bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secukinumab treatment in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with incremental benefit in the clinical outcomes and HRQoL improvements that exceed minimally important thresholds
Authors: Strand Vibeke , Kosinski Mark , Gnanasakthy Ari , Mallya Usha , Mpofu Shephard
Published: March 2014

Background

The primary aim of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment is to induce remission, the absence of disease activity. The objective of this study was to explore the association between clinical endpoints used to gauge RA treatment efficacy and patient-reported outcomes of health-related quality of life, fatigue, and physical function in RA patients treated with secukinumab in a phase 2 randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Method

Adult RA patients (n = 237) with incomplete responses to methotrexate were randomized equally to receive monthly s.c. injections of secukinumab 25 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg or placebo. Clinical endpoints used in this study included the ACR response criteria and its components and simplified disease activity score. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) included Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 [SF-36] Survey, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue). Patients were categorized into mutually exclusive groups according to the magnitude and direction of change from baseline to week 16 in each clinical endpoint. Definitions of minimal important differences [MID] in each clinical endpoint were used to categorize patients, as well as thresholds beyond MID. Mean changes from baseline to week 16 were computed for each PRO and analyses of variance to test the differences in PRO changes observed across groups of patients that differed in each clinical endpoint. Analyses were limited to patients randomized to secukinumab treatment. All dose groups were combined (n = 187).

Results

Mean changes from baseline in each PRO differed significantly across groups of patients in the expected direction. With few exceptions, there was considerable agreement between clinical endpoints and PROs concerning the magnitude of change defined as clinically meaningful. More importantly, results demonstrated that greater improvements in clinical endpoints were associated with incrementally better improvements in HRQoL, fatigue, and physical function.

Conclusion

Results of this study show considerable agreement between minimal thresholds of improvement established for PROs and clinical outcome measures used in RA treatment studies and provide thresholds to be considered in gauging the importance of a treatment effect that goes beyond what is considered as minimally important for PRO measures.
Comparison of the pressure‐relieving properties of various types of forefoot pads in older people with forefoot pain
Authors: Lee Pei Y , Landorf Karl B , Bonanno Daniel R , Menz Hylton B
Published: March 2014

Background

Plantar forefoot pain is commonly experienced by older people and it is often treated with forefoot pads to offload the painful area. However, studies have found inconsistent effects for different forefoot pads on plantar pressure reduction, and optimum forefoot pad placement is still not clear. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different forefoot pads on plantar pressure under the forefoot in older people with forefoot pain.

Methods

Thirty‐seven adults (31 females, 6 males) with a mean age of 73.5 (SD 4.8) participated. Forefoot plantar pressure data were recorded using the pedar®‐X in‐shoe system while participants walked along an 8 m walkway. Five conditions were tested in a standardised shoe: (i) no padding (the control), (ii) a metatarsal dome positioned 10 mm proximal to the metatarsal heads, (iii) a metatarsal dome positioned 5 mm distal to the metatarsal heads, (iv) a metatarsal bar, and (v) a plantar cover.

Results

Compared to the shoe‐only control condition, each of the forefoot pads significantly reduced forefoot peak pressure and maximum force. The metatarsal dome positioned 5 mm distal to the metatarsal heads and the plantar cover were most effective for reducing peak pressure (17%, p < 0.001 and 19%, p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that forefoot pads are effective for reducing forefoot pressures in older people with forefoot pain, and that the position of the pad relative to the metatarsal heads may be more important than the shape of the pad.
As the Nation Goes, So Goes Maine?
Authors: Kilbreth Elizabeth
Published: March 2014

Historically, Maine has been a state with generous safety net programs and a track record of innovative efforts in health system reform, developed under the leadership of Democratic administrations and with frequent support from moderate Republicans. But the 2010 elections in Maine dramatically changed the political balance of power, anointing both a governor and a legislature ideologically at odds with the state's recent political past. Maine has become a bastion of resistance to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, with a reduced Medicaid program, defunded state access initiative, and no state exchange. In addition, the state has adopted a laissez-faire approach to insurance market dysfunction. Using Maine as a case study of the shifts in national political mood, this article describes in broad brushstrokes Maine's history of health reform efforts and recent shift in political direction, and discusses some of the factors that contributed to the change.
No successful infinite regress
Authors: Luna Laureano
Published: March 2014

We model infinite regress structures — not arguments — by means of ungrounded recursively defined functions in order to show that no such structure can perform the task of providing determination to the items composing it, that is, that no determination process containing an infinite regress structure is successful.
Climate change and ice hazards in the Beaufort Sea
Authors: Barber D. G. , McCullough G. , Babb D. , Komarov A. S. , Candlish L. M. , Lukovich J.V. , Asplin M. , Prinsenberg S. , Dmitrenko I. , Rysgaard S.
Published: March 2014

Recent reductions in the summer extent of sea ice have focused the world’s attention on the effects of climate change. Increased CO2-derived global warming is rapidly shrinking the Arctic multi-year ice pack. This shift in ice regimes allows for increasing development opportunities for large oil and gas deposits known to occur throughout the Arctic. Here we show that hazardous ice features remain a threat to stationary and mobile infrastructure in the southern Beaufort Sea. With the opening up of the ice pack, forecasting of high-frequency oscillations or local eddy-driven ice motion will be a much more complex task than modeling average ice circulation. Given the observed reduction in sea ice extent and thickness this rather counterintuitive situation, associated with a warming climate, poses significant hazards to Arctic marine oil and gas development and marine transportation. Accurate forecasting of hazardous ice motion will require improved real-time surface wind and ocean current forecast models capable of ingesting local satellite-derived wind data and/or local, closely-spaced networks of anemometers and improved methods of determining high-frequency components of surface ocean current fields ‘up-stream’ from drilling and extraction operations.
Estimating the need for early cleaning in Norway spruce plantations in Finland
Authors: Uotila Karri , Rantala Juho , Saksa Timo
Published: March 2014

Effective management of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) plantations requires detailed information on stand development, which is costly to measure. However, estimating the need for early stand management from site attributes that persists stabile after ones measured, may provide an inexpensive alternative. This study compared hardwood competition in spruce plantations of varying ages and tested the usability of this information in estimating the need for early cleaning. The data included 197 spruce plantations (4â7 years old) inventoried in southern Finland in 2007. The level (Low, Substantial, High) of need for early cleaning was subjectively determined by contrasting location and size of competing hardwoods to a conifer crop tree. Then the stage of the need for early cleaning was modelled according to site and stand attributes. Nearly 60% of the conifer crop trees in the plantations were subjectively judged to require early cleaning (Substantial 37.2%, High 21.2%), but only 10 per cent of the evaluated area was cleaned. Need for cleaning was intense on peatlands or damp soils, whereas it was mild on unprepared soils or cleaned sites. Traditional site characteristics used in forest management planning can be useful for recognising the peripheral cases, where need for cleaning is probably high or low. However, on a typical mineral soil plantation (uncleaned, soil prepared) the model indicates the differences in the need for early cleaning weakly. The need for early cleaning was already high in 4-year-old plantations, why stand age did not have significant effect on development of the need. Thus, the timing of an operation can not be predicted with the model. Nonetheless, early cleaning very likely opens growth space of crop trees in a 4â7-year-old spruce plantation. Therefore, from an aspect of crop growth, an uncleaned Norway spruce plantation in this age group is quite consistently worth cleaning.
Influence of Friction in Supporting Rollers on the Apparent Flexural Performance of Third-Point Loaded Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beams
Authors: Bernard E. S.
Published: March 2014

Existing beam-based ASTM test methods for the assessment of post-crack performance of Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) and Fiber Reinforced Shotcrete (FRS) contain detailed specifications for many components of the test apparatus including the yoke assembly for measuring specimen deflection and the control system required for the test machine. However, there is limited attention paid to the design of the supporting rollers with the result that laboratories have been left to develop their own designs for this component of the test apparatus. Simple free-body force calculations for a cracked FRC beam indicate that friction in the supporting rollers can significantly influence the apparent post-crack performance of a beam. The present investigation has confirmed experimentally that the apparent post-crack performance of a third-point loaded FRC beam will be biased as a result of friction in the supporting rollers. Rollers that fail to roll during a test will lead to over-estimated post-crack performance. Due to the potentially serious consequences of unconservative FRC performance estimation a “standard” design for a supporting roller has been proposed for use in all ASTM beam tests. Use of this supporting roller design will lead to a reduction in performance variability between laboratories and improve the confidence users can have in the post-crack properties of FRC.
Investigating Applicability of Complex Modulus and Creep Compliance Interconversion in Asphalt Concrete
Authors: Ebrahimi Milad , Saleh Mofreh , Moyers Gonzalez Miguel
Published: March 2014

Creep compliance, relaxation, and complex modulus are fundamental rheological properties used to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of asphalt concrete mixtures. These response functions can be determined either through the frequency domain test known as the complex modulus test (E*) or from time domain tests such as those for the creep compliance D(t) and relaxation modulus E(t). Theoretically speaking, all these functions should be transferred through mathematical interconversion techniques. In order to check the applicability of these mathematical methods to actual test data, complex modulus and static creep tests were carried out in this research on specimens with various volumetric properties. Sign-controlled Prony series representation was fitted to the actual experimental data. The data were then interconverted from frequency domain to time domain via the application of interconversion techniques. It was found that the functions resulting from interconversion methods were not necessarily in agreement with the test results. Differences in the nature of the test domain and specimen-to-specimen differences resulted in discrepancies between the relaxation modulus determined from the complex modulus and that from the static creep test. Finally, the combined error technique was applied to available data in order to minimize the existing deviation.
Docosahexaenoic Acid Reduces ER Stress and Abnormal Protein Accumulation and Improves Neuronal Function Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Begum Gulnaz , Yan Hong Q. , Li Liaoliao , Singh Amneet , Dixon C. Edward , Sun Dandan
Published: March 2014

In this study, we investigated the development of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the efficacy of post-TBI administration of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in reducing ER stress. TBI was induced by cortical contusion injury in Sprague-Dawley rats. Either DHA (16 mg/kg in DMSO) or vehicle DMSO (1 ml/kg) was administered intraperitoneally at 5 min after TBI, followed by a daily dose for 3–21 d. TBI triggered sustained expression of the ER stress marker proteins including phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor-2α, activating transcription factor 4, inositol requiring kinase 1, and C/EBP homologous protein in the ipsilateral cortex at 3–21 d after TBI. The prolonged ER stress was accompanied with an accumulation of abnormal ubiquitin aggregates and increased expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and phosphorylated tau (p-Tau) in the frontal cortex after TBI. The ER stress marker proteins were colocalized with APP accumulation in the soma. Interestingly, administration of DHA attenuated all ER stress marker proteins and reduced the accumulation of both ubiquitinated proteins and APP/p-Tau proteins. In addition, the DHA-treated animals exhibited early recovery of their sensorimotor function after TBI. In summary, our study demonstrated that TBI induces a prolonged ER stress, which is positively correlated with abnormal APP accumulation. The sustained ER stress may play a role in chronic neuronal damage after TBI. Our findings illustrate that post-TBI administration of DHA has therapeutic potentials in reducing ER stress, abnormal protein accumulation, and neurological deficits.
Attention Improves Transfer of Motion Information between V1 and MT
Authors: Saproo Sameer , Serences John T.
Published: March 2014

Selective attention modulates activity within individual visual areas; however, the role of attention in mediating the transfer of information between areas is not well understood. Here, we used fMRI to assess attention-related changes in coupled BOLD activation in two key areas of human visual cortex that are involved in motion processing: V1 and MT. To examine attention-related changes in cross-area coupling, multivoxel patterns in each visual area were decomposed to estimate the trial-by-trial response amplitude in a set of direction-selective “channels.” In both V1 and MT, BOLD responses increase in direction-selective channels tuned to the attended direction of motion and decrease in channels tuned away from the attended direction. Furthermore, the modulation of cross-area correlations between similarly tuned populations is inversely related to the modulation of their mean responses, an observation that can be explained via a feedforward motion computation in MT and a modulation of local noise correlations in V1. More importantly, these modulations accompany an increase in the cross-area mutual information between direction-selective response patterns in V1 and MT, suggesting that attention improves the transfer of sensory information between cortical areas that cooperate to support perception. Finally, our model suggests that divisive normalization of neural activity in V1 before its integration by MT is critical to cross-area information coupling, both in terms of cross-area correlation as well as cross-area mutual information.
The Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Shp2 Is Required for the Generation of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells and Myelination in the Mouse Telencephalon
Authors: Ehrman Lisa A. , Nardini Diana , Ehrman Sarah , Rizvi Tilat A. , Gulick James , Krenz Maike , Dasgupta Biplab , Robbins Jeffrey , Ratner Nancy , Nakafuku Masato , Waclaw Ronald R.
Published: March 2014

The protein tyrosine phosphataseShp2(PTPN11) is crucial for normal brain development and has been implicated in dorsal telencephalic neuronal and astroglia cell fate decisions. However, its roles in the ventral telencephalon and during oligodendrogenesis in the telencephalon remain largely unknown.Shp2gain-of-function (GOF) mutations are observed in Noonan syndrome, a type of RASopathy associated with multiple phenotypes, including cardiovascular, craniofacial, and neurocognitive abnormalities. To gain insight into requirements forShp2(LOF) and the impact of abnormalShp2GOF mutations, we used aShp2conditional mutant allele (LOF) and a cre inducibleShp2-Q79R GOF transgenic mouse in combination withOlig2cre/+mice to target embryonic ventral telencephalic progenitors and the oligodendrocyte lineage. In the absence ofShp2(LOF), neuronal cell types originating from progenitors in the ventral telencephalon were generated, but oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) generation was severely impaired. Late embryonic and postnatalShp2cKOs showed defects in the generation of OPCs throughout the telencephalon and subsequent reductions in white matter myelination. Conversely, transgenic expression of theShp2GOF Noonan syndrome mutation resulted in elevated OPC numbers in the embryo and postnatal brain. Interestingly, expression of this mutation negatively influenced myelination as mice displayed abnormal myelination and fewer myelinated axons in the white matter despite elevated OPC numbers. Increased proliferating OPCs and elevated MAPK activity were also observed during oligodendrogenesis after expression ofShp2GOF mutation. These results support the notion that appropriate Shp2 activity levels control the number as well as the differentiation of oligodendrocytes during development.
Normal Distribution of VGLUT1 Synapses on Spinal Motoneuron Dendrites and Their Reorganization after Nerve Injury
Authors: Rotterman Travis M. , Nardelli Paul , Cope Timothy C. , Alvarez Francisco J.
Published: March 2014

Peripheral nerve injury induces permanent alterations in spinal cord circuitries that are not reversed by regeneration. Nerve injury provokes the loss of many proprioceptive IA afferent synapses (VGLUT1-IR boutons) from motoneurons, the reduction of IA EPSPs in motoneurons, and the disappearance of stretch reflexes. After motor and sensory axons successfully reinnervate muscle, lost IA VGLUT1 synapses are not re-established and the stretch reflex does not recover; however, electrically evoked EPSPs do recover. The reasons why remaining IA synapses can evoke EPSPs on motoneurons, but fail to transmit useful stretch signals are unknown. To better understand changes in the organization of VGLUT1 IA synapses that might influence their input strength, we analyzed their distribution over the entire dendritic arbor of motoneurons before and after nerve injury. Adult rats underwent complete tibial nerve transection followed by microsurgical reattachment and 1 year later motoneurons were intracellularly recorded and filled with neurobiotin to map the distribution of VGLUT1 synapses along their dendrites. We found in control motoneurons an average of 911 VGLUT1 synapses; ∼62% of them were lost after injury. In controls, VGLUT1 synapses were focused to proximal dendrites where they were grouped in tight clusters. After injury, most synaptic loses occurred in the proximal dendrites and remaining synapses were declustered, smaller, and uniformly distributed throughout the dendritic arbor. We conclude that this loss and reorganization renders IA afferent synapses incompetent for efficient motoneuron synaptic depolarization in response to natural stretch, while still capable of eliciting EPSPs when synchronously fired by electrical volleys.
Main challenges of Hungarian public education with special focus on inequality: An international comparison
Authors: György László
Published: March 2014

This article demonstrates the idiosyncrasies of the Hungarian public educational system (primary, secondary and adult education) through regional and global comparisons. The main sources for comparison are data from the OECD and Eurostat as well as empirical research in Hungary. The research focused on educational attainment and the structure of the educational system, inequalities within the Hungarian educational system, educational attainment and employment, teacher salaries and teacher selection policy issues. The article proved that Hungary’s public education system is the most unequal among the OECD countries, the structures of the secondary programs are biased, employment is relatively low, the rate of adult education is among the lowest, and the quality of teachers is below average because of counter-selection processes. Most of these problems can be traced to the lack of resources and the processes generated by demographic and social changes that have not been followed by adequate policy changes. The study deals with the educational disadvantages for Roma children as well. While this phenomenon affects Europe as a whole, it affects Hungary to a much greater extent.
Closely Approaching Advanced Age in a Supermax Prison
Authors: Lynd Staughton
Published: March 2014

When a Social Security recipient reaches the age of 50 years, he or she is classified as “closely approaching advanced age.” Todd Ashker is passing this tipping point at Pelican Bay State Prison in California, a supermaximum security facility. My wife and I have corresponded with Mr. Ashker for more than half a dozen years. Although I cannot verify the details of his account, we believe that his representation of facts is generally reliable. He is one of the spokespersons for prisoners who conducted two hunger strikes in 2011 protesting conditions of their confinement. Another, sixty-day hunger strike took place in 2013. Thus, what follows is a story of resilience as well as victimization.
A Biobehavioral Framework of Worry for Nursing Application
Authors: Lehto Rebecca H.
Published: March 2014

Worry, characterized by repetitive and involuntary aversive thoughts about perceived concerns, is a central mental health complaint known to negatively impact quality of life of individuals facing perceived threats to health or well-being. Although empirical focus on worry has escalated over the past three decades, there has been less attention to current research trends and knowledge development related to this important phenomenon in nursing. This article presents a biobehavioral conceptual framework of worry for nursing application that is derived from a concept synthesis of biological, behavioral, clinical, and cognitive psychology sources.

Databases including CINAHL, EBM Review, Health & Wellness Resource Center, PsycINFO, and PubMed were systematically reviewed for the years 2000–2012. The adapted conceptual framework describes relationships among perceived threat; process, structure, and content worry attributes; and outcomes of worry. The framework may be applied in clinical environments as a resource to better understand and care for patients facing perceived threats to health and well-being. The framework contributes a foundation to build empirical knowledge for nursing practice, theory, and research that has potential to improve patient well-being and health-related quality of life outcomes.
A review on analytical techniques for natural convection investigation in a heated closed enclosure: Case study
Authors: Minea Alina
Published: March 2014

The aim of this paper is to present a theoretical analysis of a few
convection problems. The investigations were started from the geometry of a
classic muffle manufactured furnace. During this analytical study, different
methodologies have been carefully chosen in order to compare and evaluate the
effects of applying different analytical methods of the convection heat
transfer processes. In conclusion, even if there are available a lot of
analytical methods, natural convection in enclosed enclosures can be studied
correctly only with numerical analysis. Also, in this article is presented a
case study on natural convection application in a closed heated enclosure.
On conformally flat Lorentz parabolic manifolds
Authors: Kamishima Yoshinobu
Published: March 2014

We introduce conformally flat Fefferman-Lorentz manifold of parabolic type as a special class of Lorentz parabolic manifolds. It is a smooth (2n+2)-manifold locally modeled on (Û(n+1, 1), S 2n+1,1). As the terminology suggests, when a Fefferman-Lorentz manifold M is conformally flat, M is a Fefferman-Lorentz manifold of parabolic type. We shall discuss which compact manifolds occur as a conformally flat Fefferman-Lorentz manifold of parabolic type.
Oscillation of certain third-order quasilinear neutral differential equations
Authors: Yang Linlin , Xu Zhiting
Published: March 2014

In this paper, new oscillation criteria for the third-order quasilinear neutral differential equation $$\left( {a\left( t \right)\left( {z''\left( t \right)} \right)^\gamma } \right)^\prime + q\left( t \right)x^\gamma \left( {\tau \left( t \right)} \right) = 0, t \geqslant t_0 ,$$ are established, where z(t) = x(t) + p(t)x(δ(t)), and γ is a ratio of odd positive integers. Those results extend the oscillation criteria due to Sun [SUN, Y. G.: New Kamenev-type oscillation criteria for second-order nonlinear differential equations with damping, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 291 (2004) 341–351] to the equation, and complement the existing results in literature. Two examples are provided to illustrate the relevance of our main theorems.
Increasing of the urban traffic surveillance by automatic information device
Authors: Mircea Moldovan , Nicolae Filip
Published: March 2014

Our work consists in the development and setting of an electronic information panel designed to monitor road traffic informational characteristics (velocity, vehicle length and flow density). This information is available using two displays installed above the monitored traffic line. Wishing a “just in time” warning for the driver, the display of the instantaneous speed was represented by the green light if it falls within the legal speed and red light if it is over the legal speed. Our aim was to develop an informing, monitoring and data storing equipment, able to record the time, the speed and the length of crossing vehicles. A test version, which consists of three main modules: the detection module, a programmable controller and an information panel, was designed and a complex hardware and software equipment was manufactured. The efficiency, reliability and stability in operation were the chosen criteria for the detection module. The programmable controller processes the data collected from detectors and displays it. In the future, the hardware platform will allow the connection to other devices (eg. GPRS modem), aiming to achieve the possibility to operate independently or integrated into a system of remote macro-monitoring (idea for further development).
Effectiveness of Audible and Tactile Heading Cues at Complex Intersections for Pedestrians who are Blind
Authors: Barlow Janet M. , Scott Alan C. , Bentzen Billie Louise , Guth David , Graham Jennifer
Published: March 2014

This research extends the results of laboratory research on wayfinding at intersections for pedestrians who are blind. Standard accessible pedestrian signals (standard APS), a prototype beaconing APS, and a raised guide strip were evaluated for their ability to assist in establishing and maintaining a heading for street crossings. Experiments were conducted at large, complex signalized intersections in Alpharetta, Georgia; Austin, Texas; and Towson, Maryland. Both the guide strip and the beaconing APS resulted in more accurate street crossing performance than standard APS with respect to alignment (i.e., initial heading) accuracy, rates of being within the crosswalk, distance from the center of the crosswalk at various points during crossing, and the likelihood of being well outside the crosswalk [6 ft (2 m) or more]. For the most part, performance with the guide strip or the beaconing APS was equivalent. Limitations and additional concerns with respect to these two treatments are discussed.
Sight Distance for Disabled Pedestrians at Crossings
Authors: Schoon John G.
Published: March 2014

When crossing at and near intersections and bends with restricted visibility, pedestrians, particularly disabled people, need to estimate safe gaps in vehicular traffic, as is typically required when they cross straight highway segments. Restricted-visibility crossings occur in urban areas and in rural places such as trail crossings where horizontal or vertical alignments or both reduce sight distances. Pedestrian crossing times currently in practice in the United Kingdom and United States are based on crossing speed and crossing distance. But pedestrians also require an initial observation–reaction time, consideration of the crossing unit's length (up to 2 m), and a safety margin, all totaling 30% or more in greater total crossing time. These elements are identified relative to sight distances, on the assumption of a pedestrian's perceptions of what determines his or her safety rather than vehicle stopping distance. The conceptual elements of a crossing pedestrian are then examined to draw selected methodological parallels in collision avoidance analysis. Specifically, human factors involved in drivers’ crossing of major roads and negotiating of railroad crossings provide common features of comparable human factors and physical trajectories. Similarities with and differences from a disabled person crossing a road are then highlighted and illustrated in time–space diagrams. The conclusions are that pedestrian observation–reaction time, the crossing unit's length, and the safety margin—all currently not considered—may benefit from further examination to determine actual crossing times for design purposes accurately and thereby to improve the mobility of disabled people and pedestrians in general. Current guidance is compared with the findings and leads to suggestions for further research and application to facilities design.
Statement of Ownership: An Autoethnography of Living with HIV
Authors: Spieldenner Andrew R.
Published: March 2014

Gay men are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS in the United States. There is a dearth of autoethnographies in communication literature about living with HIV/AIDS. In this project, the researcher presents an autoethnography about living with HIV/AIDS. The narrative has with three points: HIV diagnosis, disease progression to AIDS, and AIDS mortality. By analyzing these areas, this project presents stages of identity development and summarizes how these have changed over time. This project looks at how societal symbols around HIV/AIDS evolve due to changes in technology, science and policy. This study works against the distance presented in most social science studies of living with HIV/AIDS; instead it presents an intimate view of current HIV/AIDS discourse and public health.
Memorable Experiences between Fathers and Sons: Stories That Shape a Son's Identity and Perspective of His Father
Authors: Long Edgar C.J. , Fish Jessica N. , Scheffler Apryl , Hanert Brianna
Published: March 2014

Using a narrative and identity theory approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 38 men. They were asked to describe a critical incident in order to elicit the important factors that males describe when talking about their relationships with their fathers. The men were mostly blue collar or self-employed, with a mean age of 48 years. Six of the 38 men described poor relationships with their fathers, while 3 men described a relationship with a “super dad”. A constant comparative method was used to analyze the interview data. Results indicated seven emergent themes: personality mesh, relationship changing health experiences, reframing memories, son's changing expectations for fathers across cohorts, relationship outcomes, symbols of care, and identity. The discussion focuses on the development of unanswered questions that arose from the study that require further empirical exploration.
Reading Proust in Barthes's Journal de deuil
Authors: Watt Adam
Published: March 2014

This article contributes to ongoing critical reflection on the place of Marcel Proust's writings in the œuvre of Roland Barthes, through a reading of Barthes's Journal de deuil. I explore the explicit references made to Proust as well as the more indirect or involuntary traces of À la recherche that surface in the notes that make up the Journal. These are read comparatively with references made to Proust, mourning, memory and writing that figure in Barthes's contemporary works, notably the lecture ‘“Longtemps, je me suis couché de bonne heure”’, Fragments d'un discours amoureux and La Chambre claire. I argue that Proust's place in the Journal de deuil, Barthes's most intimate of texts, is almost inevitable since, by Barthes's own avowal, Proust's writings were – like Barthes's mother up until that point – a constant in his life, a point of departure and return.
Optimization Models for Reaction Networks: Information Divergence, Quadratic Programming and Kirchhoff’s Laws
Authors: Stern Julio , Nakano Fabio
Published: March 2014

This article presents a simple derivation of optimization models for reaction networks leading to a generalized form of the mass-action law, and compares the formal structure of Minimum Information Divergence, Quadratic Programming and Kirchhoff type network models. These optimization models are used in related articles to develop and illustrate the operation of ontology alignment algorithms and to discuss closely connected issues concerning the epistemological and statistical significance of sharp or precise hypotheses in empirical science.
Mechanisms of Base Substitution Mutagenesis in Cancer Genomes
Authors: Bacolla Albino , Cooper David , Vasquez Karen
Published: March 2014

Cancer genome sequence data provide an invaluable resource for inferring the key mechanisms by which mutations arise in cancer cells, favoring their survival, proliferation and invasiveness. Here we examine recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for the predominant type of genetic alteration found in cancer cells, somatic single base substitutions (SBSs). Cytosine methylation, demethylation and deamination, charge transfer reactions in DNA, DNA replication timing, chromatin status and altered DNA proofreading activities are all now known to contribute to the mechanisms leading to base substitution mutagenesis. We review current hypotheses as to the major processes that give rise to SBSs and evaluate their relative relevance in the light of knowledge acquired from cancer genome sequencing projects and the study of base modifications, DNA repair and lesion bypass. Although gene expression data on APOBEC3B enzymes provide support for a role in cancer mutagenesis through U:G mismatch intermediates, the enzyme preference for single-stranded DNA may limit its activity genome-wide. For SBSs at both CG:CG and YC:GR sites, we outline evidence for a prominent role of damage by charge transfer reactions that follow interactions of the DNA with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other endogenous or exogenous electron-abstracting molecules.
“Imagining What We Know”: The Humanities in a Utilitarian Age
Authors: Keen Paul
Published: March 2014

This paper explores the ways that critics writing in the early nineteenth century developed arguments in favor of what we think of today as the humanities in the face of utilitarian pressures that dismissed the arts as self-indulgent pursuits incapable of addressing real-world problems. Its focus reflects the extent to which the financial crisis in our own day has manifested itself in a jarring shift in research priorities towards applied knowledge: a retrenchment which has foregrounded all over again the question of how to make the case for the value of the humanities. These problems, however, also constitute an important opportunity: a chance to re-imagine our answers to questions about the nature and role of the humanities, their potential benefits to contemporary life, and how we might channel these benefits back into the larger society. The good news is that in many ways, this self-reflexive challenge is precisely what the humanities have always done best: highlight the nature and the force of the narratives that have helped to define how we understand our society—its various pasts and its possible futures—and to suggest the larger contexts within which these issues must ultimately be situated. History repeats itself, but never in quite the same way: knowing more about past debates will provide a crucial basis for moving forward as we position themselves to respond to new social, economic, technological, and cultural challenges during an age of radical change.
Use of Natural Compounds in the Management of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Galuppo Maria , Giacoppo Sabrina , Bramanti Placido , Mazzon Emanuela
Published: March 2014

Nephropathy, retinopathy cardiomyopathy and peripheral neuropathy are all recognized as important complications in about 50% of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, mostly related to a poor glycemic control or to an improper management of this pathology. In any case, amongst others, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) seems the leading and most painful complication usually affecting many DM patients. For this reason, this work was conceived to review the large variety of strategies adopted for management of DPN, starting from the most conventional therapies to arrive at alternative approaches. From this perspective, both the most popular pharmacological treatments used to respond to the poorly effect of common analgesics—non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and opioids—understood as gabapentin vs. pregabalin clinical use, and the guidelines provided by Oriental Medicine as well as by a long list of natural compounds that many authors identify as possible therapeutic or alternative agents to replace or to combine with the existing therapies will be included. Moreover, in the effort to provide the widest panel of remedies, the most antique techniques of acupuncture and electrostimulation will be considered as alternative, which are useful approaches to take into account in any non-pharmacological strategy for DPN management.
Evaluation of Multiple Spring Phenological Indicators of Yearly GPP and NEP at Three Canadian Forest Sites
Authors: Wang Qian , Zhang Lifu , Wu Taixia , Cen Yi , Huang Changping , Tong Qingxi
Published: March 2014

Phenological shifts in events such as flowering and bud break are important indicators of ecosystem processes, and are therefore of particular significance for carbon (C) cycle research. Using long-term flux data from three contrasting plant functional type (evergreen and deciduous) boreal forest sites, we evaluated and compared the responses of annual C fluxes to multiple spring phenological indicators, including the C-uptake period onset (CUP onset), spring temperature (average value from March to May), and satellite-derived enhanced vegetation index (EVI) (average value from March to May). We found that the CUP onset was negatively correlated with annual gross primary production (GPP) for all three sites, but that its predictive strength for annual net ecosystem production (NEP) differed substantially among plant functional types. Spring temperature demonstrated particularly good potential for predicting both annual GPP and NEP for the evergreen sites, but not for the deciduous site. Spring EVI was demonstrated to have potential for predicting annual NEP for all sites. However, both plant functional types confounded the correlation of annual NEP with annual GPP. Although none of these phenological indicators provided consistent insight into annual C fluxes, using various currently available datasets our results remain potentially useful for the assessment of forest C cycling with future climate change. Previous analyses using only a single phenological metric should be considered with caution.
Electrophoresis-Enhanced Detection of Deoxyribonucleic Acids on a Membrane-Based Lateral Flow Strip Using Avian Influenza H5 Genetic Sequence as the Model
Authors: Wu Jui-Chuang , Chen Chih-Hung , Fu Ja-Wei , Yang Huan-Ching
Published: March 2014

This study reports a simple strategy to detect a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) on a membrane-based lateral flow (MBLF) strip without tedious gel preparation, gel electrophoresis, and EtBr-staining processes. The method also enhances the detection signal of the genetic sample. A direct electric field was applied over two ends of the MBLF strips to induce an electrophoresis of DNAs through the strips. The signal enhancement was demonstrated by the detection of the H5 subtype of avian influenza virus (H5 AIV). This approach showed an excellent selectivity of H5 AIV from other two control species, Arabidopsis thaliana and human PSMA5. It also showed an effective signal repeatability and sensitivity over a series of analyte concentrations. Its detection limit could be enhanced, from 40 ng to 0.1 ng by applying 12 V. The nano-gold particles for the color development were labeled on the capture antibody, and UV-VIS and TEM were used to check if the labeling was successful. This detection strategy could be further developed to apply on the detection of drug-allergic genes at clinics or detection of infectious substances at incident sites by a simple manipulation with an aid of a mini-PCR machine and auxiliary kits.
Clinical Characteristics of Colorectal Cancer Patients With a Second Primary Cancer
Authors: Lee Jin Woo , Kim Jong Woo , Kim Nam Keun
Published: March 2014

Purpose The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing due to a westernized dietary lifestyle, and improvements in treatment and diagnostic tools have resulted in more patients being confirmed of having multiple primary cancers. However, studies regarding multiple primary cancers are insufficient. In this study, the clinical aspects of patients with primary multiple cancers, including colorectal cancers, were investigated, and the results were compared to those of patients with primary colorectal cancer only.Methods Seven hundred eighteen patients who received surgery for colorectal cancer between March 2003 and September 2012 in CHA Medical Center were enrolled. A retrograde cohort was done for comparison of the two groups: those with and those without multiple primary cancer. The analysis was done according to sex, age, tumor location, tumor size, metastatic regional lymph-node number, vascular/lymphatic microinvasion, staging, tumor markers, microsatellite instability, and C/T subgroup of polymorphism in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.Results Of the 718 subjects, 33 (4.6%) had multiple primary cancers: 12 (36.4%) synchronous and 21 (63.6%) metachronous. The malignancy most frequently accompanying colorectal cancer was gastric cancer, followed by thyroid, prostate, and esophageal malignancies in that order. In the comparison between groups, mean age, tumor location, and microsatellite instability showed statistically significant differences; others parameters did not.Conclusion The incidence of multiple primary cancers, including colorectal cancer, is increasing. Therefore, defining the characteristics of patients with multiple primary cancers is crucial, and those characteristics need to be acknowledged in the follow-up of colorectal cancer patients.
Entering the Web-2 Edmodo World to Support Learning: Tracing Teachers' Opinion After Using it in their Classes
Authors: Batsila Marianthi , Tsihouridis Charilaos , Vavougios Dennis
Published: March 2014

The main purpose of the present paper is to detect teachers’ opinion on the Web 2-Edmodo tool in their classrooms. A number of 41 teachers of various disciplines participated in the research answering a relevant questionnaire. The results revealed that Edmodo is used quite frequently, and though teachers are concerned with its excessive use by their students, they think it is very motivating for learners, they believe it supports their work, they like most of its features and would definitely recommend it to other colleagues.
CRITICAL-SIZED OSTEOCHONDRAL DEFECTS OF YOUNG MINIATURE PIGS AS A PRECLINICAL MODEL FOR ARTICULAR CARTILAGE REPAIR
Authors: Chang Chih-Hung , Hsu Yuan-Ming , Hsiao Chun-Ni , Kuo Tzong-Fu , Chang Ming-Huang
Published: March 2014

Purpose: Evaluation by animal models is essential for tissue engineering-based articular cartilage repair techniques. Larger animals are considered to more closely approximate the clinical situations in translational medicine. Therefore, we used miniature pigs and induced full-thickness and osteochondral defects in them. We also studied if there were instances of spontaneous repair for providing baseline data for further cartilage regeneration study. Methods: A total of 12 miniature pigs with average age of 7.4 months were used in this study. Full-thickness and osteochondral defects with 2.7, 4.5 or 8.0 mm diameter were created at medial femoral condyles in the same pig, respectively. The pigs were sacrificed at 8, 16, 24 and 48 weeks. Gross appearances of defects were observed at aforementioned time points, and the histological analyses, including H&E and alcian blue staining, were performed for consequent evaluation as well. Results: The results showed that defects created in the center of the femoral condoyle migrated to periphery, and it implied that the pigs were still growing after 7–8 months of age. However, spontaneous repair was observed in 2.7 mm diameter defects but rarely seen in 4.5 and 8 mm diameter osteochondral defects. On the other hand, osteochondral defects repaired better than defects of full-thickness in the same 2.7 mm diameter. Conclusions: In order to prevent spontaneous repair of osteochondral defect in a young miniature pig animal model, a critical-sized osteochondral defect larger than 40% width of femoral medial condyle (4.5 mm in miniature pig) and observation period for more than 48 weeks are suggested by this study.
DIVERSITY-BASED CLASSIFIER SELECTION FOR BREAST CANCER CYTOLOGICAL IMAGE ANALYSIS
Authors: Krawczyk Bartosz , Filipczuk Paweł , Woźniak Michał , Obuchowicz Andrzej
Published: March 2014

The article presents an application of combined classifier in the medical decision support system for breast cancer diagnosis. Apart from the canonical malignant vs. non-malignant problem we introduced a third class — fibroadenoma, which is a benign tumor of the breast often occurring in women. Medical images are delivered by the Regional Hospital in Zielona Góra, Poland. For the process of segmentation and feature extraction, adaptive thresholding and competitive neural networks are used. To increase the overall accuracy of the pattern recognition step we selected the classifiers using diversity measures to achieve a heterogeneous ensemble. A two-step selection, combining the advantages of pairwise and non-pairwise diversity measures is proposed. Experimental investigation proves that the introduced method is more accurate than previously used classification approaches.