bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the feline veterinary consultation: the usefulness of Feliway spray in reducing cats’ stress
Authors: Pereira Joana Soares , Fragoso Sara , Beck Alexandra , Lavigne Stephane , Varejão Artur Severo , da Graça Pereira Gonçalo
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Going to the veterinary clinic is a stressful experience for most cats as they feel threatened when entering a new and confined environment. The aim of this research was to investigate if Feliway spray, when used on the table in the consultation room, can decrease cats’ stress and ease their handling.

Methods

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was developed, using a total sample of 87 cats of both sexes, castrated or intact, of any breed, aged >26 weeks. A Feliway spray and a placebo solution spray were tested in two different consultation rooms. During the first phase, Feliway spray was applied to the examination table of one room and the placebo spray in the other. After a washout period of 15 days the spray allocation was switched. After the first 15 mins of general questioning and physical examination carried out by the veterinarian, the observer assessed the stress levels of the cats based on a seven-level ‘cat stress score’, and the ease of handling based on a five-point ‘scale of handling’ developed by the authors.

Results

The study demonstrated that the use of Feliway spray leads to significant ( P = 0.01) differences in cats’ usual behaviour, according to their owners. With regard to stress, animals exposed to Feliway spray showed significantly lower stress levels than those treated with placebo ( P = 0.02). Regarding the scale of handling, the scoring did not differ significantly between cats under the effect of Feliway spray and cats receiving placebo ( P = 0.01).

Conclusions and relevance

This research shows that the use of Feliway spray on the examination table improves the welfare of cats by reducing their stress during veterinary consultations. Feliway spray significantly changed the behaviour of the cats in this study, and offers a simple and effective way to help decrease stress in cats during the consultation.
Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain levels predict visual outcome after optic neuritis
Authors: Modvig S , Degn M , Sander B , Horwitz H , Wanscher B , Sellebjerg F , Frederiksen JL
Published: August 2015

Background:

Optic neuritis is a good model for multiple sclerosis relapse, but currently no tests can accurately predict visual outcome.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of tissue damage and remodelling (neurofilament light chain (NF-L), myelin basic protein, osteopontin and chitinase-3-like-1) predict visual outcome after optic neuritis.

Methods:

We included 47 patients with optic neuritis as a first demyelinating episode. Patients underwent visual tests, optical coherence tomography (OCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lumbar puncture. Biomarkers were measured in CSF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients were followed up six months after onset and this included visual tests and OCT. Outcome measures were inter-ocular differences in low contrast visual acuity (LCVA), retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer+inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thicknesses.

Results:

CSF NF-L levels at onset predicted inter-ocular differences in follow-up LCVA (β=13.8, p=0.0008), RNFL (β=5.6, p=0.0004) and GC-IPL (β=4.0, p=0.0008). The acute-phase GC-IPL thickness also predicted follow-up LCVA (β=12.9, p=0.0021 for NF-L, β=−1.1, p=0.0150 for GC-IPL). Complete/incomplete remission was determined based on LCVA from 30 healthy controls. NF-L had a positive predictive value of 91% and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79 for incomplete remission.

Conclusion:

CSF NF-L is a promising biomarker of visual outcome after optic neuritis. This could aid neuroprotective/regenerative medical advancements.
Soluble Form of Selectins in Blood of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Coronary Intervention
Authors: Sakurai Shumpei , Inoue Atsushi , Koh Chang-Sung , Owa Mafumi , Yanagisawa Nobuo
Published: August 2015

Soluble (s) P-selectin, sE-selectin, sL-selectin and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) levels were examined by monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay on serum samples taken from nine patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and eight patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) before and after the successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). In patients with acute phase of AMI, the levels (mean ± SEM) of sP-selectin (110 ± 18 ng/ml) and sE-selectin (54 ± 15 ng/ml) before PTCA, were significantly higher than those in the SAP group, the values being 44 ± 27 and 21 ± 4 ng/ml ( p<0.05), respectively. After recanalization, the levels of sE-selectin and sL-selectin were significantly decreased (sE-selectin 54 ± 15 to 42 ± 11 ng/ml, sL-selectin 1104 ± 106 to 891 ± 59 ng/ml, P < 0.05, respectively). These findings suggest that the presence of activated and/or injured endothelial cells, which may be involved in the plaque disruption or intraluminal thrombosis in AMI region and that the inflammatory process may be altered after reperfusion therapy.
New Developments in Nitrosovasodilator Therapy
Authors: Leopold Jane A , Loscalzo Joseph
Published: August 2015

Under basal conditions, nitric oxide (NO) modulates vascular tone, serves as an antithrombotic agent, and inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. NO deficiency has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several vascular disorders, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis, and provides a plausible biologic basis for the use of NO replacement therapy in these conditions. Treatment with conventional nitrate preparations is limited by a short therapeutic half-life, systemic absorption with potentially adverse hemodynamic effects, and drug tolerance. To overcome these limitations, novel delivery systems and novel NO donors have been developed that offer selective effects, a prolonged half-life, and a reduced incidence of tolerance.
The Epidemiology of Peripheral Arterial Disease: Importance of Identifying the Population at Risk
Authors: Criqui Michael H , Denenberg Julie O , Langer Robert D , Fronek Arnost
Published: August 2015

Data from the Framingham Study and other population studies indicate that intermittent claudication (IC) sharply increases in late middle age and is somewhat higher among men than women. Noninvasive testing in populations indicates that the true prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is at least five times higher than would be expected based on the reported prevalence of IC. Peripheral arterial disease correlates most strongly with cigarette smoking and either diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Other risk factors for PAD include hypertension; low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; and high levels of triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen and blood viscosity. Individuals with PAD are more likely to have coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease than those without PAD. Because of the high risk of both nonfatal and fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in PAD patients, individuals with evidence of PAD should undergo both a careful examination of the entire cardiovascular system and aggressive modification of CVD risk factors.
The Role of Tobacco Cessation, Antiplatelet and Lipid-Lowering Therapies in the Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Hirsch Alan T , Treat-Jacobson Diane , Lando Harry A , Hatsukami Dorothy K
Published: August 2015

Despite the widely held belief that there are no effective medical therapies for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), current data suggest that medical therapies can effectively modify the natural history of atherosclerotic lower extremity arterial occlusive disease. The ideal medical therapy would improve claudication, forestall the onset of limb-threatening events, decrease rates of invasive interventional therapies and improve long-term patient survival. These ideal outcomes might be achieved through the use of smoking cessation interventions, including behavioral and pharmacological therapy, and the administration of antiplatelet and lipid-lowering medications in patients with PAD.
Role of Revascularization in the Treatment of Claudication
Authors: Whitehill Thomas A
Published: August 2015

Intermittent claudication is a relative indication for vascular reconstruction. Conservative management with a combination of risk factor control, exercise training and medical therapy will relieve or at least improve claudication in some patients. If claudication precludes gainful employment or imposes an unacceptable alteration in lifestyle, surgical revascularization should be considered. Surgical bypass for claudication will produce optimal results in younger patients, in whom near-normalization of the ankle/brachial index can be anticipated. Proximal axial (in-line) reconstructions maintain their patencies longer than more distal, and often technically more challenging, bypasses. These tenets also apply well to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Both surgical and catheter-based interventions carry potential risks of short- and long-term morbidity, although overall morbidity associated with surgery for claudication is acceptably low. Interventions are justified only if they are safe, effective and durable, and if they are performed after the long-term prognosis for both life and limb is considered.
Current and Future Drug Therapies for Claudication
Authors: Hiatt William R
Published: August 2015

The primary objectives of claudication treatment are to reduce cardiovascular mortality and improve walking ability. Patients with claudication have 60% mortality over 10 years, with most deaths due to myocardial infarction and stroke. Aggressive risk-factor modification is required in all these patients, particularly smoking cessation, lipid modification, and treatment of hypertension, diabetes and elevated homocysteine levels. Aspirin, ticlopidine and clopidogrel are all effective in reducing the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and vascular death, and thus antiplatelet therapy should be considered in all claudicants. Patients with disabling claudication should be considered for therapies that relieve claudication pain and improve exercise performance, the most effective being exercise training and smoking cessation. Pentoxifylline, the only approved claudication drug in the United States, has modest efficacy in improving treadmill exercise performance. Other drugs shown to be of some benefit in patients with claudication include propionyl-L-carnitine, cilostazol and possibly prostaglandin derivatives. Several antiplatelet agents and angiogenic growth factors are also being evaluated for the treatment of claudication.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Antioxidants in Intermittent Claudication
Authors: Leng Gillian C , Lee Amanda J , Fowkes F Gerald R , Horrobin David , Jepson Ruth G , Lowe Gordon DO , Rumley Ann , Skinner E Roy , Mowat Beverlay F
Published: August 2015

Epidemiological evidence suggests that antioxidants protect against the development of atherosclerosis. To determine the effectiveness of antioxidant therapy in patients with lower limb atherosclerosis, a randomized placebo-controlled trial was performed in 120 men and women with intermittent claudication and an ankle/brachial pressure index (ABPI) ≤0.9. The study was analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. After 2 years, there were no significant differences between antioxidant and placebo groups in plasma cholesterol, lipoproteins, haemostatic or rheological factors. However, after 6 months, low density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower in those taking antioxidant (108.0 mg/dl compared with 120.1 mg/dl, p < 0.05). There were no differences in the ABPI or walking distance, although both groups improved slightly with time. The incidence of cardiovascular events and death was nonsignificantly lower in the antioxidant compared with the placebo group: event rates per year were 5.5% (95% Cl 2.4–8.6) in the first year and 9.6% (95% Cl 6.8–12.4) in the second year for those on antioxidants; and 7.7% (95% Cl 5.1–10.3) and 13.3% (95% Cl 8.9–17.7) respectively for those on placebo. Significantly fewer serious adverse events occurred in the antioxidant than the placebo group: 21.8% (95% Cl 16.2–27.4) compared with 40.0% (95% Cl 33.9–46.1). This study therefore suggests that although antioxidants may prevent cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral atherosclerosis, they do not improve lower limb function.
The Occurrence of Raynaud's Phenomenon in a General Population: The Framingham Study
Authors: Brand Frederick N , Larson Martin G , Kannel William B , McGuirk Jacqueline M
Published: August 2015

The prevalence and predisposing conditions for primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) were examined in The Framingham Study based on 16 years of follow-up of a cohort of 4182 men and women. The association with atypical chest pain and migraine headache was also investigated.

Over the 16 years of follow-up there were 130 men and 171 women who developed primary RP. The prevalence in women (9.6%) was somewhat higher than in men (8.1%) and 81.4% of the RP was primary. Secondary RP was equally prevalent in men (18.6%) and women (19.7%). The most common causes of secondary RP were beta-blocker use (34.2%), carpal tunnel syndrome (10.5%) and rheumatoid arthritis (7.2%).

Primary RP cases differed from noncases by having lower systolic blood pressure ( p ≤ 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure ( p < 0.0001), and more coronary disease ( p = 0.009), smoking ( p ≤ 0.01) and higher blood sugars ( p ≤ 0.009).

Atypical chest pain was present more often than noted previously in The Framingham Study general population survey, and was equally prevalent in primary and secondary RP and in the two sexes. Associated migraine was more prevalent in women (14.4%) than men (5.0%). Vibrating tool use with associated RP occurred in 14.6%.
Reflections on why riots don’t happen
Authors: Newburn Tim
Published: August 2015

In contrast to much of the literature in this field, rather than focusing on the nature and aetiology of riots, in this article I investigate why riots do not happen. During times of widespread disorder there are some locations that do not fall prey to rioting themselves despite apparently sharing many of the features of the places where significant disorder is found. Why? Focusing on the 2011 England riots—though the arguments developed here have international application – I use two case studies involving semi-structured interviews with key informants in two such locations to reflect on why riots do not happen. Initially drawing on Waddington’s ‘flashpoints’ model, I argue that it was primarily matters at an interactional level that appear to have been crucial in the absence of riots in these particular cases. In order to facilitate a more detailed analysis at this level in particular, I propose some elaboration of the flashpoints approach, using Reicher’s ‘social identity’ model, as the basis for understanding the nature of police–crowd and police–community interaction.
Silicon nitride nanostructures prepared by reactive sputtering using closed-field unbalanced dual magnetrons
Authors: Hammadi Oday A , Khalaf Mohammad K , Kadhim Firas J
Published: August 2015

In this work, silicon nitride nanostructures were prepared by a reactive sputtering technique employing, a novel design of closed-field unbalanced dual magnetron system. The optical properties of the prepared nanostructures were studied by their absorption and transmission spectra in the range of 200–800 nm. As well, the structural properties of these structures were studied to determine the optimum geometry of the employed closed-field unbalanced dual magnetron configuration. The produced Si3N4 nanostructures showed high absorption in the ultraviolet wavelength region (<200 nm) in addition to an absorption band centered at 389 nm. The energy gap of the prepared samples was found to be 5.2 eV of allowed and direct type. Structural results showed that the prepared samples were amorphous with average particle size of 20–30 nm, average particle diameter of 99.22 nm and average roughness of 0.777 nm. In this technique, low cost, high purity and homogeneous surfaces can be prepared by the effective control of the operation parameters, especially the geometry of closed-field unbalanced dual magnetron configuration.
The very hungry caterpillar turned into a butterfly: Children's and parents' enjoyment of different book genres
Authors: Robertson Sarah-Jane L , Reese Elaine
Published: August 2015

This study aimed to examine which genres parents are reading to children and for themselves. Furthermore, it aimed to examine mothers' and fathers' shared reading strategies for different book genres in relation to children's language and literacy development. Parents shared a narrative and an expository book with their preschool-aged children. Parents then completed measures of book enjoyment, book exposure and book genre preference. Children completed a battery of language and literacy measures tapping into expressive and receptive language, letter naming fluency, phonological awareness and narrative skills. Parents reported that they most frequently shared narrative picture books at home; however, they reported that their children enjoyed the expository book more than the narrative book in this study. Parents' book-reading strategies were related to children's language and literacy, with higher level strategies positively related and lower level strategies negatively related to children's language and literacy. This pattern was the same for the narrative and expository book. These results suggest that the most important task is to find books that motivate both parents and children to engage in and enjoy reading interactions.
Statistical modelling of gained university credits to evaluate the role of pre-enrolment assessment tests: An approach based on quantile regression for counts
Authors: Grilli Leonardo , Rampichini Carla , Varriale Roberta
Published: August 2015

Considering the case of the School of Economics of the University of Florence, the paper investigates whether the pre-enrolment assessment test is an effective tool to predict student performance. The analysis is tailored to evaluate the additional information yielded by the test beyond the background characteristics of the candidates already available from administrative records, such as the high school type and final grade. The student performance is measured by the number of gained credits after one year, which is a count variable with an irregular distribution and a peak in zero. These features pose a challenge in statistical modelling, which is solved by a two-part model with a logit specification for the zeros, while positive values are analyzed by quantile regression for counts. To disentangle direct and indirect effects of background variables, the result of the pre-enrolment assessment test is treated as an intermediate variable in a regression chain graph. The results show that the pre-enrolment test adds some information to predict student performance, which can be exploited for tutoring.
Vote Choice, Ideology, and Social Dominance Orientation Influence Preferences for Lower Pitched Voices in Political Candidates
Authors: Laustsen Lasse , Petersen Michael Bang , Klofstad Casey A.
Published: August 2015

Humans are equipped with a psychological system of followership that evolved to regulate choices of leaders based partly on would-be leaders’ physiological features. One such feature is voice pitch, which is determined by the physiology of the throat. Recent studies find that political candidates in modern elections with lower-pitched voices are generally more successful. As lower-pitched voices are perceived as stronger and more dominant, these findings have been taken to indicate a general preference for dispositional abilities in leaders to protect and prevail in conflicts. Here we extend upon these findings by demonstrating that conservatives and Republicans tend to view the world as much more competitive and threatening than liberals and Democrats. We utilize two existing data sources to show that political candidates with lower-pitched voices are preferred more among conservative Republicans than among liberal Democrats. In a third study we show that preferences for lower-pitched candidate voices stem from individual differences in Social Dominance Orientation (SDO). Importantly, across all three studies subjects’ party affiliation, ideology, and SDO only predict preferences for male candidate voices. We conclude with a discussion of the results in relation to followership psychology and general debates on the rationality of the public with respect to elections.
An improved fractal prediction model for forecasting mine slope deformation using GM (1, 1)
Authors: Wu Hao , Dong Yuanfeng , Shi Wenzhong , Clarke Keith C , Miao Zelang , Zhang Jianhua , Chen Xijiang
Published: August 2015

The forecasting slope deformation potential is required to evaluate slope safety during open-pit mining, allowing us to formulate and promote effective emergency strategies in advance to prevent slope failure disasters. Although fractal models have been used to predict slope deformation, such limitations as low prediction accuracy, poor stability and the requirement for large amounts of data must be overcome. This article proposes an improved fractal model to forecast mine slope deformation using the grey system theory. The GM (1, 1) model is used in the improved fractal model to optimize the fitting function of the fractal dimension because of its high computational efficiency and strong fitting ability. Data sequences spanning 13 days from 11 global positioning system monitoring stations in the Jinduicheng open-pit mine in Shaanxi Province, China, were applied to forecast the slope deformation. The results from both the traditional fractal model and the improved fractal model can accurately forecast the slope deformation value fairly close to the actual field monitoring value, but the latter can make a more accurate prediction than the former. There is a significant relationship between the prediction accuracy and the data sequence dispersion. Further analysis revealed that our improved fractal model is more capable of resisting the volatility existing in the data sequences than the traditional fractal model. These findings assist in understanding the applicability of prediction models and the deformation trends of open-pit mine slopes.
Community knowledge co-creation through participatory video
Authors: Tremblay Crystal , Jayme Bruno de Oliveira
Published: August 2015

This article describes the process and outcomes of a participatory video project with 22 catadore/as (‘ recyclers’) from recycling cooperatives in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil. During a week-long workshop (April 2008), leaders from participating cooperatives were trained in video technology, storyboard development, and postproduction media as a strategy to improve community–networking opportunities and to stimulate awareness and education of inclusive and integrated recycling programs. Through a participatory action research initiative, four short documentaries were then co-produced between 2009 and 2011 and a collaborative research design was developed to use the videos as a communication tool for enhancing dialogue with policy makers in three municipalities. This article explores the methodological and theoretical contributions of using participatory video as a strategy for mobilizing community knowledge. This research demonstrates the use of participatory video as a creative avenue to capture and nurture valuable knowledge often on the periphery, which can have powerful impacts when brought into centre stage. It also reviews theories of Community-based Participatory Action Research and Knowledge Democracy as central to expanding processes for participatory development and citizenship. The results reveal enhanced mobilization of this community and document the strengthening of partnerships between recycling cooperatives and municipal governments in the metropolitan region of São Paulo.
Issues of equity and empowerment in knowledge democracy: Three community based research examples
Authors: Mullett Jennifer
Published: August 2015

Participatory action research, particularly the Collaborative Inquiry methodology of Heron and Reason has great promise for knowledge democracy. However, an elegant methodology cannot always prepare the researcher for the reality of engaging with disempowered groups, or from stumbling in the unknown territory of marginalization. In this paper, I describe three examples of collaborative research, two with Aboriginal communities aimed at increasing access to health services and one with non-profit organizations aimed at increasing collaboration. Each case presented an opportunity to learn that, despite good intentions and collaborative processes, there remain issues we cannot anticipate. Our dilemmas and the ways in which my research colleagues, our community partners and I resolved the problems are described. I conclude with lessons learned from the three cases and reflections on validity, equity and empowerment.
Adherence to Medication Regimens is an Effective Indicator of Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Individuals
Authors: Mizokami Fumihiro , Mase Hiroki , Kinoshita Tomoyasu , Kumagai Takahiro , Furuta Katsunori , Ito Kazuhiro
Published: August 2015

Background:

Cognitive abilities strongly influence medication adherence among elderly individuals. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between medication adherence and cognitive decline using Lawton’s instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scoring system and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Methods:

Receiver–operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the IADL scores and MMSE results.

Results:

The ROC curve analysis of the IADL and MMSE results revealed that the shopping (MMSE cutoff = 22 points, sensitivity = 0.726, and specificity = 0.683) and responsibility for own medications (MMSE cutoff = 22 points, sensitivity = 0.759, and specificity = 0.720) categories were associated with declining IADL scores during early stage cognitive dysfunction.

Conclusion:

Declining IADL scores in the shopping and responsibility for own medications categories may be effective indices for predicting early-stage cognitive dysfunction in elderly individuals. Cognitive dysfunction screening at pharmacy counters may be useful.
A Functional and Cohesive Treatment of Tourette’s Disorder and Chewing Tobacco Use
Authors: Morrison Kate L. , Twohig Michael P.
Published: August 2015

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a function-based treatment that can be applied to multiple clinical concerns where psychological inflexibility is a mediating issue. This case study describes the use of ACT in combination with habit reversal training for a man with a primary concern of Tourette’s disorder and a secondary concern of chewing tobacco use. Large reductions were seen in the primary outcomes of motor and vocal tics (measured by behavioral tracking and a semi-structured assessment) and chewing tobacco use after 19 individual sessions. Furthermore, increases in psychological flexibility and quality of life and decreases in overall symptomatology were seen at posttreatment. This article conceptualizes this case from a cohesive theory, describes the details of the presenting concerns, and explains the treatment used and treatment outcomes. A description of barriers and suggestions for further treatment and research are also presented.
Key Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Motivators for Research Participation Among Individuals Who Are Incarcerated
Authors: Hanson Bridget L. , Faulkner Sherilyn A. , Brems Christiane , Corey Staci L. , Eldridge Gloria D. , Johnson Mark E.
Published: August 2015

Understanding motivations of research participants is crucial for developing ethical research protocols, especially for research with vulnerable populations. Through interviews with 92 institutional review board members, prison administrators, research ethicists, and researchers, we explored key stakeholders’ perceptions of what motivates incarcerated individuals to participate in research. Primary motivators identified were a desire to contribute to society, gaining knowledge and health care, acquiring incentives, and obtaining social support. The potential for undue influence or coercion were also identified as motivators. These results highlight the need for careful analysis of what motivates incarcerated individuals to participate in research as part of developing or reviewing ethically permissible and responsible research protocols. Future research should expand this line of inquiry to directly include perspectives of incarcerated individuals.
Numerical simulation of dynamic flow characteristics in a centrifugal water pump with three-vaned diffuser
Authors: Shuai Zhi-Jun , Jiang Chen-Xing , Wang Dong-Hua , Zhou Zeng-Hao , Li Feng-Chen
Published: August 2015

The complex three-dimensional turbulent flow field in a centrifugal water pump with three asymmetrical diffusers was numerically simulated. The characteristics of pressure and force fluctuations inside the model pump were investigated. Fast Fourier transformation was performed to obtain the spectra of pressure and force fluctuations. It indicates that the dominant frequency of pressure fluctuations is the blade passing frequency in all the sub-domains inside the pump and the first blade passing frequency energy (first order of blade passing frequency) is the most significant. The dominant frequency of pressure fluctuations at the location of diffuser outlet is featured by low frequency (less than 1 Hz), which may be due to the locally generated eddy structures. Besides, the dominant frequency force fluctuations on the impeller blades are also the blade passing frequency. The existence of the three asymmetrical diffusers has damping effect on the pressure fluctuation amplitude and energy amplitude of pressure fluctuations in the diffuser domain dramatically, which indicates that the diffusers can effectively control the hydraulically excited vibration in the pump. Besides, the prediction of the dominant frequency of pressure fluctuations inside the pump can help to utilize the pump effectively and to extend the pump life. The main findings of this work can provide prediction of the pump performance and information for further optimal design of centrifugal pumps as well.
My patient has abdominal and flank pain: Identifying renal causes
Authors: Cox Christopher , MacDonald Scott , Henneberry Ryan , Atkinson Paul R
Published: August 2015

Acute flank and abdominal pain are common presenting complaints in the emergency department. With increasing access to point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS), emergency physicians have an added tool to help identify renal problems as a cause of a patient’s pain. PoCUS for hydronephrosis has a sensitivity of 72–83.3% and a varying specificity, similar to radiology-performed ultrasonography. In addition to assessment for hydronephrosis, PoCUS can help emergency physicians to exclude other serious causes of flank and abdominal pain such as the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or free fluid in the intraperitoneal space, which could represent hemorrhage. Use of PoCUS for the assessment of flank pain has resulted in more rapid diagnosis, decreased use of computed tomography, and shorter emergency department length of stay.
Implementation of an evidence-based seizure algorithm in intellectual disability nursing
Authors: Auberry Kathy , Cullen Deborah
Published: August 2015

Based on the results of the Surrogate Decision-Making Self Efficacy Scale (Lopez, 2009a), this study sought to determine whether nurses working in the field of intellectual disability (ID) experience increased confidence when they implemented the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) Seizure Algorithm during telephone triage. The results of the study indicated using the AANN Seizure Algorithm increased self-confidence for many of the nurses in guiding care decisions during telephone triage. The treatment effect was statistically significant −3.169( p < 0.01) for a small sample of study participants. This increase in confidence is clinically essential for two reasons. Many individuals with ID and epilepsy reside within community-based settings. ID nurses provide seizure guidance to this population living in community-based settings via telephone triage. Evidenced-based training tools provide a valuable mechanism by guiding nurses via best practices. Nurses may need to be formally trained for seizure management due to high epilepsy rates in this population.
Sensory information fusion–based fault diagnostics for complex electronic systems
Authors: Xu Lei , Xu Jiuping
Published: August 2015

As the structure of complex electronic systems is large, there is inherent uncertainty, so it is often inefficient or infeasible to perform detailed fault diagnostics directly. Fault diagnostics for complex electronic systems need to be performed based on the sensor monitoring data, so in this article, sensory information fusion is introduced to minimize diagnostic uncertainty and computational complexity. Sensory information fusion combines the sensor data by measuring the mutuality of the information and dynamically selecting the most diagnostic decision-relevant sensor subset. This article proposes a sensory information fusion–based diagnostic methodology and framework, which is made up of a dynamical sensor selection that combines sensory information and detailed fault diagnostics based on the sensory information fusion results. A numerical example is conducted to illustrate the proposed sensory information fusion–based diagnostics. The diagnostic results as well as comparisons with different training data sizes confirm that the proposed sensory information fusion–based diagnostics is superior when dealing with uncertain and incomplete information. Furthermore, the sensory information fusion–based diagnostics is shown to simplify the diagnostic complexity and accurately and efficiently solve the diagnostic problems for complex electronic systems. The proposed methodology is also flexible enough to accommodate other fault diagnostic methods so as to perform applicable diagnostics for other complex electronic systems of varying sizes.
Communication industries in North America after 20 years of North American Free Trade Agreement: Media policy, regulatory bodies and concentration
Authors: Gómez Rodrigo
Published: August 2015

This article assesses an overview of the media industries in North America after 20 years of NAFTA, 1994–2014. The study addresses three research questions: (1) How have the communications acts been reformed: according to which logic and with what objectives? (2) How have the communication regulatory bodies performed? (3) To what extent has concentration on the media and telecommunication industries increased? It explores these issues from a structural historical analysis to understand how the media systems in North America have been re-shaping in the three countries (Canada, Mexico, and the United States) during the last 20 years, focusing in three observable paths: Media policy reform and policy-making; the performance and leeway of the regulatory institutions; and the level of concentration in the three countries in media and telecommunications sectors.
Two cases of long-acting paliperidone in adolescence
Authors: Fàbrega Marina , Sugranyes Gisela , Baeza Inmaculada
Published: August 2015

Paliperidone palmitate long-acting injection (PPLAI) is an atypical antipsychotic agent currently approved by the European Medicine Agency for the acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adults. However, there is no information so far on safety and effectiveness in patients under 18 years of age. We report on two clinical cases of adolescents with a psychotic spectrum disorder treated with PPLAI in an inpatient setting. The cases illustrate that PPLAI may hold potential as an effective and acceptably tolerated antipsychotic drug in adolescents with psychotic spectrum disorders. Given the lack of approved long acting injectable antipsychotics in patients under 18 years of age, reports on the effectiveness and safety of such medications in children and adolescent patients are of importance.
Influence of different doses of trospium and solifenacin on manageability of OAB symptoms with different severity in elderly men and women
Authors: Kosilov Kirill V , Loparev Sergey A , Ivanovskaya Marina A , Kosilova Liliya V
Published: August 2015

Objective:

We studied the rationale for using standard and increased dosages of solifenacin and trospium against overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms of different severity among elderly patients.

Methods:

A total of 327 patients took part in the study: 199 women and 128 men older than 65 years (median age 69.1). The state of the lower urinary tracts was estimated by cystometry, ICIQ-SF and bladder diaries. Frequency of urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) was taken as a criterion of OAB symptom severity.

Result:

Administration of double-dosed trospium and solifenacin leads to decrease of frequency of UUI both in the group with severe symptoms (B1: 6.1 (0.5) →2.4 (0.9), p ⩽ 0.05), and in the group with moderate symptoms of OAB (A1: 2.8 (0.8) →0.5 (0.4), p ⩽ 0.001). Under a combination of trospium and solifenacin in doses recommended by manufacturers, UUI decreased authentically in the group with moderate symptoms (A2: 2.9 (0.5) →0.9 (0.5), p ⩽ 0.05) and unauthentically in the group with severe symptoms of detrusor dysfunction (B2: 7.0 (1.2) → 4.3 (1.5), p ⩾ 0.05). During the experiment six patients (1.8%) elected not to participate because of intolerable adverse events. Forty-seven more individuals (14.4%) felt adverse effects, among which the most frequent were: xerostomia (15 patients or 4.6%), faintness (nine patients or 3.8%), dryness of integuments (six patients or 1.8%).

Conclusion:

A standard-dose combination of solifenacin and trospium in older patients with moderate symptoms of OAB enables a good therapeutic effect in a short time without increasing risk of side effects. High therapeutic doses of antimuscarinic drugs are reasonable for older men and women with severe symptoms of OAB. Increasing the dose of simultaneous use of solifenacin and trospium yields a good therapeutic effect to correct UUI; however, it raises the hazard of appearance of adverse effects. The number of side effects in the group of elderly individuals who were taking the combination of increased and standard dosages of solifenacin and trospium does not significantly differ.
Quality Management Issues in the Assisted Reproduction Laboratory
Authors: Boone William R. , Higdon H. Lee , Johnson Jane E.
Published: August 2015

In the United States, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) of 1988 describes requirements and guidelines for implementing a quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) program for moderate and high complexity laboratories. These requirements and guidelines apply to Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) laboratories as well. The general topic of QC and QA as it pertains to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) is extensively reviewed. This review summarizes many of the QC and QA events that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in this biotechnological field. These events include control of the culture environment inside and outside of the incubator, as well as factors that affect culture media. This review also discusses, in considerable detail, the QC and the QA that pertain to equipment used within the laboratory and how to control for potential contaminants, which reside within the laboratory. This review provides evidence to indicate the need for laboratory personnel to monitor quality improvement issues on a continuous basis. Personnel must be willing to change as improvements in technology occur in order to meet the ever-evolving demands of a more difficult patient population. Suggestions for meeting these demands are offered.
Cytokines and Growth Factors in Implantation
Authors: Chimote Natachandra , Chimote Meena , Mehta Bindu , Nath Nirmalendu
Published: August 2015

Implantation failure is the most important rate limiting factor in the success of assisted reproductive techniques like In vitro fertilization–embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Cytokines are multifunctional signaling molecules having an implicit role in the human implantation process. This review focuses on the redundant roles of cytokines during the various stages of implantation. It also indicates that levels of cytokines in biological fluids like serum and follicular fluid obtained during oocyte retrieval might act as determinants of implantation potential of the blastocyst. Thus a holistic, metabolomic approach of analyzing biological fluids may provide a simpler approach to study the hitherto enigmatic process rather than the proteomic and genomic approach.
Metabolomics in Reproductive Medicine: General Principles and Applications to the Study of Gametes, Embryos and Follicular Fluid
Authors: Delle Piane Luisa , Molinari Emanuela , Salvagno Francesca , Chiadò Alessandra , Revelli Alberto , Rinaudo Paolo
Published: August 2015

After more than 30 years following the birth of Louise Brown, the field of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) is still burdened by low pregnancy rates and relatively high multiple pregnancy rates. Embryo selection is still based on morphological criteria and any new technologies that would increase the ability to identify the most viable gametes and embryos would certainly improve ART outcome. Metabolomic profiling of both gametes and embryos appears to be highly promising to achieve this goal. The review will focus on the several applications of metabolomics in ART, where this quantitative, non-invasive, rapid approach could result in the generation of metabolite markers with high clinical impact. Nevertheless, extensive validation studies are needed before embryo screening tests based on metabolomic profiling become available for clinical use.
Co-Culture Techniques in Assisted Reproduction: History, Advances and the Future
Authors: Zeyneloğlu Hulusi , Kahraman Semra , Pirkevi Caroline
Published: August 2015

The co-culture technique was first implemented in animal models in the mid-sixties in an attempt to improve the suboptimal conditions provided by culture media. Since then, autologous endometrial co-culture was introduced in human IVF, and different outcomes were reported regarding blastulation, fragmentation and implantation rates. Various growth factors and cytokines were proposed to be involved in the mechanism by which co-culture systems improved embryo development. However, randomized controlled trials are still warranted to provide evidence on the efficacy of endometrial co-cultures in the era of modern sequential- and monoculture media.
Intrauterine Insemination with Special Reference to Density Gradient Centrifugation
Authors: Mehta Jayant G
Published: August 2015

Since Intra-uterine insemination IUI requires the isolation of motile spermatozoaatozoa, advances in andrology research has helped understand the physiology of male germ cell and allowed development of better and more sophisticated techniques to separate functional spermatozoaatozoa from those that are immotile, have poor morphology or are not capable to fertilize oocytes. When compared with other techniques, Density Gradients Centrifugation (DGC) technique allows maximum yield of motile spermatozoa. Several density media like IxaPrep, Nycodenz, SilSelect, PureSpermatozoa and Isolate have been developed to replace Percoll which, was banned in 1996 due to risk of contamination with endotoxins. Semen analysis, according to the revised, WHO (2010) criteria should be carried out prior to processing the sample. Although sophisticated testing—such as DNA fragmentation analysis, oxidative stress analysis and spermatozoa evaluation for genomic, proteomic and metabolic factor are in research phase, it is more than likely that in future these will help in assessing the suitability of the sample in certain cases of male factor or unexplained infertility. The isolation of functional spermatozoaatozoa from highly viscous ejaculates is a challenge that can be performed enzymatically to liquefy the ejaculate. Special care should be taken when processing HIV, Hep B and Hep C, positive samples. Prior to insemination, the processed sample should be tested to ensure the absence of HIV, Hep B and Hep C. There is no agreement between Andrologists as to what should be the minimum motile count for IUI to be successful. Pregnancies have been reported with counts in range of 1 – 10 million motile spermatozoas. Morphology of the processed sample has limited influence on the final outcome. Finally, single insemination 40 h after the hCG injection should be performed using a soft catheter. Normally, 2nd insemination 24 hrs later is only indicated when the follicle has not ruptured at 40 h post hCG injection.
Is Driving an Expertise as the Others? A Study of Boundary-Work Around the Legitimacy of Knowledge
Authors: Carrère Geoffrey
Published: August 2015

Since the year 2000, the French Ministry of Transport has incorporated a new instrument called the road safety audit (RSA). The audit proposed a singular method, which consists of assessing infrastructures on the basis of drivers’ experiences to get around the limitations of technical knowledge for decreasing the number of accidents. Through an ethnographic study, this article aims to analyze the legitimacy assigned to social and technical knowledge in the auditors’ work. I will study the legitimacy issue through the cognitive change initiated by the audit and the political stakes confronting the Ministry which ascribe, for their part, a central place to technical knowledge. In this way, I will analyze the auditors’ boundary-work around the legitimacy accorded to driving and technical expertise in different moments of RSA assessment.
Registered Nurses’ Patient Education in Everyday Primary Care Practice
Authors: Bergh Anne-Louise , Friberg Febe , Persson Eva , Dahlborg-Lyckhage Elisabeth
Published: August 2015

Nurses’ patient education is important for building patients’ knowledge, understanding, and preparedness for self-management. The aim of this study was to explore the conditions for nurses’ patient education work by focusing on managers’ discourses about patient education provided by nurses. In 2012, data were derived from three focus group interviews with primary care managers. Critical discourse analysis was used to analyze the transcribed interviews. The discursive practice comprised a discourse order of economic, medical, organizational, and didactic discourses. The economic discourse was the predominant one to which the organization had to adjust. The medical discourse was self-evident and unquestioned. Managers reorganized patient education routines and structures, generally due to economic constraints. Nurses’ pedagogical competence development was unclear, and practice-based experiences of patient education were considered very important, whereas theoretical pedagogical knowledge was considered less important. Managers’ support for nurses’ practical- and theoretical-based pedagogical competence development needs to be strengthened.
Fibrin activates GPVI in human and mouse platelets
Authors: Alshehri Osama M. , Hughes Craig E. , Montague Samantha , Watson Stephanie K. , Frampton Jon , Bender Markus , Watson Steve P.
Published: August 2015

Key Points

Fibrin is a novel ligand for the platelet collagen receptor, GPVI, increasing platelet procoagulant activity. Activation of GPVI by fibrin contributes to thrombus growth and stabilization.