bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Daniel Hudson Burnham and the American city imperial
Authors: Vernon Christopher
Published: August 2014

Architecture, landscape architecture and urban design are seldom merely benign aesthetic propositions. With its victory in the Spanish-American War (1898), the United States unexpectedly found itself in possession of an empire. Within a volcanic climate of patriotic fervour, Washington’s new imperial status galvanized interest in improving the city in a manner commensurate with its enlarged role. On the strength of his work at the World’s Columbian Exposition (1893), celebrated architect Daniel Hudson Burnham took the lead in Washington’s transformation (1901–2) and urban design became his medium for imperialist expression. This potent mechanism’s deployment would not be confined to the imperial hearth. The United States soon set its sights on modernizing, that is ‘Americanizing’, Manila, the antique capital of its newly-acquired Philippine colony, and similarly charged Burnham with the task (1904). Overtly emulating the British Raj in India, he was also to design a wholly new summer capital there. This essay canvasses Burnham’s work at the American and Philippine capitals, along with his vicarious hand in the design of a new model American town in the Panama Canal Zone, considering it through the lens of imperialism. The location and imperial purpose of these projects also reminds us that – at least from an antipodean perspective – in the early 20th century, Great Britain held no monopoly on empire.
Investigation of the mixed-mode delamination in polymer-matrix composites using acoustic emission technique
Authors: Fotouhi Mohamad , Ahmadi Najafabadi Mehdi
Published: August 2014

This paper is a novel application of acoustic emission (AE) technique to investigate the actual occurring modes of delamination damage (i.e. mode I, mode II and the combination of these pure modes) in glass/epoxy composites. AE parameters and mechanical information associated with some novel methodologies were used to develop new AE-based approaches for studying delamination damage. The inter-laminar fracture energy for the initiation of delamination, Gc, was also measured using the novel introduced methods and standard methodologies. The results indicate that different interface lay-ups and different GII/GT modal ratio values indicate different AE signals and mechanical behaviors. Scanning electron microscope was also used to observe the induced damage mechanisms. It was found that the presented methods of employing AEs to characterize delamination damage and to obtain Gc were successful, especially in mode II and mixed-mode conditions where unstable crack growth and difficult crack growth monitoring prohibit a rigorous measurement of Gc. The results of this study could lead to improve automatic techniques for health monitoring of the real composite structures.
Mechanisms of Change in COMPASS Consultation for Students With Autism
Authors: Ruble Lisa A. , McGrew John H. , Toland Michael D.
Published: August 2014

More than a decade has passed since the National Research Council described the common elements of effective educational programs for young children with autism. Since that time, few studies have attempted to understand the mechanisms of change and factors affecting the effectiveness of research supported interventions implemented in community settings. Using Dunst’s (2013) framework of implementation science, we examined the relationships between the fidelity of an implementation practice (i.e., a parent–teacher consultation called the Collaborative Model for Promoting Competence and Success; COMPASS), the fidelity of the intervention practice (i.e., teachers’ adherence to the intervention plans generated as a result of COMPASS), and child goal attainment outcomes using data from a randomized controlled trial. Results confirmed the predicted relationships between implementation fidelity, intervention practice fidelity, and child outcomes. Specifically, we replicated findings that two hypothesized mechanisms of change, individual education program (IEP) quality and teacher adherence, positively affected intervention practices directly and child outcomes indirectly.
Rapid Resolution of Tacrolimus Intoxication–Induced AKI With a Corticosteroid and Phenytoin
Authors: Bax Kevin , Tijssen Janice , Rieder Michael J. , Filler Guido
Published: August 2014

Objective: To report a novel approach to the management of tacrolimus intoxication that leads to rapid normalization of serum tacrolimus concentrations. Case Summary: A 9-year-old female renal transplant recipient developed a severe tacrolimus intoxication as a result of prolonged diarrhea, which resulted in acute kidney injury, severe dehydration, and neurological symptoms. We used a combination of intravenous steroids and intravenous phenytoin to normalize the tacrolimus level from 32 to 5 ng/mL in less than 24 hours, with complete resolution of symptoms and signs. Discussion: Tacrolimus intoxication is a rare event but may result in life-threatening complications. Treatment recommendations beyond holding the drug and enzyme induction with phenytoin or phenobarbital are elusive. This approach leads to a relatively slow normalization of the tacrolimus level over 72 hours. The authors hypothesized that additional induction of the p-glycoprotein through steroids was synergistic. Conclusions: The combination of phenytoin and a corticosteroid may be an effective approach that leads to rapid normalization of severely elevated tacrolimus levels.
Research on flexural wave band gap of a thin circular plate of piezoelectric radial phononic crystals
Authors: Shu Haisheng , Liu Wei , Li Shidan , Dong Liqiang , Wang Weiyuan , Liu Shaogang , Zhao Dan
Published: August 2014

Piezoelectric thin rings are periodically introduced and placed on a base plate along the radial direction, forming a one-dimensional thin circular plate of piezoelectric radial phononic crystals (CPPRPC). Based on flexural wave equation of thin circular plate and the transfer matrix method, the behavior of flexural waves propagating in CPPRPC is analyzed theoretically and numerically, especially in the band gaps. The transmission curves of CPPRPC and homogeneous-material plate are calculated for comparison. Afterwards finite element simulations are carried out to verify the theoretical results. Furthermore, the effects of the length ratio, thickness ratio, period number and control gain on the flexural wave band gap are discussed in detail. Our results show that there are band gaps of flexural wave in CPPRPC. Structural parameters and outer active control gain have important influences on the band gaps. In particular, low and broad band gaps can be obtained effectively by varying outer active control gain.
Conducting Randomized Controlled Trials With Offenders in an Administrative Setting
Authors: Ahlin Eileen M.
Published: August 2014

Evaluation research conducted in agencies that sanction law violators is often challenging and due process may preclude evaluators from using experimental methods in traditional criminal justice agencies such as police, courts, and corrections. However, administrative agencies often deal with the same population but are not bound by due process rules. This paper examines three randomized controlled trials conducted in an administrative agency and outlines the benefits of working in a nontraditional criminal justice agency over traditional criminal justice settings. Also addressed are barriers encountered and methods for overcoming set-backs. The findings demonstrate that the challenges of conducting randomized controlled trials in administrative agencies are similar to those experienced in police agencies, courts, and corrections. However, administrative contexts also have advantages over traditional criminal justice agencies and criminal justice researchers and scholars should broaden their focus and examine administrative agencies as feasible environments for conducting rigorous research on offending populations.
Association of implementation of a public bicycle share program with intention and self-efficacy: The moderating role of socioeconomic status
Authors: Bélanger-Gravel Ariane , Gauvin Lise , Fuller Daniel , Drouin Louis
Published: August 2014

This natural experiment examines the effect of a public bicycle share program on cognitions and investigates the moderating influence of socioeconomic status on this effect. Two cross-sectional population-based surveys were conducted. Intention and self-efficacy to use the public bicycle share program were assessed by questionnaire. A difference-in-differences approach was adopted using logistic regression analyses. A significant effect of the public bicycle share program was observed on intention (exposure × time; odds ratio = 3.41; 95% confidence interval: 1.50–7.73) and self-efficacy (exposure; odds ratio = 1.61; 95% confidence interval: 1.28–2.01). A positive effect on intention was observed among individuals with low income (exposure × time; odds ratio = 27.85; 95% confidence interval: 2.51–309.25). Implementing a public bicycle share program is associated with increases in intention and self-efficacy for public bicycle share use, although some social inequalities persist.
The formation of English teacher identities: A cross-cultural investigation
Authors: Gu Mingyue (Michelle) , Benson Phil
Published: August 2014

Drawing on insights from Communities of Practice and critical discourse theory, this study investigates how teacher identities are discursively constructed in course of teacher education and under the influence of social structure. The participants were seven Hong Kong and nine mainland Chinese pre-service teachers. Two focus group interviews and in-depth individual interviews with each of the participants were employed. The study revealed that the identity formation of these participants is enacted individually, mediated by the immediate contextual factors, shaped by their socio-economic backgrounds and constructed with reference to social discourses on teachers and teaching profession. This article discusses the sociocultural factors behind the differences and generates implications for present teacher education practice and future research.
Measuring social communication behaviors as a treatment endpoint in individuals with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Anagnostou Evdokia , Jones Nancy , Huerta Marisela , Halladay Alycia K , Wang Paul , Scahill Lawrence , Horrigan Joseph P , Kasari Connie , Lord Cathy , Choi Dennis , Sullivan Katherine , Dawson Geraldine
Published: August 2014

Social communication impairments are a core deficit in autism spectrum disorder. Social communication deficit is also an early indicator of autism spectrum disorder and a factor in long-term outcomes. Thus, this symptom domain represents a critical treatment target. Identifying reliable and valid outcome measures for social communication across a range of treatment approaches is essential. Autism Speaks engaged a panel of experts to evaluate the readiness of available measures of social communication for use as outcome measures in clinical trials. The panel held monthly conference calls and two face-to-face meetings over 14 months. Key criteria used to evaluate measures included the relevance to the clinical target, coverage of the symptom domain, and psychometric properties (validity and reliability, as well as evidence of sensitivity to change). In all, 38 measures were evaluated and 6 measures were considered appropriate for use, with some limitations. This report discusses the relative strengths and weaknesses of existing social communication measures for use in clinical trials and identifies specific areas in need of further development.
Treatment of Esophageal Perforation: A Single-Center Expertise
Authors: Troja A. , Käse P. , El-Sourani N. , Miftode S. , Raab H. R. , Antolovic D.
Published: August 2014

Background and Aims:

Esophageal perforation is a rare diagnosis, which is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. There is only small scientific background regarding the best choice of treatment. Parameters indicating a good clinical outcome seem to be localization, depth of the defect, pre-existing risk factors, and time interval between the event and start of treatment.

Material and Methods:

We evaluate retrospective data from 39 patients who were treated with a esophageal perforation in our hospital between 2004 and 2012.

Results and Conclusions:

Our collected data agree with the available published literature. Endoscopic treatment seems to be favorable in early diagnosis.
Expecting reciprocity: Towards a model of the participants’ perspective on participatory journalism
Authors: Borger Merel , van Hoof Anita , Sanders José
Published: August 2014

This study examines ‘participatory journalism’ from the perspective of participants. Through a series of in-depth interviews with 32 participants from two different participatory journalistic environments set up by professional news organizations, we investigated how participants view and evaluate their participation in journalism. We propose that participants views progress through a series of four stages: anticipation, participation, evaluation and reconsideration. A clear breach is observed between the stage of anticipation and evaluation. We propose that this breach could be couched in terms of both a need and a wish for reciprocity, but also a lack of it. The term ‘reciprocity’ is inspired by Lewis et al.’s notion of ‘reciprocal journalism’ and Loosen and Schmidt’s conceptualization of journalism as a ‘social system’. Implications for the study of participatory journalism and journalism practitioners are discussed.
New directions in the anthropology of morality
Authors: Cassaniti Julia L , Hickman Jacob R
Published: August 2014

In this article we seek to develop a common theoretical language and stake out particular positions on key issues in the growing debates about the anthropological study of morality. First, we advocate for a pluralistic stance in approaches to moral variation – one that maintains the possibility of moral realism and at times even argues explicitly for it. Second, we work to define the domain of morality in more detail, especially in its relation to other domains of experience, including personhood, emotion, and life course. Third, we argue for a new approach to the issues of freedom and moral action. Together, these arguments articulate key conceptual areas of concern for anthropologists interested in morality, and we suggest some theoretical stances on each of them.
A ‘journey in feminist theory together’: The Doing Feminist Theory Through Digital Video project
Authors: Hurst Rachel Alpha Johnston
Published: August 2014

Doing Feminist Theory Through Digital Video is an assignment I designed for my undergraduate feminist theory course, where students created a short digital video on a concept in feminist theory. I outline the assignment and the pedagogical and epistemological frameworks that structured the assignment (digital storytelling, participatory video and feminist approaches to service learning) before presenting an analysis of its learning outcomes gleaned through interviews with students. I argue that incorporating creative and service learning components into a feminist theory course deepens student learning about praxis and subjectivity because it engages their spirit, mind and body, leading to a sustained engagement with feminist theory and an ability to imagine feminist theory outside of the university classroom. My objective for this paper is to share what I have learned as an educator from this project, and that this will be useful to others interested in adapting this kind of assignment to their own pedagogical contexts.
‘Draw, write and tell’: A literature review and methodological development on the ‘draw and write’ research method
Authors: Angell Catherine , Alexander Jo , Hunt Jane A
Published: August 2014

The creative research method ‘draw and write’ has been used in health, social care and education research for several decades. A literature search of studies utilising this method was conducted during the planning stages of a study exploring primary school children’s perceptions of infant feeding. A review of this literature noted a range of benefits of ‘draw and write’ in enabling child participation. However, it also identified that the method has been used inconsistently and found that there are issues for researchers in relation to interpretation of creative work and analysis of data. As a result of this, an improvement on this method, entitled ‘draw, write and tell’, was developed in an attempt to provide a more child-orientated and consistent approach to data collection, interpretation and analysis. This article identifies the issues relating to ‘draw and write’ and describes the development and application of ‘draw, write and tell’ as a case study, noting its limitations and benefits.
Well-doing: Personal projects and the quality of lives
Authors: Little Brian R.
Published: August 2014

‘What are you doing?’ and ‘How is it going?’ are foundational questions we can ask of agents. They elicit answers that illuminate aspects of well-doing, or felicitous action, by directing attention to an agent’s personal projects. Personal projects are constitutive elements of daily existence and are consequential for a happy and virtuous life. They have been studied within philosophy, especially in critiques of consequentialist theory. They have been studied by personality psychologists with a methodology, Personal Projects Analysis that measures the content, appraisal, dynamics, and impact of the projects being pursued by individuals. In contrast with more traditional ways of measuring personality, Personal Projects Analysis provides ‘thick’ descriptions of how happiness and virtue are embodied in daily action and embedded in social, physical, temporal, and value contexts. The methodology is designed to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration in contributing to the explanation and the enhancement of well-doing and the quality of lives.
Exploring Determinants of Surrogate Decision-Maker Confidence
Authors: Bolcic-Jankovic Dragana , Clarridge Brian R. , LeBlanc Jessica L. , Mahmood Rumel S. , Roman Anthony M. , Freeman Bradley D.
Published: August 2014

This article is an exploratory data analysis of the determinants of confidence in a surrogate decision maker who has been asked to permit an intensive care unit (ICU) patient’s participation in genetic research. We pursue the difference between surrogates’ and patients’ confidence that the surrogate can accurately represent the patient’s wishes. The article also explores whether greater confidence leads to greater agreement between patients and surrogates. Our data come from a survey conducted in three hospital ICUs. We interviewed 445 surrogates and 214 patients. The only thing that influences patients’ confidence in their surrogate’s decision is whether they had prior discussions with him or her; however, there are more influences operating on the surrogate’s self-confidence. More confident surrogates are more likely to match their patients’ wishes. Patients are more likely to agree to research participation than their surrogates would allow. The surrogates whose response did not match as closely were less trusting of the hospital staff, were less likely to allow patient participation if there were no direct benefits to the patient, had given less thought about the way genetic research is conducted, and were much less likely to have a person in their life who they would trust to make decisions for them if they were incapacitated.
A qualitative evaluation of a healthy cookery course in Ireland designed for adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability
Authors: Bennett Annemarie E , Cunningham Cara
Published: August 2014

Adults with an intellectual disability have poorer diets than the general adult population. The Able 2 Cook 4 Health cookery course aims to improve the diets of adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability. This study aims to evaluate the course by obtaining the views of course participants and the views of managers hosting the course. Thirty course participants took part in focus groups. Five managers hosting the course participated in a semi-structured interview. Positive features of the course included the group cooking, social interaction and course instructors. Collaboration between centres hosting the course and participants’ home environment is needed to help transfer the skills learned to all home settings. The Able 2 Cook 4 Health cookery course provided participants with an important social outlet to learn essential occupational skills. These findings could particularly influence the diets of adults with an intellectual disability moving into independent living.
Changes in Calcium Intake and Growth in Children With Multiple Food Allergies
Authors: Walia Cassandra L. S. , Feuling Mary Beth , Baumler Megan , Gleason Linda , Tam Jonathan S. , Zafra Heidi , Goday Praveen S.
Published: August 2014

Background. Food allergies are a growing problem among American children. There is currently no cure for food allergy. Food allergies are managed by strictly eliminating allergens from the diet, which may lead to poor nutrient intake and poor growth. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze changes in calcium intake and growth in children with multiple food allergies after medical nutrition therapy (MNT). Materials and Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 50 patients with 2 or more food allergies. At least one of their food allergies was nutritionally significant: milk, soy, wheat, or egg. Weight and length/height were recorded from the medical record from the initial allergist visit (visit 1), the initial dietitian visit (visit 2), and the follow-up dietitian visit (visit 3). Dietary intake was collected from the medical record from visits 2 and 3 and calcium intake was calculated based on these data. Results. Weight-for-age and weight-for-length or body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-scores decreased from visit 1 to visit 2 and increased from visit 2 to visit 3, but this was not statistically significant. The mean change in weight-for-length or BMI-for-age z-scores from visits 1 to 2 was significantly lower than the mean change in weight-for-length or BMI-for-age z-scores from visits 2 to 3. The average calcium intake of all patients at visit 2 was 163 ± 75% of goal calcium intake. Conclusions. Although more research is needed, our study supports the need for MNT for children with multiple food allergies. Children with multiple food allergies are at nutrition risk, and MNT may improve nutrient intake and growth for these children.
Immersion Versus Transcendence
Authors: Carnevale Jessica J. , Fujita Kentaro , Han H. Anna , Amit Elinor
Published: August 2014

Research indicates that words activate high-level construal (processing that highlights central, goal-relevant features of events) whereas pictures activate low-level construal (processing that highlights idiosyncratic, peripheral features). We examine how these differences between words and pictures impact evaluative associations. Research has demonstrated that high-level relative to low-level construal promotes evaluative associations that enhance self-control, promoting associations that link smaller proximal rewards (temptations) with negativity and larger-distal rewards (goals) with positivity. Examining dieting as a self-control conflict, we find that words promote sensitivity to goal-relevant dimension of stimuli (i.e., health) while pictures promote sensitivity to temptation-relevant dimension of stimuli (i.e., taste) among those concerned with dieting in a single-category implicit association test (SC-IAT). An additional study finds that changing the presentation format of the IAT from pictures to words increases the tendency to associate temptations (i.e., desserts) with negativity among those concerned with dieting. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Rates and Determinants of Return to Play After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in NCAA Division 1 College Football Athletes
Authors: Daruwalla Jimmy H. , Greis Patrick E. , Hancock Robert ,   ASP Collaborative Group, Xerogeanes John W. , McCarty Eric C. , Reynolds Kirk , Rueda Miguel , Moorman Claude T. , Johnson Darren , Dragoo Jason , Bartlinski Steve , Spang Jeffrey , Creighton R. Alex , Taft Tim , Trulock Scott , Halverson Doug , Hatch George F. Rick , Merriman Jarrad , Romano Russ , Spindler Kurt , Bossung Thomas , Diduch David , Pugh Kelli , Tingstad Edwin M. , Kaplan Lee , Gombosh Michael
Published: August 2014

Background:

For competitive athletes, return to play (RTP) and return to preinjury levels of performance after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are the main goals of surgery. Although outcomes of ACL surgery are well studied, details on factors influencing RTP in elite college football players have not been evaluated thoroughly.

Purpose:

To determine the rate of RTP following ACL surgery among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 collegiate football athletes and to examine variables that may affect these rates. The hypothesis was that the RTP rate in this cohort will be influenced by factors reflecting skill and accomplishment; that is, athletes higher on the depth chart, those on scholarship, and those later in their careers will have higher RTP rates. It was also predicted that graft type and concomitant procedures may have an effect on RTP rates.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Using athlete- and surgery-specific data from participating institutions in 3 major Division 1 college football conferences, information on athletes who had ACL reconstruction from 2004 through 2010 was collected. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the RTP rate as a function of the variables, such as depth chart position, in the data collected.

Results:

Of the 184-player cohort, 82% of the athletes, including 94% of starters, were able to RTP. Rates were greater among athletes higher on the depth chart ( P = .004) and on scholarship ( P = .008). Year of eligibility also affected RTP rates ( P = .047), which increased from the redshirt and freshman year to the sophomore and junior years, but then decreased slightly into the senior and fifth-year senior seasons. The use of an autograft versus allograft was associated with increased RTP ( P = .045). There was no significant difference ( P = .18) between players who underwent an isolated ACL reconstruction versus those who underwent additional procedures.

Conclusion:

More than 80% of football players at the Division 1 level were able to RTP following ACL reconstruction. Factors representative of a player’s skill were associated with higher rates of RTP. Surgery-specific variables, in general, had no effect on RTP, except for the use of autograft, which was associated with a greater RTP rate.
Recognition of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Student Participation Within Antimicrobial Stewardship Activities
Authors: Gauthier Timothy P. , Steinberg Jennifer G. , Zapantis Antonia , Aragon Laura
Published: August 2014

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship is important in managing patients with infectious diseases. Limited data exist documenting the extent of pharmacy student involvement within antimicrobial stewardship activities. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to document the types of hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship activities in which Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) students are involved. Methods: A questionnaire was developed using the most current guideline for developing an institutional antimicrobial stewardship program. It was designed to collect preceptor-reported perceptions and APPE student involvement in antimicrobial stewardship activities. Pharmacist preceptors of APPE students from 2 Florida Colleges of Pharmacy were surveyed in October 2011. Questionnaires fully completed by hospital pharmacists currently serving as an APPE preceptor were included. Results: Forty-eight questionnaires met all inclusion criteria, collectively reporting APPE student participation within every element of antimicrobial stewardship. The most common areas of student participation were dose optimization based on patient characteristics (n = 40, 83%), acquiring patient information for prospective audit with feedback (n = 39, 81%), intravenous to oral conversion (n = 37, 77%), and pharmacokinetic services (n = 36, 75%). Anti-infective subcommittee participation (n = 3, 6%) was uncommon. Respondent perceptions were overall favorable regarding student participation in antimicrobial stewardship activities. Conclusion: With supervision from pharmacist preceptors, APPE students from 2 Florida colleges of pharmacy were reported to participate in each element and activity of antimicrobial stewardship as set forth by current guidelines. The role and value of such involvement is not fully understood. Future research investigating activity-specific outcomes and policy creation are needed to guide appropriate use of APPE students as a resource for optimizing antimicrobial use in hospitals.
Instability and Failure in International Joint Ventures in Post-Socialist Societies: Power, Politics and Strategic Orientations
Authors: Soulsby Anna , Clark Ed
Published: August 2014

International business researchers have identified the tendency of international joint ventures (IJVs) to fail and recognized that explaining the process of failure can benefit from inductive qualitative research. This article offers a processual account of instability in and the dissolution of an IJV, taking the perspective of the local parent in an IJV with a powerful Western multinational corporation in order to understand more fully their experience of participating in the venture. The case study findings offer empirical support for an emergent theoretical framework that highlights the role of contextual factors and explores the internal process of dissolution and ‘failure’ as the socio-political enactment of parents' strategic orientations.
Microstructure and properties of ZrTiC(N) composite films on NiTi alloy
Authors: Chu C. L. , Yu F. D. , Lin P. H. , Yin L. H. , Pu Y. P. , Chu P. K.
Published: August 2014

The microstructure, blood biocompatibility and corrosion resistances, and mechanical properties of multinary ZrTiCN and ZrTiC composite films are investigated and compared to those of ZrCN film, ZrC film and NiTi shape memory alloy. The quaternary ZrTiCN and ternary ZrTiC composite films with ZrC and TiC as the predominant phases have a poor crystallinity but a higher adhesion strength with the NiTi substrate than both ZrCN and ZrC films due to the increased deposition temperature and the presence of TiC/TiN phases. Both coatings can improve the surface mechanical properties of biomedical NiTi shape memory alloy while simultaneously offering distinct advantages such as improved blood biocompatibility and corrosion resistances.
GEM2005 trial update comparing VMP/VTP as induction in elderly multiple myeloma patients: do we still need alkylators?
Authors: Mateos María-Victoria , Oriol Albert , Martínez-López Joaquín , Teruel Ana-Isabel , López de la Guía Ana , López Javier , Bengoechea Enrique , Pérez Montserrat , Martínez Rafael , Palomera Luis , de Arriba Felipe , González Yolanda , Hernández José Mariano , Granell Miquel , Bello José-Luis , Bargay Joan , Peñalver Francisco-Javier , Martín-Mateos María-Luisa , Paiva Bruno , Montalbán María-Angeles , Bladé Joan , Lahuerta Juan-Jose , San-Miguel Jesús F.
Published: August 2014

Key Points

Melphalan, in combination with bortezomib, should be maintained as one of the standards of care for the treatment of elderly MM patients. Complete response and particularly flow complete response should be an important goal in the treatment of elderly myeloma patients.
Nocturnal intermittent hypoxia predicts prevalent hypertension in the European Sleep Apnoea Database cohort study
Authors: Tkacova Ruzena , McNicholas Walter T. , Javorsky Martin , Fietze Ingo , Sliwinski Pawel , Parati Gianfranco , Grote Ludger , Hedner Jan
Published: August 2014

Systemic hypertension is associated with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) but the pathophysiological mechanisms are incompletely understood. A collaborative European network of 24 sleep centres established a European Sleep Apnoea Database to evaluate cardiovascular morbidity associated with OSAS.

11 911 adults referred with suspected OSAS between March 2007 and September 2013 underwent overnight sleep studies, either cardiorespiratory polygraphy or polysomnography. We compared the predictive value of the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) and 4% oxygen desaturation index (ODI) for prevalent hypertension, adjusting for relevant covariates including age, smoking, obesity, dyslipidaemia and diabetes.

Among patients (70% male, mean±sdage 52±12 years), 78% had AHI >5 events·h−1and 41% systemic hypertension. Both AHI and ODI independently related to prevalent hypertension after adjustment for relevant covariates (p<0.0001 for linear trend across quartiles (Q) of severity for both variables). However, in multiple regression analysis with both ODI and AHI in the model, ODI was, whereas AHI was not, independently associated with prevalent hypertension: odds ratios (95% CI) for Q4versusQ1 regarding ODI were 2.01 (1.61–2.51) and regarding AHI were 0.92 (0.74–1.15) (p<0.0001 and p=0.3054, respectively).

This cross sectional study suggests that chronic intermittent hypoxia plays an important role in OSAS-related hypertension.
Th22 cells are expanded in multiple sclerosis and are resistant to IFN-β
Authors: Rolla Simona , Bardina Valentina , De Mercanti Stefania , Quaglino Pietro , De Palma Raffaele , Gned Dario , Brusa Davide , Durelli Luca , Novelli Francesco , Clerico Marinella
Published: August 2014

Th1 and Th17 cells have been considered as effectors in mouse EAE and in the human counterpart, MS. Recently, IL-22, a Th17-related, proinflammatory cytokine, has been associated with a new Th cell subset, defined as Th22, involved in chronic inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis; the role of IL-22 in MS has not yet been elucidated. Here, we report that similar to Th17 cells, the number of Th22 cells increased in the PB and the CSF of RR MS patients, especially during the active phases of the disease. However, as opposed to Th17 cells, the expansion of Th22 cells occurred before the active phases of the disease. Th22 cells were found to be specific for the autoantigen MBP and also expressed high levels of CCR6 and T-bet, as for Th17 cells, indicating that Th22 self-reactive cells could have CNS-homing properties and be pathogenic in active RRMS patients. Conversely to Th17 cells, Th22 cells displayed lower levels of IFNAR1 and were insensitive to IFN-β inhibition. These data suggest that expansion of Th22 cells in MS could be one of the factors that critically influence resistance to IFN-β therapy.
Clinical and social factors associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder medication use: population-based longitudinal study
Authors: Galéra Cédric , Pingault Jean-Baptiste , Michel Grégory , Bouvard Manuel-Pierre , Melchior Maria , Falissard Bruno , Boivin Michel , Tremblay Richard E. , Côté Sylvana M.
Published: August 2014

Background

The impact of longitudinal psychiatric comorbidity, parenting and social characteristics on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication use is still poorly understood.

Aims

To assess the baseline and longitudinal influences of behavioural and environmental factors on ADHD medication use.

Method

Survival regressions with time-dependent covariates were used to model data from a population-based longitudinal birth cohort. The sample (n= 1920) was assessed from age 5 months to 10 years. Measures of children's psychiatric symptoms, parenting practices and social characteristics available at baseline and during follow-up were used to identify individual and family-level features associated with subsequent use of ADHD medication.

Results

Use of ADHD medication ranged from 0.2 to 8.6% between ages 3.5 to 10 years. Hyperactivity–inattention was the strongest predictor of medication use (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.75, 95% CI 2.35–3.22). Among all social variables examined, low maternal education increased the likelihood of medication use (HR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.38–3.18) whereas immigrant status lowered this likelihood (HR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.17–0.92).

Conclusions

Beyond ADHD symptoms, the likelihood of receiving ADHD medication is predicted by social variables and not by psychiatric comorbidity or by parenting. This emphasises the need to improve global interventions by offering the same therapeutic opportunities (including medication) as those received by the rest of the population to some subgroups (i.e. immigrants) and by diminishing possible unnecessary prescriptions.
From Metaphors of Empire to Enactments of State: Popular Religious Movements and Health in Rural North China
Authors: Bunkenborg Mikkel
Published: August 2014

Classical descriptions of popular religion in China have noted how the pantheon of deities constitutes a celestial administration organized and approached much like a bureaucratic state. While the view of popular religion as a mere reflection of imperial rule seems inadequate, the idea of the imperial metaphor points to an intimate relation between religious practices and the state that merits attention. This article examines how the state—not only the long-defunct imperial bureaucracy but also the Maoist state—is imagined as a central provider of cosmic order in religious practices in a rural township in Hebei Province. Like many other places in the People's Republic of China, the township has seen a revival of popular religion in recent decades. This revival has often been described as a rebounding and selective adaptation of traditions that had been suppressed by the socialist state. Intellectuals tend to describe this development in terms of an increased tolerance for “cultural” practices; but the fact is that local cosmology puts the state at the very heart of popular religion. In terms of local cosmology, the state is an ideal cosmic order, an exemplary center responsive to the needs of ordinary people, and the present apparatus of governance is but an imperfect actualization of this ideal state that may just as well make itself manifest in the form of popular religion. The bifurcation of the state into two terms, a state idea and a state system, suggests that one might approach the state system and popular religion as both enactments of the state idea. Instead of presenting the relation between the state system and popular religion in terms of a metaphorical or oppositional logic between two terms, local cosmology offers a third term and claims that the state system and popular religion both embody, more and less successfully, a single principle of cosmic order. This article is an attempt to use the cosmological conception of the state as a basis for theorizing anew the relationship between the state system and popular religion. Describing how various manifestations of popular religion from Falungong to Christian sectarianism offer healing and social support in a Hebei township, the article suggests that popular religion does not so much stand for the state as a representation, as it stands in for the state as an alternative enactment.
Intangible Cultural Heritage and New Communities of Knowledge Production: An Analysis Based on Village Studies
Authors: Li Li
Published: August 2014

The cultural phenomena or objects that are gloriously listed on the national register of Intangible Cultural Heritage are mostly dispersed in rural villages around China. With “intangible cultural heritage” rapidly becoming a prominent academic topic in China, the relationship between these villages and academia becomes increasingly inseparable. Situated between academia and the village itself, between words and things, intangible cultural heritage is actually the product of dialogues and debates between the academy and villagers, between scholars and rural residents. A community of knowledge production that thematizes and identifies intangible cultural heritage has been born of these dialogues. This analysis, based on the author's village-studies experiences, seeks to reveal the existence of a general knowledge-production mechanism and to improve understanding of the interaction between knowledge production and the objects of research, as well as to assess the changes this process has brought to the cultural ecology of the sites researched.
Crucial requirement of ERK/MAPK signaling in respiratory tract development
Authors: Boucherat Olivier , Nadeau Valérie , Bérubé-Simard Félix-Antoine , Charron Jean , Jeannotte Lucie
Published: August 2014

The mammalian genome contains two ERK/MAP kinase genes, Mek1 and Mek2, which encode dual-specificity kinases responsible for ERK/MAP kinase activation. In order to define the function of the ERK/MAPK pathway in the lung development in mice, we performed tissue-specific deletions of Mek1 function on a Mek2 null background. Inactivation of both Mek genes in mesenchyme resulted in several phenotypes, including giant omphalocele, kyphosis, pulmonary hypoplasia, defective tracheal cartilage and death at birth. The absence of tracheal cartilage rings establishes the crucial role of intracellular signaling molecules in tracheal chondrogenesis and provides a putative mouse model for tracheomalacia. In vitro, the loss of Mek function in lung mesenchyme did not interfere with lung growth and branching, suggesting that both the reduced intrathoracic space due to the dysmorphic rib cage and the omphalocele impaired lung development in vivo. Conversely, Mek mutation in the respiratory epithelium caused lung agenesis, a phenotype resulting from the direct impact of the ERK/MAPK pathway on cell proliferation and survival. No tracheal epithelial cell differentiation occurred and no SOX2-positive progenitor cells were detected in mutants, implying a role for the ERK/MAPK pathway in trachea progenitor cell maintenance and differentiation. Moreover, these anomalies were phenocopied when the Erk1 and Erk2 genes were mutated in airway epithelium. Thus, the ERK/MAPK pathway is required for the integration of mesenchymal and epithelial signals essential for the development of the entire respiratory tract.
Tricellulin regulates junctional tension of epithelial cells at tricellular contacts via Cdc42
Authors: Oda Yukako , Otani Tetsuhisa , Ikenouchi Junichi , Furuse Mikio
Published: August 2014

When the surface view of each epithelial cell is compared with a polygon, its sides correspond to cell–cell junctions, while its vertices correspond to tricellular contacts, whose roles in epithelial cell morphogenesis have not been well studied. Here, we show that tricellulin, which is localized at tricellular contacts, regulates F-actin organization via Cdc42. Tricellulin knockdown epithelial cells exhibit irregular polygonal shapes with curved cell borders and impaired organization of F-actin fibers around tricellular contacts during cell–cell junction formation. The N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of tricellulin binds to a Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factor, Tuba, and activates Cdc42. A tricellulin mutant that lacks the ability of Tuba binding cannot rescue the curved cell border phenotype of tricellulin knockdown cells. These findings indicate that tricellular contacts play crucial roles in regulating the actomyosin-mediated apical junctional complex tension through the tricellulin-Tuba-Cdc42 system.
High paracellular nutrient absorption in intact bats is associated with high paracellular permeability in perfused intestinal segments
Authors: Brun Antonio , Price Edwin R. , Gontero-Fourcade Manuel N. , Fernández-Marinone Guido , Cruz-Neto Ariovaldo P. , Karasov William H. , Caviedes-Vidal Enrique
Published: August 2014

Water-soluble nutrients are absorbed by the small intestine via transcellular and paracellular mechanisms. Based on a few previous studies, the capacity for paracellular nutrient absorption seems greater in ﬂying mammals than in nonﬂying mammals, but there has been little investigation of the mechanisms driving this difference. Therefore, we studied three species each of bats (Artibeus lituratus, Sturnira lilium, Carollia perspicillata) and nonflying mammals (Akodon montensis, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus). Using standard pharmacokinetic techniques in intact animals, we confirmed the greater paracellular nutrient absorption in the fliers, comparing one species in each group. Then we conducted in situ intestinal perfusions on individuals of all species. In both approaches, we measured the absorption of 3OMD-glucose, a nonmetabolizable glucose analog absorbed paracellular and transcellularly, as well as L-arabinose that has no mediated transport. Fractional absorption (f) of L-arabinose was three times higher in the bat (S. lilium: 1.2±0.24) than in the rodent (A. montensis: 0.35±0.04), whereas f3OMD-glucose was complete in both species (1.46±0.4 vs. 0.97±0.12, respectively). In agreement, bats exhibited 2-12 times higher L-arabinose clearance per cm2 nominal surface area than rodents in intestinal perfusions. Using L-arabinose, we estimated that the contribution of the paracellular pathway to total glucose absorption was higher in all 3 bats (109-137%) than the rodents (13-39%). These findings contribute to an emerging picture that reliance on the paracellular pathway for nutrient absorption is much greater in bats relative to nonflying mammals and that this difference is driven by differences in intestinal permeability to nutrient-sized molecules.
Effects of natural and synthetic alarm pheromone and individual pheromone components on foraging behavior of the giant Asian honey bee,Apis dorsata
Authors: Li Jianjun , Wang Zhengwei , Tan Ken , Qu Yufeng , Nieh James
Published: August 2014

Social pollinators such as honey bees face attacks from predators not only at the nest, but also during foraging. Pollinating honey bees can therefore release alarm pheromones that deter conspecifics from visiting dangerous inflorescences. However, the effect of alarm pheromone and its chemical components upon bee avoidance of dangerous food sources remains unclear. We tested the responses of giant honey bee foragers, A. dorsata, presented with alarm pheromone at a floral array. Foragers investigated the inflorescence with natural alarm pheromone, but 3.3 fold more foragers preferred to land on the "safe" inflorescence without alarm pheromone. Using GC-MS analysis, we identified eight chemical components in the alarm pheromone, of which three components (1-octanol, decanal, and gamma-octanoic lactone) have not previously been reported in this species. We bioassayed six major compounds and found that a synthetic mixture of these compounds elicited behaviors statistically indistinguishable from responses to natural alarm pheromone. By testing each compound separately, we show that gamma-octanoic lactone, isopentyl acetate, and (E)-2-decen-1-yl acetate are active compounds that elicit significant alarm responses. Gamma-octanoic lactone elicited the strongest response to a single compound and has not been previously reported in honey bee alarm pheromone. Isopentyl acetate is widely found in the alarm pheromones of sympatric Asian honey bee species, and thus alarmed A. dorsata foragers may produce information useful for conspecifics and heterospecifics, thereby broadening the effects of alarm information on plant pollination.
The Effect of Third-Party Funding of Plaintiffs on Settlement
Authors: Daughety Andrew F. , Reinganum Jennifer F.
Published: August 2014

A significant policy concern about the emerging plaintiff legal funding industry is that loans will undermine settlement. When the plaintiff has private information about damages, we find that the optimal ( plaintiff-funder) loan induces all plaintiff types to make the same demand, resulting in full settlement; implementation may entail a very high repayment amount. Plaintiffs' attorneys with contingent-fee compensation benefit from such financing, as it eliminates trial costs. When the defendant has private information about his likelihood of being found liable, we find that the likelihood of settlement is unaffected. In both settings the defendant's incentive for care-taking is unaffected. (JEL D82, K41, L84)