bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When Do States Take the Bait? State Capacity and the Provocation Logic of Terrorism
Authors: Blankenship Brian
Published: May 2016

A prominent theory holds that groups may use terrorism in order to provoke governments into undertaking repression that alienates the population. However, virtually no studies have addressed the central puzzle of this provocation logic: why states would actually fall into this trap, if doing so can backfire. This study seeks to address this puzzle by suggesting conditions under which states would respond to terrorism with repression. I argue that states with limited bureaucratic capacity are more prone to using repression after terrorist incidents, as their ability to selectively crack down is inhibited by their more limited capability for controlling, monitoring, and collecting revenue from their populations and for collecting intelligence on suspected terrorists. Using a cross-national analysis with data from 1981 to 2011, I find it is low-capacity states which are most likely to respond to terrorism with repression, while constraints on executive authority have no clear effect.
Gene Interactions Provide Evidence for Signaling Pathways Involved in Cleft Lip/Palate in Humans
Authors: Velázquez-Aragón J.A. , Alcántara-Ortigoza M.A. , Estandia-Ortega B. , Reyna-Fabián M.E. , Méndez-Adame C.D. , González-del Angel A.
Published: May 2016

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is a common craniofacial birth defect that has a complex etiology. Genome-wide association studies have recently identified new loci associated with NSCL/P, but these loci have not been analyzed in a Mexican Mestizo population. A complex etiology implies the presence of genetic interactions, but there is little available information regarding this in NSCL/P, and no signaling pathway has been clearly implicated in humans. Here, we analyzed the associations of 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with NSCL/P in a Mexican Mestizo population (133 cases, 263 controls). The multifactorial dimensionality reduction method was used to examine gene–gene and gene–folic acid consumption interactions for the 24 SNPs analyzed in this study and for 2 additional SNPs that had previously been genotyped in the same study population. Six SNPs located in paired box 7, ventral anterior homeobox 1, sprouty RTK signaling antagonist 2, bone morphogenetic protein 4, and tropomyosin 1 genes were associated with higher risks of NSCL/P ( P = 0.0001 to 0.04); 2 SNPs, 1 each in netrin 1 and V-maf avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B, were associated with a lower risk of NSCL/P ( P = 0.013 to 0.03); and 2 SNPs, 1 each in ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 4 ( ABCA4) and noggin, showed associations with NSCL/P that approached the threshold of significance ( P = 0.056 to 0.07). In addition, 6 gene–gene interactions ( P = 0.0001 to 0.001) and an ABCA4–folic acid consumption interaction ( P < 0.0001) were identified. On the basis of these results, combined with those of previous association studies in the literature and biological characterizations of murine models, we propose an interaction network in which interferon regulatory factor 6 plays a central role in the etiology of NSCL/P.
The Neurobiology of Orofacial Pain and Sleep and Their Interactions
Authors: Lavigne G.J. , Sessle B.J
Published: May 2016

This article provides an overview of the neurobiology of orofacial pain as well as the neural processes underlying sleep, with a particular focus on the mechanisms that underlie pain and sleep interactions including sleep disorders. Acute pain is part of a hypervigilance system that alerts the individual to injury or potential injury of tissues. It can also disturb sleep. Disrupted sleep is often associated with chronic pain states, including those that occur in the orofacial region. The article presents many insights that have been gained in the last few decades into the peripheral and central mechanisms involved in orofacial pain and its modulation, as well as the circuits and processes in the central nervous system that underlie sleep. Although it has become clear that sleep is essential to preserve and maintain health, it has also been found that pain, particularly chronic pain, is commonly associated with disturbed sleep. In the presence of chronic pain, a circular relationship may prevail, with mutual deleterious influences causing an increase in pain and a disruption of sleep. This article also reviews findings that indicate that reducing orofacial pain and improving sleep need to be targeted together in the management of acute to chronic orofacial pain states in order to improve an orofacial pain patient’s quality of life, to prevent mood alterations or exacerbation of sleep disorder (e.g., insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing) that can negatively affect their pain, and to promote healing and optimize their health.
Social Opportunity Structures and the Escalation of Drug Market Offending
Authors: Ouellet Marie , Bouchard Martin , Malm Aili
Published: May 2016

Objectives:

This study looks at whether social opportunity structures are associated with transitions into more serious drug market offending. Our focus is on the speed at which transitions occurred, and whether variations in criminal embeddedness play a role in explaining this.

Methods:

A survey of 520 North American cannabis cultivators allowed us to assess one dimension of the criminal career—escalation—looking at the speed of transitions from cannabis user to grower. Our main predictor, criminal embeddedness, was measured through the presence of a cultivation mentor involved in cannabis cultivation.

Results:

Cox proportional hazard regression analysis demonstrated late cannabis use onset and an indicator of the number of drugs used beyond cannabis were found to accelerate transitions. In addition, within-person changes in mentorship were found to influence the timing of escalation, with meeting a mentor associated with quicker transitions into cannabis cultivation.

Conclusions:

Findings emphasize the role of mentors as gateways into new milieus. Results support increased attention to the immediate social networks and broader social opportunity structures in which offenders and would-be offenders are embedded as major factors driving the timing of onset into more serious criminal pathways.
The Social Rewards of Engagement: Appealing to Social Motivations to Stimulate Political Interest at High and Low Levels of External Efficacy
Authors: Robison Joshua
Published: May 2016

Political interest is a crucial precursor to political engagement, but little is known about how to stimulate greater interest. The article explores the role social motives have in generating interest. A laboratory experiment is used in which it is possible to manipulate beliefs about the social rewards of political engagement as well as external efficacy beliefs. Across two types of measures for political interest (self-reports and revealed preferences), connecting political engagement with social rewards led to substantial increases in political interest. Moreover, these effects were particularly strong among individuals with low levels of external efficacy. Ultimately, the data provide clear evidence that political interest can be positively stimulated with social rewards mobilisation techniques and that it is rooted in beliefs about the potential motives pursuable through politics. The paper concludes with a discussion of the broader implications of these results for studies of political participation and mobilisation efforts.
A critical review on compression textiles for compression therapy: Textile-based compression interventions for chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: Liu Rong , Guo Xia , Lao Terence T , Little Trevor
Published: May 2016

Compression textiles as adjuvant physical interventions are increasingly applied for prophylaxis and treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), providing benefits of calibrated compression and controlled stretch. Pressure dosage delivered and mechanical properties (stiffness, elasticity and hysteresis) are determined by material nature, stitches structures, fabrication technology and delivery modes. Laplace’s Law and Pascal’s Law contribute to elaborate the static and dynamic working mechanisms behind the interaction between compression interventions and a biological body. However, there is still a lack of sufficient awareness on compression materials, and there is controversy regarding the best solution for clinical application of compression. This study integrates the views from physiology, pathophysiology, biomechanics, material science and textile engineering, to review and clarify physical–mechanical characteristics of compression materials, working mechanisms of textile-based compression interventions and their medical benefits in chronic venous insufficiency treatment. The aim is to enhance understanding of compression textiles applied in compression therapy, and to facilitate cooperation among multiple parties working in related supply chains, thus promoting textile-based compression interventions in chronic venous insufficiency treatment and growth of technical textiles applied in healthcare, medical and rehabilitation fields.
Reckoning with Dictatorship in Brazil
Authors: Schneider Nina , Atencio Rebecca J.
Published: May 2016

A conventional approach that takes into account only official reckonings might lead one to believe that Brazil has lacked a culture of memory of the military regime, at least until recently. Widening the scope to include cultural production, however, provides a different view: one of a long tradition of reckoning with the dictatorship. In postauthoritarian Brazil, the process of transition has been marked by a disjuncture between the profusion of cultural responses to the dictatorship era and the legalistic silence resulting from the 1979 amnesty law, which continues to grant impunity to former human rights perpetrators. An approach that, instead of emphasizing political measures, asks how cultural production may have impacted Brazil’s particular way of approaching its violent past helps to answer such questions as how to reconcile the lack of popular mobilization in the 1980s with the fact that guerrilla memoirs turned out to be best sellers and whether culture served as a catalyst for debates about the authoritarian past. In the Brazilian context cultural production appears to strengthen the amnesty framework (“reconciliation”) rather than to undermine or overcome it (mobilizing for punishment). The function of cultural and memory work is double-edged, requiring a close reading of both the portrayal of violence in each cultural work and the larger historical and political context of each country case.

Estudos convencionais sobre o processo de acerto de contas no Brasil, que somente consideram mecanismos institucionais, podem dar a impressão de que ao país tem faltado uma cultura de memória sobre o regime militar, pelo menos até recentemente. Contudo, ao ampliar o escopo da análise para englobar a produção cultural, percebe-se uma ótica diferente: uma longa tradição de embates e reflexões sobre a ditadura militar. No Brasil pós-ditatorial o processo de transição tem sido caracterizado por um desalinhamento entre as várias respostas culturais aos crimes da ditadura e o silêncio jurídico resultante da anistia de 1979, que continua agraciando com impunidade os agentes que outrora violaram direitos humanos. Um tratamento que, ao invés de enfatizar medidas políticas, questiona de que maneira a produção cultural pode ter impactado a forma específica em que o Brasil lidou com seu passado violento ajuda a explicar como se reconcilia a falta de mobilização popular nos anos 80 com a transformação de certas memórias de ex-guerrilheiros em verdadeiros best sellers no mesmo período. Ademais, permite avaliar se a produção cultural serviu como catalisador de debates sobre o passado autoritário. No contexto brasileiro, a produção cultural tende a reforçar a moldura reconciliadora criada pela anistia. A função da cultura é uma faca de dois gumes: requer uma leitura meticulosa tanto da retratação da violência em cada obra cultural como dos contexto histórico e político do país em questão.
Design summer year weather – outdoor warmth ranking metrics and their numerical verification
Authors: Ji Yingchun , Zhang Yi , Korolija Ivan , Futcher Julie
Published: May 2016

The existing methods of selecting design summer year weather data rely on the outdoor dry bulb temperature without considering solar radiation and wind which can impact on indoor thermal conditions. This research sets out to examine the existing outdoor warmth ranking metrics and proposes a new warmth ranking metric (solar air temperature), which takes into account not only dry bulb temperature but also solar and wind conditions. Parametric study was carried out using five typical UK dwelling models, by varying parameters associated with building design and operation, a large model population were generated to statistically determine how well the outdoor warmth ranking metrics correlate the predicted indoor warmth. The outdoor warmth ranking was made for the 20 years source weather data (1976–1995) in London and both CIBSE single temperature criterion and BS EN 15251 adaptive criteria were used to judge overheating in buildings. It is found that the predicted indoor warmth are mostly arbitrary in nature and none of the existing and newly proposed outdoor warmth ranking metrics can strictly correlate. The research also discovers the significant differences between the predicted overheating occurrence and severity in the warmth ranking of weather years.

Practical application: The parametric methods described in the paper will facilitate academics and industry researchers to assess design summer year weather generated by various methods. The research also provides guidance on assessing both overheating occurrence and severity in buildings to assist decision making.
Perivascular spaces on 7 Tesla brain MRI are related to markers of small vessel disease but not to age or cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Bouvy Willem H , Zwanenburg Jaco JM , Reinink Rik , Wisse Laura EM , Luijten Peter R , Kappelle L Jaap , Geerlings Mirjam I , Biessels Geert Jan ,   On behalf of the Utrecht Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) Study group
Published: May 2016

Cerebral perivascular spaces (PVS) are small physiological structures around blood vessels in the brain. MRI visible PVS are associated with ageing and cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). 7 Tesla (7T) MRI improves PVS detection. We investigated the association of age, vascular risk factors, and imaging markers of SVD with PVS counts on 7 T MRI, in 50 persons aged ≥ 40. The average PVS count ± SD in the right hemisphere was 17 ± 6 in the basal ganglia and 71 ± 28 in the semioval centre. We observed no relation between age or vascular risk factors and PVS counts. The presence of microbleeds was related to more PVS in the basal ganglia (standardized beta 0.32; p = 0.04) and semioval centre (standardized beta 0.39; p = 0.01), and white matter hyperintensity volume to more PVS in the basal ganglia (standardized beta 0.41; p = 0.02). We conclude that PVS counts on 7T MRI are high and are related SVD markers, but not to age and vascular risk factors. This latter finding may indicate that due to the high sensitivity of 7T MRI, the correlation of PVS counts with age or vascular risk factors may be attenuated by the detection of “normal”, non-pathological PVS.
Managing Noncommunicable Diseases in an African Community
Authors: Onagbiye Sunday O. , Moss Sarah J. , Cameron Melainie
Published: May 2016

To determine the compliance, barriers, and effects of participation in a 4-week exercise intervention aimed at reducing risk factors for noncommunicable diseases among community-dwelling adults from a low-resourced area of South Africa. An exercise program and associated pre-posttest were performed by 76 participants (men, n = 26 and women, n = 50) aged 35 to 65 years. Baseline and end tests included height, weight, hip and waist circumference, heart rate, blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, quality of life, and cardiorespiratory fitness measurements. The intervention consisted of 3 days/week combined aerobic and resistance exercise at an intensity of 70% heart rate reserved as determined at baseline. Compliance and barriers to participation were determined post-intervention by means of attendance registers and interviews. ANCOVA with adjustment for pretest was performed for all repeated variables. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for exercise benefits were 0.81 and for barriers 0.84. Of the 26 men (40.8 ± 5.45 years) and 50 women (43.6 ± 7.8 years) recruited, 54 completed the intervention (71% compliance). The 4-week aerobic exercise intervention significantly reduced body mass, rate of perceived exertion, and mental components summary in men, and body mass, body mass index, VO2max, rate of perceived exertion, glucose, physical components summary, and mental components summary in women. Participants reported that the exercise milieu as a major barrier to exercise compliance while the interviews reported lack of time. A 1-month exercise intervention elucidated positive changes in risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in a low-resource community. A drop-out rate of 29% in this study is consistent with other exercise intervention trials. Exploration of the reported barriers may be useful for planning to increase compliance with future programs.
Jaagsiekte Sheep Retrovirus Can Reach Peyer’s Patches and Mesenteric Lymph Nodes of Lambs Nursed by Infected Mothers
Authors: Borobia M. , De las Heras M. , Ramos J. J. , Ferrer L. M. , Lacasta D. , De Martino A. , Fernández A. , Loste A. , Marteles D. , Ortín A.
Published: May 2016

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a contagious lung cancer of sheep caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV). It is generally accepted that transmission by the respiratory route occurs under natural conditions. However recent studies strongly indicate that JSRV can also be transmitted to lambs perinatally via colostrum and milk (C/M). The aim of this work was to confirm that C/M can transmit JSRV infection to lambs under natural conditions and investigate the initial events associated with this transmission route. We have analyzed the presence of JSRV in C/M samples from 22 naturally infected, asymptomatic ewes throughout a lactation period, and in various tissues collected from a group of 36 of their lambs that were fed naturally. The lambs were euthanized at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours and at 5 and 10 days after birth. We detected JSRV-provirus by PCR in the somatic C/M cells from 10/22 ewes (45.45%). The virus was also detected in 9/36 lambs (25%). JSRV-infected cells, with lymphoreticular-like morphology, were observed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) in Peyer’s patches (PP) from the small intestine of the youngest lambs and in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) from lambs older than 72 hours. The virus was also detected by PCR in white blood cells (WBC) in 2/36 lambs (5.5%). These results confirm colostral transmission of JSRV to lambs under natural conditions. Infected lymphoreticular cells contained in C/M appear to be involved. These cells can cross the intestinal barrier of newborn lambs, reach the MLN and enter into circulation.
Electrocution of Raptors on Power Lines
Authors: Kagan R. A.
Published: May 2016

Decades after the problem was first identified, power line electrocution continues to be a cause of avian mortality. Currently, several federal laws protect eagles and other migratory birds, meaning that utility companies may be liable for electrocution-related deaths. Veterinarians and veterinary pathologists called upon to diagnose and treat electrocuted birds should keep this in mind when conducting clinical and postmortem examinations. This review details necropsy findings and methods used to diagnose electrocution. A combination of gross, subgross, and radiographic examinations can aid in identification of subtle injury. Diagnosis is made based on the presence of skin and/or feather burns. Other necropsy findings may include skin lacerations, subcutaneous burns, bruising, limb avulsion, hemopericardium, and vascular rupture. At the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Forensics Laboratory, from 2000 to 2015, 417 raptor deaths were determined to have been caused by electrocution. Bald eagles and golden eagles were the most commonly submitted species. In a retrospective review of 377 cases, for which whole bodies were submitted, 18% of the electrocuted birds had only a single, small (less than 3 cm in diameter) external burn. Small, isolated burns tended to occur on the undersides of the wings at and distal to the elbow and on the lower legs and feet. These areas should be most carefully examined in cases where electrocution injury is not immediately apparent.
Graphical summaries for Gibbs and other thermodynamic relations of closed and open thermodynamic systems
Authors: Natarajan K
Published: May 2016

Simple mnemonic models named as ‘Thermodynamic Circle-1’ and ‘Thermodynamic Circle-2’ have been reported earlier by the author to represent the Maxwell relations of closed and open thermodynamic systems graphically so that these relations for simple compressible systems can be easily recalled. As these models do not involve any complicated rules for determining the algebraic signs in the relationships, recalling the network of Maxwell relations of closed and open thermodynamic systems is made easier. These two models can also be of much help to the students in recalling the network of Gibbs and other important thermodynamic relations of closed and open systems. This paper illustrates the systematic ways by which Gibbs and other thermodynamic relations of closed and open systems can be deduced directly from the models devised.
Design module for the industry design and development of a novel gearless Wankel-like mixer–pump: The Lau–Wan mixer
Authors: Lau MWS , Wan S , Goh KL , Leong J , Lim A
Published: May 2016

This paper discusses a case study of a process that provides a holistic design experience by integrating two independent project modules of an undergraduate degree programme. The project proposed by an external party involves the design, manufacture and testing of a scaled prototype for microfluidics applications. The systematic and integrated approach described in the same format as the students’ project report resulted in a novel gearless Wankel-like pump that provided visual results that compare well with the external party’s numerical studies.
Animal models of monogenic migraine
Authors: Chen Shih-Pin , Tolner Else A , Eikermann-Haerter Katharina
Published: May 2016

Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling neurological disorder with a strong genetic component. Rare monogenic forms of migraine, or syndromes in which migraine frequently occurs, help scientists to unravel pathogenetic mechanisms of migraine and its comorbidities. Transgenic mouse models for rare monogenic mutations causing familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM), cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), and familial advanced sleep-phase syndrome (FASPS), have been created. Here, we review the current state of research using these mutant mice. We also discuss how currently available experimental approaches, including epigenetic studies, biomolecular analysis and optogenetic technologies, can be used for characterization of migraine genes to further unravel the functional and molecular pathways involved in migraine.
Pilot study of sphenopalatine injection of onabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of intractable chronic migraine
Authors: Bratbak Daniel Fossum , Nordgård Ståle , Stovner Lars Jacob , Linde Mattias , Dodick David W , Aschehoug Irina , Folvik Mari , Tronvik Erling
Published: May 2016

Objective

The main objective of this pilot study was to investigate the safety of administering onabotulinumtoxinA towards the sphenopalatine ganglion in 10 patients with intractable chronic migraine with an open, uncontrolled design. We also collected efficacy data to provide an indication as to whether future placebo-controlled studies should be performed.

Method

In a prospective, open-label, uncontrolled study after one-month baseline, we performed bilateral injections of 25 IU onabotulinumtoxinA (total dose 50 IU) toward the sphenopalatine ganglion in a single outpatient session in 10 patients with intractable migraine with a follow-up of 12 weeks. The primary outcome was adverse events and the main efficacy outcome was frequency of moderate and severe headache days in month 2 post-treatment compared to baseline.

Results

All 10 patients experienced a total of 25 adverse events. The majority of these were different types of local discomfort in the face and jaw, and none were classified as serious. In an intention-to-treat analysis of the main efficacy outcome, a statistically significant reduction of moderate and severe headache days in baseline versus month 2 was observed (16.3 ± 6.2 days baseline versus 7.6 ± 7.6 days month 2, p = 0.009). Eight out of 10 patients experienced an at least 50% reduction of moderate and severe headache days compared to baseline.

Conclusion

The result warrants randomised, placebo-controlled studies to establish both safety and efficacy of this potential novel treatment of chronic migraine.
Predictors of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Major League Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Whiteside David , Martini Douglas N. , Lepley Adam S. , Zernicke Ronald F. , Goulet Grant C.
Published: May 2016

Background:

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction surgeries in Major League Baseball (MLB) have increased significantly in recent decades. Although several risk factors have been proposed, a scientific consensus is yet to be reached, providing challenges to those tasked with preventing UCL injuries.

Purpose:

To identify significant predictors of UCL reconstruction in MLB pitchers.

Study Design:

Case control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Demographic and pitching performance data were sourced from public databases for 104 MLB pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction surgery and 104 age- and position-matched controls. These variables were compared between groups and inserted into a binary logistic regression to identify significant predictors of UCL reconstruction. Two machine learning models (naïve Bayes and support vector machine) were also employed to predict UCL reconstruction in this cohort.

Results:

The binary linear regression model was statistically significant (χ2(12) = 33.592; P = .001), explained 19.9% of the variance in UCL reconstruction surgery, and correctly classified 66.8% of cases. According to this model, (1) fewer days between consecutive games, (2) a smaller repertoire of pitches, (3) a less pronounced horizontal release location, (4) a smaller stature, (5) greater mean pitch speed, and (6) greater mean pitch counts per game were all significant predictors of UCL reconstruction. More specifically, an increase in mean days between consecutive games (odds ratio [OR], 0.685; 95% CI, 0.542-0.865) or number of unique pitch types thrown (OR, 0.672; 95% CI, 0.492-0.917) was associated with a significantly smaller likelihood of UCL reconstruction. In contrast, an increase in mean pitch speed (OR, 1.381; 95% CI, 1.103-1.729) or mean pitches per game (OR, 1.020; 95% CI, 1.007-1.033) was associated with significantly higher odds of UCL reconstruction surgery. The naïve Bayes classifier predicted UCL reconstruction with an accuracy of 72% and the support vector machine classifier with an accuracy of 75%.

Conclusion:

This study identified 6 key performance factors that may present significant risk factors for UCL reconstruction in MLB pitchers. These findings could help to enhance the prevention of UCL reconstruction surgery in MLB pitchers and shape the direction of future research in this domain.
Progeny Review
Authors: Therrien William J. , Mathews Hannah M. , Hirsch Shanna Eisner , Solis Michael
Published: May 2016

Despite the importance of replication for building an evidence base, there has been no formal examination to date of replication research in special education. In this review, we examined the extent and nature of replication of intervention research in special education using an “article progeny” approach and a three-pronged definition of replication (direct, conceptual, intervention overlap). In this approach, original articles (i.e., parent studies) were selected via a stratified, random sampling procedure. Next, we examined all articles that referenced the parent articles (i.e., child studies) to determine the extent and nature of the replication of the original studies. Seventy-five percent of the parent studies were replicated by at least one child study. Across all parent studies, there were 39 replication child studies. Although there was a high overall replication rate, there were a limited number of conceptual replications, and no direct replication studies were identified.
Dicarboxylic Acid Excretion in Normal Formula‐Fed and Breastfed Infants
Authors: Anderson Maria , Eliot Kathrin , Kelly Patrick , Shoemaker James
Published: May 2016

Purpose: Infant formulas are often supplemented with medium‐chain triglycerides (MCTs) to optimize calories for small for gestational age or preterm infants. High amounts of MCTs have been associated with an increase in dicarboxylic acid (DCA) in the urine. Elevated DCA in the urine is also a clinical indicator for fatty acid metabolism disorders. The purpose of this study was to identify if there is an amount of MCTs that can be provided without elevating urinary DCA excretion. Methods: A metabolic screening laboratory provided urinary DCA excretion data for 175 infants. It was verified that no infants were diagnosed with metabolic disorders and therefore were considered “metabolically normal.” All infants were either formula fed or breastfed at the time of screening. The type and volume of formula provided at the time of urine screening was documented. The exact amount of MCTs provided to each infant was calculated. Results: The mean age of the infants was 3.09 months. The mean total DCA was determined for both the breastfeeding and formula groups. Within the formula group, the means were 32.07, 13.36, and 5.77 mmol/mol creatinine for adipic, suberic, and sebacic acids, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficient indicated correlations of r = 0.0693, r = 0.0166, and r = −0.0128 between percent MCT and adipic, suberic, and sebacic acids, respectively. No value was statistically significant. DCA excretion amounts did not vary between breastfed and formula‐fed infants. Our data suggest that clinicians should not expect elevated dicarboxylic aciduria in infants who are fed a standard formula without added MCT oil.
Comparative Effectiveness of Second Vasoactive Agents in Septic Shock Refractory to Norepinephrine
Authors: Nguyen H. Bryant , Lu Samantha , Possagnoli Isabella , Stokes Phillip
Published: May 2016

Objective:

We aim to identify the appropriate vasoactive agent in patients with septic shock who are refractory to optimal doses of norepinephrine.

Methods:

In this retrospective observational cohort study over a 4-year period, patients who received norepinephrine within 24 hours of ICU admission and a second agent within 48 hours were enrolled.

Results:

Among 2640 patients screened, 234 patients were enrolled, aged 60.8 ± 17.8 years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation IV 98.3 ± 27.5, 81.6% mechanically ventilated, and 65.8% in-hospital mortality. Within 96 hours, 2.8 ± 1.0 vasoactive agents were administered. Fifty, 50, 66, and 68 patients received dobutamine, dopamine, phenylephrine, and vasopressin as the second agent, with crude in-hospital mortality 40.0%, 66.0%, 74.2%, and 76.5%, respectively, P < .001. Survival analysis showed a statistically significant difference in survival time by second vasoactive agent, P < .001. After adjusting for confounding variables, dobutamine showed significant decreased odds ratio (OR) for mortality compared to vasopressin: OR 0.34 (95% confidence interval 0.14-0.84, P = .04). The relative risk of dying was 55.8% lower in patients receiving dobutamine versus vasopressin, P < .01.

Conclusion:

Dobutamine is associated with decreased mortality compared to other second vasoactive agents in septic shock when norepinephrine is not sufficient. A prospective randomized trial examining the outcome impact of the second vasoactive agent is needed.
Design and manufacture of automated controlled test machine detecting braking characteristic of brake lining in vehicles
Authors: Timur Mustafa , Kuşçu Hilmi , Toylan Hayrettin
Published: May 2016

This study has been carried out in order to measure friction coefficient of friction materials used in autos through computer program. Variants such as speed, temperature, and pressure have been discussed and the effect of these variants on friction materials of autos. Variants such as speed, temperature, and pressure resulting from various effects in autos have been discussed, the effects of these variants on friction materials have been examined and their friction coefficients have been detected. In the test device whose manufacturing has been completed, temperature value between surface of brake lining and disc used during tests a machinery has been prepared in a way that temperature values are 0–400 ℃, speed values are 0–1400 rev/min, pressure values are 0–1.05 Mpa. In consideration of these dates, it has become possible to constitute friction coefficient–temperature, friction–time and temperature–time diagrams. By benefiting from the tests to be performed through friction coefficient test device, enhancement or progress will be ensured in material selection, technology and theory. Control pf parameters such as speed, temperature, pressure, force, and friction coefficient to be measured are performed easily through test device; moreover, thanks to electronically sensitivity of electronically and mechanical materials used in test device, it is ensured that you can reach the values you want to reach correctly. Friction tests have been carried out on samples having different properties in auto regulative test device. Friction coefficient values of automotive brake linings in the new system design and manufacturing which is carried out, have been in conformity with SAE-J661 Standard and TSE 555-9076 Standard (Turkish Standards Institution). Test results obtained are in parallel with the literature.
CD47 expression in cryopreserved equine cutaneous masses and normal skin
Authors: Caston Stephanie S. , Cooper Elizabeth E. , Chandramani-Shivalingappa Prashanth , Sponseller Brett A. , Hostetter Jesse M. , Sun Yaxuan
Published: May 2016

We investigated CD47 expression in cryopreserved sections of equine cutaneous masses and normal skin. CD47 is a cell surface protein expressed on many cell types and overexpressed in some tumors. Interaction of CD47 and signal regulatory protein–alpha (SIRPα) inhibits phagocytosis by macrophages. Formalin-fixed tissues from horses prospectively enrolled in the study were used to establish a histologic diagnosis. Immunohistochemical assays were performed on cryopreserved tissues using anti-CD47 antibodies or IgG control antibodies. CD47 was not expressed on equine normal skin but positivity to CD47 was present in 13 of 24 (54%) masses. Immunotherapy with anti-CD47 antibodies for equine cutaneous tumors that express CD47 warrants further investigation.
Calbindin D28k distribution in neurons and reactive gliosis in cerebellar cortex of natural Rabies virus–infected cattle
Authors: Verdes José Manuel , de Sant’Ana Fabiano José Ferreira , Sabalsagaray María Jesús , Okada Kosuke , Calliari Aldo , Moraña José Antonio , de Barros Claudio Severo Lombardo
Published: May 2016

Rabies has been an enigmatic disease because microscopic findings in central nervous system tissues do not always correlate well with the severity of the clinical illness. Immunohistochemical staining of the calcium-binding protein calbindin (specifically CbD28k) seems to be the technique most used to identify Purkinje neurons under normal and pathological conditions. In the present work, we evaluated CbD28k immunoreactivity in the cerebellar cortex of normal and natural Rabies virus (RABV)-infected cattle. We examined brains from 3 normal cows and from 6 crossbreed cattle with a histologic diagnosis of rabies. Samples were taken from the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and brainstem. Immunohistochemistry was carried out using the following primary antibodies: anti-RABV, anti-GFAP, and anti-CbD28k. In the cerebellar cortex, RABV infection caused the loss of CbD28k immunostaining in Purkinje cells; some large interneurons in the granular layer maintained their positive CbD28k immunoreaction. The identification of this loss of CbD28k reactivity in cerebellar Purkinje cells of RABV-infected cattle presents a potentially valuable tool to explore the impairment of Ca2+ homeostasis. In addition, this may become a useful method to identify specific molecular alterations associated with the higher prevalence of Negri bodies in Purkinje cells of cattle. Furthermore, we detected the presence of rabies viral antigens in different regions of the central nervous system, accompanied by microglial proliferation and mild reactive astrogliosis.
Cutaneous amelanotic signet-ring cell malignant melanoma with interspersed myofibroblastic differentiation in a young cat
Authors: Hirz Manuela , Herden Christiane
Published: May 2016

The diagnosis of malignant melanoma can be difficult because these tumors can be amelanotic and may contain diverse variants and divergent differentiations, of which the signet-ring cell subtype is very rare and has only been described in humans, dogs, cats, and a hamster. We describe herein histopathologic and immunohistochemical approaches taken to diagnose a case of signet-ring cell malignant melanoma with myofibroblastic differentiation in a cat. A tumor within the abdominal skin of a 2-year-old cat was composed of signet-ring cells and irregularly interwoven streams of spindle cells. Both neoplastic cell types were periodic-acid–Schiff, Fontana, and Sudan black B negative. Signet-ring cells strongly expressed vimentin and S100 protein. Spindle cells strongly expressed vimentin and smooth muscle actin; some cells expressed S100, moderately neuron-specific enolase, and others variably actin and desmin. A few round cells expressed melan A, and a few plump spindle cells expressed melan A and PNL2, confirming the diagnosis of amelanotic signet-ring cell malignant melanoma with myofibroblastic differentiation in a cat. Differential diagnoses were excluded, including signet-ring cell forms of adenocarcinomas, lymphomas, liposarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, squamous cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, and adnexal tumors.
The Consequences of Government Ideology and Taxation on Welfare Voting
Authors: Shin Jungsub
Published: May 2016

Welfare spending has grown considerably and is currently a core component of government expenditure in most advanced countries. Although a good deal of scholarship assumes that benefiting from welfare spending increases the likelihood of voting for the incumbent parties, the impact of general welfare spending on incumbent parties’ electoral success has received scant attention. Moreover, we do not have much evidence regarding the conditions under which citizens reward incumbent parties for their generous welfare spending. This article expects that an increase in welfare spending has a positive effect on incumbent vote, but this effect is conditional on the ideology of government and levels of taxation. By examining 197 lower chamber elections in thirty-one OECD countries from approximately 1980 to 2013, this article finds that incumbent parties gain benefits for expansionary welfare spending. However, as the ideology of government moves closer to the right and as levels of taxation increase, the effects of welfare spending on incumbent parties’ vote share become weaker. The conditional effects of government ideology and levels of taxation on welfare voting suggest that right-wing governments can be relatively free from their welfare performance and that high levels of taxation reduce the electoral benefits of generous welfare spending.
Teaching the Competency of Family Case Conceptualizations
Authors: Sperry Len
Published: May 2016

Teaching students and supervisees to develop family case conceptualizations has been a major challenge for many instructors and supervisors. However, when presented with cases that compare and contrast a family case conceptualization with an individual case conceptualization, the learning process is greatly facilitated. Both individual and family case conceptualizations are defined. Two cases are presented with both individual and family case conceptualizations; one involves a complex medical condition.
Wills
Authors: Bradley Loretta J. , Hendricks Bret , Whiting Peggy P.
Published: May 2016

This article is written to focus on the need for the client and counselor to have a will that focuses on who has access to the client’s counseling records. Specifically, the focus is on the importance for the client to indicate who has access to his or her records following his or her death or incapacitation. In addition, this article focuses on who has access to the counselor’s records if the counselor should die or be incapacitated. The authors believe that it is the ethical responsibility of the counselor to discuss wills. Case examples are provided and recommendations are made.
Modelling and simulation of active noise control in a small room
Authors: Aslan Fauzi , Paurobally Roshun
Published: May 2016

This paper presents the modeling and simulation results of active noise control (ANC) in a small room using the wave-based approach defined by particle velocities and sound pressure within the defined boundary conditions. The ANC system excitation is a single-frequency noise with an adaptive feedforward configuration. The Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) algorithm is used to model the room acoustics due to a boxed loudspeaker of single frequency. A control system based on the filtered-x least mean-squared (FxLMS) algorithm is utilized to synthesize a cancelling noise using a secondary loudspeaker. The single channel system is modified into a multichannel system and genetic algorithm (GA) is used to optimize the sensors and actuators placements simultaneously. Numerical results are plotted to demonstrate the performance of the control system. These show that the numerical modelling technique can be used to combine room acoustic simulation and FxLMS adaptive control. This provides a way for the optimum placement of the microphones and loudspeakers before being used in a practical complex enclosure.
Biotinidase deficiency mimicking neuromyelitis optica beginning at the age of 4: A treatable disease
Authors: Girard Barbara , Bonnemains Chrystèle , Schmitt Emmanuelle , Raffo Emmanuel , Bilbault Claire
Published: May 2016

Background:

Metabolic and inflammatory conditions may lead to neurological disorders. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) refer to a rare group of demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system which essentially involve the optic nerves and spinal cord.

Methods:

We report a case of biotinidase deficiency (BD) initially misdiagnosed as NMOSD in a pediatric patient.

Results:

An 8-year-old girl was initially diagnosed with NMOSD on the basis of optic neuritis (ON) associated with three episodes of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM). Intravenous high-dose corticosteroids were effective during the first two episodes of LETM. The third acute episode which resulted in tetraplegia, respiratory distress, and blindness was refractory to corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, and rituximab. The unusual clinical course and persistent high levels of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate led to additional metabolic investigations being performed. Acylcarnitine profile revealed increased C5-OH acylcarnitine suggestive of BD. Diagnosis was confirmed by direct assessment of plasma enzyme activity (quantified as 5% of the control value). Genetic analysis revealed two mutations, c.643C>T (p.L215F) and c.1612C>T (p.R538C), in the BTD gene (3p25). Dramatic clinical improvement occurred after long-term oral biotin treatment.

Conclusion:

BD is a treatable condition that may closely mimic the neurological findings of LETM and NMOSD.
Higher mortality rates amongst emergency patients admitted to hospital at weekends reflect a lower probability of admission
Authors: Meacock Rachel , Anselmi Laura , Kristensen Søren Rud , Doran Tim , Sutton Matt
Published: May 2016

Objective

Patients admitted as emergencies to hospitals at the weekend have higher death rates than patients admitted on weekdays. This may be because the restricted service availability at weekends leads to selection of patients with greater average severity of illness. We examined volumes and rates of hospital admissions and deaths across the week for patients presenting to emergency services through two routes: (a) hospital Accident and Emergency departments, which are open throughout the week; and (b) services in the community, for which availability is more restricted at weekends.

Method

Retrospective observational study of all 140 non-specialist acute hospital Trusts in England analyzing 12,670,788 Accident and Emergency attendances and 4,656,586 emergency admissions (940,859 direct admissions from primary care and 3,715,727 admissions through Accident and Emergency) between April 2013 and February 2014.Emergency attendances and admissions to hospital and deaths in any hospital within 30 days of attendance or admission were compared for weekdays and weekends.

Results

Similar numbers of patients attended Accident and Emergency on weekends and weekdays. There were similar numbers of deaths amongst patients attending Accident and Emergency on weekend days compared with weekdays (378.0 vs. 388.3). Attending Accident and Emergency at the weekend was not associated with a significantly higher probability of death (risk-adjusted OR: 1.010). Proportionately fewer patients who attended Accident and Emergency at weekend were admitted to hospital (27.5% vs. 30.0%) and it is only amongst the subset of patients attending Accident and Emergency who were selected for admission to hospital that the probability of dying was significantly higher at the weekend (risk-adjusted OR: 1.054). The average volume of direct admissions from services in the community was 61% lower on weekend days compared to weekdays (1317 vs. 3404). There were fewer deaths following direct admission on weekend days than weekdays (35.9 vs. 80.8). The mortality rate was significantly higher at weekends amongst direct admissions (risk-adjusted OR: 1.212) due to the proportionately greater reduction in admissions relative to deaths.

Conclusions

There are fewer deaths following hospital admission at weekends. Higher mortality rates at weekends are found only amongst the subset of patients who are admitted. The reduced availability of primary care services and the higher Accident and Emergency admission threshold at weekends mean fewer and sicker patients are admitted at weekends than during the week. Extending services in hospitals and in the community at weekends may increase the number of emergency admissions and therefore lower mortality, but may not reduce the absolute number of deaths.