) quantified by a recently developed salt-blood-test (SBT). The hypothesis was tested whether a regular 4-hour hemodialysis (4h-HD) alters ESS. Methods: In 38 patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) ESS was measured before and after 4h-HD, together with standard laboratory and clinical parameters (electrolytes, acid-base status, urea, creatinine, hemoglobin, c-reactive protein and blood pressure). Results: Before 4h-HD, 20 patients (out of 38) were classified as “salt sensitive” by SBT. After 4h-HD, this number decreased to 11. Erythrocyte sodium buffering power remained virtually constant in patients with already low ESS before dialysis, whereas in patients with high ESS, 4h-HD improved the initially poor sodium buffering power by about 20%. No significant correlations could be detected between standard blood parameters and the respective ESS values except for plasma sodium concentration which was found increased by 3.1 mM in patients with high salt sensitivity. Conclusions: 4h-HD apparently recharges “run-down” erythrocytes and thus restores erythrocyte sodium buffering capacity. Besides the advantage of efficient sodium buffering in blood, erythrocytes with sufficient amounts of free negative charges at the erythrocyte surface will cause less (mechanical) injury to the negatively charged endothelial surface due to efficient repulsive forces between blood and vessel wall. Hemodialysis improves erythrocyte surface properties and thus may prevent early vascular damage in patients suffering from ESRD.
Hyperkinetic Movement Disorder Secondary to Punctate Hemorrhage in Lateral Ventricle Lining
Authors: Zafar Atif , Abdin Sahrish
Published: February 2015

We present the case of an elderly male with hyperkinetic movements of the right arm and leg due to a small hemorrhage in the lateral aspect of the left lateral ventricle atrium. As per our database search, this is a unique presentation of a stroke in this particular location.
The Dynamics of Southern Ocean Storm Tracks
Authors: Chapman Christopher C. , Hogg Andrew McC. , Kiss Andrew E. , Rintoul Stephen R.
Published: February 2015

The mechanisms that initiate and maintain oceanic “storm tracks” (regions of anomalously high eddy kinetic energy) are studied in a wind-driven, isopycnal, primitive equation model with idealized bottom topography. Storm tracks are found downstream of the topography in regions strongly influenced by a large-scale stationary meander that is generated by the interaction between the background mean flow and the topography. In oceanic storm tracks the length scale of the stationary meander differs from that of the transient eddies, a point of distinction from the atmospheric storm tracks. When the zonal length and height of the topography are varied, the storm-track intensity is largely unchanged and the downstream storm-track length varies only weakly. The dynamics of the storm track in this idealized configuration are investigated using a wave activity flux (related to the Eliassen–Palm flux and eddy energy budgets). It is found that vertical fluxes of wave activity (which correspond to eddy growth by baroclinic conversion) are localized to the region influenced by the standing meander. Farther downstream, organized horizontal wave activity fluxes (which indicate eddy energy fluxes) are found. A mechanism for the development of oceanic storm tracks is proposed: the standing meander initiates localized conversion of energy from the mean field to the eddy field, while the storm track develops downstream of the initial baroclinic growth through the ageostrophic flux of Montgomery potential. Finally, the implications of this analysis for the parameterization and prediction of storm tracks in ocean models are discussed.
Decomposition of a New Proper Score for Verification of Ensemble Forecasts
Authors: Christensen H. M.
Published: February 2015

A new proper score, the error-spread score (ES), has recently been proposed for evaluation of ensemble forecasts of continuous variables. The ES is formulated with respect to the moments of the ensemble forecast. It is particularly sensitive to evaluating how well an ensemble forecast represents uncertainty: is the probabilistic forecast well calibrated? In this paper, it is shown that the ES can be decomposed into its reliability, resolution, and uncertainty components in a similar way to the Brier score. The first term evaluates the reliability of the forecast standard deviation and skewness, rewarding systems where the forecast moments reliably indicate the properties of the verification. The second term evaluates the resolution of the forecast standard deviation and skewness, and rewards systems where the forecast moments vary from the climatological moments according to the predictability of the atmospheric flow. The uncertainty term depends only on the observed error distribution and is independent of the forecast standard deviation or skewness. The decomposition was demonstrated using forecasts made with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts ensemble prediction system, and was able to identify the source of the skill in the forecasts at different latitudes.
The Partisan Brain
Authors: Nisbet Erik C. , Cooper Kathryn E. , Garrett R. Kelly
Published: February 2015

There has been deepening concern about political polarization in public attitudes toward the scientific community. The “intrinsic thesis” attributes this polarization to psychological deficiencies among conservatives as compared to liberals. The “contextual thesis” makes no such claims about inherent psychological differences between conservatives and liberals, but rather points to interacting institutional and psychological factors as the forces driving polarization. We evaluate the evidence for both theses in the context of developing and testing a theoretical model of audience response to dissonant science communication. Conducting a national online experiment ( N = 1,500), we examined audience reactions to both conservative-dissonant and liberal-dissonant science messages and consequences for trust in the scientific community. Our results suggest liberals and conservatives alike react negatively to dissonant science communication, resulting in diminished trust of the scientific community. We discuss how our findings link to the larger debate about political polarization of science and implications for science communicators.
The Influence of Specific Risk Perceptions on Public Policy Support
Authors: Stoutenborough James W. , Vedlitz Arnold , Liu Xinsheng
Published: February 2015

A great deal of research has been dedicated to understanding the relationship of public preferences to public policy. Much of this literature, though, does not account for risk perception, an important characteristic that affects individuals’ preferences. In terms of policy, those who perceive high risk in association with a particular issue should be more likely to oppose policies that would increase that risk, and, conversely, support policies that would decrease this risk. In this article, we examine the role of specific risk perceptions related to nuclear, coal, and renewable sources of energy on related policy preferences. Controlling for the influence of knowledge and several specific attitudinal indicators, we find that risk perceptions are strong predictors of energy policy preferences.
Politics and Science
Authors: Douglas Heather
Published: February 2015

This commentary argues that we need a more nuanced account than we have now of the sources of disagreement among experts and the sources of distrust in scientific claims among the public. Such nuance requires an understanding of the nature of science (an empirical, uncertain, and yet reliable source of knowledge) and of how that differs from faith as a basis for knowledge claims. It also requires an understanding of how values can legitimately function in science, including in the shaping of research agendas and in the assessment of evidential sufficiency, and of the inherently political nature of science (e.g., when evidence shifts the boundary between public and private). While science is neither apolitical nor value-free, it can (and should) be pursued with integrity. Detecting science with integrity and defining the legitimate roles values play in such science opens the space for genuine deliberation and a way forward out of an ideological stalemate.
Expertise in an Age of Polarization
Authors: Nisbet Matthew C. , Markowitz Ezra M.
Published: February 2015

During the George W. Bush administration, intense debate focused on the administration’s interference with the work of government scientists. In this study, analyzing a May/June 2009 survey of members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), we evaluate the factors during this period that influenced scientists’ awareness of political interference and their media outreach and communication activities. Controlling for demographic and professional-level influences, those members who were more liberal in their political outlook, who were frequent blog readers, and who felt strongly about global warming were substantially more likely to have heard “a lot” about political interference. However, neither ideology, partisanship, nor opinion-intensity were predictive of the various media and communication behaviors assessed. Instead, the strongest predictor was the belief that media coverage was important for an individual’s career advancement. Implications for evaluating the expert community’s participation in future political debates are discussed.
The Need for Knowledge-Based Journalism in Politicized Science Debates
Authors: Nisbet Matthew C. , Fahy Declan
Published: February 2015

Largely overlooked by researchers studying the science of science communication are the specific journalistic practices and media structures that might enable more constructive public debate in politicized science controversies. In this commentary, we discuss the role that journalists can play as influential knowledge professionals, drawing on insights from the studies in this section of the special issue. In doing so, we outline three complementary approaches to what Thomas Patterson calls “knowledge-based journalism.” By way of these approaches, journalists and their news organizations can contextualize and critically evaluate expert knowledge; facilitate discussion that bridges entrenched ideological divisions; and promote consideration of a broader menu of policy options and technologies. We conclude by discussing the implications for journalism education.
Uses and Misuses of Student Evaluations of Teaching
Authors: Boysen Guy A.
Published: February 2015

Student evaluations of teaching are among the most accepted and important indicators of college teachers’ performance. However, faculty and administrators can overinterpret small variations in mean teaching evaluations. The current research examined the effect of including statistical information on the interpretation of teaching evaluations. Study 1 ( N = 121) showed that faculty members interpreted small differences between mean course evaluations even when confidence intervals and statistical tests indicated the absence of meaningful differences. Study 2 ( N = 183) showed that differences labeled as nonsignificant still influenced perceptions of teaching qualifications and teaching ability. The results suggest the need for increased emphasis on the use of statistics when presenting and interpreting teaching evaluation data.
A study in the history of meaning-making: Watching socialist television serials in the former Czechoslovakia
Authors: Reifová Irena
Published: February 2015

The aim of this article is to map out and analyse how the viewers of the communist-governed Czechoslovak television understood the propagandist television serials during the so-called normalization, the last two decades of communist party rule after the Prague Spring. It strives to show peculiarities of the research on television viewers’ capabilities to remember the meanings and details of hermeneutic agency which took place in the past. The article argues that – in contrast to the mainstream historiography which claims full depoliticization of Czechoslovak people as a consequence of post-Prague Spring disillusionment – the uses of popular culture provided niches in which the political could be experienced. The role of reproductive memory in remembering the viewers’ experience buried under the grand socio-political switchover is also illuminated and used to coin the concept of ‘memory over dislocation’.
Clinical Impact of Discordant Prescribing of Fluoroquinolones and Alternative Treatments in Escherichia coli Pyelonephritis
Authors: Hong Minh T. , Seifert Charles F.
Published: February 2015

Introduction:

The emergence of resistant Escherichia coli to fluoroquinolones (FQs) is of growing concern, yet the latest guidelines for the treatment of pyelonephritis still recommend FQs as first-line treatment. Our primary objective was to determine the impact of discordant prescribing of FQs in E coli pyelonephritis on hospital length of stay (LOS) and early clinical response (ECR).

Methods:

We retrospectively compared discordant and concordant prescribing of FQs for LOS and ECR. We also compared FQs, ceftriaxone, piperacillin/tazobactam, and carbapenems for these clinical outcomes.

Results:

Forty-nine patients included in the comparison between discordant (n = 9) and concordant (n = 40) prescribing of FQs. There was significantly lower ECR in patients with discordant prescribing of FQs (38 of 40, 95% vs 5 of 9, 55.6%, P = .0074) and a trend toward longer LOS (4 [2.3] days vs 3 [2.0] days, P = .0571). Illness severity, estimated using Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II) score, was similar between groups ( P = .717).

Conclusion:

There was a significantly decreased ECR and a trend toward increased LOS when FQs were used in FQ-resistant E coli. Regarding alternative treatment for E coli pyelonephritis, ceftriaxone was as effective as concordant FQs and significantly better than discordant FQs.
Impact of Postoperative Intravenous Acetaminophen on Opioid Requirements and Pain Scores Following Gynecologic Procedures
Authors: Stoudenmire Laura G. , Norman Christy M. , Latif Erin Z.
Published: February 2015

Objective:

This study aims to assess the impact of postoperative intravenous (IV) acetaminophen on opioid requirements and pain scores in patients following gynecologic procedures.

Study Design:

A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing gynecologic procedures was conducted to assess the impact of adding scheduled IV acetaminophen to postoperative analgesic regimens. The control group consisted of patients admitted prior to formulary addition of IV acetaminophen; the study group consisted of patients admitted after formulary addition of IV acetaminophen who received scheduled IV acetaminophen for at least the first 24 hours postoperatively. Opioid requirements 0 to 24 hours postoperatively served as the primary end point. Secondary end points included average pain score, cumulative acetaminophen dose, nonopioid analgesic requirements, and rate of adverse events 0 to 24 hours postoperatively.

Results:

One hundred and thirty-seven patients who underwent a gynecologic procedure from January 2009 to April 2013 were included in this study. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. In the first 24 hours postoperatively, there was no difference in opioid requirements between the groups (21 mg [interquartile range, IQR, 15-39.8 mg] vs 32.6 mg [IQR, 16.75-41 mg], P = 0.150). The average pain score and incidence of adverse events did not differ between the 2 groups.

Conclusion:

Postoperative administration of IV acetaminophen did not provide a significant opioid-sparing effect in patients undergoing gynecologic procedures.
More or different metaphors in fiction? A quantitative cross-register comparison
Authors: Dorst Aletta G
Published: February 2015

This article presents a quantitative cross-register comparison of the forms and frequency of linguistic metaphor in fiction based on a 45,000-word annotated corpus containing excerpts from 12 contemporary British-English novels sampled from the British National Corpus. The results for fiction are compared to those for three other registers, namely news texts, academic discourse and conversations. The linguistic manifestations of metaphor in the corpus were identified using the MIPVU procedure (Steen et al., 2010), a revised and extended version of the original Metaphor Identification Procedure, or MIP, as developed by the Pragglejaz Group (2007). Contrary to common expectations, fiction was not the register with the highest number of metaphors, but was situated in between academic discourse and news on the one hand, and conversation on the other. However, it turned out that metaphor signals and direct expressions of metaphor (e.g. simile) were typical of fiction, as has been claimed in the literature (e.g. Goatly, 1997; Lodge, 1977; Sayce, 1953). Based on these quantitative findings, this article will show that fiction does not contain more metaphors than the other registers, but rather, different ones.
Earnings Management, Country Governance, and Cross-listing
Authors: Silva Ana C. , Chavez Gonzalo A. , Wiggins Roy A.
Published: February 2015

We investigate whether Latin American firms cross-listed in the United States are associated with improved earnings quality and reduced information asymmetry. We find a negative relation between earnings management and cross-listing. We also find that firms from countries with stronger governance have lower earnings management. In contrast, the relationship between cross-listing and information asymmetry is not significant. Thus, local investors are not better protected when the firm is cross-listed abroad. They are, however, better protected when their home country has stronger governance. Our results evidence the importance of country governance on the information and trading environment of Latin American firms. From a policy-making standpoint, our results indicate that efforts and resources are well spent when pursuing an enhanced governance environment at home.
Inclusive Human Growth
Authors: Riboud Michelle
Published: February 2015

This article is about Kazakhstan’s path toward achieving high levels of human development and an institutional environment favorable to both productivity growth and protection for the most vulnerable. The growth of human capital is closely linked with economic growth. Human capital facilitates the transmission of knowledge and will accelerate the rate at which Kazakhstan can take advantage of technology transfers through foreign direct investment. It will also facilitate research and innovation, providing Kazakhstan the flexibility to adapt as its economy grows. The article comprises four sections that in turn deal with education, labor market, health, and social protection. Each section starts by examining recent trends and the conditions that Kazakhstan faces today, the vision for 2050, and a possible program of action for the next four decades that could make Vision 2050 reality. The concluding section presents crosscutting recommendations and identifies overarching challenges.
Pension System Reform in Emerging Countries
Authors: Zhandildin Meiram
Published: February 2015

In 1998, Kazakhstan introduced a funded pension scheme instead of the former Soviet Union’s pay-as-you-go (PAYG) system. In 2013, there was another significant reform—the creation of a government-owned single accumulated pension fund (SiAF), the only legitimate fund to collect mandatory contributions. While the 1998 reform has been widely covered, there are few discussions about the 2013 reform. This article aims to fill this gap in the literature by examining the performance of the funded system prior to the reform, analyzing the reasons for the single fund creation, and assessing the impact of pension market monopolization.

Results show that the Kazakhstani pension system was profoundly evolving prior to 2008, but after the crisis its performance significantly deteriorated, which raised questions about the ability of pension funds to provide adequate benefits in the future. This deterioration in performance and doubt about the future contributed to the creation of SiAF. Despite the fact that the 2013 reform aimed to improve the performance of the pension system, it also brought new risks that make the achievement of its primary goals uncertain.
Supervision of Social Work Interns as Members of a Multidisciplinary Team
Authors: Klein Eileen
Published: February 2015

Social work students placed on a multidisciplinary team will be exposed to diverse ways of interpreting a case, which is an invaluable experience. Placement in a multidisciplinary setting can be an excellent way to engage students in teamwork. Supervisors need to adequately address various aspects in working on a team with students. A survey of 44 bachelor of social work students placed in an internship designed to help them learn about community organizing, program development, or fund-raising revealed that 41 students wanted to better understand the roles of different disciplines in service provision. Although 33 students reported participating in multidisciplinary team meetings and 23 reported discussing working on a team in supervision, less than half (21) reported that they discussed how different disciplines work together to assist clients. This article will discuss the importance of learning to work with other disciplines during training to prepare students for future work in social services.
The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D): a risk factor of migraine and Tension-type headache
Authors: Xie Wei , He Mianwang , Liu Ruozhuo , Dong Zhao , Xie Jingdan , Wang Dan , Yu Shengyuan
Published: February 2015

Background

Migraine and Tension-type headache (TTH) are common and disabling primary headache disorders. They are more prevalent in females. The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is sexually dimorphic in humans and is considered to be a marker for the balance of prenatal testosterone and estrogen exposure. Therefore, we investigated the hypothesis that prenatal sex steroids constitute an independent risk factor for adult headaches later in life.

Methods

A total of 891 individuals (303 males, 588 females) of 18–68 years in age (a mean of 37.0 ± 10.1 years), including 279 migraine, 300 TTH, and 312 healthy subjects were enrolled. The 2D:4D ratio was measured by a single investigator using a digital Vernier caliper.

Results

The females in the migraine group had lower 2D:4D ratios than those in the control group (left hand: 0.947 ± 0.034 vs. 0.955 ± 0.038, p = 0.048; right hand: 0.952 ± 0.035 vs. 0.965 ± 0.037, p = 0.001). There was a similar relationship between the TTH group and the control group (left hand: 0.946 ± 0.034 vs. 0.955 ± 0.038, p = 0.034; right hand: 0.954 ± 0.035 vs. 0.965 ± 0.037, p = 0.005), although this was not observed in males. Males showed lower 2D:4D ratios than females for the right hand in the control group (0.954 ± 0.039 vs. 0.965 ± 0.037, p = 0.015). No significant difference was found in the left hand.

Conclusions

These results suggested that the 2D:4D ratio is a risk factor of migraine and TTH and that the balance of prenatal estrogen and testosterone in utero may impact adult primary headache disorders.
The temporal evolution of a facial pain syndrome associated with neurovascular contact: a case report
Authors: Khan Sabrina , Wibrandt Ida , Rochat Per , Ashina Messoud
Published: February 2015

Background

Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias are primary headaches characterized by unilateral pain and cranial autonomic symptoms. However, associated autonomic symptoms have also been reported in other headaches and facial pains, e.g. trigeminal neuralgia, with the clinical differentiation proving a complex task.

Case

A 54-year-old man presented with right-sided, sharp, intense facial pain in the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve. Pain duration was from seconds to a few minutes, and trigger factors included ipsilateral touching of the skin and hair. Over the next ten years, symptoms progressed and changed presentation, also displaying as right-sided, severe, orbital pain, lasting 60 to 90 minutes, with conjunctival injection and rhinorrhea. Neurological examination was normal. Numerous medications were tried with limited or no effect. In 2010, magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right-sided deviation of the basilar artery at the level of pons, creating neurovascular contact with the trigeminal nerve. Microvascular decompression was performed, and symptoms resolved within days.

Conclusion

Differentiating between trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and trigeminal neuralgia with autonomic symptoms can be challenging. The distinct change and evolution over time in the clinical presentation of the patient’s head pain suggests a temporal plasticity of the pain in head and facial syndromes, irrespective of underlying pathoanatomic features.
Shading during the grain filling period increases 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline content in fragrant rice
Authors: Mo Zhaowen , Li Wu , Pan Shenggang , Fitzgerald Timothy L , Xiao Feng , Tang Yongjian , Wang Yilei , Duan Meiyang , Tian Hua , Tang Xiangru
Published: February 2015

Background

Fragrant rice, including Thai jasmine and Indian basmati varieties, is highly valued by consumers globally. 2-acetyl-1-proline (2-AP) is the major compound responsible for the aromatic character of fragrant rice. Previously, environmental factors such as water management and salinity have been proven to influence 2-AP levels in fragrant rice; assessing the effect of additional environmental factors on 2-AP concentration is therefore eminent. The level of solar radiation (solar intensity; SI) to which a crop is exposed can affect growth, yield and grain quality, and other photosynthetic and physiological characteristics. In this study the effect of shading (i.e. the reduction of SI) on yield, quality, and 2-AP concentration in two elite Chinese fragrant rice varieties, ‘Yuxiangyouzhan’ and ‘Nongxiang 18’, has been investigated. Furthermore, accumulation of the plant stress response molecules proline and gamma-aminobutyric acid, which have also been implicated in pathways leading to 2-AP production, was assessed to study shading effects on these compounds in fragrant rice, and to further possibly determine fluxes in biochemical pathways leading to 2-AP accumulation.

Results

This study has revealed significant changes in the yield and quality characters under shading treatment. Additionally, 2-AP and GABA content in grains was significantly increased for all shading treatments in both varieties. In addition to 2-AP, ten other volatile compounds were studied; results indicated that shading treatments could have a selective effect on the metabolism of these volatile compounds.

Conclusions

In this study, we have demonstrated that shading during grain filling has significant effects on yield and quality traits in rice, and leads to the accumulation of GABA and 2-AP. We discuss the implications of these findings in terms of pathways leading to 2-AP and GABA production in fragrant rice, which have not been fully elucidated. The shading effect on ten additional volatile compounds is also discussed. Finally we discuss possible effects of variation in solar intensity resulting from anthropogenic emissions on fragrant rice production.
Patient-derived xenograft models of breast cancer and their predictive power
Authors: Whittle James R , Lewis Michael T , Lindeman Geoffrey J , Visvader Jane E
Published: February 2015

Despite advances in the treatment of patients with early and metastatic breast cancer, mortality remains high due to intrinsic or acquired resistance to therapy. Increased understanding of the genomic landscape through massively parallel sequencing has revealed somatic mutations common to specific subtypes of breast cancer, provided new prognostic and predictive markers, and highlighted potential therapeutic targets. Evaluating new targets using established cell lines is limited by the inexact correlation between responsiveness observed in cell lines versus that elicited in the patient. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) generated from fresh tumor specimens recapitulate the diversity of breast cancer and reflect histopathology, tumor behavior, and the metastatic properties of the original tumor. The high degree of genomic preservation evident across primary tumors and their matching PDXs over serial passaging validate them as important preclinical tools. Indeed, there is accumulating evidence that PDXs can recapitulate treatment responses of the parental tumor. The finding that tumor engraftment is an independent and poor prognostic indicator of patient outcome represents the first step towards personalized medicine. Here we review the utility of breast cancer PDX models to study the clonal evolution of tumors and to evaluate novel therapies and drug resistance.
Partially overlapped channel assignment for multi-channel multi-radio wireless mesh networks
Authors: Wang Jihong , Shi Wenxiao , Cui Keqiang , Jin Feng , Li Yuxin
Published: February 2015

Partially overlapped channels (POCs)-based design has been identified recently as an emerging technology to further eliminate interference and improve network capacity. However, there are only few studies of channel assignment algorithms for POCs. In this paper, we research on utilizing POCs to improve network capacity and propose a traffic-irrelevant channel assignment algorithm, which assigns channels for all links in the network while minimizing total network interference. Theoretical calculation approach is utilized to obtain the direct relationship between interference ranges and channel separations, which can be easily applied to mesh networks with various configurations without modification. As traffic between the Internet and clients is considered to be dominant, distance from the gateway, number of neighbors, and interference are used to determine the channel assignment order of links. Simulation results reveal that network throughput and end-to-end delay performance can be dramatically improved by fully exploiting POCs as well as orthogonal channels.
Common fixed point theorems for four mappings satisfying ψ-weakly contractive conditions
Authors: Liu Zeqing , Zhang Xiaoping , Ume Jeong Sheok , Kang Shin Min
Published: February 2015

The existence and uniqueness of common fixed points for four mappings satisfying ψ- and $(\psi, \varphi)$
(
ψ
,
φ
)
-weakly contractive conditions in metric spaces are proved. Four examples are given to demonstrate that the results presented in this paper generalize indeed some well-known results in the literature.
Mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas activated during pregnancy
Authors: Kosumi Keisuke , Takamori Hiroshi , Hashimoto Daisuke , Tanaka Hiroshi , Abe Shinya , Nakahara Osamu , Horino Kei , Baba Hideo
Published: February 2015

The characteristic histological feature of pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) is ovarian-like stroma (OS) underlying the epithelium and existence of estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors in the nucleus of OS. We experienced a case of pancreatic MCN which was activated during pregnancy and confirmed the existence of estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors. In cases with potential factors for malignancy, surgical resection of MCN may be needed during pregnancy. On the other hand, in cases without these, as female sex hormones may have an influence on the behavior of pancreatic MCN during pregnancy, the timing of surgery should be decided on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the status of the malignancy, the stage of the pregnancy, and the condition of the mother and fetus.
Combining methods to research an emergency department: a case study
Authors: Turner Paul , Kane Ros , Jackson Christine
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this article is to discuss and justify a research strategy to be used within a mixed methodology study of the enterprise culture (EC)—the NHS policy to produce resource utilisation, quality and efficiency improvements demonstrated by leading private sector organisations. The findings are also a guide to other researchers in this area. It concludes that a single site case study approach is justified to research a deductive theory in a combination of methods that has a dominant quantitative element.
Establishing a self-harm surveillance register to improve care in a general hospital
Authors: Williams Salena
Published: February 2015

Self-harm is a common reason for admission to general hospitals, accounting for 200 000 admissions in the UK annually. To discover who these patients were, why they were attending and what their care pathway was, we set up a self-harm surveillance register, which now collects data across two general hospitals and a children's hospital for a UK city. Here, we describe the method of setting up the register, and show what is collected and how it can be used to understand self-harm presentations to the general hospital and how it can be used to improve care. Key findings were that paracetemol was the most common medication used in overdose, and that 80% of patients had previously self-harmed. One of the important findings was that only 59% of patients were receiving a mental health assessment in the emergency department—despite the risk of repeat self-harm and rate of completed suicide being far higher than the general population. This information led to funding for a seven-day psychiatric service.
Measuring recovery orientation in a forensic high-secure hospital
Authors: Ayres Joe , Fegan Terry , Noak James
Published: February 2015

This article seeks to build on two previous articles that measured the recovery orientation of patients and staff in a high-secure forensic hospital using two subscales of the Developing Recovery Enhancing Environments Measure (DREEM). Findings indicated the Organisational Climate-Recovery scores at Time 2 suggest a more positive staff perception about the organisation. For the Recovery Markers, the patients at Time 2 appear to hold a greater personal value to the different aspects of recovery. The qualitative data for both patients and staff show a strong correlation with the values and beliefs required to support the recovery approach in a forensic high secure setting.
Suicide prevention for the LGBT community: A policy implementation review
Authors: McAllister Sarah , Noonan Ian
Published: February 2015

Preventing Suicide in England identifies increased mental health needs and an increased risk of suicide in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community. It promotes interventions and service developments aimed at improving the mental health of people in this group as well as in other communities. However, the evidence surrounding the mental health needs of people who identify themselves as LGBT—particularly in relation to suicide—are complex and very few new services are being considered by commissioners at a time of recession and reform within the NHS. This review discusses the context in which the policy was developed, and explores barriers to the implementation of the second area for action within the strategy, in relation to preventing suicide among LGBT people. The need for sustained change is identified, while recognising that service development and evaluation may prove difficult when people often choose not to disclose their sexuality to healthcare practitioners. The Stonewall Health Champion Programme is given as an example to support recommendations in policy, practice, research and commissioning.
Practical ideas for linking citizenship and science
Authors: Redmond Ian
Published: February 2015

It is essential children learn what being a good citizen of the world means and how they can achieve it. The last in our series of wildlife specials is by Ian Redmond, chairman of the Ape Alliance and head of the UNEP/UNESCO great ape survival project technical team. He is based in Bristol.
History from nursery rhymes
Authors: Gibbons Ted
Published: February 2015

Use these nursery rhymes to build a sense of the past at key stage 1, looking at memorable events and how we used to live. By Ted Gibbons, a retired headteacher.
It's time to enjoy the outdoor environment
Authors: Moore Gill
Published: February 2015

As concern over children's fitness grows, a new report proposes that schools take a lead in connecting them with the outdoor world. Gill Moore reports
Take maths out of doors with a session for summer
Authors: Hoad Elizabeth
Published: February 2015

Investigate measure with a nature trail of plants and flowers in this summer-themed maths lesson from education writer and teacher Elizabeth Hoad
Creative talk underpins literacy and thinking
Authors: Fisher Robert
Published: February 2015

Develop creativity through speaking and listening. Robert Fisher is professor of education at Brunel University, London.
Floor turtles that roam in Africa
Authors: Smith Dave
Published: February 2015

Take your floor turtle on safari. By Dave Smith, assistant marketing director for APU's mPowerNet ICT Training for Teachers.
Child protection THE KEY QUESTIONS
Authors: Thornton Stephanie
Published: February 2015

Over the next six months Five to Eleven will be looking at child protection – what teachers need to know and the impact of new legislation. But first help us by completing the survey that comes with this issue.
Reducing Warp and Checking in 4 by 4 Beams from Small-Diameter Tropical Species (Tectona grandis, Gmelina arborea, and Cordia alliodora) Obtained by Turning the Pith Inside Out
Authors: Montero Rafael Serrano , Moya Róger
Published: February 2015

Small-diameter logs from plantation trees are prone to warp and to produce checks due to the presence of juvenile wood, growth stresses, and asymmetric shrinkage during the drying process. In the present study, we analyzed the possibility of producing sawn timber beams by using the inside-out (ISO) process. The material for the sawn timber beams was obtained from small-diameter logs of three tropical species planted in Costa Rica (Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis, and Cordia alliodora). Changes in warp (crook and twist), checks (quantity, length, and depth), flexural and shear resistance, and glue line delamination were evaluated. We found that it was possible to produce beams from small-diameter logs of fast-growing plantations. This was achieved by turning the pith inside out and then gluing the green pieces. The ISO beams showed less warp and checking compared with solid wood. The modulus of rupture in the flexural test was not affected; however, the modulus of elasticity decreased. In the case of the glue line's shear resistance, the performance of G. arborea and C. alliodora were similar to that of solid wood, but T. grandis presented adherence problems, which caused low values of shear resistance.
A quality assessment tool for non-specialist users of regression analysis
Authors: Argyrous George
Published: February 2015

This paper illustrates the use of a quality assessment tool for regression analysis. It is designed for non-specialist ‘consumers’ of evidence, such as policy makers. The tool provides a series of questions such consumers of evidence can ask to interrogate regression analysis, and is illustrated with reference to a recent study published in a peer-reviewed journal. The application of the tool highlights the need for non-specialists to develop their critical skills to ensure regression analysis meets methodological norms. They cannot rely on the fact that it has undergone a peer-review process to assume that the evidence is credible.
Challenges of partnership research: insights from a collaborative partnership in evidence-informed public health decision making
Authors: Traynor Robyn , Dobbins Maureen , DeCorby Kara
Published: February 2015

The investment of decision makers in research can increase the likelihood that relevant and timely practice-based research questions are asked and that these findings are readily taken up into policy and practice. While many positive benefits may be gained from this type of research, various challenges may also arise along the way. These include: unpredictable practice settings and a change in priorities or study focus over time; time and staff workload; decision maker research knowledge and experience; and balancing applied research with good scientific practice. In this paper, we discuss these challenges and offer recommendations for overcoming them.
Metáfora: a funcionalidade do tropo na articulação da retórica e da filosofia na mundividência renascentista
Authors: Martins Ana C.
Published: February 2015

Desde os fundamentos aristotélicos que o processo de metapherein, assente na similitudo e transferência semântica, concilia, de forma promissora, a argumentação retórica e a problematização filosófica, forma e conteúdo, res et uerba. Os humanistas quinhentistas, fiéis a esta indissociabilidade e na esteira do ideal de imitativo e aemulatio do legado da Antiguidade Clássica, rentabilizaram as virtualidades e potencialidades da metáfora, convertendo o tropo num instrumento de pedagogia, de génese e criação literárias. A historiografia renascentista é pejada, por isso, de tratados e colectâneas, repositórios enciclopédicos de sentenças morais, que estão a serviço da formação integral e que espelham um escrupuloso e afincado trabalho filológico. O homem renascentista é, assim, instigado a reflectir sobre a sua natura, diante da sua condição dual, dos seus vícios e virtudes, das suas forças e fragilidades, e a leitura metafórica ajuda-o, neste sentido, a redimensionar o mundo e a projectarse nele, a representar, a conhecer e a descobrir(-se) na sua condição polimórfica, nas suas misérias e nos seus sonhos.
Cicero’s humanitas in forensic Speech: focusing on Pro Roscio Amerino
Authors: Ahn Jaewon
Published: February 2015

Many investigations regarding this were already made that the idea humanitas originated directly from Greek New comedy and especially from philosophy of Plato and the Stoics but fundamentally from the Greek literatures like those of Homer. Regarding to this, however, the real birth and growth place of the idea of humanitas and the sub-ideas was not classroom but forum in which legal court or political assembly was held. The most significant evidences for this are Cicero’s speeches, because it is not difficult to discover the fact that Cicero’s speeches are usually disposed according to the idea of humanitas and are full of sub-ideas of it. As an exmaple for this, I have tried to analyze Cicero’s Pro Roscio Amerino which is the first causa publica for Cicero. Based on this, I would like to suggest that Cicero’s speeches are to be emphasized also in the humanitas-studies. To this, it should be mentioned that there are some strong relationships between Cicero’s speeches and his late theoretical texts. Thus, philologically seen, my concrete suggestion in this paper is to investigate the so-called ‘intertextuality-problem’ between Cicero’s speeches and philosophical treatises.
WOOLF, Greg. Et tu brute? A short history of political murder. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2007. 200 p. ISBN 9780674026841.
Authors: Funari Pedro Paulo
Published: February 2015

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