bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A pilot study exploring the effects of musical genres on the depth of general anaesthesia assessed by haemodynamic responses
Authors: Mira Filipa , Costa Alexandra , Mendes Eva , Azevedo Pedro , Carreira L Miguel
Published: June 2015

Objectives

This pilot study aimed to investigate whether and how music and musical genres may influence the depth of anaesthesia, as measured using changes in arterial blood pressure (ABP), including systolic blood pressure (SBP), and heart rate (HR) across three different surgical time points.

Methods

This work focused on a sample of 12 female cats ( Felis catus) that were subjected to an elective ovariohysterectomy (OVH), and three different surgical time points were considered (T1, coeliotomy; T2, ligature placement and transection of the ovarian pedicle; and T3, ligature placement and transection of the uterine body). All of the cats were subjected to stimulation with 2 min segments of three music tracks from different genres (pop [PM], classical [CM] and heavy metal [HM]). At the same time, ABP and HR measurements were obtained using a multi-parametric monitor. For statistical analysis, P values <0.05 were considered significant.

Results

For all cats, music exposure induced statistically significant changes in the parameters under study; the same finding was observed for the genre of music. The majority of cats experienced the same variation pattern, with lower values when exposed to CM, intermediate values when exposed to PM and higher values when exposed to HM.

Conclusions and relevance

Our results indicate that the development of sensory processing of acoustic stimuli is maintained by cats under general anaesthesia and reveal the influence of music on the autonomous nervous system, as measured using HR and SBP.
Enhancing energy balance education through physical education and self-monitoring technology
Authors: Chen Senlin , Zhu Xihe , Kim Youngwon , Welk Gregory , Lanningham-Foster Lorraine
Published: June 2015

Schools are positioned to play a key role in nurturing students with knowledge and behaviours associated with healthful living. Our study examined the effects of an intervention on energy balance (EB) knowledge. Twelve 6th and 7th grade classrooms ( n = 140) were assigned to receive either two standardised lessons on EB or a combined intervention that featured the same EB lessons, integrated with self-monitoring technology. EB knowledge was pre- and post-measured using a standardised written test, while the situational interest was measured at the end of experiment. Repeated measure analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance were conducted, to capture the differences in EB knowledge by time and group, and situational interest by group, respectively. Both groups significantly enhanced EB knowledge over time ( F1,112 = 11.85; p = .001; η2 = .10), but the combined group demonstrated a greater increase ( F1,112 = 5.36; p = .02; η2 = .05). An item-by-item mean comparison of EB knowledge and correct percent scores confirmed the above result (i.e. combined group versus education group: 7% versus 2% EB knowledge increase).The two groups were equally motivated to participate in the experiment, showing similar levels of total interest (education group: M/SD = 4.00/.68; combined group: M/SD = 4.17/.74; p = .18). The research findings and their implications are discussed.
I wonder if robots will take care of me when I am old: Positive aging representations of professionals working in health promotion services
Authors: Craciun Catrinel , Flick Uwe
Published: June 2015

How the social and institutional context is structured and represented by its actors has an impact on positive aging representations. This qualitative study explores professionals’ views on positive aging, how they promote positive aging in their practice and what disparities occur between their discourses and the actual practice of promoting positive aging. Interviews were conducted with professionals from different active aging promotion services and analyzed with thematic coding. Findings show professionals hold negative views on aging while trying to promote positive views in their work, illustrating an existing theory-practice gap. Strategies used in practice can be integrated in existing agency models and inform interventions and active aging policies.
Group social skills interventions for adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review
Authors: Spain Debbie , Blainey Sarah H
Published: June 2015

Autism spectrum disorders are characterised by impairments in communication and social interaction. Social skills interventions have been found to ameliorate socio-communication deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Little is known about the effectiveness of social skills interventions for adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (hf-ASD) – a clinical population who can present with more subtle core deficits, but comparable levels of impairment and secondary difficulties. A systematic review was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of social skills interventions for adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. Five studies met the pre-specified review inclusion criteria: two quasi-experimental comparative trials and three single-arm interventions. There was a degree of variation in the structure, duration and content of the social skills interventions delivered, as well as several methodological limitations associated with included studies. Nevertheless, narrative analysis tentatively indicates that group social skills interventions may be effective for enhancing social knowledge and understanding, improving social functioning, reducing loneliness and potentially alleviating co-morbid psychiatric symptoms.
Radon doses in the indoor environments of Murree and Islamabad, Pakistan: A comparison of active and passive techniques
Authors: Ali Nawab , Muhammad Wazir , Khattak Nimat U. , Khan Ehsan U. , Rajput Muhammad U. , Akram Muhammad , Hussain Safeer , Mujahid Shafiq A.
Published: June 2015

To study the radiological impact of indoor radon levels in different seasons on population, indoor air samples were collected from Islamabad (Alt. 534 m) and Murree (Alt. 2300 m) regions. Radon concentrations were measured using an active technique by taking in situ measurements on RAD-7, solid state α-detector and passive technique by taking time integrated measurements on CR-39 detector, in winter, spring, summer and autumn. The results of both techniques were analysed and compared. The suitability of active technique is discussed. Both active and passive measurement techniques lead to annual mean effective doses of (3.12, 1.28) mSva−1 and (3.23, 1.15) mSva−1, respectively to the inhabitants of respective regions and a strong correlation has been observed between the results of both techniques. The results showed that population residing in Murree region received comparatively less doses as compared to population in Islamabad region. Furthermore, the estimated dose levels for both regions were found within the annual dose limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.
Investigating the effect of well geometry on the daylight performance in the adjoining spaces of vertical top-lit atrium buildings
Authors: Ghasemi Mohsen , Kandar Mohd Zin , Noroozi Maliheh
Published: June 2015

This study investigated the impact of well geometry on the amount of daylight availability in the adjoining spaces around atria with vertical top-lit forms under overcast sky condition in Malaysia. The daylight levels in the central south office rooms were derived from scale model measurements, and predictions from the lighting simulation program Radiance in Integrated Environmental Solution . A comparison of measured data and simulations has validated Radiance simulations of atrium daylighting. The simulations show generally good agreement with physical model measurements. More simulated data of average daylight factor for a very wide range of atrium geometries are given. Findings of this research develop an atrium with optimum geometric proportions to create office spaces with enough potential for daylight utilisation. It demonstrates that a model of atrium with atrium's plan aspect ratio 1/3, atrium's section aspect ratio 1, and 3/8 atrium clerestory to atrium height is the most proper model of atrium for providing the sufficient daylight in the adjacent spaces of vertical top-lit atrium. This research will present a demonstration and general guide for the designers to predict daylighting performance of an atrium building in the tropical climate regions.
Realising substantive rights to healthy environment in Nigeria
Authors: Anaebo Onyeka K. , Ekhator Eghosa O.
Published: June 2015

There has been never-ending debate concerning the right to a healthy environment and the extent to which the law has provided for or guaranteed the right in national and international contexts. Whilst some countries have expressly recognised the right to a healthy environment in their constitutions and subsidiary laws, others have relied on regional instruments and treaties to guarantee such rights, especially where domestic legislation is either lacking, inadequate or ineffective. This article will contend that constitutionalising (rather than regionalising before a human rights commission or treaty) environmental rights domestically would improve environmental outcomes in Nigeria. To further buttress the constitutionalisation argument, this article will undertake a critical analysis of the right to the environment in South Africa which has constitutionalised the right to the environment.
Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis and dietary reconstruction through the life course at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey
Authors: Pearson Jessica A , Haddow Scott D , Hillson Simon W , Knüsel Christopher J , Larsen Clark S , Sadvari Joshua W
Published: June 2015

Food has long served as a mechanism for identifying and reinforcing social structures, but while carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis has provided important identity-based evidence of past diets, the cyclical and stable/fluid nature of food consumption practices across the life course has been relatively neglected. In this paper, the large human assemblage at Çatalhöyük with all age groups present has enabled diet reconstruction of the rarely represented groups of older children and adolescents as well as for the young, middle and old adult age groups of both sexes. These data show how neonates reflect foods available to pregnant mothers, that infants were breastfed until around 18 months of age and weaned by three years of age, older children had a different diet compared to adolescents and young adults who, in turn, differed from middle and older adults. The absence of sex-related differences suggests changes in food consumed at Çatalhöyük accompanied the marking of transitions through the life course.
What can Ruby do with a camera? Ex-prisoners use Photovoice to reverse the rules of surveillance
Authors: Jarldorn Michele
Published: June 2015

This article provides an account of the possibilities of using Photovoice as a research method that can empower participants by foregrounding the data produced by Ruby (a pseudonym) to highlight women’s unique experiences of imprisonment and release.

Designed using an anti-oppressive, critical social work perspective, this project aims to gain a greater understanding of the post-release experiences of ex-prisoners in South Australia. Participants were posed with the research question ‘if you were able to spend 15 minutes with a politician or policy maker, what would you want to tell them about your experiences?’ Through her lens, Ruby returns the gaze of surveillance, commenting on the disempowerment women experience in prison and their attempts at reclaiming their rights and dignity.

Ruby’s data discredit some of the pervasive myths surrounding criminalised women, while calling for fair medical treatment and equal opportunities for women to prepare for their release. This article concludes that the solidarity built between women in prison helps them to tolerate undignified spaces and that their freedom is tempered with an enduring concern for those left behind.
Performance Evaluation in the UEFA Champions League
Authors: Zambom-Ferraresi Fabíola , García-Cebrián Lucía Isabel , Lera-López Fernando , Iráizoz Belén
Published: June 2015

This article aims to evaluate the sports performance of teams that have participated in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League (UCL) during the last 10 seasons (2004-2005 to 2013-2014). Technical efficiency is estimated using well-known data envelopment analysis (DEA) approaches and a bootstrapped DEA model. To solve the problem of measuring sporting results as output in knockout competitions, we propose the use of the coefficients applied by the UEFA from UCL revenue distribution. The results obtained show first that there is a high level of inefficiency in UCL over the period studied: Only 10% of the teams seem to be efficient. Also, the teams have many problems in maintaining their efficiency during the seasons. Second, the champion is always efficient. Third, we identify two sources of inefficiency: waste of sports resources and the selection of sporting tactics. Finally, from a methodological perspective, the output measure proposed seems to be suitable to represent reliably the sports results achieved by clubs in this qualifying competition type. Furthermore, our results are robust when applying alternative estimation methods. Regarding the results, some management implications are discussed and suggestions are made to boost the efficiency in inefficient clubs.
Economic Inequality and U.S. Public Policy Mood Across Space and Time
Authors: Johnston Christopher D. , Newman Benjamin J.
Published: June 2015

While classic theories suggest that growing inequality will generate mass support for redistribution, recent research suggests the opposite: increases in inequality in the United States are associated with decreases in support for redistribution among both low and high income citizens. We reconsider this conclusion. First, we examine the methods of this research, and find that the claims made are not robust to important corrections in model specification. We then utilize a distinct methodological approach, leveraging spatial variation in local inequality, and examine average differences in preferences across geographic context. Here we find a small, but positive relationship of inequality to support for redistribution. In both our reexamination of previous work and our extensions, we find little support for the claim that inequality reduces the demand for redistribution.
Design and experimental study of joint torque balance mechanism of seed implantation articulated robot
Authors: Yongde Zhang , Yi Liang , Xiaofei Wang , Yong Xu
Published: June 2015

This article discusses several new mechanisms that may be used in prostate cancer seed implant robotics. We have developed relatively simple but effective mathematical models of multi-needle puncture prostate using nonlinear spring–damper model; based on Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical Systems or dynamics module, displacement simulation for prostate is performed, and simulation results indicate that the multi-needle puncture mechanism could reduce prostate displacement in the y- or z-direction. Then aiming at the limitation of human body structure space and seed implant needle insertion path, a revolute-revolute-translational-type prostate seed implantation robot with three-dimensional transrectal ultrasound navigation is designed. It is noteworthy that drive torque fluctuation is caused by the center of gravity change of revolute-revolute tandem cantilever structure; an elastic balance mechanism is designed to realize the complete balance of cantilever weight. Based on Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical Systems or dynamics module, static drive torque simulation of 2-revolute tandem cantilever structure is performed. Finally, we manufacture the robot prototype and make verification experiment to the cantilever balancing device, and the experiment results provide evidence that elastic balance mechanism can realize the complete balance of cantilever weight, improve the fluctuation in the amplitude value of driving torque, and increase its operation stationary of seed implantation robot system.
What is the Role for Intra-Arterial Therapy in Acute Stroke Intervention?
Authors: O’Carroll Cumara B. , Rubin Mark N. , Chong Brian W.
Published: June 2015

Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator continues to be first-line therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke presenting within the appropriate time window, but one potential limitation is the low rate of recanalization in the setting of large artery occlusions. Intra-arterial (IA) treatment is effective for emergency revascularization of proximal intracranial arterial occlusions, but proof of benefit has been lacking until recently. Our goal is to outline the history of endovascular therapy and review both IA thrombolysis and mechanical interventions. In addition, we will discuss the impact of important trials such as the Third Interventional Management of Stroke (IMS3) trial, and the more recent trials Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands (MR CLEAN), Endovascular Treatment for Small Core and Proximal Occlusion Ischemic Stroke (ESCAPE), Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits—Intra-Arterial (EXTEND-IA), and Solitaire With the Intention for Thrombectomy as Primary Endovascular Treatment (SWIFT PRIME) on acute stroke management and the implications for the practicing neurohospitalist.
Therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest in Long QT syndrome: Could it be an adjunctive treatment to prevent dysrhythmias?
Authors: Jatti Kumar , Prasad Neeraj
Published: June 2015

Therapeutic hypothermia has been used for neuroprotection following cardiac arrest presenting with ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation regardless of underlying cause. Long QT syndrome is a cause for polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and we know that therapeutic hypothermia increases the QT interval. We managed a 27-year-old woman, who was 10 weeks post-partum, who collapsed secondary to ventricular fibrillation at home. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started with successful resuscitation after a rescue shock from paramedics. On hospital admission, her computerised tomography head, computerised tomography pulmonary angiogram and echocardiography did not show any abnormality. Her baseline electrocardiogram showed prolonged QTc interval of 504 ms without ischaemic changes. After intubation and ventilation, she was treated with therapeutic hypothermia for 48 h. She had a further episode of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia requiring rescue shock just prior to starting therapeutic hypothermia in hospital. No dysrhythmias occurred during therapeutic hypothermia, although the QTc further increased. After stopping the therapeutic hypothermia, she had two further ventricular tachycardia episodes. After commencement of beta blockers, she remained free of arrhythmias, and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted, she has recovered without any neurological deficit. Ventricular dysrhythmias caused by prolongation of the QT interval during or after therapeutic hypothermia are not well understood. There has been a report of a patient also having ventricular dysrhythmia 2 h after re-warming post therapeutic hypothermia and also a report of arrhythmia free period during therapeutic hypothermia in a long QT syndrome patient; both these features are present in our patient. Re-warming is not usually known to cause any arrhythmias; however, it could be a problem in those with long QT syndrome. Whether therapeutic hypothermia has a place in helping to control ventricular dysrhythmias needs further study.
Effects of Malva sylvestris and Its Isolated Polysaccharide on Experimental Ulcerative Colitis in Rats
Authors: Hamedi Azadeh , Rezaei Hossein , Azarpira Negar , Jafarpour Mehrnaz , Ahmadi Fatemeh
Published: June 2015

Malva sylvestris is an edible plant that is consumed as a herbal supplement for its antiulcer and colon cleansing properties in traditional Persian medicine. This study was designed to evaluate its effects on ulcerative colitis, which is a chronic gastrointestinal inflammation. Colitis was induced by rectal instillation of acetic acid solution. Rats in different groups received aqueous, n-hexane, or ethanolic fractions of the plant before induction of colitis. Isolated polysaccharide of plant was also tested in 2 groups before and after induction of colitis. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of colitis showed that the aqueous fraction was very effective in preventing the inflammation and efficacy was lower for ethanolic and n-hexane fractions. Polysaccharide was effective in reducing signs of inflammation, especially as pretreatment. These beneficial effects provide evidences that this plant can be suggested for patients with this disease to improve their health condition or to reduce adverse effects of their medication.
EU Universities’ Mission Statements
Authors: Arcimaviciene Liudmila
Published: June 2015

In the last 10 years, a highly productive space of metaphor analysis has been established in the discourse studies of media, politics, business, and education. In the theoretical framework of Conceptual Metaphor Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis, the restored metaphorical patterns are especially valued for their implied ideological value as realized both conceptually and linguistically. By using the analytical framework of Critical Metaphor Analysis and procedurally employing Pragglejaz Group’s Metaphor Identification Procedure, this study aims at analyzing the implied value of the evoked metaphors in the mission statements of the first 20 European Universities, according to the Webometrics ranking. In this article, it is proposed that Universities’ mission statements are based on the positive evaluation of the COMMERCE metaphor, which does not fully correlate with the ideological framework of sustainability education but is rather oriented toward consumerism in both education and society. Despite this overall trend, there are some traceable features of the conceptualization reflecting the sustainability approach to higher education, as related to freedom of speech, tolerance, and environmental concerns. Nonetheless, these are suppressed by the metaphoric usages evoking traditional dogmas of the conservative ideology grounded in the concepts of the transactional approach to relationship, competitiveness for superiority, the importance of self-interest and strength, and quantifiable quality.
Characteristics of a Good EFL Teacher
Authors: Al-Mahrooqi Rahma , Denman Christopher , Al-Siyabi Jamila , Al-Maamari Faisal
Published: June 2015

Researchers have long been interested in the characteristics associated with “good” teaching. However, most relevant studies have been conducted in Western contexts. As cultural background has a strong influence on the way good teaching is perceived, it was considered important to explore this issue in the Arab Gulf. The current study sought to compare Omani school students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the characteristics of good English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers in the Omani context. To achieve this, 171 Omani students and 233 English teachers responded to a seven-category, 68-item questionnaire utilizing a 4-point Likert-type response key. Descriptive statistics and t tests were used to determine perceptions of good teacher characteristics and differences between students’ and teachers’ responses. Results indicate that Omani students and teachers generally agree about the importance of all characteristic categories, with those related to English language proficiency and treating students equally being of special importance. Participants also agreed that knowledge of Western culture/s and the use of technology were relatively unimportant. Implications of these findings for EFL teaching in Oman are discussed.
Beckett and Begrudgery
Authors: Graf Stephen
Published: June 2015

For many literary critics, Samuel Beckett was above the hurly burly of the quotidian. His work was strictly universal, existing on the plane of the abstract and philosophical, rather than dealing with specific human foibles, particularly those peculiar to his native Ireland. But in the era immediately following the Second World War, Beckett was not averse to exploring one of the most peculiar of the peculiarly Irish traits: begrudgery. A virulent combination of jealousy, spite, and festering resentment, begrudgery prevailed in epidemic proportions in the Ireland of Beckett’s day. Beckett himself was not untouched by Irish begrudgery. His character Moran, the protagonist and narrator of the second book of Beckett’s Molloy, exhibits all of the characteristics of Irish begrudgery. After establishing what begrudgery is, and tracing its philosophical and the sociological origins with an eye to Irish history, this study will culminate in a close reading of Molloy.
Reconceptualizing the Music Teacher Education Curriculum for the Colleges of Education in Nigeria
Authors: Adeogun Adebowale Oluranti
Published: June 2015

The Federal Government of Nigeria has realized that low educational quality has negative implications for sustainable national development, hence her commitment to develop national policies and national curriculum for teacher education to improve the quality of education (including music education). This article observes improvement in the preparation of musician-teachers as absolutely imperative to move modern music education as a field in the direction for continued growth. It traces out a historical past and explores present-day circumstances by analyzing and critiquing the National Commission for Colleges of Education’s document—Approved Minimum Academic Standards for Music. As the document is based on exogenous paradigms, it is argued that it cannot produce the change agent in the Nigerian musician-teacher. A reconceptualization of music teacher curriculum that is socioculturally sensitive is suggested for colleges of education in Nigeria as a way of moving it toward developing sound, effective, and creative musician-teachers.
Phenomenology of Visual Hallucinations and Their Relationship to Cognitive Profile in Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Authors: Boubert Laura , Barnes James
Published: June 2015

Although the phenomenology of visual hallucinations (VHs) has been investigated, no study to date has related cognitive performance to the content of hallucinations, specifically whether participants who have familiar internally driven hallucinations differ in the executive function from patients with externally driven hallucinations. Here, we examine the relationship between executive function and the content of VHs in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. We evaluated three groups: 17 PD patients with internally driven memory-based VHs, 18 PD patients with externally driven non-memory-based VHs, and 20 PD patients without hallucinations on a series of tests previously reported to evaluate executive functions, specifically tests of inhibitory ability, short-term memory, and working memory. Differences were found on test of inhibitory ability with PD patients experiencing externally driven VHs having substantially greater impairment than patients with internally driven VHs. These findings indicate that the cognitive profile of patients may influence the content of the hallucinatory experience and could consequently have implications for treatment of the phenomenon.
An Evaluation of Early Education Based on Physical Environmental Guidelines
Authors: Satterlee Donna J. , Molavi Jeffrey M. , Williams Mark E.
Published: June 2015

The integration of environmental policies with political support for action on these policies is of prime significance for mobilization and progression of improving indoor environments. However, state licensing agencies and local county ordinances for child care centers do not universally follow these policies and standards. As a result, most early childhood educational programs operate without proper indoor environments. Indoor air quality, temperature, ventilation, daylighting, and acoustics are crucial factors for educational settings in early childhood education. This study documents the physical environment in early childhood education centers in three counties in Maryland. Results indicate that building performance and indoor air quality standards vary according to the socioeconomic status of children who attend early childhood programs, and environmental factors correlate with educational achievement (as measured by kindergarten readiness scores).
Why Did I Not Prepare for This? The Politics of Negotiating Fieldwork Access, Identity, and Methodology in Researching Microfinance Institutions
Authors: Siwale Juliana
Published: June 2015

It has been increasingly recognized that undertaking qualitative research can pose many challenges for researchers. However, scanty literature focuses directly on the experiences of doctoral research students from developing countries studying in Western Europe and other similar geographic regions, and the challenges of doing fieldwork when they return “back home.” In this article, I use my experiences in the process of undertaking PhD fieldwork on two donor-funded microfinance institutions located in Zambia to demonstrate that doctoral students from specific regions (Africa in particular) undertaking research in their native countries can struggle to manage and make sense of the challenges and identity issues raised in their “familiar” environments. I also present a detailed discussion of how various gatekeepers and participants facilitated access, identity alteration, and the impact of insider–outsider positionality on collected data. It is concluded that organizational “politics” and local context can have significant bearing on power relationships, identities of researchers, and methodological preferences.
Environmental Foundations in Germany
Authors: Krikser Thomas , Matzdorf Bettina
Published: June 2015

Foundations in Germany were examined in the context of environmental issues. Data from environmental foundations show that there is huge difference between private and public foundations concerning financial settings. Furthermore, environment is often not the only objective and sometimes not even processed. Our analysis shows that there are different types of foundations with regard to environmental scopes and activities. Although “attractive topics” such as biodiversity and landscape conservation seem to be more important to foundations, less visible topics such as pollution prevention remain merely a “blind spot.” Together, these findings suggest that there is only a limited potential of private foundations compared with public foundations. Nevertheless, there might be an impact on environmental awareness and local sustainability.
Contribution of Personality to Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectations in Selecting a High School Major Among Adolescents With Learning Disabilities
Authors: Brown Dikla , Cinamon Rachel Gali
Published: June 2015

The current study focuses on the contribution of five personality traits to the development of self-efficacy and outcome expectations regarding selecting a high school major among adolescents with learning disabilities (LD). Social cognitive career theory and the Big Five personality traits model served as the theoretical framework. Participants were 312 adolescents with LD ( Mage = 16.15; SD = 0.46). Positive correlations were found between self-efficacy to select a high school major and outcome expectations from this decision. Structural equation analyses showed that high levels of Extraversion and low levels of Openness to Experience contributed to higher outcome expectations from the chosen major. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Describing the deformation behaviour of TRIP and dual phase steels employing an irreversible thermodynamics formulation
Authors: Li S. , Honarmandi P. , Arróyave R. , Rivera-Diaz-del-Castillo P. E. J.
Published: June 2015

The plastic deformation of multiphase steels is described employing an irreversible thermodynamics formulation. Transformation induced plasticity and dual phase grades are described within a single theoretical framework. The approach describes the plastic deformation of each individual phase in terms of the evolution of dislocation density, subject to dissipative mechanisms associated to dislocation generation, glide and annihilation. The collective behaviour of the ensemble of phases into a single microstructure is ensured through a self-consistent approach based on the iso-work approximation. The parameterised model shows very good agreement with several alloys studied experimentally and available in the literature.
Microstructure and fracture toughness of Cr/Cr2Nb alloys with trace Y addition
Authors: Li K. W. , Wang X. B. , Li S. M. , Zhong H. , Xue Y. L. , Fu H. Z.
Published: June 2015

The microstructures of binary Cr/Cr2Nb alloys doped with 0.1 at- rare earth element (REE) Y were characterised by fine interlamellar spacing, and the growth morphology of Cr2Nb primary phase was transformed from faceted to non-faceted. Moreover, the lamellar spacing was observed to decrease with the decreasing of solidification rate with the addition of REE Y. Furthermore, the mechanical tests showed that the addition of REE Y has a beneficial effect on the room temperature fracture toughness of Cr2Nb/Cr alloys. The room temperature fracture toughness of the Y doped Cr/Cr2Nb hypoeutectic and hypereutectic alloys increased by ∼130 and 140 over that of the undoped alloys respectively, which was caused by the refinement of lamellar eutectic and strengthening of lamellar eutectic bonding strength.
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination in adults undergoing immunosuppressive treatment for inflammatory diseases – a longitudinal study
Authors: Fischer Lara , Gerstel Patricia Francis , Poncet Antoine , Siegrist Claire-Anne , Laffitte Emmanuel , Gabay Cem , Seebach Joerg Dieter , Ribi Camillo
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk of infection. Community-acquired pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease account for substantial morbidity and mortality in this population and may be prevented by vaccination. Ideally, immunization to pneumococcal antigens should take place before the start of immunosuppressive treatment. Often, however, the treatment cannot be delayed. Little is known about the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccines during immunosuppressive treatment. The objectives of this study were to determine the percentage of vaccine-naïve, immunosuppressed adults with inflammatory diseases seroprotected against Streptococcus pneumoniae and to assess factors associated with the immunogenicity, clinical impact and safety of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) in seronegative subjects.

Methods

This observational study included patients 18 years of age and older who were receiving prednisone ≥20 mg/day or other immunosuppressive drugs. Exclusion criteria were PPV administration in the previous 5 years, intravenous immunoglobulins and pregnancy. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels against six pneumococcal serotypes were measured. Seropositivity was defined as IgG of 0.5 μg/ml or greater for at least four of six serotypes. Seronegative patients received PPV, and seropositive patients were included as a comparison group. Vaccine response and tolerance were assessed after 4–8 weeks. Disease activity was evaluated on the basis of the Physician Global Assessment scores. Serology was repeated after 1 year, and information on any kind of infection needing medical attention was collected. Outcomes were the proportion of seropositivity and infections between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.

Results

Of 201 included patients, 35 received high-dose corticosteroids and 181 were given immunosuppressive drugs. Baseline seronegativity in 60 (30 %) patients was associated with corticotherapy and lower total IgG. After PPV, disease activity remained unchanged or decreased in 81 % of patients, and 87 % became seropositive. After 1 year, 67 % of vaccinated compared with 90 % of observed patients were seropositive (p < 0.001), whereas the rate of infections did not differ between groups. Those still taking prednisone ≥10 mg/day tended to have poorer serological responses and had significantly more infections.

Conclusions

PPV was safe and moderately effective based on serological response. Seropositivity to pneumococcal antigens significantly reduced the risk of infections. Sustained high-dose corticosteroids were associated with poor vaccine response and more infections.
Transvenous vagus nerve stimulation does not modulate the innate immune response during experimental human endotoxemia: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Kox Matthijs , van Eijk Lucas T. , Verhaak Tim , Frenzel Tim , Kiers Harmke D. , Gerretsen Jelle , van der Hoeven Johannes G. , Kornet Lilian , Scheiner Avram , Pickkers Peter
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) exerts beneficial anti-inflammatory effects in various animal models of inflammation, including collagen-induced arthritis, and is implicated in representing a novel therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. However, evidence of anti-inflammatory effects of VNS in humans is very scarce. Transvenous VNS (tVNS) is a newly developed and less invasive method to stimulate the vagus nerve. In the present study, we determined whether tVNS is a feasible and safe procedure and investigated its putative anti-inflammatory effects during experimental human endotoxemia.

Methods

We performed a randomized double-blind sham-controlled study in healthy male volunteers. A stimulation catheter was inserted in the left internal jugular vein at spinal level C5–C7, adjacent to the vagus nerve. In the tVNS group (n = 10), stimulation was continuously performed for 30 minutes (0–10 V, 1 ms, 20 Hz), starting 10 minutes before intravenous administration of 2 ng kg−1Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Sham-instrumented subjects (n = 10) received no electrical stimulation.

Results

No serious adverse events occurred throughout the study. In the tVNS group, stimulation of the vagus nerve was achieved as indicated by laryngeal vibration. Endotoxemia resulted in fever, flu-like symptoms, and hemodynamic changes that were unaffected by tVNS. Furthermore, plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines increased sharply during endotoxemia, but responses were similar between groups. Finally, cytokine production by leukocytes stimulated with LPS ex vivo, as well as neutrophil phagocytosis capacity, were not influenced by tVNS.

Conclusions

tVNS is feasible and safe, but does not modulate the innate immune response in humans in vivo during experimental human endotoxemia.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01944228. Registered 12 September 2013.
Prognostic factors for progression of clinical osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review of observational studies
Authors: Bastick Alex N. , Runhaar Jos , Belo Janneke N. , Bierma-Zeinstra Sita M.A.
Published: June 2015

Introduction

We performed a systematic review of prognostic factors for the progression of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA), defined as increase in pain, decline in physical function or total joint replacement.

Method

We searched for available observational studies up to January 2015 in Medline and Embase according to a specified search strategy. Studies that fulfilled our initial inclusion criteria were assessed for methodological quality. Data were extracted and the results were pooled, or if necessary summarized according to a best evidence synthesis.

Results

Of 1,392 articles identified, 30 met the inclusion criteria and 38 determinants were investigated. Pooling was not possible due to large heterogeneity between studies. The best evidence synthesis showed strong evidence that age, ethnicity, body mass index, co-morbidity count, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected infrapatellar synovitis, joint effusion and baseline OA severity (both radiographic and clinical) are associated with clinical knee OA progression. There was moderate evidence showing that education level, vitality, pain-coping subscale resting, MRI-detected medial femorotibial cartilage loss and general bone marrow lesions are associated with clinical knee OA progression. However, evidence for the majority of determinants was limited (including knee range of motion or markers) or conflicting (including age, gender and joint line tenderness).

Conclusion

Strong evidence was found for multiple prognostic factors for progression of clinical knee OA. A large variety in definitions of clinical knee OA (progression) remains, which makes it impossible to summarize the evidence through meta-analyses. More research on prognostic factors for knee OA is needed using symptom progression as an outcome measure. Remarkably, only few studies have been performed using pain progression as an outcome measure. The pathophysiology of radiographic factors and their relation with symptoms should be further explored.
New fixed point theorems for generalized F-contractions in complete metric spaces
Authors: Ahmad Jamshaid , Al-Rawashdeh Ahmed , Azam Akbar
Published: June 2015

In this paper, owing to the concept of F-contraction, we define two new classes of functions $M(S,T)$
M
(
S
,
T
)
and $N(S,T)$
N
(
S
,
T
)
, and we prove some new fixed point results for single-valued and multivalued mappings in complete metric spaces. Our results extend, generalize and unify several known results in the literature. We include an example to show that the generalization is proper.
Duration of untreated psychosis and need for admission in patients who engage with mental health services in the prodromal phase
Authors: Valmaggia Lucia R. , Byrne Majella , Day Fern , Broome Matthew R. , Johns Louise , Howes Oliver , Power Paddy , Badger Steven , Fusar-Poli Paolo , McGuire Philip K.
Published: June 2015

Background

It is unknown whether prodromal services improve outcomes in those who go on to develop psychosis, and whether these patients are demographically different from the overall first-episode population.

Aims

To compare sociodemographic features, duration of untreated psychosis, hospital admission and frequency of compulsory treatment in the first year after the onset of psychosis in patients who present to prodromal services with patients who did not present to services until the first episode of psychosis.

Method

We compared two groups of patients with first-episode psychosis: one who made transition after presenting in the prodromal phase and the other who had presented with a first episode.

Results

The patients who had presented before the first episode were more likely to be employed and less likely to belong to an ethnic minority group. They had a shorter duration of untreated psychosis, and were less likely to have been admitted to hospital and to have required compulsory treatment.

Conclusions

Patients who develop psychosis after being engaged in the prodromal phase have a better short-term clinical outcome than patients who do not present until the first episode. Patients who present during first episodes may be more likely to have sociodemographic features associated with relatively poor outcomes.
Apoc2 loss-of-function zebrafish mutant as a genetic model of hyperlipidemia
Authors: Liu Chao , Gates Keith P. , Fang Longhou , Amar Marcelo J. , Schneider Dina A. , Geng Honglian , Huang Wei , Kim Jungsu , Pattison Jennifer , Zhang Jian , Witztum Joseph L. , Remaley Alan T. , Dong P. Duc Si , Miller Yury I.
Published: June 2015

Apolipoprotein CII is an obligatory activator of lipoprotein lipase. Human patients with APOC2 deficiency display severe hypertriglyceridemia while consuming a normal diet, often manifesting xanthomas, lipemia retinalis and pancreatitis. Hypertriglyceridemia is also an important risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease. Animal models to study hypertriglyceridemia are limited, with no Apoc2 knockout mouse reported. To develop a genetic model of hypertriglyceridemia, we generated an apoc2 mutant zebrafish characterized by the loss of Apoc2 function. apoc2 mutants show decreased plasma lipase activity and display chylomicronemia and severe hypertriglyceridemia, which closely resemble the phenotype observed in human patients with APOC2 deficiency. The hypertriglyceridemia in apoc2 mutants is rescued by injection of plasma from wild type zebrafish or by injection of a human apoC-II mimetic peptide. Consistent with the previous report of a transient apoc2 knockdown, apoc2 mutant larvae have a minor delay in yolk consumption and angiogenesis. Furthermore, apoc2 mutants fed a normal diet accumulate lipid and lipid-laden macrophages in the vasculature, which resemble early events in the development of human atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, apoc2 mutant embryos show ectopic overgrowth of pancreas. Taken together, our data suggest that the apoc2 mutant zebrafish is a robust and versatile animal model to study hypertriglyceridemia and the mechanisms involved in pathogenesis of associated human diseases.
Sphingolipids regulate telomere clustering by affecting transcriptional levels of genes involved in telomere homeostasis
Authors: Ikeda Atsuko , Muneoka Tetsuya , Murakami Suguru , Hirota Ayaka , Yabuki Yukari , Karashima Takefumi , Nakazono Kota , Tsuruno Masahiro , Pichler Harald , Shirahige Katsuhiko , Kodama Yukiko , Shimamoto Toshi , Mizuta Keiko , Funato Kouichi
Published: June 2015

In eukaryotic organisms including mammals, nematodes, and yeasts, the ends of chromosomes, telomeres are clustered at the nuclear periphery. Telomere clustering is assumed to be functionally important because proper organization of chromosomes is necessary for proper genome function and stability. However, the mechanisms and physiological roles of telomere clustering remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate a role for sphingolipids in telomere clustering in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Because abnormal sphingolipid metabolism causes down-regulation of expression levels of genes involved in telomere organization, sphingolipids appear to control telomere clustering at the transcriptional level. Additionally, the data presented here provide evidence that telomere clustering is required to protect chromosome ends from DNA-damage checkpoint signaling. As sphingolipids are found in all eukaryotes, we speculate that sphingolipid-based regulation of telomere clustering and the protective role of telomere clusters in maintaining genome stability might be conserved in eukaryotes.
Endogenous Liquidity and the Business Cycle
Authors: Bigio Saki
Published: June 2015

I study an economy where asymmetric information about the quality of capital endogenously determines liquidity. Liquid funds are key to relaxing financial constraints on investment and employment. These funds are obtained by selling capital or using it as collateral. Liquidity is determined by balancing the costs of obtaining liquidity under asymmetric information against the benefits of relaxing financial constraints. Aggregate fluctuations follow increases in the dispersion of capital quality, which raise the cost of obtaining liquidity. An estimated version of the model can generate patterns for quantities and credit conditions similar to the Great Recession. (JEL D82, E22, E24, E32, E44, G01)