bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants for Acceptability of a Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme (Janani Suraksha Yojana) for Encouraging Institutional Deliveries among Antenatal Mothers
Authors: Kumar Avinash , Unnikrishnan B. , Rekha T. , Mithra Prasanna , Kumar Nithin , Kulkarni Vaman , Holla Ramesh , Darshan B.B. , Chekragari Manognya
Published: April 2018

The objective of this artile is to assess the determinants of acceptance of conditional cash transfer scheme (Janani Suraksha Yojana [JSY]) among antenatal women in Mangalore.The study is on matched case control study. The study has been carried out in the Government maternity hospital of Manipal University and on the antenatal women visiting government hospital for Ante natal care (ANC) and belonged to below poverty line. Total of 136 pregnant females, that is, 68 cases (availing conditional cash benefit) and 68 controls (not availing conditional cash benefit), were recruited in the study. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used as data collection tool. The association between the educational status of the participant and their acceptance of JSY and association between the educational status of the participant’s spouse and acceptance of JSY by their wives has been found to be statistically significant. The JSY has been successfully promoting institutional deliveries.
Citizen Participation and Political Accountability for Public Service Delivery in India
Authors: Blair Harry
Published: April 2018

A state’s accountability to its citizens for public service delivery constitutes a central component of the democratic polity. But how to assure this accountability? The answer lies in the linkage between citizens and some combination of elected political leaders and those they direct to provide the services. In India over recent decades, a host of mechanisms has emerged to provide that linkage, some of them quite potent. Building on the World Bank’s 2003 principal–agent model of long and short routes to state accountability, this article argues for a distinct third civil society route. It then explores the paths these three routes can take and their potential effectiveness in providing citizens a number of institutional mechanisms to hold political leaders and public service providers accountable, improve service delivery, empower poor people and ultimately enhance well-being.
Hospitals preparedness using WHO guideline: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rezaei Fatemeh , Maracy Mohammad Reza , Yarmohammadian Mohammad H , Sheikhbardsiri Hojat
Published: April 2018

Background:

Hospitals play a critical role in providing communities with essential medical care during disasters.

Objectives:

In this article, the key components and recommended actions of WHO (World Health Organization) Hospital emergency response checklist have been considered to identify current practices in disaster/emergency hospital preparedness in actual or potential incidents.

Methods:

Articles were obtained through bibliographic databases, including ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and SID: Scientific information database. Keywords were “Disaster,” “Preparedness,” “Emergency Preparedness,” “Disaster Planning,” “Mass Casualty Incidents,” “Hospital Emergency Preparedness,” “Health Emergency Preparedness,” “Preparedness Response,” and “Emergency Readiness.” Independent reviewers (F.R. and M.H.Y.) screened abstracts and titles for eligibility. STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) checklist was used to qualifying the studies for this review.

Results:

Of 1545 identified studies, 26 articles were implied inclusion criteria. They accounted for nine key components and 92 recommended actions. The majority of principles that had been rigorously recommended at any level of the hospital emergency preparedness were command and control and post-disaster recovery. Surge capacity was considered less frequently.

Conclusion:

We recommend considering the proposed disaster categories by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). In this framework, different weights for nine components can be considered based on disaster categories. Thus, a more valid and reliable preparedness checklist could be developed.
Toothpick injury mimicking acute cholecystitis
Authors: Lee Duk Hee , Choi Yoon Hee
Published: April 2018

Introduction: Accidental foreign bodies ingestion is common in emergency department. However, if the objects are sharp, the complication rate is higher. Toothpick can cause severe complications of gastrointestinal tract due to being long, sharp ends on both sides, slender, and resistant to digestion. Case presentation: A 64-year-old man presented to the emergency department with fever and right upper abdominal pain for 3 days. The physical examination revealed severe pain with rebound tenderness in the right upper abdominal quadrant and positive Murphy’s sign. The provisional diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was made. The contrast abdominal-pelvic computed tomography scan revealed linear-shaped lesion penetrating hepatic flexure of colon and proximal transverse colon. The patient showed deterioration of vital sign, and therefore, emergency laparotomy was performed. Colon perforation by wooden toothpick was diagnosed. Discussion and conclusion: Toothpick ingestion without awareness is rare but fatal, especially when physicians failed to suspect foreign body ingestion. We think of this as one of the differential diagnoses, so we use contrast computed tomography scan.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma associated with Zalophus californianus papillomavirus 1 in a California sea lion
Authors: Luff Jennifer A. , Burns Rachel E. , Mader Michelle , Priest Kara D. , Tuttle Allison D.
Published: April 2018

Papillomaviruses (PVs) are found in many species and infect epithelial cells at both mucosal and cutaneous sites. PVs are generally species-specific and cause benign epithelial proliferations, often forming papillomas or plaques. Rarely, these infections can persist, allowing progression to in situ and invasive cancers. We describe herein a case of multiple cutaneous pigmented plaques from a California sea lion ( Zalophus californianus) that progressed to in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The lesions were characterized by epithelial hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, and hypergranulosis that bordered more dysplastic areas, and, at one site, bordered an invasive SCC. Immunohistochemistry for papillomavirus antigen revealed strong nuclear immunoreactivity within keratinocytes in the hyperplastic epidermis. PCR was performed using degenerate and specific primers to detect papillomavirus DNA. Specific primers were used to amplify Zalophus californianus papillomavirus 1 (ZcPV-1), the only sea lion papillomavirus known to date. We detected ZcPV-1 DNA within the pigmented plaque, and in both in situ and invasive SCC samples.
Evolving morphology automatically reformulates the problem of designing modular control
Authors: Bernatskiy Anton , Bongard Josh
Published: April 2018

Modularity is a system property of many natural and artificial adaptive systems. Evolutionary algorithms designed to produce modular solutions have increased convergence rates and improved generalization ability; however, their performance can be impacted if the task is inherently nonmodular. Previously, we have shown that some design variables can influence whether the task on the remaining variables is inherently modular. We investigate the possibility of exploiting that dependence to simplify optimization and arrive at a general design pattern that we use to show that evolutionary search can seek such modularity-inducing design variable values, thus easing subsequent search for highly fit, modular organization within the remaining design variables. We investigate this approach with embodied agents in which evolutionary discovery of morphology enables subsequent discovery of highly fit, modular controllers and show that it benefits from biasing search toward modular controllers and setting the mutation rate for control policies higher than that for morphology. This work also reinforces our previous finding that the relationship between modularity and evolvability that is well-studied in nonembodied systems can, under certain conditions, be generalized to include embodied systems as well and provides a practical approach to satisfying the conditions in question.
Thrombin-Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor Polymorphisms and Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Mexican Mestizo Patients
Authors: Arauz Antonio , Argüelles Nayelli , Jara Aurelio , Guerrero Jorge , Barboza Miguel A.
Published: April 2018

Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) gene polymorphisms have been proposed as a predisposing factor for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). We analyzed the association between CVT and TAFI single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs3742264, rs2146881, and rs1926447) compared to healthy controls. Mexico Mestizo confirmed cases with CVT and age- and sex-matched controls with no history of venous thrombotic events were recruited from July 2006 to July 2015. Demographic, clinical, and imaging information was included in the analysis. Genotyping single-nucleotide polymorphisms were performed by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. Allelic univariate analysis, haplotype association, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were assessed. A total of 113 CVT cases (94 females [83.2%]; median age 35 years [interquartile range 27-43 years]) and 134 age- and sex-matched controls were included. The main risk factors for CVT were pregnancy/puerperium (30.9%), oral contraceptive use (19.5%), and hereditary thrombophilia (7.1%). We found no significant association for heterozygous and homozygous models for rs3742264 ( P = .30 and P = .69, respectively), rs2146881 ( P = .90 and P = .17, respectively), or rs1926447 ( P = .40 and P = .52, respectively) compared to controls; these findings were consistent in subgroup and haplotype analyses. In conclusion, TAFI rs3742264, rs2146881, and rs1926447 polymorphisms do not increase the risk of CVT in comparison to healthy controls.
Rural Incarcerated Women: HIV/HCV Knowledge and Correlates of Risky Behavior
Authors: Peteet Bridgette , Staton Michele , Miller-Roenigk Brittany , Carle Adam , Oser Carrie
Published: April 2018

Rural incarcerated women have an increased risk of acquiring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) due to prevalent engagement in drug use and sexual behaviors. Limited research has investigated HIV and HCV knowledge in this high-risk population. Furthermore, the interplay of sociodemographic factors (i.e., education, age, income, and sexual orientation) and risky behavior is understudied in this population. The present study evaluated a sample of adult, predominately White women from rural Kentucky ( n = 387) who were recruited from local jails. The sample had high HIV and HCV knowledge but also reported extensive risk behaviors including 44% engaging in sex work and 75.5% reporting a history of drug injection. The results of multiple regression analysis for risky sexual behavior indicated that sexual minority women and those with less HIV knowledge were more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. The regression model identifying the significant correlates of risky drug behavior indicated that HIV knowledge, age, and income were negative correlates and that sexual minority women were more likely to engage in high-risk drug use. When HCV knowledge was added to the regression models already including HIV knowledge, the interaction was significant for drug risk. Interventions for rural imprisoned women should consider the varied impact of sociodemographic background and prioritize HIV education to more effectively deter risky sexual and drug behaviors.
CD133 Promotes Adhesion to the Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Niche
Authors: Roy Lynn , Bobbs Alexander , Sattler Rachel , Kurkewich Jeffrey L , Dausinas Paige B , Nallathamby Prakash , Cowden Dahl Karen D
Published: April 2018

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are an attractive therapeutic target due to their predicted role in both metastasis and chemoresistance. One of the most commonly agreed on markers for ovarian CSCs is the cell surface protein CD133. CD133+ ovarian CSCs have increased tumorigenicity, resistance to chemotherapy, and increased metastasis. Therefore, we were interested in defining how CD133 is regulated and whether it has a role in tumor metastasis. Previously we found that overexpression of the transcription factor, ARID3B, increased the expression of PROM1 (CD133 gene) in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in xenograft tumors. We report that ARID3B directly regulates PROM1 expression. Importantly, in a xenograft mouse model of ovarian cancer, knockdown of PROM1 in cells expressing exogenous ARID3B resulted in increased survival time compared with cells expressing ARID3B and a control short hairpin RNA. This indicated that ARID3B regulation of PROM1 is critical for tumor growth. Moreover, we hypothesized that CD133 may affect metastatic spread. Given that the peritoneal mesothelium is a major site of ovarian cancer metastasis, we explored the role of PROM1 in mesothelial attachment. PROM1 expression increased adhesion to mesothelium in vitro and ex vivo. Collectively, our work demonstrates that ARID3B regulates PROM1 adhesion to the ovarian cancer metastatic niche.
ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS 2017: Closing in on neurorepair in progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kremer David , Küry Patrick , Hartung Hans-Peter
Published: April 2018

Background:

While there is now a multitude of potent medications for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), effective therapies targeting neurodegeneration in progressive multiple sclerosis types are still lacking. Stimulation of neurorepair in this disease remains a pathogenetically defined treatment goal. However, therapeutic progress is slowed by the still inadequate tool set to capture “regeneration/repair” in MS and to define appropriate outcomes in clinical trials.

Objectives:

In this review, we discuss studies investigating promising regenerative agents for progressive MS which were recently presented during the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS)/Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) 2017 meeting in Paris.
Discursive narratives of comprehensive education politics in Finland
Authors: Kosunen Sonja , Hansen Petteri
Published: April 2018

In recent years Finnish comprehensive education has often been discussed in both, academic and public forums, in terms of its relatively high learning outcomes and perceived efficiency. Yet what has often been lacking in cross-country comparisons is a critical socio-historical analysis of contingent nation-specific events and features as well as an in-depth analysis of Finnish education politics as constantly changing dynamic system. We analyze and reconstruct the discursive narrative of Finnish comprehensive education within a socio-historical framework. The material consists of interviews with the establishment of Finnish education: politicians, leading policy-makers and stakeholders, and established scholars (n=9). Three periods were recognized and reconstructed in the analysis: 1) The pre-comprehensive school period, 2) a steady development culminating in the crisis of the 1990s, and 3) the PISA results, which in the narrative led to international success and national gridlock. The crucial changes relate to changes in audiences (performing game). Two key findings emerge from this discursive narrative analyses: the role of the PISA reports as a turning point for the basic education politics in Finland and how this turn led to a discussion of comprehensive school as a kind of success story.
National identity and distrust in the police: The case of North West Wales
Authors: Machura Stefan , Jones Stephanie OP , Würgler Alexandra , Cuthbertson Joanna , Hemmings Alannah
Published: April 2018

Trust in the police, as defined by perceived procedural fairness, just decisions and effectivity, may be impacted by deep political divisions among the population, especially where citizens adopt opposing national identities. In Europe, North West Wales is one such area. Nationalism is intensified by language issues (Welsh vs. English) and historical experiences of UK institutions. A sample of 207 residents living within the local authority of Gwynedd were asked to take part in the study. A questionnaire survey addressed how much trust in the police ultimately depends upon national identity as expressed by preference for the Welsh language, trust in UK institutions and attitudes towards political symbols. Other factors tested included personal experience of the police, the influence of news reports and police TV series, as well as the perceived effectiveness of the police in addressing crime. Trust in UK institutions, preference for the Welsh language and news reporting were found to have most influence on trust in the police.
Childhood Sexual Violence in Indonesia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rumble Lauren , Febrianto Ryan Fajar , Larasati Melania Niken , Hamilton Carolyn , Mathews Ben , Dunne Michael P.
Published: April 2018

There has been relatively little research into the prevalence of childhood sexual violence (CSV) as well as the risk and protective factors for CSV in low- and middle-income countries including Indonesia. Systematic searches conducted in English and Bahasa Indonesia in this review identified 594 records published between 2006 and 2016 in peer-reviewed journals and other literature including 299 Indonesian records. Fifteen studies, including nine prevalence studies, met the quality appraisal criteria developed for this review. The review found that CSV research is scarce: Only one study included nationally representative prevalence estimates. Varying definitions for CSV, survey methods, and sample characteristics limited the generalizability of the data. The available evidence points to significant risk of sexual violence affecting both girls and boys across many geographical and institutional settings. Married adolescent girls are vulnerable to sexual violence by partners in their homes. Children in schools are vulnerable to CSV by peers and adults. Victims seldom disclose incidents and rarely seek support. In addition, early childhood experiences of trauma were strongly associated with later perpetration of sexual violence and revictimization. Limited information is available about protective factors. This review synthesizes evidence about what is currently known about CSV in Indonesia and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the existing research. A more robust evidence base regarding CSV is required to better inform policy and justify investment into prevention programs.
Distributed multiple model extended information filter with unbiased mixing for satellite launch vehicle tracking
Authors: Song Haryong , Choi Yongtae
Published: April 2018

A distributed extended information filter-based interacting multiple model estimator with unbiased mixing is proposed for satellite launch vehicle tracking. In this problem, multiple heterogeneous sensors such as radars, telemetry systems receiving onboard Global Positioning System—inertial navigation system data, and electro-optical targeting systems are used. The extended information filter is used for nonlinear estimation dealing with ballistic model and spherical coordinate observation. The multiple Markov switching models comprise thrusting and coasting modes having different state vector dimensions for the launch vehicle. To effectively combine both state vectors, an unbiased mixing technique is applied and then the distributed extended information filter integrates local states and information matrix contributions. Hence, the proposed algorithm takes into account both heterogeneity of tracking sensors and multiplicity of vehicle’s dynamic model. We prove the superiority of the proposed algorithm by conducting Monte Carlo simulation with nominal trajectory data of Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1. Comparative simulation results demonstrate that the performance of the proposed method has been improved in vehicle’s position root mean square error.
Data Monitoring Committees: Current issues
Authors: Fleming Thomas R , Ellenberg Susan S , DeMets David L
Published: April 2018

Maintaining confidentiality of emerging data and ensuring the independence of Data Monitoring Committees are best practices of considerable importance to the ability of these committees to achieve their mission of safeguarding the interests of study participants and enhancing the integrity and credibility of clinical trials. Even with the wide recognition of these principles, there are circumstances where confidentiality issues remain challenging, controversial or inconsistently addressed. First, consider settings where a clinical trial’s interim data could provide the evidence regulatory authorities require for decisions about marketing approval, yet where such a trial would be continued post-approval to provide more definitive evidence about principal safety and/or efficacy outcomes. In such settings, data informative about the longer term objectives of the trial should remain confidential until pre-specified criteria for trial completion have been met. Second, for those other than Data Monitoring Committee members, access to safety and efficacy outcomes during trial conduct, even when presented as data pooled across treatment arms, should be on a limited “need to know” basis relating to the ability to carry out ethical or scientific responsibilities in the conduct of the trial. Third, Data Monitoring Committee members should have access to unblinded efficacy and safety data throughout the trial to enable timely and informed judgments about risks and benefits. Fourth, it should be recognized that a mediator potentially could be useful in rare settings where the Data Monitoring Committee would have serious ethical or scientific concerns about the sponsor’s dissemination or lack of dissemination of information. Data Monitoring Committee Contract Agreements, Indemnification Agreements and Charters should be developed in a manner to protect Data Monitoring Committee members and their independence, in order to enhance the Data Monitoring Committee’s ability to effectively address their mission.
Which echocardiographic parameters improve the risk prediction for peri-operative outcomes in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery: a prospective study
Authors: Magne Julien , Serena Claire , Salerno Baptiste , Mohty Dania , Marsaud Jean-Philippe , Blossier Jean-David , Piccardo Alessandro , Cornu Elisabeth , Le Guyader Alexandre , Aboyans Victor
Published: April 2018

Objective:

To assess the performance of transthoracic echocardiographic parameters to predict operative mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, and to assess its incremental prognostic value as compared to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score.

Materials and methods:

We prospectively collected the clinical and biological data required to calculate the STS score in patients hospitalised for coronary artery bypass grafting. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography was performed for each patient. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality or major morbidity (i.e. stroke, renal failure, prolonged ventilation, deep sternal wound infection, reoperation) as defined by the STS. The secondary endpoint was prolonged hospitalisation for over 14 days.

Results:

A total of 172 patients was included (mean age 66.1±10.2 years, 12.2% were women). The primary endpoint occurred in 33 patients (19.2%), and 28 patients (16.3%) had a prolonged hospital stay. Independent predictive factors for the primary endpoint were an increased left atrial volume (>31 mL/m²; odds ratio (OR) 3.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38–9.12; P=0.004) and a decreased tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (<20 mm; OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.47–8.21; P=0.008). The predictive value of the multivariate model increased when the two echocardiographic parameters were added to the STS score (area under the curve 0.598 vs. 0.695, P=0.001; integrated discrimination improvement 7.44%).

Conclusion:

In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, preoperative assessment of left atrial size and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion should be performed systematically, as it provides additional prognostic information to the STS score.
Connecticut Professional School Counselors: College and Career Counseling Services and Smaller Ratios Benefit Students
Authors: Lapan Richard T. , Whitcomb Sara A. , Aleman Nancy M.
Published: April 2018

Results connect the implementation of the college and career counseling components of a comprehensive school counseling program and lower student-to-school-counselor ratios to a reduction in suspension rates and disciplinary incidents for Connecticut high school students. Principal ratings of college and career counseling services provided in their school extended benefits for students to include better attendance and graduation rates, as well as lower disciplinary incidents and suspension rates. This article highlights the importance of college and career counseling services and smaller ratios for promoting student success.
A National Survey of School Counselors’ Perceptions Of Multiracial Students
Authors: Harris Henry L.
Published: April 2018

A total of 1627 school counselors from all 50 states and the District of Columbia participated in a study designed to investigate their personal perceptions of multiracial individuals. Results indicated that school counselors held a wide variety of perceptions and those with 1 to 5 years of experience were more likely to believe that multiracial students experienced more academic and behavioral problems. Middle school counselors were more likely to believe that multiracial students have a more difficult time adjusting to society. School counselors who were unsure if cultural diversity and awareness programs were promoted in their school were also unsure if the physical appearance of multiracial students impacted how they racially identified themselves. Finally, school counselors in schools with a Very Diverse student body believed that multiracial students would experience fewer problems related to identity development if they lived in a diverse community. They also believed the problems experienced by multiracial students were related to identity conflicts.
School Counselor Use of Peer Nominations to Identify Victims of Bullying
Authors: Cornell Dewey , Huang Francis
Published: April 2018

This study examined the use of peer nominations to identify victims of bullying in a sample of 7,889 students (grades 3–12). The overwhelming majority reported positive responses to the survey process, which used a randomized design for online or paper administration. School counselors interviewed students who had three or more nominations and saw confirmed victims for follow-up. Although further study is needed, these results support school counselor use of peer nominations to identify victims of bullying.
Promoting Academic Engagement Among Immigrant Adolescents Through School-Family-Community Collaboration
Authors: Suárez-Orozco Carola , Onaga Marie , de Lardemelle Cécile
Published: April 2018

Schools are receiving students of immigrant origin in unprecedented numbers. Using an ecological framework, the authors reviewed the community, school, familial, and individual challenges that immigrant adolescent students encounter. They examined cognitive, relational, and behavioral dimensions of student engagement as well as culturally sensitive strategies for parental involvement. Varying academic trajectories were identified revealing that although some students performed at high or improving levels over time, others showed diminishing performance. The implications for school counselors’ roles in school-family-community collaboration and intervention and practice are discussed.
Empowered Youth Programs: Partnerships for Enhancing Postsecondary Outcomes of African American Adolescents
Authors: Bailey Deryl F. , Bradbury-Bailey Mary E.
Published: April 2018

With the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the educational community has the opportunity to ensure that underserved populations, such as students of color and poor students, receive the necessary educational support to achieve academic success. Relevant data from the Education Trust (1999, 2003, 2006) suggest a growing achievement gap between the academic performance of students of color and that of their White counterparts. This gap has led many educational communities to implement various strategies to close the achievement gap for these underserved populations. Family involvement has long been heralded as a key component for academic success and has moved to the forefront as educational communities explore ways to involve families in the educational experiences of their children (Gonzalez, 2002; Gonzalez-DeHass, Willems, & Holbein, 2005; Henderson, Mapp, Johnson, & Davies, 2007). This article reviews how academic enrichment programs, as part of the educational community, promote and support parental engagement to encourage academic success for all students.
Parent Perceptions of Barriers to Academic Success in a Rural Middle School
Authors: Griffin Dana , Galassi John P.
Published: April 2018

In focus groups, parents of both academically successful seventh-grade students and at-risk students (i.e., failing one or more classes, numerous behavioral referrals, and/or suspensions) in a rural middle school identified perceived barriers to student success as well as school and community resources for overcoming those barriers. Qualitative analysis of the data revealed six common barrier themes for the two groups and two additional themes for parents of academically at-risk students. The results are discussed with respect to the Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler model of parental involvement and the school counselor's role in school-family-community collaboration.
Financial Innovation and Institutional Voices in the Canadian Press: A Look at the Roaring 2000s
Authors: Boulanger Pier-Pascale , Gagnon Chantal
Published: April 2018

This corpus-assisted analysis examines seven Canadian newspapers from 2001 to 2008 in English and in French. It focuses on the speech that journalists reported when covering new financial instruments, namely collateralized debt obligations, credit default swaps, and asset-backed commercial paper. Eight years of news were surveyed with a concordancer and the data were analyzed using critical discourse analysis. The data show a wider range of voices in the English subcorpus when compared with the French. In both subcorpora, however, journalistic attitude was neutral and critical voices were deselected, while institutional voices such as those of banks were foregrounded. If polyphony is understood as the inclusion of an array of voices from the community, our study shows that the press was monophonic. Concurrently, our investigation of the Canadian press reveals that financial innovations were not covered until 2007, when credit derivatives started to falter.
Genetic and mechanistic diversity in pediatric hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Chinn Ivan K. , Eckstein Olive S. , Peckham-Gregory Erin C. , Goldberg Baruch R. , Forbes Lisa R. , Nicholas Sarah K. , Mace Emily M. , Vogel Tiphanie P. , Abhyankar Harshal A. , Diaz Maria I. , Heslop Helen E. , Krance Robert A. , Martinez Caridad A. , Nguyen Trung C. , Bashir Dalia A. , Goldman Jordana R. , Stray-Pedersen Asbjørg , Pedroza Luis A. , Poli M. Cecilia , Aldave-Becerra Juan C. , McGhee Sean A. , Al-Herz Waleed , Chamdin Aghiad , Coban-Akdemir Zeynep H. , Jhangiani Shalini N. , Muzny Donna M. , Cao Tram N. , Hong Diana N. , Gibbs Richard A. , Lupski James R. , Orange Jordan S. , McClain Kenneth L. , Allen Carl E.
Published: April 2018

Key Points

Whole-exome sequencing may identify specific therapeutic opportunities for patients with HLH. HLH should be conceptualized as a critical illness phenotype driven by toxic activation of immune cells from different underlying mechanisms.
Fragility Curves for Residential Masonry Chimneys
Authors: Maison Bruce , McDonald Brian
Published: April 2018

Chimney behavior is studied via computer simulations to quantify the effects of specific parameters, including chimney height above roof, masonry flexural tensile strength, chimney section dimensions, vertical steel reinforcement, and chimney-house anchorage strength. All of these parameters are found to affect performance. Damage functions are formulated relating peak ground acceleration to the likelihood of extensive chimney damage. The functions offer a practical way to inform fragility curves, thereby better reflecting an individual chimney as well as chimney inventories in regions of interest.
Do wild-caught urban house sparrows show desensitized stress responses to a novel stressor?
Authors: Salleh Hudin Noraine , Teyssier Aimeric , Aerts Johan , Fairhurst Graham D. , Strubbe Diederik , White Joël , De Neve Liesbeth , Lens Luc
Published: April 2018

While urbanisation exposes individuals to novel challenges, urban areas may also constitute stable environments in which seasonal fluctuations are buffered. Baseline and stress-induced plasma corticosterone levels are often found to be similar in urban and rural populations. Here we aimed to disentangle two possible mechanisms underlying such pattern: (i) urban environments are no more stressful or urban birds have a better ability to habituate to stressors; or (ii) urban birds developed desensitized stress responses. We exposed wild-caught urban and rural house sparrows (Passer domesticus) to combined captivity and diet treatments (urban vs rural diet) and measured corticosterone levels (cortf) both in natural tail feathers and in regrown homologous ones. Urban and rural house sparrows showed similar cortf levels in the wild and in response to novel stressors caused by the experiment, supporting the growing notion that urban environments are no more stressful during the non-breeding season than are rural ones. Still, juveniles and males originating from urban populations showed the highest cortf levels in regrown feathers. We did not find evidence that cortf was consistent within individuals across moults. Our study stresses the need for incorporating both intrinsic and environmental factors for the interpretation of variation in cortf between populations.
SIL1, the ER Hsp70 co-chaperone, plays a critical role in maintaining skeletal muscle proteostasis and physiology
Authors: Ichhaporia Viraj P. , Kim Jieun , Kavdia Kanisha , Vogel Peter , Horner Linda , Frase Sharon , Hendershot Linda M.
Published: April 2018

Mutations in SIL1, a co-factor for the endoplasmic reticular (ER) chaperone BiP, cause Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome (MSS), an autosomal recessive disorder. Using a mouse model, we characterized molecular aspects of the progressive myopathy associated with MSS. Proteomic-profiling of quadriceps at the onset of myopathy revealed that SIL1 deficiency affected multiple pathways critical to muscle physiology. We observed an increase in ER chaperones prior to the onset of muscle weakness, which was complemented by up-regulation of multiple components of cellular protein degradation pathways. These responses were inadequate to maintain normal expression of secretory pathway proteins, including Insulin and IGF-1 receptors. There was a paradoxical enhancement of downstream PI3K-AKT signaling and glucose uptake in SIL1-disrupted skeletal muscles, all of which were insufficient to maintain skeletal muscle mass. Together, these data reveal a disruption in ER homeostasis upon SIL1 loss, which is countered by multiple compensatory responses that are ultimately unsuccessful, leading to trans-organellar proteostasis collapse and myopathy.
Acute HSF1 depletion induces cellular senescence through the MDM2-p53-p21 pathway in human diploid fibroblasts
Authors: Oda Tsukasa , Sekimoto Takayuki , Kurashima Kiminori , Fujimoto Mitsuaki , Nakai Akira , Yamashita Takayuki
Published: April 2018

Heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) regulates the expression of a wide array of genes, controls the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) as well as cell growth. Although acute depletion of HSF1 induces cellular senescence, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we report that HSF1 depletion-induced senescence (HDIS) of human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) was independent of HSP-mediated proteostasis but dependent on activation of the p53-p21 pathway, partly because of the increased expression of dehydrogenase/reductase 2 (DHRS2), a putative MDM2 inhibitor. We observed that HDIS occurred without decreased levels of major HSPs or increased proteotoxic stress in HDFs. Additionally, VER155008, an inhibitor of HSP70 family proteins, increased proteotoxicity and suppressed cell growth but failed to induce senescence. Importantly, we found that activation of the p53-p21 pathway resulting from reduced MDM2-dependent p53 degradation was required for HDIS. Furthermore, we provide evidence that increased DHRS2 expression contributes to p53 stabilization and HDIS. Collectively, our observations uncovered a molecular pathway in which HSF1 depletion-induced DHRS2 expression leads to activation of the MDM2-p53-p21 pathway required for HDIS.
Fight, fatigue, and flight: narrowing of attention to a threat compensates for decreased anti-predator vigilance
Authors: Ota Kazutaka
Published: April 2018

Fighting carries predation risk because animals have limited attention, constraining their ability to simultaneously engage in aggression and anti-predator vigilance. However, the influence of interspecific aggression and fatigue on the predation cost of fighting is seldom examined, although both are unignorable aspects of fighting. Here, I incorporated both factors in a series of field experiments on the cichlid Lamprologus ocellatus. If territorial males respond more strongly to conspecific territorial intruders than heterospecific intruders, then they should delay escape more frequently during intraspecific fighting than interspecific fighting. Consequently, although I predict that vigilance would be decreased as fighting progresses in both fighting, intraspecific aggression should decrease vigilance more than interspecific aggression. Males were also exposed to a predator approaching at different (slow or fast) speeds during these fighting bouts. Delays in predator detection and flight initiation were quantified and these predictions were tested. As predicted, males were responded more strongly to intraspecific intruders, resulting in slower predator detection and fleeing times than when encountering interspecific intruders. Furthermore, flight latency decreased with increasing fight duration, suggesting that fatigue negatively influenced escape responses. However, contrary to prediction, the vigilance decrement rate was faster in response to slow predators than to rapid predators, and was not influenced by intruder identity. This suggests that fighting males reserve their attention for information critical to their survival and are less vigilant toward a less-threatening (slow approaching) predator. This cognitive allocation may be an adaptive compensation for fatigue-related low vigilance during fighting.
EIF2B2 mutations in vanishing white matter disease hypersuppress translation and delay recovery during the integrated stress response
Authors: Moon Stephanie L. , Parker Roy
Published: April 2018

Mutations in eIF2B genes cause vanishing white matter disease (VWMD), a fatal leukodystrophy that can manifest following physical trauma or illness, conditions that activate the integrated stress response (ISR). EIF2B is the guanine exchange factor for eIF2, facilitating ternary complex formation and translation initiation. During the ISR, eIF2α is phosphorylated and inhibits eIF2B, causing global translation suppression and stress-induced gene translation, allowing stress adaptation and recovery. We demonstrate that VWMD patient cells hypersuppress translation during the ISR caused by acute ER stress, delaying stress-induced gene expression and interrupting a negative feedback loop that allows translational recovery by GADD34-mediated dephosphorylation of phospho-eIF2α. Thus, cells from VWMD patients undergo a prolonged state of translational hyperrepression and fail to recover from stress. We demonstrate that small molecules targeting eIF2B or the eIF2α kinase PERK rescue translation defects in patient cells. Therefore, defects in the ISR could contribute to white matter loss in VWMD.
An overview of gambling disorder: from treatment approaches to risk factors
Authors: Menchon José M , Mestre-Bach Gemma , Steward Trevor , Fernández-Aranda Fernando , Jiménez-Murcia Susana
Published: April 2018

Gambling disorder (GD) has been reclassified recently into the “Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders” category of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), a landmark occurrence for a behavioral addiction. GD is characterized by recurrent, maladaptive gambling behavior that results in clinically significant distress. Although the number of randomized controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments is limited, some pharmacological treatments, notably opiate antagonists, have been employed in the treatment of GD. Patients with GD often present cognitive distortions and specific personality traits, making treatment more difficult. Cognitive behavioral therapy has become the most common psychological intervention for treating gambling problems, and it is effective in reducing gambling behavior. In this brief overview, we provide a report on the state of pharmacological and psychological treatments for gambling disorder. Risk factors and potential future lines of research are addressed.
Intraocular pressure elevation precedes a phagocytosis decline in a model of pigmentary glaucoma
Authors: Dang Yalong , Waxman Susannah , Wang Chao , Shah Priyal , Loewen Ralitsa T. , Loewen Nils A.
Published: April 2018

Background: Outflow regulation and phagocytosis are key functions of the trabecular meshwork (TM), but it is not clear how the two are related in secondary open angle glaucomas characterized by an increased particle load. We hypothesized that diminished TM phagocytosis is not the primary cause of early ocular hypertension and recreated pigment dispersion in a porcine ex vivo model.

Methods: Sixteen porcine anterior chamber cultures received a continuous infusion of pigment granules (Pg), while 16 additional anterior chambers served as controls (C). Pressure transducers recorded the intraocular pressure (IOP). The phagocytic capacity of the trabecular meshwork was determined by fluorescent microspheres.

Results: The baseline IOPs in Pg and C were similar (P=0.82). A significant IOP elevation occurred in Pg at 48, 120, and 180 hours (all P<0.01, compared to baseline). The pigment did not cause a reduction in TM phagocytosis at 48 hours when the earliest IOP elevation occurred, but at 120 hours onward (P=0.001 compared to C). This reduction did not result in an additional IOP increase at 120 or 180 hours compared to the first IOP elevation at 48 hours (P>0.05).

Conclusions: In this porcine model of pigmentary glaucoma, an IOP elevation occurs much earlier than when phagocytosis fails, suggesting that two separate mechanisms might be at work.
Consumer Choice and Market Outcomes Under Ambiguity in Product Quality
Authors: Yoo Onesun Steve , Sarin Rakesh
Published: April 2018

Facing purchase choice involving ambiguity in product quality, consumers behave in a boundedly rational manner. Consumers also exhibit varying degrees of predisposition toward a product. We present a simple model of boundedly rational choice under ambiguity. The model’s key feature is that it captures the interaction between predisposition and ambiguity. We build on the choice model to derive demand curves and the unique equilibrium market outcomes (regarding prices, profits, and market shares) under duopolistic competition. In equilibrium, market shares are proportional to prices. In symmetric competition, higher equilibrium prices obtain when the ambiguity in product quality is high or when the customer base is partisan. For vertically differentiated products, the strategy of a higher-quality firm to marginally reduce ambiguity depends on the ambiguity level inherent in the product–market environment. The presence of informed customers may increase the equilibrium prices and profits of both firms. An understanding of the predisposition–ambiguity interaction may improve the firm’s information and brand management strategy.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2017.1069 .
Assessing Uncertainty from Point Forecasts
Authors: Gaba Anil , Popescu Dana G. , Chen Zhi
Published: April 2018

The paper develops a model for combining point forecasts into a predictive distribution for a variable of interest. Our approach allows for point forecasts to be correlated and admits uncertainty on the distribution parameters given the forecasts. Further, it provides an easy way to compute an augmentation factor needed to equate the dispersion of the point forecasts to that of the predictive distribution, which depends on the correlation between the point forecasts and on the number of forecasts. We show that ignoring dependence or parameter uncertainty can lead to assuming an unrealistically narrow predictive distribution. We further illustrate the implications in a newsvendor context, where our model leads to an order quantity that has higher variance but is biased in the less costly direction, and generates an increase in expected profit relative to other methods.

The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2936 .

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
Displaced femoral neck fractures in patients 60 years of age or younger: results of internal fixation with the dynamic locking blade plate
Authors: Kalsbeek J. H. , van Walsum A. D. P. , Vroemen J. P. A. M. , Janzing H. M. J. , Winkelhorst J. T. , Bertelink B. P. , Roerdink W. H.
Published: April 2018

Aims

The objective of this study was to investigate bone healing after internal fixation of displaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs) with the Dynamic Locking Blade Plate (DLBP) in a young patient population treated by various orthopaedic (trauma) surgeons.

Patients and Methods

We present a multicentre prospective case series with a follow-up of one year. All patients aged ≤ 60 years with a displaced FNF treated with the DLBP between 1st August 2010 and December 2014 were included. Patients with pathological fractures, concomitant fractures of the lower limb, symptomatic arthritis, local infection or inflammation, inadequate local tissue coverage, or any mental or neuromuscular disorder were excluded. Primary outcome measure was failure in fracture healing due to nonunion, avascular necrosis, or implant failure requiring revision surgery.

Results

In total, 106 consecutive patients (mean age 52 years, range 23 to 60; 46% (49/106) female) were included. The failure rate was 14 of 106 patients (13.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.1 to 19.9). Avascular necrosis occurred in 11 patients (10.4%), nonunion in six (5.6%), and loss of fixation in two (1.9%).

Conclusion

The rate of fracture healing after DLBP fixation of displaced femoral neck fracture in young patients is promising and warrants further investigation by a randomized trial to compare the performance against other contemporary methods of fixation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:443–9.