bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Traumatic Dislodgement of Tibial Polyethylene Insert after a High-Flex Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Replacement
Authors: Astoul Bonorino Juan Felix , Slullitel Pablo Ariel Isidoro , Kido Gonzalo Rodrigo , Bongiovanni Santiago , Vestri Renato , Carbó Lisandro
Published: September 2015

Many pathologic entities can produce a painful total knee replacement (TKR) that may lead to potential prosthetic failure. Polyethylene insert dissociation from the tibial baseplate has been described most frequently after mobile-bearing and cruciate-retaining TKRs. However, only 3 tibial insert dislocations in primary fixed-bearing High-Flex posterior-stabilized TKRs have been reported. We present a new case of tibial insert dislocation in a High-Flex model that shares similarities and differences with the cases reported, facilitating the analysis of the potential causes, which still remain undefined.
A Folding Pathway Model of Mini-Protein BBA5
Authors: Lee In-Ho , Kim Seung-Yeon , Lee Jooyoung
Published: September 2015

We present the folding pathway model of mini-protein BBA5, a bundle of secondary structures,α-helix andβ-hairpin, by using action-derived molecular dynamics (ADMD) simulations. From ten independent ADMD simulations, we extracted common features of the folding pathway of BBA5, from which we found that the early stage chain compaction was followed by the formation of C-terminalα-helix. The N-terminalβ-hairpin was observed to form only afterα-helix was stabilized. This result is in good agreement with the experimental observation that BBA5 mutants were moderately cooperative folders, and their C-terminal helical fragments were of higher secondary structure propensity while the N-terminal hairpin fragments were of a random coil spectrum. We found that the most flexible part of BBA5 is the N-terminal four residues. Although both are made of the identicalββαmotif, the secondary structure formation sequence of BBA5 is found to be different from that of FSD-1. Finally, a description of the folding pathway in terms of principal component analysis is presented to characterize the folding dynamics in reduced dimensions. With only three principal components, we were able to describe 83.4% of the pathway.
Comparison of Immunohistochemical Expression of Antiapoptotic Protein Survivin in Normal Oral Mucosa, Oral Leukoplakia, and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Negi Amita , Puri Abhiney , Gupta Rakhi , Nangia Rajat , Sachdeva Alisha , Mittal Megha
Published: September 2015

Background. Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the sixth most frequent malignant tumor worldwide and the third most common cancers in developing countries. Oral leukoplakia is the best-known precursor lesion of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to compare immunohistochemical expression of antiapoptotic protein survivin in normal oral mucosa, oral leukoplakia, and oral squamous cell carcinoma.Method. Total 45 specimens of formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks, 15 in each of the following: normal oral mucosa, leukoplakia, and oral squamous cell carcinoma were used for the study. Immunohistochemical reaction for survivin protein was performed for the 4 µm thick histological sections taken on positively charged slides.Results. 20% normal mucosa cases, 53.33% cases of leukoplakia, and 80% of oral squamous cell carcinoma were found out to be survivin positive. One way ANOVA test indicated statistically significant difference of survivin expression between the three different groupsp<0.001.Conclusion. A high incidence of survivin protein expression in oral epithelial dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma samples indicate that survivin protein expression may be an early event in initiation and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Pulmonary Vein Stenosis in a Newborn: A Commonly Overlooked Diagnosis
Authors: Bravo-valenzuela Nathalie Jeanne Magioli , Silva Guilherme Ricardo Nunes , Varella Marcela Pinto
Published: September 2015

The diagnosis of primary pulmonary vein stenosis is often overlooked because its symptoms overlap lung diseases and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Its diagnosis may be difficult because the condition is progressive and associated with other defects. We present a case of pulmonary vein stenosis in a newborn with stenosis of the left-sided common pulmonary vein, diffuse hypoplasia of the superior right pulmonary vein, and atresia of the inferior right pulmonary vein.
Indentations on Air Plasma Sprayed Thermal Barrier Coatings Prepared by Different Starting Granules
Authors: Heo Yong Suk , Lee Dong Heon , Jung Yeon-Gil , Lee Kee Sung
Published: September 2015

The effect of starting granules on the indentation properties of air plasma sprayed thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) is investigated in this paper. Various kinds of spray‐dried granules are prepared from different processing conditions, especially varying solvent and dispersant, showing a deformed hollow‐typed and a filled spherical‐typed granule. The similar coating thicknesses are prepared by adjusting process parameters during air plasma spray. All XRD peaks in phase analysis are tetragonal and cubic phases without any monoclinic phase after the starting granules were heat‐treated. A relatively porous microstructure of the coating layer could be obtained from the monodisperse granules, while a relatively dense microstructure resulted from the hollow‐typed granules. The morphology and distribution of the granules crucially affect the microstructure of thermal barrier coatings and thus have influences on indentation properties such as indentation stress‐strain curves, contact damage, and hardness. The implication concerning microstructure design of TBCs for gas turbine applications is considered.
Rotating Machine Fault Diagnosis Based on Optimal Morphological Filter and Local Tangent Space Alignment
Authors: Dong Shaojiang , Chen Lili , Tang Baoping , Xu Xiangyang , Gao Zhengyuan , Liu Juan
Published: September 2015

In order to identify the fault of rotating machine effectively, a new method based on the morphological filter optimized by particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) and the nonlinear manifold learning algorithm local tangent space alignment (LTSA) is proposed. Firstly, the signal is purified by the morphological filter; the filter’s structure element (SE) is selected by PSO method. Then the filtered signals are decomposed by the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method, and the extract features are mapped into the LTSA to extract the character features; then the support vector machine (SVM) model is used to achieve the rotating machine fault diagnosis. The proposed method is evaluated by vibration signals measured from bearings with faults. Results show that the method can effectively remove the noise and extract the fault features, so the rotating machine fault diagnosis can be achieved effectively.
Complementary Therapies for Significant Dysfunction from Tinnitus: Treatment Review and Potential for Integrative Medicine
Authors: Wolever Ruth Q. , Price Rebecca , Hazelton A. Garrett , Dmitrieva Natalia O. , Bechard Elizabeth M. , Shaffer Janet K. , Tucci Debara L.
Published: September 2015

Tinnitus is a prevalent and costly chronic condition; no universally effective treatment exists. Only 20% of patients who report tinnitus actually seek treatment, and when treated, most patients commonly receive sound-based and educational (SBE) therapy. Additional treatment options are necessary, however, for nonauditory aspects of tinnitus (e.g., anxiety, depression, and significant interference with daily life) and when SBE therapy is inefficacious or inappropriate. This paper provides a comprehensive review of (1) conventional tinnitus treatments and (2) promising complementary therapies that have demonstrated some benefit for severe dysfunction from tinnitus. While there has been no systematic study of the benefits of an Integrative Medicine approach for severe tinnitus, the current paper reviews emerging evidence suggesting that synergistic combinations of complementary therapies provided within a whole-person framework may augment SBE therapy and empower patients to exert control over their tinnitus symptoms without the use of medications, expensive devices, or extended programs.
Channel Allocation Based on Content Characteristics for Video Transmission in Time-Domain-Based Multichannel Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Jalil Piran Md. , Ejaz Ahmed M. , Ali Amjad , Song Ju Bin , Suh Doug Young
Published: September 2015

This paper proposes a method for channel allocation based on video content requirements and the quality of the available channels in cognitive radio networks (CRNs). Our objective is to save network bandwidth and achieve high-quality video delivery. In this method, the content is divided into clusters based on scene complexity and PSNR. To allocate channel to the clusters over multichannel CRNs, we first need to identify the licensee’s activity and then maximize the opportunistic usage accordingly. Therefore, we classify short and long time transmission opportunities based on the licensee’s activities using a Bayesian nonparametric inference model. Furthermore, to prevent transmission interruption, we consider the underlay mode for transmission of the clusters with a lower bitrate. Next, we map the available spectrum opportunities to the content clusters according to both the quality of the channels and the requirements of the clusters. Then, a distortion optimization model is constructed according to the network transmission mechanism. Finally, to maximize the average quality of the delivered video, an optimization problem is defined to determine the best bitrate for each cluster by maximizing the sum of the logarithms of the frame rates. Our extensive simulation results prove the superior performance of the proposed method in terms of spectrum efficiency and the quality of delivered video.
Registered Nurses’ Experiences with the Medication Administration Process
Authors: Pirinen Hanna , Kauhanen Lotta , Danielsson-Ojala Riitta , Lilius Johan , Tuominen Ilona , Díaz Rodríguez Natalia , Salanterä Sanna
Published: September 2015

Background. Registered nurses (RNs) have a role in the medication administration process (MAP) multiple times per day in a hectic hospital environment. This requires a great deal from the RNs in order to accomplish the demanding task of avoiding adverse drug events. However, the process has not been widely studied from the nurses’ perspective. Aim. The aim of this study was to describe the different stages of MAP from the RNs’ perspective. Methods. A qualitative descriptive research design, with a purposive sample involving thematic interviews of 20 RNs and questions to them in a paper form, was conducted in two medical units. Data was analyzed by using deductive content analysis. Results. The results revealed that RNs confront numerous problems such as equivocal prescriptions, problems with information technology (IT), unavailability or incompatibility of the medicines, a substantial amount of generic substitutions, and changing medicine brands. Disruptions and distraction run through each stage of the MAP, excluding prescribing. The RNs desire support in all stages of the MAP. Conclusion. There are areas to improve in each stage of the MAP from the RNs perspective. Real-time and ubiquitous documentation, along with software including the data and knowledge required in medication management, is needed.
Do Different Semi-Occluded Voice Exercises Affect Vocal Fold Adduction Differently in Subjects Diagnosed with Hyperfunctional Dysphonia?
Authors: Guzman Marco , Calvache Carlos , Romero Luis , Muñoz Daniel , Olavarria Christian , Madrid Sofia , Leiva Miguel , Bortnem Cori
Published: September 2015

Objective: To observe the possible differential effects of 8 different semi-occluded vocal tract exercises on glottal contact quotient (CQ) as a measure of vocal fold impact stress. Patients and Methods: Eighty participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group with hyperfunctional dysphonia and a control group of vocally healthy subjects. The participants were recorded before, during and after the exercises. Electroglottographic samples were analyzed to obtain CQ. Results: For the experimental group, all exercises, except lip trills and tongue trills, had an overall significant effect when conditions before, during and after the exercises were compared. The CQ presented differently across the 8 semi-occluded postures during exercise for both groups. For the experimental group, most exercises increased the CQ during practice. Only lip and tongue trills demonstrated lower CQ during exercise. Conclusions: Different semi-occluded exercises differentially affect vocal fold adduction. Lip and tongue trills produced the lowest CQ. Therefore, they may be recommended for decreasing glottal adduction. A straw submerged 10 cm below the water surface presented the greatest CQ. A shallower depth led to a lower CQ, while deeper submersion produced a higher CQ.
Left Ventricular Wall Stress–Mass–Heart Rate Product and Cardiovascular Events in Treated Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Devereux Richard B. , Bang Casper N. , Roman Mary J. , Palmieri Vittorio , Boman Kurt , Gerdts Eva , Nieminen Markku S. , Papademetriou Vasilios , Wachtell Kristian , Hille Darcy A. , Dahlöf Björn
Published: September 2015

In the Losartan Intervention for End Point Reduction in Hypertension (LIFE) study, 4.8 years’ losartan- versus atenolol-based antihypertensive treatment reduced left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiovascular end points, including cardiovascular death and stroke. However, there was no difference in myocardial infarction (MI), possibly related to greater reduction in myocardial oxygen demand by atenolol-based treatment. Myocardial oxygen demand was assessed indirectly by the left ventricular mass×wall stress×heart rate (triple product) in 905 LIFE participants. The triple product was included as time-varying covariate in Cox models assessing predictors of the LIFE primary composite end point (cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke), its individual components, and all-cause mortality. At baseline, the triple product in both treatment groups was, compared with normal adults, elevated in 70% of patients. During randomized treatment, the triple product was reduced more by atenolol, with prevalences of elevated triple product of 39% versus 51% on losartan (both
P
≤0.001). In Cox regression analyses adjusting for age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and prior stroke, MI, and heart failure, 1 SD lower triple product was associated with 23% (95% confidence interval 13%–32%) fewer composite end points, 31% (18%–41%) less cardiovascular mortality, 30% (15%–41%) lower MI, and 22% (11%–33%) lower all-cause mortality (all
P
≤0.001), without association with stroke (
P
=0.34). Although losartan-based therapy reduced ventricular mass more, greater heart rate reduction with atenolol resulted in larger reduction of the triple product. Lower triple product during antihypertensive treatment was strongly, independently associated with lower rates of the LIFE primary composite end point, cardiovascular death, and MI, but not stroke.
17β-Estradiol Attenuates Conduit Pulmonary Artery Mechanical Property Changes With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Liu Aiping , Tian Lian , Golob Mark , Eickhoff Jens C. , Boston Madison , Chesler Naomi C.
Published: September 2015

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rapidly fatal vascular disease, strikes women more often than men. Paradoxically, female PAH patients have better prognosis and survival rates than males. The female sex hormone 17β-estradiol has been linked to the better outcome of PAH in females; however, the mechanisms by which 17β-estradiol alters PAH progression and outcomes remain unclear. Because proximal pulmonary arterial (PA) stiffness, one hallmark of PAH, is a powerful predictor of mortality and morbidity, we hypothesized that 17β-estradiol attenuates PAH-induced changes in mechanical properties in conduit proximal PAs, which imparts hemodynamic and energetic benefits to right ventricular function. To test this hypothesis, female mice were ovariectomized and treated with 17β-estradiol or placebo. PAH was induced in mice using SU5416 and chronic hypoxia. Extra-lobar left PAs were isolated and mechanically tested ex vivo to study both static and frequency-dependent mechanical behaviors in the presence or absence of smooth muscle cell activation. Our static mechanical test showed significant stiffening of large PAs with PAH (
P
<0.05). 17β-Estradiol restored PA compliance to control levels. The dynamic mechanical test demonstrated that 17β-estradiol protected the arterial wall from the PAH-induced frequency-dependent decline in dynamic stiffness and loss of viscosity with PAH (
P
<0.05). As demonstrated by the in vivo measurement of PA hemodynamics via right ventricular catheterization, modulation by 17β-estradiol of mechanical proximal PAs reduced pulsatile loading, which contributed to improved ventricular–vascular coupling. This study provides a mechanical mechanism for delayed disease progression and better outcome in female PAH patients and underscores the therapeutic potential of 17β-estradiol in PAH.
Impact of Ivabradine on Central Aortic Blood Pressure and Myocardial Perfusion in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Dillinger Jean-Guillaume , Maher Vincent , Vitale Cristiana , Henry Patrick , Logeart Damien , Manzo Silberman Stephane , Allée Guillaume , Levy Bernard I.
Published: September 2015

Abstract—

Treatment of hypertensive patients with β-blockers reduces heart rate and decreases central blood pressure less than other antihypertensive drugs, implying that reducing heart rate without altering brachial blood pressure could increase central blood pressure, explaining the increased cardiovascular risk reported with β-blocker. We describe a randomized, double-blind study to explore whether heart rate reduction with the
I
f
inhibitor ivabradine had an impact on central blood pressure. We included 12 normotensive patients with stable coronary artery disease, heart rate ≥70 bpm (sinus rhythm), and stable background β-blocker therapy. Patients received ivabradine 7.5 mg BID or matched placebo for two 3-week periods with a crossover design and evaluation by aplanation tonometry. Treatment with ivabradine was associated with a significant reduction in resting heart rate after 3 weeks versus no change with placebo (−15.8±7.7 versus +0.3±5.8 bpm;
P
=0.0010). There was no relevant between-group difference in change in central aortic systolic blood pressure (−4.0±9.6 versus +2.4±12.0 mm Hg;
P
=0.13) or augmentation index (−0.8±10.0% versus +0.3±7.6%;
P
=0.87). Treatment with ivabradine was associated with a modest increase in left ventricular ejection time (+18.5±17.8 versus +2.8±19.3 ms;
P
=0.074) and a prolongation of diastolic perfusion time (+215.6±105.3 versus −3.0±55.8 ms with placebo;
P
=0.0005). Consequently, ivabradine induced a pronounced increase in Buckberg index, an index of myocardial viability (+39.3±27.6% versus −2.5±13.5% with placebo;
P
=0.0015). In conclusion, heart rate reduction with ivabradine does not increase central aortic blood pressure and is associated with a marked prolongation of diastolic perfusion time and an improvement in myocardial perfusion index.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu
. Unique identifier: 2011-004779-35.
Plasma Inflammatory Markers and the Risk of Developing Hypertension in Men
Authors: Sesso Howard D. , Jiménez Monik C. , Wang Lu , Ridker Paul M. , Buring Julie E. , Gaziano J. Michael
Published: September 2015

Background

Several cross‐sectional, but few prospective, studies suggest that inflammation may be involved in the development of hypertension. We examined markers of inflammation—high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1—and a marker of fibrinolysis, D‐dimer, for their associations with incident hypertension in the Physicians' Health Study.

Methods and Results

Baseline blood values and information on hypertension‐related risk factors were collected in 1982. Incident hypertension was defined as self‐reported initiation of antihypertensive treatment, systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg during follow‐up. With use of a nested case‐control design, 396 cases of incident hypertension and controls free of hypertension were matched 1:1 on age (mean 47.4 years) and follow‐up time. In crude matched‐pair analyses, the conditional relative risks of hypertension in the second through fourth versus the lowest quartiles for plasma high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein were 1.27, 1.73, and 1.81 (
P
trend
=0.01); for interleukin‐6, 1.22, 1.02, and 1.51 (
P
trend
=0.06); for soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, 1.00, 0.80, and 1.26 (
P
trend
=0.37); and for D‐dimer, 1.61, 1.81, and 1.52 (
P
trend
=0.46). Multivariable adjustment attenuated the estimates. The multivariable relative risks of hypertension in the second through fourth compared to the lowest quartiles of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein were 1.24, 1.60, and 1.47 (
P
trend
=0.20); for interleukin‐6, 1.08, 0.92, and 1.36 (
P
trend
=0.16); for soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, 0.89, 0.79, and 1.18 (
P
trend
=0.55); and for D‐dimer, 1.48, 1.68, and 1.38 (
P
trend
=0.63).

Conclusions

Elevated plasma inflammatory markers and D‐dimer were nonsignificantly associated with a higher risk of hypertension among initially healthy men.
Can Antihypertensive Treatment Restore the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease to Ideal Levels?
Authors: Liu Kiang , Colangelo Laura A. , Daviglus Martha L. , Goff David C. , Pletcher Mark , Schreiner Pamela J. , Sibley Christopher T. , Burke Gregory L. , Post Wendy S. , Michos Erin D. , Lloyd‐Jones Donald M.
Published: September 2015

Background

It is unclear whether antihypertensive treatment can restore cardiovascular disease risk to the risk level of persons with ideal blood pressure (
BP
) levels.

Methods and Results

Data from the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (
MESA
) and the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (
CARDIA
) study were analyzed. Outcomes were compared among participants without or with antihypertensive treatment at 3
BP
levels: <120/<80 mm Hg, systolic
BP
120 to 139 mm Hg or diastolic
BP
80 to 89 mm Hg (120 to 129/≤80 mm Hg for participants with diabetes), and systolic BP ≥140 or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg (systolic BP ≥130 or diastolic BP ≥80 mm Hg for participants with diabetes). Among
MESA
participants aged ≥50 years at baseline, those with
BP
<120/<80 mm Hg on treatment had higher left ventricular mass index, prevalence of estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
, prevalence of coronary calcium score >100, and twice the incident cardiovascular disease rate over 9.5 years of follow‐up than those with
BP
<120/<80 mm Hg without treatment. In
CARDIA
at year 25, persons with
BP
<120/<80 mm Hg with treatment had much longer exposure to higher
BP
and higher risk of end‐organ damage and subclinical atherosclerosis than those with
BP
<120/<80 mm Hg without treatment. An exploratory analysis suggested that when cumulative systolic BP was high (eg, >3000 mm Hg–years in 25 years), the increase in left ventricular mass index accelerated.

Conclusions

The data suggest that based on the current approach, antihypertensive treatment cannot restore cardiovascular disease risk to ideal levels. Emphasis should be placed on primordial prevention of
BP
increases to further reduce cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.
Floristics of the South American Páramo Moss Flora
Authors: Griffin III Dana
Published: September 2015

The South American paramos appeared in Pliocene times and persist to the present day. The moss flora of this habitat consists of an estimated 400 species that comprise 8 floristic groups. In Venezuela these groups and their percent representation are as follows: neotropical 37%, Andean 26%, cosmopolitan 18%, Andean-African 8%, neotropical-Asiatic 3%, neotropical-Australasian 2%, temperate Southern Hemisphere 2% and northern boreal-temperate 2%. Acrocarpous taxa outnumber pleurocarps by nearly 3:1. The neotropical and Andean floristic stocks likely were present prior to late Pliocene orogenies that elevated the cordillera above climatic timberlines. These species may have existed in open, marshy areas (paramillos) or may have evolved from cloud forest ancestors. Taxa of northern boreal- temperate affinities, including those with Asiatic distributions, probably arrived in the paramos during the Pleistocene, a period which may also have seen the establishment in the Northern Andes of some cosmopolitan elements. Species with temperate Southern Hemisphere and Australasian affinities likely spread first to austral South America thence migrated northward during a cool, moist interval sometime over the past 2.5-3 million years or may have become established in the paramos as a result of long- distance dispersal.
The exploration of the East African bryoflora
Authors: Pócs Tamás
Published: September 2015

During the past 5 years intensive bryological explorations were carried out in Tanzania with special emphasize on hitherto undercollected areas (e.g. Nguru mountains, Mafia Island, unknown accesses of Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru) and on special habitats (e.g. rocky semi-desert or heath vegetation and alkaline tolerant epiphytic vegetation along the Rift Valley). These collections (above 8000 numbers) resulted in numerous records, some of them new to the African continent and at least 8 species new to science. The data point to interesting phytogeographical links and help to explain the evolution of the flora of East African volcanoes and crystalline mountains. Hitherto unknown oil bodies of more than 50 liverwort species were investigated. This paper does not give a full account of these studies but only provides examples to illustrate the above points.
Fissidens in the Neotropics
Authors: Pursell Ronald A.
Published: September 2015

The land areas of the Western Hemisphere south of the United States support over 276 species of Fissidens (Wijk et al. 1962, 1969). This number is approximately 30% of the total number of species known. Progress made on a monograph of the family in the neotropics and the adjacent areas is summarized; approximately 50% of the species have been studied. Commonality among the neotropical, African and Asian species of Fissidens is discussed. Changes to be made in the classification of the family are indicated. New characters used in distinguishing species and the classification of the family are enumerated.
Origins of Neotropical Leafy Hepaticae
Authors: Schuster Rudolf M.
Published: September 2015

The neotropical hepatic flora, predominantly constituted by members of the Jungermanniales and Metzgeriales, includes a disproportionate number of genera which are endemic (over 38) and a number which evidently originated here but have shown slight and in a geological sense, modern dispersal by solitary species. Endemism is confined almost to the Jungermanniales; it is to a large degree of a unique sort: confined to highly apomorphic derivatives, often extremely reduced, sometimes confervoid or thalloid (aside from ‘normal’ sexual branches). These endemics are derivatives of basically cool-Gondwanalandic suborders, chiefly Lepidoziineae and Cephaloziineae which, in the Antipodes today include a wide range of plesiomorphic taxa. The highest proportion of endemic genera, often stenotypic (1-3 species each) occurs in the upper montane zone: from upper Andean forest to páramo, to the edge of permanent snow and ice; a smaller number occurs at upper elevations of the Guyana Shield, but more occur in the riverine systems that dissect this shield. The taxa found there (i.a., Zoopsidella, Pteropsiella, Schusterolejeunea, Cephalantholejeunea) are among the most apomorphic of all hepatics.
Developmental evidence of acrocarpy in Hedwigia ciliata (Musci: Hedwigiaceae)

Authors: De Luna Efrain
Published: September 2015

The growth habit of the Hedwigiaceae has been described variously as acrocarpous, pseudopleurocarpous, or pleurocarpous. Anatomical evidence presented here indicates that Hedwigia ciliata is acrocarpous. The archegonia are terminal on the main shoot, and the branching pattern is sympodial. The main axis of each plant thus consists of a succession of subterminal innovations, rather than a single shoot of indeterminate growth. Since the plants are plagiotropic and are pleurocarpous in appearance, this growth pattern can be also called pseudo-pleurocarpous.
Altitudinal zonation of Bryophytes on the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. A floristic approach, with phytogeographic considerations

Authors: Enroth Johannes
Published: September 2015

The study is based on the major part of the bryophyte material collected during the Koponen-Norris expedition on the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea, in 1981. Only taxa which were collected at least twice are included. Five altitudinal zones, the boundaries of which are indicated by discontinuities in the bryophyte flora, are distinguished: 0 - 300 m, 300 - 1200 m, 1200 - 2200(-2300) m, 2200(-2300) - 2800(- 2900) m, and 2800(-2900) -3400 m. These zones, each characterized by a typical species assemblage, are well in accordance with some earlier New Guinean zonation schemes based on the phanerogamic flora and vegetation. The most obvious correlations between bryophytes’ altitudinal ranges on the Huon Peninsula and their general phytogeography are: New Guinean or Western Melanesian endemics, as well as Malesian endemics, are concentrated at relatively high altitudes (zones III-V); Asian - Oceanian and Asian - Oceanian - Australian taxa, notably mosses, are relatively strongly represented at low to moderate altitudes (zones I-III); species which have their main distribution in the northern hemisphere occur at high altitudes; ‘cosmopolitan’ species either have wide vertical ranges or are restricted to high altitudes.
Investigation of Urban Air Temperature and Humidity Patterns during Extreme Heat Conditions Using Satellite-Derived Data
Authors: Hu Leiqiu , Monaghan Andrew J. , Brunsell Nathaniel A.
Published: September 2015

Extreme heat is a leading cause of weather-related human mortality. The urban heat island (UHI) can magnify heat exposure in metropolitan areas. This study investigates the ability of a new MODIS-retrieved near-surface air temperature and humidity dataset to depict urban heat patterns over metropolitan Chicago, Illinois, during June–August 2003–13 under clear-sky conditions. A self-organizing mapping (SOM) technique is used to cluster air temperature data into six predominant patterns. The hottest heat patterns from the SOM analysis are compared with the 11-summer median conditions using the urban heat island curve (UHIC). The UHIC shows the relationship between air temperature (and dewpoint temperature) and urban land-use fraction. It is found that during these hottest events 1) the air temperature and dewpoint temperature over the study area increase most during nighttime, by at least 4 K relative to the median conditions; 2) the urban–rural temperature/humidity gradient is decreased as a result of larger temperature and humidity increases over the areas with greater vegetation fraction than over those with greater urban fraction; and 3) heat patterns grow more rapidly leading up to the events, followed by a slower return to normal conditions afterward. This research provides an alternate way to investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of the UHI, using a satellite remote sensing perspective on air temperature and humidity. The technique has potential to be applied to cities globally and provides a climatological perspective on extreme heat that complements the many case studies of individual events.
Applications of Evolving Robotic Technology for Head and Neck Surgery
Authors: Sharma Arun , Albergotti W. Greer , Duvvuri Umamaheswar
Published: September 2015

Objective:

Assess the use and potential benefits of a new robotic system for transoral radical tonsillectomy, transoral supraglottic laryngectomy, and retroauricular thyroidectomy in a cadaver dissection.

Methods:

Three previously described robotic procedures (transoral radical tonsillectomy, transoral supraglottic laryngectomy, and retroauricular thyroidectomy) were performed in a cadaver using the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. Surgical exposure and access, operative time, and number of collisions were examined objectively.

Results:

The new robotic system was used to perform transoral radical tonsillectomy with dissection and preservation of glossopharyngeal nerve branches, transoral supraglottic laryngectomy, and retroauricular thyroidectomy. There was excellent exposure without any difficulties in access. Robotic operative times (excluding set-up and docking times) for the 3 procedures in the cadaver were 12.7, 14.3, and 21.2 minutes (excluding retroauricular incision and subplatysmal elevation), respectively. No robotic arm collisions were noted during these 3 procedures. The retroauricular thyroidectomy was performed using 4 robotic ports, each with 8 mm instruments.

Conclusions:

The use of updated and evolving robotic technology improves the ease of previously described robotic head and neck procedures and may allow surgeons to perform increasingly complex surgeries.
Bayesian Analysis and Design for Joint Modeling of Two Binary Responses With Misclassification
Authors: Stamey James D. , Beavers Daniel P. , Sherr Michael E.
Published: September 2015

Survey data are often subject to various types of errors such as misclassification. In this article, we consider a model where interest is simultaneously in two correlated response variables and one is potentially subject to misclassification. A motivating example of a recent study of the impact of a sexual education course for adolescents is considered. A simulation-based sample size determination scheme is applied to illustrate the impact of misclassification on power and bias for the parameters of interest.
Problem Behaviors, Childhood Victimization, and Attachment Quality in Croatian Sample of Community and Referred Psychopathic-Like Adolescents
Authors: Ručević Silvija , Ajduković Marina
Published: September 2015

This study compares differences between community-based psychopathic-like adolescents ( n = 78, 72% males) and referred psychopathic-like adolescents ( n = 67, 70% males) in means, variances, and covariation between problem behaviors, adverse childhood experiences, parental conflict, physical and sexual victimization, and perceived parent–adolescent attachment quality. The psychopathic-like adolescents were identified among a larger pool of 1,346 community-based adolescents and 381 adolescents referred to institutional correctional treatment. Relative to the community group, referred adolescents presented with a distinct profile exhibiting higher levels of impulsive and irresponsible behavioral style, higher rates of problem behaviors and childhood victimization, and lower perceived parent–adolescent attachment quality. However, striking similarities in variances, and, in particular, of the covariation between problem behaviors, victimization, and attachment suggest that comparable processes link familial factors to problem behavior in psychopathic-like adolescents who have avoided contact with juvenile justice system and referred psychopathic-like adolescents.
Fear, Commercialism, Reform, and Antebellum Tourism to New York City
Authors: Gassan Richard H.
Published: September 2015

Tourism to New York grew after the 1820s, during a period of incredible growth in the size of the city and its attendant problems. As the contrast between the glittering commercialism of Broadway and the rapidly worsening Five Points neighborhood increased, tourists became both witnesses to and subjects of the city’s best and worst aspects. A key role was played by Charles Dickens, whose 1842 visit to the city helped create a national sense of both the best and worst it had, and as the 1850s turned, the popular literature began presenting tourists as the inevitable victims of the city’s most crime-ridden neighborhood. Tourism now became an engine fueling both the forces wanting to reform Five Points and as some of its best customers, and by the end of the decade, the nation’s image of New York had been set in the mind of Americans, creating preconceptions that continue to this day.
Do Humble CEOs Matter? An Examination of CEO Humility and Firm Outcomes
Authors: Ou Amy Y. , Waldman David A. , Peterson Suzanne J.
Published: September 2015

We propose a mediation model to explain the relationship between CEO humility and firm performance. Building on upper echelons, power, and paradox theories, we hypothesize that when a more humble CEO leads a firm, its top management team (TMT) is more likely to collaborate, share information, jointly make decisions, and possess a shared vision. The firm will also tend to have lower pay disparity between the CEO and the TMT. The humble CEO and TMT, in turn, will be more likely to adopt an ambidextrous strategic orientation, which will be associated with stronger firm performance. We tested the model by using both survey and archival data that were collected at multiple time points from 105 small-to-medium-sized firms in the computer software and hardware industry in the United States. Findings largely support our theoretical assertions, suggesting that CEO humility has important implications for firm processes and outcomes.
Introducing a 3‐dimensionally Printed, Tissue‐Engineered Graft for Airway Reconstruction
Authors: Goldstein Todd A. , Smith Benjamin D. , Zeltsman David , Grande Daniel , Smith Lee P.
Published: September 2015

Objective:

To use 3‐dimensional (3D) printing and tissue engineering to create a graft for laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR).

Study Design:

In vitro and in vivo pilot animal study.

Setting:

Large tertiary care academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods:

A 3D computer model of an anterior LTR graft was designed. That design was printed with polylactic acid on a commercially available 3D printer. The scaffolds were seeded with mature chondrocytes and collagen gel and cultured in vitro for up to 3 weeks. Scaffolds were evaluated in vitro for cell viability and proliferation. Anterior graft LTR was performed on 9 New Zealand white rabbits with the newly created scaffolds. Three animals were sacrificed at each time point (4, 8, and 12 weeks). The in vivo graft sites were assessed via bronchoscopy and histology.

Results:

The in vitro cell proliferation assay demonstrated initial viability of 87.5%. The cells proliferated during the study period, doubling over the first 7 days. Histology revealed that the cells retained their cartilaginous properties during the 21‐day study period. In vivo testing showed that all animals survived for the duration of the study. Bronchoscopy revealed a well‐mucosalized tracheal lumen with no evidence of scarring or granulation tissue. Histology indicated the presence of newly formed cartilage in the region where the graft was present.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that it is possible to produce a custom‐designed, 3D‐printed, tissue‐engineered graft for airway reconstruction.
Europeanisation and multi-level environmental governance in a post-conflict context: the gradual development of environmental impact assessment processes in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Authors: Fagan Adam , Sircar Indraneel
Published: September 2015

The post-conflict case of Bosnia-Herzegovina provides a challenging case for the approaches employed by the European Union to bolster state and non-state actor capacities related to environmental governance in post-socialist states. This article examines four major consultative environmental impact assessment processes in Bosnia-Herzegovina in order to identify factors that either enable or impede the development of multi-level environmental governance at the state and sub-state entity levels. Larger environmental non-governmental organisations provide scientific opinions and smaller organisations lack capacity to participate at all. The complex configuration of state institutions, compounded by inadequate staffing and funding, creates impediments for effective governmental hierarchy during environmental impact assessments. However, international financial institutions and technical consultants involved in environmental impact assessments have taken a pivotal tutelage role to familiarise local stakeholders with best practice, which has led to some improvements in multi-level environmental governance during environmental impact assessments in Bosnia-Herzegovina, though the impact is dependent on staff retention in Bosnian public bodies.
Cities’ power laws: the stochastic scaling factor
Authors: Martínez Francisco
Published: September 2015

The power law is a fundamental scaling relationship in the dynamics of organisms and ecological systems. That cities exhibit this law with increasing returns to scale is an empirical finding reported by recent studies. I formulate a microeconomic model of urban systems that supports this evidence assuming a stochastic model, which is based on extreme value theory and random choice to describe all urban agents’ rational stochastic behavior and on Alonso’s urban economic principles. Thus, the observed superlinear increase in rents and wealth emerges, in addition to the classical scale economies, from individuals’ and firms’ behavior due to population diversity and size. A dynamic model of cities’ growth follows, allowing us to predict the expected evolution of urban organizations.
Developing a Theoretical Framework Using a Nursing Perspective to Investigate Perceived Health in the “Sandwich Generation” Group
Authors: Oulevey Bachmann Annie , Danuser Brigitta , Morin Diane
Published: September 2015

Coexisting workloads from professional, household and family, and caregiving activities for frail parents expose middle-aged individuals, the so-called “Sandwich Generation”, to potential health risks. Current trends suggest that this situation will continue or increase. Thus SG health promotion has become a nursing concern. Most existing research considers coexisting workloads a priori pathogenic. Most studies have examined the association of one, versus two, of these three activities with health. Few studies have used a nursing perspective. This article presents the development of a framework based on a nursing model. We integrated Siegrist’s Effort-Reward Imbalance middle-range theory into “Neuman Systems Model”. The latter was chosen for its salutogenic orientation, its attention to preventive nursing interventions and the opportunity it provides to simultaneously consider positive and negative perceptions of SG health and SG coexisting workloads. Finally, it facilitated a theoretical identification of health protective factors.
Ethics and the Digital Age of Discovery
Authors: Milton Constance L.
Published: September 2015

A new age of healthcare has dawned with reliance upon digital technology for obtaining answers to complex health issues. Technology offers problem-solving applications for implementation of healthcare delivery that remains too unsafe, unreliable, unsatisfying, and expensive. The author offers insights into the ethics and implications of the healthcare providers’ dependence on digital technology. She further suggests possibilities for the utilization of technology from a nursing theoretical perspective that honors the importance of human discovery and the expansion of disciplinary theoretical knowledge for future professional nurse practice.
Uptake of Bowel Scope (Flexible Sigmoidoscopy) Screening in the English National Programme: the first 14 months
Authors: McGregor Lesley M , Bonello Bernardette , Kerrison Robert S , Nickerson Claire , Baio Gianluca , Berkman Lindy , Rees Colin J , Atkin Wendy , Wardle Jane , von Wagner Christian
Published: September 2015

Objective

To examine uptake in the first six pilot centres of the English Bowel Scope Screening (BSS) programme, which began in early 2013 and invites adults aged 55 for a one off Flexible Sigmoidoscopy.

Methods

Between March 2013 and May 2014 the six pilot centres sent 21,187 invitations. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, we examined variation in uptake by gender, socioeconomic deprivation (using the Index of Multiple Deprivation), area-based ethnic diversity (proportion of non-white residents), screening centre, and appointment time (routine: daytime vs out-of-hours: evening/weekend).

Results

Uptake was 43.1%. Men were more likely to attend than women (45% vs 42%; OR 1.136, 95% CI 1.076, 1.199, p < 0.001). Combining data across centres, there was a socioeconomic gradient in uptake, ranging from 33% in the most deprived to 53% in the least deprived quintile. Areas with the highest level of ethnic diversity also had lower uptake (39%) than other areas (41–47%) (all p < 0.02), but there was no gradient. Individuals offered a routine appointment were less likely to attend than those offered an out-of-hours appointment (42% vs. 44%; OR 0.931, 95% CI 0.882, 0.983, p = 0.01). Multivariate analyses confirmed independent effects of deprivation, gender, and centre, but not of ethnic diversity or appointment time.

Conclusion

Early indications of uptake are encouraging. Future efforts should focus on increasing public awareness of the programme and reducing socioeconomic inequalities.
Sensitive detection of Porcine circovirus-2 by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Zhao Shan , Lin Hua , Chen Shijie , Yang Miao , Yan Qigui , Wen Caifang , Hao Zhongxiang , Yan Yubao , Sun Yingjie , Hu Juan , Chen Zhenrong , Xi Lixin
Published: September 2015

Sensitive detection of Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is very important for surveillance of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) is novel PCR method that can achieve high precision. Our study aimed to develop a sensitive assay utilizing ddPCR to detect PCV-2. Specificity of the assay was confirmed by the failure of amplification of DNA of other relevant viruses. The detection limit for ddPCR was 25 copies/μL, a 4-fold greater sensitivity than TaqMan real-time PCR. Both methods showed a high degree of linearity ( R2 = ~1), although TaqMan real-time PCR showed less sensitivity than ddPCR for clinical detection. Our findings indicate that ddPCR might represent a promising platform for detecting PCV-2 viral loads.
A Systematic Review of Literature on Culturally Adapted Obesity Prevention Interventions for African American Youth
Authors: Lofton Saria , Julion Wrenetha A. , McNaughton Diane B. , Bergren Martha Dewey , Keim Kathryn S.
Published: September 2015

Obesity and overweight prevalence in African American (AA) youth continues to be one of the highest of all major ethnic groups, which has led researchers to pursue culturally based approaches as a means to improve obesity prevention interventions. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate culturally adapted obesity prevention interventions targeting AA youth. A search of electronic databases, limited to multicomponent culturally adapted obesity prevention controlled trials from 2003 to 2013, was conducted for key terms. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. We used the PEN-3 model to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of interventions as well as to identify cultural adaptation strategies. The PEN-3 model highlighted the value of designing joint parent–youth interventions, building a relationship between AA mentors and youth, and emphasizing healthful activities that the youth preferred. The PEN-3 model shows promise as an overarching framework to develop culturally adapted obesity interventions.
Twice Exceptionality From a Practitioner’s Perspective
Authors: Omdal Stuart
Published: September 2015

The new definition of twice exceptionality by the National Twice-Exceptional Community of Practice (2e CoP) is a tool that will facilitate communication and collaboration for practitioners in the regular classroom, gifted education specialists, administrators, and professors. In this article, the author shares his experiences in several of these roles and how the application and use of the definition hold great promise for addressing the varied needs of students with twice exceptionality.