bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Security, economy, population: The political economic logic of liberal exceptionalism
Authors: Best Jacqueline
Published: August 2017

In an era in which scholars have become increasingly skeptical about the concept of exceptionalism, this article argues that instead of rejecting it, we should rework it: moving beyond seeing it primarily as a security practice by recognizing the crucial role of political economic exceptionalism. Drawing on Foucault’s later lectures on security, population, and biopolitics, this article suggests that we can understand exceptionalist moves in both security and economic contexts as efforts to manage and secure a population. Focusing on three key moments in the production of exceptional politics – defining the limit of normal politics, suspending the norm, and putting the exception into practice – I examine the parallels, intersections, and tensions between political economic and security exceptionalism, using the concept of economic exceptionalism to make sense of the 2008 global financial crisis. Taking seriously Foucault’s insights into the political economic character of liberal government holds out the promise of providing scholars in the fields of both critical security studies and cultural political economy with a richer understanding of the complex dynamics of exceptionalist politics – a promise that is particularly valuable at the present political juncture.
Lower expression of miR-218 in human breast cancer is associated with lymph node metastases, higher grades, and poorer prognosis
Authors: Ahmadinejad Fereshteh , Mowla Seyed Javad , Honardoost Mohammad-Amin , Arjenaki Mostafa Gholami , Moazeni-Bistgani Mohammad , Kheiri Soleyman , Teimori Hossein
Published: August 2017

Breast cancer is considered as the most prevalent malignancy in women worldwide. Despite emergence of several prognosticators for better management of patients, there are still limitations for their clinical application due to the complexity of breast tumors, and therefore, new biomarkers for better prognosis of clinical outcomes would be of the great essence. MicroRNAs are highly conserved small non-coding regulatory RNAs involved in post-transcriptional regulating of gene expression during different cellular mechanisms. Accumulating studies suggest that miR-218 plays a multifunctional role in various cancer types and different stages. Here, to address prognostic significance of miR-218 in breast cancer, we investigate the expression profile of miR-218 and B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 ( BMI1) gene, as one of the putative targets of miR-218, in 33 paired breast tumors and their adjacent normal tissues with respect to the clinicopathological features of patients using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The correlation of both miR-218 and BMI1 gene expression with overall survival of breast cancer patients was also examined recruiting OncoLNC data portal. Finally, to better understand biological function of miR-218 in breast cancer, we performed in silico Gene Ontology and signaling pathway enrichment analysis on miR-218 targetome. According to our data, significant elevation of the expression of miR-218 and downregulation of BMI1 were observed in clinical breast cancer specimens compared with normal tissues ( p < 0.0001). The lower expression of miR-218 was associated with lymph node metastases, higher grades, and poorer prognosis (logrank p = 0.00988), whereas no significant difference in overall survival was observed between patients with higher and lower expression of BMI1 (logrank p = 0.254). These findings suggest that miR-218 expression profiling might be clinically applicable as a prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. In addition, our in silico enrichment analyses revealed that the association of miR-218 expression with breast cancer prognosis might be through its involvement in endocytosis and gap junction biological pathways.
Misrepresenting community treatment orders
Authors: Little John
Published: August 2017

Objectives:

To explore a contradiction between evidence suggesting community treatment order (CTO) ineffectiveness and clinical experience.

Conclusions:

The literature pertaining to CTOs actually provides an evidence base for both positions. The headline that three randomised controlled trials and subsequent meta-analyses fail to demonstrate significant differences between groups reflects selection bias. A case may still be made for CTOs.
Work/Family Balancing and 24/7 Work Schedules: Network Analysis of Strategies in a Transport Company Cleaning Service: Concilier travail-famille et horaires 24/7: analyse réseau des stratégies au sein du service de nettoyage d'une compagnie de transport
Authors: Lefrançois Mélanie , Saint-Charles Johanne , Riel Jessica
Published: August 2017

Whether or not official work/family balance measures exist within an organization, scheduling accommodations often go through informal channels involving colleagues and superiors and are negotiated within interpersonal relationships. This study examines the relationship dimensions of the scheduling strategies of cleaners working atypical hours in the transport sector through the lenses of ergonomic activity, network, and gender analyses. Using semi-directed interviews, observation, and network analysis, we revealed the effect of gender on relationship dynamics and the influence of these dynamics on work/family balance strategies deployed by cleaners. One of the main contributions of this study is to demonstrate the decisive effect of relationships by revealing inequalities in access to organizational social networks. Creating spaces to discuss work/family balancing and a more equitable circulation of information could contribute to reducing inequalities associated with gender, social status, and family responsibilities and support the work/family strategies developed by workers dealing with restrictive work schedules.

Résumé

Les accommodements du temps de travail pour la conciliation travail-famille (CTF) passent souvent par des ententes informelles qui s'inscrivent dans les relations entre collègues ou avec des gestionnaires. Notre étude, intégrant l'ergonomie et la communication dans une perspective de genre, porte sur les dimensions relationnelles des stratégies de choix d'horaire d'agentes et agents de nettoyage devant composer avec des horaires atypiques dans le secteur des transports. À partir d'entretiens semi-dirigés, d'observations et d'analyse de réseaux, nous avons pu observer l'influence des dynamiques relationnelles, notamment de genre, sur les stratégies de CTF. Un apport central de cette étude est de montrer l'effet structurant des relations en révélant notamment des inégalités dans l'accès aux ressources facilitant le choix d'horaire, mais aussi dans l'inclusion au sein du réseau de relations. L'article conclut en proposant des pistes de solutions concrètes pour la réduction de ces inégalités.
Promethean Business: From Financial Hedonism to Financial Eudaimonia
Authors: Edelson Steven A.
Published: August 2017

The story of Prometheus and Pandora serves as an apt analogical device through which to demonstrate the impact that publicly traded corporations, and the shareholder primacy approach to corporate governance has created unintended consequences. Prometheus’s benevolent gift of fire led to the collateral damage of Pandora’s Box unleashing ills on mankind. Similarly, incorporation was a positive development that supported businesses lasting beyond one generation of owners, and led to businesses thriving and creating innovations that improve our lives. However, with these innovations and the related consumption has come a figurative Pandora’s Box of ills to society, including but not limited to widening income inequality, greater personal debt, and environmental degradation. In this critical essay, Greek mythology and classical philosophical approaches to happiness are intertwined with corporate approaches to stakeholder and shareholder optimization.
Low-molecular-weight heparins for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer: A systematic literature review of efficacy and cost-effectiveness
Authors: Dranitsaris George , Shane Lesley G , Woodruff Seth
Published: August 2017

Background

Patients with cancer have an elevated risk of venous thromboembolism. Importantly, patients with cancer, who have metastatic disease, renal insufficiency, or are receiving anticancer therapy, have an even higher risk of a recurrent event. Similarly, the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism is higher than the risk of an initial event. To reduce the risk, extended duration of prophylaxis for up to six months with low-molecular-weight heparins such as dalteparin, enoxaparin, nadroparin, and tinzaparin is recommended by international guidelines. In this paper, the clinical and economic literature is reviewed to provide evidenced based recommendations based on clinical benefit and economic value.

Methods

A systematic review of major databases was conducted from January 1996 to October 2016 for randomized controlled trials evaluating the four distinct low-molecular-weight heparins against a vitamin K antagonists control group for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism in patients with active cancer. This was then followed by the application of the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence guidance to assess the quality of all trials that met the inclusion criteria. Finally, the cost-effectiveness literature supporting the value proposition of each product was reviewed.

Results

Six randomized trials met the inclusion criteria. There were one, two, and three trials that compared dalteparin, tinzaparin, and enoxaparin to a vitamin K antagonists control group. However, there were no trials for nadroparin in the setting of secondary venous thromboembolism prevention. In addition, only the dalteparin and one of the tinzaparin trials were of high quality and adequately powered. Of the two studies, only the dalteparin trial reported a statistically significant benefit in terms of venous thromboembolism absolute risk reduction when compared to a vitamin K antagonists control group (HR = 0.48; p = 0.002). In addition, there was robust pharmacoeconomic data from Canada, the Netherlands, France, and Austria supporting the cost-effectiveness of dalteparin for this indication. There were no such studies for any of the other agents.

Conclusions

The totality of high-quality clinical and cost-effectiveness data supports the use of dalteparin over other low-molecular-weight heparins for preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer.
Working Memory Training for Adults With ADHD
Authors: Dentz Amélie , Guay Marie-Claude , Parent Véronique , Romo Lucia
Published: August 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Cogmed training on working memory in adults with ADHD, including the generalization of effects to nonverbal reasoning, executive function in daily life, and ADHD symptoms. Method: Adults of ages 18 to 63 with ADHD were randomly assigned to an experimental group that received the working memory training or to a placebo group that received a low-intensity comparison version of the training. Results: participants in the experimental group showed greater improvement in verbal and visuospatial working memory capacity. Effects persisted 6 months after intervention completion. However, effects did not generalize elsewhere. Conclusion: The results challenge the claims made by Cogmed to the effect that the program is effective in treating attention problems and improving performance in daily life over the long term in adults with ADHD.
Connecting with technology in lower-income US families
Authors: Katz Vikki S , Moran Meghan B , Gonzalez Carmen
Published: August 2017

Digital equity initiatives traditionally enable access to devices and Internet service, but increasingly, designers are also recognizing the importance of access to people and programs that support digital skills development. Families in under-served communities are most likely to need such supports but least likely to have them available. We explore the extent to which parents and children might serve as these sources of support for each other in low- and lower-middle-income families, who have seldom been the focus of research on children, families, and technology. We examine how sociodemographic factors and parents’ own technology use relate to patterns in how parents and children guide each other’s technology experiences. We then explore how siblings’ collaborative experiences are influenced by the extent to which inter-generational technology practices are either parent- or child-driven. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for strengthening digital equity initiatives targeting school-age children and their families.
The Home-Heart-Walk study, a self-administered walk test on perceived physical functioning, and self-care behaviour in people with stable chronic heart failure: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Du Huiyun , Newton Phillip J , Budhathoki Chakra , Everett Bronwyn , Salamonson Yenna , Macdonald Peter S , Davidson Patricia M
Published: August 2017

Background:

Adherence to self-care recommendations is associated with improved patient outcomes and improved quality of life for people living with heart failure. The Home-Heart-Walk (HHW) is an intervention to promote physical activity adapting the elements of a six minute walk test, a reliable and valid measure. This adaptation was designed to support self-monitoring of physical functioning and promote the self-care of people with heart failure. The primary outcome of the Home-Heart-Walk was perceived physical functioning and the secondary outcomes were six-minute walk test distance, health related quality of life, self-care behaviour, self-efficacy and physical activity level.

Methods:

A multicentre randomized controlled trial. Participants ( N=132) were recruited from three academic hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Participants were randomized to either the Home-Heart-Walk group or the control group. Perceived physical functioning, health related quality of life, self-care behaviour, exercise self-efficacy and physical activity level were measured at baseline and at three- and six-month follow-up.

Results:

After adjusting for baseline scores, there were no statistically significant between-group differences in perceived physical functioning, six-minute walk test distance, health related quality of life and exercise self-efficacy at follow-up. The intervention group had improvement in self-care behaviour ( F(1,129) = 4.75, p = 0.031) and physical activity level ( U = 1713, z = −2.12, p = 0.034) at the six-month follow-up compared with the control group.

Conclusion:

The Home-Heart-Walk did not improve the perceived physical functioning of the intervention group. Although the feasibility and acceptability of this strategy to support self-monitoring and improve self-care behaviour was demonstrated, self-reported adherence was unreliable; newer technologies may offer better assessment of adherence.
Leadership and Employee Work Passion: Propositions for Future Empirical Investigations
Authors: Egan Richard , Turner Mark , Blackman Deborah
Published: August 2017

There has been growing research interest in work passion; however, limited research has been conducted on the role of work environment antecedents on which employee cognitions and affect are formed and employee work intentions are developed. Research has shown that leadership is fundamental and influential in contemporary organizations, and it affects numerous positive employee and organizational outcomes, yet questions relating to which leadership behaviors encourage (or discourage) employee work passion, and how such processes occur, remain unanswered. Our analysis of two distinct streams of research—employee work passion and leadership theory—resulted in the development of a theoretical model that links leadership (behavior and values), employee affect, and employee work intentions. We propose that employee affect will mediate relations between leadership and work intentions. Research propositions and recommendations for future research are presented.
Harold Washington and the Planning Tradition in Chicago
Authors: Biles Roger
Published: August 2017

Beginning with Daniel H. Burnham’s iconic 1909 plan, the planning tradition in Chicago emphasized the enhancement of the downtown as the key to the city’s health. Harold Washington challenged the tradition during his one-term mayoralty, as evidenced in his administration’s 1984 comprehensive plan, calling for balanced growth and increased attention to neighborhood concerns. Following Washington’s abrupt death in office, subsequent mayors quickly reverted to the more conventional approach to planning that held sway in Chicago and many other large US cities in postindustrial America.
Task Oriented Training and Evaluation at Home
Authors: Rowe Veronica T. , Neville Marsha
Published: August 2017

Principles of experience-dependent plasticity, motor learning theory, and the theory of Occupational Adaptation coalesce into a translational model for practice in neurorehabilitation. The objective of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a Task Oriented Training and Evaluation at Home (TOTE Home) program completed by people with subacute stroke, and whether effects persisted 1 month after this training. A single-subject design included a maximum of 30, 1hour sessions of training conducted in participants’ homes. Repeated target measures of accelerometry and level of confidence were used to assess movement and confidence in weaker arm use through baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases of TOTE Home. Four participants completed TOTE Home and each demonstrated improvement in movement and confidence in function. The degree of improvement varied between participants, but a detectable change was evident in outcome measures. TOTE Home, using client-centered, salient tasks not only improved motor function but also facilitated an adaptive response demonstrated in continued improvement beyond the intervention.
Parametric analysis study of blast loaded armour V-plates
Authors: Trajkovski Jovan , Kunc Robert , Prebil Ivan
Published: August 2017

Continuous improvement in the hull floor of light armoured vehicles in terms of landmine response and crew safety is required among other things, in order to meet higher demands in the market and to obtain a product safety certificate. Previous research studies have shown that V-shaped hull floors of light armoured vehicles have a better response to blast loading in terms of saving the lives of vehicle crews or reducing the number of injuries. For this reason, parametric and design optimization analyses of V-shaped hull floors play an important role in achieving an optimal, safe and cost-effective light armoured vehicle design. However, this kind of structural optimization is complex, involving a multidisciplinary fluid–structure interaction processes, as well as large structural deformations. This article presents the results of the metamodel-based parametric analysis of blast loaded armour V-plates. The contribution of most important variable parameters such as plate angle, plate thickness, explosive mass and stand-off distance to blast loading and blast response parameters was examined using a combined smooth particle hydrodynamic – finite element numerical model. The results showed that the plate angle has the greatest impact on all response parameters of the metamodel, followed by the stand-off distance and plate thickness.
Comparison of claims data on hospitalization rates and repeat procedures in patients receiving a bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy
Authors: Young Lisa E , Sacks Naomi C , Cyr Philip L , Sharma Abhishek , Dahdal David N
Published: August 2017

Objectives:

To evaluate outcomes of colorectal screening using sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate compared with other prescription bowel-preparation agents. Primary endpoints were rates of procedure-associated hospitalizations, diagnosis at hospitalization, and rates of early repeat screenings.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study identified patients using the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan databases, which contain fully adjudicated, de-identified, medical- and prescription-drug claims, as well as demographic and enrollment information for individuals with commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare supplemental insurance coverage. Patients who had a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy over a 3-year period were identified using International Classification of Diseases Clinical Modification procedure codes, recorded on claims from physicians and facilities. First, screening colonoscopy was identified for each patient, and the study was limited to those patients who could be observed for ≥6 months before and 3 months after the screening procedure. Total number of hospitalizations and rates of early repeat screenings were evaluated for all patients who received sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate and compared with those who received other bowel-preparation agents. Individual prescription medications that could affect the outcome of the cleansing agent were identified; further evaluations were made to establish whether patients had comorbid conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or psychiatric illness. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, two-tailed t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression.

Results:

A total of 566,628 procedures were identified in the MarketScan databases and included in the study. Sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate performed well in terms of safety outcomes, with no hospitalizations due to diagnosis of hyponatremia, dehydration, or other fluid disorders in the 10 days after procedure. Early repeat rates among sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate patients were comparable with rates observed for all other cleansing agents.

Conclusion:

Outcomes of colorectal screening using sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate were not significantly different compared with other prescription bowel-preparation agents.
Country-level Differences in the Effects of Financial Hardship on Life Satisfaction: The Role of Religious Context and Age-contingent Buffering
Authors: Jung Jong Hyun
Published: August 2017

Existing research suggests that financial hardship is negatively associated with life satisfaction. Largely absent from the literature, however, is an examination of whether this association varies across national context. Drawing on the sixth wave of the World Values Survey (2010–2014), this study assesses whether religious context moderates the association between financial hardship and life satisfaction. Moreover, it investigates how the moderating influences of religious context vary by age groups. Multilevel analyses reveal that the negative association between financial hardship and life satisfaction is weaker in countries with higher levels of religiosity than in countries with lower levels of religiosity. Further, the stress-buffering properties of religious context operate primarily for older adults. These findings underscore the importance of considering national context in research on stress and mental health. Moreover, future research should examine status-based differences in the ways that national context modifies the association between stress and mental health.
Work–Family Conflict and Employee Commitment: The Moderating Effect of Perceived Managerial Support
Authors: Mukanzi Clive Malietso , Senaji Thomas Anyanje
Published: August 2017

This study aimed at investigating the relationship between work–family conflict (work-to-family conflict [WFC] and family-to-work conflict [FWC]) and employee commitment (EC) in banking institution in Kenya. Furthermore, the study focused on exploring the moderating effect of perceived managerial support (PMS) on the relationship between work–family conflict and EC. This study was a cross-sectional survey of 334 employees working in banking institutions where data were collected using self-reported questionnaires. We found that WFC had a positive relationship with affective commitment (AC), continuance commitment (CC), and normative commitment (NC); and that PMS and gender significantly moderated the relationship between WFC and FWC and construct of EC. The moderating effect of PMS is explored to further elaborate on the relationship between work–family conflict and EC. This study provides valuable insights into the work–family conflict among employees with family responsibility in the banking institution. Applied implications for managers are suggested to minimize the WFC and FWC to ensure better work–life balance among employees. The study also contributes to the existing work–family conflict literature.
Nurses’ Perceptions of Their Foot Health: Implications for Occupational Health Care
Authors: Stolt Minna , Miikkola Maija , Suhonen Riitta , Leino-Kilpi Helena
Published: August 2017

Nursing practice includes static standing and much walking causing strains to lower extremities. However, little is known about nurses’ foot health and particularly their perceptions of their foot health. Therefore, in this study operating room nurses’ perceptions of their foot health was investigated and promoting and hindering factors were identified. In total, 14 operating room nurses participated in in-depth interviews. The informants regarded foot health as part of general health and moreover a significant part of work well-being. Promoting factors for foot health were activity in sports and foot self-care as well as varying work conditions and seeing patients with severe foot conditions which served as a motivating factor to care for their own feet. On the contrary, hindering factors were unsuitable footwear, constant standing, and lack of motivation to care for their own feet. Based on this study, nurses’ value their foot health which should be promoted. Nurses could benefit from annual foot health assessments and foot self-care education provided by occupational health professionals.
An Accident-Prone Employee: No, Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Lurati Ann Regina
Published: August 2017

An employee is labeled “accident-prone,” and sustained an acute lumbar injury at work. Upon physical examination, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was suspected. She was referred to a public health clinic for further evaluation. This is a review article of multiple sclerosis and workplace interventions.
Trends and Patterns of Concealed Handgun License Applications: A Multistate Analysis
Authors: Shapira Harel , Jensen Katherine , Lin Ken-Hou
Published: August 2017

Recent waves of legislation have made it much easier for gun owners to obtain a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) and thereby carry their guns in public except when explicitly prohibited. Because data are difficult to access, our understanding of who seeks and obtains such licenses remains limited. Using data obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, this article fills this empirical gap by describing demographic trends and characteristics of applicants for CHLs in five states: Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Texas, and Utah. The results establish that (1) applications for CHLs are growing at fast rates; (2) there are significant gender and racial disparities in terms of who applies for CHLs, with men 2.9 to 5.5 times more likely to apply than women, and whites 1.3 to 2.0 times more likely to apply than blacks; (3) in Florida and Utah, these demographic gaps have widened over time; and (4) there are significant racial disparities in terms of application outcomes, with black applicants being 3.3 to 5.5 times more likely to be denied a license than white applicants. Moreover, we do not find the patterns in Massachusetts, a may-issue state, to be significantly different from the shall-issue states in our sample.
Values Expressed through African Symbols: An Ethiopian Theological Reflection
Authors: Assefa Daniel , Belachew Tekletsadik
Published: August 2017

For sixteen centuries, Christian faith has been interacting with Ethiopian culture. This setting offers rich resources for theological vocabulary insofar as it is embedded in African images and symbols, poems, hymns, and chants. Since the material world holds an important place in Ethiopian religious expressions, four dominant symbols found in nature—fire, water, soil, and oil—deserve particular attention. The reflections given in this article are predominantly drawn from study of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church. We show that various values are discernable in the four symbols mentioned here, as well as in the cross, the central Christian symbol.
Modelling of Damage Evolution in Braided Composites: Recent Developments
Authors: Wang Chen , Roy Anish , Silberschmidt Vadim V. , Chen Zhong
Published: August 2017

Composites reinforced with woven or braided textiles exhibit high structural stability and excellent damage tolerance thanks to yarn interlacing. With their high stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios, braided composites are attractive for aerospace and automotive components as well as sports protective equipment. In these potential applications, components are typically subjected to multi-directional static, impact and fatigue loadings. To enhance material analysis and design for such applications, understanding mechanical behaviour of braided composites and development of predictive capabilities becomes crucial. Significant progress has been made in recent years in development of new modelling techniques allowing elucidation of static and dynamic responses of braided composites. However, because of their unique interlacing geometric structure and complicated failure modes, prediction of damage initiation and its evolution in components is still a challenge. Therefore, a comprehensive literature analysis is presented in this work focused on a review of the state-of-the-art progressive damage analysis of braided composites with finite-element simulations. Recently models employed in the studies on mechanical behaviour, impact response and fatigue analyses of braided composites are presented systematically. This review highlights the importance, advantages and limitations of as-applied failure criteria and damage evolution laws for yarns and composite unit cells. In addition, this work provides a good reference for future research on FE simulations of braided composites.
Quantitative reconstruction of source-to-sink systems of the first and second members of the Shahejie Formation of the Eastern Shijiutuo uplift, Bohai Bay Basin, China
Authors: Du Xiaofeng , Xu Changgui , Pang Xiaojun , Wang Qingbin , Wang Qiming , Zhao Meng
Published: August 2017

By examining the seismic data, logging data, core description, thin sections, rare earth elements, heavy minerals, and detrital zircon U-Pb dating, we studied the sedimentary features and provenance implications of the five fan deltas (fan deltas A-E) spread along the 428 Uplift in Bohai Bay Basin during the deposition of the first and second members of the Shahejie Formation ([Formula: see text]). The glutenite volumes of the fan deltas and the erosion volumes of their catchments were calculated as well as the sand-production rates. The results indicated that during the sedimentation of the first and second members of the Shahejie Formation ([Formula: see text]): (1) the true lithology of the 428 Uplift, which was completely eroded, could not be represented by the residual lithology (Mesozoic igneous rocks with interlayers of clastic rocks on the western subuplift and Permian sedimentary rocks on the eastern subuplift), (2) fan deltas A and B were dominated by Mesozoic igneous rocks from the eastern low uplift, whereas the fan deltas C-E were dominated by sedimentary rocks with interlayers of igneous rocks from the western low uplift, and (3) during [Formula: see text], the volumes of the glutenites of the five fan deltas were [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively, whereas the erosion volumes of the catchments are [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] respectively. (4) The sand production rates of the five fan deltas were 71.9%, 53.8%, 34.7%, 29.6%, and 29%, respectively. (5) Approximately 53.8%–71.9% of the eroded igneous rocks formed the near-source fan-delta glutenites, whereas only 29.0%–34.7% of the eroded sedimentary rocks with igneous rock interlayers formed the near-source fan-delta glutenites. The igneous parent rocks featured higher sand production rates and were responsible for the development of the most sand-rich reservoirs. Based on the research finding, it is possible to predict the development of the sandstone reservoirs at the poorly explored steep slope areas.
Understanding Infusion Pumps
Authors: Mandel Jeff E.
Published: August 2017

Infusion systems are complicated electromechanical systems that are used to deliver anesthetic drugs with moderate precision. Four types of systems are described—gravity feed, in-line piston, peristaltic, and syringe. These systems are subject to a number of failure modes—occlusion, disconnection, siphoning, infiltration, and air bubbles. The relative advantages of the various systems and some of the monitoring capabilities are discussed. A brief example of the use of an infusion system during anesthetic induction is presented. With understanding of the functioning of these systems, users may develop greater comfort.
Huntington Mice Demonstrate Diminished Pain Response in Inflammatory Pain Model
Authors: Lin Ya-Chi , Hsiao Hung-Tsung , Wu Sheng-Nan , Liu Yen-Chin
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND:

Huntington disease (HD) affects the nervous system and leads to mental and motor dysfunction. Previous studies have shown that HD is caused by the exon 1 region of the huntingtin (HTT) gene having expanded CAG trinucleotide repeats. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between HD and pain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between HD and pain response.

METHODS:

We used clinical similar transgenic HD mice carrying a mutant HTT exon 1 containing 84 CAG trinucleotide repeats to evaluate the relationship between HD and pain. Inflammatory pain models were induced by either formalin or complete Freund adjuvant injection over the hind paw. Spinal cord, dorsal root ganglion, and paw skin tissues were harvested at the end of the behavioral inflammatory pain studies. Immunofluorescence assay, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to identify changes in cells and cytokines.

RESULTS:

Our data demonstrate that preonset HD mice exhibited less pain behavior than wild-type (WT) mice in both young (n = 11 [WT], 13 [HD]) and aged (n = 8 [WT], 9 [HD]) mice. Western blotting and immunohistological examination of lumbar spinal cord tissue and dorsal root ganglion indicate less activation of glial cells and astrocytes in young HD mice (n = 6–7) compared to that in WT mice (n = 6–7). The production levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and substance P were also lower in young HD mice (n = 6–7).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data demonstrate less pain behavior and pain-related cytokine response at the spinal cord level for HD mice compared to those for WT mice. Further studies are needed for determining the mechanism as to how mutant HTT leads to altered pain behavior and pain-related cytokine response.
Development of Novel Functional Organic Crystals by Utilizing Proton- and π-Electron-Donating/Accepting Abilities
Authors: Ueda Akira
Published: August 2017

Crystalline materials that comprise π-electron organic molecules exhibit various interesting physical properties and functionalities, related to electrical conductivity, magnetism, optical properties, etc. Conventionally, such properties and functionalities are determined or controlled by the intermolecular π-electron interactions in the crystal. Recently, however, the switching or control of the electronic structure and physical properties based on hydrogen dynamics was realized in a series of purely organic conductors. In this account article, the structure, properties, and switching phenomenon of this new type of organic conductors developed by utilizing proton- and π-electron-donating/accepting abilities are summarized. In addition, a highly polarized π-electron donor-acceptor type semiconductor molecule obtained in connection with the above conductors is also described.
Recent advances in pericentriolar material organization: ordered layers and scaffolding gels
Authors: Fry Andrew M. , Sampson Josephina , Shak Caroline , Shackleton Sue
Published: August 2017

The centrosome is an unusual organelle that lacks a surrounding membrane, raising the question of what limits its size and shape. Moreover, while electron microscopy (EM) has provided a detailed view of centriole architecture, there has been limited understanding of how the second major component of centrosomes, the pericentriolar material (PCM), is organized. Here, we summarize exciting recent findings from super-resolution fluorescence imaging, structural biology, and biochemical reconstitution that together reveal the presence of ordered layers and complex gel-like scaffolds in the PCM. Moreover, we discuss how this is leading to a better understanding of the process of microtubule nucleation, how alterations in PCM size are regulated in cycling and differentiated cells, and why mutations in PCM components lead to specific human pathologies.
Recent advances in understanding the roles of whole genome duplications in evolution
Authors: MacKintosh Carol , Ferrier David E.K.
Published: August 2017

Ancient whole-genome duplications (WGDs)—paleopolyploidy events—are key to solving Darwin’s ‘abominable mystery’ of how flowering plants evolved and radiated into a rich variety of species. The vertebrates also emerged from their invertebrate ancestors via two WGDs, and genomes of diverse gymnosperm trees, unicellular eukaryotes, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians and even a rodent carry evidence of lineage-specific WGDs. Modern polyploidy is common in eukaryotes, and it can be induced, enabling mechanisms and short-term cost-benefit assessments of polyploidy to be studied experimentally. However, the ancient WGDs can be reconstructed only by comparative genomics: these studies are difficult because the DNA duplicates have been through tens or hundreds of millions of years of gene losses, mutations, and chromosomal rearrangements that culminate in resolution of the polyploid genomes back into diploid ones (rediploidisation). Intriguing asymmetries in patterns of post-WGD gene loss and retention between duplicated sets of chromosomes have been discovered recently, and elaborations ofsignal transductionsystems are lasting legacies from several WGDs. The data imply that simpler signalling pathways in the pre-WGD ancestors were converted via WGDs into multi-stranded parallelised networks. Genetic and biochemical studies in plants, yeasts and vertebrates suggest a paradigm in which different combinations of sister paralogues in the post-WGD regulatory networks are co-regulated under different conditions. In principle, such networks can respond to a wide array of environmental, sensory and hormonal stimuli and integrate them to generate phenotypic variety in cell types and behaviours. Patterns are also being discerned in how the post-WGD signalling networks are reconfigured in human cancers and neurological conditions. It is fascinating to unpick how ancient genomic events impact on complexity, variety and disease in modern life.
Beyond adhesion: emerging roles for integrins in control of the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Longmate Whitney , DiPersio C Michael
Published: August 2017

While integrins were originally discovered as cell adhesion receptors, recent studies have reinforced the concept that integrins have central roles in cancer that extend far beyond controlling cell adhesion and migration. Indeed, as transmembrane cell surface receptors that occupy a critical position at the interface of cellular and extracellular interactions and are capable of both “inside-out” and “outside-in” signaling, integrins are uniquely poised to regulate the cell’s ability to promote, sense, and react to changes in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, integrins are present on all cell types in the tumor microenvironment, and they have important roles in regulating intercellular communication. Decades of promising pre-clinical studies have implicated certain integrins as attractive therapeutic targets in the cancer clinic. Nevertheless, results of the few clinical trials that target integrins in cancer have thus far been disappointing. Importantly, these clinical failures likely reflect the emerging complexity of individual and combinatorial integrin function within both tumor cells and other cell types of the tumor microenvironment, together with a need to explore integrin-targeting agents not just as monotherapies but also as adjuvants to more conventional radiotherapies or chemotherapies. In this review, we will examine recent advances toward understanding how integrins regulate cancer progression, including their roles in intercellular communication and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, we will discuss factors that underlie the limited efficacy of current efforts to target integrins in the cancer clinic as well as potential strategies to overcome these challenges.
Case Report: Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment in Niemann-Pick disease type C; clinical experience in four cases
Authors: Evans William R.H. , Nicoli Elena-Raluca , Wang Raymond Y. , Movsesyan Nina , Platt Frances M.
Published: August 2017

In this case series, we demonstrate that Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) improves liver dysfunction in Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) and may restore a suppressed cytochrome p450 system. NPC disease is a progressive neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in either the NPC1 or NPC2 genes. Liver disease is a common feature presenting either acutely as cholestatic jaundice in the neonatal period, or in later life as elevated liver enzymes indicative of liver dysfunction. Recently, an imbalance in bile acid synthesis in a mouse model of NPC disease was linked to suppression of the P450 detoxification system and was corrected by UDCA treatment. UDCA (3α, 7β-dihydroxy-5β-cholanic acid), a hydrophilic bile acid, is used to treat various cholestatic disorders. In this report we summarise the findings from four independent cases of NPC, three with abnormal liver enzyme levels at baseline, that were subsequently treated with UDCA. The patients differed in age and clinical features, they all tolerated the drug well, and in those with abnormal liver function, there were significant improvements in their liver enzyme parameters.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) TECHNOLOGIES A BASIS FOR FORMATION OF HIGH-PRODUCTIVE AGROCENOUSES OF PERENNIAL GRASS IN THE SOIL-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN
Authors: Сафиоллин Фаик , Safiollin Faik , Хисматуллин Марсель , Khismatullin Marsel , Трофимов Николай , Trofimov Nikolay , Сочнева Светлана , Sochneva Svetlana
Published: August 2017

Uncontrolled increase in prices for fuels and lubricants, mineral fertilizers, agricultural machinery, increased competition between producers of livestock products require new approaches in the fodder production with a low cost, including management of hayfields and pastures productivity, taking into account the intrafield variability of the plant habitat. In this regard, this article looks at promising areas of application of GIS-technologies in agriculture, allowing to solve topical issues of the agro-industrial complex not only in our republic, but also in the Russian Federation as a whole.
Searching for Structure: Formal Organization Design as a Guide to Network Evolution
Authors: Clement Julien , Puranam Phanish
Published: August 2017

Is top-down organization design worth attempting at all, or should organizations simply let their members learn which patterns of interaction are valuable by themselves, through a bottom-up process? Our analysis of an agent-based computational model shows that weak enforcement of even a randomly selected formal structure in a top-down manner can usefully guide the bottom-up emergence of networks of intraorganizational interactions between agents. In the absence of formal structure, interactions are prone to decline within organizations, because maintaining interactions requires coordination but breaking them does not. Formal structure regenerates the network of interactions between agents, who can then learn which interactions to keep or discard. This “network regeneration effect” of formal structure offers a rationale for the importance of top-down organization design, even if the design is limited in accuracy and enforcement.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2807 .

This paper was accepted by Sendil Ethiraj, organizations.
Effects of multilevel surgery on a flexed knee gait in adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: Putz C. , Wolf S. I. , Mertens E. M. , Geisbüsch A. , Gantz S. , Braatz F. , Döderlein L. , Dreher T.
Published: August 2017

Aims

A flexed knee gait is common in patients with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy and occurs with increased age. There is a risk for the recurrence of a flexed knee gait when treated in childhood, and the aim of this study was to investigate whether multilevel procedures might also be undertaken in adulthood.

Patients and Methods

At a mean of 22.9 months (standard deviation 12.9), after single event multi level surgery, 3D gait analysis was undertaken pre- and post-operatively for 37 adult patients with bilateral cerebral palsy and a fixed knee gait.

Results

There was a significant improvement of indices and clinical and kinematic parameters including extension of the hip and knee, reduction of knee flexion at initial contact, reduction of minimum and mean knee flexion in the stance phase of gait, improved range of movement of the knee and a reduction of mean flexion of the hip in the stance phase. Genu recurvatum occurred in two patients (n = 3 legs, 4%) and an increase of pelvic tilt (> 5°) was found in 12 patients (n = 23 legs, 31%).

Conclusion

Adult patients with bilateral cerebral palsy and a flexed knee gait benefit from multilevel surgery including hamstring lengthening. The risk of the occurence of genu recurvatum and increased pelvic tilt is lower than has been previously reported in children. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1256–64.
Venous thromboembolism in adult elective spinal surgery
Authors: Fawi H. M. T. , Saba K. , Cunningham A. , Masud S. , Lewis M. , Hossain M. , Chopra I. , Ahuja S.
Published: August 2017

Aims

To evaluate the incidence of primary venous thromboembolism (VTE), epidural haematoma, surgical site infection (SSI), and 90-day mortality after elective spinal surgery, and the effect of two protocols for prophylaxis.

Patients and Methods

A total of 2181 adults underwent 2366 elective spinal procedures between January 2007 and January 2012. All patients wore anti-embolic stockings, mobilised early and were kept adequately hydrated. In addition, 29% (689) of these were given low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) while in hospital. SSI surveillance was undertaken using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria.

Results

In patients who only received mechanical prophylaxis, the incidence of VTE was 0.59% and that of SSI 2.1%. In patients who were additionally given LMWH, the incidence of VTE was 0% and that of SSI 0.7%. The unadjusted p-value was 0.04 for VTE and 0.01 for SSI. There were no cases of epidural haematoma or 90-day mortality in either group. When adjusted for case-mix, LMWH remained a significant factor (p = 0.006) for VTE, but not for SSI.

Conclusion

A peri-operative protocol involving mechanical anti-embolism stockings, adequate hydration, and early post-operative mobilisation is effective in significantly reducing the incidence of VTE. The addition of LMWH is safe in patients at higher risk of developing VTE. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1204–9.