bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Assessment of the XBT Fall-Rate Equation in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Ribeiro Natalia , Mata Mauricio M. , de Azevedo José Luiz L. , Cirano Mauro
Published: March 2018

In this study a set of 157 collocated XBT (DB/T7 type) and CTD stations distributed across three different regions of the Southern Ocean is explored using the manufacturer’s fall-rate equation (FRE), which is a classic correction method, and new correction methods to investigate how the regional environment characteristics may impact a probe’s descent and the corresponding depth estimates. Regional coefficients were estimated for all three basins and for the Southern Ocean as a whole. The manufacturer’s FRE proved to perform better in high latitudes than in the rest of the World Ocean, overestimating the true depth by only 2%. The overall depth bias was positive, further supporting the hypothesis of a regional dependence of the XBT fall rate on water temperature, which leads to a general overestimation of ocean heat content in the upper layer (~4.79 × 109 J or ~10%). The pure thermal bias was found to be mostly negative, which is likely to be related to temperature errors. However, the Southern Ocean region is notoriously undersampled when compared to the rest of the World Ocean as well, as it is associated with strong spatial and temporal variability, thus raising the overall uncertainty on that estimate. Moreover, although the manufacturer’s FRE has a satisfying performance in the Southern Ocean, the current community’s recommended correction method still leads to improved temperature values in those waters. Finally, more studies are needed in order to fully understand the XBT regional bias and its implications for climate studies in the region.
Near-Surface Current Mapping by Shipboard Marine X-Band Radar: A Validation
Authors: Lund Björn , Haus Brian K. , Horstmann Jochen , Graber Hans C. , Carrasco Ruben , Laxague Nathan J. M. , Novelli Guillaume , Guigand Cédric M. , Özgökmen Tamay M.
Published: March 2018

The Lagrangian Submesoscale Experiment (LASER) involved the deployment of ~1000 biodegradable GPS-tracked Consortium for Advanced Research on Transport of Hydrocarbon in the Environment (CARTHE) drifters to measure submesoscale upper-ocean currents and their potential impact on oil spills. The experiment was conducted from January to February 2016 in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) near the mouth of the Mississippi River, an area characterized by strong submesoscale currents. A Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG) marine X-band radar (MR) on board the R/V F. G. Walton Smith was used to locate fronts and eddies by their sea surface roughness signatures. The MR data were further processed to yield near-surface current maps at ~500-m resolution up to a maximum range of ~3 km. This study employs the drifter measurements to perform the first comprehensive validation of MR near-surface current maps. For a total of 4130 MR–drifter pairs, the root-mean-square error for the current speed is 4 cm and that for the current direction is 12°. The MR samples currents at a greater effective depth than the CARTHE drifters (1–5 m vs ~0.4 m). The mean MR–drifter differences are consistent with a wave- and wind-driven vertical current profile that weakens with increasing depth and rotates clockwise from the wind direction (by 0.7% of the wind speed and 15°). The technique presented here has great potential in observational oceanography, as it allows research vessels to map the horizontal flow structure, complementing the vertical profiles measured by ADCP.
Advancing from Convection-Allowing NWP to Warn-on-Forecast: Evidence of Progress
Authors: Lawson John R. , Kain John S. , Yussouf Nusrat , Dowell David C. , Wheatley Dustan M. , Knopfmeier Kent H. , Jones Thomas A.
Published: March 2018

The Warn-on-Forecast (WoF) program, driven by advanced data assimilation and ensemble design of numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems, seeks to advance 0–3-h NWP to aid National Weather Service warnings for thunderstorm-induced hazards. An early prototype of the WoF prediction system is the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) Experimental WoF System for ensembles (NEWSe), which comprises 36 ensemble members with varied initial conditions and parameterization suites. In the present study, real-time 3-h quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) during spring 2016 from NEWSe members are compared against those from two real-time deterministic systems: the operational High Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR, version 1) and an upgraded, experimental configuration of the HRRR. All three model systems were run at 3-km horizontal grid spacing and differ in initialization, particularly in the radar data assimilation methods. It is the impact of this difference that is evaluated herein using both traditional and scale-aware verification schemes. NEWSe, evaluated deterministically for each member, shows marked improvement over the two HRRR versions for 0–3-h QPFs, especially at higher thresholds and smaller spatial scales. This improvement diminishes with forecast lead time. The experimental HRRR model, which became operational as HRRR version 2 in August 2016, also provides added skill over HRRR version 1.
Best in Class: The Returns on Application Endorsements in Higher Education
Authors: Castilla Emilio J. , Rissing Ben A.
Published: March 2018

While scholars have shown that well-connected applicants are advantaged in selection processes, less understood is whether such applicants produce important returns to the organization when key decision makers favor them. We begin to address this gap by investigating whether and why application endorsements―an informal practice whereby certain individuals (i.e., endorsers) advocate for particular applicants―affect organizational selection during the screening of applicants. Through the analysis of the population of 21,324 applicants to a full-time MBA program over a seven-year period, we find that even after controlling for individual qualifications and competencies, endorsed applicants are advantaged over non-endorsed applicants in admissions interview and offer decisions. In seeking to explain this advantage, we develop and test four key theoretical explanations pertaining to the potential returns on application endorsements for the organization. We find inconsistent evidence that endorsed applicants are “better qualified” compared with non-endorsed applicants during screening: while endorsed applicants are sometimes assessed to be stronger “on paper,” they generally receive lower competency assessments than non-endorsed applicants later, during the admissions interviews. Further, our analysis of data on matriculating MBA students reveals that those endorsed as applicants are not “better performers” academically (measured by grade point average) or in the job market after graduation (measured by full-time salaries or signing bonuses) compared with non-endorsed individuals. In contrast, individuals endorsed as applicants appear to be “better citizens” upon joining the organization—in our research setting, they are more likely to participate in student club leadership roles than non-endorsed individuals. We also find that they are “better alumni”―that is, they make larger monetary donations to the school after graduating than their non-endorsed counterparts. We conclude with implications for understanding the impact of application endorsements on labor and educational markets.
Monocyte to High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio Predicts Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Ulus Taner , Isgandarov Kamal , Yilmaz Ahmet Serdar , Uysal Samet , Vasi Ibrahim , Dural Muhammet , Mutlu Fezan
Published: March 2018

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with worse prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Early identification and intervention for patients with a high risk of CIN are very important to improve clinical outcomes. Inflammation plays important role in the development of CIN in the setting of ACS. The monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) is a novel inflammatory marker. Bleeding is also associated with worse prognosis in such patients. We aimed to investigate whether the preprocedural MHR had a predictive role for CIN development in such patients. In addition, using the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction classification, we aimed to assess whether there was any relationship between bleeding and CIN. A total of 647 patients (496 males; age: 63.3 ± 12.7 years) with ACS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included in the study. Seventy patients (10.8%) had developed CIN. Age, diabetes mellitus, contrast volume, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and MHR were independent predictors for CIN. Preprocedural MHR may be used as a simple marker of CIN. It may help with the early identification of patients with ACS who underwent PCI who are at high risk of CIN thus allowing the planning of protective measures.
Understanding and responding to family violence risks to children: Evidence-based risk assessment for children and the importance of gender
Authors: Fitz-Gibbon Kate , Maher JaneMaree , McCulloch Jude , Segrave Marie
Published: March 2018

This article responds to recent calls to better understand and respond to family violence risks to children. Drawing on the findings of a wider research project on family violence risk which engaged with over 1000 members of Victoria’s family violence system through a survey, focus groups and in-depth interviews, this article examines practitioners’ views on current practices and future needs for reform to improve family violence risk assessment practices for children. The findings have implications both nationally and internationally, given the dearth of evidence-based family violence risks assessment tools. Key findings reinforce the importance of interagency collaboration and a shared responsibility for children impacted by family violence across services and the importance of specialised training in this area. Caution, however, is raised about ongoing patterns of blame for mothers affected by family violence: we conclude that the need to address children’s risk in family violence is critical but ongoing attention to how gendered patterns structure family violence and social responses is also essential.
Restructuring a Pharmacy Department: Leadership Strategies for Managing Organizational Change
Authors: Magrum BrookeAnne , Weber Robert J.
Published: March 2018

Background: The Director’s Forum series is designed to guide pharmacy leaders in establishing patient-centered services in hospitals and health-systems. This article focuses on leadership strategies for managing organizational change within a pharmacy department. Objective: The goals of this article are to describe the foundations of pharmacy organizational structure changes and strategies to efficiently and effectively manage the associated change. Methods: This article will aim to (1) describe the organizational structure change process, (2) list known rules to follow when redesigning an organizational structure, (3) briefly describe the organizational change at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, and (4) describe leadership strategies to overcome potential challenges of organizational changes. Conclusion: The strategies discussed in this article and proposed sample template for organizational change process may be used by a pharmacy department in an effort to restructure their department.
Campaigning Against Bolshevism: Catholic Action in Late Weimar Germany
Authors: Große Kracht Klaus
Published: March 2018

Under the banner of ‘Catholic Action’, Pius XI called the laity during the interwar period to struggle for a worldwide ‘re-Christianization of society’. Whatever this meant in detail, a religious frontline against communism was an essential part of the papal programme. Catholic anti-communism was not just a reaction to anticlerical communist ideas, however; rather, it accompanied the development of communist and socialist parties in Europe from the very beginning. As I will show in this article through the example of the diocese of Berlin, this papal anti-communism fell on fertile soil in the Catholic milieu of the Weimar Republic, and especially so within Catholic Action. At the head of Catholic Action in Berlin was Erich Klausener, who would later become a prominent victim of the so-called Night of the Long Knives (30 June 1934), when Hitler had a number of his political opponents on both the right and left executed. As we shall see, though, the activists of Catholic Action saw their political enemy less in the ascendant Nazi Party and more in communist propaganda, which they tried to defeat with all the means at their disposal.
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007—A 10-Year Review
Authors: Roper Victoria
Published: March 2018

This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the commencement of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. The Act was significant in that it introduced a specific offence for corporate killing in the UK for the first time. Such reform was generally welcomed, yet many academics and practitioners were critical of what they perceived to be the Act’s unnecessary complexity and questioned how effective it would be. The Grenfell Tower fire has recently stimulated renewed debate about corporate manslaughter and the ability of the law to hold organisations and individuals to account. To engage meaningfully in this discourse, it is imperative to review the Act’s performance in practice over the last 10 years. The author offers an original contribution to knowledge in this area through (i) fresh analysis of whether the criticism 10 years ago has proved to be well founded; (ii) scrutiny of the extent to which the Act has been successful in meeting its stated aims; (iii) critique of the judicial precepts in this area; and (iv) new insights into the future of corporate manslaughter including how the Act could be more efficacious. The statutory corporate manslaughter offence affords a superior basis of liability to the unwieldy common law offence that preceded it; there have been more prosecutions, higher average fines and its reach encompasses more than just micro/small companies. Conversely, the Act is simultaneously a disappointing compromise; fewer prosecutions than predicted, unjustifiable inconsistency in sentencing, a continued lack of individual accountability and a prosecutory preoccupation with a limited range of defendant. The introduction of new sentencing guidelines and recent case law developments, including the first fine measured in the millions of pounds, signal progress and have gone some way to address these inadequacies. Despite this, it is questionable whether the Act can rise to the challenge of securing convictions in relation to Grenfell Tower and similar factually complex tragedies. In order to fully capture and prevent the wide range of deaths within the Act’s remit, it is clear that prosecutors need enhanced training and a willingness to embrace a holistic reconceptualisation of ‘offender’.
Revealed Traits: A Novel Method for Estimating Cross-Cultural Similarities and Differences in Personality
Authors: Costello Cory K. , Wood Dustin , Tov William
Published: March 2018

Cross-cultural research on personality has often led to surprising and countertheoretical findings, which have led to concerns over the validity of country-level estimates of personality (e.g., Heine, Buchtel, & Norenzayan, 2008). The present study explores how cross-cultural differences can be indexed via revealed trait estimates, which index the personality traits of individuals or groups indirectly through their likelihood of responding in particular ways to particular situations. In two studies, we measure self-reports of personality, revealed traits, and revealed preferences for different expected effects (e.g., experiencing excitement) of two cultural groups (U.S. and Singaporean participants). We found typical East–West differences in personality using self-report scales, such as lower levels of Conscientiousness- and Extraversion-related characteristics among Singaporean participants relative to U.S. participants. We found evidence of scale use extremity differences in self-report personality scales but not in revealed trait estimates. Using revealed traits, we found evidence of strikingly high levels of similarity in terms of overall action endorsement, revealed trait estimates, and revealed preferences. However, this was qualified by consistent differences in revealed trait estimates of Extraversion-related characteristics and less consistent differences in revealed trait estimates of Conscientiousness-related characteristics. We also found consistent differences in preferences for different expected effects; for example, Singaporean participants reported lower likelihood of performing actions expected to result in experiencing stimulation or excitement than U.S. participants. Results suggest that similarities in action endorsements and revealed traits may be driven by common preferences for social inclusion and benevolence, and differences may be driven by differing preferences for expending effort, experiencing stimulation, and social attention.
Pregabalin Misuse and Abuse: A Scoping Review of Extant Literature
Authors: Al-Husseini Amneh , Van Hout Marie Claire , Wazaify Mayyada
Published: March 2018

Prescribing of pregabalin is increasing worldwide with public health concerns centering on misuse and abuse of prescribed and diverted pregabalin. To describe and map what is known about misuse and abuse of pregabalin, a scoping review of available published literature was undertaken. A scoping review methodology was used to identify and map available literature on misuse and abuse of prescribed and diverted pregabalin. Four themes emerged on the misuse and abuse of pregabalin: (a) abuse potential, (b) prevalence of abuse, (c) risk and predisposition, and (d) consequences of abuse. Fifty-four records were reviewed and charted. Of note was the dearth of research on the topic prior to 2005, with increased interest in pregabalin abuse potential from 2010 onward. Available literature supports concern around abuse potential of pregabalin, especially among patients with a history of substance abuse. Prescribers should adopt more rational prescribing.
Antitrust law’s regulations on scale management in China’s new agricultural industrialization system
Authors: Nie Yingzhi
Published: March 2018

The key to the success of a new agricultural management system is to create new types of operators of agricultural management and to reform the traditional model of agricultural operation, taking a more efficient approach to the scale, industrialization, and organization. However, anticompetitive market risks have the potential to exist in large-scale agriculture due to the excessive concentration of agricultural resources. Chinese legislators should turn competition policies into laws, determine the scope of agricultural exemptions, and learn from US anticorporate farming laws. Utilizing these strategies, antitrust laws can help guide and protect the design and implementation of the industrial polices in the new agricultural management system, rationally regulate some anticompetitive behavior in the agricultural market, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the agriculture industry as well as cater to the interests of the farmers and the welfare of consumers.
New combined method for low energy consumption in Wireless Sensor Network applications
Authors: Chéour Rym , Jmal Mohamed Wassim , Abid Mohamed
Published: March 2018

Over the past few years the applications for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have grown at an ever-increasing rate. However, the evolution of those networks has been reduced by the energy scarcity. It retards the development of the WSN performances required while exploring new applications and improving the WSN potential. Besides, in order to design energy-efficient solutions, it is important to take into account the power dissipation due to noncompliance with time constraints. As a result, we will provide a model of power management that will be simulated and validated by the STORM Simulator (Simulation TOol for Real time Multiprocessor scheduling). However, unlike traditional WSN energy management systems, our power manager reduces the energy consumption through a dual approach: a global and dynamic approach using the analysis of the behavior of the network and a local one applied at the node level. We have relied on energy optimization techniques to yield extensive lifetime for every node battery and mainly both Dynamic Power Management and Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling, which are appropriate for the WSN. This model will be based on a global Earliest Deadline First scheduling policy. Besides, we aim to extend the STORM simulation tool to include those power management techniques.
A Successful Pharmacist-Based Quality Initiative to Reduce Inappropriate Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis Use in an Academic Medical Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Masood Umair , Sharma Anuj , Bhatti Zabeer , Carroll Jessica , Bhardwaj Amit , Sivalingam Devamohan , Dhamoon Amit S.
Published: March 2018

Stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is often inappropriately utilized, particularly in critically ill patients. The objective of this study is to find an effective way of reducing inappropriate SUP use in an academic medical intensive care unit (ICU). Medical ICU patients receiving SUP were identified over a 1-month period, and their charts were reviewed to determine whether American Society of Health-System Pharmacists guidelines were followed. Inappropriate usage was calculated as inappropriate patient-days and converted to incidence per 100 patient-days. Two interventions were implemented: (1) Pharmacists reviewed indications for SUP on each patient during daily team rounds and daily medication reconciliation and (2) residents rotating on ICU services were educated on a bimonthly basis. Postintervention data were obtained in a similar fashion. Prior to intervention, the incidence of inappropriate SUP usage was calculated to be 26.75 per 100 patient-days (n = 1099 total patient-days). Total cost attributable to the inappropriate use was $2433. Post intervention, we were able to decrease the inappropriate incidence of SUP usage to 7.14 per 100 patient-days (n = 1149 total patient-days). In addition, total cost of inappropriate use was reduced to $239.80. Our study highlights an effective multidisciplinary approach to reduce the inappropriate use of SUP in an academic medical ICU. We were able to reduce the incidence of inappropriate use of SUP by 73.31% ( P < .001). Furthermore, we were able to decrease the costs by approximately $2200/month.
Public Trust in Physicians—Health Care Commodification as a Possible Deteriorating Factor: Cross-sectional Analysis of 23 Countries
Authors: Huang Ellery Chih-Han , Pu Christy , Chou Yiing-Jenq , Huang Nicole
Published: March 2018

Trust in physicians has declined, and surveys of public opinion show a poor level of public trust in physicians. Commodification of health care has been speculated as a plausible driving force. We used cross-national data of 23 countries from the International Social Survey Programme 2011 to quantify health care commodification and study its role in the trust that patients generally place in physicians. A modified health care index was used to quantify health care commodification. There were 34 968 respondents. A question about the level of general trust in physicians and a 4-item “general trust in physicians” scale were used as our major and minor outcomes. The results were that compared with those in the reference countries, the respondents in the health care–commodified countries were approximately half as likely to trust physicians (odds ratio: 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31-0.72) and scored 1.13 (95% CI: 1.89-0.37) less on the general trust scale. However, trust in physicians in the health care–decommodified countries did not differ from that in the reference countries. In conclusion, health care commodification may play a meaningful role in the deterioration of public trust in physicians.
Preservation of Community College Logic: Organizational Responses to State Policies and Funding Practices in Three States
Authors: Levin John S. , Martin Marie C. , López Damián Ariadna Isabel , Hoggatt Michael J.
Published: March 2018

Objective: With both policy pressures from state governments, including states’ funding behaviors, and the logic of the institution deeply ingrained over decades, community colleges face considerable challenge in reconciling conflicting values and requirements. Yet, as organizations they adapt to survive, and outcomes of adaptation may lead to an alteration of mission and identity. The purpose of this field methods research investigation is to explore and explain three states’ policies (California, Washington, and Hawai’i) and the variance in three community colleges’ organizational responses to these policies in the period of 2000-2014. Method: Data include observations, policy documents, organizational documents, and interviews of administrators and faculty at three community colleges. Results: Findings indicate that the policies and practices of these three states pushed economic, political, and social agendas onto their respective community colleges and imposed liberal market ideals and businesslike behaviors on these institutions. Individual colleges responded to external pressures from the state both by compliance with state requirements and through actions to adjust to state funding reductions. However, in so doing, community colleges endeavored to adhere to the institutional logic of the community college, which in some cases resulted in a blending of logics, the logic of the community college and the logic of neoliberalism. Contributions: This investigation holds implications for community college scholarship and for policy makers: Individual state characteristics need to be taken into consideration in research on community colleges and for the design of education policies.
Police Officers’ Perceptions of Statement Inconsistency
Authors: Deeb Haneen , Vrij Aldert , Hope Lorraine , Mann Samantha , Granhag Pär Anders , Strömwall Leif A.
Published: March 2018

We examined police officers’ ( N = 71) perceptions of statement inconsistency types (within-statement, between-statement, statement-evidence, and within-group inconsistencies). Approximately half of the officers reported looking for statement inconsistency to detect deception. Officers generally associated contradictions and omissions with deception, and repetitions and reminiscences with truthfulness, but they were most likely to use contradictions. Officers reported using statement-evidence inconsistency more than any other inconsistency type, and they believed it was the easiest type to assess. Younger officers tended to believe that liars attempt to eliminate within-statement inconsistency unless they are strategically presented with incriminating evidence. Moreover, the majority of officers indicated that they have used drawings to assess inconsistencies with suspects’ verbal statements. Finally, suspects’ criminal history, intelligence, and personality were believed to influence statement (in)consistency. These findings are discussed in light of the literature on statement inconsistency, and recommendations regarding the applied use of statement inconsistency types are offered.
Soldiers Without an Army? Patronage Networks and Cohesion in the Armed Forces of the DR Congo
Authors: Verweijen Judith
Published: March 2018

This article analyzes the effects of patronage networks on cohesion in the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It shows that while patronage networks provide support to individual military personnel, they undermine both peer and commander–subordinate bonding. They promote unequal service conditions and statuses and link these to extra-unit and extra-military forms of social identification, which are further reinforced by soldiers’ living and generating revenue among civilians. Furthermore, they impair meritocracy and frustrate the extent to which commanders live up to their subordinates’ expectations. As they fuel internal conflicts, often around revenue generation, and foster bad service conditions and distrust toward the political and military leadership, patronage networks also undermine institutional cohesion. The article concludes that cohesion formation in the FARDC follows different patterns than in well-institutionalized and well-resourced militaries. Given that cohesion impacts combat performance and norm enforcement, these findings are relevant for defense reform efforts and military cooperation.
Community Prejudice Is Also to Blame: Significant Causes and Effects of Residential Segregation in St. Louis
Authors: Rigel Hines Tesa
Published: March 2018

Recent discourse has emphasized the legal causes of racial segregation in the development of cities such as St. Louis, Missouri. Before and alongside these laws were a long history of community prejudicial beliefs, many of which have outlived the laws they produced. Prejudice propelled de facto community decisions made during the development of St. Louis, and later solidified into de jure practices of racial segregation, which ultimately shaped the metropolitan area. De facto and de jure processes of segregation and urban planning also shaped the experiences of black families in St. Louis, especially those living in ethnic enclaves or ghettos. This history of St. Louis provides evidence of the profound racial prejudice within its community, existing parallel to, and beyond laws enforcing racial segregation. This intense community prejudice ultimately formed the context of the race riots in the St. Louis surrounding municipality of Ferguson in 2014.
‘Imagined communities’
Authors: Schülting Sabine
Published: March 2018

Focusing on two productions of this past decade of The Merchant of Venice in Germany, the article challenges the predominant national focus of ‘European Shakespeares’. It suggests that contemporary Shakespeare productions can indeed comment on Europe’s intricate relations – political, economic and cultural – with other parts of the world, and on the tension between English as a lingua franca and the cultural and linguistic diversity of Europe. It suggests to complicate, with Shakespeare, the notion of ‘European identity’, in a time of mass migration, multi-ethnic societies and the globalization of economy, media and the arts.
Lands, realms, women and texts
Authors: Hattaway Michael
Published: March 2018

Words spread into diverse spaces. Such a word is ‘occupy’ along with its derivatives. It designates both possession and ownership, concepts explored in Shakespeare’s King John. Non-portable property is problematic: Can one ‘own’ enclosed commons, colonies designated as ‘plantations’, countries ( The Tempest)? Certain comedies are set in occupied lands ( Love’s Labour’s Lost, Much Ado About Nothing). Could a Renaissance prince be emperor in his own realm at the time of imperial papacy? The word became so ‘ill sorted’ ( 2 Henry IV), after it came to designate sexual possession or rape, that it almost vanished for 150 years.
The right to be right
Authors: Tarca Luigi Vero
Published: March 2018

Worldwide wisdom teaches, and philosophy demonstrates, that universally valid is only the perspective able to recognize everybody’s right to be treated in a just manner. From this point of view we have to recognize that all propositions are in some sense true, and hence that even those who are wrong are, from a particular point of view, right. Therefore, we have the duty to understand in which sense even populist stances are, at least in some sense, true. For instance, they can help us to keep in mind the limits of democracy and, in this way, to escape the dangerous “democratic superstition.”
A 3-month Safety Assessment of Human Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Administered Once by the Intramuscular Route to Immunodeficient Mice
Authors: Creane Michael , McElroy Mary , Duffy Aoife , Dawood Chaansha Shaik , O’Brien Timothy
Published: March 2018

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) represents the severest manifestation of peripheral arterial disease and is a major unmet medical need. This disease occurs when the arterial blood supply within the limb fails to meet the metabolic demands of the resting muscle or tissue, resulting in chronic ischemic rest pain and/or tissue necrosis. Human mesenchymal stromal cells, termed hMSCs, represent an exciting therapeutic modality for the treatment of this disease due to their immunomodulatory and tissue reparative functions. The aim of the study was to assess the preclinical toxicity profile of human bone marrow–derived MSCs in support of their use as a treatment for CLI. A 3-month toxicity study was carried out under good laboratory practices in immunodeficient mice who received, intramuscularly, a single dose of 3 × 105 (approximately 15 × 106 cells/kg) hMSCs manufactured under good manufacturing practices. No significant changes in body weight, food consumption, clinical signs, or histopathological changes were observed in the hMSC-treated mice in comparison to the controls. These results highlight that the administration of hMSCs during the 3-month study period was well tolerated and not associated with any test item–related tumors. This data set supported the initiation of a phase 1b first in human study in “no option” for revascularization patients with CLI.
Epithelium Lining Rat Renal Papilla: Nomenclature and Association with Chronic Progressive Nephropathy (CPN)
Authors: Souza Nathália P. , Hard Gordon C. , Arnold Lora L. , Foster Kirk W. , Pennington Karen L. , Cohen Samuel M.
Published: March 2018

Chronic progressive nephropathy (CPN) occurs commonly in rats, more frequently and severely in males than females. High-grade CPN is characterized by increased layers of the renal papilla lining, designated as urothelial hyperplasia in the International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria classification. However, urothelium lining the pelvis is not equivalent to the epithelium lining the papilla. To evaluate whether the epithelium lining the renal papilla is actually urothelial in nature and whether CPN-associated multicellularity represents proliferation, kidney tissues from aged rats with CPN, from rats with multicellularity of the renal papilla epithelium of either low-grade or marked severity, and from young rats with normal kidneys were analyzed and compared. Immunohistochemical staining for uroplakins (urothelial specific proteins) was negative in the papilla epithelium in all rats with multicellularity or not, indicating these cells are not urothelial. Mitotic figures were rarely observed in this epithelium, even with multicellularity. Immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 was negative. Papilla lining cells and true urothelium differed by scanning electron microscopy. Based on these findings, we recommend that the epithelium lining the papilla not be classified as urothelial, and the CPN-associated lesion be designated as vesicular alteration of renal papilla instead of hyperplasia and distinguished in diagnostic systems from kidney pelvis urothelial hyperplasia.
State of the Science: Using Telomeres as Biomarkers During the First 1,000 Days of Life
Authors: Oerther Sarah , Lorenz Rebecca
Published: March 2018

Telomere biology shows promise as an integrative biomarker of exposures and increased occurrence of chronic disease and early mortality. This integrative review examined the state of the science regarding toxicokinetic risks and maternal factors in humans and in vivo models that are correlated with telomere length during the first 1,000 days of life. The Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework assisted in guiding this integrative by aiding researchers in identifying, selecting, and critically appraising the literature. Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases were searched. The initial search yielded a total of 381 published articles. Full-text screening resulted in 19 articles retained for review (14 quasi-experimental studies and five experimental studies). Findings suggest a relationship between toxicokinetic exposures creating inflammation or oxidative stress (i.e., smoking) and maternal health conditions such as sleep apnea to shorter telomere length in children below 2 years old.
Implications of Environmental Differences on Strategies of Multinationals' Manufacturing Subsidiaries*
Authors: Vachani Sushil
Published: March 2018

In this article, Sushil Vachani develops four propositions about how multinationals' operations are affected by differences in the environments of lessdeveloped countries(LDCs), middle-income countries(MICs), and developed countries(DCs).

First, LDCs will be less inclined to host multinationals that have advertisingbased assets than those which have R & D based assets. Second, the proportion of multinationals' subsidiaries formed through acquisition will be smaller in LDCs than in DCs and MICs. Third, within LDCs (and MICs and DCs), the size of the country's industrial base is a contributing factor in the formation of multinational subsidiaries by acquisition. Fourth, the size of the local market has an important bearing on the proportion of export-oriented subsidiaries in a country.

Vachani examines each of these propositions using a database of overseas subsidiaries of Fortune 500 multinationals. Drawing implications for managers of multinationals, the author emphasizes the importance of taking into account the differences in the political and econpmic environment of LDCs, MICs, and DCs when formulating business strategy.
Inequality and Competition in State Redistributive Systems: Evidence From Welfare and Health
Authors: Choi NakHyeok , Neshkova Milena I.
Published: March 2018

When determining their redistributive budgets, states must strike a subtle balance—to provide for their needy residents without becoming a “welfare magnet” and attracting poor individuals from neighboring states. We examine the competing incentives that state politicians face in federal systems and their effects on program accessibility and redistributive spending across U.S. states between 2005 and 2011. Comparing two redistributive programs under state control—Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)—we find strong evidence of interstate competition in the case of cash assistance programs, but less evidence in the case of health care. Yet our data show that states do not alter their policies in response to rising inequality, that is, when the median voter becomes poorer than the average voter. Moreover, the Great Recession had a greater impact on TANF than Medicaid. We attribute these differential effects to different funding mechanisms used by the federal government to finance the two state-administered programs.
Responsive Aggression Regulation Therapy (Re-ART): An Evaluation Study in a Dutch Juvenile Justice Institution in Terms of Recidivism
Authors: Hoogsteder Larissa M. , Stams Geert-Jan J. M. , Schippers Eveline E. , Bonnes Daphne
Published: March 2018

This article describes a quasi-experimental study of the effectiveness of Responsive Aggression Regulation Therapy (Re-ART) in terms of recidivism for 16- to 21-year-old juveniles with aggression problems and high risk of recidivism. In a Dutch juvenile justice institution, an experimental group received Re-ART ( n = 63, Re-ART group) and a waitlist control group received Treatment as Usual ( n = 28, TAU group). Results indicated that Re-ART is significantly more effective than TAU in reducing the juveniles’ recidivism risk for violent offending. Compared with the TAU group, the Re-ART group showed significantly less violent crimes after 2 and 3 years, less property crimes after 2 years, and less general recidivism after 2 and 3 years. There was no significant difference between groups in recidivism of property crimes with violence. Ethnicity, mild intellectual disabilities, substance abuse, and age did not moderate the effects on recidivism outcome, which indicates that Re-ART was equally effective for various groups.
A new estimate of the yarn-on-yarn friction coefficient
Authors: Hobbs Roger E , Ridge Isabel M L
Published: March 2018

The value of the yarn-on-yarn friction coefficient is an important parameter in analyses of the behaviour of fibre ropes and textiles. The standard method for calculating this friction coefficient for rope yarns relies on an analysis of the measured forces in a simple plait as a yarn is pulled over itself through the plait. Unfortunately, this analysis includes some ambiguities that have made their way into an ASTM standard and some worrying approximations. These issues are addressed here and then an improved analysis developed. Sample calculations indicate that differences of up to 40% in the calculated friction coefficient can be expected, with significant effects on any subsequent rope analysis.
A multicenter, prospective, single arm, open label, observational study of sTMS for migraine prevention (ESPOUSE Study)
Authors: Starling Amaal J , Tepper Stewart J , Marmura Michael J , Shamim Ejaz A , Robbins Matthew S , Hindiyeh Nada , Charles Andrew C , Goadsby Peter J , Lipton Richard B , Silberstein Stephen D , Gelfand Amy A , Chiacchierini Richard P , Dodick David W
Published: March 2018

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) for the preventive treatment of migraine.

Background

sTMS was originally developed for the acute treatment of migraine with aura. Open label experience has suggested a preventive benefit. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of sTMS for migraine prevention.

Methods

The eNeura SpringTMS Post-Market Observational U.S. Study of Migraine (ESPOUSE) Study was a multicenter, prospective, open label, observational study. From December 2014 to March 2016, patients with migraine (n = 263) were consented to complete a 1-month baseline headache diary followed by 3 months of treatment. The treatment protocol consisted of preventive (four pulses twice daily) and acute (three pulses repeated up to three times for each attack) treatment. Patients reported daily headache status, medication use, and device use with a monthly headache diary. The primary endpoint, mean reduction of headache days compared to baseline, was measured over the 28-day period during weeks 9 to 12. The primary endpoint was compared to a statistically-derived placebo estimate (performance goal). Secondary endpoints included: 50% responder rate, acute headache medication consumption, HIT-6, and mean reduction in total headache days from baseline of any intensity.

Results

Of a total of 263 consented subjects, 229 completed a baseline diary, and 220 were found to be eligible based on the number of headache days. The device was assigned to 217 subjects (Safety Data Set) and 132 were included in the intention to treat Full Analysis Set. For the primary endpoint, there was a −2.75 ± 0.40 mean reduction of headache days from baseline (9.06 days) compared to the performance goal (−0.63 days) ( p < 0.0001). The 50% responder rate of 46% (95% CI 37%, 56%) was also significantly higher ( p < 0.0001) than the performance goal (20%). There was a reduction of −2.93 (5.24) days of acute medication use, headache impact measured by HIT-6, −3.1 (6.4) ( p < 0.0001), and total headache days of any intensity −3.16 days (5.21) compared to the performance goal (−0.63 days) ( p < 0.0001). The most common adverse events were lightheadedness (3.7%), tingling (3.2%), and tinnitus (3.2%). There were no serious adverse events.

Conclusions

This open label study suggests that sTMS may be an effective, well-tolerated treatment option for migraine prevention.

Trial registration number

NCT02357381
The Influence of Ruptured Scar Pattern on the Healing Potential of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Remnant Cells
Authors: Kirizuki Shinsuke , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Ueha Takeshi , Uefuji Atsuo , Inokuchi Takao , Takayama Koji , Hashimoto Shingo , Hayashi Shinya , Matsushita Takehiko , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: March 2018

Background:

Vascular CD34+ cells in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tissues have a potential for high proliferation and multilineage differentiation, which can accelerate tendon-bone healing after ACL reconstruction. To predict outcomes of ACL reconstruction with remnant preservation or ruptured tissue incorporation, patient characteristics should be considered. However, the influence of ACL remnant morphologic pattern on healing potential remains unknown.

Hypothesis:

The healing potential of ACL remnants could differ among their morphologic patterns.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

ACL remnant tissues were harvested from patients aged <35 years who received primary ACL reconstruction within 3 months after injury. The tissues were evaluated according to the Crain classification (4 patterns). The patterns were divided into 2 groups: the reattachment group (Crain I-III) and the nonreattachment group (Crain IV). ACL remnant cells were characterized via fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The potential for proliferation and multilineage differentiation was assessed and compared between the groups.

Results:

The ratio of CD34+ cells was significantly higher in the nonreattachment group than in the reattachment group. In early passages, the nonreattachment group had a significantly higher expansion potential than the reattachment group. In the evaluation of osteogenic and endothelial differentiation potential, the nonreattachment group showed a higher potential in immunohistochemical/histochemical staining and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis as compared with the reattachment group.

Conclusion:

In the subacute phase, ACL remnant tissue of the nonreattachment group possibly has a higher healing potential than that of the reattachment group.

Clinical Relevance:

If healing potential differs among the morphologic patterns of ACL remnants, surgeons may expect the healing potential when preserving remnants.
Characterization of stone wool properties for fire safety engineering calculations
Authors: Livkiss Karlis , Andres Blanca , Bhargava Abhishek , van Hees Patrick
Published: March 2018

Prediction of the insulating capability of building products in fire conditions would support the product development process. Stone wool insulation is a widely used material in fire barrier constructions. Due to the combustion of its organic content, the temperature inside stone wool can rise above the temperature of the exposed boundary. This temperature rise is difficult to predict. An extensive test program was performed to obtain the thermal and reaction kinetic properties of stone wool. The test methods included modified slug calorimeter, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, micro-scale combustion calorimetry and bomb calorimetry. The thermal conductivity in elevated temperatures was similar for all the investigated products. Two positive mass loss rate and heat release rate peaks were observed in temperatures between 20°C and 700°C. Reaction kinetic parameters were obtained and used in a finite difference model predicting the temperature increase in stone wool upon linear heating.