bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pour des savoirs fertiles
Authors: Nouilhan Michèle
Published: January 2016

Dans la complexité des savoirs, l’enseignement des mythes grecs est au carrefour de nombreuses disciplines, il fait un pont entre le proche et le lointain et illustre les pouvoirs de la fiction.
The Challenge of International Market Segmentation in Emerging Markets
Authors: Nacar Ramazan , Uray Nimet
Published: January 2016

Increasing paradoxical effects of globalization resulted in the increased homogenization and heterogenization of international markets. Globalization with its varying effects also increased the significance of international market segmentation over the last few decades. Despite the increased presence and usage of international market segmentation, in recent times, the rise of emerging markets have challenged the concepts and methods of international market segmentation. In order to address key issues of international market segmentation in emerging markets, this study briefly examined and assessed foremost conceptual and methodological issues of international market segmentation in emerging markets. Suggestions and future research directions are also provided.
A Perspective of Cross-Cultural Psychological Studies for Global Business
Authors: Yama Hiroshi
Published: January 2016

Some may still have a stereotypical image that Japanese employees work like a robot, and achieved the industrial development even though they are not logical thinkers. This chapter is against this based on the latest cross-cultural studies. The conclusions are as follows. (1) Even if Japanese appears to be illogical in the sense that they are less likely to do rule-based thinking, this does not means that they are less intelligent. (2) Easterners are more likely to do dialectical thinking. (3) Easterners' naïve dialecticism is strongly associated with cultural tradition, and it is plausible that it has been developed in a high-context culture. (4) Japanese people may have a collectivist culture, and it is not an undeveloped culture comparing with an individualist culture as shown in the case of ‘nemawashi'. Finally, it is proposed that the distinction between Westerners' low-context culture and Easterners' high-context culture provide important implications for globalizing business and that the notions of global mindset and ‘glocal' are important for international business.
Malaysia–US Bilateral Relations in the Aftermath of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Mukhtaruddin Mas Juliana
Published: January 2016

Malaysia–United States relations are enormously significant. From the perspective of the US Department of State, Malaysia is a significant player at both the regional and international levels. The world financial crisis that began in the US at the end of 2007 moderately affected the Malaysian economy. While the US was at the center of the crisis, Malaysia felt its effects as one of Asia's export-reliant economies. Regarding the implications of the crisis, some tangible evidence has been evaluated. The fourth quarter of 2008 was devastating for the world's advanced economies, including the US, and Malaysia's external trade-related sectors were severely struck. The primary reason for this visible effect was a disruption in the trade demand. Against this background, this paper examines the aftermath of the world financial crisis on the relations between Kuala Lumpur and Washington, particularly on the political and economic bilateral ties.
Open Access Policies
Authors: Wahid Ratnaria , Mat Bakri
Published: January 2016

Scholarly publishing is central to the efficiency of research, dissemination of research findings and diffusion of scientific and technical knowledge. Studies however reported that gaining access to published research findings is still a problem due to the increasing costs of journal subscription, a system protected by copyright law. This chapter briefly explains open access and explores its strengths and weaknesses. It further explains why the UK accepted the Finch Report recommendations to encourage innovations by enabling more people to read and use research publications. This chapter emphasizes that the benefit of open access policy as an incentive to enhance innovation must be encountered with caution as it will bring varying implications for different countries and disciplines. It also argues that although those involved in scholarly publishing have the right to be fairly compensated, they also have the moral obligation to ensure its dissemination for the benefit of public interest.
The Quest for Security in India-ASEAN Relations
Authors: Osman Nazariah , Mahalik Debendra
Published: January 2016

The international system becomes conscious of striving for a new security structure in the world, moving away from archaic Cold War paradigms. The modern states are engaged in a process of dialogue and discussion with their friends and partners to help shape a new security environment free of confrontation and strain. India's security cooperation with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can also include this theme. The nature of the global village has made it necessary to tackle even non-military issues of security in a comprehensive manner in general and those of the region of South and Southeast Asia in particular. India-ASEAN convergence of security interest is not only of great strategic importance for the Southeast Asian region but also for Asian security as a whole. This chapter attempts to view ASEAN-Indian security relations from the perspective of India's ‘Look East Policy' and ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) for regional peace and stability. The present chapter outlines three looming aspects which shaped the outlook for India-ASEAN current security relations: a) complex geo-strategic and security interdependence in the case of conventional security; b) securitisation of non-conventional security threats through institutional mechanisms; c) cooperative security imperative for ‘Greater Asian' security through multilateral engagement. By highlighting current security challenges, this chapter also attempts to look at the possible policy approaches that India and ASEAN may have to adopt so that their security cooperation is not merely sustained but also evolves further into a credible pillar of regional security engagement within the Asian setting.
Optimization of Holding Time on Microwave Irradiation of the Composite Iron-Chromium Reinforced with Alumina Particle
Authors: Rahman W. , Shamsul J.B. , Mohd Noor Mazlee
Published: January 2016

In this study, the effect of holding time on the microwave sintered 84Fe-11Cr-5Al2O3 metal matrix composite (MMC) was investigated. Sintering was carried out in a tubular microwave furnace HAMiLab-V3 under N2 atmosphere. The holding time was selected between 0 to 75 minutes with increment of 15 minutes respectively. A study of microstructure and physical properties was carried out on sintered samples. It was discovered that, when the samples sintered at 1400oC with 20oC/min heating rate, the hardness was significantly increased from 110Hv to 160 Hv for holding time ranging from 30 to 45oC/min. Further increment until 75 minutes of holding time, no significant changes were obtained and hardness values were at steady state. The enhancement of bulk density and reduction of porosity were observed commences at 30 minutes until 45 minutes holding time. However, the results showed that the optimum holding time was at 45 minutes where the micro hardness is at the highest point which is about 160Hv.
Mechanical and Microstructure Characterization of Aluminium-Copper (Al-Cu) Reinforced with In Situ Titanium Diboride (TiB2)
Authors: Rosmamuhamadani R. , Sulaiman Sreenivasan , Mohamed Ariff Azmah Hanim , Ismail M.I.S. , Talari Mahesh
Published: January 2016

Aluminium based in-situ metal matrix composites (MMCs) have better properties and performance when compared to ex-situ MMCs. In this research, aluminium-copper (Al-Cu) alloy was reinforced with 1 to 6wt.% titanium diboride (TiB2). Al-MMCs has been fabricated with salt route reaction process at 800 °C via potassium hexafluorotitanate (K2TiF6) and potassium tetrafluoroborate (KBF4) salts. Al-Cu composites reinforced with 1,2, 3 and 6wt.% TiB2 then will be characterized their mechanical properties and microstructure. From results obtained, increased TiB2 contents will increased the value of tensile and hardness properties of Al-Cu alloy. The composites synthesized using in-situ techniques exhibit the presence a uniform distribution of reinforcement that tends to be fine and associated with a clean interface with the metallic matrix. In order to achieve a good mechanical and wear properties it is important to control Al3Ti phase formation during the synthesis of in situ Al-Cu/TiB2 composites.
Treated Oil Palm Ash as Precursor in the Zeolite Synthesis
Authors: Pa Faizul Che , Chik Abdullah , Bari Md. Fazlul
Published: January 2016

In this study, the ability of treated oil palm ash aided with kaolin powder to produce zeolites is studied. The palm ash has been treated with citric acid via a leaching process to get rid of the metallic impurities in it. The usage of treated oil palm ash in the zeolites conversion seems to be an option for waste materials management. Characterization of treated oil palm ash from Malaysia’s palm oil plantation has been cleared. The treated oil palm ash and kaolin powder are used as the starting material for the synthesis of zeolites materials. The method chose for the zeolites conversion is alkaline hydrothermal treatment. The chemical composition, crystalline phases and elemental composition of treated oil palm ash and as-synthesized samples were characterized and studied. From the analysis, the treated oil palm ash was a fertile source of silica and exists as quartz phase. The outcomes have significant motivation for the production of zeolites by using low cost material such as treated oil palm ash.
The Effects on Cure Characteristics, Physico-Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Bamboo Activated Carbon Filled Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Vulcanizates
Authors: Munirah N.R. , Noriman N.Z. , Zakaria Muhammad Salihin , Kamarudin Hussin , Fatin M.H. , Ting Sam Sung , Mustafa Al Bakri A.M. , Rosniza H.
Published: January 2016

The role of activated carbon (AC) in rubber compounds was investigated to better understand the reinforcing mechanism. The activated carbon filled styrene butadiene rubber vulcanizates (SBR-AC) using bamboo activated carbon as filler were prepared by using two-roll mill and cured at 160 °C. AC filler loading from 10 to 50 phr (part per hundred rubber) were used in this study. Study into the influences of filler loading on the cure characteristics, swelling behavior, physical properties (hardness and resilience), mechanical properties (tensile properties) and morphology of SBR-AC vulcanizates were carried out. It was observed that SBR-AC vulcanizates has better cure characteristics compared to the styrene butadiene rubber gum vulcanizate (SBR-GV) which is a non-filled vulcanizate. The results showed that the scorch time (ts2) decreased with increasing filler loading. The cure time (tc90) slightly decreased up to 20 phr before a rise as the filler loading increased. The minimum torque (ML) of SBR vulcanizate increased and the maximum torque (MH) decreased up to 20 phr but then increased with increasing filler loading. The cure rate index (CRI) of SBR-GV vulcanizate was higher than that of all SBR-AC vulcanizates. Up to 20 phr of filler loading, the CRI increased before a decline occurred as the filler loading increased. As expected, the hardness value of SBR-AC vulcanizates was higher compared to SBR-GV vulcanizate which has lower resilience. The hardness and crosslink density showed an increasing trend meanwhile the resilience was adversely affected by the increase in filler loading. The tensile properties of SBR-AC vulcanizates also showed improvement in which the tensile strength and modulus at 100% elongation (M100) increased with increasing filler content. It has been proved in morphology study of the tensile fracture surfaces. Bamboo activated carbon showed some potential enhancement on the reinforcing and physical properties as well as mechanical properties of the vulcanizates.
The Length Distribution of Class I–Restricted T Cell Epitopes Is Determined by Both Peptide Supply and MHC Allele–Specific Binding Preference
Authors: Trolle Thomas , McMurtrey Curtis P. , Sidney John , Bardet Wilfried , Osborn Sean C. , Kaever Thomas , Sette Alessandro , Hildebrand William H. , Nielsen Morten , Peters Bjoern
Published: January 2016

HLA class I–binding predictions are widely used to identify candidate peptide targets of human CD8+ T cell responses. Many such approaches focus exclusively on a limited range of peptide lengths, typically 9 aa and sometimes 9–10 aa, despite multiple examples of dominant epitopes of other lengths. In this study, we examined whether epitope predictions can be improved by incorporating the natural length distribution of HLA class I ligands. We found that, although different HLA alleles have diverse length-binding preferences, the length profiles of ligands that are naturally presented by these alleles are much more homogeneous. We hypothesized that this is due to a defined length profile of peptides available for HLA binding in the endoplasmic reticulum. Based on this, we created a model of HLA allele–specific ligand length profiles and demonstrate how this model, in combination with HLA-binding predictions, greatly improves comprehensive identification of CD8+ T cell epitopes.
Gut Microbiota Regulates K/BxN Autoimmune Arthritis through Follicular Helper T but Not Th17 Cells
Authors: Block Katharine E. , Zheng Zhong , Dent Alexander L. , Kee Barbara L. , Huang Haochu
Published: January 2016

The bacterial community that colonizes mucosal surfaces helps shape the development and function of the immune system. The K/BxN autoimmune arthritis model is dependent on the microbiota, and particularly on segmented filamentous bacteria, for the autoimmune phenotype. The mechanisms of how the gut microbiota affects arthritis development are not well understood. In this study, we investigate the contribution of two T cell subsets, Th17 and follicular helper T (Tfh), to arthritis and how microbiota modulates their differentiation. Using genetic approaches, we demonstrate that IL-17 is dispensable for arthritis. Antibiotic treatment inhibits disease in IL-17–deficient animals, suggesting that the gut microbiota regulates arthritis independent of Th17 cells. In contrast, conditional deletion of Bcl6 in T cells blocks Tfh cell differentiation and arthritis development. Furthermore, Tfh cell differentiation is defective in antibiotic-treated mice. Taken together, we conclude that gut microbiota regulates arthritis through Tfh but not Th17 cells. These findings have implications in our understanding of how environmental factors contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases.
Governance and appropriateness of Cardiac Rehabilitation interventions: news from Regione Lombardia
Authors: Riccio Carmine
Published: January 2016

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Presentation of the statement by the Italian Society of General Medicine
Authors: Riccio Carmine
Published: January 2016

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Long term management of patients at high cardiovascular risk in general practice
Authors: VV AA
Published: January 2016

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Psychological disorders after coronary artery by-pass surgery: a one-year prospective study
Authors: Spezzaferri Rosa , Modica Maddalena , Racca Vittorio , Ripamonti Vittorino , Tavanelli Monica , Brambilla Gabriella , Ferratini Maurizio
Published: January 2016

Background: Coronary artery by-pass surgery (CABG) is often followed by anxiety and depression that require early identification in order to provide adequate psychological support. The predictive role of tests administered soon after CABG on long-term psychological outcomes has been only incompletely explored. Aim, Design and Methods: Aim of this study was to assess post-operative and 12-month persistence of psychological disorders by means of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) and the depression and state and trait anxiety scales of the Cognitive Behavioural Assessment (CBA-2.0) in 118 male patients admitted to cardiac rehabilitation after CABG. Results: Early after CABG we observed a high prevalence of depression (11.8% by MMPI-2 and 12.7% by CBA) and state anxiety (23.5%). At 1-year the MMPI-2 scale D indicated stable mean score and high scores at entry were predictive of persistent depression. Conversely the CBA-2.0 scale QD score significantly decreased (from 3.86±3.19 to 2.91±3.45, p=0.017). Also ST1 state anxiety significantly decreased (from 35.17±6.95 to 32.55±6.72, p=0.003) whereas ST2 trait anxiety was stable. We found no association between psychometric results and ventricular function, number of grafts or time since diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Conclusions: State anxiety and depression by CBA significantly decreased 1-year after CABG; conversely trait anxiety and depression, investigated by MMPI-2, a more specific personality questionnaire, were stable. High scores for the depression in the scale D of MMPI-2 early after CABG seem to be predictive of the persistence of the disorder at 1-year.
Early interventricular septum rupture after systemic thrombolysis in a patient with STEMI
Authors: Maglione Antonio , Forni Alberto , Liccardo Biagio , Corrado Luigi , De Gregorio Paola , Cerino Jolanda , Ferraro Michelina , Pacileo Mario , Esposito Nicolino
Published: January 2016

Intraventricular septal rupture (ISR) is one of the most dreadful complications during AMI, requiring early diagnosis and urgent surgery. However, medical (90%) and surgical (50%) mortality remain elevated. We report a case of a 59 years old patient with inferoposterior AMI complicated by ISR after thrombolysis. Despite early recognition of this complication by trans-thoracic echocardiography at bedside and prompt surgical intervention the patient died on the second post-surgical day.
Impairment of microcirculation and energy metabolism in intermittent claudication: beneficial effects of exercise training
Authors: Laurenzano Eugenio , Spadera Lucrezia , De Laurentis Mario , Brevetti Gregorio
Published: January 2016

Although in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) the primary determinant of inadequate blood supply to the affected limb during exercise is a flow-limiting lesion of a conduit artery, there is a large body of evidence that impairment of microcirculation and skeletal muscle energy metabolism play a relevant role in the reduced working ability of affected individuals. This review was conceived to cast some light on this topic, paying special attention to the functional benefits of exercise training (ET) in the treatment of claudicant patients. In PAD, the ischemia induced by maximal exercise increases oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Perturbation of the endothelial homeostasis results in increased adhesiveness of leukocytes and platelets, and in reduced vasodilator capability. These events, expression of the interplay between inflammation and endothelium, provoke an obstacle in the microcirculation with a reduction in the nutritive blood flow, leading to acidosis and impaired energy metabolism in skeletal muscle, with consequent reduced exercise tolerance. ET counteracts these effects by improving walking ability and quality of life in patients with intermittent claudication, thus representing the gold standard in the treatment of PAD.
L’educazione terapeutica in ambito cardiovascolare. “Curare con il paziente” L’alleanza terapeutica in cardiologia
Authors: Ciglia Carlo , Mantini Loredana
Published: January 2016

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Prevalence of heavy smokers in the year 2000 in the Province of Varese, Italy
Authors: Imperatori A. , Rotolo N. , Conti V. , Di Natale D. , Tropeano V. , Mantovani W.
Published: January 2016

Background. Knowing the prevalence of heavy smokers (HS) by gender and age is a pre-requisite for bringing into effect public health measures against smoking-related diseases. Smoking prevalence data is available for the Italian Regions, however it is generally unknown for the Italian Provinces. Methods. In the year 2000 a survey of smoking prevalence was conducted by 47 general practitioners (GPs), by personal interview, in a large sample of the Varese Province population 45-74 years of age (28,034 subjects; 13,528 men, 14,506 women). Each surveyed subject was categorised either as ever HS (current/former smoker of at least 10 pack-years) or as non HS. The information on smoking habit collected by the GPs was anonymously pooled for analysis. Prevalence figures of smoking were tabulated by gender and by 5-year age-strata. Results. In the population 45-74 years of age the percentage of ever HS overall was 22.3% (34.4% of men; 11.0% of women). The prevalence of ever HS in both sexes combined progressively decreased with advancing age, from 23.6% (45-49 year stratum) to 19.5% (70-74 year stratum). Current HS were 24.5% of men and 9.5% of women. Conclusions. The year 2000 survey on smoking habit, showing 22.3% prevalence of ever HS in age range 45-74 years, is the first conducted in the Varese Province using a large population sample. The data on heavy cigarette smoking presented in this paper, stratified by gender and age, may be used to monitor changes in the smoking habit and in the incidence of smoking-related illnesses at the provincial level.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Association, consequences and treatment
Authors: Pronzato C.
Published: January 2016

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two diseases that often co-exist within an individual. This co-existence, known as overlap syndrome (OS), is the result of chance rather than a pathophysiological linkage and epidemiological studies indicate a prevalence of 1% in adult males. Patients vith OS have a more important sleep-related O2 desaturation than COPD patients with the same degree of bronchial obstruction and show an increased risk of developing hypercapnic respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension when compared with patients affected by only one of he diseases. COPD and OSAS are independent risk factors for cardiovascular events and their co-existence in OS probably increases this risk. Evidence of systemic inflammation in COPD and sleep apnea and consequentely OS, is interesting because it may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Treatment consists of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), with or without associated O2, for correction of the upper airway obstructive episodes and hypoxemia during sleep.
Endobronchial ultrasound in Dieulafoy’s disease of the bronchus: an additional application of EBUS
Authors: Gurioli C. , Casoni G.L. , Gurioli C. , Tomassetti S. , Romagnoli M. , Ravaglia C. , Poletti V.
Published: January 2016

Dieulafoy’s disease is a rare vascular malformation represented by an abnormally enlarged submucosal arterial vessel. This malformation is mostly found in gastrointestinal tract causing spontaneous bleeding although a few cases have been described in the bronchial tree. Recognizing Dieulafoy’s malformation is crucial for the bronchoscopist in order to avoid biopsy that can lead to a massive hemoptysis, sometimes fatal. In this case report we show the clinical utility of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) in the evaluation of bronchial alteration suspicious for Dieulafoy’s malformation.
Non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure in monolateral lung transplant patient with pneumonia and IPF
Authors: Aliberti S. , Andrisani M.C. , Tarsia P. , Trevisan R. , Cosentini R. , Longhi L. , Pappalettera M. , Nosotti M. , Blasi F.
Published: January 2016

Patients who undergo lung transplantation are prone to develop lower respiratory tract infections, leading to severe acute respiratory failure (ARF). Endotracheal intubation may not be indicated in these patients in light of a higher rate of mortality due to infections. The application of non-invasive ventilation could play a role in bridging these patients through the episode of ARF waiting for medical treatment to have effect. We report the evidence of morphological and physiological effects of the application of non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure during ARF sustained by pneumonia in a patient who underwent left lung transplantation because of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We studied the effects of the application of positive end-expiratory pressure on both the right native lung affected by IPF and the transplanted lung affected by pneumonia.
EBC in lung cancer: which future?
Authors: Carpagnano G.E. , Foschino Barbaro M.P.
Published: January 2016

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Tracheal surgery
Authors: D'Andrilli A. , Rendina E.A. , Venuta F.
Published: January 2016

Surgical resection and reconstruction of the trachea can be performed both for benign and malignant diseases. The main indications for surgery include inflammatory (generally post-intubation), congenital or post-traumatic stenoses, degenerative lesions, benign or malignant neoplasms. Success can be pursued only by accurate patient selection and timing, meticulous surgical techniques, careful follow up and, when required, multidisciplinary cooperation. Although surgical resection has now become part of our surgical practice, other treatment modalities are approaching a new clinical application era, in particular tracheal transplantation and bioengineering. These new techniques will certainly offer, in the near future, improved chances to treat difficult cases.
Obesity and asthma: co-morbidity or causal relationship?
Authors: Van Huisstede A. , Braunstahl G.J.
Published: January 2016

There is substantial evidence that obesity and asthma are related. “Obese asthma” may be a unique phenotype of asthma, characterized by decreased lung volumes, greater symptoms for a given degree of lung function impairment, destabilization or lack of asthma control, lack of eosinophilic inflammation and a different response to controller medication. Whether this relationship between obesity and asthma is causal or represents co-morbidity due to other factors is unclear. In previous reviews concerning the relationship between obesity and asthma, five hypotheses were put forth. One of these hypotheses is that a low grade systemic inflammation caused by adipokines from the fat tissue causes or enhances bronchial inflammation. In animal models, there is an increasing amount of evidence for the role of adipokines derived from fat tissue in the relationship between obesity and asthma. The data are conflicting in humans. Since obesity is a component of the metabolic syndrome and the metabolic syndrome is also a form of systemic inflammation, it is to be expected that there is a relationship between metabolic syndrome and asthma. The few data that are available show that there is no relationship between metabolic syndrome and asthma, but there is one between the metabolic syndrome and asthma-like symptoms. Further research is needed to confirm the relationship between obesity and asthma in humans, where a rigorous approach in the diagnosis of asthma is essential.
Potential benefits of integrated COPD management in primary care
Authors: Kruis A.L. , Chavannes N.H.
Published: January 2016

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a major and progressive cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, resulting in an important financial and health burden in coming decades. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has been proven to be the most effective treatment in all patients in whom respiratory symptoms are associated with diminished functional capacity or reduced quality of life. Nevertheless, despite wide recommendation and proven efficacy, the use of PR is limited in daily practice. Reasons for these include low accessibility and availability, high costs, and lack of motivation to continue a healthy life style after treatment. By contrast, it has been demonstrated that primary care patients can be reactivated by formulating personal targets and designing individualized treatment plans in collaboration with their general practitioner or practice nurse. Based on these personal plans and targets, specific education must be provided and development of self management skills should be actively encouraged. Ideally, elements of pulmonary rehabilitation are tailored into a comprehensive primary care integrated disease management program. In that way, the benefits of PR can be extended to a substantially larger part of the COPD population, to reach even those with milder stages of disease. Favorable longterm effects on exercise tolerance and quality of life in a number of studies have been demonstrated in recent years, but broad introduction in the primary care setting still needs further justification in the form of a proper cost effectiveness analysis.
Primary pleural haemangioendothelioma in an Italian female patient: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Bocchino M. , Barra E. , Lassandro F. , Ranieri F. , Muto R. , Rea G.
Published: January 2016

Primary epithelioid haemangioendothelioma (EHE) of the pleura is a rare vascular tumour that occurs mainly in men. Pleural effusion and thickening are the most common clinical presentations. A 58 year old female, nonsmoking patient presented to us with dry cough, dyspnoea and left chest pain for several weeks (no asbestos exposure). Standard chest X-ray and contrast enhanced multislice computed tomography revealed a large-size lobulated mass originating from the pleura which was diagnosed as primary pleural haemangioendothelioma (PHE) by histology and immunohistochemistry (reactivity for vimentin, CD31, CD34, Factor VIII and ulex europeaus). No metastases were detected. The patient refused treatment and died three months later due to the onset of acute and progressive respiratory failure. Despite the lack of highgrade malignancy, primary PHE displays a poor prognosis while curative therapies are actually not available. To our knowledge, this is the first case of primary PHE in a female patient occurring in Italy and the third one to have been reported in English literature. Difficulties in diagnosis and treatment management are discussed below.
Low-technology exercise test in the preoperative evaluation of lung resection candidates
Authors: Brunelli A. , Pompili C. , Salati M.
Published: January 2016

Exercise tests are increasingly used in the preoperative functional evaluation of lung resection candidates. Low-technology exercise tests include six minute walking, shuttle walking and stair climbing. Conflicting evidence has been reported regarding 6 minute walking test. This test should not be used to select patients for lung resection. An incremental shuttle walk test is easier to replicate than 6 minute walking test. Most patients achieving 25 shuttles or 400 m have a maximum oxygen consumption measured at cardiopulmonary exercise test greater than 15 l/Kg/min. Although this test tends to underestimate performance at the lower range compared to peak oxygen consumption it can be used a screening test before lung resection. Excluding patients from operation based on this test alone is however not recommended and a formal cardiopulmonary exercise test should be always used in those walking less than 400 m. Stair climbing has been extensively studied in thoracic surgery. Several studies have found that poor performance in this test is indicative of cardiopulmonary complications and mortality after lung resection. In particular, climbing less than 12 m represents very high risk, whereas climbing more than 22 m is associated with a favourable outcome. Recent guidelines recommend referring all patients climbing lower than 22 m to cardiopulmonary exercise test. Stair climbing can be used as a screening test in cases cardiopulmonary exercise test is not readily available. In general, patients climbing more than 22 m can proceed to surgery without further evaluation.
Association of severity of COPD with IgE and interleukin-1beta
Authors: Singh B. , Arora S. , Khanna V.
Published: January 2016

Background. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a pulmonary inflammatory disease characterised by airflow limitation. The role of various inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and Immunoglobulin E (IgE) have been implicated in COPD. In present study we aimed to establish if there is an association between the serum levels of IL-1β and IgE and the severity of airway obstruction. Materials and methods. The study group comprised of 30 non atopic smokers, suffering from COPD and 30 non smoker, healthy controls. Serum levels of IgE and IL-1β were assayed by ELISA in all subjects along with their pulmonary function tests. Results. Serum IgE and IL-1β levels were significantly raised in COPD patients as compared to healthy controls. IL-1β was negatively correlated with FEV1 (r=-0.624, p=0.003) and IgE showed a negative correlation with FVC (r=-0.477, p=0.034). Conclusion. Our study suggests that in COPD IL-1β and IgE serum levels correlate with clinical aspects of disease severity. We suggest that the production of IgE and IL-1β in the airways of patients with COPD may be related to smoking which affects airway obstruction.
Comprehensive effects of supplemented essential amino acids in patients with severe COPD and sarcopenia
Authors: Dal Negro R.W. , Aquilani R. , Bertacco S. , Boschi F. , Micheletto C. , Tognella S.
Published: January 2016

Aim. Aim of the study was to investigate whether or not oral supplementation of essential amino acids (EAAs) may improve body composition, muscle metabolism, physical activity, cognitive function, and health status in a population of subjects with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sarcopenia. Methods. Thirty-two patients (25 males) (FEV1/FVC <40% predicted), age 75±7 years, were randomised (n=16 in both groups) to receive 4 gr/bid EAAs or placebo according to a double-blind design. When entered the study (T0), after four (T4), and after twelve (T12) weeks of treatments, body weight, fat free-mass (FFM), plasma lactate concentration (μmol/l), arterial PaCO2 and PaO2, physical activity (n° steps/day), cognitive function (Mini Mental State Examination; MMSE), health status (St.George’s Respiratory Questionnaire; SGRQ) were measured. Results. EAAs supplemented, but not patients assuming placebo, progressively improved all baseline variables overtime. In particular, at T12 of EAAs supplementation, body weight (BW) increased by 6 Kg (p=0.002), FFM by 3.6 Kg (p=0.05), plasma lactate decreased from 1.6 μmol/l to 1.3 μmol/l (p=0.023), PaO2 increased by 4.6 mmHg (p=0.01), physical activity increased by 80% (p=0.01). Moreover, the score for cognitive dysfunction improved from 19.1 scores to 20.8 (p=0.011), while the SRGQ score also improved from 72.3 to 69.6 even though this trend did not reach the statistical significance. Conclusions. A three-month EAAs supplementation may have comprehensive effects on nutritional status; muscle energy metabolism; blood oxygen tension, physical autonomy; cognitive function, and perception of health status in patients with severe COPD and secondary sarcopenia.
Tuberculous pericarditis: three cases and brief review
Authors: Metaxas E.I. , Kotsifas K. , Tatsis G. , Simpsiris P. , Ntanos I. , Tsoukalas G.
Published: January 2016

Tuberculous pericarditis is a form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that is considered unusual in western countries. Diagnosis is often challenging, while proper treatment has a major impact on prognosis. We present three interesting cases, with complicated or unusual manifestations of tuberculous pericarditis: a patient with cardiac tamponade as the initial manifestation of tuberculosis; a patient progressing to constriction despite adequate treatment; and a patient receiving anti-TNFα, who developed pericarditis in the context of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. We briefly review the clinical features of tuberculous pericarditis, whilst our main focus is on the available diagnostic techniques and treatment aspects. In conclusion, tuberculous pericarditis remains an active thread in the western world. A high index of suspicion combined with the use of all available diagnostic techniques are important to increase diagnostic yield. Prompt and effective treatment is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Mechanisms Involved in Toxicity of Liver Caused by Piroxicam in Mice and Protective Effects of Leaf Extract of Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis L.
Authors: Sahu C. R.
Published: January 2016

Piroxicam is one of the important therapeutic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory class of drugs used mainly to suppress pain and inflammation in arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders. Besides being anti-inflammatory, these drugs are analgesic and antipyretic often used for the relief of nonspecific fever condition. Recently, piroxicam has also gained attention as an effective therapy for tumors, colorectal, and invasive bladder cancers. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the protective effects of the alcoholic leaf extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (AEH), Malvaceae, against piroxicam-induced toxicity in mice. Sixty adult Swiss albino mice ( Mus musculus) were divided into four groups ( n = 10), which included a control group, a group treated orally with AEH (30 mg kg–1 b.w.) for 15 days, a group treated orally with piroxicam (6.6 mg kg–1 b.w.) for 15 days, and another group treated orally with piroxicam and AEH for 15 days. The results indicated that treatment with piroxicam alone resulted in a significant increase in the activities of serum marker enzymes, namely, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase with profound hepatic lipid peroxidation as evidenced by a marked increment in the level of thoibarbituric acid reactive substances along with a distinct diminution in reduced glutathoine content and various antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the liver. However, treatment with AEH during piroxicam treatment retrieved or partially antagonized the effects induced by piroxicam toward the normal values of controls. Histopathological observations also corroborate with the above findings. It can be concluded that AEH exhibited a protective action against piroxicam toxicity and effective in combating oxidative stress-induced hepatic damage.
Los dilemas deontológicos del uso de las redes sociales como fuentes de información. Análisis de la opinión de periodistas de tres países
Authors: Suárez Villegas Juan Carlos , Cruz Álvarez Jesús
Published: January 2016

Las redes sociales están configurando un nuevo ecosistema informativo, caracterizado por la interactividad entre los usuarios y también entre estos usuarios y los medios de comunicación. Metodología: El presente artículo se basa en los datos obtenidos en más de sesenta entrevistas en profundidad realizadas a periodistas de tres países europeos, concretamente de España, Italia y Bélgica, para examinar hasta qué punto es valorada esta vía de relación entre periodista y ciudadanía y cómo puede ser aprovechada en el trabajo periodístico. Resultados y Conclusiones: Aunque la información esté disponible para ser publicada de forma inmediata, antes es preciso comprobar su autenticidad y calibrar su idoneidad desde distintas perspectivas. Los propios periodistas deben valorar las posibilidades brindadas por herramientas como las redes sociales, siendo conscientes al mismo tiempo de sus riesgos y desafíos para así atajarlos de una forma más efectiva.
Systematic Review of Mindfulness Practice for Reducing Job Burnout
Authors: Luken Michelle , Sammons Amanda
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE. A systematic search and critical appraisal of interdisciplinary literature was conducted to evaluate the evidence for practicing mindfulness to treat job burnout and to explore implications for occupational therapy practitioners.

METHOD. Eight articles met inclusion criteria. Each study was assessed for quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. We used the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research guidelines to determine strength of evidence.

RESULTS. Of the studies reviewed, participants included health care professionals and teachers; no studies included occupational therapy practitioners. Six of the 8 studies demonstrated statistically significant decreases in job burnout after mindfulness training. Seven of the studies were of fair to good quality.

CONCLUSION. There is strong evidence for the use of mindfulness practice to reduce job burnout among health care professionals and teachers. Research is needed to fill the gap on whether mindfulness is effective for treating burnout in occupational therapy practitioners.
Government Deficits in Large Open Economies: The Problem of Too Little Public Debt
Authors: Buiter Willem H. , Sibert Anne C.
Published: January 2016

Large and growing levels of public debt in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and the Euro Area raise new interest in the cross-country effects of a large open economy’s deficits. The authors consider a dynamic optimising model with costly tax collection and exogenously given public spending and initial debt. They ask whether the externalities associated with an individual country’s deficits are positive or negative. They characterise the path of taxes in the Nash equilibrium where policy makers act nationalistically and compare this outcome to the global optimal outcome.
When countries become the talking point in microblogs: Study on country hashtags in Twitter
Authors: Sesagiri Raamkumar Aravind , Pang Natalie , Foo Schubert
Published: January 2016

Hashtags are placeholder features for capturing the underlying themes in microblog posts. Prior studies have investigated the conversation dynamics, interplay with other media platforms and communication patterns between users for specific event-based hashtags. Commonplace hashtags have been largely ignored, albeit the utility of these hashtags is the main reason behind their continued usage. This study aims to understand the rationale behind the usage of a particular type of commonplace hashtags, namely country hashtags. Manual tweet classification was performed on twitter extracts, to identify the themes of tweets containing three country hashtags. Eleven categories were identified with varied rankings conditioned by factors such as national interest, tourist attractions and cross-media sharing, across the three countries. Network analysis was employed to identify the underlying network types. Broadcast networks and tight crowd networks were identified as the prominent types. Findings will inform subsequent studies on national topics oriented discussions in social media.
Gender-based violence in 140 characters or fewer: A #BigData case study of Twitter
Authors: Purohit Hemant , Banerjee Tanvi , Hampton Andrew , Shalin Valerie L. , Bhandutia Nayanesh , Sheth Amit
Published: January 2016

Public institutions are increasingly reliant on data from social media sites to measure public attitude and provide timely public engagement. Such reliance includes the exploration of public views on important social issues such as gender-based violence (GBV). In this study, we examine big (social) data consisting of nearly 14 million tweets collected from Twitter over a period of 10 months to analyze public opinion regarding GBV, highlighting the nature of tweeting practices by geographical location and gender. We demonstrate the utility of computational social science to mine insight from the corpus while accounting for the influence of both transient events and sociocultural factors. We reveal public awareness regarding GBV tolerance and suggest opportunities for intervention and the measurement of intervention effectiveness assisting both governmental and non-governmental organizations in policy development.
Digital inequality and racialized place in the 21st century: A case study of San Francisco's Chinatown
Authors: Hong Emily
Published: January 2016

Despite robust scholarship on the digital divide, little attention has been paid to its spatiality: how does the organization of physical space, especially the status of the built environment, affect digital access? These questions are especially neglected with regard to Asian Americans, who are thought to have consistently high levels of technological attainment. Nonetheless, certain Asian American communities, particularly those that are poor, working-class, or from refugee backgrounds, remain disproportionately disconnected from the Internet. In this paper, I examine the relationships between digital, racial, and environmental inequalities in San Francisco’s Chinatown. I show that historic disinvestment in Chinatown’s building stock, combined with campaigns led by ethnic Chinese people themselves to preserve historic structures and prevent displacement, have created a physical landscape that cannot support broadband Internet. As a result, many residents depend on inferior connections that diminish their life outcomes. I conclude that digital inaccess is the most recent manifestation of historical place-based racism through which Asian Americans have been constructed as outsiders and perpetual foreigners.
Where are the Women When the Tourists Arrive?: Bodies, Space, and Islamic Femininity in Rural Zanzibar
Authors: Demovic Angela R.
Published: January 2016

Since the 1980s, tourism has risen to become the most important source of foreign income for the islands of Zanzibar. This case study of a previously subsistence village that now hosts transnational tourists reveals how intersecting ideas about gender and ethnicity influence work choices made by individual women. Labor choices are a balance between production and identity, and most women's work choices maintain spatial boundaries between local people and tourists. Women's work thus serves as a site of resistance against cultural imperialism by mainland Tanzanian elites and the West. Women's bodies are sites of contestation between local and outsider identities. The discursive role of women's bodies in response to potential cultural domination results in significant limits on women's economic participation in tourism.
Ein genomweiter Ansatz bei Thrombozyten-und Gerinnungsstörungen
Authors: Laffan Michael ,   the BRIDGE Bleeding and Platelet Disorders Consortium
Published: January 2016

Die Sequenzierung von hunderttausenden menschlichen Exomen und Gesamtgenomen bietet einen immer genaueren und vollständigeren Katalog menschlicher Genvarianten. Die ersten Studien zum Verständnis von Thrombozytenstörungen anhand von genomweiten Daten wurden als genomweite Assoziationsstudien durchgeführt, in denen Loci identifiziert wurden, die mit Variationen der Blutzellparameter assoziiert sind. In diesen Studien wurden Norm-varianten genutzt, um die entsprechenden genetische Variation zu finden. Als nächstes wollten wir die genetische Grundlage von Gerinnungsstörungen untersuchen, die einen Schlüssel für neue Gene liefern könnte, welche Thrombozyten- und Gerinnungsfunktionen steuern. Das BRIDGE-Konsortium (www.bridgestudy. org) wird vom NIHR finanziert und bringt 13 Genforschungsprojekte zu seltenen Krankheiten zusammen. Ziel dieser Projekte ist die Erforschung bislang unterdiagnostizierter seltener Erbkrankheiten und die Identifizierung der zugrunde liegenden Mutationen. Wir verwendeten eine Cluster-Analyse, basierend auf der Human Phenotype Ontology, kombiniert mit Next-Generation Sequenzierungstechniken, um Patienten mit ähnlichen Phänotypen, die vermutlich aus den gleichen Gendefekten hervorgehen, leichter zu identifizieren. Vorläufige Ergebnisse bestätigen dieses Vorgehen in Clustern und ergaben auch eine Reihe neuer Gene, die für die normale und die pathologische Thrombozytenphysiologie wichtig sind.