bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased risk for metachronous gastric adenocarcinoma following gastric MALT lymphoma—A US population‐based study
Authors: Palmela Carolina , Fonseca Cristina , Faria Rita , Baptista Rute Baeta , Ribeiro Sofia , Ferreira Alexandre Oliveira
Published: September 2016

Background

Gastric mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (gMALT) and gastric adenocarcinoma (GC) are long‐term complications of chronic Helicobacter pylori (HP) gastritis. Treatment of HP infection induces remission in most patients with gMALT. Endoscopic follow‐up is not currently endorsed after complete remission. However, the risk of GC in these patients is unclear.

Objective

The objective of this study is to estimate GC risk in gMALT patients.

Methods

The National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results 13 (SEER) database‐Nov 2014 Sub (1992–2012) was used to identify adult patients diagnosed with gMALT between 1992 and 2012. The standardized incidence ratio of second primary GC after a latency period of 12 months was calculated and compared to a reference SEER cohort of identical age, sex and time period. The risk of GC in these patients was also stratified by latency period (five years) and age.

Results

We identified 2195 cases of gMALT lymphoma, and 20 (0.91%) of them subsequently developed GC with a relative risk (RR) of 4.32 (95% CI 2.64–6.67) compared to the American population. The median latency time was five years and the risk was maintained afterward (RR 4.92, 95% CI 2.45–8.79). When stratified by age group the risk was highest for the 45–64 group (RR 14.04, 95% CI 5.64–28.93).

Conclusion

gMALT lymphoma is associated with an increased risk of metachronous gastric adenocarcinoma. The risk is still present after more than five years of follow‐up. Further studies may clarify the most adequate follow‐up strategy.
Diagnosis and Management of a Pancreaticopleural Fistula in a Patient with AIDS and a Large Pleural Effusion
Authors: Blayney Margaret J. , Nguyen Andy , Aboulafia David M.
Published: September 2016

Pleural effusions typically present with nonspecific pulmonary complaints in the setting of either acute or chronic diseases. In the general population, these illnesses include congestive heart failure, infection, and malignancy. However, in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), pleural effusions often result from opportunistic infections and AIDS-defining malignancies, such as Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, there has been a decline in the frequency of AIDS-defining opportunistic infections and AIDS-defining cancers and an increase in certain non-AIDS-defining malignancies including lung cancer. Throughout this period, longer life expectancy in PLWHA has contributed to an increased risk of those chronic diseases that can result in pleural effusions. This case describes an HIV-infected man who was an active cigarette smoker and alcoholic and who presented with a large pleural effusion of uncertain etiology. The authors review several important noncardiac risk factors associated with pleural effusions in PLWHA. The authors also emphasize the importance of obtaining a detailed medical history and the use of appropriate imaging and laboratory tests in order to identify an underlying cause and to provide optimal treatment.
HIV Stigma: Perspectives from Kenyan Child Caregivers and Adolescents Living with HIV
Authors: McHenry Megan Song , Nyandiko Winstone M. , Scanlon Michael L. , Fischer Lydia J. , McAteer Carole I. , Aluoch Josephine , Naanyu Violet , Vreeman Rachel C.
Published: September 2016

Stigma shapes all aspects of HIV prevention and treatment, yet there are limited data on how HIV-infected youth and their families are affected by stigma in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors conducted a qualitative study using focus group discussions among 39 HIV-infected adolescents receiving care at HIV clinics in western Kenya and 53 caregivers of HIV-infected children. Participants felt that while knowledge and access to treatment were increasing, many community members still held negative and inaccurate views about HIV, including associating it with immorality and believing in transmission by casual interactions. Stigma was closely related to a loss of social and economic support but also included internalized negative feelings about oneself. Participants identified treatment-related impacts of stigma, including nonadherence, nondisclosure of status to child or others, and increased mental health problems. Qualitative inquiry also provided insights into how to measure and reduce stigma among affected individuals and families.
Telepharmacy
Authors: Steckler Taylor
Published: September 2016

Telepharmacy involves pharmacist provision of clinical services at a distance and often includes electronic health record integration, audio-video connections, and increased patient access to pharmaceutical care. With the rapid expansion of this field comes critical questions that need to be answered by forward-thinking people in the profession. These issues include centralized checking workflows, potential reductions in patient counseling, and increased technician independence and responsibilities. If these points can be addressed with the needs of patients at the forefront, telepharmacy is poised to significantly advance access to care.
MicroScope: ChIP-seq and RNA-seq software analysis suite for gene expression heatmaps
Authors: Khomtchouk Bohdan B. , Hennessy James R. , Wahlestedt Claes
Published: September 2016

Background

Heatmaps are an indispensible visualization tool for examining large-scale snapshots of genomic activity across various types of next-generation sequencing datasets. However, traditional heatmap software do not typically offer multi-scale insight across multiple layers of genomic analysis (e.g., differential expression analysis, principal component analysis, gene ontology analysis, and network analysis) or multiple types of next-generation sequencing datasets (e.g., ChIP-seq and RNA-seq). As such, it is natural to want to interact with a heatmap’s contents using an extensive set of integrated analysis tools applicable to a broad array of genomic data types.

Results

We propose a user-friendly ChIP-seq and RNA-seq software suite for the interactive visualization and analysis of genomic data, including integrated features to support differential expression analysis, interactive heatmap production, principal component analysis, gene ontology analysis, and dynamic network analysis.

Conclusions

MicroScope is hosted online as an R Shiny web application based on the D3 JavaScript library:http://microscopebioinformatics.org/. The methods are implemented in R, and are available as part of the MicroScope project at:https://github.com/Bohdan-Khomtchouk/Microscope.
Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Can Guide and Improve Oncology Providers’ Training in Brazil
Authors: Bergerot Cristiane Decat , Philip Errol J. , Bergerot Paulo Gustavo , Elias Simone , Guimarães Daiane Pereira , Forones Nora Manoukian , Baiocchi Otavio Cesar Carvalho Guimarães , Batista Nildo Alves , De Domenico Edvane Birelo Lopes
Published: September 2016

Purpose

It has become crucial to translate scientific findings and to find ways by which to mobilize local resources to improve the quality and accessibility of cancer care in developing countries. This study seeks to provide insight into challenge through examining differences in clinician documentation of patients with cancer treated at a Brazilian Public University Hospital.

Methods

ASCO Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) measures were used to examine the care provided in the departments of breast, colorectal, lymphoma, gynecology, and lung cancers. For this study, data from a representative sample of patients receiving chemotherapy in the previous month were extracted and quality of cancer care indicators examined.

Results

Certain elements of medical care were consistently and appropriately documented, including cancer diagnosis and stage, chemotherapy planning, administration, and summary. In general, considering the specific cancer management measures, patients received recommended care in accordance with recognized guidelines. Despite this, a number of important gaps in care were identified, including the assessment and treatment of pain, documentation of chemotherapy intention, symptom and toxicity management, patients’ psychosocial status, and provision of a treatment summary at care completion.

Conclusion

These findings are encouraging in terms of adherence to core treatment guidelines in cancer care in Brazil. However, results suggest important opportunities for improving care across a number of domains, many of which represent a challenge throughout both developing and developed countries. This study may also provide preliminary guidance for enhancing educational and training programs for professionals and students alike, to implement high-quality, comprehensive cancer care.
Validation of XMALab software for marker-based XROMM
Authors: Knörlein Benjamin J. , Baier David B. , Gatesy Stephen M. , Laurence-Chasen J. D. , Brainerd Elizabeth L.
Published: September 2016

Marker-based XROMM requires software tools for: 1) correcting fluoroscope distortion; 2) calibrating X-ray cameras; 3) tracking radio-opaque markers; and 4) calculating rigid body motion. In this paper we describe and validate XMALab, a new open-source software package for marker-based XROMM (C++ source and compiled versions on Bitbucket). Most marker-based XROMM studies to date have used XrayProject in MATLAB. XrayProject can produce results with excellent accuracy and precision, but it is somewhat cumbersome to use and requires a MATLAB license. We have designed XMALab to accelerate the XROMM process and to make it more accessible to new users. Features include the four XROMM steps (listed above) in one cohesive user interface, real-time plot windows for detecting errors, and integration with an online data management system, XMAPortal. Accuracy and precision of XMALab when tracking markers in a machined object are ±0.010 and ±0.043 mm, respectively. Mean precision for nine users tracking markers in a tutorial dataset of minipig feeding was ±0.062 mm in XMALab and ±0.14 mm in XrayProject. Reproducibility of 3D point locations across nine users was tenfold greater in XMALab than in XrayProject, and six degree-of-freedom bone motions calculated with a joint coordinate system were three- to sixfold more reproducible in XMALab. XMALab is also suitable for tracking white or black markers in standard light videos with optional checkerboard calibration. We expect XMALab to increase both the quality and quantity of animal motion data available for comparative biomechanics research.
Group B Streptococcus vaccine development: present status and future considerations, with emphasis on perspectives for low and middle income countries
Authors: Kobayashi Miwako , Vekemans Johan , Baker Carol J. , Ratner Adam J. , Le Doare Kirsty , Schrag Stephanie J.
Published: September 2016

Globally, group BStreptococcus(GBS) remains the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in young infants, with its greatest burden in the first 90 days of life. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) for women at risk of transmitting GBS to their newborns has been effective in reducing, but not eliminating, the young infant GBS disease burden in many high income countries. However, identification of women at risk and administration of IAP is very difficult in many low and middle income country (LMIC) settings, and is not possible for home deliveries. Immunization of pregnant women with a GBS vaccine represents an alternate pathway to protecting newborns from GBS disease, through the transplacental antibody transfer to the fetus in utero. This approach to prevent GBS disease in young infants is currently under development, and is approaching late stage clinical evaluation.

This manuscript includes a review of the natural history of the disease, global disease burden estimates, diagnosis and existing control options in different settings, the biological rationale for a vaccine including previous supportive studies, analysis of current candidates in development, possible correlates of protection and current status of immunogenicity assays. Future potential vaccine development pathways to licensure and use in LMICs, trial design and implementation options are discussed, with the objective to provide a basis for reflection, rather than recommendations.
Strategy of a hotel enterprise: Aspects of formation under modern conditions
Authors: Макаренко Зоя , Makarenko Zoya , Жилкова Юлия , Zhilkova Yuliya , Насырова Лилия , Nasyrova Liliya
Published: September 2016

The article deals with the question of the hotel services competitiveness and the impact of external factors on the formation of the hotel enterprises strategy. Despite the economic crisis, sanctions and anti-sanctions the hotel market still remains highly competitive. Today, however, supply exceeds demand, so in the foreseeable future it is not clear how the market will correct it. Under these conditions, hotels in Moscow constantly carry out monitoring of competitors´ pricing and assortment policy. Changing of a consumer portrait is a new trend that has appeared, which required a new approach to the formation of prices. Hoteliers are increasingly working on dynamic tariffs not only during a month, but weeks and even days. Thus, the number of hotels implementing the flexible hotel product sales system is increasing. When strategy construction the differentiation of customers is advanced to the forefront and the services that surpass competitor’s services by consumer characteristics is formed, ensuring the commercial success of the hospitality industry organizations.
Tourism cluster as a base of regional tourism development (Belgorod region as an example)
Authors: Комарова Марина , Komarova Marina
Published: September 2016

The cluster approach in the tourism industry in transition economies is very relevant and is associated with a number of features in the industry. The article reveals the concept and features of a regional tourism cluster, traces the genesis of this concept, examines the objective conditions for the emergence of a cluster and its elements and structure. The author distinguishes stages of cluster formation and analyzes the factors and possible ways of development. The author substantiates the necessity for use of the cluster approach in tourism and the formation of regional tourism clusters performing the socio-economic, natural and ecological, recreational and economic functions in the entities’ territories of the Russian Federation. An emerging regional tourism and recreation cluster of Belgorod region is considered as the object of the study. Taking into account the assessment of the tourism potential, the level of infrastructure development, transport, environment, territorial structure of the region, the author conducted zoning of Belgorod region and identified seven tourism and recreation areas, outlined the prospects of their development. This study has allowed to determine in the region potential inter-regional clusters emerging, developing and having possibilities to be created. Military and historical, rural, event tourism are recognized as the promising development directions of regional tourism cluster. According to the author’s opinion, the creation of the cluster system will significantly improve the efficiency of the regional tourism market and strengthen its competitive position in the Russian market of the tourism industry.
Quality of services of emergency medical care in terms of health care reform
Authors: Белобородов Алексей , Beloborodov Aleksey , Данилина Елена , Danilina Elena , Яковлева Екатерина , Yakovleva Ekaterina , Бутова Татьяна , Butova Tatyana , Белобородова Юлия , Beloborodova Yuliya
Published: September 2016

The article deals with the question of quality assurance of emergency medical care. It is of vital importance in terms of reforming the system of healthcare in the Russian Federation, as the quality and availability of various types of medical services are priority indicators of reform. Quality ensuring of emergency medical care is the most important socially significant task of health care, which lies in maintaining the health of people in extreme conditions and in meeting the challenges of mortality reduction. This is resulted in increased attention to research in this area. Quality ensuring of emergency medical services actualizes the task of improving of its assessment methodology.

The methodological problems of services quality assessment in the system of emergency medical care limiting applied research are the subject of the study. The structure of emergency medical care is specified, the separation of concepts of "medical service" and "medical care" of services of emergency medical care is accomplished, and the concept of "medical care" is defined in the article. Based on the results of market research of patients’ satisfaction with quality of medical care in emergency hospital of Krasnoyarsk a structural model of services of emergency medical care has been created. This model reflects the patients’ understanding that the quality of service of emergency medical care is an integrated category, combining the quality of the result of medical services and quality of care.

Content analysis of the definition of basic concepts in the field of quality of health care has allowed to formulate the concept of "service quality of emergency medical care”. Its difference is that the definition includes goal-setting of quality of emergency medical care as ensuring the effective medical care, as well as performance indicators of emergency medical care are formulated. The proposed concept and performance indicators of emergency medical care stimulate new directions for research in this area.
Holistic care in the school setting for students living with long-term conditions
Authors: Quinlivan Marie
Published: September 2016

Marie Quinlivan looks at the different needs of children and young people with long-term conditions and how these can be met in the school setting. While this article is written with school-based nurses in mind, it is important that all school nurses work towards addressing those needs.
Research roundup: September 2016
Authors: Murray Joy , Lally Sheila , Brook Judy
Published: September 2016

In this section, a range of brief synopses of recently published articles that may be of interest to health visitors is presented. The aim of this roundup is to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary, of the research papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.
Comparison of magnetic resonance arthrography with arthroscopy for imaging of shoulder injuries: retrospective study
Authors: Saqib R , Harris J , Funk L
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopy is the established ‘gold standard’ diagnostic investigation for detection of shoulder disorders. We aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of arthroscopy with magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) for detection of shoulder disorders.

METHODS

Patients who underwent arthroscopy by a single surgeon and preoperative MRA between February 2011 and March 2012 for shoulder instability were identified. MRAs were reported by experienced musculoskeletal radiologists. Labral tears, anterior labral tears, superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) lesions, posterior labral tears, rotator-cuff tears (RCTs), osteoarthritis, loose bodies and Hill–Sachs lesions were identified. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 194 patients were identified. The sensitivity and specificity for anterior labral tears was 0.60 and 0.92, SLAP lesions was 0.75 and 0.81, posterior labral tears was 0.57 and 0.96, any labral tear was 0.87 and 0.76, Hill–Sachs lesions was 0.91 and 0.91, RCTs was 0.71 and 0.86, osteoarthritis was 0.72 and 0.95, and loose bodies was 0.22 and 0.96, respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value for anterior labral tears were 0.88 and 0.71, SLAP lesions was 0.64 and 0.88, posterior labral tears was 0.74 and 0.45, any labral tear was 0.89 and 0.71, Hill–Sachs lesions was 0.66 and 0.98, RCTs was 0.47 and 0.95, osteoarthritis was 0.70 and 0.95, and loose bodies was 0.27 and 0.95, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

MRA has high diagnostic accuracy for labral tears and Hill–Sachs lesions, but whether MRA should be the first-line imaging modality is controversial.
Choosing between the modified Ravitch and Nuss procedures for pectus excavatum: Considering the patients’s perspective
Authors: Elsayed HH , Hassaballa AS , Abdel Hady SM , Elbastawisy SE , Ahmed TA
Published: September 2016

INTRODUCTION

Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common paediatric chest wall deformity. The majority of patients are treated for cosmetic purposes, with the modified Ravitch and Nuss procedures the most commonly performed. We tested the preferences of healthy individuals over their choice of procedure.

METHODS

The study was conducted from February to August 2014. A five-item illustrated questionnaire was administered to teenagers and young adults aged 14–26 years over their willingness to seek medical advice if they had PE, provided its cosmetic appearance was the only complaint. They were asked about their preference over the modified Ravitch and Nuss procedures, with the surgical details for both procedures explained by medical professionals, alongside illustrated outcomes.

RESULTS

Two hundred and two healthy individuals were interviewed. The median age was 19.5 years (14–26 years) and 141 (69.8%) were male. Sixty seven (33.2%) participants refused any intervention, while 11 (5.4%) initially wanted an intervention but refused after understanding the surgical procedures available. Of the 135 respondents who chose surgical correction, 84 (62.2%) preferred the modified Ravitch operation, while 51 (37.8%) preferred the Nuss procedure. The main reason for choosing the modified Ravitch technique was not having something metal in the chest, while most participants who chose the Nuss procedure felt that it was “cosmetically better”.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients have preferences over the choice of procedure for PE repair that can affect the treatment decision. Paediatric and thoracic surgeons should therefore be experienced in performing both procedures.
BitBox!: A case study interface for teaching real-time adaptive music composition for video games
Authors: McAlpine Kenneth
Published: September 2016

Real-time adaptive music is now well-established as a popular medium, largely through its use in video game soundtracks. Commercial packages, such as fmod, make freely available the underlying technical methods for use in educational contexts, making adaptive music technologies accessible to students. Writing adaptive music, however, presents a significant learning challenge, not least because it requires a different mode of thought, and tutor and learner may have few mutual points of connection in discovering and understanding the musical drivers, relationships and structures in these works. This article discusses the creation of ‘BitBox!’, a gestural music interface designed to deconstruct and explain the component elements of adaptive composition through interactive play. The interface was displayed at the Dare Protoplay games exposition in Dundee in August 2014. The initial proof-of-concept study proved successful, suggesting possible refinements in design and a broader range of applications.
Understanding sheet music as a medium to expand pedagogic practice
Authors: Thibeault Matthew D.
Published: September 2016

In the field of sound studies, a medium is the contingent network of recurring relations between people, practices, institutions and technologies. This article explores sheet music as a medium that can serve to expand the pedagogic practices typically pursued in music education. Understanding the medium of sheet music as a network also can encourage music educators to understand and critique how all practices are enmeshed in media. The theoretical perspective of expanded practices is then connected to two examples of classes exploring Beck’s sheet music project Song Reader: one, a class at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music (OTSFM); and, two, a project the author undertook with a graduate music education course. Eight specific practices are presented through these two examples: one, to incorporate sheet music into new media practices; two, to connect a local community of musicians to an online community; three, to move sheet music beyond face to face concerts; four, to note how audiences now routinely produce content consumed by artists; five, to connect sheet music to amateur music-making; six, to reclaim popular music for participatory music-making; seven, to invite music educators to participate in the larger renaissance of amateurism; and, eight, for educators to join in the joy exemplified by Song Reader.
A Postcolonial Biography of Sadrach: the Tragic Story of an Indigenous Missionary
Authors: Singgih Emanuel Gerrit
Published: September 2016

Nowadays, many Indonesian Christians are fully aware that evangelic mission in Indonesian context is to be involved in the dialogue of life with one’s neighbor and share their struggles. Sadrach, an indigenous missionary who lived in 19th century, can be seen as a pioneer in this mission method. However, this method was not accepted by the foreign missionaries at that time. They accused Sadrach’s method as a form of syncretism. This work is an attempt to analyze Sadrach’s biography in the framework of postcolonial theory which argues that Indonesian Christians have to learn about their colonial past and strive to maintain equal relationships with non-Indonesian Christians. It is hoped that his achievements can be appreciated by the present generation, and they will not repeat the mistakes of the past. It is also good to be aware that resistance to Sadrach’s mission nowadays will come from some contemporary international mission-bodies which continue the old way of propagating Christian faith without regard to the context of Indonesia.[Banyak orang Kristen sekarang ini sadar bahwa misi dalam konteks Indonesia adalah melibatkan diri dalam dialog kehidupan dengan sesama dan ambil bagian dalam pergumulannya. Sadrach, seorang penginjil lokal yang hidup pada abad ke-19 dapat dianggap sebagai salah satu pelopor metode misionaris seperti ini. Akan tetapi penyebaran misi ala Sadrach ini tidak diterima oleh para misionaris asing. Upaya seperti ini dianggap sebagai sinkretisme. Tulisan ini merupakan studi biografi Sadrach dalam kerangka teori poskolonial yang bertujuan untuk menunjukkan peranan Sadrach dalam penyebaran misi Injil di Indonesia. Diharapkan generasi sekarang akan belajar dari dan tidak mengulangi kesalahan-kesalahan masa lampau. Studi ini juga untuk menyadarkan bahwa perlawanan terhadap model misi Sadrach pada masa kini akan muncul dari badan-badan misi internasional yang tetap menjadi model-model misi Kristen yang tidak memedulikan konteks Indonesia sama sekali.]
On the Hausdorff Dimension of CAT(κ)
Surfaces
Authors: Constantine David , Lafont Jean-François
Published: September 2016

We prove that a closed surface with a CAT(κ) metric has Hausdorff dimension = 2, and that there
are uniform upper and lower bounds on the two-dimensional Hausdorff measure of small metric balls. We
also discuss a connection between this uniformity condition and some results on the dynamics of the geodesic
flow for such surfaces. Finally,we give a short proof of topological entropy rigidity for geodesic flow on certain
CAT(−1) manifolds.
Hybrid textile heart valve prosthesis: preliminary in vitro evaluation
Authors: Vaesken Antoine , Pidancier Christian , Chakfe Nabil , Heim Frederic
Published: September 2016

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is nowadays a popular alternative technique to surgical valve replacement for critical patients. Biological valve tissue has been used in these devices for over a decade now with over 100,000 implantations. However, material degradations due to crimping for catheter insertion purpose have been reported, and with only 6-year follow-up, no information is available about the long-term durability of biological tissue. Moreover, expensive biological tissue harvesting and chemical treatment procedures tend to promote the development of synthetic valve leaflet materials. Textile polyester (PET) material is characterized by outstanding folding and strength properties combined with proven biocompatibility and could therefore be considered as a candidate to replace biological valve leaflets in TAVI devices. Nevertheless, the material should be preferentially partly elastic in order to limit water hammer effects at valve closing time and prevent exaggerated stress from occurring into the stent and the valve. The purpose of the present work is to study in vitro the mechanical as well as the hydrodynamic behavior of a hybrid elastic textile valve device combining non-deformable PET yarn and elastic polyurethane (PU) yarn. The hybrid valve properties are compared with those of a non-elastic textile valve. Testing results show improved hydrodynamic properties with the elastic construction. However, under fatigue conditions, the interaction between PU and PET yarns tends to limit the valve durability.
Fatty acid production of tropical thraustochytrids from Malaysian mangroves
Authors: Ou Mei-Cing , Yeong Hui-Yin , Pang Ka-Lai , Phang Siew-Moi
Published: September 2016

A total of 33 tropical thraustochytrid isolates were isolated from fallen leaves of Malaysian mangroves. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 18S rRNA gene revealed that the majority of the 33 isolates belonged to the genus Aurantiochytrium, and only one isolate belonged to Parietichytrium. The specific growth rate and biomass productivity of the strains ranged from 0.17 to 0.93 day−1 and 0.03 to 0.62 g l−1 day−1, respectively. Lipid productivity ranged from 1.27 to 70.86 mg l−1 day−1. Fifteen fatty acids, dominated by C16:0 [19.5%–71.6% total fatty acid (TFA)], C15:0 (3.3%–43.1% TFA), C22:6n3 (1.5%–38.4% TFA) and C18:0 (2.9%–28.6% TFA), were identified. The total carotenoid content was shown to be a better chemotaxonomic character than fatty acid composition for the isolates. Aurantiochytrium sp. UMACC-T024 had the highest lipid productivity (70.86 mg l−1 day−1), and this was selected for an optimisation study. The optimal conditions for lipid production of Aurantiochytrium sp. UMACC-T024 were salinity 32, pH 7.5, 1% w/v glucose and 0.5 g l−1 yeast extract, which resulted in an enhanced lipid productivity of 263.37 mg l−1 day−1 at day 5.
A real-world evidence-based approach to laboratory reorganization using e-Valuate benchmarking data
Authors: Bonini Fabio , Barletta Giovanni , Plebani Mario
Published: September 2016

Background:

Pressure to cut health-care costs has involved clinical laboratories underpinning the need to reduce cost per test through programs designed to consolidate activities and increase volumes. Currently, however, there is little evidence of the effectiveness of these measures. The aim of the present study was to verify whether a rational, evidence-based decision-making process might be achieved based on an activity-based cost analysis performed by collecting the data of all variables affecting cost per test.

Methods:

An activity-based costing analysis was performed using a program that provides collected data on performance indicators, benchmark between different laboratories based on performance indicators, and information on reorganization initiatives.

Results:

The data provided were used in two different settings to (1) verify the results of the internal re-organization of specific protein assay and (2) simulate some scenarios for the reorganization of autoimmune testing in the network of clinical laboratories in a large territory.

Conclusions:

The data produced by the e-Valuate project enabled the quantification of variation in costs, the utilization of human and technological resources and efficiency, both as final result of a reorganization project (proteins) and as a simulation of a possible future organization (autoimmune tests).
Retrospective validation of a β-trace protein interpretation algorithm for the diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid leakage
Authors: Bernasconi Luca , Pötzl Theresa , Steuer Christian , Dellweg Alexander , Metternich Frank , Huber Andreas R.
Published: September 2016

Background:

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a rare condition that can potentially lead to the development of serious complications. In the last decade, β-trace protein (β-TP) has been shown to be a valuable immunological biomarker that allows prompt and non-invasive identification of CSF leakage. At our institution, the measurement of β-TP has been included in the diagnostic work-up of CSF leakage for more than 10 years. According to our diagnostic algorithm, the presence of CSF in secretion is excluded when β-TP values are <0.7 mg/L, whereas β-TP values ≥1.3 mg/L indicate the presence of CSF in secretion. β-TP values between 0.7 and 1.29 mg/L indicate the presence of CSF if the β-TP ratio (β-TP secretion/β-TP serum) is ≥2. This study aimed to validate this diagnostic algorithm using clinically defined nasal/ear secretions.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective statistical analysis of three β-TP interpretation strategies using data of 236 samples originating from 121 patients with suspect CSF leakage received at our laboratory between 2004 and 2012.

Results:

The highest odds ratio was obtained when the proposed algorithm has been used for the interpretation of β-TP results, showing a sensitivity of 98.3% and a specificity of 96%. Positive and negative predictive values were 89.2% and 99.4%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that the proposed β-TP interpretation algorithm is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of CSF leakage in the clinical practice.
Geometric nonlinear free vibration of axially functionally graded non-uniform beams supported on elastic foundation
Authors: Lohar Hareram , Mitra Anirban , Sahoo Sarmila
Published: September 2016

In the present study non-linear free vibration analysis is performed on a tapered Axially Functionally Graded (AFG) beam resting on an elastic foundation with different boundary conditions. Firstly the static problem is carried out through an iterative scheme using a relaxation parameter and later on the subsequent dynamic problem is solved as a standard eigen value problem. Minimum potential energy principle is used for the formulation of the static problem whereas for the dynamic problem Hamilton’s principle is utilized. The free vibrational frequencies are tabulated for different taper profile, taper parameter and foundation stiffness. The dynamic behaviour of the system is presented in the form of backbone curves in dimensionless frequency-amplitude plane.
Optimal Control for the Thin Film Equation: Convergence of a Multi-Parameter Approach to Track State Constraints Avoiding Degeneracies
Authors: Klein Markus , Prohl Andreas
Published: September 2016

We consider an optimal control problem subject to the thin-film equation.
The PDE constraint lacks well-posedness for general right-hand sides due to possible degeneracies; state constraints are used to circumvent this problematic issue and to ensure well-posedness. Necessary optimality conditions for the optimal control problem are then derived. A convergent multi-parameter regularization is considered which addresses both, the possibly degenerate term in the equation and the state constraint. Some computational studies are then reported which evidence the relevant role of the state constraint, and motivate proper scalings of involved regularization and numerical parameters.
Workfare Schemes as a Tool For Preventing the Further Impoverishment of the Rural Poor
Authors: Keller Judit , Kovács Katalin , Rácz Katalin , Swain Nigel , Váradi Monika
Published: September 2016

This article examines workfare schemes in rural Hungary and their contribution to relieving rural poverty. It does so on the basis of an analysis of European Union statistics and a series of semi-structured interviews which were conducted in 2013-2015 as part of a larger project investigating the contemporary state of rural Hungary. The paper comprises four sections: following a short description of the methodology, regional disparities and deprivation in rural areas are introduced with the help of a typology on deprivation and Eurostat data, thus providing evidence for European comparison. Following this, the main findings of our extensive qualitative research into workfare policies in rural Hungary are introduced and discussed on the basis of related legislation4. The article finds that workfare schemes in the rural sector are unique to Central and Eastern Europe, and are especially favoured in Hungary; it also discovers that economists are correct in assessing that said workfare schemes create few new jobs. Nevertheless, they are ‘better than nothing’, and have become embedded in rural society, where they are appreciated by beneficiaries and local officials alike. They necessarily make a paternalistic distinction between the deserving and undeserving poor, and the more commercially-oriented schemes raise issues of market distortion.
From State-Socialist Ambitions of Romanian Rural Indutrialisation to Post-Socialist Rural Deindutrialisation: Two Case Studies From Romania
Authors: Jucu Ioan Sebastian
Published: September 2016

The post-socialist changes in Romania’s communities profoundly changed the rural settlements with similar, contrasting and tensioned trends in the local rural development. The purpose of this study is to focus on the post-socialist rural dereliction. The paper unveils the post-socialist rural transformation in Romania, from the state-socialist interventions in rural industrialisation, to the post-socialist rural identity formation, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. During this process, two sampled case studies were thoroughly analysed, namely the Tomeşti and Margina communes – two rural settlements intensely industrialised under the former state-socialist political regime and with multiple consequences during the post-90s period in their local development. According to recent theories on economic changes reflected in local rural spatial development, the idea of rural dereliction remains peripheral and, at the same time, a hot-spot issue in the contemporary research on rural restructuring. In addition, recent theories on social and economic changes provide useful frameworks in studying the production of rural ruins. With post-socialist deindustrialisation, and under new post-90 capitalist rules in local rural development, rural communities faced multiple problems in creating their own post-socialist identity. Accordingly, this study highlights the local problems of rural deindustrialisation in the inner rural pattern of the investigated sites. While some rural communities embrace slow rural spatial regeneration trends, others remain ruined, marginalised and declined. The findings of the study confirm the presence of derelict abandoned places, thus highlighting the need for further proper interventions in local rural development, and for further fertile scientific dialogues to promote suitable strategies in Romanian rural regeneration on the local scale.
Education Quality and its Drivers in Rural Areas of Poland
Authors: Czyżewski Bazyli , Polcyn Jan
Published: September 2016

A two-stage study was carried out. Firstly, a pioneering attempt was made to measure the quality of education in rural areas of Poland, by county (powiat), using a synthetic indicator. Secondly, the socioeconomic determinants of that quality were modelled. A strength of this study is the fact that it covers the entire population of the given type of administrative units. The analysis served to verify the hypothesis that exogenic socioeconomic factors are key to the effectiveness of the educational process in rural areas. It was shown that in Poland the theories of polarised development are more applicable than those of endogenic development. There was observed an inversely proportional effect from the centre–periphery axis on education quality, but, above all, the effect of several gravitational systems, in which there occurs exogenic diffusion of the results of economic growth and progress from the present and former provincial capitals.
Organization of Rural Microbusinesses Under Specific Family Owners Conditions
Authors: Sposito Maylis
Published: September 2016

The Interreg IV-A research project aims at analysing the socioeconomic consequences of disruptive situations in microbusinesses of the rural French-Swiss Jura region. Several researchers are focusing on this topic within the various institutions involved in the project2. I will rather focus on the common characteristics of microbusinesses on either side of the border. These similarities pertain to the overlapping of the family and business spheres, which often involves an overlapping of statuses, and to the gender relations induced by this overlapping, as well as to the precarious economic situation of these small structures. This article aims at putting into perspective the typology originated by all the biographical interviews collected. This typology compares the figure of the family business heir to that of the self-taught entrepreneur. Such a difference in achieving professional independence brings about strategic patterns of separation/fusion between private and professional lives, patterns which are specific to each above-mentioned ideal type. This typology is yet to be refined, but it already draws attention to the strategies developed by players to separate - or not - family and business spheres. Thus, by tackling the issue of disruption through this typology of company managers, the article will show various influential elements in the event of a disruption, both on the viability of the company and on the personal itinerary of the people involved.
Sinc-Galerkin Technique for the Numerical Solution of Fractional Volterra–Fredholm Integro-Differential Equations with Weakly Singular Kernels
Authors: Sahu P. K. , Saha Ray S.
Published: September 2016

The sinc-Galerkin method is developed to approximate the solution of fractional Volterra–Fredholm integro-differential equations with weakly singular kernels. The proposed method is based on the sinc function approximation. Usually, this type of integral equations is very difficult to solve analytically as well as numerically. The present method applied to the integral equation reduces to solve the system of algebraic equations. Also the numerical results obtained by sinc-Galerkin method have been compared with the results obtained by existing methods. Illustrative examples have been discussed to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the presented method.
Blepharospasm: an uncommon adverse effect caused by long-term administration of olanzapine
Authors: Arora Tarun , Maharshi Vikas , Rehan Harmeet S. , Nagar Pravesh
Published: September 2016

Background:

Blepharospasm is one of the components of drug-induced Meige’s syndrome which is reported to be caused by typical antipsychotics. Reports of blepharospasm or Meige’s syndrome caused by atypical antipsychotics are rare.

Case:

A 30-year-old female patient presented to psychiatry out patient department (OPD) with chief complaints of inability to keep her eyes open for long and excessive blinking for 2 months, irritation of eyes, watery discharge from eyes and photophobia for last 1 month. The patient had been taking olanzapine 10 mg, sertraline 100 mg and divalproex sodium 500 mg per orally on once a day basis for the management of major depressive disorder with psychotic features for last 6 months. Routine blood analysis, thyroid function, EEG, MRI, lipid profile did not reveal any abnormality. Ocular examination was also within normal limits. Olanzapine was suspected as a culprit for the above symptoms of patient, so it was replaced with quetiapine 25 mg/day. Patient showed partial recovery of symptoms within 1 week and complete recovery within 2 months of stopping olanzapine. Causality of olanzapine-induced blepharospasm as per WHO-UMC scale was probable.

Conclusions:

Olanzapine (atypical antipsychotics) should also be kept in the list of suspected drugs causing blepharospasm in psychotic patients on treatment although further similar evidences from observational studies and/or reports are needed to establish the causal relationship.
Maya Intimacy with the Mountains: Pilgrimage, Sacrifice and Existential Economy
Authors: Kapusta Jan
Published: September 2016

In this paper, I present two very different and yet very similar ethnographic examples of mountain-related pilgrimage and sacrifice ritual performed by the present-day highland Maya. The question I ask is why the sense of sacredness, animation and power of the mountains endures among the traditionalist as well as Pentecostal Maya in spite of the extensive transformations of the world today. In so doing, I examine the native concept of the mountain not merely as a social or cultural representation, but as an expression of everyday lived experiences and existential relationships between people and the physical and spiritual world they inhabit. Finally, I argue that the experience of interaction, communication and intimacy between the Maya and their mountain deities can be best defined as a dynamic participation in the course of the world – an existential economy of ‘working the world’.
Exú’s Work – The Agency of Ritual Objects in Southeast Brazilian Umbanda
Authors: Lundell Eleonora A.
Published: September 2016

This article* concentrates on the material side of religious intimacy in Afro-Brazilian Umbanda through an ‘ontographic’ perspective as well as looking at materiality as evidence. It is based on an eleven-month fieldwork period among devotees, clients and individual practitioners of Umbanda in Southeast Brazilian metropolises, especially in São Paulo. In people’s experiences of spiritual work (trabalho) and spiritual development (desenvolvimento) carried out with Exús – guardians, guides and protectors who have, after their death, returned in order to work for people’s wellbeing – ritual objects (such as bodies, clothes, beverages, herbs, cigarettes, candles, songs) are seen as constitutive in knowledge production and life transformation. The central claim in this article is that diverse material and immaterial objects through which Exús interact and materialise, are neither primarily symbolic nor representative, but are re-configurative.