bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Qualitative Analysis as Ho‘oku‘iku‘i or Bricolage
Authors: Kaomea Julie
Published: December 2015

For centuries, Indigenous and historically oppressed communities have been studied by Western researchers whose claims have been accepted without question and, in many instances, have led our communities’ continued oppression. With increasing numbers of individuals from historically marginalized communities entering higher education and becoming researchers and teachers of research ourselves, we are challenged to consider whether and how the research stories that we tell will be different from the research that precedes us. In this article, I draw from the Hawaiian concept of ho‘oku‘iku‘i (to stitch or piece together) and the French notion of bricolage to discuss how my graduate course in qualitative data analysis equips researchers from Native Hawaiian and other Indigenous and historically oppressed communities with new analytical tools to challenge oppression and tell both more critical and more empowering stories about the schools and communities in which we work and live.
Development and evaluation of a novel product to remove surface contamination of hazardous drugs
Authors: Cox Joshua , Speed Vonni , O’Neal Sara , Hasselwander Terry , Sherwood Candice , Eckel Stephen F , Zamboni William C
Published: December 2015

Background

Even while following best practices, surface exposures of hazardous drugs (HDs) are high and numerous. Thus, it is important to develop new products to reduce the surface contamination of HDs. Hazardous Drug Clean (HDClean™) was developed to decontaminate and remove HDs from various types of surfaces and overcome the problems associated with other cleaning products.

Methods

HDClean was evaluated to remove mock surface exposures of HDs (docetaxel, paclitaxel, ifosfamide, cyclophosphamide, 5-FU, and cisplatin) from various types of surfaces. In two separate cancer centers, studies were performed to evaluate HDClean in reducing surface contamination of HDs in the pharmacy departments where no closed system transfer device (CSTD) was used. In a third cancer center, studies were performed comparing the effectiveness of a CSTD + Surface Safe compared with CSTD + HDClean to remove HDs.

Results

HDClean was able to completely remove mock exposures of a wide range of HDs from various surfaces (4 and 8 sq ft areas). Daily use of HDClean was equal to or more effective in reducing surface contamination of HDs in two pharmacies compared with a CSTD. HDClean was significantly more effective in removing HDs, especially cisplatin, compared with Surface Safe and does not have the problems associated with decontamination solutions that contain sodium hypochlorite.

Conclusion

These studies support HDClean as an effective decontaminating product, that HDClean is more effective than Surface Safe in removing HDs and is equal to or more effective than CSTD in controlling HD surface exposures.
Clinical Recognition of Melanoma in Dermatologists and Nondermatologists
Authors: Martinka Michal J. , Crawford Richard I. , Humphrey Shannon
Published: December 2015

Background:

The incidence of melanoma is increasing annually in Canada.

Objectives:

This retrospective study was designed to assess the ability of physicians of different specialties to accurately recognize melanoma.

Methods:

Pathology reports of biopsies submitted to Vancouver Coastal Health with clinical diagnoses of melanoma were reviewed (January to July 2013). The clinical diagnoses made by dermatologists, general practitioners and family physicians, and all other specialists were correlated with the final histopathologic diagnoses.

Results:

The dermatologists, general practitioners and family physicians, and all other specialists achieved diagnostic accuracies of 24.75%, 3.52%, and 12.75%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Although the diagnostic accuracy of dermatologists was significantly better than that the other practitioners, the majority of patients with suspicious skin lesions present to family physicians or general practitioners first. Thus, there is considerable value in providing more training and education to nondermatologists, because it can have a meaningful impact on patient care.
A study of indentation rolling resistance to motion of conveyor belts using a generalized Maxwell model of the backing material
Authors: Lu Yan , Lin Fuyan
Published: December 2015

A formula based on Winkler foundation and generalized viscoelastic Maxwell model of belt backing material has been given by Thomas J Rudolphi to determine the indentation rolling resistance. However, this formula must be solved by the iteration. As a result, the influence of some common working conditions can be reflected indirectly on this formula that results in the formula not being useful practically. On the other hand, the formula which is developed by Jonkers can reflect firstly the effect of working condition directly except for belt speed, but this formula has an inherent deficiency where Jonkers assumes that the indentation depth is independent of the belt speed. However, if the vertical load is assumed to be constant then the indentation depth and the contact will decrease with increasing belt speed in nature. Therefore, it offers an advantageous reference for simplifying the Rudolphi’s formula to get an analytic formula which can exhibit the influence of working condition on the rolling resistance. In this paper, author analyzes the effect of common working conditions on rolling resistance with the help of Rudolphi’s formula firstly. Then, in the premise of satisfying the suitable precision, author simplifies the Rudolphi’s formula to get an analytic formula. Finally, a verification example based on experiment is given to validate the rationality of analytic formula which may be of interest to belt-conveyor designers.
A New mHealth application to support treatment of sleep apnoea patients
Authors: Isetta Valentina , Torres Marta , González Kevin , Ruiz Concepción , Dalmases Mireia , Embid Cristina , Navajas Daniel , Farré Ramon , Montserrat Josep M
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first-choice treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), but adherence is frequently suboptimal. Innovative, patient-centred interventions are, therefore, needed to enhance compliance. Due to its low cost and ubiquity, mobile health (mHealth) technology seems particularly suited for this purpose. We endeavoured to develop an mHealth application called “APPnea,” aimed at promoting patient self-monitoring of CPAP treatment. We then assessed the feasibility and acceptability of APPnea in a group of OSA patients.

Methods

Consecutive OSA patients used APPnea for six weeks. APPnea gave patients daily reminders to answer three questions about their OSA treatment (CPAP use, physical activity, and diet) and prompted them to upload their body weight weekly. Answers were saved to a secure server for further analysis. After completing the study, patients gave their anonymous opinions about APPnea.

Results

We enrolled 60 patients with OSA receiving CPAP treatment. The mean age was 56 ± 10 years and the apnoea–hypopnea index was 47 ± 25 events/hour. In total, 63% of participants completed the daily questionnaire for more than 66% of the study period. Objective CPAP compliance was generally high (5.3 ± 1.6 hours/night). In a subset of 38 patients naïve to CPAP, those who used APPnea regularly had significantly higher CPAP compliance. Satisfaction levels were high for the majority of users.

Conclusion

This mHealth intervention is not only feasible but also satisfactory to patients. Although larger randomized trials and cost-effectiveness studies should be performed, this study shows that APPnea could promote participation and improve compliance among patients with OSA, thereby improving outcomes.
Coronary endothelial dysfunction in non-obstructive coronary artery disease: Risk, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy
Authors: Shaw Jeffrey , Anderson Todd
Published: December 2015

Up to half of patients with signs and symptoms of stable ischemic heart disease have non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NoCAD). Recent evidence demonstrates that two-thirds of patients with NoCAD have demonstrable coronary endothelial dysfunction represented by microvascular or diffuse epicardial spasm following acetylcholine challenge. Patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction are recognized to have significant health services use and morbidity as well as increased risk of developing flow-limiting coronary artery disease and myocardial events, including death. Currently, there are few centers that test for this etiology owing to lack of knowledge, limited evidence for treatment options and invasive diagnostic strategies. This article reviews the pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of coronary endothelial dysfunction as a subgroup of NoCAD.
From computer-assisted to data-driven: Journalism and Big Data
Authors: Hammond Philip
Published: December 2015

Despite claims of continuity, contemporary data journalism is quite different from the earlier tradition of computer-assisted reporting. Although it echoes earlier claims about being scientific and democratic, these qualities are understood as resulting from better data access rather than as being something achieved by the journalist. In the context of Big Data in particular, human subjectivity tends to be downgraded in importance, even understood as getting in the way if it means hubristically theorising about causation rather than working with correlation and allowing the data to speak. Increasing ‘datafication’ is not what is driving changes in the profession, however. Rather, the impact of Big Data tends to be understood in ways that are consonant with pre-existing expectations, which are shaped by the broader contemporary post-humanist political context. The same is true in academic analysis, where actor–network theory seems to be emerging as the dominant paradigm for understanding data journalism, but in largely uncritical ways.
Efficacy of rights-based approach to education: A comparative study of two states of India
Authors: Ray Sharmila , Saini Sakshi
Published: December 2015

The Government of India made a series of policy changes regarding elementary school education in the country in the period 2002–2012. In 2009 the Government made free (and compulsory) education a fundamental right of every child in India between the ages of six and fourteen. The Government also set out the infrastructure provisions that schools were mandated to implement. In doing so, it adopted a rights-based approach to elementary school education. This paper reports on a study of the effectiveness of this approach. It is argued that merely declaring a public service as a citizens’ right does not entail either optimal access or optimal implementation. Rather, the paper argues that claiming of rights and implementation requires an enabling environment and it is concluded that societal power bias and social accountability are important factors in creating such an environment. The examples of Kerala and Bihar, respectively the best and worst performing states in India with regard to implementation of the right to education, were used to examine these states’ different levels of performance regarding the mandates defined by the Right to Education legislation enacted in 2009.
Identifying Confirmatory Bias in the Field
Authors: Andrews Rodney J. , Logan Trevon D. , Sinkey Michael J.
Published: December 2015

Laboratory experiments have established the existence of cognitive biases, but their explanatory power in real-world economic settings has been difficult to quantify. We evaluate the extent to which a cognitive bias, confirmatory bias, affects the opinions of experts in a real-world environment. In the Associated Press Top 25 College Football Poll, expert pollsters are tasked with assessing team quality, and their beliefs are treated week to week with game results that serve as signals about an individual team’s quality. We exploit the variation provided by actual game results relative to market expectations to develop a novel regression-discontinuity approach to identify confirmatory bias. We construct a data set that matches more than 20 years of individual game characteristics to poll results and betting market information and show that teams that slightly exceed and barely miss market expectations are exchangeable. The likelihood of winning the game, the average number of points scored by teams and their opponents, and even the average week of the season are no different between teams that slightly exceed and barely miss market expectations. Pollsters, however, significantly upgrade their beliefs about a team’s quality when a team slightly exceeds market expectations. The effects are sizable—one fifth of the standard deviation in poll points in a given week can be attributed to confirmatory bias, which is equivalent to nearly half of the voters in the poll ranking a team one slot higher when they slightly exceed market expectations. This type of updating suggests that even when informed agents make repeated decisions, they may act in a manner consistent with confirmatory bias.
How is Home, a Performance Autoethnography in Four Parts
Authors: Yomtoob Desiree
Published: December 2015

How Is Home,1 a Performance Autoethnography in Four Parts,2 is a contemplative, interpretive, account on the nature of home. It is a multiple-voiced work. The nature of the empiricism used in this piece works to connect ethnographic detail in a meaningful way, toward the end of a telling of the production of emotions, symbol, and affect combined to display a sense of the way a life is built and undertaken through subjectivity. This work enables a glance at how notions of identity are formed and encountered, then rewoven through understanding, toward a libratory end. This story is my own, extended through imagination, a story of understanding my own identity as an Iraqi–Iranian–Jewish–American woman in post 9/11 United States. Ideas of Gaston Bachelard, Gloria Anzaldua, and Homi Bhabha are used to enrich and prop up my notion of home in this piece, which is always shifting, and momentary. Disciplinary oppression occurs in many ways in the present day United States, infused by the wily discourses produced through neoliberal global corporate machinations, tinged by its large events’ (wars, economic depressions, bank bailouts, austerity measures, etc.) impact on our systems of affect. In certain ways, the languages and actions in this new/old world can leave people with very little. This work works, through meaningful interventions in autoethnography, to correct that, as the meanings of our everyday lives, whether in the present moment or of memory is where much can be mended. I welcome you, dear reader, to join me, in my place, at home.
Pre-existing, incidental and hemorrhagic AVMs in pregnancy and postpartum: Gestational age, morbidity and mortality, management and risk to the fetus
Authors: Lv Xianli , Liu Peng , Li Youxiang
Published: December 2015

Objective

The objective of this article is to analyze the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancies that present with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

Methods

A literature review was performed that analyzed 65 cases of AVM during pregnancy previously reported in English literature.

Results

Sixty-five cases of pregnancy-associated AVM were identified. The patients’ ages ranged from 16 to 45 years, with a mean of 28 ± 4.9 years. Sixteen cases (24.6%) were pre-existing AVMs. There were 54 cases (83.1%) of AVM ruptured during pregnancy and postpartum: Six cases (11.1%) were in the first trimester, 24 (44.4%) were in the second, 22 (40.7%) were in the third trimester and two (3.7%) were postpartum. Unfavorable maternal clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≥ 2) was identified in 20 cases (30.8%) and abortion occurred in 10 cases (15.4%). There were three maternal deaths, yielding a case mortality rate of 4.6%. Fifty-three fetuses were born via cesarean section in 42 cases and vaginal delivery in 10 cases; 48 were in good health, three were temporarily intubated, one was macrosomic and one died. In univariate analysis, AVM hemorrhage presentation was significantly associated with a poor maternal outcome (mRS ≥ 2) ( p = 0.030); however, not significantly associated with fetus risk ( p = 0.864). Gestational age was not significantly associated with poor maternal outcome ( p = 0.875) or fetal risk ( p = 0.790).

Conclusion

AVM hemorrhage presentation was significantly associated with poor maternal outcome. Pre-existing ruptured AVM may not be associated with fetal risk. Gestational age of AVM rupture was not significantly associated with poor maternal outcome or fetal risk.
Topographic matching of distal radius and proximal fibula articular surface for distal radius osteoarticular reconstruction
Authors: Zhang H. , Chen S. , Wang Z. , Guo Y. , Liu B. , Tong D.
Published: December 2015

During osteoarticular reconstruction of the distal radius with the proximal fibula, congruity between the two articular surfaces is an important factor in determining the quality of the outcome. In this study, a three-dimensional model and a coordinate transformation algorithm were developed on computed tomography scanning. Articular surface matching was performed and parameters for the optimal position were determined quantitatively. The mean radii of best-fit spheres of the articular surfaces of the distal radius and proximal fibula were compared quantitatively. The radial inclination and volar tilt following reconstruction by an ipsilateral fibula graft, rather than the contralateral, best resembles the values of the native distal radius. Additionally, the ipsilateral fibula graft reconstructed a larger proportion of the distal radius articular surface than did the contralateral. The ipsilateral proximal fibula graft provides a better match for the reconstruction of the distal radius articular surface than the contralateral, and the optimal position for graft placement is quantitatively determined.
Regulating the child in early childhood education: The paradox of inclusion
Authors: Dalkilic Maryam , Vadeboncoeur Jennifer A
Published: December 2015

This article contributes to the literature in critical special education by examining the perspectives of early childhood educators on inclusion and inclusive education. Six early childhood educators were interviewed, and the interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis informed by Derridean deconstruction. Themes were identified across the interviews regarding the roles and relationships between educators, families, and children labeled with disabilities. These themes were clustered to form four overarching meta-themes highlighting axiomatic assumptions regarding expectations for inclusion: acceptance as advocacy, conformity as agency, othering as vulnerability, and knowledge as expertise. These meta-themes describe, in part, the regulatory practices that operate under the guise of “inclusion” in early childhood education to “normalize” children deemed to have deficits. To counter regulatory practices, we introduce the notion of relational inclusion as a generative, yet not unproblematic, alternative for reconceptualising the participation of learners. One goal of relational inclusion is to expand conventional notions of inclusion in ways that enable all children to participate and contribute to the culture of the classroom.
Tactile digital ethnography: Researching mobile media through the hand
Authors: Pink Sarah , Sinanan Jolynna , Hjorth Larissa , Horst Heather
Published: December 2015

In this article we focus on the relationship between vision and the hand to develop an understanding of the experience of mobile media use which in turn informs a methodology for researching it; a tactile digital ethnography. Theories of knowing through the hand, and uses of the hand in documentary practice already highlight its significance. We bring these together with our video ethnographies of mobile media use, to show how a focus on the hand offers both new insights into other people’s digital worlds, and an approach to learning about these.
The historical association between measles and pertussis: A case of immune suppression?
Authors: Coleman Stephen
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

According to historical medical reports, many children with measles subsequently contracted pertussis, often with fatal results. The likelihood of a child contracting pertussis after a measles infection is increased by its immune-suppressing effects. This research aims to verify the historical reports.

Methods:

The analysis examines statistically the historical relationship between average measles and pertussis incidence rates in the United States from 1938 to 1954 at the state level and in average weekly rates. Analysis of incidence rates is cross-sectional at the state level using public health data.

Results:

The results show that, on average and over time, states with higher measles rates have higher pertussis rates, and the peaks and nadirs of average weekly incidence rates of pertussis lag measles by a delay of about 3–4 weeks, well within the duration of immune suppression. Measles and pertussis have similar geographical distributions.

Conclusion:

The research tentatively supports the hypothesis that because of its immune-suppressing effects, measles causes an increase in pertussis, but other factors may be involved. Epidemic models should give more attention to the possibility of immune suppression for diseases such as measles where that might be a risk factor. The findings reemphasize the importance of measles vaccination for the prevention of other diseases.
Evaluating the transition from dexmedetomidine to clonidine for agitation management in the intensive care unit
Authors: Terry Kimberly , Blum Rachel , Szumita Paul
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

Limited literature exists examining the use of enteral clonidine to transition patients from dexmedetomidine for management of agitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate dexmedetomidine discontinuation within 8 h of enteral clonidine administration in addition to the rates of dexmedetomidine re-initiation in patients who failed clonidine transition.

Methods:

A single-center, retrospective analysis evaluated critically ill adult patients from 1 February 2013 to 28 February 2014, who used dexmedetomidine and clonidine for sedation management. Patients were excluded if they received enteral clonidine for reasons other than sedation management. Secondary aims of the study observed time to dexmedetomidine discontinuation, agitation (Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale) and delirium ratings (Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit), clonidine dose, and enteral clonidine discontinuation.

Results:

In all, 26 patients were evaluated. Demographics included a mean age of 54.4 (±16.7) years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 18 (interquartile range = 14–22), and 80.7% of admissions to the cardiac surgery intensive care unit. Dexmedetomidine discontinuation occurred in 17 (65.4%) patients within 8 h of receiving clonidine. The total median clonidine exposure per intensive care unit day was 0.35 mg/ICU day (interquartile range = 0.2–0.5) in patients who discontinued dexmedetomidine within 8 h and 0.5 mg/ICU day (interquartile range = 0.4–1.0) (p = 0.036) in patients who did not. We observed similar Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale and Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit scores and rates of hypotension. Unintentional use of clonidine beyond ICU and hospital stay was observed in 54% and 23% of patients, respectively.

Conclusion:

Enteral clonidine may be an effective and safe alternative to transition patients off of dexmedetomidine for ongoing sedation management. Clinicians should critically evaluate the need for clonidine at ICU and hospital discharge. More studies comparing the use of clonidine to transition from dexmedetomidine infusions are needed.
Climate Change Education
Authors: Boakye Cecilia
Published: December 2015

The study found out the role that some selected science curricula of the pre-tertiary level of education in Ghana played with respect to climate change education. Content analysis was used to analyze four science curricula of the pre-tertiary levels of education in Ghana, namely, the curriculum for primary, Grades 1 to 3 (age = 6-9 years); integrated science curriculum of primary, Grades 4 to 6 (age = 9-12 years); integrated science curriculum of the Junior High School (JHS; age = 12-13 years); and the integrated science curriculum of the Senior High School (SHS; age = 13-16 years). It was found that of the four curricula, it was only in the integrated science syllabuses of the SHS and that of the JHS that climate change as a topic for study had been stated categorically, but, even then, the teaching and learning methods needed to be improved on. It was practically non-existent in the natural science curriculum of Primary Grades 1 to 3. There were topics in some of the curricula such as “Ecosystems,” “Photosynthesis,” and “Energy” that can provide links to climate change education but were not linked to it. Some of the suggestions made to make these curricula play their roles in climate change education are that: (a) topics that lend themselves to climate change education in the various curricula could be linked to it in the teaching and learning situation to reinforce learning and (b) teaching and learning methods should be improved upon for effective attitudinal and behavioral changes to help mitigate climate change and its impact.
Mental Health in Rural Caregivers of Persons With Dementia
Authors: Werntz Alexandra J. , Dodson Chad S. , Schiller Alexander J. , Middlebrooks Catherine D. , Phipps Ellen
Published: December 2015

Informal caregiving for dementia is common and often affects caregiver mental health. In addition to typical stressors faced by caregivers of persons with dementia (PWDs), rural caregivers often face additional stressors associated with living in more remote locations; unfortunately, this group is largely understudied. Ninety-three caregiver–PWD dyads completed measures of social support, perceived control, self-efficacy, burden, and cognitive functioning. Measures of PWD activities of daily living and mental functioning were also collected. These variables were hypothesized to predict caregiver self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Contrary to predictions, only caregiving-related self-efficacy and caregiver burden predicted the caregiver’s mental health. Future interventions for improving rural caregiver self-reported mental health should target cognitions associated with caregiving self-efficacy and caregiver burden. Health care providers for rural families should focus on ways to reduce feelings of caregiver burden and provide caregivers with useful skills and tools for caregiving.
Structural Health Monitoring Based on Vehicle-Bridge Interaction: Accomplishments and Challenges
Authors: Zhu X.Q. , Law S.S.
Published: December 2015

The use of the vehicle-bridge interaction (VBI) data for structural health monitoring has received considerable interest in the last decade. Compared with the traditional bridge health monitoring, the VBI based approach allows the target bridges to be monitored or assessed under operating conditions. The VBI system has time-variant features and the vehicle can serve as a moving exciter and a mobile sensor in the system. Many bridge damage identification techniques based on VBI have been developed, and they could be divided into three categories, namely, technique based on the bridge responses, technique based on the vehicle responses and technique based on both the vehicle and bridge responses. This paper presents a review on the structural health monitoring based on VBI and the challenges for its general implementation in practice.
Dihydrofolate reductase as a model for studies of enzyme dynamics and catalysis
Authors: Kohen Amnon
Published: December 2015

Dihydrofolate reductase fromEscherichia coli(ecDHFR) serves as a model system for investigating the role of protein dynamics in enzyme catalysis. We discuss calculations predicting a network of dynamic motions that is coupled to the chemical step catalyzed by this enzyme. Kinetic studies testing these predictions are presented, and their potential use in better understanding the role of these dynamics in enzyme catalysis is considered. The cumulative results implicate motions across the entire protein in catalysis.
Comparative Analysis of the Nature of the Firm: Institutional and Evolutionary Approaches
Authors: Горяинова  , Goryainova L.
Published: December 2015

The author substantiates the methodological originality of the Penrose approach in comparison with the approach of Coase theory of the firm. The first part covers the basics of this opposition and the authors ‘ contribution to the theory of the firm. Draws attention to the fact that the Penrose theory is based on the separation of the concepts “information”and “knowledge” and justifying their role in the growth of the firm. Then a comparison of the two opposite perspectives offered by Coase and Penrose in the field of industry. It is suggested that the approach of Coase as a whole is a closed system with the Central location of the firm in this system; whereas, the Penrose approach provides for an open market economy system that became the basis for building a resource the concept of transnational companies (TNCs).
Amazing Grace
Authors: White Hilary
Published: December 2015

Amazing Grace, a book which has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, makes a great starting point for activities to help children develop their communication and language, and literacy skills.
Internationalism's Remittances: The Impact of Temporary Migration on Cuban Society
Authors: Sarah A. Blue
Published: December 2015

Since the implementation of post-Soviet economic reforms, remittances have had a strong influence on the Cuban economy and society. While economic and social influences of remittances from permanent migration have been examined, the same cannot be said of remittances from temporary migration. As part of an expansion of professional service exports over the past decade, tens of thousands of Cuban professionals (internationalistas) have worked abroad, remitting their earnings and often returning with substantial savings and a broadened global perspective. The expansion of professional service exports across more than 65 countries in the global south has extended the influence of remittances far beyond Miami and the USA. Using first-hand accounts of returnedinternationalistasinterviewed in Havana in 2010 and 2011, this article explores the socio-economic influences of the remittances from Cuban internationalism.
Practice implications and recommendations for managing codeine misuse and dependence
Authors: Bergin Michael , Norman Ian , Foley Michelle , Harris Richard , Rapca Anna , Rich Eileen , Hout Marie-Claire Van
Published: December 2015

Codeine, a weak opiate, requires increased pharmacovigilance relating to availability, heterogeneous nature of misuse, dependence and associated harm. A scoping review of literature on codeine was conducted using Arksey & O’Malley’s framework (1). Databases searched included PubMed, EBSCO Host, Science Direct, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane library and Medline from 1994 to 2014. Follow-up search strategies involved hand searching and searching of pharmaceutical, health, medical and drug related websites. Initial zscreening identified 3,105 articles with 475 meeting the inclusion criteria. Eight broad categories organised the literature, data charting and qualitative synthesis. This paper presents implications for practice and makes recommendations to address these issues. Themes identified relate to raising public and practitioner awareness, risk management, dispensing practices and monitoring and surveillance of codeine. Evidence to inform law enforcement, drug surveillance, public health initiatives, harm reduction approaches, pharmacy, clinical and treatment practices is warranted.
The Facebook Phenomenon for Collaborative Learning for University Studies
Authors: Volungevičienė Airina , Teresevičienė Margarita , Mejerytė- Narkevičienė Kristina
Published: December 2015

This article defines the shift in the concept and conditions of collaborative learning for university studies using the social networking tool Facebook and discusses the collaborative learning effect in terms of using Open Educational Resources (OER), creating learning artefacts and new generic competence development. In order to evaluate students’ learning through collaboration in Facebook, qualitative research method and survey of generic competencies based on the Tuning project framework (2003) were used. The data was collected through focus group interviews and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The qualitative research method was chosen because it provides information of how students collaborate and what experience they gained during the activities. First, Facebook online groups have been identified at three different levels at VMU. The Facebook first level group was the social networking of Vytautas Magnus University’s students and academic staff. The second level group was created for the department dealing with social sciences, and is called “Department of Social Science”. The third level group is “Education Service Management” within the Department of Education. The research was done at the third level group with the students of the “Education Service Management” study programme. As research results show, Facebook as a social network has been changing communication between students, by facilitating the exchange of information and knowledge. The research analyses Facebook in the context of undergraduate university studies, based upon the experience of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) for using Facebook for university studies. It could be concluded that learning is about developing capabilities to think and to act. Learners using social networking tools for collaborative learning, act, provide feedback and peer-review, asses and rate information. Openness is based on the idea that knowledge is disseminated and shared freely for the benefit of society as a whole. University students collaborate online and learn by using and exchanging OER, as well as developing them as the artefacts of online collaborative learning. They influence task design by creating “educational resources” themselves.
Impact of Interdialytic Weight Gain (IDWG) on Nutritional Parameters, Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Kahraman Aysegul , Akdam Hakan , Alp Alper , Huyut Mustafa Ahmet , Akgullu Cagdas , Balaban Tuba , Dinleyen Fadime , Topcu Aynur , Gelmez Husniye , Atakan Nevin , Akar Harun , Yenicerioglu Yavuz
Published: December 2015

Introduction. The amount of interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) considering body weight is of great importance in hemodialysis patients. In general practice, patients are asked to get standard weight between two hemodialysis sessions. However, it should be individualized considering patient’s weight. We aimed to determine the association between the IDWG and the nutritional parameters, cardiovascular risk factors, and quality of life.

Methods. Thrity-two patients receiving hemodialysis at least for one year were enrolled into the study. Patients were monitored for 12 consecutive hemodialysis sessions; and the arithmetic mean of IDWG was calculated. IDWG% was calculated in accordance with patients’ dry weight. Data of patients with IDWG<3% (Group I) and IDWG≥3 (Group II) were compared. Sociodemographic variables, laboratory, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, left ventricular mass index, Subjective Global Assessment Scale and SF-36 Quality of Life Scale were applied to evaluate the patients.

Results. 59.4% (n=19) and 40.6% (n=13) of patients were included in Group I and Group II, respectively. In Group II, albumin (p=0.02), potassium (p=0.02), phosphorus (p=0.04), nPCR (p=0.03), physical function (p=0.04), role limitations caused by physical problems (p=0.04), general health (p=0.03), physical quality of life (p=0.04) scores were significantly higher. A significant correlation was detected between IDWG and physical and mental quality of life, total score SF-36, albumin, total protein and the potassium values.

Conclusions. Patients with an IDWG ≥ 3% have better nutritional parameters and quality of life scales. The limiting of IDWG to 1-2 kg, ingoring patient weight may give rise to malnutrition and a reduced quality of life.
Successful Continuation of Peritoneal Dialysis after "Sweet" Hydrothorax
Authors: Soyaltin Utku Erdem , Ekinci Ferhat , Ayatan Denizhan , Turemis Cihangir , Yildirim Mustafa , Akar Harun
Published: December 2015

A 44-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease presented with dyspnea on exertion and a vague chest pain about two weeks after commencing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) four months ago. A chest x-ray revealed massive unilateral right-sided pleural effusion. Laboratory analysis of the effusion revealed low protein and lactate dehydrogenase but elevated glucose levels were consistent with transudate and pleuroperitoneal leakage. Pleural glucose concentration was much higher than patients’ serum glucose concentration, which was suggestive of "sweet" hydrothorax because of this high glucose concentration. It is advisable to keep this condition in mind among the differenttial diagnoses of hydrothorax in patients on CAPD.
Central Nervous System Involvement under Intensive Immunosuppressive Treatment in a Patient Diagnosed with Granulomatosis Polyangiitis: A Case Report
Authors: Celebi Zeynep Kendi , Kucuksahin Orhan , Peker Elif , Kutlay Sim , Nergizoglu Gokhan , Ates Kenan , Karatan Oktay
Published: December 2015

Granulomatosis polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis) is an ANCA-associated necrotising vasculitis. The disease involves upper respiratory tract, the lungs and kidneys but central nervous system (CNS) involvement is 1-5%.

A 40-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with joint pain, rash, aphthous lesions. The skin biopsy from the lesion showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The patient had c-ANCA positive and was diagnosed granulomatosis polyangiitis. He was treated with a pulse steroid and cyclophosphamide. Before the 5th session of therapy, the patient developed hemoptysis and hematuria. Thorax CT (computarized tomography) showed a diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and hence plasmapheresis and IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) were added to the treatment. Two days after IVIG, the patient developed globe vesical, headache and respiratory arrest. MR (magnetic resonance) showed CNS involvement. The patient was treated with a pulse steroid, but did not respond to therapy and died after 5 months since establishing the diagnosis.

More studies are needed to identify effective treatment and course of disease for patients with central nervous system involvement.
Comparison of the clinical utility of the Elia CTD Screen to indirect immunofluorescence on Hep-2 cells
Authors: Robier Christoph , Amouzadeh-Ghadikolai Omid , Stettin Mariana , Reicht Gerhard
Published: December 2015

We compared the Elia CTD Screen (ECS), a fluoroenzymeimmunoassay incorporating 17 human antinuclear antigens (ANA), with indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on Hep-2 cells in order to determine the clinical utility of the ECS in additon to or without IIF.

We examined 1708 consecutive serum samples submitted for ANA testing using the ECS and IIF in parallel. Positive screen results were further examined by quantitative fluoroenzymeimmunoassays and/or immunoblots for antibody identification. The medical records were evaluated for systemic rheumatic disorders.

Concordance between ECS and IIF was observed in 1344 (78.8%) samples. ECS had a better detection rate for anti-dsDNA, -SSA/Ro, -SSB/La, -U1RNP and -Jo-1 antibodies, whereas IIF was superior in the detection of anti-CENP-B antibodies as well as anti-histone, -nucleosome and -Pl-12 antibodies, which are not included in the ECS antigen panel. ECS had a 100% sensitivity for Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis and Sharp syndrome. The sensitivity for Sjögren’s syndrome was slightly higher for ESC than for IIF (94%). IIF had a higher diagnostic sensitivity for systemic lupus erythematosus, indeterminated connective tissue disease, Raynaud’s syndrome and limited scleroderma, compared to ESC (100% vs. 80%, 100 vs. 75%, 89 vs. 57%, 100 vs. 88.9%).

Our results suggest that the ECS represents an appropriate diagnostic tool for ANA screening. However, since some antigens are not incorporated in the ECS panel, and some ANA can also be missed by IIF, sequential or parallel screening with ECS and IIF may be reasonable when the clinical suspicion for connective tissue disease is high.
Long-term Sustainability Of Public Finance In The Central And Eastern EU Member States
Authors: Uryszek Tomasz
Published: December 2015

The main goal of this article is to investigate the level of long-term sustainability of public finance in the Central and Eastern EU Member States. This aim is accompanied by the following hypothesis: an inability to generate primary surpluses and significantly growing public debt volumes prevent the attainment of sustainability in the area of public finance. The research method is based on GDP and public debt growth rates, as well as on the values of discounted primary fiscal balances at the actual and structural level. The research period covers the years 2000-2014. Data were taken from Eurostat, the European Commission's Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs and the European Central Bank.
Inflation Forecasts Versus Shaping Inflation Expectations. Comparative Analysis
Authors: Szyszko Magdalena
Published: December 2015

This article jointly analyzes inflation expectations of consumers and inflation forecasts. Its starting point is the predominant role of expectations in monetary policy. This is crucial market information in the decision-making process of the central bankers as it may show the actual future inflation. On the other hand, the central bank wants to influence expectations in order to facilitate achieving the main goals of monetary policy. Inflation forecasting is a tool for shaping public expectations. In the research, covering four central banks (the National Bank of Hungary, National Bank of Poland, the Czech National Bank, Sveriges Riksbank), the author analyzes the interdependencies of inflation forecasts and inflation expectations of consumers. Data on expectations are derived from the surveys and quantified. Then non-parametric measures of association are calculated. The results confirm the hypothesis on the existence of such relationships. The strength of this interdependence varies among countries, from weak to strong. The study opens the field for further discussions on strengthening this relationship.
Great migration: epigenetic reprogramming and germ cell-oocyte metamorphosis determine individual ovarian reserve
Authors: Celik Onder , Aygun Banu Kumbak , Celik Nilufer , Aydin Suleyman , Haberal Esra Tustas , Sahin Levent , Yavuz Yasemin , Celik Sudenaz
Published: December 2015

Emigration is defined as a synchronized movement of germ cells between the yolk sack and genital ridges. The miraculous migration of germ cells resembles the remigration of salmon traveling from one habitat to other. This migration of germ cells is indispensible for the development of new generations. It is not, however, clear why germ cells differentiate during migration but not at the place of origin. In order to escape harmful somatic signals which might disturb the proper establishment of germ cells forced germ cell migration may be necessary. Another reason may be to benefit from the opportunities of new habitats. Therefore, emigration may have powerful effects on the population dynamics of the immigrant germ cells. While some of these cells do reach their target, some others die or reach to wrong targets. Only germ cell precursors with genetically, and structurally powerful can reach their target. Likewise, epigenetic reprogramming in both migratory and post-migratory germ cells is essential for the establishment of totipotency. During this journey some germ cells may sacrifice themselves for the goodness of the others. The number and quality of germ cells reaching the genital ridge may vary depending on the problems encountered during migration. If the aim in germ cell specification is to provide an optimal ovarian reserve for the continuity of the generation, then this cascade of events cannot be only accomplished at the same level for every one but also are manifested by several outcomes. This is significant evidence supporting the possibility of unique individual ovarian reserve.
Neuromuscular Responses to Short-Term Resistance Training With Traditional and Daily Undulating Periodization in Adolescent Elite Judoka
Authors: Ullrich Boris , Pelzer Thiemo , Oliveira Sergio , Pfeiffer Mark
Published: December 2015

Ullrich, B, Pelzer, T, Oliveira, S, and Pfeiffer, M. Neuromuscular responses to short-term resistance training with traditional and daily undulating periodization in adolescent elite judoka. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2083–2099, 2016—The influence of different periodization models on neuromuscular outcomes after short-term strength training periods has not been examined in adolescent athletes. Eleven elite judoka (age: 14.8 ± 0.6 years, height: 163.2 ± 7.5 cm, body mass: 57.3 ± 11.1 kg, 5 boys/6 girls, and strength training experience: 2.7 ± 1.1 years) performed two 4-week strength training mesocycles (each with 12 sessions) with either traditional (TP) or daily undulating (DUP) periodization. Both mesocycles were separated by a 7-week washout period and added to the regular judo training. Strength training was performed as lifting and lowering of weights using squats, knee flexion curl, clean & jerk, snatch, bench press, barbell bench pull, and lat pull-down. The mesocycles were equated for the number of repetitions and different intensity zones (50–90% of 1 repetition maximum [1RM]), addressing the optimization of strength, power, or velocity. Laboratory and 1RM testing was carried out 2 times during the baseline (T1 and T2), after the TP mesocycle (T3), after the washout period (T4), and after the DUP mesocycle (T5). Isometric knee extensor and knee flexor maximum voluntary contractive capacity (MVC), electromyographic-estimated neural drive of the quadriceps femoris, vastus lateralis (VL) muscle architecture, and 1RMs of all training exercises were measured. ANOVA revealed moderate (5.5–13.5%) but significant (p ≤ 0.05) temporal gains in knee extensor MVC, 1RMs, and VL architecture during both the mesocycles. Wilcoxon tests detected no significant differences for the percentage changes of any outcome between the mesocycles. For adolescent judoka, TP and DUP were equally adept in improving neuromuscular outcomes during short-term training periods.
Convergence of cMyc and β‐catenin on Tcf7l1 enables endoderm specification
Authors: Morrison Gillian , Scognamiglio Roberta , Trumpp Andreas , Smith Austin
Published: December 2015

The molecular machinery that directs formation of definitive endoderm from pluripotent stem cells is not well understood. Wnt/β‐catenin and Nodal signalling have been implicated, but the requirements for lineage specification remain incompletely defined. Here, we demonstrate a potent effect of inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) on definitive endoderm production. We find that downstream of GSK3 inhibition, elevated cMyc and β‐catenin act in parallel to reduce transcription and DNA binding, respectively, of the transcriptional repressor Tcf7l1. Tcf7l1 represses FoxA2, a pioneer factor for endoderm specification. Deletion of Tcf7l1 is sufficient to allow upregulation of FoxA2 in the presence of Activin. In wild‐type cells, cMyc contributes by reducing Tcf7l1 mRNA, while β‐catenin acts on Tcf7l1 protein. GSK3 inhibition is further required for consolidation of endodermal fate via upregulation of Sox17, highlighting sequential roles for Wnt signalling. The identification of a cMyc/β‐catenin‐Tcf7l1‐FoxA2 axis reveals a de‐repression mechanism underlying endoderm induction that may be recapitulated in other developmental and patho‐logical contexts.