bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of rapidly growing mycobacteria isolated from Australian cats to ivermectin, moxidectin, ceftiofur and florfenicol
Authors: Woerde Dennis J , Martin Patricia A , Govendir Merran
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) infections in cats typically manifest as a panniculitis, requiring long-term antimicrobial therapy for resolution. The search for novel antimicrobial therapies to reduce treatment duration and improve the rate of clinical resolution is imperative. Accordingly, RGM isolates underwent susceptibility testing to some avermectins and other antibacterial drugs currently available.

Methods

Five Mycobacterium fortuitum and six Mycobacterium smegmatis isolates obtained from Australian cats underwent susceptibility testing by microbroth dilution to ivermectin, moxidectin, ceftiofur and florfenicol.

Results

All isolates were resistant to the highest concentrations of ivermectin, moxidectin and ceftiofur tested (1024 µg/ml, 256 μg/ml and 32 μg/ml, respectively). All isolates of M fortuitum were resistant to the highest concentration of florfenicol tested (128 µg/ml). The minimum inhibitory concentration range of florfenicol that inhibited growth of M smegmatis isolates was 32–64 µg/ml.

Conclusions and relevance

All drugs appear to have no efficacy in vitro for the treatment of RGM infections.
Helping first-year undergraduates engage in language research
Authors: Wyatt Mark , Pasamar Márquez Carmen
Published: January 2015

Adopting an ‘exploratory action research’ design and drawing primarily on a reflective journal and interviews, this study recounts the process of supporting first-year Applied Languages students (learning French, German and Spanish) as they started to engage in language research. Certain challenges they faced in engaging with the inquiry-based learning were apparent at the outset, while others emerged; these were addressed ethically in the spirit of ‘exploratory practice’. Our narrative account is structured around key themes. These are subsequently the focus of our discussion, which highlights the process-oriented actions that arose from our developing understandings and the future actions still required. Conclusions focus on the benefits gained by learners and teachers.
The sociology of spin: An investigation into the uses, practices and consequences of political communication
Authors: Hobbs Mitchell
Published: January 2015

This article explores the uses and consequences of political communication in Australia. It considers the different types of government ‘spin doctors’ and explores the dimensions of the ‘Australian public relations state’. The article then examines the relationship between the media, political communication and democracy. It subsequently develops a typology of overt and covert practices that suggests that there should be an analytical and ethical distinction between ‘spin’ and ‘political communication’. The article concludes that media advisers are ‘key activists’ within the public sphere and that good political communication gives people the capacity for informed citizenship. Ultimately this discussion demonstrates that political communication has both democratic and anti-democratic aspects, and it offers a conceptual framework for exploring communicative practices and their consequences.
Governing drug use otherwise: For an ethics of care
Authors: Duff Cameron
Published: January 2015

Contemporary drug policy debates are riven by a protracted antagonism between discourses that emphasise addiction, habit and despair, and those that endorse recreation, pleasure and self-control. This article eschews this antagonism by examining drug use in relation to what Michel Foucault called an ethics of care. My goal is to begin to imagine how drug use may be governed otherwise, in ways that avoid the normalisation associated with existing policy responses to drug problems. I ground this discussion in qualitative research conducted in 2012 in Melbourne, Australia with 31 drug consumers, and 15 health service providers. I explore how consumers govern their own drug use, and how these practices fit within consumers’ broader efforts to promote or maintain their health. I then use these findings to sketch a novel approach to drug policy formulation, less concerned with the amelioration of drug problems and more interested in promoting an ethics of care.
Warm dynamic compaction of Al6061/SiC nanocomposite powders
Authors: Majzoobi GH , Bakhtiari H , Atrian A , Pipelzadeh MK , Hardy SJ
Published: January 2015

Powder dynamic compaction is one of the new methods for the production of nanocomposites. In this paper, Al6061/SiCnp nanocomposite is compacted using warm dynamic compaction by simultaneous application of heat and dynamic compressive waves. A comparison between the results of this study and those reported in the literature confirms that the warm dynamic compaction methods are superior to cold dynamic and quasi-static compaction method in densification of nanocomposites especially for high volume fractions of nano particles reinforcement. Mechanical and microstructural characterization of the samples is carried out to investigate the effects of temperature and content level of reinforcement. The results indicate that the increase of nano reinforcement content in warm dynamic compaction leads to reduction of the relative density and increase of hardness and the compressive strength. Moreover, higher compaction temperatures result in enhanced density and lower hardness. It is shown that samples compacted using warm dynamic compaction exhibit lower spring back and ejection force and also the distribution of mechanical properties is significantly more homogeneous. Sensitivity analysis showed that temperature increase has the most effect on homogeneity improvement and reducing dimensional change. Microscopic analyses verified that higher compaction temperature leads to lower porosity and improved metal particle bonding. It seems that agglomeration of nanoparticles and destructive phenomena such as capping and delamination are the main reasons for loss of compressive strength at room temperature. These issues are resolved in warm dynamic compaction by increasing the compaction temperature which leads to better bonding between particles.
Impact behaviour of woven coir-epoxy composite: Effects of woven density and woven fabric treatment
Authors: Azrin Hani AR , Hashim MS , Lim TY , Mariatti M , Ahmad R
Published: January 2015

Several approaches have been implemented to enhance the impact performance of natural fibre-reinforced composite structures. The control of reinforcement structure and fibre modification through treatment are among the approaches. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact behaviour of woven coir-epoxy composite as a function of fabric density and fabric modification using alkalisation treatment. Samples were subjected to low-velocity impact penetration tests and image analysis technique was used to measure the area and perimeter of the damaged samples under impact. A multi-level full factorial design was implemented in this study as a systematic and efficient way to distinguish the interactions of more than one factor. Two levels of woven density (Type 1 and Type 2) were investigated and four levels of treatment percentage (0%, 6%, 9% and 12%) were examined. Moreover, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to determine the significant factors that predominantly influence the impact behaviour of woven composites. It was found that the differences in woven density and woven treatment significantly affect the maximum impact load and deflection of woven coir-epoxy composites. Impact energy absorption, however, was only affected by woven treatment. Factor interactions were also apparent for maximum impact load, initiation energy and deflection. The results showed that woven reinforcement with denser structure was less stiff in nature. The deformability of the composites was also found to reduce with the increase of treatment percentage. Furthermore, poor damage resistance was observed in denser woven structure.
ETA ceasefire: Armed struggle vs. political practice in Basque nationalism
Authors: Zabalo Julen , Saratxo Mikel
Published: January 2015

In October 2011, the Basque armed organization ETA announced an end to its activities. This article aims at studying the reasons leading up to this unilateral decision which had been taken without prior negotiations or agreements. To this end, a large part of existing bibliography on the subject was consulted and most of the documents released by ETA in recent years, including those for internal use, were also reviewed. In our opinion, ETA reached this decision on the basis of two conclusions and an overall view of the state of affairs. The first of these conclusions found that the two main channels opened up in 1975 to reach its tactical goals, namely, negotiation with Spain and a national front, had been fully exploited. The second concerns the great difficulty in continuing to defend armed struggle on the grounds that it helps reinforce these two channels. Moreover, the belief that it is possible to make greater advances without, rather than with, armed activity, was widespread, paradoxical as that might seem. Forty years after its political positioning with respect to post-Franco Spain, convinced that both channels had been exhausted, and of its limited legitimacy to explore new ones in its capacity as a political movement, ETA reassessed the situation, and once again changed its discourse and practice, with an aim to attaining its strategic goals.
Climate-based daylight analysis of fixed shading devices in an open-plan office
Authors: Esquivias PM , Munoz CM , Acosta I , Moreno D , Navarro J
Published: January 2015

Office buildings consume large amounts of energy and are responsible for large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Among building energy efficiency measures, solar shading plays a significant role in reducing building energy consumption for cooling. This study analysed the influence of solar protection on daylighting of an open-plan office. Climate-based daylight modelling was used to predict such metrics as daylight factor, daylight autonomy and useful daylight illuminances. The results obtained showed that overhangs, and horizontal and vertical louvres have similar behaviours and sidefins have no relevance to indoor daylight conditions. In all cases, it has been proven that excessive obstruction may yield an excessive reduction in a range of illuminances between 500 and 2000 lux, increasing lighting energy consumption.
Rethinking Conceptual Definitions of the Criminal Career and Serial Criminality
Authors: Edelstein Arnon
Published: January 2015

Since Cesare Lombroso’s days, criminology seeks to define, explain, and categorize the various types of criminals, their behaviors, and motives. This aim has theoretical as well as policy-related implications. One of the important areas in criminological thinking focuses chiefly on recidivist offenders who perform large numbers of crimes and/or commit the most dangerous crimes in society (rape, murder, arson, and armed robbery). These criminals have been defined as “habitual offenders,” “professional criminals,” “career criminals,” and “serial offenders.” The interest in these criminals is a rational one, given the perception that they present a severe threat to society. The main challenge in this area of research is a conceptual problem that has significant effects across the field. To this day, scholars have reused and misused titles to define and explain different concepts. The aim of this article is 3-fold. First, to review the concepts of criminal career, professional crime, habitual offenses, and seriality with a critical attitude on confusing terms. Second, to propose the redefinition of concepts mentioned previously, mainly on the criminal career. Third, to propose a theoretical model to enable a better understanding of, and serve as a basis for, further research in this important area of criminology.
Integrating the Principles of Effective Intervention into Batterer Intervention Programming
Authors: Radatz Dana L. , Wright Emily M.
Published: January 2015

The majority of batterer intervention program (BIP) evaluations have indicated they are marginally effective in reducing domestic violence recidivism. Meanwhile, correctional programs used to treat a variety of offenders (e.g., substance users, violent offenders, and so forth) that adhere to the “principles of effective intervention” (PEI) have reported significant reductions in recidivism. This article introduces the PEI—the principles on which evidence-based practices in correctional rehabilitation are based—and identifies the degree to which they are currently integrated into BIPs. The case is made that batterer programs could be more effective if they incorporate the PEI. Recommendations for further integration of the principles into BIPs are also provided.
Effects of Parenting Programs on Child Maltreatment Prevention
Authors: Chen Mengtong , Chan Ko Ling
Published: January 2015

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of parenting programs in reducing child maltreatment and modifying associated factors as well as to examine the moderator variables that are linked to program effects. For this meta-analysis, we searched nine electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials published before September 2013. The effect sizes of various outcomes at different time points were computed. From the 3,578 studies identified, we selected 37 studies for further analysis. The total random effect size was 0.296. Our results showed that parenting programs successfully reduced substantiated and self-reported child maltreatment reports and reduced the potential for child maltreatment. The programs also reduced risk factors and enhanced protective factors associated with child maltreatment. However, the effects of the parenting programs on reducing parental depression and stress were limited. Parenting programs produced positive effects in low-, middle-, and high-income countries and were effective in reducing child maltreatment when applied as primary, secondary, or tertiary child maltreatment intervention. In conclusion, parenting programs are effective public health approaches to reduce child maltreatment. The evidence-based service of parenting programs could be widely adopted in future practice.
Smoke-Free Policy Implementation: Theoretical and Practical Considerations
Authors: Fallin Amanda , Goodin Amie , Rayens Mary Kay , Morris Sarah , Hahn Ellen J.
Published: January 2015

Secondhand smoke exposure is a major public health issue, increasing the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and cancer. Although best practices for adopting smoke-free policy are well understood, there is limited research on the effective implementation of smoke-free policy. This article presents theoretical and practical considerations for smoke-free policy implementation in three Kentucky communities guided by the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) Framework. Although both Danville and Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky have comprehensive smoke-free policies, Danville had more effective implementation, as well as better outcomes. Further study is needed to understand the critical elements of smoke-free policy implementation and their association with population outcomes. The IAD is a promising model to guide the study of both policy adoption and implementation.
Politics and Morality in State Abortion Policy
Authors: Kreitzer Rebecca J.
Published: January 2015

The number and variety of state policies regulating abortion each year is increasing. Opponents of abortion adopted a strategy of “legal but inaccessible” that has resulted in the passage of more than 700 state laws since the early 1990s. Despite being a very active area of policy making, we lack a coherent explanation for the proliferation of abortion policy. Scholars studying different policies at discrete moments in time have come to conflicting conclusions about how well theories of morality policy and representation explain abortion policy. Using an original dataset comprised of a near-universe of pro- and anti-abortion rights policy from 1973 to 2013, I establish the ways in which partisan control of the government and the moral preferences of constituents shape state policy. I find that anti-abortion rights policies are well explained by both theories but that pro-abortion rights policies are not well explained as a morality policy or with descriptive representation. In addition, I show the heterogeneous effect of representation across anti-abortion rights policies; Democratic women and governors decrease the probability of only certain anti-abortion rights policies.
Infections of Diabetic Foot Ulcers With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Cervantes-García Estrella , García-González Rafael , Reséndiz-Albor Aldo , Salazar-Schettino Paz Maria
Published: January 2015

Infected diabetic foot is the most common reason for hospitalization and complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is frequently isolated from such lesions, and its presence is growing, seriously deteriorating the infected patient’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of MRSA as well as other microbiota in 100 patients diagnosed with (DM2) and with infected foot ulcers at the Hospital General de Mexico. The main results obtained show a prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (42%), followed by Escherichia coli (36%) and, in lower percentages, other bacteria. MRSA was predominant (34%), and we conclude that the use of cefoxitin instead of oxacillin as the first-choice antibiotic has an advantage because it is a better inducer of methicillin-resistance expression.
Successful Surgical Treatment for Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa Using a New Designed Column Flap
Authors: Han Hyun Ho , Lim Soo Yeon , Oh Deuk Young
Published: January 2015

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa is a chronic lymphedema that causes enlarged and disfigured extremities. There are plenty of treatment options. However, there is no complete treatment. Preventive or symptomatic therapy is the basis for treating elephantiasis. In this article, we report a case of elephantiasis nostras verrucosa treated successfully by surgical reconstruction using a newly designed column flap.
Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetic Foot Problems and Predictive Factors for Amputation in China
Authors: Jiang Yufeng , Ran Xingwu , Jia Lijing , Yang Chuan , Wang Penghua , Ma Jianhua , Chen Bing , Yu Yanmei , Feng Bo , Chen Lili , Yin Han , Cheng Zhifeng , Yan Zhaoli , Yang Yuzhi , Liu Fang , Xu Zhangrong
Published: January 2015

To determine incidence and clinically relevant risk factors for diabetic amputation in a large cohort study of diabetic foot ulceration patients in China, we investigated a total of 669 diabetic foot ulceration patients, who were assessed at baseline for demographic information, medical and social history, peripheral neuropathy screening, periphery artery disease screening, assessment of nutritional status and diabetic control, physical examination including foot deformity in 15 Grade III-A hospitals. Of the 669 patients, 435 were male and 201 were female, with the mean age being 64.0 years. Of all patients, 110 had neuropathic ulcers, 122 had ischemic ulcers, 276 had neuroischemic ulcers, and 12 cases were unclassified. Wagner classification showed 61 cases were grade I, 216 cases grade II, 159 cases grade III, 137 cases grade IV, and 7 cases grade V. The overall amputation rate among diabetic foot patients was 19.03%, and major and minor amputation rates were 2.14% and 16.88%, respectively. By univariate analysis, statistically significant differences were found in smoking, rest pain, ulcer history, revascularization history, amputation history, gangrene, infection, Wagner grades, duration of diabetes, and postprandial blood glucose, aldehyde, total protein, globulin, albumin, white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin, HbA1c, ulcer property, body mass index, as well as creatinine. Binary logistic regression model showed that increased WBC (odds ratio 1.25) and ulcer history (odds ratio 6.8) were associated with increased risks from diabetic foot ulcer to major amputation; increased duration of diabetes (odds ratio 1.004), WBC (odds ratio 1.102), infection (odds ratio 2.323), foot deformity (odds ratio 1.973), revascularization history (odds ratio 2.662), and decreased postprandial blood sugar (odds ratio 0.94) were associated with increased risks from diabetic foot ulcer to minor amputation. It is of great importance to give better management to diabetic patients at early stages. Following a diagnosis of DFU more intensive surveillance and aggressive care may improve outcome.
The association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) +405G>C genetic polymorphism and endometriosis
Authors: Fang Fang , Gong Lili , Wang Xiaojuan , Zhang Ling
Published: January 2015

The vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) is one of the most important candidate genes for the development of endometriosis, and VEGF genetic polymorphisms might be potentially associated with endometriosis risk. However, the results still remain controversial. The objective of this study aimed to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis to explore a better understanding of the effects of VEGF +405G>C genetic polymorphism on the risk of endometriosis. A total of eleven eligible studies were eventually identified in this meta-analysis, including 2829 endometriosis cases and 2947 controls. In the overall analysis, no significant association between the VEGF +405G>C genetic polymorphism and the risk of endometriosis was detected in all genetic models (for homozygote comparison [CC versus vs. GG]: OR = 1.21, 95% CI 0.67–2.19, P = 0.537; for heterozygote comparison [CG vs. GG]: OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.86–1.56, P = 0.348; for dominant comparison CC/CG vs. GG: OR = 1.10, 95% CI 0.93–1.30, P = 0.263; for recessive comparison [CC vs. CG/GG]: OR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.73–1.47, P = 0.857; allele comparison [C vs. G]: OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.70–1.40, P = 0.962). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicities, there was no significant association between VEGF +405G>C genetic polymorphism and endometriosis risk in Asians and/or Caucasians under all genetic models (all P-values >0.05). No publication bias was observed in this study. This meta-analysis supports that the VEGF +405G>C genetic polymorphism is not significant associated with the risk of endometriosis.
Complement component 1, q subcomponent binding protein is a marker for proliferation in breast cancer
Authors: Jane Scully Olivia , Yu Yingnan , Salim Agus , Aye Thike Aye , Wai-Cheong Yip George , Hun Baeg Gyeong , Tan Puay-Hoon , Matsumoto Ken , Huat Bay Boon
Published: January 2015

Complement component 1, q subcomponent binding protein (C1QBP), is a multi-compartmental protein with higher mRNA expression reported in breast cancer tissues. This study evaluated the association between immunohistochemical expression of the C1QBP protein in breast cancer tissue microarrays (TMAs) and clinicopathological parameters, in particular tumor size. In addition, an in vitro study was conducted to substantiate the breast cancer TMA findings. Breast cancer TMAs were constructed from pathological specimens of patients diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. C1QBP protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemical analyses were subsequently performed in the TMAs. C1QBP immunostaining was detected in 131 out of 132 samples examined. The C1QBP protein was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of the breast cancer cells. Univariate analysis revealed that a higher C1QBP protein expression was significantly associated with older patients ( P = 0.001) and increased tumor size ( P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that C1QBP is an independent predictor of tumor size in progesterone-positive tumors. Furthermore, C1QBP was also significantly correlated with expression of PCNA, a known marker of proliferation. Inhibition of C1QBP expression was performed by transfecting C1QBP siRNA into T47D breast cancer cells, a progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer cell line. C1QBP gene expression was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR, and protein expression by Western blot. Cell proliferation assays were also performed by commercially available assays. Down-regulation of C1QBP expression significantly decreased cell proliferation and growth in T47D cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that the C1QBP protein could be a potential proliferative marker in breast cancer.
Current Treatment Strategies for Acute Type B Aortic Dissection
Authors: Mousa Albeir Y. , Abu-Halimah Shadi , Gill Gurpreet , Yacoub Michael , Stone Patrick , Hass Stephen , Campbell John E. , AbuRahma Ali F.
Published: January 2015

Acute type B aortic dissection (ATBAD) is a medical emergency that is a common occurrence in patients with atherosclerotic disease. The presentation is usually severe, with tearing pain that radiates to the back, and various levels of end-organ ischemia and malperfusion, even rupture, may occur. Everyone agrees that prompt and aggressive blood pressure control with β-blockers and nitroprusside is imperative, but when to surgically intervene is still not well characterized. However, the advent of minimally invasive stent graft placement has reshaped our thoughts regarding therapeutic intervention for ATBAD. This review is an attempt to define the current surgical indications for treating ATBAD.
Ranking terrorist targets using a hybrid AHP–TOPSIS methodology
Authors: Fox William P , Ormond Brendan , Williams Alex
Published: January 2015

We present a methodology and an example of preparing an order of merit list to rank terrorist targets based upon decision-maker weights. We used an old terrorist data set as our base data to keep the information unclassified. This data is used to demonstrate this methodology. We perform numerical iterative criteria weight sensitivity analysis to show the effects on the model’s outputs in changes in the weights. We identify the critical criterion.
Semi-automated initialization of simulations: an application to healthcare
Authors: Padilla Jose J , Diallo Saikou Y , Kavak Hamdi , Sahin Olcay , Sokolowski John A , Gore Ross J
Published: January 2015

As the number of variables and entities included in a simulation model increase, it becomes more difficult to initialize due to (a) the increasing number of input variables that are required and (b) the difficulty in finding, retrieving, and assigning the initial values of the input variables, especially in Human Social Cultural Behavior Modeling. As a result, the initialization process is generally more time consuming and error prone which motivates the need for semi-automated approaches wherever possible. In this paper, we propose a semi-automated approach for initializing input variables that are challenging to quantify and require additional processing to be assigned their initial values. We apply this approach to initialize a healthcare simulation using data from sources such as the US Census Bureau, County Health Rankings, and Twitter. Results show that the approach works well when we can find variables with existing values even for large input data sets (over 50 variables). However, additional work is required to determine whether the values assigned using this approach yield more accurate simulation results.
The weight debate
Authors: MacDonald JJ , Moore J , Davey V , Pickering S , Dunne T
Published: January 2015

Therapeutic interventions administered on Critical Care are often dosed on the basis of patient body size, to ensure treatments are effective in achieving their goals and to prevent harm from overdose. Many treatment modalities use predicted weights estimated from descriptors such as sex, weight and height to reduce error that is associated with using total body weight in critically ill patients. In this article we review the size descriptors that have been described, their origin and calculation. We then examine the role they play in dosing of common therapies utilised in Critical Care and potential areas of research for the future.
Design and experiments of a football field bounce rate detector
Authors: Sun Qun , Wang Chong , Bao Chunjiang , Chen Zhengfeng , Zhao Dongjie , Chen Linlin
Published: January 2015

At present, detection of football bounce rate on football fields is mainly based on manual method in China, which is labor intensive and has low detection accuracy. To solve this problem, based on the photoelectric sensor arrays, an optical detection method is proposed for measuring football field bounce rate. A football clamping mechanism has been theoretically analyzed and then a simple and reliable football holding device was developed to perform clamping and release. A control system of the football field bounce rate detector has been constructed based on modular design principles. The detector was completed on this basis, which can achieve gripping, lifting, releasing football and bounce rate calculation. Experiments showed that the errors of detection accuracy of this equipment are not more than 1%, fully satisfying the relevant national standards.
Putting patient-centred care into practice
Authors: Dambha Hajira , Naughton Matthew
Published: January 2015

The evidence base supporting the potential benefits of patient-centred care is growing and GPs should be encouraged to integrate this into their practice. Attempting to understand the patients in front of you, their ideas, concerns and expectations, and how their current illness is affecting their day-to-day life, may allow a more effective diagnosis and plan to be made. This could improve patient compliance with the plan, as well as more efficient use of resources and improvements in health outcomes. Patient-centred care and associated communication skills are increasingly highlighted in the education and training for general practice. This article outlines some of the skills in patient-centred care that may be applied during the consultation. By drawing attention to these skills and suggesting ways of implementing them despite the perceived barriers of time pressures and patient preferences for different consulting styles, we aim to increase their use in daily consultations.
Hero on Twitter, Traitor on News
Authors: Qin Jie
Published: January 2015

Is Edward Snowden a hero or traitor? In what ways do frames on social media and legacy news differ in covering the incident of Edward Snowden? Utilizing the approach of semantic network analysis, the study found social media users associated Snowden’s case with other whistle-blowers, bipartisan issues, and personal privacy issues, while professional journalists associated the Snowden incident with issues of national security and international relations. Frames on social media portray Edward Snowden as a hero while the frames on legacy news make him a traitor. The study further identified media frames on social media and legacy news differ in two ways: word selection and word salience. In addition, the study discussed the challenges and opportunities of framing analysis in the context of social media.
Reducing psychotropic pharmacotherapy in patients with severe mental illness: a cluster-randomized controlled intervention study
Authors: Hjorth Peter , Kilian Reinhold , Sørensen Helle Østermark , Eriksen Susan Engelbrechsen , Davidsen Annette Sofie , Jensen Signe Olrik Wallenstein , Munk-Jørgensen Povl
Published: January 2015

Background:

Many patients with mental illness receive psychotropic medicine in high dosages and from more than one drug. One of the consequences of this practice is obesity, which is a contributing factor to increased physical morbidity and premature death.

Methods:

Our study was a cluster-randomized intervention study involving 6 facilities and 174 patients diagnosed with severe mental illnesses (73% schizophrenia). The intervention period was 12 months and consisted of teaching sessions with the staff and evaluating the patients’ intake of psychotropic medication. At index, 44% met criteria for obesity and 76% met criteria for overweight. Waist circumferences were 108 cm for men and 108 cm for women. Olanzapine, clozapine and quetiapine were the most common prescribed antipsychotics. Mean values of daily doses of antipsychotic were 2.5.

Results:

The intervention showed no significant differences between the intervention and control group regarding psychotropic treatment. At follow up, independent of intervention, patients receiving antipsychotic polypharmacy had a larger waist circumference compared with patients receiving antipsychotic monotherapy of 9.8 cm (1.5–18.1) ( p = 0.028).

Discussion and conclusion:

We found both a high prevalence of obesity and that the patients received treatment with antipsychotic polypharmaceutics in high dosages. Active awareness did not change practice and we must think of other ways to restrict treatment with psychotropics in this group of patients.
Imaging findings of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome
Authors: Hajalioghli Parisa , Ghadirpour Ali , Ataie-Oskuie Reza , Kontzialis Marinos , Nezami Nariman
Published: January 2015

A 15-year-old girl was referred to a dentist complaining of parageusia, bad taste in the mouth, which started 9 months ago. Panoramic X-ray and non-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed multiple bilateral unilocular cysts in the mandible and maxilla, along with calcification of anterior part of the falx cerebri. She was eventually diagnosed with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome based on imaging and histopathologic finding of keratocystic odontogenic tumor.
Multimodal MR imaging of acute and subacute experimental traumatic brain injury: Time course and correlation with cerebral energy metabolites
Authors: Maegele Marc , Stuermer Ewa K , Hoeffgen Alexander , Uhlenkueken Ulla , Mautes Angelika , Schaefer Nadine , Lippert-Gruener Marcela , Schaefer Ute , Hoehn Mathias
Published: January 2015

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and permanent disability world-wide. The predominant cause of death after TBI is brain edema which can be quantified by non-invasive diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI).

Purpose

To provide a better understanding of the early onset, time course, spatial development, and type of brain edema after TBI and to correlate MRI data and the cerebral energy state reflected by the metabolite adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Material and Methods

The spontaneous development of lateral fluid percussion-induced TBI was investigated in the acute (6 h), subacute (48 h), and chronic (7 days) phase in rats by MRI of quantitative T2 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping as well as perfusion was combined with ATP-specific bioluminescence imaging and histology.

Results

An induced TBI led to moderate to mild brain damages, reflected by transient, pronounced development of vasogenic edema and perfusion reduction. Heterogeneous ADC patterns indicated a parallel, but mixed expression of vasogenic and cytotoxic edema. Cortical ATP levels were reduced in the acute and subacute phase by 13% and 27%, respectively, but were completely normalized at 7 days after injury.

Conclusion

The partial ATP reduction was interpreted to be partially caused by a loss of neurons in parallel with transient dilution of the regional ATP concentration by pronounced vasogenic edema. The normalization of energy metabolism after 7 days was likely due to infiltrating glia and not to recovery. The MRI combined with metabolite measurement further improves the understanding and evaluation of brain damages after TBI.
Mental health utilization among older Veterans with coexisting depression and dementia
Authors: DiNapoli Elizabeth A , Cully Jeffrey A , Mott Juliette M , Hundt Natalie E , Mignogna Joseph , Sansgiry Shubhada , Yu Hong Jen , Trahan Lisa H , Kunik Mark E
Published: January 2015

Objective:

We compared mental health service utilization among older, depressed Veterans (60 years or older) with and without coexisting dementia.

Methods:

This retrospective study examined data from the 2010 Veterans Health Administration National Patient Care Database outpatient treatment files of Veterans with a newly recognized diagnosis of depression ( N = 177,710).

Results:

Approximately 48.84% with coexisting depression and dementia and 32.00% with depression only received mental health services within 12 months of diagnosis ( p < .0001). Veterans with coexisting depression and dementia were more likely to receive medication-management appointments (33.40% vs 20.62%), individual therapy (13.39% vs 10.91%), and family therapy (3.77% vs 1.19%) than depressed Veterans without dementia.

Conclusion:

In general, Veterans with recently diagnosed depression are significantly underusing Veterans Affairs mental health treatment services. Those Veterans who have comorbid dementia are more likely than those with just depression to be enrolled in mental health treatments. Systemic improvements are needed to increase use of mental health services for older, depressed Veterans.
“My Mother Wants Me to Jiaru-haomen (Marry Into a Rich and Powerful Family)!”
Authors: To Sandy
Published: January 2015

In an era of individualization, Chinese individuals often have to face the challenge of balancing their personal choices with their filial obligations. While a host of “filial strategies” are well-documented in traditional areas of filial contention such as elderly care and relating with in-laws, there are none in the area of sheng nü or “leftover women’s” marital choices. This study sets out to explore the “marital filial strategies” of unmarried Chinese professional women who face filial contentions in their “marriage timing” and “partner choice.” It was found that the combination of the filial strategies of “deferring” to parents’ matchmaking demands, followed by “negotiation” of one’s partner choice, led to the ideal condition of “altruistic individualism” that “combined personal freedom with engagement with others.” On a wider level, sheng nü’s filial strategies of marital choice could serve as an exemplar for all modern Chinese individuals who strove to conduct congenial filial relationships without compromising their own ideals.
Understanding Statistical Testing
Authors: Veazie Peter J.
Published: January 2015

Statistical hypothesis testing is common in research, but a conventional understanding sometimes leads to mistaken application and misinterpretation. The logic of hypothesis testing presented in this article provides for a clearer understanding, application, and interpretation. Key conclusions are that (a) the magnitude of an estimate on its raw scale (i.e., not calibrated by the standard error) is irrelevant to statistical testing; (b) which statistical hypotheses are tested cannot generally be known a priori; (c) if an estimate falls in a hypothesized set of values, that hypothesis does not require testing; (d) if an estimate does not fall in a hypothesized set, that hypothesis requires testing; (e) the point in a hypothesized set that produces the largest p value is used for testing; and (f) statistically significant results constitute evidence, but insignificant results do not and must not be interpreted as evidence for or against the hypothesis being tested.
The Current State of Head and Neck Injuries in Extreme Sports
Authors: Sharma Vinay K. , Rango Juan , Connaughton Alexander J. , Lombardo Daniel J. , Sabesan Vani J.
Published: January 2015

Background:

Since their conception during the mid-1970s, international participation in extreme sports has grown rapidly. The recent death of extreme snowmobiler Caleb Moore at the 2013 Winter X Games has demonstrated the serious risks associated with these sports.

Purpose:

To examine the incidence and prevalence of head and neck injuries (HNIs) in extreme sports.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiological study.

Methods:

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was used to acquire data from 7 sports (2000-2011) that were included in the Winter and Summer X Games. Data from the NEISS database were collected for each individual sport per year and type of HNI. Cumulative data for overall incidence and injuries over the entire 11-year period were calculated. National estimates were determined using NEISS-weighted calculations. Incidence rates were calculated for extreme sports using data from Outdoor Foundation Participation Reports.

Results:

Over 4 million injuries were reported between 2000 and 2011, of which 11.3% were HNIs. Of all HNIs, 83% were head injuries and 17% neck injuries. The 4 sports with the highest total incidence of HNI were skateboarding (129,600), snowboarding (97,527), skiing (83,313), and motocross (78,236). Severe HNI (cervical or skull fracture) accounted for 2.5% of extreme sports HNIs. Of these, skateboarding had the highest percentage of severe HNIs.

Conclusion:

The number of serious injuries suffered in extreme sports has increased as participation in the sports continues to grow. A greater awareness of the dangers associated with these sports offers an opportunity for sports medicine and orthopaedic physicians to advocate for safer equipment, improved on-site medical care, and further research regarding extreme sports injuries.
Inverse and centreline segregation formation in twin roll cast AZ31 magnesium alloy
Authors: Hadadzadeh A. , Wells M. A.
Published: January 2015

Two microstructure defects formed in the twin roll cast AZ31 strips were investigated: inverse and centreline segregations. A two-dimensional finite element thermal–fluid–stress model was employed to study the thermomechanical response of the AZ31 strip during twin roll casting process. The results showed that the key parameter for centreline segregation is the mushy zone thickness at centreline. For inverse segregation, the interaction between the yy peak stress at the centreline in the mushy zone and the solidified shell on the roll surface is the determinant parameter. The modelling results suggested increasing the setback distance decreases the risk of both defects. Moreover, scaling up the caster reduces the propensity to inverse segregation but appears to have a minor effect for centreline segregation formation.
Periodic nano-ripples structures fabricated on WC/Co based TiAlN coatings by femtosecond pulsed laser
Authors: Zhang K. , Deng J. , Xing Y. , Lian Y. , Zhang G.
Published: January 2015

Periodic nano-ripples structures were fabricated by femtosecond laser scanning on WC/Co based TiAlN coatings. The surface morphology, ripples dimension and changes in the element content of samples irradiated with different processing parameters were analysed. The results show that the formation and quality of ripples are largely determined by pulse energy, scanning speed and scanning spacings. The 3 μJ pulse energy, 500 μm s−1 scanning speed and 5 μm scanning spacing induce best quality ripples on TiAlN films among all experimental conditions. The period of ripples formed on TiAlN films gradually increases with increasing pulse energy, scanning speed and scanning spacing, which is smaller than the laser wavelength. With the high pulse energy and low scanning speed, TiAlN films could be removed, and ripples with period of 480–600 nm are formed on cemented carbide substrates. Concentration and distribution of all constitutive elements in the irradiated area are gradually changed with increasing pulse energy.
A unique population of IgG-expressing plasma cells lacking CD19 is enriched in human bone marrow
Authors: Mei Henrik E. , Wirries Ina , Frölich Daniela , Brisslert Mikael , Giesecke Claudia , Grün Joachim R. , Alexander Tobias , Schmidt Stefanie , Luda Katarzyna , Kühl Anja A. , Engelmann Robby , Dürr Michael , Scheel Tobias , Bokarewa Maria , Perka Carsten , Radbruch Andreas , Dörner Thomas
Published: January 2015

Key Points

Healthy human BM is enriched for PC lacking CD19 that express a prosurvival and distinctly mature phenotype. CD19− PC resist mobilization into blood during immune responses after vaccination as well as B-cell depletion with rituximab.
Marked hyperferritinemia does not predict for HLH in the adult population
Authors: Schram Alison M. , Campigotto Federico , Mullally Ann , Fogerty Annemarie , Massarotti Elena , Neuberg Donna , Berliner Nancy
Published: January 2015

Key Points

Highly elevated ferritin is not specific for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults. Marked hyperferritinemia in adults most often occurs in the setting of renal failure, hepatocellular injury, infection, or malignancy.
Tiotropium and olodaterol fixed-dose combinationversusmono-components in COPD (GOLD 2–4)
Authors: Buhl Roland , Maltais François , Abrahams Roger , Bjermer Leif , Derom Eric , Ferguson Gary , Fležar Matjaž , Hébert Jacques , McGarvey Lorcan , Pizzichini Emilio , Reid Jim , Veale Antony , Grönke Lars , Hamilton Alan , Korducki Lawrence , Tetzlaff Kay , Waitere-Wijker Stella , Watz Henrik , Bateman Eric
Published: January 2015

Efficacy and safety of tiotropium+olodaterol fixed-dose combination (FDC) compared with the mono-components was evaluated in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in two replicate, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, multicentre, phase III trials.

Patients received tiotropium+olodaterol FDC 2.5/5 μg or 5/5 μg, tiotropium 2.5 μg or 5 μg, or olodaterol 5 μg delivered once-dailyviaRespimat inhaler over 52 weeks. Primary end points were forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) area under the curve from 0 to 3 h (AUC0–3) response, trough FEV1 response and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score at 24 weeks.

In total, 5162 patients (2624 in Study 1237.5 and 2538 in Study 1237.6) received treatment. Both FDCs significantly improved FEV1 AUC0–3 and trough FEV1 responseversusthe mono-components in both studies. Statistically significant improvements in SGRQ total scoreversusthe mono-components were only seen for tiotropium+olodaterol FDC 5/5 μg. Incidence of adverse events was comparable between the FDCs and the mono-components.

These studies demonstrated significant improvements in lung function and health-related quality of life with once-daily tiotropium+olodaterol FDCversusmono-components over 1 year in patients with moderate to very severe COPD.
Radial endobronchial ultrasound images for ground-glass opacity pulmonary lesions
Authors: Izumo Takehiro , Sasada Shinji , Chavez Christine , Matsumoto Yuji , Tsuchida Takaaki
Published: January 2015

Radial endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) is a useful tool for precise localisation of peripheral pulmonary lesions, but there have been no detailed reports about the use of R-EBUS images for ground-glass opacity (GGO).

The R-EBUS images of 116 patients with GGO, who were diagnosed as having adenocarcinoma by R-EBUS with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS), were compared with the respective chest computed tomography findings. In 103 patients, R-EBUS images were correlated with the histological surgical specimens.

R-EBUS images of GGO were identified based on the internal structure of the lesion and classified into two groups. Blizzard showed an enlarged, diffuse hyperintense acoustic shadow. Mixed blizzard showed a combination of blizzard and some diffuse heterogeneity with several hyperechoic dots and vessels. All pure GGO lesions (nine out of nine) were blizzard on R-EBUS. For part-solid GGOs, the percentage of mixed blizzard was inversely related to the amount of the GGO component. Histological findings from surgery revealed that all blizzard lesions were on the spectrum of adenocarcinomain situto well differentiated adenocarcinoma while majority (33 out of 64) of mixed blizzard lesions were moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.

R-EBUS types are important to locate GGOs prior to transbronchial sampling with EBUS-GS.