bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Assay to Screen for Acute Rejection in Patients With Heart Transplant
Authors: Patel Parag C. , Hill Douglas A. , Ayers Colby R. , Lavingia Bhavna , Kaiser Patricia , Dyer Adrian K. , Barnes Aliessa P. , Thibodeau Jennifer T. , Mishkin Joseph D. , Mammen Pradeep P.A. , Markham David W. , Stastny Peter , Ring W. Steves , de Lemos James A. , Drazner Mark H.
Published: April 2014

Background—

A noninvasive biomarker that could accurately diagnose acute rejection (AR) in heart transplant recipients could obviate the need for surveillance endomyocardial biopsies. We assessed the performance metrics of a novel high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assay for this purpose.

Methods and Results—

Stored serum samples were retrospectively matched to endomyocardial biopsies in 98 cardiac transplant recipients, who survived ≥3 months after transplant. AR was defined as International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grade 2R or higher cellular rejection, acellular rejection, or allograft dysfunction of uncertain pathogenesis, leading to treatment for presumed rejection. cTnI was measured with a high-sensitivity assay (Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, IL). Cross-sectional analyses determined the association of cTnI concentrations with rejection and International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grade and the performance metrics of cTnI for the detection of AR. Among 98 subjects, 37% had ≥1 rejection episode. cTnI was measured in 418 serum samples, including 35 paired to a rejection episode. cTnI concentrations were significantly higher in rejection versus nonrejection samples (median, 57.1 versus 10.2 ng/L;
P
<0.0001) and increased in a graded manner with higher biopsy scores (
P
trend
<0.0001). The
c
-statistic to discriminate AR was 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.88). Using a cut point of 15 ng/L, sensitivity was 94%, specificity 60%, positive predictive value 18%, and negative predictive value 99%.

Conclusions—

A high-sensitivity cTnI assay seems useful to rule out AR in cardiac transplant recipients. If validated in prospective studies, a strategy of serial monitoring with a high-sensitivity cTnI assay may offer a low-cost noninvasive strategy for rejection surveillance.
Closing the Gap in Hypertension Control Between Younger and Older Adults
Authors: Egan Brent M. , Li Jiexiang , Shatat Ibrahim F. , Fuller J. Michael , Sinopoli Angelo
Published: April 2014

Background—

Joint National Committee goal blood pressure for all adults was <140/<90 mm Hg or lower from 1984 to 2013. Adults aged ≥60 years (older) have mainly isolated systolic hypertension, with major trials attaining systolic blood pressure <150 but not <140 mm Hg. The main objective was to assess changes in hypertension control to <140/<90 mm Hg in younger (aged <60 years) and older adults and <150/<90 mm Hg in the latter.

Methods and Results—

National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1988 to 1994, 1999 to 2004, and 2005 to 2010 were analyzed in adults aged ≥18 years. From 1988 to 1994 to 2005 to 2010, hypertension control to <140/<90 mm Hg improved in older (31.6% to 53.1%;
P
<0.001) and younger (45.7% to 55.9%;
P
<0.001) patients. The age gap in control declined from 14.1% (
P
<0.01) in 1988 to 1994 to 2.8% (
P
=0.13) in 2005 to 2010. Better hypertension control reflected increased percentages of older (55.6% to 77.5%) and younger (34.6% to 54.7%) patients on treatment and treated older (45.7% to 64.9%) and younger (56.8% to 73.4%) patients controlled (all
P
<0.001). Control to <150/<90 mm Hg rose from 48.8% to 69.9% in older adults. Antihypertensive medication number and percentages on ≥3 medications increased in both age groups but increased more in older patients (
P
<0.01). Blood pressure control was higher in both age groups with ≥2 healthcare visits per year and on statin therapy.

Conclusions—

The age gap in hypertension control to <140/<90 mm Hg was virtually eliminated in 2005 to 2010 as clinicians intensified therapy, especially in older patients in whom isolated systolic hypertension predominates, controlling 70% to <150/<90 mm Hg. More frequent healthcare visits and the use of statin therapy may improve hypertension control in all adults.
Association Between Urinary Sodium, Creatinine, Albumin, and Long-Term Survival in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: McQuarrie Emily P. , Traynor Jamie P. , Taylor Alison H. , Freel E. Marie , Fox Jonathan G. , Jardine Alan G. , Mark Patrick B.
Published: April 2014

Dietary sodium intake is associated with hypertension and cardiovascular risk in the general population. In patients with chronic kidney disease, sodium intake has been associated with progressive renal disease, but not independently of proteinuria. We studied the relationship between urinary sodium (UNa) excretion and UNa to creatinine ratio and mortality or requirement for renal replacement therapy in chronic kidney disease. Adult patients attending a renal clinic who had ≥1 24-hour UNa measurement were identified. Twenty-four-hour UNa measures were collected and UNa to creatinine ratio calculated. Time to renal replacement therapy or death was recorded. Four hundred twenty-three patients were identified with mean estimated glomerular filtration rate of 48 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
. Ninety patients required renal replacement therapy and 102 patients died. Mean slope decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate was −2.8 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
per year. Median follow-up was 8.5 years. Patients who died or required renal replacement therapy had significantly higher UNa excretion and UNa to creatinine ratio, but the association with these parameters and poor outcome was not independent of renal function, age, and albuminuria. When stratified by albuminuria, UNa to creatinine ratio was a significant cumulative additional risk for mortality, even in patients with low-level albuminuria. There was no association between low UNa and risk, as observed in some studies. This study demonstrates an association between UNa excretion and mortality in chronic kidney disease, with a cumulative relationship between sodium excretion, albuminuria, and reduced survival. These data support reducing dietary sodium intake in chronic kidney disease, but additional study is required to determine the target sodium intake.
Relations of Change in Plasma Levels of LDL‐C, Non‐HDL‐C and apoB With Risk Reduction From Statin Therapy: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: Thanassoulis George , Williams Ken , Ye Keying , Brook Robert , Couture Patrick , Lawler Patrick R. , de Graaf Jacqueline , Furberg Curt D. , Sniderman Allan
Published: April 2014

Background

Identifying the best markers to judge the adequacy of lipid‐lowering treatment is increasingly important for coronary heart disease (
CHD
) prevention given that several novel, potent lipid‐lowering therapies are in development. Reductions in
LDL
‐C, non‐
HDL
‐C, or apoB can all be used but which most closely relates to benefit, as defined by the reduction in events on statin treatment, is not established.

Methods and Results

We performed a random‐effects frequentist and Bayesian meta‐analysis of 7 placebo‐controlled statin trials in which
LDL
‐C, non‐
HDL
‐C, and apoB values were available at baseline and at 1‐year follow‐up. Summary level data for change in
LDL
‐C, non‐
HDL
‐C, and apoB were related to the relative risk reduction from statin therapy in each trial. In frequentist meta‐analyses, the mean
CHD
risk reduction (95%
CI
) per standard deviation decrease in each marker across these 7 trials were 20.1% (15.6%, 24.3%) for
LDL
‐C; 20.0% (15.2%, 24.7%) for non‐
HDL
‐C; and 24.4% (19.2%, 29.2%) for apoB. Compared within each trial, risk reduction per change in apoB averaged 21.6% (12.0%, 31.2%) greater than changes in
LDL
‐C (
P
<0.001) and 24.3% (22.4%, 26.2%) greater than changes in non‐
HDL
‐C (
P
<0.001). Similarly, in Bayesian meta‐analyses using various prior distributions, Bayes factors (
BF
s) favored reduction in apoB as more closely related to risk reduction from statins compared with
LDL
‐C or non‐
HDL
‐C (
BF
s ranging from 484 to 2380).

Conclusions

Using both a frequentist and Bayesian approach, relative risk reduction across 7 major placebo‐controlled statin trials was more closely related to reductions in apoB than to reductions in either non‐
HDL
‐C or
LDL
‐C.
The East German Ministry for State Security and Iraq, 1968–1989
Authors: Sassoon Joseph
Published: April 2014

Despite the close relationship between the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and Iraq from the late 1960s until the mid-1970s, new evidence from documents of the former East German Ministry for State Security (Stasi) and the Iraqi Ba'th Party archives, combined with interviews of senior East German diplomats who served in the Arab world, indicates that the Stasi changed its policy in the second half of the 1970s and persisted with that policy in the 1980s after the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War. This article gives an overview of relations between the Stasi and Iraq following the rise of the Ba'th to power in 1968 under Saddam Hussein (who later became president of Iraq in 1979) and examines Iraq's efforts to obtain assistance from the Stasi. The Iraqi regime's persecution of Communists within Iraq and its targeting of Iraqi Communists in Eastern Europe were important in discouraging the Stasi from establishing close cooperation with Iraq.
Rearranging International Relations? How Mao's China and de Gaulle's France Recognized Each Other in 1963–1964
Authors: Lüthi Lorenz M.
Published: April 2014

The decision by France and the People's Republic of China (PRC) to establish diplomatic relations in late January 1964 has undergone relatively little scrutiny among scholars. Garret Martin's path-breaking article in the Winter 2008 issue of the JCWS is the most important account to date of this episode, but it focuses on the French side of the story. The account here provides a much fuller picture by drawing on declassified records of the PRC Foreign Ministry, official collections of formerly secret CCP documents, and materials from archives in former Soviet-bloc countries. These sources help illuminate two important but hitherto unknown or poorly understood aspects of Sino-French recognition in the period from August 1963 to January 1964: the French and Chinese thinking behind the decision to recognize each other, and the negotiation process itself.
No Bargaining Chips, No Spheres of Interest: The Yugoslav Origins of Cold War Non-Alignment
Authors: Rajak Svetozar
Published: April 2014

This article reevaluates the origins of Yugoslavia's instrumental role in the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and elucidates the roots and conceptualization of Tito's strategic reorientation toward nonalignment. Yugoslav foreign policy became truly independent only after Yugoslavia was expelled from the Soviet fold. The article shows that Belgrade began searching for a “third way” earlier than is acknowledged in the relevant historiography. The search began when, faced with the distinct threat of a Soviet invasion in the early 1950s, Yugoslavia became all but formally incorporated into the Western alliance. Based on previously unknown or inadequately researched documents from the Yugoslav archives, the article demonstrates that Josip Broz Tito's trip to India and Burma in December 1954, particularly his first encounter with India's Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, played a key role in shaping Tito's principles of active peaceful coexistence and noncommitment and in transforming them into a global initiative. The article highlights the well-defined political and philosophical rationale behind the principles that became embedded in the concept of non-engagement and, later, nonalignment.
“Spheres of Influence” in the Epistle to the Galatians
Authors: Thornhill A. Chadwick
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Paul’s discussion of the Law and Christ in Galatians is framed in spherical language. This is seen in his use of three key prepositions (ἐν, ἐκ, and ὑπο). Paul’s chief contrast is between one operating within the Law or within Christ as their basic realm of belonging. Those who are tempted to return to the sphere of the Law as their fundamental relation to God are at risk of transferring out of the realm of Christ, which for Paul is the only place in which favor with God is found.
Euophryine jumping spiders of the Afrotropical Region—new taxa and a checklist (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryinae)
Authors: Wesołowska Wanda , Azarkina Galina N. , Russell-Smith Anthony
Published: April 2014

Two new genera, Rumburak gen. nov. and Yimbulunga gen. nov., of euophryine jumping spiders are established from the Afrotropical Region. Thirty three new species included in this subfamily are diagnosed and described: Chinophrys trifasciata sp. nov. (♂, South Africa), Euophrys bifida sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), E. cochlea sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), E. elizabethae sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), E. falciger sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), E. gracilis sp. nov. (♂♀, Lesotho, South Africa), E. griswoldi sp. nov. (♂, Namibia), E. limpopo sp. nov. (♂, South Africa), E. maseruensis sp. nov. (♂, Lesotho), E. meridionalis sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), E. miranda sp. nov. (♀, South Africa), E. nana sp. nov. (♂, South Africa), E. recta sp. nov. (♂, South Africa), E. subtilis sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), Rumburak bellus sp. nov. (♂, South Africa), R. hilaris sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), R. lateripunctatus sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), R. mirabilis sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), R. tuberatus (♂, South Africa), R. virilis (♂♀, South Africa), Tanzania parvulus sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), T. striatus sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), Thyenula alotama sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), T. cheliceroides sp. nov. (♂, South Africa), T. clarosignata sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), T. dentatidens sp. nov. (♂, South Africa), T. haddadi (♂♀, South Africa), T. montana sp. nov. (♂, Lesotho), T. rufa sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), T. tenebrica sp. nov. (♀, South Africa), T. virgulata sp. nov. (♂, South Africa), T. vulnifica sp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa) and Yimbulunga foordi sp. nov. (♂, South Africa). Two species names are newly synonymized: Thyenula hortensis Wesołowska & Cumming, 2008 with T. munda (Peckham & Peckham, 1903) and Thyenula nelshoogte Zhang & Maddison, 2012 with T. laxa Zhang & Maddison, 2012.  Three new combinations are proposed: Heliophanus kittenbergeri (Caporiacco, 1947) (ex Euophrys), Rumburak laxus (Zhang & Maddison, 2012) (ex Thyenula) and Thyenula munda (Peckham & Peckham, 1903) (ex Saitis). Two names are recognized as nomina dubia: Euophrys nigrescens Caporiacco, 1940 and Saitis magnus Caporiacco, 1947. The first member of the genus Chinophrys Zhang & Maddison, 2012 is reported from Africa. The males of Euophrys leipoldti Peckham & Peckham, 1903 and Thyenula sempiterna Wesołowska, 2000 are described for the first time. Tanzania minutus (Wesołowska & Russell-Smith, 2000) is recorded from South Africa for the first time. A list of valid species of Afrotropical Euophryinae with data on their distribution in the region is provided. A key is supplied for the known genera of the region (based on males).
A Formulation of Three-Dimensional Residual Mean Flow and Wave Activity Flux Applicable to Equatorial Waves
Authors: Kinoshita Takenari , Sato Kaoru
Published: April 2014

The large-scale waves that are known to be trapped around the equator are called equatorial waves. The equatorial waves cause mean zonal wind acceleration related to quasi-biennial and semiannual oscillations. The interaction between equatorial waves and the mean wind has been studied by using the transformed Eulerian mean (TEM) equations in the meridional cross section. However, to examine the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the interaction, the 3D residual mean flow and wave activity flux for the equatorial waves are needed. The 3D residual mean flow is expressed as the sum of the Eulerian mean flow and Stokes drift. The present study derives a formula that is approximately equal to the 3D Stokes drift for equatorial waves on the equatorial beta plane (EQSD). The 3D wave activity flux for equatorial waves whose divergence corresponds to the wave forcing is also derived using the EQSD. It is shown that the meridionally integrated 3D wave activity flux for equatorial waves is proportional to the group velocity of equatorial waves.
Truth
Authors: Mills Jon
Published: April 2014

What exactly do we mean by truth? Although the concept is nebulous across the array of theoretical perspectives in psychoanalysis, it is fundamental to all discourses. Is psychoanalysis in a position to offer a theory of truth despite the fact that at present it has no explicit, formal theory regarding the matter? A general metatheory is proposed here that allows for discrete categories and instantiations of truth as metacontextual appearance. In revisiting the ancient notion of aletheia as disclosedness or unconcealment, we may discover a distinct psychoanalytic contribution to truth conditioned on unconscious processes reappropriated from Heidegger’s project of fundamental ontology. Construed as a dialectics of truth, this notion accords well with how psychoanalysts understand the dynamic unconscious and how it functions to both reveal and conceal. Given that clinical experience demonstrates the workings of dynamic unconscious activity, psychoanalytic theory may contribute a vocabulary relevant to philosophy by explicating the motives and mechanisms that create the appearances of contextual truth as such, phenomena whose causes have previously gone undescribed.
“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”
Authors: Mena Jasmine A. , Saucier P. Khalil
Published: April 2014

This study sought to move beyond superficial appreciation of Nina Simone’s lyrics to identify and contextualize emergent constructs. A qualitative ethnographic content analysis of 44 songs was conducted in order to reach a deeper understanding of the messages in her lyrics. The findings revealed that Nina Simone did not only entertain, rather she helped raise her listeners’ consciousness of various sociopolitical issues (e.g., anti-Black oppression and Africana womanist perspective), thus preparing them for political action. Furthermore, her lyrics revealed awareness of, and experience with emotional and psychological issues (e.g., love, stress, and resilience) possibly destigmatizing emotional and psychological pain and suffering. Nina Simone’s music constitutes an exceptionally rich site for an investigation of Africana womanist values and has the capacity to communicate particular sociopolitical and psychological perspectives for Africana women’s social empowerment. This work attempts to explore and locate the sites and sounds where the voices of Africana women can be heard.
Mechanical evaluation of repair resins for fiber-glass wind turbine blades
Authors: Chawla Tanveer S , Cavalli Matthew N
Published: April 2014

This paper contains details of mechanical testing of double cantilever beam composite specimens comprising a vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding–infused parent plate and a hand laid-up upper plate simulating a typical blade repair. The testing was carried out as part of an effort to optimize a new repair resin for a wind turbine blade manufacturing company. A number of commercial suppliers were contacted and nine resins with different formulations were selected for screening. Out of these, six were shortlisted for initial testing which was carried out in accordance with ASTM D 5528 (Test Method for Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites) using double cantilever beam specimens. The fracture toughness values obtained from testing these repair resin candidates were compared to values obtained from the repair resin currently being used and also to those of the main blade resin. The top three repair resin candidates were identified from the double cantilever beam testing.
Parent–Child Value Similarity Across and Within Cultures
Authors: Barni Daniela , Knafo Ariel , Ben-Arieh Asher , Haj-Yahia Muhammad M.
Published: April 2014

Normative socio-cultural influences may lead to parent–child value similarity over and above familial processes. Such influences, in which the mainstream position taken by people in a given culture leads to an average similarity between unrelated members of the culture, have been investigated for the most part by considering one country at a time. This has, however, left several questions open; among these is the question of whether parent–child value similarity is a matter of societal homogeneity in values. In an attempt to answer this query, the current study intends to examine the effect of the national and ethnic normative profiles, that is, groups’ average profiles, on parent–child value similarity, while assuming a cross-cultural perspective. It involves 212 mother–adolescent dyads from Northern Italy and 222 Jewish and Arab mother–adolescent dyads from Israel, all participants in the Value of Children (VOC) Study. In the more homogeneous value context of Italy, parent–child value similarity was strongly inflated by the broad socio-cultural context and can best be viewed as a general similarity to a national standard. On the contrary, in the less homogeneous context of Israel, when accounting for the effects of normative profiles, there was still similarity unique to a particular dyad: Mothers and children, especially from the Arab group, were similar to each other in those values which distinguish them from the other people in the country. All in all, the results help us to disentangle the origins and to interpret the actual meaning of detected parent–child value similarity.
Recent Advances in Host Defense Mechanisms/ Therapies against Oral Infectious Diseases and Consequences for Systemic Disease
Authors: Gaffen S.L. , Herzberg M.C. , Taubman M.A. , Van Dyke T.E.
Published: April 2014

The innate and adaptive immune systems are both crucial to oral disease mechanisms and their impact on systemic health status. Greater understanding of these interrelationships will yield opportunities to identify new therapeutic targets to modulate disease processes and/or increase host resistance to infectious or inflammatory insult. The topics addressed reflect the latest advances in our knowledge of the role of innate and adaptive immune systems and inflammatory mechanisms in infectious diseases affecting the oral cavity, including periodontitis and candidiasis. In addition, several potential links with systemic inflammatory conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, are explored. The findings elucidate some of the defense mechanisms utilized by host tissues, including the role of IL-17 in providing immunity to oral candidiasis, the antimicrobial defense of mucosal epithelial cells, and the pro-resolution effects of the natural inflammatory regulators, proresolvins and lipoxins. They also describe the role of immune cells in mediating pathologic bone resorption in periodontal disease. These insights highlight the potential for therapeutic benefit of immunomodulatory interventions that bolster or modulate host defense mechanisms in both oral and systemic disease. Among the promising new therapeutic approaches discussed here are epithelial cell gene therapy, passive immunization against immune cell targets, and the use of proresolvin agents.
Genetic Characteristics and Pathogenic Mechanisms of Periodontal Pathogens
Authors: Amano A. , Chen C. , Honma K. , Li C. , Settem R.P. , Sharma A.
Published: April 2014

Periodontal disease is caused by a group of bacteria that utilize a variety of strategies and molecular mechanisms to evade or overcome host defenses. Recent research has uncovered new evidence illuminating interesting aspects of the virulence of these bacteria and their genomic variability. This paper summarizes some of the strategies utilized by the major species–Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Porphyromonas gingivalis – implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Whole-genome sequencing of 14 diverse A. actinomycetemcomitans strains has revealed variations in their genetic content (ranging between 0.4% and 19.5%) and organization. Strikingly, isolates from human periodontal sites showed no genomic changes during persistent colonization. T. forsythia manipulates the cytokine responses of macrophages and monocytes through its surface glycosylation. Studies have revealed that bacterial surface-expressed O-linked glycans modulate T-cell responses during periodontal inflammation. Periodontal pathogens belonging to the “red complex” consortium express neuraminidases, which enables them to scavenge sialic acid from host glycoconjugates. Analysis of recent data has demonstrated that the cleaved sialic acid acts as an important nutrient for bacterial growth and a molecule for the decoration of bacteria surfaces to help evade the host immune attack. In addition, bacterial entry into host cells is also an important prerequisite for the lifestyle of periodontal pathogens such as P. gingivalis. Studies have shown that, after its entry into the cell, this bacterium uses multiple sorting pathways destined for autophagy, lysosomes, or recycling pathways. In addition, P. gingivalis releases outer membrane vesicles which enter cells via endocytosis and cause cellular functional impairment.
A Study of the Relationships Among Chinese Multicharacter Words, Subtypes of Readers, and Instructional Methods
Authors: Ho Fuk-chuen , Siegel Linda S.
Published: April 2014

This article reports the results of two studies examining the effectiveness of the whole-word and analytic instructional methods in teaching different subtypes of readers (students with normal reading performance, surface dyslexics, phonological dyslexics, and both dyslexic patterns) and four kinds of Chinese two-character words (two regular [RR], two irregular [II], one regular, one irregular [RI], and one irregular, one regular [IR]). The approaches employed were the analytic method, which focuses on highlighting the phonological components of words, and the whole-word method, which focuses on learning by sight. Two studies were conducted among a sample of 40 primary school students with different reading patterns. The aim was to examine the relationships among different subtypes of readers, two-character words, and instructional methods. In general, students with a surface dyslexic pattern benefited more from the analytic methods. Regarding combinations of different kinds of two-character words, all subtypes of students performed better in reading RR words than in reading II words.
Housing demand and housing policy in urban Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmad Sohail
Published: April 2014

This paper estimates demand for housing and its attributes in urban Bangladesh using a survey of 4400 owner, renter and squatter households. The results revealed that housing demand is inelastic with respect to income and price; and price elasticity is less than income elasticity in absolute terms. Estimates of demand for housing attributes showed that owner and renter households value structural quality, sanitation and electricity, as well as a living room and dining room/kitchen. Squatter households value living space, pit latrine, water supply and electricity, but place less emphasis on structural quality. Irrespective of these submarkets, income improvement strategies are likely to be the most effective means of enhancing housing consumption. The rental submarket might be improved by rent liberalisation, while slum improvement strategies should focus on tenure security and incremental improvement. However, contrary to current practice, the emphasis should be on the size of squatter dwellings rather than on their structural quality.
Sport Mega-Events and Public Opposition
Authors: Giulianotti Richard , Armstrong Gary , Hales Gavin , Hobbs Dick
Published: April 2014

This article examines the diverse forms of public opposition, protest, criticism, and complaint in the United Kingdom on the staging of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London. Our discussion draws heavily on empirical research, primarily fieldwork and interviews in East London with local residents, opposition groups, business people, politicians, and other stakeholders. The article is separated into three main parts. First, we explore the setting and political–economic context for London 2012. The main Olympic setting—the London Borough of Newham—features very high levels of poverty and ethnic diversity. We argue that London 2012 represented a form of “festival capitalism” that was part of a broader set of “New Right two-step” policies in poor urban areas, involving initial Keynesian investment, followed by a deeper and far-reaching array of neo-liberal measures. Second, in the main part of the article, we identify and examine, in turn, six forms of public conflict, criticism, and complaint that centered on the Games, specifically national criticisms (e.g., on distribution of Olympic resources), local criticisms (e.g., on lack of jobs and business benefits), issue-specific campaigns (e.g., on the environment), “glocal” protests against specific nations and sponsors (e.g., campaigns against BP, Dow, and Rio Tinto), neo-tribal transgressions and situationist spectacles (e.g., mass cycle rides near Olympic venues), and anti-Olympic forums and demonstrations (e.g., critical web sites, multi-group marches). Third, we set out briefly the importance of conducting research into critics and opponents of sport mega-events, and discuss different arguments on how the social impact of protest movements might have been intensified at London 2012. The findings in this article may be extended to examine critical public responses to the hosting of other mega-events in different settings.
Moderating Effects of Nurses’ Organizational Support on the Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment
Authors: Chang Ching-Sheng
Published: April 2014

The aim was to investigate whether job satisfaction enhances organizational commitment among nursing personnel while exploring whether organizational support perception has a moderating effect on the relationship between their job satisfaction and organizational commitment. A cross-sectional survey was sent to 400 nurses; 386 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 96.5%. According to the research findings, nurses’ job satisfaction has a positive and significant influence on organizational commitment. Results also indicated that the moderating effect of nurses’ organizational support perception on the relationship between their job satisfaction and organizational commitment was stronger for high organizational support perception than it was for low organizational support perception. This study suggests that organizational support perception will develop a sense of belonging, and this will help improve nurses’ job satisfaction and organizational commitment. This kind of relationship is rarely discussed in the research literature, and it can be applied for human resources management of nursing staff.
Cognitive Function as Measured by Trail Making Test in Patients With COPD
Authors: Park Soo Kyung , Larson Janet L.
Published: April 2014

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit cognitive impairment in several subdomains, but little is known about factors associated with cognitive function and its relationship to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people with COPD. A data set from the National Emphysema Treatment Trial was used for this study. Data were obtained through questionnaires and clinical testing. Cognitive function in people with COPD was measured with the Trail Making Test. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Participants with COPD had slightly impaired processing speed and executive function. Test results revealed that age, gender, education, and income were significantly associated with cognitive function. Test scores also showed that cognitive function was significantly associated with HRQOL in people with COPD. This finding suggests that cognitive function should be screened in people with COPD.
Bilateral axillary artery aneurysms after Bentall procedure in Marfan syndrome
Authors: Haruki Takashi , Ito Hiroshi , Sakata Kensuke , Kobayashi Yurio
Published: April 2014

A man with Marfan syndrome underwent a Bentall procedure for annuloaortic ectasia and severe aortic regurgitation at 43 years of age. Twenty-eight years after the Bentall procedure, he developed bilateral axillary artery aneurysms (length × diameter: right: 80 × 39 mm; left: 103 × 45 mm). Aneurysmectomy and reconstruction of the axillary artery were performed using an artificial vascular graft. Histological examination revealed cystic medial necrosis. The postoperative course was uneventful, but long-term follow-up is necessary.
Superior vena cava obstruction after heart transplantation
Authors: Kashani Babak Sharif , Ahmadi Zargham Hossein , Abdi Seifollah , Mirhosseini Seyed Mohsen , Kianfar Amir Abbas , Niusha Shanay
Published: April 2014

Superior vena cava obstruction can be a serious complication after heart transplantation. A 58-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy underwent orthotopic bicaval heart transplantation. On the 12th postoperative day, one hour after removing the central venous line, he developed sudden onset of facial edema, cyanosis, and tachycardia. Emergency transesophageal echocardiography revealed superior vena caval thrombosis at the site of anastomosis. Considering the risks of surgical reexploration, the superior vena cava was recanalized by stent deployment. All of the patient’s symptoms were relieved a few hours after stent placement.
The intensities and high sensitivity of a gifted creative genius
Authors: White Sonia
Published: April 2014

This article explores the inner world of Sylvia Ashton-Warner, a gifted woman whose writing and teaching pedagogy earned her national and international acclaim. However, the acknowledged genius of her work is not explored herein. Rather, the inner world of a creatively gifted adult is examined, with particular reference to Dabrowski’s ‘overexcitabilities’ or intensities. Through this examination we may better understand highly creative geniuses, and, as lesser mortals, perhaps learn how to better nurture their sensitive souls and foster their self-understanding and resilience so that society can reap the benefits of their creative genius.
Volatile anaesthesia during cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: McMullan V , Alston RP , Tyrrell J
Published: April 2014

Since its inception, administering and ensuring anaesthesia during cardiopulmonary bypass has been challenging. Partly because of the difficulty of administering volatile agents during cardiopulmonary bypass, total intravenous anaesthesia has been a popular technique used by cardiac anaesthetists in the last two decades. However, the possibility that volatile agents reduce mortality and the incidence of myocardial infarction by preconditioning the myocardium has stimulated a resurgence of interest in their use for cardiac anaesthesia. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the administration of volatile anaesthetic agents during cardiopulmonary bypass for the maintenance of anaesthesia and to address some of the practical issues that are involved in doing so.
The effects of a physiotherapy programme on patients with a pleural effusion: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Valenza-Demet G , Valenza MC , Cabrera-Martos I , Torres-Sánchez I , Revelles-Moyano F
Published: April 2014

Objective:

To investigate the effects of a physiotherapy protocol on patients with pleural effusion.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

University hospital.

Participants:

A total of 104 consecutive inpatients with a medical diagnosis of pleural effusion.

Intervention:

Patients were randomly allocated to a control group receiving standard treatment (medical treatment and drainage) or an intervention group treated with physiotherapy added to standard treatment. The physiotherapy programme included deep breathing exercises, mobilizations and incentive spirometry.

Main outcome measures:

Spirometric predicted values and chest radiographs were measured before treatment and at discharge and the length of hospital stay was recorded. Assessors were blinded to the intervention.

Results:

A comparative analysis showed a significant improvement of spirometric parameters in the intervention group; pre-to-post hospitalization predicted values showed significant changes in vital capacity (73.1 ± 12.6% to 72.13 ± 13.7 %, P<0.001 ), forced expiratory volume in first second (72.13 ± 13.7% to 78.98 ± 16.9%, P<0.001) and forced expiratory flow at 25-75 % (64.8 ± 35.1% to 76.78 ± 35.3%, P=0.198) compared to the control group that showed no significant changes across treatment. The radiographic findings showed better scores on the affected side of the thorax at discharge in the physiotherapy group. Length of hospital stay was also significantly ( P=0.014) shorter in the intervention group (26.7 ± 8.8 days) compared to the control group (38.6 ± 10.7 days).

Conclusions:

A physiotherapy programme added to standard treatment improves the spirometric parameters and the radiological findings and reduces the hospital stay in patients with a pleural effusion.
Results of a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, single-dose study comparing the fixed combination of acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid, and caffeine with ibuprofen for acute treatment of patients with severe migraine
Authors: Goldstein Jerome , Hagen Martina , Gold Morris
Published: April 2014

Introduction

In a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, single-dose study ( n = 1555), a fixed combination of acetaminophen 500 mg, acetylsalicylic acid 500 mg, and caffeine 130 mg (AAC) was compared with ibuprofen 400 mg (IB) and placebo (PLA) for acute treatment of migraine.

Subjects and methods

An exploratory post-hoc analysis compared AAC with IB and PLA in the subset of patients with severe pain at baseline ( n = 660).

Results

At most time points, AAC and IB relieved the pain and associated symptoms of severe migraine significantly better than PLA ( p ≤ 0.05). AAC was significantly superior to IB for pain relief at 45 minutes and at one, two, three, and four hours postdose ( p < 0.04); pain intensity difference from one hour through three hours ( p < 0.05); headache response at two hours ( p = 0.04); functional disability reduced to little or none at three hours ( p = 0.013); freedom from phonophobia at three hours ( p = 0.04) and photophobia at 15 minutes postdose ( p = 0.03); and use of rescue medication ( p = 0.018). AAC patients also reported meaningful pain relief 16 minutes faster than IB patients (132 minutes vs 148 minutes, p = 0.026).

Conclusions

In patients with severe baseline migraine pain, AAC and IB are significantly more effective than PLA, and AAC provides significantly faster and more effective pain relief than IB.
A Call for Examining Replication and Bias in Special Education Research
Authors: Cook Bryan G.
Published: April 2014

Valid, scientific research is critical for ascertaining the effects of instructional techniques on learners with disabilities and for guiding effective special education practice and policy. Researchers in fields such as psychology and medicine have identified serious and widespread shortcomings in their research literatures related to replication and bias, leading many to question the validity of research findings in these fields. Replication and bias have not been systematically examined in special education research. In this article, I explore research on replication and bias conducted in other fields, discuss the likelihood that problems in replication and bias may exist in the special education research base, propose a research agenda for investigating replication and bias in special education research, and make initial recommendations for increasing replication and reducing bias in intervention studies in special education.
Media Corpora, Text Mining, and the Sociological Imagination - A Free Software Text Mining Approach to the Framing of Julian Assange by three news agencies using R.TeMiS
Authors: Bastin Gilles , Bouchet-Valat Milan
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we introduce R.TeMiS, a free software solution aimed at exploring new dimensions in text mining with a particular focus on media framing analysis. R.TeMiS is especially designed to provide help in a) the automation of corpus construction and management procedures based on the use of large media content data bases, and b) the extension of the range of statistical tools available to social scientists exploring texts through R coding (one and two-way tables, time series, hierarchical clustering, correspondence analysis, geographical mapping…). A case study on the media framing of Julian Assange from January 2010 to December 2011 is conducted. It is based on the analysis of a corpus of 667 news dispatches published in English by the three top international news agencies: Agence France-Presse (AFP), Reuters and Associated Press (AP).
Comment et avec qui définir ce qui compte ? « Construction et usages des indicateurs. Pauvreté, richesse, inégalités, bien-être, performance » Amiens, 23 et 24 mai 2013
Authors: Caveng Rémy
Published: April 2014

Defining What Counts, How and with Whom? “Construction and Use of Indicators - Poverty, Wealth, Inequality, Life Satisfaction, Performance”, Amiens, 23-24 May 2013: The development of a barometer of inequality and poverty, as well as the visibility of some of their dimensions, poses a number of problems that exceed the availability and sharing of existing data. More fundamentally, such work involves, as any operation of quantization, defining things that because they matter, they should be counted. The development of agreement on quantifications creates spaces for public debate with, as a central point, the definition that matters. This raises the question of social conditions of access to these debates and the conditions permitting one to express a point of view, especially for individuals with the least social capital. These issues were addressed by the papers presented at this conference and during the ensuing discussion.
Conférence INSNA sur des réseaux sociaux, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Chine, 11-15 juillet 2013
Authors: Favre Guillaume
Published: April 2014

INSNA Conference on Social Networks, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China, 11-15 July 2013: From 11 to 15 July, the International Network of Social Network Analysis (INSNA) organized a conference in China on the development of social network analysis in Asia. While INSNA organizes a conference every year (the Sunbelt) alternately in the United States and Europe, this is the first such conference held in Asia. The organization of this conference highlights the current dynamic opening of Social Science Research in China. The research presented addressed topics such as the growing importance of social capital in China, Guanxi, of government networks and of social movements. This research note describes the main themes and objects of study which were discussed at the conference.
Comment identifier des configurations temporelles à partir d’outils sémantiques - Intérêts et difficultés de l’association de Prospéro et MAO
Authors: Merlaud Fabien , Terral Philippe
Published: April 2014

How to Identify Temporal Configurations with Semantic Tools – Advantages and Difficulties in Associating Prospero and OMA: This article focuses on the opportunities for the sociologist in the development and describing methodologically successive socio-discursive configurations from the perspective of sociology attentive to public issues or collective actions. Noting that it is difficult and costly to reproduce thematic analyzes whenever the corpus evolves and refines research questions, the challenge is to develop computerized tools to accompany the researcher’s reasoning while obliging reflexive thought and permitting the production of data to test hypotheses. With an experimental approach coupling the features of the Prospero and TraMineR (in R software) computer programs, we propose a research protocol which aims to obtain information on dynamic, heterogeneous and complex processes that we would like to be able to equate for at least some aspects. The path is to establish typologies of sequences from semantic data and their optimal matching.
American, French & German Sociologies Compared through Link Analysis of Conference Abstracts
Authors: Meter Karl M. van , Léger Mathilde de Saint
Published: April 2014

Our team of researchers has already analyzed and published the results of the link analysis – co-occurrence of key words in texts – of the 2004, 2006 and 2009 conferences of the French Sociological Association ( Association française de sociologie, AFS), which regularly included over 1,000 presentations. We have also analyzed and published the results concerning the 2004 German Sociological Association ( Deutsche Gesellschaft für Soziologie, DGS) conference, which included just over 400 presentations. Here we analyze and present the results concerning the link analysis of the 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 American Sociological Association (ASA) conferences which include more than 8,000 presentations. The two-dimensional density / centrality structure of these conferences permits us to describe the network of themes in each of these national sociologies and to compare them one with another.
The Association Between Admission Magnesium Concentrations and Lactic Acidosis in Critical Illness
Authors: Moskowitz Ari , Lee Joon , Donnino Michael W. , Mark Roger , Celi Leo Anthony , Danziger John
Published: April 2014

Introduction:

Although magnesium plays an important role in aerobic metabolism and magnesium deficiency is a common phenomenon in critical illness, the association between magnesium deficiency and lactic acidosis in the intensive care unit (ICU) has not been defined.

Methods:

This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted at a 77 ICU bed tertiary medical center. Data pertaining to the first unique admission of any ICU patient between 2001 and 2008 were extracted from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care database. Hypomagnesemia was defined as serum magnesium <1.6 mg/dL. Mild and severe lactic acidosis were defined as lactate concentrations of >2 and > 4 mmol/L, respectively. Multivariate modeling was used to explore the association between magnesium and lactate concentrations.

Results:

Of 8922 critically ill patients, 22.6% were hypomagnesemic. Hypomagnesemia was associated with an increased adjusted risk of mild lactic acidosis (odds ratio [OR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.51-1.94, P < .001) and severe lactic acidosis (OR 1.56, 95%CI 1.32-1.84, P < .001) than the reference quartile. The association between hypomagnesemia and mild lactic acidosis was stronger in those at risk of magnesium deficiency, including diabetics (OR 2.02, 95%CI 1.51-2.72, P < .001) and alcoholics (OR 1.92, 95%CI 1.16-3.19, P = .01). As an internal model control, hypokalemia was not associated with an increased risk of lactic acidosis.

Conclusions:

Magnesium deficiency is a common finding in patients admitted to the ICU and is associated with lactic acidosis. Our findings support the biologic role of magnesium in metabolism and raise the possibility that hypomagnesemia is a correctable risk factor for lactic acidosis in critical illness.