bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different Expression of 11β-Hydroxylase and Aldosterone Synthase Between Aldosterone-Producing Microadenomas and Macroadenomas
Authors: Ono Yoshikiyo , Nakamura Yasuhiro , Maekawa Takashi , Felizola Saulo J.A. , Morimoto Ryo , Iwakura Yoshitsugu , Kudo Masataka , Seiji Kazumasa , Takase Kei , Arai Yoichi , Gomez-Sanchez Celso E. , Ito Sadayoshi , Sasano Hironobu , Satoh Fumitoshi
Published: May 2014

Aldosterone-producing adenoma is a major subtype of primary aldosteronism. The number of cases of these adenomas, which are below the detection limit of computed tomography but diagnosed by adrenal venous sampling, has recently been increasing. However, the pathophysiology of these adenomas, especially those manifesting clinically overt hyperaldosteronism despite their small size, remains unknown. Therefore, we examined the correlation between tumor size and the status of intratumoral steroidogenic enzymes involved in aldosterone biosynthesis using immunohistochemistry. Forty patients with surgically proven aldosterone-producing adenomas were retrospectively studied. Multidetector computed tomography, adrenal venous sampling, and laparoscopic adrenalectomy were performed in all of the patients studied. The tumor area at the maximum diameter of the sections was precisely measured by ImageJ software. The status of the steroidogenic enzymes was immunohistochemically analyzed, and the findings were evaluated according to the H-score system, based on both the number of immunopositive cells and relative immunointensity. Adrenal masses were not detected by computed tomography in 20 patients. Blood pressure, plasma aldosterone concentration, urinary aldosterone excretion, and the number of antihypertensive agents also decreased significantly after the surgery in these patients, as well as in the patients with adenomas detectable by computed tomography. Maximum tumor area obtained in the specimens was significantly correlated with preoperative plasma aldosterone concentration, urinary aldosterone excretion, and the H score of 11β-hydroxylase and was inversely correlated with the H score of aldosterone synthase. These results demonstrated that small adenomas could produce sufficient aldosterone to cause clinically overt primary aldosteronism because of the significantly higher aldosterone synthase expression per tumor area.
The Snake in the Tree in Abu al-ʿAlaʾ al-Maʿarri’s Epistle of Forgiveness: Critical Essay and Translation
Authors: Stetkevych Suzanne Pinckney
Published: May 2014

Abstract

This study first proposes to interpret the opening passages of Abū al-ʿAlāʾ al-Maʿarrī’s (363-449/973-1058) Risālat al-Ghufrān (Epistle of Forgiveness) in terms of the mythic, lexic and ludic elements that make up the substance of what is essentially a non-narrative discourse. The study argues that al-Maʿarrī uses his parodic “heavenly garden” as a “ludic space” in which his self-righteous protagonist and addressee, Ibn al-Qāriḥ, as well as his (presumed) reader, is tested with riddles, both verbal and conceptual. Ibn al-Qāriḥ fails in what I claim to be a parody of a rite of initiation (a literary counterpart to the Prophet Muḥammad’s Night Journey and Ascension): he is constantly surprised and dumbfounded by God’s mercy. This study argues that the opening passages, which play on names, epithets and lexical items relating to the snake, the snake in the tree, the black core of the heart, and related symbols of the soul and immortality are ultimately grounded in the shared Mesopotamian-Mediterranean symbolic matrix. It argues that the bivalent image of the snake as a source of longevity and of death, of deception and of veracity, is found in the interwoven Christian symbolism of Eve, the serpent, the tree of life, the Virgin Mary, Christ and the tree of the Cross. Second, it offers an annotated translation of the opening passages of al-Maʿarrī’s Risālat al-Ghufrān.
Eastern Auxiliary Guards at Auschwitz-Birkenau in Spring 1943
Authors: Rich David Alan
Published: May 2014

To solve insurmountable manpower shortages in its concentration camp guard forces, the Nazi ss turned in early 1943 to an untapped, highly experienced and brutal source. Former Soviet prisoners of war recruited in 1941 and 1942 and trained at the Trawniki training camp in Poland, had effectuated the mass murder of over one million Jews in the three Operation “Reinhard” killing centers in about 9 months. By early 1943, however, some of those guards had come to doubt the wisdom of their collaboration with the Nazis, and deserted to the partisans. ss authorities decided to solve manning shortages in concentration camps by transferring 150 Trawniki guards to Auschwitz-Birkenau camp in March 1943. By failing to accommodate the foreign auxiliaries’ discontent, Auschwitz’s commandant faced his own mass desertion three months later. Berlin’s response to events at Auschwitz fundamentally reconfigured the relationship between the ss and its eastern guards in the Reich’s entire concentration camp system. About 1,500 Trawniki-trained guards eventually entered the camp system and served loyally until the Reich’s end. In coming to know their Slavic clients, the “new Soviet men,” the Nazis abandoned collaboration and turned to hierarchical discipline and integration with their own German guards.
Social Origins of the Soviet Party Elites, 1917–1990
Authors: Vladimirov Katya
Published: May 2014

The Soviet system replicated the imperial reign it destroyed by establishing the rule of a new elite: the Soviet party bureaucracy. True beneficiary of a revolutionary transformation, this elite came from peasant sons, promoted and rewarded by the Soviet system. This provincial surplus was a major force behind the Soviet empire: many of these young, uprooted individuals were extraordinarily successful. From slums and humble origins, they reached the inner circle of party power and remained there for almost forty years. This article profiles one of the most powerful groups within the upper echelon of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the members of the Central Committee, using statistical database analysis to examine the dramatic social transformation of this demographic group and its evolution to successful power domination.
Gastroesophageal Reflux in Chronic Cough and Cough Syncope and the Effect of Antireflux Treatment
Authors: Hu Zhi-Wei , Wang Zhong-Gao , Zhang Yu , Tian Shu-Rui , Wu Ji-Min , Zhu Guang-Chang , Liang Wei-Tao
Published: May 2014

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of antireflux treatment on gastroesophageal reflux (GER)-related cough syncope.

Methods:

The method used was a retrospective review of the outcomes of antireflux treatment with proton pump inhibitor (PPI), Stretta radiofrequency (SRF), or laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) of 8 patients with chronic cough and cough syncope that was clinically evaluated to be GER related over a period of 2 to 5 years.

Results:

In the 8 selected cases, the typical GER symptoms disappeared in 7 cases and were significantly eased in 1 case. The chronic cough diminished to mild and occasional occurrence in 6 cases and was completely relieved in 2 cases. Meanwhile, the cough syncope disappeared in all cases. Seven of the patients resumed physical and social functions after the antireflux treatments, except for 1 person, who had a stroke due to other causes.

Conclusion:

For chronic cough and cough syncope of unknown cause, the GER assessment could be valuable. In treating well-selected GER-related chronic cough and cough syncope, PPI, SRF, and LF can be considered. Moreover, satisfactory restoration of physical and social functions could be achieved after effective antireflux therapy.
Why Ecclesial Structures at the Regional Level Matter: Communion as Mutual Inclusion
Authors: Cohen Will
Published: May 2014

In the one communion of all local churches, regional structures of authority are essential if the church is to live out its mission in each sociopolitical context. The article explores how structures of regional and universal authority interact in Catholic and Orthodox contexts, looking at the ministry of unity exercised in the late 1970s by Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador and at Orthodoxy’s ongoing efforts to bring multiple ethnic jurisdictions into administrative unity in North America.
Transformations in the Cuban Economic Model
Authors: Pérez Ricardo Torres
Published: May 2014

The current proposal for transformations of the Cuban economic model approved in May 2011 constitutes the road map for an ambitious program. The proposal includes a more diverse property structure in which an opening is provided for the nonstate sector to become part of the productive landscape, decentralization of decision making, the gradual lifting of limits on consumption and the creation of a limited market in assets, and support for private consumption over social consumption. To ensure their success, it will be necessary to address a number of challenges, among them correcting the distortion evident in the pricing system, expanding the private and cooperative sectors, increasing the volume and structure of exports, and modernizing the financial system. It is important to understand this proposal as a point of departure for other necessary changes that will demand great flexibility and an accurate interpretation of the constraints and opportunities arising from the contemporary international context.

La actual propuesta de transformaciones del modelo económico cubano aprobada mayo 2011 constituye el mapa de un programa ambicioso. La propuesta incluye una estructura de propiedad más diversa en el que se proporciona una abertura para el sector no estatal para convertirse en parte del sector productivo, la descentralización de la toma de decisiones, el levantamiento gradual de los límites sobre el consumo y la creación de un mercado limitado de los activos, y el apoyo para el consumo privado sobre el consumo social. Para asegurar su éxito, será necesario abordar una serie de retos, entre ellos la corrección de la evidente distorsión en el sistema de precios, la expansión de los sectores privado y cooperativo, incrementando el volumen y la estructura de las exportaciones, y la moder-nization del sistema financiero. Es importante entender esta propuesta como punto de partida para otros cambios necesarios que exigirán una gran flexibilidad y una correcta interpretación de las limitaciones y oportunidades que surgen del contexto internacional contemporáneo.
Condition parameter degradation assessment and prediction for hydropower units using Shepard surface and ITD
Authors: An Xueli , Pan Luoping , Yang Li
Published: May 2014

A condition parameter degradation assessment and prediction model was developed to evaluate and forecast hydropower units based on the Shepard surface, intrinsic time-scale decomposition (ITD), a radial basis function (RBF) artificial neural network and grey theory. The model includes the effect of the active power and the working head on the hydropower unit’s condition. The condition parameter degradation time series is decomposed into a finite number of proper rotation components and an approximate component using the ITD method. The GM(1,1) model (a first-order one-variable grey model) is then used to predict the approximate component time series. The proper rotation component time series are then predicted separately by building different RBF neural networks. Finally, the original condition parameter degradation time series is found by adding these results. Real condition monitoring data from a pumped storage power station in China is used to verify the method. The results show that this method accurately reflects the condition parameter degradation for the hydropower unit.
Men in the Mirror
Authors: Mescher Kris , Rudman Laurie A.
Published: May 2014

Because research on body shame has predominantly focused on women, the consequences of male body shame for gender relations have been under-investigated. Following up on preliminary findings suggesting that men high on body shame were hostile toward women, in two experiments, we uniquely observed that body shame predisposes men to sexual aggression when they react negatively to masculinity threats. In Experiment 1, men rejected by a female confederate for being unattractive showed rape proclivity to the extent they were high on both body shame and post-rejection negative affect. In Experiment 2, the same pattern emerged on the part of men rejected by a female (but not a male) confederate for ostensibly being gay. In concert, the findings suggest that men’s body shame is an overlooked factor in sexual aggression, which has implications for extant rape theories and precarious manhood theory.
Improving pseudo relevance feedback based query expansion using genetic fuzzy approach and semantic similarity notion
Authors: Bhatnagar Pragati , Pareek Narendra
Published: May 2014

Pseudo relevance feedback-based query expansion is a popular automatic query expansion technique. However, a survey of work done in the area shows that it has a mixed chance of success. This paper captures the limitations of pseudo relevance feedback (PRF)-based query expansion and proposes a method of enhancing its performance by hybridizing corpus-based information, with a genetic fuzzy approach and semantic similarity notion. First the paper suggests use of a genetic fuzzy approach to select an optimal combination of query terms from a pool of terms obtained using PRF-based query expansion. The query terms obtained are further ranked on the basis of semantic similarity with original query terms. The experiments were performed on CISI collection, a benchmark dataset for information retrieval. It was found that the results were better in both terms of recall and precision. The main observation is that the hybridization of various techniques of query expansion in an intelligent way allows us to incorporate the good features of all of them. As this is a preliminary attempt in this direction, there is a large scope for enhancing these techniques.
A model of cardiopulmonary bypass staged training integrating technical and non-technical skills dedicated to cardiac trainees
Authors: Fouilloux V , Doguet F , Kotsakis A , Dubrowski A , Berdah S
Published: May 2014

Objectives:

To develop a standardized simulation-based curriculum to teach medical knowledge and technical, communication and critical thinking skills necessary to initiate and wean from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to junior cardiac trainees (CTs) in France. Performance on post-curricular tests was compared between CTs who participated in the new curriculum to those who did not.

Methods:

The simulation-based curriculum was developed by content and education experts. Simulations sequentially taught the skills necessary for initiating and weaning from CPB as well as managing crises by adding fidelity and complexity to scenarios. Nine CTs were randomly assigned to the new curriculum (n=5) or the traditional curriculum (n=4). Skills were assessed using tests of medical knowledge and technical, communication (GRS) and critical thinking (SCT) skills. A two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test compared average scores between the two groups. Alpha of 0.05 was set to indicate statistically significant differences.

Results:

The resutls revealed that CTs in the new curriculum significantly outperformed CTs in the traditional curriculum on technical (18.2 vs 14.8, p=0.05) and communication (3.5 vs 2.2, p=0.013) skills. There was no significant difference between CTs in the new curriculum in the Script Concordance Test (16.5 vs 14.8, p=0.141) and knowledge tests (26.9 vs 24.6, p=0.14) compared to CTs in the traditional curriculum.

Conclusion:

Our new curriculum teaches communication and technical skills necessary for CPB. The results of this pilot study are encouraging and relevant. They give grounds for future research with a larger panel of trainees. Based on the current distribution of scores, a sample size of 12 CTs per group should yield significant results for all tests.
Improving Public Interpretation of Probabilistic Test Results
Authors: Pighin Stefania , Gonzalez Michel , Savadori Lucia , Girotto Vittorio
Published: May 2014

Health service users err in posttest probability evaluations. Here we document for the first time that users succeed when they reason about numbers of cases and make distributive evaluations. A sample of women interested in prenatal testing incorrectly evaluated the posttest probability that a given fetus had an anomaly, but regardless of their numeracy level, they correctly apportioned the cases for and against that hypothesis. This finding shows that health service users are not doomed to fail in dealing with single-case probabilities and suggests that probabilistic data can be used effectively for communicating test results.
Citizen-Consumer Oriented Practices in Naturalistic Foodways
Authors: Chaudhury Sarita Ray , Albinsson Pia A.
Published: May 2014

Today's consumers are more apt to enact the “politics of choice” rather than “politics of loyalty” as responsible members of society. This shift from being the consumer with the sole intent of pursuing self-interest to that of the normative “citizen-consumer” who practices consumption with an eye towards the greater good, denotes the overlapping aspect of consumption and citizenship in everyday practices. Through qualitative analysis the authors posit a conceptual framework of citizen-consumer orientation. The framework highlights the way citizen-consumers navigate constraints and tensions posed by the dominant food system (and mainstream lifestyle paradigm) through sustainability oriented, shared practices in naturalistic foodways. Shared practices are advanced as ways in which the individual burden of sustainable practices is reduced.
Sustainable Markets
Authors: Ozdamar Ertekin Zeynep , Atik Deniz
Published: May 2014

Examining the critiques of the current fashion system and alternative approaches to fast fashion reveal a growing awareness of the negative implications of mindless fashion production and consumption. The purpose of this study is to understand how the fashion system driven by speed, change, product obsolescence, and aesthetic fads, can be challenged and repositioned to encourage greater sustainability. Slow fashion has been selected as a context to examine the emergence of an alternative system, as it develops a holistic understanding of what constitutes sustainable fashion. However, it is still unclear whether the slow fashion movement can eventually challenge the global dominance of fast fashion, as many trade-offs and conflicts are involved. We aim to contribute to previous scholarly work by shedding light on the motivating factors that encourage different actors to participate in the slow fashion movement and on the barriers that keep the network from mobilizing. We also offer possible remedies that we hope will be beneficial for scholars and practitioners working to build a more sustainable fashion system.
A correlative STS: Lessons from a Chinese medical practice
Authors: Lin Wen-yuan , Law John
Published: May 2014

How might Science and Technology Studies learn more from the intersection between ‘Western’ and ‘other’ forms of knowledge? In this article, we use Eduardo Viveiros de Castro’s writing on equivocal translation to explore a moment of encounter in a Chinese Medical consultation in Taiwan in which a practitioner hybridizes Chinese Medicine and biomedicine. Our description is symmetrical, but creates a descriptive equivocation in which ‘Western’ analytical terms are used to describe a ‘Chinese’ medical reality. Drawing on the history of Chinese Medicine, we argue that the latter is not analytical, but ‘correlative’ in a specifically ‘Chinese’ manner that explores patternings, flows, and propensities in local collections of things and symptoms. In particular, it both handles difference without seeking to unearth stable causal mechanisms and absorbs new elements including relevant features of biomedicine. We conclude by briefly considering the scope of a possible post-colonial and ‘correlative’ STS and show that a ‘correlative’ description of the same Chinese Medical consultation would differ markedly from one making use of ‘Western’ analytical assumptions.
Investigation of the effects of thermal gradients present in Gleeble high-temperature tensile tests on the strain state for free cutting steel
Authors: Kardoulaki Erofili , Lin Jianguo , Balint Daniel , Farrugia Didier
Published: May 2014

A common feature of uniaxial high-temperature tension tests, and to a certain extent compression tests, performed using a Gleeble thermomechanical testing system that employs direct resistance heating for the characterisation of the rheological behaviour of materials is longitudinal and radial thermal gradients. The aim of this article is to experimentally quantify the axial thermal gradients for a given tensile specimen geometry of free cutting steel during heating and deformation, and design a modelling methodology to simulate their influence on the strain distribution as compared to the assumption of isothermal heating and deformation. For this purpose, a feedback algorithm was developed to control the electric current input in a similar manner to that applied by the Gleeble testing system, which implemented via the UAMP user subroutine in ABAQUS for use in electro-thermal simulations of the direct resistance Joule heating used by the Gleeble testing system. The predicted temperature fields were compared with the temperature distributions recorded experimentally along the gauge section of the tensile specimens. Finite element simulations of Gleeble tensile tests were carried out under isothermal conditions and using the temperature distributions calculated by the feedback algorithm for a range of strain rates and temperatures in order to evaluate the difference in predicted stress state. The results show that an isothermal assumption should only be used conservatively in finite element simulation of the Gleeble thermomechanical test employing direct resistance heating to avoid significant errors.
Using helium smoke as a surrogate of fire smoke for the study of atrium smoke filling
Authors: Zhao Guanchao , Wang Liangzhu (Leon)
Published: May 2014

This study developed a method of using pure helium to generate a cold buoyant plume as the surrogate of a fire smoke for the study of the smoke-filling process in an atrium. Aided by the numerical simulations, a series of experiments in a 1:26.5 scale model of the full-size atrium with the fires up to 1.6 MW from the literature were conducted to investigate the similarity between a helium smoke and a hot fire smoke. Helium concentrations, smoke layer heights, and smoke optical densities were compared well between the current experiment and the simulations. The experimental study thus verified the capability of a helium smoke test to reproduce the smoke-filling process of the corresponding hot smoke test in the atrium studied. This study also showed how to model a hot smoke test with a t-squared fire by the corresponding helium smoke test by pre-mixing helium and artificial smoke in a mixing box.
The Alchemy of Local Economic Development
Authors: Reese Laura A.
Published: May 2014

Although policy evaluations have raised significant concerns about the effectiveness of individual incentives such as tax abatements and special taxing districts, they beg the question of whether, in the right combination, these tools might actually work. This research focuses on this question: Are some incentives more effective in particular combinations as they would normally be applied in reality? Based on an assessment of five widely used economic development programs in the state of Michigan, the research concludes that even in combination, many commonly used incentives have no relationship to the economic health of city residents. Programs that include performance guarantees, particularly related to jobs, appear promising. For many, particularly smaller, cities offering no economic development incentives also appears to be a promising course of action.
An approach to minimizing surplus parts in selective assembly with genetic algorithm
Authors: Lu Cong , Fei Jun-Feng
Published: May 2014

This article proposes an approach to minimize the surplus parts in selective assembly with genetic algorithm. A grouping method is proposed considering the different tolerance ranges of parts, and the effect of part group assignment on assembly success rate is investigated. Based on the grouping method, a genetic algorithm with a specially designed two-dimensional chromosome structure is proposed to minimize surplus parts, and the fitness function of the solution and the constraints to be satisfied in the evolution process are investigated. The proposed selective assembly approach with the corresponding grouping method is further improved for the product assembly with multiple dimension chains. Through case studies, it is verified that the proposed approach is more competitive to improve the product assembly success rate and reduce the surplus parts.
An interesting case of ‘diabetic foot ulcer’ in an HIV-positive patient
Authors: Sivaprakasam Venkat , Chima-Okereke Catherine
Published: May 2014

Kaposi sarcoma is a highly vascularised tumour affecting the skin, lymph nodes and viscera. Kaposi sarcoma is most common in HIV-infected homosexual or bisexual men. We present here a 70-year-old white British male patient, who was under the care of the podiatric team for longstanding ‘diabetic foot ulcers’. He was later referred to the Dermatology team who took a biopsy; this revealed features of Kaposi sarcoma which prompted an HIV test which was positive. This patient had previously presented to several healthcare professionals with symptoms suggestive of HIV infection. He was started on antiretroviral therapy and the HIV and human herpesvirus-8 viral loads became undetectable in the blood within weeks and he showed significant clinical improvement. This case report is a reminder to clinicians to have a high index of suspicion in patients presenting with symptoms and signs suggestive of HIV infection.
A Social Feedback Loop for Speech Development and Its Reduction in Autism
Authors: Warlaumont Anne S. , Richards Jeffrey A. , Gilkerson Jill , Oller D. Kimbrough
Published: May 2014

We analyzed the microstructure of child-adult interaction during naturalistic, daylong, automatically labeled audio recordings (13,836 hr total) of children (8- to 48-month-olds) with and without autism. We found that an adult was more likely to respond when the child’s vocalization was speech related rather than not speech related. In turn, a child’s vocalization was more likely to be speech related if the child’s previous speech-related vocalization had received an immediate adult response rather than no response. Taken together, these results are consistent with the idea that there is a social feedback loop between child and caregiver that promotes speech development. Although this feedback loop applies in both typical development and autism, children with autism produced proportionally fewer speech-related vocalizations, and the responses they received were less contingent on whether their vocalizations were speech related. We argue that such differences will diminish the strength of the social feedback loop and have cascading effects on speech development over time. Differences related to socioeconomic status are also reported.
African Americans’ Perceptions of Pain and Pain Management
Authors: Booker Staja Q.
Published: May 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review is to explore the perceptions of acute, persistent, and disease-specific pain and treatment options held by adult African Americans. Underassessment and undermanagement of pain in African Americans has been well documented; however, the cultural continuum of pain perceptions and their influence on pain assessment and management has not been synthesized. Design: Electronic database searches of the Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PubMed, Web-based searches of the pain-specific journals plus a manual search of reference lists identified 41 relevant articles addressing perceptions of pain and/or pain management. Findings: Analysis of the literature revealed six themes: (a) meaning of pain, (b) description of pain, (c) coping with pain, (d) impact of pain, (e) patient–provider relationship, and (f) treatment approaches. Conclusion: These findings warrant further research and indicate the need for more precise evaluation of pain in African Americans, highlighting an imperative to incorporate cultural patterns into pain management practice and education.
Young Hispanic Men and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Choices
Authors: Thomas Tami L. , Stephens Dionne P. , Johnson-Mallard Versie , Higgins Melinda
Published: May 2014

This exploratory descriptive study examined perceived vulnerabilities to human papillomavirus (HPV) and the correlation to factors influencing vaccine beliefs and vaccine decision making in young Hispanic males attending a large public urban university. Only 24% of participants believed that the HPV vaccine could prevent future problems, and 53% said they would not be vaccinated. The best predictors of HPV vaccination in young Hispanic men were agreement with doctor recommendations and belief in the vaccine’s efficacy. Machismo cultural norms influence young Hispanic men’s HPV-related decision making, their perceptions of the vaccine, and how they attitudinally act on what little HPV information they have access to. This study provides culturally relevant information for the development of targeted health education strategies aimed at increasing HPV vaccination in young Hispanic men.
Elastic band gaps of magnetorheological elastomer vibration isolators
Authors: Xu Zhenlong , Wu Fugen
Published: May 2014

Multi-layered two- and three-component magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) isolators were designed using a one-dimensional phononic crystal (PC) model. The elastic wave propagation properties of the two kinds of structures were studied using the transfer matrix method. Results show that the elastic band gap (EBG) position can be regulated by an external magnetic field and that the width of EBGs can be adjusted by varying component thickness. The three-component structure, which includes lead, can better tune the EBGs of MRE vibration isolators.
Illicit Distribution of Prescription Drugs
Authors: Grazier Michael R. , Armenian Patil , Vohra Rais
Published: May 2014

Objective: To report a case of life-threatening cinchonism from illicit purchase of chloroquine and survey local ethnic markets to determine what medications are sold without a prescription. Case Report: A 44-year-old Hmong woman presented with abdominal pain and vomiting 30 minutes after ingesting 20 presumed acetaminophen pills in a self-harm gesture. Initial vital signs were normal, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) showed normal sinus rhythm, QRS = 130 ms, and QTc = 455 ms. Her systolic blood pressure dropped to 84 mm Hg, which was unchanged after 3 L normal saline, but improved after 150 mEq NaHCO3. A repeat ECG showed QRS = 114 ms and QTc = 588 ms. Serum labs were significant for K 2.8 mmol/L and Mg 1.8 mg/dL; 2.5 hours later, the family brought in the medication, which was 250 mg tablets of chloroquine phosphate. K and Mg were repleted, and she was admitted to the intensive care unit with complete recovery. Serum chloroquine level 9 hours after ingestion was 530 ng/mL (therapeutic = 20-400 ng/mL). Methods: We identified local ethnic markets through patient and hospital employee referrals and Internet searches. Results: In our survey, 3 of 4 ethnic markets sold prescription medications: 35 were identified, of which 5 are discontinued by the FDA (diphenidol, phenacetin, metamizole, phenylbutazone, and sibutramine). Conclusions: A variety of prescription medications, including 5 discontinued by the FDA, were available in markets serving our community’s ethnic minorities. Health care workers should be aware of this public health risk, which can result in serious toxicity, as described in this case of chloroquine overdose.
Vibration study of non-homogeneous trapezoidal plates of variable thickness under thermal gradient
Authors: Gupta Arun Kumar , Sharma Pragati
Published: May 2014

The aim of the present work is to study the free transverse vibrations of non-homogeneous trapezoidal plates of linear thickness variation in the x-direction under thermal gradient effect. The non-homogeneity of the plate is assumed to arise due to parabolic density variation in the y-direction. A two term deflection function has been taken for clamped-simply supported–clamped-simply supported boundary conditions. The Rayleigh-Ritz method is used to obtain a frequency equation for the first two modes of vibration. The effect of non-homogeneity constant, aspect ratios, taper constant and thermal gradient on the frequencies of non-homogeneous trapezoidal plate has been illustrated for the first two modes of vibration. Results are presented in graphical form. Confirmation of results in special cases with authors published one has also been presented.
Assessing the Risk of Intimate Partner Violence in the Chinese Population
Authors: Chan Ko Ling
Published: May 2014

The study undertook the development and validation of a risk assessment tool for the evaluation of risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) among the Chinese population. A total of 2,225 men from a representative Chinese population in Hong Kong were assessed with their experience of IPV perpetration in the year preceding the interview. With the use of the split-half validation procedure, six factors that were associated with IPV perpetration were selected. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.76. The Chinese Risk Assessment Tool for Perpetrators (CRAT-P) is a brief and easy to use assessment tool for evaluating IPV risk in the Chinese population.
Nonclinical Safety Profile of BMS-986001, a Nucleoside Transcriptase Inhibitor for Combination Retroviral Therapy
Authors: Mausumee Guha , Frank Simutis , Shawn Clark , Dara Hawthorne , Zhao Yue , Soleil Piche Marie , Sanderson Thomas P. , Michael Graziano , Marc Davies
Published: May 2014

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors are key components of combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection. First-generation NRTIs are associated with mitochondrial toxicity in patients, mainly due to inhibition of human DNA polymerase γ (hDNA polγ) that manifests as adverse events such as lipodystrophy, lactic acidosis, myopathy, cardiomyopathy, or nephropathy in patients. In chronic nonclinical studies in rodents and nonrodents, eukaryotic (host) mitochondrial toxicity manifests as some drug-specific toxicities similar to human toxicity. BMS-986001, a novel thymidine analog with minimal hDNA polγ inhibition, has demonstrated antiretroviral activity in early clinical studies. The primary toxicity of BMS-986001 in rats and monkeys is bone marrow dyserythropoiesis with associated decreases in red blood cell mass. Additionally, at high doses, severe platelet reductions accompanied by cutaneous petechiae began during weeks 8 and 11 in 3 of 60 monkeys in chronic toxicity studies. In a 6-month study, platelet reductions required euthanasia of the 2 affected monkeys (300 mg/kg/d) at week 14, but with dose reduction (200 mg/kg/d) remaining monkeys had no platelet changes. One affected monkey (200 mg/kg/d) in a 9-month study completed dosing and its platelet counts recovered during a 1-month recovery. Formation of platelet-bound immunoglobulin in the presence of BMS-986001, together with rapid and complete platelet recovery in the absence of BMS-986001, suggested that platelet decreases in monkeys may be immune mediated. No findings indicative of mitochondrial toxicity were observed in rats or monkeys given BMS-986001, suggesting an improved safety profile compared to marketed NRTI or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
How Analogue Research Can Advance Descriptive Evaluation Theory
Authors: Campbell Bernadette , Mark Melvin M.
Published: May 2014

Evaluation theories can be tested in various ways. One approach, the experimental analogue study, is described and illustrated in this article. The approach is presented as a method worthy to use in the pursuit of what Alkin and others have called descriptive evaluation theory. Drawing on analogue studies conducted by the first author, we illustrate the potential benefits and limitations of analogue experiments for studying aspects of evaluation and for contributing to the development and refinement of evaluation theory. Specifically, we describe the results of two studies that examined stakeholder dialogue under different conditions of accountability frame, interpersonal motives, and epistemic motives. We present the studies’ main findings while highlighting the potential for analogue studies to investigate questions of interest concerning evaluation practice and theory. Potentials and pitfalls of the analogue study approach are discussed.
Using a national archive of patient experience narratives to promote local patient-centered quality improvement: an ethnographic process evaluation of ‘accelerated’ experience-based co-design
Authors: Locock Louise , Robert Glenn , Boaz Annette , Vougioukalou Sonia , Shuldham Caroline , Fielden Jonathan , Ziebland Sue , Gager Melanie , Tollyfield Ruth , Pearcey John
Published: May 2014

Objectives

To evaluate an accelerated form of experience-based co-design (EBCD), a type of participatory action research in which patients and staff work together to improve quality; to observe how acceleration affected the process and outcomes of the intervention.

Methods

An ethnographic process evaluation of an adapted form of EBCD was conducted, including observations, interviews, questionnaires and documentary analysis. Whilst retaining all components of EBCD, the adapted approach replaced local patient interviews with secondary analysis of a national archive of patient experience narratives to create national trigger films; shortened the timeframe; and employed local improvement facilitators. It was tested in intensive care and lung cancer in two English National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. A total of 96 clinical staff (primarily nursing and medical), and 63 patients and family members participated in co-design activities.

Results

The accelerated approach proved acceptable to staff and patients; using films of national rather than local narratives did not adversely affect local NHS staff engagement, and may have made the process less threatening or challenging. Local patients felt the national films generally reflected important themes although a minority felt they were more negative than their own experience. However, they served their purpose of ‘triggering’ discussion between patients and staff, and the resulting 48 co-design (improvement) activities across the four pathways were similar to those in EBCD, but achieved more quickly and at lower cost.

Conclusions

Accelerated EBCD offers a rigorous and relatively cost-effective patient-centered quality improvement approach.
Fluency in two reading systems and the processing of two-digit numbers
Authors: Macizo Pedro , Herrera Amparo , Kibboua Imene
Published: May 2014

Research question:

We evaluated whether the processing of two-digit numbers was determined by the direction of reading in the two languages of bilingual individuals.

Methodology:

A group of Arabic (L1)/Spanish (L2) proficient bilinguals performed a comparison task with Arabic digits, Arabic number words and Spanish number words while the unit–decade compatibility effect was evaluated.

Data:

Participants showed a regular compatibility effect with Arabic digits. However, no compatibility effect was observed when they performed the task with verbal numbers, regardless of whether numbers were presented in Arabic or in Spanish.

Conclusion:

The similar pattern of results across the bilinguals’ two languages suggests that the direction of the reading (right-to-left in Arabic and left-to-right in Spanish) did not influence the processing of verbal numbers.

Originality:

This is the first study in which the unit–decade compatibility effect has been explored with Arabic/Spanish bilinguals.

Significance:

The main point to highlight from this study is that bilinguals are not influenced by the reading direction of their languages when they process two-digit verbal numbers.
Modelling of the transmission system in conveying equipment based on Euler method with application
Authors: Nie Rui , He Baiyan , Zhang Lianhong , Li Guoping
Published: May 2014

This paper presents an approach to predict and evaluate the dynamic characteristics of the transmission system in conveying equipment under various working conditions. To solve the problems of varying mass and load, the space, which the transmission system locates, is divided into multiple space-fixed finite control volumes according to the material distribution as well as motion pattern. Each volume is further discretized into a series of finite elements. System-governing equations are obtained by the assembly of all the individual elements’ dynamic equations and the topological structure of the transmission system. Karnopp model is utilized as the basis to render the duty resistance induced by friction. As an illustrative example, the present method is applied to model a large-scale armoured face conveyor, and the corresponding simulation code is developed based on Matlab/Simulink. Simulation results show that the start-up and stop processes with empty load are relatively smooth, which is beneficial to protect the components of the system, especially the chains. Furthermore, the resulted chain-steady velocity, chain-load spectrum and minimum tension force can be directly used to predict the conveying capacity, evaluate chain strength and optimise the pretension force.
Connecting the dots: Liberal peace and post-conflict violence and crime
Authors: Howarth Kirsten
Published: May 2014

From the early 1990s onwards, a number of countries emerging from civil conflict have undergone extensive democratic and economic liberal reform via a process of post-conflict peace-building. Underlying such a process is the hegemonic discourse of liberal peace that aims to reconstruct and develop post-conflict societies along the core ideas of democratization, economic liberalization, respect for human rights and rule of law. Its implementation is generally assumed to be universally beneficial and thus acceptable to all. However, this article suggests that this is not the case as such liberalization can produce inequality, exacerbate perceptions of relative deprivation that cause a resurgence in post-conflict interpersonal violence and crime. In order to shed light on the discrepancy between its normative positive assumptions with the contrasting reality of its outcomes, this article provides a necessary critique of liberal peace discourse by examining its liberal economic underpinnings. In doing so, this article proposes that the liberal peace agenda embodies inequalities and fails to consider the long-term impact of economic liberalization and its relationship with rising levels of post-war crime and violence. As such, the legitimacy of the liberal peace as a route to post-war development is put under the spotlight and subjected to theoretical scrutiny.
Introduction: Bringing social theory back into issues of development
Authors: Jacoby Tim , Kothari Uma
Published: May 2014

This article introduces the special edition that follows. It begins by outlining five important aspects of social theory—generalization, explanation, understanding change, comparison and knowledge building. It then goes on to highlight the four key common interests which the contributions to this collection share. These are a response to theoretical gaps in mainstream developing thinking, the need to theorize development processes, the value of theory for understanding specific development problems and the various ways of combining empirical research with theoretical abstraction. Finally, this introduction summarizes briefly each of the articles to come.
Towards middle-range theory building in development research: Comparative (historical) institutional analysis of institutional transplantation
Authors: Kang Nahee
Published: May 2014

The development studies community needs to work towards building cumulative knowledge that lies between all-encompassing universal truths that leads to a ‘one solution fits all’ approach, on the one hand, and empirically rich atheoretical context-specific details, on the other. Drawing on the comparative capitalism research, which operates at the ‘middle-range’, the article demonstrates the usefulness of comparative (historical) institutional analysis as a way of deriving middle-range insights on capitalism and development, and in particular, the highly contested practice of embedding foreign institutions in local contexts (often referred to as ‘institutional transplantation’) that prevails in development policy. It illustrates how middle-range theory building in this area can advance development research in a way that better informs policy and practice.
Beyond Critics and Apologists
Authors: O’Brien Jodi , Mauss Armand
Published: May 2014

Professor Emeritus, Armand Mauss, talks with sociologist Jodi O’Brien about his experiences as a Mormon and a sociologist.
Loving Across Racial Divides
Authors: Steinbugler Amy
Published: May 2014

Sociologist Amy C. Steinbugler examines the everyday lives of lesbian, gay, and heterosexual black/white couples. She shows that even as overt racial prejudice declines, racism continues to shape interracial lives through residential segregation, racial orientations, and racial-gender stereotypes.
Choosing Single Motherhood
Authors: Keels Micere
Published: May 2014

Scholar Micere Keels explores the rise of college-educated women of color having children outside of marriage.
Glasgow aneurysm score in predicting outcome after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Özen Anıl , Unal Ertekin Utku , Mola Serkan , Erkengel Ibrahim , Kiris Erman , Aksöyek Aysen , Saritas Ahmet , Birincioğlu Cemal Levent
Published: May 2014

Objective

To assess the ability of Glasgow Aneurysm Score in predicting postoperative mortality for ruptured aortic aneurysm which may assist in decision making regarding the open surgical repair of an individual patient.

Methods

A total of 121 patients diagnosed of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm who underwent open surgery in our hospital between 1999 and 2013 were included. The Glasgow Aneurysm Score for each patient was graded according to the Glasgow Aneurysm Score (Glasgow Aneurysm Score = age in years + 17 for shock + 7 for myocardial disease + 10 for cerebrovascular disease + 14 for renal disease). The groups were divided as Group 1 (containing the patients who died) and Group 2 (the patients who were discharged). The Glasgow Aneurysm Scores amongst the groups were compared.

Results

Out of 121 patients, 108 (89.3%) were males and 13 (10.7%) were females. The in-hospital mortality was 48 patients (39.7%). The Glasgow Aneurysm Score was 84.15 ± 15.94 in Group 1 and 75.14 ± 14.67 in Group 2 which revealed significance ( p = 0.002). The most appropriate cut-off value for Glasgow Aneurysm Score was determined as 78.5 (AUC = 0.669, p = 0.002, sensitivity: 64.6%, specificity: 60.3%). Glasgow Aneurysm Score value above 78.5 is associated with almost threefold increase in mortality ( p = 0.007, OR:2.76, 95% CI 1.30–5.89). In further logistic regression models, Glasgow Aneurysm Score value and preoperative hematocrit values were found to be independent predictors for mortality ( p = 0.023 and p = 0.007, respectively).

Conclusion

Glasgow Aneurysm Score may have a predictive value for outcome of patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm undergoing open surgical procedure and it appears to be a useful tool in clinical decision-making of an individual patient when integrated with clinical experience.