bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analytical solution for vibration and buckling of annular sectorial porous plates under in-plane uniform compressive loading
Authors: Kamranfard MR , Saidi AR , Naderi A
Published: July 2017

In this article, an analytical solution for free vibration of moderately thick annular sectorial porous plates in the presence of in-plane loading is presented. Because of the in-plane loading, before the vibrational analysis, a buckling analysis is performed. To this end, equations of motion together with the stability equations are derived using Hamilton principle. Both the governing equations of motion and stability are highly coupled differential equations, which are difficult to solve analytically. So, they are decoupled through performing some mathematical operations. The decoupled equations are then solved analytically for annular plates with simply supported boundary conditions on the radial edges and different boundary conditions on the circumferential edges. Natural frequencies and also critical buckling load are obtained and the effects of thickness ratio, radii ratio, porosity, and boundary conditions are studied in detail. Finally, the effect of in-plane loading on the natural frequency of the plate is studied comprehensively. Numerical results show that the natural frequency decreases as the load ratio approaches one and vanishes as it reaches one.
Factors associated with receiving an HIV test among patients admitted through the emergency unit at a Kenyan referral hospital
Authors: Bridge Rebecca , Lin Janet
Published: July 2017

Despite decreasing incidence, HIV is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Kenya. In Kisumu, HIV prevalence is ∼19% and incidence is second highest in the country. There is a need to identify HIV-positive persons and link them to care. Universal testing in healthcare facilities is a strategy supported by the Kenyan government to facilitate identification of new HIV cases. The objective was to identify patterns of HIV testing in a hospital in Kisumu, Kenya, a setting where universal testing is recommended. A retrospective chart review of patients seen between January 2014 and December 2014 was conducted. We collected information on 5% of admitted patients older than 18 years of age. Chi square analysis characterized patients and Poisson regression modeling produced the relative risk of being tested. In 2014, 9071 patients were admitted from the emergency unit. From the sample, 24% of patients were recorded to have been tested for HIV. There was no significant difference in testing between genders (p = 0.99). Females with a genitourinary diagnosis were significantly more likely to be tested for HIV than other diagnoses (adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 1.79). Males with an infectious disease were 1.86 times more likely to be tested for HIV than other diagnoses, while females with pregnancy-related diagnoses were 50% less likely to be tested for HIV (aRR = 0.50). While universal testing supports a non-risk-based screening of patients, higher risk diagnoses were more likely to be tested. This study demonstrates that there is still opportunity to further practice and implement universal testing.
What impact has tendering had on trainees? Results of a national survey by British Association for Sexual Health and HIV Trainees’ Collaborative for audit, research and quality improvement projects
Authors: Wiggins Helen , Hartley Anna , Clarke Emily , Foley Elizabeth , Nandwani Rak , Carlin Elizabeth , Waters Laura , Ahmed Nadia
Published: July 2017

In April 2013, local authorities gained responsibility for commissioning sexual health services in England. With many services going out to tender and resultant change in services or service provider, there is anecdotal evidence that this has impacted on the education, training and morale of genitourinary medicine (GUM) trainees. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of tendering on GUM trainees. An electronic survey designed by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV Trainees’ Collaborative for Audit, Research and Quality Improvement Projects (T-CARQ) was distributed to GUM trainees and newly appointed consultants. Eighty-two individuals responded (74% GUM trainees, 25% newly appointed consultants, 1% locum appointed for service). Sixty-three per cent (45/72) had experience of training within a service which was being tendered. Of these, 59% (24/41) felt their training was not considered during the tendering process and 20% (8/41) felt that it was. Forty-four per cent (18/41) felt adequately supported. Thirty per cent (12/40) reported active participation in the tendering process. On a scale of 0 (no impact) to 5 (major impact), the median score for impact of tendering on training was 2. The positive/negative impact of tendering on different training elements was rated: other than management experience the overall impact on all parameters was negative, namely morale, senior support and education. In conclusion, this survey describes the variable impact of service tendering on GUM training. Our recommendations for maintaining training standards despite tendering include actively involving trainees and education partners, inclusion of specialist GUM training in service specifications, development of guidance for commissioners and services for the management of GUM training within tendering.
Numerical Nudging: Using an Accelerating Score to Enhance Performance
Authors: Shen Luxi , Hsee Christopher K.
Published: July 2017

People often encounter inherently meaningless numbers, such as scores in health apps or video games, that increase as they take actions. This research explored how the pattern of change in such numbers influences performance. We found that the key factor is acceleration—namely, whether the number increases at an increasing velocity. Six experiments in both the lab and the field showed that people performed better on an ongoing task if they were presented with a number that increased at an increasing velocity than if they were not presented with such a number or if they were presented with a number that increased at a decreasing or constant velocity. This acceleration effect occurred regardless of the absolute magnitude or the absolute velocity of the number, and even when the number was not tied to any specific rewards. This research shows the potential of numerical nudging—using inherently meaningless numbers to strategically alter behaviors—and is especially relevant in the present age of digital devices.
Effects of leading-edge rod on dynamic stall performance of a wind turbine airfoil
Authors: Zhong Junwei , Li Jingyin , Guo Penghua
Published: July 2017

A cylindrical rod placed at the leading edge of the S809 airfoil is used as an alternative for the conventional vortex generators. In this paper, extensive numerical investigations have been conducted on the effects of the rod on the static and dynamic stall performance of the S809 airfoil. The flows around the stationary and sinusoidally oscillating S809 airfoils at Re = 106 are simulated by solving the unsteady two-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations with the Shear Stress Transport k–ω model. For the stationary airfoil, the leading edge rod can effectively enhance the aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoil and delay the stall angle, with the maximum lift–drag ratio increased by 30.7%. For the airfoil undergoing deep dynamic stall, the rod shows the capacity of eliminating the dynamic stall vortex at the leading edge and suppressing the flow separation at the tailing edge. It also reduces the peak of the negative pitching moment and the hysteresis effects substantially, and eliminates the negative damping sub-loop of the moment coefficient. Moreover, the distance between the rod and the airfoil has a strong influence on the lift forces but little effect on drag and moment coefficients of airfoil under deep dynamic stall.
Polynesian colonization and landscape changes on Mo’orea, French Polynesia: The Lake Temae pollen record
Authors: Stevenson Janelle , Benson Alexis , Athens J. Stephen , Kahn Jennifer , Kirch Patrick V
Published: July 2017

An analysis of sediment cores from Lake Temae utilizing pollen, accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and charcoal particle counts was undertaken to assess landscape transformation following Polynesian colonization of Mo’orea in the Society Islands. A significant influx of terrigenous sediment accompanied by increases in charcoal and the presence of the Polynesian cultigen Colocasia (taro) are indicative of human presence on the island by at least 1060–980 cal. yr BP. Polynesian arrival resulted in the rapid alteration of lowland vegetation illustrated in the pollen record by the removal of the coastal tree Pandanus and the promotion of more economically important trees such as Cocos. The most significant period of burning in the charcoal data overlaps with archaeological evidence for expansion into the island interior and the establishment and growth of more intense agricultural practices from 700 to 500 cal. yr BP. The pollen record also documents the apparent abandonment of the coastal plain near Lake Temae during this phase of inland expansion with the terrestrial landscape returning to an environment similar to that found before colonization. A final phase of environmental transformation commenced with European contact at the end of the 18th century and is marked most clearly in the Lake Temae sequence with the conversion of the system to a freshwater body accompanied by the expansion of the freshwater reed Typha and a level of burning not seen at any time over the previous 1000 years. Importantly, the new data from Lake Temae support the colonization model for central Eastern Polynesia of ca. 1000 cal. yr BP and refute the late settlement scenario for the Society Islands.
The Holocene Thermal Maximum around Svalbard, Arctic North Atlantic; molluscs show early and exceptional warmth
Authors: Mangerud Jan , Svendsen John Inge
Published: July 2017

Shallow marine molluscs that are today extinct close to Svalbard, because of the cold climate, are found in deposits there dating to the early Holocene. The most warmth-demanding species found, Zirfaea crispata, currently has a northern limit 1000 km farther south, indicating that August temperatures on Svalbard were 6°C warmer at around 10.2–9.2 cal. ka BP, when this species lived there. The blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, returned to Svalbard in 2004 following recent warming, and after almost 4000 years of absence, excluding a short re-appearance during the Medieval Warm Period 900 years ago. Mytilus first arrived in Svalbard at 11 cal. ka BP, indicating that the climate was then as least as warm as present. This first warm period lasted from 11 to 9 cal. ka BP and was followed by a period of lower temperatures 9–8.2 cal. ka BP. After 8.2 cal. ka, the climate around Svalbard warmed again, and although it did not reach the same peak in temperatures as prior to 9 ka, it was nevertheless some 4°C warmer than present between 8.2 and 6 cal. ka BP. Thereafter, a gradual cooling brought temperatures to the present level at about 4.5 cal. ka BP. The warm early-Holocene climate around Svalbard was driven primarily by higher insolation and greater influx of warm Atlantic Water, but feedback processes further influenced the regional climate.
Soil erosion in relation to land-use changes in the sediments of Amik Lake near Antioch antique city during the last 4 kyr
Authors: El Ouahabi Meriam , Hubert-Ferrari Aurélia , Lebeau Héléne , Karabacak Volkan , Vander Auwera Jacqueline , Lepoint Gilles , Dewitte Olivier , Schmidt Sabine
Published: July 2017

The Amik Basin in the Eastern Mediterranean region occupied since 6000–7000 BC has sustained a highly variable anthropic pressure culminating during the late Roman Period when the Antioch city reached its golden age. The present 6-m-long sedimentary record of the Amik Lake occupying the central part of the Basin constrains major paleoenvironmental changes over the past 4000 years using multi-proxy analyses (grain size, magnetic susceptibility, and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) geochemistry). An age model is provided by combining short-lived radionuclides with radiocarbon dating. A lake/marsh prevailed during the last 4 kyr with a level increase at the beginning of the Roman Period possibly related to optimum climatic condition and water channeling. The Bronze/Iron Ages are characterized by a strong terrigenous input linked to deforestation, exploitation of mineral resources, and the beginning of upland cultivation. The Bronze/Iron Age transition marked by the collapse of the Hittite Empire is clearly documented. Erosion continued during the Roman Period and nearly stopped during the early Islamic Period in conjunction with a decreasing population and soil depletion on the calcareous highland. The soil-stripped limestone outcrops triggered an increase in CaO in the lake water and a general decrease in ZrO2 released in the landscape that lasts until the present day. During the Islamic Period, pastoralism on the highland sustained continued soil erosion of the ophiolitic Amanus Mountains. The Modern Period is characterized by a higher pressure particularly on the Amanus Mountains linked to deforestation, road construction, ore exploitation, and drying of the lake for agriculture practices.
Medical statistics - no time for complacency
Authors: Aalen Odd O
Published: July 2017

Statistical science plays an important role in medical research. Whether this will continue to be so, depends to a large extent on the future of fields like clinical trials and epidemiology. Will these continue to play the important role they do today in the development of medicine?

Traditional, frequentist, methodology still dominates in medical statistics. Statisticians should have an open and pragmatic attitude towards new approaches.

Survival analysis is a field of biostatistics that has been through considerable recent development. The need for further methodological development in this field is stressed. There is also need for connecting statistical work more intimately to biological knowledge than is the case today.
Exponential family models and statistical genetics
Authors: Palmgren Juni
Published: July 2017

This article describes the evolution of applied exponential family models, starting at 1972, the year of publication of the seminal papers on generalized linear models and on Cox regression, and leading to multivariate (i) marginal models and inference based on estimating equations and (ii) random effects models and Bayesian simulation-based posterior inference. By referring to recent work in genetic epidemiology, on semiparametric methods for linkage analysis and on transmission/disequilibrium tests for haplotype transmission this paper illustrates the potential for the recent advances in applied probability and statistics to contribute to new and unified tools for statistical genetics. Finally, it is emphasized that there is a need for well-defined postgraduate education paths in medical statistics in the year 2000 and thereafter.
Introduction and overview
Authors: Elston Robert C
Published: July 2017

Common terms used in genetics with multiple meanings are explained and a brief overview given of the four major areas of genetic epidemiology - the study of familial aggregation, segregation, cosegregation and association. Familial aggregation measures the potential for a trait to have a genetic aetiology. Segregation analysis uncovers single gene segregation. Cosegregation with genetic markers gives rise to linkage, which is used to locate trait genes on the genome. Association analysis is used for fine mapping, but rests on the assumption that linkage disequilibrium exists.
Risk models in genetic epidemiology
Authors: Claus Elizabeth B
Published: July 2017

Advances in the identification and treatment of genetically transmitted diseases have lead to an increased need for reliable estimates of genetic susceptibility risk. These estimates are used in clinic settings to identify individuals at increased risk of being a carrier of a disease susceptibility allele as well as to define the probability of developing a particular disease given one is a carrier. Accurate assessment of these probabilities is extremely important given the implications for medical decision making including the identification of patients who might benefit from genetic counselling or from entry into clinical trials. A wide range of risk models has been proposed including those that utilize logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards regression, log-incidence models, and Bayesian modelling. The specific data used to create the various risk models varies by disease and may include molecular, epidemiologic, and clinical information although, in general, family history remains the primary variable of interest, particularly for those diseases for which a susceptibility allele(s) has yet to be identified. When permitted by sample size, researchers also attempt to measure the effect of any gene-environment interaction. In this paper we give an overview of the various definitions of risk as well as several of the more frequently used methods of risk estimation in genetic epidemiology at present. In addition, the means by which different methods are able to provide a measure of error or uncertainty associated with a given risk estimate will be discussed. Applications to risk modelling for breast cancer are given the disease for which risk assessment has probably been most extensively defined.
Allele-sharing among affected relatives: non-parametric methods for identifying genes
Authors: Shih Mei-Chiung , Whittemore Alice S
Published: July 2017

Non-parametric linkage analysis examines similarities among affected relatives in alleles of one or more genetic markers (pieces of DNA at known locations on a chromosome). The objective is to evaluate departures from the null hypothesis that the markers are not near a disease gene. Under the null hypothesis, Mendel's laws give the probabilities that a set of relatives exhibits a particular allele-sharing pattern, and the null hypothesis is rejected if the extent of allele sharing among affected relatives exceeds Mendelian expectation. Because the rationale for allele-sharing methods is intuitively plausible and easily grasped, geneticists have used these methods for more than 30 years, well before the advent of the large sets of polymorphic markers that have made linkage analysis so fruitful today. Here we describe methods for assessing whether the extent of marker allele sharing among affected relatives exceeds Mendelian expectation. We first quantify the notion of allele sharing and the probabilities of allele sharing in various sets of relatives. Then we describe allele sharing methods for affected sibs and more general sets of relatives. We also discuss related issues of test size and power. We conclude with a brief discussion of areas in need of further research.
A chronology of fine-scale gene mapping by linkage disequilibrium
Authors: Lazzeroni Laura C
Published: July 2017

The past decade produced several proposals for fine-scale gene mapping using linkage disequilibrium data. The suggested methods fall into two main groups, those that rely on pairwise statistics and those that rely on haplotypes. This paper reviews each strategy's development from a chronological perspective.
Implantation of Brain-Derived Extracellular Matrix Enhances Neurological Recovery after Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Wu Yun , Wang Jiayin , Shi Yejie , Pu Hongjian , Leak Rehana K. , Liou Anthony K.F. , Badylak Stephen F. , Liu Zhixiong , Zhang Jun , Chen Jun , Chen Ling
Published: July 2017

Scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) are being investigated for their ability to facilitate brain tissue remodeling and repair following injury. The present study tested the hypothesis that the implantation of brain-derived ECM would attenuate experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) and explored potential underlying mechanisms. TBI was induced in mice by a controlled cortical impact (CCI). ECM was isolated from normal porcine brain tissue by decellularization methods, prepared as a hydrogel, and injected into the ipsilesional corpus callosum and striatum 1 h after CCI. Lesion volume and neurological function were evaluated up to 35 d after TBI. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess post-TBI white matter integrity, reactive astrogliosis, and microglial activation. We found that ECM treatment reduced lesion volume and improved neurobehavioral function. ECM-treated mice showed less post-TBI neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and less white matter injury than control, vehicle-treated mice. Furthermore, ECM ameliorated TBI-induced gliosis and microglial pro-inflammatory responses, thereby providing a favorable microenvironment for tissue repair. Our study indicates that brain ECM hydrogel implantation improved the brain microenvironment that facilitates post-TBI tissue recovery. Brain ECM offers excellent biocompatibility and holds potential as a therapeutic agent for TBI, alone or in combination with other treatments.
Altered Hippocampal Neurogenesis during the First 7 Days after a Fluid Percussion Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Shapiro Lee A.
Published: July 2017

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a devastating disorder causing negative outcomes in millions of people each year. Despite the alarming number of brain injuries and the long-term detrimental outcomes that can be associated with TBI, treatment options are lacking. Extensive investigation is underway, in hopes of identifying effective treatment strategies. Among the most state-of-the-art strategies is cell replacement therapy. TBI is a seemingly good candidate for cell replacement studies because there is often loss of neurons. However, translation of this therapy has not yet been successful. It is possible that a better understanding of endogenous neurogenic mechanisms after TBI could lead to more efficacious study designs using exogenous cell replacement strategies. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the number and migration of immature neurons at 1 and 7 d after a fluid percussion TBI. The results show that the number of immature neurons increases from 7 d after a fluid percussion injury (FPI), and there is ectopic migration of doublecortin (DCX+) immature neurons into the hilar region of the dentate gyrus. These results add important data to the current understanding of the endogenous neurogenic niche after TBI. Follow-up studies are needed to better understand the functional significance of elevated neurogenesis and aberrant migration into the hilus.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Galgano Michael , Toshkezi Gentian , Qiu Xuecheng , Russell Thomas , Chin Lawrence , Zhao Li-Ru
Published: July 2017

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents in various forms ranging from mild alterations of consciousness to an unrelenting comatose state and death. In the most severe form of TBI, the entirety of the brain is affected by a diffuse type of injury and swelling. Treatment modalities vary extensively based on the severity of the injury and range from daily cognitive therapy sessions to radical surgery such as bilateral decompressive craniectomies. Guidelines have been set forth regarding the optimal management of TBI, but they must be taken in context of the situation and cannot be used in every individual circumstance. In this review article, we have summarized the current status of treatment for TBI in both clinical practice and basic research. We have put forth a brief overview of the various subtypes of traumatic injuries, optimal medical management, and both the noninvasive and invasive monitoring modalities, in addition to the surgical interventions necessary in particular instances. We have overviewed the main achievements in searching for therapeutic strategies of TBI in basic science. We have also discussed the future direction for developing TBI treatment from an experimental perspective.
Withania somnifera Extract Protects Model Neurons from In Vitro Traumatic Injury
Authors: Saykally Jessica N. , Hatic Haris , Keeley Kristen L. , Jain Subhash C. , Ravindranath Vijayalakshmi , Citron Bruce A.
Published: July 2017

Withania somnifera has been used in traditional medicine for a variety of neural disorders. Recently, chronic neurodegenerative conditions have been shown to benefit from treatment with this extract. To evaluate the action of this extract on traumatically injured neurons, the efficacy of W. somnifera root extract as a neuroprotective agent was examined in cultured model neurons exposed to an in vitro injury system designed to mimic mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Neuronal health was evaluated by staining with annexin V (an early, apoptotic feature) and monitoring released lactate dehydrogenase activity (a terminal cell loss parameter). Potential mechanisms underlying the observed neuroprotection were examined. Additionally, morphological changes were monitored following injury and treatment. Although no differences were found in the expression of the antioxidant transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2) or other Nrf2-related downstream components, significant changes were seen in apoptotic signaling. Treatment with the extract resulted in an increased length of neurites projecting from the neuronal cell body after injury. W. somnifera extract treatment also resulted in reduced cell death in the model neuron TBI system. The cell death factor Bax was involved (its expression was reduced 2-fold by the treatment) and injury-induced reduction in neurite lengths and numbers was reversed by the treatment. This all indicates that W. somnifera root extract was neuroprotective and could have therapeutic potential to target factors involved in secondary injury and long-term sequelae of mild TBI.
Genetic and Histological Alterations Reveal Key Role of Prostaglandin Synthase and Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 in Traumatic Brain Injury–Induced Neuroinflammation in the Cerebral Cortex of Rats Exposed to Moderate Fluid Percussion Injury
Authors: Shojo Hideki , Borlongan Cesario V. , Mabuchi Tadashi
Published: July 2017

After the initial insult in traumatic brain injury (TBI), secondary neurodegeneration occurs that is intimately associated with neuroinflammation. Prostaglandin (PG) synthases and cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2 may contribute to inflammation in the brain. Temporal and spatial expression features of PG and COX1 and 2 following trauma may guide the development of antineuroinflammation strategies. Here, we examined PG synthase signaling and COX1 and 2 gene expression levels and COX-1- and 2-positive cell types and their temporal localization in TBI-induced brain in an effort to reveal their participation in the disease’s evolving neuroinflammation. Using brain samples from the cerebral cortex of rats subjected to TBI model of lateral moderate fluid percussion injury (FPI), we sought to characterize the temporal (subacute TBI) and spatial (lateral cortical lesion) brain alterations accompanying the disease progression. Temporal gene expression changes of PG synthase signaling were compared between sham-operated and TBI-treated rats using microarray pathway analysis. Moreover, we examined COX1 and 2 expression patterns and their intracellular distribution in sham-operated and TBI-treated rats by immunohistochemistry. After FPI, COX1 and 2 gene expression levels, and PGE2 synthase increased while PGD2 synthase decreased, suggesting that PGE2 and PGD2 afforded contraindicative effects of inflammation and anti-inflammation, respectively. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that both COX1 and COX2 increased in a time-dependent manner in the brain, specifically in degenerating neurons of the cortex. Interestingly, the expression of COX cell type was cell-specific, in that COX1 was particularly increased in degenerating neurons while COX2 was expressed in macrophages. In view of the dynamic temporal and spatial expression of PG, COX1 and 2 gene expression and localization in the injured brain regulating PG synthase and COX1 and 2 activity will require a careful disease-specific tailoring of treatments to abrogate the neuroinflammation-plagued secondary cell death due to TBI.
Promoting Entrepreneurship amid Youth in Windhoek’s Informal Settlements: A Namibian Case
Authors: Winschiers-Theophilus Heike , Cabrero Daniel G. , Chivuno-Kuria Shilumbe , Mendonca Hedvig , Angula Shetuyene S. , Onwordi Lisa
Published: July 2017

Considering the high unemployment rate among Namibian youth and a lack of job opportunities, the promotion of entrepreneurship has gained wider attention in the country. A number of initiatives have been started such as entrepreneurship trainings and workshops, business idea competitions, etc. All these aim to inspire young people to think of alternative income sources. As part of a two-year funded community outreach research and development (R&D) project, we have investigated participatory approaches to engage marginalized youth into conceptualizing their own context, imparting skills, and deriving new career paths. This article reports and reflects on one of the interventions we have recently concluded with a group of youth in Havana, an informal settlement in the outskirts of Windhoek. We conducted what we entitled “The Havana Entrepreneur”, a series of interactions inspired upon the model of the American reality game show “The Apprentice”. Over a number of weeks two youth groups were given challenges to tackle by means of competing against one another. After completion of each challenge, groups were rated by a number of judges on skills demonstrated such as marketing, presentation, reflection and creativity among others. We observed an increase in, and improvement of skills revealed along tasks’ completion, besides an openly expressed self-realization and discovery of abilities by participants. Moreover, the youth are currently engaged in the continuation of activities beyond the initial entrepreneurial interactions. Thus we suggest replicating “The Havana Entrepreneur”, including the recording on camera of it by the youth themselves as a new mode to instigating a wider entrepreneurial spirit in informal settlements.
Book Review: Rajshree Chandra (2016), The Cunning of Rights: Law, Life, Biocultures
Authors: Thayyil Naveen
Published: July 2017

Rajshree Chandra (2016), The Cunning of Rights: Law, Life, Biocultures. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. 240 pp., ₹850 (Hardcover), ISBN: 0-19-945976-2.
Consumer Environmental Attitude and Willingness to Purchase Environmentally Friendly Products: An SEM Approach
Authors: Malik Chirag , Singhal Neeraj
Published: July 2017

It has been found that in spite of showing concern for the environment and advocating environmentally safe activities, the Indian consumer is still not ready to accept the hard truth that it the responsibility of one and all to minimize their contribution to the overall environmental pollution. This article aims at studying socio-psychological factors which contribute in the formation of environmental attitude of consumers. It further aims at establishing the connection between environmental attitude of the consumer and his/her willingness to buy environmentally friendly products (WTB-EFPs). A conceptual model has been proposed and tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). It has been found that the dimensions, such as environmental knowledge (EK), perceived seriousness of environmental (PSE) problem, interpersonal influence (IPI), collectivism and long-term orientation (LTO), have positive relationship with consumer environmental attitude (CEA). It has also been observed that consumer with favourable environmental attitude expresses their WTB-EFPs. This is an original study conducted for the first time in India using five antecedents of CEA with the application of SEM. No demographic factors have been studied in this article in order to put more focus on their socio-psychological dimensions.
Tradeoff and Forecasting Approach for Social Responsible Investing: Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Srivastava Sonali
Published: July 2017

The proposed research helps to associate the risk and return relationship of selected social responsible investing funds. The various forecasting methods are used to evaluate the significance of the social responsible investing funds for the investors. In the present study, information criterion model is used to determine risk and return which is a good predictor model for social responsible investing funds. In particular, the article uses the artificial neural network approach which helps to recognize the risk and return patterns of the social responsible investing funds. For the present study, secondary data had been collected in which the net asset values (NAV) of TATA ethical funds and UTI Charitable and Religious Trust and Registered Society (UTI CRTS) funds are collected from June 2013 to June 2016 to assess the risk and return relationship of selected social responsible investing funds for the investors. It was found that there is a positive relationship between risk and return. All the forecasting models regression, autoregressive integrated moving average, information criterion and artificial neural network are appropriate for depicting the significant relationship, impact and errors between risk and return values.
Dharavi Market: Linking Social Enterprise into the E-commerce Industry
Authors: Narasimha Abhishek
Published: July 2017

This case study is a blend of on-field study and research from secondary sources. The case study introduces the reader to the various cottage industries existing in Dharavi and attempts to burst the stereotypical myth of a slum being a place of misery, unemployment and squalor. The case then proceeds to bring out an understanding of the growth in the e-commerce sector in India through the marketplace model while enumerating the challenges faced by the cottage industries in Dharavi which prevented them from directly selling their products to the e-commerce websites. The story of a for-profit e-commerce web portal called Dharavi Market is brought out and its innovative business model, which has enabled in getting many craftsmen of Dharavi onto the e-commerce platform, is explained. Finally, the case highlights the company performance, describes the economic and social impacts of Dharavi Market on the craftsmen of the neighbourhood, brings out the limitations of the organization in accomplishing its objectives and contemplates the future prospects of this social enterprise.
Locating a Wind Energy Project: A Case of a Leading Oil and Gas Producer in India
Authors: Sharma Neeraj , Agrawal Rajat
Published: July 2017

Energy has been considered a major driver for socio-economic development. Its major generation has been from fossil fuels that are expected to get depleted rapidly over the next few decades. Hence, there is an urgent need for shifting reliance to renewable sources of energy for sustainability. In view of this urgent need, a leading oil and gas producer in India desired assessing an optimum and financially feasible location for setting-up a wind power project in India. Recognizing this need, this work attempts to assess various factors for deciding the Indian state to locate a wind energy project. Apart from site location specific factors, machine factors, energy market, incentives and exemptions play a key role in aiding this decision. However, considerable variations in the wind energy policy incentives of various Indian states complicate this facility location decision. Thus this work compares the wind energy policies of five operationally feasible states in India through a critical evaluation of financial feasibility of setting up a wind power project in those states. The methodology illustrated is replicable and can also be used to compare wind energy policies across other states and geographical locations. They also provide a basis to the governments to adopt the attractive prevalent practices in terms of incentives to promote renewable energy such as wind.
Book Review: Arun Sundararajan, The Sharing Economy: The End of Employment and the Rise of Crowd-Based Capitalism
Authors: Kaushal Leena Ajit
Published: July 2017

Arun Sundararajan, The Sharing Economy: The End of Employment and the Rise of Crowd-Based Capitalism, 2016, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England: The MIT Press, 1–240 pp., ₹1620. ISBN: 978-0262034579. (Hardbound)
Qui manet in amicitia manet in Deo: Friendship in a Latin Christian tradition
Authors: Krishna Robert
Published: July 2017

I explore the discourse on friendship in four Latin Christian authors, Ambrose of Milan, Augustine of Hippo, John Cassian and Aelred of Rievaulx, and how it occurs in the intersection of Cicero and biblical models and maxims. I conclude that friendship is not only central to the authors’ view of a fulfilled human life, but also to their understanding of the relationship between God and human beings.
Adaptation of Gaming Features for Motivating Learners
Authors: Monterrat Baptiste , Lavoué Élise , George Sébastien
Published: July 2017

Background. Many learning environments are quickly deserted by learners, even if they are efficient. Gamification of learning environments is a recent approach used to enhance learners’ motivation and participation.

Aim. People have various expectations and react differently faced with specific game mechanics. An important goal lies in automatically adapting game mechanics according to player types. In this article, we study the gaming features that can be adapted in learning environments and the player model that can be used for the adaptation process. We propose an approach that aims to predict to which game mechanics a user is responsive, and to adapt the gaming features of the system according to this information.

Methodology. An implementation was released, and evaluated through an quasi-experimental study with 59 middle school students, each one using the learning environment during three 45-minutes sessions.

Results. The results validate the implementation of the system and show that the users’ activity can help to predict their profile. The adaptation process did not improve learners’ engagement as expected, but it shows a path for future research toward an adaptive approach for learning environment gamification.
Gay Men’s Understanding and Education of New HIV Prevention Technologies in Vancouver, Canada
Authors: Klassen Benjamin J. , Lachowsky Nathan J. , Lin Sally Yue , Edward Joshua B. , Chown Sarah A. , Hogg Robert S. , Moore David M. , Roth Eric A.
Published: July 2017

Effective rollout of HIV treatment-based prevention such as pre-exposure prophylaxis and treatment as prevention has been hampered by poor education, limited acceptability, and stigma among gay men. We undertook a thematic analysis regarding the education sources and acceptability of these New Prevention Technologies (NPTs) using 15 semistructured interviews with gay men in Vancouver, Canada, who were early adopters of NPTs. NPT education was derived from a variety of sources, including the Internet, health care providers, community organizations, sexual partners, and peers; participants also emphasized their own capacities as learners and educators. Acceptable forms of NPT education featured high-quality factual information, personal testimony, and easy access. Stigma was highlighted as a major barrier. For public health, policy makers, and gay communities to optimize the personal and population benefits of NPTs, there is a need for increased community support and dialogue, antistigma efforts, early NPT adopter testimony, and personalized implementation strategies.
Microbiologic and Economic Evaluation of Multiday Infusion Pumps for Control of Cancer Pain
Authors: Ohlsson Lennart J , Rydberg Tony S , Edén Tony , Glimhall Boel AK , Thulin Lars A
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To confirm established methods and assess bacteriologic and economic consequences of using external portable infusion pumps for the control of cancer pain in the home environment.

Methods:

Sixteen patients with terminal cancer were treated subcutaneously or epidurally with continuous infusions of morphine using external multiday infusion pumps. Bacterial growth in the pumps and costs linked to use in a hospital or at home were assessed. Patients treated at home received 2 pumps weekly, marked A for first use and B for second use, and patients treated in the hospital received 1 pump every fourth day. After use, the remaining solution in the reservoirs was examined for microbiologic contents.

Results:

A total of 317 pumps was used and 211 pumps were cultured (66.6%). Growth was found in 16 (7.6%) ( Staphylococcus albus in 13, Escherichia coli in 2, and Candida albicans in 1 pump). There were no significant differences in contamination between pumps used in the hospital or A or B pumps used at home. No patient showed any signs of clinical infection associated with the infusions. The use of multiday devices led to overall cost savings of $284 553 (2.1 million SKr) and a maximum cost savings potential of $379 404 (2.8 million SKr).

Conclusions:

The multiday pump system used and the methods established were found to be safe and bacteriologically satisfactory, as well as cost-effective for both hospital and home use.
Comparison of Activities and Attitudes of Baccalaureate Level and Entry-Level Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates of the University of Illinois at Chicago
Authors: Fjortoft Nancy F , Lee Mary WL
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To determine whether (1) differences exist between BSPharm and PharmD pharmacists in practice site selection, activities, and attitudes; and (2) differences in activities and attitudes exist uniquely between BS and PharmD pharmacists in hospital settings and in community settings.

Design:

A survey was designed and sent through the mail.

Setting:

The BSPharm graduating classes of 1985 and 1986 and the PharmD graduating classes of 1988–1990 from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Participants:

Usable responses were received from 65% (n = 159) of the BSPharm cohort and 54% (n = 176) of the PharmD cohort.

Main Outcomes:

The outcomes under study were: (1) the choice of practice setting of the first job and the current job; (2) percent of time spent in 4 broad categories of pharmacists' activities: prescription processing, clinical activities, management, and educating; (3) levels of intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction; and (4) levels of professional commitment.

Results:

Chi-square results indicated that more BS pharmacists were practicing in community settings than were PharmD pharmacists. Multivariate analysis of variance results indicated that PharmD pharmacists were spending significantly more time in clinical and educating activities, and less time in prescription processing, controlling for any effect associated with age. PharmDs were significantly more committed to the profession and had higher levels of intrinsic job satisfaction. Analysis of data on 122 hospital pharmacists showed that PharmDs were spending significantly more time on educating activities and less time in processing prescriptions than BSPharm pharmacists, and that they were more intrinsically satisfied. No differences were found between BSPharm pharmacists and PharmD pharmacists in community settings.

Conclusions:

The results of this study suggest that the additional clinical education in PharmD programs may have a role in developing pharmacists with greater professional commitment and job satisfaction.
Treatment of Non-HIV Cryptosporidial Diarrhea with Azithromycin
Authors: Bessette Robert E , Amsden Guy W
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To report a patient with non-HIV-related cryptosporidial diarrhea who was treated effectively with a regimen of high-dose azithromycin therapy.

Case Summary:

A 42-year-old immunocompetent man contracted cryptosporidiosis from an ailing calf that he had purchased. He finally was admitted to the hospital because of excessive weight loss and profuse diarrhea. The patient was started on a course of high-dose azithromycin therapy and symptoms resolved within 48 hours. Follow-up stool cultures were negative for the parasite.

Discussion:

Although usually associated with immunocompromised patients, cryptosporidiosis occurs in immunocompetent hosts in a significant portion of the reported cases each year. Although self-limiting in most cases in this population, the disease can be severe at times and require treatment. Paromomycin therapy has been used in the past with good results. Although macrolides have had erratic effects against this parasite in the past, azithromycin (an azalide) demonstrated good efficacy in this patient.

Conclusions:

Azithromycin has demonstrated that it may be an effective option for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent patients. Studies involving its use in immunocompromised patients are currently underway.
Rifampin-Fluconazole Interaction in Critically ILL Patients
Authors: Nicolau David P , Crowe Helen M , Nightingale Charles H , Quintiliani Richard
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To report the influence of rifampin coadministration on the pharmacokinetics of fluconazole in 2 critically ill patients.

Case Summaries:

The pharmacokinetics of fluconazole are reported in 5 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), 2 of whom received rifampin and 3 who received only fluconazole. Patient 1 was a 52-year-old man with bilateral pneumonia who received rifampin for 9 days in addition to other antibiotics when fluconazole was added for suspected fungal superinfection. Patient 2, a 39-year-old man with steroid-dependent asthma was admitted to the ICU with a right middle lobe pneumonia and ventilatory insufficiency. Because of rapid clinical deterioration, intravenous rifampin 600 mg q12h and fluconazole 100 mg q24h were added to conventional antibacterial therapy. Patients 3–5 received intravenous fluconazole therapy, but were never administered rifampin prior to their antifungal therapy.

Discussion:

Fluconazole has gained wide use as an antifungal agent because of its efficacy, limited toxicity, and the paucity of reported drug interactions. In some clinical situations, however, the drug must be coadministered with rifampin. Limited data in healthy volunteers suggest that the coadministration of rifampin and fluconazole results in a 23% reduction in the fluconazole area under the concentration-time curve (AUC). In this report, we found a statistically significant lowering of the AUC (52%) and a 93% higher total body clearance of fluconazole in patients treated with rifampin.

Conclusions:

Although limited data are available describing the magnitude of the interaction between fluconazole and rifampin in patients, our data suggest a more significant interaction than previously reported. If the concurrent administration of the 2 drugs is unavoidable, the patient's clinical response to treatment should be monitored closely, as the unexpectedly large reduction in fluconazole serum concentrations may lead to poor treatment outcomes.