bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of ethnic diversity on collective efficacy in Australia
Authors: Benier Kathryn , Wickes Rebecca
Published: September 2015

Ethnic diversity is portrayed in the literature as a threat to a community’s ability to regulate the behaviour of its members. While there is no shortage of studies examining the effects of ethnic diversity on the social processes important for crime control, findings are inconclusive across national contexts. Further, definitional issues associated with ‘ethnicity’ make cross-cultural comparisons difficult. Using Australian Community Capacity Study survey data from 4091 respondents in 147 Brisbane suburbs, combined with census and police incident data, multivariate regression techniques are utilised to determine the extent to which ethnic diversity influences collective efficacy once we control for other known correlates; and which aspect of diversity ‘matters most’ to levels of collective efficacy. Specifically, we consider the relationship between the diversity or concentration of language, religion and country of birth and collective efficacy. Results indicate that the presence of language diversity and indigeneity in the community are most detrimental to collective efficacy.
Lower-track students’ sense of academic futility: Selection or effect?
Authors: Van Houtte Mieke
Published: September 2015

Given the importance of students’ judgement of the future rewarding character of studying for their willingness to deliver effort at school, we propose the concept of sense of academic futility to understand track differences in achievement. As research is inconclusive in this matter, this study examines whether negative attitudes such as sense of futility follow from track enrolment. Based on new and unique Flemish data of 4500 first grade secondary school students clustered in 119 tracks in 57 schools, gathered in 2012 and 2014, this study shows by means of multilevel analysis (HLM7) that students’ higher sense of academic futility in technical and vocational tracks versus academic tracks exists irrespective of background features and prior feelings of futility. Furthermore, it suggests a higher increment in sense of futility in vocational tracks compared with academic tracks, establishing the usefulness of this concept for tracking research.
Academic work/life balance: A brief quantitative analysis of the Australian experience
Authors: Cannizzo Fabian , Osbaldiston Nick
Published: September 2015

In this article, we explore the discourse of work/life balance and how academics experience and understand it. Using survey data from research conducted in 2014, the article argues that the concept of ‘life’ within the dichotomy of work/life has often assumed characteristics. While we find in our survey work that academics are indeed working longer hours and often sacrificing leisure time for outputs such as publications, it is still widely unknown how academics understand ‘life’ in relation to their occupation/vocation. Our data indicates further that pressures on academics to establish their credentials through quantifiable data (such as publication statistics) causes notions of work/life balance to become porous, with many academics reporting working from home and in ‘non-labour time’ such as the weekend. Despite these results, we argue that a more nuanced account of work/life balance needs to be attained for the discussion to proceed further.
Architectural design studio on sustainable tourism alternatives in the San Antonio Missions Historic District
Authors: Doganer Sedef
Published: September 2015

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. San Antonio is one of the Texas’ top tourist cities and a major tourism destination nationally. The city has a rich and unique historic urban landscape characterized by its river with its famous “Riverwalk,” historic neighborhoods, and major landmarks such as San Antonio Franciscan Missions which are on the U.S. “tentative list” as possible UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Local government has completed a multiyear project to restore and enhance 13 miles of the San Antonio River both north and south of downtown. It is expected that the river improvement project will reinforce the connection to the San Antonio Missions and encourage visitors to circulate along the river beyond the downtown area. Master of Architecture students of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) explored the sustainable tourism alternatives in the Mission Historic District in the spring semesters of 2012 and 2013. The Advanced Design Studio (ARC 6136) focused on research-based exploration and application of advanced design theory relative to alternative tourism. This course discussed the relationships between the design of architecture, tourist city, and the alternative practices of tourism. Students investigated the tourism potentials in the District such as sustainable tourism, rural tourism, recreational tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and culinary tourism, and develop master plans for the selected sites. Students were expected to plan, program, and design the proposed tourism activities and tourist spaces on both urban and building scales. This paper focuses specifically on culinary tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and rural tourism, and discusses how to enhance the attractiveness of the destination for visitors and residents; expand the tourism activities offered; and provide maximum efficiency in the economical, historical, social, and cultural dimensions of tourism through sustainable development practices and proposed design projects.
Natural and accelerated ageing of LED lamps
Authors: Baumgartner H , Renoux D , Kärhä P , Poikonen T , Pulli T , Ikonen E
Published: September 2015

Five different types of LED lamps were aged for 35 months at room temperature and for six months at the temperatures of 45℃ and 60℃. The lifetimes for the lamps were predicted from the luminous flux measurement results. The long-term tests show that early predictions of lifetime can be pessimistic. The results at higher temperatures show that ageing can be accelerated by modest heating. On the average, heating to 45℃ reduced the lifetime by a factor of 1.35 and heating to 60℃ by a factor of 2.36. An alternative accelerated method to test and analyse ageing is proposed. During the ageing of 35 months, the changes in correlated colour temperatures were smaller than 4.3%.
A Summary of the Communication and Literacy Evidence-Based Practices for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Visually Impaired, and Deafblind
Authors: Luckner John L. , Bruce Susan M. , Ferrell Kay Alicyn
Published: September 2015

The Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform (CEEDAR) Center at the University of Florida ( http://ceedar.education.ufl.edu/ ) is a national technical assistance center dedicated to supporting states in their efforts to develop teachers and leaders who can successfully prepare students with disabilities to achieve college and career-ready standards. One of the objectives of the project is to organize and synthesize the literature on evidence-based practices for students with disabilities. The purpose of this article is to share a summary of the evidence-based practices in the areas of communication and literacy for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired, or deafblind, as well as recommendations for service providers and researchers.
Prevalence and Correlates of Lower-Extremity Amputation in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcer in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Wang Dong D. , Jamjoom Reda A. , Alzahrani Anas H. , Hu Frank B. , Alzahrani Hasan A.
Published: September 2015

This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and correlates of lower-extremity amputation (LEA) in a Saudi population with diabetic foot ulcer. The study population consisted of 91 participants, with a median age of 55.0 years. Biomarkers were measured following standard protocols. Local symptoms of foot ulcer, including peripheral neuropathy (PN), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and foot infection were diagnosed by standard objective diagnostic tools or diagnosed clinically by a specialized surgeon. The severity of foot ulcer was classified according to the Wagner wound classification system. The prevalence of LEA was 29.7% in this population. The odds ratio for LEA comparing extreme tertiles was 2.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.70-8.45; P for trend = .03) for ulcer size and 0.22 (95% CI = 0.06-0.87; P for trend = .03) for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels were each positively associated with odds of LEA, but the associations became nonsignificant in multivariable models. Participants with foot infection showed a significantly higher adjusted prevalence of LEA (40.7%, 95% CI = 27.1%-54.3%) compared with those without foot infections (19.3%, 95% CI = 6.0%-32.4%, P = .03). Participants with Wagner grade ≥3 presented a significantly higher prevalence (40.5%, 95% CI = 27.8%-53.2%) than those with Wagner grade of 1 or 2 (16.4%, 95% CI = 2.4%-30.5%, P = .02). Participants with PN and PAD showed nonsignificantly higher prevalence of LEA. We found a relatively high prevalence of LEA as well as several clinical markers and local symptoms associated with LEA in this Saudi population with diabetic foot ulcer.
Revisiting the Yorkshire Ripper Murders
Authors: Wattis Louise
Published: September 2015

Between 1975 and 1980, 13 women, 7 of whom were sex workers, were murdered in the North of England. Aside from the femicide itself, the case was infamous for police failings, misogyny, and victim blaming. The article begins with a discussion of the serial murder of women as a gendered structural phenomenon within the wider context of violence, gender, and arbitrary justice. In support of this, the article revisits the above case to interrogate police reform in England and Wales in the wake of the murders, arguing that despite procedural reform, gendered cultural practices continue to shape justice outcomes for victims of gender violence. In addition, changes to prostitution policy are assessed to highlight how the historical and ongoing Othering and criminalization of street sex workers perpetuates the victimization of this marginalized group of women.
The quest for truth: The use of discursive and rhetorical resources in newspaper coverage of the (mis)treatment of young Swedish gymnasts
Authors: Stier Jonas , Blomberg Helena
Published: September 2015

In 2012, the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter (DN) published a series of articles criticising Swedish national level gymnastics for being abusive. This text analyses the subsequent debate by identifying the discursive and rhetorical resources used by the involved parties. The analysis shows how the parties negotiate accountability, manage dilemmas of stake and what the possible social consequences of these are. Five narratives are singled out in the debate: the counter narrative, the victim narrative, the defence-speech narrative, the expert narrative and the ‘not-us-narrative’. In these narratives, the involved parties used rhetorical resources to account for reality. Hence, the gymnastics community, the research community, individuals and journalists are all portrayed as actors co-producing a social problem.
Skin involvement in Dupuytren’s disease
Authors: Wade R. , Igali L. , Figus A.
Published: September 2015

Whether the palmar skin has a role in the development, propagation or recurrence of Dupuytren’s disease remains unclear. Clinical assessment for skin involvement is difficult and its correlation with histology uncertain. We prospectively biopsied the palmar skin of consecutive patients undergoing single digit fasciectomy (for primary Dupuytren’s disease without clinically involved skin) and dermofasciectomy (for clinically involved skin or recurrence) in order to investigate this relationship. We found dermal fibromatosis in 22 of 44 patients (50%) undergoing fasciectomy and 41 of 59 patients (70%) undergoing dermofasciectomy. Dermal fibromatosis appeared to be associated with greater preoperative angular deformity, presence of palmar nodules and occupations involving manual labour. Dermal fibromatosis exists in the absence of clinical features of skin involvement and we hypothesize that the skin may have a greater role in the development and propagation of Dupuytren’s disease than previously thought.

Level of evidence: III
Biomechanical analysis of spasticity treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Wininger Michael , Craelius William , Settle Jill , Robinson Stephanie , Isaac Bobbi , Maloni Heidi , Moradi Minoosh , Newby Nicki Ann , Wallin Mitchell
Published: September 2015

Objectives:

New metrics for clinical spasticity are needed to assess motor performance, since scales such as the Ashworth and Tardieu are unreliable. Here, we assessed outcomes of baclofen treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using biomechanical analysis of voluntary movements.

Methods:

Patients with MS and symptomatic limb spasticity were recruited for a pre–post baclofen titration study, along with age-matched healthy controls. Oral baclofen was titrated to optimize spasticity symptoms in all MS cases over 4 weeks. Clinical assessments included the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Tardieu Scale (TS); elbow kinematics were measured via the Transient Acceleration Measurement Interface (TAMI); performance was measured as the score at 4 weeks minus the baseline score in all measures. Movement proficiency within TAMI was quantified through a scale-free smoothness measure, according to the regional excursion deviation (RED) from a constant-velocity approximant.

Results:

Twelve patients with MS [age: 47.8 ± 9.8 years; women: 4; disease duration: 20 ± 10 years; disease-modifying therapy use: 7; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): 6.8 ± 1.4] and eight age-matched healthy controls were evaluated concurrently (mean age: 49.5 ± 13.1 years; women = 3). In MS cases, no significant improvement in arm spasticity was observed with main effects: MAS: −41.6 ± 72.6 ( p = 0.09); EDSS: −1.6 ± 10.4% ( p = 0.49); and TS: −8.3 ± 2.1% ( p = 0.32), −24.9 ± 63.6% ( p = 0.42), and −30.7 ± 79.9% ( p = 0.06), at slow, moderate, and fast speeds, respectively. However, voluntary motion smoothness, as measured by TAMI: RED, decreased significantly: 0.62 ± 0.08 versus 0.54 ± 0.09, p < 0.001, indicating significant increase in movement smoothness post treatment.

Conclusion:

A simple biomechanical analysis of voluntary movements revealed a significant reduction of spasticity after 30 days of baclofen therapy in patients with MS that was not detected by clinical assessments.
Fundus Autofluorescence Captured With a Nonmydriatic Retinal Camera in Vegetarians Versus Nonvegetarians
Authors: Kommana Sumana S. , Padgaonkar Pooja , Mendez Nicole , Wu Lesley , Szirth Bernard , Khouri Albert S.
Published: September 2015

Background:

A baseline level of lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is inevitable with age, but increased levels due to increased oxidative stress can result in deleterious vision loss at older ages. As earlier detection of differences in levels can lead to superior preventative management, we studied the relationship between lipofuscin accumulation and dietary lifestyle (vegetarian vs. nonvegetarian) in the younger, healthy South Asian population using retinal fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging.

Methods:

In this pilot study, we examined 37 healthy subjects (average age 23 years ± 1) all undergoing similar stress levels as medical students at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Levels of lipofuscin concentrations were imaged using a FAF retinal camera (Canon CX-1). Two images (color and FAF) were captured of the left eye and included in the analysis. FAF quantitative scoring was measured in 2 regions of the captured image, the papillo-macular region (P) and the macula (M), by determining the grayscale score of a 35.5 mm2 rectangle in the respective regions. Standardized scores (corrected to remove baseline fluorescence) were then obtained. Means, standard deviations, and t tests were performed for comparisons.

Results:

Fundus autofluorescence scores of regions P and M were significantly different ( P < .05) between groups. Region P was further standardized and results remained significant.

Conclusions:

Our preliminary results show that in this cohort, vegetarians had statistically significant lower levels of autofluorescence. These findings can have potential implications regarding long-term retinal health and risk for developing certain diseases over decades in subjects at risk for vision-threatening diseases.
Impact of Frequent and Persistent Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) on Hypoglycemia Fear, Frequency of Emergency Medical Treatment, and SMBG Frequency After One Year
Authors: Chamberlain James J. , Dopita Dana , Gilgen Emily , Neuman Annie
Published: September 2015

Background:

We assessed the impact of “almost daily” use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in adults with type 1 diabetes who had at least 1 year of CGM experience.

Methods:

In this single-center survey, we utilized a 16-item questionnaire to assess changes hypoglycemia fear, incidence of emergency medical treatment and utilization of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) before and after 1 year of CGM use. Participation was restricted to individuals who used the same brand of CGM system to avoid confounding responses due to differences between commercial devices. Participants were recruited on an “as-seen” basis from a major, urban internal medicine clinic and associated diabetes education center. The questionnaire was completed during the clinic visit. Responses to the survey were analyzed by standard descriptive statistics.

Results:

Seventy-four patients completed the survey: 42.9 years (range: 23-71 years), 38 (51%) female, 59 current insulin pump users. Most (84%) reported wearing their devices “almost daily” (n = 58) or 3 weeks per month (n = 4). “Almost daily” users reported an 86% reduction in incidence of emergency medical treatment events ( P = .0013) and >50% reduction in daily SMBG frequency ( P < .0001). Reductions in hypoglycemia fear were apparent but not statistically significant ( P = .7359).

Conclusions:

“Almost daily” use of CGM with the Dexcom G4 system reduced incidence of emergency treatment events and daily SMBG utilization among survey respondents and a trend toward reduced hypoglycemia fear. This may indicate cost savings in reduction of emergency medical intervention and likely improved quality of life without increasing safety concerns related to hypoglycemia.
Posterior tibial nerve stimulation in adults with overactive bladder syndrome: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Veeratterapillay R , Lavin V , Thorpe A , Harding C
Published: September 2015

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition that can significantly impact on a patient’s quality of life. Treatments include conservative methods (patient education, lifestyle modifications, bladder retraining), pharmacotherapy (anticholinergics and adrenoreceptor agonists), intravesical botulinum toxin A injections and surgical strategies (including neuromodulation, augmentation cystoplasty and urinary diversion). There has been increased interest in neuromodulation over recent years and accumulating evidence for percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS). We have reviewed the currently available clinical evidence in a systematic, reproducible fashion. PTNS has been shown in randomised controlled studies (against sham/placebo and against anticholinergics) to be safe and effective in treating OAB. Cost effectiveness analyses for PTNS have shown mixed results depending on the length of follow-up. PTNS is a useful adjunct to therapy in OAB for patients who have failed conservative and pharmacotherapy. Further research is required to define its place in the OAB treatment algorithm.
A chondrosarcoma in the anterior mediastinum mimicking a thymoma
Authors: Østergaard Mia L , Petersen Rene H , Kalhauge Anna
Published: September 2015

A chondrosarcoma in the anterior mediastinum is a rare finding with a relatively good prognosis. We describe a case of a 75-year-old man with a 2-year history of neck discomfort and weight loss. Imaging showed a homogenous tumor with a minor compression on the anterior part of the heart. It had close relation to the ribs, no surrounding fat, and a thymoma was suspected. Biopsy prior to surgery was impossible due to the location of the tumor. Unfortunately, final pathology from the surgical specimen revealed a chondrosarcoma.
Households Willingness to Pay for the Emissions Reduction Policy, Queensland, Australia
Authors: Williams Galina
Published: September 2015

This study examines households’ willingness to support the emissions reduction policy and their perceptions of climate change using an Internet survey of more than 1,000 households in Queensland, Australia. Respondents were asked for their willingness to pay (WTP) to support the emissions reduction target proposed by the Australian Government by paying extra on their electricity bills. The results can be summarized in four key findings. First, respondents’ WTP to support the emissions reduction target is higher if they perceive that climate change will result in high loss of biodiversity. Second, respondents were willing to support a higher emissions target than proposed by the Australian Government. Third, there is a correlation between respondents WTP to support the emissions reduction and their beliefs about climate change, its effect on standards of living, the environment, and future generations. Fourth, as the data show a high rate of zero responses, common for the contingent valuation method (CVM) used in the survey, the zero bids were further investigated using the non-parametric Turnbull model and the more recent spike model. The results showed that although there is some support for the emissions reduction policy, it is not sufficient for the policy to be successful.
Exploring the Role of Communication Competence in Abusive Supervision
Authors: Sager Kevin L. , Wallace Elizabeth A. , Jarrett Brian , Richey Jean A.
Published: September 2015

In this article, we propose and test a model of downward abusive communication. According to the model, a superior’s display of abusive communication toward his or her subordinates is caused by a lack of downward communicative adaptability. Superiors from various organizations completed an online survey, which measured their downward communicative adaptability and downward abusive communication. The results of a regression analysis provided support for the model. We conclude the article with a discussion of the practical and theoretical implications of our findings.
Attachment and Emotion Regulation Strategies in Predicting Adult Psychopathology
Authors: Pascuzzo Katherine , Moss Ellen , Cyr Chantal
Published: September 2015

This study tested a 10-year longitudinal model examining the role of adolescent attachment, adult romantic attachment, and emotion regulation strategies on adult symptoms of psychopathology. Fifty individuals completed a measure of attachment security to parents and peers at age 14, measures of romantic attachment and emotion regulation at age 22, and a measure of psychopathology at age 24. Results revealed that attachment insecurity to parents in adolescence was associated with greater symptoms of psychopathology in adulthood, and emotion-focused strategies partially mediated this association. Anxious romantic attachment was also related to psychopathology, an association that was fully mediated by emotion-focused strategies. The long-term mechanism involved in the association between earlier attachment and future adaptation will be discussed.
National Cultures on European Corporate Homepages in English: A Linguistic Analysis
Authors: Cucchi Costanza
Published: September 2015

The aim of the study is to discover linguistic features that may be related to national differences on European corporate websites where English is used as a lingua franca. The methodology used is qualitative and corporate homepages are taken as units of analysis. European cheese companies are chosen due to the links between food and national identity and to the importance of the cheese sector in Europe. Four European countries—Austria, Denmark, Poland, and Portugal—are selected in order to represent different national cultures within three different geographic areas, namely Northern, Central, and Southern Europe. Findings reveal, first, significant differences in the kind of information provided and in the linguistic features used and, second, that a number of differences can be explained with reference to Hall’s and Hofstede’s cultural models. The study shows that linguistic research can contribute considerably to marketing studies, by identifying linguistic markers that could be associated with cultural dimensions and by illustrating how they interact in actual website texts.
Gendered Activism
Authors: Dodson Kyle
Published: September 2015

Despite an established tradition of comparative research that focuses on gender differences in the amount of protest, relatively little cross-national research examines gender differences in the kinds of protest. This study examines gender differences in types of protest using data from seven advanced capitalist democracies in the 1994–2004 waves of the World Values Surveys. Multinomial logistic regression models indicate that while men and women have similar levels of protest activity, there are gender differences in the forms of protest in which they participate. Specifically, women are more likely than men to engage in nonconfrontational activities. By contrast, men are more likely to be involved with forms of activism that involve confrontational activities. The results also suggest gender ideology plays a crucial role in creating the conditions that foster gendered forms of activism. In egalitarian contexts, women are more likely than men to participate in a wide array of protest activities. Evidence of gendered activism reinforces the argument that gender organizes protest politics in ways that undermine political equality.
Born abroad and educated here: examining the impacts of education and skill mismatch among immigrant graduates in Europe
Authors: McGuinness Seamus , Byrne Delma
Published: September 2015

This paper examines the wage and job satisfaction effects of over-education and overskilling among migrants graduating from EU-15 based universities in 2005. Female migrants with shorter durations of domicile were found to have a higher likelihood of overskilling. Newly arrived migrants incurred wage penalties which were exacerbated by additional penalties resulting from overskilling in the male labour market and overeducation in the female labour market. Established migrants were found to enjoy wage premia, with no evidence of disproportionate wage impacts arising as a consequence of mismatch. Female migrants were found to have a lower probability of being job satisfied.
The role of peri-traumatic stress and disruption distress in predicting post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following exposure to a natural disaster
Authors: Boden Joseph M. , Fergusson David M. , Horwood L. John , Mulder Roger T.
Published: September 2015

Background

Few studies have examined the contribution of specific disaster-related experiences to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Aims

To examine the roles of peri-traumatic stress and distress due to lingering disaster-related disruption in explaining linkages between disaster exposure and PTSD symptoms among a cohort exposed to the 2010–2011 Canterbury (New Zealand) earthquakes.

Method

Structural equation models were fitted to data obtained from the Christchurch Health and Development Study at age 35 (n=495), 20–24 months following the onset of the disaster. Measures included: earthquake exposure, peri-traumatic stress, disruption distress and PTSD symptoms.

Results

The associations between earthquake exposure and PTSD symptoms were explained largely by the experience of peri-traumatic stress during the earthquakes (β=0.189,P<0.0001) and disruption distress following the earthquakes (β=0.105,P<0.0001).

Conclusions

The results suggest the importance of minimising post-event disruption distress following exposure to a natural disaster.
Differential effects of ribosomal proteins and Mg2+ ions on a conformational switch during 30S ribosome 5′-domain assembly
Authors: Abeysirigunawardena Sanjaya C. , Woodson Sarah A.
Published: September 2015

Ribosomal protein S4 nucleates assembly of the 30S ribosome 5′ and central domains, which is crucial for the survival of cells. Protein S4 changes the structure of its 16S rRNA binding site, passing through a non-native intermediate complex before forming native S4-rRNA contacts. Ensemble FRET was used to measure the thermodynamic stability of non-native and native S4 complexes in the presence of Mg2+ ions and other 5′-domain proteins. Equilibrium titrations of Cy3-labeled 5′-domain RNA with Cy5-labeled protein S4 showed that Mg2+ ions preferentially stabilize the native S4-rRNA complex. In contrast, ribosomal proteins S20 and S16 act by destabilizing the non-native S4-rRNA complex. The full cooperative switch to the native complex requires S4, S16, and S20 and is achieved to a lesser degree by S4 and S16. The resulting thermodynamic model for assembly of the 30S body illustrates how ribosomal proteins selectively bias the equilibrium between alternative rRNA conformations, increasing the cooperativity of rRNA folding beyond what can be achieved by Mg2+ ions alone.
Pre-surgery status determines inflammation levels post-elective surgery
Authors: Barman Pijus , Mukherjee Ratnadeep , Mohapatra Jatasankar , Ravindran Balachandran
Published: September 2015

In the present study we quantified a panel of systemic inflammation parameters in patients undergoing elective surgery with a view to evaluate pre-surgical inflammation status in relation to consequences post-surgery. The investigation revealed significantly decreased levels of plasma TNF-α, IL1-β, IL7, IL-8, MIP-1a and IL-1Ra in 79% of patients at 6 hrs post-surgery which have been designated by us a ‘hypo-responsive’ cases and the balance 21% of patients displayed significantly elevated levels of the above cytokines in plasma that have been designated a ‘hyper-responsive’ phenotype by us. Expression of HLA-DR, CD40, CD80, TLR-2, TLR-4 and CD36 on circulating monocytes as shown by multicolour flow-cytometry was significantly decreased post-surgery in hypo-responsive patients. Similarly, PBMCs of hypo-responsive cases responded very poorlyin vitrowhen stimulated with toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. There was an inverse association between levels of plasma inflammatory cytokines pre-surgery and hypo-responsive consequences post-surgery. Similarly, patients displaying the hyper-responsive phenotype were found to express very low levels of inflammatory cytokines pre-surgery. Taken together the current study offers two novel findings: a) a bimodal inflammatory response post-elective surgery viz., one major cohort displaying hypo-responsive state and another minor group  a hyper-responsive phenotype and b) pre-surgery inflammation status determining the direction of inflammation consequence post-surgery. These findings seem to offer laboratory tools for predicting onset of inflammation post-surgery – considering that SIRS and sepsis are consequences of surgery induced inflammation this study offers predictive indicators for clinical complications post-surgery.
Kondratiev Cycles in Norwegian Economy
Authors: Коржов  , Korzhov Vladimir
Published: September 2015

The article presents the results of studies of the formation and development of

the Kondratiev cycles in the Norwegian economy, which is one of the most

industrialized countries of the continent. At the beginning of the XXI century

Norway one of the three largest oil exporters in the world, along with Saudi

Arabia and Russia. The research operates The data on real per capita GDP

during 1830–2008. Economic-mathematical modeling revealed the stages of

Kondratiev cycles’ formation in the economy of Norway. The data showed that

Kondratievcycles can be observed in Norwegian economy during the formation

and development of post-industrial economy.
Family satisfaction with care on the ICU: essential lessons for all doctors
Authors: Paul Richard G , Finney Simon J
Published: September 2015

In the intensive care unit (ICU), satisfaction with the care of their loved one impacts upon family members' psychological morbidity and maybe the health of patients afterwards. Enhancing family satisfaction is holistic and may impact on health throughout the hospital and beyond.
Infantile haemangioma: their presentation and management
Authors: Chan Sue Ann , Goodyear Helen M
Published: September 2015

Haemangiomas are the commonest type of vascular tumour in infancy. This article summarizes the pathophysiology and classification of the subtypes as early identification of high-risk lesions is essential for consideration of treatment to prevent short- and long-term complications from the condition.
Anaesthesia for the changing obstetric population: challenges and solutions
Authors: Bell Suzanne
Published: September 2015

This article outlines the main challenges facing the obstetric anaesthetist as a result of the changing obstetric population and identifies some solutions which may help overcome such challenges in the future.
Práticas de controle gerencial em hospitais universitários federais
Authors: Espejo Márcia Maria dos Santos Bortolocci , Portulhak Henrique , Martins Daiana Bragueto
Published: September 2015

A pesquisa buscou investigar as práticas de controle gerencial utilizadas pelos hospitais universitários federais do Brasil, averiguando o porte como um fator explicativo do grau de adoção tais práticas. Questionário enviado aos 45 hospitais ativos foi construído com base nos estágios de desenvolvimento do controle gerencial apresentados pelo IFA. Empregou-se a técnica Analytic Hierarchy Process para análise dos dados, baseando-se nos escores atribuídos por Frezatti (2006; 2007) aos artefatos de controle gerencial. Nos treze hospitais analisados, verificou-se baixa aderência aos artefatos, sendo que dois informaram não utilizar qualquer ferramenta. O desenvolvimento do controle gerencial mostrou-se mais avançado em dois hospitais de grande porte. Tal diagnóstico pretende despertar nos gestores públicos a percepção sobre os benefícios que as tais práticas podem gerar para essas organizações, além de estimular a realização de pesquisas acadêmicas nesse tema, visto a necessidade de desenvolvimento administrativo nessas instituições.
Crescimento econômico e sua convergência no estado do Paraná
Authors: Raiher Augusta Pelinski
Published: September 2015

O objetivo deste trabalho é o de analisar se está tendo convergência de renda no Estado do Paraná – Brasil, entre o período de 1995 a 2009. Para isso, calcularam-se o ? e o ?-convergência. Este último foi analisado sob três óticas (convergência absoluta, condicional e em clube), todos estimados por dados em painel. Os resultados demonstraram uma tendência de diminuição das desigualdades no que se refere ao crescimento econômico ao longo de todo o Estado. Além disso, uma análise mais profunda demonstrou que não só de forma geral se está tendo uma tendência de convergência, mas é claramente identificada uma convergência entre regiões pertencentes a um mesmo grupo, regiões com taxas idênticas de investimento em capital físico, humano e populacional.
O papel dos valores nas escolhas de carreira de jovens discentes/trabalhadores
Authors: Alvarenga Marcelo Aparecido , Leite Nildes R. Pitombo
Published: September 2015

Esta pesquisa investigou o papel dos valores pessoais e organizacionais na escolha de carreira de jovens discentes/trabalhadores em fase de planejamento e início de carreira. Foram adotados abordagem qualitativa e método fenomenológico, cujos dados foram coletados por intermédio de uma survey de experiência ou exploratória, com utilização de relatos escritos e fotografias, e explorados por meio de um grupo focal. As estratégias para análise dos dados foram análise de conteúdo e leitura subversiva de fotografias. Ao analisar esses dados e compará-los aos dados teóricos, tornaram-se possíveis identificação e conciliação dos diferentes pontos de vista adotados pelos teóricos, permitindo também a compreensão do fenômeno decorrente da associação entre valores pessoais / valores organizacionais que podem interferir nesses processos e favorecer minimizações de possíveis problemas de ordem econômica e social. Resultados apontaram que valores pessoais e organizacionais interferem nesses processos de escolha, estabelecendo relações de complementaridade, congruência e unilateralidade entre esses valores.
Capital humano e sustentabilidade: uma proposta de abordagem multidisciplinar
Authors: Amorim Wilson Aparecido Costa de , Fischer Rosa Maria , Comini Graziella Maria , Rodrigues Juliana
Published: September 2015

O conceito de sustentabilidade, cunhado originalmente para definir uma filosofia ambientalista de preservação dos recursos naturais, expandiu sua capacidade explicativa tornando-se um construto de maior complexidade, que abrange, concomitantemente, ampla gama de componentes da vida social. A sustentabilidade passou a ser resignificada para diversos contextos que vão das políticas públicas, às ações empresariais e aos comportamentos das pessoas. Diferentes dimensões da vida econômica, ambiental e social com seus diversos atores, dentre estes as organizações complexas, estão integrados na busca pela perenidade da Vida. Nessa perspectiva, outro conceito que desponta com idêntica importância para a construção desse novo futuro comum da Humanidade (World Economic Forum, 2013) é a concepção de capital humano. Trata-se de um construto composto pelos saberes, talentos, e competências das pessoas, que se expressam no âmbito das organizações, as quais podem exercer um papel catalisador nessa mobilização por um mundo sustentável. O presente ensaio antevê a possibilidade de relacioná-los entre si, de modo a sustentar uma reflexão sobre as oportunidades de aperfeiçoar as estratégias de relacionamento das organizações, no sentido de assegurar que elas incorporem, concomitantemente, atributos de sustentabilidade e de valorização do capital humano.
Magnetic nanoparticles for magnetic drug targeting
Authors: Lyer Stefan , Singh Raminder , Tietze Rainer , Alexiou Christoph
Published: September 2015

Nanomedicine and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are thought to have an important impact on medicine in the future. Especially in cancer therapy, SPIONs offer the opportunity of improving the effectivity of the treatment and reduce side effects by magnetic accumulation of SPION-bound chemotherapeutics in the tumor area. Although still some challenges have to be overcome, before the new treatment concept of magnetic drug targeting will reach the patients, substantial progress has been made, and promising results were shown in the last years.
編纂與修訂詞典的大中華視野
Authors: 小琳 田 , 斐 李 , 毛朋 馬
Published: September 2015

在現代資訊時代, 編纂和修訂詞典須具有大中華視野。所謂大中華視野，即詞典應記錄、反映兩岸四地和海外華人社區的語言現象。我們受香港三聯書店委託, 將《現代漢語學習詞典》(商務印書館, 2010) 由簡體字版改為繁體字版。本文從語音、詞彙、語法、文字等方面歸納、總結了我們對原詞典所做的增補和刪減工作, 並對詞典的編纂和修訂等問題提出了自己的看法。
Obesity and public health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: DeNicola Erica , Aburizaiza Omar S. , Siddique Azhar , Khwaja Haider , Carpenter David O.
Published: September 2015

Overweight and obesity are now a global epidemic, with more than one in five people qualifying as obese worldwide. These conditions are accompanied by excessive rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) related to overweight, like type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Saudi Arabia, which has become increasingly westernized over the past few decades now has one of the highest prevalence rates of overweight and obesity, even in children. This puts the population at great risk for increased rates of NCD mortality. Competing cultures is partly to blame, as the combination of persisting traditional Saudi cultural practices, modern cultural changes, and economic prosperity has created an obesogenic environment that promotes unhealthy eating, sedentary lifestyles, and weight gain. Overweight and obesity are more prevalent in Saudi women than in Saudi men. Interventions targeting the environment are needed in order to promote greater health through healthy eating decisions and increased physical activity or exercise (especially for women).
Encephalitozoon cuniculi causes focal anterior cataract and uveitis in dogs
Authors: Csokai J. , Fuchs-Baumgartinger A. , Maaß G. , Nell B.
Published: September 2015

Three mongrel dogs, aged 10 months (case 1), 14 months (case 2) and 7.5 years (case 3), were presented because of ophthalmologic disorders of 4 months, 6 months and 7 years duration, respectively. All three dogs were offspring of stray dogs from Hungary and Serbia and had positive serum antibody titres against Encephalitozoon (E.) cuniculi. The two young dogs showed unilateral, the older dog bilateral chronic anterior uveitis with posterior synechia and focal anterior cortical cataract. The fundi that could be evaluated developed focal tapetal hyporeflective lesions in the course of the disease. Dogs 1 and 2 underwent removal of the lens via phacoemulsification. PCR of the lens material was positive for E. cuniculi strains IV and II, respectively. In dog 2 findings suggestive of microsporidia were detected underneath the anterior lens capsule by immunohistochemical staining. In all cases medical treatment consisted of systemic fenbendazole, prednisolone, and topical anti-inflammatory drugs, and additional brinzolamid/timolol for dog 3. For the time being all cases (follow up 23 months, 6 months and 3 months, respectively) are still on topical anti-inflammatory therapy. It is concluded that E. cuniculi infections can cause cataract and chorioretinal lesions in dogs.
Seed Production and Control of Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia) and Pitted Morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa) with 2,4-D, Dicamba, and Glyphosate Combinations
Authors: Leon Ramon G. , Ferrell Jason A. , Sellers Brent A.
Published: September 2015

Sicklepod and pitted morningglory are two of the most important weed species in row-crop production in the southeastern United States. The upcoming introduction of soybean and cotton varieties resistant to 2,4-D and dicamba will increase the reliance on these auxinic herbicides. However, it is not clear how these herbicides will affect sicklepod and pitted morningglory control. Field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 in Jay, FL to determine whether 2,4-D (560 and 1,120 g ae ha−1), dicamba (420 and 840 g ae ha−1), and glyphosate (1,060 g ae ha−1) alone or in combination applied when weed shoots were 11 (early POST [EPOST]) and 22 (late POST [LPOST]) cm long effectively control and prevent seed production of sicklepod and pitted morningglory. LPOST provided more effective control of sicklepod than EPOST. This was attributed to emergence of sicklepod seedlings after the EPOST application. When glyphosate was tank mixed with 2,4-D or dicamba, sicklepod control was higher (78 to 89% and 87 to 98% in 2013 and 2014, respectively) than for single-herbicide treatments (45 to 77% and 38 to 80% in 2013 and 2014, respectively) 6 wk after treatment (WAT). Pitted morningglory control was not affected by application timing, and 2,4-D provided 91 to 100% 6 WAT, which was equivalent to treatments with tank mixtures containing glyphosate. Dicamba applied at 420 g ha−1had the lowest pitted morningglory control (44 to 70% and 82 to 86% in 2013 and 2014, respectively). Sicklepod and pitted morningglory plants that survived and recovered from herbicide treatments produced the same number of viable seeds as nontreated plants in most treatments. The results of the present study indicated that the use of 2,4-D and dicamba alone will not provide adequate extended control of sicklepod, and the use of tank mixtures that combine auxinic herbicides with glyphosate or other POST herbicides will be necessary to manage sicklepod adequately in 2,4-D- or dicamba-resistant soybean and cotton. Because sicklepod plants that survived a single herbicide application are capable of producing abundant viable seeds, integrated approaches that include PRE herbicides and sequential POST control options may be necessary to ensure weed seed bank reductions.
The Metastatic Spine Disease Multidisciplinary Working Group Algorithms
Authors: Wallace Adam N. , Robinson Clifford G. , Meyer Jeffrey , Tran Nam D. , Gangi Afshin , Callstrom Matthew R. , Chao Samuel T. , Van Tine Brian A. , Morris Jonathan M. , Bruel Brian M. , Long Jeremiah , Timmerman Robert D. , Buchowski Jacob M. , Jennings Jack W.
Published: September 2015

The Metastatic Spine Disease Multidisciplinary Working Group consists of medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, and interventional radiologists from multiple comprehensive cancer centers who have developed evidence- and expert opinion-based algorithms for managing metastatic spine disease. The purpose of these algorithms is to facilitate interdisciplinary referrals by providing physicians with straightforward recommendations regarding the use of available treatment options, including emerging modalities such as stereotactic body radiation therapy and percutaneous tumor ablation. This consensus document details the evidence supporting the Working Group algorithms and includes illustrative cases to demonstrate how the algorithms may be applied.

Implications for Practice:

The Metastatic Spine Disease Multidisciplinary Working Group algorithms can facilitate interdisciplinary referrals by providing physicians with straightforward recommendations regarding available treatment options, including emerging modalities such as stereotactic body radiation therapy and percutaneous tumor ablation.
Functionalization of screen printed electrodes with organic-inorganic hybrid nano-composites for bio-sensing applications
Authors: Shumyantseva V.V. , Bulko T.V. , Kuzikov A.V. , Khan R. , Archakov A.I.
Published: September 2015

New types of organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites based on nanosized Titanium (IV) oxide TiO2 (<100 nm particle size) and carbon nanotubes (CNT, outer diameter 10-15 nm, inner diamentre 2-6 nm, length 0.1-10 m) and phosphatidilcholine were elaborated for improvement of analytical characteristics of screen printed electrodes. These nanomaterials were employed as an interface for the immobilization of skeletal myoglobin. Electrochemical behavior of myoglobin on such interfaces was characterized with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). Direct unmediated electron transfer between myoglobin and electrodes modified with organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites was registered. TiO2 film and CNT film are biocompartible nanomaterials for myoglobin as was demonstrated with UV-Vis spectra. The midpoint potential of Fe3+/Fe2+ pair of myoglobin corresponded to Е1/2 = -0,263 V for CNT film, and Е1/2 = -0,468 V for TiO2 nanocomposite (vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode)