bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the psychological evaluation of exercise referral: Psychometric properties of the Exercise Referral Quality of Life Scale
Authors: Hilton Charlotte , Trigg Richard , Minniti Antoinette
Published: July 2015

There is a growing need to assess the psychological outcomes of exercise referral and the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence has called for the routine assessment of life-quality. However, a quality of life scale specific to the requirements of exercise referral is currently unavailable. Therefore, the aim of this study was to produce a quality of life measure for this purpose. The Exercise Referral Quality of Life Scale is a 22-item measure comprising three domains: mental and physical health, injury pain and illness and physical activity facilitators. Exploratory factor analysis determined the initial factor structure and was subsequently confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. Additional scale properties were also assessed. The scale contributes to the global need for improved consistent psychological outcome assessment of exercise referral.
Can Platelet-Rich Plasma Protect Rat Achilles Tendons From the Deleterious Effects of Triamcinolone Acetonide?
Authors: Muto Tomoyuki , Kokubu Takeshi , Mifune Yutaka , Inui Atsuyuki , Sakata Ryosuke , Harada Yoshifumi , Takase Fumiaki , Ueda Yasuhiro , Kuroda Ryosuke , Kurosaka Masahiro
Published: July 2015

Background

Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injections are widely used for tendinitis but have deleterious effects, including tendon degeneration or tendon rupture.

Purpose

To investigate whether adding platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a blood fraction that participates in tissue repair processes, to TA can prevent its deleterious effects.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Rat Achilles tendons were injected with TA, TA + PRP, PRP alone, or saline (control). Biomechanical testing and histological analyses were performed on Achilles tendons 1 week after injections.

Results

The maximum failure loads in the control, TA, TA + PRP, and PRP groups were 31.7 ± 2.3, 19.0 ± 3.6, 31.0 ± 7.1, and 30.2 ± 6.8 N, respectively. The tendon stiffness in the control, TA, TA + PRP, and PRP groups was 12.1 ± 1.8, 7.5 ± 1.8, 11.0 ± 2.8, and 11.3 ± 2.5 N/mm, respectively. The maximum failure load and stiffness were significantly lower in the TA group compared with the other 3 groups. There was no significant difference between the TA + PRP and control groups. Cell invasions, vacuolation, collagen attenuation, and increased type III collagen expression were histologically observed in the TA group; however, these changes were prevented by the simultaneous administration of PRP.

Conclusion

Administering PRP may prevent deleterious effects caused by TA; therefore, PRP may be used as a protective agent in clinical situations.

Clinical Relevance

PRP can be useful as a protective agent for sports injury patients receiving local corticosteroid injections.
Paradoxical worsening of tuberculous chorioretinitis in a Chinese gentleman
Authors: Siantar Rosalynn Grace , Ho Su Ling , Agrawal Rupesh
Published: July 2015

We report a case of paradoxical worsening of tuberculous chorioretinitis after initiation of anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT). The patient had left panuveitis with tuberculous chorioretinitis and was started on systemic ATT and oral steroids a week later. However, he developed paradoxical worsening 2 months after initiation of therapy. He was continued on ATT, oral steroids and intravitreal amikacin with resolution of the chorioretinal lesion subsequently. Ocular tuberculosis often poses a diagnostic challenge, and clinicians should be aware of the possibility of paradoxical worsening despite appropriate ATT. Clinicians should strongly consider starting oral steroids concurrently with ATT when managing ocular tuberculosis.
Adjustment for physical activity in studies of sedentary behaviour
Authors: Page Andrew , Peeters Geeske , Merom Dafna
Published: July 2015

Sedentary behaviour (too much sitting, as distinct from too little exercise) has emerged as a potentially significant public health issue. Analytically, researchers have reported ‘independent’ associations between sedentary behaviour (SB) and a number of health outcomes by adjusting for physical activity (PA) (and other confounders), and conclude that SB is associated with the outcome even in those who are physically active. However, the logical rationale for why adjustments for PA are required is often not delineated, and as a consequence, PA has been conceptualised as a confounder, an intermediary, and an effect measure modifier—sometimes simultaneously—in studies of SB and health outcomes. This paper discusses the analytical assumptions underlying adjustment for PA in studies of SB and a given outcome, and considers the implications for associations between SB and health.
The reliability of non‐invasive biophysical outcome measures for evaluating normal and hyperkeratotic foot skin
Authors: Hashmi Farina , Wright Ciaran , Nester Christopher , Lam Sharon
Published: July 2015

Background

Hyperkeratosis of foot skin is a common skin problem affecting people of different ages. The clinical presentation of this condition can range from dry flaky skin, which can lead to fissures, to hard callused skin which is often painful and debilitating. The purpose of this study was to test the reliability of certain non‐invasive skin measurement devices on foot skin in normal and hyperkeratotic states, with a view to confirming their use as quantitative outcome measures in future clinical trials.

Methods

Twelve healthy adult participants with a range of foot skin conditions (xerotic skin, heel fissures and plantar calluses) were recruited to the study. Measurements of normal and hyperkeratotic skin sites were taken using the following devices: Corneometer® CM 825, Cutometer® 580 MPA, Reviscometer® RVM 600, Visioline® VL 650 Quantiride® and Visioscan® VC 98, by two investigators on two consecutive days. The intra and inter rater reliability and standard error of measurement for each device was calculated.

Results

The data revealed the majority of the devices to be reliable measurement tools for normal and hyperkeratotic foot skin (ICC values > 0.6). The surface evaluation parameters for skin: SEsc and SEsm have greater reliability compared to the SEr measure. The Cutometer® is sensitive to soft tissue movement within the probe, therefore measurement of plantar soft tissue areas should be approached with caution. Reviscometer® measures on callused skin demonstrated an unusually high degree of error.

Conclusions

These results confirm the intra and inter rater reliability of the Corneometer®, Cutometer®, Visioline® and Visioscan® in quantifying specific foot skin biophysical properties.
A unified view on common fixed point theorems for Ćirić quasi-contraction maps
Authors: He Fei , Nan Xiao-Ya
Published: July 2015

The main purpose of this paper is to unify and to generalize some common fixed point results in metric spaces with a Q-function (or a w-distance) and the related results in dislocated metric spaces (also called metric-like spaces). First in the setting of dislocated quasi-metric spaces we introduce the notion of weak 0-σ-completeness which is weaker than 0-σ-completeness. By using the new type of completeness, we establish some common fixed point theorems for two self-mappings satisfying a nonlinear contractive condition of Ćirić type. Our results unify and generalize many well-known common fixed point theorems. Finally, we give some further applications of our main results.
TCR signaling intensity controls CD8+ T cell responsiveness to TGF-β
Authors: Arumugam Vidhyalakshmi , Bluemn Theresa , Wesley Erin , Schmidt Amanda M , Kambayashi Taku , Malarkannan Subramaniam , Riese Matthew J
Published: July 2015

DGK-ζ is a negative regulator of TCR signaling that causes degradation of the second messenger DAG, terminating DAG-mediated activation of Ras and PKCθ. Cytotoxic T cells deficient in DGK-ζ demonstrate enhanced effector functions in vitro and antitumor activity in vivo, perhaps because of insensitivity to inhibitory cytokines. We sought to determine whether the enhanced responsiveness of DGK-ζ-deficient T cells renders them insensitive to the inhibitory cytokine TGF-β and to determine how the loss of DGK-ζ facilitates this insensitivity. We identified decreased transcriptional and functional responses to TGF-β in CD8+ DGK-ζ−/− T cells but preserved TGF-β-mediated conversion of naϊve DGK-ζ−/− CD4+ T cells to a regulatory T cell phenotype. Decreased CD8+ T cell responsiveness to TGF-β did not result from impaired canonical TGF-β signal transduction, because similar levels of TGF-β-R and intracellular Smad components were identified in WT and DGK-ζ−/− CD8+ T cells, and TGF-β-mediated activation of Smad2 was unchanged. Instead, an enhanced TCR signal strength was responsible for TGF-β insensitivity, because (i) loss of DGK-ζ conferred resistance to TGF-β-mediated inhibition of Erk phosphorylation, (ii) TGF-β insensitivity could be recapitulated by exogenous addition of the DAG analog PMA, and (iii) TGF-β sensitivity could be observed in DGK-ζ-deficient T cells at limiting dilutions of TCR stimulation. These data indicate that enhanced TCR signal transduction in the absence of DGK-ζ makes T cells relatively insensitive to TGF-β, in a manner independent of Smads, a finding with practical implications in the development of immunotherapies that target TGF-β.
Twin Offspring of Empire, Neoliberalism and Authoritarian Neotraditionalism: Thoughts on Susan Buck-Morss's “Democracy: An Unfinished Project”
Authors: Dirlik Arif
Published: July 2015

This discussion elaborates on Susan Buck-Morss's critique of the political thought of the Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, in her essay, “Democracy: An Unfinished Project.” Buck-Morss's critique provides occasion for reflecting on a challenge that faces radical criticism: how to reconcile the universalist goals that are the legacies of Euromodernity to radical thinking with the demands of cultural voices emanating from newly empowered societies that make their own claims on modernity, especially when contradictions between the two seem irreconcilable. Some claims to “alternative modernity” renounce the most fundamental assumptions of modernity as we have known it—from universalism, democracy, human rights, secularism, equal rights for all regardless of race, class, gender, religious affinity, and so on, all the way to its temporalities and spatialities—as Eurocentric impositions on the political practices and cultural values of other societies. These are values that have animated radical thinking globally for at least a century. The discussion explores the implications for radical thinking of the necessity of coming to terms with these new cultural challenges.
Listening to the Bones: The Rhythms of Sacrifice in Contemporary Japan
Authors: Nelson Christopher T.
Published: July 2015

In the aftermath of the Battle of Okinawa, the American military turned its efforts toward fortifying its new strategic outpost in the Pacific. Okinawan survivors were left to rebuild their lives in the ruins of their farms and villages. The dead were buried deeply and quickly. Decades later, an urban development project unearthed the unremembered and perhaps unwanted remains of a legion of Imperial Japanese soldiers. This essay explores the collaboration between the photographer Higa Toyomitsu and the material remains of the dead as they come together in a creative effort to make sense of the sacrifices that a nation demands of its subjects.
Antero-posterior patterning of Drosophila ocelli requires an anti-repressor mechanism within the hh-pathway mediated by the Six3 gene Optix
Authors: Domínguez-Cejudo M. A. , Casares F.
Published: July 2015

In addition to the compound eyes, most insects possess a set of three dorsal ocelli that develop at the vertices of a triangular cuticle patch, forming the ocellar complex. The wingless and hedgehog signaling pathways, together with the transcription factor encoded by orthodenticle, are known to play major roles in the specification and patterning of the ocellar complex. Specifically, hedgehog is responsible for the choice between ocellus and cuticle fates within the ocellar complex primordium. However, the interaction between signals and transcription factors known to date do not fully explain how this choice is controlled. We show that this binary choice depends on dynamic changes in the domains of hedgehog signaling. In this dynamics, the restricted expression of engrailed, a hedgehog-signaling target, is key because it defines a domain within the complex where hh transcription is maintained while the pathway activity is blocked. We show that the Drosophila Six3, Optix, is expressed in and required for the development of the anterior ocellus specifically. Optix would not act as an ocellar selector, but rather as a patterning gene, limiting the en expression domain. Our results indicate that, despite their genetic and structural similarity, anterior and posterior ocelli are under different genetic control.
An interview with Brigid Hogan
Authors: Vicente Catarina
Published: July 2015

Brigid Hogan is a developmental biologist who has worked extensively on the early stages of mouse development and is now unravelling the mysteries of lung organogenesis. She is the George Barth Geller Professor and Chair of the Department of Cell Biology at Duke University Medical Center. Brigid is also the winner of the 2015 Society for Developmental Biology (SDB) Lifetime Achievement Award.
The prion protein inhibits monocytic cell migration by stimulating β1 integrin adhesion and uropod formation
Authors: Richardson Dion D. , Tol Simon , Valle-Encinas Eider , Pleguezuelos Cayetano , Bierings Ruben , Geerts Dirk , Fernandez-Borja Mar
Published: July 2015

The broad tissue distribution and evolutionary conservation of the GPI-anchored protein PrP suggests that it plays a role in cellular homeostasis. Since integrin adhesion determines cell behavior, the proposed role of PrP in cell adhesion may underlie the various in vitro and in vivo effects associated to PrP loss-of-function, including the immune phenotypes described in PrP−/- mice. We have investigated the role of PrP in the adhesion and (transendothelial) migration of human (pro)monocytes. We found that PrP regulates β1 integrin-mediated adhesion of monocytes. Additionally, PrP controls cell morphology and migratory behavior of monocytes: PrP-silenced cells show deficient uropod formation on immobilized VCAM and display bleb-like protrusions on the endothelium. Our data further show that PrP regulates ligand-induced integrin activation. Finally, we found that PrP controls the activation of several proteins involved in cell adhesion and migration, including RhoA and its effector cofilin as well as proteins of the ERM family. We propose that PrP modulates β1 integrin adhesion and migration of monocytes through RhoA-induced actin remodeling by cofilin and through the regulation of ERM-mediated membrane-cytoskeleton linkage.
Suppressed bone remodeling in black bears conserves energy and bone mass during hibernation
Authors: McGee-Lawrence Meghan , Buckendahl Patricia , Carpenter Caren , Henriksen Kim , Vaughan Michael , Donahue Seth
Published: July 2015

Decreased physical activity in mammals increases bone turnover and uncouples bone formation from bone resorption, leading to hypercalcemia, hypercalcuria, bone loss and increased fracture risk. Black bears, however, are physically inactive for up to 6 months annually during hibernation without losing cortical or trabecular bone mass. Bears have been shown to preserve trabecular bone volume and architectural parameters and cortical bone strength, porosity and geometrical properties during hibernation. The mechanisms that prevent disuse osteoporosis in bears are unclear as previous studies using histological and serum markers of bone remodeling show conflicting results. However, previous studies used serum markers of bone remodeling that are known to accumulate with decreased renal function, which bears have during hibernation. Therefore, we measured serum bone remodeling markers (BSALP and TRACP) that do not accumulate with decreased renal function, in addition to the concentrations of serum calcium and hormones involved in regulating bone remodeling in hibernating and active bears. Bone resorption and formation markers were decreased during hibernation compared with when bears were physically active, and these findings were supported by histomorphometric analyses of bone biopsies. The serum concentration of cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART), a hormone known to reduce bone resorption, was 15-fold higher during hibernation. Serum calcium concentration was unchanged between hibernation and non-hibernation seasons. Suppressed and balanced bone resorption and formation in hibernating bears contributes to energy conservation, eucalcemia and the preservation of bone mass and strength, allowing bears to survive prolonged periods of extreme environmental conditions, nutritional deprivation and anuria.
The Bioconductor channel in F1000Research
Authors: Huber Wolfgang , Carey Vincent J. , Davis Sean , Hansen Kasper Daniel , Morgan Martin
Published: July 2015

Bioconductor (bioconductor.org) is a rich source of software and know-how for the integrative analysis of genomic data. The Bioconductor channel in F1000Research provides a forum for task-oriented workflows that each cover a solution to a current, important problem in genome-scale data analysis from end to end, invoking resources from several packages by different authors, often combining multiple `omics data types, and demonstrating integrative analysis and modelling techniques.
Correlation of Metrical and Phonological Units of Language
Authors: Lekomceva Margarita
Published: July 2015

This paper was first published in Russian (Lekomceva 1969). Margarita Ivanovna Lekomceva (b. 1935) is a distinguished Russian linguist and semiotician, member of the Tartu-Moscow School of Semiotics. Her main research fields include Slavic, Baltic, Balkan and Indo-European phonology, rhetoric and poetics. A representative selection of her papers was published in 2007 and titled “Ustroenie jazyka” (“The Arrangement of Language”).
Designing a Knowledge Mobilization Strategy: Leading through Influence
Authors: Reid Steven
Published: July 2015

As district leaders consider professional learning opportunities for educators, mobilizing new thought and actions across an entire system is a vexing challenge. Classroom-based learning may unfortunately be viewed as juxtaposed to district-based learning. It becomes essential for district leaders to develop knowledge mobilization strategies which provide a framework for any district-wide focus or initiative. In doing so, opportunities for knowledge influencers to interact with each other at various levels of the educational system are intentionally enhanced, that is, at the classroom, school, and district levels. Knowledge creating groups are thereby encouraged to challenge the status quo and promote innovation.
A Case Study of Leadership Pedagogy in an Organizational Behavior Class
Authors: Ingerson Kati , Bruce Jackie
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this study was to understand if selected leadership pedagogy (hands on activities) utilized in an organizational behavior classroom contributed to the development of workplace readiness skills. Since successful organizational behavior classes and hands on learning can lead to successful graduates, the importance of leadership pedagogy emerges. In the case here, the participants in one organizational behavior class were followed through a single semester providing feedback to the instructors on the perceived effectiveness of the participatory activities. The researchers found that, in this case, the students shared mixed reactions to the activities, but were able to share positive impacts and gains they felt they received from participating in those activities. Readiness skills were developed, however recommendations for further research and practice are included.
Teaching and learning about women and leadership: Students’ expectations and experiences
Authors: Shollen S. Lynn
Published: July 2015

Qualitative, case study methods were used to examine students’ expectations of and experiences with studying women and leadership. Participants were 48 undergraduate students enrolled in an elective course titled Women and Leadership offered in the Leadership Studies minor curriculum at a liberal arts institution. Students perceived women and leadership as a sensitive subject fraught with potential struggles for learners, but were willing to engage in the subject in pursuit of both meaningful learning and their own utilitarian-oriented leadership development. Their experiences show the potential for transformative learning if the course content, structure, and learning environment are purposefully crafted to enable students to deal with anticipated or experienced struggles and engage in rather than resist the learning experience. The findings have implications for leadership curriculum design, course design, and pedagogy. Although this study focused on undergraduate learners in a traditional college classroom, the implications may also be relevant to a range of leadership educators and learners in various educational contexts both within and outside of academe.
Comparison of Transformational Leadership Practices: Implications for School Districts and Principal Preparation Programs
Authors: Quin Jeff , Deris Aaron , Bischoff Greg , Johnson James T.
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the leadership practices needed to improve academic achievement and generate positive change in school organizations. The study was also conducted to provide insight to principal preparation programs and school districts about effective transformational leadership practices. A quantitative research method was used to achieve the survey study. Ninety-two teachers completed the Leadership Practices Inventory developed by Kouzes and Posner. Data was analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics and t- tests. The findings of the study indicate that (a) principals in high performing schools employ all leadership practices more frequently than principals in lower performing schools and (b) inspiring a shared vision and challenging the process are the two practices that have the biggest impact on student achievement. It is recommended that principal preparation programs incorporate Kouzes and Posner’s transformational leadership model into their curriculum in order to develop highly qualified school leaders.
Trauma-Inspired Prosocial Leadership Development
Authors: Williams Jenifer Wolf , Allen Stuart
Published: July 2015

Though trauma survivors sometimes emerge as leaders in prosocial causes related to their previous negative or traumatic experiences, little is known about this transition, and limited guidance is available for survivors who hope to make prosocial contributions. To understand what enables trauma-inspired prosocial leadership development, the transition narratives of seven trauma-inspired leaders who varied by global region, primary language, gender, ethnicity, religion, trauma type, and leadership area were analyzed. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis in an exploratory study, participants’ transitional journeys were examined through analysis of their autobiographies. Critical findings included frequent references by all participants to perspective enlargement (reframing a problem or context) and resilience to the negative, apathetic, or retaliatory responses to the mission (possibly learned through resilience to trauma itself). This study explores posttraumatic leadership conceptually and makes suggestions for leadership development among trauma-inspired survivors
Effects of Classroom-based Team Experiences on Undergraduate Student Leadership Development: When Practice Does Not Make Perfect
Authors: Rosch David
Published: July 2015

Engineering students (N = 285) enrolled in either a first-year or senior-year design course that consisted entirely of team-based collaborative learning projects reported few gains in their overall leadership development. First-year students made moderate gains in transformational leadership skills and social-normative motivation to lead. Peer evaluations of skill were lower than were self-reported scores, and, for first-year students, self-reported scores and peer scores were not correlated. A high degree of co-curricular involvement in student organizations, as compared to little or no involvement, was associated with student gains in seniors. These results indicate the relatively small degree of leadership learning that takes place in classroom-based team experiences when those experiences are not paired with opportunities for deliberate practice or reflection in the development of leadership capacity.
Venous thromboembolism: use of graduated compression stockings
Authors: Muñoz-Figueroa Gloria Patricia , Ojo Omorogieva
Published: July 2015

This article aims to review the use of graduated compression stockings in the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). This is particularly important owing to the increasing number of people who die from hospital-acquired VTE and deep vein thrombosis. In addition, there is the need to raise awareness among nurses and other health professionals on the overall impact of VTE, and the number of patients with a range of conditions including cancer who may be at risk of developing VTE. Graduated compression stockings, when used alone, have been found to be effective in preventing VTE in a number of patients in hospital and community settings. However, there is evidence that when used together with other preventative measures such as pharmacological prophylaxis are more effective than graduated compression stockings alone. It is also important that the correct size of graduated compression stocking is used and how they are applied as these may have a significant impact on VTE. The role of the nurse in thromboprophylaxis and implications for practice are discussed.
The importance of communication in sustaining hope at the end of life
Authors: Hawthorn Maureen
Published: July 2015

How can health professionals, especially those working in busy environments, foster hope and communicate effectively and therapeutically with patients at the end of their lives? Many authors agree that failure to comprehend the essence of what patients are communicating, either verbally or non-verbally, can adversely affect the level of support that health professionals can offer, and risks increasing patients' suffering and isolation, leaving them feeling hopeless. Anxiety and fear frequently invoke hopelessness and often cause patients to reject advice and important information given by clinicians. This article focuses on the importance of therapeutic communication in sustaining hope for patients at the end of life.
Prescribing for children with atopic eczema in primary care
Authors: Penzer Rebecca
Published: July 2015

Atopic eczema is a common childhood condition. This article gives guidance on patient assessment; developing a patient-centred plan of care; the topical products most effective for managing the condition; how optimal adherence to the treatment may be achieved; and when referral to services in secondary care is appropriate.
Improving the selection of wound dressings in general practice
Authors: Cryer Sian
Published: July 2015

This article describes an innovative service that delivers high-quality wound care in the general practice, involving a range of professional groups—from the practice nurse, the GP, the lymphoedema team to individuals from the wound-care industry. The article describes the process of developing a wound-care formulary for use in general practice and highlights why a thorough wound assessment is necessary to improving outcomes in patient care.
Bivalirudin for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: O'Donovan Kate
Published: July 2015

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is recognized as a life-threatening medical emergency. The goal standard of care is immediate primary percutaneous coronary intervention, restoring blood flow to the myocardium and preserving myocardial pump function. Adjunctive to primary percutaneous coronary intervention is the administration of anti-platelet and anti-coagulation agents to reduce platelet activity and inhibit thrombin-mediated thrombus formation. Bivalirudin is a direct thrombin inhibitor, which inhibits clot-bound and free thrombin. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that when compared with heparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor there is a lower incidence of major bleeding, and, as a result, all-cause mortality is reduced. Although bivalirudin has beneficial effects on bleeding, acute stent thrombosis has been identified as a potential risk within the first 24 hours following primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
The Little Prince: ‘an invitation to the spirit’
Authors: Hoad Elizabeth
Published: July 2015

With an animated film on the way, now could be a good time to treat your pupils to an exploration of a masterpiece that has been much-loved by children and adults alike.
‘Assess, plan, do, review’
Authors: janFriswell Jane
Published: July 2015

NASEN's Jane Friswell emphasises the importance of NQTs being able to effectively teach children with SEND and highlights the support that is available to them.
Giving your personal best
Authors: Adams Margaret
Published: July 2015

Do you know what you are really good at? Margaret Adams provides a guide to gauging your strengths and achievements, and demonstrating these to others in your school.
Food stamps for food security: the impact of a targeted social assistance programme in Mongolia
Authors: MacAuslan Ian , Attah Ramlatu
Published: July 2015

Despite rapid economic growth, the poorest households in Mongolia struggle to meet basic nutritional requirements. In 2008–09, global economic conditions and a heavy winter led to rising prices and lower incomes, exacerbating food insecurity. The government implemented a food stamp programme targeting the poorest 5 per cent of households, aiming to reduce their vulnerability to food insecurity. Drawing on an impact evaluation of the programme on food security, we find substantial positive impacts on food security. We conclude that the model was appropriate to Mongolia, and a viable long-term response to food insecurity.
Cardiorenal syndrome in patients with chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kutyrina Irina Mikhailovna , Rudenko Tatiana Evgen'evna , Savel'eva Svetlana Alekseevna , Shvetsov Mikhail Yur'evich , Shestakova Marina Vladimirovna
Published: July 2015

AIM: Combination of cardiovascular and renal disease is currently viewed as a unified cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). The aim of our study was to assess the CRS prevalence and risk factors associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with pre-dialysis stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) of various etiology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 172 patients with CKD to participate in this study. First group consisted of 83 patients with nondiabetic CKD at 2nd through 4th stage (mean age 46-15 years, 51% male and 29% female). Mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 37.2 ml/min (33.9-41.4 with 95% CI); creatinine plasma clearance was 2.9 mg/dl (2.6-3.2). Second group consisted of 89 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and CKD at 1st?2nd stage (40% male and 60% female) with albuminuria (mean age 57.3-7.1 years). Duration of diabetes in this sampling was 10.4-7.1 years. All patients underwent standard clinical examination, supplemented with echocardiography to evaluate the influence of general and CKD-related risk factors for LVH.

RESULTS: LVH was diagnosed in 37.3% of non-diabetic patients with CKD at 2nd through 4th stage. Aside from classic cardiovascular riskfactors (including age, gender, arterial hypertension, family history of cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia), we observed theimpact of kidney-related factors (anemia, plasma creatinine, disturbance of calcium-phosphorus metabolism). CKD progression wasassociated with elevation in the incidence of concentric and eccentric LVH). Patients with T2DM were diagnosed with LVH in 36% ofcases. Increased myocardial mass correlated with plasma levels of uric acid, HbA1c, obesity and albuminuria. There was also a firmassociation between diabetic nephropathy, left ventricular myocardial remodelling and a history of cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSION: In patients with diabetes mellitus and CKD cardiorenal syndrome develops at pre-dialysis stages due to both classic and kidney-related cardiovascular risk factors.
Implementation of investment and working capital financing allocated by banks towards the added GDP, labors, and welfare in four regencies in Madura
Authors: Fatihudin Didin , Hidajat Sjamsul , Sya�ban Ma�ruf
Published: July 2015

This study investigates the implementation of investment financing absorption and private bank sectors working capital to increase GDP, employment, and welfare of the four counties in Madura island (Bangkalan, Sampang, Pamekasan, Sumenep). This is the development of a previous study. This explanatory study is based on the model devel-opment concept or theory with Path Analysis through the data normality, multicolli-nearity, and heteroscedasticity test as well as causality. The data were taken from Bank Indonesia, Investment Coordinating Board, and the Central Bureau of Statistics. This is a time series data of 2002 to 2006. It shows that the financing of investment to GDP has significant and negative effect, financing of investment to labor absorption has signifi-cant and negative effect; financing working capital to GDP has significant and positive effect; financing of working capital to labor absorption has significant and negative effect; GDP in the labor market has no significant nor positive effect; GDP for the welfare effect, it has positive but not significant effect; employment in the welfare has a significant and positive effect. The direct effect or indirect implementation of financing from banks to finance investments and working capital to the entrepreneurs has increasingly a significant and positive effect. Absorption has dominated world finance working capital financing, following the least consumption and investment. Thus, it was natural that the implementa-tion of the investment credit and working capital has a significant and positive effect on economic growth, absorption of labor, and welfare in all four counties in Madura.
Consumer Complaint Behavior (CCB) of Jombang Health Card (KJS) for increasing health facility service
Authors: Sulistyowati Endah , Wibowo Danny
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this study is to see and assess why they complaint, how to make complaints and alternative for patients complain KJS (Jombang Health Card) users, as such information from various forms of complaint can be used to improve health care strategy hospital. This is an exploratory and qualitative research using Focus Group Discussion (FGD) towards 20 people. It was found that the reason KJS users complain services is due to factors that include poor service, poor facilities, the be-ginning of a long process and product factors include: the availability of drugs, limited room space and time limits hospitalization. The second factor is a fatal loss, allowing participants to have a longer hierarchy levels due to passing through a more complicated procedure. Complaints and personality types of participants affect the nature of the expectations expressed through the submission of a complaint. The results include the results of the settlement of complaints received by the partici-pants, and satisfaction evaluation with the settlement. Generally poor service stimu-lates participants to convey a simple complaint in connection with suggestions or criticism to improve services and hospital management.
Efecto de la estimación sobre la conceptualización del área
Authors: Manotas Mercado Marelly Esther , Rojas Álvarez Carlos Javier
Published: July 2015

El objetivo de este estudio es determinar el efecto de la estimación sobre la conceptualización del área. Se aplicó un diseño cuasi-experimental, con grupo, antes y después, con grupo control no equivalente. Los sujetos fueron alumnos de tercer semestre de Administración de Empresas y Negocios Internacionales, con edades comprendidas entre los 17 y 22 años, de ambos géneros. La metodología tiene como fundamento estimar áreas con cuadrículas de regiones que están bajo una curva, teniendo como pretexto el estudio de la integral definida. Se encontró que aunque no hay diferencia significativa en los puntajes entre el grupo control y el grupo experimental en el postest, la metodología influyó significativamente en la conceptualización del área en los alumnos del grupo experimental, ya que se encontró diferencia significativa al comparar la diferencia intragrupo entre el grupo experimental y el grupo control.
Formación en el trabajo con familias para la educación de la primera infancia
Authors: Ramírez Robledo Libia Elena , Quintero Arrubla Sonia Ruth , Jaramillo Valencia Bairon
Published: July 2015

Este artículo se deriva de la investigación “Saber y Hacer pedagógico de los profesionales en educación Inicial y su adecuación con las Nuevas Prácticas Pedagógicas de la Fundación FAN”, buscando resignificar el perfil profesional y ocupacional de los egresados de la licenciatura en educación preescolar en la Funlam. Solo se aborda la categoría entorno familiar y su articulación con la Institución educativa, Esta investigación se realiza bajo el paradigma cualitativo y se inscribe en el tipo de estudio de casos. Con una muestra de 47 profesionales de educación inicial, Los datos se recolectan mediante entrevistas, observación no participante y grupos de discusión. El hallazgo más importante es la desarticulación entre la formación profesional y las demandas del contexto sociocultural en relación con el apoyo familiar.
Tres dimensiones para la evaluación de sistemas de gestión de aprendizaje (LMS)
Authors: Ardila Muñoz Jimmy Yordany , Ruíz Cañadulce Edith Marcela
Published: July 2015

El grupo de investigación EDUTIC de la Vicerrectoría de Educación Virtual de la Universidad de Boyacá se encuentra desarrollando el proyecto “Estudio Comparativo entre Plataformas Virtuales Libres y la Plataforma Virtual Propietaria de la Universidad de Boyacá”. El objetivo planteado es identificar la plataforma virtual libre que se ajuste a las políticas del modelo pedagógico virtual de la Universidad de Boyacá con el fin de mejorar los servicios académicos que se ofrecen. El proyecto se sustenta en los modelos de calidad de software planteados en la ingeniería del software, así como en la revisión de los estándares de calidad definidos para la formación académica a través de e-learning y b-learning. Como resultado hasta el momento se ha logrado construir un conjunto de formatos de evaluación de LMS, los cuales se han agrupado en tres dimensiones: la dimensión del modelo pedagógico, la dimensión del usuario, y la dimensión técnica.
Prácticas de crianza en niños y niñas menores de seis años en Colombia
Authors: Varela Londoño Sandra Patricia , Chinchilla Salcedo Tania , Murad Gutiérrez Vanessa
Published: July 2015

El tema relacionado con las prácticas de crianza de la familia y los cuidadores adultos de niños y niñas menores de 6 años es un campo de estudio que ha generado muchas diferencias y que ha sido investigado desde diversas disciplinas, evidenciándose que la cultura es transversal al proceso de crianza. El presente artículo hace referencia al estado actual en Colombia de las tendencias que se han dado a partir de las prácticas de crianza de la familia y los cuidadores adultos, haciendo referencia a las investigaciones realizadas en el periodo 2003 - 2013. Este artículo es el condensado de una exhaustiva y rigurosa labor de revisión bibliográfica que proporciona elementos suficientes para determinar avances y vacíos conceptuales, que servirán para futuras investigaciones en relación con la temática.
An ecocritical reading of flowers in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple
Authors: Arıkan Arda
Published: July 2015

Flowers are one of the most popular motifs in verse as well as in prose. Many critics have noted that nature is at the core of Alice Walker’s epistolary novel The Color Purple (1983) in which depicting or writing about flowers requires special attention. However, in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, flowers are depicted and written about to convey strong negative emotions as well as positive ones. In this study, how flowers are depicted or written about in the novel is studied through an ecocritical lens. I argue that Walker’s use of flowers provides examples of the vitality of a hopeful existence especially when various flowers mentioned in the novel are considered along with the seasonal changes organically affecting such floral richness. I equally argue that Walker uses flowers to show the change experienced by the major character, Celie. In that sense, Walker’s flowers are in direct coexistence with the major character, Celie. 
Compressible Navier–Stokes limit of binary mixture of gas particles
Authors: Choe Hi Jun , Zhou Shulin
Published: July 2015

In this paper we study the compressible Navier–Stokes limit of binary mixture of gas particles in which a species is dense and the other is sparse.
Their collisions are decided by Grad's hard potentials.
When the Knudsen number of dense species of the Boltzmann system goes to zero, we show that
the hydrodynamic variables satisfy compressible Navier–Stokes type equations.
It turns out that the macro fluid variables corresponding to the dense species satisfy the standard compressible Navier–Stokes equations. But the fluid equations for sparse species contain influence terms of dense species. Like single species gas, we employed Enskog–Chapman and moment methods up to the first order.
Rapid detection of Mmalton α1-antitrypsin deficiency allele by real-time PCR and melting curves in whole blood, serum and dried blood spot samples
Authors: Belmonte Irene , Montoto Luciana , Miravitlles Marc , Barrecheguren Miriam , Esquinas Cristina , Rodríguez Esther , Giralt Marina , Rodríguez-Frías Francisco
Published: July 2015

α

We tested the applicability of this new technique for the identification of the Mmalton allele in AATD screening using whole blood, dried blood spot (DBS) and serum samples. Mmalton heterozygote and homozygote samples and samples without this allele were included in the study.

This new assay is able to detect homozygous and heterozygous genotypes in the same reaction and in a single step, giving matching results with those obtained by

This technology is optimal for working with small amounts of DNA, such as in DBS and even with residual DNA present in serum samples, allowing improvement in routine algorithms of AATD diagnosis or large-scale screening. This method will be useful for obtaining more in depth knowledge of the real incidence of the Mmalton variant.
Vice President's Column
Authors: Tarasova Natalia
Published: July 2015

For nearly one hundred years, the mission of IUPAC has been to contribute to the worldwide understanding and application of the chemical sciences to the betterment of the human condition. As a scientific, international, non-governmental, and objective body, IUPAC can address many global issues involving the chemical sciences. By providing leadership, facilitation, and encouragement of chemistry, IUPAC contributes to the expansion of scientific knowledge.
Towards a Uniform Description System for Materials on the Nanoscale
Authors: Rumble John , Freiman Steve , Teague Clayton
Published: July 2015

When is a chemical not a chemical? When is a material not a material? The answer to both questions can be considered the same: When the procedures and rules chemists and materials scientists have developed to describe those substances no longer work. One area where this occurs is in the world of nanomaterials.
A Perspective on Chemistry Education
Authors: Garcia Martinez Javier , Atkins Peter
Published: July 2015

One of the most important and strategic activities that IUPAC carries out is to promote the use of best practice and the most effective tools for chemistry education. That education includes public understanding and appreciation of the roles and achievements of chemistry, especially among the young. The Committee on Chemistry Education (CCE) is one of most popular and active bodies within IUPAC. In addition to its titular and associate members, numerous national representatives regularly take part in its meetings, which are among the best attended in every IUPAC General Assembly. The Union, through CCE, promotes best practice in chemistry education through the organization of international conferences and workshops, by providing guidance to countries that ask for assistance with their chemistry curricula, and by promoting an understanding and appreciation of the subject through programs such as the Young Ambassadors for Chemistry and the Flying Chemists.
Laudation on behalf of the 80th Birthday of Koichi Hatada
Authors: Barón Maximo , Hess Michael
Published: July 2015

Koichi Hatada, Professor Emeritus of Osaka University and the Fukui University of Technology and member of the IUPAC Polymer Division, celebrated his 80th birthday on 15 December 2014. We met Prof. Hatada more than 30 years ago, when we became members of the Commission of Macromolecular Nomenclature. It feels like yesterday. At that time Professor Hatada was already a seasoned member of IUPAC, where he started in 1988 as Associate Member of this Commission. He was Titular Member 1990-1997, Associate Member again 1998-2001, and concurrently a Member of the Interdivisional Committee on Nomenclature and Symbols (IDCNS). His kind and friendly personality, combined with his profound knowledge and great experience, has helped newcomers become familiar with the nomenclature of IUPAC. He is a great example of scientific rigor, integrity, and dependability, and has a natural authority.
Quasiconvexity in relatively hyperbolic groups
Authors: Gerasimov Victor , Potyagailo Leonid
Published: July 2015

We study different notions of quasiconvexity for a subgroup H of
a relatively hyperbolic group G. Our first result implies that relative geometric quasiconvexity is
equivalent to dynamical quasiconvexity as it was conjectured by D. Osin.
In the second part of the paper we prove that a subgroup H of a
finitely generated relatively hyperbolic group G acts
cocompactly outside its limit set if and only if it is
(absolutely) quasiconvex and every infinite intersection of H with
a parabolic subgroup of G has finite index in the parabolic subgroup.
We also discuss relations between other properties of subgroups close to quasiconvexity.
When fat becomes an ally of the enemy: adipose tissue as collaborator in human breast cancer
Authors: Lapeire Lore , Denys Hannelore , Cocquyt Véronique , De Wever Olivier
Published: July 2015

Since the discovery of leptin in 1994, our vision of adipose tissue as a static organ regulating mainly lipid storage and release has been completely overthrown, and adipose tissue is now seen as an active and integral organ in human physiology. In the past years, extensive research has tremendously given us more insights in the mechanisms and pathways involved not only in normal but also in ‘sick’ adipose tissue, for example, in obesity and lipodystrophy. With growing evidence of a link between obesity and several types of cancer, research focusing on the interaction between adipose tissue and cancer has begun to unravel the interesting but complex multi-lateral communication between the different players. With breast cancer as one of the first cancer types where a positive correlation between obesity and breast cancer incidence and prognosis in post-menopausal women was found, we have focused this review on the paracrine and endocrine role of adipose tissue in breast cancer initiation and progression. As important inter-species differences in adipose tissue occur, we mainly selected human adipose tissue- and breast cancer-based studies with a short reflection on therapeutic possibilities. This review is part of the special issue on “Adiposopathy in Cancer and (Cardio)Metabolic Diseases”.