bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Evidence for Public Human Resource Management: Using Middle Range Theory to Link Theory and Data
Authors: Abner Gordon B. , Kim Sun Young , Perry James L.
Published: March 2017

Theory building within public administration has been slow and uneven, due in part to the field’s search for grand theories and its failure to systematize knowledge. Middle range theory may be a particularly useful theory-building strategy for public administration scholarship due to its emphasis on generating testable hypotheses, organizing knowledge about particular phenomena, and bridging gaps between empirical facts and theory. Its utility for the development of public human resource management theory is illustrated based on examples from performance-related pay and representative bureaucracy research. We present a series of theoretical statements about performance-related pay and representative bureaucracy, and we identify the extent to which these statements are supported by empirical evidence. The examples both illustrate the utility of the theory-building strategy and identify theoretical statements that are widely confirmed and others that need additional testing.
“A Tribe Apart”: Sexuality and Cancer in Adolescence
Authors: Moules Nancy J. , Estefan Andrew , Laing Catherine M. , Schulte Fiona , Guilcher Gregory M. T. , Field James C. , Strother Douglas
Published: March 2017

This qualitative study employed hermeneutic phenomenology and narrative inquiry to examine the topic of sexuality and adolescents with cancer from the perspectives of survivors who had experienced cancer as adolescents. This investigation examined the potentially sensitive, disquieting, and often taboo issue of sexuality in the interest of optimizing wellness in young people, and, ultimately, in the health of adults. Understanding the adolescent body as a sensitive, sexual, and developing self can enrich our understanding of adolescent cancer and promote best health care and practices, examining ways that we might mitigate the long-term effects of arrested or delayed development of sexual identity. In this article, we discuss phase 1 of the study, which used hermeneutics as the method of inquiry. Findings included a general experience of adolescents having a sense of “losing themselves” while at the same time finding themselves in a new light. Other findings include the connection between sexuality, self, and identity; the unique “tribe” of adolescents with cancer; the necessity for sexuality to take a backseat to cancer; the changing mirror images from self and others; sexuality and fertility; and, ultimately, that sexuality is a relational experience.
Introducing a New Assessment Tool for Measuring Ethnic-Racial Identity: The Cross Ethnic-Racial Identity Scale–Adult (CERIS-A)
Authors: Worrell Frank C. , Mendoza-Denton Rodolfo , Wang Amanda
Published: March 2017

In this article, we examined the psychometric properties of scores on a new instrument, the Cross Ethnic-Racial Identity Scale-Adult (CERIS-A) for use across different ethnic and racial groups. The CERIS-A measures seven ethnic-racial identity attitudes—assimilation, miseducation, self-hatred, anti-dominant, ethnocentricity, multiculturalist inclusive, and ethnic-racial salience. Participants consisted of 803 adults aged 18 to 76, including African Americans (19.3%), Asian Americans (17.6%), European Americans (37.0%), and Latino/as (17.8%). Analyses indicated that CERIS-A scores were reliable, and configural, metric, and scalar invariance were supported for the seven factors across gender; however, Miseducation, Ethnic-Racial Salience, and Ethnocentricity scores achieved only metric invariance across ethnic-racial groups. Self-Hatred, Ethnic-Racial Salience, Anti-Dominant, and Ethnocentricity scores were significantly and meaningfully related to race-based rejection sensitivity scores, providing evidence of convergent validity. We concluded that the CERIS-A is a potentially useful instrument for examining ethnic-racial identity attitudes across multiple racial/ethnic subgroups in the United States.
Evidence of Pent-Up Demand for Care After Medicaid Expansion
Authors: Fertig Angela R. , Carlin Caroline S. , Ode Scott , Long Sharon K.
Published: March 2017

We compared new Medicaid enrollees with similar ongoing enrollees for evidence of pent-up demand using claims data following Minnesota’s 2014 Medicaid expansion. We hypothesized that if new enrollees had pent-up demand, utilization would decline over time as testing and disease management plans are put in place. Consistent with pent-up demand among new enrollees, the probability of an office visit, a new patient office visit, and an emergency department visit declines over time for new enrollees relative to ongoing Medicaid enrollees. The pattern of utilization suggests that the newly insured are connecting with primary care after the 2014 Medicaid expansion and, unlike ongoing Medicaid enrollees; the newly insured have a declining reliance on the emergency department over time.
Geographic Variations in Physician Relationships Over Time: Implications for Care Coordination
Authors: DuGoff Eva H. , Cho Juhee , Si Yajuan , Pollack Craig Evan
Published: March 2017

Care coordination may be more challenging when the specific physicians with whom primary care physicians (PCPs) are expected to coordinate care change over time. Using Medicare data on physician patient-sharing relationships and the Dartmouth Atlas, we explored the extent to which PCPs tend to share patients with other physicians over time. We found that 70.7% of ties between PCPs and other physicians that were present in 2012 persisted in 2013, and additional shared patients in 2012 increased the odds of being connected in 2013. Regions with higher persistent ties tended to have lower rates of emergency room visits, and regions where PCPs had more physician connections were more likely to have higher emergency room visits. The results point to potential opportunities and challenges faced by health care reforms that seek to improve coordination.
Balance Markers in Adolescents at 1 Month Postconcussion
Authors: Rochefort Coralie , Walters-Stewart Coren , Aglipay Mary , Barrowman Nick , Zemek Roger , Sveistrup Heidi
Published: March 2017

Background:

The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) shows that balance tends to recover within days after a concussion, whereas measures of the movement of the center of pressure (COP) show that balance deficits can persist up to 1 month after concussion. While approximately 30% of adolescents suffering concussion have functional consequences including balance deficits, evidence of the use of different balance assessments for concussion is limited within this population.

Purpose:

To compare performance on a series of balance assessments between adolescents with a diagnosed concussion at 1 month postinjury and noninjured control participants within the same age distribution.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Thirty-three adolescents 1 month postconcussion and 33 control participants completed the BESS followed by two, 2-minute trials standing on a Nintendo Wii Balance Board (WBB), during which the COP under their feet was recorded using 2 testing protocols: (1) double-leg stance, eyes open (EO) and (2) double-leg stance, eyes closed (EC). Participants then completed a dual-task condition (DT) with eyes open combining a double-leg stance and a Stroop color and word test while standing on the WBB. Three commonly used COP variables, anterior-posterior (A/P) and mediolateral (M/L) velocity and 95% ellipse, were computed for each condition performed on the WBB.

Results:

Participants postconcussion swayed over a significantly larger ellipse area compared with the control group in the EO ( P = .008), EC ( P = .002), and DT ( P = .003) conditions and also performed the DT condition with faster COP velocity in the M/L direction ( P = .007). No significant group difference was identified for BESS total score.

Conclusion:

At 1 month postconcussion, participants continued to demonstrate balance deficits in COP control despite scoring similar to controls on the BESS. Simple COP measures of balance may identify subtle impairments not captured by the BESS.
Symposium: Advances in Heart Failure Treatment From Mechanical Cardiac Support to Heart Transplant: A Guide for Sonographers
Authors: Coleman Rhonda , Mitchell Lou , Eberhart Lenora , Langholz David E.
Published: March 2017

Advances in cardiac sonography have made it an essential tool for physicians in detection, surveillance, and treatment of patients with advanced heart failure (HF). Echocardiographic examinations are often pivotal in assisting physicians develop treatment plans. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the HeartMate II (HMII) ventricular assist device (VAD) for bridge to transplant (BTT) in 2008. Since then, there has been the addition of many devices and treatment options for these patients. Sonographers and vascular technologists can be expected to encounter increasing numbers of long-term VAD patients in facilities with limited experience with these devices. Cardiac sonographers are in a key position to assist physicians in the care of these patients such that data generated assist with the selection of advanced therapies or as part of a patient’s follow-up care. This article provides a review of these new technologies along with practical considerations for sonographers.
Exercise Combined With Ultrasound Attenuates Neuropathic Pain in Rats Associated With Downregulation of IL-6 and TNF-α, but With Upregulation of IL-10
Authors: Huang Po-Ching , Tsai Kun-Ling , Chen Yu-Wen , Lin Heng-Teng , Hung Ching-Hsia
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND:

Although there are several evidences that suggest efficacies of therapeutic ultrasound (TU) or treadmill exercise (TE) to alleviate nerve injury—associated pain, molecular mechanisms are less clear. We aimed to investigate the impact of TU and/or TE on neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve and their roles of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

METHODS:

Rats were randomly divided into (n = 10 per group) sham operation (sham), CCI procedure followed by false application of TU (CCI + TU0), CCI procedure followed by false application of TU and TE (CCI + TU0 + TE), CCI, and CCI procedure followed by TU alone (CCI + TU), TE alone (CCI + TE), or both TU and TE (CCI + TU + TE) groups. TU and TE were administered daily, starting on postoperative day 8 (POD 8) for 3 weeks. Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and IL-6 in the sciatic nerve were assessed on PODs 14 and 28. Data were analyzed by 1-way, 2-way, or 3-way analysis of variance of repeated measures or 1-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS:

After the interventions, there was statistical significance (all P ≤ .0001) between the groups for all outcome parameters, all in favor of the experimental group: 4.2 for mean mechanical withdrawal thresholds (95% confidence interval, 1.8–7.6) and 4.8 for mean thermal withdrawal latencies (95% confidence interval, 2.2–8.1). TU and/or TE provoked an increase in mechanical withdrawal thresholds and thermal withdrawal latencies in CCI rats. TU + TE was more effective to reverse pain hypersensitivity than having each treatment alone. On PODs 14 and 28, the CCI rats exhibited an upregulation of sciatic TNF-α and IL-6 expression, whereas TU or TE alone or TU + TE combination prevented the upregulation. TU and/or TE also showed the upregulation of less IL-10 expression in the sciatic nerve.

CONCLUSIONS:

We found that TU + TE is better than TU or TE alone for treating neuropathic pain. TU and/or TE for pain management may be straightly associated with less TNF-α and IL-6 expression and more IL-10 expression.
Recombinant Factor VIIa Is Associated With Increased Thrombotic Complications in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Patients
Authors: Downey Laura , Brown Morgan L. , Faraoni David , Zurakowski David , DiNardo James A.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND:

Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) is routinely used as an off-label hemostatic agent in children undergoing cardiac surgery. Despite evidence that rFVIIa use is associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic complications in adult cardiac surgery, the safety of rFVIIa as a rescue hemostatic agent in the pediatric cardiac surgical population is less definitively delineated. In this retrospective study, we used propensity score matching to compare the incidence of thrombotic complications between children treated with rFVIIa and their matched controls.

METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed medical records and pharmacy data from all neonates and children who underwent congenital cardiac surgery between May 1, 2011, and October 31, 2013, at Boston Children’s Hospital, and identified those who received rFVIIa during the perioperative period. Using existing knowledge, we chose 10 factors associated with bleeding after cardiac surgery to be used in our propensity score: age, sex, body weight, neonates, prematurity, previous sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass time, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest time, aortic cross-clamp time, and the operative surgeon. We then used propensity-matched analysis to match children treated with rFVIIa with 2 controls. The primary outcome was thrombotic complications. Secondary outcomes included reexploration for bleeding, length of cardiac intensive care unit stay, length of hospital stay, and 30-day mortality.

RESULTS:

One hundred forty-nine patients received perioperative rFVIIa during the study period. Propensity matching yielded 143 rFVIIa patients matched to 2 control patients each (n = 286). Three control patients were found to have received rFVIIa during the perioperative course and were removed from the analysis, for a total of 283 control patients. The administration of rFVIIa was associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic complications (20% vs 8%; odds ratio [OR]: 3.9 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 2.6–5.9], P < .001). Administration of rFVIIa was associated with a prolonged median length of cardiac intensive care unit stay (8 days [interquartile range {IQR}: 4–24] vs 5 days [IQR: 2–10], P < .001) and prolonged length of hospital stay (20 [IQR: 9–44] vs 11 days [IQR: 7–23], P < .001). No difference in reexploration for bleeding (rFVII = 14% vs controls = 9%; OR: 1.7 [95% CI, 0.92–3.1], P = .12) or 30-day mortality was observed (8% vs 6%; OR 1.3 [95% CI, 0.60–2.89], P = .51).

CONCLUSIONS:

This retrospective analysis confirmed that perioperative administration of rFVIIa is associated with an increased incidence of postoperative thrombotic complications in neonates and children undergoing cardiac surgery, without increase in 30-day mortality. In conclusion, rFVIIa should be used with extreme caution in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Estimation and application in log-FrÃ©chet regression model using censored data
Authors: Alamoudi Hanan , Mousaâ€Ž Salwaâ€Ž , Baharith Lamya
Published: March 2017

This article introduces a new location-scale regression model based on a log-FrÃ©chet distribution. Maximum likelihood and Jackknife methods are used to estimate the new model parameters for censored data. Martingale and deviance residuals are obtained to check model assumptions, data validity, and detect outliers. Moreover, global influence is used to detect influential observations. Monte Carlo simulation study is provided to compare the performance of the maximum likelihood and jackknife estimators for different sample sizes and censoring percentages. The empirical distribution of the martingale and deviance residuals of the proposed model is examined. A real lifetime heart transplant data is analyzed under the log-FrÃ©chet regression model to illustrate the satisfactory results of the proposed model.
On Aharonov–Bohm Operators with Two Colliding Poles
Authors: Abatangelo Laura , Felli Veronica , Léna Corentin
Published: March 2017

We consider Aharonov–Bohm operators with two poles and prove sharp asymptotics for simple eigenvalues as the poles collapse at an interior point out of nodal lines of the limit eigenfunction.
Structural and functional impact of SNPs in P-selectin gene: A comprehensive in silico analysis
Authors: Kaur Raminderjit , Singh Jatinder , Kaur Manpreet
Published: March 2017

P-selectin is an adhesion molecule which plays an important role in the development of inflammation. It is encoded by the SELP gene located on chromosome 1q21-q24. Various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) ofSELPhave been reported to be associated with various inflammatory disease conditions. The genetics behind these diseases could be better understood by knowing the structural and functional impact of various genetic determinants ofSELP. So far, this is the first comprehensive and systematicin silicoanalysis of SNPs inSELP. A total of 2780 SNPs ofSELPwere retrieved from NCBI dbSNP. Only conserved and validated SNPs with minor allele frequency (MAF) ≥ 0.05 were subjected to further analysis. Based on these criteria, we selected 4 non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) and 119 non-coding SNPs (ncSNPs). The nsSNPs were analyzed for deleterious effects using SIFT, Polyphen-2, nsSNPAnalyzer, SNP & Go, SNPs3, Mutperd and I-mutant web tools. The template prediction for variant structure modeling was performed using MUSTER and SWISS-MODEL. The functional impact of ncSNPs was analyzed by SNPinfo and RegulomeDB. Thein silicoanalysis predicted 3 nsSNPs and 21 ncSNPs as potential candidates for future case-control association studies and functional analysis ofSELP.
An update on HLA alleles associated with adverse drug reactions
Authors: Fricke-Galindo Ingrid , LLerena Adrián , López-López Marisol
Published: March 2017

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are considered as an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The hypersensitivity reactions are immune-mediated ADRs, which are dose-independent, unpredictable and have been associated with several HLA alleles. The present review aimed to describe HLA alleles that have been associated with different ADRs in populations worldwide, the recommendations of regulatory agencies and pharmacoeconomic information and databases for the study of HLA alleles in pharmacogenetics. A systematic search was performed in June 2016 of articles relevant to this issue in indexed journals and in scientific databases (PubMed and PharmGKB). The information of 95 association studies found was summarized. Several HLA alleles and haplotypes have been associated with ADRs induced mainly by carbamazepine, allopurinol, abacavir and nevirapine, among other drugs. Years with the highest numbers of publications were 2013 and 2014. The majority of the reports have been performed on Asians and Caucasians, and carbamazepine was the most studied ADR drug inducer. Two HLA alleles’ databases are described, as well as the recommendations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicine Agency and the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium. Pharmacoeconomic studies on this issue are also mentioned. The strongest associations remain for HLA-B*58:01, HLA-B*57:01, HLA-B*15:02 and HLA-A*31:01 but only in certain populations; therefore, studies on different ethnic groups would be useful. Due to the improvement of drug therapy and the economic benefit that HLA screening represents, investigations on HLA alleles associated with ADR should continue.
2D NMR characterization of wheat straw residual lignin after dilute acid pretreatment with different severities
Authors: Jensen Anders , Cabrera Yohanna , Hsieh Chia-Wen , Nielsen John , Ralph John , Felby Claus
Published: March 2017

The chemical characteristics of wheat straw lignin pretreated under dilute acid conditions were compared. After pretreatment, the lignin content of the solid residue increased as temperature increased (from 160°C to 190°C) and with the amount of acid added (0%, 0.25%, or 1% H2SO4). Pretreatment at 190°C with increasing concentrations of acid catalyst led to a decrease in glucan content, whereas the glucan content remained almost constant at 160°C pretreatment regardless of the acid concentration. The xylan content decreased in proportion with increased acid concentration and pretreatment temperature. The residual lignins were characterized by solution-state, two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Results showed that more ether bonds were cleaved with increased pretreatment temperature and lower pH, whereas the levels of carbon-carbon bonded structures (e.g. phenylcoumaran and resinol units) were hardly affected. With a pretreatment of 160°C and 1% H2SO4, the majority of the β-O-4 bonds were cleaved. In addition, lignin depolymerization was more evident than repolymerization at higher pretreatment temperatures and lower pH. Documenting lignin structural changes as a function of pretreatment parameters provides a tool for biorefineries to gain flexibility in processing parameters with full control over the final properties of the products.
Use of the sternocleidomastoid flap in association with a dermal regeneration template and a skin graft in the temporal region reconstruction
Authors: Bocchiotti Maria Alessandra , Raimondo Luca , Germano Silvia , Ruka Erind , Frenello Ambra , Garzaro Massimiliano , Pecorari Giancarlo
Published: March 2017

Since its first description in 1908, the sternocleidomastoid flap (SCM) has gained popularity in head-and-neck reconstruction as a regional flap. We reported a 69-year-old Caucasian male who was evaluated in our clinic for a large, bloody, esophitic, and ulcerated lesion of the right temporoparotideal region associated with several actinic keratoses of the head skin. After resection of the tumor, taking into consideration the patient’s comorbidities and surgical defect characteristics, we decided to use the SCM flap for the reconstruction. The SCM flap was harvested as a muscular flap to avoid as possible skin paddle necrosis due to the poor conditions of the patient’s vessels. Moreover, considering the surgical site depth and to prevent a postsurgical excessive scar retraction, the muscle was covered with Integra®Dermal Regeneration Template single layer and a skin graft was harvested from the left thigh. The follow-up at 1 year confirmed that both oncological and reconstructive goals were successfully achieved. In our experience, the SCM flap in association with a dermal regeneration template and a skin graft can be considered as a reliable and possible option in temporal region reconstruction when local or systemic conditions of the patient do not permit other reconstructive options.
Ameliorative potential of Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig bark against pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in alloxan-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Ojo Oluwafemi Adeleke , Ajiboye Basiru Olaitan , Ojo Adebola Busola , Oyinloye Babatunji Emmanuel , Imiere Oluwatosin Debbie , Adeyonu Oluwatosin
Published: March 2017

Background

In West Africa, the fruit, seed, leaf and stem of Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig are commonly used as remedy against a variety of diseases, including diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the ameliorative potential of B. sapida K.D. Koenig stem bark ethanol extract against pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in diabetic rats.

Methods

Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (65 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days, and orally administered with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg body weight), 50–150 mg/kg body weight of B. sapida stem bark ethanol extract once daily for 21 days.

Results

The blood glucose levels of rats induced with alloxan were significantly and gradually reduced (p<0.05) in B. sapida stem bark ethanol extract treated animals at the dose of 50–150 mg/kg body weight, and in glibenclamide-treated animals. The significant increase in the lipid peroxidation (malonaldehyde), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance scores (HOMA-IR) and decrease in serum insulin, pancreatic β-cell scores as well as antioxidant marker enzymes in untreated diabetic rats compared to normal control rats were reversed by the B. sapida stem bark ethanol extract and glibenclamide. Similarly, histopathological changes in the pancreas were also reversed by the extract and glibenclamide. However, these effects were most prominent in the animals treated with 150 mg/kg body weight of B. sapida bark.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that B. sapida stem bark possess anti-hyperglycemic activity and exhibits ameliorative potential in managing diabetes.
PhD supervision meetings in an English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) setting: linguistic competence and content knowledge as neutralizers of institutional and academic power
Authors: Björkman Beyza
Published: March 2017

The present paper investigates PhD supervision meetings, using material from naturally occurring speech of ten hours by PhD supervisors and students who all use English as a lingua franca (ELF) for research purposes. The recordings have been transcribed in their entirety, with conversation analytical procedures and additional ethnographic interviews with the PhD supervisors. The present paper is a follow-up to the two previous studies by the author (in European Journal for Applied Linguistics 3[2], 2015, and The Routledge Handbook of English for Academic Purposes, 2016) and focuses on linguistic competence and content knowledge as factors possibly mitigating the power asymmetry present in the interactions. The findings show no observable power asymmetries manifested in the interactions or in the interview responses by the supervisors. The analyses showed that the supervisors’ and the students’ level of linguistic competence seemed very similar, which was further supported by the supervisors’ self-reports of their own English and their informal evaluations of their students’ levels of proficiency. When it comes to content knowledge, the students overall showed very good command of their subjects, disciplinary conventions and their projects in general, further supported by their supervisors’ evaluations in the interview data. Based on these findings, it is suggested here that in ELF interactions of this particular type where the speakers have similar levels of linguistic competence and content knowledge, power asymmetries become less visible.
Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease in Adult Males in Vojvodina: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Čabarkapa Velibor , Ilinčić Branislava , Đerić Mirjana , Radosavkić Isidora , Špovac Mirko , Sudji Jan , Petrović Veljko
Published: March 2017

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most significant global health problems accompanied by numerous complicatons, with constant increase in the number of affected people. This number is much higher in early phases of disease and patients are mostly asymptomatic, so early detection of CKD is crucial. The aim was examination of the prevalence of CKD in the general population of males in Vojvodina, based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), and exploring the determinants and awareness of CKD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 3060 male examinees from the general population, over 18 years of age, whose eGFR and ACR were calculated, first morning urine specimen examined, arterial blood pressure measured and body mass index calculated. Standard biochemistry methods determined creatinine, urea, uric acid and glucose serum concentrations as well as albumin and creatinine urine levels.

Results: Prevalence of CKD in the adult male population is 7.9%, highest in men over 65 years of age (46.7%), while in the other age groups it is 3.6-12.6%. The largest number of examinees with a positive CKD marker suffer from arterial hypertension (HTA) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Only 1.3% of examinees with eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and/or ACR≥ 3 mg/mmol had been aware of positive CKD biomarkers.

Conclusions: Obtained results show the prevalence of CKD in adult males is 7.9%, HTA and DM are the most important CKD risk factors and the level of CKD awareness is extremely low (1.3%) indicating the necessity for introduction of early stage disease recognition measures, including raising CKD awareness.
4D assessment of fetal brain function in diabetic patients
Authors: Antsaklis Panagiotis , Porovic Selma , Daskalakis George , Kurjak Asim
Published: March 2017

Objective:

To assess whether there is a difference in the behavior of fetuses of pregnant women with diabetes under treatment with insulin, compared to fetuses of pregnant women without diabetes.

Materials and methods:

Kurjak’s antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) – a method that, by application of four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound, assesses fetal behavior in a similar way that neonatologists perform a neurological assessment in newborns – was applied from 28 to 38 weeks of gestation to 40 pregnancies with pre-existing diabetes mellitus or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) requiring insulin (diabetic group) and to 40 non-diabetic cases, with otherwise low-risk pregnancies (non-diabetic group).

Results:

There were no statistically significant differences regarding maternal age (30.5±5.1 years for diabetic group vs. 29.8±6.2 years for non-diabetic group) and gestational age (32±1.6 weeks for the diabetic group compared to 33±1.2 weeks for the non-diabetic group). After analysis of the results obtained from application of KANET to each group, results of KANET had higher scores in the non-diabetic group.

Conclusion:

It appears that there are differences in the fetal behavior between diabetic and non-diabetic fetuses, and also the specific parameters – movements that were different between the two groups were identified.
An examination of statistical disclosure issues related to publication of aggregate statistics in the presence of a known subset of the dataset using Baseball Hall of Fame ballots
Authors: Matthews Gregory J. , Tuy Pétala Gardênia da Silva Estrela , Arthur Robert K.
Published: March 2017

Each year the members of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) vote for eligible former players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The BBWAA tabulates and releases vote totals, but individual ballots remain private. However, many voters forgo their ballot privacy to publish their ballots through various media channels. These publicly available ballots can be aggregated to create a subset of the true ballots. Using these released ballots and the totals released by the BBWAA, this research assesses what can be learned about the group of voters who chose to not disclose their ballot. Attributes of the known and unknown ballot groups are studied by looking at differences in voting preference for individual players as well as voting differences between classes of voters that are defined using latent class analysis (LCA).
Crystal structure of 2,5-diiodo-4-nitro-1H-imidazole hemihydrate, C6H4I4N6O5
Authors: Lizhen Chen , Pengbao Lian , Jianlong Wang
Published: March 2017

C6H4I4N6O5, orthorhombic, Pna21 (no. 33), a = 16.6477(8) Å, b = 8.1899(4) Å, c = 12.2143(6) Å, V = 1665.33(14) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0406, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0859, T = 105 K.
Crystal structure of poly-[(μ2-((1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-yl)propane-κ2
N:N′)(μ2-4-tert-butyl-phthalato-κ2
O:O′)cobalt(II)] monohydrate, C29H30CoN4O5
Authors: Han Min-Le , Wang San-Tai , Zhou Zhe
Published: March 2017

C6H25Br3N2O3P2, orthorhombic, Pbca (no. 61), a =11.6532(10) Å, b = 20.1493(18) Å, c = 22.609(2) Å, V = 5308.8(8) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt(F) = 0.0363, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0909, T = 296(2) K.
Methodology for mapping the average transaction prices of residential premises using GIS
Authors: Sosnowska Martyna , Karsznia Izabela
Published: March 2017

Geographic information systems (GIS) and their tools support the process of real estate trading. Of key importance is the ability to visualise information about real estate in the form of maps of average real estate transaction prices. The following study presents a methodology for mapping average real estate transaction prices using GIS. The map development process comprised three main stages. In the first stage, the input data was processed and statistically analysed. Official data came from the Register of Real Estate Prices and Values, and open data from the National Register of Boundaries. The second stage involved the visualization of the data in the form of maps of average apartment prices using the cartographic methods of choropleth maps and diagrams. The commercial tool ArcMap 10.3 and the free Quantum GIS software were used in the design of the maps of average real estate transaction prices, to check the options for using these types of programs. As a result, eight maps were designed presenting the average transaction prices for residential properties in the Warsaw district of Ursynów in 2015. The final stage was the analysis of the designed maps. The influence of the selection of the reference units on the visualization content, and the impact of combining cartographic presentation methods on the complexity of the presentation of real estate information, were also analysed.
Geotourism Potential of the Drawskie Lake District as a Support for the Planned Geopark named Postglacial Land of the Drawa and Dębnica Rivers
Authors: Górska-Zabielska Maria , Kamieńska Katarzyna
Published: March 2017

The geotourism potential of ten geosites, occurring within the Drawskie Lake District, north-western Poland, was evaluated to demonstrate the need for the establishment of a geopark named “Postglacial land of the Drawa and Dębnica rivers”. Each site was investigated in respect of its scientific (geological and geomorphological), educational, economic, conservation, and added values. It has been found that two geosites, being also cultural heritage sites (Drahim Castle and Pottery Settlement in Sikory), have the greatest geotourism potential. Different aspects of inanimate nature are promoted in both geosites. Thanks to the existence of such objects there is a good chance for the successful development of geotourism, which is a tool for the sustainable socio-economic development of the region.
Future of Allotment Gardens in the Context of City Spatial Policy – A Case Study of Poznań
Authors: Poniży Lidia , Stachura Kamila
Published: March 2017

Multifunctional allotment gardens are an important part of the green infrastructure of cities. In spite of this, they are given little attention in the plans and policies of cities. One of the major threats to the existence of allotment gardens within the spatial structure of cities is the pressure of investment, which results from an underestimation of the role of gardens. The task of preserving allotment gardens in the ecosystems of cities rests with the local spatial planning. Urban spatial policy towards allotment gardening is exemplified by the case study of Poznan. The bases for the analysis include the study of the conditions and directions of spatial planning, as the spatial policy document that sets forth the city and local spatial development plans, which are Acts of local laws.
Part II. Drama / Choreography1. Creative Approaches to Personal Development
Authors: Ciobotaru Anca Doina
Published: March 2017

The contemporary Romanian school has frequently been a matter of debate; contents, methods, strategies, manuals, authors, analytical programs - they have all been supported, debated, annulled and reconsidered. However… The Ministerial Order that has allowed, in 2012, the introduction of “Personal Development” in the curriculum has opened a path that has not yet accomplished its role of guiding students to themselves and to the optimal variant for the manifestation of their potential; this aspect has even been demonstrated by analytical programs submitted to and edited by well known publishing houses. Therefore, the present study is meant to open an efficient dialog on the necessity of a transdisciplinary and creative approach to personal development.
10. Creativity and Innovation in Visual Arts through Form and Space Having Symbolic Value
Authors: Iaţeşen Mihai – Cosmin
Published: March 2017

The numerous plastic approaches of form in the 20th century are characterized by creativity and innovation. Form, as expression of an artistic language, is the cause and effect for the cultural evolution of a particular spatial-temporal area. The invention of forms depending on the factors which will impose them in a particular socio-cultural context and location environment is not everything. The challenges of the act of creation are far more complex. For the art of the 20th century, the role of the type of expression in visual or gestural language proved much more convincing and meaningful as to the data or phenomena occurring in immediate reality. The personality of the artist, his cultural character, his media coverage and exterior influences of his inner world, his preceding experiences and receiver’s contacts in a specific area are the factors that influence the relation between the work of art and the audience against a particular spatial-temporal background. The psychological and sensory processes in works of plastic art are spatially configured in structures, which leads to self-confession. The artist filters the information and the elements of exterior reality through the vision of his imagination and power of expression specific to his inner self, and turns them into values through the involvement of his state of mind. Constantin Brâncuşi is the sculptor whose role was considered exponential as he revolutionized modern artistic vision by integrating and creating space-form relations through symbol. Throughout his complex work - the Group of Monumental Sculptures of Tg. Jiu, the artist renewed the language of the sculpture-specific means of expression, though archaic forms, by restoring traditional art. Archetypes often make reference to the initial and ideal form and they represent the primitive and native models composing it. Form attracts, polarizes and integrates the energy of the matter outside the human body, and art acquires a unifying function for the senses of our spirit. We identify the forms developed by the junction between fantastic forms, the figments of the imagination of artists who communicate deep human meanings. They invite us in a world of constructive forms and mysteries, truly innovative and elaborate creations, by underlying different directions in the compositional space with symbolic value.
4. Kazeem Olojo: A Professional Painter and an Art Instructor Universal Studios of Art, Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Bardi Augustine Okola
Published: March 2017

The works of art are priceless going by the quality of works exhibited by an artist. The artist tends to describe a particular scene near to the natural object in question. In the 15th and 16th centuries , France relayed on the impressionists who graduated from workshops and schools of apprentice in the likes of Gauguin, Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir Cezanne, Delacroix and others to capture scenes of the Parisian country side that existed long age. The artist and his works remain indispensible to the existing societies. This form of art venture is not new to Nigeria where schools and workshops of apprenticeship exist. In Nigeria, the existing heritage and traditions if not for the artists will not be translated into art by the artists particularly painters like Dale, Oshinowo, Oguntokun, Emokpae, El-Dragg and others. The existence of workshops and schools of learning art have trained more artists to keep the aesthetical values of art. The society would be no doubt an unpleasant community without a touch of the arts. The artists who on daily bases create by painting, sculpting to make the environment a pleasurable place remain an important factor in the society.
5. Study of Arts Teachers’ Vision on Supporting “Artistic Talent”
Authors: Anghel Ona Ionica
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this study is to find out the arts teachers’ opinion regarding the three issues related to the strategies aimed to support pupils with artistic talent: what is? who supports? how do they support? the artistic talent. Three goals lead us to this aim: to sketch the profile of the pupils with artistic talent, depending on their conduct and needs; the identification of the activities to support these special children; the identification of the extent to which different institutions get involved in supporting the pupils with artistic talent. To achieve these goals, we used the opinion poll as a research method and the created instrument was represented by a five-item questionnaire - four of them requiring open answers and one for closed answers. A total of 29 teachers of visual arts and music education, theoretical and interpretive, were selected for this study. The obtained results brought us close to the image that the teachers have on the artistic talent phenomenon. According to the teachers, the artistic talent is visible if we pay attention to four fields: creativity, passion, harnessing talent, specific skills. Meeting the needs (material, emotional support, socialization with peers, recognition of their talent) can be sources of shaping the educational strategies to support pupils with artistic talent by the main responsible institutions - the Ministry of Education, inspectorates, schools, NGOs.
7. Professor of Art Paradigms: Theoretical and Applied Approaches
Authors: Bularga Tatiana
Published: March 2017

The present article describes purposes, learning content and requirements of an educational academic and postgraduate (internships for teachers) process, focused on teacher training in respect of the most subtle and valuable framework for education, the achievement of the individual potential of each pupil, qualified as a unique personality. Therefore, it is proposed a synthesis on the formative program geared towards the assimilation of the future and current teachers of artistic disciplines (music, choreography, painting) of the action and behavioral models appropriate to the domain, to the effectively organization of individualized educational process.
Cross-Sectional HIV Incidence Surveillance: A Benchmarking of Approaches for Estimating the ‘Mean Duration of Recent Infection’
Authors: Kassanjee Reshma , Angelis Daniela De , Farah Marian , Hanson Debra , Labuschagne Jan Phillipus Lourens , Laeyendecker Oliver , Vu Stéphane Le , Tom Brian , Wang Rui , Welte Alex
Published: March 2017

The application of biomarkers for ‘recent’ infection in cross-sectional HIV incidence surveillance requires the estimation of critical biomarker characteristics. Various approaches have been employed for using longitudinal data to estimate the Mean Duration of Recent Infection (MDRI) – the average time in the ‘recent’ state. In this systematic benchmarking of MDRI estimation approaches, a simulation platform was used to measure accuracy and precision of over twenty approaches, in thirty scenarios capturing various study designs, subject behaviors and test dynamics that may be encountered in practice. Results highlight that assuming a single continuous sojourn in the ‘recent’ state can produce substantial bias. Simple interpolation provides useful MDRI estimates provided subjects are tested at regular intervals. Regression performs the best – while ‘random effects’ describe the subject-clustering in the data, regression models without random effects proved easy to implement, stable, and of similar accuracy in scenarios considered; robustness to parametric assumptions was improved by regressing ‘recent’/‘non-recent’ classifications rather than continuous biomarker readings. All approaches were vulnerable to incorrect assumptions about subjects’ (unobserved) infection times. Results provided show the relationships between MDRI estimation performance and the number of subjects, inter-visit intervals, missed visits, loss to follow-up, and aspects of biomarker signal and noise.
Evaluating Anti-infective Drugs in the Resistant Pathogen Setting: Can We Use External Controls?
Authors: Evans Scott R , Powers John
Published: March 2017

Decreased efficacy of antibiotics due to resistant pathogens has created a need for the development of more effective medical interventions. Despite the increasing prevalence of pathogens resistant to one or more drugs, identifying and enrolling participants into clinical trials that evaluate new interventions for the treatment of some diseases can be challenging given the low prevalence of disease in which there are no effective treatments. Thus researchers might be tempted to consider externally-controlled trials that may allow for a reduction of the necessary number of prospectively-identified trial participants, thus easing recruitment burden and resulting in more timely trial completion relative to randomized controlled trials. We discuss advantages and disadvantages in externally controlled trials and review requirements for a valid externally-controlled trial. As ECTs are subject to the bias of observational studies, the criteria for a valid ECT should be carefully evaluated before these designs are implemented. Given considerable variation in study results in the resistant pathogen setting, the lack of information on important patient characteristics that may confound estimates of treatment effects, as well as the improvements in medical practice and evolving antibiotic resistance, the use of ECTs in the resistant pathogen setting, is not recommended. ECTs should be should be limited to specific situations where superiority of the effect of the new intervention is dramatic, the usual course of the disease highly predictable, the endpoints are objective (e. g., all-cause mortality) and the impact of baseline and treatment variables on outcomes is well characterized. Given that the resistant pathogen setting does not satisfy these criteria, we conclude that that randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate new treatments for resistant pathogens. Innovative approaches to trial design that may ease recruitment burden while evaluating the benefits and harms of new treatments are being developed and utilized.
Life-Threatening Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria in Patient after Visiting Angola-Case Report
Authors: Gajović Olgica , Stanojevic-Pirkovic Marijana , Popovska-Jovicic Biljana , Nesic Ljiljana , Mijailovic Zeljko , Cekerevac Ivan , Susa Romana , Gavrilovic Jagoda
Published: March 2017

Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease, especially when complicated by a septic shock. It is caused by infection of erythrocytes with protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium that are inoculated into the humans by a feeding female anopheline mosquito. Of the four Plasmodia species, infection with Plasmodium (P.) falciparum is often associated with different types of complications and significant mortality. Most imported cases of malaria are not in tourists but in immigrants and their children who have returned to the country of their family’s origin to visit friends and relatives (so-called VFR travelers) and have forgone chemoprophylaxis.

We described a case of a 52 year old patient who came from Angola, an African country with endemic malaria before the occurrence of the first symptoms of the disease. The first symptoms were not recognized by the presence of nonspecific symptoms. Very soon the patient was gone under the hemodynamic unstability that eas followed by shock and high percentage parasitemia of 25%. A global health disorder was developed accompanied with hemodynamic instability and cerebral dysfunction. He performs pulmonary ventilation disorder and renal failure. Only data from social epidemiological survey of travel to the African country, was sufficient to cast doubt on malaria. The diagnosis was conducted using the standard method - peripheral blood smear. After turning antimalarial drugs, improvement of health status with complete recovery within 10 days was noticed. The only consequence of the disease is persistent hypertension that is sensitive to standard antihypertensive therapy.
Accessory Auricles - Report of Two Cases
Authors: Vulovic Dejan D. , Spasić Marko B. , Milisavljevic Slobodan S. , Vucetic Milos A.
Published: March 2017

Accessory auricle is a rare anomaly with an estimated incidence rate of 0.2-0.5%. The most common form of this malformation is the accessory tragus. It may be a sign of other syndromes, such as oculo-auriculo-vertebral dysplasia (Goldenhar’s syndrome). In this paper, we describe two cases of accessory auricle with a focus on diagnosis and surgical treatment.