bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PM2.5 water-soluble elements in the southeastern United States: automated analytical method development, spatiotemporal distributions, source apportionment, and implications for heath studies
Authors: Fang T. , Guo H. , Verma V. , Peltier R. E. , Weber R. J.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Water-soluble redox-active metals are potentially toxic due to the ability to catalytically generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo, leading to oxidative stress. As part of the Southeastern Center for Air Pollution and Epidemiology (SCAPE), we developed a method to quantify water-soluble elements, including redox-active metals, from a large number of filter samples (N = 530) in support of the Center's health studies. PM2.5 samples were collected during 2012–2013 at various sites (three urban, two rural, a near-road, and a road-side site) in the southeastern US, using high-volume samplers. Water-soluble elements (S, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Sr, Ba, and Pb) were determined by extracting filters in deionized water and re-aerosolized for analyses by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) using an online aerosol element analyzer (Xact, Cooper Environmental). Concentrations ranged from detection limits (nominally 0.1 to 30 ng m−3) to 1.2 μg m−3, with S as the most abundant element, followed by Ca, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Ba. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) identified four factors that were associated with specific sources based on relative loadings of various tracers. These include: brake/tire wear (with tracers Ba and Cu); biomass burning (K); secondary formation (S, Se, and WSOC); and mineral dust (Ca). Of the four potentially toxic and relatively abundant metals (redox active Cu, Mn, Fe, and redox-inactive Zn), 51 % of Cu, 32 % of Fe, 17 % of Mn, and 45 % of Zn, were associated with the brake/tire factor. Mn was mostly associated with the mineral dust factor (45 %). These two factors were higher in warm (dryer) periods that favored particle re-suspension. Zn was found in a mixture of factors, with 26 % associated with mineral dust, 14 % biomass burning, and 13 % secondary formation. Roughly 50 % of Fe and 40 % of Cu was apportioned to the secondary formation factor, likely through increased solubility by sulfur-driven aerosol acidity. Linkages between sulfate and water-soluble Fe and Cu may account for some of the past observed associations between sulfate/sulfur oxide and health outcomes. For Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn, only Fe was correlated with PM2.5 mass (r = 0.73–0.80). Overall, mobile source emissions generated through mechanical processes (re-entrained road dust, tire and break wear) and processing by secondary sulfate were major contributors to water-soluble metals known to be capable of generating ROS.
ACTRIS ACSM intercomparison – Part 2: Intercomparison of ME-2 organic source apportionment results from 15 individual, co-located aerosol mass spectrometers
Authors: Fröhlich R. , Crenn V. , Setyan A. , Belis C. A. , Canonaco F. , Favez O. , Riffault V. , Slowik J. G. , Aas W. , Aijälä M. , Alastuey A. , Artiñano B. , Bonnaire N. , Bozzetti C. , Bressi M. , Carbone C. , Coz E. , Croteau P. L. , Cubison M. J. , Esser-Gietl J. K. , Green D. C. , Gros V. , Heikkinen L. , Herrmann H. , Jayne J. T. , Lunder C. R. , Minguillón M. C. , Močnik G. , O'Dowd C. D. , Ovadnevaite J. , Petralia E. , Poulain L. , Priestman M. , Ripoll A. , Sarda-Estève R. , Wiedensohler A. , Baltensperger U. , Sciare J. , Prévôt A. S. H.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Chemically resolved atmospheric aerosol data sets from the largest intercomparison of the Aerodyne aerosol chemical speciation monitors (ACSMs) performed to date were collected at the French atmospheric supersite SIRTA. In total 13 quadrupole ACSMs (Q-ACSM) from the European ACTRIS ACSM network, one time-of-flight ACSM (ToF-ACSM), and one high-resolution ToF aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) were operated in parallel for about 3 weeks in November and December~2013. Part 1 of this study reports on the accuracy and precision of the instruments for all the measured species. In this work we report on the intercomparison of organic components and the results from factor analysis source apportionment by positive matrix factorisation (PMF) utilising the multilinear engine 2 (ME-2). Except for the organic contribution of mass-to-charge ratio m/z 44 to the total organics (f44), which varied by factors between 0.6 and 1.3 compared to the mean, the peaks in the organic mass spectra were similar among instruments. The m/z 44 differences in the spectra resulted in a variable f44 in the source profiles extracted by ME-2, but had only a minor influence on the extracted mass contributions of the sources. The presented source apportionment yielded four factors for all 15 instruments: hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol (HOA), cooking-related organic aerosol (COA), biomass burning-related organic aerosol (BBOA) and secondary oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA). ME-2 boundary conditions (profile constraints) were optimised individually by means of correlation to external data in order to achieve equivalent / comparable solutions for all ACSM instruments and the results are discussed together with the investigation of the influence of alternative anchors (reference profiles). A comparison of the ME-2 source apportionment output of all 15 instruments resulted in relative standard deviations (SD) from the mean between 13.7 and 22.7 % of the source's average mass contribution depending on the factors (HOA: 14.3 ± 2.2 %, COA: 15.0 ± 3.4 %, OOA: 41.5 ± 5.7 %, BBOA: 29.3 ± 5.0 %). Factors which tend to be subject to minor factor mixing (in this case COA) have higher relative uncertainties than factors which are recognised more readily like the OOA. Averaged over all factors and instruments the relative first SD from the mean of a source extracted with ME-2 was 17.2 %.
Assessing the vulnerability of infrastructure to climate change on the Islands of Samoa
Authors: Fakhruddin S. H. M. , Babel M. S. , Kawasaki A.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Pacific Islanders have been exposed to risks associated with climate change. Samoa, as one of the Pacific Islands, is prone to climatic hazards that will likely increase in the coming decades, affecting coastal communities and infrastructure around the islands. Climate models do not predict a reduction of such disaster events in the future in Samoa; indeed, most predict an increase. This paper identifies key infrastructure and their functions and status in order to provide an overall picture of relative vulnerability to climate-related stresses of such infrastructure on the island. By reviewing existing reports as well as holding a series of consultation meetings, a list of critical infrastructure was developed and shared with stakeholders for their consideration. An indicator-based vulnerability model (SIVM) was developed in collaboration with stakeholders to assess the vulnerability of selected infrastructure systems on the Samoan Islands. Damage costs were extracted from the Cyclone Evan recovery needs document. Additionally, data on criticality and capacity to repair damage were collected from stakeholders. Having stakeholder perspectives on these two issues was important because (a) criticality of a given infrastructure could be viewed differently among different stakeholders, and (b) stakeholders were the best available source (in this study) to estimate the capacity to repair non-physical damage to such infrastructure. Analysis of the results suggested a ranking of sectors from the most vulnerable to least vulnerable are: the transportation sector, the power sector, the water supply sector and the sewerage system.
Tree species identity and functional traits but not species richness affect interrill erosion processes in young subtropical forests
Authors: Seitz S. , Goebes P. , Song Z. , Bruelheide H. , Härdtle W. , Kühn P. , Li Y. , Scholten T.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Soil erosion is seriously threatening ecosystem functioning in many parts of the world. In this context, it is assumed that tree species richness and functional diversity of tree communities can play a critical role in improving ecosystem services such as erosion control. An experiment with 170 micro-scale runoff plots was conducted to investigate the influence of tree species richness and identity as well as tree functional traits on interrill erosion in a young forest ecosystem. An interrill erosion rate of 47.5 t ha−1 a−1 was calculated. This study provided evidence that different tree species affect interrill erosion, but higher tree species richness did not mitigate soil losses in young forest stands. Thus, different tree morphologies have to be considered, when assessing erosion under forest. High crown cover and leaf area index reduced soil losses in initial forest ecosystems, whereas rising tree height increased them. Even if a leaf litter cover was not present, remaining soil surface cover by stones and biological soil crusts was the most important driver for soil erosion control. Furthermore, soil organic matter had a decreasing influence on soil loss. Long-term monitoring of soil erosion under closing tree canopies is necessary and a wide range of functional tree traits should be taken into consideration in future research.
El juego estratégico de la seguridad ciudadana en Argentina (1996-2011)
Authors: Constantino Gabriel
Published: June 2015

El objetivo del trabajo es reconstruir el juego estratégico que hay detrás de la formulación de las políticas de seguridad ciudadana en cuatro provincias de Argentina entre 1996 y 2011. La hipótesis central es que los gobernadores son los actores que tienen las facultades y el interés de formular una política de seguridad de izquierda o de derecha según su plan de campaña, que responde a otros condicionantes que no son los supuestos intereses policiales: principalmente la ideología del ejecutivo nacional y la del elector medio. La contrastación de dicha hipótesis instruye sobre el juego estratégico de la formulación de las políticas de seguridad provinciales y sobre la autonomía relativa de la policía y el sistema penal en Argentina
Notas para una propuesta lógico-conceptual de la relación entre las interacciones y cooperación en redes de política pública
Authors: Vázquez Ceballos Cristo Avimael
Published: June 2015

En muchos sectores de política pública, paulatinamente, se han desarrollado flujos de gobierno más interactivos, etiquetados como gobernanza y materializados a través de una serie de redes de política pública en las cuales interactúan actores gubernamentales, sociales, civiles, ciudadanos, agentes del mercado, entre otros, a modo de cooperar en torno a objetivos comunes. Ante tal contexto, este trabajo argumenta que la variabilidad de sus interacciones y que unas son más conducentes, que otras, para la cooperación debido a ciertos atributos estructurales de la red (heterogeneidad e integración). Las conclusiones sugieren que según varíen dichos atributos se propiciarán interacciones asociativas, a nivel de acciones combinadas o superficiales, siendo las asociativas las más propicias para la cooperación
The Importance of Teaching Pragmatics in the Classrooms (Focus on Complimenting)
Authors: Shokouhi Saeedeh , Rezaei Amir
Published: June 2015

This review explores the importance of teaching pragmatics in the classrooms. Developing pragmatic competence needs experience, knowledge and language awareness. According to Fasold (2006) pragmatics involves using language in particular situations. In this review the speech act of complimenting is selected as the focus of teaching. People compliment each other to maintain or create a special relationship to improve their actions. The early studies by Manes and Wolfson (1981) report the formulaicity of compliments in American English. Finally, this review shows that teachers should pay more attention to pragmatics and teaching it in the classroom. Lack of pragmatic knowledge may cause a failure in communication. Besides emphasizing on only grammar aspects teachers should teach the appropriate usage of language in different situations.
Brokenness and Hope David Lynch's Contribution to a Phenomenology of Anxiety in Mulholland Drive
Authors: Bradley Daniel
Published: June 2015

In The Concept of Anxiety, Kierkegaard makes a powerful phenomenological distinction between fear and anxiety; one fears this or that thing, but one is anxious of “nothing.” Kierkegaard understands this terror before the nothing as a revelation of freedom. This is correct but incomplete. Anxiety does, indeed, transcend fear of this or that possibility to encounter possibility itself. But it also transcends guilt about this or that sin, to encounter sinfulness itself, or the general brokenness of the social injustices and cultural illusions into which we find ourselves always already thrown. We see this neglected aspect of anxiety masterfully revealed in David Lynch's, Mulholland Drive. This film opens as a typical mystery plot, but the most important clue in the film is anxiety. The anxiety, which we and ultimately the protagonist, Betty, cannot evade, reveals the inescapability of her responsibility and her guilt in a murder. However, this anxiety also points beyond her personal responsibility for the crime to a deeper understanding of the structural distortions and illusions that permeate Hollywood culture and modern life more generally. In other words, it points us beyond an existential analysis of freedom to a hermeneutics of suspicion. Returning to the plot of the film with this philosophical turn in hand helps us to see past Betty's guilt to the more important theme, the tragedy of her death.
Klein and Cassirer Symbol and Symbolic Form
Authors: Halper Edward
Published: June 2015

In Greek Mathematical Thought and the Origin of Algebra, Jacob Klein contrasts ancient Greek philosophy's direct engagement with things through arithmetic with the ancient science of numeric calculation, logistic. By chronicling the later development of logistic, by means of increasing symbolization, ultimately into algebra, he argues that logistic has come to displace arithmetic and, thereby, to submerge the ontological issues at the center of Greek thought. This article argues, first, that Klein's target is Ernst Cassirer's notion of number as a “symbolic function”—what Cassirer would later call “symbolic form.” In Substance and Function Cassirer argues that number constitutes a conceptual structure progressively extended by thought so as to include the results of different sorts of calculation (e.g., negative numbers, irrational roots, and infinite numbers) within itself and, thereby, to be a closed system. Drawing upon Dedekind, Cassirer claims that no individual number can be understood apart from the entire conceptual structure. This article argues, second, that Cassirer recognizes, as it were, a different set of things, namely, relations, and that it is possible to engage these “things” directly by recognizing the ontological issues they raise.
Platgeslagen platforms
Authors: Visser Matthijs , Winters Jan Kees
Published: June 2015

Platgeslagen platforms

Online platforms verlagen transactiekosten en maken gebruik van positieve externe effecten door vragers en aanbieders samen te brengen. Om investeringen in platforms tegen ‘free riding’ te beschermen, kunnen platforms met de aanbieders die op het platform actief zijn ‘most favoured nation’-clausules bedingen of soortgelijke afspraken maken. Aangezien mededingingsautoriteiten door heel Europa dergelijke clausules te lijf (willen) gaan, is het van belang om de economische kant nog eens te benadrukken.
De bestudering van criminaliteit op macroniveau: een inleiding
Authors: Weerman Frank , van der Laan André , Haen Marshall Ineke , Pauwels Lieven
Published: June 2015

The study of crime on a macro level: an introduction

In this introductory article we introduce the subject of our thematic issue on ‘macro criminology’, and illustrate it with a short historical overview and examples of ‘typical macro criminological’ research. Successively we address the recent decrease in crime in many Western countries (the ‘crime drop’), the increased tendency to punish more severely in the last decennia (the ‘punitive turn’), and historical developments in homicide (‘history of violence’). After that we address an important theoretical and philosophical problem with regard to macro criminology: the balance between micro and macro factors in explaining macro phenomena. Finally, the contributions of this thematic issue are introduced.
Daling in geregistreerde jeugdcriminaliteit
Authors: van der Laan André , Weijters Gijs
Published: June 2015

Decline in registered juvenile crime: some potential macro explanations

In the Netherlands, from 2007 police census data show a sharp decrease in the number of suspects of crime among juveniles aged 12 to 25 years old. How to explain this decrease remains unclear. Constructionist theories suggest that changes in police census data are fully explained by changes in the law enforcement system. Normative theories argue that changes in police data can be explained by demographic, social or economic trends. In this paper, we systematically explored the (inter)national literature for macro factors that could explain changes in juvenile crime. Next, in an empirical case study of the city of Amsterdam, we explored which of these macro factors relate to changes over time in the number of juvenile suspects of crime and the types of crime they were suspected of. Due to multicollinearity of the macro factors multivariate analyses were not possible. Our results indicate that the decrease in police registered juvenile crime in Amsterdam should be explained by multiple factors. Some of these factors concern policy investments (such as focus on school drop-out and targeted law enforcement), other factors relate to socialdemographic developments which appeared coincidentally.
Trends in perceptie van criminaliteit
Authors: Eysink Smeets Marnix , Vollaard Ben
Published: June 2015

Trends in perception of crime

Some overestimation of crime risk is likely, but that does not mean that risk perceptions are not adjusted in line with changes in actual crime risk. Based on time series data, we show that crime risk perceptions are strongly related to rates of victimization. The conventional wisdom that the drop in crime since the 1990s did not result in an adjustment in risk perceptions can be easily refuted. The much discussed crime drop goes together with a much less discussed fear drop.
PCCP Rehabilitation: Optimizing System Performance and Leveraging Drought Management Opportunities
Authors: Foellmi Steve , Arita Arleen , Stanton Andrew
Published: June 2015

Motivated by high long‐term projected costs of reactively repairing prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) and in the midst of a severe drought, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has developed an extensive PCCP, proactive rehabilitation program with benefits that include cost savings, risk mitigation, and improved operations.
PVC C900 Water Pipe Proves Longevity in Arizona's Desert Climate
Authors: Kurrus Joseph A.
Published: June 2015

Despite concerns that PVC C900 water pipe cannot be sustainable in desert climates, evidence shows this pipe can be used safely for water distribution in a hot, dry environment when the pipe is designed and installed properly and when underground pressure and thermal conditions are taken into account.
Advanced Metering Analytics: The Future of Water Utility Management
Authors: Anderson Kristie
Published: June 2015

—Kristie Anderson is product marketing manager at Badger Meter, 4545 W. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53224 USA; Kanderson@badgermeter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and product management, with extensive expertise in adapting new technology to maximize customer value. At Badger Meter she is responsible for the BEACON® Advanced Metering Analytics managed solution. She holds degrees in marketing management and business administration from the School of Business at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Postinfarction Functional Recovery Driven by a Three-Dimensional Engineered Fibrin Patch Composed of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Roura Santiago , Soler-Botija Carolina , Bagó Juli R. , Llucià-Valldeperas Aida , Férnandez Marco A. , Gálvez-Montón Carolina , Prat-Vidal Cristina , Perea-Gil Isaac , Blanco Jerónimo , Bayes-Genis Antoni
Published: June 2015

Considerable research has been dedicated to restoring myocardial cell slippage and limiting ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). We examined the ability of a three-dimensional (3D) engineered fibrin patch filled with human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCBMSCs) to induce recovery of cardiac function after MI. The UCBMSCs were modified to coexpress luciferase and fluorescent protein reporters, mixed with fibrin, and applied as an adhesive, viable construct (fibrin-cell patch) over the infarcted myocardium in mice (MI-UCBMSC group). The patch adhered well to the heart. Noninvasive bioluminescence imaging demonstrated early proliferation and differentiation of UCBMSCs within the construct in the postinfarct mice in the MI-UCBMSC group. The implanted cells also participated in the formation of new, functional microvasculature that connected the fibrin-cell patch to both the subjacent myocardial tissue and the host circulatory system. As revealed by echocardiography, the left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening at sacrifice were improved in MI-UCBMSC mice and were markedly reduced in mice treated with fibrin alone and untreated postinfarction controls. In conclusion, a 3D engineered fibrin patch composed of UCBMSCs attenuated infarct-derived cardiac dysfunction when transplanted locally over a myocardial wound.

Significance

Ischemic heart failure (HF) is the end stage of many cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction. The only definitive treatment for HF is cardiac transplant, which is hampered by limited number of heart donors and graft rejection. In recent times, cellular cardiomyoplasty has been expected to repair infarcted myocardium by implantation of different sources of stem or progenitor cells. However, low cell survival and myocardial implantation rates have motivated the emergence of novel approaches with the objective of generating graftable cell-based implants. Here, the potential of 3D engineered fibrin-umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells patches is shown to significantly recover lost general functions in post-infarcted mice.
Getting Used to Being a Patient: The Postoperative Experience of Living Liver Transplant Donors
Authors: O'Connor Rick , Parkosewich Janet , Curran Jeffrey , Cartiera Katarzyna , Knobf M. Tish
Published: June 2015

Context—

Living donor liver transplant is a viable option for eligible persons in need of a liver transplant, but little is known about the hospitalization experience of patients undergoing hepatectomy for transplant donation.

Objective—

To explore the hospital experience of patients recovering from donor hepatectomy.

Design—

A qualitative interpretive descriptive design was used to understand the hospital experience of patients recovering from donor hepatectomy. Semistructured interviews, conducted before discharge, were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Coding was performed independently, then jointly by investigators to reach consensus on emerging themes.

Setting—

Major university hospital in the Northeastern United States.

Sample—

Adults (>18 years of age) whose primary language was English or Spanish and who could provide written informed consent.

Results—

The sample consisted of 15 participants who had a mean age of 34.6 years; half were women. Most were white and college educated. The relationship of the donors to recipients varied from immediate family to altruistic donors. “Getting used to being a patient” was the major theme that captured the patients' postoperative experience. Four subthemes explained the experience: regaining consciousness, all those tubes, expecting horrible pain, and feeling special and cared for. These were described in the context of an “amazing and impressive” transplant team.

Conclusion—

As healthy donors are getting used to being patients, these results provide clinicians with a deeper understanding of the transplant experience from the donor's perspective so that care can be tailored to meet their unique needs.
Vulnerability and Chronic Illness Management in Pediatric Kidney and Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Mavis Alisha M. , Ertl Allison , Chapman Shelley , Cassidy Laura D. , Lerret Stacee M.
Published: June 2015

Context—

Solid-organ transplant is the treatment of choice for end-stage organ failure and requires a transition from management of a life-threatening condition to a chronic illness. Despite research focusing on quality of life after transplant, there is a gap addressing the role of managing a chronic illness focusing on vulnerability and impact on family.

Objective—

Identify patient and family patterns of adaptation among kidney and liver transplant recipients in regard to (1) vulnerability, (2) impact of illness on the family, (3) family functioning, and (4) quality of life (parent and child report).

Design—

Cross-sectional study enrolling children 5 to 18 years old and their parent at a single time point after kidney or liver transplant. Validated self-report tools were completed.

Results—

In all, 47 participants (24 kidney and 23 liver) were recruited. Mean age at transplant was 4.0 (kidney) and 2.1 (liver) years. Mean age at report was 12.1 (kidney) and 7.1 (liver) years. Child vulnerability correlated negatively with (1) family impact in the kidney ( P < .05) and liver ( P < .05) transplant groups, (2) PedsQL subscales including Parent Emotional ( P < .05), Parent Social ( P < .01), Parent Psychosocial ( P < .01), Parent Physical ( P < .05), Parent School ( P < .05), and Child Social ( P < .01) in the kidney transplant group, (3) PedsQL Parent Emotional subscale ( P < .01) in the liver transplant group, and (4) Functional status ( P < .01) in the liver transplant group.

Conclusions—

Child vulnerability provides insight into quality of life and the impact of illness on the family and family functioning.
Development and Initial Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of Self-Efficacy and Adherence Scales for Patients with a Left Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Casida Jesus , Wu Horng-Shiuann , Harden Janet , Chern Joy , Carie Austen
Published: June 2015

Context—

No tools exist to measure patients' self-efficacy for and adherence to the complex home-care regimen after having a left ventricular device (LVAD) implanted.

Objective—

To develop 2 new instruments, the LVAD Patient Self-Efficacy Scale (LPSES) and the LVAD Patient Home Management Adherence Scale (LPHMAS), and evaluate their psychometric properties.

Methods—

This multistage instrumentation study recruited 102 patients (77.5% men and 22.5% women) aged 20 to 82 years, predominantly from the Midwest (34.3%) and the Northeast (26.5%) regions of the United States. Main indications for LVAD were bridge-to-transplant (69.6%) and destination therapy (21.6%), with mean implant duration of 19.9 (SD, 15.5) months. Study participants completed the following instruments: LPSES, LPHMAS, General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Medical Outcomes Study General Adherence (MOSGA), and Self-Care Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) confidence and maintenance subscales. Item analyses, psychometric properties including factorial and convergent validities, and internal consistency reliability were tested.

Results—

Factor analyses showed that the variances for the 20-item LPSES and 9-item LPHMAS were 60.2% and 53.6%, respectively. Convergent validity of the newly developed instruments was supported by the following correlations: LPSES and GSES ( r = 0.34); LPSES and SCHFI-confidence ( r = 0.60); LPHMAS and MOSGA ( r = 0.33); LPHMAS and SCHFI-maintenance ( r = 0.40). Internal consistency reliability coefficients were 0.94 (LPSES) and 0.84 (LPHMAS). Based on these data, the LPSES and LPHMAS are valid and reliable measures of self-efficacy and adherence specific for LVAD patients. Confirmatory testing is needed to further support the validity of these instruments for use in research and clinical practice.
Immunosuppressant-Driven De Novo Malignant Neoplasms after Solid-Organ Transplant
Authors: Billups Kelsey , Neal Jennifer , Salyer Jeanne
Published: June 2015

Solid-organ transplant recipients are at a 3- to 5-fold increased risk of a de novo malignant neoplasm developing compared with the general population. The most frequently developed virus-associated malignant neoplasms are Kaposi sarcoma (standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 208.0), nonmelanoma skin cancer (SIR, 28.6), and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, primarily non-Hodgkin lymphoma (SIR, 8.1). Immunosuppressive agents such as corticosteroids, antimetabolites, calcineurin inhibitors, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors play a key role in either causing or preventing this complication. It is hypothesized that some of these regimens can impair cancer surveillance, facilitate the action of oncogenic viruses, and promote direct oncogenic activity. Evolving research has shown promising dual antitumor and immunosuppressive properties of the mTOR inhibitor class. The effective management of posttransplant neoplasms most likely involves the use of these medications among other preventative options. These measures include monitoring certain viral loads as well as immunosuppressant drug levels. Reducing these levels to as low as possible for healthy engraftment and altering regimens when appropriate are management strategies that could lessen this complication of solid-organ transplant. More studies examining the effects of therapeutic drug monitoring are needed to determine specific plasma drug concentrations that will ensure organ engraftment without the development of de novo malignant neoplasms.
Transition to Adult Care in Pediatric Solid-Organ Transplant: Development of a Practice Guideline
Authors: Gold Anna , Martin Kathy , Breckbill Katie , Avitzur Yaron , Kaufman Miriam
Published: June 2015

Background—

Transition to adult-centered care is becoming an increasingly important area of practice in pediatric organ transplant. Standardized, best-practice guidelines are needed to assist transplant practitioners in providing optimal transitional care for this population of patients.

Objective—

To describe the development and implementation of a practice guideline for the transitional care of pediatric transplant recipients.

Methods—

A quality improvement project was undertaken in a pediatric multiorgan transplant program setting. Strategies employed included (1) creation of an interdisciplinary working group, (2) survey of transition-related practices and learning needs of transplant practitioners, (3) review of the literature and existing transition-related materials, and (4) creation of transition guidelines.

Results—

An interdisciplinary survey of transplant practitioners at our institution identified practice strengths related to transitional care and learning needs. Review of relevant literature and other materials revealed limited but emerging research related to the transition of pediatric transplant recipients from pediatric to adult care. Existing transition tools were examined and applicable items identified. A practice guideline for use with pediatric transplant recipients transitioning to adult care was developed. Strategies to educate staff about the guideline and promote ongoing guideline use were implemented.

Conclusion—

Preparing pediatric transplant recipients and their families for transition to adult-centered care is an emerging challenge for transplant teams. These guidelines provide practitioners with a developmentally sensitive overview of important transition-related domains and strategies directed toward patients and their caregivers, who may experience the process of transition differently. Dissemination of the pediatric transplant transition guideline will make transition information more widely available to transplant practitioners.
African American Kidney Transplant Patients' Perspectives on Challenges in the Living Donation Process
Authors: Sieverdes John C. , Nemeth Lynne S. , Magwood Gayenell S. , Baliga Prabhakar K. , Chavin Kenneth D. , Ruggiero Ken J. , Treiber Frank A.
Published: June 2015

Context—

The increasing shortage of deceased donor kidneys suitable for African Americans highlights the critical need to increase living donations among African Americans. Little research has addressed African American transplant recipients' perspectives on challenges and barriers related to the living donation process.

Objective—

To understand the perspectives of African American recipients of deceased and living donor kidney transplants on challenges, barriers, and educational needs related to pursuing such transplants.

Participants and Design—

A mixed-method design involved 27 African American kidney recipients (13 male) in 4 focus groups (2 per recipient type: 16 African American deceased donor and 11 living donor recipients) and questionnaires. Focus group transcripts were evaluated with NVivo 10.0 (QSR, International) by using inductive and deductive qualitative methods along with crystallization to develop themes of underlying barriers to the living donor kidney transplant process and were compared with the questionnaires.

Results—

Four main themes were identified from groups: concerns, knowledge and learning, expectations of support, and communication. Many concerns for the donor were identified (eg, process too difficult, financial burden, effect on relationships). A general lack of knowledge about the donor process and lack of behavioral skills on how to approach others was noted. The latter was especially evident among deceased donor recipients. Findings from the questionnaires on myths and perceptions supported the lack of knowledge in a variety of domains, including donors' surgical outcomes risks, costs of surgery, and impact on future health. Participants thought that an educational program led by an African American recipient of a living donor kidney transplant, including practice in approaching others, would increase the likelihood of transplant-eligible patients pursuing living donor kidney transplant.
Bortezomib-Containing Regimen for Primary Treatment of Early Antibody-Mediated Cardiac Allograft Rejection: A Case Report
Authors: Gazdic Tomas , Svobodova Eva , Kubanek Milos , Kment Martin , Pagacova Libuse , Viklicky Ondrej , Malek Ivan , Kautzner Josef
Published: June 2015

Evidence regarding the use of bortezomib-containing schemes in primary treatment of antibody-mediated rejection in heart transplant recipients is scarce. This case report presents the clinical experience with upstream use of bortezomib in primary treatment of early antibody-mediated rejection in an adult heart transplant recipient. Two cycles of bortezomib together with methylprednisolone, immunoadsorption, rituximab, and supplementary doses of intravenous immunoglobulin G reversed signs of heart failure, production of donor-specific antibodies, and findings of antibody-mediated rejection in biopsy. This treatment regimen was tolerated with only mild hematologic toxicity and proved to be successful during a 12-month follow-up. Primary treatment with a bortezomib-containing regimen appears to be a new therapeutic option for severe antibody-mediated rejection in heart transplant recipients. However, the efficacy and safety of this treatment need to be tested in prospective trials.
O Secretário Executivo e a Tecnologia da Informação: Um Estudo Sobre A Utilização de Recursos Tecnológicos pelos Profissionais da Cidade de Belém/PA
Authors: Lima Marco Antonio , Soares Alessandra de Paula Lima
Published: June 2015

Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar o grau de intensidade de utilização de aplicativos de Tecnologia da Informação (TI) porprofissionais de Secretariado Executivo em organizações estabelecidas na cidadede Belém, no estado do Pará. Com a finalidade de sistematização da pesquisa, osaplicativos foram classificados em quatro diferentes categorias (Automação deEscritório, Comunicação, Gestão de Processos e Softwares Empresariais),baseados em uma adaptação do modelo de Turban, Mclean e Wetherbe (2004). Foirealizada aplicação de questionários a uma amostra não probabilística acidentalcomposta por 35 profissionais graduados do curso de Bacharelado em SecretariadoBilíngue e Trilíngue, residentes na cidade de Belém/PA. O modelo analítico foibaseado na análise estatística descritiva e análise cluster, obtendo comoprincipais resultados a identificação dos índices de utilização dos recursostecnológicos em escala coletiva e individual; e a classificação dos indivíduosem três agrupamentos com diferentes perfis de utilização dos recursos.Concluiu-se que os profissionais pesquisados utilizam os recursos tecnológicosdisponibilizados de forma desproporcional, concentrando-se na utilização deaplicativos para processamento de textos e para comunicação eletrônica,desperdiçando o potencial de ferramentas importantes como os aplicativos paragerenciamento de bancos de dados e gestão de projetos, que registrarambaixíssimos índices de utilização nesta pesquisa.DOI: 10.7769/gesec.v5i2.254
O Processo Editorial nos Periódicos e Dicas para a Publicação
Authors: Ferreira Manuel Anibal Silva Portugal Vasconcelos , Canela Renata , Pinto Cláudia Frias
Published: June 2015

Muitos autores e, especialmente, os menos experientes e estudantes de doutorado, veem o processo editorial e a publicação como uma caixa-preta cheia de mistérios e misticismos. Neste artigo analisamos e discutimos o processo editorial. Entender o processo nas suas etapas e como interagir com revisores e editores ajudará os autores a organizar, escrever e trabalhar as suas pesquisas para aumentar a probabilidade de ter os artigos aceitos para publicação. Descrevemos o processo editorial e apresentamos algumas sugestões para melhor navegar no processo – algumas sugestões são relativamente óbvias e outras, sujeitas a maiores doses de subjetividade.DOI: 10.7769/gesec.v5i2.307
Reflections on Secretarial Work and Issues for Further Studies: A Conceptual Contribution
Authors: Zuin Débora Carneiro , Findlay Patricia
Published: June 2015

Este estudo traz uma reflexão acerca de questões relacionadas ao trabalho secretarial. O objetivo deste artigo é gerar reflexões e levantar perguntas para encorajar mais pesquisas na área. O artigo apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o contexto do trabalho secretarial tais como tecnologia e gênero. O contexto do trabalho secretarial apresenta um desafio para a divisão do trabalho de secretários e o contexto também mostra que esta ainda é uma ocupação segregada. O artigo também apresenta algumas reflexões sobre as definições de trabalho secretarial e papel secretarial fundamentando o assunto com teorias sobre identidade. Na conclusão, o estudo apresenta alguns tópicos para pesquisas futuras no campo do trabalho secretarial.DOI: 10.7769/gesec.v5i3.331
Adaptive Optics
Authors: Ayachit Apoorva , Goel Ruchi , Ayachit Guruprasad , Nagpal Smriti , Mohan Ashwin , Shetty Rohit , Kishore Divya
Published: June 2015

Physicists and ophthalmologists, since time immemorial have aggressively tried to break new ground in trying to get a good look at the retina and its myriad pathologies. Although fundus photography, optical coherence tomography and fundus fluorescein angiography have largely been very successful in imaging the retina and give a clear understanding of pathology affecting it, researchers are continuously looking for newer tools to assess the retinal structure at a cellular level. Adaptive optics with its ability to overcome optical aberrations has been able to achieve this non-invasively. Its advantages, clinical applications and shortcomings are under scrutiny and only time will reveal its utility in a clinical setting.
Management of Perforated PUK with Advanced Cataract in a Case of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Arora Ritu , Garg Arushi , Garg Trushaa
Published: June 2015

We present a unique case management of a patient having rheumatoid arthritis with sterile perforation of peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) and advanced cataract with zonular dialysis. A peripheral patch grafting was done in first stage followed 3 weeks later with micro-phacoemulsification of cataract. Intraoperatively noted zonular dialysis was stabilized using a capsular tension ring to permit a foldable intraocular lens to be placed in the bag. This is to highlight the two-staged management strategy in such complicated cases.
Nuclear Reactors
Authors: Murray Raymond L.
Published: June 2015

Nuclear reactors may be classified by purpose or use, key components, method of heat extraction, power level or neutron flux, or arrangement of component materials. Commercial reactors are also classified by the companies involved in design and building of the facility. Reactors used for power generation, either heat or electrical, propulsion, whether naval vessels or spacecraft, radioisotope production, materials testing, basic research, and training are discussed. The development of nuclear reactors is presented, including information gleaned from the two principal nuclear accidents of the 1980s.

The pressurized lightwater reactor is the most common power generation reactor in the United States, but the boiling water reactor is also used. In Canada, heavy‐water reactors are usually employed. These and other reactors, such as the molten salt and the fast breeder reactor, are described.
Nuclear Reactors
Authors: Murray Raymond L.
Published: June 2015

Nuclear reactors may be classified by purpose or use, key components, method of heat extraction, power level or neutron flux, or arrangement of component materials. Commercial reactors are also classified by the companies involved in design and building of the facility. Reactors used for power generation, either heat or electrical, propulsion, whether naval vessels or spacecraft, radioisotope production, materials testing, basic research, and training are discussed. The development of nuclear reactors is presented, including information gleaned from the two principal nuclear accidents of the 1980s.

The pressurized light‐water reactor is the most common power generation reactor in the United States, but the boiling water reactor is also used. In Canada, heavy‐water reactors are usually employed. These and other reactors, eg, the molten salt and the fast breeder reactor, are described.
The Importance of Biological Databases in Biological Discovery
Authors: Baxevanis Andreas D. , Bateman Alex
Published: June 2015

Biological databases play a central role in bioinformatics. They offer scientists the opportunity to access a wide variety of biologically relevant data, including the genomic sequences of an increasingly broad range of organisms. This unit provides a brief overview of major sequence databases and portals, such as GenBank, the UCSC Genome Browser, and Ensembl. Model organism databases, including WormBase, The Arabidopsis Information Resource (TAIR), and those made available through the Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI) resource, are also covered. Non‐sequence‐centric databases, such as Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), the Protein Data Bank (PDB), MetaCyc, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), are also discussed. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Searching and Navigating UniProt Databases
Authors: Pundir Sangya , Magrane Michele , Martin Maria J. , O'Donovan Claire ,   The UniProt Consortium
Published: June 2015

The Universal Protein Resource (UniProt) is a comprehensive resource for protein sequence and annotation data. The UniProt Web site receives ∼400,000 unique visitors per month and is the primary means to access UniProt. It provides ten searchable datasets and three main tools. The key UniProt datasets are the UniProt Knowledgebase (UniProtKB), the UniProt Reference Clusters (UniRef), the UniProt Archive (UniParc), and protein sets for completely sequenced genomes (Proteomes). Other supporting datasets include information about proteins that is present in UniProtKB protein entries such as literature citations, taxonomy, and subcellular locations, among others. This paper focuses on how to use UniProt datasets. The basic protocol describes navigation and searching mechanisms for the UniProt datasets, while two alternative protocols build on the basic protocol to describe advanced search and query building. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using CATH‐Gene3D to Analyze the Sequence, Structure, and Function of Proteins
Authors: Sillitoe Ian , Lewis Tony , Orengo Christine
Published: June 2015

The CATH database is a classification of protein structures found in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Protein structures are chopped into individual units of structural domains, and these domains are grouped together into superfamilies if there is sufficient evidence that they have diverged from a common ancestor during the process of evolution. A sister resource, Gene3D, extends this information by scanning sequence profiles of these CATH domain superfamilies against many millions of known proteins to identify related sequences. Thus the combined CATH‐Gene3D resource provides confident predictions of the likely structural fold, domain organisation, and evolutionary relatives of these proteins. In addition, this resource incorporates annotations from a large number of external databases such as known enzyme active sites, GO molecular functions, physical interactions, and mutations. This unit details how to access and understand the information contained within the CATH‐Gene3D Web pages, the downloadable data files, and the remotely accessible Web services. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Installing a Local Copy of the Reactome Web Site and Knowledgebase
Authors: McKay Sheldon J. , Weiser Joel
Published: June 2015

The Reactome project builds, maintains, and publishes a knowledgebase of biological pathways. The information in the knowledgebase is gathered from the experts in the field, peer reviewed and edited by Reactome editorial staff, and then published to the Reactome Web site, http://www.reactome.org. The Reactome software is open source and builds on top of other open‐source or freely available software. Reactome data and code can be freely downloaded in its entirety and the Web site installed locally. This allows for more flexible interrogation of the data and also makes it possible to add one's own information to the knowledgebase. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Efficient Alignment of Illumina‐Like High‐Throughput Sequencing Reads with the GEnomic Multi‐tool (GEM) Mapper
Authors: Marco‐Sola Santiago , Ribeca Paolo
Published: June 2015

Modern Illumina‐like high‐throughput sequencing machines allow the cheap decoding of great amounts of DNA. The GEnomic Multi‐tool (GEM) mapper is one of the fastest and most sensitive methods known to date to align such data to a known genomic reference. This unit explains how to use it effectively. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Attention
Authors: Hartley Alan A. , Maquestiaux François
Published: June 2015

Attention directs conscious experience. Basic operations of attention—alerting, orienting, and searching—are affected very little by age. Failures of attention—blindness to events—do seem to be more frequent in old age. Executive attention—the control of attention in the face of multiple streams of information—is clearly impaired in old age. A general slowing of processing speed accounts for many, but not all, of the observed age differences in attention.