bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A laryngoscopy-based classification system for perioperative abnormal vocal cord movement in thyroid surgery
Authors: Xin Jingwei , Liu Xiaoli , Sun Hui , Li Jingting , Zhang Daqi , Fu Yantao
Published: June 2014

Objective

A retrospective cohort study to develop a classification scheme for abnormal vocal cord movement (AVCM) before and after thyroid surgery.

Methods

Clinical and laryngoscopic data from patients who underwent partial or total thyroidectomy were analysed. AVCM was classified as mild (type I), moderate (type II) or severe (type III), according to laryngoscopic findings.

Results

The study included 1619 patients, of whom 39 had preoperative AVCM and 65 had postoperative AVCM. Recovery rates for preoperative, postoperative and total type I AVCM were higher than the corresponding type III AVCM. Recovery rates for total type II AVCM were higher than those for type III AVCM at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Asymptomatic patients had better recovery rates than symptomatic patients.

Conclusion

We have developed a useful classification system for patients with AVCM after thyroidectomy. Pre- and postoperative laryngoscopy can identify asymptomatic AVCM and is essential to evaluate the extent of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in these patients.
Cyclic nocturnal awakening: A warning sign of a cluster bout
Authors: Martins Isabel Pavão
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Cluster headache is an excruciating unilateral headache with autonomic symptoms whose periodic nocturnal activity, which interrupts sleep, has been attributed to a hypothalamic generator.

Case report

We describe a patient with a longstanding episodic cluster headache who experienced, on two occasions, a period of nocturnal awakenings without pain or autonomic symptoms, lasting one week before the onset of a cluster bout. Awakenings occurred twice/night at the same hours of impending cluster attacks and had no apparent trigger, being unusual for this patient who had no previous sleep disturbances. Neurological examination and brain imaging were normal.

Discussion

This case documents two new aspects of cluster headache. It suggests that repeated nocturnal awakenings can be a warning sign of an impending cluster period, a finding that may have therapeutic implications, and also that hypothalamic activation may begin several days before trigemino-autonomic symptoms, thus behaving as a true bout generator.
The Role of Supportive Adults in Promoting Positive Development in Middle Childhood
Authors: Oberle Eva , Schonert-Reichl Kimberly A. , Guhn Martin , Zumbo Bruno D. , Hertzman Clyde
Published: June 2014

The goal of this research was to examine the role of supportive adults to emotional well-being in a population of Grade 4 students attending public schools in Vancouver, Canada. Reflecting the ecology of middle childhood, we examined the extent to which perceived family, school, and neighborhood support relate to young people’s self-reported emotional well-being ( N = 3,026; 48% female; Mage = 9.75). Furthermore, we investigated the hierarchy of importance among those support factors in predicting students’ well-being. As expected, adult support in all three ecological contexts was positively related to emotional well-being. School support emerged as the most important adult support factor, followed by home and neighborhood support. All three support factors emerged as stronger predictors than socioeconomic status (SES) in our study. We discuss our findings in relation to the empirical field of relationship research in middle childhood, and how our findings can inform educational practice.
Evaluation of Clinical Course and Neurocognition in Children With Self-Limited Infantile Epilepsy in a Turkish Cohort Study
Authors: Bozaykut Abdulkadir , Aksoy Halil Ural , Sezer Rabia Gönül , Polat Muzaffer
Published: June 2014

The outcome of children with self-limited infantile epilepsy was reported to be normal psychosocial and cognitive development as a characteristic criterion. We aimed to investigate the clinical course and neurocognitive outcome in children with self-limited infantile epilepsy in a Turkish cohort. The clinical course, electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics, neuroimaging, treatment, and outcome of children with self-limited infantile epilepsy were retrospectively analyzed. All infants were reevaluated with the Denver Developmental Screening Test in addition to neurologic examination. Of 44 patients, self-limited familial infantile epilepsy was diagnosed in 8 infants (18.2%) and self-limited nonfamilial infantile epilepsy in 28 (63.6%). Interictal EEGs and neurologic examinations were normal in all cases. Fine motor and gross motor skills, language, adaptive personal/social skills were near-normal in all patients with self-limited familial infantile epilepsy. Delay in language parameters was observed in 2 infants with self-limited nonfamilial infantile epilepsy. Language skills should be thoroughly evaluated with detailed neurocognitive screening tests in patients with self-limited infantile epilepsy.
Application of Advanced Neuroimaging Modalities in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Ashwal Stephen , Tong Karen A. , Ghosh Nirmalya , Bartnik-Olson Brenda , Holshouser Barbara A.
Published: June 2014

Neuroimaging is commonly used for the assessment of children with traumatic brain injury and has greatly advanced how children are acutely evaluated. More recently, emphasis has focused on how advanced magnetic resonance imaging methods can detect subtler injuries that could relate to the structural underpinnings of the neuropsychological and behavioral alterations that frequently occur. We examine several methods used for the assessment of pediatric brain injury. Susceptibility-weighted imaging is a sensitive 3-dimensional high-resolution technique in detecting hemorrhagic lesions associated with diffuse axonal injury. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy acquires metabolite information, which serves as a proxy for neuronal (and glial, lipid, etc) structural integrity and provides sensitive assessment of neurochemical alterations. Diffusion-weighted imaging is useful for the early detection of ischemic and shearing injury. Diffusion tensor imaging allows better structural evaluation of white matter tracts. These methods are more sensitive than conventional imaging in demonstrating subtle injury that underlies a child’s clinical symptoms. There also is an increasing desire to develop computational methods to fuse imaging data to provide a more integrated analysis of the extent to which components of the neurovascular unit are affected. The future of traumatic brain injury neuroimaging research is promising and will lead to novel approaches to predict and improve outcomes.
Intimate Partner Violence Before and During Pregnancy
Authors: Jackson Corrie L. , Ciciolla Lucia , Crnic Keith A. , Luecken Linda J. , Gonzales Nancy A. , Coonrod Dean V.
Published: June 2014

Although research examining intimate partner violence (IPV) has expanded in recent years, there has been relatively little examination of the related demographic and psychosocial factors, as well as mental health outcomes, for IPV before and during pregnancy, especially in a Mexican American population. The current study provides a snapshot of the occurrence of IPV in a community sample of low-income, perinatal Mexican American women ( n = 320). Results indicated that 13.1% of the women reported IPV before pregnancy and 11.3% reported IPV during pregnancy. For both IPV before and during pregnancy, women born in the United States were more likely to report IPV than foreign-born women. For IPV before pregnancy, women who were not in a serious romantic relationship or reported a history of childhood trauma were also more likely to report IPV. For IPV during pregnancy, women who reported higher general stress and lower social support were also more likely to report IPV. Finally, the current study provided strong evidence that a history of IPV predicted elevated postpartum depressive symptoms, above and beyond the impact of prenatal depressive symptoms. This study brings greater awareness to a complex and harmful situation in an understudied population. Results are discussed in terms of the relation between demographic and psychosocial risk for IPV before and during pregnancy, acculturation, and postpartum depressive symptoms, as well as the implications for the development of future prevention and intervention programs.
Sex Offender Modus Operandi Stability and Relationship With Actuarial Risk Assessment
Authors: Lasher Michael P. , McGrath Robert J. , Cumming Georgia F.
Published: June 2014

Three studies conducted in Vermont yielded data on 82 sexual recidivists’ index offenses (Time 1) and sexual reoffenses (Time 2) across 16 modus operandi (MO) characteristics. The current study examines the stability of these 16 characteristics between Time 1 and Time 2 offenses. Probabilities of Time 1–Time 2 characteristic combinations are reported, including when controlling for static risk as measured by the Static-99R and Vermont Assessment of Sex Offender Risk–2 (VASOR-2). Overall, considerable stability of offenders’ MO was evident between Time 1 and Time 2 offenses. Victim characteristics and offense behaviors were the most stable MO characteristics, and degree of force used and victim injury were less stable and trended toward less forceful and less injurious reoffenses. Controlling for static risk had little impact on the patterns of MO stability.
Devolution and the civil service: A biographical study
Authors: Greer Scott L , Jarman Holly , Azorsky Andrew
Published: June 2014

Since devolution, the United Kingdom has evolved not only in terms of political representation but also in terms of the relationships between civil servants in each of its regions and nations. In this paper, we present an analysis of the distinct professional and educational backgrounds of elite civil servants in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Using a new database of professional biographies of top officials across all four jurisdictions, we assess the extent to which devolved civil servants in these UK regions and nations are organizationally and professionally distinct from one another and from those in the UK-wide departments. We conclude that despite organizational change, the recruitment, demographics, and career structures of top officials in the four jurisdictions are actually quite similar. Comparing our findings to earlier studies by others, it seems that this is because the Cameron government appears to have overseen a resurgence of traditional civil servants.
The Working Memory Stroop Effect: When Internal Representations Clash With External Stimuli
Authors: Kiyonaga Anastasia , Egner Tobias
Published: June 2014

Working memory (WM) has recently been described as internally directed attention, which implies that WM content should affect behavior exactly like an externally perceived and attended stimulus. We tested whether holding a color word in WM, rather than attending to it in the external environment, can produce interference in a color-discrimination task, which would mimic the classic Stroop effect. Over three experiments, the WM Stroop effect recapitulated core properties of the classic attentional Stroop effect, displaying equivalent congruency effects, additive contributions from stimulus- and response-level congruency, and susceptibility to modulation by the percentage of congruent and incongruent trials. Moreover, WM maintenance was inversely related to attentional demands during the WM delay between stimulus presentation and recall, with poorer memory performance following incongruent than congruent trials. Together, these results suggest that WM and attention rely on the same resources and operate over the same representations.
Thought-time, money-time, and the temporal conditions of academic freedom
Authors: Noonan Jeff
Published: June 2014

The paper argues that free academic work depends upon a unique structure of time which universities have historically preserved. This unique structure of time (“thought-time”) is essential to both the research and teaching vocations of academic work. Both are threatened by the growing trend away from public funding toward private funding of universities. Changes in funding models are leading to the imposition on academic work of the time-structure typical of capitalist industry (“money-time”). Money-time is fatal to free work activity, and especially free academic work activity. The social life-value of academic work is threatened in consequence of loss of thought-time.
A Statin a Day to Keep the Doctor Away? Comparing Aspirin and Statins for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Dietrich Eric , Davis Kyle
Published: June 2014

For the primary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease, aspirin reduces the risk for major vascular events by approximately 15% to 20% with an absolute reduction of approximately 0.1%. Major bleeding occurs at an excess of approximately 2 cases per 1000 patient-years with aspirin therapy. For primary prevention, statin therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of CV events by approximately 30% to 40% with an absolute reduction of 1% to 2%. Rhabdomyolysis is rare, with an incidence of 3.4 cases per 100 000 patient-years. Compared with aspirin, statins have a more favorable risk-to-benefit profile for primary prevention.
Prospective Evaluation of Protocol for Surgical Treatment of Lesser MTP Joint Plantar Plate Tears
Authors: Nery Caio , Coughlin Michael J. , Baumfeld Daniel , Raduan Fernando C. , Mann Tania Szejnfeld , Catena Fernanda
Published: June 2014

Background:

Instability of the lesser metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints is a common cause of deformity and pain. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the surgical outcomes for the different grades of plantar plate tears and propose a treatment protocol.

Methods:

Sixty-eight patients (100 MTP joints) were prospectively enrolled and graded according to the anatomical grade system for plantar plate tears. Based on this classification, the appropriate surgical procedure was chosen as follows: grades 0 and I, thermal shrinkage with radiofrequency; grades II and III, direct reinsertion of the plantar plate; and grade IV, flexor-to-extensor tendon transfer. All surgical procedures were associated with a Weil metatarsal osteotomy. Evaluations were performed before and after surgical treatment with a mean follow-up of 2 years (12-36 months), using clinical and radiological parameters: American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Lesser MTP-IF Scale, visual analog scale (VAS), ground touch, joint stability, and toe purchase.

Results:

The analysis of the clinical parameters demonstrated a significant improvement of all groups ( P < .0001) after surgical treatment, but grade IV had less VAS improvement and a fair AOFAS average score (72 points). All groups improved regarding physical examination parameters, but grade I, III, and IV tears had proportionally less stable MTP joints following surgery, as well as a lower proportion of normal postoperative toe purchase and ground touch. All groups showed a significant improvement regarding radiographic parameters.

Conclusion:

All groups of operatively treated patients had significant improvement with regard to subjective and objective parameters. Grades I, III, and IV presented inferior results compared with grades 0 and II.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series
Role of MRI in Detection of Morton’s Neuroma
Authors: Claassen Leif , Bock Kilian , Ettinger Max , Waizy Hazibullah , Stukenborg-Colsman Christina , Plaass Christian
Published: June 2014

Background:

Distinguishing between patients with a true Morton’s neuroma and other forefoot pathology can be difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when compared to clinical examination for Morton’s neuroma.

Methods:

We retrospectively identified 71 patients who underwent operative treatment due to the diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma between 2007 and 2013. All patients had a MRI preoperative. Our study group comprised 58 female and 13 male patients with a mean age of 57 (range, 38-92) years. We compared the results of preoperative MRI and the patient’s clinical assessment with postoperative histopathological results.

Results:

Typical clinical signs were found in 65 cases. Most common symptoms were plantar pain (92%) and increased pain on walking (89%). A Morton’s neuroma was detected on MRI in 59 of 71 cases. Its sensitivity was 0.84 and its specificity was 0.33. The positive and negative predictive values were 0.97 and 0.08, respectively. For the presence of main clinical symptoms we found a sensitivity of 0.94 and a specificity of 0.33. The positive predictive value was 0.97 and the negative predictive value was 0.20.

Conclusion:

MRI under routine conditions had a good detection rate for the evaluation of Morton’s neuroma. However, its accuracy was not as high as the accuracy of clinical assessment.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective series.
“This Is About Me”
Authors: Ermentrout Dania M. , Rizo Cynthia F. , Macy Rebecca J.
Published: June 2014

Two community-based agencies collaborated to create a program for justice-involved female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors and their children. Our research team conducted a feasibility study of the children’s program using an exploratory, multimethod qualitative design with child participants ( n = 8), adult participants ( n = 18), and providers ( n = 7). Analyses determined four key findings: (a) importance of attendance; (b) the need for a flexible, child-driven curriculum; (c) improvement through expression and peer bonding; and (d) the value of specific program content. The findings point to indispensable program elements and enhancement recommendations. Implications for other communities and providers serving IPV-exposed children are described.
Potentially synbiotic fermented beverage with aqueous extracts of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) and soy
Authors: Bianchi F , Rossi EA , Gomes RG , Sivieri K
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to develop a potentially synbiotic beverage fermented with Lactobacillus casei LC-1 based on aqueous extracts of soy and quinoa with added fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Five formulations with differing proportions of soy and quinoa extracts were tested. The viability of the microorganism, the pH, and the acidity of all formulations were monitored until the 28th day of storage at 5 ℃. The chemical composition of the extracts and beverages and the rheological and sensory properties of the final products were analyzed. Although an increase in acidity and a decrease in pH were observed during the 28 days of storage, the viability of the probiotic microorganism was maintained at 108 CFU·mL−1 in all formulated beverages throughout the storage period. An increase in viscosity and consistency in the formulations with higher concentrations of quinoa (F1 and F2) was observed. Formulation F4 (70% soy and 30% quinoa extracts) showed the least hysteresis. Formulations F4 and F5 (100% soy extract) had the best sensory acceptance while F4 resulted in the highest intention to purchase from a group of 80 volunteers. For chemical composition, F3 (50% soy and 50% quinoa extracts) and F4 showed the best results compared to similar fermented beverages. The formulation F4 was considered the best beverage overall.
Play Assessments and Developmental Skills in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Pierucci Jillian M. , Barber Angela B. , Gilpin Ansley T. , Crisler Megan E. , Klinger Laura G.
Published: June 2014

Appropriate play behaviors facilitate language skills, increase cognitive skills, and provide opportunity for social interaction. However, play skills often present differently in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Currently, there are several global standardized ASD measures used during diagnostic evaluations that include, but are not limited to, assessment of play. However, it is unclear whether these measures examine similar aspects of play. This uncertainty is important to explore to better understand the whole profile of children’s play competencies to implement developmentally appropriate interventions and create fitting goals. The current study explored the relations of children’s play measured by clinicians’ observations ( Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule [ADOS], Childhood Autism Rating Scale–Second Edition [CARS2-ST]) and parents’ reports ( Adaptive Behavior Assessment System–Second Edition [ABAS-II], Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile–Infant/Toddler Checklist [CSBS DP-ITC]). Participants ( n = 34) were toddlers and preschool-aged children with ASD. A play composite was created for each aforementioned measure, which included extracted items that specifically examined play skills. Initial results suggested minimal similarities in play composites across measures. Play composites were also compared with children’s developmental skills ( Mullen Scales of Early Learning [MSEL]) to explore the reciprocal relationship between play/developmental skills. Results revealed that expressive and receptive language skills, fine motor skills, and visual reception skills (from MSEL) were significantly correlated with specific play composites. This study’s innovative identification of play composites from standardized ASD diagnostic measures highlights the importance of (a) using multiple methodologies to gain a whole profile of children’s play/developmental skills, and (b) selecting interventions matched on children’s current play/developmental skills.
Politics of colonial violence: Gendered atrocities in French occupied Vietnam
Authors: Rydstrom Helle
Published: June 2014

By drawing on testimonies gathered in rural Vietnam, this article focuses on the violence to which local inhabitants were subjected when Vietnam was under French rule (1883–1954). On a self-imposed ‘civilizing mission’, the control of local bodies was critical for the colonial powers and they became the subject of brutal abuse. Violence was exercised with impunity in the occupied areas and rendered ‘logic’ in accordance with western imaginations about racial superiority. While such ideas informed colonial terror in general, the differentiated registers of terror implemented in regard to women and men disclose how sovereign attempts of reducing local inhabitants to bare life were designed, in addition to race, along the lines of gender and sexuality. Vietnamese testimonies from the French colonial period reveal experiences of a reality of horror which in the article is considered through the prism of four different body typologies; typologies which elucidate the symbolic, physical, and imaginary metamorphoses through which women and men in differentiated ways were being increasingly dehumanized in the encounter with the colonial power.
Effect of surface roughness on friction behaviour of steel under boundary lubrication
Authors: Yamaguchi Kazuma , Sasaki Chiaki , Tsuboi Ryo , Atherton Mark , Stolarski Tadeusz , Sasaki Shinya
Published: June 2014

The friction behaviour of grinded and polished surfaces was evaluated by using a reciprocal sliding tester under lubrication with PAO, PAO + ZnDTP and PAO + ZnDTP + MoDTC. Friction coefficients on the smooth surfaces showed higher values compared to those on the rough surfaces. For lubrication incorporating PAO and PAO + ZnDTP + MoDTC, friction coefficients on both the smoothest and the roughest surfaces decreased with sliding time. On the other hand, friction coefficients between these extremes decreased with sliding time. In this paper, the effects of surface roughness on friction behaviour are discussed.
Prediction of frictional heating and temperature distribution in selective ceramic-reinforced polymer composite
Authors: Gurunathan C , Gnanamoorthy R , Jayavel S
Published: June 2014

Machine elements such as bushes, gears, and rollers made of polymer and polymer matrix composites often fail by wear and/or contact fatigue. The wear resistance of the polymeric materials can be improved by embedding hard ceramic particles at the contact surface. During service, the temperature of contacting machine elements increases due to friction and hysteresis, which affects the mechanical properties of the materials. In this article, an attempt is made to predict the temperature rise due to friction under sliding condition using simplified numerical methods to enable suitable surface reinforcement strategies. The effect of area coverage and presence of particles at the surface and sub-surface regions in the silicon carbide-reinforced polyamide composite on the temperature distribution are reported. The results reveal that the presence of silicon carbide particles at the contact region decreases the surface temperature increase during sliding process. The reduction in surface temperature increases with the increase in percentage area coverage and presence of particles at the surface and sub-surface regions. By virtue of their superior thermal conductivity, ceramic particles decrease the thermal resistance locally and significantly decrease the heat buildup due to sliding.
Randomized controlled feasibility trial of two telemedicine medication reminder systems for older adults with heart failure
Authors: Goldstein Carly M , Gathright Emily C , Dolansky Mary A , Gunstad John , Sterns Anthony , Redle Joseph D , Josephson Richard , Hughes Joel W
Published: June 2014

We conducted a feasibility study of a telehealth intervention (an electronic pill box) and an m-health intervention (an app on a smartphone) for improving medication adherence in older adults with heart failure. A secondary aim was to compare patient acceptance of the devices. The participants were 60 adults with HF (65% male). Their average age was 69 years and 83% were Caucasian. Patients were randomized using a 2 × 2 design to one of four groups: pillbox silent, pillbox reminding, smartphone silent, smartphone reminding. We examined adherence to 4 medications over 28 days. The overall adherence rate was 78% (SD 35). People with the telehealth device adhered 80% of the time and people with the smartphone adhered 76% of the time. Those who received reminders adhered 79% of the time, and those with passive medication reminder devices adhered 78% of the time, i.e. reminding did not improve adherence. Patients preferred the m-health approach. Future interventions may need to address other contributors to poor adherence such as motivation.
Recommended for you: The Netflix Prize and the production of algorithmic culture
Authors: Hallinan Blake , Striphas Ted
Published: June 2014

How does algorithmic information processing affect the meaning of the word culture, and, by extension, cultural practice? We address this question by focusing on the Netflix Prize (2006–2009), a contest offering US$1m to the first individual or team to boost the accuracy of the company’s existing movie recommendation system by 10%. Although billed as a technical challenge intended for engineers, we argue that the Netflix Prize was equally an effort to reinterpret the meaning of culture in ways that overlapped with, but also diverged in important respects from, the three dominant senses of the term assayed by Raymond Williams. Thus, this essay explores the conceptual and semantic work required to render algorithmic information processing systems legible as forms of cultural decision making. It also then represents an effort to add depth and dimension to the concept of “algorithmic culture.”
Dynamic analysis of the rotor supported by journal bearing with micro-spherical surface texturing
Authors: Jiang Yuanyuan , Gao Yuan , An Qi
Published: June 2014

In this paper, based on the existing manufacturing methods, the journal bearing with spherical surface texturing has been taken as the study object to establish a calculating model. With Matlab programming, effects of micro-spherical surface texturing on the performance of journal bearing have been investigated; the dynamic coefficients were obtained by solving the Reynolds equation and four Reynolds equations of perturbation pressure with the finite difference method; the influences of spherical texturing on the dynamic coefficients of journal bearing have been studied. Taking Jeffcott rotor supported by journal bearing as the research object, the influences of surface texturing on the rotor critical speed and the unbalance response have been discussed deeply. A series of performance curves were obtained and explained. The study shows that compared with smooth surface journal bearing, the load capacity of bearing with concave texturing decreases slightly and increases with convex texturing substantially. Convex and concave texturing will influence the dynamic performances of rotor, such as critical speed and unbalance respond. And such influences will change with the changing of texturing geometry parameters.
Personal experience and perception of abuse in people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Leutar Zdravka , Vitlov Josipa , Leutar Ivan
Published: June 2014

This article presents a qualitative study designed to gain insight into personal experience and perception of abuse in people with intellectual disabilities. Ten members of the organization for people with intellectual disabilities in Zadar, Croatia, who have a diagnosis of light or moderate intellectual disability, were included in the research. Analysis of responses showed that most participants had experienced psychological, physical and financial abuse. The most frequent perpetrators of abuse were identified by participants as friends, acquaintances and volunteer carers. Typical sites for the experience of abuse were school, social clubs/support institutions, the street and the urban environment. Most participants seek assistance and support in cases of abuse through discussion with their loved ones, mostly their parents and friends. In addition to such informal relationships, some participants mentioned the importance of formal forms of support.
Impression management of a contested past: Serbia’s evolving national calendar
Authors: David Lea
Published: June 2014

The basic argument outlined in this article is that the Serbian political elite has managed Serbia’s contested past through covering and cultural reframing rather than public acknowledgement. I show here that in the creation of a current Serbian calendar, as a state-sponsored practice, there is an extensive usage of impression management techniques which enabled a different reading of the calendar at both the domestic and international levels. It is further claimed that the calendar serves multiple functions and meanings: on the one hand, it tends to present Serbia as a democratic and progressive state, but on the other hand, it legitimizes a wide range of emotions at the local level. In other words, the new Serbian calendar is made both to meet European expectations and further Serbian interests to join the European Union, but also to allow wider audiences in Serbia to express feelings of animosity, injustice, and frustration as a means of settling historical accounts.
Effects of Hemoglobin Variants on Hemoglobin A1c Values Measured Using a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method
Authors: Lorenzo-Medina Mercedes , De-La-Iglesia Silvia , Ropero Paloma , Nogueira-Salgueiro Patricia , Santana-Benitez Jesus
Published: June 2014

Background:

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is routinely used to monitor long-term glycemic control and for diagnosing diabetes mellitus. However, hemoglobin (Hb) gene variants/modifications can affect the accuracy of some methods. The potential effect of Hb variants on HbA1c measurements was investigated using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method compared with an immunoturbimetric assay.

Methods:

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c levels were measured in 42 371 blood samples. Samples producing abnormal chromatograms were further analyzed to characterize any Hb variants. Fructosamine levels were determined in place of HbA1c levels when unstable Hb variants were identified.

Results:

Abnormal HPLC chromatograms were obtained for 160 of 42 371 samples. In 26 samples HbS was identified and HbA1c results correlated with FPG. In the remaining 134 samples HbD, Hb Louisville, Hb Las Palmas, Hb N-Baltimore, or Hb Porto Alegre were identified and HbA1c did not correlate with FPG. These samples were retested using an immunoturbidimetric assay and the majority of results were accurate; only 3 (with the unstable Hb Louisville trait) gave aberrant HbA1c results.

Conclusions:

Hb variants can affect determination of HbA1c levels with some methods. Laboratories should be aware of Hb variants occurring locally and choose an appropriate HbA1c testing method.
From Beta Cell Replacement to Beta Cell Regeneration
Authors: Liu Chengcheng , Wu Hao
Published: June 2014

Diabetes is affecting more than 25.8 million people in the United States, causing huge burden on the health care system and economy. Insulin injection, which is the predominant treatment for diabetes, is incapable of replenishing the lost insulin-producing beta cell in patients. Restoring beta cell mass through replacement therapy such as islet transplantation or beta cell regeneration through in vitro and in vivo strategies has attracted particular attentions in the field due to its potential to cure diabetes. In the aspect of islet transplantation, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and more biocompatible immunosuppressive drugs have been tested in various preclinical animal models to improve the longevity and function of human islets against the posttransplantation challenges. In the islet regeneration aspect, insulin-producing cells have been generated through in vitro transdifferentiation of stem cells and other types of cells and demonstrated to be capable of glycemic control. Moreover, several biomarkers including cell-surface receptors, soluble factors, and transcriptional factors have been identified or rediscovered in mediating the process of beta cell proliferation in rodents. This review summarizes the current progress and hurdles in the preclinical efforts in resurrecting beta cells. It may provide some useful insights into the future drug discovery for antidiabetic purposes.
Preventing Neonaticide by Early Detection and Intervention in Student Pregnancy
Authors: Platt Lois M.
Published: June 2014

Pregnant students are the population group most likely to commit neonaticide, murder of an infant younger than 24 hours old. Denial by the student, lack of early pregnancy detection, and poor social support contribute to this disorder. As the health care professionals with whom the student has the most contact, school nurses are in an excellent position to prevent neonaticide through provision of health education, early detection of pregnancy, and intervention with students and their families to assist them in making healthy choices.
A Comparative Study of HRM Practices between Foreign and Local Garment Companies in Bangladesh
Authors: Miah Md. Khasro , Hossain Muhammed Siddique
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this research is to explore and compare human resource management (HRM) practices between foreign and local garment companies operating in Bangladesh. This study surveyed 30 human resource, administrative and factory managers of different levels of three garment companies: one US subsidiary, one UK subsidiary and one Bangladesh company. Results show that a blend of HRM practices has been adopted by the foreign companies, ranging between imitating home country practices and host country practices. Results also found that foreign garment companies focus more on home country HRM practices, especially in the area of selection and recruitment, training and development, performance appraisal process and top management appointments. Foreign garment companies are widely adopting host country HRM practices in industrial relations and compensational benefit. However, Bangladeshi local garment company is following traditional HRM practices and showing interest in learning from the foreign company HRM practices. Since this study is based on a limited number of companies, generalization of findings of this study for cross-cultural adaptation/adjustment in other developing countries should be made with caution. Combination of home and host country HRM practices can have a positive influence on transfer of HRM practices in developing nations. It could open a new avenue for further potential research on HRM practices in the South Asian business context, especially in the garment industry.
“Good Women” and “Bad Women”
Authors: Adikaram Arosha S.
Published: June 2014

Cultural influence on perception and judgement of sexual harassment is widely discussed in sexual harassment research. Yet, very few studies have delved deeper into the various norms and values of a culture, to understand how perception and interpretation of sexual harassment at the workplace is influenced by culture. This article attempts to fill this gap, by exploring how gendered behavioural norms instilled by Sri Lankan culture, shape perceptions about every day socio-sexual behaviours that occur in workplaces, influencing the interpretation and perception about workplace sexual harassment. Employing qualitative research methodology, in-depth interviews were used to gather information. The findings of the study unearthed how Sri Lankan women have developed notions of “good women” and “bad women”, rooted on various gendered behavioural norms internalized in them through rigorous primary and secondary socialization processes. Constant advices on proper behaviours, sanctions on dress codes and advices on the nature and type of relationships that women should maintain with the opposite gender, appear to influence women’s notions of this “good women” and “bad women” images, which in turn influence their perceptions about what is acceptable and unacceptable socio-sexual behaviours at workplace, and consequently, how they perceive, interpret and respond to instances of sexual harassment at workplace.
Talent Accelerator
Authors: Ulrich Dave , Allen Justin
Published: June 2014

Throughout the last 15 years of economic roller coaster rides, Asian countries have clearly led the world in economic growth. Success in Asia has been due, in part, to the transformation many Asian economies have engineered, moving beyond manufacturing to successfully exporting technology and services. Now another revolution is afoot. The best performing Asian businesses are gaining impressive premiums in value creation because they have learned and implemented the secrets of leveraging their company’s most essential resource: talent. To better understand this talent trend and how investment in talent ties to business results in top Asian companies, we gathered data from over 570 separate businesses in Singapore, China and India about 13 talent management processes. We, then, show the relative impact of these 13 talent management practices on business performance as moderated by the strategy and growth patterns of the firm. We found that investments in managing current talent have more impact on business performance than hiring new talent or retaining existing talent. We report variances in the impact of talent management depending on country, strategy and growth pattern. We discuss implications for talent management for line managers and HR professionals. Ultimately, this work will inform those charged with managing talent so that they can accelerate the use of talent to deliver business results.
Improvement of room temperature fracture toughness in Cr2Nb-based alloys by heat treatment
Authors: Li K. W. , Li S. M. , Wang X. B. , Zhong H. , Xue Y. L. , Fu H. Z.
Published: June 2014

The microstructure and room temperature fracture toughness of binary Cr/Cr2Nb alloys annealed at 1653 K for 30 h were investigated at both the hypo- and hypereutectic compositions. The experimental results indicate that the high temperature heat treatment has a beneficial effect on the room temperature fracture toughness of the Cr2Nb/Cr alloys. After the heat treatment, the room temperature fracture toughness of the hypo- and hypereutectic alloys are increased by about 212 and 203, which are 15 and 8 times higher than that of as-cast Cr2Nb Laves phase (1·2 MPa m1/2). The fractographic analysis indicates that in the annealed condition, the strengthen of lamellar eutectic cohesive strength can provide significant toughening of the matrix by crack deflection, crack blunting and crack bridging mechanisms.
Trends in survival of patients with primary plasma cell leukemia: a population-based analysis
Authors: Gonsalves Wilson I. , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Go Ronald S. , Dispenzieri Angela , Gupta Vinay , Singh Preet P. , Buadi Francis K. , Lacy Martha Q. , Kapoor Prashant , Dingli David , Lust John A. , Zeldenrust Steven R. , Hayman Suzanne R. , Kyle Robert A. , Gertz Morie A. , Kumar Shaji K.
Published: June 2014

Key Points

Survival of patients with primary plasma cell leukemia has improved in recent years, but is still inferior to those patients with multiple myeloma. This survival benefit appears to be mainly in patients older than 65 years of age.
The endothelial protein C receptor enhances hemostasis of FVIIa administration in hemophilic mice in vivo
Authors: Pavani Giulia , Ivanciu Lacramioara , Faella Armida , Marcos-Contreras Oscar A. , Margaritis Paris
Published: June 2014

Key Points

The binding of administered FVIIa to endogenous EPCR enhances its ability to bypass FVIII or FIX deficiency in vivo. EPCR modulation of function of pharmacologic FVIIa administration may be exploited in protein or gene-based FVIIa therapeutics.
Postthrombotic syndrome following upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in children
Authors: Avila Maria L. , Duan Lucy , Cipolla Amanda , Kim Ashley , Kahr Walter H. A. , Williams Suzan , Brandão Leonardo R.
Published: June 2014

Key Points

Upper limb PTS in children depends on DVT pathogenesis (primary vs secondary) and on the age of the patient (neonates vs non-neonates). DVT pathogenesis and thrombus resolution are independent predictors of upper limb PTS in children.
Management of oropharyngeal cancer: A cross-sectional review of institutional practice at a large Canadian referral centre
Authors: Wilson Lindsay , Enepekides Danny , Higgins Kevin
Published: June 2014

Background

Over the years, the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer has changed; in the past, first-line treatment consisted of surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy, today however, primary treatment typically involves concomitant chemoradiation, and reserves surgery for salvage. While chemoradiation is the modality of choice for primary management of oropharyngeal cancer, disease characteristics, institutional bias, and patient preferences influence treatment choice. This has lead to variation in the treatment of OPC, and has generated some uncertainly regarding the ideal therapeutic approach. The objective of this study was to describe the treatment of OPC a large Canadian referral center, highlighting trends in treatment choice and outcome.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional retrospective review of clinical practice at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre (Toronto, ON). This investigation documents type of first-line treatment, rates of treatment failure, rates of surgical salvage, and 5-year disease-free survival. This study also asses the therapeutic impact of free-flap reconstruction on the use of a postoperative tracheostomy and/or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube.

Results

The majority of oropharyngeal cancer patients presented with regionally metastatic disease (stage III-IV) and underwent concomitant chemoradiation as first-line treatment. Just over half of patients who failed chemoradiation were eligible for salvage surgery. Forty-six percent of salvage patients recurred at approximately 6 months, and died approximately 12 months following the first sign of disease recurrence. Five-year survival for salvage patients stage II, III, IVA, and IVB was 100%, 54.5%, 53.8%, and 50%, respectively. The incidence of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes and tracheostomies was comparable between patients who underwent free-flap reconstruction and patients who did not.

Conclusion

The modality of choice for first-line treatment of oropharyngeal cancer is concomitant chemoradiation. The moderate failure rate following chemoradiation and the modest survival rate following salvage surgery could indicate that selected patients may benefit from undergoing surgery as first-line treatment. While this study did not show that functional outcomes were better for free-flap patients, it is highly likely that those who received a free-flap did better then they would have had they not undergone reconstructive surgery. More research regarding the therapeutic effects of free-flaps in OPC survivors is needed.
Quality modeling of drinking groundwater using GIS in rural communities, northwest of Iran
Authors: Mosaferi Mohammad , Pourakbar Mojtaba , Shakerkhatibi Mohammad , Fatehifar Esmaeil , Belvasi Mehdi
Published: June 2014

Given the importance of groundwater resources in water supply, this work aimed to study quality of drinking groundwater in rural areas in Tabriz county, northwest of Iran. Thirty two groundwater samples from different areas were collected and analyzed in terms of general parameters along with 20 heavy metals (e.g. As, Hg and …). The data of the analyses were applied as an attribute database for preparing thematic maps and showing water quality parameters. Multivariate statistical techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (CA) were used to compare and evaluate water quality. The findings showed that hydrochemical faces of the groundwater were of calcium-bicarbonate type. EC values were from 110 to 1750 μs/cm, in which concentration of salts was high in the east and a zone in north of the studied area. Hardness was from 52 to 476 mg/l and CaCO3 with average value of 185.88 ± 106.56 mg/L indicated hard water. Dominant cations and anions were Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3
− > Cl− > SO4
2− > NO3
2, respectively. In the western areas, arsenic contamination was observed as high as 69 μg/L. Moreover, mercury was above the standard level in one of the villages. Eskandar and Olakandi villages had the lowest quality of drinking water. In terms of CA, sampling sites were classified into four clusters of similar water quality and PCA demonstrated that 3 components could cover 84.3% of the parameters. For investigating arsenic anomaly, conducting a comprehensive study in the western part of studied area is strongly recommended.
A big data methodology for categorising technical support requests using Hadoop and Mahout
Authors: Duque Barrachina Arantxa , O’Driscoll Aisling
Published: June 2014

Technical Support call centres frequently receive several thousand customer queries on a daily basis. Traditionally, such organisations discard data related to customer enquiries within a relatively short period of time due to limited storage capacity. However, in recent years, the value of retaining and analysing this information has become clear, enabling call centres to identify customer patterns, improve first call resolution and maximise daily closure rates. This paper proposes a Proof of Concept (PoC) end to end solution that utilises the Hadoop programming model, extended ecosystem and the Mahout Big Data Analytics library for categorising similar support calls for large technical support data sets. The proposed solution is evaluated on a VMware technical support dataset.