bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of knowledge sharing and knowledge application on service recovery performance
Authors: Boateng Henry , Agyemang Franklin Gyamfi
Published: July 2015

This study set out to discover the effects of knowledge sharing (KS) and knowledge application (KA) on service recovery performance (SRP) through survey-based research. The population of the study consisted of front-line employees of hotels in Accra. The study found significant and positive effects of both KS and KA on SRP. Data were analysed using linear and multiple regression.
Perspectives
Authors: White Martin
Published: July 2015

This article highlights recent papers on valuing public libraries, the benefits of presenting strategic plans in a visual format, the challenges of managing content in a multinational organization and an ethnographic study of how organizational knowledge is created and shared in a small virtual team.
Co-becoming Bawaka
Authors: Country Bawaka , Wright Sarah , Suchet-Pearson Sandie , Lloyd Kate , Burarrwanga Laklak , Ganambarr Ritjilili , Ganambarr-Stubbs Merrkiyawuy , Ganambarr Banbapuy , Maymuru Djawundil , Sweeney Jill
Published: July 2015

We invite readers to dig for ganguri (yams) at and with Bawaka, an Indigenous Homeland in northern Australia, and, in doing so, consider an Indigenous-led understanding of relational space/place. We draw on the concept of gurrutu to illustrate the limits of western ontologies, open up possibilities for other ways of thinking and theorizing, and give detail and depth to the notion of space/place as emergent co-becoming. With Bawaka as lead author, we look to Country for what it can teach us about how all views of space are situated, and for the insights it offers about co-becoming in a relational world.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura preceding a lupus diagnosis: a case report
Authors: Georgiades F , Demosthenous S , Braimi M , Tsitskari T , Psarelis S
Published: July 2015

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a rare stress-related cardiomyopathy, has been observed in a few cases secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, we report an unusual case where a postmenopausal woman presented initially with Takotsubo syndrome, later developed thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and cerebrovascular events, initially without clinical or laboratory features of SLE. During the course of her illness, she was found to satisfy four of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics classification criteria for a SLE diagnosis. This unique presentation of our patient, initially with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, the development of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and cerebrovascular events preceding the diagnosis of SLE illustrates the importance of clinical observation and follow-up.
Who works when? Towards a typology of weekly work patterns in Belgium
Authors: Minnen Joeri , Glorieux Ignace , Pieter van Tienoven Theun
Published: July 2015

The question when people work is almost always reduced to the question how much people work on (non-)standard working hours. In this contribution, we applied optimal matching techniques using Belgian data from a weekly work grid ( n = 6330) to identify individuals’ work timing patterns, offering a richer analytical approach than most previous studies on (non-)standard work time. Results show that such analysis captures much more and much more relevant variation in the timing of work than simple questions. Three general and 10 more detailed weekly work patterns are identified based on two dimensions of paid work: the number of hours worked and the percentage of hours worked on non-standard periods of time. Additional analyses show that men’s work patterns depend only on job characteristics. For women, work patterns are also explained by socio-economic factors including education, presence of working partner and presence of children.
Assessing the Infrastructure Level and Growth Performance of Indian States
Authors: Nallathiga Ramakrishna
Published: July 2015

Infrastructure is vital for economic growth and development of any nation. Although national infrastructure plays an important role, the development of infrastructure and its growth, however, may depend upon the peculiar priorities and performance of state governments in a federal structure such as that of India. India has been growing extensively in the terms of infrastructure but the states may show differential performance in terms of infrastructure development due to various reasons. It is in this context that this article reports the findings from a study to assess the performance of Indian states on ‘developable/constructible infrastructure’ using levels and growth data. The performance assessment of the states has been done using ranking criteria on the chosen parameters of the six major infrastructure categories for two time points and they have been categorised into—top and bottom performers. Further, rank correlations have been used to analyze the association between (a) two levels and (b) level and growth. The performance of the states has been done in terms of ranking on infrastructure level, growth and index. The performance of the states has also been depicted in the form of ‘cobweb’ diagrams using normalised performance indices computed for category/sector.
Dynamic response of a high-rise chemical tower controlled by pseudo-elastic shape memory alloy cables
Authors: Sun Shuangshuang , Lv Mei
Published: July 2015

The wind-induced vibration of a high-rise chemical tower controlled by pseudo-elastic shape memory alloy cables was studied in this work. Based on taking into account phase transformations of shape memory alloy, the motion equation of the shape memory alloy–controlled chemical tower was established by the finite element method, which was coupled with phase transformation equations of shape memory alloy. The incremental finite-element-based Newmark integration method and the iterative method were utilized to solve this motion equation, and the dynamic response of the shape memory alloy–controlled chemical tower was analyzed. The results were compared with those of the chemical tower without any cables and under the control of common cables. It is found that pseudo-elastic shape memory alloy cables have good vibration suppression effect on the chemical tower. In addition, the vibration suppression effect of shape memory alloy cables is affected by the operating temperature, initial pre-strain of shape memory alloy, cross-sectional size of shape memory alloy, and the angle between each shape memory alloy cable and the ground.
Service-Learning
Authors: Scott Katharine E. , Graham James A.
Published: July 2015

The literature on service-learning outcomes in pre-adolescent children is relatively sparse. Empathy (i.e., overall, cognitive, affective) and community engagement (i.e., connection to the community, civic awareness, civic efficacy) were assessed in 155 first, second, and fifth graders ( n = 79 males; n = 76 females) using a pre/post design for a five-session pilot service-learning program. Paired-samples t tests indicated positive changes in empathy and community engagement over time. Post-community engagement was examined by a mediation analysis of empathy (Time 2) on community engagement (Time 1). Additional analyses revealed an overall change in empathy and community engagement for all grades, but cognitive empathy increased only for fifth graders. Similarly, only fifth-grade participants showed a significant change in civic efficacy, pointing to a developmental factor for civic efficacy that should be examined more extensively. Future research and recommendations for studies of the impact of service-learning programs in primary and elementary school are discussed.
Multi-objective genetic algorithm fractional-order PID controller for semi-active magnetorheologically damped seat suspension
Authors: Gad S , Metered H , Bassuiny A , Abdel Ghany AM
Published: July 2015

Recently, fractional-order proportional–integral–derivative (FOPID) controllers are demonstrated as a general form of the classical proportional–integral–derivative (PID) using fractional calculus. In FOPID controller, the orders of the derivative and integral portions are not integers which offer more flexibility in succeeding control objectives. This paper proposes a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) to optimize the FOPID controller gains to enhance the ride comfort of heavy vehicles. The usage of magnetorheological (MR) damper in seat suspension system provides considerable benefits in this area. The proposed semi-active control algorithm consists of a system controller that determines the desired damping force using a FOPID controller tuned using a MOGA, and a continuous state damper controller that calculates the input voltage to the damper coil. A mathematical model of a six degrees–of–freedom seat suspension system incorporating human body model using an MR damper is derived and simulated using Matlab/Simulink software. The proposed semi–active MR seat suspension is compared to the classical PID, optimum PID tuned using genetic algorithm (GA) and passive seat suspension systems for predetermined chassis displacement. System performance criteria are examined in both time and frequency domains, in order to verify the success of the proposed FOPID algorithm. The simulation results prove that the proposed FOPID controller of MR seat suspension offers a superior performance of the ride comfort over the integer controllers.
Analysis of nutritional habits and intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids in veterans with peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Nosova Emily V , Bartel Kevin , Chong Karen C , Alley Hugh F , Conte Michael S , Owens Christopher D , Grenon S Marlene
Published: July 2015

Inadequate nutrient intake may contribute to the development and progression of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This study’s aim was to assess intake of essential fatty acids and nutrients among veterans with PAD. All 88 subjects had ankle–brachial indices of <0.9 and claudication. A validated food frequency questionnaire evaluated dietary intake, and values were compared to guidelines established by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC), as well as the AHA/ACC endorsed Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. The mean age was 69 ± 8 years. Compared to the AHA/ACC guidelines, subjects with PAD had an inadequate intake of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids ( n-3 PUFA; 59% consumed >1 gram daily). Our subjects with PAD had an increased intake of cholesterol (31% met the cut-off established in the DASH plan), total fat (5%) and sodium (53%). They had an inadequate intake of magnesium (3%), calcium (5%), and soluble fiber (3%). Dietary potassium intake met the recommended guidelines. In our subjects with PAD, intake of critical nutrients deviated substantially from the recommended amounts. Further prospective studies should evaluate whether PAD patients experience clinical benefit if diets are modified to meet the AHA/ACC recommendations.
Relational agency
Authors: Burkitt Ian
Published: July 2015

This article explores how the concept of agency in social theory changes when it is conceptualized as a relational rather than an individual phenomenon. It begins with a critique of the structure/agency debate, particularly of how this emerges in the critical realist approach to agency typified by Margaret Archer. It is argued that this approach, and the critical realist version of relational sociology that has grown from it, reify social relations as a third entity to which agents have a cognitive, reflexive relation, playing down the importance of interaction. This upholds the Western moral and political view of agents as autonomous, independent, and reflexive individuals. Instead, the article considers agency from a different theoretical tradition in relational sociology in which agents are always located in manifold social relations. From this, an understanding is created of agents as interactants, ones who are interdependent, vulnerable, intermittently reflexive, possessors of capacities that can only be practised in joint actions, and capable of sensitive responses to others and to the situations of interaction. Instead of agency resting on the reflexive monitoring of action or the reflexive deliberation on structurally defined choices, agency emerges from our emotional relatedness to others as social relations unfold across time and space.
A new partition model for the optimization of subsea cluster manifolds based on the new definition of layout cost
Authors: Wang Yingying , Gu Jijun , Duan Menglan , Xu Minghua , Estefen Segen F
Published: July 2015

The engineering practicability for the partition optimization of subsea cluster manifolds should be improved to provide a broader insight to subsea engineering designers, considering three connection types of jumpers between subsea wells and cluster manifolds. With the jumpers, pipeline end terminations and infield flowlines, this study describes an optimization method by a new definition of the layout cost of a piecewise function. That is different from the layout cost of the square of Euclidean Distance when the connection types are assumed to be straight flowlines without considerations of the connection facilities. A new practical optimization model of the partition of cluster manifolds at the lowest cost is presented and its core algorithm is developed with a program by MATLAB. Meanwhile, the demonstration of the convergence of the proposed algorithm is conducted. The validity of the model is evaluated by the simulation with a random two-dimensional distribution of 20 subsea wells. With the rapid convergence of the algorithm, 20 subsea wells can be partitioned into corresponding two to seven cluster manifolds and three connection types of jumpers in engineering can be obtained exactly by comparisons. In addition, spared well slots on cluster manifolds can be left for the future tiebacks of subsea wells by changing the types of cluster manifolds.
Chemoprevention of Diethylnitrosamine-Initiated and Phenobarbital-Promoted Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rats by Sulfated Polysaccharides and Aqueous Extract of Ulva lactuca
Authors: Hussein Usama K. , Mahmoud Hamada M. , Farrag Asmaa G. , Bishayee Anupam
Published: July 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the common cancers and lethal diseases worldwide. Both oxidative stress and chronic inflammation contribute to the pathogenesis of HCC. Because of limited treatment options and a grave prognosis of HCC, preventive management has been emphasized. The marine macroalgae Ulva lactuca (Ulvaceae) is consumed by humans and livestock because of its nutritional value. Recent studies showed that various extracts of U. lactuca possess antiviral, antiplasmodial, antinephrotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, very limited information is available on anticancer potential of U. lactuca with no reports on liver cancer chemopreventive efficacy of this marine algae. Accordingly, the present study was initiated to evaluate the possible antihepatocarcinogenic effects and antioxidant mechanisms of action of various U. lactuca extracts against a clinically relevant rodent model of HCC. Initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats by a single injection of dietary carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DENA, 200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), followed by promotion with phenobarbital (0.05%) in drinking water. The rats were fed with daily oral dose (50 mg/kg) of polysaccharide sulfate or aqueous extract of U. lactuca for 2, 12, and 24 weeks. At these timepoints, blood samples were taken to measure hepatic injury markers, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase, and bilirubin. The liver tissue was harvested for measurement of hepatic oxidative indices, including lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase. Hepatic histopathology, immunohistochemical analysis of cell proliferation and apoptosis by DNA fragmentation assay were performed. Our results clearly indicate that sulfated polysaccharides of U. lactuca exert a marked chemoprevention of DENA-initiated hepatocarcinogenesis through inhibition of abnormal cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. A modest inhibition rat liver carcinogenesis was observed with the aqueous extract. The sulfated polysaccharides altered serum parameters of hepatic damage and modulated various components of the hepatic enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems. The sulfated polysaccharides from U. lactuca may have unique properties of providing protection against DENA-induced oxidative stress which could contribute to chemoprevention of experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. U. lactuca sulfated polysaccharides could be developed as chemopreventive and therapeutic drug against human HCC.
Up-regulation of miR-138 inhibits hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via down-regulating lipocalin-2 expression
Authors: Xiong Haowei , Luo Tiantian , He Wenshuai , Xi Dan , Lu Hao , Li Menghao , Liu Jichen , Guo Zhigang
Published: July 2015

Hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis contributes significantly to the development of numerous cardiac diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, heart failure, etc. Promoting cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis is one of the available strategies to attenuate cardiac dysfunction caused by cardiomyocyte loss. Previous studies have been demonstrated that miR-138 and lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) play important roles in cardiomyocyte apoptosis and survival. We presently determined whether Lcn2 is a target gene of miR-138 involved in hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Firstly, mimics of miR-138 were transfected into HL-1 cells to investigate its effect on cell apoptosis. Using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-y1) 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometer assays, over-expression of miR-138 significantly enhanced the cell growth and significantly attenuated the cell apoptosis in hypoxic conditions. Dual-luciferase reporter gene and western blot results confirmed Lcn2 was a direct target of miR-138. Then, the recombinant plasmid, pcDNA3.1/Lcn2 was transfected into the HL-1 cells that over-expressed miR-138. We further observed that the over-expression of Lcn2 diminished the protection of miR-138 over-expression from hypoxia-induced cell survival and apoptosis. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that up-regulation of miR-138 inhibits the hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via down-regulating the pro-apoptotic gene expression of Lcn2.
Probabilistic Graphical Modeling of Terrorism Threat Recognition Using Bayesian Networks and Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Regens James L. , Mould Nick , Jensen Carl J. , Graves Melissa A. , Edger David N.
Published: July 2015

The objective of this study was to identify and model the comprehension and decision making of law enforcement personnel with respect to terrorism-centric behaviors. In this study, 44 participants provided 1,496 judgments ranked on an 11-point Likert-type suspicion scale about individual text-based scenario components emulating real-world events encountered during routine policing. The data were analyzed to assess the influence of jurisdiction, training, experience, and terrorism familiarity on the recognition of terrorism-centric behaviors. Measurements of those factors were used to formulate a Bayesian network, and Monte Carlo simulation was performed to estimate their effect on terrorism-centric cognitive judgment and decision making, defined by the response to a wide variety of simulated terrorism-centric behaviors using text-based scenarios.
Clinical Effectiveness of Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance Interventions for Men: A Systematic Review of Men-Only Randomized Controlled Trials (The ROMEO Project)
Authors: Robertson Clare , Avenell Alison , Stewart Fiona , Archibald Daryll , Douglas Flora , Hoddinott Pat , van Teijlingen Edwin , Boyers Dwayne
Published: July 2015

Men are underrepresented in obesity services, suggesting current weight loss service provision is suboptimal. This systematic review evaluated evidence-based strategies for treating obesity in men. Eight bibliographic databases and four clinical trials’ registers were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of weight loss interventions in men only, with mean/median body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2 (or ≥28 kg/m2 with cardiac risk factors), with a minimum mean/median duration of ≥52 weeks. Interventions included diet, physical activity, behavior change techniques, orlistat, or combinations of these; compared against each other, placebo, or a no intervention control group; in any setting. Twenty-one reports from 14 RCTs were identified. Reducing diets produced more favorable weight loss than physical activity alone (mean weight change after 1 year from a reducing diet compared with an exercise program −3.2 kg, 95% confidence interval −4.8 to −1.6 kg, reported p < .01). The most effective interventions combined reducing diets, exercise, and behavior change techniques (mean difference in weight at 1 year compared with no intervention was −4.9 kg, 95% confidence interval −5.9 to −4.0, reported p < .0001). Group interventions produced favorable weight loss results. The average reported participant retention rate was 78.2%, ranging from 44% to 100% retention, indicating that, once engaged, men remained committed to a weight loss intervention. Weight loss for men is best achieved and maintained with the combination of a reducing diet, increased physical activity, and behavior change techniques. Strategies to increase engagement of men with weight loss services to improve the reach of interventions are needed.
Male Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Fernández-Cuadros Marcos E. , Nieto-Blasco Javier , Geanini-Yagüez Antonia , Ciprián-Nieto Daniel , Padilla-Fernández Bárbara , Lorenzo-Gómez Mª Fernanda
Published: July 2015

The aim of the current study was to determine the demographic characteristics and risk factors associated with male urinary incontinence (UI) and to assess the effectiveness and the effect on the quality-of-life of a pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) protocol with electromyography-biofeedback (EMG-BFB) with surface electrodes. A prospective, quasi-experimental before-and-after study with a sample of 61 men out of 372 patients referred to the Pelvic Floor Unit from October 2005 to June 2012 was performed. The protocol consisted of 20 sessions of EMG-BFB supervised by a physiotherapist twice a week. The session durations were 30 minutes (118 work/rest cycles of pelvic muscles). Work lasted 3 seconds and rest 7 seconds. Patients were given standards of conduct and questionnaires (International Consultation on Incontinence–Short Form and Incontinence Quality-of-Life Measure) at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. The average age was 64.85 ± 14.34 years; 44.3% ( n = 27) had benign prostatic hypertrophy, 41.9% ( n = 25) had prostate malignant neoplasm, 86.9% ( n = 53) had undergone prostatectomy, 16.4% ( n = 10) had undergone abdominal surgery. Abdominal surgery and radical prostatectomy were significantly associated with UI ( p < .05). Stress urinary incontinence was the most common type of UI (86.67%), followed by mixed urinary incontinence (8.33%) and urge urinary incontinence (5%). A significant improvement ( p < .05) in both International Consultation on Incontinence–Short Form and Incontinence Quality-of-Life Measure questionnaires was observed when making comparisons regarding the results before and after the EMG-BFB treatment protocol. These results support that male UI is significantly associated with urological and abdominal surgery (including radical prostatectomy) and that EMG-BFB for PFMT improves incontinence and quality of life (social embarrassment, limiting behavior, and psychosocial impact) in the three types of UI on an overall basis.
Evaluation of urine fibrinogen level in a murine model of contrast-induced nephropathy
Authors: Yao Luyu , Dong Honglin , Zhao Cynthia X , Gu Xin , Tan Tze-W , Hamidian Jahromi Alireza , Zhang Wayne W
Published: July 2015

Objective

The mechanisms of contrast-induced nephropathy are not fully understood and sensitive biomarkers of contrast-induced nephropathy are yet to be found. We investigated whether urinary fibrinogen could be a potential biomarker for contrast-induced nephropathy.

Methods

To create a contrast-induced nephropathy model, mice received a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor (indomethacin) and a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) intraperitoneally followed by a different dose of iodixanol. In the control group, normal saline was administered. Urinary fibrinogen and serum creatinine were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Kidneys were used to quantify fibrinogen using qRT-PCR and Western blot and for histopathological examination.

Results

Histopathological examination demonstrated mild renal injury in the low-dose group, and moderate renal injury in the high-dose group. Urinary fibrinogen levels were significantly increased in an iodixanol dose-dependent manner (control vs. low-dose group, P < 0.05; control vs. high-dose group P < 0.01). Serum creatinine levels were only increased in the high-dose group (P < 0.01 compared to control), but not in the low-dose group. For fibrinogen-gene expression, in the low-dose group, Fgγ increased (qRT-PCR, Western blot, P < 0.05) in the high-dose group, Fgβ and Fgγ decreased (qRT-PCR, P < 0.01; Western blot, P < 0.05), and Fgα increased (qRT-PCR, P < 0.05; Western blot, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

We propose that urinary fibrinogen could be used as a potential biomarker for early contrast-induced nephropathy diagnosis.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in ultrasound: Can you reduce risk?
Authors: Harrison Gill , Harris Allison
Published: July 2015

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a common cause of pain and sickness absence for ultrasound practitioners. This article aims to provide background information about factors increasing the chance of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders and potential ways to reduce risk. Factors influencing ultrasound professionals’ likelihood of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders include poor posture, repetitive movements, transducer pressure and poor grip, stress, workload, limited support or sense of control and other psychosocial factors. The impact of these risk factors on the health and well being of ultrasound practitioners can be reduced by following recommendations published by professional bodies and the Health and Safety Executive. Ultrasound practitioners should remember that optimising the examination should not be at the detriment of their health. Some hints and tips to reduce the chance of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders are provided.
Clinical experience with everolimus in the second-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Alesini Daniele , Mosillo Claudia , Naso Giuseppe , Cortesi Enrico , Iacovelli Roberto
Published: July 2015

Everolimus is an oral inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR-I) and is currently approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) after failure of first-line vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).

In this narrative review, we aim to report the available evidence about the use of everolimus as second-line therapy for mRCC. A literature search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE and abstracts from major conferences on clinical oncology as sources. We report data from prospective as well as retrospective and real world data studies and we analyze the safety and efficacy profile of everolimus as second-line therapy for mRCC.

Although different drugs are currently available for the second-line treatment of mRCC, everolimus represents a feasible and safe option in this setting, especially for patients who have experienced high-grade toxicity or are still carrying TKI-related toxicities from first-line treatment.
A systematic review of prognostic factors for distal upper limb pain
Authors: Whibley Daniel , Martin Kathryn R , Lovell Karina , Jones Gareth T
Published: July 2015

Background:

Musculoskeletal pain in the distal upper limb is relatively common, can be a cause of disability, presents a high cost to society and is clinically important. Previous reviews of prognostic factors have focused on pain in the proximal upper limb, whole upper extremity or isolated regions of the distal upper limb.

Aim:

To identify factors that predict outcome of distal upper limb pain.

Study design:

Systematic review

Method:

Eight bibliographic databases were searched from inception to March 2014. Eligible articles included adults with pain anywhere in the distal upper limb at baseline from randomised controlled trials with a waiting list, expectant policy or usual care group, or observational studies where no treatment or usual care was provided. Data describing the association between a putative prognostic factor and pain or functional outcome at follow-up were required. Quality was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool.

Results:

Seven articles reporting on six studies were identified. Heterogeneity of study populations and outcome measures prevented a meta-analysis so a narrative synthesis of results was undertaken. Three factors (being female, a longer duration of the complaint at initial presentation and having musculoskeletal pain in multiple locations) were significantly associated with poor pain outcome in more than one study. Being female was the only factor significantly associated with poor functional outcome in more than one study.

Conclusions:

A range of sociodemographic, pain-related, occupational and psychosocial prognostic factors for distal upper limb pain outcomes were investigated in studies included in the review. However, due to the lack of commonality of factors investigated and lack of consistency of results across studies, there is limited evidence for predictors of distal upper limb pain outcomes. Further research is required to identify prognostic factors of distal upper limb pain, particularly modifiable factors that may influence management.
Medical Fruits of Labor
Authors: Isaacs Michael
Published: July 2015

My grandfather's death made a profound impact on my life personally and professionally. Our family was able to share in his last joyous days thanks to a caring physician who first suggested palliative care. During these final days in which friends and family said their goodbyes, I realized as a medical student the immense impact we as healthcare workers truly make in our patients' lives. Reflections on palliative care, faith, medicine, and death following this experience influenced my formation as a Catholic, grandson, and as a physician in training.

Lay summary

This article describes the personal experience of a medical student who witnesses the final days of his grandfather's life. Life, death, faith, palliative care, and the impact of physicians on families during these times is the subject of his reflection following his grandfather's death.
Combined effect of bisphosphonate and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 on bone healing of rat calvarial defects
Authors: Kim Ho-Chul , Song Jae-Min , Kim Chang-Joo , Yoon Sang-Yong , Kim In-Ryoung , Park Bong-Soo , Shin Sang-Hun
Published: July 2015

Background

This study aimed to investigate new bone formation using recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) and locally applied bisphosphonate in rat calvarial defects.

Methods

Thirty-six rats were studied. Two circular 5 mm diameter bony defect were formed in the calvaria using a trephine bur. The bony defect were grafted with Bio-Oss® only (group 1, n = 9), Bio-Oss® wetted with rhBMP-2 (group 2, n = 9), Bio-Oss® wetted with rhBMP-2 and 1 mM alendronate (group 3, n = 9) and Bio-Oss® wetted with rhBMP-2 and 10 mM alendronate (group 4, n = 9). In each group, three animals were euthanized at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after surgery, respectively. The specimens were then analyzed by histology, histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry analysis.

Results

There were significant decrease of bone formation area (p < 0.05) between group 4 and group 2, 3. Group 3 showed increase of new bone formation compared to group 2. In immunohistochemistry, collagen type I and osteoprotegerin (OPG) didn’t show any difference. However, receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) decreased with time dependent except group 4.

Conclusion

Low concentration bisphosphonate and rhBMP-2 have synergic effect on bone regeneration and this is result from the decreased activity of RANKL of osteoblast.
3D printing sandstone porosity models
Authors: Ishutov Sergey , Hasiuk Franciszek J. , Harding Chris , Gray Joseph N.
Published: July 2015

The petroleum industry requires new technologies to improve the economics of exploration and production. Digital rock physics is a methodology that seeks to revolutionize reservoir characterization, an essential step in reservoir assessment, using computational methods. A combination of X-ray computed microtomography, digital pore network modeling, and 3D printing technology represents a novel workflow for transferring digital rock models into tangible samples that can be manufactured in a variety of materials and tested with standard laboratory equipment. Accurate replication of pore networks depends on the resolution of tomographic images, rock sample size, statistical algorithms for digital modeling, and the resolution of 3D printing. We performed this integrated approach on a sample of Idaho Gray Sandstone with an estimated porosity of 29% and permeability of 2200 mD. Tomographic images were collected at resolutions of 30 and [Formula: see text] per voxel. This allowed the creation of digital porosity models segmented into grains and pores. Surfaces separating pores from grains were extracted from the digital rock volume and 3D printed in plastic as upscaled tangible models. Two model types, normal (with pores as voids) and inverse (with pores as solid), allowed visualization of the geometry of the grain matrix and topology of pores, while allowing characterization of pore connectivity. The current resolution of commodity 3D printers with a plastic filament ([Formula: see text] for pore space and [Formula: see text] for grain matrix) is too low to precisely reproduce the Idaho Gray Sandstone at its original scale. However, the workflow described here also applies to advanced high-resolution 3D printers, which have been becoming more affordable with time. In summary, with its scale flexibility and fast manufacturing time, 3D printing has the potential to become a powerful tool for reservoir characterization.
Sleep problems in Alzheimer's disease: does drug treatment help or harm?
Authors: Smith Katharine , Attenburrow Mary-Jane
Published: July 2015

Drug treatments are commonly used for sleep disturbance in Alzheimer's disease, although none have a specific licence for this indication. This month's Cochrane review assessed the available evidence of benefit or harm in the use of these medications. The review identified two studies of melatonin, which did not show significant improvement in sleep over placebo. One study of trazodone suggested a beneficial effect on sleep, but its small sample size limits the generalisability of the results. Larger studies are needed, with careful assessment of the evidence for possible improvements in sleep but also of important side-effects such as falls and increased confusion.
The common law defence of automatism: a quagmire for the psychiatrist
Authors: Rix Keith J. B.
Published: July 2015

This article sets out the complicated and confused law on automatism and identifies the role of the psychiatrist, including paradoxically a role in cases of non-psychiatric disorder where the law requires evidence from a doctor approved under section 12 of the Mental Health Act. Legal definitions of automatism are introduced. The internal/external distinction, evidential burden, burden of proof, standard of proof, prior fault, intoxication and the degree of impairment illustrate how the courts limit the defence. Detailed accounts are given of cases in which the defence of automatism has been based on psychiatric disorder and on the effects of psychotropic drugs. Suggestions are made for approaches to assessment and medicolegal reporting.
The Effects of a Single Developmentally Entrained Pulse of Testosterone in Female Neonatal Mice on Reproductive and Metabolic Functions in Adult Life
Authors: Jang Hyeran , Bhasin Shalender , Guarneri Tyler , Serra Carlo , Schneider Mary , Lee Mi-Jeong , Guo Wen , Fried Susan K. , Pencina Karol , Jasuja Ravi
Published: July 2015

Early postnatal exposures to sex steroids have been well recognized to modulate predisposition to diseases of adulthood. There is a complex interplay between timing, duration and dose of endocrine exposures through environmental or dietary sources that may alter the sensitivity of target tissues to the exogenous stimuli. In this study, we determined the metabolic and reproductive programming effects of a single developmentally entrained pulse of testosterone (T) given to female mice in early postnatal period. CD-1 female mice pups were injected with either 5 μg of T enanthate (TE) or vehicle (control [CON] group) within 24 hours after birth and followed to adult age. A total of 66% of T-treated mice exhibited irregular cycling, anovulatory phenotype, and significantly higher ovarian weights than vehicle-treated mice. Longitudinal nuclear magnetic resonance measurements revealed that TE group had greater body weight, whole-body lean, and fat mass than the CON group. Adipose tissue cellularity analysis in TE group revealed a trend toward higher size and number than their littermate CONs. The brown adipose tissue of TE mice exhibited white fat infiltration with down-regulation of several markers, including uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1), cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor, α-subunit-like effector A, bone morphogenetic protein 7 as well as brown adipose tissue differentiation-related transcription regulators. T-injected mice were also more insulin resistant than CON mice. These reproductive and metabolic reprogramming effects were not observed in animals exposed to TE at 3 and 6 weeks of age. Collectively, these data suggest that sustained reproductive and metabolic alterations may result in female mice from a transient exposure to T during a narrow postnatal developmental window.
Structural Change, Growth, and Volatility
Authors: Moro Alessio
Published: July 2015

I construct a two-sector general equilibrium model of structural change to study the impact of sectoral composition of gross domestic product (GDP) on cross-country differences in GDP growth and volatility. For an empirically relevant parametrization of sectoral production functions, an increase in the share of services in GDP reduces both aggregate total factor productivity (TFP) growth and volatility, thus reducing GDP growth and volatility. When the model is calibrated to the US manufacturing and service sector, the rise of the service sector occurring as income grows can account for a large fraction of the differences in per capita GDP growth and volatility between high-income economies and upper middle income economies. (JEL E23, E25, E32, L60, L80)
A New History of Banking Panics in the United States, 1825–1929: Construction and Implications
Authors: Jalil Andrew J.
Published: July 2015

There are two major problems in identifying the output effects of banking panics of the pre–Great Depression era. First, it is not clear when panics occurred because prior panic series differ in their identification of panic episodes. Second, establishing the direction of causality is tricky. This paper addresses these two problems (i) by deriving a new panic series for the 1825–1929 period and (ii) by studying the output effects of major banking panics via vector autoregression (VAR) and narrative-based methods. The new series has important implications for the history of financial panics in the United States. (JEL E32, E44, G21, N11, N12, N21, N22)
Quantitative Amplification of Cleaved Ends (qACE) to assay miRNA-directed target cleavage
Authors: Damodaran Suresh , Adhikari Sajag , Turner Marie , Subramanian Senthil
Published: July 2015

microRNA (miRNA) regulation is crucial to achieve precise spatio-temporal expression patterns of their target genes. This makes it crucial to determine the levels of cleavage of a particular target mRNA in different tissues and under different conditions. We developed a quantitative PCR method “quantitative Amplification of Cleaved Ends (qACE)” to assay levels of specific cleavage products in order to determine the extent of miRNA-directed target cleavage of a specific target gene. qACE uses cDNA generated from adapter-ligated RNA molecules and relies on a carefully designed fusion primer that spans the adapter-cleaved RNA junction in qPCR to specifically amplify and quantify cleaved products. The levels of full-length transcripts can also be assayed in the same cDNA preparation using primers that span across the miRNA cleavage site. We used qACE to demonstrate that soybean roots over-expressing miR164 had increased levels of target cleavage and that miRNA deficient Arabidopsis thaliana hen1-1 mutants had reduced levels of target cleavage. We used qACE to discover that differential cleavage by miR164 in nodule vs. adjacent root tissue contributed to nodule-specific expression of NAC1 transcription factors in soybean. These experiments show that qACE can be used to discover and demonstrate tissue-specific cleavage by miRNAs to achieve specific spatio-temporal expression of target genes in plants.
Information and Educational System of Supporting Learners� Self-Development in the Course of Extracurricular Activities in Terms of Implementing the Federal State Educational Standard of Primary General Education
Authors: ������  , Ivanov N. , �������  , Ivanova Irina
Published: July 2015

The authors present their insights on the structure and substantive content of the unified information and educational system, which is a software product

named �Information and Educational System to Support Self-Development�, which has been approbated in terms of implementing the scientific

project supported by the Russian Foundation for Humanities and the Government of the Kaluga region at the premises of rural schools of the Kaluga

region (The project �14-16-40007 a (r)).

The unified information system maintenance is aimed to facilitate the work of teachers at different stages of methodological and psycho-pedagogical

support of learners self-development in the course of extracurricular activities, to help with performance analysis, to provide maximum automation of

the testing process in order to eliminate the human factor, which can distort the results analyzing process, and also to provide convenience of making

recommendations on how to work with learners. Among the structural components of the software are: the analytical system, which includes students� self-development monitoring unit editor; accounting

and analysis system, represented by the student�s individual profile; statistical processing block with results presentation and development of

psychological and pedagogical recommendations; the block for analyzing the learners� self-development dynamics, etc.

The system allows to maintain an individual profile for each learner; to run diagnostics of learners� self-development; to process and store diagnostics

outcomes; to develop psychological and pedagogical recommendations and routes of individual self-development for each student; to plan individual

educational path for each learner dependent on testing outcomes, interviews with the parents and the learner himself and recommendations of psychologists

and educators. The system is capable to maintain both the results records of a single learner within different time domains and statistical

analyses of group results, to sort and analyze results against the required criteria.

The said system can be used widely in educational practices of extracurricular activities in the context of mastering the standards of primary general

education.

The paper can be of interest for supplementary education teachers, for primary school teachers, psychologists, as well as teaching staff of educational

institutions responsible for monitoring learners� self-development in the course of implementation of the Federal State Educational Standard of Primary

General Education.
Professional and Educational Environment of a University as a Resource for Continuous Education of Higher School Teachers
Authors: �����������  , Abdurazakov Magomed , ���������  , Shafranova Olga
Published: July 2015

The very essence of changes, emerging in the domain of educators� professional life implicates the need to activate axiological resources of educators

continuous education. Axiological basis for developing the process of continuous education of teachers would allow the consistent advance towards

the ideal of harmony, conceived as the value orientation of the new-type civilization. So it is of paramount importance to develop insights concerning

axiological approach capabilities in using potential of education for developing and improving higher school teachers� skills to deal with the contents

of their inner and professional values.

The paper considers the ways to enhance quality of higher education by means of professional educational activities optimization. For this purpose

the authors propose to examine the potential of continuous professional education. Specifics of assisting teachers to find their individual educational

routes are determined by the axiological approach to modeling the modern contents and technologies of higher school teachers� continuous education.
Multistate Bayesian Control Chart Over a Finite Horizon
Authors: Wang Jue , Lee Chi-Guhn
Published: July 2015

We study a multistate partially observable process control model with a general state transition structure. The process is initially in control and subject to Markovian deterioration that can bring it to out-of-control states. The process may continue making transitions among the out-of-control states, or even back to the in-control state until it reaches an absorbing state. We assume that at least one out-of-control state is absorbing. The objective is to minimize the expected total cost over a finite horizon. By transforming the standard Cartesian belief space into the spherical coordinate system, we show that the optimal policy has a simple control-limit structure. We also examine two specialized models. The first is the phase-type transition time model, in which we develop an algorithm whose complexity is not affected by the number of phases. The second is a model with multiple absorbing out-of-control states, by which we show that certain out-of-control states may incur less total cost than the in-control state, a phenomenon never occurs in the two-state models. We conclude that there are fundamental differences between multistate models and two-state models, and that the spherical coordinate transformation offers significant analytical and computational benefits.