bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lifetime prevalence and underdiagnosis of migraine in a population sample of Mexican women
Authors: Arroyo-Quiroz C , Kurth T , Cantu-Brito C , Lopez-Ridaura R , Romieu I , Lajous M
Published: April 2014

Objective

The objective of this report is to evaluate migraine, migraine characteristics, and underdiagnosis of migraine in a large population sample of Mexican women.

Methods

Participants are part of a prospective cohort of Mexican teachers. Between 2011 and 2013, 77,855 participants completed a detailed questionnaire on headache characteristics. Migraine was defined according to criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICDH-II).

Results

We found lifetime migraine prevalence was 19%, prevalence peaked at 40–44 years (20.4%) and only 45.1% participants with migraine had a previous diagnosis of the disease.

Conclusion

Estimated lifetime prevalence of migraine was higher than previous reports in Latin America. Migraine may be underdiagnosed and undertreated in Mexico despite its considerable burden.
Expanding the Spectrum of Attitudes Toward the Death Penalty
Authors: Worthen Meredith G. F. , Rodgers Forrest R. , Sharp Susan F.
Published: April 2014

Overall, studies show that the majority of Americans support the use of the death penalty for murderers; however, few studies have investigated response patterns to death penalty survey questions that offer more than yes/no response options. Without a realistic understanding of Americans’ attitudes, the existence of this controversial legislation may hinge on inaccurate depictions of public opinion. The current study utilizes a college sample of students from a southern university ( N = 775, average age 22) to investigate how nondichotomous response options affect our understandings of death penalty attitudes. Using independent variables that are commonly found in quantitative studies about death penalty attitudes (i.e., religiosity, biblical literalism, political attitudes, race, gender, age, southern region) as well as independent variables less commonly seen in death penalty studies (i.e., feminist identity, and student-specific variables: grade point average, freshman status, high school size, and sociology major/minor), ordinary least squares and logistic regression results indicate that examining death penalty support with nondichotomous response options reveals more nuanced results when compared to examinations of death penalty that use dichotomous response options. Policy implications are discussed.
Brain Tissue Oxygen Monitoring in Neurocritical Care
Authors: De Georgia Michael A.
Published: April 2014

Brain injury results from ischemia, tissue hypoxia, and a cascade of secondary events. The cornerstone of neurocritical care management is optimization and maintenance of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygen and substrate delivery to prevent or attenuate this secondary damage. New techniques for monitoring brain tissue oxygen tension (PtiO2) are now available. Brain PtiO2 reflects both oxygen delivery and consumption. Brain hypoxia (low brain PtiO2) has been associated with poor outcomes in patients with brain injury. Strategies to improve brain PtiO2 have focused mainly on increasing oxygen delivery either by increasing CBF or by increasing arterial oxygen content. The results of nonrandomized studies comparing brain PtiO2-guided therapy with intracranial pressure/cerebral perfusion pressure-guided therapy, while promising, have been mixed. More studies are needed including prospective, randomized controlled trials to assess the true value of this approach. The following is a review of the physiology of brain tissue oxygenation, the effect of brain hypoxia on outcome, strategies to increase oxygen delivery, and outcome studies of brain PtiO2-guided therapy in neurocritical care.
Electrospun soy protein nanofiber scaffolds for tissue regeneration
Authors: Ramji Karpagavalli , Shah Ramille N
Published: April 2014

Electrospun fibers with an average fiber diameter in the nanometer range were prepared from soy protein isolate to develop scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Poly(ethylene oxide) was added to facilitate fiber formation. The influence of processing parameters such as applied voltage, soy protein isolate and poly(ethylene oxide) concentrations, and poly(ethylene oxide) molecular weight on electrospun fiber morphology was investigated. Resulting soy protein isolate/poly(ethylene oxide) mats were carbodiimide crosslinked to increase construct robustness. Mechanical properties and in vitro biocompatibility of crosslinked electrospun scaffolds were evaluated. Soy protein isolate/poly(ethylene oxide) fiber diameters ranged between 50 and 270 nm depending on both electrospinning and solution parameters. The Young’s modulus for 7% soy protein isolate/3% poly(ethylene oxide) and 12% soy protein isolate/3% poly(ethylene oxide) electrospun scaffolds were 75 and 252 kPa, respectively. Human mesenchymal stem cell studies showed successful cell adhesion and proliferation on the soy protein isolate/poly(ethylene oxide) fibers. The structural and biological properties of these soy protein isolate electrospun scaffolds suggest their potential applications in tissue engineering.
Investigation into the high-speed laser welding feasibility of tin-plated steels available for three-piece food packaging can manufacture
Authors: Shukla Pratik
Published: April 2014

This investigation was focused on the high-speed laser welding of 0.4-mm tin-plated steels used for joining together parts of three-piece food cans. The high-speed laser welding quality is generally restricted due to several welding discontinuities that occur with the change of traverse speed. A study on the production set-up by a food can manufacturer was first addressed, and reasons for introducing high-speed laser welding were further discussed. A rotary axis as a welding fixture was designed and made to achieve high surface speeds. Thereafter, an experimental investigation was conducted using a CO2, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser and hybrid of plasma augmented laser welding applied to the typical food can material. Conventional welding defects found during high-speed laser welding were observed for all three laser welding techniques. However, humping gradients reduced with plasma augmented laser welding and penetration were evident up to welding speeds of 98 m/min. Furthermore, the high-speed laser welding defects were discussed, and possible solutions to eliminate the humps and further work into the application of the high-speed laser welding process for the Canning industry were mentioned.
Investigation on white coconut oil to use as a metal working fluid during turning
Authors: Perera G Indika P , Herath HMC Madubhashitha , Perera IM Sanka J , Medagoda MGHM Muditha P
Published: April 2014

Almost all machining industries in Sri Lanka use mineral oil–based and synthetic oils as metal working fluids during machining. But their usage has potential for long-term environmental pollution and threat to workers’ health. Therefore, much effort has been focused on research and development of eco-friendly and hazard-free alternatives to mineral oil–based metal working fluids, and the use of vegetable oils is one such alternative. This study was focused on investigating the easy access of vegetable oils in Sri Lanka and most commonly machined metals in the local industry, so that the outcome would be much more beneficial to the local industries. After several tests with 10 candidate vegetable oils, white coconut oil is selected as base oil and the results of a successful questionnaire survey directed to select mild steel and AISI 304 steel as the machining metals. Machining experiments were planned using Taguchi methods, and the variation of the surface roughness was tracked with respect to four variable parameters depth of cut, feed rate, spindle speed and metal working fluid. Two mathematical models were developed to predict the surface roughness and optimize the parameters. Further experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of metal working fluid for smooth- and rough-cut conditions. These experiments revealed that white coconut oil is a better metal working fluid for mild steel, while soluble oil favors AISI 304 steel. Different thermal conductivities of metals cause the coconut oil to act differently while machining two metal types.
An optimal design of interval type-2 fuzzy logic system with various experiments including magnetorheological fluid damper
Authors: Nguyen Sy Dzung , Choi Seung-Bok , Nguyen Quoc Hung
Published: April 2014

This paper focuses on optimal design of an interval type-2 fuzzy logic system (IT-2FLS) to cope with uncertainty issue of training set and noisy data. Content of the solution is depicted based on the proposed algorithm to optimally design an IT-2FLS from a dataset, named OD-T2FLS. The major concept of the OD-T2FLS is a combination of a useful method of clustering data space to establish a type-1 fuzzy logic system (T-1FLS) and an appropriate way to transform the T-1FLS into an IT-2FLS as well as to optimally adjust parameters of the IT-2FLS. Firstly, an improved algorithm to establish an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), named IM-ENFS, is presented. Based on the given dataset, clustering in the join input–output data space is realized to establish a cluster-data space. Using the IM-ENFS for this cluster-data space, together with the cluster-data space optimized, an ANFIS having a role as an optimal T1-FLS is also established. Parameters of the optimized T-1FLS are then used to build the initial structure of IT-2FLS. Subsequently, this IT-2FLS is optimally adjusted based on the well-known genetic algorithm. Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed OD-T2FLS, experiments including magnetorheological fluid damper are realized based on two different statuses of data sources, with and without noise.
Models and comparisons for the evaluation of the sound transmission loss of panels
Authors: De Rosa S , Capobianco M , Nappo G , Pagnozzi G
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this work is to present the numerical evaluation of the sound transmission loss of some simple panel configurations and to compare them to the theoretical and experimental data found in existing literature. The numerical evaluations are carried out through the commercial software VA-One®. Specifically, single and double panels of different materials and configurations are investigated and thus the possibility to build good predictive numerical models is verified. The panels refer to the common automotive and aerospace configurations. An analysis of foam lined panels is presented, too. The numerous test cases can be considered as benchmarks for the simulations obtained with the statistical energy analysis. The agreements are very good and thus, statistical energy analysis represents a mature predictive methodology for this kind of simulations. Nevertheless, some care is always needed to select among the different simulation strategies for given specific configurations. The results are eventually cross-compared in order to highlight the configurations which are more promising for further investigations; this has been done by introducing a dimensionless frequency.
A methodology for estimating the permeability of a soot deposit in a wall-flow diesel particulate filter
Authors: Wang Tae Joong
Published: April 2014

An estimation of the realistic permeability of a soot deposit layer accumulated in a wall-flow diesel particulate filter was performed in this study. A unique contribution of this work is that the current methodology is highly applicable to the real-world design and development processes of diesel particulate filters. To conduct baseline simulation, a one-dimensional numerical model describing the behaviours of the exhaust gas and soot within a diesel particulate filter was constructed, employing the well-known single-channel approach. On the basis of this in-house model, the microstructural properties of a soot deposit layer were calibrated by finding the best fit to the measurement data adopted from the open literature. For the optimal applicability of the proposed methodology, the permeability of the deposit is modelled as a variable which depends on the temperature and the average wall velocity, while the porosity is constant. The current model and methodology were validated by comparison with the measurement data for pressure drops through diesel particulate filters. In particular, to boost the practical implementation of the current methodology, a map of the permeability of the soot deposit was created as a function of the operating conditions. In the last part of this study, the pressure drop characteristics through a diesel particulate filter under various operating conditions were examined using an analysis of the breakdown of the individual pressure drop mechanisms.
Reciprocal internal cylindrical grinding integrated with dynamic centrifugal burnishing of hard-to-cut materials
Authors: Nadolny Krzysztof , Plichta Jaroslaw , Radowski Michal
Published: April 2014

This article details the integrated grinding process and internal cylindrical centrifugal dynamic burnishing. It presents the construction of a developed hybrid tool for cylindrical machining that makes it possible to perform the grinding cut and dynamic centrifugal burnishing in a single procedure. Moreover, it includes an analysis of the geometric structure of the machined surface of cylinders made from Incoloy® alloy 600, Inconel® alloy 800HT®, and Titanium Grade 2®. The obtained analysis results were compared with the results obtained for the referential material, 100Cr6 steel. The results of these experiments showed that with the application of hybrid tools, which combine the grinding process and dynamic centrifugal burnishing, it is possible to obtain considerable changes in the geometric structure of the shaped surfaces of workpieces from hard-to-cut materials.
Sustainability of cross-border cooperation: PHARE CBC partnership development paths
Authors: Szmigiel-Rawska Katarzyna
Published: April 2014

This article deals with cross-border cooperation analysed in terms of cooperation that takes place between organisations in particular societal institutions and in a cross-border context. The concept on which this study is based is path dependence understood in terms of its function in explaining the creation of institutions in societal life. The aim of this article was to determine the sustainability of trans-border partnerships initiated within the framework of the PHARE CBC Programme in Poland. Three major rules governing the system of cooperation in border regions in Poland have been identified in the course of this analysis: the dependence of the activities of organisations cooperating in border regions on external financing; a lack of cross-border organisations recognised as border-region hosts whose position would entitle them to make key decisions concerning the whole area under research; and the significance of the border-region and attractive neighbour locational rent for territorial cooperation.
Macroeconomic Determinants of Employment Intensity of Growth in India
Authors: Pattanaik Falguni , Nayak Narayan Chandra
Published: April 2014

Despite India’s resurgent growth over the past years, the country seems to have failed miserably on the employment front. The employment content of economic growth—the employment intensity of growth—is on the decline. The objective of the present study is to identify the macroeconomic determinants which influence the employment intensity of growth in India. The study covers data for the period 1993–94 to 2009–10 across 15 major Indian states and applies a panel data model to find out these determinants. The results tend to suggest that labour supply, economic structure, price instability and human capital are major determining factors. Pro-employment growth in India may require measures like diversification of economic activities towards labour-intensive sectors, price stability, skill-based education and adoption of labour-intensive technology.

JEL Classification: J21, J23
A General Equilibrium Analysis of the TPP Free Trade Agreement With and Without China
Authors: Xin Li
Published: April 2014

The approaching tenth year of the Doha Round with no achievements to celebrate indicates a failure of the World Trade Organization. Formal negotiations of the Round expired in 2005 without reaching a consensus, and informal negotiations were stalled in 2008. Thus, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a recent initiative to deepen trade relations among countries bordering the Pacific, was greeted with applause and relief as a step in the right direction. This article discusses the region-wide Free Trade Agreement series of linked agreements that cover various members and issues. The recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model simulates two scenarios against the baseline, namely, a TPP agreement with China and without China. The preliminary results show that the TPP agreement without China cannot change the significant roles of markets and geography as the principal factors behind the economic integration of Southeast Asia with China. Trade and investment agreements facilitate market forces, they do not oppose them. The integration of the Asia–Pacific countries may benefit the US and other key economies.

JEL Classification: F12, F14, F15
The continuing conversion of the Australian Church: A missional conversation with Darrell Guder
Authors: Cronshaw Darren , Devenish Stuart
Published: April 2014

The Christian church in Australia faces a challenging mission context. In our secular yet post-secular, post-Christian yet multi-religious society, Christianity is becoming increasingly marginalized. Christianity’s challenge is to rediscover its missional imperative through a process of innovative recalibration that is true to its founding apostolic gospel, and also reflects the ‘new’ cultural context in which it finds itself in 21st-century Australia. This article engages in a missional conversation with Darrell Guder, a seminal thinker in the Gospel and our Culture Network, seeking insights into how the global conversation on mission might apply the Australian context. Guder visited Melbourne, Australia in May–June 2012, during which time he challenged church leaders to rediscover the missional nature of Christianity. His was a summons to the continuing conversion of the Australian church, especially focusing on the need to re-imagine church around mission, reclaim the centrality of evangelism, confront the reductionism of the gospel and foster interdependence among congregations and with the global church.
Fundamental theology: The continuing debate
Authors: O’Collins Gerald
Published: April 2014

This article begins by taking up various questions raised by those who reviewed G. O’Collins, Rethinking Fundamental Theology: Toward a New Fundamental Theology (Oxford University Press, 2011). It then retrieves some valuable literature that concerns fundamental theology and that has recently appeared in such areas as natural signs of the existence of God and the theology of religions. Finally, it shows how the book could be developed further in the sectors of apologetics, the genesis of faith, and tradition as collective memory.
Suicide and gender ratios in Tasmania (Australia) using the Operationalized Predicaments of Suicide tool, and negative experiences
Authors: Lee Adrian YS , Pridmore Saxby
Published: April 2014

Objective:

To examine coroner’s reports of completed suicide in Tasmania with the intention of characterizing the influence of gender and other factors.

Method:

One hundred coroner’s reports from Tasmania 2010–2012 were examined and basic demographic details (age, gender), suicide method, medical, psychiatric, psychosocial and drug factors were collected. Data were organized using the Operationalized Predicament of Suicide tool and known risk factors, and analysed using SPSS software.

Results:

We found an overall male:female ratio of 3:1. When acute mental disorder was identified, the male:female ratio was 1:1. When a history of mental disorder is considered, the ratio becomes 1.44:1. When social/environmental factors triggered the event this changed greatly to 5.57:1.

Conclusion:

Males suicide more frequently than females; but this difference disappears when only those with mental disorder at the time of death are considered, and almost disappears when a history of mental disorder are considered. Higher suicide rates of males are driven by social/environmental stressors. These results have implications for understanding the key drivers of suicide, and developing appropriate preventative strategies.
Improved energy harvesting capability of poly(vinylidene fluoride) films modified by reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Wu Liangke , Alamusi  , Xue Junmin , Itoi Takomi , Hu Ning , Li Yuan , Yan Cheng , Qiu Jianhui , Ning Huiming , Yuan Weifeng , Gu Bin
Published: April 2014

Piezoelectric energy harvesters can be used to convert ambient energy into electrical energy and power small autonomous devices. In recent years, massive effort has been made to improve the energy harvesting ability in piezoelectric materials. In this study, reduced graphene oxide was added into poly(vinylidene fluoride) to fabricate the piezoelectric nanocomposite films. Open-circuit voltage and electrical power harvesting experiments showed remarkable enhancement in the piezoelectricity of the fabricated poly(vinylidene fluoride)/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite, especially at an optimal reduced graphene oxide content of 0.05 wt%. Compared to pristine poly(vinylidene fluoride) films, the open-circuit voltage, the density of harvested power of alternating current, and direct current of the poly(vinylidene fluoride)/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite films increased by 105%, 153%, and 233%, respectively, indicating a great potential for a broad range of applications.
Resection of the Fifth Metatarsal Base in the Severe Rigid Cavovarus Foot
Authors: Shariff Raheel , Myerson Mark S. , Palmanovich Ezequiel
Published: April 2014

Background:

Cavovarus deformity associated with neuromuscular imbalance is a challenging pathology. Most of these deformities lead to pressure symptoms at the lateral border of the foot. This leads to pain, callosity, and commonly fracture of the fifth metatarsal base. This study reports the outcome of a cohort of patients who underwent an adjunctive procedure of resection of the fifth metatarsal, either partial or complete, in conjunction with cavovarus foot reconstruction to offload the lateral border of the foot.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study looking at the clinical and radiographic outcome of patients with an underlying neuromuscular problem with a cavovarus foot who underwent a resection of the fifth metatarsal. This was used as an adjunctive procedure during reconstruction for lateral foot pressure overload symptoms. Case notes and radiographs were reviewed. The distance on weight-bearing radiographs from the inferior most part of the bony prominence on the lateral border of the foot to the floor was measured and compared between pre- and postoperatively. Eighteen patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 55 years. Mean follow-up was 32 months.

Results:

Fourteen patients had a partial base of fifth metatarsal resection, and 4 had a complete fifth ray resection. Radiographic measurements showed a statistically significant improvement in the distance from the inferior most part of the bony prominence on the lateral border of the foot to the floor between pre- and postoperative radiographs. Sixteen patients reported a significant improvement in their symptoms, 2 had some persistent lateral overload symptoms.

Conclusion:

The technique described in this study has not been reported previously for this indication. We believe it is a good adjunctive procedure in cavovarus foot reconstruction for patients suffering from lateral pressure overload. We describe strict guidelines and indications for this procedure.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Comparison of Outcome After Retinaculum Repair With and Without Fibular Groove Deepening for Recurrent Dislocation of the Peroneal Tendons
Authors: Cho Jaeho , Kim Jae-Young , Song Dae-Geun , Lee Woo-Chun
Published: April 2014

Background:

This study compared the operative outcome between retinaculum repair with and without fibular groove deepening for the treatment of recurrent traumatic peroneal tendon dislocation in young, active patients.

Methods:

A consecutive series of 29 patients who underwent operative treatment of recurrent peroneal tendon dislocation were evaluated. Thirteen patients were treated by the superior peroneal retinaculum repair with fibular groove deepening (group A) and 16 patients by superior peroneal retinaculum repair alone (group B). The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, and overall patient satisfaction were used to evaluate the clinical outcome after a minimum follow-up period of 12 months postoperatively. In addition, mean time to return to sports activity and tourniquet time were compared between groups.

Results:

Mean AOFAS score improved significantly from 59.3 points preoperatively to 92.2 points at the final follow-up in group A and from 58.5 points preoperatively to 91.3 points at the final follow-up in group B. Mean VAS score also improved significantly from 5.0 points preoperatively to 1.0 points at the final follow-up in group A and from 4.9 points preoperatively to 1.2 points at the final follow-up in group B. Improvements in AOFAS and VAS scores at the final follow-up were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Mean time to return to sports activity was approximately 3 months in both groups. Mean tourniquet time in group B was significantly shorter than that in group A (42.2 vs 29.5 min).

Conclusions:

Isolated retinaculum repair compared to retinaculum repair with fibular groove deepening was a faster and simpler technique, but both techniques had good outcomes for the treatment of recurrent traumatic peroneal tendon dislocation.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study.
Using Item and Test Information to Optimize Targeted Assessments of Psychological Distress
Authors: Böhnke Jan R. , Lutz Wolfgang
Published: April 2014

The need for efficient clinical assessment instruments has been growing during the past years. In the current application, the item information (item response theory) is used to evaluate and build fixed short versions. The method was applied to a questionnaire measuring psychological distress and data were collected from two mixed outpatient and general population samples. After fitting the partial credit model, two short versions were built: one to increase efficiency in screening applications; the other for the monitoring of high distress patients. A cross-validation bootstrap procedure is proposed to check whether the short versions are more efficient than alternative item selections. Using the partial credit model, the results from short and full versions can be compared on score level, which improves the flexibility of the assessment. The discussion focuses on the model selection and on how many items are realistically needed in routine assessments of psychological distress.
Non-linear vibration of an angular-misaligned rotor system with uncertain parameters
Authors: Zigang Li , Jun Jiang , Zhui Tian
Published: April 2014

Parametric uncertainties play a significant role in the response predictions of a rotor system. In this paper, the quantification of uncertainty effects on the dynamic responses and vibration characteristics of a multi-rotor bearing system with the fault of angular misalignment is investigated. First, the motion equations of the rotor system are derived by taking into account the nonlinear supporting bearing and the displacement constraint between two rotors. The stochastic modeling with uncertainties of misalignment, damping and nonlinear support stiffness are then developed based on the polynomial chaos expansion technique in a stochastic framework, and traditional Monte-Carlo simulation is used as a comparison reference. Finally, the response statistics and dynamic behaviors of the stochastic system are demonstrated by mean and its probability density function (PDF). The results show that the super-harmonic resonance occur at the 1/2 of the critical speed due to the effect of misalignment, and as the uncertainty increases the realization amplitudes are spread over a wider band of amplitudes. Furthermore, P-bifurcation in the response PDFs is also presented in some situations.
Periodic and quasiperiodic galloping of a wind-excited tower under parametric damping
Authors: Mokni Lahcen , Kirrou Ilham , Belhaq Mohamed
Published: April 2014

The effect of internal parametric damper on periodic and quasi-periodic (QP) galloping of a wind-excited tower is studied analytically in this paper. We use a simple degree of freedom model and consider the cases where the turbulent wind activates external excitation, parametric one or both. The method of three stage perturbation analysis is performed to obtain an approximation of periodic and QP solutions as well as the QP modulation envelope. We explore the effect of internal parametric damping (PD) on the amplitude and the onset of periodic and QP galloping. It is revealed that for specific turbulent wind excitation, the PD significantly influences the critical wind speed above which periodic and QP galloping occurs. In the case where external and parametric excitations are activated simultaneously, QP galloping persists for all ranges of wind velocity. The results also show that the modulation frequency of the QP galloping depends strongly on the type of excitation induced by the turbulent wind.
Continuum models according to Piola
Authors: Ruta Giuseppe
Published: April 2014

This paper illustrates Gabrio Piola’s view on continuum models, especially how contact actions are defined. Piola presented his mechanical theory before the 1850s, in an attempt to generalize Lagrange’s analytical mechanics. He conceived, among the rest, an ideal state for physical bodies (which nowadays we would call a natural state), a very general set of what we would now call state variables, and obtained balance equations via the superposition of a rigid infinitesimal motion on the present configuration. These views look quite modern even today and seem to historically precede among other things the introduction of structured continua.
Fenbendazole treatment for Mammomonogamus species infection of a domestic cat on St Kitts, West Indies
Authors: Gattenuo Talia , Ketzis Jennifer , Shell Linda
Published: April 2014

A 7-month-old, female, domestic shorthair, indoor/outdoor cat on the island of St Kitts was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine as part of a student training spay–neuter program. Observation of diarrhea prompted a double centrifugation fecal analysis. Ova of Mammomonogamus species, in addition to Ancylostoma species, Trichuris species and Platynosomum species, were found. Mammomonogamus ierei is a parasitic nematode found on many Caribbean islands for which treatment is not well documented. Five days of fenbendazole (50 mg/kg bodyweight) was administered, and fecal analyses gave negative results for Mammomonogamus species eggs 1 week after the last fenbendazole treatment.
Nosocomial spread of Mycobacterium bovis in domestic cats
Authors: Murray Aisling , Dineen Andrea , Kelly Pamela , McGoey Karen , Madigan Gillian , NiGhallchoir Eadaoin , Gunn-Moore Danièlle A
Published: April 2014

Five domestic cats were euthanased owing to confirmed or suspected Mycobacterium bovis infection. The initial source of infection remains unclear. Cat A was presented to a veterinary clinic in County Kildare, Ireland, with a discharging submandibular lesion. The infection appears to have been transmitted to four other cats through direct (cats B and C living in the same household as cat A) and non-direct (nosocomial spread during routine operations; cats D and E) contact over a 13.5-week period. Of the five cases, two (B and D) had post-mortem examinations in which gross changes consistent with tuberculosis were seen, moderate numbers of acid-fast bacteria (AFB) were seen on microscopy and M bovis (spoligotype SB0978) was confirmed on culture. Of the remaining three cats, one had a swab taken from its draining ovariohysterectomy wound, which revealed large numbers of AFB with morphology consistent with M bovis (cat E). Two cases were euthanased without diagnostic tests; however, their history and clinical presentations were highly suggestive of tuberculosis (cats A and C). To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of nosocomial spread of M bovis in cats.
Outcome and prognostic indicators in 20 cats with surgically treated primary lung tumors
Authors: Maritato Karl C , Schertel Eric R , Kennedy Shawn C , Dudley Robert , Lamm Catherine , Barnhart Matthew , Kass Phillip
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this retrospective study of 20 client-owned cats was to describe the clinical signs, surgical interventions, histological features, stage and treatments of primary lung tumors removed by surgical excision, and to determine which factors significantly influence survival. Any cat that underwent surgical resection of a primary lung tumor between 2000 and 2007 was included in the study. Patient records were reviewed and signalment, clinical signs, preoperative diagnostics, surgical findings and histopathological results recorded. Histological reports were reviewed and scored using World Health Organization criteria. The Kaplan–Meier test was used to evaluate each potential prognostic factor with survival. Twenty cats met the inclusion criteria. The presence of clinical signs (such as dyspnea) at the time of diagnosis ( P = 0.032), pleural effusion ( P = 0.046), stage M1 ( P = 0.015), and moderately and poorly differentiated tumors on histopathology ( P = 0.011) were factors that were significantly correlated with reduced survival times. The median survival time of the 20 cats was 11 days. Cats presenting with no clinical signs had a median survival time of 578 days post-surgery vs 4 days post-surgery when presented with clinical signs. Cats staged T1N0M0 lived longer than cats at other stages ( P = 0.044). Of the cats that survived to the time of suture removal, median survival time was 64 days. The results indicate that the presence of clinical signs, pleural effusion, moderately and poorly differentiated tumors on histopathology, evidence of metastasis and any stage beyond T1N0M0 are negative prognostic indicators for cats with primary lung tumors. The findings demonstrate that cats that presented with clinical signs, pleural effusion, any stage other than T1N0M0, or moderately and poorly differentiated tumors on histopathology had a poor prognosis. Therefore, extensive preoperative diagnostics, including computed tomography scans, should be performed before considering surgical intervention in these cats. These findings may be used to guide therapeutic decision-making in cats diagnosed with primary lung tumors.
Low testosterone is associated with disability in men with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bove R , Musallam A , Healy BC , Raghavan K , Glanz BI , Bakshi R , Weiner H , De Jager PL , Miller KK , Chitnis T
Published: April 2014

Background:

Gonadal steroids may modulate disease course in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

To assess the prevalence and clinical associations of hypogonadism in men with MS.

Methods:

Male patients, aged 18–65 years, with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) or clinically-isolated syndrome (CIS) and their first symptom < 10 years prior were selected from a longitudinal clinical study. We measured their hormones in stored morning blood samples, and collected their Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores every 6 months and their Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) results annually.

Results:

Our analysis included 96 men with a mean age of 40 years, EDSS of 1.1 and disease duration of 4.6 years. Of these men, 39% were hypogonadal (total testosterone < 288 ng/dL); none showed compensatory elevations in luteinizing hormone. Their low testosterone levels and testosterone:estradiol ratios were negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and leptin, and showed no correlation with 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels. In our primary cross-sectional analyses, there was a negative age-adjusted correlation between total testosterone and EDSS ( p = 0.044). In the age-adjusted longitudinal analyses, higher baseline testosterone levels were associated with less decline in SDMT ( p = 0.012).

Conclusions:

Men with MS may experience hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Low testosterone levels may be associated with worse clinical outcomes. A potential neuroprotective role for testosterone warrants further investigation.
Harnessing peer potency: Predicting positive outcomes from social capital affinity and online engagement with participatory websites
Authors: Barker Valerie , Dozier David M , Weiss Amy Schmitz , Borden Diane L
Published: April 2014

This study involved data from a survey of a representative sample of 1417 US Internet users investigating positive outcomes from three types of participatory websites: social networking sites, e-commerce sites, and content communities (i.e. news organizations and content sharing sites). The findings indicate that the experience of flow (intense engagement in and enjoyment of an activity) promotes satisfaction with and affirmation for such websites as well as perceived focused and incidental knowledge-gain from them. Social capital affinity (sympathy marked by community of interest, and likeness based on weak ties) was found to strongly facilitate the experience of flow. Thus, the findings underscore the potency of online peers in terms of enhancing a variety of Internet experiences.
Policy Issues Regarding the Overrepresentation of Incarcerated Aboriginal Young Offenders in a Canadian Context
Authors: Corrado Raymond R. , Kuehn Sarah , Margaritescu Irina
Published: April 2014

Over-representation of visible minority youth in youth prisons is evident in most advanced industrial and liberal democratic countries. In Canada, federal and provincial governments have initiated policy strategies to counteract the over-representation of Aboriginal offenders. One critical national initiative, the 2003 Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), explicitly acknowledges the special status of Aboriginal youth. The current study examines (1) whether the YCJA has reduced the over-representation of Aboriginal young offenders in prison, and (2) whether the risk factor and offence profiles of incarcerated Aboriginal young offenders differ from Caucasian young offenders. Policy implications for Canada and other countries are discussed.
Insider Accounts of the Move to the Outside: Two Young People Talk about their Transitions from Secure Institutions
Authors: Beal Catherine
Published: April 2014

Young people who have experienced secure institutions as a result of engaging in offending behaviour are particularly vulnerable to negative life outcomes (including unemployment, poor education, mental health difficulties and social exclusion). This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of young people’s accounts of transition from secure institutions highlights the importance of listening to young people’s perceptions of this key lived experience. Multiple semi-structured interviews using a task-based activity approach were used to elicit rich, thick descriptions of individual perceptions of transition. This article focuses on interpretations of two young people’s expressed perceptions of their own transition to prompt dialogue between disciplines about implications for policy and practice.
Globalization and Social Justice in Sports Broadcasting
Authors: Samuel-Azran Tal , Karniel Yuval , Lavie-Dinur Amitl
Published: April 2014

This article highlights sport broadcasting as an emergent battlefield of “globalization from above and below” based on analysis of the strained relationship between Al-Jazeera Sport (AJS) and sports fans in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) over subscription fees to the 2010 and 2014 World Cup games. The article illustrates how sports globalization weakened national broadcasters’ bidding power and allowed corporations to turn the World Cup from a free to high-fee event, leaving angry citizens from the MENA region to fend for themselves. A survey of online media illustrates how these angry citizens shared tactics to resist these fees.
WIDEN: A tool for medical image management in multicenter clinical trials
Authors: Chauvie Stéphane , Biggi Alberto , Stancu Alexandru , Cerello Piergiorgio , Cavallo Anna , Fallanca Federico , Ficola Umberto , Gregianin Michele , Guerra Ugo Paolo , Chiaravalloti Agostino , Schillaci Orazio , Gallamini Andrea
Published: April 2014

Background

It has been proposed that in clinical trials in which the therapeutic strategy is driven by functional imaging, central review of the images should be done in real time.

Purpose

We report our experience with a new tool for image exchange and review, called Web-Based Imaging Diagnosis by Expert Network (WIDEN), which we implemented for the HD0607 prospective multicenter Italian clinical trial in which Hodgkin lymphoma treatment was adapted based on results of an interim positron emission tomography (PET) scan performed after the first two cycles of chemotherapy.

Methods

We used WIDEN for general management of the clinical trial, site imaging qualification, image exchange, workflow control, blinded independent central review, inter-observer variability assessment, consensus creation, audit, and statistical analysis.

Results

As of February 2013, the interim PET was available for 512 patients; upon central review, 103 of the scans were judged to be positive and 409 to be negative. The median scan uploading and downloading times were 1 min, 25 s and 1 min, 55 s, respectively; the average and median times for diagnosis exchange were 47 h, 53 min and 37 h, 43 min, respectively. The binary concordance between pairs of reviewers (Cohen’s kappa) ranged from 0.72 to 0.85. The 5-point scale concordance among all reviewers (Krippendorf’s alpha) was 0.77.

Conclusions

WIDEN proved to be an effective tool for medical imaging exchange and online review. Data security, simplicity, feasibility, and prompt scan review were demonstrated. Central reviews were completed promptly.
Performing and defying gender
Authors: Johnson Ane Turner
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the life and career paths of women higher education administrators in sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, the study sought to interpret the women’s experiences and identities, through the framework of intersectionality and gender performance, as ones that contributed to advancement within contexts traditionally barred to women. This research illustrates commonalities among the participants, elucidating the faith, family, and education as common constructs in their experiences and as mechanisms that propelled career trajectories. A major finding of the research is that the participants both preformed gender and defied it through the enactment of gender norms and personal agency, creating a threshold for their professional achievement in highly gendered cultures and institutions.
Is This Art? An Experimental Study on Visitors’ Judgement of Contemporary Art
Authors: Tröndle Martin , Kirchberg Volker , Tschacher Wolfgang
Published: April 2014

‘Is this art?’ is a question often raised by museum visitors when encountering contemporary artworks. But what factors influence museum visitors’ judgement on contemporary art? To what extent do visitors’ prior knowledge, socio-demographic background, emotional experiences, and specific aspects of the artwork itself, influence their judgements? In the context of the Swiss National research project eMotion – Mapping Museum Experience, we investigated these questions experimentally. The site specific intervention created by the renown artist Nedko Solakov in the St. Gallen Fine Arts Museum allowed us to conduct such a concrete experiment. We interpreted the findings by statistical analyses of the data gathered from entry and exit questionnaires (n=291) in view of sociological art theories dominant in the last few decades. Against theoretical expectations, we found that the judgement art/non-art was driven by several factors not anticipated by those theories.
Opportunistic hearing screening in elderly inpatients
Authors: Ramdoo Krishan , Bowen Jordan , Dale Oliver T , Corbridge Rogan , Chatterjee Apurba , Gosney Margot A
Published: April 2014

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of occult hearing loss in elderly inpatients, to evaluate feasibility of opportunistic hearing screening and to determine subsequent provision of hearing aids.

Materials and methods:

Subjects (>65 years) were recruited from five elderly care wards. Hearing loss was detected by a ward-based hearing screen comprising patient-reported assessment of hearing disability and a whisper test. Subjects failing the whisper test or reporting hearing difficulties were offered formal audiological assessment.

Results:

Screening was performed on 51 patients aged between 70 and 95 years. Of the patients, 21 (41%) reported hearing loss and 16 (31%) failed the whisper test. A total of 37 patients (73%) were referred for audiological assessment with 17 (33%) found to have aidable hearing loss and 11 were fitted with hearing aids (22%).

Discussion:

This study highlights the high prevalence of occult hearing loss in elderly inpatients. Easy two-step screening can accurately identify patients with undiagnosed deafness resulting in significant proportions receiving hearing aids.

Key sentences

Approximately 14% of the elderly population use hearing aids despite a reported prevalence of deafness in up to 55%. The use of hearing aids is associated with an improvement in physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. An easy screening test for hearing loss consists of patient-reported hearing loss and a whisper test. Opportunistic screening of elderly inpatients resulted in referral of 73% of screened patients for formal audiology. Of the screened patients, 22% were provided with hearing aids.
Cold metal transfer welding–brazing of magnesium to pure copper
Authors: Cao R. , Jing M. , Feng Z. , Chen J. H.
Published: April 2014

Magnesium alloy AZ31B and pure copper T2 were lapped and joined by cold metal transfer (CMT) welding–brazing method by AZ61A magnesium alloy wire with a 1·2 mm diameter. Results indicated that a satisfied Mg/Cu CMT welding–brazing joint was obtained in the stable welding processes with no spatter. The joint was composed of Mg–Mg welding joint formed between the Mg weld metal and the Mg base metal, and Mg–Cu brazing joint formed between the Mg weld metal and the local molten Cu base metal. The microstructure and the intermetallic compound (IMC) distribution were inspected and analysed in detail. The interfacial reaction layers of the brazing joint consisted of Mg2Cu, Al6Cu4Mg5, MgCu2 and Mg17Al12 IMCs. The tensile shear strength of the Mg/Cu CMT welding–brazing joint could reach 172·5 N mm−1. In addition, two different fracture modes were observed: at the fusion zone and at the brazing interface.
Effect of body mass in children with hematologic malignancies undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Aplenc Richard , Zhang Mei-Jie , Sung Lillian , Zhu Xiaochun , Ho Vincent T. , Cooke Kenneth , Dvorak Christopher , Hale Gregory , Isola Luis M. , Lazarus Hillard M. , McCarthy Philip L. , Olsson Richard , Pulsipher Michael , Pasquini Marcelo C. , Bunin Nancy
Published: April 2014

Key Points

There is no difference in survival after BMT among children of different BMI.