bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Well‐Defined Oligo(2,5‐dialkoxy‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene)s by Combined Olefin Metathesis and Wittig‐type Coupling: Effect of Conjugation Repeat Units and End Groups Toward Optical Properties
Authors: Abdellatif Mohamed Mehawed , Yorsaeng Sakkawet , Inagaki Akiko , Nomura Kotohiro
Published: May 2014

Defect‐free, highly trans oligo(2,5‐dialkoxy‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene)s [alkoxy = O(CH2)2OSiiPr3] with both repeat units (ex. 9, 15, and 31 repeat units) and end groups (aldehyde, C6F5, terthiophene, ferrocene) well‐defined are prepared by a stepwise combined olefin metathesis using Mo(CHCMe2Ph)(N‐2,6‐Me2C6H3)[OCCH3(CF3)2]2 with subsequent Wittig‐type coupling. End‐functionalized oligomers with uniform distributions are also prepared by acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) condensation using a ruthenium‐carbene catalyst, followed by the above combined olefin metathesis and Wittig coupling. The effects of the repeat units and the end functional groups on the optical properties are explored; the photoluminescence quantum yields in the end‐functionalized oligomers (e.g., 9 mers) are affected by the end groups.

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Heat shock protein 90 promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition, invasion, and migration in colorectal cancer
Authors: Nagaraju Ganji Purnachandra , Long Tua‐Elisabeth , Park Wungki , Landry Jerome C. , Taliaferro‐Smith LaTonia , Farris Alton B. , Diaz Roberto , El‐Rayes Bassel F.
Published: May 2014

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and motility are essential steps in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis regulated by HIF‐1α and NF‐κB. Since HSP90 activates HIF‐1α and NF‐κB, we hypothesized that inhibition of HSP90 leads to inhibition of HIF‐1α and NF‐κB resulting in inhibition of EMT, invasion, and motility. Treatment of colorectal cancer cell lines HT‐29 and HCT‐116 with ganetespib at 50 nM for 24 h inhibited EMT (downregulated vimentin and upregulated E‐cadherin), matrigel invasion, and spheroid migration. Ganetespib treatment or HSP90 knockdown downregulated molecular pathways associated with EMT, invasion, and motility. The overexpression of HIF‐1α or NF‐κB resulted in increased EMT, invasion, and motility in both cell lines and these effects were inhibited by ganetespib. Similar effects were observed in animal xenografts treated with ganetespib. Taken together, our data demonstrate for the first time that inhibition of HSP90 downregulates both HIF‐1α and NF‐κB leading to inhibition of EMT, motility, and invasiveness in colorectal cancer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Clinical Spectrum of Ataxia with Oculomotor Apraxia Type 2
Authors: Brugger Florian , Schüpbach Michael , Koenig Michel , Müri René , Bohlhalter Stephan , Kaelin‐Lang Alain , Kamm Christian P. , Kägi Georg
Published: May 2014

Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2) is an inherited disorder caused by mutations within both alleles of the senataxin gene. First symptoms are usually recognized before the age of 30. Unlike several other autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia syndromes, levels of alpha‐fetoprotein are nearly always elevated in AOA2 and thus narrowing down the differential diagnosis list. We present 3 video cases illustrating and expanding the clinical spectrum of AOA2, with 1 case bearing a novel mutation with cervical dystonia as the first symptom, the absence of neuropathy, and a disease onset beyond the age of 40. Furthermore, all patients were assessed by oculographic analysis, which revealed distinct patterns of oculomotor abnormalities. The clinical spectrum of AOA2 might be even broader than previously described in larger series. Oculography might be a useful tool to detect subclinical oculomotor apraxia in this disorder.
Real‐time direct integration of reduced solid dynamics equations
Authors: González David , Cueto Elías , Chinesta Francisco
Published: May 2014

A new method is developed here for the real‐time integration of the equations of solid dynamics based on the use of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)–proper generalized decomposition (PGD) approaches and direct time integration. The method is based upon the formulation of solid dynamics equations as a parametric problem, depending on their initial conditions. A sort of black‐box integrator that takes the resulting displacement field of the current time step as input and (via POD) provides the result for the subsequent time step at feedback rates on the order of 1 kHz is obtained. To avoid the so‐called curse of dimensionality produced by the large amount of parameters in the formulation (one per degree of freedom of the full model), a combined POD–PGD strategy is implemented. Examples that show the promising results of this technique are included. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hamilton's law of variable mass system and time finite element formulations for time‐varying structures based on the law
Authors: Zhao Rui , Yu Kaiping
Published: May 2014

Traditional principles of mechanics are primarily conceived for constant mass systems, which are only valid if mass is gained or lost at null velocity with respect to an inertial reference frame for variable mass systems, thus the numerical algorithms for time‐varying structures based on these principles are only suitable for this special case. In this paper, Hamilton's law of variable mass system is derived based on Meshchersky's fundamental equation, and two classes of novel time finite element formulations for linear systems with arbitrary continuous time‐varying parameters are developed based on the previous law. The formulations are verified extensively through numerical examples in which the convergence and effectiveness of algorithms are evaluated. Numerical examples demonstrate that compared with the algorithms for time‐varying structures that developed based on traditional principles of mechanics, the proposed algorithms provide extended capabilities in both time‐varying mass problems that mass is gained or lost at any velocity (such as rocket problem) and moving‐mass problems (such as vehicle‐bridge interaction problem) besides the time‐varying stiffness and damping problems, the proposed algorithms have a wider range of application. In particular, Hamilton's law of variable mass system provides a solid theoretical foundation for further research on the algorithm design for time‐varying structures. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validity of Lagrange (Bézier) and rational Bézier quads of degree 2
Authors: George P.L. , Borouchaki H.
Published: May 2014

Finite elements of degree two or more are needed to solve various PDE problems. This paper discusses a method to validate such meshes for the case of quadrilateral elements of degree 2. The first section of this paper comes back to Bézier curve and Bézier quadrilateral patches of degree 2. The way in which a Bézier quad patch and a Q2 finite element quad are related is introduced. The two possible quads are discussed, the 9‐node (or complete) quad together with the 8‐node (or Serendipity) quad. A validity condition, the positivity of the Jacobian, is exhibited for these two elements. The discussion continues with a rational Bézier quad patch that can be used as a finite element. Extension to arbitrary degrees is given. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short‐Term Labour Migration: Brazilian Migrants in Ireland
Authors: Maher Garret , Cawley Mary
Published: May 2014

Short‐term low‐skilled labour migration has increased internationally during the past two decades of rapid economic growth, in response to deficiencies in local labour supply in developed countries. Ireland was one of the newer states to recruit labour internationally on a large scale from the late 1990s until the global economic downturn in 2008. Various forms of short‐term migration, as well as both documented and undocumented employment, followed. This paper discusses the experience of Brazilian migrants in Ireland who assume particular interest because of being a new migration stream over a great distance, which involved relatively short sojourns in Ireland for many before returning to Brazil. Changing government work permit policies for non‐European Economic Area citizens, European Union enlargement, and economic recession all contributed to reduce the opportunities for legal employment in Ireland. This paper is based on research with workers who were initially recruited for the agricultural processing sector in two small towns in western Ireland through an existing link with the province of Goiás in Brazil. The evidence differs from some other studies of international labour migration in that data collection took place in both Ireland and Brazil. It highlights in particular the vulnerability of short‐term migrants to labour policies and the economy in host countries. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Herbaceous Versus Forested Riparian Vegetation: Narrow and Simple Versus Wide, Woody and Diverse Stream Habitat
Authors: Jackson C. R. , Leigh D. S. , Scarbrough S. L. , Chamblee J. F.
Published: May 2014

We investigated interactions of riparian vegetative conditions upon a suite of channel morphological variables: active channel width, variability of width within a reach, large wood frequency, mesoscale habitat distributions, mesoscale habitat diversity, median particle size and per cent fines. We surveyed 49 wadeable streams, 45 with low levels of development, throughout the Upper Little Tennessee River Basin in the Southern Appalachians. Conversion of riparian forest to grass has reduced aquatic habitat area (quantified by active channel width), channel width variability, wood frequency, mesoscale habitat diversity and obstruction habitat (wood and rock jams), and such conversion has increased the fraction of run and glide habitat. Channels with grassy riparian zones were only one‐third to three‐fifths of the width of channels with forested riparian zones, and channels with grassy or narrow forested riparian zones were nearly devoid of wood. Particle size metrics were strongly affected by stream power and agricultural cover in the basin, but the data suggest that elimination of riparian forest reduces median bed particle size. Results indicate that even modest increases in the extent and width of forested riparian buffers would improve stream habitat conditions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reverse Transformation Mechanism of Martensite to Austenite in 00Cr15Ni7Mo2WCu2 Super Martensitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Jiang Wen , Ye Dong , Li Jun , Su Jie , Zhao Kunyu
Published: May 2014

The reverse transformation mechanism of martensite to austenite in 00Cr15Ni7Mo2WCu2 super martensitic stainless steel has been studied. The experimental results indicated that the volume fraction of reversed austenite in 00Cr15Ni7Mo2WCu2 super martensitic stainless steel increased first and then decreased with increasing tempering temperature over a range of 550–750 °C after quenching at 1050 °C. The reversed austenite formed along the martensite lath boundaries. When the tempering temperature was below 700 °C, the reversed austenite grew with a Ni‐enrichment; when the temperature was above 700 °C, the reversed austenite re‐dissolved and transformed to martensite and a part of the reversed austenite divided the original wider martensitic laths into a number of thinner ones. The basic mechanism for formation of the reversed austenite is diffusion in 00Cr15Ni7Mo2WCu2 super martensitic stainless steel.
Injury, Disability and Access to Care in Rwanda: Results of a Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Population Study
Authors: Petroze Robin T. , Joharifard Shahrzad , Groen Reinou S. , Niyonkuru Francine , Ntaganda Edmond , Kushner Adam L. , Guterbock Thomas M. , Kyamanywa Patrick , Calland J. Forrest
Published: May 2014

Background

Disparities in access to quality injury care are a growing concern worldwide, with over 90 % of global injury‐related morbidity and mortality occurring in low‐income countries. We describe the use of a survey tool that evaluates the prevalence of surgical conditions at the population level, with a focus on the burden of traumatic injuries, subsequent disabilities, and barriers to injury care in Rwanda.

Methods

The Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS) tool is a cross‐sectional, cluster‐based population survey designed to measure conditions that may necessitate surgical consultation or intervention. Questions are structured anatomically and designed around a representative spectrum of surgical conditions. Households in Rwanda were sampled using two‐stage cluster sampling, and interviews were conducted over a one‐month period in 52 villages nationwide, with representation of all 30 administrative districts. Injury‐related results were descriptively analyzed and population‐weighted by age and gender.

Results

A total of 1,627 households (3,175 individuals) were sampled; 1,185 lifetime injury‐related surgical conditions were reported, with 38 % resulting in some form of perceived disability. Of the population, 27.4 % had ever had a serious injury‐related condition, with 2.8 % having an injury‐related condition at the time of interview. Over 30 % of household deaths in the previous year may have been surgically treatable, but only 4 % were injury‐related.

Conclusions

Determining accurate injury and disability burden is crucial to health system planning in low‐income countries. SOSAS is a useful survey for determining injury epidemiology at the community level, which can in turn help to plan prevention efforts and optimize provision of care.
A Novel Method for Laparoscopic Splenectomy in the Setting of Hypersplenism Secondary to Liver Cirrhosis: Ten Years’ Experience
Authors: Cai Yunqiang , Liu Xubao , Peng Bing
Published: May 2014

Background

It is a technical challenge to perform laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) on patients with liver cirrhosis. The purpose of this article is to share our experience with performing LS in the setting of hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis.

Methods

A total of 43 LSs for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis were performed between September 2003 and January 2013. The patients studied in this series were consecutively enrolled. All of the surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. We divided our patients into two groups based on whether splenogastric ligament‐entranced laparoscopic splenectomy (SLELS) was used. Data were collected retrospectively by chart review.

Results

The patients in the two groups had comparable demographic characteristics. Patients who underwent LS with SLELS (group 2) required less operating time (195.2 ± 45.8 vs. 227.7 ± 52.1 min, p = 0.042) and suffered less blood loss (160.4 ± 107.6 vs. 270.1 ± 231.2 ml, p = 0.031). No significant difference was found in terms of blood transfusion, conversion, postoperative hospital stay, and complications.

Conclusions

It is safe and feasible to perform LS on patients with hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis. In the procedure of SLELS, we highlight the importance of sufficient elevation the upper pole of the spleen.
Distribution of Boron Between Silicon and CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 Slags
Authors: Jakobsson Lars Klemet , Tangstad Merete
Published: May 2014

Production of solar-grade silicon through metallurgical refining methods can be less expensive than current production methods both in terms of energy use and capital cost. Slag refining is a potential metallurgical refining method for removal of boron from silicon. The distribution of boron between silicon and binary CaO-SiO2 and MgO-SiO2 slags, and between silicon and ternary CaO-MgO-SiO2 and CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 slags has been investigated in this work at 1873 K (1600 °C). The distribution coefficient of boron has been found to be between 2 and 2.5 in the binary CaO-SiO2 and MgO-SiO2 systems. It has also been found to be in the same range across the entire CaO-MgO-SiO2 system. In these systems the distribution coefficient is unaffected by slag composition. The distribution coefficient has been found to decrease with increasing Al2O3 content in the slag in the ternary CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system.
Alternative prospects for the Eastern Partnership countries
Authors: Habets Ingrid
Published: May 2014

The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is the EU's tool to provide prosperity, stability and security in the Eastern European neighbourhood. However, current events in Ukraine demonstrate–-as did events in Georgia in 2008–-that the EaP does not offer the countries involved sufficient prospects for the future. This article explores alternative scenarios wherein the EaP countries would be offered more stability in the political sphere, economic area and security environment.
Characterizing physicians’ information needs at the point of care
Authors: Maggio Lauren A. , Ten Cate Olle , Moorhead Laura L. , Van Stiphout Feikje , Kramer Bianca M. R. , Ter Braak Edith , Posley Keith , Irby David , O’Brien Bridget C.
Published: May 2014

Physicians have many information needs that arise at the point of care yet go unmet for a variety of reasons, including uncertainty about which information resources to select. In this study, we aimed to identify the various types of physician information needs and how these needs relate to physicians’ use of the database PubMed and the evidence summary tool UpToDate. We conducted semi-structured interviews with physicians (Stanford University, United States; n = 13; and University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands; n = 9), eliciting participants’ descriptions of their information needs and related use of PubMed and/or UpToDate. Using thematic analysis, we identified six information needs: refreshing, confirming, logistics, teaching, idea generating and personal learning. Participants from both institutions similarly described their information needs and selection of resources. The identification of these six information needs and their relation to PubMed and UpToDate expands upon previously identified physician information needs and may be useful to medical educators designing evidence-based practice training for physicians.
Poly(A) polymerase (PAP) diversity in gene expression – Star‐PAP vs canonical PAP
Authors: Laishram Rakesh S.
Published: May 2014

Almost all eukaryotic mRNAs acquire a poly(A) tail at the 3′‐end by a concerted RNA processing event: cleavage and polyadenylation. The canonical PAP, PAPα, was considered the only nuclear PAP involved in general polyadenylation of mRNAs. A phosphoinositide‐modulated nuclear PAP, Star‐PAP, was then reported to regulate a select set of mRNAs in the cell. In addition, several non‐canonical PAPs have been identified with diverse cellular functions. Further, canonical PAP itself exists in multiple isoforms thus illustrating the diversity of PAPs. In this review, we compare two nuclear PAPs, Star‐PAP and PAPα with a general overview of PAP diversity in the cell. Emerging evidence suggests distinct niches of target pre‐mRNAs for the two PAPs and that modulation of these PAPs regulates distinct cellular functions.
Renaissance of mammalian endogenous RNAi
Authors: Svoboda Petr
Published: May 2014

RNA interference (RNAi) denotes sequence‐specific mRNA degradation induced by long double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA). RNAi is an ancient eukaryotic defense mechanism against viruses and mobile elements. In mammals, endogenous RNAi was outstripped during evolution by the current innate and acquired immunity. The RNAi apparatus, which remains essentially intact, serves mostly the microRNA pathway, which regulates endogenous gene expression. Remarkably, several recent publications brought the mammalian endogenous RNAi pathway back into the spotlight. Here, I will provide an up‐to‐date review of the mammalian endogenous RNAi pathway with a focus on its defensive role and overlaps with miRNA and piRNA pathways.
Arthritis susceptibility and the gut microbiome
Authors: Taneja Veena
Published: May 2014

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with unknown etiology though both genetic and environmental factors have been suggested to be involved in its pathogenesis. While infections and other environmental factors (e.g. smoking) have been studied extensively and show some association, a direct link between all the factors has been difficult to prove. With the recent advances in technology, it has become possible to sequence the commensals that are residing in our gut. The gut microbiome may provide the missing link to this puzzle and help solve the mystery of many leaky gut syndromes. The gut commensals are involved in maintaining host immune homeostasis and function suggesting that they might be critical in altering the immune system, which leads to autoimmune diseases like RA. Mouse models support the role of the gut microbiota in predisposition to RA. If that is true, the power of gut‐derived commensal can be harnessed to our benefit by generating a biomarker profile along with genetic factors to define individuals at risk and by altering the gut microbial composition using various means.
Although unseen, chronic pain is real–A phenomenological study
Authors: Ojala Tapio , Häkkinen Arja , Karppinen Jaro , Sipilä Kirsi , Suutama Timo , Piirainen Arja
Published: May 2014

Background

Research has emphasised the essential role of psychosocial risk factors in chronic pain. In practice, pain is usually verified by identifying its physical cause. In patients without any distinct pathology, pain is easily defined as imaginary pain. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the invisibility of chronic pain, from the patients’ perspective.

Methods

Thirty-four participants with chronic pain were interviewed. The mean age of the participants was 48 years, and 19 of them were women. For 21 of the participants, the duration of pain was more than five years, and most of the participants had degenerative spinal pain. The transcribed interviews were analysed using Giorgi’s four-phase phenomenological method.

Results

The participants’ chronic pain was not necessarily believed by health care providers because of no identified pathology. The usual statements made by health care providers and family members indicated speculation, underrating, and denial of pain. The participants reported experience of feeling that they had been rejected by the health care and social security system, and this feeling had contributed to additional unnecessary mental health problems for the participants.

As a result from the interviews, subthemes such as “Being disbelieved”, “Adolescents’ pain is also disbelieved”, “Denying pain”, “Underrating symptoms”, “The pain is in your head”, “Second-class citizen”, “Lazy pain patient”, and “False beliefs demand passivity” were identified.

Conclusions

In health care, pain without any obvious pathology may be considered to be imaginary pain. Despite the recommendations, to see chronic pain as a biopsychosocial experience, chronic pain is still regarded as a symptom of an underlying disease. Although the holistic approach is well known and recommended, it is applied too sparsely in clinical practice.

Implications

The Cartesian legacy, keeping the mind and body apart, lives strong in treatment of chronic pain despite recommendations. The biopsychosocial approach seems to be rhetoric.
Can BDNF and IL-2 be indicators for the diagnosis in schizophrenic patients with depressive symptoms?
Authors: Eker Salih Saygin , Yavasci Ebru Oztepe , Cangur Sengul , Kirli Selcuk , Sarandol Emre
Published: May 2014

Objective

The aim of the current study is to determine whether serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) can be biological indicators for the diagnosis of schizophrenia in patients with depressive symptoms.

Method

Forty-seven patients (11 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, 16 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and comorbid depression and 20 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder) and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled. The Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale, the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used for assessment. The serum BDNF and IL-2 levels of all the subjects were studied.

Results

Decreased levels of serum BDNF and increased levels of serum IL-2 were found in the patients diagnosed with either schizophrenia, schizophrenia with depression, or major depressive disorder (p= 0.049,p= 0.010;p= 0.001 andp= 0.044;p= 0.027,p= 0.003; respectively) compared with control group. There were no significant differences between the patient groups in their serum BDNF and IL-2 levels.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that neurotrophic factors and immune system changes are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia with or without depressive symptomatology. However, the data do not clarify whether depressive symptoms in schizophrenia occur as a dimension of schizophrenia or as symptoms of major depression that is comorbid with schizophrenia.
Associations of the Baltic Sea diet with cardiometabolic risk factors – a meta-analysis of three Finnish studies
Authors: Kanerva Noora , Kaartinen Niina E. , Rissanen Harri , Knekt Paul , Eriksson Johan G. , Sääksjärvi Katri , Sundvall Jouko , Männistö Satu
Published: May 2014

Dyslipidaemia, hypertension and low-grade inflammation increase the risk of CVD. In the present meta-analysis, we examined whether adherence to a healthy Nordic diet, also called the Baltic Sea diet, may associate with a lower risk of these cardiometabolic risk factors. In 2001–2007, three cross-sectional Finnish studies were conducted: the Dietary, Lifestyle and Genetic Determinants of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome study (n4776); Health 2000 Survey (n5180); Helsinki Birth Cohort Study (n1972). The following parameters were assessed in these three studies: blood pressure, total, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, TAG and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP); a validated FFQ was used to assess the participants' dietary intakes. The Baltic Sea Diet Score (BSDS) was developed based on the healthy Nordic diet. All studies assessed confounding variables, such as physical activity and BMI, based on standardised questionnaires and measurements. The random-effects meta-analysis provided summary estimates for OR and 95 % CI by the BSDS quintiles. In the meta-analysis, the risk of elevated hs-CRP concentration was lower among men (OR 0·58, 95 % CI 0·43, 0·78) and women (OR 0·73, 95 % CI 0·58, 0·91) in the highest BSDS quintile than among those in the lowest BSDS quintile. In contrast, the risk of lowered HDL-cholesterol concentration was higher among women (OR 1·67, 95 % CI 1·12, 2·48) in the highest BSDS quintile than among those in the lowest BSDS quintile. However, no other associations were found. In conclusion, the associations between the adherence to the healthy Nordic diet and cardiometabolic risk factors are equivocal. Longitudinal studies are needed to further examine this hypothesis.
A History of Heresy Past: The Sermons of Chromatius of Aquileia, 388–407
Authors: McEachnie Robert
Published: May 2014

Chromatius served as bishop of Aquileia, a large trade-centered city at the north end of the Adriatic Sea, from 388–407. He interacted with notables like Rufinus, Jerome, Ambrose, and John Chrysostom, but our knowledge of Chromatius was limited to second-hand statements until the rediscovery of his sermons in the last century. When one examines the sermons in their original context, a disconnect on the issue of heresy emerges. Based on a survey of Christianities in northern Italy, it seems that the variety we might expect is lacking in the sources. An examination of the region reveals that the area during this time was remarkably homogenous in terms of the diversity among its Christian adherents. In Aquileia, Chromatius would have been unchallenged by other churches. In light of that, what did his continued tirades against non-existent “heretical” groups achieve? By examining the whole of each sermon mentioning heretics a pattern emerges surrounding the history of heresy and orthodoxy. The maintenance of institutional memory was not done sentimentally, but to advance the domination Christians had achieved into new arenas, namely, for Chromatius, control over an urban religious space which included Judaism.
A Peculiar Fate: The Unity of Human Life in Kant and Heidegger
Authors: BRUNO G. ANTHONY
Published: May 2014

It is commonly held that nature is knowable in itself and that death has no explanatory priority in knowing nature. I reject both claims as they undermine an account of the unity of human life, failing, respectively, to thematize the limitations of finite understanding and to acknowledge what’s most certain about finite existence. I use Kant’s idea of the thing in itself and Heidegger’s idea of death to solve two structurally analogous antinomies these failures leave intact. I conclude that to think these ideas is to represent the telos that unifies our living as, respectively, finite knowers and finite beings.
Short-term effects of milking frequency on milk yield, milk composition, somatic cell count and milk protein profile in dairy goats
Authors: Torres Alexandr , Hernández-Castellano Lorenzo-Enrique , Morales-delaNuez Antonio , Sánchez-Macías Davinia , Moreno-Indias Isabel , Castro Noemi , Capote Juan , Argüello Anastasio
Published: May 2014

Goats in Canary Islands are milked once a day by tradition, but in most countries with high technology on farms, goats are milked twice a day, which is known to improve milk yield. Therefore it is important to know whether the increase of milking frequency can improve the production without impairing milk quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the short term effects of three milking frequencies on milk yield, milk composition, somatic cell count (SCC) and milk protein profile in dairy goats traditionally milked once a day. Twelve Majorera goats in early lactation (48±4 d in milk) were used. During a 5-week period, goats were milked once a day (X1) in weeks 1 and 5, twice a day (X2) in weeks 2 and 4, and three times a day (X3) in week 3. Milk recording and sampling were done on the last day of each experimental week. Milk yield increased by 26% from X1 to X2. No differences were obtained when goats were switched from X2 to X3, and from X3 to X2. The goats recovered the production level when they returned to X1. Different patterns of changes in the milk constituents due to the milking frequency effect were observed. Fat percentage increased when switched from X1 to X2, then decreased from X2 to X3, and from X3 to X2, whereas it did not show significant differences from X2 to X1. Milking frequency did not affect the protein and lactose percentages. SCC values were unaffected when goats were milked X1, X2 and X3, but then they increased slightly when milking frequency was returned to X2 and X1. Finally, quantitative analysis showed an increase in intensities of milk protein bands from X1 to X2, but the intensities of casein bands (αS1-CN, αS2-CN, β-CN, κ-CN) and major whey proteins (α-La, β-Lg) decreased from X2 to X3.
Evaluation of the impact of a simple hand-washing and water-treatment intervention in rural health facilities on hygiene knowledge and reported behaviours of health workers and their clients, Nyanza Province, Kenya, 2008
Authors: SREENIVASAN N. , GOTESTRAND S. A. , OMBEKI S. , OLUOCH G. , FISCHER T. K. , QUICK R.
Published: May 2014

Many clinics in rural western Kenya lack access to safe water and hand-washing facilities. To address this problem, in 2005 a programme was initiated to install water stations for hand washing and drinking water in 109 health facilities, train health workers on water treatment and hygiene, and motivate clients to adopt these practices. In 2008, we evaluated this intervention's impact by conducting observations at facilities, and interviewing staff and clients about water treatment and hygiene. Of 30 randomly selected facilities, 97% had water stations in use. Chlorine residuals were detectable in at least one container at 59% of facilities. Of 164 interviewed staff, 79% knew the recommended water-treatment procedure. Of 298 clients, 45% had received training on water treatment at a facility; of these, 68% knew the recommended water-treatment procedure. Use of water stations, water treatment, and client training were sustained in some facilities for up to 3 years.
Cholera in the United States, 2001–2011: a reflection of patterns of global epidemiology and travel
Authors: LOHARIKAR A. , NEWTON A. E. , STROIKA S. , FREEMAN M. , GREENE K. D. , PARSONS M. B. , BOPP C. , TALKINGTON D. , MINTZ E. D. , MAHON B. E.
Published: May 2014

US cholera surveillance offers insight into global and domestic trends. Between 2001 and 2011, 111 cases were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cholera was associated with international travel in 90 (81%) patients and was domestically acquired in 20 (18%) patients; for one patient, information was not available. From January 2001 to October 2010, the 42 (47%) travel-associated cases were associated with travel to Asia. In October 2010, a cholera epidemic started in Haiti, soon spreading to the Dominican Republic (Hispaniola). From then to December 2011, 40 (83%) of the 48 travel-associated cases were associated with travel to Hispaniola. Of 20 patients who acquired cholera domestically, 17 (85%) reported seafood consumption; 10 (59%) ate seafood from the US Gulf Coast. In summary, an increase in travel-associated US cholera cases was associated with epidemic cholera in Hispaniola in 2010–2011. Travel to Asia and consumption of Gulf Coast seafood remained important sources of US cholera cases.
Genetic variants associated with susceptibility of Ashkenazi Jews to West Nile virus infection
Authors: DANIAL-FARRAN N. , EGHBARIA S. , SCHWARTZ N. , KRA-OZ Z. , BISHARAT N.
Published: May 2014

The epidemiology of West Nile virus (WNV) in Israel is different from other neighbouring countries in the Middle East where disease burden has been minimal. We analysed a cohort of Ashkenazi Jewish patients with symptomatic WNV infection (n = 39), and WNV-negative controls (n = 61), for nine genetic variants that has been suggested to be associated with susceptibility to WNV. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms were significantly more frequent in WNV-infected than non-infected individuals, rs7280422 (MX1) [odds ratio (OR) 4·05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·04–8·03, P < 0·001] and rs3213545 (OASL) (OR 1·85, 95% CI 1·03–3·3, P = 0·03). Genetic polymorphism may play a significant role in susceptibility to WNV infection in Ashkenazi Jews
China’s One-Child Policy, a Policy without a Future
Authors: NIE JING-BAO
Published: May 2014

The Chinese Communist Party government has been forcefully promoting itsjihua shengyu(planned fertility) program, known as the “one-child policy,” for more than three decades. A distinctive authoritarian model of population governance has been developed. A pertinent question to be asked is whether China’s one-child policy and the authoritarian model of population governance have a future. The answer must be no; they do not. Although there are many demographic, economic, and social rationales for terminating the one-child policy, the most fundamental reason for opposing its continuation is drawn from ethics. The key ethical rationale offered for the policy is that it promotes the common social good, not only for China and the Chinese people but for the whole human family. The major irony associated with this apparently convincing justification is that, although designed to improve living standards and help relieve poverty and underdevelopment, the one-child policy and the application of the authoritarian model have instead caused massive suffering to Chinese people, especially women, and made them victims of state violence. A lesson from China—one learned at the cost of individual and social suffering on an enormous scale—is that an essential prerequisite for the pursuit of the common good is the creation of adequate constraints on state power.
Neuroethics in a “Psy” World
Authors: SALLES ARLEEN
Published: May 2014

Given the cultural psychoanalytic tradition that shapes the thought of Argentineans and their current skepticism with regard to neurosciences when it comes to understanding human behavior, this article addresses the question of how a healthy neuroethics can develop in the country.
Hospice and Palliation in the English-Speaking Caribbean
Authors: MACPHERSON CHERYL COX , CHIOCHANKITMUN NINA , AKPINAR-ELCI MUGE
Published: May 2014

This article presents empirical data on the limited availability of hospice and palliative care to the 6 million people of the English-speaking Caribbean. Ten of the 13 nations therein responded to a survey and reported employing a total of 6 hospice or palliative specialists, and having a total of 15 related facilities. The evolving socioeconomic and cultural context in these nations bears on the availability of such care, and on the willingness to report, assess, and prioritize pain, and to prescribe opiates for pain. Socioeconomics and culture also impinge on what medications and modalities of care are routinely available for pain or other conditions and can challenge professionalism, empathy, and responsiveness to patients’ unrelieved pain. Although all respondents report having a protocol for pain management, hospice, or end-of-life care, their annual medical use of opiates is well below the global mean. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which monitors such use, encourages Caribbean and other low- and middle-income countries to increase their use of opiates to treat pain, and to overcome both unfounded fears of addiction and overly restrictive interpretation of related laws and regulations. Contextual considerations like those described here are important to the success of policies and capacity-building programs aiming to increase access to hospice and palliation, and perhaps to improving other aspects of health and healthcare. Exploring and responding to the realities of socioeconomic and cultural conditions will enhance public and policy dialogue and improve the design of interventions to increase access to palliative and hospice care. Improving access to palliative and hospice care in the Caribbean demonstrates beneficence and helps to fulfill human rights conventions.
Beyond Consent in Research
Authors: BELL EMILY , RACINE ERIC , CHIASSON PAULA , DUFOURCQ-BRANA MAYA , DUNN LAURA B. , FINS JOSEPH J. , FORD PAUL J. , GLANNON WALTER , LIPSMAN NIR , MACDONALD MARY ELLEN , MATHEWS DEBRA J. H. , MCANDREWS MARY PAT
Published: May 2014

Neuroethics Now welcomes papers addressing the ethical application of neuroscience in research and patient care, as well as its impact on society.
Klippel–Feil syndrome and levo-looped transposition of the great arteries
Authors: Martínez-Quintana Efrén , Rodríguez-González Fayna
Published: May 2014

Klippel–Feil syndrome is a skeletal disorder characterised by low hairline and a short neck due to abnormal fusion of two or more cervical vertebrae. Although congenital heart and lung defects are infrequent, some abnormalities such as cor triatriatum, coarctation of the aorta, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, or lung agenesis have been reported. The challenge of recognising Klippel–Feil syndrome lies in the fact that there is an association of this syndrome with other significant conditions such as skeletal, genitourinary, neurological, ear, and some cardiac defects. We report a Klippel–Feil syndrome type III 14-year-old patient with a levo-looped transposition of the great arteries. In addition, the patient had agenesis of the left upper-lung lobe.
Assessing Metacognition during a Cognitive Task: Impact of “On-line” Metacognitive Questions on Neuropsychological Performances in a Non-clinical Sample
Authors: Quiles C. , Verdoux H. , Prouteau A.
Published: May 2014

Whereas metacognition is of great interest for neuropsychological practice, little is known about the impact of metacognitive questions during a neuropsychological assessment. This study explored the impact of measuring “on-line” metacognitive processes on neuropsychological performances in a non-clinical population. Participants were randomly assigned to a “standard” or a “metacognitive” neuropsychological test procedure. The “standard” procedure assessed executive functions (Modified Card Sorting Test), episodic memory (“Rappel libre Rappel indicé” 16), working memory (digit span test Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III) and social cognition (Faces Test). In the “metacognitive” procedure, two questions were added after each item of these tests to evaluate “on-line” metacognitive monitoring and control. Working memory performances were better and episodic memory performances lower in the “metacognitive” versus the “standard” procedure. No significant difference was found concerning executive functioning or social cognition. The assessment of “on-line” metacognition might improve working memory performances by enhancing concentration, and might impair episodic memory performances by acting as a distractor. These findings may have implications for the development of cognitive remediation programs. (JINS, 2014, 20, 547–554)
Driving Competences and Neuropsychological Factors Associated to Driving Counseling in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Badenes Dolors , Garolera Maite , Casas Laura , Cejudo-Bolivar Juan Carlos , de Francisco Jorge , Zaragoza Silvia , Calzado Noemi , Aguilar Miquel
Published: May 2014

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) significantly impacts daily living activities, including car driving. To investigate driving difficulties experienced with MS, we compared 50 MS patients with minor or moderate disability and 50 healthy controls (HC) using computerized driving tests (the ASDE driver test and the Useful Field of View (UFOV) test) and neuropsychological tests. Inclusion criteria included being active drivers. We evaluated whether cognitive deterioration in MS is associated with the results of driving tests by comparing MS patients without cognitive deterioration with HC. The results indicated that the MS patients performed worse than the HCs in attention, information processing, working memory and visuomotor coordination tasks. Furthermore, MS patients with cognitive impairments experienced more difficulties in the driving tests than did the non-impaired MS patients. Motor dysfunction associated with MS also played an important role in this activity. The results of this study suggest that MS should be assessed carefully and that special emphasis should be placed on visuomotor coordination and executive functions because patients with minor motor disability and subtle cognitive impairments can pass measures predictive of driving safety. (JINS, 2014, 20, 555–565)
Introduction: The Shi‘a in South Asia
Authors: ROBINSON FRANCIS
Published: May 2014

The Shi‘i communities of South Asia, roughly 60 million people, represent, after those of Iran, the second largest grouping of Shi‘as in the Muslim world. Until recently our knowledge of them has not matched their numbers. Indeed, they, and here I refer to the Twelver Shi‘as rather than the Isma‘ilis, have suffered from the paradox of being both highly visible but in scholarly terms largely invisible. Where the Shi‘a live in South Asian towns and cities, arguably, no community has been more visible or more audible: visible because of their great processions at Muharram; and audible, certainly at Muharram, but also throughout the year in theirmajalis, as they recount the events of Karbala, often transmitting them by loudspeaker to themuhalla.
Consensus development on the essential competencies for Iranian public health nutritionists
Authors: Sadeghi-Ghotbabadi Farzaneh , Shakibazadeh Elham , Omidvar Nasrin , Mortazavi Fathieh , Kolahdooz Fariba
Published: May 2014

Objective

To assess key experts’ opinion regarding essential competencies required for effective public health nutrition practice within the health-care system of Iran.

Design

Qualitative study using the modified Delphi technique through an email-delivered questionnaire.

Setting

Iran.

Subjects

Fifty-five experts were contacted through email. The inclusion criterion for the study panel was being in a relevant senior-level position in nutrition science or public health nutrition in Iran.

Results

In the first round, forty-two out of fifty-five experts responded to the questionnaire (response rate=76 %). A sixty-five-item questionnaire was designed with nine competency areas, including ‘nutrition science’, ‘planning and implementing nutritional interventions’, ‘health and nutrition services’, ‘advocacy and communication’, ‘assessment and analysis’, ‘evaluation’, ‘cultural, social and political aspects’, ‘using technology’ and ‘leadership and management’. All experts who had participated in the first round completed a modified version of the questionnaire with seventy-seven items in the second round. The experts scored ‘nutrition science’ as the most essential competency area, while more applied areas such as ‘management and leadership’ were less emphasized. In both rounds, the mean difference between the opinions of the necessity of each area was 5·6 %.

Conclusions

The Iranian experts had general agreement on most of the core competency areas of public health nutritionists. The results indicated the need for capacity building and revisions to educational curricula for public health nutritionist programmes, with more emphasis on skill-based competency development.
Costly institutions as substitutes: novelty and limits of the Coasian approach
Authors: PAGANO UGO , VATIERO MASSIMILIANO
Published: May 2014

One of the main contributions of Ronald H. Coase was to demonstrate how mainstream economics was based on a contradictory amalgam of costly physical inputs and free institutional resources, and to give origin to the economics of institutions: each institution is a mode of allocation and organization of economic resources that is to be investigated. In particular, none of the institutions (including the market) is afree lunch. The Coasian approach regards institutions as costly substitutes and provides a fundamental starting point for comparative institutional analysis. However, Coase neglected two issues deriving from the observation that institutions are not cost-free. First, when institutions are costly, one should not only consider their possible substitutes but also how complementary institutions affect their costs, as well as the costs of the possible institutional substitutes. Second, the economic analysis should also take into account that the transition from one institutional setup to another cannot occur in costless meta-institutions. The initial conditions may substantially affect the final institutional arrangements. Both the novelty of Coase's approach and its limits were grossly undervalued. In particular, the costly institutions assumption requires a view of economics as a historical discipline.
Multiscale structural gradients enhance the biomechanical functionality of the spider fang
Authors: Bar-On Benny , Barth Friedrich G. , Fratzl Peter , Politi Yael
Published: May 2014

The spider fang is a natural injection needle, hierarchically built from a complex composite material comprising multiscale architectural gradients. Considering its biomechanical function, the spider fang has to sustain significant mechanical loads. Here we apply experiment-based structural modelling of the fang, followed by analytical mechanical description and Finite-Element simulations, the results of which indicate that the naturally evolved fang architecture results in highly adapted effective structural stiffness and damage resilience. The analysis methods and physical insights of this work are potentially important for investigating and understanding the architecture and structural motifs of sharp-edge biological elements such as stingers, teeth, claws and more.