bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systemic lupus erythematosus patients in the low-latitude plateau of China: altitudinal influences
Authors: Qian G , Ran X , Zhou C X , Deng D Q , Zhang P L , Guo Y , Luo J H , Zhou X H , Xie H , Cai M
Published: July 2014

The current study was to investigate the features of hospitalized patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at different altitudes. The correlation between SLE activity and altitudinal variations was also explored. Medical records of 1029 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Activity of SLE in each organ system was recorded using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). There was no significant correlation between SLE activity and altitudes ( r = 0.003, p = 0.159). Age at onset for SLE patients at high altitudes was significantly younger than that at low and moderate altitudes ( p = 0.022 and p = 0.004, respectively). Age at SLE admission at low altitudes was significant older than those at moderate and high altitudes ( p = 0.011 and p < 0.001, respectively). Patients at high altitudes had shorter duration from disease onset to admission than those at moderate altitudes ( p = 0.009). Incidence of Sm antibodies-positive for resident patients at high altitudes was 36.4%, which were higher than that at moderate altitudes ( p = 0.003). We found increasing trends of CNS activity in active patients; immunological and renal activities in inactive patients were correlated with elevated altitudes ( p = 0.024, p = 0.004, p = 0.005), while arthritis scores in active patients showed the tendency of decreasing with the rise of elevation ( p = 0.002). Hemoglobin level, red blood cell and platelet counts at high altitudes were significantly lower than those at low altitudes ( p < 0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference in hemoglobin level between moderate- and low-altitude groups ( p > 0.05). No significant difference in platelet counts between moderate- and high-altitude groups was observed ( p > 0.05). Our findings suggest that some clinical features, laboratory tests and activity of main organs in SLE are influenced by altitudes. Furthermore, organ activities of active and inactive SLE patients have different patterns of altitudinal variations. These distinctive variations likely reveal that peculiar environmental factors at high altitudes can affect the development of SLE.
Comments on the paper “Are altered states of consciousness detrimental, useful or helpful for the origins of symbolic cognition? A response to Hodgson and Lewis Williams”, by T Froese, A Woodward and T Ikegami
Authors: Helvenston Patricia
Published: July 2014

The purpose of these comments is to correct some mischaracterizations of my work with Paul Bahn that Froese et al. make in their latest paper “Are altered states of consciousness detrimental, useful or helpful for the origins of symbolic cognition? A response to Hodgson and Lewis-Williams”. Additionally I discuss neuropsychological errors occurring in that paper.
Mixed human/entity games and the anomalous effects of misattributing strategic agency
Authors: Frey Seth
Published: July 2014

People sometimes make better decisions either by treating inanimate objects like strategic reasoners or by treating other reasoners as if they were inanimate objects. I advance “strategic agenthood attribution” as a psychological mechanism for modulating economic behavior. From a design perspective, inducing or suppressing the attribution of strategic abilities can influence aggregate social outcomes. Drawing from experiments in behavioral and institutional economics, developmental and social psychology, and human–robot interaction, I document human strategic reasoning in environments that mix typical adult humans with other kinds of entities. I then discuss anomalous misattributions of strategic agenthood and non-agenthood, with special attention to settings in which two types of error—either attributing strategic reasoning abilities to objects that can’t think, or failing to attribute such abilities to typical human subjects—actually led to better economic outcomes. Because over- and under-mentalizing are endemic to human decision-making processes, game theory can be applied to improve interaction design, whether or not a given interaction is a game. I show that the flexible nature of human agenthood attribution increases the scope of game theory in some places, reduces it elsewhere, and generally introduces behavioral economics as a promising source of theory for human interactions with equivocal agents.
Transition Planning for Youth With Special Health Care Needs (YSHCN) in Illinois Schools
Authors: Bargeron Jodie , Contri Darcy , Gibbons Linda J. , Ruch-Ross Holly S. , Sanabria Kathy
Published: July 2014

“Transition Planning for Youth with Special Health Care Needs (YSHCN)” chronicles the research and work completed by agencies in Illinois to provide examples of best practice in transition planning. Increasing numbers of YSHCN survive into adulthood creating a need for focus on the transition to adult life for these young people, including meeting health care needs. As a part of the Transitions project, the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the University of Illinois at Chicago Division of Specialized Care for Children surveyed Illinois public high schools to identify transition planning efforts, staff training needs and used those results to develop and implement training. A natural way to organize health services is by integration with school transition services. The credentialed school nurse would be the ideal person to contribute to the development of the health care transition plans based on the student’s heath care provider’s medical management plan.
Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents
Authors: La Greca Annette M. , Ingles Candido J. , Lai Betty S. , Marzo Juan C.
Published: July 2014

Social anxiety is a common psychological disorder that often emerges during adolescence and is associated with significant impairment. Efforts to prevent social anxiety disorder require sound assessment measures for identifying anxious youth, especially those from minority backgrounds. We examined the factorial invariance and latent mean differences of the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A) across gender and age groups in Hispanic American adolescents ( N = 1,191; 56% girls; 15-18 years) using multigroup confirmatory factor analyses. Results indicated that the factorial configuration of the correlated three-factor model of the SAS-A was invariant across gender and age. Analyses of latent mean differences revealed that boys exhibited higher structured means than girls on the Social Avoidance and Distress–General (SAD-General) subscale. On all SAS-A subscales, Fear of Negative Evaluation, Social Avoidance and Distress-New, and SAD-General, estimates of the structured means decreased with adolescent age. Implications for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Assessment of Postpartum Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Williamson J Austin , O’Hara Michael W. , Stuart Scott , Hart Kimberly J. , Watson David
Published: July 2014

Assessing postpartum depressive symptoms is complicated by the fact that irritability, fatigue, insomnia, and appetite disruptions are also related to normative aspects of the childbearing process. We used multigroup confirmatory factor analysis to compare symptoms in 271 postpartum women with those of 820 non-postpartum women. We found that (a) irritability, insomnia, fatigue, and appetite loss were substantially associated with depressed mood among postpartum women whereas increased appetite was not; (b) irritability, insomnia, fatigue, and appetite changes were as strongly related to depression among postpartum women as they were among non-postpartum women; and (c) after controlling for overall depressed mood, postpartum women reported more irritability, insomnia, and appetite loss than the non-postpartum women. Irritability, fatigue, insomnia, and appetite loss are valid indicators and should be used to measure postpartum depressive symptoms. However, scores on these symptoms should be adjusted downward to account for their higher baseline rates in the postpartum population.
The Association of Gender, Ethnicity, Age, and Education With Rorschach Scores
Authors: Meyer Gregory J. , Giromini Luciano , Viglione Donald J. , Reese Jennifer B. , Mihura Joni L.
Published: July 2014

We examined the association of gender, ethnicity, age, and education with 60 Rorschach scores using three clinical and nonclinical samples of adults and youths ( ns = 640, 249, and 241). As anticipated for our data sets, there were no reliable associations for gender, ethnicity, or adult age. However, in adults years of education was associated with variables indicative of complexity, the articulation of subtlety and nuance, cognitive synthesis, and coping resources. In the clinical sample of youths, increasing age was primarily associated with more conventional perception and less illogical thought processes. Limitations are discussed in conjunction with further research that could address them, along with implications for applied practice.
Post-Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Davidson Jennilee , Cusimano Michael D. , Bendena William G.
Published: July 2014

It is estimated that 2% of the population from industrialized countries live with lifelong disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and roughly one in four adults are unable to return to work 1 year after injury because of physical or mental disabilities. TBI is a significant public health issue that causes substantial physical and economical repercussions for the individual and society. Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar) were searched with the keywords traumatic brain injury, TBI, genes and TBI, TBI outcome, head injury. Human studies on non-penetrating traumatic brain injuries reported in English were included. To provide health care workers with the basic information for clinical management we summarize and compare the data on post-TBI outcome with regard to the impact of genetic variation: apolipoprotein E (APOE), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), calcium channel, voltage dependent P/Q type, catechol- O-methyltransferase (COMT), dopamine receptor D2 and ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (DRD2 and ANKK1), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), kidney and brain expressed protein (KIBRA), neurofilament, heavy polypeptide (NEFH), endothelial nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), protein phosphatase 3, catalytic subunit, gamma isozyme (PPP3CC), the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene solute carrier family 6 member (SLC6A4) and tumor protein 53 (TP53). It is evident that contradicting results are attributable to the heterogeneity of studies, thus further researches are warranted to effectively assess a relation between genetic traits and clinical outcome following traumatic injuries.
Friction/water depth relationship—In situ observations and its integration in tire/road friction models
Authors: Cerezo V , Do MT , Prevost D , Bouteldja M
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this paper is to provide new experimental evidences about the friction/water depth relationship and to improve the formulation of friction models in terms of consideration of the effect of water depth. Tests are conducted on test tracks. Friction forces are measured by means of a dedicated trailer providing a locked-wheel (full sliding) friction coefficient. The test surfaces are wetted by an on-board wetting system providing water depths varying from 0.1 mm to 1.50 mm. Effect of the road surface texture on the friction/water depth variation is shown and commented. Inputs newly provided by field tests, compared with laboratory tests, are highlighted. The obtained friction/water depths curves are assimilated to Stribeck curves and analyses, assuming conditions of a starved lubricated contact, are conducted to determine the lubrication regimes experienced by the tire/road contact when the road surface changes from dry to wet. A new friction model is formulated using the three-zone description of the tire/road contact area. The formulation is focused on the water drainage term reflected by a so-called hydrodynamic term FHL. It was assumed that FHL is a product of elementary functions expressing the respective effects of water depth, speed, tire tread depth, and road surface macrotexture on water drainage. Form of the elementary functions is derived from experimental evidences and consideration of previous friction models. Fitting of the new model to experimental data is shown and comparison with previous models is discussed.
The changing dynamics of television consumption in the multimedia living room
Authors: D’heer Evelien , Courtois Cédric
Published: July 2014

This increasingly saturated media environment potentially alters how viewers engage with televisual media and with each other. In this respect, we address how mobile devices, such as tablets, have entered our living rooms and alter TV’s social uses and practices. By means of in-depth interviews, we revisit the enquiry of the audience in the living room context, with specific attention to Lull’s typology of social uses. The study shows the use of these mobile Internet devices in front of the TV is integrated in our everyday TV viewing behavior. In addition, we recognize the complex nature of physical and verbal avoidance and affiliation in a multiscreen living room. Participants personally consume media content in the presence of other family members, which allows physical contact but reduces the opportunities for conversation. In addition, these computer technologies allow online sociability, which we label as ‘outbound affiliation’. These tendencies are discussed in a broader understanding of contemporary (media) culture, with a particular focus on the reflexive audience and the related broader process of individualization. In conclusion, we understand the findings as emerging trends that are likely to evolve in the future. In addition, we define the value of traditional audience research as well as the necessity to understand the mediated nature of audience conversations.
The Dr Pheo blog and virtual counselling for rare diseases
Authors: Yu Run
Published: July 2014

Patients with suspected or diagnosed rare diseases face challenges. Their own physicians usually do not have a large experience in a particular rare disease, specialists may not be easily accessible, and medical knowledge on rare diseases is either not readily available or too general to be applied to the patients’ individual situations. As a specialist with experience in pheochromocytoma, I therefore started a blog to disseminate knowledge about the tumour and to discuss readers’ questions about it ( http://drpheo.blogspot.com/ ). Between 2009 and 2014, the blog was viewed 81,223 times and received 1286 comments during the 5-year period. About half of the comments contained mostly questions (questioning comments), including 429 directly on pheochromocytoma (7.5/month). The majority of the questioning comments were about the diagnosis (62%) and natural history (21%) of pheochromocytoma, with the remainder on management (14%) and follow-up or prognosis (4%). Many readers’ comments started with encouraging words about the blog and remarked how difficult it was to find useful information on pheochromocytoma elsewhere. Experience with the Dr Pheo Blog suggests that physician specialist-written blogs are potentially an effective and convenient way of providing pertinent knowledge on rare diseases to the public.
Variables affecting the effects of recasts on L2 pronunciation development
Authors: Saito Kazuya
Published: July 2014

The current study investigated how recasts can promote the L2 pronunciation development of word-initial /ɹ/ by Japanese learners of English in relation to two developmental stages of English /ɹ/ acquisition (i.e. change in second formant [F2] → change in third formant [F3]) as well as four affecting variables (i.e. the amount of recasts and repairs, initial pronunciation levels, explicit articulatory knowledge). In total, 54 Japanese learners of English participated in the study and received 4 hours of form-focused activity. While teachers gave pronunciation-focused recasts to students in the experimental group ( n = 29), no recasts were directed to those in the control group ( n = 25). According to the results of the rating session, which involved 20 native speaker listeners, their positive perception of /ɹ/ was associated with lower F3 values as the primary cue; lower F2 values were demonstrated to be secondary, and less relevant, for listeners’ positive perception of /ɹ/. The results of the ANOVAs showed that whereas the F2 values of both the experimental and control groups equally decreased (i.e. due to the use of the interlanguage strategy), only the experimental group significantly lowered their F3 values (the extent of acquisition). Furthermore, a range of post-hoc analyses found that recast effectiveness was related to the amount of recasts and repairs and initial pronunciation levels.
Strategies for the suspension and prevention of connection: Rendering disconnection as socioeconomic lubricant with Facebook
Authors: Light Ben , Cassidy Elija
Published: July 2014

This article attends to the idea of disconnection as a way of theorising people’s lived experience of social networking sites. Enrolling and extending a disconnective practice lens, we suggest that the disconnective strategies of suspension and prevention are operational necessities for those we might see as the users and owners of sites such as Facebook. Indeed, our work demonstrates that disconnection in these contexts need not be associated only with modes of resistance and departure, but can also act as socioeconomic lubricant.
Prostate Cancer Support Groups
Authors: Oliffe John L. , Chambers Suzanne , Garrett Bernie , Bottorff Joan L. , McKenzie Michael , Han Christina S. , Ogrodniczuk John S.
Published: July 2014

To understand prostate cancer (PCa) specialists’ views about prostate cancer support groups (PCSGs), a volunteer sample of Canada-based PCa specialists ( n = 150), including urologists ( n = 100), radiation oncologists ( n = 40), and medical oncologists ( n = 10) were surveyed. The 56-item questionnaire used in this study included six sets of attitudinal items to measure prostate cancer specialists’ beliefs about positive and negative influences of PCSGs, reasons for attending PCSGs, the attributes of effective PCSGs, and the value of face-to-face and web-based PCSGs. In addition, an open-ended question was included to invite additional input from participants. Results showed that PCSGs were positively valued, particularly for information sharing, education and psychosocial support. Inclusivity, privacy, and accessibility were identified as potential barriers, and recommendations were made for better marketing PCSGs to increase engagement. Findings suggest prostate cancer specialists highly valued the role and potential benefits of face-to-face PCSGs. Information provision and an educational role were perceived as key benefits. Some concerns were expressed about the ability of web-based PCSGs to effectively engage and educate men who experience prostate cancer.
A toxic triangle of destructive leadership at Bristol Royal Infirmary: A study of organizational Munchausen syndrome by proxy
Authors: Fraher Amy L
Published: July 2014

Although leadership literature increasingly recognizes that leadership is a complex, co-creational process among leaders, followers, and context, destructive leadership scholarship has only recently embraced this paradigm. This article contributes to the toxic triangle debate by linking destructive leadership theory and disaster research in a case study of Bristol Royal Infirmary, a UK hospital that experienced a crisis in its pediatric cardiology unit resulting in the death of dozens of babies undergoing surgery. Thus, the article expands the literature on organizational failure by offering an assessment of how seemingly good, well-intentioned professionals can nonetheless create destructive leadership dynamics and proposes a new, more nuanced theoretical framework called organizational Munchausen syndrome by proxy as a way to analyze what went wrong.
Substance Abuse Prevention
Authors: Patestos Chrysanthe , Patterson Kristen , Fitzsimons Virginia
Published: July 2014

As a health care provider, health educator, and school/family/community liaison, the school nurse is in a unique position to act as a change agent for youth substance abuse prevention. This article discusses the roles of the school nurse as they apply to the prevention of substance abuse among school-age children, across a continuum of care model first introduced by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 1994. Through careful assessment, identification of substance abuse risk factors, and promoting the enhancement of protective factors of students, both in and out of the school setting, the school nurse can play a vital role in the prevention of substance abuse. Existing tools, including the IOM Mental Health Intervention Spectrum Model, can be easily adapted to nursing practice and may prove helpful in assisting school nurses in the evaluation and implementation of effective prevention interventions in the school setting.
Managing Concussion in the School Setting
Authors: Valovich McLeod Tamara C.
Published: July 2014

Concussion is a significant injury that can occur in physical education, during recreational activities, and during sports. School nurses should be included as an integral member of the concussion management team and assist with education, evaluation, and management of a concussed student. Recent and updated sport-related concussion management recommendations from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation as published in the March 2014 Journal of Athletic Training are reviewed to provide an understanding of best practices for concussion management in the school setting.
Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Al-Badri Marwa R. , Azar Sami T.
Published: July 2014

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are a class of drugs used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. GLP-1 is released in response to meal intake; these classes of drugs enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion and exhibit other antihyperglycemic effects following their release into the circulation from the gut. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition affecting approximately 2% of the Western population. It is considered to be an autoimmune disease that involves the Th1 pathway and is associated with metabolic syndrome and its components, such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. We have reviewed reports in the literature that indicate a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect of GLP-1 in patients with diabetes or who have insulin resistance and psoriasis.
Quantification of active pharmaceutical ingredient and impurities in sildenafil citrate obtained from the Internet
Authors: Veronin Michael A. , Nutan Mohammad T. , Dodla Uday Krishna Reddy
Published: July 2014

Background:

The accessibility of prescription drugs produced outside of the United States, most notably sildenafil citrate (innovator product, Viagra®), has been made much easier by the Internet. Of greatest concern to clinicians and policymakers is product quality and patient safety. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings to potential buyers that the safety of drugs purchased from the Internet cannot be guaranteed, and may present a health risk to consumers from substandard products.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine whether generic sildenafil citrate tablets from international markets obtained via the Internet are equivalent to the US innovator product regarding major aspects of pharmaceutical quality: potency, accuracy of labeling, and presence and level of impurities. This will help identify aspects of drug quality that may impact public health risks.

Methods:

A total of 15 sildenafil citrate tablets were obtained for pharmaceutical analysis: 14 generic samples from international Internet pharmacy websites and the US innovator product. According to US Pharmacopeial guidelines, tablet samples were tested using high-performance liquid chromatography for potency of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and levels of impurities (impurities A, B, C, and D). Impurity levels were compared with International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) limits.

Results:

Among the 15 samples, 4 samples possessed higher impurity B levels than the ICH qualification threshold, 8 samples possessed higher impurity C levels than the ICH qualification threshold, and 4 samples possessed more than 1% impurity quantity of maximum daily dose (MDD). For API, 6 of the samples failed to fall within the 5% assay limit.

Conclusions:

Quality assurance tests are often used to detect formulation defects of drug products during the manufacturing and/or storage process. Results suggest that manufacturing standards for sildenafil citrate generic drug products compared with the US innovator product are not equivalent with regards to potency and levels of impurities. These findings have implications for safety and effectiveness that should be addressed by clinicians to safeguard consumers who choose to purchase sildenafil citrate and foreign-manufactured drugs, in general, via the Internet.
Yahweh the Dragon: Exploring a Neglected Biblical Metaphor for the Divine Warrior and the Translation of ’Ap
Authors: Kim Brittany , Trimm Charlie
Published: July 2014

In the Hebrew Bible, Yahweh is often depicted as a divine warrior, executing vengeance against his enemies. Some of these texts employ the image of Yahweh as a dragon-like creature who pours forth smoke from his nostrils and fire from his mouth. This article surveys the background of this metaphor by describing deities and monsters that breathe fire in the literature of ancient Greece, Egypt, and Mesopotamia, as well as the dragon-like Leviathan in Job (41.10-13 [Eng. 18-21]). Against this background, the article examines the two texts that most clearly exhibit the metaphor (2 Sam 22.9 // Ps 18.9 [Eng. 8]; Isa 30.27-33) and considers its implications for the translation of ’ap in these and other passages (Isa 42.25; Deut 32.22; Num 11.1). Although the LXX and modern translations uniformly render ’ap as “anger” in most of these passages, this article argues that it is more consonant with the dragon metaphor to translate the term as “nose” or “nostrils” (i.e., “the burning of his nostrils”).
Perspectives on Translating YHWH in Papua New Guinea
Authors: King Phil
Published: July 2014

Translating the word YHWH, the name of God in the Hebrew Bible, is a complex matter involving theological, linguistic, and cultural issues. This article considers six possible broad translation options for this name, and summarises case studies of thirty-one Papua New Guinean Old Testament translation projects, exploring and classifying the choices they have made and the issues that guided those choices. It ends by offering some of the advantages and disadvantages of the different possible translation options, as an aid to other translators working on Old Testament translation.
Alternative Translation of 1 Corinthians 12.2: Unreal (Contra-Factual) Sense of ἂν ἤγεσθε ἀπαγόμενοι
Authors: Lee Yongbom
Published: July 2014

Many English translations follow Blass and Debrunner, taking ἂν ἤγεσθε ἀπαγόμενοι (1 Cor 12.2) in an iterative sense: “You know that, when you were pagans, you were (led astray) to mute idols, as you used to be led astray,” which makes little sense. In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, a past indicative verb is frequently used with the particle ἄν in a non-conditional clause, to indicate an unreal (contra-factual) sense in the past or the present. It makes better sense to translate ἂν ἤγεσθε ἀπαγόμενοι in an unreal (contra-factual) sense in the present—“but you are not led astray now!”
Multi-Ethnicity and Material Exchanges in Late Medieval Tallinn
Authors: Naum Magdalena
Published: July 2014

This article examines the cultural and social dynamics of a multi-ethnic medieval town. Taking the lower town of Tallinn as a case study, this paper identifies the major urban ethnic groups living in the town and discusses their co-existence, self-definition, and processes of categorization. It explores ambiguities arising from daily interactions in the shared physical landscape of the town, such as material exchanges, and the development of new technological solutions, and the simultaneous insistence on maintenance of sharp inter-group boundaries. As material culture plays a significant role in the negotiation of identities and in visualizing sameness and difference, emphasis is placed on the ways objects were used in the daily lives of Tallinn's multi-ethnic communities.
Characterisation of vascularisation of scaffolds for tissue engineering
Authors: Arkudas A. , Beier J. P. , Boccaccini A. R. , Horch R. E.
Published: July 2014

Vascularisation of scaffolds is now recognised as a crucial requirement for the success of tissue engineering strategies. This review summarises the state-of-the-art in the techniques available for the in vivo assessment of vascularisation of scaffolds with focus on growth factor delivering scaffolds, microfabrication technologies and in vivo characterisation methods based on the arteriovenous loop model to create three dimensionally vascularised tissue replacements.
Determination of corneal biomechanical properties in vivo: a review
Authors: Gatzioufas Z. , Seitz B.
Published: July 2014

Corneal biomechanical properties are essential for the early detection of corneal ectatic disease such as keratoconus, as well as for predicting and evaluating the visual outcome in corneal refractive surgery, the risk for corneal ectasia and the response to corneal collagen cross-linking. Advances in measurement of corneal biomechanical properties have the potential to enhance early keratoconus diagnosis, enable personalised, procedure specific ectasia risk assessment and optimise cross-linking treatment for stopping progression of corneal ectatic disease. Current corneal imaging technology provides an accurate anatomical and topographical analysis of the cornea, which is the ‘gold standard’ for the diagnosis of corneal ectatic disease and the preoperative screening in refractive surgery. Until recently, evaluation of corneal biomechanics was feasible only in vitro, since the technology required for in vivo analysis was not available. However, in the recent years, there have been developed methods that enable an accurate in vivo analysis of corneal biomechanics, thereby introducing a new era in corneal diagnostics and corneal refractive surgery.
Application of secondary ion mass spectrometry to biomaterials, proteins and cells: A concise review
Authors: Yang J. , Gilmore I.
Published: July 2014

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is a powerful tool to probe the chemical and structural information of the top a few monolayers of a surface. The surface of a biomaterial that is in contact with a biological environment plays a critical role in interacting with its surroundings. Much research has been focusing on modifying the surface chemistry of a biomaterial to exert desirable cellular response such as adhesion, proliferation, migration and differentiation. Surface characterisation is essential to assess the properties of the modified surfaces. The properties of a surface also influence the protein adsorbed onto it. The adsorbed proteins play a vital role in mediating cellular response. Secondary ion mass spectrometry can be used to probe the identity, orientation, conformation and spatial distribution of this adsorbed layer. With the introduction of large cluster ions such as [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] , the yield of high mass molecular ions has been greatly enhanced. In addition, large cluster ion beams cause minimum damage to subsurface, which makes molecular depth profiling possible. The ability of eroding materials away without causing chemical damage to the subsurface has realised the three-dimensional molecular imaging of multilayered polymer structures, drug loaded polymers and cells. The subject of this review is the applications of SIMS to biomaterials, surface adsorbed proteins and biological materials.
Extrusion behaviour of AZ91 Mg alloy produced by spark plasma sintering
Authors: Augusto de Oliveira Botelho P. , Straffelini G. , Menapace C. , Mostaed E. , Vedani M.
Published: July 2014

Within a wide project aiming at the production of fully bioabsorbable endovascular stents, cylindrical preforms of the AZ91 Mg alloy produced by SPS were submitted to hot extrusion tests. It has been found that hot extrusion produced a consolidation of the material accompanied by the occurrence of dynamic recrystallisation and a corresponding noticeable grain refinement. The microstructural characterisation revealed that the optimal extrusion conditions were 380°C and 20 mm min−1. Hot compression tests were also carried out to help in the explanation of the extrusion results and, in particular, to evaluate the friction coefficient during extrusion. It has been found that the lubrication should be improved to further optimise the process and obtain a product with superior quality.
Steady and unsteady state peritectic solidification
Authors: Castanho M. A. P. , Goulart P. R. , Brito C. , Spinelli J. E. , Cheung N. , Garcia A.
Published: July 2014

In the present study, Pb–Bi as a model of alloys from peritectic systems was directionally solidified under transient heat flow conditions, which is the class of heat flow encompassing the majority of industrial solidification processes. Some experiments were also carried out in a vertical tube furnace under cooling rates closer to equilibrium during solidification in order to broaden the range of solidification parameters. Thermal parameters such as the tip growth rate ( VL) and the cooling rate [Formula: see text] were experimentally determined and correlated with the primary (λ1) and secondary (λ2) dendrite arm spacings by experimental growth laws. It is shown that the proposed growth laws are able to encompass also the growth of dendritic branches during steady state growth from the melt.
How Should a Catholic Hospice Respond to Patients who Choose to Voluntarily Stop Eating and Drinking in Order to Hasten Death?
Authors: Cavanagh Maureen
Published: July 2014

The practice of voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) in order to hasten death poses a unique problem for the Catholic hospice. Hospice staff may be confronted with patients already on their service who decide to pursue this option for ending their lives. Patients not on hospice service who are contemplating VSED are often advised to contact hospice for symptom palliation associated with the process of VSED. Intentionally hastening death not only violates the sanctity of human life and the Ethical and Religious Directives the Catholic hospice is bound to uphold, but it also runs counter to the general philosophy that hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. At the same time, hospice programs have a strong philosophy of nonabandonment of patients. This article will analyze the ethical issues from the perspective of the Catholic tradition and suggest strategies for the Catholic hospice to respond to this group of patients.
Alpine oxidation of lithium micas in Permian S-type granites
(Gemeric unit, Western Carpathians, Slovakia)
Authors: Petrík I. , Čík Š. , Miglierini M. , Vaculovič T. , Dianiška I. , Ozdín D.
Published: July 2014

Lithium micas of the zinnwaldite and phengite–Li-phengite series occur as
characteristic minerals in Permian Li-F-(P) granites of the western Gemeric
unit (Western Carpathians) accompanied by topaz, tourmaline, Nb, Ta, Ti, Sn
oxides and aluminophosphates. The calculated Li2O contents of all
the mica analysed, together with Rb2O and Cs2O were
confirmed by LA-ICP-MS analyses for all the identified micas. Samples from
three localities were investigated: two surficial (Surovec, Vrchsúl’ová);
and one drill hole (Dlhá dolina). Zinnwaldite (polylithionite) occurs in the
upper level of the Dlhá dolina granitic intrusion and in the nearby shallow
satellite body of Surovec. The lower level porphyritic granites contain only
siderophyllite. The Vrchsúl’ ová micas are closer in composition to
Li-annite and siderophyllite. Dioctahedral micas are mostly phengites,
although zinnwaldite-bearing granites are rich in late-crystallizing
Li-phengite, which extensively replaces earlier zinnwaldite. The secondary
Liphengite and phengite are interpreted as products of Alpine metamorphism
during Cretaceous burial and subsequent exhumation of the Gemeric unit.
Reactions are suggested explaining the formation of Li-phengite by reaction
of zinnwaldite with phengite or with muscovite. All mica types were
investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy, which showed high degrees of
oxidation (25–50% Fe3+ of total Fe) with the exception of
zinnwaldite from Vrchsúl’ová, which may have preserved an original, reduced
value of 10%. The metamorphic assemblage present permitted calculation of
P-T-X conditions: T = 184°C,
P = 320 MPa, with oxidation of siderophyllite to
phengite + goethite and fO2 at ΔNN = 4.7, confirming the low-grade conditions of the
Alpine metamorphism in agreement with previous estimates.
Tangdanite, a new mineral species from the Yunnan Province,
China and the discreditation of ‘clinotyrolite’
Authors: Zhesheng Ma , Guowu Li , Chukanov N. V. , Poirier G. , Nicheng Shi
Published: July 2014

Tangdanite, ideally
Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(SO4)0.5(OH)9·9H2O
and monoclinic, is a new mineral species (IMA No. 2011-096) occurring in the
Tangdan and Nanniping mines, southeast Dongchuan copper mining district,
Dongchuan County, Kunming City Prefecture, Yunnan Province, P. R. China
(26°11’N 103°51’E). The mineral is found in the oxidized zone (gossan) of an
As-bearing Cu sulfide deposit and is clearly of supergene origin. Associated
minerals are chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, covellite, tennantite,
enargite, cuprite, malachite, azurite, copper and brochantite. Crystals form
radiating or foliated aggregates of flaky crystals up to 3 mm, flattened
parallel to (100) and elongated along [001]. It is emerald green with a
light green streak, translucent and has a pearly to silky lustre. It is
sectile having perfect cleavage on {100} although neither parting nor
fracture was observed. No fluorescence in long- or short-wave ultraviolet
radiation was observed. The hardness is VHN50 42.0−43.6, mean
42.8 kg mm−2 (2−2½ on the Mohs scale). The density measured by
pycnometry is 3.22 g cm−3 (Ma et al., 1980). The
calculated density from the empirical chemical formula is 3.32 g
cm−3. The compatability index gives 1 −
(Kp/Kc) = −0.041 (good). The empirical formula
(based on 36 O a.p.f.u) of tangdanite is
Ca2.05Cu9.08(As1.03O4)4(S0.63O4)0.5(OH)9·9H2.04O.
The simplified formula is
Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(SO4)0.5(OH)9·9H2O.
The strongest five reflections in the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern
[d in Å(I) (hkl)] are:
4.782(100) ( 1 1),
4.333(71) (6 0 2), 5.263(54) ( 0 2),
3.949(47) (8 0 2) and 2.976(46) ( 1 1). The
unit-cell parameters are a = 54.490(9), b
= 5.5685(9), c = 10.4690(17) Å, β = 96.294(3)o,
V = 3157.4(9) Å3, Z = 4. Its
structure was solved and refined in space group C2/c, with
R = 0.110.
Vapnikite Ca3UO6 – a new double-perovskite
mineral from pyrometamorphic larnite rocks of the Jabel Harmun, Palestinian
Autonomy, Israel
Authors: Galuskin E. V. , Galuskina I. O. , Kusz J. , Armbruster T. , Marzec K. M. , Dzierżanowski P. , Murashko M.
Published: July 2014

The new mineral species vapnikite, Ca3UO6, was found
in larnite pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Formation at Jabel Harmun
in the Judean desert, Palestinian Autonomy, Israel. Vapnikite is an analogue
of the synthetic ordered double-perovskite β-Ca3UO6
and is isostructural with the natural fluorperovskite – cryolite
Na3AlF6. Vapnikite Ca3UO6
(P21/n, Z = 2,
a = 5.739(1), b = 5.951(1),
c = 8.312(1) Å, β = 90.4(1)°, V =
283.9(1) Å3) forms yellow-brown xenomorphic grains with a strong
vitreous lustre. Small grains up to 20−30 µm in size are wedged between
larnite, brownmillerite and ye’elimite. Vapnikite has irregular fracture,
cleavage and parting were not observed. The calculated density is 5.322 g
cm−3, the microhardness is VHN25 = 534 kg
mm−2 (mean of seven measurements) corresponding to the
hardness of ∼5 on the Mohs scale. The crystal structure of vapnikite
Ca3UO6 differs from that of its synthetic analogue
β-Ca3UO6 by having a larger degree of Ca, U
disorder. Vapnikite formed at the high-temperature retrograde stage of
pyrometamorphism when larnite rocks were altered by fluids/melts of high
alkalinity.
Growth of continental crust: a balance between preservation and recycling
Authors: Condie K. C.
Published: July 2014

One of the major obstacles to our understanding of the growth of continental crust is that of estimating the balance between extraction rate of continental crust from the mantle and its recycling rate back into the mantle. As a first step it is important to learn more about how and when juvenile crust is preserved in orogens. The most abundant petrotectonic assemblage preserved in orogens (both collisional and accretionary) is the continental arc, whereas oceanic terranes (arcs, crust, mélange, Large Igneous Provinces, etc.) comprise <10%; the remainder comprises older, reworked crust. Most of the juvenile crust in orogens is found in continental arc assemblages. Our studies indicate that most juvenile crust preserved in orogens was produced during the ocean-basin closing stage and not during the collision. However, the duration of ocean-basin closing is not a major control on the fraction of juvenile crust preserved in orogens; regardless of the duration of subduction, the fraction of juvenile crust preserved reaches a maximum of ∼50%. Hafnium and Nd isotopic data indicate that reworking dominates in external orogens during supercontinent breakup, whereas during supercontinent assembly, external orogens change to retreating modes where greater amounts of juvenile crust are produced. The most remarkable feature of εNd (sedimentary rocks and granitoids) and εHf (detrital zircons) distributions through time is how well they agree with each other. The ratio of positive to negative εNd and eHf does not increase during supercontinent assembly (coincident with zircon age peaks), which suggests that supercontinent assembly is not accompanied by enhanced crustal production. Rather, the zircon age peaks probably result from enhanced preservation of juvenile crust. Valleys between zircon age peaks probably reflect recycling of continental crust into the mantle during supercontinent breakup. Hafnium isotopic data from zircons that have mantle sources, Nd isotopic data from detrital sedimentary rocks and granitoids and whole-rock Re depletion ages of mantle xenoliths collectively suggest that ≥70% of the continental crust was extracted from the mantle between 3500 and 2500 Ma.
Lead-antimony sulfosalts from Tuscany (Italy). XV.
(Tl-Ag)-bearing rouxelite from Monte Arsiccio mine: occurrence and crystal
chemistry
Authors: Biagioni C. , Moëlo Y. , Orlandi P.
Published: July 2014

A third world occurrence of rouxelite, ideally
Cu2HgPb22Sb28S64(O,S)2,
has been identified from the baryte-pyrite-Fe oxides ore of Monte Arsiccio
mine, near Sant’Anna di Stazzema (Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy). Rouxelite
occurs as mm-sized acicular crystals, black in colour, with bluish-violet
iridescence, in vugs of carbonate + baryte + quartz veins embedded in
dolostones from the Sant’Olga tunnel. It is associated with Tl-bearing
chovanite, sphalerite and valentinite. Its X-ray powder diffraction pattern
gives unit-cell parameters a = 43.10(2), b
= 4.060(2), c = 37.88(2) Å, β = 117.33(2)°,
V = 5889(5) Å3. Electron-microprobe data
reveal a complex chemistry, with additional minor elements (wt.%): Tl
(0.6–1.7), Ag (0.4–0.6), As (0.2–0.6) and Bi (≤0.05). This indicates a
widespread substitution of Hg by Ag, according to Hg + Pb = Ag + Sb and
incorporation of Tl, with some Ag, according to 2Pb = Sb + (Tl, Ag). The
occurrence of mixed (Hg, Ag) and (Hg, Cu) sites in natural sulfides and
sulfosalts is briefly reviewed. The Tl-content of the samples studied is a
characteristic fingerprint agreeing with the Tl-rich nature of the mineral
assemblage from Monte Arsiccio. Rouxelite therefore constitutes a new
example of a Tl-bearing sulfosalt.
The sialyltransferase ST3GAL6 influences homing and survival in multiple myeloma
Authors: Glavey Siobhan V. , Manier Salomon , Natoni Alessandro , Sacco Antonio , Moschetta Michele , Reagan Michaela R. , Murillo Laura S. , Sahin Ilyas , Wu Ping , Mishima Yuji , Zhang Yu , Zhang Wenjing , Zhang Yong , Morgan Gareth , Joshi Lokesh , Roccaro Aldo M. , Ghobrial Irene M. , O’Dwyer Michael E.
Published: July 2014

Key Points

Knockdown of the sialyl-transferase, ST3GAL6, in MM inhibits in vivo homing and prolongs survival in xenograft mice. In MM patients, high expression of ST3GAL6 is associated with inferior overall survival.
Changes in serum creatinine in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis treated with tofacitinib: results from clinical trials
Authors: Isaacs John D , Zuckerman Andrea , Krishnaswami Sriram , Nduaka Chudy , Lan Shuping , Hutmacher Matthew M , Boy Mary G , Kowalski Ken , Menon Sujatha , Riese Richard
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Small increases in mean serum creatinine (SCr) were observed in studies of rheumatoid arthritis patients during tofacitinib treatment. These SCr changes were investigated and potential mechanisms explored.

Methods

SCr values and renal adverse event data were pooled from five Phase 3 and two long-term extension (LTE) studies. Dose-response relationships and association with inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP)) were explored using Phase 2 data and confirmed with Phase 3 data.

Results

In Phase 3, least squares mean SCr differences from placebo at Month 3 were 0.02 and 0.04 mg/dl for tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg twice daily (BID) (P <0.05), respectively. During Months 0 to 3, confirmed SCr ≥33% increases over baseline were reported in 17 (1.4%; 5 mg BID) and 23 (1.9%; 10 mg BID) patients. Generally, elevations plateaued and remained within normal limits throughout Phase 3 and LTE studies. Exposure-response modeling demonstrated small, reversible effects of tofacitinib on mean SCr, and significant (P <0.05) effects of CRP on model parameters. Phase 3 data confirmed that patients with higher baseline CRP or greater CRP decreases following tofacitinib treatment had the largest increases in SCr. Across Phase 3 and LTE studies, 22 tofacitinib-treated patients had clinical acute renal failure (ARF), predominantly in the setting of concurrent serious illness.

Conclusions

Tofacitinib treatment was associated with small, reversible mean increases in SCr that plateaued early. The mechanism behind these SCr changes remains unknown, but may involve effects of tofacitinib on inflammation. ARF occurred infrequently, was associated with concurrent serious illness, and was unrelated to prior SCr increases.