bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value of protective stoma in rectal cancer surgery
Authors: Fratric Ivana , Radovanovic Zoran , Radovanovic Dragana , Vicko Ferenc , Petrovic Tomislav , Nikin Zoran
Published: April 2016

Introduction. Anastomotic leakage is the most serious surgical complication
in rectal surgery. The aim of this study was to find out whether a protective
stoma was capable of lowering the rate of clinical anastomotic leakage and to
evaluate the rate of anastomotic leakages requiring re-surgery. Material and
Methods. A retrospective study included a sample of 149 consecutive patients
with rectal cancer who had undergone elective rectal resection with primary
anastomosis. After total mesorectal excision, the anastomosis was created
using either the single stapling or double stapling anastomotic technique.
Anastomotic integrity was verified by transanal air insufflations with the
pelvis filled with saline. A protective covering colostomy was added in
selected cases and according to the surgeon?s preference. Results. A
protective stoma was created in 31% of patients. Clinical anastomotic leakage
occurred in 6.7% of patients (10/149). Anastomotic leakage occurred in 8.5%
of the patients with a protective stoma (4/47) and in 5.9% of those without a
protective stoma (6/102), which was not statistically significant. Surgery
lasted significantly longer when a stoma had to be created than in case when
it was not needed (p=0.024). The overall rate of re-surgery due to
postoperative surgical complications was 5.3% and in three cases this
happened because of anastomotic leakage. All patients with a protective stoma
and clinical anastomotic leakage were treated conservatively, compared to 50%
of patients without a protective stoma who suffered anastomotic leakage and
had to be operated. Conclusion. A stoma cannot prevent but it can surely
minimize surgical complications related to anastomotic leakage and it does
reduce the rate of re-surgery.
Antiviral treatment of hepatitis C in Serbian prison setting: Medical treatment outcomes and patients’ adherence
Authors: Simonovic-Babic Jasmina , Bojovic Ksenija , Delic Dragan , Katanic Natasa , Mitrovic Nikola , Malinic Jovan
Published: April 2016

Introduction. Seroprevlence of chronic hepatitis C viral infection in
correctional facilities ranges from 16% to 49%. However, there are only very
limited data available on the course of hepatitis C viral infection and
outcomes of treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in
correctional settings. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility
and effectiveness of use of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin treatment in
the Serbian correctional setting. Material and Methods. The study sample
consisted of the patients with hepatitis C hospitalized in the Special
Hospital for Prisoners in Belgrade (Serbia) during 2007-2013. Health
authorities approved treatment for 32 patients out of 76 treatment-naive
patients referred to this institution. The patients (N=32) received 180 mcg
pegylated interferon alfa-2a once a week plus oral ribavirin in dosage of
800mg or 1000/1200 mg/day for 24 or 48-week treatment. All patients who
completed therapy were assessed at the end of an additional 24-week
treatment-free period for a sustained virological response. Results.
Sustained virological response was achieved in 53.8% of hepatitis C viral
infection genotype 1 patients and in 73.3% and 66.6% of patients with
hepatitis C viral infection genotype 3 and 4, respectively. One patient with
mixed genotype (1, 2) did not achieve sustained virological response. The
overall safety profile of the treatment regimen was very good. The incidence
of influenza-like symptoms and depression were low. A serious adverse event
was recorded only in 6.4% of patients. Conclusion. The results showed that
pegylated interferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin given once a week was well
tolerated among prisoners and the regimen had the same adherence and
effectiveness as in general population.
Max-min solution approach for multi-objective matrix game with fuzzy goals
Authors: Kumar Sandeep
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we consider a multi-objective two person zero-sum matrix game
with fuzzy goals, assuming that each player has a fuzzy goal for each of the
payoffs. The max-min solution is formulated for this multi-objective game
model, in which the optimization problem for each player is a linear
programming problem. Every developed model for each player is demonstrated
through a numerical example.
Analysis of a Delivery Device Conversion for Insulin Aspart: Potential Clinical Impact in Veterans
Authors: Moorman Spangler Caitlin M. , Greck Beth D. , Killian Jancy H.
Published: April 2016

In Brief Insulin therapies using a wide variety of delivery devices are available to accommodate individual patients’ needs. In this study of veterans with diabetes, converting from insulin aspart delivered with vials and syringes to insulin aspart delivered via a pen device resulted in no significant change in A1C. Although insulin pen delivery devices offer benefits, providers should thoroughly consider all potential reasons for uncontrolled diabetes before modifying a patient’s insulin delivery method.
Treatment Approach to Patients With Severe Insulin Resistance
Authors: Church Timothy J. , Haines Stuart T.
Published: April 2016

In Brief Patients with severe insulin resistance require >2 units/kg of body weight or 200 units/day of insulin. Yet, many patients do not achieve glycemic targets despite using very high doses of insulin. Insulin can cause weight gain, which further contributes to worsening insulin resistance. This article describes the pharmacological options for managing patients with severe insulin resistance, including the use of U-500 insulin and newer agents in combination with insulin.
Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index: Which Has Better Measurement Properties for Measuring Physical Functioning in Nonspecific Low Back Pain? Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chiarotto Alessandro , Maxwell Lara J. , Terwee Caroline B. , Wells George A. , Tugwell Peter , Ostelo Raymond W.
Published: April 2016

Background

Physical functioning is a core outcome domain to be measured in nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). A panel of experts recommended the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to measure this domain. The original 24-item RMDQ and ODI 2.1a are recommended by their developers.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the 24-item RMDQ or the ODI 2.1a has better measurement properties than the other to measure physical functioning in adult patients with NSLBP.

Data Sources

Bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, SportDiscus, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar), references of existing reviews, and citation tracking were the data sources.

Study Selection

Two reviewers selected studies performing a head-to-head comparison of measurement properties (reliability, validity, and responsiveness) of the 2 questionnaires. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of these studies.

Data Extraction

The studies' characteristics and results were extracted by 2 reviewers. A meta-analysis was conducted when there was sufficient clinical and methodological homogeneity among studies.

Data Synthesis

Nine articles were included, for a total of 11 studies assessing 5 measurement properties. All studies were classified as having poor or fair methodological quality. The ODI displayed better test-retest reliability and smaller measurement error, whereas the RMDQ presented better construct validity as a measure of physical functioning. There was conflicting evidence for both instruments regarding responsiveness and inconclusive evidence for internal consistency.

Limitations

The results of this review are not generalizable to all available versions of these questionnaires or to patients with specific causes for their LBP.

Conclusions

Based on existing head-to-head comparison studies, there are no strong reasons to prefer 1 of these 2 instruments to measure physical functioning in patients with NSLBP, but studies of higher quality are needed to confirm this conclusion. Foremost, content, structural, and cross-cultural validity of these questionnaires in patients with NSLBP should be assessed and compared.
Stress Relaxation by Transformation Plasticity under the Martensitic Transformation in Steels
Authors: Ivanov D. , Markegård L.
Published: April 2016

Transformation plasticity is considered as a phenomenon limiting the actual stress for any specified strain rate under conditions of phase transformation. A one-dimensional model of a steel bar strained under martensitic transformation is provided. Discussion is limited to a series of accepted assumptions, such as athermal kinetics of martensite transformation, monotonic evolution of temperature and constant transformation plasticity parameter. An equivalent tangent modulus is deduced indicating the decisive parameters influencing the softening modes. The obtained model is utilized together with well-known transformation plasticity laws and martensite transformation kinetics to demonstrate an actual softening of steels under the martensitic transformation.
Investissement stratégique et développement des PME
Authors: Serboff Thierry , Tannery Franck
Published: April 2016

Cet article étudie comment les investissements stratégiques passés dans les PME orientent et façonnent les attitudes mentales de leurs dirigeants ainsi que leurs pratiques stratégiques, actuelles et futures. Il détaille en cela la relation inverse à celle habituellement étudiée en stratégie et montre, à l’aide d’une étude statistique de nature exploratoire sur une base de données de grande ampleur (632 PME), combien les initiatives stratégiques guident l’actualité de la PME ainsi que ses évolutions à plus ou moins long terme.
La motivation de service public des gestionnaires publics tunisiens à l’aune de la révolution
Authors: Dahmani Amira
Published: April 2016

L’objet de cette recherche est de comprendre les déterminants de la motivation de service public. Les résultats de l’enquête de terrain, de nature exploratoire, menée dans l’administration publique tunisienne, font apparaître clairement que la motivation des gestionnaires publics est ancrée dans une dimension bien spécifique du référentiel valoriel du service public. Les conclusions soulignent que le développement de pratiques alignées avec l’éthos public promeut la motivation de service public.
Détection des compétences managériales
Authors: Condomines Bérangère , Hennequin Émilie , Borteyrou Xavier
Published: April 2016

Bernaud énonce que le modèle analogique intégrant la méthode du centre d’évaluation « constitue […], en théorie, une forme d’idéal dans la détection des compétences individuelles » (1999, p. 125). Notre recherche vise à appréhender la représentativité, l’acceptabilité et la prédictivité de cette approche évaluative des compétences individuelles définies dans une perspective comportementaliste. La méthodologie mixte met en exergue la pertinence de la méthode du centre d’évaluation proposant ainsi une démarche de recrutement et d’évaluation des compétences individuelles plus responsable.
Un indice de mesure du collaboratif client-fournisseur
Authors: Donada Carole , Lenglet François , Mothe Caroline , Nillès Jean-Jacques
Published: April 2016

Cet article présente un outil de mesure du collaboratif dans les relations client-fournisseur : le PEAK Collaborative Index© (PCI). Fondé sur les bases théoriques des normes transactionnelles collaboratives et des approches philosophiques sur les vertus cardinales de justice, de courage, de prudence et de tempérance, le PCI a été testé auprès de 300 entreprises engagées dans des relations collaboratives. Il révèle l’importance de vertus propédeutiques telles que la retenue et la courtoisie des personnes mais aussi des comportements interorganisationnels non opportunistes ancrés dans la recherche de justice, de courage et de prudence.
Nouvelles formes d’innovation publique
Authors: Coblence Emmanuel , Pallez Frédérique
Published: April 2016

Alors que les réformes administratives semblent de plus en plus discutées, émergent depuis le début des années 2000 des pratiques inédites, se présentant explicitement comme des innovations et se réclamant des méthodes du design, de l’open source, de l’ethnographie, ou de l’entrepreneuriat social. À partir d’une analyse qualitative de ces formes d’innovation publique, les auteurs montrent qu’elles remettent en cause certains des principes canoniques de l’action publique. Sur cette base, ils discutent leurs effets potentiels sur le comportement des gestionnaires publics À plusieurs niveaux.
La culture et son impact sur les actions politiques des entreprises
Authors: Barron Andrew , Voss W. Gregory
Published: April 2016

Cette recherche expose d’importantes différences culturelles dans la manière dont les entreprises ont tenté d’atteindre leurs objectifs politiques lors de la formulation d’un nouveau règlement européen. Ainsi, les entreprises anglo-saxonnes étaient plus disposées que leurs homologues européens à conduire des actions politiques individuelles tout en mettant en œuvre des tactiques de constitution de coalitions. Une approche comparative met l’accent sur la compréhension de la rationalité des actions politiques des entreprises. Nos résultats encouragent les lobbyistes à considérer l’impact des différences culturelles dans les stratégies politiques de leurs concurrents internationaux.
Assessment rubrics: thinking inside the boxes
Authors: Bennett Cary
Published: April 2016

Assessment rubrics are being promoted and introduced into tertiary teaching practices on the grounds that they are an efficient and reliable tool to evaluate student performance effectively and promote student learning. However, there has been little discussion on the value of using assessment rubrics in higher education. Rather, they are being gradually and (seemingly) uncritically mainstreamed into tertiary teaching expectations and practices, often through professional development workshops. This article investigates the pedagogic value and validity of criteria-based assessment rubrics and the instrumental rationality and goals informing them. Drawing on a small body of criticism, the article explores an emerging discourse that contends that assessment rubrics are not capable of measuring and evaluating complex thinking skills. Rather, they limit the independent responses of students and the professional judgement of markers, encourage compliance jeopardising student commitment and creativity, and promote a false sense of objectivity in the marking and grading of student work.
The relative efficacy of 3 different freehand frontal ventriculostomy trajectories: a prospective neuronavigation-assisted simulation study
Authors: Kirkman Matthew A. , Muirhead William , Sevdalis Nick
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Ventriculostomy is a relatively common neurosurgical procedure, often performed in the setting of acute hydrocephalus. Accurate positioning of the catheter is vital to minimize morbidity and mortality, and several anatomical landmarks are currently used. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the relative performance of 3 recognized trajectories for frontal ventriculostomy using imaging-derived metrics: perpendicular to skull (PTS), contralateral medial canthus/external auditory meatus (CMC/EAM), and ipsilateral medial canthus/external auditory meatus (IMC/EAM).

METHODS

Participants completed 9 simulated ventriculostomy attempts (3 of each trajectory) on a model head with Medtronic StealthStation coregistered imaging. Performance measures were distance of the ventricular catheter tip to the foramen of Monro (FoM) and presence of the catheter tip in a lateral ventricle.

RESULTS

Thirty-one individuals of varying seniority and prior ventriculostomy experience performed a total of 279 simulated freehand frontal ventriculostomies. The PTS and CMC/EAM trajectories were found to be significantly more likely to result in both the catheter tip being closer to the FoM and in a lateral ventricle compared with the IMC/EAM trajectory. These findings were not influenced by the prior ventriculostomy experience of the participant, corroborating the significance of these results.

CONCLUSIONS

The PTS and CMC/EAM trajectories were superior to the IMC/EAM trajectories during freehand frontal ventriculostomy in this study, and further data from studies incorporating varying ventricular sizes and bur hole locations are required to facilitate a change in clinical practice. In addition, neuronavigation and other guidance techniques for ventriculostomy are becoming increasingly popular and may be superior to freehand techniques, necessitating further prospective data evaluating their safety, efficacy, and feasibility for routine clinical use.
Radiographic predictors of deterioration in patients with lumbosacral lipomas
Authors: Tu Albert , Hengel Alexander R. , Cochrane D. Douglas
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Although patients with lumbosacral lipomas may be asymptomatic at presentation, most develop neurological symptoms over time. Given the challenges in examining infants, the authors sought to determine whether MRI would be helpful in identifying patients who are more likely to deteriorate early in life and who would potentially benefit from early surgical intervention.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all patients with lumbosacral lipomas who were seen at the authors' institution between 1997 and 2013 and who were managed without prophylactic surgery was performed. The clinical history and imaging results for each patient were reviewed in detail and then correlated to the pattern of and age at clinical deterioration.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients were identified. Nine worsened within the first 18 months of life (early deterioration), and 15 patients deteriorated or remained stable after 30 months (late deterioration/stable). No patients worsened between 18 and 30 months of age. Patients who deteriorated early were more likely to have large intradural lipomas that filled the canal, increased during the 1st year of life, and compressed neurological structures. Some had a syrinx extending above the neural-lipoma interface. Syrinxes in patients with early deterioration were large and expanded in infancy. Patients with early deterioration had motor deficits at the time of deterioration, whereas patients with late deterioration developed mixed urological and motor dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with large lipomas displacing the cord and an enlarging syrinx have a propensity for early clinical deterioration. Given this, their families may be counseled that 1) the risk of deterioration in infancy may be higher than in infants without these features, and 2) they require more diligent observation. Intervention before deterioration in these infants should also be considered. Patients without these features may be safely observed to a lesser extent.
Esophageal perforation after anterior cervical spine surgery: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Halani Sameer H. , Baum Griffin R. , Riley Jonathan P. , Pradilla Gustavo , Refai Daniel , Rodts Gerald E. , Ahmad Faiz U.
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Esophageal perforation is a rare but well-known complication of anterior cervical spine surgery. The authors performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate symptomatology, direct causes, repair methods, and associated complications of esophageal injury.

METHODS

A PubMed search that adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines included relevant clinical studies and case reports (articles written in the English language that included humans as subjects) that reported patients who underwent anterior spinal surgery and sustained some form of esophageal perforation. Available data on clinical presentation, the surgical procedure performed, outcome measures, and other individual variables were abstracted from 1980 through 2015.

RESULTS

The PubMed search yielded 65 articles with 153 patients (mean age 44.7 years; range 14–85 years) who underwent anterior spinal surgery and sustained esophageal perforation, either during surgery or in a delayed fashion. The most common indications for initial anterior cervical spine surgery in these cases were vertebral fracture/dislocation (n = 77), spondylotic myelopathy (n = 15), and nucleus pulposus herniation (n = 10). The most commonly involved spinal levels were C5–6 (n = 51) and C6–7 (n = 39). The most common presenting symptoms included dysphagia (n =63), fever (n = 24), neck swelling (n = 23), and wound leakage (n = 18). The etiology of esophageal perforation included hardware failure (n = 31), hardware erosion (n = 23), and intraoperative injury (n = 14). The imaging modalities used to identify the esophageal perforations included modified contrast dye swallow studies, CT, endoscopy, plain radiography, and MRI. Esophageal repair was most commonly achieved using a modified muscle flap, as well as with primary closure. Outcomes measured in the literature were often defined by the time to oral intake following esophageal repair. Complications included pneumonia (n = 6), mediastinitis (n = 4), osteomyelitis (n = 3), sepsis (n = 3), acute respiratory distress syndrome (n = 2), and recurrent laryngeal nerve damage (n = 1). The mortality rate of esophageal perforation in the analysis was 3.92% (6 of 153 reported patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Esophageal perforation after anterior cervical spine surgery is a rare complication. This systematic review demonstrates that these perforations can be stratified into 3 categories based on the timing of symptomatic onset: intraoperative, early postoperative (within 30 days of anterior spinal surgery), and delayed. The most common source of esophageal injury is hardware erosion or migration, each of which may vary in their time to symptomatic manifestation.
Lumbar subdural cerebrospinal fluid collection with acute cauda equina syndrome after posterior fossa decompression for Chiari malformation Type I: case report
Authors: Darwish Houssein A. , Oldfield Edward H.
Published: April 2016

This report describes the circumstances of a patient with a cauda equina syndrome due to the development of a lumbar subdural CSF collection with ventral displacement of the cauda equina shortly following posterior fossa decompression for Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I). This unusual, but clinically significant, complication was successfully treated with percutaneous drainage of the extraarachnoid CSF collection. Although there are a few cases of intracranial subdural hygroma developing after surgery for CM-I, often attributed to a pinhole opening in the arachnoid, as far as the authors can determine, a spinal subdural hygroma associated with surgery for CM-I has not been recognized.
Registration of RTx430/Gaigaoliang Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Recombinant Inbred Line Mapping Population
Authors: Burow G. B. , Burke J. J. , Franks C. D. , Xin Z. , Pederson G. A.
Published: April 2016

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population RTx430 × Gaigaoliang (Reg. No. MP‐2, NSL 515993 MAP) was developed at the Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Unit, Cropping Systems Research Laboratory, USDA‐ARS, Lubbock, TX, and released in 2011 via the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). This population was developed to map early‐season field germinability, seedling vigor, and other important agronomic traits in sorghum and to serve as a long‐term genetic resource. The population is composed of 171 F7 RILs developed by single seed descent method and was evaluated at two locations for field emergence and seedling vigor at Lubbock and New Deal, TX, under early‐season planting (1 April) and under controlled conditions at 12°C. The genotype data for this population consist of 141 simple sequence repeat markers and 2922 single nucleotide polymorphism obtained through genotype‐by‐sequencing technology. Ten quantitative trait loci were detected for early‐season field germination and were used to identify early‐season cold‐tolerant recombinant inbreds with nonpigmented testa that can be used as pollinators in breeding programs.
Registration of NE Trailblazer C‐1, NE Trailblazer C0, NE Trailblazer C2, NE Trailblazer C3, NE Trailblazer C4, and NE Trailblazer C5 Switchgrass Germplasms
Authors: Vogel Kenneth P. , Mitchell Robert B. , Sarath Gautam
Published: April 2016

NE Trailblazer C‐1 (GP‐101, PI 672015), NE Trailblazer C0 (GP‐100, PI 672014), NE Trailblazer C2 (GP‐102, PI 672016), NE Trailblazer C3 (GP‐103, PI 672017), NE Trailblazer C4 (GP‐104, PI 672018), and NE Trailblazer C5 (GP‐105, PI 672019) switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) germplasms were released by the USDA‐ARS and the University of Nebraska‐Lincoln on 10 Sept. 2014. These germplasms were developed by six generations of divergent breeding for in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). As a result of the multigenerations of recurrent breeding, the resulting populations differ significantly for IVDMD and for 25 other forage quality or biomass composition traits, including both acid detergent and Klason lignin. Plants in the high IVDMD populations also had altered anatomical structure. The lignin concentration of the stems was altered more than that of the leaves. The germplasm populations also differ significantly for winter survival. Altering plant composition by selection for IVDMD adversely affected the winter survival fitness of the resulting populations by unknown mechanisms. Plants from these germplasms can be used in genetics studies for determining the inheritance of multiple biomass composition traits and for identifying genes controlling specific biomass composition properties and winter survival of switchgrass and other perennial grasses.
G Protection When Adding Pressurized Sleeves and Gloves to a Representative G-Suit Ensemble
Authors: Morgan Thomas R. , Balldin Ulf , Fischer Joseph R.
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND: In a previous study, pressurized sleeves and gloves were found to substantially diminish or eliminate G-induced arm pain. Since this equipment presumably acts similarly to a G suit for the arms and hands, it was hypothesized that higher inflation pressures might provide
an additional increment of G protection.METHODS: In a human-rated centrifuge, 15 well trained subjects using Combat Edge and ATAGS G-protective equipment were exposed to gradual and rapid onset relaxed G exposures as well as rapid onset straining and simulated aerial combat maneuver
G exposures up to + 9 Gz with and without pressurized sleeves and gloves.RESULTS: The pressurized sleeves and gloves did not show any improvement in G tolerance or endurance compared to the control. However, significantly lower heart rates (6–12%) and subjective
effort (11%), along with slightly less peripheral vision loss, suggest a decreased work load when wearing the pressurized sleeves and gloves. A trend to shorter time on target in a tracking task was found with the pressurized sleeves and gloves, likely due to decreased mobility of the hands,
thus affecting control stick input.CONCLUSIONS: G tolerance and endurance were not improved by the pressurized sleeves and gloves. However, a lower heart rate and a decreased subjective effort level and peripheral vision loss indicated that the subjects did not have to work as hard
with this equipment.Morgan TR, Balldin U, Fischer JR. G protection when adding pressurized sleeves and gloves to a representative G-suit ensemble. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(5):464–469.
Biochemical Adaptations in a Slow and a Fast Plantarflexor Muscle of Rats Housed in Small Cages
Authors: Takemura Ai , Roy Roland R. , Edgerton V. Reggie , Ishihara Akihiko
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND: Chronic unloading and restricted activity are distinctly different processes, i.e., unloading completely removes the load on postural muscles, whereas restricted activity allows for loading of postural muscles. There are limited data available on the effects of restricted
activity on skeletal muscles. Thus the effects of restricted activity on the properties of the slow soleus and fast plantaris muscles in rats were examined.METHODS: Eight-week-old rats were housed for 21 d in normal-sized (control group) or in small-sized (restricted group) cages.RESULTS:
Decreased mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (81 and 85% of control values) and reduced succinate dehydrogenase activity (85 and 88% of control values) were observed in the soleus and the plantaris muscles of the restricted group, respectively.
Increased mRNA levels of forkhead box-containing protein O1 (128% of control values), decreased muscle weight (74% of control values), and reduced cross-sectional areas of type IIA (89% of control values) and type IIB (80% of control values) fibers were observed in the plantaris muscle of
the restricted group.DISCUSSION: Restricted activity decreased the mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α and increased the mRNA levels of forkhead box-containing protein O1, which are associated with reduced oxidative capacity and
atrophy, respectively, in the muscles. The plantaris muscle was more affected by restricted activity than the soleus muscle, most likely reflecting a greater relative change in the normal activity pattern in the fast than slow plantarflexor muscle.Takemura A, Roy RR, Edgerton VR, Ishihara
A. Biochemical adaptations in a slow and a fast plantarflexor muscle of rats housed in small cages. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(5):443–448.
Beyond Stereotypes of Bedouins as ‘Nomads’ and ‘Savages’: Rethinking the Bedouin in Ottoman Southern Palestine, 1875–1900
Authors: Amara Ahmad
Published: April 2016

This article explores and contests dominant representations of the Bedouin in Historic southern Palestine as nomads and savages, through the study of inter-Bedouin land conflicts in the second half of the nineteenth century. By studying the late Ottoman period, the author seeks to examine Bedouin-State interactions surrounding the question of territoriality and space-making, as well as the long-standing impact of the Ottoman heritage in southern Palestine. The available Ottoman archival resources shed important light on Ottoman representations of the Bedouin, their space and modes of living, and challenge hegemonic representations of the Bedouin as well as the broader pre-Beersheba Bedouin historiography. More specifically, the archival material shows that research categories that are dominant and prevalent in the study of the Bedouin today, such as ‘nomadism’ and ‘pastoralism’, need to be re-thought, and new approaches to the study of the Bedouin need to be employed.
A Structural Analysis ofSūrat Maryam, Verses 1–58
Authors: Alhassen Leyla Ozgur
Published: April 2016

This article takes a structural approach to the stories told in Q. 19:1–58. Relying on the theoretical ideas of Ferdinand de Saussure, Roland Barthes, and Wayne Booth, and focusing primarily on the Qur'anic text itself while referring to classical and modern Qur'an commentaries, it uses structural analysis as a tool with which to analyse the theme of secrets that is prominent throughout the various stories told in this section of Sūrat Maryam. In the course of this analysis this paper explores how structure is first established in this sura, and how it changes as the section progresses. It then goes on to discuss the narrative techniques through which the story presents metaphysical beliefs of God's centrality while moving from narrative to metanarrative. It addresses the ways in which the dramatic tension and irony inherent to the subtextual juxtaposition of the signs for secrets maintained and secrets revealed are expressed in the stories told within the text; by signifying God's omniscience, these signs thus serve to further the Qur'an's expression of metaphysical beliefs about God.
‘Needle Crusaders’: The Nineteenth-Century Ayrshire Whitework Industry
Authors: Tuckett Sally
Published: April 2016

Ayrshire whitework, a form of embroidery considered a cheap and popular alternative to lace, was a significant industry in the nineteenth century. Employing thousands of women particularly in the south west of Scotland in the 1850s, the whitework trade combined skill and handicraft with industrial scale organisation, only to decline dramatically by the end of the century. Using census returns, parliamentary reports and contemporary commentary, this article explores the workings of the Ayrshire whitework industry. It will account for the dramatic rise and fall of the industry within the nineteenth century, looking in closer detail at the women of Ayr in particular, and build on existing literature to examine attempts to revive the industry at the turn of the twentieth century.
Lindsay Paterson: An Appreciation
Authors: McCrone David
Published: April 2016

Marking the long editorial tenure (1992–2015) of Lindsay Paterson, this article reviews the key role Paterson made to the founding and subsequent development of Scottish Affairs. It reviews the intellectual contribution Paterson has made to both editing the journal and furthering our understanding of contemporary Scotland. It concludes with a personal selection of articles carried by Scottish Affairs which demonstrate the quality, variety and value of writing under Paterson's editorship.
Scotland's Diaspora Strategy: The View from the Current American Diaspora
Authors: Leith Murray Stewart , Sim Duncan
Published: April 2016

Since devolution in 1999 and the establishment of a Scottish Government able to engage directly with the Scottish diaspora, a distinct diaspora strategy has been developed. It has tended to have an overly economic focus, in contrast with other countries like Ireland, which have adopted a more flexible approach, embracing cultural and heritage groups within the ‘ancestral diaspora’. Research within Scottish diaspora organisations suggests that Scotland would benefit from a strategy which acknowledged in a more direct way the contribution which heritage groups can make to the homeland, for example through conservation projects, ancestral tourism or simply by being ambassadors for the country. It would also benefit from being less centrally managed, thereby giving diaspora organisations a more participative role.
Applications of Skew Models Using Generalized Logistic Distribution
Authors: Rathie Pushpa , Silva Paulo , Olinto Gabriela
Published: April 2016

We use the skew distribution generation procedure proposed by Azzalini [Scand. J. Stat., 1985, 12, 171–178] to create three new probability distribution functions. These models make use of normal, student-t and generalized logistic distribution, see Rathie and Swamee [Technical Research Report No. 07/2006. Department of Statistics, University of Brasilia: Brasilia, Brazil, 2006]. Expressions for the moments about origin are derived. Graphical illustrations are also provided. The distributions derived in this paper can be seen as generalizations of the distributions given by Nadarajah and Kotz [Acta Appl. Math., 2006, 91, 1–37]. Applications with unimodal and bimodal data are given to illustrate the applicability of the results derived in this paper. The applications include the analysis of the following data sets: (a) spending on public education in various countries in 2003; (b) total expenditure on health in 2009 in various countries and (c) waiting time between eruptions of the Old Faithful Geyser in the Yellow Stone National Park, Wyoming, USA. We compare the fit of the distributions introduced in this paper with the distributions given by Nadarajah and Kotz [Acta Appl. Math., 2006, 91, 1–37]. The results show that our distributions, in general, fit better the data sets. The general R codes for fitting the distributions introduced in this paper are given in Appendix A.
Open Markov Processes: A Compositional Perspective on Non-Equilibrium Steady States in Biology
Authors: Pollard Blake
Published: April 2016

In recent work, Baez, Fong and the author introduced a framework for describing Markov processes equipped with a detailed balanced equilibrium as open systems of a certain type. These “open Markov processes” serve as the building blocks for more complicated processes. In this paper, we describe the potential application of this framework in the modeling of biological systems as open systems maintained away from equilibrium. We show that non-equilibrium steady states emerge in open systems of this type, even when the rates of the underlying process are such that a detailed balanced equilibrium is permitted. It is shown that these non-equilibrium steady states minimize a quadratic form which we call “dissipation”. In some circumstances, the dissipation is approximately equal to the rate of change of relative entropy plus a correction term. On the other hand, Prigogine’s principle of minimum entropy production generally fails for non-equilibrium steady states. We use a simple model of membrane transport to illustrate these concepts.
Testing a Quantum Heat Pump with a Two-Level Spin
Authors: Correa Luis , Mehboudi Mohammad
Published: April 2016

Once in its non-equilibrium steady state, a nanoscale system coupled to several heat baths may be thought of as a “quantum heat pump”. Depending on the direction of its stationary heat flows, it may function as, e.g., a refrigerator or a heat transformer. These continuous heat devices can be arbitrarily complex multipartite systems, and yet, their working principle is always the same: they are made up of several elementary three-level stages operating in parallel. As a result, it is possible to devise external “black-box” testing strategies to learn about their functionality and performance regardless of any internal details. In particular, one such heat pump can be tested by coupling a two-level spin to one of its “contact transitions”. The steady state of this external probe contains information about the presence of heat leaks and internal dissipation in the device and, also, about the direction of its steady-state heat currents. Provided that the irreversibility of the heat pump is low, one can further estimate its coefficient of performance. These techniques may find applications in the emerging field of quantum thermal engineering, as they facilitate the diagnosis and design optimization of complex thermodynamic cycles.
A Comparative Reliability Study of Three Fundamental Multilevel Inverters Using Two Different Approaches
Authors: Alavi Omid , Hooshmand Viki Abbas , Shamlou Sadegh
Published: April 2016

The reliability of power electronic devices and components is very important to manufacturers. In recent years, many researchers have conducted reliability assessments of power electronic devices, yet the reliability of numerous circuits used widely has not been evaluated. This paper presents a comprehensive reliability evaluation of fundamental multilevel inverters. The reliability of the multilevel inverters is analyzed by calculating the mean time to failure for each component. The calculation was performed by two methods (approximate and exact) to achieve better comparisons. The approximate method is similar to the parts count method used in MIL-HDBK-217 reliability standard, and the exact method exhibits the parts stress method. In the exact method, due to the direct relationship between component failure and temperature, we used Matlab Simulink to determine power losses in diodes and switches taking into account the temperature factor. The results determined by the approximate method showed that the three-level cascade H-bridge was the most reliable of the inverters considered. Although the exact method validates those results, and shows that cascade H-bridge (CHB) had a longer lifespan, but the calculated values are different. Therefore, using different approaches for evaluating reliability results in different outcomes.
Downregulation of Plasma miR-215 in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients with Successful Discontinuation of Imatinib
Authors: Ohyashiki Kazuma , Umezu Tomohiro , Katagiri Seiichiro , Kobayashi Chiaki , Azuma Kenko , Tauchi Tetsuzo , Okabe Seiichi , Fukuoka Yutaka , Ohyashiki Junko
Published: April 2016

Approximately 40% of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients who discontinue imatinib (IM) therapy maintain undetectable minimal residual disease (UMRD) for more than one year (stopping IM (STOP-IM)). To determine a possible biomarker for STOP-IM CML, we examined plasma miRNA expression in CML patients who were able to discontinue IM. We first screened candidate miRNAs in unselected STOP-IM patients, who had sustained UMRD after discontinuing IM for more than six months, in comparison with healthy volunteers, by using a TaqMan low-density array for plasma or exosomes. Exosomal miR-215 and plasma miR-215 were downregulated in the STOP-IM group compared to the control, indicating that the biological relevance of the plasma miR-215 level is equivalent to that of the exosomal level. Next, we performed real-time quantitative RT-PCR in 20 STOP-IM patients, 32 patients with UMRD on continued IM therapy (IM group) and 28 healthy volunteers. The plasma miRNA-215 level was significantly downregulated in the STOP-IM group (p < 0.0001); we determined the cut-off level and divided the IM group patients into two groups according to whether the plasma miR-215 was downregulated or not. The IM group patients with a low plasma miR-215 level had a significantly higher total IM intake, compared to the patients with elevated miR-215 levels (p = 0.0229). Functional annotation of miR-215 target genes estimated by the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) bioinformatic tools involved cell cycle, mitosis, DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint. Our study suggests a possible role of miR-215 in successful IM discontinuation.
Versatile Production of Poly(Epsilon-Caprolactone) Fibers by Electrospinning Using Benign Solvents
Authors: Liverani Liliana , Boccaccini Aldo
Published: April 2016

The electrospinning technique is widely used for the fabrication of micro- and nanofibrous structures. Recent studies have focused on the use of less toxic and harmful solvents (benign solvents) for electrospinning, even if those solvents usually require an accurate and longer process of optimization. The aim of the present work is to demonstrate the versatility of the use of benign solvents, like acetic acid and formic acid, for the fabrication of microfibrous and nanofibrous electrospun poly(epsilon-caprolactone) mats. The solvent systems were also shown to be suitable for the fabrication of electrospun structures with macroporosity, as well as for the fabrication of composite electrospun mats, fabricated by the addition of bioactive glass (45S5 composition) particles in the polymeric solution.
Combination of Heat Shock and Enhanced Thermal Regime to Control the Growth of a Persistent Legionella pneumophila Strain
Authors: Bédard Emilie , Boppe Inès , Kouamé Serge , Martin Philippe , Pinsonneault Linda , Valiquette Louis , Racine Jules , Prévost Michèle
Published: April 2016

Following nosocomial cases of Legionella pneumophila, the investigation of a hot water system revealed that 81.5% of sampled taps were positive for L. pneumophila, despite the presence of protective levels of copper in the water. A significant reduction of L. pneumophila counts was observed by culture after heat shock disinfection. The following corrective measures were implemented to control L. pneumophila: increasing the hot water temperature (55 to 60 °C), flushing taps weekly with hot water, removing excess lengths of piping and maintaining a water temperature of 55 °C throughout the system. A gradual reduction in L. pneumophila counts was observed using the culture method and qPCR in the 18 months after implementation of the corrective measures. However, low level contamination was retained in areas with hydraulic deficiencies, highlighting the importance of maintaining a good thermal regime at all points within the system to control the population of L. pneumophila.
Density Functional Theory of Polymer Structure and Conformations
Authors: Wei Zhaoyang , Ning Nanying , Zhang Liqun , Tian Ming , Mi Jianguo
Published: April 2016

We present a density functional approach to quantitatively evaluate the microscopic conformations of polymer chains with consideration of the effects of chain stiffness, polymer concentration, and short chain molecules. For polystyrene (PS), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) melts with low-polymerization degree, as chain length increases, they display different stretching ratios and show non-universal scaling exponents due to their different chain stiffnesses. In good solvent, increase of PS concentration induces the decline of gyration radius. For PS blends containing short (m1 = 1 − 100) and long (m = 100) chains, the expansion of long chains becomes unobvious once m 1 is larger than 40, which is also different to the scaling properties of ideal chain blends.
Effect of Rubber Nanoparticle Agglomeration on Properties of Thermoplastic Vulcanizates during Dynamic Vulcanization
Authors: Wu Hanguang , Tian Ming , Zhang Liqun , Tian Hongchi , Wu Youping , Ning Nanying , Hu Guo-Hua
Published: April 2016

We previously reported that the dispersed rubber microparticles in ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)/polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are actually agglomerates of rubber nanoparticles. In this study, based on this new understanding of the microstructure of TPV, we further revealed the microstructure-properties relationship of EPDM/PP TPV during dynamic vulcanization, especially the effect of the size of rubber nanoparticle agglomerates (dn), the thicknesses of PP ligaments (IDpoly) and the rubber network on the properties of EPDM/PP TPV. We were able to simultaneously obtain a high tensile strength, elongation at break, elastic modulus, and elasticity for the EPDM/PP TPV by the achievement of a smaller dn, a thinner IDpoly and a denser rubber network. Interestingly, the effect of dn and IDpoly on the elastic modulus of EPDM/PP TPV composed of rubber nanoparticle agglomerates is different from that of EPDM/PP TPVs composed of rubber microparticles reported previously. The deformation behavior of the TPVs during stretching was studied to understand the mechanism for the achievement of good mechanical properties. Interestingly, the rubber nanoparticle agglomerates are oriented along the tensile direction during stretching. The TPV samples with smaller and more numerous rubber nanoparticle agglomerates can slow down the development of voids and cracks more effectively, thus leading to increase in tensile strength and elongation at break of the EPDM/PP TPV.
Rapid Hydrophilization of Model Polyurethane/Urea (PURPEG) Polymer Scaffolds Using Oxygen Plasma Treatment
Authors: Zaplotnik Rok , Vesel Alenka , Primc Gregor , Liu Xiangyu , Chen Kevin , Wei Chiju , Xu Kaitian , Mozetic Miran
Published: April 2016

Polyurethane/urea copolymers based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PURPEG) were exposed to weakly ionized, highly reactive low-pressure oxygen plasma to improve their sorption kinetics. The plasma was sustained with an inductively coupled radiofrequency generator operating at various power levels in either E-mode (up to the forward power of 300 W) or H-mode (above 500 W). The treatments that used H-mode caused nearly instant thermal degradation of the polymer samples. The density of the charged particles in E-mode was on the order of 1016 m−3, which prevented material destruction upon plasma treatment, but the density of neutral O-atoms in the ground state was on the order of 1021 m−3. The evolution of plasma characteristics during sample treatment in E-mode was determined by optical emission spectroscopy; surface modifications were determined by water adsorption kinetics and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; and etching intensity was determined by residual gas analysis. The results showed moderate surface functionalization with hydroxyl and carboxyl/ester groups, weak etching at a rate of several nm/s, rather slow activation down to a water contact angle of 30° and an ability to rapidly absorb water.