bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Dynamic Analysis of a Record Breaking Winter Season Blocking Event
Authors: Jensen Andrew D.
Published: November 2015

The objective of this work is to study in detail a strong North Pacific, large amplitude, and long-lived blocking event that occurred during January 23–February 16, 2014. Indeed, it was the 11th strongest Northern Hemisphere event lasting longer than 20 days since 1968. This event formed out of the strong ridge that was associated with the devastating drought in the Western United States during the winter season of 2013-2014. This blocking event had many outstanding dynamical characteristics, the chief of which was that it survived an abrupt change in the planetary-scale flow when the Pacific North American pattern index changed from positive to negative in early February. The block then reintensified and persisted into mid-February. Several diagnostic techniques are employed to investigate the change in the planetary-scale flow during early February 2014 that have been applied to blocking before but aren’t as well known in the blocking literature.
Brain Plasticity following Intensive Bimanual Therapy in Children with Hemiparesis: Preliminary Evidence
Authors: Weinstein Maya , Myers Vicki , Green Dido , Schertz Mitchell , Shiran Shelly I. , Geva Ronny , Artzi Moran , Gordon Andrew M. , Fattal-Valevski Aviva , Ben Bashat Dafna
Published: November 2015

Neuroplasticity studies examining children with hemiparesis (CH) have focused predominantly on unilateral interventions. CH also have bimanual coordination impairments with bimanual interventions showing benefits. We explored neuroplasticity following hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy (HABIT) of 60 hours in twelve CH (6 females, mean age 11 ± 3.6 y). Serial behavioral evaluations and MR imaging including diffusion tensor (DTI) and functional (fMRI) imaging were performed before, immediately after, and at 6-week follow-up. Manual skills were assessed repeatedly with the Assisting Hand Assessment, Children’s Hand Experience Questionnaire, and Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function. Beta values, indicating the level of activation, and lateralization index (LI), indicating the pattern of brain activation, were computed from fMRI. White matter integrity of major fibers was assessed using DTI. 11/12 children showed improvement after intervention in at least one measure, with 8/12 improving on two or more tests. Changes were retained in 6/8 children at follow-up. Beta activation in the affected hemisphere increased at follow-up, and LI increased both after intervention and at follow-up. Correlations between LI and motor function emerged after intervention. Increased white matter integrity was detected in the corpus callosum and corticospinal tract after intervention in about half of the participants. Results provide first evidence for neuroplasticity changes following bimanual intervention in CH.
The Effects of Guided Imagery on Patients Being Weaned from Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Spiva LeeAnna , Hart Patricia L. , Gallagher Erin , McVay Frank , Garcia Melida , Malley Karen , Kadner Marsha , Segars Angela , Brakovich Betsy , Horton Sonja Y. , Smith Novlette
Published: November 2015

The study purpose was to assess the effects of guided imagery on sedation levels, sedative and analgesic volume consumption, and physiological responses of patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation. Forty-two patients were selected from two community acute care hospitals. One hospital served as the comparison group and provided routine care (no intervention) while the other hospital provided the guided imagery intervention. The intervention included two sessions, each lasting 60 minutes, offered during morning weaning trials from mechanical ventilation. Measurements were recorded in groups at baseline and 30- and 60-minute intervals and included vital signs and Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) score. Sedative and analgesic medication volume consumption were recorded 24 hours prior to and after the intervention. The guided imagery group had significantly improved RASS scores and reduced sedative and analgesic volume consumption. During the second session, oxygen saturation levels significantly improved compared to the comparison group. Guided imagery group had 4.88 less days requiring mechanical ventilation and 1.4 reduction in hospital length of stay compared to the comparison group. Guided imagery may be complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) intervention to provide during mechanical ventilation weaning trials.
Optimized Method for Generating and Acquiring GPS Gold Codes
Authors: Rouabah Khaled , Attia Salim , Harba Rachid , Ravier Philippe , Boukerma Sabrina
Published: November 2015

We propose a simpler and faster Gold codes generator, which can be efficiently initialized to any desired code, with a minimum delay. Its principle consists of generating only one sequence (code number 1) from which we can produce all the other different signal codes. This is realized by simply shifting this sequence by different delays that are judiciously determined by using the bicorrelation function characteristics. This is in contrast to the classical Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) based Gold codes generator that requires, in addition to the shift process, a significant number of logic XOR gates and a phase selector to change the code. The presence of all these logic XOR gates in classical LFSR based Gold codes generator provokes the consumption of an additional time in the generation and acquisition processes. In addition to its simplicity and its rapidity, the proposed architecture, due to the total absence of XOR gates, has fewer resources than the conventional Gold generator and can thus be produced at lower cost. The Digital Signal Processing (DSP) implementations have shown that the proposed architecture presents a solution for acquiring Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites signals optimally and in a parallel way.
Sinapic Acid and Its Derivatives as Medicine in Oxidative Stress‐Induced Diseases and Aging
Authors: Chen Chunye
Published: November 2015

Sinapic acid (3,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid) is an orally bioavailable phytochemical, extensively found in spices, citrus and berry fruits, vegetables, cereals, and oilseed crops and is known to exhibit antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anticancer, antimutagenic, antiglycemic, neuroprotective, and antibacterial activities. The literature reveals that sinapic acid is a bioactive phenolic acid and has the potential to attenuate various chemically induced toxicities. This minireview is an effort to summarize the available literature about pharmacokinetic, therapeutic, and protective potential of this versatile molecule in health related areas.
Pedestrian Detection in Crowded Environments through Bayesian Prediction of Sequential Probability Matrices
Authors: Hernández-Aceituno Javier , Acosta Leopoldo , Piñeiro José D.
Published: November 2015

In order to safely navigate populated environments, an autonomous vehicle must be able to detect human shapes using its sensory systems, so that it can properly avoid a collision. In this paper, we introduce a Bayesian approach to the Viola-Jones algorithm, as a method to automatically detect pedestrians in image sequences. We present a probabilistic interpretation of the basic execution of the original tool and develop a technique to produce approximate convolutions of probability matrices with multiple local maxima.
Depleting Tumor-NQO1 Potentiates Anoikis and Inhibits Growth of NSCLC
Authors: Madajewski Brian , Boatman Michael A. , Chakrabarti Gaurab , Boothman David A. , Bey Erik A.
Published: November 2015

The fundamental role that NAD(P)H/quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) plays, in normal cells, as a cytoprotective enzyme guarding against stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is well documented. However, what is not known is whether the observed overexpression of NQO1 in neoplastic cells contributes to their survival. The current study discovered that depleting NQO1 expression in A549 and H292 lung adenocarcinoma cells caused an increase in ROS formation, inhibited anchorage-independent growth, increased anoikis sensitization, and decreased three-dimensional tumor spheroid invasion. These in vivo data further implicate tumor-NQO1 expression in a protumor survival role, because its depletion suppressed cell proliferation and decreased lung tumor xenograft growth. Finally, these data reveal an exploitable link between tumor-NQO1 expression and the survival of lung tumors because NQO1 depletion significantly decreased the percentage of ALDH(high) cancer cells within the tumor population.

Implications: Loss of tumor-NQO1 expression inhibits tumor growth and suggests that novel therapeutics directed at tumor-NQO1 may have clinical benefit. Mol Cancer Res; 14(1); 14–25. ©2015 AACR.
Icatibant for Multiple Hereditary Angioedema Attacks across the Controlled and Open-Label Extension Phases of FAST-3
Authors: Lumry William R. , Farkas Henriette , Moldovan Dumitru , Toubi Elias , Baptista Jovanna , Craig Timothy , Riedl Marc
Published: November 2015

Background: In randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicenter phase 3 studies, one icatibant injection was efficacious and generally well tolerated in patients with a single hereditary angioedema (HAE) attack. Here, the efficacy and safety of icatibant for multiple HAE attacks was evaluated across the controlled and open-label extension phases of the For Angioedema Subcutaneous Treatment (FAST)-3 study (NCT00912093). Methods: In the controlled phase, adults with HAE type I or II were randomized (1:1) to receive a single subcutaneous injection of icatibant 30 mg or placebo within 6 h of an attack becoming mild (laryngeal) or moderate (cutaneous/abdominal). Open-label icatibant was administered for severe laryngeal symptoms. In the open-label extension phase, patients could receive up to three icatibant injections per attack. Efficacy and safety were analyzed for the first five icatibant-treated attacks at any location (prospective analysis) and laryngeal attacks (post hoc analysis) across both phases. Efficacy outcomes were based on patient-reported symptom severity (visual analog scale). Results: In groups of patients with one to five icatibant-treated attacks at any location (n = 88), the median times to onset of symptom relief, onset of primary symptom relief and almost complete symptom relief were 1.9-2.1, 1.5-2.0 and 3.5-19.7 h, respectively. The same outcomes for laryngeal attacks (n = 25) were 1.0-2.0, 1.0-2.0 and 1.5-8.1 h, respectively. The most frequently reported adverse events were a worsening or recurrence of HAE attack, headache and nasopharyngitis. Two serious adverse events (arrhythmia and noncardiac chest pain) were considered to be related to icatibant. Conclusions: Icatibant was efficacious and generally well tolerated across multiple HAE attacks, including laryngeal attacks.
Guidelines for Classification of Acute Kidney Diseases and Disorders
Authors: Barry Rebecca , James Matthew T.
Published: November 2015

Recent efforts have standardized definitions and classification systems for acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). These efforts have enhanced communication, recognition, and awareness of acute and CKDs and stimulated research on both disorders. However, abnormalities of kidney function and structure can occur that do not meet the current criteria for either disorder. Recognizing the need for a uniform approach encompassing both acute and chronic abnormalities of kidney function and structure, the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes 2012 Clinical Practice Guideline for AKI Guidelines proposed an operational definition for acute kidney diseases and disorders (AKD) that encompasses both AKI and any newly recognized kidney disease that does not meet the current definitions for AKI or CKD. Recent commentaries have highlighted that it may be premature to adopt these criteria into clinical practice, but that they may be useful for application in epidemiologic studies. Future research is needed to better understand the clinical characteristics, incidence, and prognosis of AKD, as well as the implications of case identification based on the AKD criteria.
Can Acute Kidney Injury Be Considered a Clinical Quality Measure?
Authors: James Matthew T. , Pannu Neesh
Published: November 2015

Quality indicators are measurements of healthcare outcome, process, or structure that can be used as tools to measure the quality of care and identify opportunities for improvement. Acute kidney injury (AKI) has many characteristics that make it a potential target for quality indicator development. It is common, associated with a high risk of adverse outcomes, and there are reports of gaps in the quality of care in several clinical settings despite publication of evidence-based guidelines. Substantial work has already been undertaken to develop quality measures related to AKI following percutaneous coronary interventions and major surgical procedures. This paper reviews the current literature that has addressed issues of prevention or management of AKI as outcome, process, or structure quality indicators in these clinical settings. Several current controversies about the appropriateness of such indicators related to AKI are identified. Further research to strengthen the evidence-base supporting prevention and management initiatives for AKI across all relevant clinical settings is needed to clarify the role of AKI as a target for clinical quality indicators.
Glycine Decarboxylase Expression Increased in p53-Mutated B Cell Lymphoma Mice
Authors: Li Xiangdong , Cui Chaoyang , Guo Yuan , Yang Guang
Published: November 2015

Background:p53 gene mutations are associated with human tumors, and are among the most common genetic abnormalities. To understand the relationship between p53 mutations and glycine decarboxylase (GLDC) expression in B cell lymphoma, we established B cell lymphoma animal models to study GLDC expression in B cell lymphoma mice. Materials and Methods: Based on immunohistochemical staining results, BALB/c nude mice were divided into a p53 protein-positive group and a p53 protein-negative group. GLDC mRNA expression was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and GLDC protein expression was determined by Western blot. We designed a GLDC-specific interference fragment siRNA-transfected human B cell lymphoma cell line (Raji) to establish a B cell lymphoma animal model. Results: The results showed both GLDC mRNA and protein expression increased in the B cell lymphoma tissue of the p53 protein-positive group compared with the p53 protein-negative group. The proliferation ability of GLDC siRNA-transfected cells decreased significantly compared with the negative-control siRNA group and the blank control group (p < 0.05), which showed that the GLDC gene can promote cell proliferation in p53-mutated B cell lymphoma. Conclusion: These studies support a direct relationship between p53 mutations and GLDC expression in B cell lymphoma. GLDC can induce dramatic changes in glycolysis and glycine/serine metabolism, leading to changes in pyrimidine metabolism and tumor development.
Green Tea Catechin Normalizes the Enhanced Ca
2+
Sensitivity of Myofilaments Regulated by a Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy–Associated Mutation in Human Cardiac Troponin I (K206I)
Authors: Warren Chad M. , Karam Chehade N. , Wolska Beata M. , Kobayashi Tomoyoshi , de Tombe Pieter P. , Arteaga Grace M. , Bos J. Martijn , Ackerman Michael J. , Solaro R. John
Published: November 2015

Background—

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited cardiovascular disease characterized by thickening of ventricular walls and decreased left ventricular chamber volume. The majority of HCM-associated mutations are found in genes encoding sarcomere proteins. Herein, we set out to functionally characterize a novel HCM-associated mutation (K206I-TNNI3) and elucidate the mechanism of dysfunction at the level of myofilament proteins.

Methods and Results—

The male index case was diagnosed with HCM after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, which was followed by comprehensive clinical evaluation, transthoracic echocardiography, and clinical genetic testing. To determine molecular mechanism(s) of the mutant human cardiac troponin I (K206I), we tested the Ca
2+
dependence of thin filament–activated myosin-S1–ATPase activity in a reconstituted, regulated, actomyosin system comparing wild-type human troponin complex, 50% mix of K206I/wildtype, or 100% K206I. We also exchanged native troponin detergent extracted fibers with reconstituted troponin containing either wildtype or a 65% mix of K206I/wildtype and measured force generation. The Ca
2+
sensitivity of the myofilaments containing the K206I variant was significantly increased, and when treated with 20 µmol/L (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (green tea) was restored back to wild-type levels in ATPase and force measurements. The K206I mutation impairs the ability of the troponin I to inhibit ATPase activity in the absence of calcium-bound human cardiac troponin C. The ability of calcium-bound human cardiac troponin C to neutralize the inhibition of K206I was greater than with wild-type TnI.

Conclusions—

Compromised interactions of K206I with actin and hcTnC may lead to impaired relaxation and HCM.
Cardiac Disease Status Dictates Functional mRNA Targeting Profiles of Individual MicroRNAs
Authors: Matkovich Scot J. , Dorn Gerald W. , Grossenheider Tiffani C. , Hecker Peter A.
Published: November 2015

Background—

MicroRNAs are key players in cardiac stress responses, but the mRNAs, whose abundance and translational potential are primarily affected by changes in cardiac microRNAs, are not well defined. Stimulus-induced, large-scale alterations in the cardiac transcriptome, together with consideration of the law of mass action, further suggest that the mRNAs most substantively targeted by individual microRNAs will vary between unstressed and stressed conditions. To test the hypothesis that microRNA target profiles differ in health and disease, we traced the fate of empirically determined miR-133a and miR-378 targets in mouse hearts undergoing pressure overload hypertrophy.

Methods and Results—

Ago2 immunoprecipitation with RNA sequencing (RNA-induced silencing complex sequencing) was used for unbiased definition of microRNA–dependent and microRNA–independent alterations occurring among ≈13 000 mRNAs in response to transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Of 37 direct targets of miR-133a defined in unstressed hearts (fold change ≥25%, false discovery rate <0.02), only 4 (11%) continued to be targeted by miR-133a during TAC, whereas for miR-378 direct targets, 3 of 32 targets (9%) were maintained during TAC. Similarly, only 16% (for miR-133a) and 53% (for miR-378) of hundreds of indirectly affected mRNAs underwent comparable regulation, demonstrating that the effect of TAC on microRNA direct target selection resulted in widespread alterations of signaling function. Numerous microRNA–mediated regulatory events occurring exclusively during pressure overload revealed signaling networks that may be responsive to the endogenous decreases in miR-133a during TAC.

Conclusions—

Pressure overload–mediated changes in overall cardiac RNA content alter microRNA targeting profiles, reinforcing the need to define microRNA targets in tissue-, cell-, and status-specific contexts.
Inocellia indica sp. nov. (Raphidioptera: Inocelliidae): a new snakefly species from northeastern India
Authors: LIU XINGYUE , HAJONG SUDHANYA RAY
Published: November 2015

A new species of the snakefly genus Inocellia Schneider, 1843 from northeastern India is described: Inocellia indica sp. nov. The new taxon represents the second species of Raphidioptera from the northeastern part of the Indian Subcontinent and appears to be closely related to I. bhutana Aspöck, Aspöck & Rausch, 1991 from neighboring Bhutan.
Unveiling the Rosetta Stone of syllids: redescription and neotype designation of Syllis monilaris Savigny in Lamarck, 1818, type species of type genus of family Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Annelida)
Authors: ÁLVAREZ-CAMPOS PATRICIA , GIL JOÃO , MARTÍN GUILLERMO SAN
Published: November 2015

Syllis monilaris Savigny in Lamarck, 1818, the type species of the genus Syllis Savigny in Lamarck, 1818, is redescribed based on two specimens deposited in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (Germany). One specimen is designated as neotype, since the original type material is considered to be lost, and there is a necessity to stabilize the nomenclature of the group. The species is large sized, with long dorsal cirri on anterior segments, becoming short and fusiform from midbody, it has thick compound chaetae with short, unidentate blades, not fused to shafts. The lack of chaetae with fused shafts and blades contradicts the division of the genus Syllis into subgenera as proposed by Langerhans (1879), who considered the subgenus Syllis as having thick fused chaetae on midbody, in addition to compound chaetae, and the subgenus Typosyllis with only compound chaetae. A discussion about the systematics of the genus is included, and according to this new data, Typosyllis is a junior synonymy of Syllis.
Three new species of Dysponetus Levinsen, 1879 (Polychaeta: Chrysopetalidae) from the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean, with a re-description of Dysponetus bulbosus Hartmann-Schröder, 1982
Authors: DARBYSHIRE TERESA , BREWIN PAUL E.
Published: November 2015

Three new species of Dysponetus (Polychaeta: Chrysopetalidae) are described from the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean: Dysponetus ovalisetosus n. sp. from the Falkland Islands, Dysponetus bricklei n. sp. from South Georgia and Dysponetus antarcticus n. sp. from Antarctica are all characterized by having notochaetae that are oval in cross-section in contrast to the D-shape described for seven of the other species of Dysponetus. Dysponetus antarcticus n. sp. is the most distinct due to the combination of both a ventral cirrus on segment 3 and four eyes. Formerly mis-identified as Dysponetus bulbosus Hartmann-Schröder, 1982, it was discovered while clarifying the contradictory descriptions of that species published by Hartmann-Schröder in 1982 and 1986. Dysponetus bulbosus is re-described and newly figured. Dysponetus bricklei n. sp. and Dysponetus ovalisetosus n. sp. can be determined by comparing several characters including position of the median antenna, shape of the palps and cirri, and the number and shape of both the noto- and neurochaetae.
Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Diagnosed With Lung Cancer
Authors: Salla E. , Dimakakos Evangelos P. , Tsagkouli S. , Giozos I. , Charpidou A. , Kainis E. , Syrigos K. N.
Published: November 2015

Purpose:

Considering the high prevalence of lung cancer, our purpose was to summarize the existing literature to identify the several factors that contribute to the increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with lung cancer and to analyze the current recommendations for thromboprophylaxis and treatment of VTE in those patients.

Methods:

We searched the Medline and EMBASE databases from February 1985 to February 2014 to identify retrospective and prospective randomized controlled studies that investigate one or more risk factors for VTEs in patients with lung cancer.

Results:

A VTE is a major complication for patients diagnosed with lung cancer. The risk factors for VTE events in patients with lung cancer consist of cancer-related (histological type and stage of cancer), treatment-related (surgery, chemotherapy, angiogenic agents, and supportive care agents), and patient-related factors (comorbidities, immobility, performance status, and prior thrombosis). Low-molecular-weight heparins are recommended for long-term treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis. Duration of anticoagulant therapy beyond 6 months should be based on individual clinical evaluation. Thromboprophylaxis for patients with lung cancer during hospitalization and immediate postoperative period is well established.

Conclusions:

Efforts to assess thrombotic risk in patients with lung cancer may improve therapeutic and preventive strategies in the future, with final goal to minimize the burden and consequences of thrombotic events in patients with lung cancer.
Stochastic heat transfer simulation of the cure of advanced composites
Authors: Mesogitis TS , Skordos AA , Long AC
Published: November 2015

A stochastic cure simulation approach is developed to investigate the variability of the cure process during resin infusion related to thermal effects. Boundary condition uncertainty is quantified experimentally and appropriate stochastic processes are developed to represent the variability in tool/air temperature and surface heat transfer coefficient. The heat transfer coefficient presents a variation across different experiments of 12.3%, whilst the tool/air temperatures present a standard deviation over 1℃. The boundary condition variability is combined with an existing model of cure kinetics uncertainty and the full stochastic problem is addressed by coupling a cure model with Monte Carlo and the Probabilistic Collocation Method and applied to the case of thin carbon epoxy laminates. The overall variability in cure time reaches a coefficient of variation of about 22%, which is dominated by uncertainty in surface heat transfer and tool temperature; with ambient temperature and kinetics contributing variability in the order of 1%.
Improving the performance of bolted joints in composite structures using metal inserts
Authors: Mara Valbona , Haghani Reza , Al-Emrani Mohammad
Published: November 2015

As the use of fibre reinforced polymer materials in bridge construction is becoming more popular, appropriate joining techniques, particularly for field joints, are necessary. Bolted joints are a common method for joining fibre reinforced polymer structures. The main advantage of bolted joints is their detachability, but they have a number of shortcomings. On the one hand, hole clearances, which are needed to facilitate on-site assembly, reduce the stiffness and joint efficiency. On the other hand, it is not possible to rely on the beneficial effects of bolt pre-defined tension loads, i.e. load transfer in friction, due to the considerable losses of bolt tension caused by the creep deformation in the composite material. To tackle these problems, a solution utilising metallic inserts in the hole is proposed in this paper. A series of experimental tests have been conducted to investigate the effect of inserts on the bolt-tension relaxation, the stiffness and the load-bearing behaviour of joints. Finite element analyses were also employed. The study demonstrates several benefits of the inserts: the bolt tension relaxation is minimised, the load transfer by friction may be feasible to be utilised in the bridge service state and the joint efficiency is increased in terms of stiffness and strength.
An assessment of flexural performance of liquid nitrogen conditioned glass/epoxy composites with multiwalled carbon nanotube
Authors: Shukla Meet Jayesh , Kumar Devalingam Santhosh , Rathore Dinesh Kumar , Prusty Rajesh Kumar , Ray Bankim Chandra
Published: November 2015

The objective of the present investigation is to study the alteration in flexural performance of glass/epoxy (GE) composite with and without multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) after liquid nitrogen conditioning. The epoxy resin was first modified by 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt% MWCNT, which was then used along with E-glass fibers to fabricate laminates. Flexural strength and modulus were evaluated by 3-point bend test. Out of these four compositions, the maximum strength in the as-fabricated condition was obtained for GE composite with 0.1 wt% CNT, which is 32.74% higher as compared to GE composite. Decrease in strength and modulus was observed for short time span of liquid nitrogen conditioning i.e. 0.25 h. Long cryogenic conditioning resulted in increment in strength. To understand the failure mechanisms, post failure analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscope. The design parameters are calculated using Weibull distribution model.
Education, religion, and risk in Peshawar: A missional self-examination
Authors: Presler Titus
Published: November 2015

Religious freedom is at stake as the Church of Pakistan and its Diocese of Peshawar struggle to regain oversight of Edwardes College in Peshawar, an institution the church founded and managed for almost 75 years, and to resist the attempt of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government to complete the seizure it began in 1974. As the missionary principal of the college since 2011, I was inevitably affected by the conflict and became a player in it. This study is an effort in missionary self-examination as I interrogate my motives and actions as a mission companion with the church and as a partner in education with the community at large. The inquiry is conducted under six headings: missionary motivation, national identity, change dynamics, religious relations, missionary predecessors, and the church–state conflict. While a self-interrogation cannot claim to be completely objective, the attempt is to be both honest and fair. The issues are important for missionary work and identity generally, but most acutely for mission work in Muslim-majority settings in the increasingly conflicted relations between Muslims and Christians in the 21st century.
The paradox of powerlessness in Robert Pinsky’s early Jesus poems
Authors: Mirarchi Stephen
Published: November 2015

One of America’s foremost poet-critics, Robert Pinsky has written two relatively unexamined poems about Jesus: “Icicles” and “From the Childhood of Jesus.” These works present three distinct senses of the paradox of the powerlessness of the Nativity through the unruly and destructive actions of an unnamed youth and the child Jesus, respectively. I compare the second poem in detail to the apocryphal Infancy Gospel of Thomas to show Pinsky’s transformation of it. In rejecting both a reductionistic God and a boy Jesus who imposes divine will violently, the two poems point via negativa to the paradox of powerlessness affirmed by historical Christianity.
Foam sclerotherapy
Authors: Alder Glen , Lees Tim
Published: November 2015

Foam sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment for lower limb varicose veins. Current evidence indicates that its efficacy may not be as high as surgery or endovenous ablation. The minimally invasive nature of the treatment however means that it has a wide application, and it can be particularly useful in patients who are not suitable for other types of treatment. NICE guidelines recommend its use as a second line after endovenous ablation. Complication rates are low and most of these are of little clinical consequence.
Deskilling emotional labour: evidence from department store retail
Authors: Ikeler Peter
Published: November 2015

How have the skills of service jobs changed? Have they undergone deskilling, upgrading or some contingent or compensatory development? This study examines these questions as they pertain to frontline sales work in US department stores. It begins by identifying an operational concept of service skill latent across recent debates and then examines it via qualitative comparison of full-line and discount stores in New York City. Based on an evaluative framework akin to that of Blauner, this study’s workplace-level findings suggest that the industry-level succession of full-line stores by discounters has embodied a decline in the complexity and autonomy of salespersons’ emotional labour.
The state capture of Russian non-bank financial institutions and markets after the 2008 crisis
Authors: Viktorov Ilja , Abramov Alexander
Published: November 2015

This article explores the expansion of the Russian state into financial markets after the 2008 global financial crisis. The main argument is that the Russian state has been unable to pursue its own developmental agenda in the sector despite increased regulation and state takeovers. While independent private market participants were pushed aside by state-controlled financial intermediaries, the state failed to follow its own policy strategy towards establishing an international financial centre in Moscow. Instead, the Russian financial market institutions were rendered into a vehicle for inter-bank lending under control of the Central Bank of Russia. Data from Russian stock market and corporate bond market trading highlights the trend. The study discusses the role played by informal power networks in redistribution of state-controlled resources and financial flows, and how this factor influenced the state regulation of financial markets in Russia.
Local variation detection in MDOF system using wavelet based transmissibility and its application in cracked beam
Authors: Li XZ , Dong XJ , Peng ZK , Zhang WM , Meng G
Published: November 2015

Since the local stiffness or damping variation happens when damage occurs in engineer structures, it is useful to detect the local variation as a way for structural damage inspection. As a vibration based approach, transmissibility has attracted considerable interest because of its convenience and effectiveness in damage detection. However, using the traditional Fourier transform, it should be very careful to select the frequency bands in transmissibility calculation. Inappropriate choice of frequency band could cause a complete inaccurate result. For unknown damage detection, it is difficult to select the frequency band which eigen-frequency should be included. This paper proposes a novel method using wavelet based transmissibility for local variation detection. Benefiting from the ability in subtle information acquisition of wavelet transform, it is useful in reducing the influence of frequency bands to the indicators. Analytical derivation using wavelet balance method and numerical studies of a multiple degree of freedom (MDOF) system are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. In the last section, the method is applied for detecting crack position in cantilever beam with analysis of its sensitivity to frequency bands and measurement inaccuracies.
Psoriasis and Smoking
Authors: Richer Vincent , Roubille Camille , Fleming Patrick , Starnino Tara , McCourt Collette , McFarlane Alexandra , Siu Stephanie , Kraft John , Lynde Charles , Pope Janet E. , Keeling Stephanie , Dutz Jan , Bessette Louis , Gulliver Wayne P. , Haraoui Boulos , Bissonnette Robert
Published: November 2015

Background:

Smoking has been associated with psoriasis prevalence and severity.

Objective:

To evaluate prevalence of smoking in patients with psoriasis and to examine the relationship between smoking and psoriasis severity.

Methods:

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases (1960-2012) and conference proceedings (2010-2012) were systematically searched using keywords relevant to psoriasis and smoking. Controlled studies addressing psoriasis and smoking status were included. A meta-analysis for the relative risk of smoking in psoriasis patients was performed.

Results:

Meta-analysis identified a significant association between smoking and psoriasis with a relative risk of 1.88 (95% CI, 1.66-2.13) for smoking in patients with psoriasis versus patients without psoriasis. Eight articles of 11 with data on smoking and psoriasis severity suggested that severity increases with smoking status.

Conclusions:

This literature review is in favor of a positive association between the prevalence of smoking and psoriasis as well as an association between smoking and severity of psoriasis.
Effectiveness of a teleaudiology approach to hearing aid fitting
Authors: Blamey Peter J , Blamey Jeremy K , Saunders Elaine
Published: November 2015

This research was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of an online speech perception test (SPT) for the measurement of hearing and hearing aid fitting in comparison with conventional methods. Phase 1 was performed with 88 people to evaluate the SPT for the detection of significant hearing loss. The SPT had high sensitivity (94%) and high selectivity (98%). In Phase 2, phonetic stimulus–response matrices derived from the SPT results for 408 people were used to calculate “Infograms™.” At every frequency, there was a highly significant correlation ( p < 0.001) between hearing thresholds derived from the Infogram and conventional audiograms. In Phase 3, initial hearing aid fittings were derived from conventional audiograms and Infograms for two groups of hearing impaired people. Unaided and aided SPTs were used to measure the perceptual benefit of the aids for the two groups. The mean increases between unaided and aided SPT scores were 19.6%, and 22.2% ( n = 517, 484; t = 2.2; p < 0.05) for hearing aids fitted using conventional audiograms and Infograms respectively. The research provided evidence that the SPT is a highly effective tool for the detection and measurement of hearing loss and hearing aid fitting. Use of the SPT reduces the costs and increases the effectiveness of hearing aid fitting, thereby enabling a sustainable teleaudiology business model.
Working outside of your wheelhouse: Effects of incentives and framing on transactive memory systems and performance
Authors: Bonner Bryan , Baumann Michael R. , Romney Alexander C.
Published: November 2015

People collaborate to address tasks that can often be decomposed into smaller components. These components beg different forms of expertise and may differ in value to the group. We show that transactive memory structure is affected by the interaction between task component value, incentive framing (i.e., whether task incentives take the form of gains or losses), and the distribution of expertise with respect to task components. We find that when groups include a member with expertise in a highly valuable task component, that member is exceptionally motivated and puts forth high levels of effort. Only groups with such an expert successfully realized the potential performance benefit associated with high-value domains. Groups recalled more items under loss framing than under gains framing, but only when the potential losses were low and constant across components. We integrate our findings into the extant literatures on transactive memory and gains/loss framing.
Hospital care and drug costs from five years before until two years after the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in a Finnish nationwide cohort
Authors: Taipale Heidi , Purhonen Maija , Tolppanen Anna-maija , Tanskanen Antti , Tiihonen Jari , Hartikainen Sirpa
Published: November 2015

Aims: The aim of our study was to investigate costs related to hospital care and drugs utilizing register-based data from five years before until two years after the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in a nationwide cohort. Methods: Finnish nationwide MEDALZ cohort includes all incident cases with clinically verified diagnosis of AD diagnosed during 2005–2011. The study population included 70,718 persons with AD and age-, gender- and region-of-residence-matched control persons. Data of medical care costs was derived from the prescription register and hospital discharge register. Costs of hospital care were calculated according to Finnish healthcare system unit costs. Costs in six month periods before and after the diagnosis per person-years were analyzed. Results: Persons with AD had higher mean total medical care costs per person-years starting from 0.5–1 years before the diagnosis of AD and remained at a higher level until two years after the diagnosis. The difference in mean total medical care costs was at its highest at six months after the diagnosis (cost difference €5088). After that, persons with AD had costs that reached approximately double those without AD. Hospital care costs constituted the major share (78–84%) of the total medical care costs in both persons with and without AD, whereas drug costs had a minor role. Increase in drug costs was caused by anti-dementia drugs. Conclusions: Costs of hospital stays constituted the most significant portion of medical care costs for persons with AD. Further research should be focused on the causes of hospitalization periods.
Adverse lifestyle and health-related quality of life: gender differences in patients with and without chronic conditions
Authors: Põlluste Kaja , Aart Annika , Kallikorm Riina , Kull Mart , Kärberg Kati , Müller Raili , Ots-Rosenberg Mai , Tolk Anni , Uhlinova Jana , Lember Margus
Published: November 2015

Objectives: The aim was to investigate the relationship between the main lifestyle-related factors and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of patients with and without chronic conditions (CCs) with respect to the gender differences in both groups. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1061 patients (of which 308 had no CCs and 753 of those had one or more CCs) recruited at primary health care centres and the Internal Medicine Clinic at Tartu University Hospital in Estonia. Data were collected during 2012–2014. The patient’s age, self-reported smoking status, alcohol consumption (assessed by Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) and body mass index were used as independent variables to predict the physical component scores (PCS) and mental component scores (MCS) of HRQoL (assessed by SF-36). Results: Smoking had a negative association with both physical and mental components of HRQoL only in women with CCs. Further, the PCS of chronically ill women was negatively associated with the higher body mass index. Harmful drinking had a negative association with the HRQoL in all patient groups, except with the PCS in women with CC. Light alcohol consumption without symptoms of harmful use or dependency had a positive association with the physical and mental HRQoL in all patient groups, except with the MCS in women without CCs. Conclusion: Adverse lifestyle had the most expressed association with HRQoL in women with CCs. Light alcohol consumption had a positive association, but harmful use of alcohol had an inverse association with HRQoL irrespective of patients’ gender or health status.
Analysis of deformity in scaphoid non-unions using two- and three-dimensional imaging
Authors: Ten Berg P. W. L. , Dobbe J. G. G. , Horbach S. E. R. , Gerards R. M. , Strackee S. D. , Streekstra G. J.
Published: November 2015

Pre-operative assessment of the deformity in scaphoid non-unions influences surgical decision-making. To characterize deformity, we used three-dimensional computed tomographic modelling in 28 scaphoid non-unions, and quantified bone loss, dorsal osteophyte volume and flexion deformity. We further related these three-dimensional parameters to the intrascaphoid and capitate-lunate angles, and stage of scaphoid non-union advanced collapse assessed on conventional two-dimensional images and to the chosen surgical procedure. Three-dimensional flexion deformity (mean 26°) did not correlate with intrascaphoid and capitate-lunate angles. Osteophyte volume was positively correlated with bone loss and stage of scaphoid non-union advanced collapse. Osteophyte volume and bone loss increased over time. Three-dimensional modelling enables the quantification of bone loss and osteophyte volume, which may be valuable parameters in the characterization of deformity and subsequent decision-making about treatment, when taken in addition to the clinical aspects and level of osteoarthritis.

Type of study/level of evidence: Level IV
High quality draft genome sequence of the moderately halophilic bacterium Pontibacillus yanchengensis Y32T and comparison among Pontibacillus genomes
Authors: Huang Jing , Qiao Zi xu , Tang Jing wei , Wang Gejiao
Published: November 2015

Pontibacillus yanchengensis Y32T is an aerobic, motile, Gram-positive, endospore-forming, and moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a salt field. In this study, we describe the features of P. yanchengensis strain Y32T together with a comparison with other four Pontibacillus genomes. The 4,281,464 bp high-quality-draft genome of strain Y32T is arranged into 153 contigs containing 3,965 protein-coding genes and 77 RNA encoding genes. The genome of strain Y32T possesses many genes related to its halophilic character, flagellar assembly and chemotaxis to support its survival in a salt-rich environment.
Lavage of the Uterine Cavity for Molecular Detection of Müllerian Duct Carcinomas: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Maritschnegg Elisabeth , Wang Yuxuan , Pecha Nina , Horvat Reinhard , Van Nieuwenhuysen Els , Vergote Ignace , Heitz Florian , Sehouli Jalid , Kinde Isaac , Diaz Luis A. , Papadopoulos Nickolas , Kinzler Kenneth W. , Vogelstein Bert , Speiser Paul , Zeillinger Robert
Published: November 2015

Purpose

Type II ovarian cancer (OC) and endometrial cancer (EC) are generally diagnosed at an advanced stage, translating into a poor survival rate. There is increasing evidence that Müllerian duct cancers may exfoliate cells. We have established an approach for lavage of the uterine cavity to detect shed cancer cells.

Patients and Methods

Lavage of the uterine cavity was used to obtain samples from 65 patients, including 30 with OC, five with EC, three with other malignancies, and 27 with benign lesions involving gynecologic organs. These samples, as well as corresponding tumor tissue, were examined for the presence of somatic mutations using massively parallel sequencing (next-generation sequencing) and, in a subset, singleplex analysis.

Results

The lavage technique could be applied successfully, and sufficient amounts of DNA were obtained in all patients. Mutations, mainly in TP53, were identified in 18 (60%) of 30 lavage samples of patients with OC using next-generation sequencing. Singleplex analysis of mutations previously determined in corresponding tumor tissue led to further identification of six patients. Taken together, in 24 (80%) of 30 patients with OC, specific mutations could be identified. This also included one patient with occult OC. All five analyzed lavage specimens from patients with EC harbored mutations. Eight (29.6%) of 27 patients with benign lesions tested positive for mutations, six (75%) as a result of mutations in the KRAS gene.

Conclusion

This study proved that tumor cells from ovarian neoplasms are shed and can be collected via lavage of the uterine cavity. Detection of OC and EC and even clinically occult OC was achieved, making it a potential tool of significant promise for early diagnosis.