bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The People According to the Chinese Communist Party: Reinterpreting the Party’s Political Theory
Authors: Ding Xiaodong
Published: April 2019

This article argues that the Chinese Communist Party has adopted a unique understanding of the people. Unlike the liberal view, which generally considers the people a nonpolitical and positive entity, the party views the people as essentially political. The party’s political understanding of the people, this article argues, is consistent with the very nature of the people. Viewed from the political understanding of the people and representing the people, the party’s theories of “contradictions among the people,” of the “mass line,” and of distinctions among different classes and individuals are consistent with self-governance by the people. The party’s theories are not inherently totalitarian, antidemocratic, and arbitrary, as liberal theorists argue.
Variations of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 gene in coronary artery disease
Authors: Chiang Shih-Min , Yang Yi-Sun , Yang Shun-Fa , Tsai Chin-Feng , Ueng Kwo-Chnag
Published: April 2019

Objective

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the principal cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Studies have provided controversial results regarding whether variations in the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 gene ( PCSK9) are risk factors for CAD. In this study, we evaluated the risk factors associated with PSCK9 genotypes and CAD in the Taiwanese population.

Methods

A total of 501 patients diagnosed with CAD by angiography and 334 CAD-free controls were recruited. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of PSCK9 (rs505151 and rs529787) were genotyped.

Results

The prevalence of a positive family history for CAD was significantly higher in individuals carrying the AG + GG genotype of the PSCK9 rs505151 polymorphism. Among CAD patients with a positive family history, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in those carrying the AG + GG genotype of the PSCK9 rs505151 polymorphism (73.3%) than in those carrying the AA genotype (39.2%).

Conclusion

In CAD patients, the AG genotype of PSCK9 rs505151 is associated with diabetes and a positive family history of CAD.
Guidelines of the International Headache Society for controlled trials of preventive treatment of migraine in children and adolescents, 1st edition
Authors: Abu-Arafeh Ishaq , Hershey Andrew D , Diener Hans-Christoph , Tassorelli Cristina ,   on behalf of the Clinical Trials Standing Committee and the Child and Adolescent Standing Committee of the International Headache Society
Published: April 2019

Background

Because the results of clinical trials of investigational treatments influence regulatory policy, prescribing patterns, and use in clinical practice, high quality trials are an essential component of the evidence base for migraine. The International Headache Society has published guidelines for clinical trials in adults with migraine since 1991. With multiple issues specific to children and adolescents with migraine, as well as the emergence of novel trial designs and advances in pharmaceuticals, biologics, devices, and behavioural interventions, there is a need for guidance focusing on issues specific to the conduct of clinical trials in children and adolescents with migraine.

Objectives

The objective of these guidelines is to provide a contemporary, standardized, and evidence-based approach to the design, conduct, and reporting of well-controlled clinical trials of preventive treatment of migraine in children and adolescents.

Methods

The development of these guidelines was based on guidelines previously published by the International Headache Society and regulatory bodies. The recommendations are evidence-based, where available. The process included consultations among various committees, roundtable discussions among stakeholders (lay people and the pharmaceutical industry), and open consultation with the IHS membership on the final draft.

Results

A series of recommendations addressing the major issues in clinical trials in children and adolescents with migraine is provided. Recommendations are supported by evidence-based practice and validated methodologies, where available. Supporting comments are provided to clarify ambiguities.

Conclusions

These guidelines should be consulted and used in designing and conducting clinical trials of preventive treatments in children and adolescents with migraine.
Scalable Computing Architecture for Time-Dependent Transportation Optimization Problems Based on High-Performance Computing Techniques
Authors: Li Pengfei (Taylor) , Wang Peirong (Slade) , Chowdhury Farzana , Zhang Li
Published: April 2019

Traditional formulations for transportation optimization problems mostly build complicating attributes into constraints while keeping the succinctness of objective functions. A popular solution is the Lagrangian decomposition by relaxing complicating constraints and then solving iteratively. Although this approach is effective for many problems, it generates intractability in other problems. To address this issue, this paper presents an alternative formulation for transportation optimization problems in which the complicating attributes of target problems are partially or entirely built into the objective function instead of into the constraints. Many mathematical complicating constraints in transportation problems can be efficiently modeled in dynamic network loading (DNL) models based on the demand–supply equilibrium, such as the various road or vehicle capacity constraints or “IF–THEN” type constraints. After “pre-building” complicating constraints into the objective functions, the objective function can be approximated well with customized high-fidelity DNL models. Three types of computing benefits can be achieved in the alternative formulation: ( a) the original problem will be kept the same; ( b) computing complexity of the new formulation may be significantly reduced because of the disappearance of hard constraints; ( c) efficiency loss on the objective function side can be mitigated via multiple high-performance computing techniques. Under this new framework, high-fidelity and problem-specific DNL models will be critical to maintain the attributes of original problems. Therefore, the authors’ recent efforts in enhancing the DNL’s fidelity and computing efficiency are also described in the second part of this paper. Finally, a demonstration case study is conducted to validate the new approach.
Developing an Eco-Driving Application for Semi-Actuated Signalized Intersections and Modeling the Market Penetration Rates of Eco-Driving
Authors: Mousa Saleh R. , Ishak Sherif , Mousa Ragab M. , Codjoe Julius
Published: April 2019

Eco-driving is one of the most effective techniques for making the transportation sector more sustainable in relation to fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Eco-driving applications guide drivers approaching signalized intersections to optimize the fuel consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike pre-timed traffic signals, developing eco-driving applications for semi-actuated signals is more challenging because of variations in cycle length as a result of fluctuations in traffic demand. This paper presents a framework for developing an eco-driving application for connected/automated vehicles passing through semi-actuated signalized intersections. The proposed algorithm takes into consideration the queue effects because of traditional and connected/automated vehicles. Results showed that the fuel consumption for vehicles controlled by the developed model was 29.2% less than for the case with no control. A sensitivity analysis for the impact of market penetration (MP) indicated that the savings in fuel consumption increase with higher MP. Furthermore, when MP is greater than 50%, the model provides appreciable savings in travel times. In addition, the estimated acceleration noise for the vehicles controlled by the algorithms was 21.9% less than for the case with no control. These reductions in fuel consumption and acceleration noise demonstrate the ability of the algorithm to provide more environmentally sustainable semi-actuated signalized intersections.
Transformations of Roma’s Marriage Patterns after Migration from Slovakia to the Czech Republic
Authors: Budilová Lenka J. , Jakoubek Marek
Published: April 2019

The article is based on the analysis of the field data from the Slovak and Czech localities inhabited by the Roma. It presents a model of the transformation of a part of the studied group in the Czech localities after their emigration since the end of the WWII from Slovakia. The authors present a model of the patterns which prevailed in the choice of the marital partner in the oldest generation, living in the Slovak Roma settlements. This pattern was characterized by stress on the fact that the marital partner should be either a cognate or an affine or related by both of these ways. The first generation of the people who left Slovakia and settled in the Czech urban localities adhered to this pattern. The second generation, born or brought up in the Czech Republic, either stick to the old pattern (within the original kin group) or tried to devise new solutions (a marriage with a non-Roma or a marriage with a member of a strange Roma group from the same locality). These solutions, and marriages following from them, were, however, mostly unsuccessful. In the third generation, the same patterns are applied as in the first generation, but not with the members of the original kin group, but with the other (for thirty previous years considered as strange) Roma groups from the same locality. Many marital alliances are established between these groups, till this time strange and mutually endogamous.
Involvement of the Clock Gene period in the Circadian Rhythm of the Silkmoth Bombyx mori
Authors: Ikeda Kento , Daimon Takaaki , Sezutsu Hideki , Udaka Hiroko , Numata Hideharu
Published: April 2019

In Lepidoptera, the roles of period ( per) and the negative feedback involving this gene in circadian rhythm are controversial. In the present study, we established a per knockout strain using TALEN in Bombyx mori, and compared eclosion and hatching rhythms between the per-knockout and wild-type strains to examine whether per is actually involved in these rhythms. The generated per knockout allele was considered null, because it encoded an extensively truncated form of PERIOD (198 aa due to a 64-bp deletion in exon 7, in contrast to 1113 aa in the wild-type protein). In this per knockout strain, circadian rhythms in eclosion and hatching were disrupted. Under LD cycles, however, a steep peak existed at 1 h after lights-on in both eclosion and hatching, and was considered to be produced by a masking effect—a direct response to light. In the per-knockout strain, temporal expression changes of per and timeless ( tim) were also lost. The expression levels of tim were continuously high, probably due to the loss of negative feedback by per and tim. In contrast, the expression levels of per were much lower in the per knockout strain than in the wild type at every time point. From these results, we concluded that per is indispensable for circadian rhythms, and we suggest that the negative feedback loop of the circadian rhythm involving per functions for the production of behavioral rhythms in B. mori.
Attending to Total Pain in Juvenile Huntington Disease: A Case Report Informed by Narrative Review of the Literature
Authors: Kendrick Lindsey M. , Hudgell Denise , Hellman Amy , Weaver Meaghann S.
Published: April 2019

Objectives:

To consider the impact of juvenile Huntington disease (JHD) from a biomedical, symptom burden, and total pain palliative care perspective.

Methods:

This case report was informed by a narrative review of the literature with inclusion of expert opinion from pediatric palliative care, an adult and pediatric neurologist, and a child psychiatrist. Audio-recorded qualitative interview and coauthorship with the pediatric patient’s primary caregiver (his mother).

Results:

The JHD impacts all domains of child and family function.

Significance of Results:

Application of the concept of total pain to JHD informs and guides care for this complex, challenging condition.
A tactical framework for EMR adoption
Authors: Lambley James , Kuziemsky Craig
Published: April 2019

Hospitals and other health settings across Canada are transitioning from paper or legacy information systems to Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems to improve patient care and service delivery. The literature speaks to benefits of EMR systems, but also challenges, such as adverse patient events and provider workflow interruptions. Theoretical models have been proposed to help understand the complex interaction between health information technologies and the healthcare environment, but a shortcoming is the transition from conceptual models to actual clinical settings. The health ecosystem is filled with human diversity and organizational culture considerations that cannot be separated from technical implementation strategies. This paper analyzes literature on EMR implementation and adoption to develop a tactical framework for EMR adoption. The framework consists of six categories, each with a set of seed questions to consider when leading technology adoption projects.
Nursing Students Learn Online Interprofessional Education on Substance Use
Authors: Puskar Kathy , Mitchell Ann M. , Lee Heeyoung , Kane Irene , Albrecht Susan A. , Frank Linda R. , Hagle Holly , Lindsay Dawn , Kameg Brayden , Johnson Cortney , Sun Ran
Published: April 2019

Background

Interprofessional education strategies are becoming more prevalent as nursing schools integrate interprofessional practice activities into their curricula.

Purpose

This paper presents the results of a federally funded project to deliver online interprofessional education to nursing students on screening for alcohol and substance use in rural areas, in which their perceptions about interprofessional education were measured.

Methods

A quasi-experimental within-subjects repeated measures design was utilized. Students in the bachelor or associate degree program were recruited from two rural nursing schools. A demographic questionnaire, Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Questionnaire, Drug and Drug Problems Questionnaire, and Interprofessional Education Perception Scale were utilized. General linear modeling was used to determine changes in these measurements over time. Data collection was performed at pretraining, posttraining, and following an online interprofessional dialogue.

Results

The study consisted of 89 nursing students. The participants were 87% female (n = 77/89) and 91% white (n = 81/89); their mean age was 24.9 years (standard deviation = 10.36). Analysis of evaluation questionnaires demonstrated increased levels of confidence in working with patients who consume alcohol or other drugs and on certain aspects of interprofessional education.

Conclusion

Online interprofessional preservice education holds the potential to positively increase nursing students’ confidence in working with patients and to increase their interprofessional practice.
Gender Equality and Sentencing Outcomes: An Examination of State Courts
Authors: Nowacki Jeffrey S.
Published: April 2019

The current study examined whether measures of structural gender equality conditioned the effects of defendant gender on incarceration decisions. Using data from the State Court Processing Statistics (SCPS) database, multilevel logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between both case- and county-level variables on incarceration decisions on a sample of defendants sentenced in state courts. Results indicated that women were less likely to be sentenced to prison than men, but there was no gender difference for jail and noncustodial sentences; however, the structural gender equality measures exerted only slight influences over sentencing outcomes.
Philanthropy and Economic Development: New Roles and Strategies
Authors: Giloth Robert
Published: April 2019

Philanthropic investments in economic development—including grants, technical assistance, program-related investments, policy advocacy, and civic leadership—have increased during the past decades. Philanthropic support for economic development provides flexible, timely resources for innovation, capacity building, and policy advocacy. While philanthropy is often associated with social equity approaches, philanthropic investments in economic development are quite diverse—downtown development, place-based renewal, social enterprises, and economic development networks. This study reviews existing data about philanthropy and economic development, vignettes of foundation investments, and nonprofit perspectives about new foundation roles. Overall, place-rooted foundations are most engaged in economic development, while many national foundations are formulating broader strategic frameworks related to economic inclusion. Foundations are helping achieve concrete economic development results; future research requires improvements in data and in-depth case studies of places with significant philanthropic engagement.
The Political Economy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Authors: Matti Josh
Published: April 2019

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) was established with the goal of fostering rural development through grants and low-interest loans. However, rural revitalization is only effective if funds reach their intended recipients. With congressional oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and geographic concentration of RBS benefits, the RBS may deviate from its stated objectives to satisfy congressional preferences. Using RBS grant and loan data from 2006 to 2014, the author performs a test of the congressional dominance model. The empirical results show that congressional membership on the relevant House and Senate subcommittees is associated with greater RBS funding. Congressional influence is a plausible mechanism through which development funding fails to reach those in the areas of greatest need.
Ordoliberalism, European Monetary Union and State Power
Authors: Bonefeld Werner
Published: April 2019

The capitalist state is the indispensable power of a free labor economy. Its class character is not founded on a national basis. Rather it is founded on the world market relations of capitalist wealth and includes a history of suffering. This article scrutinizes ordoliberalism as a veritable statement about the character of capitalist society and its state. In the contemporary debate about the ordoliberalization of Europe, the ordoliberal argument about capitalist labor economy as a practice of government is put aside and instead it is identified with a certain ‘German’ preference for austerity and seemingly also technocratic governance, undermining the European democracies and leading to calls for the resurgence of the national democratic state that governs for the many. In this argument illusion dominates reality. In distinction, the argument attempted here scrutinizes the role of the member states in monetary union as executive states of the bond that unites them. Monetary union strengthens the member states as ‘planners for competition’ and is entirely dependent upon their capacity to govern accordingly.
Civil Servants Talk Back – Political Subjectivity and (Re) Constructions of the Nation
Authors: Martinsson Lena , Reimers Eva
Published: April 2019

This article discusses the emergence of political subjectivity and politicization among social workers and teachers. We present situations that have induced teachers and social workers to become politically active and examine what their struggle might imply for these unaccompanied children. We also ask how the nation state is interpellated and transformed. Drawing on Laclau, Mouffe and Biesta, we find that political subjectivity emerges in situations with conflicting norms and contradictory interpellations. When Sweden deported unaccompanied refugee children, numerous social workers and teachers found themselves torn between acting as loyal civil servants or acting in accordance with their professional ethics. When representatives from this category emerge as political subjects directed at political change, the nation state becomes unstable and porous, creating possibilities for change.
Examination of Barriers to Medication Adherence, Asthma Management, and Control Among Community Pharmacy Patients With Asthma
Authors: Makhinova Tatiana , Barner Jamie C. , Brown Carolyn M. , Richards Kristin M. , Rascati Karen L. , Rush Sharon , Nag Arpita
Published: April 2019

Objective:

To describe the prevalence of common barriers to asthma medication adherence and examine associations between patient-reported asthma controller adherence and asthma control, therapy adherence barriers, and asthma management characteristics.

Methods:

Previously developed asthma-specific tool was pilot tested on a convenience sample of adult patients with persistent asthma. The following data were collected via patient survey: demographic characteristics and comorbidities, adherence, asthma control, and asthma management characteristics. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to address the study objective.

Results:

The patients (N = 93) were 45.4 (17.2) years of age, and 66.7% were female. The majority had poor (68.8%) adherence, with 61.3% of patients having controlled asthma. There was no significant association between adherence and asthma control. The mean number of barriers for good and poor adherence groups differed significantly: 2.0 ± 1.1 and 5.4 ± 2.4, respectively ( P < .0001). Having an asthma action plan (AAP) was the only asthma management characteristic significantly related to adherence. The majority of patients with poor adherence did not have an AAP (76.6%), whereas 81.5% of patients with good adherence did have an AAP ( P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

The use of this survey tool confirmed presence of asthma-specific barriers, thus using this specialized approach may lead to more effective, targeted counseling in community pharmacy settings.
Spiritual Dimensions of Nurse Practitioner Consultations in Family Practice
Authors: Rogers Melanie , Hargreaves Janet , Wattis John
Published: April 2019

Purpose of Study: To explore the spiritual dimensions of nurse practitioner consultations in primary care through the lens of availability and vulnerability. Design of Study and Methods Used: A hermeneutic phenomenological enquiry exploring the spiritual dimensions of primary care consultations consisting of two interviews per participant over an 18-month period was conducted with nurse practitioners in the United Kingdom. A purposive sample of eight nurse practitioners were recruited and interviewed. Interviews were fully transcribed and analyzed thematically. Findings: Participants identified that spirituality can be difficult to conceptualize and operationalize in practice. Participants articulated the meaning of spirituality and gave examples of when they had witnessed a spiritual dimension in practice. Key themes included how nurse practitioners conceptualize spirituality, the context for spirituality to be integrated into care, and the importance of spirituality as an aspect of holistic care. The concepts of Availability and Vulnerability were used intentionally as a lens in the study to explore whether these concepts and approaches to practice could enhance integration of spirituality into practice. Conclusion: Knowledge and understanding regarding spirituality in nurse practitioners consultations in primary care has been uncovered. A framework for operationalizing spirituality has been developed.
A novel approach of fault-influencing factors analysis for high-voltage switchgears quality supervision based on industrial big data
Authors: Kong Xianguang , Chang Jiantao , Wang Pei , Gong Siyi , Shi Yabin , Zhang Yuhang , Guo Zekun
Published: April 2019

Fault-influencing factors analysis is an important part of the quality supervision process. There are double functions for high-voltage switchgears that switch off and protect electric circuits in power transmission lines. Such devices have serious impact on power grid–operating efficiency, factory operation, and resident life, which will cause economic losses. As it was difficult for traditional methods to analyze fault-influencing factors accurately and comprehensively, a novel method based on industrial big data was proposed to analyze high-voltage switchgears fault-influencing factors in the process of quality supervision in this article, which integrated the qualitative and quantitative analyses method. In this model, the Classification Based on Multiple Class-Association Rules based on Gaussian Mixture Model as the qualitative analysis method was adapted to analyze the whole life cycle of fault-influencing factors of high-voltage switchgears comprehensively, and supplied fault-influencing factors with discrete interval value ranges. The logistic regression method based on qualitative analysis was constructed to calculate fault occurrence probability quantitatively, including the single-fault occurrence probability and the multiple-faults joint occurrence probability. In addition, the single-fault occurrence probability was used to modify the discrete interval value ranges calculated by the qualitative analysis method, which could make the ranges more accurately. Consequently, the proposed method could provide important reference for high-voltage switchgears operation maintenance, and it would be possible to design accurate maintenance plans before equipment failure. The final instance demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
An experimental parametric analysis on performance characteristics in wire electric discharge machining of Inconel 718
Authors: Venkatarao K , Anup Kumar T
Published: April 2019

Wire cut electrical discharge machining was identified as a good alternative to conventional machining for machining super alloys that possess low machinability. In the present work, effect of wire tension along with current, pulse on time, and pulse off time on the performance characteristics such as spark gap, surface roughness, amplitude of wire vibration, and cutting rate were studied in wire cut electrical discharge machining of Inconel 718 metal. Experiments were conducted at five levels of the process parameters as per orthogonal array of L25 and their results were collected. These experimental results were analyzed and the interaction effect of wire tension along with current, pulse on time, and pulse off time on performance characteristics was studied using analysis of variance. Response models were developed for the four responses in terms of process parameters and the accuracy of such models was tested. In addition to the above studies, effect of the wire displacement on the kerf size, cutting rate was studied. Spark energy was also estimated for all the experiments and its effect on the performance characteristics was studied. The response models developed in this study were able to predict the experimental results i.e. amplitude of wire vibration, surface roughness, cutting rate, and spark gap with an accuracy of R2 values of 1.0, 0.96, 0.88, and 0.99, respectively. Interaction effect of current and wire tension was found to have the most significant effect on the amplitude of cutter vibration and surface roughness.
Experimental investigation on the characteristics of the dynamic rail pad force and its stress distribution in the time and frequency domain
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zhao Chunfa , Ren Xiaobo , Feng Yang , Shi Can , Zhai Wanming
Published: April 2019

The rail pad force and its stress distribution have critical influences on the performance and fatigue life of the rail, fasteners, and sleepers. The characteristics of the rail pad force and its stress distribution in the time and frequency domain obtained from field tests carried out using matrix-based tactile surface sensor are presented in this paper. The field testing involved rail pads under various axle-loads of running trains at different speeds. The influences that the train axle-load, the operational speed, and the rail pad stiffness have on the rail pad force and its stress distribution are analyzed. The test results indicate that the rail pad stiffness has a remarkable influence on the amplitude of the rail pad force but has little influence on its dominant frequencies. The first dominant frequency of the rail pad force is quite close to the passing frequency of the vehicle length. The stress distribution on the rail pad has a parabolic shape along the longitudinal and the lateral directions with the large stress appearing near the center of the rail pad, and is remarkably affected by the service condition of the rail pad. The maximum stress is about 2.5 to 3 times of the average stress, which is significantly greater than the nominal stress resulting from the assumption of uniform stress distribution.
Social partners’ policy reactions to migration in occupational labour markets: The case of the Swiss construction industry
Authors: Trampusch Christine
Published: April 2019

There has been extensive research into policy reactions to migration with regard to wages and labour conditions, but not vocational training. I show that employers’ associations and unions in the Swiss construction industry have reacted to increasing mobility by protecting existing occupational labour markets through policies regulating the entry to these. The multi-layered structure of employers’ associations, trade unions and collective agreements along occupational and territorial lines explains the high level of collective occupational protectionism in this industry. The Swiss case thereby presents a particularly interesting and controversial example of regulation of free movement of workers in Europe.
CDNF Protein Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Huttunen Henri J. , Saarma Mart
Published: April 2019

Neurotrophic factors (NTF) are a subgroup of growth factors that promote survival and differentiation of neurons. Due to their neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties, their therapeutic potential has been tested in various neurodegenerative diseases. Bioavailability of NTFs in the target tissue remains a major challenge for NTF-based therapies. Various intracerebral delivery approaches, both protein and gene transfer-based, have been tested with varying outcomes. Three growth factors, glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurturin (NRTN) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) have been tested in clinical trials in Parkinson’s disease (PD) during the past 20 years. A new protein can now be added to this list, as cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) has recently entered clinical trials. Despite their misleading names, CDNF, together with its closest relative mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), form a novel family of unconventional NTF that are both structurally and mechanistically distinct from other growth factors. CDNF and MANF are localized mainly to the lumen of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and their primary function appears to be modulation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. Prolonged ER stress, via the UPR signaling pathways, contributes to the pathogenesis in a number of chronic degenerative diseases, and is an important target for therapeutic modulation. Intraputamenally administered recombinant human CDNF has shown robust neurorestorative effects in a number of small and large animal models of PD, and had a good safety profile in preclinical toxicology studies. Intermittent monthly bilateral intraputamenal infusions of CDNF are currently being tested in a randomized placebo-controlled phase I–II clinical study in moderately advanced PD patients. Here, we review the history of growth factor-based clinical trials in PD, and discuss how CDNF differs from the previously tested growth factors.
Silencing of the Mutant Huntingtin Gene through CRISPR-Cas9 Improves the Mitochondrial Biomarkers in an In Vitro Model of Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Dunbar Gary L. , Koneru Sindhuja , Kolli Nivya , Sandstrom Michael , Maiti Panchanan , Rossignol Julien
Published: April 2019

During the 25-year history of the American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair (ASNTR) there have been several breakthroughs in the area of neurotherapeutics, which was the case during the 2014–2105 year when one of us (GLD) had the privilege of serving as its president. During that year, the use of a newly developed gene-editing tool, the CRISPR-Cas9 system, started to skyrocket. Although scientists unraveled the use of “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats” (CRISPR) and its associated genes from the Cas family as an evolved mechanism of some bacterial and archaeal genomes to protect themselves from being hijacked by invasive viral genes, its use as a therapeutic tool was not fully appreciated until further research revealed how this system operated and how it might be developed technologically to manipulate genes of any species. By 2015, this technology had exploded to the point that close to 2,000 papers that used this technology were published during that year alone.
Trade Openness and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Lesotho
Authors: Malefane Malefa R. , Odhiambo Nicholas M.
Published: April 2019

This article examines the dynamic impact of trade openness on economic growth in Lesotho using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound testing approach. The study employs four indicators of trade openness, which include three trade-based proxies and an index of trade openness. The empirical results of this study show that trade openness has no significant impact on economic growth in both the short run and long run irrespective of which proxy of trade openness is used. These empirical results have important policy implications for Lesotho. Among others, this study suggests that the policymakers adopt policies aimed at boosting human capital and infrastructural development so that the economy grows to a threshold level required to reap the benefits of trade openness in its various forms. The policymakers should also pursue policies that enable the expansion in both international trade and economic growth, such that beneficial growth effects can be realized from trade with no exclusions.
A Practice Improvement Project to Increase Advance Care Planning in a Dementia Specialty Practice
Authors: Cotter Valerie T. , Hasan Maryam M. , Ahn Jheesoo , Budhathoki Chakra , Oh Esther
Published: April 2019

This study was conducted to enhance the rate of advance care planning (ACP) conversations and documentation in a dementia specialty practice by increasing physician knowledge, attitudes, and skills. We used a pre- and postintervention paired design for physicians and 2 independent groups for patients. The ACP dementia educational program encompassed 3 objectives: (1) to understand the relevance of ACP to the dementia specialty practice, (2) to provide a framework to discuss ACP with patients and caregivers, and (3) to discuss ways to improve ACP documentation and billing in the electronic medical record. A 10-item survey was utilized pre- and posteducational intervention to assess knowledge, attitudes, and skill. The prevalence of ACP documentation was assessed through chart review 3 months pre- and postintervention. The educational intervention was associated with increased confidence in ability to discuss ACP ( P = .033), belief that ACP improves outcomes in dementia ( P = .035), knowledge about ACP Medicare billing codes and requirements ( P = .002), and belief that they have support from other personnel to implement ACP ( P = .017). In 2 independent groups of patients with dementia, documentation rates of an advance directive increased from 13.6% to 19.7% ( P = .045) and the Medical Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) increased from 11.0% to 19.0% ( P = .006). The MOLST documentation in 2 independent groups of patients with nondementia increased from 7.3% to 10.7% ( P = .046). Continuing efforts to initiate educational interventions are warranted to increase the effectiveness ACP documentation and future care of persons with dementia.
Peer Networks and Intention to Consume Unhealthy Food: The Association Through Cognitive Mediators in Peruvian Adolescents
Authors: Ruiz-Dodobara Fernando , Busse Peter
Published: April 2019

This cross-sectional study examined the mediating role of three reasoned action approach (RAA) constructs—attitudes, perceived social pressure, and perceived behavioral control—on the relationship between peer networks and intention to consume unhealthy food. The authors examined self-reported data of a sample of 277 adolescents from public and private schools in Lima, Peru. Results revealed a total mediating effect of the reasoned action constructs; yet attitudes and perceived behavioral control, but not perceived social pressure (injunctive and descriptive norms), mediated the relationship between peer network and intention to consume unhealthy food. Explanations for these results are discussed in light of social cognitive theory and Ajzen and Fishbein’s postulates about specific attitudes. Finally, we discuss how school nurses can take advantage of RAA variables to influence food environments, use peer networks for reducing unhealthy food consumption, and organize workshops to inform parents about the mechanisms that promote junk food intake.
Development of a Novel Method of Emotion Differentiation That Uses Open-Ended Descriptions of Momentary Affective States
Authors: Ottenstein Charlotte , Lischetzke Tanja
Published: April 2019

Emotion differentiation (ED) has been conceptualized as a trait that facilitates emotion regulation and increases well-being. Yet basic questions remain unanswered about how best to assess it and whether favorable outcomes can be observed only during times of stress. The goal of the present research was to develop a novel behavioral (specificity) index of ED. We conducted two daily diary studies ( N = 111-190) in which we included different measures of ED, well-being, and emotion regulation. The different ED measures were largely unrelated to each other. In both studies, the specificity index of ED showed a positive association with daily well-being, but in Study 2, this association held only on days with a negative event. Results regarding ED and the use of emotion-regulation strategies were inconsistent across strategies and studies. Possible reasons for these mixed results (e.g., sample selection, context sensitivity of regulation strategies) are discussed.
Quality Management Strategies in Medicaid Managed Care: Perspectives From Medicaid, Plans, and Providers
Authors: Gadbois Emily A. , Gordon Sarah H. , Shield Renee R. , Vivier Patrick M. , Trivedi Amal N.
Published: April 2019

Medicaid managed care allows Medicaid beneficiaries to receive services through contractual relationships between managed care organizations and state Medicaid offices. Medicaid offices monitor quality of care, and many states encourage or require plans to adopt quality management practices. This research examines quality management in Medicaid managed care from the perspectives of Medicaid officials, managed care plan representatives, and providers through 25 qualitative interviews in one Northeastern state. Plan representatives described quality management efforts as robust and discussed strategies targeting providers and beneficiaries. Medicaid officials indicated motivations for plans to be responsible for quality management. Providers were unaware of plan efforts or reported them to be counterproductive since performance data were thought to be inaccurate or limited, and modest incentive programs presented excessive administrative burden. Providers’ general skepticism about managed care plans’ quality improvement efforts may hinder their effectiveness, cause frustration, and lead to administrative burden that may harm care quality.
Inhibitory effect of bacteriocins against Escherichia coli O157:H7
Authors: Öncül Nilgün , Yıldırım Zeliha
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study was to explore the activity of bacteriocin enterocin KP and lactococcin BZ against Escherichia coli O157:H7, a Gram-negative foodborne pathogen, in ultra-high temperature (UHT) milks with different fat ratios. Enterocin KP and lactococcin BZ were produced from two bacteriocinogenic strains, isolated in previous studies from White cheese and Boza. Full fat (3.0%), half fat (1.5%), and low fat (<0.1% fat) UHT milks inoculated with 102, 104, and 106 CFU/ml of E. coli O157:H7 were treated with different concentrations (400, 800, 1600, and 2500 AU/ml) of lactococcin BZ, enterocin KP, or a combination of both and stored at 4 or 20 ℃ for 20 days. The survival of E. coli O157:H7 was determined at both storage temperatures during the storage period of 20 days. Lactococcin BZ and enterocin KP had a bactericidal impact on E. coli O157:H7 in all UHT milk samples either separately or in combination. However, antibacterial activity of the bacteriocins decreased with increasing fat content of milk and inoculum levels of bacterium. The results of this study indicate that lactococcin BZ and enterocin KP may be useful candidates either separately or in combination as biopreservatives for use in the dairy industry to control the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.
Though Forced, Still Valid: Psychometric Equivalence of Forced-Choice and Single-Statement Measures
Authors: Zhang Bo , Sun Tianjun , Drasgow Fritz , Chernyshenko Oleksandr S. , Nye Christopher D. , Stark Stephen , White Leonard A.
Published: April 2019

Forced-choice (FC) measures are gaining popularity as an alternative assessment format to single-statement (SS) measures. However, a fundamental question remains to be answered: Do FC and SS instruments measure the same underlying constructs? In addition, FC measures are theorized to be more cognitively challenging, so how would this feature influence respondents’ reactions to FC measures compared to SS? We used both between- and within-subjects designs to examine the equivalence of the FC format and the SS format. As the results illustrate, FC measures scored by the multi-unidimensional pairwise preference (MUPP) model and SS measures scored with the generalized graded unfolding model (GGUM) showed strong equivalence. Specifically, both formats demonstrated similar marginal reliabilities and test-retest reliabilities, high convergent validities, good discriminant validities, and similar criterion-related validities with theoretically relevant criteria. In addition, the formats had little differential impact on respondents’ general emotional and cognitive reactions except that the FC format was perceived to be slightly more difficult and more time-saving.
Prospective comparison of perioperative wound and pain score parameters in cats undergoing flank vs midline ovariectomy
Authors: Swaffield Matthew J , Molloy Sara L , Lipscomb Victoria J
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to prospectively compare perioperative pain score and wound parameters, inclusive of postoperative swelling and erythema, between flank and midline ovariectomy (OVE) in cats, performed by final-year veterinary students.

Methods

Healthy cats presented for routine OVE were randomly assigned to either the midline or flank group after owner consent to participate in the study. Perioperative protocols were standardised for both groups. Clinical data were collected prior to surgery, intraoperatively, at 1 h postoperatively, at the time of discharge, and at 3 and 10 day postoperative re-examination appointments. Data recorded included duration of surgery and anaesthesia, intraoperative complications, Feline Acute Pain Scale (FAPS) scores, a simple descriptive scale of reaction to wound palpation (SDSwound), a dynamic and interactive visual analogue scale assessment of pain (DIVAS), and both a simple descriptive scale (SDSswelling) and a visual analogue scale (VASswelling) of surgical wound swelling.

Results

Thirty-eight cats received a flank OVE and 37 received a midline OVE. Duration of surgery, duration of anaesthesia and intraoperative complications did not vary significantly between the two groups. Cats in both groups had significantly higher FAPS scores after surgery ( P = 0.0002), with cats receiving a flank OVE having significantly higher pain scores compared with a midline OVE at 1 h postoperatively ( P = 0.0004) and at discharge ( P = 0.002). Swelling of the surgical wound (SDSswelling) was significantly higher in cats receiving a midline OVE at the time of discharge ( P = 0.048), as well as at the 3 day ( P <0.0001) and 10 day ( P = 0.001) postoperative re-examinations. FAPS scores were significantly higher in cats receiving a midline OVE at the 3 day ( P = 0.016) and 10 day re-examinations ( P = 0.045). No cats in either group suffered a wound breakdown or infection.

Conclusions and relevance

Our study does not support advocating a preferred surgical approach for feline OVE within a teaching environment.
An equivalent model for sandwich panel with double-directional trapezoidal corrugated core
Authors: Li Huimin , Ge Lei , Liu Baosheng , Su Haoran , Feng Tianyi , Fang Daining
Published: April 2019

A novel sandwich panel with double-directional corrugated core is proposed in this paper. This complex-corrugated core makes the conventional detailed finite element analysis of large structures a tough work. Thus, an equivalent homogeneous method is proposed, the key of which is to obtain the equivalent property of this novel structure. The equivalent elastic modulus considering the effect of geometrical parameters is analytically derived and verified by finite element method. Besides, equivalent shear modulus and Poisson’s ratios are obtained by finite element method. Three-dimensional detailed and equivalent models are established for further validation of this equivalent homogeneous method. Results show that elastic modulus predicted by analytical formulas is in good agreement with that by finite element method no matter how geometrical parameters change. It has been proved that stretching deformation is dominating in thickness direction, and only corrugation along loading direction can bear the load. The proposed novel sandwich structure owns better mechanical property than the conventional one with single-corrugated core. The result by equivalent model agrees well with that by detailed model, which means that this equivalent homogeneous method can well predict the macroscopic property of this novel structure.
Major factors affecting intraocular pressure spike after intravitreal ranibizumab injection: Vitreous reflux and its amount
Authors: Uyar Enes , Ulas Fatih , Sahin Saygin , Celebi Serdal
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vitreous reflux and its amount on short-term intraocular pressure after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab.

Methods:

The study included 316 eyes of 276 patients. Intraocular pressures were measured before intravitreal injection (preIOP), immediately after intravitreal injection (postIOP0), and 30 min after intravitreal injection (postIOP30). The amount of vitreous reflux was evaluated by measuring conjunctival bleb diameter, and patients were grouped as; group 1: no vitreous reflux, group 2: less vitreous reflux, and group 3: more vitreous reflux. The data were analyzed using variance analysis, chi-square test, and regression analysis.

Results:

PostIOP0 values were highest in group 1, followed by group 2 and group 3 (all p values < 0.001). PostIOP30 values were similar in group 1 and group 2 (p = 0.261), but were lower in group 3 than other two groups (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). Vitreous reflux was identified as the only factor affecting postinjection intraocular pressure changes (p < 0.001), and a negative correlation was found between the total number of intravitreal injection and vitreous reflux (p = 0.032).

Conclusion:

The major factor affecting short-term postinjection intraocular pressure elevation was vitreous reflux, and intraocular pressure levels increased as the amount of vitreous reflux decreased. Vitreous reflux and its amount decreased as the total number of intravitreal injection increased.