bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in 540 Seriously Ill Older Adults: Effects of Increasing Age on Clinical Outcomes and Survival
Authors: Dermot Frengley J. , Sansone Giorgio R. , Shakya Kunjan , Kaner Robert J.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To investigate effects of older age, comorbidities, and physiological measures on outcomes of elderly adults requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Public long‐term acute care hospital (LTACH) with an active program for ventilator weaning from PMV.

Participants

Chronically seriously ill individuals with PMV aged 65 and older divided into six cohorts (65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, 85–89, ≥90) for comparative purposes (n = 540).

Measurements

Main outcomes were weaning criteria met, weaning success, discharge dispositions, and long‐term survival. Other outcomes included weaning duration, LTACH days, discharge physical function, tracheostomy decannulation, and relapses to ventilator support. Weaning success was defined as 4 weeks or longer entirely free from mechanical ventilator support.

Results

The main finding from age cohort comparisons was that the likelihood of meeting weaning criteria (P = .001) and subsequent successful weaning (P = .002) decreased with age. Best predictors for weaning success in multivariable analysis were lower comorbidity burden (P < .001) and less‐severe illness (P = .001). Other clinically important predictors were more‐normal values in the respiratory physiology measures of rapid shallow breathing (P = .001) and static compliance (P = .003). Successful weaning was also associated with a 62% lower risk of death (P < .001).

Conclusion

Although meeting weaning criteria and being successfully weaned decreased with increasing age, age was not the dominant factor in predicting outcomes. More importantly, individuals with PMV with better respiratory physiology and lower comorbidity burdens were more likely to be weaned and have longer survival, no matter their age.
Assessing the Welfare Impact of Tax Reform: A Case Study of the 2001 U.S. Tax Cut
Authors: Hotchkiss Julie L. , Moore Robert E. , Rios‐Avila Fernando
Published: January 2014

This note acknowledges a programming error in our paper, “Assessing the Welfare Impact of Tax Reform: A Case Study of the 2001 U.S. Tax Cut” (Review of Income and Wealth, 58(2), 233–56, 2012). Correcting the error primarily has the effect of scaling the calculated family welfare impact of 2001 U.S. Tax Cut. The primary conclusions from the analysis, however, are unaffected.
Knowledge of the patient as decision‐making power: staff members' perceptions of interprofessional collaboration in challenging situations in psychiatric inpatient care
Authors: Gabrielsson Sebastian , Looi Git‐Marie E. , Zingmark Karin , Sävenstedt Stefan
Published: January 2014

Challenging situations in psychiatric inpatient settings call for interprofessional collaboration, but the roles and responsibilities held by members of different professions is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe staff members' perceptions of interprofessional collaboration in the context of challenging situations in psychiatric inpatient care. Prior to the study taking place, ethical approval was granted. Focus group interviews were conducted with 26 physicians, ward managers, psychiatric nurses, and nursing assistants. These interviews were then transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results described participants' perceptions of shared responsibilities, profession‐specific responsibilities and professional approaches. In this, recognising knowledge of the patient as decision‐making power was understood to be a recurring theme. This is a delimited qualitative study that reflects the specific working conditions of the participants at the time the study was conducted. The findings suggest that nursing assistants are the most influential professionals due to their closeness to and first‐hand knowledge of patients. The results also point to the possibility of other professionals gaining influence by getting closer to patients and utilising their professional knowledge, thus contributing to a more person‐centred care.
Comparison of a Schmidt and Haensch refractometer and an Atago PAL‐USG Cat refractometer for determination of urine specific gravity in dogs and cats
Authors: Tvedten Harold W. , Norén Aså
Published: January 2014

Background

The performance of a digital Atago PAL‐USG Cat refractometer (Atago) was compared with a Schmidt and Haensch, Goldberg type refractometer (S+H).

Materials and Methods

Specific gravity of 47 canine and feline urine samples was determined with both refractometers and the results were compared with Passing–Bablok and Bland–Altman plots. In addition, the specific gravity of dilutions of 10% glucose, 10% NaCl, and 3% albumin solutions was determined and compared with expected values.

Results

Both refractometers consistently reported 1.000 with distilled water. The correlation between both refractometers based on Passing–Bablok plots of 47 urine samples was excellent (r = .99), but, in the Bland–Altman plots, there was a significant, proportional, negative error for the Atago readouts. This was also illustrated by the fact that 10 urine samples with an S+H result of > 1.030 were read out between 1.023 and 1.028 by Atago. Schmidt and Haensch results of various glucose solutions matched exactly expected values, but Atago results were lower. Likewise, S+H results with diluted NaCl solutions were closer to expected results than Atago results. In contrast, Atago results with dilutions of 3% albumin were closer to expected results than S+H results.

Discussion

The Atago refractometer reported lower specific gravity results in urine and standard solutions of glucose and NaCl, which could adversely affect clinical decisions concerning normal renal function based on solute concentrations determined in canine and feline urine samples.
Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on 2000-m Rowing Performance
Authors: Hobson Ruth M. , Harris Roger C. , Martin Dan , Smith Perry , Macklin Ben , Elliott-Sale Kirsty J. , Sale Craig
Published: January 2014

The ability to buffer H+ could be vital to exercise performance, as high concentrations of H+ contribute to the development of fatigue.

Purpose:

The authors examined the effect of sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplementation on 2000-m rowing-ergometer performance.

Methods:

Twenty male rowers (age 23 ± 4 y, height 1.85 ± 0.08 m, mass 82.5 ± 8.9 kg, 2000-m personal-best time 409 ± 16 s) completed two 2000-m rowing-ergometer time trials, separated by 48 h. Participants were supplemented before exercise with 0.3 g/kg body mass of SB or a placebo (maltodextrin; PLA). The trials were conducted using a double-blinded, randomized, counterbalanced crossover study design. Time to complete the 2000-m and time taken for each 500-m split were recorded. Blood lactate, bicarbonate, pH, and base excess were determined preexercise, immediately postexercise, and 5 min postexercise. Performance data were analyzed using paired t tests, as well as magnitude-based inferences; hematological data were analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results:

Using paired t tests, there was no benefit of SB over PLA (P = .095). However, using magnitude-based inferences there was a likely beneficial effect of SB compared with PLA (PLA 412.0 ± 15.1 s, SB 410.7 ± 14.9 s). Furthermore, SB was 0.5 ± 1.2 s faster than PLA in the third 500 m (P = .035; possibly beneficial) and 1.1 ± 1.7 s faster in the fourth 500 m (P = .004; very likely beneficial). All hematological data were different between SB and PLA and were different from preexercise to postexercise.

Conclusion:

SB supplementation is likely to be beneficial to the performance of those competing in 2000-m rowing events, particularly in the second half of the event.
Postglacial population genetic differentiation potentially facilitated by a flexible migratory strategy in Golden-crowned Kinglets (Regulussatrapa)
Authors: Burg T.M. , Taylor S.A. , Lemmen K.D. , Gaston A.J. , Friesen V.L.
Published: January 2014

Relatively recently, temperate regions in North America were covered by extensive ice sheets, making them inhospitable to contemporary flora and fauna. Since the retreat of the ice sheets, these regions have been recolonized by a diversity of taxa, some of which have undergone rapid postglacial divergence. Evidence supports the hypothesis that some taxa persisted in unglaciated refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum, such as on Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands). Many taxa on Haida Gwaii are genetically distinct from mainland populations at neutral molecular markers possibly as the result of isolation in refugia or postglacial colonization. The Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa Lichtenstein, 1823) is a continentally distributed, short-distance migratory passerine inhabiting mature conifer forests including those on Haida Gwaii. We used five microsatellite markers and a 568 base-pair fragment of the mitochondrial control region to determine the likelihood that Haida Gwaii region acted as a refugium for this species during the last ice age. We report significant gene flow between Haida Gwaii and the western North American mainland from mitochondrial markers, but significant population genetic differentiation at nuclear markers. We also report genetic divergence between eastern and western Golden-crowned Kinglets, as well as higher genetic diversity and population substructuring within the western population than within the eastern population. The east–west differentiation probably arose due to isolation in separate Pleistocene refugia south of the ice sheets. However, population differences within the west are likely caused by more recent processes; contemporary differentiation of Haida Gwaii Golden-crowned Kinglets most likely occurred postglacially.
A note on generalized Krull domains
Authors: El Baghdadi Said , Kim Hwankoo , Wang Fanggui
Published: January 2014

In this paper, we study some properties of generalized Krull domains. Among other things, we give several characterizations of generalized Krull domains.
C1 CONTINUITY FINITE ELEMENT FORMULATION IN SECOND-ORDER COMPUTATIONAL HOMOGENIZATION SCHEME
Authors: LESIČAR TOMISLAV , TONKOVIĆ ZDENKO , SORIĆ JURICA
Published: January 2014

The paper describes a second-order two-scale computational homogenization procedure for modeling of heterogeneous materials at small strains. The Aifantis theory of linear elasticity has been described and implemented into the two dimensional C1 continuity triangular finite element formulation. The element has been verified on several patch tests and the computational efficiency of numerical integration of the element stiffness matrix has been tested as well. Furthermore, the C1 two dimensional triangular finite element based on full second gradient continuum is formulated and used for the macrolevel discretization in the frame of a multiscale scheme, where the RVE is discretized by the C0 quadrilateral finite element. The application of generalized periodic boundary conditions and the microfluctuation integral condition on RVE has been investigated. The presented numerical algorithms have been implemented into FE software ABAQUS via user subroutines and verified on a pure bending problem. The comparability of RVE size to the length scale parameter of gradient elasticity has been proved, and elastoplastic behavior of heterogeneous material has been also considered. The results obtained show good numerical efficiency of the proposed algorithms.
Topical Tacrolimus and Periodontal Therapy in the Management of a Case of Oral Chronic GVHD Characterized by Specific Gingival Localization
Authors: Conrotto Davide , Broccoletti Roberto , Carcieri Paola , Giaccone Luisa , Arduino Paolo G.
Published: January 2014

Background. Chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) is a complication following bone marrow transplantation. The oral lesions are difficult to control with a systemic pharmacological therapy.Case Description. A 63-year-old female patient, who underwent an allogeniec transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia, developed a chronic oral and cutaneous GVHD. The patient was treated with topical tacrolimus 0.1%, twice daily for two months, and underwent a protocol of oral hygiene characterized by 3 appointments of scaling, root planning, and daily oral hygiene instructions. The patient showed marked resolution of gingival lesions and a significant improvement of related pain and gingival inflammatory indexes.Clinical Implications. This case report suggests that treatment with topical tacrolimus and professional oral hygiene may be helpful in the management of chronic oral GVHD with severe gingival involvement.
Ameliorative Effect of Hexane Extract of Phalaris canariensis on High Fat Diet‐Induced Obese and Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Mice
Authors: Perez Gutierrez Rosa Martha , Madrigales Ahuatzi Diana , Horcacitas Maria del Carmen , Garcia Baez Efren , Cruz Victoria Teresa , Mota-Flores Jose Maria
Published: January 2014

Obesity is one of the major factors to increase various disorders like diabetes. The present paper emphasizes study related to the antiobesity effect of Phalaris canariensis seeds hexane extract (Al‐H) in high‐fat diet‐ (HFD‐) induced obese CD1 mice and in streptozotocin‐induced mild diabetic (MD) and severely diabetic (SD) mice.AL‐H was orally administered to MD and SD mice at a dose of 400 mg/kg once a day for 30 days, and a set of biochemical parameters were studied: glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, lipid peroxidation, liver and muscle glycogen, ALP, SGOT, SGPT, glucose‐6‐phosphatase, glucokinase, hexokinase, SOD, CAT, GSH, GPX activities, and the effect on insulin level. HS‐H significantly reduced the intake of food and water and body weight loss as well as levels of blood glucose, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoprotein, oxidative stress, showed a protective hepatic effect, and increased HDL‐cholesterol, serum insulin in diabetic mice. The mice fed on the high‐fat diet and treated with AL‐H showed inhibitory activity on the lipid metabolism decreasing body weight and weight of the liver and visceral adipose tissues and cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver. We conclude that AL‐H can efficiently reduce serum glucose and inhibit insulin resistance, lipid abnormalities, and oxidative stress in MD and SD mice. Our results demonstrate an antiobesity effect reducing lipid droplet accumulation in the liver, indicating that its therapeutic properties may be due to the interaction plant components soluble in the hexane extract, with any of the multiple targets involved in obesity and diabetes pathogenesis.
Collapse Pressure Analysis of Transversely Isotropic Thick-Walled Cylinder Using Lebesgue Strain Measure and Transition Theory
Authors: Aggarwal A. K. , Sharma Richa , Sharma Sanjeev
Published: January 2014

The objective of this paper is to provide guidance for the design of the thick-walled cylinder made up of transversely isotropic material so that collapse of cylinder due to influence of internal and external pressure can be avoided. The concept of transition theory based on Lebesgue strain measure has been used to simplify the constitutive equations. Results have been analyzed theoretically and discussed numerically. From this analysis, it has been concluded that, under the influence of internal and external pressure, circular cylinder made up of transversely isotropic material (beryl) is on the safer side of the design as compared to the cylinders made up of isotropic material (steel). This is because of the reason that percentage increase in effective pressure required for initial yielding to become fully plastic is high for beryl as compared to steel which leads to the idea of “stress saving” that reduces the possibility of collapse of thick-walled cylinder due to internal and external pressure.
Total Knee Replacement in the Obese Patient: Comparing Computer Assisted and Conventional Technique
Authors: Kamat Yogeesh D. , Aurakzai Kamran M. , Adhikari Ajeya R.
Published: January 2014

Purpose. Obesity is being considered a “global epidemic.” Surgical procedures are rendered more difficult in obese patients. We aimed to see whether any benefits were evident with use of computer navigation during total knee replacement in these cases.Methods. A retrospective analysis of 287 TKR performed by a single surgeon was undertaken, including 133 TKR undertaken with computer navigation and 154 using standard instrumentation. Each group was further divided into subgroups depending on whether the patients were obese or nonobese.Results. We found that TKR in obese patients took longer with standard instruments, but not with computer navigation. A chronological analysis revealed that the surgeon progressively got quicker using computer navigation to the point that there was no difference in time with either of the operative techniques in obese patients. The mid-term clinical outcomes at five years were similar. Computer navigated TKR were more consistently accurately aligned.Conclusions. In obese patients, a dual advantage is provided by computer navigation: better alignment and no time penalty.
Differential Microwave Imaging for Brain Stroke Followup
Authors: Scapaticci R. , Bucci O. M. , Catapano I. , Crocco L.
Published: January 2014

This paper deals with the possibility of adopting microwave imaging to continuously monitor a patient after the onset of a brain stroke, with the aim to follow the evolution of the disease, promptly counteract its uncontrolled growth, and possibly support decisions in the clinical treatment. In such a framework, the assessed techniques for brain stroke diagnosis are indeed not suitable to pursue this goal. Conversely, microwave imaging can provide a diagnostic tool able to follow up the disease’s evolution, while relying on a relatively low cost and portable apparatus. The proposed imaging procedure is based on a differential approach which requires the processing of scattered field data measured at different time instants. By means of a numerical analysis dealing with synthetic data generated for realistic anthropomorphic phantoms, we address some crucial issues for the method’s effectiveness. In particular, we discuss the role of patient-specific information and the effect of inaccuracies in the measurement procedure, such as an incorrect positioning of the probes between two different examinations. The observed results show that the proposed technique is indeed feasible, even when a simple, nonspecific model of the head is exploited and is robust against the above mentioned inaccuracies.
Pricing Resources in LTE Networks through Multiobjective Optimization
Authors: Lai Yung-Liang , Jiang Jehn-Ruey
Published: January 2014

The LTE technology offers versatile mobile services that use different numbers of resources. This enables operators to provide subscribers or users with differential quality of service (QoS) to boost their satisfaction. On one hand, LTE operators need to price the resources high for maximizing their profits. On the other hand, pricing also needs to consider user satisfaction with allocated resources and prices to avoid “user churn,” which means subscribers will unsubscribe services due to dissatisfaction with allocated resources or prices. In this paper, we study the pricing resources with profits and satisfaction optimization (PRPSO) problem in the LTE networks, considering the operator profit and subscribers' satisfaction at the same time. The problem is modelled as nonlinear multiobjective optimization with two optimal objectives: (1) maximizing operator profit and (2) maximizing user satisfaction. We propose to solve the problem based on the framework of the NSGA-II. Simulations are conducted for evaluating the proposed solution.
Lane Changing Trajectory Planning and Tracking Controller Design for Intelligent Vehicle Running on Curved Road
Authors: Guo Lie , Ge Ping-Shu , Yue Ming , Zhao Yi-Bing
Published: January 2014

To enhance the active safety and realize the autonomy of intelligent vehicle on highway curved road, a lane changing trajectory is planned and tracked for lane changing maneuver on curved road. The kinematics model of the intelligent vehicle with nonholonomic constraint feature and the tracking error model are established firstly. The longitudinal and lateral coupling and the difference of curvature radius between the outside and inside lane are taken into account, which is helpful to enhance the authenticity of desired lane changing trajectory on curved road. Then the trajectory tracking controller of closed‐loop control structure is derived using integral backstepping method to construct a new virtual variable. The Lyapunov theory is applied to analyze the stability of the proposed tracking controller. Simulation results demonstrate that this controller can guarantee the convergences of both the relative position tracking errors and the position tracking synchronization.
Regulation of Chemokine CCL5 Synthesis in Human Peritoneal Fibroblasts: A Key Role of IFN-γ
Authors: Kawka Edyta , Witowski Janusz , Fouqet Nina , Tayama Hironori , Bender Thorsten O. , Catar Rusan , Dragun Duska , Jörres Achim
Published: January 2014

Peritonitis is characterized by a coordinated influx of various leukocyte subpopulations. The pattern of leukocyte recruitment is controlled by chemokines secreted primarily by peritoneal mesothelial cells and macrophages. We have previously demonstrated that some chemokines may be also produced by human peritoneal fibroblasts (HPFB). Aim of our study was to assess the potential of HPFB in culture to release CCL5, a potent chemoattractant for mononuclear leukocytes. Quiescent HPFB released constitutively no or trace amounts of CCL5. Stimulation of HPFB with IL-1βand TNF-αresulted in a time- (up to 96 h) and dose-dependent increase in CCL5 expression and release. IFN-γalone did not induce CCL5 secretion over a wide range of concentrations (0.01–100 U/mL). However, it synergistically amplified the effects of TNF-αand IL-1βthrough upregulation of CCL5 mRNA. Moreover, pretreatment of cells with IFN-γupregulated CD40 receptor, which enabled HPFB to respond to a recombinant ligand of CD40 (CD40L). Exposure of IFN-γ-treated HPFB, but not of control cells, to CD40L resulted in a dose-dependent induction of CCL5. These data demonstrate that HPFB synthesise CCL5 in response to inflammatory mediators present in the inflamed peritoneal cavity. HPFB-derived CCL5 may thus contribute to the intraperitoneal recruitment of mononuclear leukocytes during peritonitis.
An Exploration of Factors Contributing to the Perceptions of Preparedness for Elementary Candidates in a Clinically Based Program
Authors: Giles Rebecca McMahon , Kent Andrea M.
Published: January 2014

A quantitative, descriptive research model was used to investigate the perceptions of teacher candidates (n=32) in a clinically based dual certification program regarding their culminating student teaching experience. Data consisted of candidates’ responses to both multiple choice and open ended survey items. Results indicated that teacher candidates within an undergraduate program leading to state teaching certification in both elementary and collaborative teaching (K-6) had positive perceptions regarding their preparedness as a result of prior experiences working in K-6 classrooms (44%) and interactions with in-service teachers (28%). In addition, teacher candidates perceived strong relationships with their university supervisors reporting that they received a greater amount of encouragement and feedback for improved teaching from their university supervisors than from their cooperating teachers.
Synthesis and Characterization of Cerium Doped Titanium Catalyst for the Degradation of Nitrobenzene Using Visible Light
Authors: Ellappan Padmini , Miranda Lima Rose
Published: January 2014

Cerium doped catalyst was synthesized using Titanium isopropoxide as the Titanium source. The metal doped nanoparticles semiconductor catalyst was prepared by sol-sol method with the sol of Cerium. The synthesized catalyst samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance measurements (DRS) and compared with undoped TiO2catalyst. The photocatalytic activity of the sample was investigated for the decomposition of nitrobenzene (NB) using visible light as the artificial light source. Cerium doped catalyst was found to have better degradation of nitrobenzene owing to its shift in the band gap from UV to visible region as compared to undoped TiO2catalyst. The operational parameters were optimized with catalyst dosage of 0.1 g L−1, pH of 9, and light intensity of 500 W. The degradation mechanism followed the Langmuir Hinshelwood kinetic model with the rate constant depending nonlinearly on the operational parameters as given by the relationshipKapp(theoretical) = 2.29 * 10−4* Intensity0.584* Concentration−0.230* Dosage0.425* pH0.336.
Lower Bounds Estimate for the Blow‐Up Time of a Slow Diffusion Equation with Nonlocal Source and Inner Absorption
Authors: Fang Zhong Bo , Yang Rui , Chai Yan
Published: January 2014

We investigate a slow diffusion equation with nonlocal source and inner absorption subject to homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition or homogeneous Neumann boundary condition. Based on an auxiliary function method and a differential inequality technique, lower bounds for the blow‐up time are given if the blow‐up occurs in finite time.
Economic Analysis of the Management of the Nuclear Spent Fuel in Spain
Authors: Moratilla Soria B. Yolanda , Echevarria-Lopez David
Published: January 2014

This study aims to analyze the economic and technical viability for either nuclear fuel reprocessing or permanent storage in Spain. Utilizing various international studies regarding nuclear fuel reprocessing, this study reaches an objective conclusion while taking into consideration the various variable and stable costs for the open and closed cycles. A sensitivity analysis was then introduced which identifies the most influential parameters in the final price. This analysis is essential in understanding the results obtained and emphasizes the need to specify a range of costs for both cycles and to see what factors affect these results. The sensitivity analysis describes the factors that play a large role in determining costs and will display the range of values that arise from the variability of costs for those factors. The uncertainty analysis compares the nominal values used in this study and describes how these values are likely to change with time resulting in a range of values for both cycles.
A New Method to Retrieve Thin Cloud Optical Thickness from a Ratio of Scattering to Global Solar Irradiance
Authors: Qiu Jinhuan , Zong Xuemei
Published: January 2014

Three kinds of “visible” cloud optical thickness τ—matching shortwave direct, global, and scattering solar irradiances (Ids, Igs and Iss)—are defined, which are marked as τd, τg, and τs, respectively. It is found from radiation calculations that a ratio of Iss to Igs in the small-τ case has a unique characteristic: strong sensitivity to τ but weak sensitivity to the cloud scattering phase function. On the basis of this characteristic, a method to retrieve Iss-equivalent τs from the ratio is proposed. This method is validated by way of simulation and application tests, in which the Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer model (DISORT) is used to calculate irradiances. As shown in simulations with τ < 2, there may be unrealistically negative or grossly overestimated τ values from Igs, owing to the difference between τs and τd, while the new method can lead to a very good agreement of τs retrieval with its input. Furthermore, this method is used to retrieve small τ from the pyrheliometer and pyranometer measurements in Lhasa during 2006. It is found that τ retrieved from Igs was often negative because of cloud inhomogeneity, while the application of the new method resulted in stable yet reasonable τs values. The Iss calculations using 1293 sets of τs retrievals fit well into the Iss determinations from pyrheliometer and pyranometer measurements with an annual-mean deviation of 0.18%, but the deviation was raised to 46.4% when using τg retrievals.
Fostering Community
Authors: Miller Aaron D. , Nash Trisha , Fetty Danielle G.
Published: January 2014

Humanistic psychology and counseling psychology share many of the same core values. This article focuses on three specific common characteristics: strength-based approaches, qualitative methodology, and multiculturalism. In contrast with the prominence of the medical model, both domains work from a holistic understanding of the person. Additionally, most of the development and progress within qualitative research methodologies has taken place in counseling and humanistic psychology. Third, these areas of psychology value culture, context, and members of underrepresented groups. Finally, suggestions are provided for future communication and collaboration.
Mediastinal tubercular lymph node eroding into pericardium causing acute pyopericardium and cardiac tamponade
Authors: Kasilingam Sangeeth Kumar , Sinha Nishant , Kambar Vivekanand , Govindagoudar Manjunath B
Published: January 2014

Cardiac tamponade due to tuberculosis is a well-known complication. However, acute erosion of TB lymphadenitis and its caseous material into the pericardium causing pericardial tamponade is rare. We describe a case of extensive mediastinal tubercular lymph node mass in which the caseous necrotic material found its way into pericardial sac causing acute pyopericardium and cardiac tamponade.
Preserving Places, Making Spaces in Baltimore
Authors: King P. Nicole
Published: January 2014

Effective place-based learning challenges the traditional understanding of academic service. The present article demonstrates that students and scholars can engage and collaborate with communities to identify, analyze, and respond to pressing social problems. Service, in this context, is integrated with teaching and research. This article traces the development of an applied research course at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Students and professors conducted research on the neighborhoods that compose Baybrook, an industrial community in the southern corner of Baltimore City. The course demonstrates that public history methods can create dynamic social spaces in which scholars and residents work together to frame questions, conduct research, and preserve urban places.
Property Tax Caps and Citizen Perceptions of Local Government Service Quality
Authors: Taylor Charles D.
Published: January 2014

This study examines the relationship between property tax caps and citizens’ perceptions of local government service quality using data from the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 Hoosier Surveys conducted by the Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State University. These surveys include questions asking respondents whether the quality of local government services in various categories has improved, declined, or stayed about the same over the previous year. Analysis of these data using generalized ordinal logistic regression indicates that urban residents of counties experiencing relatively large revenue cuts from property tax caps are significantly more likely to report declines in the quality of fire and police protection. Urban and rural residents of high-impact counties are significantly more likely to report declines in the quality of schools. Citizens’ perceptions of road maintenance, which is funded through shared state gas tax revenues rather than property taxes, are not significantly influenced by the impact of property tax caps.
Improvement in the tribological properties of polyamide 6
Authors: You Yi-Lan , Li Du-Xin , Si Gao-Jie , Lv Ruo-Yun , Deng Xin
Published: January 2014

Improvement in the tribological properties of the polyamide 6 (PA6) with various fillers, for example, talc, glass fiber (GF), combined solid lubricants such as graphite, and ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene was systematically studied. The results revealed that GF could reduce the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate of pure PA6 more efficiently than talc, and the optimum content was 15 wt%. The COF and wear rate increased with the increase of load, except the wear rate of the composite with 20 and 25 wt% GF, which decreased with the increase of load. The incorporation of combined solid lubricants to PA6 contributed to increases in COF and wear rate. Further addition of 15 wt% GF enhanced the tribological properties remarkably. To further understand the wear mechanism, the worn surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy.
CRMP2
Authors: Ip Jacque P.K. , Fu Amy K.Y. , Ip Nancy Y.
Published: January 2014

Cytoskeletal restructuring is essential for nearly all cellular processes in the developing brain. After cell fate determination, newborn cortical neurons must migrate to their final positions while establishing proper axon-dendrite polarity. Significant progress has recently been made towards understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal polarization in vivo. Collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) has long been identified as a microtubule-binding protein that regulates neuronal polarity in vitro. Recent studies provide new insights into the roles of CRMP2 in neuronal migration and subsequent neuronal differentiation. Both the expression and activity of CRMP2 are tightly regulated during cortex development. CRMP2 is suggested to be important in the multipolar-bipolar transition in radial migration. The increasing number of known interaction partners indicates that CRMP2 has functions beyond cytoskeletal regulation, including axonal transport, vesicle trafficking, and neurotransmitter release. This review discusses the current knowledge about CRMP2 in the context of neuronal development and highlights a recent emerging theme regarding its potential therapeutic applications.
The Effects of Check-In/Check-Out on Problem Behavior and Academic Engagement in Elementary School Students
Authors: Miller Leila M. , Dufrene Brad A. , Sterling Heather E. , Olmi D. Joe , Bachmayer Erica
Published: January 2014

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Check-in/Check-out (CICO) for improving behavioral performance for three students referred for Tier 2 behavioral supports. An ABAB withdrawal design was used to evaluate CICO and results indicate that intervention was effective for reducing problem behavior as well as increasing academic engagement for all students as evidenced by direct observation of students’ behavior. Following effective implementation of CICO, a fading process was introduced that included use of Mystery Motivator (MM). Results indicate that MM successfully maintained behavioral performance for two of the three students. In addition, for one student, intervention was further faded such that self-monitoring replaced teacher ratings and feedback for behavior. Results are discussed in terms of CICO research and practice.
Intellectual capital and its impact on business performance: Evidences from the Jordanian hotel industry
Authors: Zeglat Dia , Zigan Krystin
Published: January 2014

This paper aims to examine the relationship between intellectual capital and business performance in the Jordanian hotel industry. The data for this study were collected from 116 managers of four- and five-star hotels. Regression analyses were conducted to test different research hypotheses. The findings showed that all dimensions of intellectual capital have a positive and significant impact on the business performance of Jordanian hotels. In particular, structural capital as one of the intellectual capital dimensions had the strongest and largest contribution to business performance. The extended knowledge about the importance of intellectual capital and its impact on business performance enables practitioners to develop adequate strategies to better manage organisational performance. Not much research has investigated the importance of these resources in the hotel industry and even less research has been undertaken to explore their significance for Arabic countries. To our knowledge, this research is the first large-scale empirical study, which investigates this relationship in the Arab hotel industry.
Articulating the strategies for maximising the inclusion of people with dementia in qualitative research studies
Authors: Murphy Kathy , Jordan Fionnuala , Hunter Andrew , Cooney Adeline , Casey Dympna
Published: January 2014

It is essential to understand the experience of living with dementia from the perspective of the person with dementia so that services can be appropriately constructed. This review paper, drawing on prior work, identifies key strategies for the meaningful inclusion of persons with dementia within qualitative research studies, it examines the articulation of these strategies and shares how these strategies were operationalised within one national research study in Ireland. Strategies within the literature were categorised and then synthesized into a guide consisting of four main areas; gaining COnsent, maximizing Responses, Telling the story, and Ending on a high (CORTE). The CORTE guideline was used to as a tool for analysing relevant research reports. CORTE is a synthesized account of grouped strategies that could be used to maximize the meaningful involvement of persons with dementia and can also provide a guide for reporting the strategies used so that researchers can learn from each other.
A critical evaluation of the UK SunSmart campaign and its relevance to Black and minority ethnic communities
Authors: Oyebanjo Evelyn , Bushell Fiona
Published: January 2014

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United Kingdom and is rising to epidemic proportions. While the majority of skin cancers are treatable, malignant melanoma kills over 2,000 people in the United Kingdom each year, with all skin cancers killing a total of more than 2,500 people annually. SunSmart, the United Kingdom’s major skin cancer public health initiative, was implemented to raise awareness about sun exposure and to promote sun safety behaviours. However, it has failed to curb the incidence and mortality rates. Furthermore, while Australia has the highest skin cancer incidence rates globally, the mortality rates are lower than those in the United Kingdom. There has also been a growing amount of evidence demonstrating ethnic disparities in skin cancer survival rates. Even though incidence rates of skin cancer among Black and minority ethnic (BME) groups are significantly lower, it is often diagnosed late, resulting in higher mortality rates. This, coupled with climate change and the proportion of BME groups expected to rise in the United Kingdom from 8% to 20% by 2051, raises public health concerns. This article aims to critically analyse the UK SunSmart campaign’s success in addressing skin cancer in the population and in particular its relevance to BME communities. It also compares this approach with the Australian campaign. This article demonstrates that Australia’s campaign has been more successful than the United Kingdom’s due to their more comprehensive application of health promotion and public health principles.
Allografts in Soft Tissue Reconstructive Procedures
Authors: Giedraitis Andrius , Arnoczky Steven P. , Bedi Asheesh
Published: January 2014

Context

Allografts offer several important advantages over autografts in musculoskeletal reconstructive procedures, such as anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Despite growing widespread use of allograft tissue, serious concerns regarding safety and functionality remain. We discuss the latest knowledge of the potential benefits and risks of allograft use and offer a critical review of allograft tissue regulation, management, and sterilization to enable the surgeon to better inform athletes considering reconstructive surgery options.

Evidence Acquisition

A review of sources published in the past 10 years is the primary basis of this research.

Study Design:

Observational analysis (cohort study).

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Results

Comparable outcome data for autografts and allografts do not support universal standards for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and physician recommendation and bias appear to significantly influence patient preference and satisfaction. Sterilization by gamma and electron-beam irradiation diminishes the biomechanical integrity of allograft tissue, but radioprotective agents such as collagen cross-linking and free radical scavengers appear to have potential in mitigating the deleterious effects of irradiation and preserving tissue strength and stability.

Conclusion

Allografts offer greater graft availability and reduced morbidity in orthopaedic reconstructive procedures, but greater expansion of their use by surgeons is challenged by the need to maintain tissue sterility and biomechanical functionality. Advances in the radioprotection of irradiated tissue may lessen concerns regarding allograft safety and structural stability.
Tocilizumab improved clinical symptoms of a patient with systemic tophaceous gout who had symmetric polyarthritis and fever: An alternative treatment by blockade of interleukin-6 signaling
Authors: Mokuda Sho , Kanno Masamoto , Takasugi Kiyoshi , Okumura Chikara , Ito Yuki , Masumoto Junya
Published: January 2014

Chronic tophaceous gout is the end stage of gout. We employed a blockade of interleukin-6 signaling therapy by tocilizumab instead of anakinra, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, for a 61-year-old Japanese woman diagnosed with tophaceous gout. Laboratory data showed that serum interleukin-6 concentration was elevated. Serum interleukin-1β concentration was under the detectable level, although serum uric acid was elevated due to renal dysfunction. The secretion patterns of interleukin-1β, tumor-necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 from peripheral mononuclear cells isolated from the patient exhibited no remarkable differences compared with those of healthy volunteers. After treatment with the interleukin-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab, serum interleukin-6 concentration decreased followed by improved clinical symptoms, such as reduced size of the subcutaneous nodules, no fever, and no acute gouty attacks during the treatment. Our case suggests that tocilizumab markedly improves clinical and laboratory manifestations in tophaceous gout with arthritis and fever as well as interleukin-1 blockade therapy.
Working together: interactions between vaccine antigens and adjuvants
Authors: Fox Christopher B. , Kramer Ryan M. , Barnes V Lucien , Dowling Quinton M. , Vedvick Thomas S.
Published: January 2014

The development of vaccines containing adjuvants has the potential to enhance antibody and cellular immune responses, broaden protective immunity against heterogeneous pathogen strains, enable antigen dose sparing, and facilitate efficacy in immunocompromised populations. Nevertheless, the structural interplay between antigen and adjuvant components is often not taken into account in the published literature. Interactions between antigen and adjuvant formulations should be well characterized to enable optimum vaccine stability and efficacy. This review focuses on the importance of characterizing antigen–adjuvant interactions by summarizing findings involving widely used adjuvant formulation platforms, such as aluminum salts, emulsions, lipid vesicles, and polymer-based particles. Emphasis is placed on the physicochemical basis of antigen–adjuvant associations and the appropriate analytical tools for their characterization, as well as discussing the effects of these interactions on vaccine potency.
The rationale of vectored gene-fusion vaccines against cancer: evolving strategies and latest evidence
Authors: Ragonnaud Emeline , Holst Peter
Published: January 2014

The development of vaccines that target tumor antigens in cancer has proven difficult. A major reason for this is that T cells specific for tumor self-antigens and neoantigens are eliminated or inactivated through mechanisms of tolerance. Antigen fusion strategies which increase the ability of vaccines to stimulate T cells that have escaped tolerance mechanisms, may have a particular potential as immunotherapies. This review highlights antigen fusion strategies that have been successful in stimulating the induction of T-cell immunity against cancer and counteracting tumor-associated tolerance. In preclinical studies, these strategies have shown to improve the potency of vectored vaccines through fusion of tumor antigen to proteins or protein domains that increase CD4+ T-cell help, CD8+ T-cell responses or both the CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses. However, in clinical trials such strategies seem to be less efficient when provided as a DNA vaccine. The first clinical trial using a viral vectored fusion-gene vaccine is expected to be tested as a partner in a heterologous prime-boost regimen directed against cervical cancer.
Cavafy the poet-historian
Authors: Ricks David
Published: January 2014

This article’s title is a sweeping one, but this is in fact a discussion of just two poems by Cavafy — and both of those on mythological subjects. The aim is, in a small way, to bridge the gap between myth and history in Cavafy’s poetry; the title hints that this is by way of a respectful response to D.N. Maronitis’ valuable survey, ‘C.P. Cavafy: a poet-reader’ (Maronitis 1983a). It is also, of course, an adaptation of the term which Cavafy is said to have used of himself, . As a recent discussion has pointed out, this could mean ‘poet-historian’ or ‘historical poet’ (Beaton 1983); here I shall be mining the term with this particular emphasis: that Cavafy was a reader of history as well as of poetry, and that his poems bear the traces of historical texts. This may sound like news from nowhere; but I believe that I have something new to say about these two poems, which one has grown used to categorizing automatically as ‘mythological’. They are Amoxia (1901) and ‘Amoxia (1904) (Cavafy 1981: 1. 102, 109-110).
Images of Uncertainty: some thoughts on the meaning of form in the art of Late Antiquity
Authors: Boatswain Tim
Published: January 2014

My concern is with the change in style in the visual arts which occurred with the emergence of Late Antiquity. The discussion is intended to fall into three parts; in the first part I review how art historians have approached Late Antique art and examine some of the theoretical positions that have arisen through attempts to explain style in art; in the second part I shall endeavour to formulate my own theoretical explanation and I shall go on, in the third part, using some examples, to consider how this theoretical formulation is particularly valuable in the analysis of the art of the Late Antique period.
The rhythm of the chancery: seasonality in the issuance of Byzantine imperial documents
Authors: Bartusis Mark C.
Published: January 2014

This is a statistical analysis of seasonal variation in the frequency of document issuance by the Byzantine imperial chancery. The general purpose of such an investigation is to quantify and analyze the work cycle of the imperial office in order to further our understanding of the realities of Byzantine administrative practices. The specific aim is to determine the seasonal factor in the activity of the imperial chancery, and to suggest some explanations for why the chancery tended to issue more documents in some months rather than others.