bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐proliferative activity of bovine blood hydrolysates towards cancer cells in culture
Authors: O'Sullivan Siobhan M. , Lafarga Tomas , Hayes Maria , O'Brien Nora M.
Published: February 2017

Four proteins, α/β globulin, serum albumin, γ‐globulin and fibrinogen, were isolated from bovine blood and hydrolysed using papain. Hydrolysates were assessed for non‐cellular and cellular antioxidant activity. The anti‐proliferative activity of hydrolysed fractions was assessed in a number of cancer cell lines including U937 lymphoma cells, MCF‐7 breast cancer cells, HepG2 hepatocytes and Caco‐2 epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Anti‐inflammatory activity of the hydrolysates was also assessed. Hydrolysates generated from γ‐globulin or fibrinogen had significant antioxidant activity in non‐cellular assays. Hydrolysates were also found to be highly toxic to different cancer cell lines, in particular U937 lymphoma cells when assessed using the MTT assay. The fibrinogen hydrolysate was the most toxic sample and toxicity appeared to correlate with its non‐cellular antioxidant activity. None of the hydrolysates had significant anti‐inflammatory activity. The high cytotoxicity of the γ‐globulin and the fibrinogen hydrolysates towards cancer cells may indicate a potential use as anti‐proliferative agents.
Molecular and submolecular scale effects of comb‐copolymers on tri‐calcium silicate reactivity: Toward molecular design
Authors: Marchon Delphine , Juilland Patrick , Gallucci Emmanuel , Frunz Lukas , Flatt Robert J.
Published: February 2017

The impact of organic compounds on the processing and reactivity of inorganic materials has been a source of inspiration for materials scientists for decades and continues to trigger novel and innovative applications in a broad range of disciplines. However, molecular design of such compounds to reach targeted properties remains challenging, particularly for reactive and multicomponent systems. This outstanding challenge is met here by combining a model cement, hosting different coupled reactions of dissolution, nucleation and growth, together with comb‐copolymers that offer large and well‐controlled variations of their molecular architecture. We show that silicate reactivity is affected by a combination of molecular and submolecular scale effects of these polymers. The first can be described by scaling laws from polymer physics, whereas the second involves specific chemical interactions. In particular, the ability of these polymers to hinder dissolution appears to be crucial, something for which strong experimental evidence is provided.
Electrical and thermophysical properties of mechanochemically obtained lanthanide hafnates
Authors: López‐Cota Francisco A. , Cepeda‐Sánchez Nayeli M. , Díaz‐Guillén José A. , Dura Oscar J. , López de la Torre Marco A. , Maczka Miroslaw , Ptak Maciej , Fuentes Antonio F.
Published: February 2017

This contribution presents the synthesis and thermophysical characterization of seven lanthanide hafnates Ln2Hf2O7 (Ln=Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Dy3+, Y3+, Ho3+, Yb3+); the title samples were prepared at room temperature by mechanically milling stoichiometric mixtures of the corresponding elemental oxides. Irrespective of the lanthanide ion involved, milling promotes the formation of highly disordered fluoritelike materials. Postmilling thermal treatments facilitate the formation of the fluorite ordered derivative, the pyrochlore structure, but only for the larger lanthanides (Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+). Impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed that these materials show a moderate‐to‐good oxygen ion conductivity at high temperatures; furthermore, those adopting the pyrochlore structure give higher σdc and lower Edc than their fluorite analogues (σdc at 750°C>10−3 S·cm−1 vs <5·10−4 S·cm−1, respectively). The same trend also holds for the thermal resistivity at high temperatures; the highest thermal resistivity and thus, lowest κ was obtained for Eu2Hf2O7 (κ~1.3·W·m−1·K−1 at 800°C). Therefore, Ln2Hf2O7 phases might be attractive component materials for electrochemical devices and thermal insulating coatings.
Short answers to deep questions: supporting teachers in large‐class settings
Authors: McDonald J. , Bird R.J. , Zouaq A. , Moskal A.C.M.
Published: February 2017

In large class settings, individualized student–teacher interaction is difficult. However, teaching interactions (e.g., formative feedback) are central to encouraging deep approaches to learning. While there has been progress in automatic short‐answer grading, analysing student responses to support formative feedback at scale is arguably some way from being widely applied in practice. However, analysing student written responses can provide insights into student conceptions, thus directly informing teacher actions. Indeed, we argue that analysing student responses to provide feedback directly to teachers is as worthy a goal as providing individualized feedback to students and is achievable given the current state‐of‐the‐art in natural language processing. In this paper, we analyse student written responses to short‐answer questions posed in the context of a large first year health sciences course. Each question was designed to elicit deep responses. Our qualitative analysis illustrates the variability in student responses and reveals multiple relationships between these responses, course materials and the questions posed. Such information can be invaluable for teacher praxis. We conclude with a conceptual ‘dashboard’ that categorizes student responses and reveals relationships between responses, course resources and the questions. Such a dashboard could provide timely, actionable insights for teachers and help foster deep learning approaches for students.
The Private Ordering Solution to Multiforum Shareholder Litigation
Authors: Romano Roberta , Sanga Sarath
Published: February 2017

This article analyzes a private ordering solution to multiforum shareholder litigation: exclusive forum provisions in corporate charters and bylaws. These provisions require that all corporate‐law‐related disputes be brought in a single forum, typically a court in the statutory domicile. Using hand‐collected data on the 746 U.S. public corporations that have adopted the provision, we examine what drives the growth in these provisions and whether, as some critics contend, their adoption reflects managerial opportunism. We find that nearly all new Delaware corporations adopt the provision at the IPO stage, and that the transition from zero to near‐universal IPO adoption over 2007–2014 is driven by law firms. Characteristics of individual companies appear to play little or no role in adoption decisions. Instead, the pattern of adoption follows what can be described as a light‐switch model, in which law firms suddenly switch from never adopting to always adopting the provision in the IPOs they advise. For post‐IPO (or “midstream”) adoptions, we compare corporate governance features of adopters to a matched sample of nonadopters to test the hypothesis that midstream bylaw adoption reflects managerial opportunism. If the hypothesis were correct, then we would expect to find that the midstream adopters exhibit poor corporate governance compared to nonadopters (using the metrics of good governance practices as identified by critics of the provisions). We find, however, that there are either no significant differences in governance or that it is adopters that have higher‐quality governance features. We also find no significant differences in governance and ownership structures between firms whose boards adopt the provisions as bylaws and those who obtain shareholder approval. The absence of significant differences across firms using disparate adoption procedures suggests that the method of adopting an exclusive forum provision—whether with or without shareholder approval—should not be a matter of import for investors.
Auditor Settlements of Securities Class Actions
Authors: Park James J.
Published: February 2017

Some corporate law scholars have concluded that auditors do not have sufficient legal incentive to detect securities fraud and should be governed by a strict liability standard. This study assesses this argument by examining a dataset of 554 class actions alleging an accounting restatement filed from 1996 through 2007. Because some but not all of these restatement cases named an auditor defendant, it is possible to analyze whether variables such as the liability standard affect both the decision to name an auditor defendant as well as the outcome of the case. Despite the narrowing of auditor liability under Rule 10b‐5, auditors are still often named as defendants and pay substantial settlements in Rule 10b‐5 cases. A more restrictive liability standard is associated with a modest reduction in the rate at which auditors are named as defendants and the rate at which auditor cases end in settlement. If a Rule 10b‐5 case against an auditor is strong enough to result in a settlement, the legal standard does not affect the size of the settlement. The auditor's payment is correlated with nonlegal factors such as whether the issuer is bankrupt and the issuer's market capitalization. These results are best explained by the tendency of judges to read narrow liability provisions broadly in cases where the size and impact of the alleged fraud are significant. The evidence thus does not support the conclusion that a strict liability standard is necessary to generate sufficient incentives for auditors to detect substantial frauds.
Medical Liability Insurance Premia: 1990–2016 Dataset, with Literature Review and Summary Information
Authors: Black Bernard , Chung Jeanette W. , Traczynski Jeffrey , Udalova Victoria , Vats Sonal
Published: February 2017

This document and the accompanying dataset provide six things: (1) a dataset covering 27 years (1990–2016) of medical malpractice (med mal) insurance premia, compiled with extensive data cleaning from the only available source for these rates, annual surveys conducted by Medical Liability Monitor (MLM); (2) an accompanying codebook; (3) the Stata code we use to clean the raw data; (4) merger of the MLM data with related datasets from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the American Medical Association; (5) a survey of prior uses of the MLM data; and (6) a summary analysis of the data. We hope that the availability of this cleaned dataset will prompt further research on the effects of med mal premiums on provider behavior. We plan, but do not promise, to update the dataset as additional annual releases become available. The dataset, codebook, and code are available on SSRN at http://ssrn.com/abstract=2716911.
Human Sexuality Education in Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Programs
Authors: Zamboni Brian D. , Zaid Samantha J.
Published: February 2017

Given the likelihood that marriage and family therapists will encounter clients with sexual concerns, it is important to know how graduate training programs are preparing future clinicians to work with this domain of life. Sixty‐nine marriage and family therapy (MFT) program directors completed an online survey to examine how sexual health education is integrated into graduate training programs. Findings indicate that while the majority of program directors value sexuality curriculum, and most programs require at least one course in this area, there are barriers to privileging sex topics in MFT graduate programs. Barriers include few MFT faculties with expertise in human sexuality and marginalized sexual health topics. Implications for training MFT graduate students and their work with future clients are discussed.
Lattice constant measurement from electron backscatter diffraction patterns
Authors: SAOWADEE N. , AGERSTED K. , BOWEN J.R.
Published: February 2017

Kikuchi bands in election backscattered diffraction patterns (EBSP) contain information about lattice constants of crystallographic samples that can be extracted via the Bragg equation. An advantage of lattice constant measurement from EBSPs over diffraction (XRD) is the ability to perform local analysis. In this study, lattice constants of cubic STN and cubic YSZ in the pure materials and in co‐sintered composites were measured from their EBSPs acquired at 10 kV using a silicon single crystal as a calibration reference. The EBSP distortion was corrected by spherical back projection and Kikuchi band analysis was made using in‐house software. The error of the lattice constant measurement was determined to be in the range of 0.09–1.12% compared to values determined by XRD and from literature. The confidence level of the method is indicated by the standard deviation of the measurement, which is approximately 0.04 Å. Studying Kikuchi band size dependence of the measurement precision shows that the measurement error decays with increasing band size (i.e. decreasing lattice constant). However, in practice, the sharpness of wide bands tends to be low due to their low intensity, thus limiting the measurement precision. Possible methods to improve measurement precision are suggested.
The uses of stance in media production: A study in embodied sociolinguistics
Authors: Laurier Eric
Published: February 2017

While many conversation analysts and scholars in related fields have used video recordings to study interaction, this study is one of a small but growing number that investigates video recordings of the joint activities of media professionals working with, and on, video. It examines practices of media production that are, in their involvement with the visual and verbal qualities of video, both beyond talk and deeply shaped by talk. The article draws upon video recordings of the making of a feature‐length documentary. In particular, it analyses a complex course of action where an editing team are reviewing their interview of the subject of the documentary, their footage being intercut with existing reality TV footage of that same interviewee. The central contributions that the article makes are, firstly, to the sociolinguistics of mediatisation, through the identification of the workplace concerns of the members of the editing team; secondly, showing how editing is accomplished, moment by moment, through the use of particular forms of embodied action; and, finally, how the media themselves feature in the ordering of action. While this is professional work, it sheds light on the video‐mediated practices in contemporary culture, especially those found in social media where video makers carefully consider their editing of the perspective toward themselves and others.
Learning “What” and “Where” in Visual Search
Authors: Makovski Tal
Published: February 2017

Visual search is facilitated when observers search through repeated displays. This effect, termed contextual cueing (CC), reflects the exceptional ability of our cognitive system to utilize regularities embedded in the environment. Recent studies that tested visual search with real‐world objects found that CC takes place even in heterogeneous search displays, but only when the identities (“what”) and locations (“where”) of the objects are both repeated. The purpose of the current study was to test whether the repetition of both “what” and “where” is not only necessary but also sufficient for CC. Consistent with previous results, Experiment 1 found robust CC when both the “what” and “where” information were repeated, and further revealed that the effect was not modulated by the number of search items. In contrast, Experiment 2 showed that the repetition of both objects’ identities and locations did not benefit the search when the two were not bound together. CC was also absent in Experiment 3, where the objects’ identities and locations were repeated together, however, target locations varied randomly. Together these results suggest that CC with real‐world objects is robust, but critically depends on “what” and “where” binding as well as context‐target associations.
Interdisciplinary Research at the Intersection of CALL, NLP, and SLA: Methodological Implications From an Input Enhancement Project
Authors: Ziegler Nicole , Meurers Detmar , Rebuschat Patrick , Ruiz Simón , Moreno‐Vega José L. , Chinkina Maria , Li Wenjing , Grey Sarah
Published: February 2017

Despite the promise of research conducted at the intersection of computer‐assisted language learning (CALL), natural language processing, and second language acquisition, few studies have explored the potential benefits of using intelligent CALL systems to deepen our understanding of the process and products of second language (L2) learning. The strategic use of technology offers researchers novel methodological opportunities to examine how incremental changes in L2 development occur during treatment as well as how the longitudinal impacts of experimental interventions on L2 learning outcomes occur on a case‐by‐case basis. Drawing on the pilot results from a project examining the effects of automatic input enhancement on L2 learners’ development, this article explores how the use of technology offers additional methodological and analytical choices for the investigation of the process and outcomes of L2 development, illustrating the opportunities to study what learners do during visually enhanced instructional activities.
The Effects of Mode and Task Complexity on Second Language Production
Authors: Vasylets Olena , Gilabert Roger , Manchón Rosa M.
Published: February 2017

Taking a psycholinguistic orientation within task‐based language teaching scholarship, this study investigated the effects of mode (oral vs. written) and task complexity on second language (L2) performance. The participants were 78 Catalan/Spanish learners of English as a foreign language. Half of the participants performed the simple and complex versions of an argumentative, instruction‐giving task orally, the other half did it in writing. The comparison of the participants’ oral and written performance revealed that speakers produced more idea units but that writers achieved higher scores for subordination, mean length of analysis‐of‐speech units, lexical diversity, extended idea units, and time on task. As for the effects of task complexity, the participants’ written production showed more variation between the complex and the simple versions of the task. These findings are interpreted in light of task modality effects in L2 learning and discussed in relation to task complexity theory and research.
Testing or transforming practice: probing an Icelandic national initiative to improve literacy education
Authors: Sigþórsson Rúnar
Published: February 2017

In the wake of a White Paper on Education Reform, published in 2014 by the Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, the minister launched a national initiative to improve literacy education in Icelandic compulsory schools. The White Paper and the national initiative came as a reaction to the disappointing performance of 15‐year‐olds on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test 2012.

The aim of this paper is to critique the national initiative, the policy behind it and its implementation, in light of definitions of literacy and literacy teaching as a pedagogical activity and some critical issues of literacy education in Icelandic compulsory schools. These include a low proportion of students on the two highest performance levels of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, gender differences, residential differences and differences between social groups, and diminishing book reading of children and teenagers.

The main conclusion is that the national initiative is characterised by a narrow focus on testing reading literacy and recording data to compare students with test standards but lacks a rational and coherent plan to address the critical issues of literacy education mentioned earlier, the professional development of teachers and the development of schools as professional learning communities.
Hans Kohn: the idea of secularized nationalism
Authors: Maor Zohar
Published: February 2017

More than seventy years after its publication, Hans Kohn's 1944The Idea of Nationalismis still regarded as a ground‐breaking contribution to the study of nationalism. This essay is aimed to highlight a significant theme in this work which has largely gone unnoticed, namely, the pivotal role of religion and secularism in Kohn's account of nationalism, and especially, in his persistent struggle for a ‘perfect’ nationalism. Kohn's conception – and personal experience – of the relationship of nationalism and religion will be examined through several stages of his turbulent life. First, as a young Zionist in Prague, when he parlayed Martin Buber's Zionist creed into an ethnic concept of nationalism. Then, in Kohn's journalistic writing in the 1920s and in his first theoretical works on nationalism in the years 1929–1942. Finally, Kohn's more mature and crystallized account of nationalism in his 1944 book will be revisited from the perspective of the nationalism–religion relationship.
Patterns of Economic Development: Correlations Affecting Economic Growth and Quality of Life in 222 Countries
Authors: Kim Hae S.
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it identifies different patterns of economic growth among the 222 countries/territories in the world. Second, it assesses how each of the patterns of economic growth affects quality of life, including human development, poverty level, unemployment, international peace/conflict, and relative deprivation, among others. Several broad patterns of economic growth were found: knowledge‐based, trade‐based, savings‐based, and ethnic‐religiously affected. The knowledge‐based economy was the most predominant pattern, followed by trade‐based. Although the dominance of the knowledge‐based economy does diminish the effect of the “traditional” pattern of the free trade on economic growth, these two patterns are significant in enhancing not only economic growth but also quality of life across the world. This pattern‐analysis aims to group insights from diverse theories of economic growth and variables in a systematic way, and identifies causal relations between the variables grouped under each pattern.

Related Articles

Asongu, Simplice A. 2016. “.” Politics & Policy 44 (): 97‐134. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12148/full

Lagunes, Paul F. 2012. “.” Politics & Policy 40 (): 802‐826. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2012.00384.x/full

Armijo, Leslie E., and
Sybil Rhodes. 2015. “.” Politics & Policy 43 (): 611‐646. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12127/pdf

Related Media

Marquardt, Kyle L., and
Yoshiko M. Herrera. 2015. “” Social Science Quarterly 90 (): 689–716. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ssqu.12187/abstract

Borg, Anders. 2016. “6 factors shaping the global economy in 2016.” World Economic Forum. Geneva, Switzerland. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/12/6-factors-shaping-the-global-economy-in-2016

Klemm, Alexander. 2013. “Growth Following Investment and Consumption‐Driven Current Account Crises.” (Authorized for distribution by Dora Iakova.) IMF. Washington, DC. https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2013/wp13217.pdf
Escaping aversive exposure
Authors: Sege Christopher T. , Bradley Margaret M. , Lang Peter J.
Published: February 2017

This research examined human defensive reactivity when exposure to an aversive event could be escaped but not entirely avoided. Prolonged visual cues indicated whether exposure to an upcoming aversive (i.e., disgusting) picture could be terminated after onset (escaped) or not, or that a neutral go signal would appear. Acoustically elicited startle reflexes were measured during each cue interval, as were cardiac and skin conductance activity. Early in the cuing interval, startle reflexes were potentiated during both escape and inescapable exposure trials, compared to the simple motor context. Later in the interval, reflexes remained potentiated for both escapable and inescapable trials, with potentiation further enhanced when aversive exposure could not be escaped compared to when exposure could be escaped. Heart rate deceleration in the cuing interval indicated increased vigilance when preparing any (escape or neutral) action, whereas skin conductance responding indicated enhanced sympathetic action mobilization particularly in an escape context. These data suggest that startle reflexes engaged in an escape context reflect both motor‐related response inhibition and aversive potentiation, and they indicate that defensive motivation is engaged whenever aversive exposure is guaranteed, regardless of whether it can be escaped or not.
Risk of waterborne virus spread – review of survival of relevant fish and crustacean viruses in the aquatic environment and implications for control measures
Authors: Oidtmann Birgit , Dixon Peter , Way Keith , Joiner Claire , Bayley Amanda E.
Published: February 2017

Aquatic animal diseases are a major constraint for increasing aquaculture production. Understanding the contribution of pathogen spread from infected aquaculture sites is critical in devising control measures in the event of an outbreak. We have reviewed the available literature on the persistence in the aquatic environment of several important viral pathogens of fish and crustaceans. These include infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus, viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus, infectious salmon anaemia virus, koi herpes virus, epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus and infectious pancreatic necrosis virus, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), Taura syndrome virus and yellow head virus. Some trends were common to all viruses: (i) viability declined with increasing temperature (at temperatures above 0°C); (ii) higher biological loading in water correlated with reduction in detectable viable viruses; and (iii) virus decay in water is a function of time. Most aquatic animal viruses (AAVs) remained viable for several days or weeks. WSSV is particularly stable. Comparison of studies investigating survival parameters was sometimes difficult because of the different methods employed and different ways in which the data were presented. Data gaps are identified and experimental methods employed for testing critically assessed. The information presented in this review is directly relevant to design effective control measures for AAVs and to explore measures that reduce the economic impact of disease caused by these important pathogens.
Role perceptions and attitudes toward discretion at a decentralized regulatory frontline: The case of organic inspectors
Authors: Carter David P.
Published: February 2017

The complexity of decentralized regulatory contexts can threaten program fidelity, particularly if it results in divergence between program goals and the intents of regulatory inspectors. This paper investigates how inspectors negotiate the conflicting demands of a decentralized program by examining how they perceive their regulatory roles – the primary responsibilities that inspectors ascribe to their functions and the entities to which they feel responsible – and how these role orientations are related to inspectors' attitudes toward the use of discretion. The study findings indicate that in the decentralized administration of United States organic food regulations, inspectors experience multiple, and sometimes conflicting, role orientations. The presence of multiple role orientations, however, does not seem to affect how inspectors approach their responsibilities. The combined strengths of quantitative and qualitative data are leveraged to offer explanations for the study findings and identify avenues for future research.
A Broken Social Contract, Not High Inequality, Led to the Arab Spring
Authors: Devarajan Shantayanan , Ianchovichina Elena
Published: February 2017

During the 2000s, expenditure inequality in Arab countries was low or moderate and, in many cases, declining. Different measures of wealth inequality were also lower than elsewhere. Yet, there were revolutions in four countries and protests in several others. We explain this so‐called “inequality puzzle” by first noting that, despite favorable income inequality measures, subjective well‐being measures in Arab countries were relatively low and falling sharply, especially for the middle class, and in the countries where the uprisings were most intense. The increasing unhappiness, reflected in perceptions of declining standards of living, was associated with dissatisfaction with the quality of public services, the shortage of formal‐sector jobs, and corruption. These sources of dissatisfaction suggest that the old social contract, where government provided jobs, free education and health, and subsidized food and fuel, in return for the subdued voice of the population, was broken. The Arab Spring and its aftermath indicates the need for a new social contract, one where government promotes private‐sector jobs and accountability in service delivery, and citizens are active participants in the economy and society.
Spline regression for hazard rate estimation when data are censored and measured with error
Authors: Comte Fabienne , Mabon Gwennaelle , Samson Adeline
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we study an estimation problem where the variables of interest are subject to both right censoring and measurement error. In this context, we propose a nonparametric estimation strategy of the hazard rate, based on a regression contrast minimized in a finite‐dimensional functional space generated by splines bases. We prove a risk bound of the estimator in terms of integrated mean square error and discuss the rate of convergence when the dimension of the projection space is adequately chosen. Then we define a data‐driven criterion of model selection and prove that the resulting estimator performs an adequate compromise. The method is illustrated via simulation experiments that show that the strategy is successful.
Clinical outcome of partial cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the canine bladder
Authors: Marvel S. J. , Séguin B. , Dailey D. D. , Thamm D. H.
Published: February 2017

Canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder has historically been treated with a combination of chemotherapy, cyclooxygenase inhibitors and radiation therapy. While surgery has been used to treatTCCof the bladder, its efficacy has yet to be established. Thirty‐seven client owned dogs that underwent partial cystectomy +/− various nonsurgical treatments forTCCwere retrospectively evaluated. The overall median progression‐free interval (PFI) was 235 days and the median survival time (ST) was 348 days. Prognostic factors identified on univariate analysis significant forSTwere age, tumor location, full thickness excision and frequency of piroxicam administration. Prognostic factors significant forPFIwere full thickness excision and frequency of piroxicam administration. The medianSTwith partial cystectomy and daily piroxicam therapy, with or without chemotherapy, was 772 days. Dogs with non‐trigonal bladderTCCtreated with full thickness partial cystectomy and daily piroxicam (+/− chemotherapy) may have improved outcome compared to dogs treated with medical therapy.
Balance and Coordination Capacities of Male Children and Adolescents With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Pitetti Ken , Miller Ruth Ann , Loovis Michael
Published: February 2017

Children and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) exhibit a mixture of cognitive, motor, and psychosocial limitation. Identifying specific inadequacies in motor proficiency in youth with ID would improve therapeutic management to enhance functional capacity and health-related physical activity. The purpose of this study was to initiate descriptive data collection of gross motor skills of youth with ID and compare those skills with competency norms. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2) was used to measure 6 items for balance (BAL), 5 items for upper limb coordination (ULC), and 6 items for bilateral coordination (BLC) of 123 males (ages 8–18) with ID but without Down syndrome. The authors performed 2,840 assessments (10–32 for each item); 944, 985, and 913 for BAL, ULC, and BLC, respectively. Mean scores for all age groups for BAL, ULC, and BLC were consistently below BOT-2 criteria. Overall motor skills of males with ID are below the competence expected for children and adolescents without disabilities.
A case of right middle cerebral artery ‘tendonectomy’ following mitral valve replacement surgery
Authors: Thomas Mary C , Delgado Almandoz Josser E , Todd Adam J , Young Mark L , Fease Jennifer L , Scholz Jill Marie , Milner Anna M , Mulder Maximilian , Kayan Yasha
Published: February 2017

Following mechanical mitral valve replacement surgery, a 69-year-old woman had an ischemic stroke in the right middle cerebral artery territory. Mechanical thrombectomy showed the embolus to be a piece of chordae tendineae excised during the valve replacement surgery.
Nickel-associated delayed multiple white matter lesions after stent-assisted coil embolization of intracranial unruptured aneurysm
Authors: Park Hun Soo , Nakagawa Ichiro , Yokoyama Shohei , Wajima Daisuke , Wada Takeshi , Motoyama Yasushi , Kichikawa Kimihiko , Nakase Hiroyuki
Published: February 2017

Metal-induced encephalopathy after stent-assisted coil embolization is extremely rare. The present report describes two patients who presented with symptomatic intracranial parenchymal edematous lesions after stent-assisted coil embolization. A 64-year-old woman underwent stent-assisted coil embolization for a left internal carotid artery aneurysm; 21 days after the procedure she presented with right hand weakness and MRI revealed multifocal white matter lesions. Another woman aged 52 years underwent stent-assisted coil embolization for right vertebral artery aneurysm; 18 days after the procedure she presented with left-sided sensory disturbance and MRI demonstrated multiple white matter lesions. Treatment in both cases resulted in improvement of these lesions after steroid pulse therapy, and the patients had no associated morbidity 4 months after the procedures. Clinicians should monitor for neurologic symptoms and postoperative delayed radiologic parenchymal edematous changes associated with the metal allergic reaction after nitinol stent-assisted coil embolization.
Retailer licensing and tobacco display compliance: are some retailers more likely to flout regulations?
Authors: Fry Rae , Burton Suzan , Williams Kelly , Walsberger Scott , Tang Anita , Chapman Kathy , Egger Sam
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To assess retailer compliance with a licensing scheme requiring tobacco retailers to list their business details with the government, to examine whether listed retailers are more likely to comply with a point-of-sale (POS) display ban and other in-store retailing laws and to explore variations in compliance between different retailer types and locations.

Method

An audit of 1739 retailers in New South Wales, Australia, was used to assess compliance with tobacco retailing legislation. Auditors actively searched for and audited unlisted retailers and all listed retailers in 122 metropolitan and regional postcodes. Multivariate generalised linear regression models were used to examine associations between compliance and retailer type, remoteness and demographic characteristics (socioeconomic level, proportion of population under 18 years and proportion born in Australia).

Results

One unlisted tobacco retailer was identified for every 12.6 listed tobacco retailers. Unlisted retailers were significantly more likely than listed retailers to breach in-store retailing laws (p<0.001). Compliance with the POS display ban was observed in 91.3% of tobacco retailers, but compliance with all retailing laws was only 73.4%. Retailers in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas had lower compliance than those in high socioeconomic areas.

Conclusions

Some tobacco retailers did not list their business details with the government as required, even though there was no financial cost to do so. Unlisted retailers were more likely to violate in-store regulations. The results suggest licensing schemes can be useful for providing a list of retailers, thus facilitating enforcement, but require a system to search for, and respond to, unlisted/unlicensed retailers.
Some New Constructions for Generalized Zero-Difference Balanced Functions
Authors: Liu Haibo , Liao Qunying
Published: February 2017

Zero-difference balanced (ZDB) functions have many applications in coding theory, cryptography and communications engineering and so on. Recently, the authors [10, 11] generalized the definition of ZDB functions to be G-ZDB functions. In this paper, based on p-cyclotomic cosets, two classes of ZDB functions are obtained, and several new classes of G-ZDB functions are constructed. Furthermore, some frequency-hopping sequences are obtained directly from G-ZDB functions.
Developments and Drawbacks in Critical Infrastructure and Regional Planning: A Case Study on Region of Cologne, Germany
Authors: Greiving Stefan , Hurth Florian , Hartz Andrea , Saad Sascha , Fleischhauer Mark
Published: February 2017

Critical infrastructures (CIs) are of a dual character: they are a protection good that can be adversely affected by a threat, but at the same time, some infrastructure categories are dangerous in their own right. Because it integrates collaboration and decision-making on how space should be used, spatial planning is an important process in development of CI. Risk management utilizing spatial planning includes analysis and management tools that have a spatial and place-based context. In Germany, CI deserves protection as laid down in the Federal Regional Planning Act. This research paper starts from the hypothesis that regional planning is obligated to take the physical component of CI and its susceptibility against various threats into account. However, the administrative boundaries that define a region in this context is not the appropriate level of analysis for assessing the systemic criticality of CI which is up to territorial levels that consider an entire infrastructure network and to individual project approval procedures. The paper discusses the role of regional planning for the protection of CI by the example of the Region of Cologne, Germany. This research was collaborative in nature carried out between a scientific partner and the Region of Cologne that served as a so-called model region for “co-production of knowledge”. The role of science in this context is problematic because science cannot give a proof of normative aspects like the intended level of acceptable risk or the importance of the protection of CI. Science in this context is inconclusive. Thus, there was a need to involve all those experts of the regional administration that are legally responsible or involved in the assessment of risks and management of land. Throughout the project, this included representatives from the divisions of regional planning, natural protection, water management, immission control and crisis management. The entire team of researchers and practitioners came to an agreement on the various normative decisions, for example, concerning the research approach or the definition of susceptibility indicators. This collaborative approach, which is principally applicable in other regions in Germany as well, guarantees for applicability of planning decisions on the ground. Finally, using results from a GIS-based risk assessment demonstrated how regional spatial planning takes CI into account. The assessment results will be used by the administration of the Region of Cologne for the Environmental Report to be prepared for the new regional plan.
Personal and Professional Encounters with Hazards in Context: The Challenge of Ambiguity
Authors: Mitchell James K.
Published: February 2017

Changes in the problems addressed and the modes of interpretation employed by one hazard researcher during a lengthy professional career are identified and analyzed. These illustrate an ongoing dialogue between personal experience and professional engagement that moves toward broader framing of problems and increased synthesis of findings over time. This trend parallels the general evolution of interdisciplinary hazard research in recent decades. The emergence of ambiguity as a study problem that requires urgent attention is discussed against a background of burgeoning hazards and inadequate progress toward the reduction of losses, as well as an increasingly permeable boundary between the knowledge of experts and laypersons. Concepts of encounter and context are identified as promising rubrics under which researchers might undertake an expanded engagement with hazards and examples of topics on the author’s current inquiry agenda are provided.
Microbiological Study of Cast Posts before Cementation
Authors: Vallejo-Labrada Maricela , Ojeda-Garces Juan Carlos
Published: February 2017

This study identifies the most common microorganisms present in type III gold cast posts related to pulpal disease and evaluates the sterilization/disinfection method before cementation in the root canal. Forty-five type III gold cast posts were aseptically collected in sterile sealed plastic bags and taken to the microbiology laboratory to carry out the study: fifteen cast posts had no treatment, fifteen were disinfected (immersion in 70% alcohol during 15 minutes), and fifteen were autoclaved at 121°C for 15 minutes by using saturated steam under 15 psi pressure. By using a two-proportionz-test, the difference was statistically significant (p>0.05) and demonstrates that, in spite of the aseptic pattern used in the cast post collection and laboratory procedures, some cast posts arrive contaminated at the consulting office. The disinfection process worked out in a high percentage and demonstrated that the sterilization by autoclaving eliminated completely the pathogenic microbiota without affecting the cast post shape and integrity that could compromise their final fitting.
Assessment of Wave Energy in the South China Sea Based on GIS Technology
Authors: Lin Gang , Shao Long Tan , Zheng Chong Wei , Chen Xiao Bin , Zeng Li Feng , Liu Zhi Hong , Li Rong Bo , Shi Wei Lai
Published: February 2017

China is now the world’s largest user of coal and also has the highest greenhouse gas emissions associated with the mining and use of coal. Under today’s enormous pressures of the growing shortage of conventional energy sources and the need for emission reductions, the search for clean energy is the most effective strategy to address the energy crisis and global warming. This study utilized satellite remote sensing technology, geographic information system (GIS) technology, and simulated wave data for the South China Sea. The characteristic features of the wave energy were obtained by analysis through the wave resource assessment formula and the results were stored in a GIS database. Software for the evaluation of wave energy in the South China Sea was written. The results should provide accurate, efficient references for wave energy researchers and decision-makers. Based on a 24-year WW3 model simulation wave data and GIS technology, this study presented the characteristic of the wave energy in the SCS; results demonstrated that the SCS has the feasibility and viability for wave energy farming.
Patients with Epididymo-Orchitis and Meteorological Impact in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Liu Jui-Ming , Chang Ying-Hsu , Ho Te-Wei , Chang Fung-Wei , Pang See-Tong , Hsu Ren-Jun , Lin Po-Hung
Published: February 2017

Background. Epididymo-orchitis is a common infectious disease among men, especially men aged 20 to 39 years. The aim of this study was to analyze possible associations of various meteorological indicators on the incidence of epididymo-orchitis in Taiwan.Methods and Materials. This nationwide population-based study collected data on cases of epididymo-orchitis that were newly diagnosed from 2001 to 2013 in Taiwan. Monthly meteorological indicators, including average temperatures, humidity, rainfall, total rain days, and sunshine hours, were collected from the Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan. Data for a total of 7,233 patients with epididymo-orchitis were collected for this study.Results. The monthly incidence of epididymo-orchitis was positively correlated with temperature, rainfall, and sunshine hours. The average monthly temperature had a linear correlation with the incidence of epididymo-orchitis (ß=0.11). The monthly average temperature is significantly related, with a positive linear correlation, to the incidence of epididymo-orchitis in Taiwan.Conclusion. This finding may constitute useful information in terms of helping physicians to distinguish between patients with epididymo-orchitis and testicular torsion in hot or cold weather.
Spinal Cord Infarction in the Course of a Septic Shock: About One Case and Review of the Literature
Authors: Henin P. , Molderez A. , Huberlant V. , Trine H.
Published: February 2017

We report the case of a patient admitted to our intensive care unit in the course of a septic shock, secondary to cholangitis. After rapid hemodynamic stabilization, antibiotherapy, and endoscopic extraction of bile ducts stones, she appeared to have developed flaccid paraplegia. The suspected diagnosis of medullar ischemia was confirmed by typical MRI findings. This case stresses the potential pathogenic role of hypotension in medullar ischemia and the place of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a reliable diagnostic tool.
Cytotoxicity and Antimicrobial Effects of a New Fast-Set MTA
Authors: Shin Michelle , Chen Jung-Wei , Tsai Chi-Yang , Aprecio Raydolfo , Zhang Wu , Yochim Ji Min , Teng Naichia , Torabinejad Mahmoud
Published: February 2017

Purpose. To compare the biocompatibility and antimicrobial effectiveness of the new Fast-Set MTA (FS-MTA) with ProRoot MTA (RS-MTA). Methods. The agar overlay method with neutral red dye was used. L929 mouse fibroblast cells were cultured. The liquid and oil extracts and solid test material were placed on the agar overlay, four samples for each material. Phenol was used as the positive control and cottonseed oil and MEM extracts were used as negative controls. Cytotoxicity was examined by measuring the zones of decolorization and evaluating cell lysis under an inverted microscope using the established criteria after 24 and 48 hours. The antimicrobial test was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion method against S. mutans, E. faecalis, F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis, and P. intermedia. The size of the zone of inhibition was measured in millimeters. Results. There was no zone of decolorization seen under or around the test materials for FS-MTA and RS-MTA at 24 and 48 hours. The antimicrobial test demonstrated no inhibitory effect of FS-MTA or RS-MTA on any bacterial species after 24 and 48 hours. Conclusions. There was no cytotoxicity or bacterial inhibition observed by the new Fast-Set MTA when compared to the ProRoot MTA after setting.
Giant Splenorenal Shunt in a Young Patient with Autoimmune Hepatitis/Primary Biliary Cholangitis Overlap Syndrome and Portal Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Chegai F. , Cavallo A. U. , Forcina M. , Giuricin V. , Castellani F. , Greco L. , Manuelli M. , Manzia T. M. , Sergiacomi G.
Published: February 2017

We present a case of giant Splenorenal Shunt (SRS) associated with portal vein thrombosis in a 37-year-old woman with a twelve-year history of autoimmune hepatitis/primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome. At the moment of the CT examination laboratory tests showed creatinine 1.5 mg/dl, bilirubin 1.5 mg/dl, INR 3, and Na 145 mmol/l and the Model End-Stage Liver Disease score was 24. Extensive calcified thrombosis causing complete occlusion of the portal vein lumen and partially occluding the origin of the superior mesenteric vein was present and a small calcified thrombus in the Splenic Vein lumen was also evident. SRS was located among the spleen hilum and the left kidney with a maximum diameter of 3.25 cm and was associated with dilatation of left renal vein and inferior vena cava. After a multidisciplinary evaluation the patient was put on the Regional Liver Transplant waiting list and liver transplantation was performed successfully. Although portal vein thrombosis and SRS are common occurrences in cirrhotic patients, the impact in the natural history of the disease is still unclear. Careful management and accurate imaging protocols are essential in the evaluation of those patients.