bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mosaic H5 Hemagglutinin Provides Broad Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses against Influenza Viruses
Authors: Kamlangdee Attapon , Kingstad-Bakke Brock , Osorio Jorge E.
Published: May 2016

The most effective way to prevent influenza virus infection is via vaccination. However, the constant mutation of influenza viruses due to antigenic drift and shift compromises vaccine efficacy. This represents a major challenge to the development of a cross-protective vaccine that can protect against circulating viral antigenic diversity. Using the modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus, we had previously generated a recombinant vaccine against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) based on anin silicomosaic approach. This MVA-H5M construct protected mice against multiple clades of H5N1 and H1N1 viruses. We have now further characterized the immune responses using immunodepletion of T cells and passive serum transfer, and these studies indicate that antibodies are the main contributors in homosubtypic protection (H5N1 clades). Compared to a MVA construct expressing hemagglutinin (HA) from influenza virus A/VN/1203/04 (MVA-HA), the MVA-H5M vaccine markedly increased and broadened B cell and T cell responses against H5N1 virus. The MVA-H5M also provided effective protection with no morbidity against H5N1 challenge, whereas MVA-HA-vaccinated mice showed clinical signs and experienced significant weight loss. In addition, MVA-H5M induced CD8+T cell responses that play a major role in heterosubtypic protection (H1N1). Finally, expression of the H5M gene as either a DNA vaccine or a subunit protein protected mice against H5N1 challenge, indicating the effectiveness of the mosaic sequence without viral vectors for the development of a universal influenza vaccine.

IMPORTANCEInfluenza viruses infect up to one billion people around the globe each year and are responsible for 300,000 to 500,000 deaths annually. Vaccines are still the main intervention to prevent infection, but they fail to provide effective protection against heterologous strains of viruses. We developed broadly reactive H5N1 vaccine based on anin silicomosaic approach and previously demonstrated that modified vaccinia Ankara expressing an H5 mosaic hemagglutinin prevented infection with multiple clades of H5N1 and limited severe disease after H1N1 infection. Further characterization revealed that antibody responses and T cells are main contributors to protection against H5N1 and H1N1 viruses, respectively. The vaccine also broadens both T cell and B cell responses compared to native H5 vaccine from influenza virus A/Vietnam/1203/04. Finally, delivering the H5 mosaic as a DNA vaccine or as a purified protein demonstrated effective protection similar to the viral vector approach.
Intrathecal hyperbaric versus isobaric bupivacaine for adult non-caesarean-section surgery: systematic review protocol
Authors: Uppal Vishal , Shanthanna Harsha , Prabhakar Christopher , McKeen Dolores M
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Bupivacaine is the most commonly used local anaesthetic for spinal anaesthesia (SA). There are two forms of commercially available bupivacaine; isobaric bupivacaine (IB): a formulation with a specific gravity or density equal to cerebrospinal fluid, and hyperbaric bupivacaine (HB): a formulation with density heavier than cerebrospinal fluid. The difference in densities of the two available preparations is believed to affect the diffusion pattern that determines the effectiveness, spread and side-effect profile of bupivacaine. This systematic review will summarise the best available evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety on the use of HB compared with IB, when used to provide SA for surgery. Primarily, we will analyse the need for conversion to general anaesthesia. As secondary outcomes, we will compare the incidence of hypotension, incidence of nausea/vomiting, the onset time and duration of anaesthesia.

Methods and analysis

We will search key electronic databases using search strategy (1) injections, spinal OR intrathecal OR subarachnoid; (2) bupivacaine OR levobupivacaine; (3) hypobaric OR isobaric OR plain; (4) baricity. We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases, from their inception for randomised controlled trials, with no restrictions on language. Caesarean section surgery will be excluded. 2 reviewers will independently extract the data using a standardised form. Extracted items will include study characteristics, risk of bias domains, as per modified Cochrane risk of bias, participant disposition and study outcomes. We will conduct a meta-analysis for variables that can be compared across the studies. We will evaluate clinical heterogeneity by qualitatively appraising differences in study characteristics in participants, interventions and the outcomes assessed. We will report our findings as relative risks (dichotomous), and weighted mean differences (continuous) for individual outcomes, along with their 95% CIs.

Ethics and dissemination

We plan to submit, and will publish, our findings in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, and present our results at national and international meetings.

Trial registration number

CRD42015017672.
Measuring patient-perceived quality of care in US hospitals using Twitter
Authors: Hawkins Jared B , Brownstein John S , Tuli Gaurav , Runels Tessa , Broecker Katherine , Nsoesie Elaine O , McIver David J , Rozenblum Ronen , Wright Adam , Bourgeois Florence T , Greaves Felix
Published: May 2016

Background

Patients routinely use Twitter to share feedback about their experience receiving healthcare. Identifying and analysing the content of posts sent to hospitals may provide a novel real-time measure of quality, supplementing traditional, survey-based approaches.

Objective

To assess the use of Twitter as a supplemental data stream for measuring patient-perceived quality of care in US hospitals and compare patient sentiments about hospitals with established quality measures.

Design

404 065 tweets directed to 2349 US hospitals over a 1-year period were classified as having to do with patient experience using a machine learning approach. Sentiment was calculated for these tweets using natural language processing. 11 602 tweets were manually categorised into patient experience topics. Finally, hospitals with ≥50 patient experience tweets were surveyed to understand how they use Twitter to interact with patients.

Key results

Roughly half of the hospitals in the US have a presence on Twitter. Of the tweets directed toward these hospitals, 34 725 (9.4%) were related to patient experience and covered diverse topics. Analyses limited to hospitals with ≥50 patient experience tweets revealed that they were more active on Twitter, more likely to be below the national median of Medicare patients (p<0.001) and above the national median for nurse/patient ratio (p=0.006), and to be a non-profit hospital (p<0.001). After adjusting for hospital characteristics, we found that Twitter sentiment was not associated with Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) ratings (but having a Twitter account was), although there was a weak association with 30-day hospital readmission rates (p=0.003).

Conclusions

Tweets describing patient experiences in hospitals cover a wide range of patient care aspects and can be identified using automated approaches. These tweets represent a potentially untapped indicator of quality and may be valuable to patients, researchers, policy makers and hospital administrators.
REFERENCE DEPENDENCE AND OTHER BEHAVIORAL FINDINGS: THE LIKELIHOOD OF SERIOUS EVALUATION AND POLICY BIASES
Authors: KNETSCH JACK L.
Published: May 2016

Standard economic theory correctly prescribes willingnes-to-pay (WTP) to most accurately assess the welfare change of gains and WTA to measure the welfare change of losses, and, in recognition of reference dependence, reductions of losses. However, its additional assumption of near equivalence between the measures, used to justify the current practice of using WTP for essentially all analyses, has been contradicted by numerous empirical tests. For many areas, and especially environmental quality and health and safety, this institutionally encouraged continuing reliance on presumption over evidence likely leads to serious bias in benefit-cost and related analyses and distortions in policy guidance.
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC EFFECTS ON THE GRANULAR TEMPERATURE OF RED BLOOD CELLS IN MICROVASCULATURE
Authors: XENOS MICHALIS , RAPTIS ANASTASIOS
Published: May 2016

The migration of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) from the wall towards the center of a narrow vessel is the result of the Fahraeus–Lindqvist effect which contemplates the dependence of viscosity and diameter. The kinetic theory explains the formation of the near-wall cell-depleted layer introducing the granular temperature that is defined as the mean square of RBCs fluctuations. The proposed mathematical model elucidates the effect of an externally applied magnetic field on the velocity and granular temperature of RBCs in a microvasculature. The effect of the volume fraction of RBCs on the velocity and granular temperature profiles is also presented and discussed. Based on the insight of the kinetic theory, the application of a stronger static magnetic field probably leads to a restriction of the migration process of RBCs towards the center of the microvessel.
THE INFLUENCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ON INNOVATION: EVIDENCE FROM IRISH MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE FIRMS
Authors: CROWLEY FRANK , BOURKE JANE
Published: May 2016

The ability of firms to maximise their innovative potential is fundamental to economic growth. The successful implementation of human resource management (HRM) practices is important for firm performance, and there is a growing understanding of the benefits to firms when HRM practices are applied together. We investigate if HRM practices are significantly more effective when implemented as ‘bundles’ or ‘systems’ of complementarities than when they are implemented individually in Irish manufacturing and service firms. The National Workplace Survey (2009a), a dataset rich with information on HRM practices at the firm level, is employed. HRM bundles relating to performance management and appraisal, knowledge sharing and involvement and empowerment in decision-making are all positively associated with innovation in manufacturing and service firms, and bundles of flexible employment contracts practices positively influence innovation in service firms. In summary, HRM practices when applied together, rather than in isolation, are important for firm innovation.
Pyridoxamine reduces postinjury fibrosis and improves functional recovery after acute kidney injury
Authors: Skrypnyk Nataliya I. , Voziyan Paul , Yang Haichun , de Caestecker Christian R. , Theberge Marie-Claude , Drouin Mathieu , Hudson Billy , Harris Raymond C. , de Caestecker Mark P.
Published: May 2016

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and independent risk factor for death and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Despite promising preclinical data, there is no evidence that antioxidants reduce the severity of injury, increase recovery, or prevent CKD in patients with AKI. Pyridoxamine (PM) is a structural analog of vitamin B6 that interferes with oxidative macromolecular damage via a number of different mechanisms and is in a phase 3 clinical efficacy trial to delay CKD progression in patients with diabetic kidney disease. Because oxidative stress is implicated as one of the main drivers of renal injury after AKI, the ability of PM to interfere with multiple aspects of oxidative damage may be favorable for AKI treatment. In these studies we therefore evaluated PM treatment in a mouse model of AKI. Pretreatment with PM caused a dose-dependent reduction in acute tubular injury, long-term postinjury fibrosis, as well as improved functional recovery after ischemia-reperfusion AKI (IR-AKI). This was associated with a dose-dependent reduction in the oxidative stress marker isofuran-to-F2-isoprostane ratio, indicating that PM reduces renal oxidative damage post-AKI. PM also reduced postinjury fibrosis when administered 24 h after the initiating injury, but this was not associated with improvement in functional recovery after IR-AKI. This is the first report showing that treatment with PM reduces short- and long-term injury, fibrosis, and renal functional recovery after IR-AKI. These preclinical findings suggest that PM, which has a favorable clinical safety profile, holds therapeutic promise for AKI and, most importantly, for prevention of adverse long-term outcomes after AKI.
Hippo signaling in the kidney: the good and the bad
Authors: Wong Jenny S. , Meliambro Kristin , Ray Justina , Campbell Kirk N.
Published: May 2016

The Hippo signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved kinase cascade, playing multiple roles in embryonic development that controls organ size, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. At the center of this network lie the Hippo kinase target and downstream pathway effector Yes-associated protein (YAP) and its paralog TAZ. In its phosphorylated form, cytoplasmic YAP is sequestered in an inactive state. When it is dephosphorylated, YAP, a potent oncogene, is activated and relocates to the nucleus to interact with a number of transcription factors and signaling regulators that promote cell growth, differentiation, and survival. The identification of YAP activation in human cancers has made it an attractive target for chemotherapeutic drug development. Little is known to date about the function of the Hippo pathway in the kidney, but that is rapidly changing. Recent studies have shed light on the role of Hippo-YAP signaling in glomerular and lower urinary tract embryonic development, maintenance of podocyte homeostasis, the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier, regulation of renal tubular cyst growth, renal epithelial injury in diabetes, and renal fibrogenesis. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the Hippo-YAP signaling axis in the kidney under normal and disease conditions.
Megamap: flexible representation of a large space embedded with nonspatial information by a hippocampal attractor network
Authors: Hedrick Kathryn R. , Zhang Kechen
Published: May 2016

The problem of how the hippocampus encodes both spatial and nonspatial information at the cellular network level remains largely unresolved. Spatial memory is widely modeled through the theoretical framework of attractor networks, but standard computational models can only represent spaces that are much smaller than the natural habitat of an animal. We propose that hippocampal networks are built on a basic unit called a “megamap,” or a cognitive attractor map in which place cells are flexibly recombined to represent a large space. Its inherent flexibility gives the megamap a huge representational capacity and enables the hippocampus to simultaneously represent multiple learned memories and naturally carry nonspatial information at no additional cost. On the other hand, the megamap is dynamically stable, because the underlying network of place cells robustly encodes any location in a large environment given a weak or incomplete input signal from the upstream entorhinal cortex. Our results suggest a general computational strategy by which a hippocampal network enjoys the stability of attractor dynamics without sacrificing the flexibility needed to represent a complex, changing world.
Osimertinib (AZD9291) Enhanced the Efficacy of Chemotherapeutic Agents in ABCB1- and ABCG2-Overexpressing Cells In Vitro, In Vivo, and Ex Vivo
Authors: Chen Zhen , Chen Yifan , Xu Meng , Chen Likun , Zhang Xu , To Kenneth Kin Wah , Zhao Hongyun , Wang Fang , Xia Zhongjun , Chen Xiaoqin , Fu Liwu
Published: May 2016

The overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters has been proved to be a major trigger for multidrug resistance (MDR) in certain types of cancer. In our study, we investigated whether osimertinib (AZD9291), a third-generation irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor of both activating EGFR mutations and resistance-associated T790M point mutation, could reverse MDR induced by ABCB1 and ABCG2 in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo. Our results showed that osimertinib significantly increased the sensitivity of ABCB1- and ABCG2-overexpressing cells to their substrate chemotherapeutic agents in vitro and in the model of ABCB1-overexpressing KBv200 cell xenograft in nude mice. Mechanistically, osimertinib increased the intracellular accumulations of doxorubicin (DOX) and Rhodamine 123 (Rho 123) by inhibiting the efflux function of the transporters in ABCB1- or ABCG2-overexpressing cells but not in their parental sensitive cells. Furthermore, osimertinib stimulated the ATPase activity of both ABCB1 and ABCG2 and competed with the [125I] iodoarylazidoprazosin photolabeling bound to ABCB1 or ABCG2, but did not alter the localization and expression of ABCB1 or ABCG2 in mRNA and protein levels nor the phosphorylations of EGFR, AKT, and ERK. Importantly, osimertinib also enhanced the cytotoxicity of DOX and intracellular accumulation of Rho 123 in ABCB1-overexpressing primary leukemia cells. Overall, these findings suggest osimertinib reverses ABCB1- and ABCG2-mediated MDR via inhibiting ABCB1 and ABCG2 from pumping out chemotherapeutic agents and provide possibility for cancer combinational therapy with osimertinib in the clinic. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1845–58. ©2016 AACR.
The Experience of Creating Community
Authors: Parker Elizabeth Cassidy
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to explore four midwestern choral teachers’ experiences of creating and sustaining community within their public school choirs. Research questions included (1) how choral teachers describe their experiences of creating choral communities, (2) how the teacher–student relationship is experienced, and (3) what challenges get in the way of sustaining choral communities. Writings by Edith and Victor Turner, Martin Buber, and Nel Noddings were used as a theoretical lens. Participants were selected purposively and represented heterogeneous choral programs, different school sizes, and diverse population densities. Participants included one 8th-year middle school male choral teacher, two female high school choral teachers who had taught for more than 18 years each, and one male middle and high school choral teacher who had taught for 12 years. Cases were bounded by interviews, written and observational data, and artifacts. The data collection included 20 observations, 12 interviews with choral teachers, and 16 student interviews. Data analysis was inductive; 31 codes emerged and were gathered into four themes including support and care, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance, quality creates and inhibits community, and program legacy and vision. Teacher profiles are included in the findings.
Influence of Ambient Odors on Time Perception in a Retrospective Paradigm
Authors: Brand Gérard , Thiabaud F. , Dray N.
Published: May 2016

Environmental stimuli can influence time perception, including sensory stimulations. Among them, odors are known to modulate emotion, attention, behavior, or performance, but few studies have investigated the possible effects of ambient odors on time perception. Thus, the present study aimed to compare in a retrospective paradigm the time estimation in three conditions, i.e., with phenyl ethyl alcohol as a pleasant odor, pyridine as unpleasant odor, and a control condition without ambient odor. A total of 90 participants ( M age = 23 years, 10 months) took part in three different tasks, i.e., an aesthetic classification task, a sensorimotor checking task, and a mathematical operations task. Results showed a better accuracy of the time estimation in odor condition (1) independently of the characteristics of odorants (2) limited to tasks with a low cognitive involvement. These findings are discussed in relation to the possible role of attention and arousal in the modulation of time perception by ambient odors.
Tourism Specialization, Absorptive Capacity, and Economic Growth
Authors: De Vita Glauco , Kyaw Khine S.
Published: May 2016

This article investigates the relationship between tourism specialization and economic growth while accounting for the absorptive capacity of host (tourism destination) countries, defined in terms of financial system development. We use the system generalized methods-of-moments (SYS-GMM) estimation methodology to investigate this relationship for 129 countries over the period 1995–2011. The results support the hypothesis that the positive effect of tourism specialization on growth is contingent on the level of economic development as well as the financial system absorptive capacity of recipient economies. Consistent with the law of diminishing returns, we also find that for countries with a developed financial system, at exponential levels of tourism specialization, its effect on growth turns negative. Significant policy implications flow from these findings.
Emotional Intelligence Mediates the Relationship between Age and Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Chen Yiwei , Peng Yisheng , Fang Ping
Published: May 2016

Individuals’ Subjective Well-being (SWB) increases as they grow older. Past literature suggests that emotional intelligence may increase with age and lead to higher levels of SWB in older adults. The primary purpose of the present study was to test whether emotional intelligence would mediate the relationship between age and SWB. A total of 360 Chinese adults (age range: 20 to 79 years old) participated in this study. They filled out questionnaires that assessed their age, life satisfaction (The Satisfaction with Life Scale), affective well-being (The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), and emotional intelligence (The Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale). Using Structural Equation Modeling, the mediation model was supported, χ2 (75) = 194.21, p < .01; RMSEA = .07; CFI = .91. Emotional intelligence partially mediated the relationship between age and life satisfaction, and fully mediated the relationship between age and affective well-being. The findings suggest that older adults may use their increased emotional intelligence to enhance their SWB.
Age Bias in the Workplace
Authors: McNamara Tay K. , Pitt-Catsouphes Marcie , Sarkisian Natasha , Besen Elyssa , Kidahashi Miwako
Published: May 2016

Two key theoretical frameworks that explain why people might hold biases for or against a specific age group—cultural stereotypes and in-group favoritism—yield distinct and sometimes contradictory predictions. This study proposes a combined framework drawing on these two theories and then tests hypotheses based on this framework in the workplace context. Using survey data from U.S. employees of two pharmaceutical companies, we evaluated the extent to which respondents attributed characteristics related to innovation or change and reliable performance to other workers based on perceived relative age (the age of the target relative to the age of the respondent). The hypotheses that our combined framework generated were supported, but the results varied by type of characteristic as well as by age of the respondent. We conclude that the combined framework is more predictive of age bias in the workplace than either individual framework alone.
Challenging the Status Quo
Authors: McCarthy Maureen A. , Frantz Sue
Published: May 2016

Student beliefs in common psychological misperceptions were assessed at the beginning of an introductory psychology course, the end of the course, and again 1 year later. At the end of the course, students’ previously held misperceptions of psychological phenomena shifted toward more accurate perceptions, and 1 year later, students reported that they had not reverted to the original misconceptions for the majority of the myths evaluated. Results of this study suggest that the introductory psychology course can be effective in correcting common misperceptions of psychological phenomena.
Robust stabilization and control using fractional order integrator
Authors: Ben Hmed Amina , Amairi Messaoud , Aoun Mohamed
Published: May 2016

This paper addresses the robust stabilization problem of first-order uncertain systems. To treat the robust stabilization problem, an interval-based stabilization method using stability conditions of the non-commensurate elementary fractional transfer function of the second kind is developed. Some analytic expressions are determined to compute the set of all stabilizing controller parameters and plot the stability boundary. A robust performance control is also developed to fulfil some desired time-domain performances as the iso-overshoot property. The fractional controller can be used combined with the Smith predictor to control a first-order system with time delay and achieve desired specifications. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the obtained results.
Geographies of conservation I
Authors: Adams William M.
Published: May 2016

Extinction has long been a central concern in biodiversity conservation. Today, de-extinction offers interesting possibilities of restoring charismatic species and ecosystem function, but also risks and costs. Most de-extinction depends on genetic engineering and synthetic biology. These technologies are also proposed for use in ‘gene tweaking’ in wild species to enhance their chance of survival. Within conservation, the resulting debates pit an optimistic world of high-tech ‘precision conservation’ against a more conventional vision of biodiversity conservation achieved primarily through protected areas. De-extinction is a fashionable idea that brings the complex debates about the ethics and wisdom of genetic engineering to a central position within conservation science
Learning from postneoliberalisms
Authors: Elwood Sarah , Bond Patrick , Novo Carmen Martínez , Radcliffe Sarah
Published: May 2016

This forum examines a range of grounded struggles over efforts to materialize elements of a ‘postneoliberal’ agenda by social and political movements of the 2000s. Drawing from their research in Latin America and South Africa, the contributors ask when, where and why these experiments in realizing postneoliberalisms have prompted durable transformations in neoliberal political economic structures and social rationalities (or not). Theorizing from diverse postneoliberalisms, they interrogate what these material and ideological projects reveal about space, power, contestation, and possibilities of reconstituting deeply unequal worlds.
Nations, materialities and affects
Authors: Merriman Peter , Jones Rhys
Published: May 2016

In this paper we demonstrate how writings on affect, materiality and relationality necessitate a rethinking of theories of the nation, focusing on the intermittent emergence and flickering presence of nation-ness and national identity. In moving beyond Billig’s notion of ‘banal nationalism’, we argue that the presencing/absencing, foregrounding/backgrounding, and individualizing/collectivizing of feelings results from the differential capacities for bodies to affect or be affected and the assembling of particular configurations of bodies and materials. We demonstrate this through a discussion of how national feelings and affects have gathered around two infrastructures in Wales, the A470 road and the Severn Bridge.
Evidence for potential involvement of pro-inflammatory adipokines in the pathogenesis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Authors: Samancı Bedia , Samancı Yavuz , Tüzün Erdem , Altıokka-Uzun Güneş , Ekizoğlu Esme , İçöz Sema , Şahin Erdi , Küçükali Cem İsmail , Baykan Betül
Published: May 2016

Background

Although specific role players are currently unknown, contribution of inflammatory mediators has been suggested in the pathophysiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), which is a disease more prevalent in obese female individuals of childbearing age. We aimed to investigate the levels of adipokines and cytokines to demonstrate possible markers for inflammation that participate in IIH pathophysiology and their association with clinical features of IIH.

Methods

IIH patients, diagnosed according to the revised criteria, and age-, gender- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Serum samples were evaluated for insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin, nesfatin, adiponectin, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, leptin, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1, resistin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or multiplex immunoassays.

Results

IL-1β level was significantly higher ( p = 0.012), and IL-8 and TNF-α levels were significantly lower in the IIH group ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively) compared to the control group. There were no correlations between the cytokine/adipokine levels and age, BMI, disease duration, and cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands. There were also no significant differences in cytokine and adipokine levels between IIH patients regarding visual impairment. However, statistically significant differences were found between IIH patients with relapse versus healthy controls regarding IL-1β ( p = 0.007), IL-8 ( p = 0.001) and TNF-α ( p = 0.017) levels. Other investigated cytokines and adipokines showed no significant alterations in IIH patients investigated in the remission period.

Conclusion

Altered serum levels of IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α seem to be associated with IIH pathogenesis, and these cytokines may be used as prognostic markers in IIH to predict relapse.
Piloting a Commercial Model for Fortified Rice
Authors: Milani Peiman , Spohrer Rebecca , Garrett Greg , Kreis Katharine
Published: May 2016

Background:

Two billion people worldwide have micronutrient deficiencies. Food fortification is a proven intervention to increase essential micronutrient availability in diets without requiring consumer behavioral change. Fortification of rice has high potential reach; however, cost, technology, market, and cultural constraints have prevented its wider adoption.

Objective:

From 2010 to 2014, PATH and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition implemented a pilot project in Brazil testing a model to scale up rice fortification through commercial channels. The project focused on 5 areas: (1) building fortified rice kernel production capacity; (2) supply chain development; (3) distribution channel and market development; (4) demand generation; and (5) advocacy and knowledge dissemination.

Methods:

Primary data were collected in 2 rounds of quantitative research 6 months apart and conducted in 2 regions in Brazil. Secondary data were sourced from published literature, socioeconomic and demographic data, and sales figures from the project’s rice miller partner. Postmortem analysis was conducted by the project team with input from external sources.

Results:

Although the project successfully launched a fortified rice product and a category brand platform, it was unsuccessful in reaching meaningful scale. Market and industry dynamics affected producers’ willingness to launch new fortified products. Consumers’ strong attachment to rice combined with a weak understanding of micronutrient malnutrition hampered demand creation efforts.

Conclusion:

This project showed that a purely commercial approach is insufficient for sustainable scale-up of fortified rice to achieve public health goals in a 3- to 5-year period.
Colorfastness Properties of Persimmon Dye on Cotton and Wool Fabrics
Authors: Li Yan Vivian , Malensek Nicholas , Sarkar Ajoy K. , Xiang Chunhui
Published: May 2016

Persimmon dye is a natural dye potentially used to promote sustainable textile industry. In this article, cotton and wool fabrics were dyed with persimmon dye. The performance of the dye was characterized using color strength and appearance analysis (ColorQuest), American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists colorfastness tests, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed color strength of dyed cotton and wool fabrics was enhanced with increasing dye concentration and dyeing times. The comparison between cotton and wool suggested persimmon dye exhibits better dyeing performance (higher color strength and higher colorfastness ratings) on wool fabrics than on cotton fabrics. The FTIR analysis indicated no significant chemical reactions or changes in persimmon dye occurred to dyed fabrics, suggesting negligible impact on chemical and physical properties of the dyed fabrics. The reported results are valuable in exploring the opportunity of using persimmon dye as a useful natural dye for a sustainable textile dyeing industry, especially in the case of dyeing natural fibers.
Sarbin’s way: Overcoming mentalism and mechanism in psychology
Authors: Scheibe Karl E. , Barrett Frank J.
Published: May 2016

This article traces the contributions to psychological theory and practice of Theodore R. Sarbin over a career that began in the 1930s and ended with his death in 2005. His early research on clinical vs. actuarial prediction and on hypnosis reflected a disposition to be critical of received ways of thinking in psychology. He came to think of many of the terms in the psychological vocabulary as ossified metaphors turned into myths. His promotion of role theory within social psychology gave priority to social structure as the key to understanding conduct, and he saw the self and social identity as products of the interaction of the individual with society. He rejected both mentalism and mechanism as adequate approaches to psychology. He turned to contextualism as the preferred world view for psychology, and to narrative as a way of understanding the flow of human life.
Moral distress of nursing undergraduates: Myth or reality?
Authors: Rennó Heloiza Maria Siqueira , Ramos Flávia Regina Souza , Brito Maria José Menezes
Published: May 2016

Introduction:

During their education process, nursing undergraduates experience ethical conflicts and dilemmas that can lead to moral distress. Moral distress can deprive the undergraduates of their working potential and may cause physical and mental health problems.

Objective:

We investigated the experiences of the undergraduates in order to identify the existence of moral distress caused by ethical conflict and dilemmas experienced during their nursing education.

Ethical considerations:

This study was designed according to the principles of research with human beings and was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee.

Method:

A qualitative multiple-case study. Two federal higher education institutions were surveyed, from which 58 undergraduates in nursing participated in the study. The undergraduates were undergoing their professional training. The data were collected through focus groups and were submitted to thematic content analysis, with the resources of the ATLAS TI 7.0 software.

Results:

Moral distress in undergraduates is a reality and was identified in three axes of analysis: (1) moral distress is experienced by undergraduates in the reality of healthcare services, (2) the teacher as a source of moral distress, and (3) moral distress as a positive experience.

Conclusion:

The undergraduates in nursing manifest moral distress in different stages of their education, particularly during their professional training. The academic community should reflect and seek solutions for the reality of moral distress in undergraduates.
Go gentle babe: Accounting and the London Foundling Hospital, 1757–97
Authors: Miley Frances , Read Andrew
Published: May 2016

The London Foundling Hospital was a charitable institution established to turn children of the poor into virtuous and industrious members of society. Poverty-stricken parents gave their children, known as foundlings, to the hospital which cared for and educated them until they could be placed into employment. Since eighteenth-century Britain stigmatized and marginalized the poor, viewing them as immoral and indigent. An important aspect of the charity’s function was (re)creating stigmatized foundling identities so they could leave the hospital as accepted members of mainstream society. This research examines the role of accounting in supporting the hospital’s efforts to (re)create stigmatized identities. We examine the plethora of records the hospital maintained about every aspect of the children’s lives, which were both mechanisms of surveillance and control and evidence of the hospital’s successful efforts in moulding the foundlings into virtuous and industrious members of society. The hospital did not distinguish between financial and non-financial records, ensuring both were regularly reviewed and audited before being made available to selected members of the public. We contrast the public availability of these records, which evidenced hospital (re)created identities, with the hospital’s secrecy surrounding tokens, small items given by a parent when hospitalizing a child. We contend that the tokens were a form of accounting record that represented stigmatized identities of the poor and had to be hidden so they could be replaced with (re)created acceptable identities. We conclude that examining accounting records maintained by the hospital provides insights into the role accounting can play in supporting the work of charitable institutions seeking to create social acceptability for stigmatized groups.
Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention in Young Korean Immigrant Women: Implications for Intervention Development
Authors: Lee Hee Yun , Lee Mi Hwa
Published: May 2016

This study aimed to identify major barriers to Papanicolaou (Pap) test uptake and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptability. Three focus groups with 16 young Korean immigrant women residing in a community in the Midwest were conducted. Braun and Clarke’s six phases of thematic analysis were used to develop themes. Three major themes emerged as barriers: (a) limited knowledge about cervical cancer and preventive behaviors, (b) culture-specific barriers, and (c) low accessibility to health care services. These themes were multifactorial and interrelated barriers to Pap test uptake and HPV vaccine acceptability among young Korean immigrant women. These findings indicate that culturally tailored cervical cancer education is needed to promote Pap test uptake and HPV vaccination in this underserved population.
A crystal plasticity based approach for the modelling of high cycle fatigue damage in metallic materials
Authors: Zghal Jihed , Gmati Hela , Mareau Charles , Morel Franck
Published: May 2016

In this paper, a polycrystalline model is proposed to describe the fatigue behaviour of metallic materials in the high cycle fatigue regime. The model is based on a multiscale approach, which allows the connection of local deformation and damage mechanisms to macroscopic behaviour. To consider the anisotropy of plastic properties, the constitutive model is developed at the grain scale within a crystal plasticity framework. A phenomenological approach, which requires the introduction of a damage variable for each slip system, is used to account for the anisotropic nature of damage. The constitutive model is then integrated within a self-consistent formulation to consider the polycrystalline nature of metallic materials. Finally, the proposed model is used to describe the high cycle fatigue behaviour of a medium carbon steel (0.35% C). With a proper adjustment of material parameters, the model is capable of correctly reproducing fatigue test results, even for complex loading conditions (multiaxial, non-proportional). According to the model, damage is found to be highly localized in some specific grains. Also, while fatigue damage results in a progressive decrease in elastic stiffness at the crystal scale, the elastic properties are not significantly affected at the macroscopic scale. The model is used to study the correlation between energy dissipation and fatigue damage. According to the numerical results, no evident correlation between fatigue damage and energy dissipation is observed.
Drug-Induced Fever
Authors: Tabor Patricia A.
Published: May 2016

Humans maintain body temperature within a narrow range. Drug administration can upset the usual balance and cause a fever. The drug may interfere with heat dissipation peripherally, increase the rate of metabolism, evoke a cellular or humoral immune response, mimic endogenous pyrogen, or damage tissues. The fever may be a result of the pharmacological action of the drug or some other unrelated effect. Drug-induced fever is most commonly the result of a hypersensitivity reaction and its characteristics resemble those of an allergic reaction. The fever most commonly occurs after 7 to 10 days of drug administration, persists as long as the drug is continued, disappears soon after stopping the drug, and will rapidly reappear if the drug is restarted. The agents most commonly associated with causing fever include the penicillins, cephalosporins, antituberculars, quinidine, procainamide, methyldopa, and phenytoin.
The Effect of Clinical Pharmacy Services on Family Practice Residents' Attitudes: A Nationwide Study
Authors: Helling Dennis K. , Thies Patrick W. , Rakel Robert E.
Published: May 2016

A nationwide study investigated the attitudes of family practice residents toward: (1) interdisciplinary health care teams in family practice; (2) the clinical pharmacist as a member of the health care team; and (3) the utility of clinical pharmacist involvement in private family practice offices. A random sample of 174 family practice residency programs was selected for study. First-year residents comprised the sample population. Based on the response of the directors, programs were assigned to experimental (programs offering clinical pharmacy services) or control (no clinical pharmacy services) groups. Completed attitudinal instruments were received from 158 resident respondents in the experimental group and 153 resident respondents from the control group. The reliability coefficient of the returned questionnaires was 0.901 by the split-halves method. Residents in the experimental group had significantly more favorable attitudes than those residents in the control group on several scales. These scales included the clinical pharmacist's participation on the health care team, utility of a clinical pharmacist in a private practice setting, desirability of hiring a clinical pharmacist, and the desirability of practicing with a multidisciplinary health care team. These results support the hypothesis that exposure to clinical pharmacy services can significantly affect physician resident's attitudes toward clinical pharmacy.
The Influence of Diltiazem Hydrochloride on Trough Serum Digoxin Concentrations
Authors: North Donald S. , Mattern Allan L. , Hiser Wesley W.
Published: May 2016

A significant drug interaction between verapamil and digoxin, resulting in elevated serum digoxin concentrations, has been well documented in the medical literature. However, a similar interaction between digoxin and the calcium channel blockers nifedipine and diltiazem has not been conclusively established. This study investigated the influence of diltiazem hydrochloride on trough serum concentrations of concurrently administered digoxin in eight healthy volunteers.

During the control phase of the study, volunteers were administered digoxin 0.25 mg/d for 13 days, and subsequently judged to be at steady state by serial determinations of digoxin serum concentrations. Twenty-four hour urine collections were done for creatinine clearance and urinary digoxin clearance determinations. Phase II of the study involved the addition of diltiazem hydrochloride 30 mg qid to the on-going, daily regimen of digoxin. After 14 days of concomitant therapy, steady-state trough digoxin concentrations were again determined, as well as creatinine clearances and urinary digoxin clearances.

This investigation demonstrates that concomitant administration of diltiazem hydrochloride with digoxin results in significantly elevated steady-state trough digoxin concentrations (0.32 ± 0.07 ng/ml increasing to 0.48 ± 0.06 ng/ml, p<0.01). Urinary digoxin clearance decreased from 223.5 ± 35.7 ml/min to 153.4 ± 17.5 ml/min (p<0.05). Creatinine clearances were unaltered. A review of the current literature on this topic is included.
Family Violence in Domestic Homicides
Authors: Tyson Danielle , Kirkwood Deborah , Mckenzie Mandy
Published: May 2016

This article examines the impact of legislative reforms enacted in 2005 in Victoria, Australia, on legal responses to women charged with murder for killing their intimate partner. The reforms provided for a broader understanding of the context of family violence to be considered in such cases, but we found little evidence of this in practice. This is partly attributable to persistent misconceptions among the legal profession about family violence and why women may believe it necessary to kill a partner. We recommend specialized training for legal professionals and increased use of family violence evidence to help ensure women’s claims of self-defense receive appropriate responses from Victorian courts.
Investigation on tribological characteristics of boron steel 22MnB5–tool steel H13 tribopair at high temperature
Authors: Mu Yanhong , Wang Baoyu , Huang Mingdong , Zhou Jing , Li Xuetao
Published: May 2016

In the background that the quenchable boron steels have been widely used to manufacture body-in-white by hot stamping because of its ultra-high strength, the understanding of frictional characteristics of the boron steel–tool steel tribopair at high temperature should be deepened. In this work, the friction behaviors of the tool steel H13 against the boron steel 22MnB5 were investigated at different temperatures, sliding velocities, contact pressures, and lubrication conditions by ring-on-disc sliding testing. The tribological characteristics were analyzed through scanning electron microscope and confocal laser scanning. The results show the relationship between the friction coefficient and the hot stamping parameters well. The friction coefficient decreases remarkably with the increasing temperature and contact pressure, but sliding velocity has no noticeable influence on the friction coefficient. The wear mechanism also changes with different process parameters and the main mechanism is a combination of adhesive and abrasive wear. Furthermore, MoS2 lubricant can reduce the friction coefficient effectively and protect the die from severe wear.
Value co-destruction in interfirm relationships
Authors: Prior Daniel D. , Marcos-Cuevas Javier
Published: May 2016

Value co-destruction is emerging as an important way to conceptualize non-positive outcomes from actor-to-actor interactions. However, current research in this area neither offers a clear way to understand how value co-destruction manifests nor does it consider the role of actor engagement behaviors. Drawing on a case study in the aerospace industry, the present study begins by identifying and describing two ways in which actor perceptions of value co-destruction form: goal prevention and net deficits. Next, the study identifies and describes nine actor engagement behaviors that moderate actor experiences of value co-destruction. The study also unpacks these concepts at both the actor-to-actor and service ecosystem levels. The article concludes with implications for marketing theory and practice.