bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving PEEK bioactivity for craniofacial reconstruction using a 3D printed scaffold embedded with mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Roskies Michael , Jordan Jack O , Fang Dongdong , Abdallah Mohamed-Nur , Hier Michael P , Mlynarek Alex , Tamimi Faleh , Tran Simon D
Published: March 2016

Objective

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a bioinert thermoplastic that has been investigated for its potential use in craniofacial reconstruction; however, its use in clinical practice is limited by a poor integration with adjacent bone upon implantation. To improve the bone–implant interface, two strategies have been employed: to modify its surface or to impregnate PEEK with bioactive materials. This study attempts to combine and improve upon the two approaches by modifying the internal structure into a trabecular network and to impregnate PEEK with mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore, we compare the newly designed PEEK scaffolds' interactions with both bone-derived (BMSC) and adipose (ADSC) stem cells.

Design

Customized PEEK scaffolds were designed to incorporate a trabecular microstructure using a computer-aided design program and then printed via selective laser sintering (SLS), a 3D-printing process with exceptional accuracy. The scaffold structure was evaluated using microCT. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate scaffold morphology with and without mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Adipose and bone marrow mesenchymal cells were isolated from rats and cultured on scaffolds. Cell proliferation and differentiation were assessed using alamarBlue and alkaline phosphatase assays, respectively. Cell morphology after one week of co-culturing cells with PEEK scaffolds was evaluated using SEM.

Results

SLS 3D printing fabricated scaffolds with a porosity of 36.38% ± 6.66 and density of 1.309 g/cm2. Cell morphology resembled viable fibroblasts attaching to the surface and micropores of the scaffold. PEEK scaffolds maintained the viability of both ADSCs and BMSCs; however, ADSCs demonstrated higher osteodifferentiation than BMSCs ( p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates for the first time that SLS 3D printing can be used to fabricate customized porous PEEK scaffolds that maintain the viability of adipose and bone marrow-derived MSCs and induce the osteodifferentiation of the adipose-derived MSCs. The combination of 3D printed PEEK scaffolds with MSCs could overcome some of the limitations using PEEK biopolymers for load-bearing bone regeneration in craniofacial reconstruction.
Gender-Based Violence Against Men and Boys in Darfur
Authors: Ferrales Gabrielle , Nyseth Brehm Hollie , Mcelrath Suzy
Published: March 2016

Analyses of gender-based violence during mass conflict have typically focused on violence committed against women. Violence perpetrated against men has only recently been examined as gender-based violence in its own right. Using narratives from 1,136 Darfuri refugees, we analyze patterns of gender-based violence perpetrated against men and boys during the genocide in Darfur. We examine how this violence emasculates men and boys through four mechanisms: homosexualization, feminization, genital harm, and sex-selective killing. In line with an interactionist approach, we demonstrate how genocidal violence is gendered and argue that perpetrators committing gender-based violence perform masculinity in accordance with hegemonic gender norms in Sudan. We also show how gender-based violence enacts, reinforces, and creates meaning on multiple levels in a matrix of mutually reinforcing processes that we term the gender-genocide nexus. By extending the gender–violence link to the context of mass atrocity, this study facilitates an understanding of the mechanisms through which gender inequalities can be reproduced and maintained in diverse situations and structures.
Multiplex Migration and Aspects of Precarization: Swedish Retirement Migrants to Spain and their Service Providers
Authors: Gavanas Anna , Calzada Inés
Published: March 2016

Exploring the relations between different migrants who meet in Spain, this article discusses issues of mobility, the globalization of care and service work, and precarization of labor and livelihoods, of crucial importance to welfare states and the future of work and retirement conditions in Europe. A mélange of migratory processes are scrutinized along a Swedish-Spanish North-South axis. It analyzes longstanding conditions on the Spanish labor market combined with neoliberal de- and reregulation of work and welfare with a bearing on spatial and social inequalities across the European Union. From a relational approach, the authors examine conditions of Swedish retirement migrants in Spain and of the workers and entrepreneurs who provide care and services for them. Social networks, intermediaries and subcontractors are crucial to organization of migration as well as work and services. Some of these workers, especially third country migrants, occupy precarious, and sometimes informalized, low skilled jobs in an ethnically segmented and gendered labor market.
Investigation of centrifugal compressor vaneless diffuser stability via a local flow angle approach
Authors: Clarke Christopher , Marechale Russell , Engeda Abraham , Cave Michael
Published: March 2016

A local flow angle approach to centrifugal compressors vaneless diffuser stability is proposed. For this investigation, 12 compressors of varying geometries were simulated. This approach employs computational fluid dynamic modeling software to model each geometry. The results revealed that the width ratio of the diffuser matters. For the four geometries with b4/ R4 < 0.05, the numerical tests showed that the local flow profiles were not able to breach the Senoo line. For the two geometries with 0.05 <  b4/ R4 < 0.06 the local flow angle breached the Senoo line 50% of the time. For the six cases with b4/ R4 > 0.06, the local flow angle crossed the Senoo line for all geometries except one. There were four cases with b4/ R4 > 0.075. For three of the four cases, the local flow angle approach found flow reversal at the diffuser inlet. These results show that the stability of the diffuser is dependent upon the width ratio. Also, the results demonstrated that the ability of the local flow approach is limited by the width of the diffuser. A range of applicability for the local flow approach determining the stability was found. Lastly, for geometries with comparable width ratios the radius ratio and the impeller blade number influence the stability. This leads to the conclusion that as the width ratio shrinks the flow will breakdown in the circumferential direction as opposed to the spanwise direction.
Beyond the Western Front: The Practice of Inter-Theatre Learning in the British Army during the First World War
Authors: Fox-Godden Aimée
Published: March 2016

Discussions on learning in the British army of the First World War centre on the Western Front with a focus on the outcome rather than the process. This article redresses this imbalance by examining how the British army shared knowledge between its operational theatres. It illustrates that, as the British army expanded and its commitments increased, it could no longer rely on purely ad hoc methods for learning. Instead, it had to adopt increasingly bureaucratic methods when sharing knowledge across tactical and geographic boundaries, which forced it to realign its pre-war learning ethos to accommodate the challenges of modern war.
The Optimization in Workflow Management
Authors: Munavalli Jyoti R. , Rao Shyam Vasudeva , Srinivasan Aravind , Srinivas A. , van Merode Frits
Published: March 2016

India in 2001 had 7.75 million individuals blinded by cataracts. By 2020, this will rise to 8.25 million, next highest after diabetics. Eye care (ophthalmology) needs an accessible, affordable and high-quality approach. This article treats problems in its workflow, and ways to make it accessible and affordable. The widening demand–supply gap makes waiting long, with major impact on Indian eye care and the management of eye care hospitals. We analyze the causes and solutions for handling waiting time by innovative workflow management methods.
Huwa Rog, Parhej, and Desi Dawai
Authors: Iyengar Kirti , Pelto Pertti , Iyengar Sharad D.
Published: March 2016

Although more maternal deaths occur in the postpartum period, this period receives far less attention from the program managers. To understand how the women and their families perceive postpartum health problems, the culturally derived restrictions, and precautions controlling diets and behavior patterns, we conducted a mixed-method study in Rajasthan, India. The study methods included free listing of maternal morbidity conditions, interviews with 81 recently delivered women, case interviews with eight cases of huwa rog (postpartum illness), and interviews with nine key informants. The study showed that huwa rog refers to a broad category of serious postpartum illness, thought to affect women a few weeks to several months after delivery. Prevention of the illness involves a system of precautions referred to as parhej, which includes a distinctive set of “medicinal dietary items” referred to as desi dawai, or “country medicine,” and restrictions about mobility and work patterns of a postpartum woman. This cultural framework around the concept of huwa rog and peoples’ beliefs about it are of central importance for planning postpartum health interventions, including place of contact and communication messages.
Shifting Rhetorical Norms and Electronic Eloquence
Authors: Kedrowicz April A. , Taylor Julie L.
Published: March 2016

Advances in digital media have made an impact on traditional rhetorical culture, thus shifting expectations and norms associated with orality and public presentation. Technology, entertainment, and design (TED) talks represent a new genre of presentation characteristic of Jamieson’s notion of electronic eloquence in that presenters weave together an engaging narrative complete with a strong visual presence. This study applies Bandura’s social cognitive learning theory to explore how students make sense of TED talks. Students responded to two questionnaires in two different classes: a basic public speaking course and a technical communication course. The results suggest that students learn vicariously through viewing mediated presentations, thus shaping their view of public speaking as a coproduced, networked, and engaging narrative. The authors offer recommendations for communication practitioners related to electronic eloquence and the rhetorical tradition.
Total Arthroplasty of the Metatarsophalangeal Joint of the Hallux
Authors: Horisberger Monika , Haeni David , Henninger Heath B. , Valderrabano Victor , Barg Alexej
Published: March 2016

Background:

The current gold standard in the treatment of severe hallux rigidus is arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP-I) joint. We present the results of a new 3-component MTP-I prosthesis. We determined (1) the intraoperative and perioperative complications; (2) survivorship of prosthesis components and rate of secondary surgeries for any reason; (3) prosthetic component stability and radiographic alignment; (4) the degree of pain relief; and (5) the midterm functional outcomes including radiographic range of motion (ROM).

Methods:

From 2008 to 2010, we prospectively included 29 MTP-I prostheses in 25 patients. The average age of the patients was 63.1 years (range, 48-87 years). The average follow-up was 49.5 months (range, 36-62 months). We observed complications and reoperations. A visual analog scale for pain and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot score were obtained pre- and postoperation. Component stability and alignment were assessed using weight-bearing radiographs. Fluoroscopy was used to determine radiographic MTP-I ROM.

Results:

Seven (24.1%) patients underwent 1 or more secondary surgeries. Four cases (13.7%) eventually had a conversion to MTP-I arthrodesis. Two patients (3 cases) died from causes not related to the procedure. This left 22 feet in 19 patients for final follow-up. All but 3 remaining prostheses showed stable osteointegration and no migration, but MTP-I alignment showed high variability. The average pain score decreased from 5.9 (range, 3-9) to 1.2 (range, 0-5). The average AOFAS forefoot score increased from 55 (range, 0-80) to 83.5 (range, 58-95). Range of motion initially increased from 37.8 degrees (range, 0-60 degrees) to 88.6 degrees (range, 45-125 degrees) intraoperatively and decreased to 29.0 degrees (range, 11-52 degrees) at latest follow-up.

Conclusion:

Our data suggest that total arthroplasty of MTP-I leads to a high amount of revision surgeries, but the remaining patients had significant pain relief at midterm follow-up. However, we observed high variability regarding the prosthesis component alignment and poor range of motion.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, prospective cohort study.
The Intersection of Race, Disability, and Giftedness
Authors: Mayes Renae D. , Moore James L.
Published: March 2016

Current literature on twice-exceptionality (gifted and special education) provides a general framework in understanding the experiences of gifted students with disabilities. More specifically, it highlights the challenges in identification as well as the personal and social challenges students often endure as they progress through school. However, few theoretical- and research-based publications have examined the intersection of race, disability, and giftedness. This article discusses this intersection, with specific attention on African American, twice-exceptional students, and it provides specific recommendations for preservice and in-service educators. In addition, implications for future research are discussed.
SNS dependency and interpersonal storytelling: An extension of media system dependency theory
Authors: Kim Yong-Chan , Jung Joo-Young
Published: March 2016

The purposes of the current study are (1) to conceptualize and test a social networking service (SNS) dependency measure and (2) to propose and test a general model of the effect of SNS dependency on online and offline interpersonal storytelling. This study is theoretically guided by media system dependency theory and communication infrastructure theory. Computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) were conducted with 477 SNS users aged 19–59 in Seoul in October of 2012. Confirmatory factor analyses results showed that our SNS dependency measure was valid and reliable. The results also confirmed that SNS dependency had direct effects on individual users’ levels of engagement with interactive activities on SNSs and indirect effects on offline interpersonal storytelling.
A two-dimensional starved lubrication analysis method for textured surfaces
Authors: Meng Xianghui , Gu Chunxing , Xie Youbai , Li Wenxiang
Published: March 2016

The starved lubrication is common in engine. However, there are only few studies on starved lubrication problem for textured surfaces. In particular, for the textured surface, a two-dimensional solution is required to study their performances clearly, by considering the pattern and distribution of textured cells. This article presents a new analysis method for the two-dimensional starved lubrication problems with the textured surfaces. In the starved model, the inlet boundary condition of oil film is required and needs to be updated over the process of calculation. In order to obtain the inlet boundary condition, the flow conservation equations at the inlet region are built to determine the position of the attaching point. Meanwhile, as the two-dimensional code is expensive in the computational cost, the multigrid method is employed to accelerate the convergence of pressure. The inlet boundary condition should be transferred between the coarse grids and the fine grids. In this way, solutions for the starved lubrication are offered for an efficient implementation. The starved lubrication model is successfully applied in the ring–liner system. The effects of the surface features on the inlet boundary, wear and friction loss are discussed. It is found that the surface texturing can improve the performance of the ring–liner system under the staved lubrication.
Towards the end of life: An in-depth exploration of the role of Admiral Nursing in dementia care (Innovative practice)
Authors: Evans Simon C , Harrison-Dening Karen , Read Kate
Published: March 2016

There are approximately 150 Admiral Nurses in the UK who work alongside other health and social care professionals to support people with dementia and their family carers. However, the stigma of the disease and the lack of recognition that dementia is a life limiting illness have led to neglect in addressing the end of life challenges. The small in-depth study reported here aimed to add to an extremely limited formal evidence base for the effectiveness of this approach and to develop a greater understanding of the range of knowledge and skills required of them in ensuring they are better able to support families in the later stages of the illness. Findings focus on the experiences of family carers, the impact of performing the Admiral Nurse role and the use of qualitative measures in this setting.
Toe-Sparing Surgery for Neuropathic Toe Ulcers With Exposed Bone or Joint in an Outpatient Setting
Authors: Tamir Eran , Finestone Aharon S. , Avisar Erez , Agar Gabriel
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study was to review the results of aggressive surgical debridement of neuropathic toe ulcers with exposed bone or joint. We identified patients with a single toe ulcer with exposed bone or joint that had been operated on in an outpatient setting. The surgery had included aggressive debridement and was performed using a small curette and rongeur, followed by oral antibiotic treatment at home. Success was defined as complete healing with no recurrence 6 months after full wound closure and epitheliazation was achieved. Twenty-five patients with neuropathic toe ulcers (72% male) had a total of 26 primary operations. Their mean age was 60 ± 12 years. In 22 patients, the neuropathy resulted from diabetes mellitus of 17 ± 9 years’ duration. The mean ulcer duration was 6 weeks (range 1-24). The mean number of visits per patient was 6.5 (range 3-20). The ulcers closed in a median of 5 weeks (8 ± 6 weeks, range 3-24 weeks, Q1-Q3 4-10 weeks). At 6 months, 3 (11.5%) patients had needed a toe amputation for infection or necrosis that could not be controlled. None needed a major amputation or hospitalization related to the ulcer. Toe-sparing surgery is feasible and in a select population can have a high success rate (88%), even though it does dictate more dedicated patient care.
Retrievable Stent-Assisted Coiling Technique Using a Solitaire Stent
Authors: Sanal Bekir , Nas Omer Fatih , Hacikurt Kadir , Hakyemez Bahattin , Erdogan Cuneyt
Published: March 2016

True aneurysm of pancreaticoduodenal arcade (PDA) is usually accompanied by stenosis or occlusion of celiac trunk (CeT). The up-to-date and first choice treatment modality of PDA aneurysm is the endovascular approach in nearly all cases except few selected ones necessitating surgery. The main approach in endovascular treatment is embolization of the aneurysm by preserving the parent artery. A case with concomitant CeT occlusion and PDA aneurysm was treated with coil embolization by preserving inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery with retrievable Solitaire® stent. In our knowledge, this is the first case with PDA aneurysm treated with this technique.
Leveraging Time With Lifestyle-Based Group Visits
Authors: Patel Saxena Shilpa
Published: March 2016

Many challenges in reversing the chronic disease epidemic boil down to a lack of available time. Without time, implementing effective lifestyle medicine therapies and creating a therapeutic partnership between provider and patient is ineffectual. Although useful, the individual medical appointment model alone has not proved to “bend the cost curve” or improve morbidity. Lifestyle-based group visits (LBGVs) are extended clinical encounters that allow physicians and their patients to exchange valuable information regarding optimal chronic disease management within a supportive group format. Clinically, LBGVs improve patient knowledge scores and chronic disease outcome measures. Operationally, they reduce lobby wait times, increase available new and established patient appointment slots (ie, improving access), and improve provider and patient satisfaction measures. LBGVs simultaneously improve patient lives, disease management costs, and practice revenue when used in primary care and specialty practices. By providing personalized lifestyle education coupled with in-depth behavior modification support from a provider and a peer group with similar successes and struggles, group visits reduce symptomatology and reverse disease progression without expensive medications, procedures, and technologies. Despite perceived obstacles, the group medical appointment model is easy to implement and provides consistent benefits in settings ranging from residency programs to cash-based boutique practices.
Wicket taking ability of bowlers
Authors: Lemmer Hermanus H
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study is to define a measure for the wicket taking ability of bowlers and to give perspective on the use of different bowling performance measures. The bowler who had taken the largest number of wickets in a match or a series of matches is normally called the best bowler. If more than one bowler had taken an equal number of wickets, the bowlers in such a group are ranked according to the number of runs conceded. This practice of giving the bowling award to the bowler who had taken the most wickets is challenged because it ignores the number of overs bowled. Various measures are considered and recommendations made about the assessment of the wicket taking ability and bowling performance of a bowler.
Pelvic and trunk mechanics and injury in cricket: A spin bowling case study
Authors: Middleton Kane , Foster Daryl , Alderson Jacqueline
Published: March 2016

An international cricket spin bowler was experiencing asymmetrical low back pain while bowling his off-break delivery. The aim of this study was to identify technical discrepancies between the bowler’s off-break delivery and his other variations, which did not cause low back pain. The bowler underwent a three-dimensional kinematic bowling analysis based on data captured using a 14-camera Vicon system operating at 250 images per second. To increase task representativeness, the analysis was undertaken outdoors on a turf cricket pitch. The bowler was required to bowl six deliveries of his off-break delivery and three variations. A range of pelvic and trunk kinematics were measured. A one-way independent samples analysis of variance with planned comparisons and a bootstrapping procedure was used to identify technical differences between the delivery types. Results showed that the off-break delivery displayed significantly higher trunk alignment, shoulder counter-rotation, trunk contralateral flexion and ‘crunch factor’ when compared with other delivery variations. It was concluded that the bowler who participated in this study was using an off-break technique that exhibited technical characteristics that have previously been associated with an increased likelihood of sustaining a lower back injury.
Gradual stiffness versus magnetic imaging‐guided variable stiffness colonoscopes: A randomized noninferiority trial
Authors: Garborg Kjetil , Wiig Håvard , Hasund Audun , Matre Jon , Holme Øyvind , Noraberg Geir , Løberg Magnus , Kalager Mette , Adami Hans‐Olov , Bretthauer Michael
Published: March 2016

Background

Colonoscopes with gradual stiffness have recently been developed to enhance cecal intubation.

Objective

We aimed to determine if the performance of gradual stiffness colonoscopes is noninferior to that of magnetic endoscopic imaging (MEI)‐guided variable stiffness colonoscopes.

Methods

Consecutive patients were randomized to screening colonoscopy with Fujifilm gradual stiffness or Olympus MEI‐guided variable stiffness colonoscopes. The primary endpoint was cecal intubation rate (noninferiority limit 5%). Secondary endpoints included cecal intubation time. We estimated absolute risk differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

We enrolled 475 patients: 222 randomized to the gradual stiffness instrument, and 253 to the MEI‐guided variable stiffness instrument. Cecal intubation rate was 91.7% in the gradual stiffness group versus 95.6% in the variable stiffness group. The adjusted absolute risk for cecal intubation failure was 4.3% higher in the gradual stiffness group than in the variable stiffness group (upper CI border 8.1%). Median cecal intubation time was 13 minutes in the gradual stiffness group and 10 minutes in the variable stiffness group (p  < 0.001).

Conclusions

The study is inconclusive with regard to noninferiority because the 95% CI for the difference in cecal intubation rate between the groups crosses the noninferiority margin. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01895504).
25‐OH vitamin D level has no impact on the efficacy of antiviral therapy in naïve genotype 1 HCV‐infected patients
Authors: Belle Arthur , Gizard Emmanuel , Conroy Guillaume , Lopez Anthony , Bouvier‐Alias Magali , Rouanet Stéphanie , Peyrin‐Biroulet Laurent , Pawlotsky Jean‐Michel , Bronowicki Jean‐Pierre
Published: March 2016

Background and aim

The impact of 25‐OH vitamin D on sustained viral response (SVR) to antiviral therapy and on fibrosis progression in hepatitis C is debated. We assessed the impact of 25‐OH vitamin D concentration on the efficacy of antiviral therapy in naïve genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients.

Methods

The study population consisted of treatment‐naïve genotype 1 patients enrolled in a randomised controlled trial. A total of 516 patients received peginterferon α‐2a 180 µg/week plus ribavirin 800 mg/day for 24 weeks. There were 349 patients with undetectable HCV RNA (<50 IU/ml) at week 24 (W24) who were randomised to continue dual therapy (n  = 173) or to continue peginterferon alone (n  = 176) until week 48. 25‐OH vitamin D concentration was measured at baseline in frozen serum.

Results

A total of 461 patients could be analysed for virologic response at W24, and 285 (119 non‐responders at W24 + 166 responders who continued dual therapy until W48) for the impact of SVR. There were 487 patients who could be analysed for fibrosis progression. Metavir fibrosis scores (centralised analysis) were: F1 30%, F2 34%, F3 27% and F4 9%. Median 25‐OH vitamin D concentrations were similar in virologic responders (13.5 ng/ml) and in non‐responders at W24 (12.6 ng/ml), as well as in patients with SVR (12.8 ng/ml) and without SVR (12.8 ng/ml, 3.99) at W72. Median 25‐OH vitamin D concentrations were: F1: 14.30 ng/ml, F2: 13.50 ng/ml, F3: 13.30 ng/ml and F4: 12.80 ng/ml.

Conclusion

In this study, 25‐OH vitamin D level has no impact on the efficacy of antiviral therapy in naïve genotype 1 HCV‐infected patients.
C1q/TNF-Related Protein-9 (CTRP9) Levels Are Associated With Obesity and Decrease Following Weight Loss Surgery
Authors: Wolf Risa M. , Steele Kimberley E. , Peterson Leigh A. , Zeng Xiange , Jaffe Andrew E. , Schweitzer Michael A. , Magnuson Thomas H. , Wong G. William
Published: March 2016

Context:

C1q/TNF-related protein-9 (CTRP9) is a novel adipokine that has beneficial metabolic and cardiovascular effects in various animal models. Alterations in circulating CTRP9 have also been observed in patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes, but little is known about the impact of obesity and bariatric surgery on CTRP9 concentrations.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare CTRP9 levels in obese and lean subjects and to determine whether circulating CTRP9 levels in morbidly obese patients are altered by bariatric surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants:

Fifty-nine obese bariatric surgical patients and 62 lean controls were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study at an academic medical center. The obese patients were further invited to participate in a cohort study, and 21 returned for analysis at 3 and 6 months postsurgery.

Intervention:

Bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy) was the intervention for this study.

Main Outcome Measures:

Fasting serum was obtained from all subjects on entry to the study and was analyzed in the core laboratory for hemoglobin A1c, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides; CTRP9, insulin, adiponectin, and leptin were measured by ELISA. Serum from the patients in the cohort study was also analyzed at 3 and 6 months.

Results:

Serum CTRP9 was significantly higher in the obese group compared to the lean group. CTRP9 was associated with obesity, even after controlling for age, gender, and ethnicity. Following bariatric surgery, there was a significant decrease in weight at 3 and 6 months postprocedure, accompanied by decreases in CTRP9, hemoglobin A1c and leptin, and an increase in serum adiponectin.

Conclusions:

CTRP9 levels are elevated in obesity and significantly decrease following weight loss surgery. Our data suggest that CTRP9 may play a compensatory role in obesity, similar to that of insulin, and is down-regulated following weight loss surgery.
How to measure color using spectrometers and calibrated photographs
Authors: Johnsen Sönke
Published: March 2016

The measurement of color in biology has become increasingly common. These measurements are not limited to color vision research, but are also found in studies of communication, signaling, camouflage, evolution and behavior, and in the examination of environmental, artificial and biogenic light. Although the recent availability of portable spectrometers has made it simpler to measure color, guidance on how to make these measurements has not kept pace. Because most biologists receive little training in optics, many measure the wrong thing, or measure the right thing in the wrong way. This Commentary attempts to give biologists a brief overview of how to measure light and color using spectrometers and calibrated photographs. It focuses in particular on the inherent ambiguities of many optical measurements, and how these can be addressed.
Resistance to nutritional stress in ants: when being fat is advantageous
Authors: Dussutour Audrey , Poissonnier Laure-Anne , Buhl Camille , Simpson Stephen J.
Published: March 2016

In ants, nutrient acquisition for the whole colony relies on a minority of workers, the foragers, which are often old and lean. Some studies have shown that the link between age, physiology and foraging activity is more flexible than once thought, especially in response to colony or environmental perturbations. This great plasticity offers the intriguing possibility to disentangle the effect of age, behaviour and physiology on the ants’ abilities to cope with nutritional stresses. In this paper, we first looked at the capacity of groups of foragers and inner-nest workers to resist starvation and macronutrient imbalance. Second, we investigated whether behavioural task reversion modified the tolerance to nutritional stresses and by extension, changed mortality rate. We found that inner-nest workers live longer than foragers under nutritional stresses but not under optimal conditions. The reversion from foraging to inner-nest activities is followed by an increase in fat content and longevity. Finally, we demonstrated that changes in fat content associated with behavioural transition are highly flexible and strongly correlated to tolerance of nutritional stress. Our results have considerable implications for our understanding of the population dynamics of social insects under adverse nutritional conditions.
Promoting development and uptake of health innovations: The Nose to Tail Tool
Authors: Gupta Archna , Thorpe Cathy , Bhattacharyya Onil , Zwarenstein Merrick
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Health sector management is increasingly complex as new health technologies, treatments, and innovative service delivery strategies are developed. Many of these innovations are implemented prematurely, or fail to be implemented at scale, resulting in substantial wasted resources.  

Methods

A scoping review was conducted to identify articles that described the scale up process conceptually or that described an instance in which a healthcare innovation was scaled up. We define scale up as the expansion and extension of delivery or access to an innovation for all end users in a jurisdiction who will benefit from it.

Results

Sixty nine articles were eligible for review. Frequently described stages in the innovation process and contextual issues that influence progress through each stage were mapped. 16 stages were identified: 12 deliberation and 4 action stages. Included papers suggest that innovations progress through stages of maturity and the uptake of innovation depends on the innovation aligning with the interests of 3 critical stakeholder groups (innovators, end users and the decision makers) and is also influenced by 3 broader contexts (social and physical environment, the health system, and the regulatory, political and economic environment). The 16 stages form the rows of the Nose to Tail Tool (NTT) grid and the 6 contingency factors form columns. The resulting stage-by-issue grid consists of 72 cells, each populated with cell-specific questions, prompts and considerations from the reviewed literature.

Conclusion

We offer a tool that helps stakeholders identify the stage of maturity of their innovation, helps facilitate deliberative discussions on the key considerations for each major stakeholder group and the major contextual barriers that the innovation faces. We believe the NTT will help to identify potential problems that the innovation will face and facilitates early modification, before large investments are made in a potentially flawed solution.
Case Report: Prune perineum syndrome: A rare case with an unfavourable outcome
Authors: Lopes Roberto I. , Dénes Francisco T. , Messi Gustavo B. , Machado Marcos G.
Published: March 2016

Prune perineum syndrome (PPS) is a rare anomaly, with only two previous case reports, both dying in the perinatal period. We report the first case of PPS that reached childhood.

The patient presented with hypoplastic genitalia and bilateral cryptorchidism. There was no evidence of an anal orifice. A significant prune-like mass was observed, extending from the perineum to both gluteal regions and to a cephalic mid-line bony prominence, with a 1cm central orifice that discharged urine. MRI confirmed the previous findings and revealed a right crossed ectopic kidney, intestinal malrotation, a hypoplastic infrarenal inferior vena cava and a hypoplastic right iliac artery. Endoscopic evaluation through the orifice revealed a cavity lined by urothelial mucosa, with a small communication to the anterior urethra in its anterior wall.

            A staged reconstruction was planned, with a first-step urinary diversion through a continent abdominal reservoir associated to bilateral orchiopexy. The patient was discharged from the hospital three weeks later under intermittent catheterization. The next planned surgical step was the resection of the perineal mass and its cavity associated to the removal of the prominent sacrococcygeal bones. Unfortunately, four months after the first surgery the patient developed an acute abdomen and underwent a laparotomy that revealed a necrotic ileal segment secondary to obstructive adherences. He developed severe malabsorption followed by septic shock, dying five weeks after the procedure.

            Due to the lack of literature, there is no consensus for the management of these cases. The wish of the family for a better quality of life and social acceptance, compelled us to perform a urinary diversion, to be followed by a plastic and orthopedic reconstruction. Despite the successful initial result, the patient developed a late abdominal obstruction that was misdiagnosed, precipitating his untimely death five months after the first procedure.
Regulation of the system of children and youth tourism for sustainable development
Authors: Рассохина Татьяна , Rassokhina Tatyana
Published: March 2016

The article analyzes the current state of children and youth tourism in the Russian Federation, as well as the development ways of management and control of children and youth tourism at the regional level for the sustainable tourism development. The author justifies the importance of the education of children and young people by means of tourism in the spirit of the global concept of sustainable development and proves the need for an integrated approach to solving the problems of the organization of youth tourism in Russia. The author also conducts comparative analysis of intensity of youth tourism in the federal districts of the Russian Federation. The article examines the structure of the organization system of children and youth tourism in the regions of Russia and its quantitative characteristics. The author notes that both the number of recreational facilities for children, and the structure of consumption of children and youth recreation have changed. In particular, the number of children having a rest in the city school camps with day stay, specialized camps and sanatoriums is gradually increasing, and with that the number of children having a rest in camps of work and rest, as well as country health camps is reducing. The article shows that the complexity of the establishment of the children and youth tourism management system lies in a large number of entities with different submission. The author provides an analytical structural model of the sustainable children and youth tourism management system in the region of Russia (by the example of Moscow region). The functions of main regional authorities in the regulatory system are defined; recommendations to improve the management of the system of children and youth tourism for sustainable development are given. The additions to the legislative acts of Moscow region are proposed, and the necessity of inclusion in the target program "Education of Moscow region" indicators characterizing the state of youth tourism is proved.
Branding and territorial development in tourism: interaction with mass media and a consumer
Authors: Чулов Дмитрий , Chulov Dmitriy
Published: March 2016

Article reveals problems, methods and technologies of cooperation between travel industry and mass media, multiplicative effect of this cooperation projected to consumers, describes the ways of implementation of the experience of foreign National travel organizations at Russian travel market in order to develop domestic tourism in Russia. All-encompassing cooperation between organizations related to tourism at all levels and mass media is an effective means of brand / regions promotion to increase the awareness, recognizability and consumer engagement. Its methods tested and proven by foreign tourism organizations representing brands / regions of their countries in Russia, and have adapted to the specifics of the domestic market. Currently, an absolute majority Russian brands / regions in tourism do not use the possibilities of exactly a comprehensive work to promote: they conduct a one-time, and as a result, not enough effective action, or do not have the possibility of long-term planning and vision of development strategies. Foreign organizations reached the spectacular success in attracting Russian tourists to their countries as a result of the work at domestic market during the fifteen years. The experience of Western partners, acting in the interests of their countries in Russia, demonstrates that brand / regions promotion in tourism not always requires huge investments. Promotion of brand / region in tourism, of course, needs a budget, but its usage can be far more effective in cooperation with professionals in the field of working with the media and social networks, as well as a application of strategic approach, comprehensive cooperation with the media. This article is based on the experience gained through co-operation with a lot of foreign companies in 1999-2015 in the process of creation of television programs "Their manners" (NTV) and "Around the World" (RTR).
Conceptual accommodation facilities as an element of a creative cluster
Authors: Казакова Светлана , Kazakova Svetlana , Кривошеева Татьяна , Krivosheeva Tatiana
Published: March 2016

Currently, is much spoken about the transition from the industrial era to the intellectual, in particular, about the development of the creative economy, which is based on intellectual activities, generation new knowledge, design thinking, creative imagination and creativity. Creative potential is becoming a major production resource. And creative class, people who are able to be creative and to generate something new that attracts attention, is a key element of this kind of economy. The ability to enter the market with the results of creativity brings to birth the effect of the creative industry - generation of communities of creative enterprises and industries that shape creative cluster.

The definitions of the term «cluster» for a detailed consideration of the concept of «creative cluster» are generalized in the article. Special attention is paid to creative industries as a phenomenon of modernity and as part of a creative cluster. The article presents the characteristic of the conceptual accommodation facilities, among which design-, art- and boutique hotels are allocated, as well as their role in a creative cluster as an element bearing creative burden is defined.
Patriotic education of youth in the system of military-historical tourism in Moscow region (case-study: tour "Heroines of the Battle of Moscow")
Authors: Мишкина Кристина , Mishkina Kristina
Published: March 2016

The article reveals the concept of "military-historical and examines the history of participation of Russian women in the war. Special attention is paid to the patriotic education of the youth by the example of the tour ´Heroines of the Battle of Moscow ": the urgency of the theme is reasoned, the importance of the Victory near Moscow and its influence on the whole course of the war and the fate of our homeland are identified, women´s contribution to the victory of the Soviet people over fascism is shown, the need for preserving the memory of their heroism are reflected, as well as connection between generations is shown, and its educational value are indicated. The article presents the developed by the author military and historical tour "Heroines of the Battle of Moscow." This is one-day tour, where the route, place, time, goals, objectives and content of the tour are specified in detail. The contents disclosed 4 themes: warlike woman; rear stand on women; women widows; war and motherhood. All themes are united by a common idea - the contribution of women in the Soviet people´s Victory over fascism in the Great Patriotic War. Virtual tour (for schoolchildren and students). For its implementation great practical material in the form of applications (illustrative, printed and video material) is selected. The article reveals the novelty of the proposed tour, the mechanism of its implementation and expected results.
Instruments of attraction rural population to tourism activity
Authors: Трухачев Александр , Trukhachev Aleksandr
Published: March 2016

Overcoming stereotypes of traditional employment is one of the biggest challenges in regions with a stable structure of the labor market. This primarily concerns rural areas, where agricultural activities are the main sources of labor places, but at the same time they have a pronounced seasonality and experience the negative impact of the outflow of labor. As foreign experience shows, development of rural tourism as a kind of non-agricultural activity is one of the factors saving, retention and attraction of labor resources in rural areas. However, the development of this factor often requires the implementation of targeted efforts of local and regional tourism bodies. The article is focused on the offering the system of instruments of attraction the rural population to the tourist industry. Development of instruments of involving the rural population in tourist activities is carried out in order to realize the functions of rural tourism as a factor of sustainable development of rural areas. Work with the population is an important aspect of the development of rural tourism. Owners of households have to make sure in the prospects of development of tourism activities in rural areas, and in their ability to create and manage the attractive tourism product; they also have to gain access to the necessary technologies. In this regard, we consider it expedient to offer number of instruments aimed at creating an effective system of involving the rural population in tourism activities. Increasing the involvement of the rural population in tourism activities will significantly expand the range of services, will contribute to solving the most important social issues in the areas of small towns and rural settlements and other municipal entities in the region. This article describes instruments of attracting the rural population to occupations in tourism activity, which includes measures for information and education in the field of rural tourism. Based on the authorial research of the needs of subjects of rural tourism in the methodological support the exemplary program of information and consulting arrangements is proposed.
SUBJECT OF TRANSNATIONAL BRIBERY IN THE CRIMINAL LEGISLATION OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES: THE MAIN APPROACHES
Authors: Сидоренко Элина , Sidorenko Elina
Published: March 2016

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the criminal legislation of the USA, Germany and France in terms of responsibility for the regulation of active and passive bribery of foreign public officials and officials of public international organizations. The focus is on consistency between national law and the provisions of the Convention of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. On the basis of the comparative and formal-legal methods, the author reveals a number of features that allow to speak of a legal models to counter transnational bribery. The study of criminal law, special laws and judicial precedents it possible to designate a tendency to expand the subjects of international bribery by members of the judiciary, a representative of non-governmental organizations and to identify main approaches to the development of Russia’s criminal policy.
BURNING ISSUES OF INTEGRATION LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL LAW OF MEMBER-STATES
Authors: Чайка Константин , CHayka Konstantin
Published: March 2016

The question about primacy of supranational rules over domestic law, about correlation of competences of integration court and of high national courts arises at certain stage of the development of integration law. This question is vital both for the Eurasian Economic Union. At the same time spheres that require complementary activity of international and national courts may be revealing. In the law of the Eurasian Economic Union these include settlements of disputes because of different parts of a rule are a part of acts of different levels: supranational and national. This involves diverse sanctions for breach of Union law in member states, distinct tariff exemptions. This dualism of legal regulation leads to absence of legal certainty and stability, directly infringe human and civil rights and liberties. This article examines features of law of the Eurasian Economic Union at the present stage, solutions of specified problems.