bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Issues involved in methodological analyses of research interviews
Authors: Roulston Kathryn
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to argue that qualitative researchers have much to learn from conducting methodological analyses of their own talk in relation to research participants in interviews. Yet there are specific difficulties in representing findings from methodological analyses of research interviews.

Design/methodology/approach

– Although qualitative researchers have for some time followed recommendations to analyze both “how” interview data are generated in addition to “what” is discussed, little has been written about the challenges of representing these sorts of analyses. The paper uses a case to first examine difficulties in the representation of an analysis of interview data that draws on discursive psychology. After discussing the case, the paper further explores the challenges of conducting and presenting these sorts of methodological analyses of interview data to research participants and readers in ways that clearly convey what might be learned by examining how interviews are accomplished.

Findings

– The paper outlines considerations for researchers in doing methodological analyses of interview data, including challenges, reconciling interpretations of “what” and “how” topics are discussed in research studies, and possible areas of focus.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper examines what researchers might learn from examinations of their own interview practice and does not focus on representations of topical analyses.

Practical implications

– The paper argues that when interviewers subject their own talk to analysis, they learn about themselves, their craft, and the ways in which knowledge about social worlds are collaboratively produced in research encounters with participants.

Originality/value

– By developing expertise in how to analyze their interview interaction methodologically, qualitative researchers can attend to significant features of their interview practice and in so doing, develop a reflexive research practice.
Fieldwork in philosophy, emancipation and researcher dis-position
Authors: Heimans Stephen
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer an exemplar of post-qualitative “fieldwork in philosophy” research. The paper proposes features of such philosophical fieldwork and adumbrates examples of concepts that have emerged in the process of undertaking the research.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is conceptual, drawing on an abductive approach. Post-qualitative understandings that question the validity of methodology and theory as separable entities are operationalised.

Findings

– The paper provides insights into how post-qualitative research might be undertaken and what might emerge in the process.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfils a need for an example of research that is post-qualitative. Additionally, the possibilities for doing “fieldwork in philosophy” are extended, as is the work of Jacque Rancière with respect to emancipation.
A requirement and challenge of joke-ability in humor researcher
Authors: Kmita Maria , Mawhinney Lynnette
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– With particular reference to qualitative humor research, this paper aims to look at fieldwork from a new angle. The purpose of this paper is to address humor research foci by completing a fusion autoethnographic analysis of how lead author used humor to interact with the participants. This analysis outlines the two examples of joke-ability; specifically self-deprecating humor and more generally attempts to blend in.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on fusion autoethnography where Author 2 actively worked to help Author 1 push deeper into her use of humor and its historical context within her life. This created a dialogue to deepen the self-analysis on Author 1’s humor methodology.

Findings

– The use of humor, by humor researchers, may be of particular importance if the researched groups, society, or nation values humor in both formal and informal contexts. Researcher’s humor can be a spontaneous and dynamic way of learning and engaging with the researched environment.

Originality/value

– This paper aims to be a starting point for the discussion about the understudied issues of place and role of the use of humor by a humor researcher, and the challenges of conducting humor research within an educational context. The innovative fusion autoethnographic analysis helps to reflect upon researcher’s role and behavior. The study contributes to humor research methodology by exploring the effects of researcher’s use of humor on both the researcher-participant relationship and the data.
Characterizing the conductivity of ICA joints by the mean intercept length of Ag flakes
Authors: Illés Balázs , Krammer Olivér , Géczy Attila , Garami Tamás
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a novel and alternative method for the characterization of isotropic conductive adhesive (ICA) joints’ conductivity by the calculation of the mean intercept length of conductive flakes in the cured joint. ICAs are widely used in the field of hybrid electronics or special printed circuit board applications, such as temperature sensitive or flexible circuits. The main quality parameters of the ICA joints are the conductivity and the mechanical strength.

Design/methodology/approach

– For the experiments, one-component Ag-filled thermoset ICA paste was used on FR4 printed circuit test board to join zero-ohm resistors. Six different curing temperatures were applied: 120, 150, 175, 210, 230 and 250°C. The conductivity of the joints was measured in situ during the curing process. Micrographs were taken from the cross-sectioned joints, and the mean intercept length was calculated on them after image processing steps.

Findings

– Results of the measured conductivity and the mean intercept length were compared, and acceptable correlation was found for what can be used for characterizing the conductibility of ICA joints.

Research limitations/implications

– Investigating and characterizing the conductivity of ICA joints by an image processing method.

Originality/value

– The main advantage of this method compared to the electrical measurements is that the conductivity characterization is possible on any kind of component. Therefore, this method can be used in any appliances not only in test circuits.
Mechanical properties of SMD interconnections on flexible and rigid substrates
Authors: Nowak Damian , Dziedzic Andrzej , Żaluk Zbigniew , Roguszczak Henryk , Węglarski Mariusz
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The paper aims to investigate on the mechanical properties of surface-mount device (SMD) interconnections made on flexible and rigid substrates.

Design/methodology/approach

– The durability of joints to shear strength was measured with tensile machine. Investigations were carried out for 0402- and 0603-sized ceramic passives and integrated circuits in SOIC-8, TSSOP-8, XSON3 and XSON6 packages. Three types of flexible substrates (Kapton, Mylar and Pyralux) and two types of rigid substrates (LTCC and alumina) were used. SMD components were mounted with SAC solder or electrically conductive adhesive. Contact pads were made of Ag-based polymer paste on flexible substrates and PdAg-based cermet paste on ceramics. The shear strength was measured for as-made and long-term thermally aged test structures. The average durability and standard deviation were compared for different combination of materials. Moreover, mechanical properties of interconnections made of polymer thick-film pastes or electrically/thermally conductive adhesives between ceramic chips and flexible/ceramic substrates were investigated.

Findings

– The mechanical properties of joints strongly depend on configuration of applied materials. Some of them exhibit high durability to shear strength, while other should not be recommended due to very weak connections. Additionally, long-term thermal ageing showed that exploitation of such connections at elevated temperature in some cases might increase their strength. However, for some materials, it leads to accelerated degradation of joints.

Originality/value

– This paper provides practical information about SMD interconnections made with standard materials (lead-free solder, electrically/thermally conductive adhesives) and proposed non-standard procedures, e.g. assembling of ceramic chips with low temperature cermet or polymer thick-film conductive pastes.
Mechanical reliability of solder joints in PCBs assembled in surface mount technology
Authors: Borecki Janusz , Serzysko Tomasz
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the dependence of mechanical strength of solder joints on printed circuit boards from the soldering process parameters and operating conditions of the electronic device.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research was performed using the Taguchi method of planning of experiments. Evaluation of the quality of solder joints was made on the basis of microscopic observations, X-ray analysis and measurements of shear force of solder joints.

Findings

– The carried out research has shown the influence of the individual parameters of the soldering process on the mechanical strength of solder joints and the mechanism of damage of solder joints under the influence of shear force.

Originality/value

– The authors present results of their research using advanced techniques of experimental design and analysis of results. In this study, original approach was used to simulate the operational conditions of electronic devices including thermal imaging technology.
A conflict management tool for conservation agencies
Authors: Young Juliette Claire , Thompson Des B. A. , Moore Peter , MacGugan Alastair , Watt Allan , Redpath Stephen Mark
Published: January 2016

Growing pressure on natural resources is leading to more conservation conflicts. Governments and their statutory agencies devote increasing financial and human resources to this subject, but tend to adopt reactive, ad hoc approaches to management.

We combined theory and empirical data about five conservation conflicts in a transdisciplinary collaboration to co‐develop a novel decision‐making tool.

This tool uses a systematic stepwise approach with six distinct decision stages: (i) establishing whether there is a conflict or an impact; (ii) understanding the context of the conflict, including the stakeholders affected; (iii) developing shared understanding of the conflict and goals; (iv) building a consensus on how to reach the goals; (v) implementing measures; and (vi) monitoring the outcomes.

Policy implications. We argue this new tool has wide applicability and democratic legitimacy and offers an exciting and practical approach to improve the management of conservation conflicts.
Decline in sperm count and motility in young adult men from 2003 to 2013: observations from a U.S. sperm bank
Authors: Centola G. M. , Blanchard A. , Demick J. , Li S. , Eisenberg M. L.
Published: January 2016

Controversy exists regarding stability of semen quality over time with papers reporting decrease, increase or stable parameters in heterogeneous populations. The current study examined semen parameters of young adult men from 2003 to 2013 at an urban U.S. sperm bank. Semen parameters were analyzed before and after cryopreservation for a total of 9425 specimens from 489 individuals. Demographic information was obtained from a social and medical history questionnaire. Following 2–3 days abstinence, the specimens were collected at the laboratory and assessed by uniform technicians and techniques. The data were analyzed using generalized linear regression after adjustment for age, days of abstinence, for repeated samples, as well as by the Cochran–Armitage trend test. The within variability was accounted for by the repeated measures model. All p values were two‐sided with p < 0.05 considered significant. There was a significant decline in sperm concentration (−3.55, 95% CI −4.87, −2.23; p < 0.001), total motility (−1.23, 95% CI −1.65, −0.82; p < 0.001), total count (−10.75, 95% CI −15.95, −5.54; p < 0.001) and total motile count (−9.43, 95% CI −13.14, −5.73; p < 0.001). There was no significant change in semen volume (0.03, 95% CI −0.02, 0.09; p = 0.2). The post‐thaw total motility significantly (−2.30, 95% CI −2.72, −1.87; p < 0.001) decreased with time. Importantly, demographic and lifestyle factors were stable or improved over the study period. There was a decline in age (ptrend = 0.003) and alcohol use (ptrend = 0.005) and an increase in college GPA (Grade Point Average) (ptrend = 0.02). BMI (ptrend = 0.73), educational attainment (ptrend = 0.2), race/ethnicity (ptrend = 0.53), and lifestyle habits (weekly exercise, ptrend = 0.21; smoking, ptrend = 0.99; marital status, ptrend = 0.85) remained constant. Uniform technicians and techniques over the study period make measurement bias unlikely. This report demonstrates a decline in semen quality among young adult men in the Boston area who were attending or completed a college education during the past 10 years, and requires further study.
Muscle force loss and soreness subsequent to maximal eccentric contractions depend on the amount of fascicle strain in vivo
Authors: Guilhem G. , Doguet V. , Hauraix H. , Lacourpaille L. , Jubeau M. , Nordez A. , Dorel S.
Published: January 2016

Aim

Defining the origins of muscle injury has important rehabilitation and exercise applications. However, current knowledge of muscle damage mechanics in human remains unclear in vivo. This study aimed to determine the relationships between muscle–tendon unit mechanics during maximal eccentric contractions and the extent of subsequent functional impairments induced by muscle damage.

Methods

The length of the muscle–tendon unit, fascicles and tendinous tissues was continuously measured on the gastrocnemius medialis using ultrasonography, in time with torque, during 10 sets of 30 maximal eccentric contractions of plantar flexors at 45°s−1, in seventeen participants.

Results

Muscle–tendon unit, fascicles and tendinous tissues were stretched up to 4.44 ± 0.33 cm, 2.31 ± 0.64 cm and 1.92 ± 0.61 cm respectively. Fascicle stretch length, lengthening amplitude and negative fascicle work beyond slack length were significantly correlated with the force decrease 48 h post‐exercise (r = 0.51, 0.47 and 0.68, respectively; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the strain applied to human muscle fibres during eccentric contractions strongly influences the magnitude of muscle damage in vivo. Achilles tendon compliance decreases the amount of strain, while architectural gear ratio may moderately contribute to attenuating muscle fascicle lengthening and hence muscle damage. Further studies are necessary to explore the impact of various types of task to fully understand the contribution of muscle–tendon interactions during active lengthening to muscle damage.
A guide to phylogenetic metrics for conservation, community ecology and macroecology
Authors: Tucker Caroline M. , Cadotte Marc W. , Carvalho Silvia B. , Davies T. Jonathan , Ferrier Simon , Fritz Susanne A. , Grenyer Rich , Helmus Matthew R. , Jin Lanna S. , Mooers Arne O. , Pavoine Sandrine , Purschke Oliver , Redding David W. , Rosauer Dan F. , Winter Marten , Mazel Florent
Published: January 2016

The use of phylogenies in ecology is increasingly common and has broadened our understanding of biological diversity. Ecological sub‐disciplines, particularly conservation, community ecology and macroecology, all recognize the value of evolutionary relationships but the resulting development of phylogenetic approaches has led to a proliferation of phylogenetic diversity metrics. The use of many metrics across the sub‐disciplines hampers potential meta‐analyses, syntheses, and generalizations of existing results. Further, there is no guide for selecting the appropriate metric for a given question, and different metrics are frequently used to address similar questions. To improve the choice, application, and interpretation of phylo‐diversity metrics, we organize existing metrics by expanding on a unifying framework for phylogenetic information.

Generally, questions about phylogenetic relationships within or between assemblages tend to ask three types of question: how much; how different; or how regular? We show that these questions reflect three dimensions of a phylogenetic tree: richness, divergence, and regularity. We classify 70 existing phylo‐diversity metrics based on their mathematical form within these three dimensions and identify ‘anchor’ representatives: for α‐diversity metrics these arePD(Faith's phylogenetic diversity),MPD(mean pairwise distance), andVPD(variation of pairwise distances). By analysing mathematical formulae and using simulations, we use this framework to identify metrics that mix dimensions, and we provide a guide to choosing and using the most appropriate metrics. We show that metric choice requires connecting the research question with the correct dimension of the framework and that there are logical approaches to selecting and interpreting metrics. The guide outlined herein will help researchers navigate the current jungle of indices.
Metabolic tumor burden predicts prognosis of ovarian cancer patients who receive platinum‐based adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Yamamoto Makoto , Tsujikawa Tetsuya , Fujita Yuko , Chino Yoko , Kurokawa Tetsuji , Kiyono Yasushi , Okazawa Hidehiko , Yoshida Yoshio
Published: January 2016

Volumetric parameters of positron emission tomography–computed tomography using 18F‐fludeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG PET/CT) that comprehensively reflect both metabolic activity and tumor burden are capable of predicting survival in several cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive performance of metabolic tumor burden measured by 18F‐FDG PET/CT in ovarian cancer patients who received platinum‐based adjuvant chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery. Included in this study were 37 epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Metabolic tumor burden in terms of metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG), clinical stage, histological type, residual tumor after primary cytoreductive surgery, baseline serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) level, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were determined, and compared for their performance in predicting progression‐free survival (PFS). Metabolic tumor volume correlated with CA125 (r = 0.547, P < 0.001), and TLG correlated with SUVmax and CA125 (SUVmax, r = 0.437, P = 0.007; CA125, r = 0.593, P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a significant difference in PFS between the groups categorized by TLG (P = 0.043; log–rank test). Univariate analysis indicated that TLG was a statistically significant risk factor for poor PFS. Multivariate analysis adjusted according to the clinicopathological features was carried out for MTV, TLG, SUVmax, tumor size, and CA125. Only TLG showed a significant difference (P = 0.038), and a 3.915‐fold increase in the hazard ratio of PFS. Both MTV and TLG (especially TLG) could serve as potential surrogate biomarkers for recurrence in patients who undergo primary cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum‐based chemotherapy, and could identify patients at high risk of recurrence who need more aggressive treatment.
Downregulation of WDR20 due to loss of 14q is involved in the malignant transformation of clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Takahashi Mika , Tsukamoto Yoshiyuki , Kai Tomoki , Tokunaga Akinori , Nakada Chisato , Hijiya Naoki , Uchida Tomohisa , Daa Tsutomu , Nomura Takeo , Sato Fuminori , Mimata Hiromitsu , Matsuura Keiko , Moriyama Masatsugu
Published: January 2016

Previously, we reported that genomic loss of 14q occurs more frequently in high‐grade than in low‐grade clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs), and has a significant impact on the levels of expression of genes located in this region, suggesting that such genes may be involved in the malignant transformation of ccRCCs. Here, we found that six of the genes located in the minimal common region of 14q loss were significantly downregulated in high‐grade ccRCCs due to copy number loss. Using a dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network, we found that downregulation of one of these six genes, WDR20, was significantly associated with poorer outcome in patients with ccRCC, suggesting that WDR20 downregulation may be involved in the malignant transformation of ccRCCs. In functional assays, exogenous WDR20 significantly inhibited the growth of RCC cell lines and induced apoptosis. Interestingly, the phosphorylation levels of ERK and protein kinase B/AKT, which reportedly contribute to the malignant phenotype of RCC cells, were clearly reduced by exogenous expression of WDR20. Thus, our data suggest that downregulation of WDR20 due to 14q loss may be involved in the malignant transformation of ccRCCs, in part through activation of the ERK and protein kinase B/AKT pathways.
On the Beach: The Changing Meaning of theBulgarian Coast after 1989
Authors: HOLLERAN MAX
Published: January 2016

This article examines the physical changes and the shifting symbolic meaning of theBlackSea Coast inBulgaria after 1989. It explores three stages of development: the coast as a place of refuge and intimacy in the last years of socialism, how new touristic development embodied economic aspirations from 1997 until 2008, and recent years in which over‐building and corruption have become a mark of national embarrassment and anxiety. Beachfront development after socialism was meant to both rejuvenate the flagging national economy and to use improved spaces of tourism to make a visual representation of a “new”Bulgaria. However, for coastal residents, prosperity was not forthcoming and financial stagnation, environmental destruction, and the new aesthetics of the beachfront reoriented their view of the coast. This article explores how changes in the natural landscape became emotionally resonant ways for residents to discuss the aspirations and disenchantments of post‐socialism. It argues that the increasingly‐urbanized beachfront has quickly shifted from a symbol of the post‐socialist good life to a manifestation of the failure of contemporaryBulgarian society to protect even the most basic collective goods.
If Anyone Hears This: Confronting Discourses of Immigration in South Mississippi
Authors: HAYDEN BRIDGET
Published: January 2016

Latino immigrants are subject to circulating discourses that produce processes of inclusion and exclusion, and inform expectations of future encounters with local native populations. However, they rarely have an opportunity to answer back. This paper draws on two projects in which immigrants were invited to use photography and writing to document the messages they would like to send to native‐born Mississippians to examine how they mobilize discourses of inclusion and exclusion as they deal with “stranger fetishism” (Ahmed 2000), the notion that immigrants are recognized, but are cast as individuals who do not belong. Immigrant messages show that they at once contest and draw on hegemonic discourses of race and US national identity in their efforts to lay claim to legitimate spaces of belonging. [immigration, discourse, stranger fetishism, representation, Mississippi]
Loculated pneumothorax due to a rare combination resulting in an interesting chest radiograph
Authors: Isaac Barney Thomas Jesudason , Samuel Johnson Thamarathu , Mukherjee Dipak K. , Pittman Marcus
Published: January 2016

A 35 years old man presented with acute onset left sided pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. On evaluation, he was found to have an interesting chest radiograph which showed a loculated pneumothorax with collapse of the left upper lobe and lingula but fully expanded left lower lobe. He is a known asthmatic who had allergic broncho pulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) previously with left upper lobe and lingular collapse secondary to mucous plugging. This resolved on treatment with steroids and itraconazole. An interesting combination of events is proposed to explain the current presentation. CT scan chest and blood tests confirmed this sequence of events. He was appropriately treated resulting in complete clinical and radiological recovery. The events leading to the presentation and the likely physiological background for this interesting chest radiograph are discussed.
Identification of a Th2‐ and Th17‐skewed immune phenotype in chronic urticaria with Th22 reduction dependent on autoimmunity and thyroid disease markers
Authors: Moy Andrea P. , Murali Mandakolathur , Nazarian Rosalynn M.
Published: January 2016

Background

Chronic urticaria is a condition with many inciting factors and often presents a therapeutic challenge to clinicians. In addition to a central role for mast cells, an immune dysregulated state related to cytokine/chemokine alterations is increasingly being recognized.

Methods

Biopsies of chronic urticaria (n = 11) and normal skin (n = 5) were evaluated with immunostains for CD117, CD3 and dual stains for CD4/T‐bet, GATA‐3, STAT‐3 or BNC‐2 (transcription factors specific and mutually exclusive for Th1, Th2, Th17 and Th22 cells, respectively). Clinical data, including autoantibodies and thyroid function tests, and the number of CD117+ mast cells and percent of Th1, Th2, Th17 and Th22 of CD3+ T‐cells were compared.

Results

Th2 cells and Th17 cells were significantly more frequent in chronic urticaria than controls. In contrast, there was no significant difference in mast cells, Th1 cells or Th22 cells. Three of nine chronic urticaria patients had evidence of autoimmune disease; biopsies from these patients trended toward a greater number of mast cells and decreased percent of Th‐cell subtypes as compared with those without autoimmunity markers, with significantly less Th22 cells.

Conclusions

These findings provide novel insight into the role of Th2 and Th17 in chronic urticaria pathophysiology and may impact therapy.
Cytological findings of an ectopic pancreas of the stomach obtained at endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration, differential diagnosis from acinar cell carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Kanayama K. , Imai H. , Yoneda M. , Hayashi A. , Hirokawa Y. S. , Shiraishi T.
Published: January 2016

A preoperative clinical diagnosis of the ectopic pancreas can be difficult. Due to its submucosal location, Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration is likely to aspirate this lesion. Ectopic pancreas can show nuclear atypia which needs differentiation from the acinic cell carcinoma. Authors of this paper have discussed the cytoogical features of the ectopic pancreas and how to differentiate them from the acinic cell carcinoma.
How the innate immune system trains immunity: lessons from studying atopic dermatitis and cutaneous bacteria
Authors: Skabytska Yuliya , Kaesler Susanne , Volz Thomas , Biedermann Tilo
Published: January 2016

The skin is the largest organ at the interface between environment and host. It plays a major protective role against pathogens as physical barrier, as site of first recognition, and as orchestrator of consecutive immune responses. In this process, immunological crosstalk between skin‐resident and immune cells is required, and fixed innate immune responses were previously believed to orchestrate adaptive immunity of B and T lymphocytes. Today, we understand that diverse qualities of immune responses to different microbes need to be regulated by also varying responses at the level of first microbe recognition through receptors of the innate immune system. Only fine‐tuning of the innate immune system allows for the orchestration of immune responses to the microbiota in the absence of inflammation as well as to pathogens in the context of protective responses including inflammation. Understanding how innate immunity precisely adapts is also important for diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD) with chronic inflammation. In this review, we present data on how the innate immune system actually fine‐tunes its responses with special focus on the immunological consequences of cutaneous innate immune sensing through TLR2. These new insights are highly relevant for understanding microbiota‐associated state of health, immune defense, and the pathogenesis underlying chronic cutaneous inflammation as seen in AD.
Regensburg, Wandalgarius and the novi denarii: Charlemagne's monetary reform revisited
Authors: Garipzanov Ildar
Published: January 2016

Until now, Philip Grierson's tentative dating of Charlemagne's monetary reform to 793/4 has been generally accepted. His dating was based not only on numismatic evidence but also on his attempt to set this event in the context of Charlemagne's activities from 792 to 794. This traditional date of the reform does not, however, take into account evidence provided by Codex Sangallensis 731, in which the scribe Wandalgarius drew the image of a post‐reform coin around mid‐October 793. Based on this evidence as well as the historical contextualization of Charlemagne's stay in Regensburg in 791–3, this paper attributes the introduction of the novi denarii to the period between the autumn of 792 and the early autumn of 793, when his court was located in Regensburg.
In the name of a distant king: representing royal authority in the county of Castile, c.900–1038
Authors: Escalona Julio
Published: January 2016

This article explores the representation of royal power in the tenth‐century county of Castile by contrasting the low degrees of effective royal agency within the county with a dominant charter‐writing tradition that coupled king and count in the synchronisms of the dating clauses. The components of the Castilian charter corpus are broken down and compared to other areas in northern Iberia, in order to suggest that, rather than a mere regional charter‐writing tradition, this practice reflects a widespread political culture that sought to legitimize the counts' unitary leadership of Castile by reference to a prestigious yet distant royal figure.
Factors associated with timing of early neurological improvement after thrombolysis for ischaemic stroke
Authors: Guettier S. , Cogez J. , Bonnet A.‐L. , Dean P. , Apoil M. , Tchoumi T. , Dubuc L. , Arzur J. , de la Sayette V. , Kouassi L.‐K. , Viader F. , Touzé E.
Published: January 2016

Background

Early neurological improvement (ENI) after fibrinolysis for ischaemic stroke is strongly associated with recanalization and favourable outcome. However, it remains unknown why some patients recover within the first hour after treatment (very ENI, VENI) whereas others recover later within 24 h.

Aim

The factors associated with the timing of ENI were assessed.

Methods

Consecutive stroke patients treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt‐PA) within 4.5 h after onset in four stroke centres of our geographical area were retrospectively studied. VENI assessed at 1 h and ENI assessed at 24 h post‐treatment were defined by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) improvement by 40% from baseline.

Results

Of 421 patients, 65 (15%) had VENI and 110 (26%) had ENI. Patients with VENI had significantly lower serum creatinine level than patients with ENI (79 ± 19 vs. 91 ± 35 μmol/l; P = 0.01). After adjustment for age, sex, baseline NIHSS, hypertension and blood glucose level, patients with low serum creatinine level were more likely to have VENI (lowest tertile, odds ratio 3.8, 95% confidence interval 1.5–9.7; intermediate tertile, odds ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 0.8–4.3; P for trend <0.01). VENI patients were as likely as ENI patients to have a modified Rankin scale score ≤2 at 3 months.

Conclusions

Low serum creatinine levels are associated with VENI, suggesting that swiftness of the efficacy of rt‐PA or of neurological recovery may depend on renal function.
Prescription patterns of antihypertensives in a community health centre in Mexico City: a drug utilization study
Authors: Alba‐Leonel Adela , Carvajal Alfonso , Fierro Immaculada , Castillo‐Nájera Fernando , Campos‐Ramos Oscar , Villa‐Romero Antonio , Molina‐Guarneros Juan
Published: January 2016

Hypertension is highly prevalent; in Mexico, the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey reported a prevalence of hypertension of 31.5% in the adult population. Pharmacological treatment is the commonest intervention and has been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, and total mortality. Accordingly, the type and number of antihypertensives used and the outcome — in terms of blood pressure (BP) control — are important. Therefore, our purpose is to learn the pattern of antihypertensive drug prescription and explore the determinants of BP control in an urban population in Mexico. A retrospective cross‐sectional drug utilization study was conducted. Medical records from a community health centre were searched to identify those corresponding to patients diagnosed with hypertension; information upon antihypertensives used and control of the disease was carefully retrieved. A logistic regression model was built to know the main determinants of BP control. A sample of 345 clinical records of interest was identified. Most patients received antihypertensives (86.4%); the leading medications used were angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, 63.8%; beta‐blockers (26.5%), diuretics (19.8%), angiotensin‐receptor blockers (15.8%) and calcium‐channel blockers (6.4%). Only the age (≥55 years) and BMI (>30) of the patients, and the age of the doctors (≥55 years), had an important influence on BP control. Obesity is a particular and important determinant of uncontrolled hypertension; it is worth to act on body weight, on an individual basis. As lack of control has been also tied to elderly doctors, an education programme could be envisaged.
Skeletal muscle ischemia–reperfusion injury and cyclosporine A in the aging rat
Authors: Pottecher Julien , Kindo Michel , Chamaraux‐Tran Thiên‐Nga , Charles Anne‐Laure , Lejay Anne , Kemmel Véronique , Vogel Thomas , Chakfe Nabil , Zoll Joffrey , Diemunsch Pierre , Geny Bernard
Published: January 2016

Old patients exhibit muscle impairments and increased perioperative risk during vascular surgery procedures. Although aging generally impairs protective mechanisms, data are lacking concerning skeletal muscle in elderly. We tested whether cyclosporine A (CsA), which protects skeletal muscle from ischemia–reperfusion (IR) in young rats, might reduce skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in aging rats submitted to hindlimb IR. Wistar rats aged 71–73 weeks were randomized to IR (3 h unilateral tourniquet application and 2 h reperfusion) or IR + CsA (10 mg/kg cyclosporine IV before reperfusion). Maximal oxidative capacity (VMax), acceptor control ratio (ACR), and relative contribution of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes II, III, IV (VSucc), and IV (VTMPD/Asc), together with calcium retention capacity (CRC) a marker of apoptosis, and tissue reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were determined in gastrocnemius muscles from both hindlimbs. Compared to the nonischemic hindlimb, IR significantly reduced mitochondrial coupling, VMax (from 7.34 ± 1.50 to 2.87 ± 1.22 μMO2/min/g; P < 0.05; −70%), and VSucc (from 6.14 ± 1.07 to 3.82 ± 0.83 μMO2/min/g; P < 0.05; −42%) but not VTMPD/Asc. IR also decreased the CRC from 15.58 ± 3.85 to 6.19 ± 0.86 μMCa2+/min/g; P < 0.05; −42%). These alterations were not corrected by CsA (−77%, −49%, and −32% after IR for VMax, VSucc, and CRC, respectively). Further, CsA significantly increased ROS production in both hindlimbs (P < 0.05; +73%). In old rats, hindlimb IR impairs skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and increases oxidative stress. Cyclosporine A did not show protective effects.
Protective effect of melatonin on myenteric neuron damage in experimental colitis in rats
Authors: Shang Boxin , Shi Haitao , Wang Xiaoyan , Guo Xiaoyan , Wang Nan , Wang Yan , Dong Lei
Published: January 2016

Inflammation of the colon in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) causes pain and altered motility, at least in part through the damage of the myenteric neurons (MNs). Thus, it is important to evaluate new drugs for UC treatment that could also protect myenteric neurons efficiently. As a well‐known neural protective and anti‐inflammatory agent, melatonin could protect neurons from damage through the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 and antioxidant responsive element (Nrf2–ARE) signaling pathway. Therefore, we investigated the potential protective effect of melatonin against MN damage during colitis induced by 2,4‐dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) in rats. Colitis was induced by intracolonic (i.c.) instillation of DNBS and treated with melatonin at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg for 4 days. The damage of MN in the left colon was immunohistochemically evaluated in different groups. Ulcerations and inflammation in the colon were semiquantitatively observed. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were detected to evaluate the inflammatory and oxidative stress status. The protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) in the colon were detected by Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), respectively. Melatonin partially prevented the loss of MN and alleviated the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by DNBS. In addition, melatonin markedly increased the Nrf2 and HO‐1 level in the colitis. These results indicate that melatonin protects MN from damage by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, effects that are partly mediated by the Nrf2–ARE pathway.
Protein thermal denaturation is modulated by central residues in the protein structure network
Authors: Souza Valquiria P. , Ikegami Cecília M. , Arantes Guilherme M. , Marana Sandro R.
Published: January 2016

Network structural analysis, known as residue interaction networks or graphs (RIN or RIG, respectively) or protein structural networks or graphs (PSN or PSG, respectively), comprises a useful tool for detecting important residues for protein function, stability, folding and allostery. In RIN, the tertiary structure is represented by a network in which residues (nodes) are connected by interactions (edges). Such structural networks have consistently presented a few central residues that are important for shortening the pathways linking any two residues in a protein structure. To experimentally demonstrate that central residues effectively participate in protein properties, mutations were directed to seven central residues of the β‐glucosidase Sfβgly (β‐d‐glucoside glucohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.21). These mutations reduced the thermal stability of the enzyme, as evaluated by changes in transition temperature (Tm) and the denaturation rate at 45 °C. Moreover, mutations directed to the vicinity of a central residue also caused significant decreases in the Tm of Sfβgly and clearly increased the unfolding rate constant at 45 °C. However, mutations at noncentral residues or at surrounding residues did not affect the thermal stability of Sfβgly. Therefore, the data reported in the present study suggest that the perturbation of the central residues reduced the stability of the native structure of Sfβgly. These results are in agreement with previous findings showing that networks are robust, whereas attacks on central nodes cause network failure. Finally, the present study demonstrates that central residues underlie the functional properties of proteins.
Case Study as Common Text: Collaborating in and Broadening the Reach of History of Education
Authors: Erickson Ansley T.
Published: January 2016

A graduate school of education contains a wide range of disciplinary models for the training of scholars and practitioners. I encounter these models as they come up in conversation with colleagues and students, or I confront them more directly as I pass a clinical psychology laboratory space each morning on the way to my office. I often see small groups of doctoral students at work, huddled around a computer monitor or deep in discussion. As my psychology colleagues are more likely to research and write in teams rather than individually, I read this scene as a sign of collaboration built into graduate training. It also contrasts with my experience of collaboration, or the lack thereof, in my own graduate training in history. In my own education, the most collaborative spaces—in which people come together around a common text and problem—existed in the earliest phases of graduate school. A few students and a professor gathered around a seminar table to analyze a book or article. But later, as students developed their own research agendas and proceeded into the archives, they researched and wrote largely in isolation. Writing groups and other venues for sharing work were sustaining, but the content of research remained an individual affair. (There were hints, though, of new spaces for collaboration—as in the History of Education Society's research mentoring sessions begun in 2009—and likely others existed, but were unknown to me as a graduate student.) Once in a faculty position, reflecting on my graduate training and juxtaposed with what I perceived at the psychology laboratory led me to ask where collaboration fits and how it might matter in graduate training in the history of education.
T‐cell recognition is shaped by epitope sequence conservation in the host proteome and microbiome
Authors: Bresciani Anne , Paul Sinu , Schommer Nina , Dillon Myles B. , Bancroft Tara , Greenbaum Jason , Sette Alessandro , Nielsen Morten , Peters Bjoern
Published: January 2016

Several mechanisms exist to avoid or suppress inflammatory T‐cell immune responses that could prove harmful to the host due to targeting self‐antigens or commensal microbes. We hypothesized that these mechanisms could become evident when comparing the immunogenicity of a peptide from a pathogen or allergen with the conservation of its sequence in the human proteome or the healthy human microbiome. Indeed, performing such comparisons on large sets of validated T‐cell epitopes, we found that epitopes that are similar with self‐antigens above a certain threshold showed lower immunogenicity, presumably as a result of negative selection of T cells capable of recognizing such peptides. Moreover, we also found a reduced level of immune recognition for epitopes conserved in the commensal microbiome, presumably as a result of peripheral tolerance. These findings indicate that the existence (and potentially the polarization) of T‐cell responses to a given epitope is influenced and to some extent predictable based on its similarity to self‐antigens and commensal antigens.
Impact of nurses’ cross‐cultural competence on nursing intellectual capital from a social cognitive theory perspective
Authors: Lin Hsien‐Cheng
Published: January 2016

Aims

To understand the relationships among certain key factors such as organizational climate, self‐efficacy and outcome expectation on registered nurses, with regard to the development of registered nurses’ cross‐cultural competence. The focus is specifically on the use of a social cognitive framework for nurses for providing intercultural nursing care to international patients. This study also aims to examine the relationship between nurses’ cross‐cultural competence and nursing intellectual capital.

Background

Given the influence of globalization on healthcare services, healthcare providers need to have enough cross‐cultural competence to effectively care for patients from different cultures. Thus, the development of cross‐cultural competence in nursing care has become an important issue.

Design

A quantitative method and a cross‐sectional design were employed in this study.

Methods

Data were collected from 309 RN working in 16 healthcare institutions in Taiwan from May to August 2013. Structural equation modelling, in combination with the smart partial least squares method, was used to measure the relationships in the research model.

Results

The results show that outcome expectation has a stronger impact on nurses’ cross‐cultural competence than self‐efficacy. In addition, it was found that the cross‐cultural competence of nurses has a positive impact on nursing intellectual capital.

Conclusion

Nursing supervisors should promote a higher level of outcome expectation on nurses to enhance the improvement of their cross‐cultural competence. Raising the cross‐cultural competence of nurses will aid in the accumulation of nursing intellectual capital.
Dental disorders in brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) maintained in captivity
Authors: Dias Neto Ramiro das Neves , Fecchio Roberto Silva , Rahal Sheila Canevese , Teixeira Carlos Roberto , Gioso Marco Antônio , Pereira Camila Trevisan , Santos Maria Augusta Adami Pereira dos , Milanelo Liliane
Published: January 2016

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate dental disorders of brown howler monkeys maintained in captivity. The hypothesis is that the identification and diagnosis of the lesions may contribute to control and prevention.

Methods

Sixteen intact brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans), eight females and eight males, weighing from 3.9 to 6.8 kg, were studied. Under general anesthesia, the teeth were evaluated by visual inspection, probing, palpation, and intra‐oral radiographic exam. The findings were registered on a dental chart specific for primates.

Result

Of the 16 monkeys evaluated in the present study, 94% (n = 15) had some type of dental disorder. The lesions observed were dental calculus (88%), dental wear (81%), missing teeth (38%), gingivitis (19%), gingival recession (6%), dental fracture (19%), pulp exposure (19%), and dental staining (25%).

Conclusions

Alouatta guariba clamitans maintained in captivity have a high rate of dental problems.
Dermatologic evaluation of cosmetic formulations containing Chrysanthemum indicum extract
Authors: Choi Keun Taek , Kim Jun Ho , Cho Hyung Taek , Lim Soon Sung , Kwak Sun Soon , Kim Young Jun
Published: January 2016

Background

Chrysanthemum indicum, an oriental medicinal plant, has been shown to display a variety of pharmacological activities including antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory effects.

Aims

In this study, we evaluated the ability of C. indicum extracts to inhibit in vitro tyrosinase activity and the skin care effects of cosmetic formulations containing 0.5% C. indicum water extract in human volunteers.

Patients/Methods

The formation of dopachrome from L‐dopa by mushroom tyrosinase was observed after treatments with C. indicum extracts. The volunteers received placebo (no extract) or test (0.5% C. indicum water extract) cosmetic cream and applied it on their face three times a day for 6 weeks. Biophysical skin parameters were measured every 2 weeks.

Results

Chrysanthemum indicum methanol and water extracts dose dependently inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity, and the effects of methanol extract were similar to those of kojic acid, a well‐known tyrosinase inhibitor. Clinical evaluations revealed that application of cosmetic formulations containing C. indicum water extract time dependently reduced melanin levels over 6 weeks, whereas the placebo group showed no effect. No changes in moisture, elasticity, wrinkles, evenness, and pore size were observed in either group. HPLC‐DAD‐ESIMS analyses revealed that luteolin and acacetin‐7‐O‐rutinoside are the major flavonoid compounds in C. indicum water extract.

Conclusion

These results suggest that C. indicum water extract could be applied as a natural skin‐whitening agent for functional cosmetic uses, due to its melanin‐reducing efficacy.