bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotional outcomes of regulation strategies used during personal music listening: A mobile experience sampling study
Authors: Randall William M. , Rickard Nikki S. , Vella-Brodrick Dianne A.
Published: August 2014

Music is frequently used to support emotional health and well-being, with emotion regulation the most commonly reported mechanism. Music-based emotion regulation has not yet been extensively investigated within the broader emotion regulation framework. The effects of music-based emotion regulation on emotional state and well-being outcomes have also rarely been tested in real time. The current study aimed to determine the consequences of emotion regulation strategies used during music listening, in terms of hedonic outcomes, and associations with emotional health and well-being. A sample of 327 participants used the MuPsych application (app), a mobile experience sampling methodology designed for the real-time and ecologically-valid measurement of personal music listening. Results revealed that using music to regulate a recently experienced emotion (response-focused strategies) yielded the greatest hedonic success, but was associated with poorer emotional health and well-being. Music-based emotion regulation differed from non-music emotion regulation findings in several key ways, suggesting that music-based emotion regulation does not occur in accordance with the process model. This supported the notion that personal music listening is utilized as an independent regulatory resource, allowing listeners to reach specific emotional goals. Regulation strategies are selected to reach a desired hedonic outcome, based on initial mood, and influenced by emotional health and well-being.
Variable-number tandem repeats genotyping used to aid and inform management strategies for a bovine Johne’s disease incursion in tropical and subtropical Australia
Authors: Oakey Jane , Gavey Lawrence , Singh Shoor Vir , Platell Joanne , Waltisbuhl David
Published: August 2014

The application of variable-number tandem repeats (VNTR) genotyping of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates to assist in investigating incidents of bovine Johne’s disease in a low-prevalence region of Australia is described in the current study. Isolates from a response to detection of bovine Johne’s disease in Queensland were compared with strains from national and international sources. The tandem application of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit (MIRU) and multilocus short sequence repeats (MLSSR) genotyping identified 2 strains, 1 that infected cattle on multiple properties with trace-forward histories from a common infected property, and 1 genotypically different strain recovered from a single property. The former strain showed an identical genotype to an isolate from India. Neither strain showed a genotypic link to regions of Australia with a higher prevalence of the disease. Genotyping has indicated incursions from 2 independent sources. This intelligence has informed investigations into potential routes of entry and the soundness of ongoing control measures, and supported strategy and policy decisions regarding management of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis incursions for Queensland.
The Moderating Role of Empathy in the Work–Family Crossover Process Between Chinese Dual-Earner Couples
Authors: Liu Huimin , Cheung Fanny M.
Published: August 2014

Crossover refers to the interpersonal process that occurs when stress or strain experienced by one person affects the level of strain of another person in the same social environment. This study examined the moderating role of empathy (empathic concern and perspective taking) in the relationship between one partner’s work–family interface (work–family conflict [WFC] and work–family enrichment [WFE]) and the other partner’s outcome variables (psychological strain and marital satisfaction) in a sample of 361 Chinese dual-earner couples. Moderated actor-partner interdependence model analyses showed that wives’ perspective taking buffered the impact of husbands’ WFC on wives’ psychological strain, as well as strengthened the relationship between husbands’ WFE and wives’ marital satisfaction. Wives’ empathic concern reinforced the relationship between husbands’ WFE and wives’ marital satisfaction. The findings add to the literature by providing insight into the mechanisms responsible for the direct crossover of work–family experiences.
Disturbing the Divide
Authors: Fitzpatrick Esther , Fitzpatrick Katie
Published: August 2014

In this article, we share our use of poetry as a research supervision tool. We are not only colleagues but are also in a student–supervisor relationship. Early on in the PhD process, we began writing poems to each other on email as a way of communicating aspects of our research ideas that we felt were not able to be expressed in prose. We found that this use of poetry enabled a direct emotional engagement with the work and ideas we were forming. At the same time, we shaped our writing activities as a form of resistance, indulging in a form of anti-neoliberal critique. Crucially, however, we found that poetry also allowed us to form a closer relationship because it required both of us to be open and vulnerable. We didn’t allow time to write and edit the poems but emailed them as soon as they were written.
Bodies Yearning on the Borders of Becoming
Authors: Alexander Bryant Keith
Published: August 2014

Signaling scholarship from Laurel Richardson, this essay is a performative reflection on three embodied axes of social difference as articulated through autoethnographic expressions of experience: a man who suffers from gynocomastia, a woman who suffers with Crohn’s Disease, and another women who was a chronic self-injurer. Each performative reflection serves as a vulnerable act of self-disclosure, resistance, and control. Each, according to Richardson, is a product of critical discernment that cannot be separated from the producer, the mode of production, the method of knowing, and its role as a collective story; displaying an individual’s story by narrativizing the experiences of the social category to which the individual belongs. Each story pivots on the construct of bodies yearning on the borders of becoming.
Addressing Violence by Female Partners Is Vital to Prevent or Stop Violence Against Women
Authors: Straus Murray A.
Published: August 2014

This article presents a reanalysis of data from Gondolf’s (2012) article in this journal on reoffending by men in the 15-month period subsequent to participation in batterer intervention programs. Gondolf concludes that violence by the female partners “was relatively low and does not appear to influence the program outcome in terms of men’s reassault” (p. 10). The reanalyzed data lead to the opposite conclusion. The policy and practice implications are that the high rate of assault by women, including initiation of violence by female partners, needs to be addressed to enhance the effectiveness of programs to prevent and stop violence against women.
Routine plasma biochemistry analytes in clinically healthy cats: within-day variations and effects of a standard meal
Authors: Reynolds Brice S , Brosse Claire , Jeunesse Elisabeth , Concordet Didier , Lefebvre Hervé P
Published: August 2014

Limited information is available on pre-analytical variations in plasma analytes in cats. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of the time of sampling and a standard meal on plasma analytes in healthy cats. Eight healthy, adult, fasted cats underwent blood sampling every 2 h from 8 am to 8 pm twice at a 12 day interval. On the days of sampling, four cats were kept fasted and the others were fed just after the first sample, in a crossover design. Plasma glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2, calcium, phosphate, proteins, albumin, cholesterol and triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were assayed on each sample. Effects of time of sampling and meal on plasma biochemistry results were tested using a general linear model. Diurnal variations in tested plasma analytes in fasted cats were negligible except for urea and creatinine, which gave noticeably higher plasma concentrations in the afternoon than in the morning. Observed postprandial variations were of some importance for phosphate and creatinine and of indisputable clinical relevance for CO2 and urea.
Liminal organization: Organizational emergence within solidary economy in Brazil
Authors: Meira Fabio Bittencourt
Published: August 2014

This article synthesizes the results of a research on the emergence of organizational forms within solidary economy in Brazil. Discussion on solidary economy highlights the problem of how to apprehend its typical interstitial organizing phenomena. The response is given with the aid of Victor Turner’s anthropological concepts ‘liminality’ and ‘communitas’—or ‘anti-structure’—which define the ontology of social interstices. After contextualization to contemporary capitalism and to the field of organizational studies, a new approach to the solidary economy organizing process is proposed through the theoretical construct called liminal organization. The analytical framework is applied in a case study of a company taken over by workers. Empirical evidence shows that liminal organizations live in contradiction as organizing processes in which structure and anti-structure are permanently tensioned.
Geometry optimization for asymmetrical herringbone grooves of miniature hydrodynamic journal bearings by using Taguchi technique
Authors: Chen C-Y , Liu C-S , Li Y-C , Mou Shannchyi
Published: August 2014

Hydrodynamic bearings (HDBs) have been used for data storage applications because of low friction and shock resistance. However, load capacity of HDB is substantially reduced with a decreasing dimension. Few studies have investigated the behavior of the HDB with its inner diameter smaller than Ø = 2 mm. Therefore, the aim of this study was to efficiently analyze the performance of the miniature journal bearings Ø = 0.6 mm with asymmetrical herringbone grooves. To reduce the number of full-factorial experimental design tests, the Taguchi methodology is used to find out the optimal design parameters of the two-step Herringbone-grooved journal bearings.
Cortical thickness and surface area relate to specific symptoms in early relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Nygaard Gro O , Walhovd Kristine B , Sowa Piotr , Chepkoech Joy-Loi , Bjørnerud Atle , Due-Tønnessen Paulina , Landrø Nils I , Damangir Soheil , Spulber Gabriela , Storsve Andreas B , Beyer Mona K , Fjell Anders M , Celius Elisabeth G , Harbo Hanne F
Published: August 2014

Background:

Cortical atrophy is common in early relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Whether this atrophy is caused by changes in cortical thickness or cortical surface area is not known, nor is their separate contributions to clinical symptoms.

Objectives:

To investigate the difference in cortical surface area, thickness and volume between early RRMS patients and healthy controls; and the relationship between these measures and neurological disability, cognitive decline, fatigue and depression.

Methods:

RRMS patients ( n = 61) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neurological and neuropsychological examinations. We estimated cortical surface area, thickness and volume and compared them with matched healthy controls ( n = 61). We estimated the correlations between clinical symptoms and cortical measures within the patient group.

Results:

We found no differences in cortical surface area, but widespread differences in cortical thickness and volume between the groups. Neurological disability was related to regionally smaller cortical thickness and volume. Better verbal memory was related to regionally larger surface area; and better visuo-spatial memory, to regionally larger cortical volume. Higher depression scores and fatigue were associated with regionally smaller cortical surface area and volume.

Conclusions:

We found that cortical thickness, but not cortical surface area, is affected in early RRMS. We identified specific structural correlates to the main clinical symptoms in early RRMS.
Atrophy and structural variability of the upper cervical cord in early multiple sclerosis
Authors: Biberacher Viola , Boucard Christine C , Schmidt Paul , Engl Christina , Buck Dorothea , Berthele Achim , Hoshi Muna-Miriam , Zimmer Claus , Hemmer Bernhard , Mühlau Mark
Published: August 2014

Background:

Despite agreement about spinal cord atrophy in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), data on clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) are conflicting.

Objective:

To determine the onset of spinal cord atrophy in the disease course of MS.

Methods:

Structural brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was acquired from 267 patients with CIS (85) or RRMS (182) and 64 healthy controls (HCs). The upper cervical cord cross-sectional area (UCCA) was determined at the level of C2/C3 by a segmentation tool and adjusted for focal MS lesions. The coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated from all measurements between C2/C3 and 13 mm above as a measure of structural variability.

Results:

Compared to HCs (76.1±6.9 mm2), UCCA was significantly reduced in CIS patients (73.5±5.8 mm2, p=0.018) and RRMS patients (72.4±7.0 mm2, p<0.001). Structural variability was higher in patients than in HCs, particularly but not exclusively in case of focal lesions (mean CV HCs/patients without/with lesions: 2.13%/2.55%/3.32%, all p-values<0.007). UCCA and CV correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores ( r =−0.131/0.192, p=0.044/<0.001) and disease duration ( r=−0.134/0.300, p=0.039/< 0.001). CV additionally correlated with hand and arm function ( r=0.180, p=0.014).

Conclusion:

In MS, cervical cord atrophy already occurs in CIS. In early stages, structural variability may be a more meaningful marker of spinal cord pathology than atrophy.
‘Why would you want to know?’
Authors: Bertel Troels Fibæk
Published: August 2014

With the widespread adoption of smartphones, mobile users today have an increasing number of ways to communicate about their location; the practice of ‘checking in’, thereby broadcasting one’s location to one’s network of friends on Facebook, is one such way. Previous research has indicated that the social sharing of location information in mobile social media may be associated with significant consequences, for instance, in the areas of coordination, self-presentation, network presence and social capital. An interview study conducted with 31 ‘ordinary’ young Danish smartphone and Facebook users, however, indicates that this specific use of location sharing, despite being well-known and despite the potential of the technology indicated by previous research, has come to play a relatively minor role in their everyday lives. Drawing on the domestication approach, this article examines the meaning making associated with the use and particularly the reluctance towards use of the technology and discusses the discrepancy between the existing literature and limited use found in the present study.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptomatology and pediatric obesity: Psychopathology or sleep deprivation?
Authors: Lundahl Alyssa , Nelson Timothy D
Published: August 2014

The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity in children has received considerable attention in recent years. However, the literature currently overlooks the potential causal and maintaining role that sleep problems may play in this relationship. Using a biopsychosocial framework, this article highlights how sleep problems impact the biological, psychological, and social aspects of both ADHD symptomatology and obesity. An in-depth examination of this model illustrates the imperative need for future research and clinical practice to recognize and explore the role sleep has in the link between obesity and ADHD symptomatology.
Synthesis and kinematic and dynamic analysis of a variable valve lift mechanism with general contact curve
Authors: Mihalcea Stelian , Stănescu Nicolae-Doru , Popa Dinel
Published: August 2014

In this paper, a new type of continuously variable valve lift (VVL) system is presented. The mechanism comprises a standard roller finger follower, the camshaft, and an intermediate rocker arm used between them. When the adjustment shaft rotates, the intermediate rocker arm is repositioned with respect to the cam and the roller of the rocker finger. This means that, when the rotation angle of the adjustment shaft is controlled, the valve lift height is also controlled. The intermediate rocker arm is equipped with a special developed contact surface, which is one of the novelties of this paper. The profile of the contact surface is analytically determined using the theory of the envelope curves. Using a certain cam profile, the kinematic analysis of the mechanism proceeds, resulting in the family of the valve lift laws. This paper also establishes the general conditions to design a variable valve timing (VVT) mechanism with continuous VVL and mechanical actuation. Numerical simulation shows that the mechanism continuously varies valve lift height and timing phases, while the valve’s opening time remains constant. The last parts of the paper are dedicated to different aspects concerning the elastohydrodynamic lubrication and valve train dynamics. The study is performed by comparing the optimized cam and a standard harmonic one which achieves the same maximum displacement of the valve. The optimized cam ensures better safety in functioning, a smaller preload, leading to a greater oil film thickness, and not causing excessive deformations in the engine. The calculation model is a general one, and it may be applied to other mechanisms with similar configuration.
‘Have you ever seen a thief wearing a uniform?!’ Struggling for dignity in urban southeastern Brazil
Authors: Machado-Borges Thaïs
Published: August 2014

Brazil is a highly unequal and socially segregated society. Within this context, Brazilians’ everyday lives are marked by the constant reading of bodies: Who is/could be/looks dangerous? Who should be avoided? Poor working-class people are painfully aware of readings merging poverty and criminality. Based on ongoing ethnographic fieldwork among middle-class and lower-income persons in southeastern Brazil, this photo essay investigates some visual mechanisms at play in processes of social categorization. With a point of departure in the rhetorical question ‘Have you ever seen a thief wearing a uniform?’ uttered by unskilled workers at moments when their moral status is questioned, this essay examines the dynamic tensions linking physical appearance, morality and social hierarchies in contemporary Brazil. It highlights some of the ways through which unskilled workers’ uniforms can be a marker of both marginality and morality as they provide a visual basis for classism in everyday interaction and signal, in other situations, group affiliation, honesty and worker pride.
Concept reintegration for youth focus group engagement and empowerment
Authors: Whitaker M. Pippin , Savage Tamara Estes
Published: August 2014

Youths’ views on how community and social influences impact dating violence are virtually absent in research literature, in part because it is difficult to capture. When researchers ask youth what causes dating violence, responses focus on dating violence “triggers.” The few multi-level influences identified revolve around restraining orders and punishing abusers. In this article, we review formats that have been used for youth focus groups, especially in research on teen dating violence. We note that conventional focus groups and concept mapping processes rely on facilitator prompts to elicit discussion based on cause and effect that are assumed to be in line with the researcher’s social science understanding of causality. We then propose a new focus group format that begins with conventional focus group prompts followed by integration of participant concepts with concepts added by the researcher. The new format reverses the typical coding process in which the researcher gleans knowledge from focus group participants post-interview through the lens of the scientific knowledge base. We present pilot results based on three focus groups with 37 youth and 10 adults. We report the effect of the new format on participation, engagement, complexity of discussion, critical thinking about social structure, and participant empowerment. We discuss specific areas in which the focus group formats differed and suggest important implications for focus group methods and practice with groups, especially youth groups.
Conducting post-disaster research with refugee background peer researchers and their communities
Authors: Marlowe Jay M , Lou Lucy , Osman Mohamud , Alam Zibulnessa Zeba
Published: August 2014

This paper incorporates peer researchers from refugee backgrounds to deconstruct their experiences of conducting interviews and focus groups with refugee communities in a post-disaster environment in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The associated dynamics illustrate the contextual intricacies of recruitment, building relationships, the politics of interpreting and engaging with people’s lived experiences in respectful and safe ways. The peer researchers’ experiences highlight several methodological and ethical complexities to critically examine the role of ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ as a continuum when working in post-disaster contexts with culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
Do thrombotic events during endovascular interventions lead to poorer outcomes in patients with severe limb ischemia?
Authors: Chia Daryl , May Kyin Kyin , Zaw Min Htet , Hartman Mikael , Robless Peter A , Ho Pei
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Intra-procedural acute thrombosis (IPAT) is a complication of endovascular procedures. We aim to identify risk factors for IPAT and compare the outcomes of patients with or without IPAT.

Methods

Paired T test and χ2 test were used to identify risk factors and short-term outcomes. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used for mid-term outcomes.

Results

A total of 228 procedures were performed with 21 IPAT events (9.21%). The odds ratio of Indian patients developing IPAT was 2.8x (95% CI 1.1–7.6). Patients with in-stent occlusion or prior IPAT were 5.6x (95% CI 1.3–24.2) and 5.6x (95% CI 1.3–24.4) more likely to develop an IPAT event. Patients without IPAT had significantly more improvement in mean runoff score (−1.15 ± 1.31, p < 0.01). The odds of patients with IPAT requiring subsequent endovascular intervention and arterial bypass surgery were 4.2x (95% CI 1.6–10.7) and 7.1x (95% CI 1.9–27.0). There was no significant Kaplan–Meier estimated overall survival or amputation-free survival difference between patients with or without IPAT event.

Conclusion

Indian ethnicity, in-stent occlusion and previous IPAT were associated with higher risk of IPAT. Even after successful endovascular salvage, patients with IPATs were more likely to require secondary revascularization procedure. Patients with IPATs had no decrease in overall survival or amputation-free survival.
An inverse problem of the load-sharing system reliability analysis: Constructing the load function
Authors: Gurov Sergey V , Utkin Lev V
Published: August 2014

The reliability analysis of the load-sharing systems under different behaviors of the load has been provided in this article. An inverse problem of determining the load function by having requirements concerning the system survivor function is solved. Simple and explicit expressions for computing the load function are provided under the assumption that the Weibull probability distributions of time to failure are derived. A standby system consisting of two units under the changeable load is studied. The various numerical examples illustrate the proposed models.
Glucagon in the Artificial Pancreas
Authors: Rylander Dick
Published: August 2014

The use of glucagon, in conjunction with insulin, in a dual chamber pump (artificial pancreas, AP) is a working goal for multiple companies and researchers. However, capital investment to create, operate, and maintain facilities with sufficient scale to produce enough glucagon to treat millions of patients, at a level of profit that makes it feasible, will be substantial. It can be assumed that the marketplace will expect the daily cost of glucagon (to the consumer) to be similar to the daily cost of insulin. After one subtracts wholesaler and pharmacy markup, there may be very few dollars remaining for the drug company to cover profit, capital expenditures, marketing, burden, and other costs. Without the potential for adequate margins, manufacturers may not be willing to take the risk. Assuming that the projections discussed in this article are in the right ballpark, advance planning for the supply for glucagon needs to start today and not wait for the AP to come to market.
State Systems Change in Prevention Resource Management
Authors: Diana Augie , Landy Ann L. , Flanagan Sean
Published: August 2014

Federally funded initiatives have provided resources to develop comprehensive substance abuse prevention strategies. Historically, most awards were made directly to communities. Beginning in 1997, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) signaled a new direction. The State Incentive Grant (SIG) program saw grants awarded to states and territories who then distributed money to communities to support prevention program implementation. A primary goal of the SIG program was statewide coordination of prevention service delivery and resource mobilization. Over seven years, 40 states and US territories received SIG awards. The SIG program was based on the assumption that systems change, in the form of improved state-level coordination and resource mobilization, would result in improved community-level prevention and, ultimately, in improved substance use outcomes. Coordination was defined as collaborative efforts of state-level agencies and individuals with control over prevention resources that resulted in a plan for addressing substance use problems and populations at risk. Resource mobilization was defined as the leveraging and/or redirection of resources to support implementation of effective prevention strategies. A cross-site evaluation of the systems changegoals included a content analysis of grantees’ report documents and ratings of grantee accomplishments along a scale of milestones leading to institutionalization. A majority of grantees (68 percent) achieved at least the first milestone in coordination and resource mobilization categories and they achieved more coordination milestones than resource mobilization milestones. Results are discussed in relation to the role of prevention systems change in achieving desired substance use–related outcomes.
No Longer “All-American”? Whites’ Defensive Reactions to Their Numerical Decline
Authors: Danbold Felix , Huo Yuen J.
Published: August 2014

We suggest that Whites’ declining share of the U.S. population threatens their status as the most prototypical ethnic group in America. This prototypicality threat should lead to growing resistance toward diversity, motivated by the desire to reassert Whites’ standing as prototypical Americans. In Study 1, how dramatically Whites perceived their share of the population to decline predicted support for cultural assimilation, mediated by prototypicality threat (controlling for realistic and symbolic threat). This relationship held only among Whites who felt that ethnic groups differ in their prototypicality, not among those who saw all groups representing America equally. Study 2 experimentally manipulated exposure to demographic projections such that Whites who saw their group shrinking showed weaker diversity endorsement relative to those who believed their share to be stable, again mediated by prototypicality threat. These findings reveal Whites’ threatened prototypicality as a novel, emerging source of resistance toward diversity in 21st-century America.
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase β mediates microvascular endothelial repair of thrombotic microangiopathy
Authors: Haddad George , Zhabyeyev Pavel , Farhan Maikel , Zhu Lin Fu , Kassiri Zamaneh , Rayner David C. , Vanhaesebroeck Bart , Oudit Gavin Y. , Murray Allan G.
Published: August 2014

Key Points

Endothelial PI3Kβ is not required in the quiescent vasculature, but PI3Kβ loss confers sensitivity for thrombotic microangiopathy. PI3Kβ activity is required for endothelial angiogenic differentiation and microvascular repair.
Export of virulence proteins by malaria-infected erythrocytes involves remodeling of host actin cytoskeleton
Authors: Rug Melanie , Cyrklaff Marek , Mikkonen Antti , Lemgruber Leandro , Kuelzer Simone , Sanchez Cecilia P. , Thompson Jennifer , Hanssen Eric , O’Neill Matthew , Langer Christine , Lanzer Michael , Frischknecht Friedrich , Maier Alexander G. , Cowman Alan F.
Published: August 2014

Key Points

Maurer's clefts are P falciparum–derived membranous structures within the host erythrocyte that are essential for parasite survival. PfPTP1 functions in a large complex of proteins and is required for linking of Maurer's clefts to the host actin cytoskeleton.
Health related quality of life in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer and factors with impact: a longitudinal study
Authors: Wen Zhengwei , Li Xiaomei , Lu Qian , Brunson Julie , Zhao Miao , Tan Jianfeng , Wan Chonghua , Lei Pingguang
Published: August 2014

Background

The assessment of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) has been applied as a significant outcome indicator for patients with chronic diseases. No HRQOL study, however, has looked at HRQOL in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers. This paper focuses on comparing HRQOL in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers and examining the factors that influence the HRQOL of such patients. Results can be used for making decisions in clinical trials as well as aiding individual management and preventive care of these diseases.

Methods

The Chinese version of the SF-36 (CSF-36) was administered twice to 244 patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers. Mean scores across the two disease groups were compared using t-tests, change over time was analyzed with paired samples t-tests, and factors predicting HRQOL were investigated using the univariate general linear model.

Results

The mean domain scores of patients with chronic gastritis were lower than those for patients with peptic ulcers, with the exception of physical functioning. Both groups had lower HRQOL compared with population norms. Mean domain scores increased after treatment in both groups. HRQOL in patients with these two chronic diseases differed by age, education level, marriage, income, and gender, but their explanatory power was relatively low.

Conclusion

Quality of life of patients with chronic gastritis was lower than that of patients with peptic ulcers, which was lower than population norms. Quality of life in both patients groups was associated with socio-demographic risk factors.
The combined toxicological effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and bisphenol A on zebrafish embryos
Authors: Yan Jun , Lin Bencheng , Hu Chuanlu , Zhang Huashan , Lin Zhiqing , Xi Zhuge
Published: August 2014

Environmental pollutants co-exist and exhibit interaction effects that are different from those associated with a single pollutant. As one of the more commonly manufactured nanomaterials, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are most likely to bind to other contaminants in water. In this paper, we aimed to study the combined toxicological effects of TiO2-NPs and bisphenol A (BPA) on organism. First, in vitro adsorption experiments were conducted to determine the adsorptive interaction between TiO2-NPs and BPA. Second, zebrafish embryo toxicity tests were performed to monitor for changes in the toxicological effects associated with the two chemicals. The study results demonstrated that adsorptive interactions exist between the two chemicals and increased toxicity effects which included an advanced toxicological effect time, decreased survival, increased morphological abnormalities, and delayed embryo hatching. Also, we suggest that the mode of combined action has a synergistic effect. Based on this, we postulate that concomitant exposure to TiO2-NPs and BPA increased BPA bioavailability and uptake into cells and organisms. Further studies are required to understand the mechanisms of interactions of this mixture.
Fixed point theorems for fuzzy mappings and applications to ordinary fuzzy differential equations
Authors: Nashine Hemant Kumar , Vetro Calogero , Kumam Wiyada , Kumam Poom
Published: August 2014

Ran and Reurings (Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 132(5):1435-1443, 2004) proved an analog of the Banach contraction principle in metric spaces endowed with a partial order and discussed some applications to matrix equations. The main novelty in the paper of Ran and Reurings involved combining the ideas in the contraction principle with those in the monotone iterative technique. Motivated by this, we present some common fixed point results for a pair of fuzzy mappings satisfying an almost generalized contractive condition in partially ordered complete metric spaces. Also we give some examples and an application to illustrate our results.

MSC:46S40, 47H10, 34A70, 54E50.
Evaluation and updating of the Medical Malacology Collection (Fiocruz-CMM) using molecular taxonomy
Authors: Aguiar-Silva Cryslaine , Mendonça Cristiane Lafetá Furtado , da Cunha Kellis Pinheiro Pedro Henrique , Mesquita Silvia Gonçalves , Carvalho Omar dos Santos , Caldeira Roberta Lima
Published: August 2014

Background

The Medical Malacology Collection (Coleção de Malacologia Médica, Fiocruz-CMM) is a depository of medically relevant mollusks, especially from the genus Biomphalaria, which includes the hosts of Schistosoma mansoni. Taxonomic studies of these snails have traditionally focused on the morphology of the reproductive system. However, determination of some species is complicated by the similarity shown by these characters. Molecular techniques have been used to try to overcome this problem.

Description

The Fiocruz-CMM utilizes morphological and/or molecular method for species’ identification. However, part of the collection has not been identified by molecular techniques and some points were unidentified. The present study employs polymerase chain reaction-based analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) to evaluate the identification of Biomphalaria in the Fiocruz-CMM, correct existing errors, assess the suitability of taxonomic synonyms, and identify unknown specimens. The results indicated that 56.7% of the mollusk specimens were correctly identified, 4.0% were wrongly identified, and 0.4% was identified under taxonomic synonyms. Additionally, the PCR-RFLP analysis identified for the first time 17.6% of the specimens in the Collection. However, 3.1% of the specimens could not be identified because the mollusk tissues were degraded, and 18.2% of the specimens were inconclusively identified, demonstrating the need for new taxonomic studies in this group.

Conclusion

The data was utilized to update data of Environmental Information Reference Center (CRIA). These studies demonstrate the importance of using more than one technique in taxonomic confirmation and the good preservation of specimens’ collection.
Efficacy and tolerability of Entecavir for hepatitis B virus infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Aoki Jun , Kimura Kiminori , Kakihana Kazuhiko , Ohashi Kazuteru , Sakamaki Hisashi
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) flare is a serious problem following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and the mortality rate is high if severe hepatitis occurs.

Case description

Although Entecavir (ETV) is a standard antiviral drug for HBV infection, the efficacy and safety of ETV therapy in HSCT are still unclear.

Discussion and Evaluation

To examine the efficacy and tolerability of ETV treatment in HSCT, we retrospectively identified 5 patients who received ETV for treatment of HBsAg carrier among patients undergoing HSCT in our institute. We reviewed their clinical information such as clinical course of serum HBV DNA levels, administration period and dose of ETV, and adverse events. There were no episodes of HBV flare or reactivation after HSCT in all patients during the observation period, as a 10-fold rise in HBV DNA levels or positive conversion of HBsAg were not observed.

Conclusion

ETV monotherapy is effective and safe for HBsAg carrier patients following HSCT.
Development of cereal and legume based food products for the elderly
Authors: Satusap Pruet , Chavasit Visith , Kriengsinyos Wantanee , Judprasong Kunchit
Published: August 2014

Diets for elderly must contain nutritious foods, fit their physiological limitations, and match with their food culture. Cereals and legumes are suggested food choices regardless of their cultures and beliefs. Ready-to-eat products containing suitable macronutrient patterns from cereals and legumes were developed. Energy distributions from carbohydrate (60 kcal/100 kcal), protein (15 kcal/100 kcal), and fat (25 kcal/100 kcal), protein quality, and percent energy from saturated fatty acid and free sugar were criteria for the formulation. Carbohydrate sources were rice flour, brown rice flour, mung bean starch, which carbohydrate in rice flour was the most digestible on in vitro test. Protein and fat sources were soybean flour, black sesame seed, and rice bran oil. Three products, i.e., flake snack, instant beverage, and instant soup were produced by drying basic ingredients as flakes on a double-roller drum dryer and directly used or dry-mixed with other ingredients. The products (Aw <0.3) had balanced energy distribution, good quality protein, and energy from saturated fat < 8 kcal/100 kcal and free sugar < 10 kcal/100 kcal. Results from sensory central location test in 219 elderly subjects indicated that the flake snacks from both carbohydrate sources were significantly more acceptable than the other two products.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Jet Flap Interaction Effects
Authors: Lyubimov D. , Maslov V. , Mironov A. , Secundov A. , Zakharov D.
Published: August 2014

The influence of the wing and flaps geometry on the flow field and acoustic radiation of the jet are experimentally and numerically investigated. The azimuth non-uniformity of jet acoustic field was experimentally defined with a help of far-field microphones, flow field within the jet was measured using PIV technique and numerically calculated with a help high resolution combined RANS/ILES method. The jet flaps interaction (JFI) effects was experimentally and numerically investigated at facility under modeling of real by-pass nozzle configuration and outflow parameters. The comparison between measured flow-field and noise of a jet shows that JFI excess noise is mainly related to jet deformation and increasing of velocity gradients and turbulence within jet which are induced by tip flap vortexes.
Shaking table test on building in masonry structure with construction waste recycled brick
Authors: Su Hui , Wang Jian , Jiang Xinpei , Tan Yang
Published: August 2014

Based on the shake table test on "tie column-ring beam-cast-in-place slab" construction waste recycled brick masonry structure, a 1/3 scaled model of 4 stories is tested to analyze the seismic behavior of the multi-storey masonry structure. The test is conducted with EL-Centro seismic wave, Taft wave and artificial wave to simulate the damages observed and the seismic response under different earthquake levels. On the basis of test results, the seismic performance of the model is good and the overall structure could satisfy seismic fortification requirements in the region of intensity 8. At the same time, there was no obvious difference between this masonry structure and recycled aggregate concrete block masonry structure. The lintel of the door and window damage seriously. The base damages more easily than the superstructure. Masonry structure with construction waste recycled brick can satisfy the requirement of the masonry structure buildings in eight degree of aseismatic design area.
The paste filling pipe flow on-line detection system based on ultrasonic
Authors: Wang Guimei , Zhang Shuai
Published: August 2014

Recently, filling mining is becoming more and more important in the mining industry and has been used widely. In order to better control the process of paste filling mining and acquire the accurate amount of filling material used, and to reduce the waste of paste filling material, we should detect in real time the paste flow in the pipe during the process of filling. This paper introduces in detail the basic principle of ultrasonic detection technology and the hardware composition and working principle of the on-line detection system. The author uses the theory of unascertained error analysis of detecting data and implements ultrasonic detection technology to realize on-line detection of paste filling pipe flow.
Effect of couple stress and magnetic field on the unsteady convective diffusion in blood flow
Authors: Ratchagar Nirmala , Kumar R.
Published: August 2014

The effect of magnetic field on unsteady convective diffusion in a couple stress fluid (blood) is studied using a time dependent dispersion model. This model is used to calculate the mean concentration distribution of a solute, bounded by the porous layer and is expressed as a function of dimensionless axial distance and time. The magnetic field, arising as a body couple in the governing equations is shown to increase the axis dispersion coefficient. This is useful to the control of haemolysis caused by artificial organs implanted or extracorporeal. Dispersion coefficient and mean concentration are computed for different values of Hartmann number (M), Couple Stress Parameter (a) and Porous Parameter (σ).
Mists and mellow fruitfulness
Authors: Neville Sarah
Published: August 2014

The seasons offer such wonderful learning opportunities for young children, each with its own character and weather. As we enter autumn there are so many activities to try out.
A novel approach to the treatment of diabetic foot abscesses — a case series
Authors: Cahn A. , Y Kleinman
Published: August 2014

Diabetic foot abscesses are an occasional complication of diabetic foot infections usually involving osteomyelitis and significant soft tissue injury. The standard of care for diabetic foot abscesses is the performance of immediate surgical drainage and debridement. However, this therapeutic mode involves more often than not, some extent of minor amputation and bony loss. With the advent of new therapeutic techniques it may be possible to treat diabetic foot abscesses conservatively.

Objective:

To explore adjunct therapies in the treatment of diabetic foot abscesses in order to avoid extensive surgery, amputation and tissue loss whilst maintaining limb integrity.

Method and Results:

Between January 2011 and June 2012, six patients with a diabetic foot abscess and osteomyelitis presented at our diabetic foot clinic. They were treated with topical oxygen and the abscesses were drained using PolyMem® Wic® Silver Rope (PWSR). All patients experienced full recovery and remained disease free during a follow up period of 4–21 months.

Conclusion:

Amputation and the removal of infected bone had once been considered the sole treatment for diabetic foot osteomyelitis. Multiple case series and accumulation of clinical experience has shown otherwise, and nowadays medical management of osteomyelitis is the preferred treatment in select patients. In our study, we present a case series of patients suffering from diabetic foot abscesses treated non-surgically. Hopefully this series will lay the foundation for further data demonstrating the feasibility of a conservative approach for diabetic foot abscesses, which may overcome the infection without requiring amputation.

Declaration of interest:

There were no external sources of funding for this study. YK received a travel grant from Ferris Mfg. Corporation for presentation of this work at the EWMA 2012 conference.
Caring for a stoma: making the right choices
Authors: Burch Jennie
Published: August 2014

With an ageing population, there is a growing likelihood of an increase to the number of people living in care with a stoma. In this article, Jennie Burch offers an overview of the products on offer to treat this condition effectively
Asthma in older people: treatments, risks and recommendations
Authors: Carnegie Elaine
Published: August 2014

Asthma can be a serious and life-threatening condition for those in care and residential homes. Elaine Carnegie provides and overview of which symptoms to look for and how to treat those with asthma
New law for families: employers beware
Authors: Naru Ami
Published: August 2014

Changes have recently been implemented regarding the option of flexible working for new parents. Ami Naru offers an insight into these changes and what they mean for both employees and employers
Principles of positive risk taking for individuals with disabilities
Authors: Veselinova Claire
Published: August 2014

Claire Veselinova discusses this optional unit, which reinforces the notion of positive risk taking for those with a disability. She highlights the role of the health professional, who should support and empower individuals to exercise choice and achieve aspirations
Prognostic Value of Midregional Pro–A-Type Natriuretic Peptide and N-Terminal Pro–B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients with Stable Coronary Heart Disease Followed over 8 Years
Authors: Karakas Mahir , Jaensch Andrea , Breitling Lutz P , Brenner Hermann , Koenig Wolfgang , Rothenbacher Dietrich
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

Pathophysiological studies suggest that A-type natriuretic peptides (ANPs) might provide valuable information beyond B-type natriuretic peptides (BNPs) about cardiac dysfunction in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). We aimed to assess the predictive value of midregional pro–A-type natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) for recurrent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in stable CHD patients for whom information on N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) was already available.

METHODS

Plasma concentrations of MR-proANP and NT-proBNP were measured at baseline in a cohort of 1048 patients aged 30–70 years with CHD who were participating in an in-hospital rehabilitation program. Main outcome measures were cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 8.1 years, 150 patients (incidence 21.1 per 1000 patient-years) experienced a secondary CVD event. MR-proANP was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.89 (95% CI, 1.01–3.57) when the top quartile was compared to the bottom quartile in the fully adjusted model (P for trend = 0.011). For NT-proBNP the respective HR was 2.22 (95% CI, 1.19–4.14) with a P for trend = 0.001. Finally, MR-proANP improved various model performance measures, including c-statistics and reclassification metrics, but without being superior to NT-proBNP.

CONCLUSIONS

Although we found an independent association of MR-proANP as well as NT-proBNP when used as single markers with recurrent CVD events after adjustment for established risk factors, the results of a simultaneous assessment of both markers indicated that MR-proANP fails to provide additional prognostic information to NT-proBNP in the population studied.
Predicting Recidivism of Juvenile Offenders
Authors: Kalist David E. , Lee Daniel Y. , Spurr Stephen J.
Published: August 2014

This study uses a large data set to analyze and predict recidivism of juvenile offenders in Pennsylvania. We employ a split-population duration model to determine the effect of covariates on (1) the probability of failure, defined as a second referral to juvenile court, and (2) the time to failure, given that it occurs. A test of the predictive power of our estimates finds a false positive rate of 18.5% and a false negative rate of 20.7%, which compares favorably to the performance of other models in the literature.