bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal diffusion changes in prodromal and early HD: Evidence of white‐matter tract deterioration
Authors: Shaffer Joseph J. , Ghayoor Ali , Long Jeffrey D. , Kim Regina Eun‐Young , Lourens Spencer , O'Donnell Lauren J. , Westin Carl‐Fredrik , Rathi Yogesh , Magnotta Vincent , Paulsen Jane S. , Johnson Hans J.
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects striatal neurons. Striatal volume loss is present years before clinical diagnosis; however, white matter degradation may also occur prior to diagnosis. Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) can measure microstructural changes associated with degeneration that precede macrostructural changes. DWI derived measures enhance understanding of degeneration in prodromal HD (pre‐HD).

Methods

As part of the PREDICT‐HD study, N = 191 pre‐HD individuals and 70 healthy controls underwent two or more (baseline and 1–5 year follow‐up) DWI, with n = 649 total sessions. Images were processed using cutting‐edge DWI analysis methods for large multicenter studies. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics were computed in selected tracts connecting the primary motor, primary somato‐sensory, and premotor areas of the cortex with the subcortical caudate and putamen. Pre‐HD participants were divided into three CAG‐Age Product (CAP) score groups reflecting clinical diagnosis probability (low, medium, or high probabilities). Baseline and longitudinal group differences were examined using linear mixed models.

Results

Cross‐sectional and longitudinal differences in DTI measures were present in all three CAP groups compared with controls. The high CAP group was most affected.

Conclusions

This is the largest longitudinal DWI study of pre‐HD to date. Findings showed DTI differences, consistent with white matter degeneration, were present up to a decade before predicted HD diagnosis. Our findings indicate a unique role for disrupted connectivity between the premotor area and the putamen, which may be closely tied to the onset of motor symptoms in HD. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1460–1477, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
School–University–Community Collaboration: Building Bridges at the Water's Edge
Authors: McMillon Gwendolyn Thompson
Published: January 2017

Students learn best when their out‐of‐school literacy experiences are incorporated into daily classroom instruction. Teachers who participate in community‐based initiatives, develop relationships and acquire knowledge and skills needed for this type of instructional practice. They get to know students, families, and community cultural brokers who can share experiential knowledge that influences literacy teaching and learning. When teachers become a part of the community, they are also able to prepare students to successfully negotiate cultural borders, improve academically, and serve their own communities. This commentary is a call to action for teachers to understand the benefits of community‐based initiatives and become active participants.
Power and Citizenship Through Youth‐Centered Project‐Based Clinical Practice
Authors: Daoud Nisreen , Pellegrino Anthony
Published: January 2017

“Partnerships in/as/for Literacies” explores the idea that literacies are as much evolving processes as they are static contents. Co‐authored by university‐ and school‐based teachers and teacher educators, pre‐service teachers, and youths, columns consider how very traditional literacies (e.g., in reading, writing, composing, speaking, and listening), other notions and concepts of literacy, and literacy pedagogies are best developed and complicated through context‐crossing partnerships among university, school, and community constituents playing boundary‐spanning roles.
Reading Achievement, International Comparisons, and Moral Panic: Do International Reading Test Scores Matter?
Authors: Harrison Colin
Published: January 2017

This department column is a venue for thoughtful discussions of contemporary issues dealing with policy and practice, remixed in ways that generate new insights into enduring dilemmas, debates, and controversies.
Cultivating Disciplinary Futures in a School‐Based Digital Atelier
Authors: Phillips Nathan C. , Woodard Rebecca , Killian Lund Virginia
Published: January 2017

This department column explores digital and disciplinary literacies across learning contexts and disciplines within and outside of school. Digital enhancements will encourage readers to post questions, comments, and connections.
Simulations, Literacy, and Learning
Authors: DeHart Jason D.
Published: January 2017

This forum highlights and evaluates apps, computer programs, and websites that teachers, students, and other interested parties can use to explore, research, and engage in content learning and literacy practices.
A Book That Bleeds: An Unlikely Textual Resource
Authors: Ungemah Lori D.
Published: January 2017

This forum reviews a mix of resources (written texts, graphic novels, documentaries, and mixed‐media pieces) to inform pedagogy and related educational practices that foreground representations of youths and their literacy practices within and outside of school.
A Dance of Bars: Rethinking the Role of Literacy Education in the Age of Mass Incarceration
Authors: Kirkland David E.
Published: January 2017

Most people have struggled with reading in one situation or another, depending on their appreciation for the content, their prior experiences, and the texts. This department column shares ways for educators to help literacy learners unlock their potential with instruction anchored in their skills, knowledge, ways of learning, interests, and attitudes.
Directed In Situ Shaping of Complex Nano‐ and Microstructures during Chemical Synthesis
Authors: Artus Georg R. J. , Olveira Sandro , Patra Debabrata , Seeger Stefan
Published: January 2017

Chemical composition and shape determine the basic properties of any object. Commonly, chemical synthesis and shaping follow each other in a sequence, although their combination into a single process would be an elegant simplification. Here, a pathway of simultaneous synthesis and shaping as applied to polysiloxanes on the micro‐ and nanoscale is presented. Complex structures such as stars, chalices, helices, volcanoes, rods, or combinations thereof are obtained. Varying the shape‐controlling reaction parameters including temperature, water saturation, and the type of substrate allows to direct the reaction toward specific structures. A general mechanism of growth is suggested and analytical evidence and thermodynamic calculations to support it are provided. An aqueous droplet in either gaseous atmosphere or in a liquid organic solvent serves as a spatially confined polymerization volume. By substituting the starting materials, germanium‐based nanostructures are also obtained. This transferability marks this approach as a major step toward a generally applicable method of chemical synthesis including in situ shaping.

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Tuning the Molar Composition of “Charge‐Shifting” Cationic Copolymers Based on 2‐(N,N‐Dimethylamino)Ethyl Acrylate and 2‐(tert‐Boc‐Amino)Ethyl Acrylate
Authors: Ho Hien The , Bohec Maël Le , Frémaux Julien , Piogé Sandie , Casse Nathalie , Fontaine Laurent , Pascual Sagrario
Published: January 2017

Copolymers of 2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate (DMAEA) and 2‐(tert‐Boc‐amino)ethyl acrylate (tBocAEA) are synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization in a controlled manner with defined molar masses and narrow molar masses distributions (Ð ≤ 1.17). Molar compositions of the P(DMAEA‐co‐tBocAEA) copolymers are assessed by means of 1H NMR. A complete screening in molar composition is studied from 0% of DMAEA to 100% of DMAEA. Reactivity ratios of both comonomers are determined by the extended Kelen–Tüdos method (r
DMAEA = 0.81 and rt

BocAEA = 0.99).

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Branched Macromolecular Architectures for Degradable, Multifunctional Phosphorus‐Based Polymers
Authors: Henke Helena , Brüggemann Oliver , Teasdale Ian
Published: January 2017

This feature article briefly highlights some of the recent advances in polymers in which phosphorus is an integral part of the backbone, with a focus on the preparation of functional, highly branched, soluble polymers. A comparison is made between the related families of materials polyphosphazenes, phosphazene/phosphorus‐based dendrimers and polyphosphoesters. The work described herein shows this to be a rich and burgeoning field, rapidly catching up with organic chemistry in terms of the macromolecular synthetic control and variety of available macromolecular architectures, whilst offering unique property combinations not available with carbon backbones, such as tunable degradation rates, high multi­valency and facile post‐polymerization functionalization. As an example of their use in advanced applications, we highlight some investigations into their use as water‐soluble drug carriers, whereby in particular the degradability in combination with multivalent nature has made them useful materials, as underlined by some of the recent studies in this area.

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New Strategy to Access Dual‐Stimuli‐Responsive Triple‐Shape‐Memory Effect in a Non‐overlapping Pattern
Authors: Xie Hui , Deng Xiao‐Ying , Cheng Chuan‐Ying , Yang Ke‐Ke , Wang Yu‐Zhong
Published: January 2017

Multistimuli‐responsive shape‐memory polymers are highly desirable in various applications, and numerous modes have been developed in recent years. However, most of them need to reprogram before they are ready to respond to another stimulus while one is triggered. Here, a new strategy is developed to achieve dual‐stimuli‐responsive triple‐shape memory with non‐overlapping effect in one programming cycle. Here, a series of poly(l‐lactide)‐poly(tetramethylene oxide) glycol copolymers (PLA‐PTMEG‐A) is prepared by selected dangling photoresponsive anthracene moieties on the crystalline PTMEG backbone. The architectures of the copolymers are well‐controlled in order to keep a good balance between the crystallinity of the soft segment and the mobility of the anthracene moieties. Thus, PLA‐PTMEG‐A's can respond to heat and light with non‐overlapping effect. The thermally‐induced shape‐memory effect (TSME) is realized by the crystallization–melting transition of PTMEG soft segments, while the light‐induced shape‐memory effect (LSME) is achieved by the reversible photodimerization of anthracene groups. In view of the non‐overlapping effect of TSME and LSME in the copolymers, a triple‐shape‐memory effect triggered by dual‐stimuli is realized in one programming and recovery cycle.

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Technical Note: Issues related to external marker block placement for deep inspiration breath hold breast radiotherapy
Authors: Conroy Leigh , Guebert Alexandra , Smith Wendy L.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

It has been suggested that the Real‐time Position Management (RPM) marker block should be placed directly on the breast or sternum to verify deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) level for breast radiotherapy. We explore three potential issues with this practice: (a) surface dose effect of placing the marker block in the primary beam; (b) effect of marker block tilt on the accuracy of the RPM system; and (c) correlation between marker block positions on the patient surface and internal chest wall position.

Methods

(a) The surface dose under the two‐, four‐, and six‐dot marker blocks was measured at incident angles of 0° and 30°; (b) the motion amplitude detected when using the two‐ and six‐dot marker blocks was recorded for block tilts from 0° to 60° about the RPM camera line of sight; (c) the correlation between median displacement of the chest wall and median displacement of the surface contour between breath holds was investigated for superior, middle, and inferior block positions using contours extracted from portal images of eight left‐sided breast cancer patients.

Results

(a) The marker blocks increased the surface dose for a 6 MV direct field by 48.2–52.2% of Dmax; (b) at lateral tilts greater than 10°, the two‐dot marker block overestimated the motion amplitude; however, the six‐dot marker block amplitude remained accurate up to 60°; (c) the whole, superior, and middle surface positions were strongly correlated with chest wall displacement (R2 = 0.83; R2 = 0.90; R2 = 0.83), whereas the inferior position was moderately correlated (R2 = 0.36).

Conclusions

The RPM marker block can be placed on the breast for DIBH treatments; however, caution should be used regarding surface dose effects. The two‐dot marker block should not be used for block tilts beyond 20°. Marker block placement at a middle or superior position on the breast results in the strongest correlation with chest wall position.
Reply to: Comment on: polarity effects and apparent ion recombination in microionization chambers [Med. Phys. 43(5) 2141‐2152 (2016)]
Authors: Miller Jessica R. , Hooten Brian D. , Micka John A. , DeWerd Larry A.
Published: January 2017

We would like to thank Dr. Brivio et al. [Med. Phys.] for their comment on our recent paper. Miller et al. [Med. Phys. 43 (2016) 2141‐2152] determined the primary cause of voltage‐dependent polarity effects in microchambers to be a potential difference between the guard and collecting electrodes. In their comment, Brivio et al., offer an explanation for the cause of such potential differences. Brivio et al. attribute the potential difference to the disparity in the work functions between guard and collecting electrodes composed of different materials. However, all of the microchambers investigated in Miller et al. contained a guard and collecting electrode which were composed of the same material. Therefore, the explanation offered by Brivio et al. that “the electric potential perturbation arises from the work function difference of the disparate materials electrodes” does not explain the polarity effects exhibited by the microchambers investigated in Miller et al., all of which contain electrodes composed of the same materials.
Decreased intracellular [Ca2+] coincides with reduced expression of Dhprα1s, RyR1, and diaphragmatic dysfunction in a rat model of sepsis
Authors: Wang Meng‐meng , Hao Li‐ying , Guo Feng , Zhong Bin , Zhong Xiao‐mei , Yuan Jing , Hao Yi‐fei , Zhao Shuang , Sun Xue‐fei , Lei Ming , Jiao Guang‐yu
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Sepsis can cause decreased diaphragmatic contractility. Intracellular calcium as a second messenger is central to diaphragmatic contractility. However, changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]) and the distribution and co‐localization of relevant calcium channels [dihydropyridine receptors, (DHPRα1s) and ryanodine receptors (RyR1)] remain unclear during sepsis. In this study we investigated the effect of changed intracellular [Ca2+] and expression and distribution of DHPRα1s and RyR1 on diaphragm function during sepsis.

Methods

We measured diaphragm contractility and isolated diaphragm muscle cells in a rat model of sepsis. The distribution and co‐localization of DHPRα1s and RyR1 were determined using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, whereas intracellular [Ca2+] was measured by confocal microscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometry.

Results

Septic rat diaphragm contractility, expression of DHPRα1s and RyR1, and intracellular [Ca2+] were significantly decreased in the rat sepsis model compared with controls.

Discussion

Decreased intracellular [Ca2+] coincides with diaphragmatic contractility and decreased expression of DHPRα1s and RyR1 in sepsis. Muscle Nerve 56: 1128–1136, 2017
Comparative proteomics of oxidative stress response of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM reveals effects on DNA repair and cysteine de novo synthesis
Authors: Calderini Elia , Celebioglu Hasan Ufuk , Villarroel Julia , Jacobsen Susanne , Svensson Birte , Pessione Enrica
Published: January 2017

Probiotic cultures encounter oxidative conditions during manufacturing, yet protein abundance changes induced by such stress have not been characterized for some of the most common probiotics and starters. This comparative proteomics investigation focuses on the response by Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM to H2O2, simulating an oxidative environment. Bacterial growth was monitored by BioScreen and batch cultures were harvested at exponential phase for protein profiling of stress responses by 2D gel based comparative proteomics. Proteins identified in 19 of 21 spots changing in abundance due to H2O2 were typically related to carbohydrate and energy metabolism, cysteine biosynthesis, and stress. In particular, increased cysteine synthase activity may accumulate a cysteine pool relevant for protein stability, enzyme catalysis, and the disulfide‐reducing pathway. The stress response further included elevated abundance of biomolecules reducing damage such as enzymes from DNA repair pathways and metabolic enzymes with active site cysteine residues. By contrast, a protein‐refolding chaperone showed reduced abundance, possibly reflecting severe oxidative protein destruction that was not overcome by refolding. The proteome analysis provides novel insight into resistance mechanisms in lactic acid bacteria against reactive oxygen species and constitutes a valuable starting point for improving industrial processes, food design, or strain engineering preserving microorganism viability.
From structure to redox: The diverse functional roles of disulfides and implications in disease
Authors: Bechtel Tyler J. , Weerapana Eranthie
Published: January 2017

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the functional roles of disulfide bonds and their relevance to human disease. The critical roles of disulfide bonds in protein structure stabilization and redox regulation of protein activity are addressed. Disulfide bonds are essential to the structural stability of many proteins within the secretory pathway and can exist as intramolecular or inter‐domain disulfides. The proper formation of these bonds often relies on folding chaperones and oxidases such as members of the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family. Many of the PDI family members catalyze disulfide‐bond formation, reduction, and isomerization through redox‐active disulfides and perturbed PDI activity is characteristic of carcinomas and neurodegenerative diseases.  In addition to catalytic function in oxidoreductases, redox‐active disulfides are also found on a diverse array of cellular proteins and act to regulate protein activity and localization in response to oxidative changes in the local environment. These redox‐active disulfides are either dynamic intramolecular protein disulfides or mixed disulfides with small‐molecule thiols generating glutathionylation and cysteinylation adducts. The oxidation and reduction of redox‐active disulfides are mediated by cellular reactive oxygen species and activity of reductases, such as glutaredoxin and thioredoxin.  Dysregulation of cellular redox conditions and resulting changes in mixed disulfide formation are directly linked to diseases such as cardiovascular disease and Parkinson's disease.
Multiarm star polymers with a thermally cleavable core: A “grafting‐from” approach paves the way
Authors: Munkhbat Oyuntuya , Gok Ozgul , Sanyal Rana , Sanyal Amitav
Published: January 2017

Thermally cleavable multiarm star polymers containing thermo‐reversible furan–maleimide cycloadduct‐based core were synthesized using dendritic macroinitiators. Peripheries of dendritic macroinitiators were modified with bromine containing free radical initiators to obtain multiarm polymers by utilizing atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Cleavage of thus obtained multiarm polymers was achieved via the retro Diels–Alder cycloreversion reaction of the furan–maleimide core at elevated temperatures. As an alternative approach, combination of multiarm polymers containing a furan and maleimide functional group at their core was attempted to realize that the steric bulk does not allow their formation. Hence the “grafting‐from” route using a thermally fragmentable trigger containing multiarm initiators provides a plausible methodology for fabrication of such thermally cleavable multiarm polymeric materials. Syntheses of dendritic initiators, formation of star polymers as well as their fragmentation were followed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 885–893
Adenotonsillectomy to treat obstructive sleep apnea: Is it enough?
Authors: Boudewyns A. , Abel F. , Alexopoulos E. , Evangelisti M. , Kaditis A. , Miano S. , Villa M.P. , Verhulst S.L.
Published: January 2017

Although adenotonsillectomy is the first line treatment for children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (0SAS),1 improvement in objectively documented outcomes is often inadequate and a substantial number of children have residual disease. Early recognition and treatment of children with persistent OSAS is required to prevent long‐term morbidity. The management of these children is frequently complex and a multidisciplinary approach is required as most of them have additional risk factors for OSAS and comorbidities. In this paper, we first provide an overview of children at risk for persistent disease following adenotonsillectomy. Thereafter, we discuss different diagnostic modalities to evaluate the sites of persistent upper airway obstruction and the currently available treatment options. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:699–709. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Langerhans cells and sexual transmission of HIV and HSV
Authors: Botting Rachel A. , Rana Hafsa , Bertram Kirstie M. , Rhodes Jake W. , Baharlou Heeva , Nasr Najla , Cunningham Anthony L. , Harman Andrew N.
Published: January 2017

Langerhans cells (LCs) situated in stratified squamous epithelium of the skin and mucosal tissue are amongst the first cells that sexually transmitted pathogens encounter during transmission. They are potent antigen presenting cells and play a key role in the host mounting an appropriate immune response. As such, viruses have evolved complex strategies to manipulate these cells to facilitate successful transmission. One of best studied examples is HIV, which manipulates the natural function of these cells to interact with CD4 T cells, which are the main target cell for HIV in which rapid replication occurs. However, there is controversy in the literature as to the role that LCs play in this process. Langerhans cells also play a key role in the way the body mounts an immune response to HSV, and there is also a complex interplay between the transmission of HSV and HIV that involves LCs. In this article, we review both past and present literatures with a particular focus on a few very recent studies that shed new light on the role that LCs play in the transmission and immune response to these 2 pathogens.
Multivariate analysis of solar city economics: impact of energy prices, policy, finance, and cost on urban photovoltaic power plant implementation
Authors: Byrne John , Taminiau Job , Kim Kyung Nam , Lee Joohee , Seo Jeongseok
Published: January 2017

Previous research suggests that the potential for city‐scale photovoltaic (PV) applications is substantial across the globe. Successful implementation of ‘solar city’ options will depend on the strategic application of finance mechanisms, solar energy soft cost policies, and other policy tools, as well as the grid price of electricity. Capital markets recently have embraced the roll‐out of new financial instruments, including ‘green bonds,’ which could be incorporated into solar city project design to attract large investments at a low cost. A multivariate analysis method is employed to consider solar city possibilities for six cities: Amsterdam, London, Munich, New York, Seoul, and Tokyo. A Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to capture the probabilistic nature of uncertainties in the parameters and their relative importance to the financial viability of a solar city project. The analysis finds that solar city implementation strategies can be practical under a broad range of circumstances. WIREs Energy Environ 2017, 6:e241. doi: 10.1002/wene.241

This article is categorized under:

Photovoltaics > Systems and Infrastructure

Solar Heating and Cooling > Economics and Policy

Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy
Detection limits evaluation of a portable energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence setup using different filter combinations
Authors: Pessanha Sofia , Samouco Ana , Adão Ricardo , Carvalho Maria Luisa , Santos José Paulo , Amaro Pedro
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we study the performance of a portable energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer by making use of different filter configurations at the X‐ray tube output. To fulfill this purpose, we systematically investigated how the detection limits (DL) can be improved by applying three different combinations of filters (Al, Cu and Al + Cu) between the X‐ray tube and standard reference materials of different average‐Z matrices.

The obtained results were compared with the DL obtained with a benchtop system with triaxial geometry, considered the benchmark in detection of trace elements in a variety of sample matrices.

The major differences occurred for the low‐Z matrices, reflecting the increase of DL for elements with emission energies between 5 and 15 keV using filters. Regarding the high‐Z matrices, the use of filters did not render an effective improvement in the DL but had a positive effect in diminishing sum peaks that could hinder the evaluation of some elements. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnosis and Treatment of 26 Cases of Abdominal Cocoon
Authors: Li Sheng , Wang Jun‐Jiang , Hu Wei‐xian , Zhang Mou‐Cheng , Liu Xian‐Yan , Li Yong , Cai Guan‐Fu , Liu Sen‐Lin , Yao Xue‐Qing
Published: January 2017

Background and aims

Abdominal cocoon (AC) is a rare abdominal disease with nonspecific clinical features, and it is difficult to be diagnosed before operation and hard to be treated in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnosis and treatment of AC.

Methods

The clinical manifestations, findings during surgery, treatments, and follow‐up results of 26 cases of AC were retrospectively studied from January 2001 to January 2015.

Results

All of 26 cases were diagnosed as AC definitely by laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery. Their clinical findings were various, with 7 intestines obstructed with bezoars and 4 intestines perforated by spiny material. Based on the existence of the second enterocoelia, all cases were categorized into 2 types: type I is absent of second enterocoelia (18 cases, 69.23%), while type II shows second enterocoelia (8 cases, 30.77%). Twenty cases (12 were type I and 8 were type II) underwent membrane excision and careful enterodialysis to release the small intestine entirely or partially, while the other 6 cases (all were type I) did not. In addition, all patients were treated with medical treatment and healthy diet and lifestyle. Finally, most of the patients recovered smoothly.

Conclusions

AC can be categorized into two types; surgery is recommended for type II and part of type I with severe complications, but sometimes conservative therapy might be appropriate for type I. Laparoscopic surgery plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of AC. Furthermore, favorite health education, healthy diet and lifestyle are of significance in patients’ recovery.
Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in Patients with Inguinal Hernia
Authors: Isik Arda , Gursul Cebrail , Peker Kemal , Aydın Merve , Fırat Deniz , Yılmaz İsmayil
Published: January 2017

Aim

The aim of this prospective study is to investigate if there is a relationship between inguinal hernia, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs).

Materials and methods

This case control study was performed on patients admitted to the general surgery department of Erzincan University Hospital. Four groups were created: control, indirect hernia, direct hernia, and bilateral hernia. All groups were comprised of 11 patients. Serum and tissue levels of MMP‐1, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, MMP‐13, TIMP‐1, TIMP‐2, TIMP‐3, and hydroxyproline were evaluated.

Results

MMPs values were significantly high at hernia groups, especially at bilateral hernia group (p < 0.05), whereas TIMPs values were significantly low at bilateral hernia group (p < 0.05). MMPs values were increasing at hernia groups in an order as control, indirect, direct, and bilateral. TIMPs values were decreasing at hernia groups in an order as control, indirect, direct, and bilateral.

Conclusion

Increased levels of MMP‐1‐2‐9‐13 and decreased levels of TIMP‐1‐2‐3 may have played role in the formation of inguinal hernia. Hernia is not only a local defect, but a reflection of systemic disease. This is even more significant for bilateral hernias.
Medical education in Malaysia: quality versus quantity
Authors: Wong Rebecca S. Y. , Kadir Samiah Yasmin Abdul
Published: January 2017

None
Ensuring the quality of multiple-choice exams administered to small cohorts: A cautionary tale
Authors: Young Meredith , Cummings Beth-Ann , St-Onge Christina
Published: January 2017

Introduction Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are a cornerstone of assessment in medical education. Monitoring item properties (difficulty and discrimination) are important means of investigating examination quality. However, most item property guidelines were developed for use on large cohorts of examinees; little empirical work has investigated the suitability of applying guidelines to item difficulty and discrimination coefficients estimated for small cohorts, such as those in medical education. We investigated the extent to which item properties vary across multiple clerkship cohorts to better understand the appropriateness of using such guidelines with small cohorts.
Methods Exam results for 32 items from an MCQ exam were used. Item discrimination and difficulty coefficients were calculated for 22 cohorts (n = 10–15 students). Discrimination coefficients were categorized according to Ebel and Frisbie (1991). Difficulty coefficients were categorized according to three guidelines by Laveault and Grégoire (2014). Descriptive analyses examined variance in item properties across cohorts.
Results A large amount of variance in item properties was found across cohorts. Discrimination coefficients for items varied greatly across cohorts, with 29/32 (91%) of items occurring in both Ebel and Frisbie’s ‘poor’ and ‘excellent’ categories and 19/32 (59%) of items occurring in all five categories. For item difficulty coefficients, the application of different guidelines resulted in large variations in examination length (number of items removed ranged from 0 to 22).
Discussion While the psychometric properties of items can provide information on item and exam quality, they vary greatly in small cohorts.
Addressing the theory-practice gap in assessment
Authors: Wright Sarah R. , Homer Matt
Published: January 2017

None
Competing for attention: The effects of jealousy on preference for attention‐grabbing products
Authors: Huang Xun (Irene) , Dong Ping , Wyer Robert S.
Published: January 2017

Jealous individuals often harbor feelings of aggression toward both their relationship partner and their rivals. However, jealousy can also have quite different effects that have implications for people's product preferences. Five experiments converge on the conclusion that jealousy induces a desire to recapture attention from one's partner and that this desire generalizes to unrelated situations in which the partner is not involved. Thus, jealousy increases people's preferences for attention‐grabbing products and this is true even when the public display of the products could bring negative attention. The effect of jealousy only occurs when the products are consumed in public. Finally, the influence of jealousy on product evaluations is distinguished from that of other negative emotions such as envy and feelings of powerlessness.
America's Forgotten Colony
Authors: Neagle Michael E.
Published: January 2017

America's Forgotten Colony examines private US citizens' experiences on Cuba's Isle of Pines to show how American influence adapted and endured in republican-era Cuba (1902–58). This transnational study challenges the notion that US territorial ambitions waned after the nineteenth century. Many Americans, anxious about a 'closed' frontier in an industrialized, urbanized United States, migrated to the Isle and pushed for agrarian-oriented landed expansion well into the twentieth century. Their efforts were stymied by Cuban resistance and reluctant US policymakers. After decades of tension, however, a new generation of Americans collaborated with locals in commercial and institutional endeavors. Although they did not wield the same influence, Americans nevertheless maintained a significant footprint. The story of this cooperation upsets prevailing conceptions of US domination and perpetual conflict, revealing that US-Cuban relations at the grassroots were not nearly as adversarial as on the diplomatic level at the dawn of the Cuban Revolution.
Collateral Frameworks
Authors: Nyborg Kjell G.
Published: January 2017

Central bank collateral frameworks are an often overlooked feature of monetary policy that play a key role in the monetary and financial system. Readers will discover how central banks conduct and implement monetary policy beyond merely setting interest rates, and develop their understanding as to how collateral policies may affect financial markets, financial stability, and the real economy. This book studies the collateral framework in the euro area in detail, and levers this analysis to provide an account of the euro crisis from the perspective of collateral policy. Readers gain access to a wealth of institutional and economic data and information with a level of density and accessibility unavailable elsewhere. This book, the first of its kind, is a valuable read for academic monetary and financial economists, those working in banking and policy-making financial institutions, and anyone who wishes to learn more about the role of central banks in society.
Recurrent Ataxia in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Salman Michael S. , Klassen Samantha F. , Johnston Janine L.
Published: January 2017

Background: Recurrent ataxia is encountered infrequently in clinical pediatric neurology practise and presents with diagnostic challenges. It is caused by several disorders. Our aims were to describe the epidemiology and clinical features in children with recurrent ataxia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken in 185 children with chronic ataxia, who presented during 1991 to 2008. Several databases were searched to ensure optimum ascertainment. Patients with brain tumors or isolated disorders of the peripheral nerves or vestibular system were excluded. Results: Recurrent ataxia was reported in 21 patients. Their age range was between 6 and 32.75 years (males=12). The crude period prevalence rate for the 18-year study period was 7.44/100,000. Eight patients had episodic ataxia and seven had inflammatory and metabolic disorders. In the rest the etiology was unknown. Many patients presented with ataxia, dizziness, and vertigo. The frequency and duration of the ataxic episodes varied from several per day to one every few months. Other clinical features included developmental delay and seizures. Neuroimaging in episodic ataxia was normal and abnormal in inflammatory or metabolic disorders. Acetazolamide provided symptomatic relief in patients with episodic ataxia, while steroids were beneficial in patients with an inflammatory etiology. One child with a metabolic disorder died. Conclusions: Recurrent ataxia is an uncommon presentation in children and mortality is rare. Genetic, metabolic, and inflammatory disorders should be considered in these patients. Neuroimaging is essential. Acetazolamide in selected patients provides good symptomatic relief.
On the Global Gaussian Lipschitz Space
Authors: Liu Liguang , Sjögren Peter
Published: January 2017

It is well known that the standard Lipschitz space in Euclidean space, with exponent α ∈ (0, 1), can be characterized by means of the inequality , where is the Poisson integral of the function f. There are two cases: one can either assume that the functions in the space are bounded, or one can not make such an assumption. In the setting of the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck semigroup in ℝn, Gatto and Urbina defined a Lipschitz space by means of a similar inequality for the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck Poisson integral, considering bounded functions. In a preceding paper, the authors characterized that space by means of a Lipschitz-type continuity condition. The present paper defines a Lipschitz space in the same setting in a similar way, but now without the boundedness condition. Our main result says that this space can also be described by a continuity condition. The functions in this space turn out to have at most logarithmic growth at infinity.
Magic in Historical Theory and Practice
Authors: MAXWELL-STUART P. G.
Published: January 2017

Collected essays are a popular and useful way of throwing light on their proclaimed subject matter or period, and of bringing recent research to a more general audience. They are, of course, inevitably limited in their scope, although this does not necessarily imply that they are at all parochial. ‘Europe’ is a frequent and obvious geographical limitation imposed upon matter dealing with magic and witchcraft, and ‘early modern’ a common chronological set of termini. Thus, the recent Oxford handbook of witchcraft (2013) declares itself confined – a very broad confinement – to early modern Europe and Colonial America. Bengt Ankarloo and Stuart Clark's earlier Athlone history of witchcraft and magic in Europe (1999–2002) again takes Europe as its principal theatre, although its spread over six volumes allows the editors to begin with the ancient Middle East and extend chronologically to the twentieth century. By adding ‘in the West’ to the title of his collection, Collins therefore appears to be confining himself geographically (although ‘the West’ is remarkably large), while ‘from antiquity to the present’ extends to his contributors a brave allowance of time in a single volume. This volume, then, more or less follows an established pattern for this kind of scholarly work. How far does it succeed in matching the endeavours and achievements of its predecessors?
Constantinian Influence upon Julian's Pagan Church
Authors: GREENWOOD DAVID NEAL
Published: January 2017

Constantine's endorsement of and support for the Church left their marks in certain areas. His nephew Julian reacted against state-supported Christianity and promoted his own unique version of state-supported paganism. Previous scholarship had identified this as a ‘pagan Church’ co-opting features from Christianity, but this view has recently been challenged. This article argues that the traditional understanding of a ‘pagan Church’ is correct, and that it drew specifically upon some features of the Constantinian Church in the areas of theological content, leadership and symbols.
The ‘New Nazis’ or the ‘People of our God’? Jews and Zionism in the Latin Church of Jerusalem, 1948–1962
Authors: RIOLI MARIA CHIARA
Published: January 2017

In the aftermath of the Holocaust the elaboration of Catholic perceptions of the Jewish people has been particularly problematic. The weight of a long tradition of Christian antisemitism and its influence on the Nazi extermination programme, as well as the revision of this attitude before and after the Shoah in various Catholic circles as a means of promoting a rapprochement, made it difficult to redefine the image of Jewish people in the Catholic imagination, and gave rise to different and conflicting interpretations. Some members of the Latin Catholic Church of Jerusalem began to argue for an analogy between Nazism and Zionism. This assertion took different forms as the political situation in Palestine evolved and in response to changing attitudes within the Church towards the Jews. This paper will reconstruct the ‘new Nazis’ paradigm in the Jerusalem Church, analysing three key periods: the 1947–9 Arab-Israeli war; the consolidation of the State of Israel in the 1950s; and the Eichmann trial of 1961–2.
Stephen the Martyr (Acts VI–VIII) in the Early Jerusalem Lectionary System
Authors: MÉNDEZ HUGO
Published: January 2017

Lectionary and homiletic sources indicate that the Church of Jerusalem commemorated Stephen twice within the same two-week period (26/27 December and 7 January). Few studies have explored the origins of these feasts, the relationship between their appointed readings and the phenomenon of parallel, or redundant, feasts in fifth-century Jerusalem. This study will locate the development of these feasts within the struggle of the Church of Jerusalem to develop a local cult of martyrs after the Constantinian settlement.
Why do they choose their instruments?
Authors: Cantero Irene Martínez , Jauset-Berrocal Jordi-Angel
Published: January 2017

Motivation is a key word in the arts and, especially, in music since it conveys collective, as well as individual, feelings. The beginning of musical instrument learning should be based on the student's musical interest but, due to the casual and improvised nature of everyday situations in which the choice of a musical instrument takes place, tend to underestimate the attention that such interest deserves. This research paper seeks to expound on the lack of knowledge by students as regards musical instruments and on the powerful influence over them by instrumentalists in their environment.
Tracing the heritage of Pidgin English in mainland China
Authors: Li Jian
Published: January 2017

The most widely accepted origin of the word ‘Pidgin’ is that it is a Chinese pronunciation of the English wordbusiness(etymonline.com). Pidgin English in mainland China has another popular localised nickname, i.e.yangjingbang洋泾浜 English, a trade jargon term often used in Shanghai. However, this popular Pidgin English has been played down in linguistic research in mainland China because of the assumption of colonial connotations (Jin, 2011). Although it did not thrive or even survive in mainland China, Pidgin English has influenced to no small degree both contemporary culture and language in Shanghai, as well as other Chinese varieties.
Reducing Political Bias in Political Science Estimates
Authors: Zigerell L. J.
Published: January 2017

Political science researchers have flexibility in how to analyze data, how to report data, and whether to report on data. A review of examples of reporting flexibility from the race and sex discrimination literature illustrates how research design choices can influence estimates and inferences. This reporting flexibility—coupled with the political imbalance among political scientists—creates the potential for political bias in reported political science estimates. These biases can be reduced or eliminated through preregistration and preacceptance, with researchers committing to a research design before completing data collection. Removing the potential for reporting flexibility can raise the credibility of political science research.
Assessing Undergraduate Student Learning in Political Science: Development and Implementation of the “PACKS” Survey
Authors: Sydnor Emily , Pankiewicz Nicole
Published: January 2017

This article describes the creation and implementation of a new online assessment program (“PACKS”) for the department of politics at the University of Virginia. It discusses the benefits of online assessments, including the ease of administration, minimal faculty involvement, ability to link assessment data to existing student data (e.g., GPA and courses completed), and ability to track student progress over time. The assessment can be easily adapted for use by other departments in the social sciences and by other colleges and universities. The authors discuss the drawbacks to this type of assessment, including the challenge of obtaining the highest number of respondents. They recommend using a strong incentive to ensure full participation, such as an advising hold that prevents students from registering until they complete the assessment. The authors contend that implementing survey-based assessment tools is an ideal way for departments to meet their accrediting institutions’ assessment requirements.
Emerging pharmacological therapies in schizophrenia: what’s new, what’s different, what’s next?
Authors: Citrome Leslie
Published: January 2017

There are several new and emerging medication interventions for both the acute and maintenance treatment phases of schizophrenia. Recently approved are 2 new dopamine receptor partial agonists, brexpiprazole and cariprazine, as well as 2 new long-acting injectable antipsychotic formulations, aripiprazole lauroxil and 3-month paliperidone palmitate. Although differences in efficacy compared to other available choices are not expected, the new oral options offer different tolerability profiles that may be attractive for individual patients who have had difficulties with older medications. The new long-acting injectable options provide additional flexibility in terms of increasing the time interval between injections. In Phase III of clinical development is a novel antipsychotic, lumateperone (ITI-007), that appears to have little in the way of significant adverse effects. Deutetrabenazine and valbenazine are agents in Phase III for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia, a condition that can be found among persons receiving chronic antipsychotic therapy. On the horizon are additional injectable formulations of familiar antipsychotics, aripiprazole and risperidone, that may be more convenient than what is presently available.
SUDDEN VERSUS SLOW DEATH OF CITIES
Authors: Downey Davia C. , Reese Laura A.
Published: January 2017

This paper constitutes a follow-up to an argument made during the late fall of 2005 that posited that many of the approaches and responses to sudden natural disasters might be effectively applied to areas experiencing more chronic economic decay. Using census, budgetary, and political data, including an analysis of planning and development documents, the paper addresses the following research questions:

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What were the economic and social trajectories of Detroit and New Orleans prior to their respective disasters?

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How did the responses to the hurricane impact New Orleans?

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Despite the attention given to New Orleans, why do current conditions differ little from Detroit?

The findings suggest that Detroit and New Orleans were clearly both highly distressed cities, with large minority populations and significant inequality prior to Katrina, although Detroit’s situation was arguably more severe. Significant media attention and investment in New Orleans appeared to follow in the wake of the hurricane. However, looking at federal and state investment in context suggests that it was not as high as might have been expected and implementation delays may well have lessened its impact. It is not at all clear that the response in New Orleans changed its economic trajectory much beyond that of Detroit, suggesting that the response to sudden disaster might not have aided the slow death of Detroit.