bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anisotropic Finite Element Modeling Based on a Harmonic Field for Patient-Specific Sclera
Authors: Jia Xu , Liao Shenghui , Duan Xuanchu , Zheng Wanqiu , Zou Beiji
Published: February 2017

Purpose. This study examined the influence of anisotropic material for human sclera.Method. First, the individual geometry of patient-specific sclera was reproduced from a laser scan. Then, high quality finite element modeling of individual sclera was performed using a convenient automatic hexahedral mesh generator based on harmonic field and integrated with anisotropic material assignment function. Finally, comparison experiments were designed to investigate the effects of anisotropy on finite element modeling of sclera biomechanics.Results. The experimental results show that the presented approach can generate high quality anisotropic hexahedral mesh for patient-specific sclera.Conclusion. The anisotropy shows significant differences for stresses and strain distribution and careful consideration should be given to its use in biomechanical FE studies.
Autophagy Protects Advanced Glycation End Product-Induced Apoptosis and Expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13 in Rat Chondrocytes
Authors: Huang Wenzhou , Ao Peng , Li Jian , Wu Tianlong , Xu Libiao , Deng Zhongbo , Chen Wenjie , Yin Changchang , Cheng Xigao
Published: February 2017

Aging is one of the most prominent risk factors for the pathological progression of osteoarthritis (OA). One feature of age-related changes in OA is advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulation in articular cartilage. Autophagy plays a cellular housekeeping role by removing dysfunctional cellular organelles and proteins. However, the relationship between autophagy and AGE-associated OA is unknown. The aim of this study is to determine whether autophagy participates in the pathology of AGE-treated chondrocytes and to investigate the exact role of autophagy in AGE-induced cell apoptosis and expression of matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 3 and MMP-13. AGEs induced notable apoptosis that was detected by Annexin V/PI double-staining, and the upregulation of MMP-3 and MMP-13 was confirmed by Western blotting. Autophagy-related proteins were also determined by Western blotting, and chondrocytes were transfected with mCherry-GFP-LC3B-adenovirus to monitor autophagic flux. As a result, autophagy significantly increased in chondrocytes and peaked at 6 h. Furthermore, rapamycin (RA) attenuated AGE-induced apoptosis and expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13 by autophagy activation. In contrast, pretreatment with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) enhanced the abovementioned effects of AGEs. We therefore demonstrated that autophagy is linked with AGE-related pathology in rat chondrocytes and plays a protective role in AGE-induced apoptosis and expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13.
Combination of Interleukin-27 and MicroRNA for Enhancing Expression of Anti-Inflammatory and Proosteogenic Genes
Authors: Figueiredo Neto Manoel , Figueiredo Marxa L.
Published: February 2017

Remission of inflammation has become an achievable goal in inflammatory or rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, bone erosion continues in many patients. Interleukin- (IL-) 27 regulates immune and bone cell balance and also suppresses activities of several inflammatory cell types in RA. Despite its promise, challenges to clinical translation of IL-27 have been its partial effects in vivo. Due to their ability to modulate plasticity of bone and immune cell differentiation, we examined the potential for several microRNA (miR) candidates in enhancing the effects of IL-27. Using differentiation, luciferase, and real time quantitative PCR assays, we show that IL-27 promotes osteoblast differentiation, reduces expression of osteoblast inhibitory genes, and reduces osteoclast differentiation, and results suggest a potential coordination with TGFβ/BMP/SMAD and JAK/STAT pathways. We selected miRNA regulators of these and related pathways to examine whether the effects of IL-27 could be augmented for therapeutic applications. miR-29b and miR-21 augmented IL-27 proosteogenic while downregulating osteoclastogenic signals and also worked to reduce inflammatory signaling in activated macrophages, while miR-21 and miR-20b worked with IL-27 to reduce inflammatory gene expression in fibroblasts and T cells. It appears that several miRNAs can be utilized to enhance IL-27’s impact on modulating osteogenesis and reducing proinflammatory signaling.
Long Noncoding RNA PVT1 as a Novel Diagnostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Melanoma
Authors: Chen Xiangjun , Gao Guozhen , Liu Sha , Yu Li , Yan Dexiong , Yao Xingwei , Sun Weijing , Han Dezhi , Dong Hao
Published: February 2017

Accumulating evidences indicated that plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) plays vital roles in several cancers. However, the expression, functions, and clinical values of PVT1 in melanoma are still unknown. In this study we measured the expression of PVT1 in clinical tissues and serum samples and explored the diagnostic value of PVT1 for melanoma and the effects of PVT1 on melanoma cell proliferation, cell cycle, and migration. Our results, combined with publicly available PVT1 expression data, revealed that PVT1 is upregulated in melanoma tissues compared with nonneoplastic nevi tissues. Serum PVT1 level is significantly increased in melanoma patients compared with age and gender-matched nonmelanoma controls with melanocytic nevus. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed that serum PVT1 level could sensitively discriminate melanoma patients from controls. Furthermore, serum PVT1 level indicted melanoma dynamics. Functional experiments showed that overexpression of PVT1 promotes melanoma cells proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration, while depletion of PVT1 significantly inhibits melanoma cells proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration. Collectively, our results indicate that PVT1 functions as an oncogene in melanoma and could be a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for melanoma.
Holophonic Sound in IRCAM's Concert Hall: Technological and Aesthetic Practices
Authors: Carpentier Thibaut , Barrett Natasha , Gottfried Rama , Noisternig Markus
Published: February 2017

This article presents a report on technological and aesthetic practices in the variable-acoustics performance hall, Espace de Projection, at the Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique. The hall is surrounded by a 350-loudspeaker array for sound-field reproduction using holophonic approaches such as wave-field synthesis and higher-order Ambisonics. First we present the design and implementation of the audio system and discuss the challenges of both hardware and software architectures. This is followed by a discussion of spatial composition techniques, aesthetic approaches, and methodologies for composing computer music for high-density loudspeaker arrays, explored through the paradigmatic examples of pieces produced by two artist-in-research residencies.
Type Localities of Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) from Turkey
Authors: DURSUN AHMET , FENT MERAL
Published: February 2017

The Heteroptera (Hemiptera) fauna of the Palaearctic Region is represented by 9365 species belonging to 1632 genera of which 1349 species belonging to 469 genera are also recorded from Turkey. Type localities of 237 species are in Turkey of which 108 species and 4 subspecies are endemic for the Heteroptera fauna of Turkey, indicating the importance of the country as a refugium, genetic hotspot and dispersal centre during pleistocene glaciation. Some heteroptera are important in agriculture as predators used in biological control or as ectoparasits and pests on plants. Most heteropteran species are phytophagous feeding on leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and shoots and cause economic damage. The suborder Heteroptera comprises aquatic, semi-aquatic and terrestrial species.
Seven new species of Loneura Navás (Insecta: Psocodea: ‘Psocoptera’: Ptiloneuridae) from Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Authors: NIETO JULIÁN ALEXANDER MENDIVIL , ALDRETE ALFONSO NERI GARCÍA , OBANDO RANULFO GONZÁLEZ
Published: February 2017

Seven species of Loneura from natural areas of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, are described and illustrated. The female of L. andina is described for the first time. Two additional species, known only from the National Natural Park Gorgona (Cauca), are also recorded in Valle del Cauca. The new species are assigned to the infrageneric groups known in the genus. An identification key to males of Loneura is included.
A taxonomic review of the genus Astrohelix Döderlein, 1930 including the
synonymy of the subgenus Asteroporpa (Astromoana) Baker, 1980 to Astrohelix
Authors: OKANISHI MASANORI
Published: February 2017

The holotypes of Astrohelix bellator bellator and Astrohelix bellator paucidens (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Euryalida: Gorgonocephalidae) are redescribed. Based on these observations Asteroporpa (Astromoana) with Astrohelix is proposed. With the elevation of two subspecies of Asteroporpa (Astrohelix) bellator bellator and A. (Astrohelix) bellator paucidens to species level, A. (Astrohelix) comprises six species, A. (Astrohelix) bellator, A. (Astrohelix) indicus, A. (Astrohelix) koyoae, A. (Astrohelix) muricatopatella, A. (Astrohelix) paucidens and A. (Astrohelix) reticulata. These species can be distinguished by the shape of the ossicles on the aboral disc, on the oral plates, and length of terminal projection of cone-shaped epidermal ossicles around the lateral interradial disc. A taxonomic key to all six species of the subgenus A. (Astrohelix) is provided.
Optimization of oestradiol assays to improve utility in an in vitro fertilization setting
Authors: Peavey M , Akbas N , Gibbons W , Zarutskie P , Devaraj S
Published: February 2017

Background

The measurement of oestradiol is an integral component for the management of ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization. Automated immunoassays offer fast assay times and high throughput, with less sensitivity and specificity. The aim of this study is to optimize the oestradiol assay in patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization via comparison of oestradiol values obtained using two immunoassays compared with mass spectrometry.

Methods

Patients undergoing ovarian stimulation were prospectively recruited. Serum samples were analysed with ADVIA Centaur® CP Immunoassay, Abbott Architect i1000® immunoassay and AB Sciex 5500 liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) systems. Per cent bias was determined for each system to report the average tendency of the values to be larger or smaller than the LC-MS/MS value. Linear regression of total follicular volume and oestradiol was computed.

Results

The ADVIA Centaur® CP assay had a positive bias of 20% compared with LC-MS/MS, while the Architect i1000® had a non-significant, negative bias of 0.3%. With regression fit, a clear, positive relationship was seen between follicular volume and oestradiol. The Architect i1000® assay had a greater correlation (R2 = 0.46) compared with Centaur® CP (R2 = 0.36), when oestradiol values were >1000 pg/mL (3670 pmol/L).

Conclusions

The Abbott Architect i1000® oestradiol assay exhibits greater agreement with LC-MS/MS and exhibited better correlation to follicular volume when oestradiol values are >1000 pg/mL (3670 pmol/L), prompting a change in the clinic’s oestradiol platform. Attention to assay quality assurance via LC-MS/MS can improve the oestradiol accuracy and permit more informed clinical decisions for improved patient outcomes.
Caeruloplasmin oxidase activity: measurement in serum by use of o-dianisidine dihydrochloride on a microplate reader
Authors: Stepien Karolina M , Guy Mark
Published: February 2017

Background

The enzymatic method of caeruloplasmin measurement is based on copper-dependent oxidase activity. The advantage of the oxidase determination is that it has a much lower detection limit compared with immunoassay-based methods. It has found its application in both the diagnosis of Wilson’s disease and also in the monitoring of patients’ response to treatment.

Methods

The method previously described in literature was adapted for use on a 96-well plate. Caeruloplasmin oxidase activity results were derived from the equation: caeruloplasmin oxidase activity = (A15−A5) × 185 U/L.

Results

Repeatability (intra-batch) imprecision ranged from 6 to 15% and intermediate (inter-batch) imprecision varied from 7 to 16% for caeruloplasmin oxidative activities of 14, 29, 45 and 99 U/L. Between 3 and 92 U/L, the assay appeared linear with a regression coefficient R2 = 0.9958. The lower limit of quantification was 4 U/L. Samples were stable over a five-week period at 4℃ and for at least four freeze–thaw cycles. There was a statistically significant difference between the areas under ROC curve for copper-to-caeruloplasmin ratios between caeruloplasmin oxidative activity and immunoassay-based methods ( P < 0.0171). The reference interval for caeruloplasmin activity was determined to be 12–166 U/L.

Conclusions

Using the oxidative assay provides a cost-effective means of estimating caeruloplasmin concentrations. The method is easily adaptable to a 96-well plate format that facilitates high throughput of samples in a busy laboratory. The enzymatic method is more sensitive and specific for differentiating between Wilson’s and non-Wilson’s when compared with immunoassay-based methods.
Force-Induced H2S by PDLSCs Modifies Osteoclastic Activity during Tooth Movement
Authors: Liu F. , Wen F. , He D. , Liu D. , Yang R. , Wang X. , Yan Y. , Liu Y. , Kou X. , Zhou Y.
Published: February 2017

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gasotransmitter, has been recently linked to mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) function and bone homeostasis. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are the main MSCs in PDL, which respond to mechanical force to induce physiological activities during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). However, it is unknown whether mechanical force might induce endogenous H2S production by PDLSCs to regulate alveolar bone homeostasis. Here, we used a mouse OTM model to demonstrate that orthodontic force-induced endogenous H2S production in PDL tissue was associated with macrophage accumulation and osteoclastic activity in alveolar bone. Then, we showed that mechanical force application induced cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) expression and endogenous H2S production by PDLSCs. Moreover, blocking endogenous H2S or systemically increasing H2S levels could decrease or enhance force-induced osteoclastic activities to control tooth movement. We further revealed how force-induced H2S production by PDLSCs contributed to the secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor–κB ligand/osteoprotegerin (RANKL/OPG) system by PDLSCs. The secretion and expression of these factors controlled macrophage migration and osteoclast differentiation. This study demonstrated that PDLSCs produced H2S to respond to and transduce force signals. Force-induced gasotransmitter H2S production in PDLSCs therefore regulated osteoclastic activities in alveolar bone and controlled the OTM process through the MCP-1 secretion and RANKL/OPG system.
A Financial Analysis of Ludhiana’s Migrant Labour
Authors: Mehra Shruti
Published: February 2017

This study focuses overall on the financial health of industrial migrant labour working in the industrial units of Ludhiana city in terms of their income, consumption, expenditure, savings and remittance. Our survey reveals that the average annual income of these labourers was ₹35,112 while their average annual saving was ₹7,548 and their average annual remittance was ₹5,786. About two-thirds of the total industrial migrant labour surveyed remitted their entire savings. The meagre amount of their savings highlights the plight of this labour and their families back home. Indebtedness was identified as the most common reason for the remittance of money. But compared to their local counterparts, it seems that migrants experienced an improvement in their standards of living after they migrated.
Cultures of Diversity
Authors: Guest Andrew M. , Simmons Zachary L. , Downs Andrew , Pitzer Mark R.
Published: February 2017

Teachers of psychology tend to agree that learning about diversity is an important goal for undergraduate psychology courses. There is significantly less agreement about what aspects of diversity psychology students should understand. The current research proposes and investigates two potentially distinct ways students might understand diversity: more scientific understandings of topical knowledge related to nature and nurture and more humanistic understandings related to multicultural awareness and sensitivity. Drawing on standardized surveys and open-ended responses to diversity questions from the beginning and end of introductory psychology courses, results indicate that students’ topical knowledge of diversity is not strongly associated with multicultural sensitivity. These results emphasize the importance of clarifying the meanings of addressing diversity as a course goal and are discussed in relation to the multiple challenges of teaching about diversity in psychology courses.
Compositional simulation of hydrocarbon recovery from oil shale reservoirs with diverse initial saturations of fluid phases by various thermal processes
Authors: Lee Kyung Jae , Moridis George J , Ehlig-Economides Christine A
Published: February 2017

We have studied the hydrocarbon production from oil shale reservoirs filled with diverse initial saturations of fluid phases by implementing numerical simulations of various thermal in-situ upgrading processes. We use our in-house fully functional, fully implicit, and non-isothermal simulator, which describes the in-situ upgrading processes and hydrocarbon recovery by multiphase-multicomponent systems. We have conducted two sets of simulation cases—five-spot well pattern problems and Shell In-situ Conversion Process (ICP) problems. In the five-spot well pattern problems, we have analyzed the effects of initial fluid phase that fills the single-phase reservoir and thermal processes by four cases—electrical heating in the single-phase-aqueous reservoir, electrical heating in the single-phase-gaseous reservoir, hot water injection in the single-phase-aqueous reservoir, and hot CO2 injection in the single-phase-gaseous reservoir. In the ICP problems, we have analyzed the effects of initial saturations of fluid phases that fill two-phase-aqueous-and-gaseous reservoir by three cases—initial aqueous phase saturations of 0.16, 0.44, and 0.72. Through the simulation cases, system response and production behavior including temperature profile, kerogen fraction profile, evolution of effective porosity and absolute permeability, phase production, and product selectivity are analyzed. In the five-spot well pattern problems, it is found that the hot water injection in the aqueous phase reservoir shows the highest total hydrocarbon production, but also shows the highest water-oil-mass-ratio. Productions of phases and components show very different behavior in the cases of electrical heating in the aqueous phase reservoir and the gaseous phase reservoir. In the ICP problems, it is found that the speed of kerogen decomposition is almost identical in the cases, but the production behavior of phases and components is very different. It is found that more liquid organic phase has been produced in the case with the higher initial saturation of aqueous phase by the less production of gaseous phase.
Cervical and Ocular VEMP Testing in Diagnosing Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence
Authors: Hunter Jacob B. , Patel Neil S. , O’Connell Brendan P. , Carlson Matthew L. , Shepard Neil T. , McCaslin Devin L. , Wanna George B.
Published: February 2017

Objective

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) in the diagnosis of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SCD) and to describe the VEMP response characteristics that are most sensitive to SCD and compare the findings to previous reports.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Two tertiary neurotologic referral centers.

Subjects and Methods

Cervical and ocular VEMP peak‐to‐peak amplitudes and thresholds from 39 adult patients older than 18 years with surgically confirmed SCD were compared with 84 age‐matched controls.

Results

Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, cervical VEMP (cVEMP) amplitudes, cVEMP thresholds, and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) amplitudes had areas under the curve of 0.731, 0.912, and 0.856, respectively, all of which were statistically significant (P <. 0001). For cVEMP thresholds, at the clinical equivalent ≤85‐dB normalized hearing level (nHL) threshold, the sensitivity and specificity were 97.3% and 31.3%, respectively. At the ≤70‐dB nHL threshold, the sensitivity and specificity were 73.0% and 94.0%, respectively. For oVEMP amplitudes >12.0 µV, the sensitivity and specificity were 78.6% and 81.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

Data from this multicenter study suggest that both cVEMP thresholds and oVEMP amplitudes remain good diagnostic tests for identifying SCD, with each test dependent on a number of factors. The sensitivity and specificity of these individual tests may vary slightly between centers depending on testing parameters used.
Microsporidiosis in Four Tortoises (Testudo hermanni boettgeri)
Authors: Eydner M. , Donhauser J. , Beineke A. , Guenther P. , Blahak S.
Published: February 2017

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular, spore-forming fungi. A wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts can be infected; however, cases of infected turtles or tortoises have not yet been described. This is the first description of 4 cases in tortoises ( Testudo spp), which showed general signs of illness as well as intestinal and respiratory signs until death occurred or they were euthanized. Granulomatous and necrotizing inflammation was visible in the lung and liver. Fungal organisms were present in heart blood, lung, liver, and intestine. Because of their morphology, staining properties (eg, positive in periodic acid–Schiff and silver reaction), and electron microscopic appearance, they were classified as microsporidia.
Comparison of ACL Strain in the MCL-Deficient and MCL-Reconstructed Knee During Simulated Landing in a Cadaveric Model
Authors: Mancini Eric J. , Kohen Robert , Esquivel Amanda O. , Cracchiolo Allison M. , Lemos Stephen Edward
Published: February 2017

Background:

Noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury after valgus landing has been reported and studied biomechanically. However, the role of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in dissipating these forces has not been fully elucidated.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role that the MCL plays in ACL strain during simulated landing. The hypothesis was that ACL strain would increase significantly in MCL-incompetent knees compared with the native knee and that reconstructing the MCL would return the values to those of the intact knee.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Eight fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees were used in this study. A materials testing machine applied a force of 2× body weight over 60 milliseconds to simulate landing after a jump. The knees were tested in 12 loading conditions, consisting of full extension or 15° of flexion combined with 7° of valgus or neutral alignment while the tibia was in external rotation, neutral rotation, or internal rotation. This test procedure was repeated on each specimen with the MCL transected and reconstructed. The superficial and deep MCL was transected along with the posterior oblique ligament, which was thought to simulate a worst case scenario. The MCL was reconstructed by use of semitendinosus and gracilis tendon grafts.

Results:

During internal rotation at 0° of flexion and 0° of valgus, both the intact ( P = .005) and the reconstructed ( P = .004) MCL states placed significantly lower strain on the ACL than did the transected MCL. The reconstructed MCL state at 0° of flexion and 7° of valgus ( P = .049) along with 15° of flexion and 0° of valgus ( P = .020) also placed significantly lower strain on the ACL than did the transected MCL. For external rotation testing at 0° of flexion and 7° of valgus, the reconstructed MCL state placed significantly lower strain on the ACL than did the transected MCL ( P = .039). Finally, during neutral rotation, the ACL strain at 0° of valgus and 0° of flexion, and at 7° of valgus and 0° of flexion was significantly lower for the MCL-intact groups ( P < .028) and MCL-reconstructed groups ( P < .016) than the MCL-transected groups.

Conclusion:

The current findings demonstrate that during valgus landing, a knee with an incompetent MCL puts the ACL under increased strain. These values are highest in full extension with the tibia in internal and neutral rotation. This increased strain can be reduced to baseline levels with reconstruction.

Clinical Relevance:

A knee with an incompetent MCL puts the ACL under increased strain. Once the MCL has healed in an elongated manner, MCL reconstruction should be considered.
Determinants of Ethiopian Women’s Attitudes Toward Wife Beating
Authors: Wencheko Eshetu , Tadesse Mekonnen
Published: February 2017

The World Health Organization stipulated that intimate partner violence is one of the most common forms of violence against women and includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and controlling behaviors by an intimate partner. Opposition of women against any form of violence at home, beating by their husbands in particular, is a manifestation of readiness to assert their personal rights. This study used data from the 2011 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey to identify some predictors to determine attitudes of married Ethiopian women toward wife beating. The dataset used consisted of 5,818 married women of the reproductive age group 15 to 49 years. While 1,393 (24%) married women did not oppose wife beating, a total of 4,425 (76%) opposed the practice. In the binary multiple logistic regression analysis, age, economic status, level of education, employment status of a woman, number of children living in the household, region (federal administrative regions delineated on the basis of ethnicity), place of residence (urban vs. rural), religion, and husband’s level of education have been included as possible socioeconomic and demographic determinants of women’s attitudes toward wife beating. The findings showed that the predictors region, place of residence, number of living children in a household, and religion were significantly associated with women attitudes toward wife beating.
A Qualitative Study of Experiences with and Perceptions regarding Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics: Part I—Patient Perspectives
Authors: Iyer Srividya , Banks Nicola , Roy Marc-André , Tibbo Phil , Williams Richard , Manchanda Rahul , Chue Pierre , Malla Ashok
Published: February 2017

Objective

Despite the well-acknowledged problem of poor adherence to antipsychotic (AP) medication, long-acting injectables (LAIs) that could improve adherence are underused in Canada. Attitudes concerning LAIs among patients and psychiatrists may contribute to this underuse. Our objective was to investigate perceptions of and attitudes toward LAIs among patients in Canada.

Method

Focus groups were conducted with 34 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum psychoses in 4 Canadian provinces. The focus groups inquired about experiences with and attitudes toward LAI APs. The sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim, and transcripts were coded using a combination of deductive and inductive methods.

Results

Four themes emerged: awareness of and knowledge about LAIs; perceptions about LAIs; cost and convenience considerations; and issues arising from the coercive context under which LAIs were often prescribed. Nine patients had never heard about LAIs, and some others reported not having understood what was discussed with them regarding LAIs. Patients had typically heard about LAIs in either a context of coercion or of medication nonadherence. Patients had positive and negative perceptions concerning LAIs. The positive perceptions centred on relapse prevention and reduced effort in ensuring adherence, and the negative perceptions centred on financial costs and the inconvenience of appointments to receive injections.

Conclusion

To enhance LAI usage, some of the issues that need to be addressed are the inadequacy of information given to patients, the element of coercion involved in LAI introduction, the pragmatic barriers to LAI uptake by patients, and negative subjective perceptions about LAIs.
Flame-retardant halogen-free polymers using phosphorylated hexaglycidyl epoxy resin
Authors: Kheyrabadi Rasool , Rahmani Hossein , Najafi S Heydar Mahmoudi
Published: February 2017

Flame-retardant halogen-free epoxy resin, containing phosphorus and nitrogen atoms in the main chain, was synthesized through the curing of tris(3-(bis(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)amino)phenyl)phosphine oxide (HGE, hexaglycidyl epoxy monomer), starting from tris(3-aminophenyl) phosphine oxide (TAPO) and epichlorohydrin. The molecular structure of HGE with molecular weight 660 was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry techniques. Epoxy equivalent weight determined by titration method was 120. The thermal curing behavior of the HGE/TAPO was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. An intense exotherm due to curing reaction was observed in the temperature range from 123°C to 215°C. The HGE cured with TAPO, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS), and 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) and the thermal behaviors were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The flame retardancy properties of the HGE/TAPO, DDS, and DAN were evaluated by vertical burning test (UL-94 V). The high performance cured epoxy resins showed high thermal stability and UL-94 V-0 flame retardancy rating.
Synthesis and properties of a novel highly thermal stable N-propargyl monomer containing benzoxazole ring
Authors: Yang Guang , Wang Chengbo , Liu Chao , Yang Zhiyong , Hou Xianghui
Published: February 2017

A novel highly thermal stable propargyl functional compound containing benzoxazole ring, N, N, N′, N′-tetra propargyl-5-amino-2-(p-aminophenyl) benzoxazole (TPAPB), was proposed and synthesized using a phase-transfer catalytic method. The cure behavior of TPAPB was investigated by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The solubility and rheological properties of TPAPB, as well as its broad temperature window from 130°C to 200°C with low viscosity, offered excellent processability for TPAPB to be used as a potential monomer of thermosetting polymer resin. It was found that the glass transition temperature of cured TPAPB was 359°C, and the temperature of 5% weight loss was 418°C in argon with the char residue up to 70% at 700°C. The polymerized resin exhibited high heat resistance and thermal stability, together with its processability, making it good candidate as highly heat-resistant polymer matrix for advanced composite applications.
The financial crisis and changing labour markets in post-transition countries
Authors: Lissowska Maria
Published: February 2017

Labour markets in post-transition countries have undergone radical changes, with a shift away from full employment and strong legal protection for employees, though the extent of these changes has differed between countries. I show that the loosening of employment protection went in parallel with growing income inequality and widening poverty levels, which led to a rise in household debt. This enabled additional consumption in the short term, but later deepened recession by hampering consumption. Following the financial crisis, the tendencies to make labour markets more flexible were confirmed and strengthened. This was facilitated by the weakness of trade unions, conditioned by structural changes brought about by transition.
European Works Councils during the financial and economic crisis: Activation, stagnation or disintegration?
Authors: Mählmeyer Valentina , Rampeltshammer Luitpold , Hertwig Markus
Published: February 2017

The article compares changes in the European Works Councils (EWCs) at Ford and General Motors Europe during the financial and economic crisis. Previously, both were highly active and effective. Although both otherwise displayed quite different characteristics before the crisis, their reactions were quite similar. At both companies, competition and mistrust among representatives increased, resulting in a decline of integration and effectiveness. We explore the importance of personal relations as preconditions for stability and effectiveness in EWCs.
Articulation within (and across) transnational workplaces and the role of European Works Councils
Authors: Pulignano Valeria
Published: February 2017

Trade unions often make concessions on wages and working conditions when confronted with threats of job losses by management within multinational companies. However, articulating European Works Councils (EWCs) activities with industrial relations institutions and actors at different levels can help maintain job stability while guaranteeing good working conditions. This article draws on a comparative analysis of eight multinational subsidiaries in Britain, Belgium, Germany and Italy to illustrate how this can be achieved. In particular, through strengthening EWCs and negotiating European Framework Agreements, unions can constrain management benchmarking strategies and spread across countries the positive gains of local negotiations where unions are strong to other subsidiaries where they struggle to negotiate on employment protection.
Biomarker validation with an imperfect reference: Issues and bounds
Authors: Emerson Sarah C , Waikar Sushrut S , Fuentes Claudio , Bonventre Joseph V , Betensky Rebecca A
Published: February 2017

Motivated by the goal of evaluating a biomarker for acute kidney injury, we consider the problem of assessing operating characteristics for a new biomarker when a true gold standard for disease status is unavailable. In this case, the biomarker is typically compared to another imperfect reference test, and this comparison is used to estimate the performance of the new biomarker. However, errors made by the reference test can bias assessment of the new test. Analysis methods like latent class analysis have been proposed to address this issue, generally employing some strong and unverifiable assumptions regarding the relationship between the new biomarker and the reference test. We investigate the conditional independence assumption that is present in many such approaches and show that for a given set of observed data, conditional independence is only possible for a restricted range of disease prevalence values. We explore the information content of the comparison between the new biomarker and the reference test, and give bounds for the true sensitivity and specificity of the new test when operating characteristics for the reference test are known. We demonstrate that in some cases these bounds may be tight enough to provide useful information, but in other cases these bounds may be quite wide.
Legal complaints about midwives and the impact on the profession
Authors: Peyman Akram , Nayeri Nahid Dehghan , Bandboni Mohammad Esmaeilpour , Moghadam Zahra Behboodi
Published: February 2017

Introduction:

Midwives play an important role in maintaining and increasing women’s health and well-being. Training professional midwives is one of the main policies of any healthcare system. Since the number of complaints against midwives has increased recently, this study was conducted to explore the perspectives of midwives regarding patients’ complaint to authorities and their impacts on the profession of midwifery.

Methods:

Being conducted in 2013, this qualitative study was the first of its type in Iran. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 14 midwives working in different cities across the country. The participants were selected using a purposive sampling method. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed following a qualitative content analysis approach. Written text was then coded, and themes were extracted from the data. Ethical considerations: The study was conducted with midwives’ free informed consent and was approved by Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Findings:

By analyzing the data, four main themes regarding the impact of complaint on midwifery profession were developed. These included the following: “dissatisfied of midwifery, professional deviation, obsession with work, and weakening of the professional status.”

Conclusion:

The experience of patients’ complaint to legal authorities against midwives was described, by participants, as a painful experience. Lack of midwives’ knowledge about professional rules and litigation process created many problems for them and could negatively affect their practice and the society’s attitude toward midwifery. Thus, we suggest that in order to prevent such problems, midwives and midwifery students should be educated regarding factors that have the potential to create such problems and also prevention strategies.
Honouring Ray Hudson: Reflecting on four decades of contribution to economic geography
Authors: Lee Roger
Published: February 2017

Ray Hudson’s economic geography is characterised by a complex understanding of the mutually formative relationships between theory and context. Although Ray’s research and writing range from the local to the global, his understanding stems in part from an intense focus on the north-east of England and from a deep appreciation of the analytical, theoretical and political significance of careful empirical analysis. Ray’s distinctive formulation, development and application of a critical political economic geography informs his commitment to social justice. This is a commitment that has never wavered. It goes well beyond research and writing and extends to his practical involvement in teaching and learning, the discipline of Geography, higher education more widely and to his tireless political engagement.
Role of Perceptions in Health Insurance Buying Behaviour of Workers Employed in Informal Sector of India
Authors: Kansra Pooja , Gill Harinder Singh
Published: February 2017

Health insurance can be an effective tool of personal protection. But India’s health insurance market still lags behind the other countries in terms of penetration. The present article identified the role of perceptions in the enrolment of health insurance among the urban informal sector of Punjab, India. First, data were obtained from the urban informal sector of Punjab. Then factor analysis was applied to identify the perceptions associated with enrolment of health insurance. After this, logistic regression was performed to determine the associations of identified perceptions with enrolment of health insurance. The present study identified 12 perceptions factors associated with health insurance enrolment of the informal sector in India. Out of the 12 factors, the logistic regression results proved that 8 were statistically significant influencers of health insurance enrolment decisions. The significant perceptions factors were lack of awareness about the need to buy health insurance; comprehensive coverage; income constraint; future contingencies and social obligations; lack of information; availability of subsidized government health care; linkage with government hospitals; and preference for government schemes. It was found that perceptions play a vital role in the household decisions to enrol for health insurance. Policy makers or marketers of health insurance policies should recognize the household perceptions as a potential barrier and try to develop a health insurance package as per the actual needs of the informal sector (low income) in India.
The evolution of psychoanalytic thought: a brief view through the lens of Western art and history: Freud and beyond
Authors: Stavovy Tania
Published: February 2017

Objective:

The aim of this paper is to explore the diversity and progress in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy post-Sigmund Freud from the perspective of Western art. Since 1900 the shift from one-person psychology to the more contemporary two-person psychology is reflected in the creativity of artists, particularly in their depiction of the mother–infant relationship.

Conclusion:

An alternative perspective in understanding the evolution of Man’s nature can be drawn from a discourse between art, history and psychoanalytic thought. Using art as evidence that reflects concurrent changes in psychoanalytic thought is a stimulating way to engage trainee psychiatrists and psychiatrists in their exploration of human nature.
Rhombencephalitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes in a pastured bull
Authors: Matto Carolina , Varela Gustavo , Mota María Inés , Gianneechini Ruben , Rivero Rodolfo
Published: February 2017

A pastured 2-y-old cross-breed bull developed brainstem encephalitis (rhombencephalitis); Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from the brain. In the brainstem, there was perivascular cuffing, multiple microabscesses, and positive immunostaining for L. monocytogenes. Samples of bovine feces, water, feedstuffs, milking parlor soil, and bulk tank milk were collected from the dairy farm. Seven isolates of the genus Listeria were obtained, 6 of L. innocua and 1 of L. monocytogenes, which was found in the pasture where the bull grazed. Both isolates belonged to serotype 4b and were positive for internalins A, C, and J. According to the DNA fragment patterns of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, the isolates were closely related. The source of infection was the pasture, implying that listeriosis should not be discounted in cases with compatible clinical signs but the absence of silage feeding.
Feasibility of SA–based concrete seismic stress monitoring for high-strength concrete
Authors: Zhang Haibin , Hou Shuang , Ou Jinping
Published: February 2017

Piezoelectric-based seismic stress monitoring provides an innovative approach to assessing the health of concrete structures during earthquakes. In this research, we evaluate the application of piezoelectric-based smart aggregate (SA) sensors for monitoring the seismic stress on high-strength concrete columns. The principle behind using smart aggregates for seismic stress monitoring is based on the assumption that concrete stress can be reliably predicted by the average output voltages of a limited number of embedded smart aggregates within an acceptable margin of error. This experiment is designed to evaluate the effects of meso-scale randomness on high-strength concrete and the effects of different loading paths on the proposed smart aggregate. Loading–unloading loops of increasing amplitude at the nonlinear stage and monotonic loading to failure were carried out on four high-strength concrete cylinders. Each specimen had six smart aggregates embedded. A statistical analysis based on the test results determined the sensitivity curve during the loading–unloading and the full-range damage processes. Monitoring errors of concrete stress monitored by smart aggregate during the pre- and post-peak stages were also discussed. The research concludes that there is the potential for deploying smart aggregate in engineering applications to monitor seismic stress on high-strength concrete structures.
Demographics, lifestyle and veterinary care of cats in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Johnston Laura , Szczepanski Julia , McDonagh Phillip
Published: February 2017

Objectives

The aim of this survey was to provide up-to-date information on the demographics, lifestyle and veterinary care of cats in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

An online survey consisting of 19 questions was created using SurveyMonkey. Cat owners were invited to participate through advertisements in veterinary clinics and social media.

Results

The average number of cats in a household was two. The majority of cats lived in free-standing houses (78%) in the suburbs (66%). The majority of cats were desexed (94% [49% female neutered; 45% male neutered]). A total of 57% of cats had been strays or came from an animal shelter. A total of 40% of owners had intended not to let the cats outside when they first acquired them. A total of 63% of cats were described as indoor–outdoor cats. Although owners described 34% of cats as ‘indoor only’, 58% of those cats had access to the outdoors. The majority of respondents’ cats were vaccinated annually (63%) and visited a vet at least annually (79%). The most common reasons to take a cat to the vet were vaccinations or the cat being unwell. The most common reasons not to regularly take the cat to the vet were that the cat was never unwell, cost or stress for the cat.

Conclusions and relevance

Consideration of the lifestyle of cats is important to optimise veterinary care. Cats across Australia and New Zealand have a variety of different and changing lifestyles. Therefore, careful owner questioning is required at each visit to maximise healthcare outcomes for cats.
Linear stability analysis of finite length journal bearings in laminar and turbulent regimes
Authors: Miraskari Mohammad , Hemmati Farzad , Alqaradawi MY , Gadala Mohamed S
Published: February 2017

Dynamic coefficients of a finite length journal bearing are numerically calculated under laminar and turbulent regimes based on Ng–Pan–Elrod and Constantinescu models. Linear stability charts of a flexible rotor supported on laminar and turbulent journal bearings are found by calculating the threshold speed of instability associated to the start of instable oil whirl phenomenon. Local journal trajectories of the rotor-bearing system were found at different operating conditions solely based on the calculated dynamic coefficients in laminar and turbulent flow. Results show no difference between laminar and turbulent models at low loading while significant change of the size of the stable region was observed by increasing the Reynolds number in turbulent models. Stable margins based on the laminar flow at relatively low Sommerfeld numbers [Formula: see text] were shown to fall inside the unstable region and hence rendering the laminar stability curves obsolete at high Reynolds numbers. Ng-Pan turbulent model was found to be generally more conservative and hence is recommended for rotor-bearing design.