bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperlipidemia in Early Adulthood Increases Long-Term Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Navar-Boggan Ann Marie , Peterson Eric D. , D’Agostino Ralph B. , Neely Benjamin , Sniderman Allan D. , Pencina Michael J.
Published: January 2015

Background—

Many young adults with moderate hyperlipidemia do not meet statin treatment criteria under the new American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology cholesterol guidelines because they focus on 10-year cardiovascular risk. We evaluated the association between years of exposure to hypercholesterolemia in early adulthood and future coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.

Methods and Results—

We examined Framingham Offspring Cohort data to identify adults without incident cardiovascular disease to 55 years of age (n=1478), and explored the association between duration of moderate hyperlipidemia (non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol≥160 mg/dL) in early adulthood and subsequent CHD. At median 15-year follow-up, CHD rates were significantly elevated among adults with prolonged hyperlipidemia exposure by 55 years of age: 4.4% for those with no exposure, 8.1% for those with 1 to 10 years of exposure, and 16.5% for those with 11 to 20 years of exposure (
P
<0.001); this association persisted after adjustment for other cardiac risk factors including non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol at 55 years of age (hazard ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.85 per decade of hyperlipidemia). Overall, 85% of young adults with prolonged hyperlipidemia would not have been recommended for statin therapy at 40 years of age under current national guidelines. However, among those not considered statin therapy candidates at 55 years of age, there remained a significant association between cumulative exposure to hyperlipidemia in young adulthood and subsequent CHD risk (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–2.64).

Conclusions—

Cumulative exposure to hyperlipidemia in young adulthood increases the subsequent risk of CHD in a dose-dependent fashion. Adults with prolonged exposure to even moderate elevations in non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol have elevated risk for future CHD and may benefit from more aggressive primary prevention.
The Agenda of Asian Studies and Digital Media in the Anthropocene
Authors: Duara Prasenjit
Published: January 2015

I explore the intersection of three forces: the changing status of humanities and, in particular, of Area Studies in the neoliberal era; the unsustainability of contemporary vision of humanity and the world in the Anthropocene; and the new methods, technologies, and partnerships that may help us re-prioritize and renew the intellectual goals and paradigm of Asian Studies globally.
Revision of the genus Spinonychiurus Weiner 1996 (Collembola: Onychiuridae) with description of five new species
Authors: POMORSKI ROMUALD J. , KAPRUŚ IGOR J.
Published: January 2015

The genus Spinonychiurus Weiner, 1996 is revised. This genus is assigned to the tribe Thalassaphorurini because of the structure of reduced furca––a small depression in the center of abdominal sternum IV, with 2+2 small posterior chaetae arranged in two rows. Spinonychiurus clearly differs from other members of the tribe by the division of abdominal sternum III on two subsegments, each with an own set of chaetae. Five new species, S. issykkulensis sp. nov., S. nazguli sp. nov., S. natashae sp. nov., S. alaskensis sp. nov. and S. alabelensis sp. nov. are described. Five previously known species, S. edinensis (Bagnall, 1935), S. spinularius (Gisin, 1952) comb. nov., S. subedinensis (Arbea & Jordana, 1985) comb. nov., S. tianshanicus (Martynova, 1971) comb. nov. and S. pamirensis (Martynova, 1975) comb. nov., are assigned to this genus and redescribed on the basis of the type material and new specimens. An identification key to all known Spinonychiurus species is provided.
Gekko aaronbaueri, a new gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from central Laos
Authors: TRI NGO VAN , THAI PHAM HONG , PHIMVOHAN ANORATH , DAVID PATRICK , TEYNIÉ ALEXANDRE
Published: January 2015

A new species of the genus Gekko Laurenti is described from central Laos. The species is distinguished from its congeners by its moderate size, i.e. maximum SVL 80.0 mm, dorsal pattern of five to six dirty white vertebral spots alternating with yellowish-edged, W-shaped blotches between nape and sacrum and six to seven pairs of dirty white spots interspersed with yellowish-edged dark blotches on the flanks between limb insertions, 0–1 internasal, 39–43 ventral scale rows between the weakly developed ventrolateral folds, 3–4 precloacal pores in males, sometimes separated by one poreless scale, 98–104 smooth dorsal scale rows around the body, 16 broad lamellae beneath digit I of pes, 15–16 broad lamellae beneath digit IV of pes, and enlarged subcaudal scales.
Projected Changes in Climate Extremes over the Northeastern United States
Authors: Ning Liang , Riddle Emily E. , Bradley Raymond S.
Published: January 2015

Projections of historical and future changes in climate extremes are examined by applying the bias-correction spatial disaggregation (BCSD) statistical downscaling method to five general circulation models (GCMs) from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). For this analysis, 11 extreme temperature and precipitation indices that are relevant across multiple disciplines (e.g., agriculture and conservation) are chosen. Over the historical period, the simulated means, variances, and cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) of each of the 11 indices are first compared with observations, and the performance of the downscaling method is quantitatively evaluated. For the future period, the ensemble average of the five GCM simulations points to more warm extremes, fewer cold extremes, and more precipitation extremes with greater intensities under all three scenarios. The changes are larger under higher emissions scenarios. The inter-GCM uncertainties and changes in probability distributions are also assessed. Changes in the probability distributions indicate an increase in both the number and interannual variability of future climate extreme events. The potential deficiencies of the method in projecting future extremes are also discussed.
Observational Evidence that Great Plains Irrigation Has Enhanced Summer Precipitation Intensity and Totals in the Midwestern United States
Authors: Alter Ross E. , Fan Ying , Lintner Benjamin R. , Weaver Christopher P.
Published: January 2015

Significant increases in summer precipitation have occurred in the midwestern United States over the last century for reasons that remain unclear. It is postulated that the expansion of irrigation and cropland in the central United States over the past 60 yr has been a major contributor to these observed increases in precipitation. As a first step toward attribution of these precipitation changes, a detailed analysis of observed daily summer precipitation frequency and intensity is conducted for the contiguous United States over multiple spatial scales and time periods from 1895 to 2011. Robust increases in precipitation frequency, total precipitation, and moderate to heavy precipitation intensity are identified during July and August in the midwestern United States. Analysis of changes in mean monthly precipitation from the early to late twentieth century initially points to increasing frequency as the source of increasing monthly precipitation in the midwestern United States during the summer, especially during August; however, these large frequency increases are not unique to the summer. On the other hand, changes in precipitation intensity and total precipitation are both greatest during July and August and coincide spatially in the midwestern United States. Additionally, the greatest intensity change occurs downwind of the most heavily irrigated regions, especially for the period between 1950 and 1980 when irrigation rapidly intensified. Thus, the seasonality and location of these regional signatures of increasing precipitation intensity (and total precipitation) are found to be broadly consistent with spatiotemporal trends in irrigation and cropland in the central United States and may be indicative of a causal link.
Radar Remote Sensing Estimates of Waves and Wave Forcing at a Tidal Inlet
Authors: Díaz Méndez Guillermo M. , Haller Merrick C. , Raubenheimer Britt , Elgar Steve , Honegger David A.
Published: January 2015

The time and space variability of wave transformation through a tidal inlet is investigated with radar remote sensing. The frequency of wave breaking and the net wave breaking dissipation at high spatial resolution is estimated using image sequences acquired with a land-based X-band marine radar. Using the radar intensity data, transformed to normalized radar cross section σ0, the temporal and spatial distributions of wave breaking are identified using a threshold developed via the data probability density function. In addition, the inlet bathymetry is determined via depth inversion of the radar-derived frequencies and wavenumbers of the surface waves using a preexisting algorithm (cBathy). Wave height transformation is calculated through the 1D cross-shore energy flux equation incorporating the radar-estimated breaking distribution and bathymetry. The accuracy of the methodology is tested by comparison with in situ wave height observations over a 9-day period, obtaining correlation values R = 0.68 to 0.96, and root-mean-square errors from 0.05 to 0.19 m. Predicted wave forcing, computed as the along-inlet gradient of the cross-shore radiation stress was onshore during high-wave conditions, in good agreement (R = 0.95) with observations.
LDLR gene synonymous mutation c.1813C>T results in mRNA splicing variation in a kindred with familial hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Ho Clement KM , Musa Fathel Rahman , Bell Christine , Walker Simon W
Published: January 2015

Familial hypercholesterolaemia, one of the most common inherited diseases in the general population, is associated with mutations in at least three different genes including the low density lipoprotein receptor ( LDLR), apolipoprotein B ( APOB) and protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 ( PCSK9) genes. In this report, we describe an unclassified DNA variant (c.1813C>T; p.Leu605Leu) within exon 12 of the LDLR gene in a kindred in which familial hypercholesterolaemia is associated with c.1813C>T heterozygosity. In silico analysis suggested that c.1813C>T might affect splicing of the LDLR gene by creating a cryptic donor splice site, which was confirmed by RT-PCR coupled with cDNA sequencing, to result in the loss of 34 base pairs in the coding sequence. The latter truncated mRNA is predicted to generate a frameshift leading to a premature stop at codon 652 and early termination of the low density lipoprotein receptor polypeptide chain, and thus provides a molecular basis for the hypercholesterolaemic phenotype. This case report highlights the emerging utility of RNA studies for the molecular diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia in patients with potential mRNA splicing variants.
Influence of graphene on the cell morphology and mechanical properties of extruded polystyrene foam
Authors: Okolieocha Chimezie , Köppl Thomas , Kerling Sabrina , Tölle Folke J , Fathi Amir , Mülhaupt Rolf , Altstädt Volker
Published: January 2015

The incorporation of nanoparticles to polymer foams not only reinforces the cell walls and struts but can also lead to a decrease of cell size and enhanced cell morphology which in turn, yield foams with superior mechanical properties. For this purpose, several studies have focused on identifying close-to-ideal nucleating agents as well as understanding the influence of processing parameters on foam cell morphology.

This research provides a systemic approach to low-density polystyrene foams produced with graphene (thermally reduced graphite oxide), talc and carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via foam extrusion. Remarkably, the cell morphologies of polystyrene/thermally reduced graphite oxide foams show enhanced cell homogeneity with a tremendous increase of the cell densities by more than one order of magnitude compared to neat polystyrene and its counterparts.
The applicability of the metacognitive model of worry and generalized anxiety disorder in a non-clinical multi-ethnic sample of university students
Authors: Pretorius Chrisma , Walker Stephen P , Esterhuyse Karel G
Published: January 2015

This study explored the applicability of the metacognitive model of excessive worry and generalized anxiety disorder to the understanding of worry in a multi-ethnic context. A convenience sample of 1224 university students (female = 57.9%; Black = 49.9%) with a mean age of 19.77 years (standard deviation = 2.323) participated in the study. Following exploratory factor analysis, hierarchical regression analyses were employed to analyse the data. In combination, positive beliefs about worry, negative beliefs about worry, and cognitive control strategies emerged as significant predictors of worry intensity for the sample as a whole. However, only positive and negative beliefs about worry made independent contributions to the explanation of the variance in worry scores. Gender moderated the relationship between metacognition and worry. Viewing worry as a source of motivation was a unique predictor of worry intensity among women, while considering worry to be a positive personality trait emerged a distinctive predictor among males. The metacognitive model demonstrates cross-ethnic utility in understanding worry in a non-clinical population. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Malnutrition at Hospital Admission—Contributors and Effect on Length of Stay
Authors: Allard Johane P. , Keller Heather , Jeejeebhoy Khursheed N. , Laporte Manon , Duerksen Don R. , Gramlich Leah , Payette Helene , Bernier Paule , Vesnaver Elisabeth , Davidson Bridget , Teterina Anastasia , Lou Wendy
Published: January 2015

Background: In hospitals, length of stay (LOS) is a priority but it may be prolonged by malnutrition. This study seeks to determine the contributors to malnutrition at admission and evaluate its effect on LOS. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cohort study conducted in 18 Canadian hospitals from July 2010 to February 2013 in patients ≥ 18 years admitted for ≥ 2 days. Excluded were those admitted directly to the intensive care unit; obstetric, psychiatry, or palliative wards; or medical day units. At admission, the main nutrition evaluation was subjective global assessment (SGA). Body mass index (BMI) and handgrip strength (HGS) were also performed to assess other aspects of nutrition. Additional information was collected from patients and charts review during hospitalization. Results: One thousand fifteen patients were enrolled: based on SGA, 45% (95% confidence interval [CI], 42%–48%) were malnourished, and based on BMI, 32% (95% CI, 29%–35%) were obese. Independent contributors to malnutrition at admission were Charlson comorbidity index > 2, having 3 diagnostic categories, relying on adult children for grocery shopping, and living alone. The median (range) LOS was 6 (1–117) days. After controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and disease‐related factors and treatment, malnutrition at admission was independently associated with prolonged LOS (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.62–0.86). Other nutrition‐related factors associated with prolonged LOS were lower HGS at admission, receiving nutrition support, and food intake < 50%. Obesity was not a predictor. Conclusion: Malnutrition at admission is prevalent and associated with prolonged LOS. Complex disease and age‐related social factors are contributors.
Radio in the workplace: a liminal medium between work and leisure
Authors: Stachyra Grażyna
Published: January 2015

The article analyses the presence of radio in the workplace. Victor Turner’s work concerning the liminal sphere in social life provides the theoretical underpinning for examination of the specific features of radio communication in the context of the blurring boundary between work and leisure. Radio appears the medium best suited to the workplace, on one hand creating an environment conducive to performing workplace duties, on the other allowing a break from the monotony of these tasks. Its aural character allows radio to accompany various kinds of activities for which either television or the Internet would be too intrusive. Thus, radio in the workplace becomes a liminal medium, suspended between the necessary (work) and the optional (entertainment). The material analysed in this study comprises communication formulae found in the programmes of Polish popular radio stations: Radio Złote Przeboje, Radio Zet, Radio Eska and RMF Classic, recorded between June 2012 and February 2013. An analysis of messages aimed at this audience proves that despite the diversity of their formats, all of them target the workplace listener. Moreover, it is not music but the spoken word and dialogue which constitute the liminal sphere of the radio.
Safety of Modified Coronal Approach with Dissection Deep to Temporalis Fascia for Facial Nerve Preservation
Authors: Kleinberger Andrew J. , Jumaily Jeffrey , Spiegel Jeffrey H.
Published: January 2015

Objective

To evaluate the safety of a modified coronal approach to the upper craniofacial skeleton with dissection deep to the temporalis fascia for enhanced preservation of the frontal branch of the facial nerve.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods

In total, 271 patients undergoing coronal flap approaches to the upper craniofacial skeleton by a single surgeon from January 2008 through December 2013 were included. Primary outcomes are temporary or permanent weakness of the frontal branch of the facial nerve as well as the incidence of temporal hollowing following surgery. Secondary outcomes include the presence of postoperative hematoma, seroma, infection, scarring, and alopecia.

Results

There were no cases involving either temporary or permanent facial nerve weakness. The incidence of other postoperative complications was also exceedingly low, including a hematoma rate of less than 1%, widened scarring in 2.6% of patients, and no cases of clinically significant temporal hollowing encountered during a mean follow‐up period of 3 years.

Conclusion

A modified coronal approach with dissection deep to the temporalis fascia offers a safe and reliable surgical technique for accessing the upper craniofacial skeleton. Observed complications were minimal, and despite this deeper plane of dissection, there were no cases of either temporary or permanent facial nerve weakness in a large retrospective series of patients from over the past 6 years. Consideration should be given for the routine use of this modified coronal approach for both reconstructive as well as cosmetic indications.
Alternative non-femoral accesses for intra-aortic balloon pumping
Authors: Sarıkaya S , Adademir T , Özen Y , Aydın E , Başaran EK , Şahin M , Rabuş MB , Kırali K
Published: January 2015

Access from the femoral arteries to the thoracic aorta for intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion may not be feasible in a substantial number of patients with severe peripheral vascular disease. Since using an alternative access is inevitable in a certain number of patients requiring IABP support, all alternative accesses should be added to the surgical armamentarium. Herein, we present our 27-year experience with different alternative accesses for IABP insertion following failed contraindication to femoral artery cannulation. The alternative techniques described below were: transthoracic insertion with a tube graft, transthoracic insertion – direct, transaxillary/subclavian insertion and transbrachial insertion.
ParallaxBA: bundle adjustment using parallax angle feature parametrization
Authors: Zhao Liang , Huang Shoudong , Sun Yanbiao , Yan Lei , Dissanayake Gamini
Published: January 2015

The main contribution of this paper is a novel feature parametrization based on parallax angles for bundle adjustment (BA) in structure and motion estimation from monocular images. It is demonstrated that under certain conditions, describing feature locations using their Euclidean XYZ coordinates or using inverse depth in BA leads to ill-conditioned normal equations as well as objective functions that have very small gradients with respect to some of the parameters describing feature locations. The proposed parallax angle feature parametrization in BA (ParallaxBA) avoids both of the above problems leading to better convergence properties and more accurate motion and structure estimates. Simulation and experimental datasets are used to demonstrate the impact of different feature parametrizations on BA, and the improved convergence, efficiency and accuracy of the proposed ParallaxBA algorithm when compared with some existing BA packages such as SBA, sSBA and g2o. The C/C++ source code of ParallaxBA is available on OpenSLAM ( https://openslam.org/ ).
Recursive kinematic propagation for wheeled mobile robots
Authors: Kelly Alonzo , Seegmiller Neal
Published: January 2015

The problem of wheeled mobile robot kinematics is formulated using the transport theorem of vector algebra. Doing so postpones the introduction of coordinates until after the expressions for the relevant Jacobians have been derived. This approach simplifies the derivation while also providing the solution to the general case in 3D, including motion over rolling terrain. Angular velocity remains explicit rather than encoded as the time derivative of a rotation matrix. The equations are derived and can be implemented recursively using a single equation that applies to all cases. Acceleration kinematics are uniquely derivable in reasonable effort. The recursive formulation also leads to efficient computer implementations that reflect the modularity of real mechanisms.
A Systematic Review of the Psychometric Properties of Patient-Reported Outcome Instruments for Use in Patients With Rotator Cuff Disease
Authors: Huang Hsiaomin , Grant John A. , Miller Bruce S. , Mirza Faisal M. , Gagnier Joel J.
Published: January 2015

Background:

Many patient-reported outcome instruments (or questionnaires) have been developed for use in patients with rotator cuff disease. Before an instrument is implemented, its psychometric properties should be carefully assessed, and the methodological quality of papers that investigate a psychometric component of an instrument must be carefully evaluated. Together, the psychometric evidence and the methodological quality can then be used to arrive at an estimate of an instrument’s quality.

Purpose:

To identify patient-reported outcome instruments used in patients with rotator cuff disease and to critically appraise and summarize their psychometric properties to guide researchers and clinicians in using high-quality patient-reported outcome instruments in this population.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

Systematic literature searches were performed to find English-language articles concerning the development or evaluation of a psychometric property of a patient-reported outcome instrument for use in patients with rotator cuff disease. Methodological quality and psychometric evidence were critically appraised and summarized through 2 standardized sets of criteria.

Results:

A total of 1881 articles evaluating 39 instruments were found per the search strategy, of which 73 articles evaluating 16 instruments were included in this study. The Constant-Murley score, the DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand), and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index were the 3 most frequently evaluated instruments. In contrast, the psychometric properties of the Korean Shoulder Scoring System, Shoulder Activity Level, Subjective Shoulder Value, and Western Ontario Osteoarthritis Shoulder index were evaluated by only 1 study each. The Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index was found to have the best overall quality of psychometric properties per the established criteria, with positive evidence found in internal consistency, reliability, content validity, hypothesis testing, and responsiveness. The DASH, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and Simple Shoulder Test had good evidence in support of internal consistency, reliability, structural validity, hypothesis testing, and responsiveness. Inadequate methodological quality was found across many studies, particularly in internal consistency, reliability, measurement error, hypothesis testing, and responsiveness.

Conclusion:

More high-quality methodological studies should be performed to assess the properties in all identified instruments.
Planning Consultants’ Influence on Local Comprehensive Plans
Authors: Loh Carolyn G. , Norton Richard K.
Published: January 2015

Many planners work at private consulting firms, and many local governments use their services, but we have little idea of how consultant involvement affects plans. Analyzing data from a survey of local officials who engage planning consultants, we find that while engaging consultants does not appear to nudge local officials in a policy direction different from their preferences, it does appear to yield plans with a policy focus more oriented toward smart growth. This raises questions about the kind and degree of consultants’ impact on the legitimacy of the planning process.
Standards-based Assessments in the Classroom
Authors: Sharma Priyanka
Published: January 2015

In the new millennium, the Indian education system has experienced a major shift and the issue of the quality of education has taken centre stage in policy discussion fora. Globally, assessment has become an important means of improving the quality of education, both at the systemic level and at the level of individual students. It necessitates innovation, exploration and implementation of world-class assessment standards to augment the efforts aimed at realising quality education and improved learning achievement. School education, being the foundation of the education system of any country, has witnessed the adoption of a number of innovative models of assessment that have the potential to improve the learning levels of students. But the most debated questions are: What is the purpose of assessment? What type of assessment is the most suitable? Standards-based assessment (SBA), a system of referencing students’ achievement against predetermined standards, offers a great opportunity to improve classroom practices and to enhance the achievement level of students. It has played a pivotal role in mobilising educational reforms through assessment reforms in a number of systems. It is often argued that standards are limited to measuring the level of achievement or to the assessment of learning. This point, in turn, has implications for system monitoring or evaluation, and has little relevance for classroom practices. This article argues that the practices of SBA, if they were allowed to percolate to the classroom, would facilitate learning and would enable the use of assessment for improving learning.
Gender, Subject Choice and Higher Education in India
Authors: Gautam Meenakshi
Published: January 2015

The increased participation of women in higher education in India since 1947 has not received the scholarly attention it deserves. Since independence, there have been shifts–dispersal and clustering of women students in various disciplines in higher education. There is a need to understand the processes of decision making regarding schooling, subject choice and access (physical and social) to higher education. The article examines the factors affecting the subject choices of women in higher education and how diverse contexts of gender consideration influence choices made at the post-secondary and undergraduate levels. This exploratory study of women students at a university in Delhi showed that the family and the school were the key institutions that shaped their choice of subjects. In the family, the father played a prominent role in deciding the subject choice, and gender mediated the entire decision-making process. At the undergraduate level, women’s subject choice was compromised by concerns related to their gender. Priority was given to the institution, to its location and to the availability of an attached hostel, rather than to the subject or discipline.
Centralised Evaluation Practices
Authors: Srinivasan M.V.
Published: January 2015

The evaluation of students’ learning has been the central focus in Indian schools for a very long time. Teachers and school administrators in most schools train students from the very beginning to sit for the examinations conducted at the end of Classes X and XII. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (popularly known as RTE) Act, 2009 attempts to ensure the availability of quality schooling and the provision of good facilities for children in the age group 6–14 years. This is the first law in India that has provisions for the evaluation of students’ learning, and has led government agencies to prepare evaluation plans for implementation in schools. The continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) scheme, recently formulated by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), is being implemented in schools affiliated to the board. However, the current CCE practices need a serious re-examination because they not only thwart other curricular reforms but also because they are not in consonance with the goals stated in the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), 2005 and in RTE, 2009.
Benevolence or Selfishness: Understanding the Increasing Role of Turkish NGOs and Civil Society in Africa
Authors: Siradag Abdurrahim
Published: January 2015

Turkey has changed its policy in Africa since 2005 and developed a more active role to cement its political, economic and social relations with African countries. For instance, while Turkey had only 12 embassies around the continent in 2002, it now has 35. Its economic relations with Africa have also increased significantly over the past decade. Although its total trade was 2 billion dollars in 2002, it boomed to 22 billion dollars in 2013. Turkish non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations have also boosted their humanitarian activities in Africa. They have established hospitals, mosques, orphanages, schools and colleges, opened water wells and provided free cataract surgeries. This article will examine why Turkish NGOs and civil society organisations have increased their humanitarian assistance in Africa since 2002. The research will also uncover the main motivations to the increasing role of Turkish NGOs and civil society organisations on the continent of Africa.
Preventing the Oil Curse Situation in Ghana: The Role of Civil Society Organisations
Authors: Debrah Emmanuel , Graham Emmanuel
Published: January 2015

Since Ghana started commercial production of oil in 2011, the overarching concern has been how to avoid a resource curse. This article examines the role civil society organisations (CSOs) have played in preventing Ghana from falling into the oil curse situation. It notes specific civil society initiatives that aim to promote transparency and accountability in oil governance. The Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas has facilitated the creation of legislative frameworks, checks and monitoring systems to keep government and oil companies on their toes even though weak capacity, politicisation and lack of access to information remain a challenge to CSOs’ effective mobilisation. They need to pursue collaborative rather than adversarial relationships with the government, promote participatory learning in their internal management and instigate the government to promote macroeconomic stability, wealth creation, infrastructure development and employment for the youth with oil revenues.
South Africa: The Rise of Traditional Medicine
Authors: McFarlane Chrissa
Published: January 2015

Traditional medicine also described as folk medicine, refers to the healing practices of the body and mind. It covers a wide variety of therapies and practices that vary from country to country and region to region. It has been used since the beginning of mankind and stems from theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to a particular culture. Despite numerous attempts of governmental interference, traditional medicine continues to strive throughout Africa and certain parts of the world. During colonialism, many colonists accused traditional healers of practicing witchcraft, which led to the prohibition of the practice across various regions in Africa. Today, South Africa is home to more than 200,000 traditional healers who care for more than 27 million people. This article will primarily focus on the history of traditional medicinal practices in South Africa and its rise in modern-day times as a form of complementary alternative medicine (CAM).
Evaluation of Physician and Nurse Dyad Training Procedures to Deliver a Palliative and End-of-Life Communication Intervention to Parents of Children with a Brain Tumor
Authors: Hendricks-Ferguson Verna L. , Kane Javier R. , Pradhan Kamnesh R. , Shih Chie-Schin , Gauvain Karen M. , Baker Justin N. , Haase Joan E.
Published: January 2015

When a child’s prognosis is poor, physicians and nurses (MDs/RNs) often struggle with initiating discussions about palliative and end-of-life care (PC/EOL) early in the course of illness trajectory. We describe evaluation of training procedures used to prepare MD/RN dyads to deliver an intervention entitled: Communication Plan: Early Through End of Life (COMPLETE) intervention. Our training was delivered to 5 pediatric neuro-oncologists and 8 pediatric nurses by a team of expert consultants (i.e., in medical ethics, communication, and PC/EOL) and parent advisors. Although half of the group received training in a 1-day program and half in a 2-day program, content for all participants included 4 modules: family assessment, goal-directed treatment planning, anticipatory guidance, and staff communication and follow-up. Evaluations included dichotomous ratings and qualitative comments on content, reflection, and skills practice for each module. Positive aspects of our training included parent advisers’ insights, emphasis on hope and non-abandonment messages, written materials to facilitate PC/EOL communication, and an MD/RN dyad approach. Lessons learned and challenges related to our training procedures will be described. Overall, the MDs and RNs reported that our PC/EOL communication-training procedures were helpful and useful. Future investigators should carefully plan training procedures for PC/EOL communication interventions.
Modal proportional and derivative state active control applied to a simplified string instrument
Authors: Benacchio Simon , Chomette Baptiste , Mamou-Mani Adrien , Ollivier François
Published: January 2015

This study proposes an application of modal active control to musical string instruments. Its aim is to control the modal parameters of the soundboard in order to modify the sound of the instrument. Using both state and derivative state modal control, a method is given, from the modeling of the active structure through to the design of the control system. Issues such as the identification of the structure’s characteristics or the stability of the control system are dealt with for this original control method. Then, this technique is applied to a model of a simplified string instrument soundboard. Time simulations are conducted to study its effect on the instrument vibration. They show that, thanks to soundboard modal active control, it is possible to modify the amplitude of the sound harmonics to change the timbre as well as the sound level of the instrument.
A systematic review of the incidence and prevalence of comorbidity in multiple sclerosis: Overview
Authors: Marrie Ruth Ann , Cohen Jeffrey , Stuve Olaf , Trojano Maria , Sørensen Per Soelberg , Reingold Stephen , Cutter Gary , Reider Nadia
Published: January 2015

Background:

Comorbidity is an area of increasing interest in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

The objective of this review is to estimate the incidence and prevalence of comorbidity in people with MS and assess the quality of included studies.

Methods:

We searched the PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Web of Knowledge databases, conference proceedings, and reference lists of retrieved articles. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts. One reviewer abstracted data using a standardized form and the abstraction was verified by a second reviewer. We assessed study quality using a standardized approach. We quantitatively assessed population-based studies using the I2 statistic, and conducted random-effects meta-analyses.

Results:

We included 249 articles. Study designs were variable with respect to source populations, case definitions, methods of ascertainment and approaches to reporting findings. Prevalence was reported more frequently than incidence; estimates for prevalence and incidence varied substantially for all conditions. Heterogeneity was high.

Conclusion:

This review highlights substantial gaps in the epidemiological knowledge of comorbidity in MS worldwide. Little is known about comorbidity in Central or South America, Asia or Africa. Findings in North America and Europe are inconsistent. Future studies should report age-, sex- and ethnicity-specific estimates of incidence and prevalence, and standardize findings to a common population.
Short-term, high-dose glucocorticoid treatment does not contribute to reduced bone mineral density in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Olsson A , Oturai DB , Sørensen PS , Oturai PS , Oturai AB
Published: January 2015

Background:

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are at increased risk of reduced bone mineral density (BMD). A contributing factor might be treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids (GCs).

Objectives:

The objective of this paper is to assess bone mass in patients with MS and evaluate the importance of short-term, high-dose GC treatment and other risk factors that affect BMD in patients with MS.

Methods:

A total of 260 patients with MS received short-term high-dose GC treatment and had their BMD measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry. BMD was compared to a healthy age-matched reference population ( Z-scores). Data regarding GCs, age, body mass index (BMI), serum 25(OH)D, disease duration and severity were collected retrospectively and analysed in a multiple linear regression analysis to evaluate the association between each risk factor and BMD.

Results:

Osteopenia was present in 38% and osteoporosis in 7% of the study population. Mean Z-score was significantly below zero, indicating a decreased BMD in our MS patients. Multiple linear regression analysis showed no significant association between GCs and BMD. In contrast, age, BMI and disease severity were independently associated with both lumbar and femoral BMD.

Conclusion:

Reduced BMD was prevalent in patients with MS. GC treatment appears not to be the primary underlying cause of secondary osteoporosis in MS patients.
Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Versus Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding in the Super-Obese: Peri-Operative and Early Outcomes
Authors: Giordano S. , Tolonen P. , Victorzon M.
Published: January 2015

Introduction:

Controversy exists between laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in super-obese patients.

Methods:

This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. A total of 102 consecutive super-obese (body mass index >50) patients underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (Group 1), and 79 consecutive ones underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Group 2). Early complications and weight loss outcomes were evaluated.

Results:

No significant difference was found in operative mean (±standard deviation) time (93.5 ± 33 vs 87.7 ± 39 min, p = 0.29), hospital stay (2.68 ± 2.27 vs 2.75 ± 1.84 days, p = 0.80), or overall early postoperative morbidity (17.65% and 10.12%, p = 0.20). Intra-operative complications occurred in six patients (5.9%) in Group 1 and none in Group 2 (0.0%, p = 0.04). Mean excess weight loss percent at 6 and 12 months in Group 1 was 44.75% ± 11.84% and 54.71% ± 18.18% versus 26.20% ± 12.42% and 31.55% ± 19.79% in Group 2 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

There seems to be no significant differences in early complications between laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding operations in the short term. Weight loss and excess weight loss percent at 6 and 12 months are significantly better after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Surgery in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Maleckas A. , Venclauskas L. , Wallenius V. , Lönroth H. , Fändriks L.
Published: January 2015

Background and Aims:

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide, and most of the cases are type 2 diabetes mellitus. The relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity is well established, and surgical treatment is widely used for obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim was to present current knowledge about the possible mechanisms responsible for glucose control after surgical procedures and to review the surgical treatment results.

Material and Methods:

Medical literature was searched for the articles presenting the impact of surgical treatment on glycemic control, long-term results, and possible mechanisms of action among obese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Results:

Remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus after bariatric surgery depends on the definition of the remission used. Complete remission rate after surgery with the new criteria is lower than was considered before. Randomized controlled studies demonstrate that surgery is superior to best medical treatment for the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The recurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus after bariatric surgery is observed in up to 40% of cases with ≥5 years of follow-up. Despite the recurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in this group, better glycemic control and lower risk of macrovascular complications are present. Incretin effects on glycemic control after bariatric surgery are well described, but the role of other possible mechanisms (bile acids, microbiota, intestinal gluconeogenesis) in humans is unclear.

Conclusion:

Surgery is an effective treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in obese patients. The most optimal surgical procedure for the treatment of obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is still to be established. More research is needed to explore the mechanisms of glycemic control after bariatric surgery.
Review of naloxone safety for opioid overdose: practical considerations for new technology and expanded public access
Authors: Wermeling Daniel P.
Published: January 2015

Opioid overdose and mortality have increased at an alarming rate prompting new public health initiatives to reduce drug poisoning. One initiative is to expand access to the opioid antidote naloxone. Naloxone has a long history of safe and effective use by organized healthcare systems and providers in the treatment of opioid overdose by paramedics/emergency medicine technicians, emergency medicine physicians and anesthesiologists. The safety of naloxone in a prehospital setting administered by nonhealthcare professionals has not been formally established but will likely parallel medically supervised experiences. Naloxone dose and route of administration can produce variable intensity of potential adverse reactions and opioid withdrawal symptoms: intravenous administration and higher doses produce more adverse events and more severe withdrawal symptoms in those individuals who are opioid dependent. More serious adverse reactions after naloxone administration occur rarely and may be confounded by the effects of other co-intoxicants and the effects of prolonged hypoxia. One component of the new opioid harm reduction initiative is to expand naloxone access to high-risk individuals (addicts, abusers, or patients taking high-dose or extended-release opioids for pain) and their close family or household contacts. Patients or their close contacts receive a naloxone prescription to have the medication on their person or in the home for use during an emergency. Contacts are trained on overdose recognition, rescue breathing and administration of naloxone by intramuscular injection or nasal spraying of the injection prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel. The safety profile of naloxone in traditional medical use must be considered in this new context of outpatient prescribing, dispensing and treatment of overdose prior to paramedic arrival. New naloxone delivery products are being developed for this prehospital application of naloxone in treatment of opioid overdose and prevention of opioid-induced mortality.
Vaccine development and new attempts of treatment for ragweed allergy
Authors: El-Qutob David
Published: January 2015

Ragweeds are flowering plants in the genus Ambrosia in the aster family, Asteraceae. They are distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the New World, especially North America. Short ragweed is the most important weed. The ragweed flowering occurs late in the summer and the pollination period extends from the beginning of August to mid-October. Sensitization to ragweed pollen has risen in United States in the past decade and probably worldwide. The major allergenic compound in the pollen has been identified as Amb a 1. Ragweed allergies usually cause allergic rhinitis and asthma. Ragweed allergic patients may show signs of oral allergy syndrome caused by crossreactivity between ragweed allergens and food allergens. In the present article, an update about vaccine development and new knowledge for ragweed allergy is exhaustively revised.
Electroplastic effect in nanocrystalline and amorphous alloys
Authors: Stolyarov V. V.
Published: January 2015

The influence of structure-phase features of nanocrystalline and amorphous alloys and electric current modes on the electroplastic effect under tension is investigated. Grain size refinement up to nanoscale, occurrence of the second phases, and amorphization in alloys lead to decreases in or the full disappearance of the electroplastic effect. In nanocrystalline alloys with reverse thermoelastic martensite transformation, the introduction of current pulses suppresses stress jumps downwards induced by the display of electroplastic effect and causes active stress jumps upwards connected with the shape memory effect.
Effect of grain size on thermal transport in post-annealed antimony telluride thin films
Authors: Park No-Won , Lee Won-Yong , Hong Ji-Eun , Park Tae-Hyun , Yoon Soon-Gil , Im Hyunsik , Kim Hyung Sang , Lee Sang-Kwon
Published: January 2015

The effects of grain size and strain on the temperature-dependent thermal transport of antimony telluride (Sb2Te3) thin films, controlled using post-annealing temperatures of 200°C to 350°C, were investigated using the 3-omega method. The measured total thermal conductivities of 400-nm-thick thin films annealed at temperatures of 200°C, 250°C, 300°C, 320°C, and 350°C were determined to be 2.0 to 3.7 W/m · K in the 20 to 300 K temperature range. We found that the film grain size, rather than the strain, had the most prominent effect on the reduction of the total thermal conductivity. To confirm the effect of grain size on temperature-dependent thermal transport in the thin films, the experimental results were analyzed using a modified Callaway model approach.
Electrical transport properties of an isolated CdS microrope composed of twisted nanowires
Authors: Yu Gui-Feng , Yu Miao , Pan Wei , Han Wen-Peng , Yan Xu , Zhang Jun-Cheng , Zhang Hong-Di , Long Yun-Ze
Published: January 2015

CdS is one of the important II-VI group semiconductors. In this paper, the electrical transport behavior of an individual CdS microrope composed of twisted nanowires is studied. It is found that the current–voltage (I-V) characteristics show two distinct power law regions from 360 down to 60 K. Space-charge-limited current (SCLC) theory is used to explain these temperature- and electric-field-dependent I-V curves. The I-V data can be well fitted by this theory above 100 K, and the corresponding carrier mobility, trap energy, and trap concentration are also obtained. However, the I-V data exhibit some features of the Coulomb blockade effect below 80 K.