bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Negotiating agency and structure: Trade union organizing strategies in a hostile environment
Authors: Adăscăliței Dragoș , Guga Ștefan
Published: April 2015

This article investigates a case of successful union organizing in one automotive assembly plant in Romania. The authors argue that in order to explain why the union succeeds in defending workers’ rights there is a need to consider both structural and agency aspects that condition labor’s capacity to effectively defend their interests. The findings show that the union at the Romanian plant has made use of a diverse repertoire of protest activities in order to defend its worker constituency. The authors also discuss why as of late protests are less and less used by the union in response to the shifting economic and political environment in which the plant is embedded. They argue that a closer look at the strategy of the Romanian union and the path it has taken in the past decade provides a better understanding of the conditions for union success in an economic, legal, and political environment that has become increasingly hostile toward organized labor. In this sense, the article points to the more general situation unions in Central and Eastern Europe have found themselves in recent years.
Voice Outcomes Following Radiation Versus Laser Microsurgery for T1 Glottic Carcinoma
Authors: Greulich Matthew T. , Parker Noah P. , Lee Philip , Merati Albert L. , Misono Stephanie
Published: April 2015

Objective

Systematic review of literature on patient‐reported voice handicap following T1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma treatment using transoral laser microsurgery or radiation therapy.

Data Sources

PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus (1997‐2013).

Review Methods

These data sources were searched for papers reporting Voice Handicap Index (VHI) after treatment of early glottic carcinoma. Review and reference cross‐checking were performed using a priori selection criteria. Study data were abstracted and publication quality categorized independently by 2 authors. Corresponding authors were contacted to maximize data for analysis. Meta‐analysis was performed only with studies that included both treatment modalities, to reduce heterogeneity and maximize rigor; random effects modeling was used to pool results.

Results

Eighteen publications were identified that reported VHI data following surgery and radiotherapy for T1 glottic carcinoma. No studies were randomized. When studies that reported multiple T‐stages or systematic treatment selection bias were excluded, 8 retrospective cohort studies describing 362 patients were suitable for meta‐analysis. Follow‐up time (mean, 47 months; range, 1‐298 mo) and extent of surgical excision varied across studies. Six studies showed no VHI difference between treatment arms; 2 favored radiotherapy over surgery (1 of which reported transmuscular cordectomy for all surgical patients); and none favored surgery. Meta‐analysis showed no significant difference in posttreatment VHI between radiotherapy and surgery (mean difference, –5.52; 95% confidence interval, –11.40, 0.36; heterogeneity I2 = 61%, P =. 01).

Conclusion

VHI scores were comparable following transoral laser microsurgery and radiation therapy for T1 glottic carcinoma in the current literature, suggesting no clinically significant difference in functional voice outcomes between treatment types.
Biocompatibility of cardiopulmonary bypass circuit with new polymer Senko E-Ternal CoatingTM
Authors: Fukui T , Nishida H , Takanashi S
Published: April 2015

Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare the biocompatibility of a new Senko E-Ternal coating (SEC) for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits with the well-established poly-2-methoxyethyl acrylate (PMEA) coating.

Methods:

Forty patients undergoing aortic valve replacement were randomly assigned to either an SEC-coated group (n = 20) or a PMEA-coated group (n = 20). Clinical data and the following markers were analyzed: platelet count, platelet factor (PF) 4, fibrinogen, fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs), antithrombin III (AT III), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), plasminogen, complement hemolytic activity (CH50), complement 3 (C3) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Blood samples were obtained at five time points in both groups.

Results:

CPB time, aortic cross-clamp time and blood loss and transfusion were similar in both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of platelet count, PF4 and all coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters (FDP, AT III, TAT, and plasminogen) at any time points. Inflammatory markers (CH50, C3 and IL-6) were also similar in both groups at all time points.

Conclusions:

The SEC-coated circuit demonstrated equivalent biocompatibility to the PMEA-coated circuit. SEC-coated circuits are, therefore, favorably comparable to PMEA-coated circuits for clinical use in CPB.
Intra-arterial injection of sclerosants: Report of three cases treated with systemic steroids
Authors: Parsi Kurosh , Hannaford Patricia
Published: April 2015

Intra-arterial injection of sclerosants is a significant but uncommon complication of sclerotherapy that may result in extensive tissue necrosis and in rare cases digit or limb amputation. We have managed three cases in the past 10 years. One patient was referred for immediate treatment following intra-arterial injection of liquid polidocanol. The other two had undergone foam sclerotherapy with polidocanol and sodium tetradecyl sulphate, respectively. All patients were treated with a combination of oral steroids (prednisone 0.5–1 mg/kg) and systemic anticoagulants (enoxaparin 1.5 mg/kg daily subcutaneous injection). One case progressed to skin ulceration where prednisone was started five days after the adverse event and prematurely stopped after four weeks. The other cases did not progress to necrosis or other long-term sequelae. In these patients, prednisone was commenced immediately and slowly reduced over the following 12 weeks. The inflammation that follows ischemia plays a significant role in tissue necrosis and the immediate management of this adverse event may benefit from anti-inflammatory measures and in particular systemic steroid therapy unless contraindicated.
Assessment of apoptotic cells in the wall of thrombophlebitic saphenous vein
Authors: Li Hu , Han Wei , Wang Lei , Chu Haibo , Xu Yongbo , Wang Tao , Tang Jinyuan , Li Kun , Zhao Jianhua
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Programmed cell death plays a critical role in various physiological processes. In the present study, we investigated its possible pathogenic role in primary varicose veins. We studied histological changes in surgical specimens from thrombophlebitic saphenous veins. In thrombophlebitic saphenous, varicose, and healthy veins, we also determined the number of apoptotic cells, and investigated apoptosis in the role of the pathogenesis of varicose veins.

Methods

Forty-four specimens of thrombophlebitic saphenous veins and simple varicose veins were collected. Thirteen samples of normal great saphenous veins were also collected (control group). Apoptosis of venous walls was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and immunofluorescence methods. The corpuscular number per high-power field was counted under light microscopy.

Results

A significantly higher apoptotic ratio of the intima and media were observed in control veins as compared with thrombophlebitic saphenous veins and simple varicose veins ( p < 0.01). A significant difference was not observed between thrombophlebitic saphenous veins and simple varicose veins ( p > 0.05). A significant difference was not seen between the intima and media of the three groups ( p > 0.05).

Conclusion

In the walls of thrombophlebitic saphenous veins and varicose veins, the apoptotic indices were clearly decreased. The results suggest that the process of programmed cell death was inhibited in walls of thrombophlebitic saphenous veins and varicose veins.
Educating for food security in the UK: Planning for an uncertain future
Authors: Lee Howard
Published: April 2015

The pressures affecting the UK’s food production infrastructure are reviewed, with a conclusion that security of supply is currently unsafe. Planning ahead to improve security of supply is argued as key, especially as we try to cope with an uncertain future. The challenge of planning for uncertainty of food supply leads to a consideration of recent research on risk and the ideas of Taleb about antifragility. This investigation is in the context of Higher Education delivery for the next generation of agriculture and commercial horticulture graduates: the impacts of resource restrictions and opportunities of novel modes of teaching are reviewed as we learn to work with greater uncertainty.
Prevalence of C7 level anomalies at the C7 level: an important landmark for cervical nerve ultrasonography
Authors: Takeuchi Mikinobu , Aoyama Masahiro , Wakao Norimitsu , Tawada Yuka , Kamiya Mitsuhiro , Osuka Koji , Matsuo Naoki , Takayasu Masakazu
Published: April 2015

Background

Recently, various examination and intervention techniques using cervical nerve ultrasonography have been developed. The specific shapes of the C7 transverse process and vertebral artery in front of the C7 transverse process have become landmarks.

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of anomalies and anomalous vertebral artery entrances at the C7 transverse process.

Material and Methods

The records of patients who underwent plain or contrast-enhanced neck or cervical spine computed tomography (CT) were reviewed. The examinations were scored for the anomalous presence of anterior tubercles or cervical ribs as well as vertebral artery entrances in the C7 transverse process. The prevalence of anomalies was compared based on patient sex and age.

Results

Evaluating the examinations from 2067 patients (1046 men; 1021 women), 1% of patients exhibited an anomalous presence of anterior tubercles, and 0.3% of patients displayed cervical ribs at the C7 transverse process. The prevalence of anomalies process was significantly higher in men aged less than 40 years than in older men ( P < 0.001), whereas the prevalence was not higher in women aged less than 40 years than in older women. The prevalence of vertebral artery entry into the C7 transverse foramen was 0.6%.

Conclusion

Although an anomalous vertebral artery entry into the C7 transverse foramen was rare, the prevalence of an anomaly at the C7 transverse process was higher in men aged less than 40 years. Therefore, we recommend performing CT in younger men before cervical nerve ultrasonographic intervention to avoid misinterpretations at the cervical level.
Music as an auditory cue for emotions and cravings in adults with substance use disorders
Authors: Short Alex D. L. , Dingle Genevieve A.
Published: April 2015

Music is commonly found in substance using contexts yet little is known about whether music acts as an auditory cue for emotions and cravings that might lead to substance use. The current study addressed two questions: first, whether individuals in treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) show different emotional responses to music compared to matched controls, and second, whether music listening can increase and reduce cravings to use substances in individuals with SUD. Participants were 19 adults in residential treatment for SUD and 19 healthy adults matched for age and gender (both samples had a mean age of 31 years and 53% males). There were significant between-group differences in emotional response to relaxing, happy, and sad music – in particular, participants with SUD showed a dampened response to happy music. Furthermore, after listening to a participant-selected song related to their substance use, individuals with SUD experienced an increase in cravings, while after listening to a nominated abstinent song, there was a decrease in cravings. These results show that music may act as a mild auditory cue for emotions and cravings in adults with SUD. Potential uses of music in SUD treatment are discussed, such as musical stimuli for cue exposure.
Revitalizing Unions, Rebuilding Labor Studies
Authors: Luce Stephanie
Published: April 2015

Mobilizing Against Inequality: Unions, Immigrant Workers, and the Crisis of Capitalism is an edited volume that provides case studies of unions organizing immigrant workers in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The book, edited by Lee H. Adler, Maite Tapia, and Lowell Turner, contains details of cases where unions have allied with community organizations and other social movement partners to expand union access or political rights to immigrant workers. The authors draw lessons from the best case scenarios. This book also serves as an example of the kind of work labor studies scholars and institutes are pursuing.
Novel lightweight and highly thermally insulative silica aerogel-doped poly(vinyl chloride)-coated fabric composite
Authors: Jabbari Mostafa , Åkesson Dan , Skrifvars Mikael , Taherzadeh Mohammad J
Published: April 2015

Novel lightweight and highly thermal insulative aerogel-doped poly(vinyl chloride)-coated fabric composites were prepared on woven fabrics made of polyester fibres using knife coating method, and their performances were compared with neat composite. The composites were prepared by incorporating a commercial aerogel to a ‘green’ poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plastisol. The effect of aerogel-content, thermal insulating property, thermal degradation, surface characteristics, tensile and physical properties of the composites were investigated. Results revealed that aerogel could reduce thermal conductivity, density and hydrophilicity of the composites dramatically without significant decrease in other properties. Experimental results showed that thermal insulation properties were enhanced by ∼26% (from 205 to 152 mW/m-K), density decreased by ∼17% (from 1.132 to 0.941 g/cm3) and hydrophobicity increased by 16.4% (from 76.02 to 88.67 ± 1.48°) with respect to the unmodified coated fabric. Analyses proved that composite with 3% aerogel is the lightest by weight, while 4% showed the highest thermal insulation. The results showed that 4% is the critical percentage, and preparation of composites with aerogel content higher than 4% has limitations with the given formulation due to high viscosity of plastisol. The prepared composite has potential applications in many fields such as development of textile bioreactors for ethanol/biogas production from waste materials, temporary houses and tents, facade coverings, container linings and tarpaulins. The prepared composite can be considered ‘green’ due to usage of a non-phthalate environment-friendly plasticiser.
Polyurethane/ground tire rubber composite foams based on polyglycerol: Processing, mechanical and thermal properties
Authors: Piszczyk Łukasz , Hejna Aleksander , Danowska Magdalena , Strankowski Michał , Formela Krzysztof
Published: April 2015

During the synthesis of rigid polyurethane foams, petrochemical polyol was substituted with polyglycerol, the product of thermo-catalytic polycondensation of waste glycerol, resulting from biodiesel production. Two types of ground tire rubbers, untreated and thermo-mechanically reclaimed, were used to obtain “green” polyurethane-polyglycerol composite foams. Samples were prepared by a single-step method for the ratio of NCO/OH groups equal to 2. Foams containing different types of fillers showed noticeably various appearances, which suggested significant differences in the matrix–filler interactions between materials modified with untreated and reclaimed ground tire rubber. Addition of rubber particles shortened the processing time by more than 20 s and reduced the temperature during synthesis. Incorporation of ground tire rubber increased the size of the cells in comparison to unmodified foam. Modifications of rigid polyurethane foams resulted in the increase of apparent density and compressive strength even by 40% compared to neat foam. Enhancement was stronger for samples containing thermo-mechanically reclaimed ground tire rubber as a result of better developed surface of filler particles and their interfacial interactions with polyurethane matrix. Prepared polyurethane foams filled with untreated rubber particles also showed slightly enhanced thermal stability compared to neat foam.
Effect of processing conditions on the dispersion, electrical, and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube/polypropylene nanocomposites
Authors: Al-Saleh Mohammed H
Published: April 2015

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/polypropylene nanocomposites with different levels of CNT dispersion were created by melt mixing in order to reveal the influence of nanofiller state of dispersion on the nanocomposites electrical and mechanical properties. Optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to analyze the microstructure of the nanocomposite. Melt mixing energy, melt viscosity, and shear stress were analyzed to understand the influence of processing conditions on the microstructure and electrical properties. CNT dispersion in the polypropylene matrix was enhanced by increasing the melt mixing time and/or rotation speed. The electrical conductivity was found to be very sensitive to the changes in the CNT level of dispersion, while the tensile strength and secant modulus did not show any significant response to the enhancement in the nanofiller state of dispersion.
Beyond World Images
Authors: Strand Michael , Lizardo Omar
Published: April 2015

In this article, we outline the analytic limitations of action theories and interpretive schemes that conceive of beliefs as explicit mental representations linked to a desire-opportunity folk psychology. Drawing on pragmatism and practice theory, we recast the notion of belief as a species of habit, with pre-reflexive anticipation the primary mechanism accounting for both the formation of beliefs and their causal influence on action. We demonstrate the utility of this approach in three ways: first, by linking it with recent research on the cognitive and motor development of infants; second, by drawing out a typology of belief states that accounts for a range of different experiential traits; and third, by applying the new model to reinterpret two belief-based phenomena of broad sociological interest: “irrational” decision making and religious conversion.
Caring for Children With Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Authors: Rentz Anne M. , Skalicky Anne M. , Pashos Chris L. , Liu Zhimei , Magestro Matthew , Pelletier Corey L. , Prestifilippo Judith A. , Nakagawa JoAnne , Frost Michael D. , Dunn David W. , Wheless James W.
Published: April 2015

Disease burden associated with tuberous sclerosis complex, a genetic disorder characterized by benign tumor growth including lesions in multiple organs, puts tremendous demands on families. This analysis examines the physical and mental health burden of tuberous sclerosis complex caregivers in the United States. An institutional review board–approved web-based survey of tuberous sclerosis complex caregivers collected information; descriptive analyses were conducted on age-based subgroups. A total of 275 caregivers of tuberous sclerosis complex patients responded. Mean patient age ≤18 years was 6.9 (±4.4) and 42.3 (±18.2) for patients >18 years of age. Caregivers reported multiple tuberous sclerosis complex manifestations and high health care utilization for patients. Caregivers spending more time on doctor visits or researching tuberous sclerosis complex had lower physical and mental health–related quality of life scores and more depressive symptoms. Tuberous sclerosis complex caregivers had significantly lower physical and mental health–related quality of life scores and more depressive symptomatology compared to US healthy adult population norms.
Codelivery of paclitaxel and small interfering RNA by octadecyl quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan-modified cationic liposome for combined cancer therapy
Authors: Zhang Ran , Wang Shi-Bin , Chen Ai-Zheng , Chen Wei-Guang , Liu Yuan-Gang , Wu Wen-Guo , Kang Yong-Qiang , Ye Shi-Fu
Published: April 2015

Conventional therapeutic approaches for cancer are limited by cancer cell resistance, which has impeded their clinical applications. The main goal of this work was to investigate the combined antitumor effect of paclitaxel with small interfering RNA modified by cationic liposome formed from modified octadecyl quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan. The cationic liposome was composed of 3β-[N-(N′, N′-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl]-cholesterol, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine, and octadecyl quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan. The cationic liposome properties were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and gel retardation assay. The cationic liposome exhibited good properties, such as a small particle size, a narrow particle size distribution, a good spherical shape, a smooth surface, and a good binding ability with small interfering RNA. Most importantly, when combined with paclitaxel and small interfering RNA, the composite cationic liposome induced a great enhancement in the antitumor activity, which showed a significantly higher in vitro cytotoxicity in Bcap-37 cells than liposomal paclitaxel or small interfering RNA alone. In conclusion, the results indicate that cationic liposome could be further developed as a codelivery system for chemotherapy drugs and therapeutic small interfering RNAs.
The Second Coming
Authors: Watkinson Ailsa M.
Published: April 2015

Social welfare has increasingly been downloaded to community and faith-based organizations (FBOs). Many FBOs adhere to religious fundamentalist views that challenge the rights of equality-seeking groups and conflict with international human rights laws and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Regulations or policies governing how FBOs provide public services are lacking or nonexistent. This article explores guidelines emanating from court decisions on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ interpretation of religious freedom and provides a framework through which governments may develop policy governing the delivery of faith-based public services in a manner consistent with equality rights.
Sex workers, condoms, and mobility among men in Uzbekistan: implications for HIV transmission
Authors: Smolak Alex , El-Bassel Nabila , Malin Anne , Terlikbayeva Assel , Samatova Salkynai
Published: April 2015

Uzbekistan has one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world. In this study, men who reported mobility were compared to non-mobile men in regard to paying for sex and condom use during paid sex. The sample included 2333 men between the ages of 15 and 59 in Uzbekistan. Generalised linear models were used to assess the relationship between mobility, paid sex, and condom use while adjusting for possible confounders. Of the total sample, 103 (4.4%) reported engaging in paid sex and 43 (42%) reported using condoms while engaging in paid sex. Mobile men were found to have more than three times the odds of paid sex than non-mobile men (OR: 3.209; 95% CI: 2.481, 4.150; p < 0.001). Mobile men were not significantly different from non-mobile men in terms of condom use; however, unmarried men were found to have six times the odds of not using a condom when compared to married men during paid sex (OR: 6.411; 95% CI: 2.502, 16.425; p = 0.004). Only one of the men who reported paid sex also reported using a condom with their spouses at last intercourse. The findings contribute to understanding mobility and HIV risk, and have important implications for HIV prevention interventions.
Popularity, Similarity, and the Network Extraversion Bias
Authors: Feiler Daniel C. , Kleinbaum Adam M.
Published: April 2015

Using the emergent friendship network of an incoming cohort of students in an M.B.A. program, we examined the role of extraversion in shaping social networks. Extraversion has two important implications for the emergence of network ties: a popularity effect, in which extraverts accumulate more friends than introverts do, and a homophily effect, in which the more similar are two people’s levels of extraversion, the more likely they are to become friends. These effects result in a systematic network extraversion bias, in which people’s social networks will tend to be overpopulated with extraverts and underpopulated with introverts. Moreover, the most extraverted people have the greatest network extraversion bias, and the most introverted people have the least network extraversion bias. Our finding that social networks were systematically misrepresentative of the broader social environment raises questions about whether there is a societal bias toward believing other people are more extraverted than they actually are and whether introverts are better socially calibrated than extraverts.
Nuclear changes in oral mucosa of alcoholics and crack cocaine users
Authors: Webber LP , Pellicioli ACA , Magnusson AS , Danilevicz CK , Bueno CC , Sant’Ana Filho M , Rados PV , Carrard VC
Published: April 2015

The effects of drugs of abuse on oral mucosa are only partly understood. The aims of the present study were to: (1) evaluate the frequency of nuclear changes in normal-appearing oral mucosa of alcoholics and crack cocaine users and (2) assess their association with cell proliferation rate. Oral smears were obtained from the border of the tongue and floor of the mouth of 26 crack cocaine users (24 males and 2 females), 29 alcoholics (17 males and 12 females), and 35 controls (17 males and 18 females). Histological slides were submitted to Feulgen staining to assess the frequency of micronuclei (MN), binucleated cells (BN), broken eggs (BE), and karyorrhexis (KR). A significant increase in the frequency of MN was observed in cells exfoliated from the tongue of crack cocaine users ( p = 0.01), and alcoholics showed a higher frequency of KR in cells obtained from the floor of the mouth ( p = 0.01). Our findings suggest that the use of crack cocaine induces clastogenic effects, whereas alcoholism is associated with higher degrees of keratinization in the floor of the mouth.
Galectin-3 binding protein links circulating microparticles with electron dense glomerular deposits in lupus nephritis
Authors: Nielsen C T , Østergaard O , Rekvig O P , Sturfelt G , Jacobsen S , Heegaard N H H
Published: April 2015

Objective

A high level of galectin-3-binding protein (G3BP) appears to distinguish circulating cell-derived microparticles in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study is to characterize the population of G3BP-positive microparticles from SLE patients compared to healthy controls, explore putative clinical correlates, and examine if G3BP is present in immune complex deposits in kidney biopsies from patients with lupus nephritis.

Methods

Numbers of annexin V-binding and G3BP-exposing plasma microparticles from 56 SLE patients and 36 healthy controls were determined by flow cytometry. Quantitation of microparticle-associated G3BP, C1q and immunoglobulins was obtained by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Correlations between microparticle-G3BP data and clinical parameters were analyzed. Co-localization of G3BP with in vivo -bound IgG was examined in kidney biopsies from one non-SLE control and from patients with class IV (n = 2) and class V (n = 1) lupus nephritis using co-localization immune electron microscopy.

Results

Microparticle-G3BP, microparticle-C1q and microparticle-immunoglobulins were significantly ( P < 0.01) increased in SLE patients by LC-MS/MS. Three G3BP-exposing microparticle populations could be discerned by flow cytometry, including two subpopulations that were significantly increased in SLE samples ( P = 0.01 and P = 0.0002, respectively). No associations of G3BP-positive microparticles with clinical manifestations or disease activity were found. Immune electron microscopy showed co-localization of G3BP with in vivo -bound IgG in glomerular electron dense immune complex deposits in all lupus nephritis biopsies.

Conclusions

Both circulating microparticle-G3BP numbers as well as G3BP expression are increased in SLE patients corroborating G3BP being a feature of SLE microparticles. By demonstrating G3BP co-localized with deposited immune complexes in lupus nephritis, the study supports cell-derived microparticles as a major autoantigen source and provides a new understanding of the origin of immune complexes occurring in lupus nephritis.
The subjective texture of time. An exploratory and empirical approach to time perspectives in Chile
Authors: Güell Pedro , Yopo Martina
Published: April 2015

Time is a social and subjective construct that establishes qualitative differences in the flow of events, that is associated with an individual’s sociodemographic and cultural background, and that affects their attitudes and behavior. The relevance of the past, present, or future as well as the particular meaning of these temporal frames varies depending on each individual’s life experiences and social status. These qualitative and differentiated meanings of time have been studied in many countries through the concept of “time perspectives.” This paper presents the findings of the first application of Zimbardo’s Time Perspective Inventory in Chile and establishes correlations between its factors and sociodemographic and cultural variables. This paper aims to present comparable data for the study of time perspectives, provide theoretical and empirical evidence to progress in the study of the multidimensional nature of time in Chile, and discuss the possibilities and challenges posed by Zimbardo’s Time Perspective Inventory as an instrument for the empirical study of time.
Institutional diversity: Why Chinese civilization survives
Authors: Cao Shixiong
Published: April 2015

Diversity sustains an ecosystem when the environment changes, and a diversity of human institutions improves the ability of cultures to adapt to change and survive. Because it is not always clear which of several potential policies will be the optimal solution for a given situation, preserving a mix of policies often performs better than insisting on a single policy. The survival of Chinese civilization for millennia is a consequence of how this huge, economically vibrant nation perceives itself and its global role. To understand the dynamics of institutional diversity and their consequences during China’s long history, it’s helpful to understand the meaning of the Chinese lóng (dragon) symbol and its impacts on China’s socioeconomic development. In contrast with evil western dragons, lóng symbolize harmony through the ability to incorporate a range of ideas, resulting in increased institutional diversity. This diversity has helped Chinese civilization survive many historical crises, and is now sustaining China’s socioeconomic development by promoting a robust, resilient, adaptable, and harmonious system that encourages culture and trade. The acceptance and conservation of institutional diversity will undoubtedly continue to sustain China by encouraging peaceful exchanges among cultures that reduce conflict and by teaching new ways to handle evolving situations.
Cooperation under pressure: Time urgency and time perspective in social dilemmas
Authors: Saraiva Renan , Iglesias Fabio
Published: April 2015

Social dilemmas typically require individuals to choose between a personal need and that of a group, often sacrificing one for the other. Many factors play a role in whether people choose to cooperate or to compete, but time constraint and other time-related variables might be decisive in this decision-making process. This study investigated the role of these time variables in individuals’ choice to cooperate or compete, specifically by evaluating time pressure and the individuals’ worldview of time (i.e. how they perceive and think about their present and future). Participants ( n = 220) took part in 10 rounds of a social dilemma task (the chicken game), either in a condition with time pressure or a control condition. Participants also completed the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, and the Cooperative-Competitive Orientation Scale. As expected, rates of competition were higher in the experimental condition, where a 40-second timer was set after the fifth round of the dilemma. In fact, more competitive behavior was observed with each successive round in the time-pressure condition, with the last round consistently being the most competitive. Present and future components of the time perspective variable were positively correlated with competitive behavior, but only when under time pressure. No effect was found using the cooperation and competition attitudes measure. These results suggest that time pressure increases competitive behaviors, and that time perspective is related to competition only when there is an explicit time constraint in the decision process.
Flourishing in the now: Initial validation of a present-eudaimonic time perspective scale
Authors: Vowinckel Jonte C , Westerhof Gerben J , Bohlmeijer Ernst T , Webster Jeffrey D
Published: April 2015

Introduction

A positive focus on the present, the only time zone which we experience directly and permanently, is at least as relevant as perspectives on the past and future in a balanced time perspective and its relation to wellbeing. Yet, few instruments examining a positive present time perspective exist. Two present-directed concepts, mindfulness and flow, that are intrinsically linked to mental wellbeing were analyzed and used to formulate a present-eudaimonic scale that complements the past and future scales of the balanced time perspective scale. The present study addresses the psychometric properties of the present-eudaimonic scale and the modified balanced time perspective scale.

Method

131 participants filled out the present-eudaimonic scale, the balanced time perspective scale, the Zimbardo time perspective inventory, the five facet mindfulness questionnaire – short form, the Swedish flow proneness questionnaire and the mental health continuum – short form. Balanced time perspective was operationalized using the deviation from a balanced time perspective coefficient.

Results

The present-eudaimonic scale showed good psychometric properties including internal consistency, factor structure, and convergent validity. The present-eudaimonic scale explained an additional eleven percent of variance in mental health beyond the other time perspective scales. Balanced time perspective as measured with the modified balanced time perspective scale correlated significantly stronger with mental health than balanced time perspective measured with the Zimbardo time perspective inventory.

Conclusions

The present-eudaimonic scale fills a gap in the assessment of time perspective and the modified balanced time perspective scale is a promising way to study balanced time perspective.
The wild card event: Discursive, epistemic and practical aspects of uncertainty being ‘tamed’
Authors: Nikolova Blagovesta
Published: April 2015

The text explores the functionality of the notion of a wild card event as a means to articulate uncertainty and incorporate it in the performance of various realms of human activity. It starts by examining some common narrative modalities through which uncertainty is being approached. The second section illustrates how the notion of a wild card event fits those modalities and how scanning for wild cards serves as an anticipatory strategy to compensate for certain lack of experience, ignorance and insufficient knowledge and as a very specific technique for temporal adjustment. The third section demonstrates its applicability, influential presence and productivity (including profitability) in three realms – futures studies, the market and politics.
Out of sync: Time management in the lives of young drug users
Authors: Järvinen Margaretha , Ravn Signe
Published: April 2015

The paper analyzes young cannabis users’ experiences of time from two different perspectives, one looking at how their everyday life is related to social time structures and another looking at their actual time management strategies. The paper shows that intense drug use is a reason behind the interviewees’ underinvolvement in interaction time, institutional time, and cyclic time. Yet, drug use may also be an attempt at solving problems with time management, a strategy that again brings the users further away from the social time structures of society. We identify temporal synchronicity, or rather the lack of this, as a central challenge for the interviewees’ social identities and general feelings of a meaningful everyday life. Further, we argue that the young cannabis users are both social and temporal “outsiders” to society and that new time management strategies are key to reversing this process of social marginalization. The paper is based on qualitative interviews with 30 young cannabis users in outpatient drug treatment in Denmark.
Defragmenting paediatric anorexia nervosa: the Flinders Medical Centre Paediatric Eating Disorder Program
Authors: Suetani Shuichi , Yiu Sau Man , Batterham Michael
Published: April 2015

Objective:

To describe the establishment and the main characteristics of the Flinders Medical Centre Paediatric Eating Disorder Program.

Conclusion:

While the programme is still in its infancy, it is hoped that our model of care can provide a sustainable, long term contribution to the management of paediatric eating disorders.
Adaptive fuzzy-Chebyshev network control of a conducting polymer actuator
Authors: Beyhan Selami , İtik Mehmet
Published: April 2015

In this paper, the tip displacement of a conducting polymer actuator (CPA), which has an unknown and time-varying dynamics, is controlled using three different model-free adaptive controllers. First, conventional indirect adaptive fuzzy and Chebyshev functional-link network controllers are introduced. Second, a novel hybrid network which combines the capability of conventional fuzzy system and Chebyshev functional-link network is proposed for online identification and control of the CPA. The stability of the proposed controllers and boundedness of the closed-loop signals are proven using Lyapunov stability approach. The designed adaptive controllers are implemented experimentally in real-time. The performances of the controllers in tracking a square and a sine reference are compared in terms of root-mean-squared error (RMSE), required input signal power (ICVP) and settling time ( ts) performances.
Characterization of Fibromuscular Pseudocapsule in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Roquero Leonardo , Kryvenko Oleksandr N. , Gupta Nilesh S. , Lee Min W.
Published: April 2015

Pseudocapsule in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been described but little is known about its prevalence and extent. Pseudocapsule was analyzed in 105 RCCs (44 clear cell, 44 chromophobe, 17 papillary). Pseudocapsule was graded as follows: grade 1, thickness comparable to adjacent muscular arteries; grade 2, thickness more than twice the diameter of adjacent muscular arteries; grade 3, grade 2 findings with vasculopathy. Tumor size, tumor regression, and International Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) nucleolar grade were recorded. Cases with grade 3 pseudocapsule were stained with elastic silver stain, Alcian blue, smooth muscle actin, and CD31. More clear cell RCCs had pseudocapsule (89%, 39/44) than chromophobe (30%, 13/44) and papillary (35%, 6/17). Average tumor size with pseudocapsule was 3.9 cm; average tumor size without pseudocapsule was 3.8 cm ( P = .77). Grade 2 pseudocapsule was common in clear cell RCC (56%, 22/39). Chromophobe and papillary RCC had grade 1 pseudocapsule in 77% (10/13) and 83% (5/6) of cases. Grade 3 pseudocapsule was only seen in clear cell RCC (10%, 4/39). No correlation was noted between degenerative tumor changes, tumor size, ISUP nucleolar grade, and presence and grade of pseudocapsule. Smooth muscle actin and CD31 showed abundant smooth muscle component and rich vasculature within the pseudocapsule. Arterial elastic membrane disruption and/or fibrointimal mucin deposits were present in grade 3 pseudocapsule. Thus, pseudocapsule is rather characteristic and more prominent in clear cell, less frequent in chromophobe, and rare in papillary RCC. Its presence may be evaluated radiologically or in biopsy specimens with scant tumor fragments.
‘Acceptability’ of a new oral suspension formulation of mercaptopurine in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Mulla Hussain , Buck Helen , Price Lisa , Parry Annie , Bell Geoff , Skinner Roderick
Published: April 2015

Aim

The aim of this questionnaire-based survey was to determine the ‘acceptability’ of Xaluprine®, a new oral liquid formulation of mercaptopurine, when administered chronically to children during the maintenance treatment phase of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Patients and methods

This was a single centre survey of children (aged 3 to 16 years) and their parents at a routine follow-up visit during the maintenance phase of acute lymphoblastic leukaemica treatment. The questionnaire probed for their views on overall acceptability such as taste, smell, incidences of vomiting, ease and willingness to take Xaluprine® on a daily basis, and utilised a 5-point facial hedonic scale (1 = bad, 5 = good) as well as open/closed questions.

Results

Twenty-two children were recruited; 17 (77%) scored taste between 3 and 5 (‘okay’ to ‘good’) and 20 (91%) scored smell between 3 and 5. Only four children (18%) reported an aftertaste. Of the five children (23%) who scored taste as 1 or 2 (‘bad’), three found taking all oral medicines difficult. Six children (27%) reported vomiting, but this was not considered related to Xaluprine®. Seven children (32%) sometimes complained that they did not want to take Xaluprine®; 15 (68%) never complained. In response to the question, ‘How easy is it for you to take Xaluprine®?’ 18 children (82%) reported that it was ‘Easy all the time.’ This was more favourable than other oral liquid medicines that they were taking concurrently.

Conclusion

The results of this survey show that Xaluprine® has good overall acceptability in the paediatric population and suggests that Xaluprine® is an important, alternative, age-appropriate formulation of mercaptopurine.
Nonlinear free vibration analysis of laminated composite doubly curved shell panel in hygrothermal environment
Authors: Mahapatra Trupti R , Kar Vishesh R , Panda Subrata K
Published: April 2015

In this article, the geometrical nonlinear free vibration behaviour of shear deformable laminated composite single/doubly curved shell panel in hygrothermal environment is investigated. A general nonlinear mathematical model of laminated composite doubly curved shallow shell panel has been developed based on the higher order shear deformation theory and Green-Lagrange geometric nonlinear kinematics. All the nonlinear higher order terms have been included in the present mathematical model to achieve a realistic case. In addition to that, the composite material properties are considered as temperature and moisture dependent through hygro-thermo-elastic constitutive relations. The governing equation of laminated composite curved panel is obtained using Hamilton’s principle and discretised using nonlinear finite element steps. The desired responses are computed numerically using a direct iterative method. The convergence behaviour of present numerical model has been checked and validated by comparing the responses with those available published results. The effect of different geometrical and/or material parameters on nonlinear vibration behaviour of laminated composite doubly curved shell panel under hygrothermal environment is computed and discussed in detail.
Postpartum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: Review and analysis of the current data
Authors: Skeik Nedaa , Porten Brandon R , Kadkhodayan Yasha , McDonald William , Lahham Firas
Published: April 2015

Postpartum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (PPRCVS) is a rare but serious cause of headache that occurs in the early postpartum period. The rarity of this disorder has limited the current literature to single case reports and small, observational case series. The lack of familiarity with PPRCVS may contribute to mismanagement of these unique patients and lead to poor outcomes. To address current gaps in the understanding of PPRCVS, this review and data analysis characterizes the demographics, presentation, clinical course, management and prognosis of PPRCVS and provides a general review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnosis to assist clinicians who may care for patients with this rare disorder.
Proton pump inhibitors and vascular function: A prospective cross-over pilot study
Authors: Ghebremariam Yohannes T , Cooke John P , Khan Fouzia , Thakker Rahul N , Chang Peter , Shah Nigam H , Nead Kevin T , Leeper Nicholas J
Published: April 2015

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used drugs for the treatment of gastric reflux. Recent retrospective cohorts and large database studies have raised concern that the use of PPIs is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. However, there is no prospective clinical study evaluating whether the use of PPIs directly causes CV harm. We conducted a controlled, open-label, cross-over pilot study among 21 adults aged 18 and older who are healthy ( n=11) or have established clinical cardiovascular disease ( n=10). Study subjects were assigned to receive a PPI (Prevacid; 30 mg) or a placebo pill once daily for 4 weeks. After a 2-week washout period, participants were crossed over to receive the alternate treatment for the ensuing 4 weeks. Subjects underwent evaluation of vascular function (by the EndoPAT technique) and had plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA, an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial function previously implicated in PPI-mediated risk) measured prior to and after each treatment interval. We observed a marginal inverse correlation between the EndoPAT score and plasma levels of ADMA ( r = −0.364). Subjects experienced a greater worsening in plasma ADMA levels while on PPI than on placebo, and this trend was more pronounced amongst those subjects with a history of vascular disease. However, these trends did not reach statistical significance, and PPI use was also not associated with an impairment in flow-mediated vasodilation during the course of this study. In conclusion, in this open-label, cross-over pilot study conducted among healthy subjects and coronary disease patients, PPI use did not significantly influence vascular endothelial function. Larger, long-term and blinded trials are needed to mechanistically explain the correlation between PPI use and adverse clinical outcomes, which has recently been reported in retrospective cohort studies.