bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive Predictors of Malignant Arrhythmias
Authors: Golukhova Elena Z. , Gromova Olga , Grigoryan Marina , Merzlyakov Vadim , Shumkov Konstantin , Bockeria Leo , Serebruany Victor L.
Published: May 2016

Background: Prediction and potential prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to malignant ventricular arrhythmia (MVA) represent an obvious unmet medical need. We estimated the prognostic relevance of numerous biomarkers associated with future MVA development in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) over 2 years of follow-up. Methods: Patients with stable documented CAD (n = 97) with a mean age of 61 ± 10 years were prospectively enrolled in a single-center observational cohort study. Heart failure was diagnosed in 68% of the patients (NYHA class II-III). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 50 ± 13%, while 20% of patients had LVEF ≤35%. Sixty-two patients underwent myocardial revascularization during the follow-up (mean 25 ± 11 months). Clinical characteristics (age, gender, diabetes, history of coronary disease and arrhythmias, prior interventions and antecedent medications), noninvasive electrophysiological markers [microvolt T-wave alterations, signal-averaged electrocardiography, QT interval duration and alteration, and heart rate turbulence (HRT) and HR variability], laboratory indices [serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), NT-proBNP, and C-reactive protein and troponin T levels] were assessed with regard to the MVA prognosis. Results: MVA was diagnosed in 11 patients during the prospective follow-up. Prior percutaneous coronary intervention (p < 0.05), MVA or syncope (p < 0.05), on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting during follow-up (p < 0.01), LVEF ≤47% (p < 0.01), a left atrium size ≥4.7 cm (p < 0.05), left atrium index (p = 0.01), filtered QRS duration (p < 0.05), abnormal HRT (χ2 = 6.2, p = 0.01) or turbulence slope (χ2 = 9.5, p < 0.01), BNP ≥158 pg/ml (p < 0.01) and NT-proBNP ≥787 pg/ml (χ2 = 4.4, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with MVA risk by univariate analysis. However, only prior MVA or syncope [odds ratio (OR) 11.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8-44.4; p < 0.01], abnormal HRT (ОR 13.6; 95% CI 2.8-66.1; p < 0.01) and plasma BNP (ОR 14.3; 95% CI 3.2-65.0; p < 0.01) remained independent predictors of MVA occurrence by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Conclusion: Prior syncope or MVA, HRT and elevated plasma BNP were independent MVA predictors, advocating for the prospective screening of high-risk CAD patients for potential SCD awareness.
Fluid Management for Critically Ill Patients: A Review of the Current State of Fluid Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Frazee Erin , Kashani Kianoush
Published: May 2016

Background: Intravenous fluids (IVF) are frequently utilized to restore intravascular volume in patients with distributive and hypovolemic shock. Although the benefits of the appropriate use of fluids in intensive care units (ICUs) and hospitals are well described, there is growing knowledge regarding the potential risks of volume overload and its impact on organ failure and mortality. To avoid volume overload and its associated complications, strategies to identify fluid responsiveness are developed and utilized more often among ICU patients. Apart from the amount of fluid utilized for resuscitation, the type of fluid used also impacts patient outcome. Colloids and crystalloids are two types of fluids that are utilized for resuscitation. The efficacy of each fluid type on the expansion of intravascular volume on one hand and the potential adverse effects of each individual fluid, on the other hand, need to be considered when choosing the type of fluid for resuscitation. The negative impact of hydroxyethyl starch on kidney function, of albumin on the mortality of head trauma patients and chloride-rich crystalloids on mortality and kidney function, are only examples of new developments in the field. Summary: In this paper, we will review the impact of fluid overload on patient outcomes, define the fluid challenge, describe the differences in static and dynamic estimates of fluid responsiveness, and review the effect of different types of fluid on patient outcome. Key Message: Avoiding fluid overload by choosing the appropriate amount of fluids in patients who are fluid-responsive on one hand, and treating IVF like other medications, on the other hand, are the major changes. Whenever clinicians decide to prescribe IVF, they need to weigh the risks and benefits of giving fluid and also the advantages and side effects of each fluid type in order to optimize patient outcomes.
The Prevalence and Characteristics of Charles Bonnet Syndrome in Turkish Patients with Retinal Disease
Authors: Nalcaci Serhad , İlim Orhan , Oztas Zafer , Akkin Cezmi , Acarer Ahmet , Afrashi Filiz , Mentes Jale
Published: May 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) in a group of Turkish patients with various retinal diseases. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-four patients with a best-corrected visual acuity of ≤20/40 in the better-seeing eye were asked with a standardized question whether they had symptoms of CBS. If they responded positively, a questionnaire was verbally administered to learn more about the details of the symptoms. Results: There were 125 (47.3%) females and 139 (52.7%) males with a mean age of 72.1 years (range 31-90). Seventeen (6.4%) patients were diagnosed with CBS. Three (17.7%) patients had noncomplex hallucinations and 14 (82.3%) had complex hallucinations. Conclusion: CBS is not uncommon in visually impaired patients with retinal disease. Clinicians who care for visually impaired patients should be aware of CBS.
Clinicopathologic Features of Inverted Serrated Lesions of the Large Bowel
Authors: Kawasaki Keisuke , Kurahara Koichi , Oshiro Yumi , Yanai Shunichi , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Nakamura Shotaro , Fuchigami Tadahiko , Sugai Tamotsu , Matsumoto Takayuki
Published: May 2016

Background/Aims: Serrated lesions (SLs) of the large bowel occasionally manifest as inverted growths with endophytic expansion within the muscularis mucosa. The aims of this investigation were to investigate the incidence of inverted SLs (ISLs) among SLs and to describe the clinicopathologic features. Methods: We reviewed the colonoscopy records from 2006 to 2014 at our institution and identified cases of endoscopically or surgically resected SLs, including hyperplastic polyps (HPs), sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps) and traditional serrated adenomas (TSAs). The incidence of ISLs among the SLs and their colonoscopic findings were investigated retrospectively. Results: There were 35 HPs in 30 patients, 80 SSA/Ps in 65 patients and 70 TSAs in 65 patients. The incidence of ISLs was significantly higher among SSA/Ps (8.8%) and HPs (5.7%) than among TSAs (0%; p = 0.04). A predominant right-sided location, a flat-elevated configuration with a central depression and round-open pit pattern or expanded crypt openings were characteristic of ISLs of the SSA/P type. Conclusions: Right-sided flat lesions with a central depression and round or expanded crypts are indicative of ISLs of the SSA/P type.
Renal Denervation Improves Exaggerated Sympathoexcitation in Rats With Heart Failure
Authors: Patel Kaushik P. , Xu Bo , Liu Xuefei , Sharma Neeru M. , Zheng Hong
Published: May 2016

Renal denervation (RDN) has been postulated to reduce sympathetic drive during heart failure (HF), but the central mechanisms are not completely understood. The purpose of the present study was to assess the contribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) within the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in modulating sympathetic outflow in rats with HF that underwent RDN. HF was induced in rats by ligation of the left coronary artery. Four weeks after surgery, bilateral RDN was performed. Rats with HF had an increase in FosB-positive cells in the PVN with a concomitant increase in urinary excretion of norepinephrine, and both of these parameters were ameliorated after RDN. nNOS-positive cells immunostaining, diaphorase staining, and nNOS protein expression were significantly decreased in the PVN of HF rats, findings that were ameliorated by RDN. Microinjection of nNOS inhibitor
N
G
-monomethyl
l
-arginine into the PVN resulted in a blunted increase in lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (11±2% versus 24±2%) in HF than in sham group. This response was normalized after RDN. Stimulation of afferent renal nerves produced a greater activation of PVN neurons in rats with HF. Afferent renal nerve stimulation elicited a greater increase in lumbar sympathetic nerve activity in rats with HF than in sham rats (45±5% versus 22±2%). These results suggest that intact renal nerves contribute to the reduction of nNOS in the PVN, resulting in the activation of the neurons in the PVN of rats with HF. RDN restores nNOS and thus attenuates the sympathoexcitation commonly observed in HF.
Additional Tier 1 Capital Instruments under Basel iii: A Sharīʿah Viewpoint
Authors: Sairally Beebee Salma , Muhammad Marjan , Mustafa Madaa Munjid
Published: May 2016

This research aims to compare the regulatory capital instruments for Islamic banking institutions (ibis)—in particular the qualifying Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital instruments—as defined by Basel iii, Bank Negara Malaysia (bnm) and ifsb-15 (issued by the Islamic Financial Services Board). Principally, the research examines the Sharīʿah issues, especially related to subordination, arising in equity-based contracts when used for structuring AT1 capital instruments. In particular, it examines the muḍārabah ṣukūk issued by the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (adib) in 2012. The study finds that the most appropriate Sharīʿah contract that would be suitable for structuring AT1 capital instruments would be mushārakah. The present study is considered an original attempt in examining an under-researched topic relating to Basel iii and its Sharīʿah perspective. The study will be an important reference point to Islamic banks when structuring AT1 capital instruments.
An annotated checklist of the Greek Stonefly Fauna (Insecta: Plecoptera)
Authors: KARAOUZAS IOANNIS , ANDRIOPOULOU ARGYRO , KOUVARDA THEODORA , MURÁNYI DÁVID
Published: May 2016

An overview of the Greek stonefly (Plecoptera) fauna is presented as an annotated index of all available published records. These records have resulted in an updated species list reflecting current taxonomy and species distributions of the Greek peninsula and islands. Currently, a total of 71 species and seven subspecies belonging to seven families and 19 genera are reported from Greece. There is high species endemicity of the Leuctridae and Nemouridae, particularly on the Greek islands. The endemics known from Greece comprise thirty species representing 42% of the Greek stonefly fauna. The remaining taxa are typical Balkan and Mediterranean species.
Taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical bee genus Serapista Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Megachilidae: Megachilinae: Anthidiini)
Authors: EARDLEY CONNAL , GRISWOLD TERRY
Published: May 2016

The Sub-Saharan bee genus Serapista Cockerell is revised. It comprises six species. Serapista pernigra Cockerell is restored as a valid species, S. aspernigra Eardley and Griswold, new species, is described from the eastern part of southern Africa and Serapista rhodesiana Mavromoustakis is synonymized with S. pernigra. Descriptions, keys for identification, distributional records and floral associations of the species of Serapista are given.
Incentives for Lawyers
Authors: Bartel Ann P. , Cardiff-Hicks Brianna , Shaw Kathryn
Published: May 2016

The authors study an international law firm that changed its compensation plan for team leaders to address a multitasking problem: Team leaders were focusing their effort on billable hours and not spending sufficient time on leadership activities to build the firm. Compensation was changed to provide greater incentives for the leadership activities and weaker incentives for billable hours. The effect of this change on the task allocation of the firm’s team leaders was large and robust; team leaders increased their non-billable hours and shifted billable hours to team members. The firm’s new compensation plan (combining an objective formula with subjective evaluations) is the fastest-growing compensation system among law firms today.
Nation-Level Moderators of the Extent to Which Self-Efficacy and Relationship Harmony Predict Students’ Depression and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Smith Peter B. , Ahmad Abd Halim , Owe Ellinor , Celikkol Göksu Cagil , Ping Hu , Gavreliuc Alin , Chobthamkit Phatthanakit , Rizwan Muhammad , Chen Sylvia Xiaohua , Teh Hui Bee , Vignoles Vivian L.
Published: May 2016

Previous two-nation comparisons have provided evidence that self-efficacy may be a protective factor against depression in individualist cultures, whereas relationship harmony may be a stronger protective factor in collectivist cultures. However, wider sampling and more specific measures of cultural difference are required to test these conclusions. Student ratings of depression and life satisfaction were surveyed in 10 samples drawn from nine nations. Culture-level individualism positively moderated the relationship of self-efficacy to low depression. However, culture-level collectivism negatively moderated the linkage of relationship harmony to depression. To better understand these effects, four separate nation-level predictors derived from dimensions of self-construal were employed. Effects of self-efficacy were strongest where cultural models of selfhood emphasized self-direction (vs. receptiveness to influence); effects of relationship harmony were strongest where cultural models of selfhood emphasized dependence on others (vs. self-reliance). These results illustrate the value of unpackaging the diffusely defined concept of individualism-collectivism.
Metagenomic Insights into Transferable Antibiotic Resistance in Oral Bacteria
Authors: Sukumar S. , Roberts A.P. , Martin F.E. , Adler C.J.
Published: May 2016

Antibiotic resistance is considered one of the greatest threats to global public health. Resistance is often conferred by the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which are readily found in the oral microbiome. In-depth genetic analyses of the oral microbiome through metagenomic techniques reveal a broad distribution of ARGs (including novel ARGs) in individuals not recently exposed to antibiotics, including humans in isolated indigenous populations. This has resulted in a paradigm shift from focusing on the carriage of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria to a broader concept of an oral resistome, which includes all resistance genes in the microbiome. Metagenomics is beginning to demonstrate the role of the oral resistome and horizontal gene transfer within and between commensals in the absence of selective pressure, such as an antibiotic. At the chairside, metagenomic data reinforce our need to adhere to current antibiotic guidelines to minimize the spread of resistance, as such data reveal the extent of ARGs without exposure to antimicrobials and the ecologic changes created in the oral microbiome by even a single dose of antibiotics. The aim of this review is to discuss the role of metagenomics in the investigation of the oral resistome, including the transmission of antibiotic resistance in the oral microbiome. Future perspectives, including clinical implications of the findings from metagenomic investigations of oral ARGs, are also considered.
Social Policy Responses of the Chilean State to the Earthquake and Tsunami of 2010
Authors: Sehnbruch Kirsten , Agloni Nurjk , Imilan Walter , Sanhueza Claudia
Published: May 2016

Decades of neoliberal policy have left Chile with a skeletal state that administers social policy through targeting and outsourcing in public-private partnerships that lack coordination. The reconstruction after the 2010 earthquake and tsunami responded to the emergency largely according to these same principles. While official reports on the reconstruction effort show a state that is complying with its goals, evidence from fieldwork in the city of Constitución illustrates that this method is highly inadequate in the context of a natural disaster. Chile should establish a social policy structure for natural disasters that allows for a rapid response to a social emergency based on universal or near-universal allocation criteria.

Varias décadas de políticas neoliberales han dejado a Chile con un estado débil que simplemente administra las políticas sociales por medio de la focalización y las subcontrataciones en alianzas público-privadas que carecen de coordinación. La reconstrucción después del terremoto y el sunami de 2010 respondió a la catástrofe mayormente de acuerdo a estos mismos principios. Mientras los informes oficiales sobre los esfuerzos de reconstrucción muestran a un estado que cumple con sus metas, el trabajo de campo en la ciudad de Constitución demuestra que este método es decididamente insuficiente en el contexto de un desastre natural. Chile debe establecer unas estructuras de política pública para lidiar con los desastres naturales que permitan dar una respuesta rápida a las emergencias sociales en base a criterios de asignación universales o casi universales.
Allocation of Decision Rights Between the Parent Company and Its Subsidiaries
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Luo Ting , Yue Heng
Published: May 2016

This article examines the determinants of allocation of decision rights between the parent company and its subsidiaries, and the economic consequence of suboptimal power structure. Based on China’s unique double disclosure for the parent company and the whole group, we construct a decentralization index to measure how decision rights are allocated within the group companies. We find a more decentralized (centralized) power structure for the groups with more uncertain (certain) external environment and with poorer (better) internal information quality. We also show that the groups with suboptimal power structure have weaker future performance.
Fractured Relationships
Authors: Fisk Jonathan M.
Published: May 2016

Municipalities are on fracking’s front lines. Unlike the extraction techniques of the past, many of today’s operations are located within a mile or two of residential areas. Yet, little scholarly attention has been paid to the factors that can precipitate municipal challenges to the state’s authority. For some, the decision to oppose the state may be related to environmental concerns, while in other communities, leaders are much more concerned about how development impacts homeowners. Recognizing this debate, this article examines local defiance in the era of fracking with a sample of Colorado, Texas, and Ohio communities.
Finnish Teachers’ Conceptions of Giftedness
Authors: Laine Sonja , Kuusisto Elina , Tirri Kirsi
Published: May 2016

This article presents two independent studies of Finnish teachers’ conceptions of giftedness and considers whether it is a malleable or fixed quality. The first qualitative study examined elementary school teachers’ ( N = 212) conceptions via inductive-oriented content analysis, whereas the second study measured teachers’ (elementary n = 184, secondary n = 279) conceptions with a quantitative approach. According to teachers’ open-ended definitions, giftedness was seen to be multidimensional and a characteristic that differentiates the person from others. Giftedness was also described via cognitive, creative, and motivational features of the gifted. Furthermore, the two independent studies suggest quite different views on how Finnish teachers understand the developmental nature of giftedness: The first indicates that the developmental nature of giftedness was not frequently mentioned, whereas the second found that a malleable view of giftedness (i.e., a growth mindset) was dominant. Thus, this article highlights a need for in-depth and mixed-methods research designs to study how teachers see the developing nature of giftedness.
Disparities in Mental Health Quality of Life Between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White LGB Midlife and Older Adults and the Influence of Lifetime Discrimination, Social Connectedness, Socioeconomic Status, and Perceived Stress
Authors: Kim Hyun-Jun , Fredriksen-Goldsen Karen I.
Published: May 2016

We assessed factors contributing to ethnic and racial disparities in mental health quality of life (MHQOL) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) midlife and older adults. We utilized cross-sectional survey data from a sample of non-Hispanic White and Hispanic LGB adults aged 50 and older. Structural equation modeling was used to test the indirect effect of ethnicity/race on MHQOL via explanatory factors including social connectedness, lifetime discrimination, socioeconomic status (SES), and perceived stress. Hispanics reported significantly lower levels of MHQOL, compared to non-Hispanic Whites. In the final model, the association between ethnicity/race and MHQOL was explained by higher levels of perceived stress related to lower SES, higher frequency of lifetime discrimination, and lack of social connectedness among Hispanic LGB adults. This study suggests that perceived stress related to social disadvantage and marginalization plays an important role in MHQOL disparities among Hispanic LGB midlife and older adults.
An analysis of Turkish students’ perception of intelligence from primary school to university
Authors: Beyaztaş Dilek İlhan , Hymer Barry
Published: May 2016

The aim of this descriptive study was to determine the features of intelligence perceptions according to age, gender, class level, school success level and university departments. Two different scales by Dweck (2000) for both adults and children were translated into Turkish. These scales were then applied to 1350 Turkish students ranging from fourth-grade primary school to fourth-year university. Results showed that student scores relating to the perception that intelligence is an unchangeable feature in accordance with age, gender, class level, school success level and university departments were higher than the scores relating to the perception that intelligence is a malleable feature. In the terminology of mindset theory, these students were more likely to reveal evidence of fixed than growth mindsets.
Recognizing care, caring recognition
Authors: Gregoratto Federica
Published: May 2016

In this paper, I discuss the idea of democratic love from the perspective of gender equality. More precisely, I argue that a particular form of gender inequality, namely a gender-specific division of care labour, jeopardizes democratic love. In the first two sections of the article, I introduce Anthony Giddens’ original idea of a ‘democratization of the personal’ and show how Axel Honneth has developed it by relying on the Hegelian notion of social freedom. In the third section, I discuss how the problem of care work affects democratic love relationships and depict the solution to this problem advocated by recognition theory, namely economic recognition. After having reconstructed some possible affinities between socialist-feminist arguments and Honneth’s suggestions, as well as criticisms against them, I outline another recognition-theoretic strategy for recognizing care work. I argue that the recognition paradigm conveys a view of the love relationship as inherently implying a caring recognition of human beings’ dependencies and vulnerabilities. I conclude by hinting at the idea that caring recognition may be extended beyond the social sphere of love, as constituent of social relations in general.
Results of the GNSS receiver experiment OCAM-G on Ariane-5 flight VA 219
Authors: Hauschild André , Markgraf Markus , Montenbruck Oliver , Pfeuffer Horst , Dawidowicz Elie , Rmili Badr , Conde Reis Alain
Published: May 2016

The fifth Automated Transfer Vehicle was launched on 29 July 2014 with Ariane-5 flight VA 219 into orbit from Kourou, French Guiana. For the first time, the ascent of an Ariane rocket was independently tracked with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver on this flight. The GNSS receiver experiment OCAM-G was mounted on the upper stage of the rocket. Its receivers tracked the trajectory of the Ariane-5 from lift-off until after the separation of the Automated Transfer Vehicle. This article introduces the design of the experiment and presents an analysis of the data gathered during the flight with respect to the GNSS tracking status, availability of navigation solution, and navigation accuracy.
Marginally Significant Effects as Evidence for Hypotheses
Authors: Pritschet Laura , Powell Derek , Horne Zachary
Published: May 2016

Some effects are statistically significant. Other effects do not reach the threshold of statistical significance and are sometimes described as “marginally significant” or as “approaching significance.” Although the concept of marginal significance is widely deployed in academic psychology, there has been very little systematic examination of psychologists’ attitudes toward these effects. Here, we report an observational study in which we investigated psychologists’ attitudes concerning marginal significance by examining their language in over 1,500 articles published in top-tier cognitive, developmental, and social psychology journals. We observed a large change over the course of four decades in psychologists’ tendency to describe a p value as marginally significant, and overall rates of use appear to differ across subfields. We discuss possible explanations for these findings, as well as their implications for psychological research.
The Effect of Breakfast Type on Total Daily Energy Intake and Body Mass Index Among Thai School Children
Authors: Purttiponthanee Sasiumphai , Rojroongwasinkul Nipa , Wimonpeerapattana Wanphen , Thasanasuwan Wiyada , Senaprom Sayamon , Khouw Ilse , Deurenberg Paul
Published: May 2016

The study investigated the association between breakfast types consumed, daily energy intake, and body mass index for age Z-score (BAZ). Cross-sectional data from 1258 children aged 7 to 12.9 years were analyzed for breakfast type, nutrient intakes, BAZ, and proportion of overweight or obesity. Analysis of covariance was used to compare energy and nutrient intakes, BAZ, and proportion of overweight/obese children between breakfast groups. Only 19% of children had adequate energy intake from breakfast. Those consuming snacks had a significantly lower BAZ ( Z = −0.73), with 5% of them being overweight/obese. Those consuming beverages and desserts had the lowest total daily energy intake (1314 kcal) and lowest protein intake (8.4 g). The results suggest that breakfast type is associated with daily energy intake and BAZ. Most breakfasts are not adequate. School-based nutrition education programs involving families, teachers, and health professionals can contribute to improve this situation.
Online news comments as a public sphere forum: Deliberations on Canadian children’s physical activity habits
Authors: McDermott Lisa
Published: May 2016

While considerable scholarly research has examined online media’s function as a public sphere forum, surprisingly little analysis has extended to examining the public’s actual deliberations of the covered issue(s). Recognizing this gap, this discussion conceives online news comments in response to a CBCNews ( Canadian Broadcasting Corporation online news) article reporting the release of Active Healthy Kids Canada’s 2010 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth as such a forum. Children’s physical (in)activity habits have become a central focus of various realms (e.g. medical, government, public health, educational and media), which have increasingly framed them as a pressing societal concern. And while the discursive effects of such representations have been subject to critical cultural analysis, not examined to date is the public’s understanding of this issue. The online comments posted in response to the CBCNews article are thus used as an occasion to examine some of the Canadian public’s sense-making of this “problem” in terms of the discourses they invoked in their deliberations.
Three-dimensional analysis of freely vibrating multilayered piezoelectric plates through adaptive global piecewise-smooth functions
Authors: Messina Arcangelo , Carrera Erasmo
Published: May 2016

In this article, freely vibrating multilayered piezoelectric plates are analyzed through a set of adaptive global piecewise-smooth functions along with governing differential equations and associated boundary conditions, which are consistently derived from the classical theorem of virtual displacements. The analysis demonstrates the capability of the adaptive global piecewise-smooth functions to treat any multilayered plate as if it were made up of a single layer even in the presence of multiphysics analyses such as piezoelectric layers. The relevant model is essentially two-dimensional because it is based on an expansion through the thickness of the plate aimed at modeling a three-dimensional dynamical behavior. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model, all the results are compared to exact three-dimensional results; these latter are extracted through a three-dimensional model based on a transfer matrix technique whose numerical stability is achieved using scaled electric potentials. The exact graphical results are herein illustrated, thus showing both the effectiveness of using weighted electric potentials and the capability of adaptive global piecewise-smooth functions to converge at exact results through a minimum computational effort.
A sub-wavelength scale acoustoelastic sonic crystal for harvesting energies at very low frequencies (<∼1 kHz) using controlled geometric configurations
Authors: Ahmed Riaz , Madisetti Dylan , Banerjee Sourav
Published: May 2016

Predictive design to control the geometric configurations of a novel sub-wavelength scale energy scavenger to harvest energy at lower sonic frequencies (<∼1 kHz) is presented. In this work, defying the conventional physics of structural resonance at lower frequencies, the traditional solution of large size harvesters is argued by adopting the physics of local resonance in designing the energy harvesters with sub-wavelength scale foot print. It is reported that during the local resonance, the wave energy passing through the acoustoelastic sonic crystals remains trapped within the soft matrix as the dynamic strain energy; hence, it is proposed to harvest that same trapped energy by strategically embedding the smart materials inside the matrix, capable of electromechanical transduction (e.g. lead zirconate titanate). The proposed acoustoelastic sonic crystal model was able to harvest energies at four different frequencies within <∼1 kHz with possible loading conditions and respective lead zirconate titanate placements. Through experimental validation, a particular acoustoelastic sonic crystal model with sub-wavelength geometry (∼3.65 cm) was investigated. Against 10 kΩ resistive load, a maximum power density of ∼92.4 µW/cm2 was achieved. It is further reported that the geometrical model of the proposed harvesters can be predictively altered while filtering the acoustic waves and harvest the energy, simultaneously.
Research on the energy dissipation mechanism of nonobstructive particle dampers based on the dense granular flow theory
Authors: Fang Jianglong , Wang Xiaopeng , Chen Tianning , Zhang Kai
Published: May 2016

To study the energy dissipation mechanism of nonobstructive particle dampers (NOPDs) and provide guidance to the application of NOPDs, the dense granular flow theory was introduced to establish a quantitative energy dissipation model for NOPDs. The convection movement of the particles under vibrational excitations was studied using the discrete element method, and the Prandtl mixing length theory was adopted to modify the constitution law of dense granular flows. The pressure of the granular flow was obtained by equivalenting the vibrational excitation to a body force acted on particles. Theoretical results showed that the energy dissipation rate of the NOPD was increased with the vibration intensity and decreased with the granular diameter. It also indicated that particles near the side wall and the bottom of the damper dissipated more energy than those particles in other regions. The theoretical model was verified by simulation and experimental result. The results may provide a new approach to studying the energy dissipation mechanism of NOPD and give some guidance to enhancing the damping performance of NOPD in engineering practices.
Presence of Distractor Improves Time Estimation Performance in an Adult ADHD Sample
Authors: Pretus Clara , Picado Marisol , Ramos-Quiroga Antoni , Carmona Susanna , Richarte Vanessa , Fauquet Jordi , Vilarroya Óscar
Published: May 2016

Objective: It is widely accepted that patients with ADHD exhibit greater susceptibility to distractors, especially during tasks with higher working memory load demands. However, no study to date has specifically measured the impact of distractors on timing functions, although these have consistently shown alterations in ADHD. In this investigation, we aimed to elucidate the neural mechanisms mediating distractor effects on timing functions. Method: We employed a time estimation functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm including a distracting element in half of the trials in a sample of 21 patients with ADHD and 24 healthy controls. Results: As expected, the effect of the distractor was greater in ADHD patients, where it was associated with increased orbitofrontal activity compared with controls. Behaviorally, time estimation performance benefited from the presence of distractors in both groups. In turn, such improvement correlated with medial frontal and insular activity in the brain. Conclusion: These results suggest that distractors could be stimulating recruitment of frontal resources in ADHD, thus contributing to increase focus on the task.
Computing voxelised representations of macromolecular surfaces
Authors: Daberdaku Sebastian , Ferrari Carlo
Published: May 2016

Voxel-based representations of surfaces have received a lot of interest in bioinformatics and computational biology as a simple and effective way of representing geometrical and physicochemical properties of proteins and other biomolecules. Processing such surfaces for large molecules can be challenging, as space-demanding data structures with associated high computational costs are required. In this paper, we present a methodology for the fast computation of voxelised macromolecular surface representations (namely the van der Waals, solvent-accessible and solvent-excluded surfaces). The proposed method implements a spatial slicing procedure on top of compact data structures to efficiently calculate the three molecular surface representations at high-resolutions, in parallel. The spatial slicing protocol ensures a balanced workload distribution and allows the computation of the solvent-excluded surface with minimal synchronisation and communication between processes. This is achieved by adapting a multi-step region-growing EDT algorithm. At each step, distance values are first calculated independently for every slice, then, a small portion of the borders’ information is exchanged between adjacent slices. Very little process communication is also required in the pocket detection procedure, where the algorithm distinguishes surface portions belonging to solvent-accessible pockets from cavities buried inside the molecule. Experimental results are presented to validate the proposed approach.
Co-producing knowledge about lesbian and bisexual women with breast cancer: Messages for nursing professionals from a knowledge exchange project
Authors: Fish Julie
Published: May 2016

Worldwide, cancer is a leading cause of death and reducing cancer inequalities is an urgent health priority. Attention is turning to factors which sustain cancer survival, including quality of care. Moreover, in recent policy initiatives, the vision is for care personalised to individual need representing a cultural shift to recovery, health and well-being. This paper discusses a knowledge exchange project that transferred findings from an empirical study, which revealed distinctive patient experiences among lesbian and bisexual women, to inform the work of two UK national cancer charities. Participatory Action Research methods, involving service users, nursing and other professionals, were key to ensuring outputs were grounded in service user experiences and their involvement lent authority with stakeholders. The project sought to maximise the impact of social science research, embed equality in institutional cultures and practices, influence policy and develop wider knowledge economies about lesbian and bisexual women’s health. Adopting the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, the paper reflects on what works to promote the sustainability of interventions across five domains for enabling knowledge exchange. It contributes to current debates about ways of achieving impact of research on policymaking and practice and to questions about the co-production of knowledge.
Immunoadsorption in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Faissner Simon , Nikolayczik Johanna , Chan Andrew , Gold Ralf , Yoon Min-Suk , Haghikia Aiden
Published: May 2016

Introduction:

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a neuroinflammatory disorder of the central nervous system, distinct from multiple sclerosis by affecting predominantly the optic nerve and the spinal cord, and mediated by antibodies directed against aquaporin 4 (AQP4-ab) as a possible pathomechanistic hallmark of NMOSD. Therapeutic options include immunosuppression with steroids or B-cell-depleting agents as baseline therapies, as well as plasma exchange (PLEX) and/or immunoadsorption (IA) during relapses. Until now, data concerning the efficacy of IA alone are scarce.

Methods:

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs), visual acuity and changes of symptoms at relapse leading to admission in NMOSD patients ( n = 10) treated with IA in a single-centre setting were evaluated retrospectively.

Results:

All patients profited from the procedure and showed an amelioration of admission symptoms. Three patients improved in visual acuity, another three patients remained stable, whereas five patients showed an improvement in VEPs.

Discussion:

In this small cohort, IA constitutes a valid therapeutic option for patients with NMOSD as an equivalent to PLEX. Analysis in larger cohorts is warranted.
Quantitative analysis of multiple sclerosis patients’ preferences for drug treatment: a best–worst scaling study
Authors: Lynd Larry D. , Traboulsee Anthony , Marra Carlo A. , Mittmann Nicole , Evans Charity , Li Kathy H. , Carter Melanie , Hategekimana Celestin
Published: May 2016

Background:

With recent developments in drug therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), new treatment options have become available presenting patients with complex treatment decisions.

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to elicit patients’ preferences for different attributes of MS drug therapy.

Methods:

A representative sample of patients with MS across Canada ( n=189) participated in a best–worst scaling study to quantify preferences for different attributes of MS drug therapy, including delaying progression, improving symptoms, preventing relapse, minor side effects, rare but serious adverse events (SAEs), and route of administration. Conditional logit models were fitted to estimate the relative importance of each attribute in influencing patients’ preferences.

Results:

A latent-class analysis revealed heterogeneity of preferences across respondents, with preferences differing across five classes. The most important attributes of drug therapy were the avoidance of SAEs for three classes and the improvement of symptoms for two other classes. Only a smaller group of patients demonstrated a specific preference for avoiding SAEs, and route of administration.

Conclusion:

This study shows that preferences for drug therapy among patients with MS are different, some of which can be explained by experiences with their disease and treatment. These findings can help to inform the focus of interactions that healthcare practitioners have with patients with MS, as well as further drug development.
Evaluation of the Quality, Accuracy, and Readability of Online Patient Resources for the Management of Articular Cartilage Defects
Authors: Wang Dean , Jayakar Rohit G. , Leong Natalie L. , Leathers Michael P. , Williams Riley J. , Jones Kristofer J.
Published: May 2016

Objective

Patients commonly use the Internet to obtain their health-related information. The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality, accuracy, and readability of online patient resources for the management of articular cartilage defects.

Design

Three search terms (“cartilage defect,” “cartilage damage,” “cartilage injury”) were entered into 3 Internet search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo). The first 25 websites from each search were collected and reviewed. The quality and accuracy of online information were independently evaluated by 3 reviewers using predetermined scoring criteria. The readability was evaluated using the Flesch-Kincaid (FK) grade score.

Results

Fifty-three unique websites were evaluated. Quality ratings were significantly higher in websites with a FK score >11 compared to those with a score of ≤11 ( P = 0.021). Only 10 websites (19%) differentiated between focal cartilage defects and diffuse osteoarthritis. Of these, 7 (70%) were elicited using the search term “cartilage defect” ( P = 0.038). The average accuracy of the websites was high (11.7 out of maximum 12), and the average FK grade level (13.4) was several grades higher than the recommended level for readable patient education material (eighth grade level).

Conclusions

The quality and readability of online patient resources for articular cartilage defects favor those with a higher level of education. Additionally, the majority of these websites do not distinguish between focal chondral defects and diffuse osteoarthritis, which can fail to provide appropriate patient education and guidance for available treatment. Clinicians should help guide patients toward high-quality, accurate, and readable online patient education material.
Non-clinical research – laboratory based
Authors: Salji Mark , Ahmad Imran , Winchester Catherine L
Published: May 2016

Venturing into the world of laboratory-based research can be an extremely rewarding but also daunting step for clinicians. Combining our everyday clinical practice with cutting-edge laboratory research bridges our understanding of the basis of disease processes, and we can play a key role in translating such knowledge into better treatment for patients. Here, we discuss some important factors to take into consideration before putting on your lab coat.
Beyond the Task and Maintenance Functions in Groups: Developing External Functions in a High-performing Entrepreneurial Team in Thailand
Authors: Keerativutisest Vasu , Hanson Bruce
Published: May 2016

The focal organization for this article is the leading engineering service company in Thailand hereinafter called ‘Thai CLV’. The company is well known for the good quality of its maintenance projects for oil tanks with a long period of service for the customers. Due to the rapidly changing engineering and technological landscape and the robust competition of the external environment and competitors, the management of the company believes that the utilization of team structure could deliver a flexible working environment and better outcomes for the project. Therefore, its field operations have utilized a team structure for its tank maintenance process. The focus of this article is Thai CLV’s effort to further organize itself around high-performance teams by exploring the opportunities of external functions towards a high-performing entrepreneurial team.
Adiponectin Exerts Neurotrophic Effects on Dendritic Arborization, Spinogenesis, and Neurogenesis of the Dentate Gyrus of Male Mice
Authors: Zhang Di , Wang Xuezhen , Lu Xin-Yun
Published: May 2016

The hippocampus, a brain region critical for learning, memory and emotional processing, maintains its capacity to undergo structural plasticity throughout life. Hippocampal structural plasticity can be modulated by a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. This study investigated the effects of adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, on dendritic growth, arborization, and spinogenesis in mature granule neurons of the hippocampal dentate gyrus generated during embryonic (early-born) or early postnatal (late-born) stages. We found that adiponectin deficiency reduced dendritic length, branching and spine density of granule neurons. The reduction was more evident in early-born granule neurons than in late-born granule neurons. Intracerebroventricular infusion of adiponectin for 1 week increased of dendritic spines and arbor complexity in late-born granule neurons. Moreover, adiponectin deficiency decreased the production of adult-born new granule neurons through suppressing neural progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation, whereas intracerebroventricular adiponectin infusion increased the proliferation of neural progenitor cells in adult dentate gyrus. These results suggest that adiponectin plays an important role in dendritic spine remodeling and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus.
Provincial Autonomy, Sir Benegal Narsing Rau, and an Improbable Imagination of Constitutionalism in India, 1935–38
Authors: Elangovan Arvind
Published: May 2016

The Government of India Act, 1935, is often discussed for Britain's imperial intent in holding India to the empire and the Indian nationalists'—especially the Congress's—critique of the act. In this essay, by focusing on the prominent but little-known bureaucrat Sir Benegal Narsing Rau (1887–1953), Elangovan suggests that the moment of implementation of the act may have contained a third moment, a possibility of constitutional imagination that severely curtailed the political ambitions of both the imperial and the nationalist forces. He traces the possibilities and limits of this moment to foreground the often underappreciated tensions among colonialism, nationalism, and constitutionalism.
Effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on nutrition metabolism in silkworm fat body
Authors: Tian J. H. , Hu J. S. , Li F. C. , Ni M. , Li Y. Y. , Wang B. B. , Xu K. Z. , Shen W. D. , Li B.
Published: May 2016

Silkworm (Bombyx mori) is an important economic insect with a fat body that plays a crucial role in the storage and transfer of nutrients. It is also known that TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) can improve feed efficiency and promote silk protein synthesis in the silkworm. In this study, we profiled gene expression in the silkworm fat body after TiO2 NP treatment, validated the major RNA-seq findings, and determined the contents of trehalose and triglyceride, the activity of lipase, and the amount of total proteins. RNA-seq analysis revealed that TiO2 NP treatment caused significant expression changes in 341 genes (P≤0.01), 138 of which were upregulated while the other 203 were downregulated. The expression levels of two target genes in the insulin signaling pathway and two protein metabolism-related target genes, three lipid metabolism-associated target genes, two carbohydrate metabolism related target genes and expression levels of seven heat shock protein genes were increased, and that of threonine dehydratase gene and fatty acid transport protein gene were decreased. The RNA-seq results of 16 genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. The lipase activity, content of trehalose, and amount of total proteins were elevated by 3.86-fold, 1.34-fold, and 1.21-fold, respectively, and the content of triglyceride was decreased by 0.94-fold after TiO2 NP treatment. These results indicated that TiO2 NPs activated the insulin signaling pathway, promoted the metabolism of protein, fat, and carbohydrate, and improved nutrition metabolism. Our study provides new support for the understanding of the beneficial effect of TiO2 NPs on silkworm nutrient metabolism.