bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The End of a Traditional Class Distinction in Neoliberal Society: ‘White-collar’ and ‘Blue-collar’ Work and its Impact on Chilean Workers’ Class Consciousness
Authors: Pérez-Ahumada Pablo
Published: May 2015

For several decades, the distinction between ‘white-collar’ (non-manual) and ‘blue-collar’ (manual) work occupied a central place in the analysis of working-class consciousness. According to many scholars, the expansion of non-manual employment was key to dismantling traditional working-class identities. Although several analysts noted the irrelevance of the white-collar/blue-collar distinction as a determinant of class consciousness, the most recent research on class in Chile continues on the traditional argument. However, the empirical research supporting such a contention has been scarce. In this paper I test that hypothesis. Based on quantitative and qualitative data, I show that the distinction between manual and non-manual labor does not lead to significant variations in workers’ class consciousness. Therefore, its use in recent research on class (e.g. the contention that non-manual employment reinforces a ‘middle-class’ consciousness among workers) is deemed questionable.
Manufacturing rate busters: computer control and social relations in the labour process
Authors: Elliott Christopher Shane , Long Gary
Published: May 2015

Information technology is changing social relations in workplaces, perhaps faster than empirical and theoretical work can digest. We develop the concept ‘computer control’ to illustrate one dimension of change. Key features include unobtrusive, micro-level task control and an individualized experience of the labour process. We ask how social interaction occurs in a workplace characterized by computer control. Using participant observation, we examine interaction in Big Box, a computer-controlled grocery distribution facility. While a central computer orchestrates thousands of daily tasks, workers barely talk to execute the labour process. Interactions can occur within a ‘digital arena’, developed by management. Work becomes a game – engrossing workers in its outcomes – but simultaneously allowing management greater control over labour. We argue that management can construct virtual social spaces in the computer-controlled workplace. Information technology fully individualizes a repetitive task, while also offering a platform for reconstituting shared experiences of work. Implications are discussed.
Gender differences in working at home and time use patterns: evidence from Australia
Authors: Powell Abigail , Craig Lyn
Published: May 2015

Despite a wealth of research on working at home, few studies have examined the effects of working at home in relation to its regularity and fewer still have used time use studies to do so. Using data from the 2006 Australian Time Use Survey this article investigates the association between working at home, gender and time use, in relation to amount of time spent in paid work, unpaid work and recreational labour, as well as multi-tasking, fragmentation of time and scheduling flexibility. It examines time use patterns according to whether employees do no work at home or whether they work at home rarely, occasionally or regularly. Results show there is an association between working at home and time in paid and unpaid work and that this differs by the regularity of working at home and gender. Working at home does not create more time for recreational labour, although it may help women juggle work and family.
Examining hybrid nurse managers as a case of identity transition in healthcare: developing a balanced research agenda
Authors: Currie Graeme , Croft Charlotte
Published: May 2015

This research note synthesizes sociology of work and organization studies literatures, to outline a research agenda examining the identity transition of nurses. Academic studies suggest that nurses face a greater challenge to enact, and are more likely to be marginalized within, hybrid manager roles. Further research is encouraged that has a comparative professional dimension, focused upon social position and power and which takes account of the gendered nature of policy reform and professions.
Neural extended Kalman filter for monocular SLAM in indoor environment
Authors: Miljković Zoran , Vuković Najdan , Mitić Marko
Published: May 2015

The extended Kalman filter (EKF) has become a popular solution for the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). This paper presents the implementation of the EKF coupled with a feedforward neural network for the monocular SLAM. The neural extended Kalman filter (NEKF) is applied online to approximate an error between the motion model of the mobile robot and the real system performance. Inadequate modeling of the robot motion can jeopardize the quality of estimation. The paper shows integration of EKF with feedforward neural network and simulation analysis of its consistency and implementation of the NEKF with a mobile robot, laboratory experimental environment, and a simple USB camera. The simulation and experimental results show that integration of neural network into EKF prediction–correction cycle results in improved consistency and accuracy.
A novel satellite cluster design based on tree architecture
Authors: He Huang , Jun Zhou , Tao Bai
Published: May 2015

This paper is focused on how to design a cluster for a fractionated spacecraft mission, which benefits from the relative communication and navigation of the cluster satellites while keeping the satellites a safe distance apart. The fractionated spacecraft cluster is classified as the tightly controlled formation and the unconsolidated formation. Five parameters will define a satellite cluster, which will reflect the scale, combination, and the space structure of the cluster. A satellite cluster based on the tree architecture is proposed, and the relative combination calculation method for different relative orbits of different tree layers is presented. Simulation results have shown that the cluster satellites can be maintained within a certain distance using the tree architecture.
Neoliberalism and nationalism: Representations of asylum seekers in the Australian mainstream news media
Authors: Lueck Kerstin , Due Clemence , Augoustinos Martha
Published: May 2015

In this article, we build on previous critical discursive research concerning the deployment of nationalist rhetoric in the negative representation of asylum seekers to also consider the interplay between neoliberal and nationalist discourses regarding asylum seekers arriving by boat to Australia. Rather than arguing that neoliberalism and nationalism are incompatible (by virtue of the former being about internationalization and the latter about protecting the nation-state), we argue that in fact media representations of asylum seekers are compatible with both neoliberal and nationalist discourses, with both ultimately aimed at protecting the sovereignty of the (White) Australian nation-state. Utilizing a synthetic approach to critical discourse analysis, we analyze two incidents concerning asylum seekers that were widely reported in the mainstream media in late 2009, namely, the Oceanic Viking and the Jaya Lestari 5 incidents. Our article demonstrates that while many of the discourses concerning asylum seekers can be read as nationalistic in nature (i.e. through ‘protecting’ a sovereign state and maintaining border control), they can also be seen as neoliberal in relation to the (supposed) economic benefits of excluding asylum seekers and their undesirability on economic terms. The ‘threat posed by asylum seekers arriving by boat’ was positioned as one that required increased economic support for stricter border protection policies. The economic nature of border protection and security came to the fore not only in terms of its role in keeping out those seen as economically undesirable, but also in the economic investment required in ensuring that the nation-state was able to protect its sovereignty through the maintenance of a homogeneous population regulated at the borders.
Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group (CSTAR) registry: V. gender impact on Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Zhang S , Su J , Li X , Zhang X , Liu S , Wu L , Ma L , Bi L , Zuo X , Sun L , Huang C , Zhao J , Li M , Zeng X ,   CSTAR co-authors
Published: May 2015

Introduction

Many studies have shown that differences were observed between male and female lupus patients. Although systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects mostly females (female:male ratio 9:1), male SLE patients show higher mortality due to kidney and neurological disease. Currently there are limited epidemiological data concerning lupus in the Chinese population. As such, the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group (CSTAR) developed the first online registry of Chinese lupus patients in 2009, and represents a multicenter observational study that attempts to describe and compile the major clinical characteristics of lupus in Chinese patients.

Objective

To investigate the effect of gender on the phenotypes of Chinese SLE patients.

Patients and methods

Data for 2104 SLE patients were prospectively collected and included in the CSTAR registry. Patients fulfilled the 1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) SLE classification criteria. We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study to analyze patient clinical and laboratory data at onset and at enrollment. SLE disease activity scores (SLEDAI) were also measured at enrollment.

Results

This study included 1914 women and 190 men. Males and females showed no differences in mean ages at onset, delay of diagnosis and disease duration. Males presented more frequently with fever ( p = 0.003), while musculoskeletal involvement ( p = 0.001) and cytopenia ( p = 0.017) was more common in females as the initial manifestation at onset of SLE. For manifestations at enrollment, males presented more frequently with fever ( p = 0.005), renal disease ( p = 0.019), vasculitis ( p = 0.032) and neuropsychiatric lupus ( p = 0.007). For cumulative manifestations at enrollment, males presented more frequently with discoid rash ( p < 0.001) and neuropsychiatric lupus ( p = 0.036), while less frequently with arthritis ( p = 0.011). However, the laboratory data showed no significant differences between the two groups at enrollment. Males also had higher SLEDAI scores at enrollment ( p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Renal disease, vasculitis and neuropsychiatric lupus are more common in male SLE patients with higher SLEDAI scores compared to female SLE patients in China.
Toe walking as a presenting sign of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Basiaga M , Sherry D
Published: May 2015

Toe walking is a previously unreported presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We describe a patient who presented with profound multisystem involvement that was preceded by one month of toe walking and multiple flexion contractures without arthritis. Her lupus is now under control after aggressive therapy, yet she continues to struggle with tendinopathy despite continued physical and occupational therapy. Lupus should be considered in the appropriate clinical context in children who have new-onset contractures due to tight tendons.
Short version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI–short) with and without the Future-Negative scale, verified on nationally representative samples
Authors: Košťál Jaroslav , Klicperová-Baker Martina , Lukavská Kateřina , Lukavský Jiří
Published: May 2015

Aim

The “time perspective” becomes increasingly relevant in psychological assessment, but time constraints sometimes prevent the use of the popular Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) in its full extent. This study focuses on short versions (ZTPI–short), comprising 3 items for each scale, 15 items in total (18 when Future-Negative is added). Objectives included testing the psychometric properties of the abbreviated ZTPI and optional balancing of the Future scale with its negative counterpart.

Method

Two modifications were used, the five-scale form, structurally corresponding to the original ZTPI (Past-Negative, Past-Positive, Present-Hedonistic, Present-Fatalistic, and Future scales), and a six-scale adaptation with a Future-Negative scale added. Both versions were verified on nationally representative samples in the Czech Republic and Slovakia ( N = 2068).

Results

Psychometric properties proved to be good with or without the Future-Negative scale as corroborated by adequate scale distribution, by consistency (Cronbach's alpha), reliability between short and long versions, validity of short and long versions with respect to the sociodemographic profile, by results of structural equation modeling confirming international invariance in a comparative multigroup perspective as well as good fit (confirmatory factor analysis) of five- and six-factor model for the Czech and Slovak ZTPI–short (separately or with a pooled sample). The five-scale ZTPI–short had a slightly better model fit than the six-scale version, the Future-Negative scale correlated strongly with the Past-Negative scale.

Conclusion

The ZTPI–short is a quality instrument for assessing time perspective and can be recommended for further use.
Time use among New Zealand Members of Parliament
Authors: Coffé Hilde
Published: May 2015

This article provides a first attempt to describe time use among Members of Parliament (MPs). Drawing on an original survey on time use and a time diary of three working days (Wednesday–Friday) collected in 2013 among New Zealand MPs (N = 22), it presents a quantification and description of MPs’ time use. The data indicate that with an average of 13 h 20 min, MPs have long working days and many seem to face work–life balance issues. MPs also undertake a broad variety of activities during their working time, with meetings with various actors taking up a large part of their time. Finally, a correspondence analysis reveals that male and female MPs as well as first term and more experienced MPs display some differences in their time use. Social activities dominate more of the time of male MPs than they do for female MPs. Experienced MPs seem to spend more time in the House than first-term MPs. The latter spend more time on communication than experienced MPs.
All-fabric intelligent temperature regulation system for smart clothing applications
Authors: Roh Jung-Sim , Kim Sareum
Published: May 2015

The state-of-the-art in the field of smart interactive textiles is to develop a pure textile with smart electronics (all-fabric electronics). This article reports the production and testing of a temperature sensing and heating textile which consistently maintains a certain targeted temperature in order to provide optimal thermal comfort in everyday wear regardless of the internal microclimate and external climate conditions as well as the voltage level of the battery. The design and fabrication method of the robust, reliable, flexible, light, highly breathable, and simply constructed smart textile with dual functionality of temperature sensing and heating was explored with a metal composite embroidery yarn. The feasibility of the temperature regulating system based on the power on-off switching method referencing real-time temperature measured from the correlation between resistance and temperature of the heating metal composite embroidery yarn textile was shown. A uniform temperature distribution, a quick adjustment to a newly set temperature, and effective maintaining of a set temperature were identified. Many potential customized designs for smart garments will be possible in a wide range of fabric size, heating area, and different temperature requirement.
Support for Fathers of Children With Heart Defects
Authors: Bruce Elisabeth , Lindh Viveca , Sundin Karin
Published: May 2015

The purpose of the study was to illuminate the meanings of the lived experiences of support as disclosed by fathers of children with congenital heart defect (CHD). Narrative interviews were conducted individually with five fathers of children diagnosed with CHD. A phenomenological-hermeneutic method was used to interpret the verbatim transcribed narrative interviews. The meanings of the lived experiences of support for the fathers were identified in two themes and illustrate the fathers’ feelings of being supported when being in a mutual relationship with others. A third theme illustrates the situation when support is absent. Our findings indicate that support for fathers of children with CHD might be best promoted by the philosophy of family-centered care.
Use of arsenic trioxide in a hemodialysis-dependent patient with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Perreault Sarah , Moeller Julie , Patel Kejal , Eyler Rachel , Pham Trinh , Russell Kerry , Podoltsev Nikolai
Published: May 2015

Arsenic trioxide has been established for use in both relapsed and front-line treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Dose adjustments are recommended to be considered in severe renal impairment although dosage reduction guidelines are not provided. In addition, toxicities of arsenic are significant. The use of arsenic trioxide has not been well studied in dialysis patients and there is a paucity of data in the literature to support the use in such a situation. We describe an 81-year-old relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia hemodialysis-dependent patient with a pre-existing cardiac condition who was treated with 10 mg arsenic trioxide three times weekly after dialysis. These findings provide support along with the marginal amount of currently published data for an arsenic trioxide dosing regimen in hemodialysis patients.
Super Foods With Medicinal Properties
Authors: Alpert Patricia T.
Published: May 2015

Food as medicine is as old as the beginning of time but somehow as we moved into the modern era, foods were no longer looked upon as healing elements until the resurgence in natural healing took hold several decades ago. Here we examine three foods that suggest potential medicinal properties validated by immerging research.
Management of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery Patients
Authors: Raiten Jesse , Patel Prakash A. , Gutsche Jacob
Published: May 2015

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia following cardiac surgery and contributes to patient morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, and increased financial costs. The risk of postoperative AF may increase based on patient characteristics or events that occur intraoperatively or postoperatively. An understanding of these risks may be helpful in identifying which patients would benefit from prevention strategies. Acute AF presentation may range from completely indolent to rapidly progressing hemodynamic instability. Patients without hemodynamic compromise can be managed conservatively with rate control or initiation of antiarrhythmic medications. Patients with significant hemodynamic instability should undergo direct current cardioversion. In the postoperative period, it is reasonable to initiate anticoagulation after 48 hours of sustained AF or frequent episodes of postoperative AF.
Postoperative Care of the Adult With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Maxwell Bryan , Steppan Jochen
Published: May 2015

An increasing number of children with congenital heart disease survive to adulthood, but many adults require surgical intervention and can present complex management challenges in the perioperative period. This review will address common considerations that surgeons, anesthesiologists, and intensivists are likely to face in caring for this growing population.
Beneficial Effect of Flavone Derivatives on Aβ-Induced Memory Deficit Is Mediated by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Coactivator 1α
Authors: Arsalandeh Farshad , Ahmadian Shahin , Foolad Forough , Khodagholi Fariba , Farimani Mahdi M. , Shaerzadeh Fatemeh
Published: May 2015

In the present study, the neuroprotective effect of 5-hydroxy-6,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone (flavone 1), a natural flavone, was investigated in comparison with another flavone, 5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavone (flavone 2) on the hippocampus of amyloid beta (Aβ)-injected rats. Rats were treated with the 2 flavones (1 mg/kg/d) for 1 week before Aβ injection. Seven days after Aβ administration, memory function of rats was assessed in a passive avoidance test (PAT). Changes in the levels of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 α (PGC-1α), phospho-adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (pAMPK), AMPK, phospho-cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB), CREB, and nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1) proteins were determined by Western blot analysis. Our results showed an improvement in memory in rats pretreated with flavonoids. At the molecular level, phosphorylation of CREB, known as the master modulator of memory processes, increased. On the other hand, the level of mitochondrial biogenesis factors, PGC-1α and its downstream molecules NRF-1 and TFAM significantly increased by dietary administration of 2 flavones. In addition, flavone 1 and flavone 2 prevented mitochondrial swelling and mitochondrial membrane potential reduction. Our results provided evidence that flavone 1 is more effective than flavone 2 presumably due to its O-methylated groups. In conclusion, it seems that in addition to classical antioxidant effect, flavones exert part of their protective effects through mitochondrial biogenesis.
Why we need to move beyond diagnosis-related groups and how we might do so
Authors: Sørensen Marie-Louise Kirchhoff , Burau Viola
Published: May 2015

Diagnosis-related groups are widespread across Europe and they are meant to be a central instrument to improve the activity and efficiency of hospitals. However, there are many examples of diagnosis-related groups having adverse effects which are difficult to control and which endanger the goals of health care systems in terms of efficiency, equity and quality. Political and administrative decision makers therefore need to fundamentally rethink hospital governance and consider new systems of budgeting and performance measurement. Central Denmark Region is currently piloting a system, based on the Triple Aim approach, which may offer inspiration.
Affiliative social tuning reduces the activation of prejudice
Authors: Huntsinger Jeffrey R. , Sinclair Stacey , Kenrick Andreana C. , Ray Cara
Published: May 2015

Past research on affiliative social tuning has shown that individuals who experience affiliative motivation toward another person come to exhibit implicit prejudice consistent with the apparent beliefs of that person. The present research seeks to elucidate the mechanism by which such malleability occurs. Is it interpersonally cued cognitive control, consistent with dual-process models of prejudice regulation, or a contextual change in automatic associations, consistent with shared reality theory? QUAD modeling of participants’ responses revealed that affiliative social tuning of implicit prejudice was solely a function of changing associations (Studies 1–3). Furthermore, instructions to try to inhibit prejudice within a particular interpersonal context did not yield implicit attitude change (Study 2).
Adolescent-to-Parent Abuse as a Form of “Domestic Violence”
Authors: Holt Amanda
Published: May 2015

Across the Global North, adolescent-to-parent abuse (APA) is becoming recognized as a significant social problem and is receiving attention from researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who work in the intersecting fields of juvenile justice, child protection, and domestic violence. One of the key questions shaping current debates concerns the extent to which APA maps onto the contours of domestic violence, in terms of research and theory, policy, and practice. In particular, to what extent can our established ways of working with domestic violence be applied when working with APA? This article begins by reviewing definitions and prevalence rates of APA. It then considers how the problem fits into the “family conflicts” and “gender-based violence” paradigms that are most frequently used to conceptualize domestic violence. The article then examines how APA represents a similar but distinct phenomenon to adult-instigated domestic violence and identifies how its departures represent particular challenges in working toward its elimination. The article concludes by reviewing intervention programs that work with APA and exploring some of the ways in which they adopt and reject elements of good practice from the domestic violence practice field.
Periprocedural safety of Pipeline therapy for unruptured cerebral aneurysms: Analysis of 279 Patients in a multihospital database
Authors: McDonald Robert J , McDonald Jennifer S , Kallmes David F , Lanzino Giuseppe , Cloft Harry J
Published: May 2015

The relative safety of unruptured aneurysm treatment with coiling versus flow diversion therapy is unknown. Most data available on flow diversion reflect highly focused patient groups and very experienced operators. We evaluated a national, multihospital patient database to examine periprocedural morbidity and mortality in patients treated with endovascular flow diversion therapy.

The Premier Perspective database was used to identify patients hospitalized between May 2011 and March 2013 for unruptured aneurysm who underwent flow diversion therapy with a Pipeline embolization device. The risk of in-hospital mortality and morbidity was determined using ICD 9 codes.

A total of 279 unruptured aneurysm patients at 18 medical centers underwent endovascular therapy with a Pipeline device. Adverse outcomes included in-hospital mortality in two cases (0.7%), discharge to long-term care in 22 cases (7.9%), ischemic complications in 14 cases (5.0%), hemorrhagic complications in four cases (1.4%), and postoperative neurological complications in nine cases (3.2%).

This study of a large cohort of patient hospitalizations in the United States provides preliminary data on flow diversion in a “real world” scenario and demonstrates that the periprocedural morbidity and mortality is not negligible and must be considered in the context of the natural history of the aneurysms that are being treated.
Head and neck neurovascular trauma: Clinical and angiographic correlation
Authors: Ssenyonga Peter Kato , Le Feuvre David , Taylor Allan
Published: May 2015

A retrospective review of all angiograms done for craniocervical trauma, over an eight-year period at Groote Schuur Hospital identified 61 patients out of 823 angiographically studied who had extradural vascular injury and required endovascular treatment. Multiple lesions were identified in nine (14,8%) patients and associated injuries were found in 23 patients (37%). The mechanism of injury was blunt in nine (14.8%) patients and penetrating in 52 (85.2%). There was a statistically significant correlation between the presenting clinical feature and the underlying angiographic lesion. Patients with active bleeding were more likely to have a vessel laceration, an expanding hematoma was associated with false aneurysm and a pulsatile mass with arteriovenous fistula. Endovascular treatment with emphasis on vessel occlusion rather than preservation was successful in all cases except one which required surgical vessel ligation.
Computation of blood flow through collateral circulation of the superficial femoral artery
Authors: Kruse RR , Vinke EJ , Poelmann FB , Rohof D , Holewijn S , Slump CH , Reijnen MMPJ
Published: May 2015

Objective

Obliteration of collaterals during (endo)vascular treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease is considered detrimental. We use a model to calculate maximum collateral bed flow of the superficial femoral artery in order to provide insight in their hemodynamic relevance.

Method

A computational model was developed using digital subtraction angiographies in combination with Poiseuille's equation and Ohm's law. Lesions were divided into short and long (<15 cm and ≥15 cm, respectively) and into stenosis and occlusions. Data are presented in relation to the calculated maximum healthy superficial femoral artery flow.

Results

Stenotic lesions are longer than occlusive lesions ( P < 0.05) and occlusions had more and larger collaterals ( P < 0.05). In all four study groups the collateral flow significantly increased the total flow ( P < 0.05). The maximum collateral system flow in the stenosis and occlusion groups was 5.1% and 20.8% of healthy superficial femoral artery flow, respectively ( P < 0.05), and there were no significant differences between short and long lesions (11.2% and 6.7% of healthy superficial femoral artery flow, respectively).

Conclusion

The maximum collateral system flow of the superficial femoral artery is only a fraction, with a maximum of one fifth, of healthy superficial femoral artery flow. Effects of collateral vessel occlusion during (endo)vascular treatment may therefore be without detrimental consequences.
Endovenous laser ablation of insufficient perforating veins: Energy is key to success
Authors: Boersma Doeke , Smulders Daan LJ , Bakker Olaf J , van den Haak Ronald FF , Verhoeven Bart AN , Koning Olivier HJ
Published: May 2015

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and anatomical success of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of incompetent perforating veins (IPV).

Methods

All 135 consecutive patients with IPV treated with ELVA (intention-to-treat) from January 2008 to December 2013 were included. Up to the end of 2011, an 810-nm laserset (14 W) was used, and afterwards, a 1470-nm laserset (6 W) was introduced. Duplex ultrasound was performed at 6 weeks’ follow-up to assess anatomical success.

Results

Overall anatomical success at 6 weeks’ follow-up was 56%. Anatomical success was 63% after treatment with 810 nm and 45% with 1470 nm ( p = 0.035). This difference in the success rate seems associated with the significantly higher amount of energy delivered in the 810 nm cohort (560 J) versus 1470 nm (186 J). Regardless of the type of laser, anatomical success was significantly higher after treatment with more than 400 J (66%) compared with 0–200 J (40%, p = 0.009) and 200–400 J (43%, p = 0.029). Complications were limited to two cases of transient paresthesia.

Conclusions

EVLA of IPVs is safe and feasible. The amount of energy is highly important in achieving anatomical success.
Venous status ulcers due to congenital agenesis of the inferior vena cava in a 16-year-old male
Authors: Phair J , Trestman E , Stableford J
Published: May 2015

We report a case of agenesis of the infrarenal inferior vena cava in a 16-year-old male presenting with venous stasis dermatitis and ulceration in the gaiter region bilaterally. Duplex imaging was performed revealing absence of infrarenal inferior vena cava and iliofemoral venous system. Magnetic resonance venography then confirmed the above findings along with revealing extensive lumbar and pelvic collateralization. This patient’s condition has been successfully managed conservatively with compression therapy and wound care. This case is a rare example of a congenital malformation of the inferior vena cava and represents the only reported case with presenting symptoms of venous stasis ulceration in a pediatric patient.
Shifting from research governance to research ethics: A novel paradigm for ethical review in community-based research
Authors: Marlowe Jay , Tolich Martin
Published: May 2015

This study examines a significant gap in the role of providing ethical guidance and support for community-based research. University and health-based ethical review committees in New Zealand predominantly serve as ‘gatekeepers’ that consider the ethical implications of a research design in order to protect participants and the institution from harm. However, in New Zealand, community-based researchers routinely do not have access to this level of support or review. A relatively new group, the New Zealand Ethics Committee (NZEC), formed in 2012, responds to the uneven landscape of access for community-based research. By offering ethical approval inclusive of the review of a project’s study design outside institutional settings, NZEC has endeavoured to move beyond a gatekeeping research governance function to that of bridge-building. This change of focus presents rich possibilities but also a number of limitations for providing ethical review outside conventional institutional contexts. This paper reports on the NZEC’s experience of working with community researchers to ascertain the possibilities and tensions of shifting ethics review processes from research governance to a focus on research ethics in community-based participatory research.
The Meanings of Discounts in Contemporary Art Markets: The Case of India
Authors: Komarova Nataliya
Published: May 2015

Although discounts in art markets are commonplace, the phenomenon remains largely unresearched. This paper looks at how art market actors understand the functions of discounts, focusing on ‘suppliers’ of the market and drawing on qualitative interviews with artists and art dealers from New Delhi and Mumbai, conducted in January–April 2013. The theoretical basis of this paper is a cultural sociological stance on the functioning of markets, showing how a shared system of norms and values affects the operation of a market. Two circuits of commerce are distinguished in the Indian art market: internationally oriented artists and dealers, whose attitude towards discounts is shaped by the desire to defend the aesthetic value of art; and locally oriented artists and dealers, who are positive about giving discounts and embrace them as a legitimate element of their national culture.
Misled by the Morning “Fasting” Plasma Glucose
Authors: King Allen B.
Published: May 2015

Because of its ease and simplicity of its measurement, the morning fasting plasma glucose (FPG), has been as used a surrogate marker for the entire basal day when titrating once-nightly basal insulin. Common in obese insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes, late and large evening meals elevate the FPG. This has led to dosing of basal insulin well beyond the basal requirements and contributes to hypoglycemia and weight gain seen with this therapy. It is recommended that during basal insulin titration, the evening meal be limited and hypoglycemia be monitored early in the morning, that bewitching time when the “peakless” basal insulin’s action is peaking and the predawn phenomenon insulin sensitivity is higher.
Safety risks with investigational drugs: Pharmacy practices and perceptions in the veterans affairs health system
Authors: Cruz Jennifer L. , Brown Jamie N.
Published: May 2015

Objectives:

Rigorous practices for safe dispensing of investigational drugs are not standardized. This investigation sought to identify error-prevention processes utilized in the provision of investigational drug services (IDS) and to characterize pharmacists’ perceptions about safety risks posed by investigational drugs.

Methods:

An electronic questionnaire was distributed to an audience of IDS pharmacists within the Veteran Affairs Health System. Multiple facets were examined including demographics, perceptions of medication safety, and standard processes used to support investigational drug protocols.

Results:

Twenty-one respondents (32.8% response rate) from the Northeast, Midwest, South, West, and Non-contiguous United States participated. The mean number of pharmacist full-time equivalents (FTEs) dedicated to the IDS was 0.77 per site with 0.2 technician FTEs. The mean number of active protocols was 22. Seventeen respondents (81%) indicated some level of concern for safety risks. Concerns related to the packaging of medications were expressed, most notably lack of product differentiation, expiration dating, barcodes, and choice of font size or color. Regarding medication safety practices, the majority of sites had specific procedures in place for storing and securing drug supply, temperature monitoring, and prescription labeling. Repackaging bulk items and proactive error-identification strategies were less common. Sixty-seven percent of respondents reported that an independent double check was not routinely performed.

Conclusions:

Medication safety concerns exist among pharmacists in an investigational drug service; however, a variety of measures have been employed to improve medication safety practices. Best practices for the safe dispensing of investigational medications should be developed in order to standardize these error-prevention strategies.
Emotion Regulatory Flexibility Sheds Light on the Elusive Relationship Between Repeated Traumatic Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
Authors: Levy-Gigi Einat , Bonanno George A. , Shapiro Alla R. , Richter-Levin Gal , Kéri Szabolcs , Sheppes Gal
Published: May 2015

Conventional wisdom suggests that repeated traumatic exposure should strongly relate to increased posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, research with first responders, who are repeatedly exposed to traumatic events, finds inconsistent links to PTSD. Although recent studies explored associations between general self-reported emotion-regulation and PTSD, the present study was the first to test the moderating role of regulatory choice flexibility, the ability to choose regulatory options that suit contextual demands. A total of 69 firefighters with differing duty-related traumatic-exposure were tested on an innovative performance-based regulatory choice flexibility paradigm and evaluated for PTSD symptoms using clinical interviews. We predicted and found that firefighters with low but not high regulatory choice flexibility showed a significant positive correlation between traumatic exposure and PTSD symptoms. This moderation was specific to PTSD symptoms and contributed above and beyond other well-established correlates of PTSD. The results suggest that regulatory choice flexibility can intersect the deleterious link between traumatic exposure and PTSD symptoms.
Massive Open Online Interventions
Authors: Muñoz Ricardo F. , Bunge Eduardo L. , Chen Ken , Schueller Stephen M. , Bravin Julia I. , Shaughnessy Elizabeth A. , Pérez-Stable Eliseo J.
Published: May 2015

Massive open online interventions (MOOIs) have the potential to increase the reach, scalability, and affordability of psychological interventions. This article reports on an extension of a proof-of-concept participant-preference smoking-cessation trial conducted in the form of a MOOI. This resource was available in Spanish and English for 30 months, and a total of 292,978 individuals from 168 countries visited the site. This report presents data on the last 18 months of recruitment during which 27,163 participants were screened for eligibility, 8,881 signed consent, and 7,407 completed the baseline survey. Observed quit rates were 39.2%, 43.5%, 45.7%, and 50.3%, respectively, at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; at the same time intervals, the missing=smoking quit rates were 7.6%, 5.7%, 4.8%, and 5.5%. Results suggest that MOOIs have the potential to provide people worldwide with evidence-based behavioral interventions. The authors conclude that MOOIs should become an integral part of global health efforts.
Headache determines quality of life in idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Authors: Mulla Yasmeen , Markey Keira A , Woolley Rebecca L , Patel Smitaa , Mollan Susan P , Sinclair Alexandra J
Published: May 2015

Background

The effect of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) on quality of life (QOL) is poorly understood. Our objectives were to compare QOL in IIH to the normal UK population; to investigate QOL changes with treatment of IIH, using a weight loss intervention, and to determine which clinical factors influence QOL.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort evaluation of QOL, using the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey questionnaire, before and after a therapeutic dietary intervention which resulted in significant reduction in body mass index (BMI), intracranial pressure (ICP), papilloedema, visual acuity, perimetric mean deviation (Humphrey 24–2) and headache (six-item headache impact test (HIT-6) and headache diary). Baseline QOL was compared to an age and gender matched population. The relationship between each clinical outcome and change in QOL was evaluated.

Results

At baseline, QOL was significantly lower in IIH compared to an age and gender matched population in most domains, p < 0.001. Therapeutic weight loss led to a significant improvement in 10 out of 11 QOL domains in conjunction with the previously published data demonstrating significant improvement in papilloedema, visual acuity, perimetry and headache (p < 0.001) and large effect size. Despite significant improvement in clinical measures only headache correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with improving QOL domains.

Conclusions

QOL in IIH patients is significantly reduced. It improved with weight loss alongside significant improvement in clinical measures and headache. However, headache was the only clinical outcome that correlated with enhanced QOL. Effective headache management is required to improve QOL in IIH.
Anti-EGFR-Conjugated Hollow Gold Nanospheres Enhance Radiocytotoxic Targeting of Cervical Cancer at Megavoltage Radiation Energies
Authors: Liu Jiao , Liang Ying , Liu Ting , Li Dengke , Yang Xingsheng
Published: May 2015

The study aimed to confirm that anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody-conjugated hollow gold nanospheres (anti-EGFR/HGNs) can be selectively uptaken by cervical cancer cells and induce its apoptosis when combined with radiotherapy, as a result enhancing radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells. HGNs with a mean diameter of 54.6 ± 7.11 nm and wall thickness of 5.01 ± 2.23 nm were viewed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cell uptake was assayed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The cytotoxicity on HeLa cells, which were used in our experiment, was assessed by CCK-8 assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were examined by an Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) kit with flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of several critical apoptosis-related proteins, including Bcl-2, Bax, Bad, and active caspase 3, was tested by western blot analysis. Cells treated by anti-EGFR/HGNs showed an obvious increase in nanoparticle uptake compared to naked HGNs. Anti-EGFR/HGNs combined with radiation resulted in a significant growth inhibition, compared with radiation combined with naked HGNs. Anti-EGFR/HGNs remarkably increased the ratio of HeLa cells in the G2/M phase and induced more apoptosis by an obvious deregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax, Bad, and caspase 3 when combined with radiation. Therefore, anti-EGFR/HGNs can increase the targeted uptake of HGNs by HeLa cells and enhance radiocytotoxic targeting of cervical cancer at megavoltage radiation energies.
High density lipoprotein promotes proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells via S1P1 receptor and Akt, ERK1/2 signal pathways
Authors: Shen Haitao , Zhou Enchen , Wei Xiujing , Fu Zhiwei , Niu Chenguang , Li Yang , Pan Bing , Mathew Anna V , Wang Xu , Pennathur Subramaniam , Zheng Lemin , Wang Yongyu
Published: May 2015

Introduction

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) are non-hematopoietic mesenchymal stem cells that have shown great promise in their ability to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Their ubiquitous nature and the ease of harvesting have attracted the attention of many researchers, and they pose as an ideal candidate for applications in regenerative medicine. Several reports have demonstrated that transplanting ADSC can promote repair of injured tissue and angiogenesis in animal models. Survival of these cells after transplant remains a key limiting factor for the success of ADSC transplantation. Circulating factors like High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) has been known to promote survival of other stems cells like bone marrow derived stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells, both by proliferation and by inhibiting cell apoptosis. The effect of HDL on transplanted adipose-derived stem cells in vivo is largely unknown.

Methods

This study focused on exploring the effects of plasma HDL on ADSC and delineating the mechanisms involved in their proliferation after entering the bloodstream. Using the MTT and BrdU assays, we tested the effects of HDL on ADSC proliferation. We probed the downstream intracellular Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways and expression of cyclin proteins in ADSC using western blot.

Results

Our study found that HDL promotes proliferation of ADSC, by binding to sphingosine-1- phosphate receptor-1(S1P1) on the cell membrane. This interaction led to activation of intracellular Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, resulting in increased expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E, and simultaneous reduction in expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27, therefore promoting cell cycle progression and cell proliferation.

Conclusions

These studies raise the possibility that HDL may be a physiologic regulator of stem cells and increasing HDL concentrations may be valuable strategy to promote ADSC transplantation.
Selectively false-positive radionuclide scan in a patient with sarcoidosis and papillary thyroid cancer: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Lebo Nicole L , Raymond Francois , Odell Michael J
Published: May 2015

Background

Radioiodine and Tc-99 m pertechnetate scans are routinely relied upon to detect metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer; false-positive scans are relatively rare. To our knowledge, no published reports exist of sarcoidosis causing such selectively false-positive scans.

Methods

We present a case of a 41-year-old woman with known metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (T1bN1aMx) in whom sarcoidosis-affected cervical and mediastinal lymph nodes demonstrated uptake of thyroid-targeting radionuclides. Only the minority of these nodes demonstrated radionuclide uptake, raising the suspicion of adjacent or coexisting sarcoid and metastatic involvement. Selective uptake of thyroid-targeted radionuclides by isolated sarcoidosis is, to our knowledge, a previously undocumented occurrence.

Results

Biopsies of uptake-negative mediastinal nodes revealed sarcoidosis. Pathology from a subsequent neck dissection excising uptake-positive cervical nodes also showed sarcoidosis, with no coinciding malignancy.

Conclusions

We document a case of sarcoidosis causing a selectively false-positive thyroid scintigraphy scan. It is useful for clinicians to be aware of potential false-positives and deceptive patterns on radionuclide scans when managing patients with both well-differentiated thyroid cancer and a co-existing disease affecting the nodal basins draining the thyroid gland.