bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and Outcomes of Dialysis Patients with Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Jones Daniel A. , McGill Laura-Ann , Rathod Krishnaraj S. , Matthews Kirsty , Gallagher Sean , Uppal Rakesh , Mills Peter G. , Das Satya , Yaqoob Magdi , Ashman Neil , Wragg Andrew
Published: July 2013

Background: The incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) in dialysis patients is higher than the general population. Dialysis patients who develop endocarditis are thought to have a poorer prognosis than other patients with IE. Aim: To examine the risk profiles, clinical features, and outcomes of patients on dialysis who developed IE in a large cohort. Design and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients developing IE on dialysis (using the modified Duke criteria) was undertaken between 1998 and 2011. Patients were identified from a prospectively collected clinical database. Results: 42 patients developed IE out of a total incident dialysis population of 1,500 over 13 years. 95% of the patients (40/42) were on long-term haemodialysis (HD) and 5% (2/42) on peritoneal dialysis. Mean patient age was 55.2 years (IQR: 43-69), and mean duration of HD prior to IE was 57.4 months. Primary HD access at the time of diagnosis was an arteriovenous fistula in 35% (14/40), a dual-lumen tunnelled catheter in 55% (22/40), and a dual-lumen non-tunnelled catheter in 10% (4/40). Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant S. aureus) was present in 57.1% (24/42). The aortic valve was affected in 42.8% of the patients (18/42), the mitral valve in 30.9% (13/42), and both valves in 9.5% (4/42). 33.3% of the patients had an abnormal valve before the episode of IE. In 21.4% (9/42), valve surgery was performed and mortality was lower in the surgical group compared to the group managed medically during hospitalisation (11.1 vs. 15.2%, p = 0.892), at 3 months (13.1 vs. 19.6%, p = 0.501), and during follow-up (p = 0.207), but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Age >60 years, septic emboli, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus were all adverse prognostic factors. Patients receiving surgery were younger (mean 47.1 ± 14.4 years vs. 57.4 ± 14.3, p = 0.049) and less likely to be infected with S. aureus (surgery 33.3% vs. antibiotics 63.6%, p = 0.046). Conclusion: This is one of the largest reported series of IE in dialysis patients. The incidence of IE remains high and the prognosis poor in dialysis patients, although patients selected for early valve surgery have good 1-year survival.
Regional Climate Projections of Extreme Heat Events in Nine Pilot Canadian Communities for Public Health Planning
Authors: Casati Barbara , Yagouti Abderrahmane , Chaumont Diane
Published: July 2013

Public health planning needs the support of evidence-based information on current and future climate, which could be used by health professionals and decision makers to better understand and respond to the health impacts of extreme heat. Climate models provide information regarding the expected increase in temperatures and extreme heat events with climate change and can help predict the severity of future health impacts, which can be used in the public health sector for the development of adaptation strategies to reduce heat-related morbidity and mortality. This study analyzes the evolution of extreme temperature indices specifically defined to characterize heat events associated with health risks, in the context of a changing climate. The analysis is performed by using temperature projections from the Canadian Regional Climate Model. A quantile-based statistical correction is applied to the projected temperatures, in order to reduce model biases and account for the representativeness error. Moreover, generalized Pareto distributions are used to extend the temperature distribution upper tails and extrapolate the statistical correction to extremes that are not observed in the present but that might occur in the future. The largest increase in extreme daytime temperatures occurs in southern Manitoba, Canada, where the already overly dry climate and lack of soil moisture can lead to an uncontrolled enhancement of hot extremes. The occurrence of warm nights and heat waves, on the other hand, is already large and will increase substantially in the communities of the Great Lakes region, characterized by a humid climate. Impact and adaptation studies need to account for the temperature variability due to local effects, since it can be considerably larger than the model natural variability.
An Evaluation of the Software System Dependency of a Global Atmospheric Model
Authors: Hong Song-You , Koo Myung-Seo , Jang Jihyeon , Esther Kim Jung-Eun , Park Hoon , Joh Min-Su , Kang Ji-Hoon , Oh Tae-Jin
Published: July 2013

This study presents the dependency of the simulation results from a global atmospheric numerical model on machines with different hardware and software systems. The global model program (GMP) of the Global/Regional Integrated Model system (GRIMs) is tested on 10 different computer systems having different central processing unit (CPU) architectures or compilers. There exist differences in the results for different compilers, parallel libraries, and optimization levels, primarily a result of the treatment of rounding errors by the different software systems. The system dependency, which is the standard deviation of the 500-hPa geopotential height averaged over the globe, increases with time. However, its fractional tendency, which is the change of the standard deviation relative to the value itself, remains nearly zero with time. In a seasonal prediction framework, the ensemble spread due to the differences in software system is comparable to the ensemble spread due to the differences in initial conditions that is used for the traditional ensemble forecasting.
Breast-feeding Initiation in Women With Pregestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Cordero Leandro , Thung Stephen , Landon Mark B. , Nankervis Craig A.
Published: July 2013

Objective. To examine feeding practices and factors associated with breast-feeding initiation (BFI) in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) and their infants. Methods. In all, 392 PGDM (135 late preterm and 257 term) pregnancies were studied. Infant feeding preference was ascertained on admission. Results. After birth, 166 (42%) of the infants received well-baby care, whereas 226 (58%) were admitted to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). Hypoglycemia (blood glucose <40 mg/dL), which occurred in 128 (33%) of all infants, did not influence BFI. Of 257 women who intended to BF, 55% initiated BF. Also, 5% of 105 women who intended to feed formula and 13% of the 30 undecided later initiated BF. Conclusions. The BFI rate for women with PGDM is remarkably low even among those who intended to BF. Factors associated with BFI failure in this population were primiparity, African American race, lower education, smoking, lack of intention to BF, and NICU admission.
Persistently Obese Youth
Authors: Boles Richard E. , Reiter-Purtill Jennifer , Zeller Meg H.
Published: July 2013

Objective. To assess the interaction of parent and child characteristics with feeding practices and mealtime functioning. Design. Longitudinal, predictive study comparing baseline characteristics with follow-up assessments. Participants. The caregivers of 52 persistently obese youth and 32 nonoverweight comparison youth completed measurements of child temperament, parental feeding practices, parenting styles, and interactions during mealtimes. Results. Adolescents with persistent obesity were significantly more likely to be parented using problematic feeding practices when parents also reported difficult child temperaments. Additionally, adolescents with persistent obesity and difficult temperaments were significantly more likely to have lower levels of positive mealtime interactions. Conclusion. Persistently obese youth are at increased risk for problematic parental feeding practices and mealtime functioning, particularly when youth are described as having difficult temperaments. These results indicate that further investigations are needed to better understand the mechanisms linking parent and child characteristics with health-related behaviors for adolescents with obesity.
Canada’s war for prestige in Afghanistan: A realist paradox?
Authors: Massie Justin
Published: July 2013

This article provides a comprehensive assessment of Canada’s prolonged and sizable military engagement in the war in Afghanistan in light of confounding expectations set by realism. It argues, from the perspective of neoclassical realism, that United States unipolarity, domestic elite consensus on an Atlanticist security policy, and executive autonomy vis-à-vis public dissent best account for Canada’s evolving Afghanistan policy. These necessary conditions can be generalized to apply to past and future allied coalitions of the willing to help make sense of Canada’s alliance burden-sharing.
Deletion of ATG5 Shows a Role of Autophagy in Salivary Homeostatic Control
Authors: Morgan-Bathke M. , Lin H.H. , Chibly A.M. , Zhang W. , Sun X. , Chen C.-H. , Flodby P. , Borok Z. , Wu R. , Arnett D. , Klein R.R. , Ann D.K. , Limesand K.H.
Published: July 2013

Autophagy is a catabolic pathway utilized to maintain a balance among the synthesis, degradation, and recycling of cellular components, thereby playing a role in cell growth, development, and homeostasis. Previous studies revealed that a conditional knockout of essential member(s) of autophagy in a variety of tissues causes changes in structure and function of these tissues. Acinar cell-specific expression of knocked-in Cre recombinase through control of aquaporin 5 (Aqp5) promoter/enhancer ( Aqp5-Cre) allows us to specifically inactivate Atg5, a protein necessary for autophagy, in salivary acinar cells of Atg5f/f;Aqp5-Cre mice. There was no difference in apoptotic or proliferation levels in salivary glands of Atg5/Cre mice from each genotype. However, H&E staining and electron microscopy studies revealed modestly enlarged acinar cells and accumulated secretory granules in salivary glands of Atg5f/f;Aqp5-Cre mice. Salivary flow rates and amylase contents of Atg5/Cre mice indicated that acinar-specific inactivation of ATG5 did not alter carbachol-evoked saliva and amylase secretion. Conversely, autophagy intersected with salivary morphological and secretory manifestations induced by isoproterenol administration. These results identified a role for autophagy as a homeostasis control in salivary glands. Collectively, Atg5f/f;Aqp5-Cre mice would be a useful tool to enhance our understanding of autophagy in adaptive responses following targeted head and neck radiation or Sjögren syndrome.
The Misconceived Construct of Task Cohesion
Authors: Siebold Guy L.
Published: July 2013

Group cohesion is very basic to the human condition and derived from the most fundamental nature of humans as found in the terminology of I am, I go, and I do. Group cohesion is found in the relationships of group members and their perceived capacity for joint action to achieve their missions. For some time the construct of task cohesion has been incorrectly or ambiguously included in the conceptualization of group cohesion. However, task cohesion, if used at all in the context of military group cohesion, should be considered part of the set of performance criteria as in cohesive task performance rather than as part of the cohesion predictor space. The author requests future researchers adopt this preferred word usage.
Suffering in Vain: A Study of the Interpretation of ΠΑΣΧΩ in Galatians 3.4
Authors: Dunne John Anthony
Published: July 2013

Modern scholarship is divided on the interpretation of πάσχω in Gal. 3.4, and there has yet to be a deﬁnitive study on the subject attempting to rectify the disagreements. The clear consensus prior to the late seventeenth century was that πάσχω possessed negative connotations in this passage. This interpretation was briefly challenged by Justus Christoph Schomer (1648–1693), influencing the majority of German scholarship and creating a major polarity among scholars in the English-speaking world. After making this history of interpretation known, the present study tries to demonstrate that, lexically, thematically and contextually, the preferable interpretation regards πάσχω as a reference to suffering, in keeping with the longstanding interpretative tradition.
‘Lord, if you had been here …’ (John 11.21): The Absence of Jesus and Strategies of Consolation in the Fourth Gospel
Authors: North Wendy E.S.
Published: July 2013

This article aims to account for two aspects of the Lazarus story: ﬁrst, the words with which Martha and Mary greet Jesus on his arrival at Bethany and, second, Jesus’ earlier unexplained delay on learning of Lazarus’s illness. It is claimed that the absence of Jesus was of crucial concern to John’s readership, whose cohesion was threatened by persecution and whose faith in Jesus’ return at the eschaton was growing increasingly fragile. In response, John provides consolation for his flock by means of a twofold strategy: ﬁrst, he deals with Jesus’ absence by presenting the Holy Spirit advantageously as the abiding presence of Jesus in their midst and, second, he strengthens their resolve in the face of death by his emphasis on resurrection to life on Judgment Day as a present guarantee for those who believe in Jesus. Since these are distinctive aspects of John’s presentation, the question is raised as to whether other characteristic features of his work, even perhaps his choice of the gospel medium, could plausibly be seen as part of the same process of meeting his readers’ needs. The focus thus returns to the Lazarus story, distinctively placed as the centrepiece of the Gospel, and to a possible explanation of those aspects of it with which the study began. Two brief examples from the Gospel’s reception history are offered by way of conclusion.
No Bridge over Troubled Water? The Gap between 2 Corinthians 1–9 and 10–13 Revisited
Authors: Schmeller Thomas
Published: July 2013

2 Corinthians 1–9 and 10–13 are often regarded as two different letters. The arguments usually forwarded in support of this view are observations about the personal relationship between Paul and the Corinthians or about the circumstances reflected in the two parts of the letter. A close examination of the text reveals clear hints of a change in the personal relationship, but we do not ﬁnd corresponding hints of a change of circumstances. This article suggests that one can account for continuity on the situational level and for discontinuity in the relationship between Paul and the Corinthians on the grounds that both parts of the letter have different aims. Chapters 1–9 and 10–13 do not contradict each other but are complementary. Thus 2 Corinthians can be viewed as an original unity.
Touch as an Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Process in Couples’ Daily Lives
Authors: Debrot Anik , Schoebi Dominik , Perrez Meinrad , Horn Andrea B.
Published: July 2013

Interpersonal touch seems to promote physical health through its effects on stress-sensitive parameters. However, less is known about the psychological effects of touch. The present study investigates associations between touch and romantic partners’ affective state in daily life. We hypothesized that this association is established by promoting the recipient’s experience of intimacy. Both partners of 102 dating couples completed an electronic diary 4 times a day during 1 week. Multilevel analyses revealed that touch was associated with enhanced affect in the partner. This association was mediated by the partner’s psychological intimacy. Touch was also associated with intimacy and positive affect in the actor. Finally, participants who were touched more often during the diary study week reported better psychological well-being 6 months later. This study provides evidence that intimate partners benefit from touch on a psychological level, conveying a sense of strengthened bonds between them that enhances affect and well-being.
The Things You Do for Me
Authors: Joel Samantha , Gordon Amie M. , Impett Emily A. , MacDonald Geoff , Keltner Dacher
Published: July 2013

Although a great deal of attention has been paid to the role of people’s own investment in promoting relationship commitment, less research has considered the possible role of the partner’s investments. An experiment (Study 1) and two combined daily experience and longitudinal studies (Studies 2 and 3) documented that perceived investments from one partner motivate the other partner to further commit to the relationship. All three studies provided support for gratitude as a mechanism of this effect. These effects held even for individuals who were relatively less satisfied with their relationships. Together, these results suggest that people feel particularly grateful for partners who they perceive to have invested into the relationship, which, in turn, motivates them to further commit to the relationship. Implications for research and theory on gratitude and relationship commitment are discussed.
Value of Magnetic Resonance Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging for the Prediction of Radiosensitivity in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Hong Jinsheng , Yao Yiqi , Zhang Yu , Tang Tianlan , Zhang Hao , Bao Daoliang , Chen Yunbin , Pan Jianji
Published: July 2013

Objective

The effectiveness of radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is closely related to the radiosensitivity of the carcinoma; however, there is currently no effective method to predict radiosensitivity in NPC. We explored the predictive value of magnetic resonance diffusion‐weighted imaging (MR‐DWI) for radiosensitivity in NPC.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Single hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Patients with NPC who received intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with or without chemotherapy were enrolled from April 2010 through November 2011. Primary tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was measured before treatment (ADC0) and 2 weeks after the start of IMRT (ADC1). ADC change (ΔADC) was calculated as (ADC1 – ADC0)/ADC0 * 100%. Three months after the end of radiotherapy, the short‐term effect of radiotherapy was assessed using the World Health Organization's response evaluation criteria in solid tumors.

Results

Of 134 eligible NPC patients, 121 received combination chemotherapy. Three months after radiotherapy, residual local tumors were detected in 23 (17.2%) cases, and no residual tumors were detected in 111 (82.8%) cases. There was no significant difference in the residual tumor rates of patients receiving combination chemotherapy vs those who did not (P = 1.000). There were no significant differences in the ADC0 or ADC1 values of patients with and without residual tumors (P =. 083 and. 262). The ΔADC values of patients with (49.77% ± 31.02%) and without (68.35% ± 34.22%) residual tumors were significantly different (t = −2.406, P =. 017). Logistic regression analysis indicated that ΔADC was an independent prognostic factor for the short‐term effect of IMRT in NPC.

Conclusion

Magnetic resonance diffusion‐weighted imaging may potentially have value for predicting radiosensitivity in NPC.
After-hours physician care for patients with do-not-resuscitate orders: An observational cohort study
Authors: Hsu Nin-Chieh , Chang Ray-E , Tsai Hung-Bin , Lin Yu-Feng , Shu Chin-Chung , Ko Wen-Je , Yu Chong-Jen
Published: July 2013

Background:

Medical care at night for patients with do-not-resuscitate orders and the practice patterns of the on-call residents have rarely been reported.

Aim:

To evaluate the after-hours physician care for patients with do-not-resuscitate orders in the general medicine ward.

Design:

Observational study.

Setting/participants:

This study was conducted at an urban, university-affiliated academic medical center in Taiwan. The night shift nurses consecutively recorded every event that required calling the duty residents. Patients with and without a do-not-resuscitate order were compared in demographics, reasons for calling, residents’ response, and nurses’ satisfaction. A standard report form was established for the nurses to record events.

Results:

From October 2009 to September 2010, 1379 inpatients contributed to 456 after-hours calls. do-not-resuscitate patients accounted for 256 (18.7%) of all inpatients, and 160 (35.1%) of all after-hours calls. The leading reason for calls was abnormal vital signs, which was significantly higher for patients with do-not-resuscitate orders compared to patients without a do-not-resuscitate order (64.4% vs 36.1%, p < 0.001). The pattern of residents’ responses showed a significant difference with more bedside visits for patients with do-not-resuscitate orders ( p < 0.001). The nurses were usually satisfied with the residents’ management of both groups.

Conclusion:

Abnormal vital sign, rather than symptom, was the leading reason for after-hours calls. The existence of do-not-resuscitate order produced different medical needs and physician workload. Patients with do-not-resuscitate orders accounted for one-third of night calls and nearly half of bedside visits by on-call residents and may require a different care approach.
MRI-guided stereotactic aspiration of brain abscesses by use of an optical tracking navigation system
Authors: Lü Yubo , Li Chengli , Liu Ming , Fritz Jan , Carrino John A , Wu Lebin , Zhao Bin
Published: July 2013

Background

Owing to the high risk of abscess drainage by craniotomy, imaging-guided stereotactic aspiration is considered an ideal choice in the management of brain abscesses. Interventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents a valuable technique for the treatment of brain abscess as a guiding modality.

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an interventional MRI system in performing the procedure.

Material and Methods

Thirteen brain abscesses in 11 patients were treated with percutaneous aspiration. All procedures were performed solely under the guidance of a 0.23-T open-configuration MRI scanner with optical tracking. Clinical and imaging follow-up was at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The changes of abscess, MRI features, and clinical symptoms were recorded. Procedure efficacy and safety were evaluated by success rate, procedure time, decrease of abscess, recovery rate, and complication. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.

Results

MRI-guided stereotactic aspirations were performed successfully in 13/13 (100%) abscesses. The mean operating time was 70 min (range, 45–100 min). Follow-up MRI at 1 week after the procedure showed average reduction of abscesses by 60% (2.1/3.5). And the abscesses continued to get smaller by up to 89.7% (3.14/3.5) at 1-month follow-up. All cavities resolved at the end of the 6-month follow-up period. The recovery rate was 100% for fever, headache, vomiting, papilledema, meningismus, altered sensorium, 75% (3/4) for hemiparesis, and 83.3% (5/6) for epilepsy. There were no complications.

Conclusion

Punctures of brain abscesses with subsequent aspiration can be performed safely and efficiently by monitoring the procedure using an open interventional MRI system.
Engendering status and value in the powwow art market
Authors: Gagnon Blaire O
Published: July 2013

This article examines the relationship between people and objects in the powwow arts and crafts market. Over the past century, the field of Indian art developed a system of valuation that employs the “negative relationship” to create a hierarchy of people, objects, and markets. Central to this system are regimes of value associated with art and commodity. I argue that the presence of the mass-produced makes it possible for artisan-vendors to employ the negative relationship to define, value, and make sustainable the artistic in the powwow market context. Ultimately, this marks artisan-vendors and mass-produced vendors as position-takers within the Indian art field.
The elasticity of the Color Line
Authors: Hazan Noa
Published: July 2013

In light of the ongoing massive social protest that began in Israel in summer 2011, and considering the new interest in the Israeli Black Panthers protest movement marking its 40th anniversary, I wish to reexamine the press photographs of the Black Panther demonstrations taken in 1971. Studying these photographs, I argue that the visual coverage of the protest in the Israeli popular press strictly excluded the demonstrators from the Israeli public using racial signifiers. This occurred precisely during a period in which the use of racial signifiers was diminishing due to the Six Day War. I draw parallels between photographs from the 1967 War and from the Black Panther demonstrations and maintain that viewing the photographs exposes the state dialectic in handling its citizens. This dialectic moves along the axis between acceptance and rejection, identity and difference, and containment and alienation—relying on the racial visual signifier both to presence and to justify identity and difference.
A performance evaluation method for radio frequency identification–based tracking network of job-shop-type work-in-process material flows
Authors: Zhang Fuqiang , Jiang Pingyu , Zheng Mei , Cao Wei
Published: July 2013

With the rapid development of the modern manufacture, a radio frequency identification–based tracking network has been gradually established to monitor and track the material flows in a job-shop floor. Based on an event-driven graphical schema, this article puts forward a new method for modeling and analyzing the job-shop-type work-in-process material flows tracking network. The schema elements are mapped into the network nodes, and the association relationships among the elements are mapped into the network edges. Furthermore, corresponding measures and metrics are presented to evaluate the work-in-process material flows tracking network performance. Finally, a simple example is given to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. It is expected that this study will provide a systemic evaluation method for guiding and optimizing the radio frequency identification–based tracking configuration solution for job-shop-type material flows.
Directional morphological approaches from image processing applied to automatic tool selection in computer numerical control milling machine
Authors: Mejia-Ugalde Mario , Trejo-Hernandez Miguel , Dominguez-Gonzalez Aurelio , Osornio-Rios Roque A , Benitez-Rangel Juan P
Published: July 2013

Automatic tool selection in milling operation has become a very important step in the manufacturing and planning processes for 2.5D piece machining. The main contribution of this article is the development of a new method based on directional morphological approaches, applied to automatic tool selection in computer numerical control milling machines for machining a 2.5D of a geometry piece provided of three-dimensional model of computer-aided design or from an image taken with other devices. First, the image is preprocessed by applying several image processing techniques. Later, mathematical morphology as erosion or dilation to create structural element with the shape of the cutting tool is used. The method displaces a structural element throughout the entire image with the values of the lengths of the piece boundary and the cutting tool to select the correct cutting tool and tool path. Besides, with the same structural element, the zig and zig-zag contour trajectories are obtained in standard computer numerical control code. Results from these experiments show that the method makes it possible to obtain good performance in automatic tool selection when several types of pieces are processed.
Using continuous function to generate shaped command for vibration reduction
Authors: Xie Xumiao , Huang Jie , Liang Zan
Published: July 2013

This article describes a continuous function for limiting vibration in flexible systems by convolving the original command to the system. Unlike previous command shaping strategies, a continuous function shapes the original command to suppress vibration. The effectiveness of this method for robustness is explored and quantified. The theoretic analysis shows that this method has more insensitivity at higher frequencies. However, the robust input shaper gets more insensitive at lower frequencies. Experimental results for a planar bridge crane validate the simulated dynamic behavior and the effectiveness of the continuous function.
The importance of latent benefits and meaningful leisure activity in predicting quality of life in Australian retirees
Authors: Read Julianne M , Muller Juanita J , Waters Lea E
Published: July 2013

It is important to understand the factors that can contribute to quality of life in retirees. Accessing latent benefits, which are generally associated with paid employment, has been shown to increase quality of life. It is proposed that meaningful leisure may act as a substitute for paid employment in retirees. A sample of 123 male and female participants living in 8 different retirement villages in Queensland, Australia, were assessed using the Latent and Manifest Benefits Scale, the World Health Organisation Quality of Life scale and the Meaningful Leisure Activity Questionnaire to examine the role of meaningful leisure activity on access to latent benefits and perceived quality of life. Results showed that during retirement, access to the five latent benefits of time structure, shared experiences, identity, collective purpose and enforced activity is positively related to quality of life. Results demonstrated that only collective purpose mediated the relationship between meaningful leisure and quality of life. Further, meaningful leisure was positively related to quality of life. The implications of these results are discussed.
The Migration Process as a Stress Factor in Pregnant Immigrant Women in Spain
Authors: Pérez Ramírez Francisca , García-García Inmaculada , Peralta-Ramírez Maria Isabel
Published: July 2013

Spain has seen a significant increase of the immigrant population in the past two decades. There are 5.6 million registered immigrants in this country, and 63% of them range in age between 16 and 41 years; 47% of the immigrant population are women. This situation requires additional health care, particularly as it pertains to the sexual and reproductive health of female immigrants. The objective of our study was to determine if there were differences between women of Spanish origin and immigrant women in terms of obstetric outcomes (obstetric history, gestational age at end of gestation, and at delivery) and various psychological variables during the immediate postpartum period. This was a cross-sectional study—we evaluated 30 women of Spanish origin and 30 immigrant women during the immediate postpartum period. During the 4 months after delivery, we proceeded to gather perinatal data for the study participants from their health records, partograms, and nursing assessment notes. Additionally, and following the immediate postpartum period, participants filled out the Stress Perception and Stress Vulnerability Questionnaires, as well as the Optimism Scale. Immigrant women have greater perception of stress ( p = .00) and vulnerability to stress ( p = .001) than do Spanish women. However, no group differences were found in obstetric variables.
Accounting for Identity Theft
Authors: Copes Heith , Vieraitis Lynne M. , Cardwell Stephanie M. , Vasquez Arthur
Published: July 2013

White-collar offenders are thought to be particularly adept at excusing and justifying their crimes. Whether this is due to their personal backgrounds or the characteristics of their crimes is, as of yet, unknown. To shed light on this issue we explore the various justifications and excuses given by identity thieves. Using data from semistructured interviews with 49 federally convicted identity thieves we show that they all provided numerous accounts for their crimes, with denial of injury being the most common. We also find that the use of accounts varies by the lifestyles these offenders live. That is, those seeking to live as conventional citizens call forth different accounts than those who have a criminal lifestyle.
Role of p16, CK17, p63, and Human Papillomavirus in Diagnosis of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Distinction From Its Mimics
Authors: Selvi Kalaivani , Badhe Bhawana Ashok , Papa Dasari , Nachiappa Ganesh Rajesh
Published: July 2013

Background. Diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), the precursor forms of cervical cancer, can be tricky and it has led to discrepancy between pathologists in distinguishing them from its mimics such as atypical immature metaplasia (AIM), immature squamous metaplasia (ISM), reactive atypia (RA), atrophy, and basal cell hyperplasia (BCH). To overcome this problem this study aims at using immunohistochemical (IHC) markers p16, p63, CK17, and human papillomavirus (HPV) to differentiate CIN from its mimics. Materials and methods. This study analyzed 350 cervical samples with histomorphological diagnosis of CIN and its mimics and the utility of IHC markers p16, p63, CK17, and HPV in distinction was analyzed. Results. p16 showed 67.76% sensitivity and 99.4% specificity whereas HPV showed 57.9% sensitivity and 91.6% specificity in detecting CIN. CK17 and p63 did not show any significance in distinguishing CIN from its mimics. After IHC of AIM cases, 66.7% were reclassified as CIN III, 27.8% as ISM with reactive atypia (ISMRA), and 5.5% case as immature condyloma. In total, 3.7% of diagnosis was upgraded to CIN and 0.6% of pre-IHC diagnosis was downgraded from CIN to reactive lesions. Conclusion. IHC panel comprising p16, p63, CK17, and HPV are useful adjuncts in distinguishing CIN from its mimics particularly when histomorphology has overlapping morphological features.
Rule tensions and the dynamics of institutional change: From ‘to the victor go the spoils’ to the Stimson Doctrine
Authors: O’Mahoney Joseph
Published: July 2013

When and under what conditions do norms and rules change? Dominant conceptions of institutional change in International Relations theory are based on the idea that it is the result of a shift in power: new actors become able to impose their vision on the world. However, the source of change need not be the power or preferences of actors in society, but could come from the internal dynamics of the rule system governing these actors. This article develops recent research in this area by linking Sandholtz’s model of norm change to recent dynamic institutionalist work and exploring and specifying particular mechanisms, or types of tensions, in rule systems that produce change. Institutions and complexes of rules exhibit rule tensions: inconsistencies, ambiguities, and inadequacies that can lead to disputes over the application of the rules. Actors then have to solve problems or disputes over rule interpretation. Change can thus occur without the introduction of new actors or a shift in the power of existing actors. I apply these ideas to a significant change in the rules of war in the early 20th century: the shift from the rule ‘to the victor go the spoils’ to the Stimson Doctrine, or the rule that states should not profit from aggression.
Prescribing patterns and safety monitoring of duloxetine using the Danish Register of Medicinal Product Statistics as a source
Authors: Johansen Anja Nygaard , Stenzhorn Annette Aalykke , Rosenzweig Mary , Thirstrup Steffen , Gazerani Parisa
Published: July 2013

Background: The safety and pattern of use of a medicinal product cannot be fully studied prior to its marketing. In Denmark, the Danish Health and Medicines Authority (DHMA) monitors marketed drugs. An available source is the Register of Medicinal Product Statistics (RMPS), which can possibly be used for these purposes. Objective: To investigate utilisation and potential safety issues of relatively new antidepressants containing the active ingredient duloxetine (Cymbalta® and Xeristar®) by using dispensing data available in the RMPS. Methods: A retrospective study using dispensing data was designed to estimate the size and composition of the user population and patterns of use of the antidepressants Cymbalta® and Xeristar® (active ingredient: duloxetine) in the period from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2010. Data were retrieved from Epikur, a register subset of the RMPS. Results: Both women and men in different age groups used duloxetine for depression. Some users switched to another antidepressant. Prescription of the drug for persons below the age of 18 years revealed a potential safety issue. Concomitant treatment with Cymbalta® or Xeristar® and fluvoxamine, isocarboxazid, Yentreve®, or ciprofloxacin also revealed potential safety issues. Conclusions: The present study indicated that the RMPS is applicable in monitoring the pattern of use and potential safety issues related to duloxetine when it is prescribed for depression. Switching to other antidepressants could reflect some potential safety issues. Use of duloxetine for persons below the age of 18 years and its concomitant use with contraindicated drugs also indicated potential safety issues.
Abdominal Muscle Training Can Enhance Cough After Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: McBain Rachel A. , Boswell-Ruys Claire L. , Lee Bonsan B. , Gandevia Simon C. , Butler Jane E.
Published: July 2013

Background. Respiratory complications in people with high-level spinal cord injury (SCI) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly because of a reduced ability to cough as a result of abdominal muscle paralysis. Objective. We investigated the effect of cough training combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) over the abdominal muscles for 6 weeks to observe whether training could improve cough strength. Methods. Fifteen SCI subjects (C4-T5) trained for 6 weeks, 5 days per week (5 sets of 10 coughs per day) in a randomized crossover design study. Subjects coughed voluntarily at the same time as a train of electrical stimulation was delivered over the abdominal muscles via posterolaterally positioned electrodes (50 Hz, 3 seconds). Measurements were made of esophageal (Pes) and gastric (Pga) expiratory pressures and the peak expiratory flow (PEFcough) produced at the 3 time points of before, during, and after the training. Results. During voluntary coughs, FES cough stimulation improved Pga, Pes, and PEFcough acutely, 20-fold, 4-fold, and 50%, respectively. Six weeks of cough training significantly increased Pga (37.1 ± 2.0 to 46.5 ± 2.9 cm H2O), Pes (35.4 ± 2.7 to 48.1 ± 2.9 cm H2O), and PEFcough (3.1 ± 0.1 to 3.6 ± 0.1 L/s). Cough training also improved pressures and flow during voluntary unstimulated coughs. Conclusions. FES of abdominal muscles acutely increases mechanical output in coughing in high-level SCI subjects. Six weeks of cough training further increases gastric and esophageal cough pressures and expiratory cough flow during stimulated cough maneuvers.
Interference of silica nanoparticles with the traditional Limulus amebocyte lysate gel clot assay
Authors: Kucki Melanie , Cavelius Christian , Kraegeloh Annette
Published: July 2013

Endotoxin contaminations of engineered nanomaterials can be responsible for observed biological responses, especially for misleading results in in vitro test systems, as well as in vivo studies. Therefore, endotoxin testing of nanomaterials is necessary to benchmark their influence on cells. Here, we tested the traditional Limulus amebocyte lysate gel clot assay for the detection of endotoxins in nanoparticle suspensions with a focus on possible interference of the particles with the test system. We systematically investigated the effects of nanomaterials made of, or covered by, the same material. Different types of bare or PEGylated silica nanoparticles, as well as iron oxide–silica core shell nanoparticles, were tested. Detailed inhibition/enhancement controls revealed enhanced activity in the Limulus coagulation cascade for all particles with bare silica surface. In comparison, PEGylation led to a lower degree of enhancement. These results indicate that the protein–particle interactions are the basis for the observed inhibition and enhancement effects. The enhancement activity of a particle type was positively related to the calculated particle surface area. For most silica particles tested, a dilution of the sample within the maximum valid dilution was sufficient to overcome non-valid enhancement, enabling semi-quantification of the endotoxin contamination.
Quality of Life in Professional, Semiprofessional, and Amateur Athletes
Authors: Santos Ana Lúcia Padrão dos
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate the Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI) and its domains in Brazilian athletes. The sample comprised 219 athletes from six sports, and included 127 men and 92 women, with mean age of 23.1 years (±5.2). All participants were associated with a sports organization and participated in official competitions at the professional, semiprofessional, and amateur levels, and completed a self-report demographics survey and the QLI during one testing session. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests were utilized to compare differences between competitive levels and gender, respectively. Significant differences were reported between professional and amateur athletes for the socioeconomic ( p = .016; professional: 17.2, amateur: 15.1) and psychological/spiritual ( p = .011; professional: 24.3, amateur: 21.9) domains and between genders on the family domain ( p = .027; male: 21.8, female: 20.2). These findings suggest that professional athletes are more satisfied from a socioeconomic and psychological/spiritual perspective when compared with the amateur group. In addition, the results suggest that family issues are more satisfying and/or have less importance for males than for females. This study provides further insights into the quality of life of athletes and suggests differences based on competition levels and gender. Future studies are needed to further our understanding of the quality of life in athletes.
Pathways of volcanic glass alteration in laboratory experiments through inorganic and microbially-mediated processes
Authors: Cuadros J. , Afsin B. , Jadubansa P. , Ardakani M. , Ascaso C. , Wierzchos J.
Published: July 2013

Rhyolitic obsidian was reacted with natural waters to study the effect of water chemistry and biological activity on the composition and formation mechanisms of clay. Two sets of experiments (18 months, 6 years) used fresh, hypersaline water (Mg-Na-SO4-Cl- and NaCl-rich) and seawater. The 6-year experiments produced the transformation of obsidian into quartz, apparently by in situ re-crystallization (Cuadros et al., 2012). The most abundant neoformed clay was dioctahedral (typically montmorillonite), indicating chemical control by the glass (where Al > Mg). Altered glass morphology and chemistry in the 18-months experiments indicated in situ transformation to clay. Magnesium-rich (saponite) clay formed under water-chemistry control in the bulk and within biofilms with elevated Mg concentration (Cuadros et al., 2013). The contact between microbial structures and glass was very intimate. Glass transformation into quartz may be due to some characteristic of the obsidian and/or alteration conditions. Such combination needs not to be uncommon in nature and opens new possibilities of quartz origin.
Smectite contents of road aggregates derived from crushed volcanic rocks and their impact on the durability of road pavements
Authors: Stanjek H. , Glasmann R. , Hellmann A.
Published: July 2013

Basalts and other mafic rocks are frequently used for road construction. The aggregates have to provide intrinsic mechanical strength and skid resistance. However, smectite contents stemming from alteration processes may deteriorate these mechanical properties considerably because of the resulting contrast in hardness. Quantitative relationships between smectite content, kind of distribution, and aggregate stability are rare except for a recent study by Kaufhold et al. (2012). In this work thirteen basalt and andesite samples from German quarries were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) for their mineral contents (including clay minerals), their cation exchange capacities (CEC) and their resistance against disaggregation in dimethyl sulfoxide. Smectite contents from XRD exceeded those calculated from the CEC regardless of the kind of occurrence of smectite observed in thin sections. The hypothesis that rocks with smectites occurring mostly in patches should differ in terms of CEC and mechanical properties from those rocks where smectites are more disseminated could not be confirmed. However, the amounts of smectite accessible to cation exchange correlated with the DMSO losses. Therefore, the fast CEC determination with Cu-Trien exchange can be substituted for the time-consuming DMSO test.
In Vitro antibacterial and antibiotic-potentiation activities of four edible plants against multidrug-resistant gram-negative species
Authors: Noumedem Jaurès AK , Mihasan Marius , Kuiate Jules R , Stefan Marius , Cojocaru Dumitru , Dzoyem Jean P , Kuete Victor
Published: July 2013

Background

The present study was designed to investigate the antibacterial activities of the methanol extracts of four Cameroonian edible plants, locally used to treat microbial infections, and their synergistic effects with antibiotics against a panel of twenty nine Gram-negative bacteria including Multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes expressing active efflux pumps.

Methods

The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extracts [alone and in the presence of the efflux pumps inhibitor (EPI) Phenylalanine-Arginine β- Naphtylamide (PAβN)], and those of antibiotics in association with the two of the most active ones, Piper nigrum and Telfairia occidentalis. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts was conducted according to the standard phytochemical methods.

Results

Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids and flavonoids in all studied extracts. Other chemical classes of secondary metabolites were selectively present in the extracts. The results of the MIC determination indicated that the crude extracts from P. nigrum and V. amygdalina were able to inhibit the growth of all the twenty nine studied bacteria within a concentration range of 32 to 1024 μg/mL. At a similar concentration range (32 to 1024 μg/mL) the extract from T. occidentalis inhibited the growth of 93.1% of the tested microorganisms. At MIC/2 and MIC/5, synergistic effects were noted between the extracts from P. nigrum and T. occidentalis and seven of the tested antibiotics on more than 70% of the tested bacteria.

Conclusion

The overall results of the present study provide information for the possible use of the studied edible plants extracts in the control of bacterial infections including MDR phenotypes.
Global structure of positive solutions for three-point boundary value problems
Authors: Gu Jia-Ping , Hu Liang-Gen , Zhang Huai-Nian
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we are concerned with the three-point boundary value problem for second-order differential equations

{

u
″

(
t
)
+
w
(
t
)
f
(
u
(
t
)
)
=
0
,

0
<
t
<
1
,

u
(
0
)
=
β

u
′

(
0
)
,

u
(
1
)
=
α
u
(
η
)
,

where

β
≥
0

,

0
<
η
<
1

,

0
<
α
η
<
1

and

1
+
β
−
α
η
−
α
β
>
0

;

w
∈
C
(
[
0
,
1
]
,
(
0
,
+
∞
)
)

and

f
∈
C
(

R
+

,

R
+

)

,

R
+

=
[
0
,
∞
)

satisfies

f
(
u
)
>
0

for

u
>
0

. The existence of the continuum of a positive solution is established by utilizing the Leray-Schauder global continuation principle. Furthermore, the interval of α about the nonexistence of a positive solution is also given.

MSC:34B10, 34B18, 34G20.