bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A retrospective analysis of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with segmental renal artery clamping and factors that predict postoperative renal function
Authors: Li Pu , Qin Chao , Cao Qiang , Li Jie , Lv Qiang , Meng Xiaoxin , Ju Xiaobing , Tang Lijun , Shao Pengfei
Published: May 2016

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) with segmental renal artery clamping, and to analyse the factors affecting postoperative renal function.

Patients and methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 466 consecutive patients undergoing LPN using main renal artery clamping (group A, n = 152) or segmental artery clamping (group B, n = 314) between September 2007 and July 2015 in our department. Blood loss, operating time, warm ischaemia time (WIT) and renal function were compared between groups. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were applied to assess the correlations of selected variables with postoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) reduction. Volumetric data and estimated GFR of a subset of 60 patients in group B were compared with GFR to evaluate the correlation between these functional variables and preserved renal function after LPN.

Results

The novel technique slightly increased operating time, WIT and intra‐operative blood loss (P < 0.001), while it provided better postoperative renal function (P < 0.001) compared with the conventional technique. The blocking method and tumour characteristics were independent factors affecting GFR reduction, while WIT was not an independent factor. Correlation analysis showed that estimated GFR presented better correlation with GFR compared with kidney volume (R2 = 0.794 cf. R2 = 0.199) in predicting renal function after LPN.

Conclusions

LPN with segmental artery clamping minimizes warm ischaemia injury and provides better early postoperative renal function compared with clamping the main renal artery. Kidney volume has a significantly inferior role compared with eGFR in predicting preserved renal function.
Superolateral dislocation of an intact mandibular condyle into the temporal fossa: case report and literature review
Authors: Sharma Divashree , Khasgiwala Ankit , Maheshwari Bharat , Singh Charanpreet , Shakya Neelam
Published: May 2016

Temporomandibular joint dislocation refers to the dislodgement of mandibular condyle from the glenoid fossa. Anterior and anteromedial dislocations of the mandibular condyle are frequently reported in the literature, but superolateral dislocation is a rare presentation. This report outlines a case of superolateral dislocation of an intact mandibular condyle that occurred in conjunction with an ipsilateral mandibular parasymphysis fracture. A review of the clinical features of superolateral dislocation of the mandibular condyle and the possible techniques of its reduction ranging from the most conservative means to extensive surgical interventions is presented.
The functional morphology and role of the thelycum in insemination, and its relation to the mating system in the seagrass shrimp Ambidexter symmetricus (Decapoda: Processidae)
Authors: Rasch Jennifer A. , Bauer Raymond T.
Published: May 2016

There is considerable variation in structures known to function in the transfer and storage of sperm in female decapod crustaceans. The thelycum is a secondary sexual character that forms from the posterior thoracic sterna of female shrimps (especially penaeoids and sergestoids). Females in the caridean shrimp family Processidae have a thelycum‐like structure which rarely occurs in other caridean females. We tested the hypothesis that the processid thelycum serves as a spermatheca for either short‐term attachment or long‐term sperm storage. When inseminated females of the processid Ambidexter symmetricus were isolated after mating, newly spawned and then incubated embryos hatched, but in the continued absence of a male, females were unable to fertilize a subsequent spawn. Our observations on A. symmetricus show that sperm were not retained after female spawning, and thus the thelycum is not used for long‐term sperm storage as in many penaeoids. In A. symmetricus, the thelycum may serve as an external median spermatheca (seminal receptacle) for temporary attachment and storage of a sperm mass during the 2–3 h interval between mating and spawning. Observations on mating behavior support the hypothesis of a pure‐search (promiscuous) mating system in A. symmetricus, with males showing little interest before, and copulating with females only after, the female parturial molt. Mating encounters were short (<2 min). This mating system is like that of other caridean shrimps with populations structured similarly to those in A. symmetricus: a relatively high density of mobile individuals and sexual dimorphism in body size (reproductive females larger than males) but not in cheliped weaponry (similar in males and females).
A Brief Task to Assess Individual Differences in Fat Discrimination
Authors: Donovan Joseph D. , Keller Kathleen L. , Tepper Beverly J.
Published: May 2016

Fat discrimination ability varies across individuals and may be related to individual differences in fat preference and dietary behavior. The objective of this study was to develop a brief fat discrimination task using salad dressings varying in canola oil content, in a difference from control format. First, 74 subjects were identified as fat discriminators or fat non‐discriminators based on a screening task. Subjects were also classified as non‐, medium‐ or super‐tasters of the bitter compound, 6‐n‐propylthiouracil (PROP) that has previously been linked to differences in fat perception. Then, all subjects participated in a four‐sample difference from control task where they assessed the degree of difference between the test samples and a blind control. Results showed that the more sensitive groups (PROP super‐tasters and fat discriminators) were able to discern both 30 and 40% fat samples from the 55% fat blind control, but the less sensitive groups (PROP non‐ and medium tasters, and fat non‐discriminators) could only discern the 30% fat sample from the 55% fat blind control. These data suggest that the four‐sample difference‐from‐control task is a convenient method for distinguishing individuals by fat discrimination ability when they are segmented using different criteria.

Practical Applications

The four‐sample difference from control test for salad dressing was developed as a rapid screening tool for fat discrimination. The test was designed to fill gaps in our understanding of individual differences in fat discrimination and has practical applications for testing large numbers of respondents in consumer testing, clinical settings and genetic association studies.
Pectus excavatum severity underestimated due to lack of objective measures in radiological reports
Authors: Kragten Hans , Höppener Paul , Gielis Albert , de Booij Machiel
Published: May 2016

During a routine physical examination, the degree of pectus excavatum (PE) is not always appreciated as the external appearance does not always reflect the severity of the deformity. In the patient in this case report, the severity had been underestimated for 33 years. The physicians, having requested standard two-view chest radiographs, had relied solely on the radiological reports, where the PE had been ambiguously described as ‘moderate’ or ‘substantial’. In patients where PE has been observed, it is essential that an objective numeric measure of severity, using the Haller index, is included in radiological reports.
Morbidity and Mortality of Infective Endocarditis in a Hospital System in New York City Serving a Diverse Urban Population
Authors: Alkhawam Hassan , Sogomonian Robert , Zaiem Feras , Vyas Neil , El-Hunjul Mohammed , Jolly JoshPaul , Al-khazraji Ahmed , Ashraf Amar
Published: May 2016

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe illness associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate morbidity and mortality of IE in a hospital serving the most diverse area in New York City. An analysis of 209 patients admitted to the hospital from 2000 to 2012 who were found to have IE based on modified Duke criteria. Among the 209 patients with IE, 188 (88.8%) had native heart valves and 21 (11.2%) had prosthetic valves. Of the patients with native heart valves, 3.7% had coronary artery bypass graft, 4.3% were active drug users, 6.3% had permanent pacemakers, 12.2% had a history of IE, 25.7% were diabetic, 17% had end-stage renal disease (ESRD), 9% had congestive heart failure, 8% had abnormal heart valves, and 13.8% had an unknown etiology. Mortality rates of the patients with prosthetic heart valves were 27.7% compared to 8.11% in patients with native heart valves (OR 3, p<0.0001). Since we identified diabetes mellitus and ESRD to be significant risk factors in our population, we isolated and compared characteristics of patients with and without IE. IE among patients with diabetes mellitus was 23% compared with 13.8% in the control group (p=0.016). Cases of IE in patients with ESRD were 15.3%, compared with 4% in the control group (p<0.0001). We identified an overall mortality rate of 20.1% in patients with IE, a readmission rate within 30 days of discharge of 21.5%, and an average age of 59 years. Among 209 patients, 107 were males and 102 females. The most common organisms identified were Staphylococcus aureus (43.7%), viridans streptococci (17%) followed by Enterococcus (14.7%). Despite appropriate treatment, high rates of morbidity and mortality remained, with a higher impact in patients greater than 50 years of age. Such discoveries raise the importance of controlling and monitoring risk factors for IE.
PUBLIC PROVISION OF PRIVATE GOODS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Authors: CHANDER PARKASH
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we characterize optimal redistributive taxes and subsidies on a discrete good which is available in different qualities. We assume that utility function of each consumer is such that his willingness-to-pay for quality increases with income. This separates the rich and the poor through the quality levels of the good actually purchased by them and allows the government to tax the rich and subsidize the poor. It is shown that the deadweight loss associated with the optimal policy may be zero. The notion of a consumer equilibrium introduced in the paper suggests a method for estimating the quality of a good as perceived by the consumers.
MIXING WASHINGTON CONSENSUS WITH BEIJING CONSENSUS AND CORRUPTION IN AFRICA
Authors: GOKCEKUS OMER , SUZUKI YUI
Published: May 2016

In theory, trade intensity should positively affect the quality of domestic institutions and governance; the higher the economic openness, the lower the corruption. In practice, however, the growth of economic openness has not been accompanied by the expected improvements in corruption for 34 African countries between 1990 and 2009. This paper presents a plausible explanation for this conundrum. Results from panel data regression analyses indicate that a switch from trading with the Advanced Economies to trading with China increases the perceived corruption level. For instance, in a “representative” African country, a 10% point substitution from trading with the Advanced Economies to trading with China makes its ICRG corruption score decline—indicating increased corruption—by 29%.
The Optimum Fabrication Condition of p-Type Antimony Tin Oxide Thin Films Prepared by DC Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Dang Huu Phuc , Luc Quang Ho , Le Tran , Le Van Hieu
Published: May 2016

Transparent Sb-doped tin oxide (ATO) thin films were fabricated on quartz glass substrates via a mixed (SnO2+ Sb2O3) ceramic target using direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering in ambient Ar gas at a working pressure of 2 × 10−3 torr. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Hall-effect, and UV-vis spectra measurements were performed to characterize the deposited films. The substrate temperature of the films was investigated in two ways: (1) films were annealed in Ar ambient gas after being deposited at room temperature or (2) they were deposited directly at different temperatures. The first process for fabricating the ATO films was found to be easier than the second process. The deposited films showed p-type electrical properties, a polycrystalline tetragonal rutile structure, and their average transmittance was greater than 80% in the visible light range at the optimum annealing temperature of 500°C. The best electrical properties of the film were obtained on a 10 wt% Sb2O3-doped SnO2target with a resistivity, hole concentration, and Hall mobility of 0.55 Ω·cm, 1.2 × 1019 cm−3, and 0.54 cm2V−1s−1, respectively.
Segmentation of White Blood Cell from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Images Using Dual-Threshold Method
Authors: Li Yan , Zhu Rui , Mi Lei , Cao Yihui , Yao Di
Published: May 2016

We propose a dual-threshold method based on a strategic combination of RGB and HSV color space for white blood cell (WBC) segmentation. The proposed method consists of three main parts: preprocessing, threshold segmentation, and postprocessing. In the preprocessing part, we get two images for further processing: one contrast-stretched gray image and one H component image from transformed HSV color space. In the threshold segmentation part, a dual-threshold method is proposed for improving the conventional single-threshold approaches and a golden section search method is used for determining the optimal thresholds. For the postprocessing part, mathematical morphology and median filtering are utilized to denoise and remove incomplete WBCs. The proposed method was tested in segmenting the lymphoblasts on a public Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) image dataset. The results show that the performance of the proposed method is better than single-threshold approach independently performed in RGB and HSV color space and the overall single WBC segmentation accuracy reaches 97.85%, showing a good prospect in subsequent lymphoblast classification and ALL diagnosis.
Afatinib against Esophageal or Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Significance of Activating Oncogenic HER4 Mutations in HNSCC
Authors: Nakamura Yu , Togashi Yosuke , Nakahara Hirokazu , Tomida Shuta , Banno Eri , Terashima Masato , Hayashi Hidetoshi , de Velasco Marco A. , Sakai Kazuko , Fujita Yoshihiko , Okegawa Takatsugu , Nutahara Kikuo , Hamada Suguru , Nishio Kazuto
Published: May 2016

The prognosis for patients with advanced esophageal or head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC or HNSCC) remains poor, and the identification of additional oncogenes and their inhibitors is needed. In this study, we evaluated the sensitivities of several ESCC and HNSCC cell lines to HER inhibitors (cetuximab, erlotinib, and afatinib) in vitro and found two cell lines that were hypersensitive to afatinib. Sequence analyses for the afatinib-targeted HER family genes in the two cell lines revealed that one cell line had a previously reported activating EGFR L861Q mutation, whereas the other had an HER4 G1109C mutation of unknown function. No amplification of HER family genes was found in either of the two cell lines. The phosphorylation level of HER4 was elevated in the HER4 G1109C mutation-overexpressed HEK293 cell line, and the mutation had a transforming potential and exhibited tumorigenicity in an NIH3T3 cell line, indicating that this HER4 mutation was an activating oncogenic mutation. Afatinib dramatically reduced the phosphorylation level of EGFR or HER4 and induced apoptosis in the two cell lines. In vivo, tumor growth was also dramatically decreased by afatinib. In a database, the frequencies of HER family gene mutations in ESCC or HNSCC ranged from 0% to 5%. In particular, HER4 mutations have been found relatively frequently in HNSCC. Considering the addiction of cancer cells to activating oncogenic EGFR or HER4 mutations for proliferation, HNSCC or ESCC with such oncogenic mutations might be suitable for targeted therapy with afatinib. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1988–97. ©2016 AACR.
Effect of Two Different Dialysis Membranes on Leukocyte Adhesion and Aggregation
Authors: Hernandez Maria Rosa , Palomo Marta , Fuste Berta , Carbó Carla , Collado Silvia , Cases Aleix , Escolar Gines
Published: May 2016

Aims: We evaluated modifications in formation of heterotypic platelet-leukocyte aggregation induced by dialysis through cellulosic or synthetic membranes and evaluated the effects of such procedures promoting adhesive interactions between leukocytes and normal endothelial cells (ECs). Methods: Samples were obtained from arterial and venous lines at baseline, after 15 and 120 min of hemodialysis. Heterotypic aggregation was assessed using flow-cytometric techniques. Experiments to determine leukocyte adhesion to ECs were performed in parallel plate perfusion chambers at 450 s–1. Results: Patients dialyzed with a cellulosic membrane showed a significantly higher baseline granulocyte heterotypic aggregation (median 22.5%, range 8.6–32%) versus healthy subjects (median 10%, range 3.2–14.6%; p < 0.05). Granulocyte heterotypic aggregation values remained increased throughout the hemodialysis session not only in the arterial line (median 18 and 24.5%, range 7–30 and 8.7–36% at 15 and 2 h, respectively) but also in the venous line (median 20 and 25%, range 8.6–32 and 11.5–35% at 15 min and 2 h, respectively). Basal lymphocytes heterotypic aggregation values observed in uremic patients were 6% (0.1–7.1%) versus 1.0% (0.5–2.8%) in the control group (p < 0.05). The increase remained during the hemodialysis session both in the arterial line (median 5 and 4%, range 0.2–14 and 0.5–7.1 % at 15 min and 2 h, respectively) and in the venous line (median 7 and 7%, range 1.4–14 and 0.5–10.6% at 15 min and 2 h). In contrast, patients dialyzed with a synthetic membrane showed a decreased basal granulocyte heterotypic aggregation compared to healthy subjects (median 3.5 vs. 10%, range 2.8–7 vs. 3.2–14.6%, respectively; p < 0.05). For lymphocytes, basal heterotypic aggregation values were 0.2% (range 0.1–0.5%) in dialyzed patients vs. 0.98% (range 0.5–2.8%) in healthy subjects (p < 0.05), without changes throughout the dialysis session. Changes in leukocyte adhesion during hemodialysis did not reach statistical significance with either hemodialysis membrane. Our studies confirm a differential activation of platelets and leukocytes depending on the nature of the dialysis membranes. However, activation of circulating cellular elements by hemodialysis procedures did not enhance cross-talk interactions between leukocytes and unaltered ECs.
Choreographing the Weather — Weathering Choreography
Authors: Egert Gerko
Published: May 2016

The concept of a “meteorological choreography” questions the boundaries between human and nonhuman actors onstage, calling for a broader engagement with the shift in human-nonhuman and nature-culture relations in the face of weather and climate catastrophes. Mette Ingvartsen’s The Artificial Nature Project, George Kuchar’s video series Weather Diaries, and the events of hurricane Katrina, reveal weather as historic, political, economic, ecological, geological, and meteorological movements in which human actions are radically decentered.
Dance History in Contemporary Visual Art Practice: Kelly Nipper’s Weather Center
Authors: Goldstein Jennie
Published: May 2016

Kelly Nipper’s video installation Weather Center (2009) is emblematic of the presence of dance in recent visual art. Nipper’s persistent fascinations with Mary Wigman, Laban Movement Analysis, and expansive notation practices result in live performances, moving-image installations, and photographs, creating visual art that reveals how dance and its particular histories can function as malleable material within the museum.
Mustache as Resistance: Representation and Reception of Mei Lanfang’s Masculinity
Authors: Wu Guanda
Published: May 2016

Mei Lanfang, the internationally renowned male player of female roles, astonished those who were concerned about his personal and professional well being during the Second Sino-Japanese War by growing a mustache. At the empirical level, the mustache signaled a dismissal of the androgynous glamour for which Mei’s body was best known. At the allegorical level, Mei’s wartime mustache foregrounded an unyielding and unmistakably masculine Chinese body.
My Epistemological Crisis: Arts Criticism in the Times of Trump
Authors: Solomon Alisa
Published: May 2016

What has happened to evidence, rationality, and critical thinking at a time when Donald Trump’s mendacious performance of guilelessness commands the airwaves, and when the news industry — especially arts criticism — has foundered?
Assessing Principals’ Assessments: Subjective Evaluations of Teacher Effectiveness in Low- and High-Stakes Environments
Authors: Grissom Jason A. , Loeb Susanna
Published: May 2016

Teacher effectiveness varies substantially, yet principals’ evaluations of teachers often fail to differentiate performance among teachers. We offer new evidence on principals’ subjective evaluations of their teachers’ effectiveness using two sources of data from a large, urban district: principals’ high-stakes personnel evaluations of teachers, and their low-stakes assessments of a subsample of those teachers provided to the researchers. We find that principals’ evaluations of teachers are quite positive whether the stakes are high or low, but the low-stakes evaluations show substantially more use of lower rating categories, and many teachers rated ineffective on the low-stakes assessment receive “effective” or “highly effective” high-stakes ratings. Teacher characteristics, such as experience, partially explain the discrepancy between the two scores. Also, despite the fact that principals overwhelmingly assign teachers to the two highest rating categories on the high-stakes evaluation, their high- and low-stakes ratings show similar correlations with teacher value-added measures.
Politics of place: The meaningfulness of resisting places
Authors: Courpasson David , Dany Françoise , Delbridge Rick
Published: May 2016

The meaningfulness of the physical place within which resistance is nurtured and enacted has not been carefully considered in research on space and organizations. In this article, we offer two stories of middle managers developing resistance to managerial policies and decisions. We show that the appropriation and reconstruction of specific places by middle managers helps them to build autonomous resisting work thanks to the meanings that resisters attribute to the place in which they undertake resistance. We contribute to the literature on space and organizations by showing that resistance is a social experience through which individuals shape physical places and exploit the geographical blurring of organizations to develop political efforts that can be consequential. We also suggest the central role played by middle managers in the subversion of these meaningful places of resistance.
Purinergic signaling triggers endfoot high-amplitude Ca2+ signals and causes inversion of neurovascular coupling after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Pappas Anthony C , Koide Masayo , Wellman George C
Published: May 2016

Neurovascular coupling supports brain metabolism by matching focal increases in neuronal activity with local arteriolar dilation. Previously, we demonstrated that an emergence of spontaneous endfoot high-amplitude Ca2+ signals (eHACSs) caused a pathologic shift in neurovascular coupling from vasodilation to vasoconstriction in brain slices obtained from subarachnoid hemorrhage model animals. Extracellular purine nucleotides (e.g., ATP) can trigger astrocyte Ca2+ oscillations and may be elevated following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Here, the role of purinergic signaling in subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced eHACSs and inversion of neurovascular coupling was examined by imaging parenchymal arteriolar diameter and astrocyte Ca2+ signals in rat brain slices using two-photon fluorescent and infrared-differential interference contrast microscopy. We report that broad-spectrum inhibition of purinergic (P2) receptors using suramin blocked eHACSs and restored vasodilatory neurovascular coupling after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Importantly, eHACSs were also abolished using a cocktail of inhibitors targeting Gq-coupled P2Y receptors. Further, activation of P2Y receptors in brain slices from un-operated animals triggered high-amplitude Ca2+ events resembling eHACSs and disrupted neurovascular coupling. Neither tetrodotoxin nor bafilomycin A1 affected eHACSs suggesting that purine nucleotides are not released by ongoing neurotransmission and/or vesicular release after subarachnoid hemorrhage. These results indicate that purinergic signaling via P2Y receptors contributes to subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced eHACSs and inversion of neurovascular coupling.
Poached lives, traded forms: Engaging with animal trafficking around the globe
Authors: Jaclin David
Published: May 2016

From the depths of the Borneo jungle to private ménageries through the dark web, this article investigates the expansion of contemporary wildlife trafficking and maps an early twenty-first-century booming trade in living organisms, dead animal parts and metempsychic imaginaries. Fuelled by a multiplicity of emergent relational entanglements, such traffic involves life and death matters, big money interests, coveted commercial routes (and their extensive influence over land, people and spirits) as well as deep affective states infused with apocalyptic narratives, blood and bullets, tourism and terrorism. Here I concentrate on the curious case of pangolin poaching and identify problems pertaining to the characterization of life forms when such forms are massively poached, extensively traded and, overall, continuously transfigured along various registers of activities. Concomitantly, I detect in today’s so-called ‘multispecies-turn’ a problematic conceptualization of what an animal (individual or species) is – be this animal alive or dead, whether it should be hunted, protected, consumed, reproduced, mourned, or even held responsible for a new geological epoch. Rather than assuming the given of an already individuated form (from which to consider either pre-conceived or post-confirmed developmental stages), I draw on individuating processes that actually enable individuals to emerge (and emergence to individuate). While distinguishing between dynamics of concrescence and indetermination, I offer positive, operative and alternative concepts to re-engage with mo(ve)ment of shared becomings. Here, the animal is approached as an event.
Exclusive Breastfeeding and the Acceptability of Donor Breast Milk for Sick, Hospitalized Infants in Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia
Authors: Murray Linda , Anggrahini Simplicia Maria , Woda Rahel Rara , Ayton Jennifer E. , Beggs Sean
Published: May 2016

Background:

The eastern Indonesian province of Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) has an infant mortality rate of 45 per 1000, higher than the national average (28/1000). Exclusive breastfeeding, important for improving newborn and infant survival, is encouraged among hospitalized infants in Kupang, the provincial capital of NTT. However, barriers to hospitalized infants receiving breast milk may exist.

Objectives:

This study explored the barriers and enablers to exclusive breastfeeding among sick and low birth weight hospitalized infants in Kupang, NTT. The attitudes and cultural beliefs of health workers and mothers regarding the use of donor breast milk (DBM) were also explored.

Methods:

A mixed-methods study using a convergent parallel design was conducted. A convenience sample of 74 mothers of hospitalized infants and 8 hospital staff participated in semi-structured interviews. Facility observational data were also collected. Analysis was conducted using Davis’s barrier analysis method.

Results:

Of the 73 questionnaires analyzed, we found that 39.7% of mothers retrospectively reported exclusively breastfeeding and 37% of mothers expressed breast milk. Expressing was associated with maternal reported exclusive breastfeeding χ2 (1, N = 73) = 6.82, P = .009. Staff supported breastfeeding for sick infants, yet mothers could only access infants during set nursery visiting hours. No mothers used DBM, and most mothers and staff found the concept distasteful.

Conclusions:

Increasing mothers’ opportunities for contact with infants is the first step to increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates among hospitalized infants in Kupang. This will facilitate mothers to express their breast milk, improve the acceptability of DBM, and enhance the feasibility of establishing a DBM bank.
Food Store Choice Among Urban Slum Women Is Associated With Consumption of Energy-Dense Food
Authors: Anggraini Roselynne , Februhartanty Judhiastuty , Bardosono Saptawati , Khusun Helda , Worsley Anthony
Published: May 2016

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of food store choice with food consumption among urban slum women. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 188 urban slum women (19-50 years old) in Jakarta, Indonesia. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess food consumption. Associations between food consumption and food store choice were tested by linear regression. This study found that frequencies of buying food from small shops ( warung), street food vendors, and modern food stores were significantly associated with consumption of snacks, mixed dishes, and fruit respectively. In addition, buying food from traditional markets and small cafes ( warung makan) was not significantly associated with particular types of food consumption. As modern food stores are rarely utilized by these women, small shops ( warung) and street food vendors are likely to be important channels to improve slum dwellers’ diet.
The macroeconomic impact of liberal economic policies in the UK
Authors: Coutts Ken , Gudgin Graham
Published: May 2016

A sea-change occurred in the early 1980s in the way the UK economy was organised. From then on, until the present day, openness to trade, light-touch regulation of commerce and free competition have been the watchwords, alongside low income tax rates and constraints on trade union action. Most importantly, the removal of a raft of restrictions on banks and building societies, combined with the abolition of controls on the international movement of capital, allowed a huge expansion in household borrowing. These liberalisation measures extended an earlier trend including the bonfire of war-time restrictions, international trade agreements to reduce tariffs, the move to floating exchange rates between 1971 and 1973 and the switch from direct to indirect controls on bank lending in 1971. However, even by the late 1970s, the UK economy was still strongly managed by government. Controls were still in place on capital movements, investment, prices and incomes. Trade unions remained powerful and the basic rate of income tax was at 30% with the top rate at 83%. Most lending to households was still undertaken by heavily controlled building societies. Government economic policies prior to the late 1970s still aimed to maintain full employment although the practice had become more difficult to achieve. After 1979, policy switched decisively towards controlling inflation, first through monetarism and later by using interest rates to meet inflation targets.
The association between smoking and psychopathology adjusted for body mass index and gender
Authors: Dimitriadis Dimitrios G , Mamplekou Efterpi , Dimitriadis Panayiotis G , Dimitriadis George D , Papageorgiou Charalambos
Published: May 2016

Objective:

This study examined the correlation between smoking habits and psychopathology status, as well as the impact of confounders such as body mass index and gender.

Method:

A total of 134 non-smokers and 152 smokers were enrolled in this study. We measured psychopathology features using Symptom Checklist 90-Revised. We ran logistic regression models testing the smoking–psychopathology association, controlling for body mass index and gender.

Results:

Smoking was positively correlated with depression, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, somatization, paranoid ideation and psychoticism ( P<0.05). Adjusting for body mass index and gender, the results remained largely unchanged, with a slight independent effect of body mass index.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that smoking is a stronger predictor of psychopathology than body mass index and gender.
A new fuzzy decision-making approach for selecting new product development project
Authors: Wei Chiu-Chi , Andria Agus , Xiao Houn-Wen , Wei Chiou-Shuei , Lai Ting-Chang
Published: May 2016

The most crucial factor that survives enterprises under stiff competition is the success of new product development project; thus, the new product development project selection has become the vital concerns of R&D managers. The initial stage of the project is filled with uncertainties and complexities, which significantly deteriorate the success of product development and product launch. Previous researches focus on helping enterprises determine a set of good product ideas; however, when proceeding to the product development stage after the fuzzy front end, a best product idea should be selected to form a new product development project to create anticipated profits and develop competitive advantage. Therefore, this study proposes a potential project selection model, which combines optimal aggregation method and effective fuzzy weighted average to assist decision maker to achieve the best consistency of fuzzy judgments, and generates a single synergistic index project fuzzy synthetic rating that considers both risk and performance. The project fuzzy synthetic rating index is then used to help make the project Go-Kill decision, and the remaining survival projects are next prioritized to filter the best project. This model can efficiently assist R&D managers in dealing with both uncertainties and complexities when making new product development project screening decision and can reduce decision bias and produce new product development project with the highest possibility of generating expected profit.
Abnormal echocardiography in patients with type 2 diabetes and relation to symptoms and clinical characteristics
Authors: Jørgensen Peter Godsk , Jensen Magnus T , Mogelvang Rasmus , von Scholten Bernt Johan , Bech Jan , Fritz-Hansen Thomas , Galatius Søren , Biering-Sørensen Tor , Andersen Henrik U , Vilsbøll Tina , Rossing Peter , Jensen Jan S
Published: May 2016

Objectives:

We aimed to determine the prevalence of echocardiographic abnormalities and their relation to clinical characteristics and cardiac symptoms in a large, contemporary cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Results:

A total of 1030 patients with type 2 diabetes participated. Echocardiographic abnormalities were present in 513 (49.8%) patients, mainly driven by a high prevalence of diastolic dysfunction 178 (19.4%), left ventricular hypertrophy 213 (21.0%) and left atrial enlargement, 200 (19.6%). The prevalence increased markedly with age from 31.1% in the youngest group (<55 years) to 73.9% in the oldest group (>75 years) ( p < 0.001) and was equally distributed among the sexes ( p = 0.76). In univariate analyses, electrocardiographic abnormalities, age, body mass index, known coronary heart disease, hypertension, albuminuria, diabetes duration and creatinine were associated with abnormal echocardiography along with dyspnoea and characteristic chest pain ( p < 0.05 for all). Neither of the cardiac symptoms nor clinical characteristics had sufficient sensitivity and specificity to accurately identify patients with abnormal echocardiography.

Conclusion:

Echocardiographic abnormalities are very common in outpatients with type 2 diabetes, but neither cardiac symptoms nor clinical characteristics are effective to identify patients with echocardiographic abnormalities.
Bortezomib for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma: an update
Authors: Hambley Bryan , Caimi Paolo F. , William Basem M.
Published: May 2016

Bortezomib is a first in class proteasome inhibitor, initially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of plasma cell myeloma. Bortezomib has been approved for the treatment of relapsed and refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and, more recently, in the upfront setting as well. Treatment algorithms for MCL have rapidly evolved over the past two decades, and the optimal regimen remains to be defined. The choice of treatment regimen is based on disease risk stratification models, the expected toxicity of antineoplastic agents, the perceived patient ability to tolerate the planned treatments and the availability of novel agents. As new drugs with novel mechanisms of action and variable toxicity profiles come into use, treatment decisions for a given patient have become increasingly complex. This article provides an overview of the evolving use of bortezomib in the rapidly changing management landscape of MCL
Making rational choices about how best to support consumers’ use of medicines: a perspective review
Authors: Ryan Rebecca , Hill Sophie
Published: May 2016

Inappropriate medicine use and polypharmacy create significant challenges for consumers and the health systems they live in, worldwide. In this review, we describe the evidence underpinning interventions directed primarily at healthcare consumers, including information provision, pharmacist-delivered interventions and practical supports, such as reminders to improve outcomes related to medicines. We identify a relatively small number of strategies that seem effective or promising: self-monitoring and self-management programmes, simplified dosing regimens and pharmacist-delivered interventions such as medication review. These interventions could be applied in practice to address some of the problems associated with inappropriate use of medicines, multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The evidence also indicates that success with many strategies is not consistent, suggesting that understanding the individual’s context and their preferences will also be important for improving medicines’ use. In addition, some strategies in current use are ineffective. Taken together, we argue that the evidence should inform deliberate, rational decisions between strategies to support consumers in using medicines safely and effectively. Future medicine-use research should likewise build rationally and constructively on what is known about promising interventions, avoiding duplication of past research, and working to help consumers negotiate the many challenges presented by polypharmacy.
Promoting Adult Pertussis Vaccination in the Workplace
Authors: Luthy Karlen E. , Bainum Jennifer L. , Beckstrand Renea L. , Macintosh Janelle L. B. , Eden Lacey M. , Saunders Brooke
Published: May 2016

Vaccines are an important disease prevention strategy among individuals of all age groups. Despite the success of vaccinations in preventing communicable diseases, adults, in particular, often have sub-optimal vaccination rates. Consequently, some vaccine-preventable diseases, such as pertussis, are still on the rise in the United States despite the availability of the Tdap vaccine. As most adults can be found in the workplace, occupational and environmental health nurses are in a unique position to encourage employers to promote adequate Tdap vaccination among their employees. As specific resources regarding Tdap vaccination are lacking, the Pertussis Prevention Toolkit was developed to help occupational health nurses promote Tdap vaccination in the workplace.
Affect and the Musication of Language in John Cage's “Empty Words”
Authors: Edmeades Lynley
Published: May 2016

John Cage's “Empty Words” (1974–75) was designed to collapse the space between music and language. In attempting to do so, the work simultaneously disrupts and depends upon expectations generated by our regular interpretive frameworks. Using contemporary affect theory, I offer a new reading of “Empty Words” that locates and examines the pre-semiotic, pre-categorical dimensions of the state that occurs when these expectations are thrown into disarray. To examine the affective dynamic in Cage's cultivation of polysemy and indeterminacy, I draw on Brian Massumi's categorization of the event. I also employ Sianne Ngai's term “stuplimity” to discuss Cage's 1977 performance of “Empty Words” and to deconstruct the affective dynamic generated between Cage and his audience. While Cage is seeking to disintegrate the distance between music and language, he is simultaneously dependent on these frameworks to generate and prolong an affective engagement with the work.
History of Expansion and Usage of Oil-Plants
Authors: Переверзева  , Pereverzeva E.
Published: May 2016

The article considers the materials about the oil-plants, transplanted from the native habitat and cultivated in local soil for practical purposes.

The attention is paid to the plants that form the basis of modern oil-plant manufacture, which home country is the Old and the New World. The

article is in aid of teacher. It contains the information, which helps to form knowledge of primary schoolchildren about genesis and history of

oil-plants delivery — the source of vegetable oil. The article gives also the information about the role of oil-plants in the good balanced nutrition

of the person, especially of children and teenagers. The author considers also the questions of ecological education.
Measuring the differences between human-human and human-machine dialogs
Authors: Griol David , Molina José
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we assess the applicability of user simulation techniques to generate dialogs which are similar to real human-machine spoken interactions.To do so, we present the results of the comparison between three corpora acquired by means of different techniques. The first corpus was acquired with real users.A statistical user simulation technique has been applied to the same task to acquire the second corpus. In this technique, the next user answer is selected by means of a classification process that takes into account the previous dialog history, the lexical information in the clause, and the subtask of the dialog to which it contributes. Finally, a dialog simulation technique has been developed for the acquisition of the third corpus. This technique uses a random selection of the user and system turns, defining stop conditions for automatically deciding if the simulated dialog is successful or not. We use several evaluation measures proposed in previous research to compare between our three acquired corpora, and then discuss the similarities and differences with regard to these measures.
Determination of the predictive and prognostic values of polymorphism of some cell cycle genes in breast cancer
Authors: Ebeid Samia , Abd El  Moneim Nadia , Hewala Taha , Ramadan Moustafa , Shehata Gehan , Abass Heba
Published: May 2016

Aim: To investigate the influence of the polymorphic variants of CCND1 (G870A) and p73 (G4C14- to- A4T14) on the susceptibility to breast cancer development, also, to figure out their diagnostic and prognostic roles.Subjects and Methods: Blood samples were obtained from breast cancer patients and controls. Genotyping of CCND1 and p73 genes were carried out by PCR-RFLP and PCR-CTPP; respectively.Results: In comparison with the control group, CCND1 (G870A) GA and AA genotypes frequencies were significantly higher in breast cancer patients (p=0.035 and p=0.002; respectively), whereas CCND1 (G870A) GG genotype frequency was significantly lower (p< 0.001). The CCND1 GA and AA genotypes significantly increased the risk for developing breast cancer compared with the GG genotype. The CCND1 (GA+AA) genotypes were significantly correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) of breast cancer patients. In comparison with the control group, p73 (G4C14/A4T14) GC/AT and AT/AT genotypes frequencies were significantly higher in breast cancer patients (p=0.013 and p=0.04; respectively), whereas p73 (G4C14/A4T14) GC/GC genotype frequency was significantly lower (p= 0.004). Â Compared with the GC/GC genotype, the p73 GC/AT and AT/AT genotypes significantly increased the risk for developing breast cancer. Beside being significantly correlated with DFS, p73 [(GC/AT)+ (AT/AT)] genotypes were indirectly correlated with tumor size, tumor pathological grade, patient's clinical stage, number of axillary lymph node involvement and Her2/neu expression.Conclusion: The GA and AA genotypes of CCND1 (G870A) polymorphism and the GC/AT and AT/AT genotypes of p73 (G4C14- to- A4T14) polymorphism can be used as diagnostic markers in breast cancer patients. The presence of the CCND1 (G870A) GA and AA genotypes and the GC/AT and AT/AT genotypes of p73 (G4C14- to- A4T14) polymorphism can increase the susceptibility to breast cancer incidence. Both of CCND1 (G870A) and p73 (G4C14- to- A4T14) polymorphisms can be used for prognosis of breast cancer patients.Â
Substitution of dark exotic wood species by steamed black locust
Authors: BANADICS Endre , GÁLOS Borbála , TOLVAJ László
Published: May 2016

Akác faanyagot gőzöltünk, hogy a sötét egzóta faanyagokhoz hasonló színeket kapjunk. A barna színárnyalatok széles skálája hozható létre az akác faanyag gőzölésekor. Megállapítottuk, hogy ezek a színárnyalatok ugyanazt a benyomást keltik, mint a sötét egzóta faanyagok, függetlenül attól, hogy közel vannak-e valamelyik egzóta fafaj színéhez. Néhány egzóta faanyag esetében bemutattuk azokat a gőzölési paramétereket, melyekkel az akác faanyagot ezekhez közel azonos, vagy hasonló színűvé lehet gőzölni. Azt tapasztaltuk, hogy a teljes színeltérés (∆E*) nem követi jól a szemünkkel érzékelt színeltérést, ha a különbséget a vörös színezet eltérése okozza.
Treatment of advanced thyroid cancer with targeted therapies: ten years of experience
Authors: Viola David , Valerio Laura , Molinaro Eleonora , Agate Laura , Bottici Valeria , Biagini Agnese , Lorusso Loredana , Cappagli Virginia , Pieruzzi Letizia , Giani Carlotta , Sabini Elena , Passannati Paolo , Puleo Luciana , Matrone Antonio , Pontillo-Contillo Benedetta , Battaglia Valentina , Mazzeo Salvatore , Vitti Paolo , Elisei Rossella
Published: May 2016

Thyroid cancer is rare, but it is the most frequent endocrine malignancy. Its prognosis is generally favorable, especially in cases of well-differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs), such as papillary and follicular cancers, which have survival rates of approximately 95% at 40 years. However, 15–20% of cases became radioiodine refractory (RAI-R), and until now, no other treatments have been effective. The same problems are found in cases of poorly differentiated (PDTC) and anaplastic (ATC) thyroid cancers and in at least 30% of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) cases, which are very aggressive and not sensitive to radioiodine. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) represent a new approach to the treatment of advanced cases of RAI-R DTC, MTC, PDTC, and, possibly, ATC. In the past 10 years, several TKIs have been tested for the treatment of advanced, progressive, and RAI-R thyroid tumors, and some of them have been recently approved for use in clinical practice: sorafenib and lenvatinib for DTC and PDTC and vandetanib and cabozantinib for MTC. The objective of this review is to present the current status of the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer with the use of innovative targeted therapies by describing both the benefits and the limits of their use based on the experiences reported so far. A comprehensive analysis and description of the molecular basis of these therapies, as well as new therapeutic perspectives, are reported. Some practical suggestions are given for both the choice of patients to be treated and their management, with particular regard to the potential side effects.