bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety and Efficacy of Carbon Dioxide and Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Stenting for Renal Artery Stenosis in Patients With Chronic Renal Insufficiency
Authors: Kawasaki Daizo , Fujii Kenichi , Fukunaga Masashi , Fukuda Nobuhisa , Masuyama Tohru , Ohkubo Nobukazu , Kato Masaaki
Published: March 2014

We evaluated the feasibility, safety, and mid-term outcomes of renal artery stenting using carbon dioxide (CO2) digital subtraction angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for patients with renal insufficiency and significant atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS). Eighteen consecutive patients with chronic renal insufficiency underwent renal artery stenting under the guidance of CO2 angiography and IVUS without contrast media. Renal function and blood pressure were assessed pre- and postintervention. A total of 27 de novo RAS in 18 patients (15 males; mean age: 72 ± 9 years) with renal insufficiency were treated by renal artery stenting with the combined use of the CO2 angiography and IVUS without any procedural complications. Although the mean serum creatinine concentration preprocedure and 6 months after treatment did not change (2.7 ± 1.0-2.4 ± 1.1 mg/dL), blood pressure significantly decreased 6 months after stenting (158 ± 10-147 ± 11 mm Hg, P < .01).
Postnatal serum concentrations of endogenous free fatty acids in newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit: effects on unbound bilirubin
Authors: Koda Tsubasa , Morioka Ichiro , Yokota Tomoyuki , Kurokawa Daisuke , Fujita Kaori , Nagasaka Miwako , Matsuo Kiyomi , Shibata Akio , Sato Itsuko , Kawano Seiji , Yamada Hideto , Nakamura Hajime , Iijima Kazumoto
Published: March 2014

Background

Few studies have reported the characterization of postnatal serum concentrations of endogenous free fatty acids (FFAs) in high-risk newborns and their effects on unbound bilirubin (UB).

Methods

Serum concentrations of FFA, albumin (Alb), UB and total bilirubin (TB) were measured in 713 samples obtained within 5 days after birth from 439 newborns without intravenous lipid supplementation admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Serum FFA was reported as the day-specific percentile-based curve. Serum FFA and FFA/Alb ratios were compared in term and preterm patients. To assess the impact of FFA on UB, daily changes in FFA/Alb and UB/TB ratios were compared in term patients without receiving phototherapy or any drugs, and linear regression analysis was performed between FFA/Alb ratio and serum UB concentration or UB/TB ratio using 140 sera with hyperbilirubinemia of term and preterm patients.

Results

A percentile-based curve showed that serum FFA peaked at 1 day of age and progressively decreased. Serum FFA and the FFA/Alb ratio were significantly higher in term than in preterm patients at birth and 1 and 3 days of age. FFA/Alb ratio significantly changed over 5 days after birth, but UB/TB ratio remained constant. FFA/Alb ratio did not correlate with serum UB concentration or UB/TB ratio in sera with hyperbilirubinemia.

Conclusions

We assessed postnatal concentrations of serum FFA in a large number of high-risk newborns admitted to the NICU. The concentration of endogenous FFAs in newborns admitted to the NICU was not rising until it influenced UB.
Influence of relative low gas counter pressure on melt foaming behavior and surface quality of molded parts in microcellular injection molding process
Authors: Li Shuai , Zhao Guoqun , Wang Guilong , Guan Yanjin , Wang Xiaoxin
Published: March 2014

A complex medical instrument exterior shell was chosen as a studying object to investigate the influence of relative low (<10 MPa) gas counter pressure process on microcellular injection molding process. The gas counter pressure microcellular injection mould and related experiments were designed. The relative low gas counter pressure under which the melt can foam was mainly considered to improve the surface quality of molded parts without significantly prolonging production cycle. The effects of the gas counter pressure parameters on the surface quality, cell morphology, and cell density of microcellular parts were studied. A critical melt flow front pressure to effectively eliminate surface swirl marks of microcellular injection molded part was proposed. The mechanism of the influence of gas counter pressure process on foaming behavior of melt in filling process was analyzed. The reasonable gas counter pressure parameters to improve surface quality of products without significantly increasing molding cycle were obtained. By using the obtained reasonable gas counter pressure parameters, a sound microcellular injection molded product was injected finally.
Numerical and experimental investigation of impact on filament wound glass reinforced epoxy pipe
Authors: Perillo G , Vedivik NP , Echtermeyer AT
Published: March 2014

Impact on glass fibre reinforced (GFRE) pipes, produced by filament winding, was experimentally and numerically tested. The influence of ring stiffness and impact energy on the residual structural strength was evaluated by testing resistance against implosion due to external hydrostatic pressure. An advanced 3-D finite element (FE) model, based on the combined use of interlaminar and intralaminar damage models, was used for simulating impact events. Puck and Hashin failure theories were used to evaluate the intralaminar damages (fibre failure and matrix cracks). Cohesive theory, by mean of cohesive elements, was used for modelling delamination onset and propagation. Material data for the models were based on commonly measured ply properties. The numerical simulations were able to accurately predict the impact forces and damage development of the experimental impact events. Pipes with high ring stiffness have high resistance to external pressure, but they were found to develop more impact damage and have subsequently less resistance to external pressure when damaged.
Ideology in civil war
Authors: Sanín Francisco Gutiérrez , Wood Elisabeth Jean
Published: March 2014

How important is ideology for the analysis of civil war? In contrast to literature that neglects ideology in its emphasis on structural variables or situational incentives, this article argues for the recognition of its essential role in the functioning of armed groups if they are to explain observed variation in armed group behavior. For example, sidelining ideology leaves major phenomena unexplained, including both mass killing and restraint in violence against civilians. Ideology is defined as a set of more or less systematic ideas that identify a constituency, the objectives pursued on behalf of that group, and a program of action (perhaps only vaguely defined). Ideology matters in two ways. First, it has instrumental value for armed groups, socializing combatants with heterogeneous motivations into a coherent group, dampening principal-agent problems, prioritizing competing goals, and coordinating external actors including civilians. Ideologies differ in the kind of institutions and strategies they prescribe for meeting these challenges and in the extent to which they do so. Yet this first approach is incomplete, as ideology has more than instrumental value. Members of some armed groups act on normative commitments in ways not reducible to instrumental reasoning, and some groups constrain their strategic choices for ideological reasons, often normative concerns prescribed by their ideology. Some groups, for example, engage in restraint, declining to use violence though it would have strategic benefit. The conclusion lays out a twin-fold research agenda: a ‘weak program’ that analyzes the instrumental adoption of ideology and a ‘strong program’ that explores normative commitments based on particular ideologies and on social preferences.
Trade, Transport, and Storage in Amsterdam Inns (1450–1800)
Authors: Hell Maarten
Published: March 2014

Amsterdam inns were indispensable hubs in the organization of early modern urban trade. Their economic functions were numerous: innkeepers offered credit and transport services, acted as sureties and accepted bills of exchange on behalf of their alien guests. In the sixteenth century, a group of predominantly German innkeepers participated in the international trade, but in the following centuries the combination innkeeper-agent became rare. Publicans continued to assist mercantile clients though. Besides offering storage and transport services, meeting space, and credit, certain publicans also mediated between foreign and indigenous traders. A select group of inns also hosted auction-marts, which attracted brokers, merchants, and general public. In the nineteenth century, the inns lost their appeal and specialized institutions like hotels, restaurants, trade halls, auction-houses, and transport companies took over the economic functions.
Papillary fibroelastoma of tricuspid valve presenting as pulmonary embolism
Authors: Shah Ruchit Ashok , Kalidoss Latchumanadhas , Mohanraj Anbarasu , Lakshmanan Anitha , Thirumurthi Muniraj Kanchanamala , Ajit Mullasari S
Published: March 2014

A 65-year-old gentleman was admitted with recurrent dyspnea. Two-dimensional and transesophageal echocardiography revealed a highly mobile echogenic mass attached to the tricuspid valve. A 99mTc lung perfusion scan was suggestive of pulmonary embolism. The patient underwent surgical resection of the mass. Histopathological examination revealed a papillary fibroelastoma.
Long-term outcomes and risk analyses of coronary bypass for left main disease
Authors: Cho Yasunori , Shimura Shinichiro , Aki Akira , Furuya Hidekazu , Ueda Toshihiko
Published: March 2014

Background:

We retrospectively analyzed the long-term outcomes and risk predictors of conventional coronary artery bypass grafting routinely employed for patients with left main disease.

Methods:

From January 2000 through December 2009, conventional coronary artery bypass grafting was routinely employed in 193 consecutive patients with left main disease. Long-term analyses were performed, looking at the primary endpoint of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events which included all-cause death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization. We also analyzed the effects of variables on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at 9 years after the operation.

Results:

The overall 9-year rates of combined outcomes (death, stroke, myocardial infarction), repeat revascularization, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were 20.2%, 8.9%, 27.7%, respectively. The SYNTAX score was demonstrated to be the only significant predictor of combined outcomes at 9 years (hazard ratio 1.04, p = 0.033), repeat revascularization at 9 years (hazard ratio 1.11, p = 0.0030), and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at 9 years (hazard ratio 1.07, p = 0.0003).

Conclusions:

With our routine strategy of conventional coronary artery bypass for left main disease, patients revealed excellent long-term outcomes in terms of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. These results provide a suitable benchmark against which long-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for left main disease can be compared. The SYNTAX score, which was introduced to determine treatment for complex coronary disease, is indicative of long-term outcomes after coronary artery bypass for left main disease.
Gonococcal ascending aortic aneurysm with penetrating ulcer and bovine arch
Authors: Oumeiri Bachar El , Eynden Frédéric Vanden , Stefanidis Constantin , Antoine Martine , Nooten Guido Van
Published: March 2014

We describe a patient with ascending aorta aneurysm and bovine aortic arch who initially presented with fever. A 65-year-old man with a 2-month history of intermittent fever was referred to our hospital and diagnosed as having a gonococcal ascending aorta aneurysm with penetrating ulcers. He was successfully treated by resection of the ascending aorta and ulcers, replacement of the aortic valve, and prolonged postoperative antibiotic therapy.
Do mothers know? Longitudinal associations between parental knowledge, bullying, and victimization
Authors: Stavrinides Panayiotis , Nikiforou Militsa , Georgiou Stelios
Published: March 2014

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the direction of effects between parents’ sources of knowledge and children’s involvement in bullying and victimization at school. The participants were 348 early adolescents with a mean age of 13.5 years and their mothers. The children completed the Revised Bullying and Victimization Questionnaire, while the mothers completed the Parental Knowledge Questionnaire. Data were collected in two time points with a 6-month interval. The structural equation model showed that child disclosure and parental control at Time 1 (T1) positively predicted bullying at Time 2 (T2), while parental solicitation at T1 negatively predicted bullying at T2. Conversely, bullying at T1 positively predicted child disclosure and parental control at T2, while victimization at T1 positively predicted parental solicitation at T2 and negatively predicted child disclosure at T2. The results confirmed that the relationship between parental knowledge and bullying is reciprocal and that prior parental solicitation was the only source of knowledge that was negatively related with future involvement in bullying. Interestingly, victimization at T2 was not related with any of the sources of parental knowledge at T1 indicating that parents’ effort to know about their youths’ socialization may not lead to reducing victimization. Bullying, however, appeared to be negatively predicted by prior parental solicitation indicating that parents’ effort to know who their children socialize with may indeed operate as a protective barrier. Finally, our study showed that prior victimization is related with less child disclosure, which confirms the assumption that victimized children often hide their experience from their parents.
Corrosion of URLs
Authors: Prithviraj K.R. , Kumar B.T. Sampath
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study is to analyze the accessibility, corrosion and half-life of URLs cited in the articles of Indian LIS conference proceedings published during 2001 to 2010. A total of 5,698 URLs cited in the 1,700 articles were examined. The percentage of URLs increased from 39.10 percent in 2001 to 73.47 percent in 2009. The study found that 50.09 percent of URLs were not accessible at the time of testing and the remaining 49.91 percent of URLs were accessible. The HTTP 404 error message – “file not found” was the overwhelming message encountered and represented 53.29 percent of all HTTP messages. The study also noticed that the average half-life of URLs of missing URLs was estimated to be 4.94 years. Even though there are various retrieval tools being used to recover vanished URLs, still there is a need to improve such tools.
TIB's Portal for audiovisual media
Authors: Neumann Janna , Plank Margret
Published: March 2014

The German National Library of Science and Technology (TIB) is developing a web-based platform for audiovisual media. The forthcoming audiovisual portal optimizes access to scientific videos such as computer animations, lecture and conference recordings. TIB's AV- Portal offers new methods for searching within videos enabled by automated video analysis with scene, speech, text and image recognition. Search results are connected to new knowledge by linking the data semantically. This paper aims at describing the TIB's portal for audiovisual media and the multimedia retrieval technologies as well as the added value for libraries and their users.
A living, breathing revolution
Authors: Rhodes Tamara
Published: March 2014

Where does and should the future of libraries lie? What were once concrete, brick, and glass structures have since become a third place where community, art, and culture reside. What is next? The #searchunderoccupy exhibit in the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center in New York City is a ‘living archive’ that visually displays the creative and critical responses of the New School’s student community to the Occupy Wall Street movement. It is composed not only of elements such as video, photographs, audio and performance projects, but also text-based works such as live feed tag clouds, posters, and blogs. By their very nature, libraries are poised to become forces for social change and using this exhibit as an example, libraries themselves can show the life of their communities by putting their responses on display to support their involvement in social movements, engage others, and document for the future. There are many iterations of the living archive in libraries such as the digitization of audio-visual materials or allowing people to share their memories, knowledge, photos and opinions through a virtual space. The closest to the #searchunderoccupy exhibit example is capturing the activities and conversations of designer William McDonough for the Stanford University libraries. Unlike these projects, the New School’s method allows for a greater range of self-expression through visual mediums and accounts for the technology of today. Social media is what has helped spread the social movements of the current generation and with its ever-changing nature, this version of a living archive presents a future library full of infinite possibilities.
Maternal mobile phone exposure alters intrinsic electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat offspring
Authors: Razavinasab Moazamehosadat , Moazzami Kasra , Shabani Mohammad
Published: March 2014

Some studies have shown that exposure to electromagnetic field (EMF) may result in structural damage to neurons. In this study, we have elucidated the alteration in the hippocampal function of offspring Wistar rats ( n = 8 rats in each group) that were chronically exposed to mobile phones during their gestational period by applying behavioral, histological, and electrophysiological tests. Rats in the EMF group were exposed to 900 MHz pulsed-EMF irradiation for 6 h/day. Whole cell recordings in hippocampal pyramidal cells in the mobile phone groups did show a decrease in neuronal excitability. Mobile phone exposure was mostly associated with a decrease in the number of action potentials fired in spontaneous activity and in response to current injection in both male and female groups. There was an increase in the amplitude of the afterhyperpolarization (AHP) in mobile phone rats compared with the control. The results of the passive avoidance and Morris water maze assessment of learning and memory performance showed that phone exposure significantly altered learning acquisition and memory retention in male and female rats compared with the control rats. Light microscopy study of brain sections of the control and mobile phone-exposed rats showed normal morphology.

Our results suggest that exposure to mobile phones adversely affects the cognitive performance of both female and male offspring rats using behavioral and electrophysiological techniques.
Trust and the role of the public library in the integration of refugees: The case of a Northern Norwegian city
Authors: Vårheim Andreas
Published: March 2014

This article discusses how public libraries contribute to the generation of social capital and social trust among refugees participating in library programmes while enrolled in a compulsory government introductory programme to Norwegian language and society. The students’ experiences with the library have made them more trusting toward the institution of the public library and library patrons in general. Complementing earlier studies, the paper shows that library programmes for immigrants can contribute to the creation of social trust. Library programmes can play an important part in facilitating and speeding up trust-creating processes, making integration less traumatic, although trust in unknown people (generalized trust) remains low, before, during, and after the completion of the programmes.
Financial Integration and Financial Development in East Asia
Authors: Kaur Inderjit , Singh Nirvikar
Published: March 2014

This article analyzes differences in patterns of financial development across the major East Asian economies, particularly for the three largest economies of the region (China, Japan and South Korea), in the context of the possibilities for greater regional financial integration. It argues that these differences in patterns of financial development present an economic challenge to regional financial integration efforts, in addition to differences in levels of financial development and possible political barriers. The article reviews arguments for and against financial openness, the East Asian experience with financial integration, how economies in the region have responded to shocks and what they may do to continue to thrive in the future. It also discusses policy options for the future, including regulatory reform and coordination, and various possible risk management policies and institutions.
Quality of Life and Symptoms in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors
Authors: Macartney Gail , Harrison Margaret B. , VanDenKerkhof Elizabeth , Stacey Dawn , McCarthy Patricia
Published: March 2014

Little is known about the quality of life of children and youth under the age of 20 who have completed treatment for a pediatric brain tumor. This systematic review was conducted to ( a) describe the health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes in pediatric brain tumor survivors, ( b) identify instruments used to measure HRQL, and ( c) determine the relationship between symptoms and HRQL. Using a systematic search and review methodology, databases searched included CINAHL, Medline, Embase, and PsycInfo. No date restrictions were used. Search results elicited 485 articles, of which16 met the inclusion criteria. Compared with their healthy peers, pediatric brain tumor survivors did worse on most measures of physical, psychosocial, social, and cognitive domains of HRQL. Compared with other cancer patients, survivors scored themselves significantly lower on the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) social functioning scale, and parents of brain tumor survivors reported lower PedsQL social and total functioning scores for their children. Other variables that were associated with decreased HRQL were degree of hypothalamic tumor involvement, osteopenia, need for special education, older age at diagnosis, greater than 1 year since treatment, and radiation treatment. In these studies, pediatric brain tumor survivors fared worse compared with other cancer survivors or healthy peers on several HRQL domains. Only 3 studies explored the relationship between symptoms, including pain or fatigue, and HRQL in pediatric brain tumor survivors. The relationship between symptoms and HRQL was not well elucidated. More research is needed to explore the multidimensional symptom experience and HRQL outcomes in pediatric brain tumor survivors.
Social Support, a Mediator in Collaborative Depression Care for Cancer Patients
Authors: Oh Hyunsung , Ell Kathleen
Published: March 2014

Objective:

This study assessed whether perceived social support (PSS) is a factor in improving physical and functional well-being observed among cancer patients receiving collaborative depression care.

Methods:

A secondary analysis was conducted of data collected in a randomized clinical trial testing the effectiveness of collaborative depression care. PSS was measured at 12 months; physical and functional well-being were assessed at 18 and 24 months post-baseline. Mediation analyses via a bootstrapping method were conducted.

Results:

Significant mediation of PSS at 12 months predicted better physical and functional well-being at 18 months and 24 months.

Conclusion:

Depressed cancer survivors are likely to benefit when social workers provide psychosocial depression care aimed at activating social support, thereby improving physical and functional well-being.
Anidulafungin-Induced Alopecia
Authors: Ruiz-Ramos J. , Salavert-Lleti M. , Monte-Boquet E. , Lorente-Fernández L. , Gil-Gómez I. , Poveda-Andrés J. L.
Published: March 2014

Objetive: To report a case of a woman in whom alopecia appeared after several months of treatment with anidulafungin. Case Summary: A 34-year-old woman with chronic femoral osteomyelitis with the presence of persistent suppuration, developed a Candida albicans infection, isolated in the fistula exudate cultures. After initial failures of single therapy with azoles, it was decided to administer fluconazole and anidulafungin 100 mg/d. One month after starting the treatment, the patient mentioned a greater hair loss than usual. At 3 months, the patient stopped taking the drug on noting the loss and easy falling out of her hair, with alopecia plaques 1 to 2 cm in size. At 2 months after stopping the anidulafungin, it was decided to restart combined antifungal treatment using micafungin and fluconazole; there was no mention of new or greater loss of hair. It was decided to change micafungin to anidulafungin again 90 days after starting treatment. In the first month of treatment, there appeared to be a reactivation in hair loss that later stabilized and improved. Discussion: Drug-induced hair loss is an adverse reaction that has been identified during different hair growth phases. It has been described for the azoles group and has not been associated with candins until now. Results of the causality analysis, using the probability scale established by Naranjo, found the relationship as probable. Conclusions: Anidulafungin could be associated with hair loss. Physicians must be aware of this adverse effect in order to approach it properly and to detect possible nonadherence to treatment.
Cogmed Working Memory Training Product Review
Authors: Roche Jeffrey D. , Johnson Brian D.
Published: March 2014

Objective: In this review of the Cogmed training program, we discuss its theoretical foundations, materials, the intervention program, use of coaches, customer support, and research support. Method: This review was conducted by means of first-hand exploration of the Cogmed training program in conjunction with a critical synthesis of existing empirical literature. Results: We conclude that Cogmed has the potential to help individuals improve working memory capabilities and focused attention. Conclusion: More research is needed to demonstrate if these changes in working memory and focused attention are enduring and generalizable.
Activity-based segmentation of the outbound leisure tourism market of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mumuni Alhassan G , Mansour Mourad
Published: March 2014

Using an array of multivariate statistical methods (principal components, cluster, discriminant, and analysis of variance), this study empirically develops market segments for the outbound leisure travel market of Saudi Arabia based on respondents’ stated preferences for common vacation activities. Analysis of 455 responses to a structured survey reveals three main travel segments—conservatives, fun seekers, and variety seekers. Conservatives (older, married, and male respondents) have a profound dislike for entertainment-oriented activities; fun seekers (young, single, and female) prefer shopping and leisure activities, and variety seekers (middle aged, single, and female) like all vacation activities. Implications for destination marketers and tourism segmentation research are discussed.
Influencing Chinese travel decisions
Authors: McCartney Glenn , Pinto Jose Ferreira
Published: March 2014

By 2006, Macao became the global leader in casino tourism, surpassing the Las Vegas Strip in terms of gross gaming revenue primarily driven by Macao being the only place in China where casino gambling is legal. Conspicuous within Macao’s casino marketing strategy has been the investment in celebrity endorsement to lure Chinese visitors to Macao. China has also emerged as one of the world’s largest and increasingly sought-after high-yield travel markets. As competition intensifies for the emerging Chinese travel market globally, understanding the most optimum communication strategy that can be effectively applied to and influence Chinese outbound travelers can give greater direction to destination marketing agencies and National Tourism Authorities. With a focus on the influence of the celebrity endorsement tactic on travel perceptions and decision making, a face-to-face survey was conducted on 305 Chinese visitors to Macao in 2013. The study revealed that perceptions and destination decision making differed among Chinese visitors with regard to age, gender, education, and income range, when using the celebrity endorsement tactic. The findings showed that celebrity endorsement could be used more strategically to influence and target certain Chinese traveler segments, emphasizing the need to carefully assess the usefulness of such a costly tactic within destination promotional campaigns aimed at the Chinese audience.
Successful revascularisation following delayed presentation of bilateral renal artery thrombosis after blunt abdominal trauma
Authors: Sawant Ajit , Kumar Vikash , Bhalerao Sagar , Badne Avinash
Published: March 2014

Traumatic blunt abdominal bilateral renal artery thrombosis is a rare entity leading to end stage renal disease and has significant morbidity due to renal replacement therapy. Previously many attempts of revascularisation beyond 24 h have led to failure. We report a case of delayed presentation of bilateral renal artery thrombosis in which revascularisation was attempted beyond 24 h and was successful in terms of patient becoming dialysis-free.
Comment: Critical Questions for Affect Control Theory
Authors: Salmela Mikko
Published: March 2014

Affect control theory (ACT) is a sociological theory developed for modeling and predicting emotions and social behaviors in social interaction. In this commentary, I identify a few potential problems in the theory, as presented in the target article (Rogers, Schröder, & von Scheve, 2014) and elsewhere, and in its suggested compatibility with other major emotion theories. The first problem concerns ACT’s capacity to model emotion generation insofar as emotions have nonconceptual content. The second problem focuses on the limits of modeling interaction on the basis of fixed affective meanings of identities. Finally, ACT has problems with explaining the dynamic change of affective meanings, given its tenets that people seek to maintain the established affective meanings of social roles and situations and deflections are not expressed in behavior but compensated by identity-confirming behavior.
‘Passed and cleared’ – Former tobacco smokers’ experience in quitting smoking
Authors: Wang Inger J. , Gjengedal Eva , Larsen Torill
Published: March 2014

The literature contains many reports on cigarette smokers and smoking cessation, but there are fewer qualitative studies on smokers’ and ex-smokers’ experiences with smoking cessation and health care professionals. The aim of the present study was to give voice to ex-smokers’ own experiences with smoking cessation through the health care system. The study collected data from focus group interviews with 28 informants divided into four groups. Results from this study do not point to one particular reason for successful smoking cessation, but instead to the combination of pressures from several factors. The informants seem to have reached a point where external pressure made them receptive to: the fear of diseases, legislation, taking advice from health care personnel, views of children and grandchildren and providing a new identity as ex-smoker. Factors that helped to quit were: recent efforts to make it difficult to smoke in Norway, encouragement to seek help to change their tobacco habits, smoking cessation programmes that are integrated into health care practice, health professionals who demonstrate sensitivity and genuine interest during their meetings with smokers. Health professionals in specialized health care must be made aware of their role as the first important step in their patients’ road to quitting smoking.
Impact of Prescription Patterns on Compliance With Follow-Up Visits at an Urban Teaching Primary Care Continuity Clinic
Authors: Sorita Atsushi , Funakoshi Tomohiro , Kashan Glenn , Young Edwin R. , Park Jayson
Published: March 2014

Background: Although limiting prescription refills is considered as a strategy to increase compliance with the treatment regimen and follow-up, no literature exists to support its effectiveness. We sought to investigate whether decreasing the number of prescription refills affects no-show rate at an urban teaching primary care continuity clinic in New York. Methods: Eight teaching attending physicians and 19 residents implemented a “new prescribing strategy” from February 9 to 22, 2012, which limited the number of refills only to cover until the next intended clinic visit. All adult patient visits were included if follow-up visits were requested to be scheduled within 3 months and prescriptions were given through an electronic prescription system. No-show rates for the first follow-up visits up to 120 days from the initial visits during the interventional period were compared with those during the baseline period (December 15-28, 2011). Results: Two hundred twenty-one patients in the baseline period and 278 in the interventional period were included in the analysis. Median total supply of prescription was 6 and 3 months, respectively ( P < .001). The no-show rates were not significantly different between the 2 periods (19.0% [42/221] vs 16.6% [46/278], P = .5). In multivariate regression analysis, the no-show rate did not change significantly during the interventional period compared with the baseline period (odds ratio [OR] 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-1.5; P = .8). Younger age (OR 1.03 per year, P = .008), male gender (OR 2.0, P = .003), Medicaid or Medicare insurance (OR 3.7, P = .01; OR 4.2, P = .02), and diagnosis of diabetes (OR 1.8, P = .04) or asthma (OR 2.0, P = .03) were associated with higher no-show rates. Conclusions: Reducing the number of refills did not significantly affect no-show rates in the immediate follow-up. Alternative strategies should be considered to minimize no-shows.
Gender Bias and Caste Exclusion in Engineering Admission
Authors: Rajasenan D.
Published: March 2014

The major problem of the engineering entrance examination is the exclusion of certain sections of the society in social, economic, regional and gender dimensions. This has seldom been taken for analysis towards policy correction. To lessen this problem a minor policy shift was prepared in the year 2011 with a 50–50 proportion in academic marks and entrance marks. The impact of this change is yet to be scrutinized. The data for the study is obtained from the Nodal Centre of Kerala functioning at Cochin University of Science and Technology under the National Technical Manpower Information System and also estimated from the Centralized Allotment Process. The article focuses on two aspects of exclusion based on engineering entrance examination; gender centred as well as caste-linked. Rank order spectral density and Lorenz ratio are used to cognize the exclusion and inequality in community and gender levels in various performance scales. The article unfolds the fact that social status in society coupled with economic affordability to quality education seems to have significant influence in the performance of students in the Kerala engineering entrance examinations. But it also shows that there is wide gender disparity with respect to performance in the high ranking levels irrespective of social groups.
Employment, Employability and Higher Education in India
Authors: Khare Mona
Published: March 2014

The demand for labour in India is likely to remain high and robust in the coming years, both nationally and internationally. But this would demand skilled and qualified labour. The employability of Indian youth has emerged as a major concern in recent years. Ironically, it is not just the uneducated and untrained that lack skills but it is also the educated that consistently lie below the required standards. It is with this background that the study focuses on analyzing the growth and changing structure of the Indian higher education system in the light of the education profile of the Indian jobseekers, labour market demands and the employability index for India’s high-growth sectors on the basis of existing skill gaps and suggests a broad pathway to plug in the gaps and missing links. A more robust demand for personnel in technical and professional services and a better employability index for the same sectors have probably led to skewed growth of the higher education sector. The greater challenge is therefore, to prepare our larger lot of the educated graduates from the general education streams for the emerging skill needs of employable youth.
Internationalization of Higher Education
Authors: Wadhwa Rashim , Jha Shashiranjan
Published: March 2014

During the last decade education worldwide has experienced massive changes ranging from domestic market inauguration to the internationalization. In due course of time, there has been a great urge for restructuring the education system to make it internationally comparable ensuring economic benefit. The developed countries have dominated through the process and have been able to reap the benefit of internationalization of higher education. It is to be noted that the developing countries are forced to accept the negotiation of the developed countries to get support in turn. At the same time it may also be noted that there exists an inverse relationship between domestic gross enrolment ratio (GER) and outward mobility ratio (OMR) and the other developing countries have resorted to importing education services to supplement their domestic capacity. The present paper articulates the current nature of the internationalization of higher education through analyzing the indicators related to it. The paper establishes the inverse relationship between GER and OMR. It also attempts to provide policy implication by highlighting facts related to the process.
Microgravity and the respiratory system
Authors: Prisk G. Kim
Published: March 2014

The structure of the lung, with its delicate network of airspaces and capillaries, means that gravity has a profound influence on its function. Studies of lung function in the absence of gravity provide valuable insight into how, for we Earth-bound individuals, its unavoidable effects shape our lung function. Gravity causes uneven ventilation in the lung through the deformation of lung tissue (the so-called Slinky effect), and uneven perfusion through a combination of the Slinky effect and the zone model of pulmonary perfusion. Both ventilation and perfusion exhibit persisting heterogeneity in microgravity, indicating important other mechanisms. However, gravity serves to maintain a degree of matching of these two processes, so that the ventilation/perfusion ratio, and thus gas exchange, remains efficient. Therefore, while both ventilation and perfusion are more uniform in spaceflight, gas exchange is seemingly no more efficient than on Earth. Despite the changes in lung function when gravity is removed, the lung continues to function well in weightlessness. Unlike many other organ systems, the lung does not appear to undergo structural adaptive changes when gravity is removed, and so there is no apparent degradation in lung function upon return to earth, even after 6 months in space.
Computed tomography to assess risk of death in acute pulmonary embolism: a meta-analysis
Authors: Becattini Cecilia , Agnelli Giancarlo , Germini Federico , Vedovati Maria Cristina
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether right ventricle dilation at computed tomography (CT) angiography can be used to assess the risk of death in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Medline and EMBASE were searched up to April 30, 2013. Studies reporting on the association between right ventricle dilation (right-to-left ventricle diameter) or dysfunction (inter-ventricular septal bowing) at CT angiography and death at 30 days, as well as at 3 months in patients with acute pulmonary embolism, were included in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

CT-detected right ventricle dilation was associated with an increased 30 day-mortality in all-comers with pulmonary embolism (OR 2.08 (95% CI 1.63–2.66); p<0.00001) and in haemodynamically stable patients (OR 1.64 (95% CI 1.06–2.52); p=0.03), as well as with death due to pulmonary embolism (OR 7.35 (95% CI 3.59–15.09); p<0.00001). An association between right ventricle dilation and 3-month mortality was also observed (OR 4.65 (95% CI 1.79–12.07); p=0.002).

Right-to-left ventricle dilation as assessed by CT angiography can be used to evaluate risk of death in all-comers with pulmonary embolism and in haemodynamically stable patients.
On the use of electromagnetic waves as means of power supply in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Cortés-Sánchez Jorge , Velázquez-Ramírez Andrés , Lucas-Bravo Andrés , Rivero-Angeles Mario E , Salinas-Reyes Victor A
Published: March 2014

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) can be typically used to achieve continuous monitoring (CM) or event detection inside the supervised area. In CM applications, each sensor node transmits periodically its sensed data to the sink node, while in event-detection driven (EDD) applications, once an event occurs, it is reported to the sink node. Hence, CM applications entail much higher energy consumption since all nodes are actively transmitting information much longer than typical EDD applications. Furthermore, in highly dense WSNs, the energy consumption is even higher. As such, the use of autonomous devices that provide a constant energy supply is becoming relevant for these environments. In this work, we propose to take advantage of the electromagnetic waves found in the radio-electric spectrum in order to supply the energy to each node in the network. To this end, the antenna and the storage and amplifications system for such device are designed. Additionally, the performance of dense CM WSN is studied using a Markov chain in order to calculate the lifetime of the system.
Simultaneous infections by different Salmonellastrains in mesenteric lymph nodes of finishing pigs
Authors: Garrido Victoria , Sánchez Samanta , San Román Beatriz , Zabalza-Baranguá Ana , Díaz-Tendero Yasmin , de Frutos Cristina , Mainar-Jaime Raúl-Carlos , Grilló María-Jesús
Published: March 2014

Background

Salmonellosis is a major worldwide zoonosis, and Salmonella-infected finishing pigs are considered one of the major sources of human infections in developed countries. Baseline studies on salmonellosis prevalence in fattening pigs in Europe are based on direct pathogen isolation from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). This procedure is considered the most reliable for diagnosing salmonellosis in apparently healthy pigs. The presence of simultaneous infections by different Salmonella strains in the same animal has never been reported and could have important epidemiological implications.

Results

Fourteen finishing pigs belonging to 14 farms that showed high salmonellosis prevalence and a variety of circulating Salmonella strains, were found infected by Salmonella spp, and 7 of them were simultaneously infected with strains of 2 or 3 different serotypes. Typhimurium isolates showing resistance to several antimicrobials and carrying mobile integrons were the most frequently identified in the colonized MLN. Four animals were found infected by Salmonella spp. of a single serotype (Rissen or Derby) but showing 2 or 3 different antimicrobial resistance profiles, without evidence of mobile genetic element exchange in vivo.

Conclusion

This is the first report clearly demonstrating that pigs naturally infected by Salmonella may harbour different Salmonella strains simultaneously. This may have implications in the interpretation of results from baseline studies, and also help to better understand human salmonellosis outbreaks and the horizontal transmission of antimicrobial resistance genes.
Induced and pre-existing anti-polyethylene glycol antibody in a trial of every 3-week dosing of pegloticase for refractory gout, including in organ transplant recipients
Authors: Hershfield Michael S , Ganson Nancy J , Kelly Susan J , Scarlett Edna L , Jaggers Denise A , Sundy John S
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Pegloticase, a PEGylated recombinant porcine uricase, is approved for treating refractory gout at a dose of 8 mg intravenous (IV) every 2 weeks. However, during phase 1 testing, pharmacokinetics supported less frequent dosing. Also, single doses of pegloticase unexpectedly induced antibodies (Ab) that bound to polyethylene glycol (PEG). We have conducted a phase 2 trial to evaluate every 3-week dosing, and to further define the Ab response to pegloticase. Organ transplant recipients were included, as they are prone to severe gout that is difficult to manage, and because treatment to prevent graft rejection might influence the immune response to pegloticase.

Methods

Plasma uricase activity (pUox), urate concentration (pUA), and clinical response were monitored during up to 5 infusions in 30 patients, including 7 organ transplant recipients. Depending on whether pUA <6 mg/dL was achieved and maintained, patients were classified as non (NR), persistent (PR), or transient (TR) responders. Ab to pegloticase and 10 kDa mPEG were monitored by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and specificity was further defined.

Results

We observed 17 PR, 12 TR, and 1 NR; 21 patients (16 PR, 5 TR) received all 5 infusions. Over the 15-week trial, pUA in PR averaged 1.0 ± 0.4 mg/dL; T
½
for pUox was approximately 13 days, and area under the curve after dose 5 was approximately 30% higher than after dose 1. PR showed clinical benefit and in some, tophi resolved. In 11 of 12 TR, pUox fell rapidly and hyperuricemia recurred before dose 2. In all TR and NR, loss of response to pegloticase was accompanied by Ab to PEG, which was pre-existing in half of those who had no prior exposure to pegloticase. No PR, and 1 one out of 7 organ transplant recipients, had a sustained Ab response to pegloticase.

Conclusions

Every 3-week dosing is effective and may enhance the utility of pegloticase for treating refractory gout. Ab to PEG, which were pre-existing or induced by treatment, caused rapid loss of efficacy and increased the risk of infusion reactions. Organ transplant recipients can benefit from pegloticase, and may be less prone than non-recipients to developing anti-PEG Ab. Investigation of immunosuppressive strategies to minimize anti-PEG Ab is warranted.

Trial registration

ClincalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00111657
Why FCTC Policies Have Not Been Implemented in China: Domestic Dynamics and Tobacco Governance
Authors: Jin Jiyong
Published: March 2014

The international community, under the auspices of the World Health Organization, developed the landmark Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to curb the global tobacco epidemic. As an internationally binding convention about global best practices on tobacco control, the FCTC has become an overriding source of policy transfer for developing countries in the fight against smoking. However, since its ratification of the first global norm over tobacco governance and against the grim background of the widespread tobacco-induced public health devastation within its borders, China has failed to genuinely pursue FCTC policies because of domestic political and social factors. The empirical findings of this article point to the dominance of political-social dynamics for China's nontransfer of FCTC policies, arguing that the government's GDPism, its sovereignty-first mentality, and hostility to NGOs as well as widespread social acceptability of tobacco consumption and high smoking prevalence are fundamental causes of China's nontransfer of FCTC policies. The article explicates how these variables correspond to FCTC policies in an analytic framework of policy transfer.