bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personalized Technology to Support Older Adults With and Without Cognitive Impairment Living at Home
Authors: Kerssens Chantal , Kumar Renu , Adams Anne E. , Knott Camilla C. , Matalenas Laura , Sanford Jon A. , Rogers Wendy A.
Published: January 2015

Although persons with dementia (PWD) and their family caregivers need in-home support for common neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), few if any assistive technologies are available to help manage NPS. This implementation study tested the feasibility and adoption of a touch screen technology, the Companion, which delivers psychosocial, nondrug interventions to PWD in their home to address individual NPS and needs. Interventions were personalized and delivered in home for a minimum of 3 weeks. Postintervention measures indicated the technology was easy to use, significantly facilitated meaningful and positive engagement, and simplified caregivers’ daily lives. Although intervention goals were met, caregivers had high expectations of their loved one’s ability to regain independence. Care recipients used the system independently but were limited by cognitive and physical impairments. We conclude the Companion can help manage NPS and offer caregiver respite at home. These data provide important guidance for design and deployment of care technology for the home.
Sebaceous carcinoma of the lip: Comparing normal lip and cheek anatomy with the imaging features of a rare cutaneous malignancy
Authors: Greenall CJ , Drage NA
Published: January 2015

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare cutaneous malignancy, commonly affecting the eyelids. This case highlights a patient who presented with sebaceous carcinoma of the right upper lip with extensive involvement of the soft tissues of the head and neck. As part of the initial investigation, ultrasound was requested. This case demonstrates the ultrasound features of sebaceous carcinoma as well as revising the normal ultrasound anatomy of the upper lip and muscles of the cheek.
Use of automated medication adherence monitoring in bipolar disorder research: pitfalls, pragmatics, and possibilities
Authors: Levin Jennifer B. , Sams Johnny , Tatsuoka Curtis , Cassidy Kristin A. , Sajatovic Martha
Published: January 2015

Objectives:

Medication nonadherence occurs in 20–60% of persons with bipolar disorder (BD) and is associated with serious negative outcomes, including relapse, hospitalization, incarceration, suicide and high healthcare costs. Various strategies have been developed to measure adherence in BD. This descriptive paper summarizes challenges and workable strategies using electronic medication monitoring in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) in patients with BD.

Methods:

Descriptive data from 57 nonadherent individuals with BD enrolled in a prospective RCT evaluating a novel customized adherence intervention versus control were analyzed. Analyses focused on whole group data and did not assess intervention effects. Adherence was assessed with the self-reported Tablets Routine Questionnaire and the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS).

Results:

The majority of participants were women (74%), African American (69%), with type I BD (77%). Practical limitations of MEMS included misuse in conjunction with pill minders, polypharmacy, cost, failure to bring to research visits, losing the device, and the device impacting baseline measurement. The advantages were more precise measurement, less biased recall, and collecting data from past time periods for missed interim visits.

Conclusions:

Automated devices such as MEMS can assist investigators in evaluating adherence in patients with BD. Knowing the anticipated pitfalls allows study teams to implement preemptive procedures for successful implementation in BD adherence studies and can help pave the way for future refinements as automated adherence assessment technologies become more sophisticated and readily available.
Transumbilical glove port: A cost-effective method for single-incision laparoscopic hepatectomy
Authors: Miyata Ryohei , Kameyama Noriaki , Tomita Masato , Mitsuhashi Hiroaki , Baba Shigeaki , Amemiya Ryusuke , Amada En
Published: January 2015

Objectives:

Emerging concepts of “reduced port surgery” have gained considerable attention from laparoscopic surgeons, including the field of liver resection. To date, 86 cases of single-incision laparoscopic hepatectomy (SILH) have been reported, with commercially available access devices being used in most of these cases. We report herein a use of homemade transumbilical glove port for SILH.

Methods:

A 39-year-old woman represented giant hepatic hemangioma (9-cm in size) located at the left lateral segment (S2/3). Partial hepatectomy was performed by the glove method via single port access with conventional laparoscopic bipolar forceps, grasper and scissors without the need of any single-port specific devices.

Results:

The operative time was 77 minutes, and intraoperative blood loss was 50 mL. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Conclusions:

Glove method not only has significant advantages in terms of cost, but also is superior in its versatility, allowing wider range of movements compared to conventional access devices. Taking in consideration its cost effectiveness and versatility, glove method may be a good option for SILH.
The US hospital standardised mortality ratio: Retrospective database study of Massachusetts hospitals
Authors: Alexandrescu Roxana , Bottle Alex , Hua Jen Min , Jarman Brian , Aylin Paul
Published: January 2015

Summary

Objectives

To present a case-mix adjustment model that can be used to calculate Massachusetts hospital standardised mortality ratios and can be further adapted for other state-wide data-sets.

Design

We used binary logistic regression models to predict the probability of death and to calculate the hospital standardised mortality ratios. Independent variables were patient sociodemographic characteristics (such as age, gender) and healthcare details (such as admission source). Statistical performance was evaluated using c statistics, Brier score and the Hosmer–Lemeshow test.

Setting

Massachusetts hospitals providing care to patients over financial years 2005/6 to 2007/8.

Patients

1,073,122 patients admitted to Massachusetts hospitals corresponding to 36 hospital standardised mortality ratio diagnosis groups that account for 80% of in-hospital deaths nationally.

Main outcome measures

Adjusted in-hospital mortality rates and hospital standardised mortality ratios.

Results

The significant factors determining in-hospital mortality included age, admission type, primary diagnosis, the Charlson index and do-not-resuscitate status. The Massachusetts hospital standardised mortality ratios for acute (non-specialist) hospitals ranged from 60.3 (95% confidence limits 52.7–68.6) to 130.3 (116.1–145.8). The reference standard hospital standardised mortality ratio is 100 with the values below and above 100 suggesting either random or special cause variation. The model was characterised by excellent discrimination (c statistic 0.87), high accuracy (Brier statistics 0.03) and close agreement between predicted and observed mortality rates.

Conclusions

We have developed a case-mix model to give insight into mortality rates for patients served by hospitals in Massachusetts. Our analysis indicates that this technique would be applicable and relevant to Massachusetts hospital care as well as to other US hospitals.
Raised intracranial pressure following abdominal closure in a polytrauma patient
Authors: Hendrickson Susan , Chacko Liza , Wilson Mark H
Published: January 2015

Lesson

We report a polytrauma case requiring simultaneous neurosurgery and laparotomy. Upon abdominal closure, raised intracranial pressure occurred. This illustrates the important physiological interplay between body compartments in critical care patients.
Teaching and Research of International Humanitarian Law in Asia: Efforts, Issues and Prospects
Authors: Ghosh Pritam
Published: January 2015

In the twenty-first century, new research-prone areas have emerged in legal education which were previously unknown to the legal fraternity. One such area is International Humanitarian Law (IHL) or the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC). This can best be described as that branch of International Human Rights Law which deals with provisions for humanitarian relief and humane treatment of victims of war and is applicable only during war or armed conflicts. The study and research of IHL has become imperative due to the rise in the number of armed conflicts in the twenty-first century concentrated mainly in Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia and the subsequent desire of the international community to reduce that number. Against this background discussion, this article gives a brief account of the academic efforts taking place across the globe to make this subject an integral part of law school curriculum. The article starts with a description as to how IHL was first accepted as a part of any standard courses in law particularly in the West. Further, the efforts undertaken in Asia are analyzed followed by the reasons as to why IHL has still not gained acceptance as a full-fledged course in Asia. Finally, the article ends with recommendations regarding what the Asian legal fraternity needs to do to increase awareness about IHL and to make it a mandatory teaching module in all Asian law schools.
The Impact of Consumer Legal Education on the Effectiveness of the Protection of Consumer Rights: Taking into Account Legal Clinics in Poland
Authors: Flaga-Gieruszyńska Kinga , Cała-Wacinkiewicz Ewelina , Wacinkiewicz Daniel
Published: January 2015

Practical aspects of consumer education and also a contrario—negative effects of inaction on this matter—require further analysis due to their fundamental importance in the shaping of the actual level of legal protection of the consumer. An educated consumer, aware of his legal status, in many cases is able to defend his interests and also effectively enforce any claims he is entitled to before a court of law or under existing alternative methods of dispute resolution. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to present the role and importance of legal education of the consumer taking into account the functioning of legal clinics in Poland. Consumer rights will be presented in the general concept of the protection of human rights, with particular emphasis on the right to information—as one of the fundamental rights of the consumer. At the same time, the framework of the Polish law and the European Union law were adopted as a research perspective for these analyses.
Bioeffects Reference Tool May Not Improve Sonographers’ Monitoring of Mechanical and Thermal Indices in Obstetric Sonography Examinations
Authors: DiGiacinto Dora , Bagley Jennifer , Cook Stacie , Anderson Michael
Published: January 2015

This research examines whether using a reference tool alters the monitoring of the mechanical index (MI) and thermal index (TI) during obstetric (OB) sonograms. A presurvey regarding users’ behavior patterns of monitoring MI/TI indices was emailed to sonographers who were registered in a clinical database affiliated with an accredited sonography program. The presurvey included a reference tool which respondents were asked to print and use when performing OB sonograms. A postsurvey was sent to the same respondents to determine if behavior patterns regarding MI/TI monitoring improved after using the reference tool. There were no significant changes in how often sonographers monitored MI/TI from the pre- to the postsurvey.
Postsurgical Follow-up for a Repaired Nutcracker Syndrome
Authors: Volz Kevin R. , Evans Julie D. , Haurani Mounir J.
Published: January 2015

Nutcracker syndrome is a venous entrapment phenomenon characterized by the impingement of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and abdominal aorta. Treatment, if necessary, consists of surgical intervention. In the case presented, a young female presented at an outpatient vascular surgical center for surveillance of a surgically repaired nutcracker syndrome. A renal sonogram was performed to evaluate patency and hemodynamics of the left renal vein. Color and spectral Doppler were used to evaluate the left renal vein as well as the left kidney to document appropriate renal perfusion.
Rapid precipitation in an Al0.5CrFeCoNiCu high entropy alloy
Authors: Jones N. G. , Christofidou K. A. , Stone H. J.
Published: January 2015

The effect of cooling rate on the microstructural evolution of Al0.5CrFeCoNiCu has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. As cast Al0.5CrFeCoNiCu contained three phases; Cr–Fe–Co–Ni solid solution dendrites, Cu rich interdendritic material and L12 precipitates. During cooling at rates between 10 and 50°C min−1, an additional exothermic event, at ∼1010°C, was observed in the heat flow curves. Microstructural examination after cooling revealed the presence of two distinct populations of intragranular precipitates not present in the as cast material. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated that Cu rich precipitates formed within the dendrites, while a Cr–Fe–Co rich phase formed in the interdendritic constituent. Precipitation during cooling at rates approaching 1°C s−1 indicates that the diffusion kinetics of Al0.5CrFeCoNiCu is not, as previously suggested, sluggish.
DNA methylation profiling identifies two splenic marginal zone lymphoma subgroups with different clinical and genetic features
Authors: Arribas Alberto J. , Rinaldi Andrea , Mensah Afua A. , Kwee Ivo , Cascione Luciano , Robles Eloy F. , Martinez-Climent Jose A. , Oscier David , Arcaini Luca , Baldini Luca , Marasca Roberto , Thieblemont Catherine , Briere Josette , Forconi Francesco , Zamò Alberto , Bonifacio Massimiliano , Mollejo Manuela , Facchetti Fabio , Dirnhofer Stephan , Ponzoni Maurilio , Bhagat Govind , Piris Miguel A. , Gaidano Gianluca , Zucca Emanuele , Rossi Davide , Bertoni Francesco
Published: January 2015

Key Points

Methylation profiling identifies subgroups of SMZL with distinct biological features. Demethylating agents can reverse some of the adverse epigenetic alterations.
Ceramide-1-phosphate inhibits cigarette smoke-induced airway inflammation
Authors: Baudiß Kristin , Ayata Cemil Korcan , Lazar Zsofia , Cicko Sanja , Beckert Jessica , Meyer Anja , Zech Andreas , Vieira Rodolfo Paula , Bittman Robert , Gómez-Muñoz Antonio , Merfort Irmgard , Idzko Marco
Published: January 2015

Sphingolipids are involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. The central molecule is ceramide, which can be converted into ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P). Although C1P can exert anti- and pro-inflammatory effects, its influence on cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung inflammation is unknown. We aimed to clarify the role of C1P in the pathogenesis of CS-triggered pulmonary inflammation and emphysema in humans and mice.

The effects of C1P were addressed on CS-induced lung inflammation in C57BL/6 mice, CS extract-triggered activation of human airway epithelial cells (AECs) and neutrophils from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined by flow cytometry and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. Expression and DNA binding of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase) were quantified by PCR, electrophoretic mobility shift and fluorometric assays.

C1P reduced CS-induced acute and chronic lung inflammation and development of emphysema in mice, which was associated with a reduction in nSMase and NF-κB activity in the lungs. nSMase activity in human serum correlated negatively with forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted. In human AECs and neutrophils, C1P inhibited CS-induced activation of NF-κB and nSMase, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine release.

Our results suggest that C1P is a potential target for anti-inflammatory treatment in CS-induced lung inflammation.
Unified baseline and longitudinal mortality prediction in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Ley Brett , Bradford Williamson Z. , Weycker Derek , Vittinghoff Eric , du Bois Roland M. , Collard Harold R.
Published: January 2015

The Gender-Age-Physiology (GAP) model is a validated, baseline-risk prediction model for mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Longitudinal variables have been shown to contribute to risk prediction in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and may improve the predictive performance of the baseline GAP model. Our aims were to further validate the GAP model and evaluate whether the addition of longitudinal variables improves its predictive performance.

The study population was derived from a large clinical trials cohort of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n=1109). Model performance was determined by improvement in the C-statistic, net reclassification improvement, clinical net reclassification improvement, and a goodness-of-fit test.

The GAP model had good discriminative performance with a C-statistic of 0.757 (95% CI 0.750–0.764). However, the original GAP model tended to overestimate risk in this cohort. A novel, easy to use model, consisting of the original GAP predictors plus history of respiratory hospitalisation and 24-week change in forced vital capacity (the longitudinal GAP model) improved model performance with a C-statistic of 0.785 (95% CI 0.780–0.790), net reclassification improvement of 8.5%, clinical net reclassification improvement of 25%, and a goodness-of-fit test of 0.929.

The Longitudinal GAP model, along with the original GAP model, may unify baseline and longitudinal mortality risk prediction in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Mechanisms of development of multimorbidity in the elderly
Authors: Barnes Peter J.
Published: January 2015

In ageing populations many patients have multiple diseases characterised by acceleration of the normal ageing process. Better understanding of the signalling pathways and cellular events involved in ageing shows that these are characteristic of many chronic degenerative diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and neurodegeneration. Common mechanisms have now been identified in these diseases, which show evidence of cellular senescence with telomere shortening, activation of PI3K–AKT–mTOR signalling, impaired autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, stem cell exhaustion, epigenetic changes, abnormal microRNA profiles, immunosenescence and low grade chronic inflammation (“inflammaging”). Many of these pathways are driven by chronic oxidative stress. There is also a reduction in anti-ageing molecules, such as sirtuins and Klotho, which further accelerates the ageing process. Understanding these molecular mechanisms has identified several novel therapeutic targets and several drugs have already been developed that may slow the ageing process, as well as lifestyle interventions, such as diet and physical activity. This indicates that in the future new treatment approaches may target the common pathways involved in multimorbidity and this area of research should be given high priority. Thus, COPD should be considered as a component of multimorbidity and common disease pathways, particularly accelerated ageing, should be targeted.
Global mRNA selection mechanisms for translation initiation
Authors: Costello Joseph , Castelli Lydia M , Rowe William , Kershaw Christopher J , Talavera David , Mohammad-Qureshi Sarah S , Sims Paul F G , Grant Christopher M , Pavitt Graham D , Hubbard Simon J , Ashe Mark P
Published: January 2015

Background

The selection and regulation of individual mRNAs for translation initiation from a competing pool of mRNA are poorly understood processes. The closed loop complex, comprising eIF4E, eIF4G and PABP, and its regulation by 4E-BPs are perceived to be key players. Using RIP-seq, we aimed to evaluate the role in gene regulation of the closed loop complex and 4E-BP regulation across the entire yeast transcriptome.

Results

We find that there are distinct populations of mRNAs with coherent properties: one mRNA pool contains many ribosomal protein mRNAs and is enriched specifically with all of the closed loop translation initiation components. This class likely represents mRNAs that rely heavily on the closed loop complex for protein synthesis. Other heavily translated mRNAs are apparently under-represented with most closed loop components except Pab1p. Combined with data showing a close correlation between Pab1p interaction and levels of translation, these data suggest that Pab1p is important for the translation of these mRNAs in a closed loop independent manner. We also identify a translational regulatory mechanism for the 4E-BPs; these appear to self-regulate by inhibiting translation initiation of their own mRNAs.

Conclusions

Overall, we show that mRNA selection for translation initiation is not as uniformly regimented as previously anticipated. Components of the closed loop complex are highly relevant for many mRNAs, but some heavily translated mRNAs interact poorly with this machinery. Therefore, alternative, possibly Pab1p-dependent mechanisms likely exist to load ribosomes effectively onto mRNAs. Finally, these studies identify and characterize a complex self-regulatory circuit for the yeast 4E-BPs.
The draft genome of Primula veris yields insights into the molecular basis of heterostyly
Authors: Nowak Michael D , Russo Giancarlo , Schlapbach Ralph , Huu Cuong Nguyen , Lenhard Michael , Conti Elena
Published: January 2015

Background

The flowering plant Primula veris is a common spring blooming perennial that is widely cultivated throughout Europe. This species is an established model system in the study of the genetics, evolution, and ecology of heterostylous floral polymorphisms. Despite the long history of research focused on this and related species, the continued development of this system has been restricted due the absence of genomic and transcriptomic resources.

Results

We present here a de novo draft genome assembly of P. veris covering 301.8 Mb, or approximately 63% of the estimated 479.22 Mb genome, with an N50 contig size of 9.5 Kb, an N50 scaffold size of 164 Kb, and containing an estimated 19,507 genes. The results of a RADseq bulk segregant analysis allow for the confident identification of four genome scaffolds that are linked to the P. veris S-locus. RNAseq data from both P. veris and the closely related species P. vulgaris allow for the characterization of 113 candidate heterostyly genes that show significant floral morph-specific differential expression. One candidate gene of particular interest is a duplicated GLOBOSA homolog that may be unique to Primula (PveGLO2), and is completely silenced in L-morph flowers.

Conclusions

The P. veris genome represents the first genome assembled from a heterostylous species, and thus provides an immensely important resource for future studies focused on the evolution and genetic dissection of heterostyly. As the first genome assembled from the Primulaceae, the P. veris genome will also facilitate the expanded application of phylogenomic methods in this diverse family and the eudicots as a whole.
Characterization of Aspergillus aculeatus β-glucosidase 1 accelerating cellulose hydrolysis with Trichoderma cellulase system
Authors: Baba Yutaro , Sumitani Jun-ichi , Tani Shuji , Kawaguchi Takashi
Published: January 2015

Aspergillus aculeatus β-glucosidase 1 (AaBGL1), which promotes cellulose hydrolysis by Trichoderma cellulase system, was characterized and compared some properties to a commercially supplied orthologue in A. niger (AnBGL) to elucidate advantages of recombinant AaBGL1 (rAaBGL1) for synergistic effect on Trichoderma enzymes. Steady–state kinetic studies revealed that rAaBGL1 showed high catalytic efficiency towards β-linked glucooligosaccharides. Up to a degree of polymerization (DP) 3, rAaBGL1 prefered to hydrolyze β-1,3 linked glucooligosaccharides, but longer than DP 3, preferred β-1,4 glucooligosaccharides (up to DP 5). This result suggested that there were different formation for subsites in the catalytic cleft of AaBGL1 between β-1,3 and β-1,4 glucooligosaccharides, therefore rAaBGL1 preferred short chain of laminarioligosaccharides and long chain of cellooligosaccharides on hydrolysis. rAaBGL1 was more insensitive to glucose inhibition and more efficient to hydrolyze the one of major transglycosylation product, gentiobiose than AnBGL, resulting that rAaBGL1 completely hydrolyzed 5% cellobiose to glucose faster than AnBGL. These data indicate that AaBGL1 is valuable for the use of cellulosic biomass conversion.
Background qualitative analysis of the European reference life cycle database (ELCD) energy datasets – part II: electricity datasets
Authors: Garraín Daniel , Fazio Simone , de la Rúa Cristina , Recchioni Marco , Lechón Yolanda , Mathieux Fabrice
Published: January 2015

The aim of this paper is to identify areas of potential improvement of the European Reference Life Cycle Database (ELCD) electricity datasets. The revision is based on the data quality indicators described by the International Life Cycle Data system (ILCD) Handbook, applied on sectorial basis. These indicators evaluate the technological, geographical and time-related representativeness of the dataset and the appropriateness in terms of completeness, precision and methodology. Results show that ELCD electricity datasets have a very good quality in general terms, nevertheless some findings and recommendations in order to improve the quality of Life-Cycle Inventories have been derived. Moreover, these results ensure the quality of the electricity-related datasets to any LCA practitioner, and provide insights related to the limitations and assumptions underlying in the datasets modelling. Giving this information, the LCA practitioner will be able to decide whether the use of the ELCD electricity datasets is appropriate based on the goal and scope of the analysis to be conducted. The methodological approach would be also useful for dataset developers and reviewers, in order to improve the overall Data Quality Requirements of databases.
Is it worth it? Postsecondary education and labor market outcomes for the disadvantaged
Authors: Backes Ben , Holzer Harry J , Velez Erin Dunlop
Published: January 2015

In this paper we examine a range of postsecondary education and labor market outcomes, with a particular focus on minorities and/or disadvantaged workers. We use administrative data from the state of Florida, where postsecondary student records have been linked to UI earnings data and also to secondary education records. Our main findings can be summarized as follows: 1) Gaps in secondary school achievement can account for a large portion of the variation in postsecondary attainment and labor market outcomes between the disadvantaged and other students, but meaningful gaps also exist within achievement groups, and 2) Earnings of the disadvantaged are hurt by low completion rates in postsecondary programs, poor performance during college, and not choosing high-earning fields. In particular, significant labor market premia can be earned in a variety of more technical certificate and Associate (AA) programs, even for those with weak earlier academic performance, but instead many disadvantaged (and other) students choose general humanities programs at the AA (and even the BA level) with low completion rates and low compensation afterwards. A range of policies and practices might be used to improve student choices as well as their completion rates and earnings.
Impact of internal migration on political participation in Turkey
Authors: Akarca Ali T , Tansel Aysit
Published: January 2015

ᅟ

The Impact of population mobility on provincial turnout rates in the 2011 Turkish parliamentary election is studied, controlling for the effects of other socio-economic, demographic, political and institutional factors. Consequences of migration both at destinations and origins are considered. According to the robust regressions estimated, the relationship between turnout and education is inverse U-shaped, and between turnout and age (including generational effects), it is U-shaped. Immigration, emigration, large population, a large number of parliament members elected from a constituency, participation by large number of parties, and existence of a dominant party depress the turnout rate. However, at destinations where large numbers of immigrants from different regions are concentrated, the opportunity afforded to them to elect one of their own reduces the adverse impact of immigration significantly and in some cases even turns it to positive. That emigration, and education beyond certain level, have negative effects on turnout, that immigration’s adverse effect is less in areas with high migrant concentrations, and that in Turkey, political participation is highest among the youngest voters are the novel findings of the study. The latter finding may explain why voter turnout declines in Europe and North America but not in Turkey.

JEL Classifications

D72; J61
American Afterlife: Benjaminian Messianism and Technological Redemption in Muriel Rukeyser’sThe Book of the Dead
Authors: Slater Avery
Published: January 2015

Reading Muriel Rukeyser’s 1938 long poem The Book of the Dead alongside Walter Benjamin’s theories of messianism and “profane illumination,” this essay explores how their work reconceives 1930s Marxist secular politics of redemption along postsecular lines. As a crisis in interwar utopian politics of social redemption urged Left-aesthetics to respond to newly uncertain political futures, Rukeyser’s documentary-epic renewed a social imaginary for political redemption in ways resonant with Walter Benjamin’s theories of sociopolitical messianism. In Rukeyser’s poem, exploited human labor, technologically concretized, finds its demand for justice depicted through the retelling of an industrial disaster. Focusing on technology’s both literal and figural sources of social transmission, Rukeyser’s poem redirects our attention from assured Communist redemption toward more transitional figures: exploited laborers whose lives are sacrificed in building monolithic technology. For Rukeyser, this empirical and metaphysical haunting of capitalism’s history links its technological artifacts to its settler-colonial past. Both Rukeyser and Benjamin displace technological narratives from empirical and secular realms, and their concepts of postsecular historical materialism address the problems of suffering, labor, and loss within a frame where capitalist technology employs the material artifacts of past labor within a state of dispossessed anonymity: an anonymity that aesthetic practices must disrupt.
Thermidor, Slavery, and the “Affaire des Colonies”
Authors: Popkin Jeremy D.
Published: January 2015

The Thermidorian Convention repealed most of the radical social legislation passed prior to the overthrow of Robespierre, especially if it involved challenges to the right of property. Surprisingly, however, the Thermidorians maintained the Montagnard Convention’s decision to abolish slavery and grant citizenship rights to the black populations of the French Caribbean colonies. “It is the one act of justice that tyranny had you pass,” the conservative spokesman François Antoine Boissy d’Anglas told his colleagues. The Thermidorians thus inaugurated a tradition of republican imperialism that would continue until the mid-twentieth century. The Thermidorians’ support of abolitionism was partly pragmatic—by the end of 1794 France’s chances of defending the colonies of Saint-Domingue and Guadeloupe against the British depended on armies of former slaves—but it also reflected the fact that many of the Thermidorians had sympathized with Brissot’s campaign against racial hierarchy.

La Convention thermidorienne a rapporté la plupart de la législation sociale votée sous le Comité de Salut public, surtout les lois impliquant des limitations sur le droit de propriété. Néanmoins, les thermidoriens ont maintenu la décision prise sous les Montagnards d’abolir l’esclavage et octroyer aux populations noires des colonies antillaises le statut de citoyens. D’après le porte-parole conservateur de la Convention François Antoine Boissy d’Anglas, l’abolition de l’esclavage fut le seul acte de justice promulgué sous la tyrannie des Montagnards. Ils ont donc inauguré une tradition d’impérialisme républicain qui allait continuer jusqu’aux années 1950. Les thermidoriens ont certes embrassé l’abolitionnisme en partie pour des raisons pragmatiques—en 1794, la défense des colonies de Saint-Domingue et de Guadeloupe contre les Anglais dépendait de forces armées composées essentiellement d’anciens esclaves—mais ce fut aussi le reflet du fait qu’une bonne partie des thermidoriens avaient sympathisé avec la campagne de Brissot contre l’aristocratie de la peau.
Murmur, Clamor, and Tumult
Authors: Sizer Michael
Published: January 2015

This article investigates the sonic landscapes of medieval revolt, with particular focus on the relationship between the written description of sound and the oral culture that produced these sounds. To illustrate this, the article treats in particular the “murmur” and the “clamor,” as well as the bell or tocsin, in chronicle and other sources of late medieval France, Flanders, and England. Because writing in the preprint culture of the Middle Ages was dominated by intellectuals generally sympathetic to power-holding elites, the relationship of writing to orality mirrored that of the dominant classes to the subordinate ones often engaged in acts of resistance. While written sources echoed the potent sonic expressions of challenge and discontent that originated in a vibrant oral political culture, at the same time they exploited the ephemerality of sound in contrast to the written word to domesticate this discontent for a more muted critique of the powerful.
Sex and the Sacred
Authors: Terpstra Nicholas
Published: January 2015

Mapping the boundaries and spaces of prostitution and tracking shifts in regulation and prosecution over the centuries allows us better to appreciate shifts in the sights, sounds, and above all the politics of sex and the sacred in the premodern city. Digital tools can provide new means for mapping these shifts while also creating a platform that invites further research collaboration and facilitates sensory analysis.
“Nothing but Noyse”
Authors: Heinsen Johan
Published: January 2015

On early modern ships on the Atlantic Ocean, the sounds that the maritime lower classes produced with their tongues led the captains and officers to consider members of these classes as savage as the colonial others. The argument presented here explores the ship as a world of sound and its lower classes' place within larger colonial soundscapes. This demonstrates how the sailor inhabited an ambivalent place between self and other. He lived within ships, which signified both the triumph of empire and potentially threatening aural spaces in themselves. The article then turns to English voyage narratives from the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century in order to show how sailors were conceived as making “noise.” Such descriptions worked anxiously toward silencing sailors by delineating what they had the ability to articulate on the basis of their social position. Hence, the sailor was thought by his superiors as unable to speak politically because such language was outside of what experience had taught him.
Supply Chain Efficiency: An Insight from Fruits and Vegetables Sector in India
Authors: Negi Saurav , Anand Neeraj
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this paper is to present the status of Supply chain efficiency in Fruits& Vegetables (F&V) sector in India and discusses the need and importance of efficient supply chain inthis sector. Authors highlight the inefficiency of Fruits and Vegetables supply chain sector as one of themajor business problem in the agriculture sector of India. This study will help decision makers andvarious stakeholders involved in the supply chain of Fruits and Vegetables like Farmers, Transporters,Local traders, Commission Agents, Cold storage provider to understand the current status, issues &need and importance of efficient supply chain for better planning and management in the field of Fruitsand Vegetables sector.Most of the prior literature are focused on the general supply chain of Fruits and Vegetables and ignorethe perspective of supply chain efficiency. This review fills this gap in the literature of supply chainmanagement of Fruits and Vegetables sector.DOI: 10.12660/joscmv7n2p154-167URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/joscmv7n2p154-167
Hedging with Futures: Does Anything Beat the Naïve Hedging Strategy?
Authors: Wang Yudong , Wu Chongfeng , Yang Li
Published: January 2015

This paper investigates out-of-sample performance of the naïve hedging strategy relative to that of the minimum variance hedging strategy, in which the covariance parameters are estimated from 18 econometric models. Hedging performance is compared across 24 futures markets. Our main findings suggest that it is difficult to find a strategy under the minimum variance framework that outperforms the naïve hedging strategy both consistently and significantly. Our findings are robust to different sample periods, estimation windows, and hedging horizons and can be partly explained by the effects of estimation error and model misspecification.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2028 .

This paper was accepted by Itay Goldstein, finance.
Keyword Search Advertising and First-Page Bid Estimates: A Strategic Analysis
Authors: Amaldoss Wilfred , Desai Preyas S. , Shin Woochoel
Published: January 2015

In using the generalized second-price (GSP) auction to sell advertising slots, a search engine faces several challenges. Advertisers do not truthfully bid their valuations, and the valuations are uncertain. Furthermore, advertisers are budget constrained. In this paper we analyze a stylized model of the first-page bid estimate (FPBE) mechanism first developed by Google and demonstrate its advantages in dealing with these challenges. We show why and when the FPBE mechanism yields higher profits for the search engine compared with the traditional GSP auction and the GSP auction with advertiser-specific minimum bid. In the event that a high-valuation advertiser is budget constrained, the search engine can use the FPBE mechanism to alter the listing order with the intent of keeping the high-valuation advertiser in the auction for a longer time. The resulting increase in the search engine’s profits is not necessarily at the expense of the advertisers because the combined profits of the advertisers and the search engine increase.

This paper was accepted by J. Miguel Villas-Boas, marketing.
Meningitis: dispelling the fear and confusion
Authors: Peate Ian , Jones Noleen
Published: January 2015

Meningitis is a disease that is caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord; these are known as the meninges. When the word ‘meningitis’ is used, or a diagnosis of meningitis is made, it is often met with fear, anxiety and confusion.

This article provides the healthcare assistant and assistant practitioner (HCA and AP) with insight into bacterial meningitis and how they can be vigilant in detecting and reporting it.

The article will consider the anatomy and physiology of the meninges. There will be a discussion concerning the signs and symptoms of meningitis and the various investigations that are required to make diagnosis of the condition. The treatment and care required will be outlined. A glossary of terms is offered.
Disability discrimination (3): reports from Mencap and Winterbourne View
Authors: Barber Chris
Published: January 2015

The previous article in the series highlighted a number of parliamentary acts that have a direct impact upon discrimination. This article will focus on two reports that highlight actual or potential discrimination against those with a learning disability. The meaning of ‘reasonable adjustment’ and what is a right will also be elucidated.
Emergency assessment tariff: lessons learned
Authors: Jones Rod
Published: January 2015

The cost of emergency assessment unit activities is shown to lie in the region of an outpatient attendance or the higher end of an A&E attendance. Significant economy of scale in cost is demonstrated with the larger units having lower average costs. Acute Trusts make an average profit margin of greater than £300 per zero day (or same day) stay admission. This equates to an overpayment of greater than £300M for these ‘admissions’ and this then creates £300M of compensating errors and distortions across NHS finances. Part two of the series will demonstrate that assessment costs must be added back into the residual A&E costs in order to arrive at a true picture for the overall emergency department costs, whereas part three looks specifically at the costs for paediatric emergency assessment. Both parts will discuss the additional flaws and complexities behind the tariff process relating to the wider emergency department functions.
Healthcare waste and sharps management
Authors: Blenkharn Ian
Published: January 2015

Engineered sharps safety devices have delivered a substantial reduction in sharps injuries to healthcare professionals but disposal-related errors and subsequent injury to ancillary and support staff have remained largely unchanged. Obligations placed on employers by existing health and safety legislation, and more recently by the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013, are welcome developments for healthcare professionals though the protection for subcontracted support staff and agency workers may be less than adequate. Outsourcing ancillary services creates unforeseen problems. Remarkably, the sharps injury rate for support staff, when measured against employment statistics, greatly exceeds that for frontline healthcare professionals. Though the business model of outsourced NHS support services has been successful, subcontracted hourly paid, sessional and casual support workers will receive neither sharps safety training nor the support of an effective occupational health service. Working dice-by-side with a trust staff, and at risk of being stuck by the same needles, this creates a two-tier system for sharps incident management, investigation and follow-up, that may be difficult to defend. A common programme of tailored sharps safety training, incident reporting, and investigation, and shared access to the specialist urgent care facilities necessary in the event of sharps injury, will ensure that both trusts and their subcontractors can address their obligations to sharps safety for all of those working in their hospitals, in full compliance with the requirements of The Sharps Directive and more general health and safety legislation.
Helping pregnant women to stop smoking
Authors:   Tobacco Information Campaign
Published: January 2015

Cigarette smoking and passive smoking during and after pregnancy pose significant health risks to the fetus and baby. Motivation to ensure their babies’ health means pregnant women are likely to be receptive to smoking cessation advice. In addition to advice, information and support specifically tailored to their needs, they may also benefit from nicotine replacement therapy. However, women are more likely to successfully stop smoking during pregnancy and not to relapse after the birth of their baby if they have support and encouragement from their partner. Partners who smoke also put their children's health at risk, and should be encouraged to give up.
Resource Reviews
Authors: Fogarty Ann , Clarke Paula , Clarke Paula
Published: January 2015

Avoiding Deaths from Growth Restriction

Coping with Labour Ward Crisis

External Cephalic Version at Term
Trends in RCT nursing research over 20 years: mind the gap
Authors: Baldi Ileana , Lago Elisa Dal , Bardi Sara De , Sartor Giada , Soriani Nicola , Zanotti Renzo , Gregori Dario
Published: January 2015

Randomised controlled trial (RCT) literature plays a fundamental role in informing evidence-based medicine and nursing. This paper aims to track geographical and temporal trends in the publication of RCTs in nursing over the past 20 years by means of a bibliometric analysis. The PubMed database was searched for articles published from 1 January 1991 to 31 October 2011 and satisfying this search strategy: nursing [MeSH Terms] AND (RCT OR trial* OR ‘experimental study’ OR randomised OR randomisation) AND (English[lang]). Abstracts were reviewed to assess whether they met the criteria for an RCT. A manual search of information on country of origin was carried out and Journal Citation Reports® was used to allocate journals to subject areas. RCT methodology is increasingly drawing the attention of nursing researchers worldwide. However, there is a large disparity in research productivity, at least in terms of number of published RCTs in the English language and listed on PubMed, between the most productive continents, North America and Europe, and the others.
Complementary exercise and quality of life in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Sawyer Abigail
Published: January 2015

Aim:

This literature review will investigate whether complementary exercise interventions can improve quality of life (QoL) for breast cancer patients at all stages of treatment, receiving a variety of cancer therapies.

Method:

A systematic literature review of academic primary research will be conducted. All relevant evidence found will be analysed and appraised to answer the research question. The term ‘complementary’ is defined as ‘exercises that are additional to the breast-cancer treatment, and specifically not alternative treatments’. The complementary exercise therapies will consider physical movement in all forms.

Findings:

Themes were derived from four assessment domains of QoL: social, physical, functional and psychological wellbeing. Every study showed improved overall QoL and six of the nine studies reviewed showed improved overall QoL to statistical significance. According to theme, statistically significant improvements were recorded in two out of nine studies for social wellbeing; five out of nine for psychological wellbeing; four out of nine for physical wellbeing; and none out of six for functional wellbeing.

Conclusion:

Complementary exercise does improve QoL, but the improvement was statistically significant in two-thirds of the research findings. This proportion is not deemed strong enough as evidence to influence future practice, so further research is recommended.
Scalp cooling: management option for chemotherapy-induced alopecia
Authors: Roe Helen
Published: January 2015

Chemotherapy is increasingly being administered as a treatment for cancer and with it are a number of possible side effects. One, which has a negative impact on a patient's quality of life and their self-esteem, is that of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). A side effect of which, for some, could be prevented by the use of scalp cooling, dependent on the regimen being administered and patient choice. This article explores the issue of CIA from the patient's perspective and scalp cooling as a preventative measure, along with a review of the evidence around the risk associated with developing scalp metastases following scalp cooling. It also discusses why scalp cooling should be available for both male and female patients; along with the potential impact scalp cooling may have on clinical areas delivering chemotherapy.