bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family Taxation, Fertility, and Horizontal Equity
Authors: Balestrino Alessandro
Published: June 2014

This article intends to make a twofold contribution to the literature. First, it studies a political economy model of family taxation using a household economics approach. The winning policy depends on whether (1) the parents control their fertility and (2) they value their children. Second, it investigates the question whether the winning policy can achieve horizontal equity (HE) among families experiencing different fertility outcomes. It turns out that in what we regard as the most plausible setup (parents value their children, fertility is generally endogenous but some couples are constrained by reproductive limits), HE cannot be satisfied under plausible assumptions on what the policy maker can observe. It is argued that HE requires subsidies not for large families as such but for constrained families, which in some cases might be small. As it is difficult for a policy maker to ascertain whether a family is constrained or not, strong doubts are cast on the usefulness of HE as a guide for the design of family taxes.
The Girlfriends Project
Authors: Hawk Mary
Published: June 2014

Randomized controlled trials are the gold standard in research but may not fully explain or predict outcome variations in community-based interventions. Demonstrating efficacy of externally driven programs in well-controlled environments may not translate to community-based implementation where resources and priorities vary. A bottom-up evaluation approach, in which community-developed interventions are evaluated for efficacy and then disseminated, improves the relevance of findings for real-world settings. The Girlfriends Project is an HIV risk reduction intervention developed by and for African American women, which I evaluated using a bottom-up approach. In this article, I discuss methods to increase community engagement and evaluation rigor, including retaining community members to assist with participant recruitment and data collection, as well as facilitating a shared decision-making process between the evaluator and community members. I also discuss specific challenges and strategies for the evaluation of community-developed interventions in real-world settings and highlight the value of this approach.
Epigenetic Change (GATA-4 Gene Methylation) Is Associated With Health Status in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Meek Paula M. , Sood Akshay , Petersen Hans , Belinsky Steven A. , Tesfaigzi Yohannes
Published: June 2014

Gene methylation is an epigenetic change that involves a heritable modification of chromatin structure that alters gene expression without a change in DNA sequence. It has previously been shown that methylation of the GATA-4 gene promoter region in sputum DNA is associated with low lung function and increased odds of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among smokers. Given these findings, we hypothesized that GATA-4 gene methylation in sputum DNA would be associated with low health status, as measured by the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), in subjects with COPD. Self-reported SGRQ, spirometry, and induced sputum samples were obtained from 168 COPD subjects from the Lovelace Smokers Cohort. GATA-4 gene methylation was evaluated in sputum DNA using nested methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Using general linear model with Poisson regression, we found that GATA-4 gene methylation was significantly associated with overall lower SGRQ health status (parameter estimate = .296, p < .001). This finding remained significant even after controlling for age, lung function, and other covariates. In an additional analysis using logistic regression and comparing extreme tertiles of overall SGRQ score, we confirmed that GATA-4 gene methylation was associated with a 3-fold increase in risk of poor health status (OR 2.95 and p = .028). The unexplored links between epigenetic changes and psychosocial factors such as health status are critical gaps in the literature. This study is the first to suggest that airway GATA-4 gene methylation status may independently predict health status in individuals with COPD.
Building agreements upon agreements: The European Union and grand strategy
Authors: Kornprobst Markus
Published: June 2014

What explains the European Union’s successes and failures in producing a grand strategy? Conceptualizing grand strategy as a composite commonplace linking together understandings of scene, agent, purpose and means (tetrad), I contend that the European Union has a grand strategy. In the early 1990s, advocates succeeded in institutionalizing the diffusion strategy. A decade later, however, the advocates of the European Security Strategy failed to do so. My explanation of this descriptive finding focuses on the constellation of prior agreements on the components of the tetrad. In both cases, widely taken-for-granted agreements on a recently shifted scene (security environment) provided openings for the advocates. But only the advocates of diffusion had the opportunity to work with equally widely taken-for-granted agreements on agent (identity), purpose (interest) and means (power). The advocates for the European Security Strategy, by contrast, were lacking such a favourable social context. Borrowing from rhetorical studies, this study makes a threefold contribution to the study of grand strategy. It moves beyond the literature’s statism; shows that grand strategy is constituted by interpretations not just of power and interest, but also of the security environment and identity; and clarifies that explanations of the making of grand strategy need to inquire into the making of agreements rather than merely the interplay of material forces. My findings that the European Union has a grand strategy and came to adopt it by building a new agreement upon already-existing ones also have implications for the study of European Union foreign policy and International Relations Theory.
Toward healthy migration: An exploratory study on the resilience of migrant domestic workers from the Philippines
Authors: van der Ham Alida Joanna , Ujano-Batangan Maria Theresa , Ignacio Raquel , Wolffers Ivan
Published: June 2014

Domestic workers face many migration-related stressors that affect their mental health. Currently there is an emphasis in the literature on these workers’ problems and vulnerability, while there is little insight into factors that positively affect their mental health. In this study, we describe a range of factors that potentially contribute to the resilience of female domestic workers from the Philippines, and explore their relation to stress and well-being. The study used an explorative, mixed-methods design. First, data were collected using questionnaires ( n = 500) to assess self-perceived stress levels, well-being, personal resources, and social resources. Then, findings from the questionnaires were validated and elaborated on in a workshop ( n = 23) and two focus groups ( n = 13; n = 8). Results show that participants perceived their well-being abroad as relatively good, while they also experienced high levels of stress. Workers used a variety of resources in dealing with stress. Socially oriented coping strategies and spirituality seemed to play an important role as personal resources, while the influence of reasons for migration was less clear. Employers and (access to) social networks appeared important in determining social resources. Social resources were more often related to stress and well-being than were personal resources. Findings from this study can help to design strengths-based interventions aimed at improving the well-being of female domestic workers and preventing mental health problems. The environmental factors and structural constraints that provide the context for resilience should be further explored as they influence the ability to mobilize resources.
Variation in patients’ sick leave between general practitioner practices
Authors: Rudbeck Marianne
Published: June 2014

Background: General practitioners (GPs) assess the existence of the patient’s disease, decide whether the disease affects the patient’s ability to work and if necessary, recommend sick leave. Our aim was to describe correlations in patients’ sick leave between GP practices (GPPs) in a 5-year period. Method: The study included 253 GPPs, from 2007 to 2011. The personal numbers of patients from each GPP were connected to DREAM, a registry at the Danish Ministry of Employment that includes social welfare payments, including sick leave benefits. We adjusted for patient age, gender, ethnicity and social differences. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (2007 – 2011) were used for calculating the correlation in adjusted sick leave. Results: The number of patient sick leave weeks between GPPs varied from 36 to 2,704 sick leave weeks per 1000 patients (18 – 65 years). The correlation coefficients for adjusted sick leave weeks varied from 0.90 to 0.94 ( P < 0.05). Correlations for the 10 GPPs with the highest number of sick leave weeks and the 10 GPPs with the lowest number of sick leave weeks were almost as high as the correlations of the total population of GPPs. Conclusions:The study showed great differences in sick leave between GPPs; however, significant correlation for adjusted sick leave in each GPP was demonstrated. This may indicate that GPs play an important role in their patients’ sick leave. The study provides a method to distinguish between GPPs with low patient sick leave and high patient sick leave in causal studies of sick leave differences among GPs.
A comparison of the estimated natural ventilation rates of four solid wall houses with the measured ventilation rates and the implications for low-energy retrofits
Authors: Keig Peter , Hyde Trevor , McGill Grainne
Published: June 2014

To reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in existing houses in heating-dominated climates, there is a drive to reduce ventilation heat loss by tightening the building envelope. Energy-efficient domestic retrofits, which neglect ventilation requirements or assume without enquiry that adequate ventilation rates have been met, have the potential to impact negatively on the health and well-being of occupants by creating unhealthy indoor environments. The natural ventilation rates of UK dwellings created by building envelope air leakage is commonly estimated by applying a rule-of-thumb to the air flow required to create a pressure differential across a building envelope of 50 Pa using a fan pressurisation technique. To analyse the appropriateness of the rule, a tracer gas concentration decay technique was used on four Victorian solid wall houses to ascertain their natural ventilation rates created by building envelope air leakage. Results indicate that applying the rule overestimated the natural ventilation rates of the four houses tested. These findings have the potential to impact on retrofit ventilation strategies for existing houses.
Euler parameters kinetic singularity
Authors: Shabana Ahmed A
Published: June 2014

Euler parameters do not suffer from the kinematic singularity associated with the three-parameter representation of the rotation. For this reason, the four Euler parameters are widely used in describing the motion of rigid bodies in space. These parameters are related by an algebraic equation which must be satisfied at the position, velocity, and acceleration levels. However, the constraint forces associated with Euler parameter constraints are always zero and lead to a kinetic singularity when a certain solution procedure is used to solve for the accelerations. It is shown in this paper that when the equations are formulated in terms of Euler parameters, the use of a solution procedure for the accelerations that requires the elimination of Lagrange multipliers leads to a singular coefficient matrix. Since Lagrange multipliers associated with Euler parameters constraints always define zero constraint forces, a nonsingular coefficient matrix can be identified and used to solve for Lagrange multipliers associated with other joint constraints. The proposed solution procedure requires the inverse of a 3 × 3 constant matrix for each rigid body in the system and the LU solution of a system of algebraic equations that has dimension equal to the number of constraint equations excluding Euler parameters constraints.
The ethics of scientific communication under uncertainty
Authors: Keohane Robert O , Lane Melissa , Oppenheimer Michael
Published: June 2014

Communication by scientists with policy makers and attentive publics raises ethical issues. Scientists need to decide how to communicate knowledge effectively in a way that nonscientists can understand and use, while remaining honest scientists and presenting estimates of the uncertainty of their inferences. They need to understand their own ethical choices in using scientific information to communicate to audiences. These issues were salient in the Fourth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change with respect to possible sea level rise from disintegration of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets. Due to uncertainty, the reported values of projected sea level rise were incomplete, potentially leading some relevant audiences to underestimate future risk. Such judgments should be made in a principled rather than an ad hoc manner. Five principles for scientific communication under such conditions are important: honesty, precision, audience relevance, process transparency, and specification of uncertainty about conclusions. Some of these principles are of intrinsic importance while others are merely instrumental and subject to trade-offs among them. Scientists engaged in assessments under uncertainty should understand these principles and which trade-offs are acceptable.
Hurdle Models and Age Effects in the Major League Baseball Draft
Authors: Sims Justin , Addona Vittorio
Published: June 2014

Major League Baseball franchises expend an abundance of resources on scouting in preparation for the June Amateur Draft. In addition to the classic “tools” assessed, another factor considered is age: Younger players may get selected over older players of equal ability because of anticipated development. Additionally, Little League rules in effect until 2006 operated on an August 1–July 31 year meaning that, in their youth, players born on August 1 were the eldest in their cohort. We define a relative age to be how old a player was (in days) when the youngest player in their cohort was born. For example, a player born on July 31 would have a relative age of 1 day, whereas a player born on August 1 would have a relative age of 365 days. We examine the performance of high school (HS) players selected in the June Draft from 1987 to 2011. We find that more relatively old players are selected in the Draft. Conversely, both age and relative age have a significant negative relationship with the odds of reaching the major leagues. Given that a draftee reaches the majors, however, there is no difference based on age or relative age, as measured by games played, wins above replacement, and on-base plus slugging percentage. Had the draft market operated efficiently, neither relative age nor age on draft day would have captured additional variation in performance after controlling for draft position and other factors. We conclude that teams have undervalued both young and relatively young HS players.
Endovascular Treatment of Major Abdominal Arteriovenous Fistulas
Authors: Nakad Ghassan , AbiChedid Ghassan , Osman Raed
Published: June 2014

Purpose:

To review the different outcomes of the endovascular repair of major abdominal arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs).

Methods:

An online systematic review of the literature was undertaken to identify all reported cases of endovascular repair of major AVFs, covering 9 major databases as well as relevant journals up to September 2013. Our own case was included. The primary outcome was technical success and mortality, the secondary outcome was the rate of complications and the operators’ recommendations.

Results:

Forty-eight articles were reviewed totaling a number of 54 patients including our own. The most common fistula site was the aortocaval segment. Aortic stent grafts were used in 78% of patients. Technical success was 94%. Intraoperative mortality was 0% with a 90-day mortality of 10%, half of which were not related to the primary pathology. Of the successful procedures, 12% of patients had major complications. One died before reintervention. All others had uneventful recoveries; 21% had minor complications treated conservatively. The majority of authors were in favor of this treatment modality.
Use of EEG Beta-1 Power and Theta/Beta Ratio Over Broca’s Area to confirm Diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children
Authors: Sangal R. Bart , Sangal JoAnne M.
Published: June 2014

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a medical device using the electroencephalogram (EEG) theta/beta ratio (tbr) to help assess pediatric attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Tbr is reported to be higher in ADHD, with increased theta and decreased beta. This study examined theta and beta-1 power differences between ADHD and normal children, during tasks of selective attention, and elucidated topographical differences. EEGs were collected from 28 normal and 58 ADHD children, aged 6 to 14 years, using 31 scalp electrodes during auditory and visual tasks requiring selective attention. Spectral analysis was performed. Tbr was higher in ADHD than in normal children (2.60 vs 2.25, P = .007), with lower beta-1 (3.66 vs 4.22, P = .01), but no difference in theta power. There was lower beta-1 ( P < .001) and higher tbr ( P = .002) over Broca’s area (electrode locations F7 and FC5). Beta-1 power over Broca’s area was the best diagnostic test, with sensitivity 0.86 and specificity 0.57. Tbr is higher and beta-1 power lower in ADHD than in normal children, especially over Broca’s area. Beta-1 power and tbr assist in confirming the diagnosis of ADHD in a sample with moderate pretest probability of ADHD.
Effect of Nonparallel Placement of In-Circle Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation Probes on Volume of Tissue Ablated With Heat Sink
Authors: Pillai Krishna , Al-Alem Ihssan , Akhter Javed , Chua Terence C. , Shehata Mena , Morris David L.
Published: June 2014

Objectives. Percutaneous bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive technique for treating liver tumors. It is not always possible to insert the bipolar probes parallel to each other on either side of tumor, since it restricts maneuverability away from vital structures or ablate certain tumor shape. Therefore, we investigated how nonparallel placement of probes affected ablation. Methods. Bipolar RFA in parallel and in divergent positions were submerged in tissue model (800 mL egg white) at 37°C and ablated. Temperature probes, T1 and T2 were placed 8.00 mm below the tip of the probes, T3 in between the probe coil elements and T4 and T5 at water inlet and outlet, respectively. Both models with heat sink (+HS) and without (−HS) were investigated. Results. The mean ablated tissue volume, mass, density and height increased linearly with unit angle increase for −HS model. With +HS, a smaller increase in mean volume and mass, a slightly greater increase in mean density but a reduction in height of tissue was seen. The mean ablation time and duration of maximum temperature with +HS was slightly larger, compared with −HS, while −HS ablated at a slightly higher temperature. The heat sink present was minimal for probes in parallel position compared to nonparallel positions. Conclusion. Divergence from parallel insertion of bipolar RFA probes increased the mean volume, mass, and density of tissue ablated. However, the presence of large heat sinks may limit the application of this technique, when tumors border on larger vessels.
Using the PRECEDE Planning Approach to Develop a Physical Activity Intervention for African American Men Who Visit Barbershops
Authors: Hood Sula , Linnan Laura , Jolly David , Muqueeth Sadiya , Hall Marla B. , Dixon Carrissa , Robinson Seronda
Published: June 2014

African American (AA) men have a higher prevalence of many chronic disease risk behaviors compared to Caucasian men, including physical inactivity. Innovative ways to reach AA men with interventions to increase physical activity (PA) and decrease other key risk factors are needed to reduce health disparities in this population. The barbershop is a natural but underutilized setting for reaching AA men. In the Fitness in the Shop (FITShop) study, shop owners, barbers, and customers were recruited from four local barbershops to complete structured interviews and customer focus groups. We assessed knowledge, perceived barriers, and interests/concerns about PA, as well as explored how to best intervene in the barbershop. Barbers and customers endorsed the idea of receiving health and PA information in the barbershop. These formative research results generated information and strategies for developing a multilevel barbershop-based health intervention to promote PA in the barbershop. This article describes the formative research results and how PRECEDE was used to develop a culturally and contextually appropriate, multilevel barbershop-based intervention designed to promote PA and to reduce chronic disease disparities among AA men.
Developing awareness and understanding amongst mental health nursing students of the lived experience of dementia with the aid of selected first-person media resources
Authors: Morris Gary K
Published: June 2014

This study examines the influence that first-person media products (film, television, internet, books and newspapers) have upon promoting empathic understanding of the dementia experience amongst mental health nursing students. A designated mental health nursing learning group ( n=36) was provided with a series of media products where personal dementia narratives were expressed. A grounded theory approach was used with focus group interviews conducted following each of the five designated media activities. This generated a variety of themes and concepts which were analysed in conjunction with responses from a subsequently distributed questionnaire and module evaluation. The first-person narratives were viewed as having a strong emotive impact upon students as well as promoting a broader understanding of how dementia impacts upon a person’s day-to-day life and the experience of family and carers. This facilitated the reframing of behaviours commonly considered ‘challenging’ with more of a person’s internal experience being recognised. A common concern, despite the stated value of these resources regarded the potential in becoming overwhelmed by informational and emotional content. This study highlighted the need for facilitators to carefully select first-person products with consideration shown to the expressiveness of narrators and the range and type of experience recounted. It also indicated the importance of adequately preparing students for what they were accessing and subsequently assisting them in processing the lived dementia experience. Whilst only accessing a small sample of narratives, all students expressed feeling better prepared for practice and having a more questioning and reflective approach towards the internal experience of those they were engaged with. This approach has much to offer from an attitudinal perspective and could form the base for training packages involved with dementia learning, especially given the current drive towards person-centred, compassionate and ‘caring’ practice. Further study in this area is required.
Ethical review boards are poor advocates for patient perspectives
Authors: Masterton Malin , Renberg Tobias , Hansson Mats G , Sporrong Sofia Kälvemark
Published: June 2014

In medical research, patients are increasingly recognized with ‘lay knowledge’ but their views are poorly researched. The study objective was to investigate patients’ attitudes to medical research. This is in comparison to lay and expert members on ethical review boards (ERB), as their task is to evaluate the risk−benefits of research, which are ultimately grounded in attitudes and values. From focus-group interviews with patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases, a postal questionnaire was developed and sent to patient members of the Swedish Rheumatism Association ( n = 1195) and to all ERB board members in Sweden ( N = 583). Response rates were 65 percent and the surveys were conducted in Jan−May 2011. Agreement across the groups included priority for medical research on diagnostic and early detection of disease. A key difference was expert and lay ERB members giving higher priority to basic research/research on lifestyle and prevention (primarily benefiting future patients), whereas patients prioritized research on daily function. On this significant point, lay members did not share the opinion of this patient group, indicating that they may be poor representatives for patients’ views. These results call for further research: how can patient perspectives be included in ERB discussions and in what way should patients’ values influence the research agenda.
A graph theory approach for reliability analysis of phasor measurement units using frequency and duration technique
Authors: Ghosh Debomita , Mishra Anvesha , Ghose T , Mohanta Dusmanta Kumar
Published: June 2014

Failure frequency and steady-state availability are two key indices for reliability analysis of phasor measurement units. Phasor measurement unit is the edifice of wide area measurement system and thus reliable operation is essential. Markov model is the general basis for evaluation of reliability indices, but it involves matrices of large dimension. This article describes the general purpose graphical approach for obtaining the two key reliability indices of phasor measurement units from flow graph based on Markov model. It is concerned with the calculation of availability, frequency and outage duration of phasor measurement units by module wise reliability analysis. This method itself is sufficient for sensitivity analysis of phasor measurement unit and helps in identifying the critical module within the phasor measurement unit.
Isoniazid in autoimmunity: a trigger for multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Nourbakhsh Bardia , Stüve Olaf
Published: June 2014

Isoniazid (INH) is a prodrug activated by the mycobacterial enzyme KatG, a multifunctional catalase peroxidase. KatG converts INH to reactive antimycobacterial species. For decades, an association between INH and drug-induced lupus erythematosus has been recognized. We present the case of a patient with primary progressive multiple sclerosis whose disease commenced weeks after initiating INH therapy for prevention of tuberculosis. Possible mechanisms by which INH may trigger autoimmunity in humans are discussed.
Subjective and Objective Hierarchies and Their Relations to Psychological Well-Being
Authors: Curhan Katherine B. , Levine Cynthia S. , Markus Hazel Rose , Kitayama Shinobu , Park Jiyoung , Karasawa Mayumi , Kawakami Norito , Love Gayle D. , Coe Christopher L. , Miyamoto Yuri , Ryff Carol D.
Published: June 2014

Hierarchy can be conceptualized as objective social status (e.g., education level) or subjective social status (i.e., one’s own judgment of one’s status). Both forms predict well-being. This is the first investigation of the relative strength of these hierarchy–well-being relationships in the U.S. and Japan, cultural contexts with different normative ideas about how social status is understood and conferred. In probability samples of Japanese ( N = 1,027) and U.S. ( N = 1,805) adults, subjective social status more strongly predicted life satisfaction, positive affect, sense of purpose, and self-acceptance in the United States than in Japan. In contrast, objective social status more strongly predicted life satisfaction, positive relations with others, and self-acceptance in Japan than in the United States. These differences reflect divergent cultural models of self. The emphasis on independence characteristic of the United States affords credence to one’s own judgment (subjective status), and the interdependence characteristic of Japan gives weight to what others can observe (objective status).
Rapid prototyped porous nickel–titanium scaffolds as bone substitutes
Authors: Hoffmann Waldemar , Bormann Therese , Rossi Antonella , Müller Bert , Schumacher Ralf , Martin Ivan , de Wild Michael , Wendt David
Published: June 2014

While calcium phosphate–based ceramics are currently the most widely used materials in bone repair, they generally lack tensile strength for initial load bearing. Bulk titanium is the gold standard of metallic implant materials, but does not match the mechanical properties of the surrounding bone, potentially leading to problems of fixation and bone resorption. As an alternative, nickel–titanium alloys possess a unique combination of mechanical properties including a relatively low elastic modulus, pseudoelasticity, and high damping capacity, matching the properties of bone better than any other metallic material. With the ultimate goal of fabricating porous implants for spinal, orthopedic and dental applications, nickel–titanium substrates were fabricated by means of selective laser melting. The response of human mesenchymal stromal cells to the nickel–titanium substrates was compared to mesenchymal stromal cells cultured on clinically used titanium. Selective laser melted titanium as well as surface-treated nickel–titanium and titanium served as controls. Mesenchymal stromal cells had similar proliferation rates when cultured on selective laser melted nickel–titanium, clinically used titanium, or controls. Osteogenic differentiation was similar for mesenchymal stromal cells cultured on the selected materials, as indicated by similar gene expression levels of bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin. Mesenchymal stromal cells seeded and cultured on porous three-dimensional selective laser melted nickel–titanium scaffolds homogeneously colonized the scaffold, and following osteogenic induction, filled the scaffold’s pore volume with extracellular matrix. The combination of bone-related mechanical properties of selective laser melted nickel–titanium with its cytocompatibility and support of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells highlights its potential as a superior bone substitute as compared to clinically used titanium.
Redefining historical climatology in the Anthropocene
Authors: Mauelshagen Franz
Published: June 2014

Historical climatology is commonly defined as the study of past climates based on ‘documentary evidence’ before the establishment of modern networks of meteorological measurement, which excludes the last two centuries of recent global warming. This article reviews historical climatology with regard to the Anthropocene. In the Anthropocene the dynamics of climate change are essentially anthropogenic. The term ‘sociosphere’ will be advocated as a terminological improvement over existing attempts to define the place of human activities in Earth System Analysis. Theoretical and empirical advances in the study of social ecodynamics are called for. Historical climatology has a capacity to contribute making such advances, but a redefinition is inevitable for this potential to be realized: (1) historical climatology needs to expand temporally into the 19th and 20th centuries; and (2) it has yet to adjust to an important conceptual transition in climatology: from a descriptive (meteorological) concept of climate to climate dynamics.
A partisan gap in the supply of female potential candidates in the United States
Authors: Crowder-Meyer Melody , Lauderdale Benjamin E.
Published: June 2014

A partisan disparity in women representatives in the US House emerged in the 1980s and has continued to grow in magnitude. We show that this pattern closely mirrors the emergence of a partisan disparity in the proportion of women in the US public with the typical characteristics of high-level officeholders. Our analysis indicates that the proportion of women in the Democratic pool of potential candidates is now two to three times larger than in the Republican pool of potential candidates. Given the current association of party identification with gender and other characteristics, this gap is more likely to increase than decrease over the coming decade, with potential consequences for the descriptive and substantive representation of women in American politics.
Fertility desires, choice of hormone replacement and the effect of length of time since menopause on bone density in women with premature ovarian insufficiency: A review of 223 consecutive new referrals to a tertiary centre
Authors: Mittal Monica , Kreatsa Maria , Narvekar Nitish , Savvas Michael , Hamoda Haitham
Published: June 2014

Premature ovarian insufficiency can have significant implications for the affected women. This review assesses the fertility desires, choice of hormone replacement, and the effect of time since menopause on the bone density of these women. This is a retrospective analysis of 223 consecutive new referrals. The average age (mean [±standard deviation]) of the women was 37.35 (±5.88) years, with 24.1% ( n = 19/79) presenting within 12 months of the onset of symptoms, most commonly, vasomotor type symptoms ( n = 98/223; 43.9%). Of the women included, 58.7% ( n = 131/223) took hormone replacement therapy (HRT), most commonly, an oral ( n = 90/131; 68.7%) sequential preparation ( n = 91/131; 69.5%), with a significant number of women >40 years of age preferring the transdermal route ( n = 26/54; 48.1%; p<0.01). A total of 37.7% ( n = 84/223) of the women expressed concerns regarding their future fertility, more notable in women ≤40 years ( n = 72/142; 50.7%; p < 0.01). Of these, 41.7% ( n = 35/84) took HRT, most commonly, a sequential regimen ( n = 26/35; 74.3%) with oral estradiol ( n = 30/35; 85.7%); 69.5% ( n = 155/223) of the women had had a bone densitometry scan performed, with 66.5% ( n = 103/155) showing normal bone mineral density (BMD), but a greater likelihood of having reduced BMD the greater the time delay in presentation. No difference was seen for the three broad categories of BMD when further analysed for the cause of premature ovarian insufficiency, but a significant difference was noted for the spinal Z-scores, whereby women who underwent a surgically induced menopause were noted to have lower BMD compared with the other causes ( p < 0.01). These findings can be useful in counselling women and guiding clinicians in their management of women with premature ovarian insufficiency.
Patient Activation Measures in a Government Homeopathic Hospital in India
Authors: Saha Subhranil , Koley Munmun , Mahoney ER , Hibbard Judith , Ghosh Shubhamoy , Nag Goutam , Purkait Rajib , Mondal Ramkumar , Kundu Monojit , Patra Supratim , Ali Seikh Swaif , Arya Jogendra Singh , Choubey Gurudev
Published: June 2014

The American Patient Activation Measure–22 questionnaire (PAM-22) quantifies the knowledge, skills, and confidence essential to manage own health and health care. It is a central concept in chronic illness care models, but studied sparsely in homeopathic hospitals. PAM-22 was translated into Bengali and a cross-sectional study was undertaken in chronically ill 417 patients visiting the outpatient clinic of Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, India. Response rate was 90.41%. Data were analyzed using Rasch rating scale model with Winsteps. Activation score was 54.7 ± 8.04 or 62.13% of maximum score. PAM scores differed significantly by age, education, income, and health status ( P < .05). The items had good data quality fit statistics and good range of difficulty. The construct unidimensionality was confirmed by good model fits for Rasch model and principal component analysis of residuals found no meaning structure. The questionnaire showed acceptable psychometrics. Patient activation was moderate and needs to be improved.
Reconstruction of Hyaline Cartilage Deep Layer Properties in 3-Dimensional Cultures of Human Articular Chondrocytes
Authors: Nanduri Vibudha , Tattikota Surendra Mohan , T. Avinash Raj , Sriramagiri Vijaya Rama Rao , Kantipudi Suma , Pande Gopal
Published: June 2014

Background:

Articular cartilage (AC) injuries and malformations are commonly noticed because of trauma or age-related degeneration. Many methods have been adopted for replacing or repairing the damaged tissue. Currently available AC repair methods, in several cases, fail to yield good-quality long-lasting results, perhaps because the reconstructed tissue lacks the cellular and matrix properties seen in hyaline cartilage (HC).

Purpose:

To reconstruct HC tissue from 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) cultures of AC-derived human chondrocytes that would specifically exhibit the cellular and biochemical properties of the deep layer of HC.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Two-dimensional cultures of human AC–derived chondrocytes were established in classical medium (CM) and newly defined medium (NDM) and maintained for a period of 6 weeks. These cells were suspended in 2 mm–thick collagen I gels, placed in 24-well culture inserts, and further cultured up to 30 days. Properties of chondrocytes, grown in 2D cultures and the reconstructed 3D cartilage tissue, were studied by optical and scanning electron microscopic techniques, immunohistochemistry, and cartilage-specific gene expression profiling by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and were compared with those of the deep layer of native human AC.

Results:

Two-dimensional chondrocyte cultures grown in NDM, in comparison with those grown in CM, showed more chondrocyte-specific gene activity and matrix properties. The NDM-grown chondrocytes in 3D cultures also showed better reproduction of deep layer properties of HC, as confirmed by microscopic and gene expression analysis. The method used in this study can yield cartilage tissue up to approximately 1.6 cm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness that satisfies the very low cell density and matrix composition properties present in the deep layer of normal HC.

Conclusion:

This study presents a novel and reproducible method for long-term culture of AC-derived chondrocytes and reconstruction of cartilage tissue with properties similar to the deep layer of HC in vitro.

Clinical Relevance:

The HC tissue obtained by the method described can be used to develop an implantable product for the replacement of damaged or malformed AC, especially in younger patients where the lesions are caused by trauma or mechanical stress.
Methods for handling redox-sensitive smectite dispersions
Authors: Stucki J. W. , Su K. , Pentráková L. , Pentrák M.
Published: July 2014

Redox activation (reduction of structural Fe) of smectites greatly alters their chemical reactivity and physical properties, which may be exploited for various environmental, agricultural or industrial purposes. Their re-oxidation during preparation, characterization, and use is, however, a significant risk to their utility. In this study, methods and apparatus were developed and described which mitigated reoxidation. Ferruginous smectite (sample SWa-1, Na saturated) was used as the model smectite. It was reduced with sodium dithionite in a citrate-bicarbonate buffer solution at 70°C for 4 h, which achieved a maximum Fe(II)/total Fe ratio of 0.9113 ± 0.0048. The first step in rendering reduced samples useful is to remove from them the reducing agents and other solutes present during reduction. This was accomplished in the present study by reducing the sample in an inert-atmosphere reaction tube (IRT) (a 50 mL centrifuge tube equipped with a removable septum cap), then removing solutes from the suspension by centrifuge washing. The washing steps were performed with the aid of a controlled-atmosphere liquid exchanger (CALE) which provided connections between the sample suspension and deoxygenated solutions. The reduced state was measured by 1, 10-phenanthroline or by Mössbauer spectroscopy at 77 K to give Fe(II)/total Fe ratios. Some samples were freeze dried after washing. Results revealed that if reduced smectites are washed without protection from atmospheric O2, the extent of reoxidation is on the order of 40 to 60%. If the sample is subsequently dried, reoxidation increases to more than 76%. If the sample is protected using the IRT and the CALE, however, reoxidation is decreased to less than 2%. Freeze drying in a glove box allowed reoxidaton to increase to slightly more than 10%. These results indicate that more reoxidation occurred during the drying stage than during the washing stage. These observations lead to the conclusions that (1) protection of reduced samples from atmospheric O2 is essential if extensive reoxidation is to be prevented, and (2) the methods and apparatus described herein are effective for accomplishing that purpose in abiotically reduced smectites. They may also be effective if applied to microbially reduced smectites.
How we manage autologous stem cell transplantation for patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Gertz Morie A. , Dingli David
Published: June 2014

An estimated 22 350 patients had multiple myeloma diagnosed in 2013, representing 1.3% of all new cancers; 10 710 deaths are projected, representing 1.8% of cancer deaths. Approximately 0.7% of US men and women will have a myeloma diagnosis in their lifetime, and with advances in therapy, 77 600 US patients are living with myeloma. The 5-year survival rate was 25.6% in 1989 and was 44.9% in 2005. The median age at diagnosis is 69 years, with 62.4% of patients aged 65 or older at diagnosis. Median age at death is 75 years. The rate of new myeloma cases has been rising 0.7% per year during the past decade. The most common indication for autologous stem cell transplantation in the United States is multiple myeloma, and this article is designed to provide the specifics of organizing a transplant program for multiple myeloma. We review the data justifying use of stem cell transplantation as initial management in myeloma patients. We provide selection criteria that minimize the risks of transplantation. Specific guidelines on mobilization and supportive care through the transplant course, as done at Mayo Clinic, are given. A review of the data on tandem vs sequential autologous transplants is provided.
Frequent ASXL2 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia patients with t(8;21)/RUNX1-RUNX1T1 chromosomal translocations
Authors: Micol Jean-Baptiste , Duployez Nicolas , Boissel Nicolas , Petit Arnaud , Geffroy Sandrine , Nibourel Olivier , Lacombe Catherine , Lapillonne Helene , Etancelin Pascaline , Figeac Martin , Renneville Aline , Castaigne Sylvie , Leverger Guy , Ifrah Norbert , Dombret Hervé , Preudhomme Claude , Abdel-Wahab Omar , Jourdan Eric
Published: June 2014

Key Points

ASXL2 was mutated in 22.7% (25/110) of adult and pediatric t(8;21)/RUNX1-RUNX1T1 acute myeloid leukemia patients. ASXL2 mutations are mutually exclusive with ASXL1 mutations and occur in t(8;21) but not inv(16)/t(16;16) or RUNX1-mutant AML.
Case-case-control study on factors associated with vanB vancomycin-resistant and vancomycin-susceptible enterococcal bacteraemia
Authors: Cheah Agnes Loo Yee , Peel Trisha , Howden Benjamin P , Spelman Denis , Grayson M Lindsay , Nation Roger L , Kong David CM
Published: June 2014

Background

Enterococci are a major cause of healthcare-associated infection. In Australia, vanB vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is the predominant genotype. There are limited data on the factors linked to vanB VRE bacteraemia. This study aimed to identify factors associated with vanB VRE bacteraemia, and compare them with those for vancomycin-susceptible enterococci (VSE) bacteraemia.

Methods

A case-case-control study was performed in two tertiary public hospitals in Victoria, Australia. VRE and VSE bacteraemia cases were compared with controls without evidence of enterococcal bacteraemia, but may have had infections due to other pathogens.

Results

All VRE isolates had vanB genotype. Factors associated with vanB VRE bacteraemia were urinary catheter use within the last 30 days (OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.09-7.53), an increase in duration of metronidazole therapy (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.17-2.33), and a higher Chronic Disease Score specific for VRE (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.05-2.77). Factors linked to VSE bacteraemia were a history of gastrointestinal disease (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.05-4.99) and an increase in duration of metronidazole therapy (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.02-1.48). Admission into the haematology/oncology unit was associated with lower odds of VSE bacteraemia (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01-0.74).

Conclusions

This is the largest case-case-control study involving vanB VRE bacteraemia. Factors associated with the development of vanB VRE bacteraemia were different to those of VSE bacteraemia.
Evaluation and clinical significance of the stomach age model for evaluating aging of the stomach-a multicenter study in China
Authors: Gao Qin-Yan , Wang Zhen-Hua , Cui Yun , Sheng Jian-Qiu , Zhang Kun-He , Shi Rui-Hua , Xu Jian-Ming , Chen Wei-Chang , Zuo Xiu-Li , Li Shu-De , Chen Yue-Xiang , Song Yan-Yan , Fang Jing-Yuan
Published: June 2014

Background

A higher prevalence of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) occurs in younger adults in Asia. We used Stomach Age to examine the different mechanisms of CAG between younger adults and elderly individuals, and established a simple model of cancer risk that can be applied to CAG surveillance.

Methods

Stomach Age was determined by FISH examination of telomere length in stomach biopsies. Δψm was also determined by flow cytometry. Sixty volunteers were used to confirm the linear relationship between telomere length and age while 120 subjects were used to build a mathematical model by a multivariate analysis. Overall, 146 subjects were used to evaluate the validity of the model, and 1,007 subjects were used to evaluate the relationship between prognosis and Δage (calculated from the mathematical model). ROC curves were used to evaluate the relationship between prognosis and Δage and to determine the cut-off point for Δage.

Results

We established that a tight linear relationship between the telomere length and the age. The telomere length was obvious different between patients with and without CAG even in the same age. Δψm decreased in individuals whose Stomach Age was greater than real age, especially in younger adults. A mathematical model of Stomach Age (real age + Δage) was successfully constructed which was easy to apply in clinical work. A higher Δage was correlated with a worse outcome. The criterion of Δage >3.11 should be considered as the cut-off to select the subgroup of patients who require endoscopic surveillance.

Conclusion

Variation in Stomach Age between individuals of the same biological age was confirmed. Attention should be paid to those with a greater Stomach Age, especially in younger adults. The Δage in the Simple Model can be used as a criterion to select CAG patients for gastric cancer surveillance.