bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Die Anwendung von Bryophyllum pinnatum-Präparaten in der Geburtshilfe und Gynäkologie - eine multizentrische prospektive Beobachtungsstudie
Authors: Fürer Karin , Simões-Wüst Ana Paula , Winkler Alice , Amsler Nadine , Schnelle Martin , von Mandach Ursula
Published: March 2016

Hintergrund:Bryophyllum pinnatum wurde durch die anthroposophische Medizin in Europa eingeführt und wird heutzutage auch in der konventionellen Medizin breit angewendet. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Verordnungen im Bereich Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe in der Schweiz sowie das Wirkungspotenzial von B. pinnatum und mögliche unerwünschte Ereignisse zu erfassen. Patienten und Methoden: Arztpraxen und Kliniken für Geburtshilfe und Gynäkologie wurden gebeten, die Verordnungen von B. pinnatum bei ihren Patientinnen im Zeitraum von 31 Monaten mittels eines Online-Fragebogens zu dokumentieren. Ergebnisse: Am UniversitätsSpital Zürich, am Kantonsspital Winterthur sowie in 2 Arztpraxen wurden bei insgesamt 174 Frauen 208 Verordnungen mit B. pinnatum erfasst (mehrere Verordnungen pro Patientin möglich). Der überwiegende Anteil der Patientinnen war schwanger (87%). B. pinnatum wurde bei 83% aller Frauen bzw. bei 95% der Schwangeren als Tokolytikum bei Frühgeburtsbestrebungen verordnet und zeigte eine gute bis sehr gute Wirkung. Wegen innerer Unruhe erhielten 14% der Patientinnen B. pinnatum zur Sedation am Tag und 5% zur Sedation bei Schlafproblemen. Für diese beiden Indikationen konnte die Unruhe gemindert werden. 13% der Frauen litten an einer hyperaktiven Blase, deren Therapie mit B. pinnatum in zwei Drittel der Fälle als sehr wirksam eingestuft wurde. Für die Behandlung wurde in 92% der Fälle Kautabletten Bryophyllum 50% verschrieben. Schlussfolgerungen: Im Bereich der konventionellen Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe wird B. pinnatum überwiegend bei schwangeren Patientinnen verordnet, dabei vor allem bei vorzeitigen Wehen, innerer Unruhe und hyperaktiver Blase. B. pinnatum zeigte eine gute Wirkung in der Behandlung dieser mit Hyperaktivität verbundenen Beschwerden.
Traditionelle chinesische Arzneitherapie bei Patienten mit chronischer Rhinosinusitis − eine Therapiebeobachtung mit Berücksichtigung der Arzneimittelherkunft
Authors: Hummelsberger Josef , Friedl Fritz , Gaus Wilhelm , Kohnen Ralph , Heuberger Heidi , Seidenberger Rebecca , Aidelsburger Pamela , Bauer Rudolf , Heubl Günther
Published: March 2016

Hintergrund: Chinesische Arzneimittel werden in Deutschland zunehmend angewandt. Der Import erfolgt primär aus China, mit der Folge einer erschwerten Qualitätskontrolle und Gewährleistung der Therapiesicherheit. Aus diesem Grund werden wichtige chinesische Arzneipflanzen seit 1999 in einem interdisziplinären Forschungsprojekt von der Bayerischen Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft kontrolliert angebaut und wissenschaftlich erforscht, mit inzwischen bereits 16 «bayerischen Arzneidrogen», die in der lokalen Versorgung verwendet und über Apotheken abgegeben werden. Trotz vergleichbarer Qualität gibt es Vorbehalte, denn die bayerischen Arzneimittel werden seit 2006 in Deutschland eingesetzt, ohne dass die Wirksamkeit im Vergleich zu den chinesischen Arzneimitteln untersucht wurde. Aus diesem Grund führten wir eine Therapiebeobachtung mit einem Parallelgruppendesign bei Patienten mit chronischer Rhinosinusitis durch. Methodik: Die Beobachtungsdauer betrug 4 Wochen. Nach einem 4-wöchigen Follow-up wurden die Patienten nochmals telefonisch befragt. Während der Therapiebeobachtung nahmen die Patienten täglich 2 × 50 ml eines Dekokts aus chinesischen Arzneimitteln entweder (a) überwiegend aus bayerischem kontrolliertem Versuchsanbau (Bayern-Gruppe) oder (b) rein chinesischer Handelsware (China-Gruppe) zu sich. Die Bewertung des Therapieerfolgs erfolgte durch Numerische Rating-Skalen. Ergebnisse: Insgesamt beendeten 64 Patienten die Therapiebeobachtung (31 Bayern-Gruppe, 33 China-Gruppe). In beiden Gruppen zeigten sich deutliche Verbesserungen in den Hauptsymptomen der chronischen Rhinosinusitis wie auch in den Nebensymptomen wie Infektneigung und allgemeiner Gesundheitszustand. Zwischen den Gruppen gab es keine relevanten Unterschiede bei der Besserung der Hauptsymptome. Die Dekokte waren insgesamt gut verträglich, schwere Nebenwirkungen traten nicht auf. Schlussfolgerung: Chinesische Arzneimittel aus bayerischem Anbau waren in dieser Beobachtungsstudie ähnlich wirksam wie Arzneikräuter aus China, allerdings müssen auch die Effekte der Begleittherapie, insbesondere der Akupunktur berücksichtigt werden. Die Veränderung der Symptome während der Behandlungszeit sollte zu weiteren Studien Anlass geben, die die Wirksamkeit dieser Arzneimittelrezeptur bei chronischer Rhinosinusitis untersuchen.
Hypothalamic Phosphodiesterase 3B Pathway Mediates Anorectic and Body Weight-Reducing Effects of Insulin in Male Mice
Authors: Sahu Maitrayee , Anamthathmakula Prashanth , Sahu Abhiram
Published: March 2016

Background: Insulin action in the hypothalamus plays a critical role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, yet the intracellular signaling mechanisms mediating insulin action are incompletely understood. Although phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) mediates insulin action in the adipose tissue and it is highly expressed in the hypothalamic areas implicated in energy homeostasis, its role, if any, in mediating insulin action in the hypothalamus is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that insulin action in the hypothalamus is mediated by PDE3B. Methods: Using enzymatic assay, we examined the effects of peripheral or central administration of insulin on hypothalamic PDE3B activity in adult mice. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry also examined p-Akt and p-STAT3 levels in the hypothalamus. Effects of leptin on these parameters were also compared. We injected cilostamide, a PDE3 inhibitor, prior to central injection of insulin and examined the 12- to 24-hour food intake and 24-hour body weight. Finally, we examined the effect of cilostamide on insulin-induced proopiomelanocortin (Pomc), neurotensin (Nt), neuropeptide Y (Npy) and agouti-related peptide (Agrp) gene expression in the hypothalamus by qPCR. Results: Peripheral or central injection of insulin significantly increased PDE3B activity in the hypothalamus in association with increased p-Akt levels but without any change in p-STAT3 levels. However, leptin-induced increase in PDE3B activity was associated with an increase in both p-Akt and p-STAT3 levels in the hypothalamus. Prior administration of cilostamide reversed the anorectic and body weight-reducing effects as well as stimulatory effect of insulin on hypothalamic Pomc mRNA levels. Insulin did not alter Nt, Npy and Agrp mRNA levels. Conclusion: Insulin induction of hypothalamic PDE3B activity and the reversal of the anorectic and body weight-reducing effects and stimulatory effect of insulin on hypothalamic Pomc gene expression by cilostamide suggest that activation of PDE3B is a novel mechanism of insulin signaling in the hypothalamus.
Espaços autoritários: a estrada de ferro Noroeste do Brasil e a burocracia do império
Authors: Amaral Claudio , Mancini Bruno , Alves Wilson Barbosa , Cabral Pedro Hungria
Published: March 2016

Este ensaio trata dos espaços do poder autoritário nas administrações públicas do Brasil. Parte-se da estrutura administrativa assim como dos espaços de seus escritórios sob a influência da monografia Princípios de administração cientifica do engenheiro mecânico Frederick Taylor na Estrada de Ferro Noroeste do Brasil. No entanto, já se conhecia as gestões autoritárias desde a vinda da família Real Portuguesa ao país quando trouxeram o modelo administrativo no formato de uma Burocracia. O advento do organograma e do fluxograma para gerenciar espaços da produção social sempre se pautou pelo desenho da extrema divisão do trabalho associada a práticas de controles e vigilância. A separação entre os que mandam dos que obedecem foi a tônica desta divisão do trabalho. Mesmo quando o taylorismo foi substituído por outras teorias ditas democráticas, como a Teoria das Relações Humanas, o intuito sempre foi intensificar a exploração da força de trabalho através da destituição de seu poder. A prática das organizações administrativas desenhadas por organogramas de extrema divisão do trabalho tem servido para separar os que mandam dos que executam auxiliadas por fluxogramas direcionados ao curso das informações que mantém desinformados os que obedecem e informados os que decidem e dificultando o acesso dos primeiros aos segundos. É possível dizer que esta pratica autoritária de gestão persiste ainda hoje nas administrações públicas brasileiras.
Mecanismos de linguagem nas artes durante a contrarreforma
Authors: Saviani Benjamim
Published: March 2016

O presente texto procura investigar padrões e princípios de composição no contexto da Contrarreforma católica, quando disposições de matriz fortemente retórica são compendiadas e usadas de maneira sistemática nos diferentes gêneros artísticos. Procura-se, assim, constatar uma forma mentis específica, de uma sociedade que operava muito pelo costume, ainda que se tenha o cuidado de não pretender que determinados conceitos vigorassem com a mesma intensidade e coerência ao longo de todo o período compreendido entre o advento do Concílio de Trento e a derrocada dos antigos regimes monárquicos europeus; mas sim, que conceitos semelhantes e “congênitos” circulassem de alguma forma, mais ou menos consciente de acordo com o caso e seus protagonistas, durante todo o período.
Predicting Out-of-Office Blood Pressure in the Clinic (PROOF-BP)
Authors: Sheppard James P. , Stevens Richard , Gill Paramjit , Martin Una , Godwin Marshall , Hanley Janet , Heneghan Carl , Hobbs F.D. Richard , Mant Jonathan , McKinstry Brian , Myers Martin , Nunan David , Ward Alison , Williams Bryan , McManus Richard J.
Published: March 2016

Patients often have lower (white coat effect) or higher (masked effect) ambulatory/home blood pressure readings compared with clinic measurements, resulting in misdiagnosis of hypertension. The present study assessed whether blood pressure and patient characteristics from a single clinic visit can accurately predict the difference between ambulatory/home and clinic blood pressure readings (the home–clinic difference). A linear regression model predicting the home–clinic blood pressure difference was derived in 2 data sets measuring automated clinic and ambulatory/home blood pressure (n=991) using candidate predictors identified from a literature review. The model was validated in 4 further data sets (n=1172) using area under the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. A masked effect was associated with male sex, a positive clinic blood pressure change (difference between consecutive measurements during a single visit), and a diagnosis of hypertension. Increasing age, clinic blood pressure level, and pulse pressure were associated with a white coat effect. The model showed good calibration across data sets (Pearson correlation, 0.48–0.80) and performed well-predicting ambulatory hypertension (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.72–0.79 [systolic]; 0.87; 0.85–0.89 [diastolic]). Used as a triaging tool for ambulatory monitoring, the model improved classification of a patient’s blood pressure status compared with other guideline recommended approaches (93% [92% to 95%] classified correctly; United States, 73% [70% to 75%]; Canada, 74% [71% to 77%]; United Kingdom, 78% [76% to 81%]). This study demonstrates that patient characteristics from a single clinic visit can accurately predict a patient’s ambulatory blood pressure. Usage of this prediction tool for triaging of ambulatory monitoring could result in more accurate diagnosis of hypertension and hence more appropriate treatment.
Interplay Between the Effects of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Mutation (R206L) and the Protein Kinase C Phosphomimic (T204E) of Rat Cardiac Troponin T Are Differently Modulated by α‐ and β‐Myosin Heavy Chain Isoforms
Authors: Michael John Jeshurun , Chandra Murali
Published: March 2016

Background

We hypothesized that the functional effects of R206L—a rat analog of the dilated cardiomyopathy (
DCM
) mutation R205L in human cardiac troponin T (TnT)—were differently modulated by myosin heavy chain (
MHC
) isoforms and T204E, a protein kinase C (
PKC
) phosphomimic of TnT. Our hypothesis was based on two observations: (1) α‐ and β‐
MHC
differentially influence the functional effects of TnT; and (2)
PKC
isoforms capable of phosphorylating TnT are upregulated in failing human hearts.

Methods and Results

We generated 4 recombinant TnT variants: wild type; R206L; T204E; and R206L+T204E. Functional effects of the TnT variants were tested in cardiac muscle fibers (minimum 14 per group) from normal (α‐
MHC
) and propylthiouracil‐treated rats (β‐
MHC
) using steady‐state and dynamic contractile measurements. Notably, in α‐
MHC
fibers, Ca
2+
‐activated maximal tension was attenuated by R206L (≈32%), T204E (≈63%), and R206L+T204E (≈64%). In β‐
MHC
fibers, maximal tension was unaffected by R206L, but was attenuated by T204E (≈33%) and R206L+T204E (≈40%). Thus, β‐
MHC
differentially counteracted the attenuating effects of the TnT variants on tension. However, in β‐
MHC
fibers, R206L+T204E attenuated tension to a greater extent when compared to T204E alone. In β‐
MHC
fibers, R206L+T204E attenuated the magnitude of the length‐mediated recruitment of new cross‐bridges (≈28%), suggesting that the Frank‐Starling mechanism was impaired.

Conclusions

Our findings are the first (to our knowledge) to demonstrate that the functional effects of a
DCM
‐linked TnT mutation are not only modulated by
MHC
isoforms, but also by the pathology‐associated post‐translational modifications of TnT.
Flexographic Artists’ Books
Authors: Alaca Ilgım Veryeri
Published: March 2016

This article introduces experimental artists’ books created in the interstices between technology and tradition. The series of books are created by utilizing scraps produced via flexographic label printing. Each book is constituted by means of the accumulation of paper on the machine, which introduces a never-ending page structure as a result of the continuous roll, creating a swirling formation. The work is an inquiry on growth, imperfection, form and time, enriched by the impact of mechanical processes that are inherent to the creation of the book. It also investigates experimental uses of printing and papercutting mechanisms.
The Appellation Ṣāḥib Sunna in Classical Islam: How Sunnism Came To Be
Authors: Nawas John A.
Published: March 2016

The term ṣāḥib sunna is frequently encountered in classical Arabic biographical dictionaries. In this article, I compare the group of Islamic religious scholars (ulama) identified as aṣḥāb sunna with comparable religious scholars who did not receive such a designation. The results show that the aṣḥāb sunna constituted a distinct group of Muslim religious scholars. I suggest that the formation of the aṣḥāb sunna was further prompted by the Miḥna initiated by the caliph al-Ma⁠ʾmūn. The opposition of the aṣḥāb sunna to the Miḥna contributed to the development of the more elaborate formula ahl al-sunna wa-l-jamāʿa by which Sunnis define their creed.
The Ambivalent Position of the Landlord: A Dispute over Ownership of an Iranian Village in the 19th Century
Authors: Abe Naofumi
Published: March 2016

This study examines a dispute over ownership of the village of Amīrzakariyā in the Arvanaq region of Iran in the 19th century. Using Persian archival sources, especiallysharī‘adocuments, I analyze the development and resolution of the legal dispute and the changing understanding of the case, including the issue of water rights. These sources provide an example of “ambivalent ownership,” i.e., a discrepancy between the legal facts of the case and competing understandings of land ownership in practice. The case demonstrates that legal transactions were sometimes inadequately understood or accepted in practice by third parties, with the result that the effects of a legal transaction were not always absolute in 19th-century Iran, as evidenced by the attempts of local‘ulamā’and villagers to restrict the landlord’s property rights in favor of preserving the established local order.
The Sons of Seleucus ii and the Historicity of Dan 11:10
Authors: Scolnic Benjamin Edidin
Published: March 2016

Dan 11:10 presents textual and historical difficulties. While some scholars favor the Qetiv/og reading of bnw “son”, corresponding to what has been seen as the more historical statement that one son of Seleucus ii, the famous Antiochus iii, fought against the Ptolemaic kingdom, others prefer the reading of bnyv/“sons” with the Qere, Th.-Dan. and the Vulgate, though they have not understood the verse in a meaningful historical fashion. This article attempts to show that recent developments in the study of Hellenistic history in Asia Minor demonstrate that both sons of Seleucus ii, first Seleucus iii and then Antiochus iii, raised large forces for campaigns to restore their father’s kingdom to its former glory. Dan 11:10 becomes an interesting example of the historicity of Dan 11.
Notes on 2 Kings 9:36-37
Authors: Rendsburg Gary A.
Published: March 2016

This article address several issues relevant to 2 Kgs 9:36-37. The most crucial of these is that the first word in v. 37, Ketiv והית / Qeri וְהָיְתָה, should stand, contra the recent proposal by Jerome Walsh to read the noun ‘ruin, destruction’ here.
Der unvergleichliche Gott—Psalm 113 im Spiegel von 1 Sam 2:1-10
Authors: Neef Heinz-Dieter
Published: March 2016

The study represents the theory of a literary and thematic dependency of Psalm 113 upon 1 Samuel 2:1-10. The ‘Song of Hannah’ (c. 7th Century bc ?) is older than Psalm 113 (c. 6th Century bc ?). Both psalms place emphasis upon the uniqueness of Jahwe. The theological skopos of Psalm 113 aims primarily at the affirmation of Jahwe as the incomparable God (v.5). This topic allows itself to present Psalm 113 from 1 Sam 2:1-10. The author of Psalm 113, with the help of ‘The Song of Hannah’ in 1 Sam 2:1-10 has made Ps 113 a hymn of the community of Jahwe about the incomparable God.
Between Genealogy and Historiography
Authors: Klein Neriah
Published: March 2016

The literary study of the genealogies in 1 Chr 1-9 has recently received a number of significant contributions, and this paper attempts to be a part of that growing trend. The paper analyzes the literary design of two lists—Judah’s sons and Zerah’s sons (1 Chr 2:3-8)—and shows that the uniform design of the two lists intends to present the rejection of certain branches of the tribe of Judah on account of their representatives’ sins (Er, Achar) as a background for the electing of King David. Afterwards, a literary parallel is examined between the characters of Er and Achar and the character of Saul in 1 Chr 10:13-14. This parallel has implications for the structure of the book and the relationship between its two parts: the genealogies (1 Chr 1-9) and the historiography (1 Chr 10-2 Chr 36).
Yahweh’s Promise to David in the Books of Kings
Authors: Cudworth Troy D.
Published: March 2016

The books of Kings lack the internal consistency found in the books of Chronicles regarding rewards and punishments for the good and evil actions of Israel’s kings (i.e. the doctrine of retribution). This paper argues that the books of Kings portray all the different kings in light of their respective evaluations to emphasize the strength of Yahweh’s promise to the Davidides for a lasting dynasty. First, the text uses the reigns of bad southern kings to stress Yahweh’s abundant faithfulness when the Davidides behaved at their worst. Second, it inserts accounts of the many failed northern dynasties to demonstrate the uniqueness of Yahweh’s abundant mercy specifically for the Davidides. Third, it illustrates the fragility of the good southern kings to suggest that the continuation of their line depended not on them, but on their merciful God who remained faithful to his covenant with them.
“Soul-Concepts” in Ancient Near Eastern Mythical Texts and Their Implications for the Primeval History
Authors: Bauks Michaela
Published: March 2016

In an occidental perspective, influenced by classical Greek and Hellenist philosophy, the soul is the immaterial part of the human, which becomes, in its incorporeality, the immortal “remainder” of a person after his death. The comparaison of soul concepts (cf. Hasenfratz) in Ancient Near Eastern, Egyptian, Greek archaic texts with the data of the Primeval History exhibits indeed a similar “concept of man” (anthropology), but a lesser elaborate concept of “souls” in the Biblical context.
Recollection of former Randia species, recognition of a rheophytic species of the Philippine endemic Villaria (Octotropideae, Rubiaceae)
Authors: ALEJANDRO GRECEBIO JONATHAN D. , MEVE ULRICH
Published: March 2016

Randia lanceolata and R. stenophylla (Gardenieae, Rubiaceae) are found to be conspecific and here transferred to the Philippine endemic genus Villaria (Octotropideae), and the new combination is here proposed. Villaria lanceolata is distinct from the other six members of the genus in showing a rheophytic habit and possessing narrowly lanceolate leaves, red fruits when ripe and prominent parallel ridges along the fibrous exostesta cells. The new member of Villaria is here comprehensively described, illustrated and typified.
New combinations for nothotaxa of Populus (Salicaceae) from China
Authors: SHANG CE , ZHANG LIMEI , ZHANG ZHIXIANG
Published: March 2016

The extensive natural and artificial hybridization within the genus Populus Linnaeus (1753: 1034) has led to numerous hybrids, many of which have been formally described. The Flora of China (Fang et al. 1999) documented nine such hybrids at the rank of nothospecies. Three of these names are incorrect applying to their hybrid formulae according to the Appendix I of ICN (McNeill et al. 2012), and are corrected here.
On the identity of Flirtea (Arachnida, Opiliones, Cosmetidae)
Authors: KURY ADRIANO B. , GARCÍA ANDRÉS F.
Published: March 2016

Flirtea C.L. Koch, 1839, is one of the oldest genera described in Cosmetidae, currently including 30 species mostly from the Andes. Its type species, Cosmetus pictus Perty, 1833, from Brazil, the type material of which is long lost, has since long been misidentified in the literature due to a redescription based on another unrelated species, while the true F. picta was widely known as Flirtea phalerata C.L. Koch, 1840. This unrelated species is here described as Cynorta pictoides sp. nov. Flirtea picta is here redescribed based on abundant material collected in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome from Bahia state, and a neotype is designated for its type species. Here, we propose a particular pattern of a white mask blot on the dorsal scutum be called “scaramuccia”, and variation in this pattern is described. Genital morphology of Flirtea picta is described for the first time. Flirtea is rediagnosed and most species currently assigned to Flirtea are suggested to belong to other genera. Cynorta valida Roewer, 1928 and Paecilaema batman Pinto-da-Rocha & Yamaguti, 2013 are newly transferred to Flirtea, yielding the new combinations Flirtea valida and Flirtea batman.
Compact and High Performance Spectrometers based on Novel Transmission Gratings with High Dispersion
Authors: Rasmussen Thomas Peter
Published: March 2016

In this article we outline how ultra-compact, yet high performance spectrometers can be designed and built with highly dispersive transmission gratings. By using fused silica as the grating material, and by careful design of the detailed grating structure, we demonstrate an ultraviolet spectrometer with a high and nearly flat efficiency from 178 to 409 nm, a resolution of 0.2 nm, and dimensions of only 61 mm × 64 mm × 19 mm. We tested this spectrometer in a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy experiment and showed that the spectral information gathered with the spectrometer can be used to obtain quantitative results for sulfur.
Determination of the tensile residual properties of a wound carbon/epoxy composite first exposed to fire
Authors: Quach Thi Hai Yen , Benelfellah Abdelkibir , Batiot Benjamin , Halm Damien , Rogaume Thomas , Luche Jocelyn , Bertheau Denis
Published: March 2016

The use of carbon fiber/epoxy matrix composite is widely developed to store hydrogen at high pressure because of its low weight and its good specific mechanical properties. In order to secure this type of storage, it is necessary to tackle the thermal degradation and the influence of a fire or a heating source on the residual mechanical behavior of such materials. In the present study, carbon/epoxy composite samples with different fiber orientations are considered. The thermal aggression (representative of a fire) is performed by using a cone calorimeter apparatus (ISO 5660). The fire exposure is stopped at different time in order to study the influence of the thermal energy (different heat fluxes and exposure durations) on the residual mechanical tensile properties. The results obtained show that the residue thickness (char) of the samples is proportional to the incident energy. Strength and stiffness reduction can be observed even without ignition (i.e ., without combustion flame) when the mechanical properties are controlled only by the resin (fiber perpendicular to the loading axis). When the fibers are mechanically loaded (quasi-isotropic samples or ± 45° samples), a very little strength decrease is observed before ignition and accelerated after ignition. A proportional relationship between the ultimate stress of the exposed sample and the non-charred thickness is also observed.
Developing Standards-Based Individualized Education Program Objectives for Students with Significant Needs
Authors: Lynch Sharon , Adams Paula
Published: March 2016

Cristina has seen many changes in her years of teaching students with significant needs. Her very first classroom was a “life skills” class in a cluster setting at an elementary school 11 years ago. She worked diligently to help her students become more independent, with the goal of placement in their neighborhood school's general education classroom. Cristina is familiar with the academic demands of the school curriculum in the age of accountability, and she is very aware of the intense educational needs of her students. During the most recent district special education meeting, her director discussed the necessity for all individualized education program (IEP) objectives to be based on the general education curriculum. Thinking about the individual needs of her students, Cristina wonders if perhaps inclusion has gone one step too far. How is she going to teach IEP objectives in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies when some of her students are unable to speak, write, or use cause-and-effect software?
Facilitating Reading Comprehension for Students on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Gately Susan E.
Published: March 2016

Joshua is a 12-year-old student diagnosed with autism. He is very interested in the Civil War and knows many facts about the battles, uniforms, and weapons used, and he collects Civil War memorabilia. Although he is a voracious reader of this era, he has difficulty comprehending other topics during language arts class. Although he appears to understand story lines, he has difficulty understanding character motivation, perceiving foreshadowing, and appreciating event integration within a story. As a result, he avoids reading fiction and becomes easily frustrated with literature tasks.

Jamie is a second-grade student with a diagnosis of pervasive developmental delay (PDD). He has been a precocious decoder since preschool and is a fluent reader. He reads smoothly, often with appropriate prosody in his voice. It would seem that he understands what he is reading, but his fluency masks his lack of reading comprehension. Jamie thinks that reading stops with decoding and becomes visibly distressed when he is required to slow down and discuss what he reads.

Michelle is a fifth-grade student diagnosed on the autism spectrum. She attends school in a fifth-grade general education classroom and receives individualized and small group support with a special educator. She has difficulty understanding social situations but enjoys working with her small group. Her word recognition skills are almost at grade level and with assistance and individualized attention, she understands what she reads. However, when left on her own, she has trouble understanding even the lowest level material.
Bringing History into the Study of Routines: Contextualizing Performance
Authors: Mutch Alistair
Published: March 2016

The focus on routines as ‘generative systems’ often portrays them as patterns of action relatively divorced from their context. History can help to supply a deeper and richer context, showing how routines are connected to broader structural and cultural factors. But it also shows that routines themselves have a history. This is explored using the illustration of the history of one particular organizational routine, that of the visitation of local organizational units by central church bodies, in three times and places: 15th century Italy, 18th century England and 18th century Scotland. This illustration shows that similar routines can be found but these are given very different inflections by the broader social, cultural and political context. Attention is drawn in particular to the differential involvement of lay actors and the implications for broader impacts. The case is made for analytical narratives of emergence of routines which can reconnect organizational routines both with their own history and with their broader context.
Comparison of Renal Amyloid and Hyaline Glomerulopathy in B6C3F1 Mice
Authors: Hoane Jessica S. , Johnson Crystal L. , Morrison James P. , Elmore Susan A.
Published: March 2016

Due to potential misdiagnosis of hyaline glomerulopathy (HG) for amyloidosis, a retrospective study of B6C3F1 mice from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) archives was undertaken to determine whether HG had occurred in prior NTP studies and, if so, whether these 2 glomerular lesions could be routinely discriminated. Kidney slides from 7 amyloid-positive control mice, 2 HG-positive control mice, 3 normal or negative control mice, and 41 potential HG mice (with renal-only deposits previously diagnosed as amyloid) were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid Schiff (PAS), Congo red (CR), and Masson’s trichrome (MT) stains. Utilizing these techniques, HG was reliably distinguished from amyloidosis. All 41 potential HG mice had glomerular deposits histochemically inconsistent with amyloid; the deposits were PAS positive and CR negative. Four of the 41 mice were selected for transmission electron microscopy of the glomerular deposits; ultrastructurally, the deposits in these animals were consistent with HG and not amyloid. Our findings indicate that HG is a spontaneous lesion in B6C3F1 mice of low occurrence, is commonly misdiagnosed as amyloidosis, and is more likely than amyloid to cause glomerular deposits in mice without evidence of deposits in other tissues. Also, HG can be distinguished from amyloid on H&E evaluation; however, the distinction is improved with use of PAS or CR staining and/or ultraviolet evaluation.
Procalcitonin level for prediction of postoperative infection in cardiac surgery
Authors: Sharma Pranav , Patel Kartik , Baria Kinnaresh , Lakhia Ketav , Malhotra Amber , Shah Komal , Patel Sanjay
Published: March 2016

Background

Diagnosing infection after cardiac surgery remains difficult due to the systemic inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass. We compared procalcitonin levels with white blood cell counts as predictors of infection after cardiac surgery.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 100 consecutive adult cardiac patients. Postoperative white blood cell counts, serum procalcitonin levels, and blood cultures were examined.

Result

The sensitivity and specificity of white blood cell count and procalcitonin > 2 ng mL−1 were 60% and 100%, 58.8% and 42.5%, respectively. Procalcitonin > 7 ng mL−1 had 95% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed a greater area under the curve for procalcitonin level ( p < 0.0001) compared to white blood cell count ( p = 0.31). Patients with positive blood cultures had significantly higher procalcitonin levels (51.97 ± 39.62 vs. 6.67 ± 10.73 ng mL−1), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II scores (16.95 ± 3.24 vs. 13.60 ± 2.98), and intensive care unit stay (6.35 ± 3.42 vs. 4.6 ± 2.2 days). Non-survivors had significantly higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II scores (19.09 ± 1.30 vs. 13.67 ± 2.97) and procalcitonin levels (43.83 ± 52.15 vs. 12.26 ± 19.89 ng mL−1) but on logistic regression analysis, only Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II score was an independent risk factor for mortality.

Conclusion

The diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin for bacterial infection is fairly high. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II score is a better predictor of mortality and morbidity than absolute procalcitonin level. Procalcitonin > 7 ng mL−1 can prognosticate and identify the high-risk group.
Joining in with the Spirit in the 21st Century: Response to Dana Robert
Authors: Wolters Hielke
Published: March 2016

The article is a response to Dana Robert’s keynote address “One Christ – Many witnesses: Visions of Mission and Unity, Edinburgh and Beyond” at the Celebration Symposium of the Regnum Edinburgh Centenary Series, 4 September 2015 in Oxford. The author wonders whether Dana Robert has sufficiently taken into account the awareness in the World Council of Churches of the diversity in and among Christian traditions. He highlights the more dynamic understanding of unity, which does not find expression in new (super-)structures but in a commitment to travel together in a pilgrimage of justice and peace.
Using Foursquare place data for estimating building block use
Authors: Spyratos Spyridon , Stathakis Demetris , Lutz Michael , Tsinaraki Chrisa
Published: March 2016

Information about the land use of built-up areas is required for the comprehensive planning and management of cities. However, due to the high cost of the land use surveys, land use data is out-dated or not available for many cities. Therefore, we propose the reuse of up-to-date and low-cost place data from social media applications for land use mapping purposes. As main case study, we used Foursquare place data for estimating nonresidential building block use in the city of Amsterdam. Based on the Foursquare place categories, we estimated the use of 9827 building blocks, and we compared the classification results with a reference building block use dataset. Our evaluation metric is the kappa coefficient, which determines if the classification results are significantly better than a random guess result. Using the optimal set of parameter values, we achieved the highest kappa coefficient values for the land use categories “ hotels, restaurants and cafes” (0.76) and “ retail” (0.65). The lowest kappa coefficients were found for the land use categories “ industries” and “ storage and unclear”. We have also applied the methodology in another case study area, the city of Varese in Italy, where we had similar accuracy results. We therefore conclude that Foursquare place data can be trusted only for the estimation of particular land use categories.
The determinants of social commerce system success for SMEs in Thailand
Authors: Vongsraluang Nuttaya , Bhatiasevi Veera
Published: March 2016

Social commerce is growing as a new critical hub of product sourcing for both businesses and individuals. It has become an important strategy that helps companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to connect with customers and to gain competitive advantages. Still, there is a scarcity of frameworks for evaluating social commerce system success and identifying what significantly contributes to success. This study aims to investigate the determinants of social commerce system success in the context of Thai SMEs. A questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the proposed model. The empirical results provide support for the relationship among six dimensions of the proposed model. System use and user satisfaction relate significantly to the success of a social commerce system, which is measured in terms of organizational benefits. Three factors associate positively to system use, namely system quality, service quality, and trust, all of which lead to user satisfaction. Further research can investigate other social factors or empirically test the model at different levels of success.
The Impact of Decoupling of Telework on Job Satisfaction in U.S. Federal Agencies
Authors: Bae Kwang Bin , Kim Dohyeong
Published: March 2016

This study analyzes the effects of decoupling of telework on job satisfaction using the 2013 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey. The research divides telework programs for public employees by two criteria: (a) whether or not federal agencies have officially adopted the program, and (b) whether or not public employees actually participate in the program. We find that both organizational adoption and employee participation in telework have a positive relationship with job satisfaction, and these results support the social exchange theory. We also observe that the effects of decoupling of telework on job satisfaction are more significant for female public employees than for male public employees. The results imply that female employees have the lowest levels of job satisfaction when agencies officially adopt telework but employees cannot utilize the program. However, male employees have the lowest levels of job satisfaction when they are unable to utilize a nonexistent telework program.
Music intervals in speech: Psychological disposition modulates ratio precision among interlocutors’ nonlocal f0 production in real-time dyadic conversation
Authors: Robledo Juan P. , Hurtado Esteban , Prado Felipe , Román Domingo , Cornejo Carlos
Published: March 2016

Drawing on the notion of musical intervals, recent studies have demonstrated the use of precise frequency ratios within human vocalisation. Methodologically, these studies have addressed human vocalisation at an individual level. In the present study, we asked whether patterns such as musical intervals can also be found among the voices of people engaging in a conversation as an emerging interpersonal phenomenon. Fifty-six participants were randomly paired and assigned to either a control or a low-trust condition. Frequency ratios were generated by juxtaposing nonlocal fundamental frequency (f0) productions from two people engaged in each given dyadic conversation. Differences were found among conditions, both in terms of interval distribution and precision. These results support the idea that psychological dispositions modulate the musical intervals generated between participants through mutual real-time vocal accommodation. They also underscore the inter-domain use of musical intervals.
Les mécomptes du supérieur - « Autres » écoles, « autres » établissements et « autres » formations
Authors: Bodin Romuald , Orange Sophie
Published: March 2016

Miscalculations of Higher Education - “Other” Schools, “Other” Institutions and “Other” Curriculums - The aim of this article is to analyze the construction by the tools and categories of ministerial statistics of a certain vision of higher education and its transformations, to which sociologists are subjected. The explosion of “other higher education curriculums” since the 1960s seems to compete with the situation of the universities. On one hand, the evolution of the latter category has to do with the improvement and expansion of investigative surveys. On the other, it is the product of the internal redistribution of training previously recorded in other categories. The use generally made of this class (“Other Curriculums”) tends to forget that this is a particularly heterogeneous aggregate including blurred and shifting boundaries, which are less the expression of real developments than the product of symbolic struggles between sectors and efforts to create distinctions.
Retour sur un entretien occulté - Quand les structures sociales de la lutte armée s’imposent dans la relation d’enquête
Authors: Jedlicki Fanny
Published: March 2016

Return to a Hidden Interview - When Social Structures of an Armed Struggle Impose Themselves in a Survey Situation - What brings a researcher to set aside ten hours of interviews and forget some of their contents? The tools of a reflexive and interactional analysis allow us more than ten years later to discover the origins and issues that led to self-censorship of a researcher and the collected material. It was the proposal to consider survey residuals that triggered a return on the trajectory and the story of Pedro, who we met as part of doctoral research on political, territorial and identity inheritance in families of exiles and Chilean retornados. From total commitment to an underground armed struggle to the survey and occultation of the interview by the researcher, it is these social and psychic structures, reanimated by survey relationship, that the article examines.
Successful Breastfeeding Outcome of a Woman with a Nevus of the Nipple
Authors: Yikilmaz Şirin Roza , Wilson-Clay Barbara
Published: March 2016

Unusual conditions of the nipple and breast may interfere with breastfeeding. Nevi of the nipple are rare, and breastfeeding outcomes of women with this condition have only been briefly reported in the literature. This case describes the proactive lactation management and successful breastfeeding outcome of a woman with a large, roughly textured nevus located on her right nipple and areola.
A novel boron–silicon–alkynyl hybrid copolymer
Authors: Zhou Qi , Zhou Quan , Geng Jie , Ni Li Zhong
Published: March 2016

A novel boron–silicon–alkynyl hybrid copolymer (BSD) was synthesized by condensation polymerization of 1,3-diethynylbenzene with dichloromethylsilane and boron trifluoride etherate. Fourier transform infrared and 1H-, 13C-, and 29Si-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies were used to confirm the structures of the copolymers. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the polymer exhibited excellent heat resistance and thermo-oxidative stabilities under nitrogen and air. The cure cross-linking reaction mechanisms of the BSD were related to Diels–Alder intermolecular cyclization involving two C≡C bonds and hydrosilylation reaction between Si–H and C≡C bonds. The [Formula: see text] of the BSD was above 591°C and 530°C under nitrogen and air, respectively. The residues at 1000°C were above 88% under nitrogen and 25% in air. X-ray diffraction was used to study the formation of ceramics. The precursor for ceramics (β-SiC, α-SiC, and B4C) was formed at 1600°C under an argon atmosphere. The thermo-oxidative stabilities of the copolymers were attributed to the existing organic groups of alkynyl and inorganic elements of silicon and boron.
Utilisation patterns and cost of hospital care for people living with HIV in Ireland in 2012: a single-centre study
Authors: Brennan Aline , Horgan Mary , Jackson Arthur , Browne John P , Bergin Colm J
Published: March 2016

Data on the pattern and cost of health service use by HIV patients are required for evaluations of the cost-effectiveness of new drugs and technologies as well as being essential for service planning. The aim of this study was to identify the utilisation patterns and cost of hospital care for HIV patients in a single centre in Ireland in 2012. Data on the frequency and non-drug costs of all hospital resources used by HIV patients were extracted from a hospital activity-based costing system. Cost data were analysed using a generalised linear model. A total of 328 patients, 3672 patient months, were included in this study. Patients had a mean of 4.4 scheduled infectious disease outpatient appointments per patient year; 37% of patients also used another outpatient service, 15% in-patient services, 4% day-case service and 18% emergency department services in 2012. Patients with very advanced HIV disease continue to incur a disproportionate amount of the total cost of providing care. This study provides baseline utilisation and cost data for use of both infectious-disease and non-infectious disease hospital services and will be useful for service planning in light of the likely increases in resource demands.
Impaired diffusion tensor imaging findings in the corpus callosum and cingulum may underlie impaired learning and memory abilities in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Shapira-Lichter I , Weinstein M , Lustgarten N , Ash E , Litinsky I , Aloush V , Anouk M , Caspi D , Hendler T , Paran D
Published: March 2016

Background

Memory impairment is prevalent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, its pathogenesis is unknown. In a previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study we demonstrated altered brain activity dynamics and less brain deactivation in patients with SLE as compared with healthy controls, when performing a learning and memory task. Our findings localized this impairment to the default mode network (DMN), and particularly to its anterior medial prefrontal cortex node. In addition, altered networking of the hippocampal subsystem of the DMN was seen in patients with SLE when performing this task, as well as atrophy of the left hippocampus. The present study aimed to search for a structural substrate for the altered recruitment pattern observed in fMRI studies using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Patients and methods

Using DTI, we characterized brain diffusivity in 10 patients with SLE and nine healthy controls. Two tracts associated with the DMN were reconstructed: the corpus callosum (CC) and the cingulum bundle. The CC was segmented according to the Witelson segmentation scheme and the cingulum was segmented into superior and descending bundles.

Results

A significant increase in mean diffusivity (MD) was seen in patients with SLE without neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) as compared with healthy controls in all five segments of the CC (segment 1: p = 0.043; segment 2: p = 0.005; segment 3: p = 0.003; segment 4: p = 0.012; segment 5: p = 0.023) as well as in the descending portion of the left cingulum bundle ( p = 0.026).

Conclusions

Increased MD values in the CC and the left cingulum may indicate impaired organization/reduced integrity of these tracts, which may underlie the abnormal pattern of brain activity recruitment of the DMN observed during a verbal learning and memory task. Taking into account the central role of the left hippocampus in verbal memory, the abnormal integrity of the left cingulum may contribute to the reduced performance of patients with SLE on verbal memory tasks.