bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Layerwise Trigonometric Shear Deformation Theory for Two Layered Cross-Ply Laminated Beams
Authors: Shimpi R. P. , Ghugal Y. M.
Published: July 2017

A Layerwise Trigonometric Shear Deformation Theory (LTSDT) for the analysis of two layered cross-ply laminated beams, taking into account discrete layer transverse shear deformation effects, is presented. The theory is as simple as the first order shear deformation theory and does not require shear correction factor. The sinusoidal function is used in the displacement field in terms of thickness coordinate to represent shear deformation. The most important feature of the theory is that the transverse shear stress can be obtained directly from the use of constitutitve relations, satisfying the stress-free boundary conditions at top and bottom of the beam and satisfying continuity at the interface. Governing differential equations and boundary conditions of the theory are obtained using the principle of virtual work. The system of governing differential equations is reduced to a single sixth order linear differential equation. A two layered asymmetric cross-ply laminated beam is considered for the numerical study to validate the accuracy of the theory.
Direct Oral Anticoagulants in the Real World
Authors: Piran Siavash , Delaney Jennifer , Schulman Sam , Salib Mary , Panju Mohamed , Pai Menaka
Published: July 2017

Background

Direct oral anticoagulants are convenient because of their fixed dosing and without laboratory monitoring. There are instructions on avoidance of moisture, no crushing of capsules, and administration with food for some direct oral anticoagulants. Whether patients adhere to this and are prescribed appropriate doses are unknown.

Aims

To assess direct oral anticoagulant dosing and medication use.

Methods

Patients ≥18 years old, receiving a direct oral anticoagulant for any diagnosis, were prospectively included. Nurses at our perioperative anticoagulation clinic helped patients complete a 12-item questionnaire.

Results

Ninety-three consecutive patients were recruited. Forty-nine were on dabigatran, 18 on apixaban, and 26 were on rivaroxaban. Sixty-two patients (67%) received appropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing and administered the medication correctly. Eighteen patients (19%) administered the direct oral anticoagulant properly but at an inappropriate dose. Thirteen patients (14%) received an appropriate dose but administered the direct oral anticoagulant inappropriately: 10 (11%) removed dabigatran from its packaging before administration (exposing it to moisture); 2 (2%) did not take rivaroxaban with food; and 1 (1%) crushed the dabigatran capsule.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates a large variability in how direct oral anticoagulants are dosed, and how patients take them. Improved medication literacy around direct oral anticoagulants is needed. Our study highlights opportunities that nurses have to improve patients’ medication literacy.
Frailty Syndrome and Risk of Sepsis in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Cohort
Authors: Mahalingam Mythreyi , Moore Justin Xavier , Donnelly John P. , Safford Monika M. , Wang Henry E.
Published: July 2017

Background:

Frailty is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in older persons. We sought to characterize the associations between the frailty syndrome and long-term risk of sepsis in a large cohort of community-dwelling adults.

Methods:

We analyzed data on 30 239 community-dwelling adult participants in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort. We defined frailty as the presence of at least 2 frailty indicators (weakness, exhaustion, and low physical activity). We defined sepsis as hospitalization for a serious infection with ≥2 system inflammatory response syndrome criteria, identified for the period 2003-2012. We determined the associations between frailty and risk of first sepsis and sepsis 30-day case fatality.

Results:

Among REGARDS participants, frailty was present in 6018 (19.9%). Over the 10-year observation period, there were 1529 first-sepsis hospitalizations. Frailty was associated with increased risk of sepsis (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.44; 95% CI: 1.26 to 1.64). The total number of frailty indicators was associated with increased risk of sepsis ( P trend <.001). Among first-sepsis hospitalizations, frailty was associated with increased sepsis 30-day case fatality (adjusted OR 1.62; 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.50).

Conclusions:

In the REGARDS cohort, frailty was associated with increased long-term risk of sepsis and sepsis 30-day case fatality.
The Effect of ARDS on Survival: Do Patients Die From ARDS or With ARDS?
Authors: Fuchs Lior , Feng Mengling , Novack Victor , Lee Joon , Taylor Jonathan , Scott Daniel , Howell Michael , Celi Leo , Talmor Daniel
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To investigate the contribution of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in of itself to mortality among ventilated patients.

Design and Setting:

A longitudinal retrospective study of ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Patients:

The analysis included patients ventilated for more than 48 hours. Patients were classified as having ARDS on admission (early-onset ARDS), late-onset ARDS (ARDS not present during the first 24 hours of admission), or no ARDS. Primary outcomes were mortality at 28 days, and secondary outcomes were 2-year mortality rate from ICU admission.

Results:

A total of 1411 ventilated patients were enrolled: 41% had ARDS on admission, 28.5% developed ARDS during their ICU stay, and 30.5% did not meet the ARDS criteria prior to ICU discharge or death. The non-ARDS group was used as the control. We also divided the cohort based on the severity of ARDS. After adjusting for covariates, mortality risk at 28 days was not significantly different among the different groups. Both early- and late-onset ARDS as well as the severity of ARDS were found to be significant risk factors for 2 years from ICU survival.

Conclusion:

Among patients who were ventilated on ICU admission, neither the presence, the severity, or the timing of ARDS contribute independently to the short-term mortality risk. However, acute respiratory distress syndrome does contribute significantly to 2-year mortality risk. This suggests that patients may not die acutely from ARDS itself but rather from the primary disease, and during the acute phase of ARDS, clinicians should focus on improving treatment strategies for the diseases that led to ARDS.
Socioeconomic and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Physical Activity Environments in Georgia Elementary Schools
Authors: Van Dyke Miriam E. , Cheung Patricia C. , Franks Padra , Gazmararian Julie A.
Published: July 2017

Purpose:

This study aimed to characterize physical activity (PA) environments in Georgia public elementary schools and to identify socioeconomic status (SES) and racial/ethnic disparities in PA environments.

Design:

A school setting PA survey was launched in 2013 to 2014 as a cross-sectional online survey assessing PA environment factors, including facility access and school PA practices, staff PA opportunities, parental involvement in school PA, and out-of-school PA opportunities.

Setting:

All 1333 Georgia public elementary schools were recruited.

Participants:

A total of 1083 schools (81.2%) responded. Survey respondents included school administrators, physical education (PE) teachers, and grade-level chairs.

Measures:

Physical activity environment factors were assessed via an online questionnaire adapted from school PA surveys and articles.

Analysis:

The chi-square and Fisher exact analyses were conducted to examine the reporting of PA environment factors overall and by school SES, as measured by free/reduced lunch rate, and/or racial/ethnic composition.

Results:

Overall, many PA environment factors were widely prevalent (ie, gym [99%] or field [79%] access), although some factors such as some PA-related programs (ie, a structured walk/bike program [11%]) were less widely reported. Disparities in school PA environment factors were largely patterned by SES, though they varied for some factors by racial/ethnic composition and across SES within racial/ethnic composition categories. For example, lower SES schools were less likely to report access to blacktops and tracks ( p-value < .0001), and higher SES schools were less likely to report access to playgrounds ( p-value = .0076). Lower SES schools were also less likely to report “always/often” giving access to PE/PA equipment during recess ( p-value < .01). Lower SES and majority nonwhite schools were less likely to report having joint use agreements with community agencies ( p-value < .0001).

Conclusion:

This study highlights SES and racial/ethnic disparities in PA environments in Georgia public elementary schools.
Applying a Social–Ecological Framework to Factors Related to Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Adolescent Smoking Cessation
Authors: King Jessica L. , Merten Julie W. , Wong Tzu-Jung , Pomeranz Jamie L.
Published: July 2017

Objective:

This systematic review synthesizes factors related to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use among adolescents seeking to quit smoking, using the social–ecological model as a guiding framework.

Data Source:

Searches of PubMED, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and ERIC were conducted in July 2016.

Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:

Original studies of cigarette smokers younger than 18 years that discussed NRT were included.

Data Extraction:

Two reviewers individually extracted study purpose, sample, design, and results.

Data Synthesis:

Factors were categorized by social–ecological model level and summarized.

Results:

A total of 103 907 articles were identified during initial search. After narrowing to peer-reviewed articles in English and eliminating reviews and adult-only studies, we reviewed 51 articles. These 51 articles identified factors from studies at each level of the social–ecological model: intrapersonal ( k = 20), interpersonal ( k = 2), organizational ( k = 7), community ( k = 11), and public policy ( k = 14).

Conclusion:

Findings provide insight into the applicability of NRT for adolescent smoking cessation, and factors by social–ecological model level highlight areas for additional research. Future adolescent NRT studies should assess factors at the interpersonal, organizational, and community levels, as well as the interactions between levels.
Examining How Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status, Geographic Accessibility, and Informational Accessibility Influence the Uptake of a Free Population-Level Physical Activity Intervention for Children
Authors: Clark Andrew F. , Wilk Piotr , Mitchell Christine A. , Smith Christine , Archer Josh , Gilliland Jason A.
Published: July 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate the uptake of ACT-i-Pass (G5AP), a physical activity (PA) intervention that provides free access to PA opportunities, and to understand the extent to which the intervention provides equitable access to children.

Design:

This study evaluates the differences in uptake (ie, enrollment) by comparing postal codes of registrants with the postal codes of all eligible children.

Setting:

Children were provided the opportunity to register for the G5AP during the 2014 to 2015 school year in London, Canada.

Participants:

The population of grade 5 students in London who registered for the G5AP (n = 1484) and did not register (n = 1589).

Intervention:

The G5AP offered grade 5 students free access to select PA facilities/programs during 2014 to 2015 school year.

Measures:

Measures included G5AP registration status, method of recruitment, distance between home and the nearest facility, and neighborhood socioeconomic status.

Analysis:

Getis-Ord Gi* and multilevel logistic regression were used to analyze these data.

Results:

There were significant differences in the uptake of the G5AP: residing in neighborhoods of high income (odds ratio [OR] = 1.062, P = .029) and high proportion of recent immigrants (OR = 1.036, P = .001) increased the likelihood of G5AP registration. Children who were recruited actively were significantly more likely to register for the G5AP (OR = 2.444, P < .001).

Conclusion:

To increase the uptake of a PA intervention, children need to be actively recruited. Interactive presentations provide children with increased access to information about both the program and its nuances that cannot be communicated as effectively through passive methods.
Hilbert transform-based frequency response function estimation from run-up response of rotors
Authors: Harish Chandra N , Sekhar AS
Published: July 2017

Transient operating conditions such as run-up and run-down are often seen in automotive and other machines with variable speed rotating elements. To estimate the frequency response function from swept sine responses (obtained during run-up), a new approach is proposed which utilizes Hilbert transform and stationary wavelet transform. This method is an alternate tool for conventional swept sine frequency response function estimators like tracking vectors and co-quad analysers. The output from this algorithm is validated using frequency response function obtained using exact frequency response function expression and the conventional Fourier transform-based frequency response function. Both MATLAB simulations and experiments have been carried out in this study to estimate the frequency response function. Modal parameters are extracted from the frequency response function obtained using Hilbert transform.
Optimization of the static properties of seat foam to improve the seating comfort
Authors: Bang Jun Ho , Lee Chung An , Kim Heon Young , Kim Hak Jin , Choi Kwon Yong
Published: July 2017

In this study, we suggest an optimization process for the characteristics of seat foam to improve the seating comfort. The items selected for the optimization of the characteristics of seat foam are the initial comfort, the static comfort and the transient comfort. The evaluation items selected for optimization are the modulus irregularity factor, the amount of compression and the amount of sagging. The properties of the foam material which are the object of the optimization are simulated using fitting equations. The variables which have important influences on the expression for the foam characteristics are selected as the factors for the optimization. Additionally, the normalized relaxation modulus, which describes the time-dependent deterioration in the foam characteristics, is selected as one of the key factors. To design the experiments, a central composite design is selected from among the response surface methods. A second-order regression model is used to create the response surfaces, and the mechanical characteristics of the foam materials that influence the initial comfort, the static comfort and the transient comfort are evaluated by analysis of the response surfaces. It is possible to produce data on the foam characteristics which satisfy all optimization items by optimum designs.
Show Me the Money: A Systematic Exploration of Manipulations, Moderators, and Mechanisms of Priming Effects
Authors: Caruso Eugene M. , Shapira Oren , Landy Justin F.
Published: July 2017

A major challenge for accumulating knowledge in psychology is the variation in methods and participant populations across studies in a single domain. We offer a systematic approach to addressing this challenge and implement it in the domain of money priming. In three preregistered experiments ( N = 4,649), participants were exposed to one of a number of money manipulations before completing self-report measures of money activation (Study 1); engaging in a behavioral-persistence task (Study 3); completing self-report measures of subjective wealth, self-sufficiency, and communion-agency (Studies 1–3); and completing demographic questions (Studies 1–3). Four of the five manipulations we tested activated the concept of money, but, contrary to what we expected based on the preponderance of the published literature, no manipulation consistently affected any dependent measure. Moderation by sociodemographic characteristics was sparse and inconsistent across studies. We discuss implications for theories of money priming and explain how our approach can complement recent efforts to build a reproducible, cumulative psychological science.
Multicompartment Kinetic Models for the Metabolism of Americium, Plutonium and Uranium in Rats
Authors: Sontag W.
Published: July 2017

To examine the kinetic behaviour of americium, plutonium and uranium in the different organs of male and female rats an extended mammillary model has been developed; the model is composed of 10 compartments connected with 17 linear transfer coefficients. The 10 compartments describe the behaviour of the three nuclides in the blood, skeleton, liver and kidney, whereas the remaining activity is assigned to one residual organ. Each organ is divided into two compartments, a short-and long-term compartment. Morphologically, in the skeleton the short-term compartment has been assumed to be the bone surface and bone marrow and the long-term compartment to be the deep bone, whereas in the liver there is some evidence to suggest that the short-term compartment is physiologically associated with lysosomes and the long-term compartment is identical with telolysosomes. The influence of age, sex and different nuclides on the transfer coefficients and the absorbed radiation dose have been discussed. Additionally, by using the transfer coefficients calculated for intravenous injection, the behaviour of the nuclides in skeleton and liver during continuous intake has been calculated. As a second example of the application of the model the behaviour of the three nuclides in skeleton and liver after intravenous injection has been calculated with the additional assumption that from the fifth day on the animals were treated continuously with a chelating agent.
Absorption Study of Pentachlorophenol in Persons Working with Wood Preservatives
Authors: Jones R. D. , Winter D. P. , Cooper A. J.
Published: July 2017

Plasma and urinary pentachlorophenol (PCP) was measured in 209 workers who had occupational exposure to wood preservatives containing this compound and 101 workers not exposed occupationally to PCP. Workers were examined for chloracne and blood concentrations of bilirubin, γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) were determined. All the occupationally exposed groups showed evidence of PCP absorption; highest mean concentrations were found in remedial timber-treatment operatives (6.0 mmol/l for plasma and 274 nmol/mmol of creatinine for urine). Timber-yard workers also showed substantial evidence of absorption (mean plasma concentration 4.8 mmol/l). Persons formulating PCP-containing wood preservatives had the lowest concentrations of any exposed group sampled (mean plasma concentration 1.3 mmol/1, mean urinary concentration 39.6 nmol/mmol of creatinine). The occupational groups studied were not standardized for factors known to affect bilirubin, GGT, cholesterol and HDL. The inference that can be drawn from the results of these measurements is therefore limited. There was, however, no evidence of any disadvantageous effect of PCP on health as measured by these parameters. No overt case of chloracne was found.
Community currency activities, community attachment, and quality of life: A case study of the Crooked River Alliance of TimeBanks
Authors: Kwon Mizzo , Lee Chanam , Xiao Yu , McIntosh William A
Published: July 2017

Adopting community currency has been considered an effective strategy to improve local economies and social environments. Socioeconomic benefits of community currency for users have been well documented in previous studies; however, the community and quality of life benefits of community currency and the differences in such benefits between the users and non-users of community currency have not been sufficiently examined. To develop evidence-based approaches toward promoting community currency, this study has two main objectives: first to discuss the current state of knowledge on community currency in terms of its trends, correlates, and benefits; and second to present an empirical study based on a survey of 77 community currency users and 42 non-users, which examines the potential roles of community currency activities in promoting community attachment and quality of life. Results demonstrated that among community currency users, more active community currency users had higher levels of community attachment and quality of life. Also, compared to non-users, community currency users showed higher levels of quality of life. Evidence from this study suggests community currency holds strong potential to serve as an important mechanism to provide unmet, or additional, social services. It may also contribute to delivering multiple social objectives, such as improving social cohesion and empowering active citizenship.
Empirical likelihood inference in randomized clinical trials
Authors: Zhang Biao
Published: July 2017

In individually randomized controlled trials, in addition to the primary outcome, information is often available on a number of covariates prior to randomization. This information is frequently utilized to undertake adjustment for baseline characteristics in order to increase precision of the estimation of average treatment effects; such adjustment is usually performed via covariate adjustment in outcome regression models. Although the use of covariate adjustment is widely seen as desirable for making treatment effect estimates more precise and the corresponding hypothesis tests more powerful, there are considerable concerns that objective inference in randomized clinical trials can potentially be compromised. In this paper, we study an empirical likelihood approach to covariate adjustment and propose two unbiased estimating functions that automatically decouple evaluation of average treatment effects from regression modeling of covariate–outcome relationships. The resulting empirical likelihood estimator of the average treatment effect is as efficient as the existing efficient adjusted estimators1 when separate treatment-specific working regression models are correctly specified, yet are at least as efficient as the existing efficient adjusted estimators1 for any given treatment-specific working regression models whether or not they coincide with the true treatment-specific covariate–outcome relationships. We present a simulation study to compare the finite sample performance of various methods along with some results on analysis of a data set from an HIV clinical trial. The simulation results indicate that the proposed empirical likelihood approach is more efficient and powerful than its competitors when the working covariate–outcome relationships by treatment status are misspecified.
Meta-analysis without study-specific variance information: Heterogeneity case
Authors: Sangnawakij Patarawan , Böhning Dankmar , Niwitpong Sa-Aat , Adams Stephen , Stanton Michael , Holling Heinz
Published: July 2017

The random effects model in meta-analysis is a standard statistical tool often used to analyze the effect sizes of the quantity of interest if there is heterogeneity between studies. In the special case considered here, meta-analytic data contain only the sample means in two treatment arms and the sample sizes, but no sample standard deviation. The statistical comparison between two arms for this case is not possible within the existing meta-analytic inference framework. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to estimate the overall mean difference and associated variances, the between-study variance and the within-study variance, as specified as the important elements in the random effects model. These estimators are obtained using maximum likelihood estimation. The standard errors of the estimators and a quantification of the degree of heterogeneity are also investigated. A measure of heterogeneity is suggested which adjusts the original suggested measure of Higgins’ I2 for within study sample size. The performance of the proposed estimators is evaluated using simulations. It can be concluded that all estimated means converged to their associated true parameter values, and its standard errors tended to be small if the number of the studies involved in the meta-analysis was large. The proposed estimators could be favorably applied in a meta-analysis on comparing two surgeries for asymptomatic congenital lung malformations in young children.
Does it Pay to be Socially Responsible? Comparative Evidence from a Developing Country
Authors: Ahmed Sarwar Uddin , Sultana Eriko , Mahtab Hanif , Islam Md. Zahidul , Hasan Ikramul , Ullah G.M. Wali , Ahmed Samiul Parvez
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this research is to examine the changes in the relationship between institutional investment (II) and corporate social performance (CSP) of the public listed companies in Bangladesh between 2008 and 2012. A sample of 152 listed companies from the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) was used and information was derived from knowledge-based questionnaires, annual reports, various websites, newspaper articles, government and industry-based regulations and policies, and CSR reports. The data collected are used to measure the CSP index patented by Ahmed, Islam, Mahtab and Hasan (2012). Moreover, statistical analyses (i.e., correlation and regression) are performed to examine relationship between II and CSP where industry, leverage, profitability and size were considered as control variables in the study. This article ascertained that II has increased slightly from an average of 13.73 per cent in 2008 to 14.94 per cent in 2012. The values of CSP also improved from a mean of –52.30 to –13.71 during the same period. Despite these positive changes, the findings from this study show that though a positive relationship between II and CSP exists in Bangladesh, it is still not significant. This article revealed that new regulations did have a positive impact in the levels of CSP in the public listed companies in Bangladesh.
Untapped Relationship between Employer Branding, Anticipatory Psychological Contract and Intent to Join
Authors: Ruchika  , Prasad Asha
Published: July 2017

In the ever-changing business environment and fluctuating expectations of current generation from its employer, employer branding has become an important tool for organizations to establish themselves as the employer of choice amongst prospective employees. It is serving as the strategic tool for all the sectors to attract and retain the right pool of employees to gain strategic advantage and edge over competitors. The purpose of this article is to identify the dimensions of employer branding and its impact on the formation of anticipatory psychological contract (APC) and final intent of a candidate to join an organization. Using the qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews from final year students of MCA and B.Tech., it provides an insight into how various dimensions of employer branding lead to the formation of APC and generates the final intent among the candidates to join an organization. It comprehensively analyzes the relationship between all three constructs, employer branding, APC and a candidate’s intent to join an organization in the form of a conceptual framework. The result reflects the direct relationship between employer branding and a candidate’s intent to join an organization and indirect relationship with APC as a mediator between the two. It also demonstrates the direct relationship between employer branding and APC. Managerial implications of the study are also discussed.
International Relations: Sipri Yearbook of World Armaments and Disarmaments 1969–70. Armgvist & Wiksell, Stockholm. 1970. xxiii, 540p. Sw.Kr. 40.
Authors: Rao R. Rama
Published: July 2017

The Military Balance 1970–71. Institute for Strategic Studies, London, 1970. p. 126. 13s.
India: Non Alignment: India and the future By M.S. Rajan, University of Mysore. 1970. 117 P. Rs. 7.50.
Authors: Rana A. P.
Published: July 2017

Foreign Policy and its Planning By K.P. Misra. Asia, Bombay. 1970. 88 p. Rs. 15.

Aspects of India's Foreign Policy By A.G. Noorani, Jaico Publishing House, 1970. 400 p. Rs 10.
India: Towards a Just Social Order By A. Appadorai. S. Chand, Delhi. 1967. xii, 110 p. Rs 12.50.
Authors: R G
Published: July 2017

D. M. K. Power By P. Spratt. Nachiketa, Bombay. 1970. 164p. Rs 25.
UCHL5 expression associates with improved survival in lymph-node-positive rectal cancer
Authors: Arpalahti Leena , Hagström Jaana , Mustonen Harri , Lundin Mikael , Haglund Caj , Holmberg Carina I
Published: July 2017

Colorectal cancer is among the three most common cancer types for both genders, with a rising global incidence. To date, prognostic evaluation is difficult and largely dependent on early detection and successful surgery. UCHL5/Uch37 is an integral part of the protein homeostasis network as one of the three deubiquitinating enzymes associated with the 26S proteasome. Here, we have investigated in colorectal cancer the possible association of UCHL5 tumor expression and patient survival. UCHL5 tumor expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 779 surgically treated colorectal cancer patients from Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, with assessment of clinicopathological parameters and the effect of UCHL5 expression on patient survival. High and undetectable UCHL5 expression both correlated with increased overall disease-specific survival in the subgroup of patients with lymph-node-positive (Dukes C/stage III) rectal cancer. Within this subgroup of 105 stage-III rectal cancer patients, none of the 7 with high UCHL5 expression died of colorectal cancer within 10 years after surgery ( p = 0.012). A similar, though less prominent, survival trend occurred throughout the whole patient cohort. In conclusion, UCHL5 is a promising novel prognostic marker in lymph-node-positive rectal cancer. Our results also advance the currently limited knowledge of biomarkers in colorectal cancer treatment.
Analysis of Tim-3 as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer
Authors: Piao Yongrui , Jin Xuanshun
Published: July 2017

Tim-3 (T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain–containing molecule 3) is a newly discovered immunomodulatory protein, which plays an important role in immunity regulation. Recent evidence suggests that Tim-3 is differentially regulated in a variety of tumors and has potential as a therapeutic target. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Tim-3 on the development of prostate cancer. Tim-3 expressing on peripheral CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The relationships between Tim-3 expression and clinicopathological features were analyzed. Immunohistochemical expression of Tim-3 was examined in our large numbers of paraffin-fixed prostate tissues. Flow cytometry revealed that expression of Tim-3 was significantly increased on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in prostate cancer patients than that in benign prostate hyperplasia patients. Also, the level of Tim-3 on CD4+ T cells was positively correlated with CD8+ T cells in patients. Further analyses revealed that the levels of Tim-3 on CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells exhibited different expression patterns in terms of localization depending on pathological category of prostate cancer and metastasis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that positive staining of Tim-3 in prostate cancer but little or no staining of Tim-3 was observed in benign prostate hyperplasia epithelium. Tim-3 may affect the development and progression of prostate cancer, which may provide knowledge for using Tim-3 as a novel therapy for effective prostate cancer management.
Metastatic myxosarcoma in a Quarter Horse gelding
Authors: Samuelson Jonathan P. , Echeverria Kate O. , Foreman Jonathan H. , Fredrickson Richard L. , Sauberli Deborah , Whiteley Herbert E.
Published: July 2017

A 22-y-old Quarter Horse gelding was presented to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of increased heart rate and mild colic signs. Rectal examination revealed a large left perirenal mass. Abdominal ultrasonography further confirmed this finding. Thoracic ultrasonography indicated multifocal irregularities on the pleural surface suggestive of consolidation and possibly masses in the lungs. The animal was euthanized. Autopsy findings included a large, firm, expansile, gelatinous retroperitoneal mass that surrounded both kidneys, as well as nodules with similar morphology in the lungs, liver, intestinal mesentery, cecum, and caudal mesenteric artery. Histologically, the masses were composed of neoplastic stellate-to-spindloid cells in abundant mucinous stroma. Neoplastic cells exhibited strong immunoreactivity for vimentin and were negative for pancytokeratin (A1/A3), CD3, CD20, melan A, and synaptophysin. Mucinous stroma was strongly positive with alcian blue and weakly positive with periodic acid–Schiff histochemical staining. These findings are consistent with metastatic myxosarcoma. Myxosarcoma is a rare neoplasm in horses, and metastasis to tissues other than sentinel lymph nodes has not been described previously to our knowledge.
Serologic evidence of HoBi-like virus circulation in Argentinean water buffalo
Authors: Pecora Andrea , Pérez Aguirreburualde María S. , Malacari Dario A. , Zabal Osvaldo , Sala Juan M. , Konrad José L. , Caspe Sergio G. , Bauermann Fernando , Ridpath Julia , Dus Santos María J.
Published: July 2017

HoBi-like pestiviruses (also known as bovine viral diarrhea virus 3) have been sporadically reported from naturally infected cattle in Brazil, Asia, and Europe. Although HoBi-like viruses seem to be endemic in Brazilian cattle and buffalo, they have not been studied in the other countries of South America to our knowledge. Herein we report serologic results of buffalo from 12 large farms in Argentina located near the Brazilian border. These buffalo were not vaccinated against pestiviruses. Our results indicate that HoBi-like virus may be circulating in the northeastern region of Argentina given that half of the analyzed animals showed high levels of neutralizing antibodies against the pestivirus. The HoBi-like seropositive animals were also checked for neutralizing antibodies against BVDV-1a, BVDV-1b, and BVDV-2, and in most cases these animals had low levels or no detectable antibodies against these other pestiviruses. Our study suggests a need for continued pestivirus surveillance in Argentinean cattle and buffalo.
Comparison of the Single-Syringe Push-Pull Technique With the Discard Technique for Obtaining Blood Samples From Pediatric Central Venous Access Devices
Authors: Hess Sarah , Decker Mary
Published: July 2017

The discard technique is the most widely used method of obtaining blood samples from patients with central venous access devices (CVADs), but risks removing more blood than is necessary for laboratory testing and may increase a patient’s risk of anemia. We hypothesized that laboratory results from pediatric blood specimens obtained via CVAD using the single-syringe push-pull (formerly called the mixing) method and the discard method would be similar. Blood samples were obtained from pediatric oncology patients in a hospital setting using both collection methods and laboratory values were analyzed for concordance using the pairwise t-test, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman analysis methods. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences for sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, creatinine, calcium, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count, but these differences were not clinically significant and within the standard error of measurement for the instrument. Given the similarity in laboratory results, the push-pull method should be considered for obtaining blood samples from CVADs in pediatric patients to avoid unnecessary blood loss.
Evaluating Social Work: Progress and Prospects
Authors: Cheetham Juliet
Published: July 2017

Within the past decade, evaluative research has achieved an established and well-regarded place within the repertoire of social work inquiry. Although increasingly wide-ranging and methodologically sophisticated, social work evaluation still has to contend with important challenges. These include taking greater account of the several audiences of research, namely, service users, practitioners, and policy makers; developing, through a variety of research methods, the range and quality of evidence of impact; and drawing research, policy, and practice into closer union. To reach its full potential, social work research must focus both on individuals and their social worlds and must therefore be firmly rooted in the social sciences.
Promoting the Use of Single-Case Designs: Social Work Experiences from England and Finland
Authors: Kazi Mansoor A. F. , Mantysaari Mikko , Rostila Ilmari
Published: July 2017

The main contribution of this article is to critically analyze the use of single-case evaluation by social work practitioners in Finland and England and to assist in the development of this methodology in practice. We examine the experiences from both countries where attempts were made by academic researchers to encourage social workers to use single-case designs in the evaluation of their practice. The interventions used by the researchers in the universities at Tampere in Finland and Huddersfield in England to promote the use of single-case evaluation by practitioners are described in detail to enable replication and to develop the potential to learn from the interventions used by others.
Evaluating the Delivery of a Teen Pregnancy and Parenting Program Across Two Settings
Authors: Fischer Robert L.
Published: July 2017

This article describes the challenges of evaluating an ongoing social work intervention after a change in delivery setting and offers several approaches to acquiring a fuller understanding of the program differences. The Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting (TAPP) program is a case management intervention operated by Families First in DeKalb County, Georgia, that is designed to help teen mothers (a) complete a high school diploma, (b) have a healthy pregnancy and develop parenting skills, and (c) avoid additional pregnancies. This article presents intake, service, and outcome data on program participants across two delivery settings—from the program's initial public health clinic-based setting to its current public school-based setting. Overall, the work demonstrates the strengths of the school-based version of TAPP and the difficulties of assessing the true effects of an ongoing program in the agency context.
Evaluating Employee Assistance Programs
Authors: Masi Dale A.
Published: July 2017

This article provides a review and conceptual framework for the evaluation of social work and other services provided by employee assistance programs (EAPs). A discussion of the unique challenges and opportunities afforded in the evaluation of BAP services is also presented.
Comparison of Glucose Values of Blood Samples Taken in Three Different Ways
Authors: Sagkal Midilli Tulay , Ergın Eda , Baysal Ebru , Arı Zeki
Published: July 2017

The purpose of the study was to determine differences and correlations between the blood glucose values of venous blood and the first and second drops of capillary blood samples taken in three different ways. Blood samples were (a) venous blood, (b) the first and second drops of capillary blood from the middle finger of the right hand (only washed with soap and water), and (c) the first and second drops of capillary blood from the middle finger of the left hand (washed with soap and water and cleaned with alcohol). It was concluded that the fasting capillary blood glucose values could be used in place of venous blood glucose values, that only washing the hands with neutral soap and water for 30 s could be sufficient for capillary blood glucose measurement, and that the first or second blood drop from a clean hand could be used for capillary blood glucose measurement.
Evaluation of a Standardized Perioperative Management Protocol in the Adult Hematology Anticoagulation Management Service
Authors: Lum Diane J. , Ross Patricia A. , Bishop Martin A. , Caetano Michelle L. , Malpani Rohil , Streiff Michael B.
Published: July 2017

Background: In North America, 250,000 patients on vitamin K antagonists require surgical procedures each year. Temporary interruption of oral anticoagulation and perioperative bridging therapy with unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin are recommended by the American College of Chest Physicians 2012 for select patients. Objectives: The study objectives are to evaluate adherence and nonadherence to the Johns Hopkins clinic guidelines for perioperative management of anticoagulation and identify bleeding or thromboembolic events during perioperative management of anticoagulation. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients who required perioperative management of anticoagulation for an invasive procedure from May 2009 to March 2014. Individualized perioperative anticoagulation management plans were prospectively developed for each patient according to the standardized Johns Hopkins perioperative bridging recommendations and documented in the medical record. Adherence to these standardized Johns Hopkins clinic guidelines, the incidence of thromboembolic events, and bleeding and adverse events during perioperative management were retrieved from the medical record. Results: In 294 perioperative management cases, there was 1 (0.3%) thromboembolism, 3 (1%) major bleeds, and 21 (7%) minor bleeds. One patient experienced facial swelling after starting enoxaparin. There was no difference in thromboembolic (0 vs 1, P = 1.00), major (1 vs 2, P = 1.00), or minor bleeding (14 vs 7, P = 1.00) events in patients managed by providers who were adherent to guidelines when compared with providers who were nonadherent. Conclusion: Our study shows that using a standardized guideline for perioperative management of anticoagulation to inform but not to dictate clinical practice leads to low rates of both thromboembolism and bleeding.
Melanoma Markers-Negative Primary Melanoma With Melanoma Markers-Positive Metastasis
Authors: Sheth Anuradha , Arsenovic Nebojsa
Published: July 2017

Concordant loss of all 3 commonly used melanocytic markers (ie, S-100, HMB-45, and Melan-A) in a primary malignant melanoma with expression of the same in the metastatic lesion is very rare. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, they documented the second case of this unusual and rare phenomenon.
Assessment of Immunohistochemistry for p16INK4 and High-Risk HPV DNA by In Situ Hybridization in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Malik Sajjad M. , Nevin Daniel T. , Cohen Sidney , Hunt Jennifer L. , Palazzo Juan P.
Published: July 2017

The role of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. p16INK4 is used as a surrogate marker to detect HPV-related tumors but has had discrepant results in ESCC. In this study, 32 cases of ESCC were examined to determine the relationship between p16INK4 expression and high-risk HPV. All the tumors were stained by immunohistochemistry for p16INK4. Tumors having p16INK4 nuclear and/or nuclear and cytoplasmic expression were considered positive. Tumors positive for p16INK4 expression were tested for high-risk HPV by in situ hybridization (ISH). In all, 20 cases of ESCC (63%) showed only cytoplasmic staining for p16INK4, and 11 cases (34%) showed both cytoplasmic and nuclear staining for p16INK4; 4 cases (13%) showed no staining for p16INK4. None of the p16INK4 -positive cases were positive for high-risk HPV by ISH. These results indicate that p16INK4 expression in ESCC does not correlate with the presence of high-risk HPV DNA by ISH. High-risk HPV does not seem to play a major role in the carcinogenesis of ESCC in low-risk areas.
Massive Nodular Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia (PASH) of the Breast Arising Simultaneously in the Axilla and Vulva
Authors: Jordan Adrienne C. , Jaffer Shabnam , Mercer Stephen E.
Published: July 2017

The authors describe a 52-year-old woman with a history of bilateral mastectomies for macromastia caused by massive nodular pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH), who presented with 2 large growths in her left axilla and groin. These masses had been increasing in size for nearly a year. When excised, the axillary mass had dimensions of 14.0 × 14.0 × 5.5 cm3 and weighed 664 g. The groin mass was slightly smaller at 14.5 × 11.0 × 5.0 cm3 and 518 g. Microscopic examination of both masses revealed breast tissue expanded by a hyalinized stroma with prominent slit-like pseudovascular spaces, consistent with PASH. Small incidental foci of PASH are common findings in breast excisions; however, large nodular foci are rare. Furthermore, nodular foci in accessory breast tissue are exceedingly rarer and can raise clinical concerns for malignancy. Histopathologically, PASH can be mistaken for low-grade angiosarcoma. To the authors’ knowledge, the present case appears to be the first description of multiple simultaneous foci of massive nodular PASH arising in accessory breast tissue.
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Associated With Chronic Inflammation Arising in a Renal Pseudocyst
Authors: Valli Riccardo , Piana Simonetta , Capodanno Isabella , Cavazza Alberto
Published: July 2017

Primary renal lymphomas are very rare, and primary kidney-limited lymphomas with cystic presentation have never been described before. This study reports a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with chronic inflammation occurring in a renal pseudocyst: an infrequent neoplasm with an unusual and subtle clinical presentation.
Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Mediastinum Associated With Azacytidine Therapy, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and Previous Chemotherapy for Astrocytoma
Authors: Tong Tommy R. , Gil Joan , Batheja Nirmala , Strauchen James A. , Kaneko Mamoru , Chan Olivia W. H. , Krellenstein Daniel J. , Gattani Anna
Published: July 2017

We report the rare case of a rapidly growing inflammatory pseudotumor arising in the mediastinum of a 30-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome secondary to treatment for grade 3 astrocytoma. The tumor was discovered soon after discontinuation of 5-azacytidine therapy for myelodysplasia. Fine-needle aspiration was suggestive, and thoracoscopic biopsy was diagnostic. The tumor was excised because of rapid growth and encroachment on the left pulmonary artery and lung. Postoperatively, blastemia was discovered. Acute myeloid leukemia was confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. The patient died of aspiration pneumonia before commencement of leukemia chemotherapy. This case illustrates a rare occurrence of inflammatory pseudotumor in the mediastinum complicating or arising in the setting of multiple primary cancers and chemotherapy. A temporal association with azacytidine therapy is noted. Int J Surg Pathol 3(1):49-58, 1995