bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Supported Employment linkage intervention for people with schizophrenia who want to work: a survey of patients’ views
Authors: Solar Ann
Published: February 2015

Objective:

Take into account patient views in developing a linkage intervention to the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support approach to Supported Employment (SE) for patients with schizophrenia on a mental health unit (MHU) who want to work in competitive employment.

Methods:

Analysis of 20 once-off, face-to-face interviews, with informed consent, between author and voluntary MHU inpatients with schizophrenia about getting into SE from the MHU.

Results:

From the major category ‘patient ideas about SE linkage intervention from MHU’ the three themes of ‘patient choice’, ‘type of support’ and ‘start from the MHU’ emerged. The other major category, ‘patient attitude to the author’s proposed SE linkage intervention’, revealed the theme of ‘positive attitude’.

Conclusions:

There may be enough interest from patients with schizophrenia on a MHU who want to work, to test a pilot of the author’s proposed voluntary SE linkage intervention.
Women’s Construction of Embodiment and the Abject Sexual Body After Cancer
Authors: Parton Chloe M. , Ussher Jane M. , Perz Janette
Published: February 2015

Cancer and cancer treatments can cause significant changes to women’s sexual well-being. We explored how women construct a sense of their bodies and sexual “selves” in the context of cancer. Sixteen women, across a range of ages (20–71 years), cancer types, and cancer stages, took part in in-depth semistructured interviews. We conducted a thematic discourse analysis, drawing on feminist poststructuralist theory, identifying “the abject body” as a dominant theme. Participants constructed abject bodies as being “beyond abnormality,” “outside idealized discourses of embodied femininity,” and “out of control.” The women’s accounts varied in management and resistance of the abject body discourse, through bodily practices of concealment, resisting discourses of feminine beauty, and repositioning the body as a site of personal transformation. The corporeality of the cancerous body can be seen to disrupt hegemonic discourses of femininity and sexuality, with implications for how women practice and make meaning of embodied sexual subjectivity.
Perceived barriers and facilitators to participation in physical activity during the school lunch break for girls aged 12–13 years
Authors: Watson Amanda , Eliott Jaklin , Mehta Kaye
Published: February 2015

Given the short- and long-term health implications associated with overweight and obesity plus the likelihood of overweight or obesity to continue into adulthood, addressing the causes of overweight and obesity in childhood is a significant public health concern. One underlying cause of overweight and obesity is insufficient physical activity. The Department of Health and Aging recommends children engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day; however, these recommendations are met less frequently with increasing age, and girls less often meet these recommendations than boys. School lunch times have been identified as an ideal time for maximizing children’s physical activity (PA), but studies have shown variable levels of PA among children during this time and research indicates that during school lunch times, girls are consistently less active than boys. Understanding influences on girls’ participation in PA during this time may help to increase levels of PA for this demographic. Two South Australian schools, one government and one independent, were included in the sample. Four focus groups (three or four participants per group: total 13 participants) focusing on girls’ perceptions of PA during the lunch break were conducted. Transcripts and field notes were analyzed using a social constructionist framework and thematic content analysis. The expectation to participate in activities considered “gender appropriate”, maturation, and bullying/teasing were identified as explicit barriers to participation in lunch time play. Other important barriers included a “girls’” school uniform and feelings of inadequate competency. The ability to renegotiate gender stereotypes, a unisex school uniform, and perceived high competency were important facilitators of lunch time PA. Low levels of lunch time PA evident in many young adolescent girls may be due to many complex social factors. Therefore, these barriers may need to be addressed before any environmental interventions are likely to be effective.
Calming the mind: Healing after mass atrocity in Cambodia
Authors: Agger Inger
Published: February 2015

After catastrophic events in which people’s survival has been threatened, as happened during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia 1975–1979, some continue to suffer from painful mental symptoms. Surveys carried out in Cambodia based on Western diagnostic categories have found a high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms in the population. This study explored Cambodian approaches to healing trauma, examining the ways in which Cambodians appeal to elements of Buddhism in their efforts to calm their minds, situating this mode of coping in the context of broader Khmer Buddhist practice and understandings. Western psychology may have much to learn from local, contextualised methods of dealing with the aftermath of trauma, including Khmer understandings of distress and approaches to relief. Methods of assessment and treatment of distress cannot be transposed wholesale from one cultural setting to another but require considerable cultural adaptation. This kind of cultural interchange may give rise to innovative, hybrid discourses and methods that may have much to offer in the support of victims of organised violence.
The impact of code-switching, language context, and language dominance on suprasegmental phonetics: Evidence for the role of predictability
Authors: Olson Daniel J
Published: February 2015

Purpose:

The present study investigates the suprasegmental reflexes of code-switching, considering both language context (i.e., language mode) and language dominance.

Design:

To this end, an experimental oral production paradigm was administered to 14 Spanish-English bilinguals, comparing code-switched to non-switched productions and varying both context (monolingual or bilingual) and response language (dominant or non-dominant).

Data and Analysis:

Productions were analyzed for two suprasegmental features: pitch height and stressed vowel duration.

Conclusions:

Results indicate a significant effect of code-switching on suprasegmental production, with code-switched tokens produced with overall greater pitch movement and duration relative to non-switched tokens. These effects, however, were modulated by both language context and language dominance.

Originality:

Given the relation of prosody to cognitive factors, this novel approach to the suprasegmental features of code-switching, specifically considering language dominance and context, provides a unique opportunity to further the understanding of the underlying language switching process.

Significance:

These findings are addressed within a theoretical framework of predictability and hyper-articulation, and it is suggested that the suprasegmental realizations of code-switched tokens correspond to a degree of contextually driven predictability.
Social workers' attitudes to privatization in five countries
Authors: Kallio Johanna , Meeuwisse Anna , Scaramuzzino Roberto
Published: February 2015

European welfare states have been subject to significant restructuring including a general trend towards downsizing the role of the state, and to a greater extent engaging other actors in social policy and social services. While comparative welfare research often overlooks the distinction between for-profit and non-profit actors, third sector research emphasizes the different logics underlying these two types of non-state actors. The purpose of this article was to analyse Nordic and Italian social workers' attitudes towards a greater involvement of for-profit and non-profit actors in social work. The empirical base for the study is nation-wide surveys among social workers in four Nordic countries and in Italy answered by a total of 8,272 social workers.

Findings

In general, social workers perceived privatization in terms of for-profit organizations more critically than privatization through voluntary sector actors. Their attitudes towards privatization were only partly connected to which welfare model they worked within. Age and working sector of the respondents were other factors of significance. An important finding was that there are different explanatory factors behind positive attitudes towards for-profit and non-profit privatization, which indicate that social workers do not interpret the role of for-profit and non-profit organizations in the same way.

Application

The article shows that reforms involving subsidiarization, privatization and marketization of social welfare services should take account of the different logics underlying for-profit and non-profit actors and the different levels of trust that these actors enjoy among practitioners.
Liver Enzymes and Lipid Levels in Patients With Lipodermatosclerosis and Venous Ulcers Treated With a Prototypic Anabolic Steroid (Stanozolol)
Authors: Carson Polly , Hong Christine J. , Otero-Vinas Marta , Arsenault Emily Frances , Falanga Vincent
Published: February 2015

Anabolic steroids have been used to treat lower extremity ulcerations, including venous and cryofibrinogenemic ulcers and lipodermatosclerosis (LDS). Yet there have been no studies to determine the severity and reversibility of side effects of anabolic steroids on liver enzymes and lipid profiles in elderly patients. We therefore evaluated, in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, the extent and reversibility of abnormal liver enzymes and lipid profiles in patients with LDS and venous leg ulcers treated with stanozolol at 2 mg twice daily for up to 6 months. Follow-up laboratory testing was done for 2 months after cessation of treatment. A total of 44 patients with LDS and venous ulcers were enrolled and treated with either leg compression alone (placebo) or leg compression plus oral stanozolol 2 mg twice daily (active). Baseline and follow-up laboratory testing of liver enzymes and lipid profiles were obtained. A total of 21 active and 23 placebo patients were treated and evaluated. We measured liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST/SGOT], alanine aminotransferase [ALT/SGPT], γ-glutamyl transferase [GGT]) and lipid profile components (high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], total cholesterol) before, during, and after the treatment period. We found that AST/SGOT and ALT/SGPT became significantly elevated in 29% ( P = .0415 at 2 months) and 33% ( P = .0182 at 1 month) of patients treated with stanozolol or placebo, respectively, with return to baseline in the posttreatment period. Unexpectedly, 91% of patients on stanozolol developed a significant ( P < .0001) decrease in HDL levels, by as much as 37 U/L. All patients remained asymptomatic and levels returned to baseline after discontinuation of the drug. We conclude that low-dose stanozolol, 2 mg twice daily, produces asymptomatic and temporary elevation of liver transaminases and depression of the HDL level in a significant proportion of patients.
Automated Spectroscopic Tissue Classification in Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Schols Rutger M. , Alic Lejla , Beets Geerard L. , Breukink Stéphanie O. , Wieringa Fokko P. , Stassen Laurents P. S.
Published: February 2015

Background. In colorectal surgery, detecting ureters and mesenteric arteries is of utmost importance to prevent iatrogenic injury and to facilitate intraoperative decision making. A tool enabling ureter- and artery-specific image enhancement within (and possibly through) surrounding adipose tissue would facilitate this need, especially during laparoscopy. To evaluate the potential of hyperspectral imaging in colorectal surgery, we explored spectral tissue signatures using single-spot diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). As hyperspectral cameras with silicon (Si) and indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) sensor chips are becoming available, we investigated spectral distinctive features for both sensor ranges. Methods. In vivo wide-band (wavelength range 350-1830 nm) DRS was performed during open colorectal surgery. From the recorded spectra, 36 features were extracted at predefined wavelengths: 18 gradients and 18 amplitude differences. For classification of respectively ureter and artery in relation to surrounding adipose tissue, the best distinctive feature was selected using binary logistic regression for Si- and InGaAs-sensor spectral ranges separately. Classification performance was evaluated by leave-one-out cross-validation. Results. In 10 consecutive patients, 253 spectra were recorded on 53 tissue sites (including colon, adipose tissue, muscle, artery, vein, ureter). Classification of ureter versus adipose tissue revealed accuracy of 100% for both Si range and InGaAs range. Classification of artery versus surrounding adipose tissue revealed accuracies of 95% (Si) and 89% (InGaAs). Conclusions. Intraoperative DRS showed that Si and InGaAs sensors are equally suited for automated classification of ureter versus surrounding adipose tissue. Si sensors seem better suited for classifying artery versus mesenteric adipose tissue. Progress toward hyperspectral imaging within this field is promising.
What future for the French retail generic market? Can generic companies survive?
Authors: Peny Jean-Michel
Published: February 2015

The worldwide generic market doubled, in volume, over the past 10 years. It appears, at first sight, very attractive. However, generic companies’ profitability is on average lower than that of R&D-based companies and their future risk of deterioration higher due to stronger commoditisation. The attractiveness of generic markets being significantly different from one country to the other, thus, the author proposes an approach, that he has applied to the French market, to assess country-specific business opportunities and threats. The analysis of different stakeholders shows that the French generic market development has been driven by a series of governmental measures to encourage physicians to prescribe, pharmacists to substitute and deliver, and patients to accept generic products. Physicians, who did not play a major role so far, could be asked to prescribe significantly more generic products, or at least more genericized brands, so that pharmacists can substitute them. Retail pharmacists, who substitute more than 70% of genericized brands, have been instrumental in the development of generic products and will be asked to further increase their substitution rate. Patients, of whom almost two-third accepts generic products, are not expected to change their attitude over the short term. Generic companies, operating in France are in danger due to anticipated price cuts of the government in one hand, and the refusal of retail pharmacists to accept any decrease of their discounts, in the other hand. In such an increasingly unattractive environment, survivors will be the biggest generic companies which will manage to secure the lowest production costs and the highest Generic Preference Mix index.
The art of satirical deterritorialization: Shifting cartoons from real space to cyberspace in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Eko Lyombe
Published: February 2015

African cartoonists do not have the right to ridicule and offend political leaders. As a result, cartoons that deterritorialize African leaders by taking them out of their traditional zones of power and comfort, and place them in absurd, imaginary cartoon ‘realities’ for purposes of criticism, are often met with censorious judicial and extra-judicial measures. These efforts are aimed at reterritorializing and rehabilitating the ‘tarnished’ images of the powerful and enable them to control their media images. In response to these pressures, many Sub-Saharan African cartoonists engage in symbolic ‘space shifting’. This is the phenomenon whereby critical commentary and political cartoons are deterritorialized or transferred from real space to cyberspace, the Internet and social media sites, for purposes of escaping censorship. This study focuses on a select group of cartoons and cartoonists who transferred their work from real space to cyberspace in a bid to escape censorship and political pressure.
Classic cases revisited: Mrs Janet Tracey, resuscitation and the importance of good communication
Authors: Szawarski Piotr
Published: February 2015

The prevalence of inappropriate care, defined as actions contrary to personal and professional beliefs, is high. This is a reflection of the reluctance of the society at large to acknowledge the biological certainty that is death. The case of Mrs Janet Tracey illustrates importance of good communication at the end of life, and the difficulties associated with making of DNACPR decisions. The case brings together two bioethical perspectives on the relationship between the patient and the physician namely the rights based approach, as emphasised by the Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the bioethical principles approach ephasising autonomy. In doing so it creates a medico-legal landmark for all those involved in management of the end of life.
Published cases of adverse drug reactions: has the quality of reporting improved over time?
Authors: Kane-Gill Sandra L. , Smithburger Pamela L. , Williams Evan A. , Felton Maria A. , Wang Nan , Seybert Amy L.
Published: February 2015

Purpose:

A previous study of cases published approximately 10–30 years ago reveals that substantial improvement in the quality of adverse drug reaction (ADR) case reports is needed. Since that evaluation, recommendations are available concerning the content and formatting of case reports.

Objective:

To compare the quality of recently published ADR case reports to a previously published study of the quality of ADR case reports from 10–30 years ago. A secondary objective is to determine the quality of reporting by specialty journal.

Methods:

This was a two-phase study. Phase 1 included an assessment of the 23 patient, drug and ADR variables evaluated in the previous study to allow comparison with recently published case reports in specialty journals. Phase 2 mimicked the methods of Phase 1 with a random selection of available case reports in a 1-year period from a variety of journals.

Results:

For Phase 1, 19 of the 23 variables had significant differences in reporting compared with the previous study. Reporting of active diseases, social history, weight, race, other drugs and dose had frequencies ranging from 25 to 80%, which was an improvement, but affording an opportunity for greater improvement. For Phase 2, 21 of the 23 variables had significant differences compared with the previous evaluation; however illicit drug use, mechanism for ADR and route of administration had significant reductions in reporting.

Conclusion:

Progress has been made in ADR case reporting quality for a variety of journals, but more improvement is required to ensure data are understandable and relatable to patient care.
Tales of reconstruction. Intertwining Germanic neo-Paganism and Old Norse scholarship
Authors: von Schnurbein Stefanie
Published: February 2015

Historians of religion and adherents of new religious movements in the twentieth century have frequently had intersecting agendas. This article discusses the interactions between scholarship on Germanic myth and culture and the protagonists and belief systems of Germanic neo-Pagan movements (Asatru). It covers the era from the inception of Germanic neo-Paganism in the nationalist, anti-Semitic völkisch movement in Germany in the early 20th century until today. The article traces the appeal of reconstructionist approaches within the study of Germanic myth and culture, and the desire to access a primordial pre-Christian culture back to European National Romanticism. It uncovers the latent anti-Jewish sentiments that often pervade parts of both Germanic neo-Paganism and Germanic and Indo-European studies. At the same time, it accounts for the significant changes in these ideologically tainted patterns of thought within the last two decades, highlighting Germanic neo-Paganism’s development toward respectability and mainstream thought with the help of references to recent scholarship.
Angiojet thrombolysis and vena cava filter insertion in a case of a duplicated inferior vena cava
Authors: Blackwood Stuart , Hsu Richard
Published: February 2015

Objectives:

Duplication of the inferior vena cava (IVC) complicates interventional procedures. This case report aims to shed light on this unusual anomaly and the preoperative considerations necessary when treatment of venous thromboembolism is undertaken.

Methods:

An IRB approved case report of a 58 year old woman presented emergently with right lower extremity phlegmasia due to extensive thrombosis of her right iliofemoral and infrarenal portion of her duplicated IVC.

Results:

The patient underwent IVC filter placement and rheolytic thrombectomy with thrombolysis using the Angiojet device followed by venoplasty and stenting of the iliofemoral system and right IVC. Complete symptomatic and radiographic resolution on duplex imaging was achieved at 1 year follow up.

Conclusions:

With adequate preoperative awareness of IVC anomalies and treatment options available satisfactory results can be achieved and complications minimized for this unique patient population.
Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist–Managed Medication Refill Clinic
Authors: Nguyen Michelle , Zare Mohammad
Published: February 2015

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a clinical pharmacist managed medication refill clinic on physician workload. Methods: A retrospective case study was conducted for patients receiving refill authorizations or denials from the clinical pharmacist from 2008 to 2010. Data related to refill request volume and interventions undertaken were collected. Results: A total of 5706 refill requests were processed by the clinical pharmacist during the study period. The collaboration decreased physician refill request volume up to 60%. Of the total amount of refill requests processed, 42% required the pharmacist to make an intervention. The most common interventions were reminders for follow-up. Conclusion: The collaboration between a clinical pharmacist and family physicians to develop a clinical pharmacist managed medication refill clinic decreased physician workload and improved patient care.
Strategies for Aging in Place
Authors: Dupuis-Blanchard Suzanne , Gould Odette N. , Gibbons Caroline , Simard Majella , Éthier Sophie , Villalon Lita
Published: February 2015

For healthy and independent older adults, aging in place can be seen as identical to any other adult living at home. Little is known about how frail seniors, particularly those who speak a minority language, manage the challenges of aging in place. The present qualitative descriptive study explores the strategies that Canadian French-speaking seniors have put in place to counter their loss of independence and promote their ability to stay in their home. Semistructured individual interviews were conducted with 39 older adults and transcribed, followed by content analysis to identify common themes related to study objectives. Six themes emerged in response to strategies described for aging in place. Findings reveal the limited extent to which language issues were perceived as a barrier by participants. In conclusion, the results of this study provide us with fruitful insights to guide community nursing practice, future research, and public policy.
Protein C Thr315Ala variant results in gain of function but manifests as type II deficiency in diagnostic assays
Authors: Ding Qiulan , Yang Likui , Dinarvand Peyman , Wang Xuefeng , Rezaie Alireza R.
Published: February 2015

Key Points

A novel PC mutation in a healthy subject results in type II PC deficiency as diagnosed by commercial kits. Recombinant expression and analysis reveals this is a gain-of-function mutant of PC that cannot be properly diagnosed by commercial kits.
Erythropoietin improves long-term neurological outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients: a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Tsai Tzu-Hsien , Lu Cheng-Hsien , Wallace Christopher Glenn , Chang Wen-Neng , Chen Shu-Feng , Huang Chi-Ren , Tsai Nai-Wen , Lan Min-Yu , Sung Pei-Hsun , Liu Chu-Feng , Yip Hon-Kan
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Mortality and disability following ischemic stroke (IS) remains unacceptably high with respect to the conventional therapies. This study tested the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on long-term neurological outcome in patients after acute IS. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two consecutive doses of EPO (5,000 IU/dose, subcutaneously administered at 48 hours and 72 hours after acute IS) on improving the 90-day combined endpoint of recurrent stroke or death that has been previously reported. A secondary objective was to evaluate the long-term (that is, five years) outcome of patients who received EPO.

Methods

This was a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that was conducted between October 2008 and March 2010 in a tertiary referral center. IS stroke patients who were eligible for EPO therapy were enrolled into the study.

Results

The results showed that long-term recurrent stroke and mortality did not differ between group 1 (placebo-control; n = 71) and group 2 (EPO-treated; n = 71).

Long-term Barthel index of <35 (defining a severe neurological deficit) was lower in group 2 than group 1 (P = 0.007). Multiple-stepwise logistic-regression analysis showed that EPO therapy was significantly and independently predictive of freedom from a Barthel index of <35 (P = 0.029). Long-term major adverse neurological event (MANE; defined as: death, recurrent stroke, or long-term Barthel index < 35) was lower in group 2 than group 1 (P = 0.04). Log-Rank test showed that MANE-free rate was higher in group 2 than group 1 (P = 0.031). Multiple-stepwise Cox-regression analysis showed that EPO therapy and higher Barthel Index at day 90 were independently predictive of freedom from long-term MANE (allP<0.04).

Conclusion

EPO therapy significantly improved long-term neurological outcomes in patients after IS.

Trial registration

ISRCTN71371114. Registered 10 October 2008.
A step-by-step construction site photography procedure to enhance the efficiency of as-built data visualization: a case study
Authors: Jadidi Hossein , Ravanshadnia Mehdi , Hosseinalipour Mujtaba , Rahmani Fatemeh
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Visualization of as-built data may change the future of construction project management to a more efficient area of knowledge if appropriate and easy photography and reconstruction tools would be developed and used by practitioners. Most of the current reconstructed 3D point cloud models use unordered photograph collections to generate 4D as-built models. Some of these photographs are not used in the final model mostly because of either a possible overlap with other photos or some faults in photography procedure. Computation time increases exponentially as the number of photos in a photo collection increases. Therefore, the unstructured processes may reduce the performance of a point-cloud model representation. This work shows how the available application of unordered photograph collections are regularly inefficient by measuring the performance of some important criteria, such as the registration success score and the computation time.

Case description

The case study is the construction of a gas compressor station. Such industrial projects involve several building and work areas (e.g., substation, control building, and piping area). The construction site covers approximately 20 hectares. The case study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, preexisting images have been used for image based modelling (IBM). In the second stage, images captured based on a step-by-step photography procedure (SPP) have been used for IBM.

Discussion and evaluation

IBM performance in the first stage of the case study has been compared with the performance of the second stage by comparing the registration success scores. The IBM in the first stage of the case study results in sparse models, which hardly show the geometry of construction scenes. By contrast, capturing images based on the SPP in the second stage of the case study significantly changed the performance of IBM and increased the registration success score.

Conclusion

This study provides an easy applicable on-site photography procedure. By adopting the proposed approach and by training the photographers, the model would be more desirable for application in more construction projects. The application of the SPP in the case study shows a significant improvement in the final reconstructed 3D point cloud model and as-built data visualization criteria.
Applications of shallow-seismic exploration methods for mechanical characterization of soil and rock bodies at engineering project sites in Colombia
Authors: Rodríguez-Pradilla Germán
Published: February 2015

The application of seismic methods for rock and soil-mass characterization has proved to be useful for engineering projects of any kind. These methods can predict the presence and geometry of low-competent subsoil materials and can define preliminary structural designs for each project. In three studies in Colombia, refraction tomography and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) were applied for road tunnels and multistory building construction, respectively. In situ rock and soil types were classified based on P- and S-wave measurements, and preliminary structural designs and construction methods were recommended for each case. Both rock and soil classifications and preliminary structural designs must be refined with direct subsoil-characterization methods such as core drilling and laboratory testing.
Automated high-resolution GPR data collection for monitoring dynamic hydrologic processes in two and three dimensions
Authors: Mangel Adam R. , Lytle Blake A. , Moysey Stephen M. J.
Published: February 2015

An automated GPR data-collection system was constructed to monitor dynamic hydrologic processes with high spatiotemporal resolution. The design of the system allows for fast acquisition of constant-offset profiles (COP) and common-midpoint surveys (CMP) to monitor unsaturated flow at multiple locations. A fast and accurate motion-control system enables the high-resolution monitoring of spatial patterns of reflectors through time while preserving important information about the normal moveout of reflectors for velocity analysis. In two experiments, infiltration was monitored using time-lapse ground-penetrating radar (GPR) measurements in two and three dimensions. The data from both experiments provide substantial qualitative insight about the dynamics of hydrologic events and a path forward for quantitative analysis of surface-based GPR monitoring data. Analysis shows (1) the advantages of collecting high-resolution time-lapse data, (2) the complexities of patterns associated with the wetting of the soil, and (3) evidence of nonuniform propagation of a wetting front through the soil column.
2D time-lapse seismic tomography using an active time-constraint (ATC) approach
Authors: Karaoulis M. , Werkema D. D. , Revil A.
Published: February 2015

A 2D seismic time-lapse inversion approach can image the evolution of seismic velocities over time and space. The forward modeling is based on solving the eikonal equation using a second-order fast-marching method. Wave paths are represented by Fresnel volumes rather than by conventional rays. This approach accounts for complex velocity models and has the advantage of considering the effects of wave frequency on velocity resolution. The aim of time-lapse inversion is to find changes in velocities of each cell in the model as a function of time. Each model along the time axis is called a reference space model. This approach can be simplified into an inverse problem that seeks the optimum of several reference space models taken together, using the approximation that the change in seismic velocity varies linearly in time between two subsequent reference models. The method is demonstrated on a synthetic example that includes regularization in time in the cost function and reduces inversion artifacts associated with noise in the data by comparison with independent inversions at each time.
Co-translational membrane association of the Escherichia coli SRP receptor
Authors: Bercovich-Kinori Adi , Bibi Eitan
Published: February 2015

The signal recognition particle (SRP) receptor is a major player in the pathway of membrane protein biogenesis in all organisms. The receptor functions as a membrane-bound entity but very little is known about its targeting to the membrane. Here, we demonstrate in vivo that the Escherichia coli SRP receptor targets the membrane co-translationally. This requires emergence from the ribosome of the four-helix-long N-domain of the receptor, of which only helices 2–4 are required for co-translational membrane attachment. The results also suggest that the targeting might be regulated co-translationally. Taken together, our in vivo studies shed light on the biogenesis of the SRP receptor and its hypothetical role in targeting ribosomes to the E. coli membrane.
Visible-light-driven Electron Transport across Vesicle Membrane Sensitized by Cationic Iridium Complexes
Authors: Aboshi Ryo , Takizawa Shin-ya , Murata Shigeru
Published: February 2015

A bichromophoric cationic iridium complex having a pyrene-substituted bipyridine ligand acts as a sensitizer for visible-light-driven electron transport from ascorbate (an electron donor) to methyl viologen (an electron acceptor) across hydrophobic vesicle membrane without any additional components acting as electron carriers.
The Window Tax: A Case Study in Excess Burden
Authors: Oates Wallace E. , Schwab Robert M.
Published: February 2015

The window tax provides a dramatic and transparent historical example of the potential distorting effects of taxation. Imposed in England in 1696, the tax—a kind of predecessor of the modern property tax—was levied on dwellings with the tax liability based on the number of windows. The tax led to efforts to reduce tax bills through such measures as the boarding up of windows and the construction of houses with very few windows. In spite of the pernicious health and aesthetic effects and despite widespread protests, the tax persisted for over a century and a half: it was finally repealed in 1851. Our purpose in this paper is threefold. First, we provide a brief history of the tax with a discussion of its rationale, its role in the British fiscal system, and its economic and political ramifications. Second, we have assembled a dataset from microfilms of local tax records during this period that indicate the numbers of windows in individual dwellings. Drawing on these data, we are able to test some basic hypotheses concerning the effect of the tax on the number of windows and to calculate an admittedly rough measure of the excess burden associated with the window tax. Third, we have in mind a pedagogical objective. The concept of excess burden (or “deadweight loss”) is for economists part of the meat and potatoes of tax analysis. But to the laity the notion is actually rather arcane; public-finance economists often have some difficulty, for example, in explaining to taxpayers the welfare costs of tax-induced distortions in resource allocation. The window tax is a textbook example of how a tax can have serious adverse side effects on social welfare. In addition to its objectionable consequences for tax equity, the window tax resulted in obvious and costly misallocations of resources.
Immune inflammation response in patients with obliterating atherosclerosis of lower limb arteries
Authors: Бобровская  , Bobrovskaya E. , Лазаренко  , Lazarenko V. , Путинцева  , Putintseva E.
Published: February 2015

This article presents the results of a study of the immune status of 46 patients with lower extremities atherosclerosis obliterans before and after reconstructive surgery. To assess the nature of the immunologic changes the content of the markers were determined in systemic circulation and subcutaneous veins of the rear foot serum. It was established that patients suffering obliterating atherosclerosis of lower extremities had dysimmunoglobulinemia between the characteristics of systemic and local blood flow. The high content of markers of chronic inflammation - immunoglobulins of classes A, G, anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6 was detected especially in local blood flow both in pre and post-operative periods. The marked decrease was found in immunoglobulin class A in local blood flow compared to the pre-operative values by 6.87% (p=0.02), to 11.52% (p<0.05), 12,4% (p<0.05) after femoral-popliteal, aorta-femoral and interventional treatment respec-tively. The authors observed a decrease in circulating immune complexes after the reconstructive surgery in the systemic and local blood flow. A statistically significant decrease in circulating immune complexes was revealed in local blood flow after femoral-popliteal bypass surgery in 2 times (p=0.00001) and after angioplasty with stenting on 37,03% (p=0.0005).
Qualitative elastography and arfi technology in the diagnosis of liver tumors
Authors: Гудилина  , Gudilina E. , Вишленкова  , Vishlenkova E. , Лепэдату  , Lepedatu P. , Синюкова  , Sinyukova G. , Данзанова  , Danzanova T. , Костякова  , Kostyakova L.
Published: February 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stiffness of liver tumors using compression and ARFI elastography. Compression and ARFI elastography was performed to study the color display rigidity in the foci of the liver in 69 and 81 patients, respectively. Area of interest was placed in the education and on the border with the surrounding liver parenchyma, to assess the visual difference tissue stiffness. Patients were divided by diagnosis: hepatocellular carcinoma – 36, cholangiocarcinoma – 6 metastases – 35, benign – 4 cases. Benign tumors included two focal nodular hyperplasia, hepatocellular adenoma and one cavernous hemangioma a large size. When compression elastography increased stiffness formations compared to the surrounding liver parenchyma was observed: in benign – 100%, hepatocellular carcinoma – in 71.9%, cholangiocarcinoma – 80%, metastases – in 72.4%. When ARFI elastography increased stiffness observed: in benign – 100%, hepatocellular carcinoma – 58.3%, cholangiocarcinoma – 100%, metastases – in 85.7%. Qualitative elastography improves the definition of clear boundaries neoplasm infiltration beyond the tumor, but can not differentiate between malignant and benign tumors. Sensitivity, accuracy, positive predictive value of the compressive elastography were as follows: 73, 69, 94%, and at ARFI elastography – 74, 70, 93%, respectively. Both techniques are qualitative elastography complement each other, with the specification of the internal structure of foci and their joint application sensitivity, accuracy, positive predictive value in the diagnosis of malignant tumors accounted for 83, 79, 95%, respectively. ARFI elastography in conjunction with compression elastography improves the visualization of malignant tumors of the liver and can be used as an additional diagnostic tool in oncohepatology.
Features of medical-social indicators in women of the roma community in the tula region of RUSSIA
Authors: Волков  , Volkov Valerii , Каблукова  , Kablukova Yuliya
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this work was to study the peculiarities of medical and social indicators in women of the Roma population living in the Tula region of Russia. 101 women of the Roma community and 200 women of other nationalities in age from 13 to 40 years who have given birth in the period from 2011 to 2013 in maternity hospitals Tula, were included in this study using the method of retrospective analysis. The authors analyzed the history of childbirth, dispensary cards, the authors took into account the age of women, social data, marital status, habits, parity, anthropometric data of the mother and newborn. Data were processed using statistical methods. Results of this study. The following indicators are identified in women of the Roma community: absence of education (65,3%), permanent place of work (100%), a high percentage of unregistered marriages (82,2%) and smokers (50,5 per cent). The authors note that early sexual activity (16,5 years) and a complete denial of contraception (98%) are typical for women Gypsies. Anthropometric difference in women Gypsy is a narrow pelvis (67,3%). Low birth weight (<2500 g), which was observed in 15,8% of cases, is higher than the control group in more than 6 times. Conclusion. Women Gypsies living in Russia, have the characteristic medico-social indicators, which are similar to those in other countries. However, there are features, the main of which is more affordable health care in the health sector, in comparison with European countries. Women of the Roma population in the Tula region are registered in female consultation timely and pass disciplined a whole range of tests during pregnancy.
Physiotherapy for hypertensive disease from the perspectives of chaotic dynamics of cardiovascular system parameters in patients
Authors: Горбунов  , Gorbunov D. , Эльман  , Elman Kseniya , Гараева  , Garaeva G. , Еськов  , Eskov Valeriy , Третьяков  , Tretyakov S.
Published: February 2015

The problem of one-type uncertainty is solved when cardiovascular system parameters in hypertensive patients undergoing physiotherapy aren’t differentiated by stochastics, but these differences are clearly revealed by the methods of neurocomputing and calculation of parameters of quasi-attractors. Simultaneously, the solution of system synthesis problem is possible, i.e. identification of more important diagnostic characters xi from the whole set of state vector of cardiovascular system x(t) in hypertensive patients. Efficiency of physiotherapy is estimated at two stages of course of treatment: in the initial state (initial physiotherapy) and after the termination of course of treatment. The dynamics of motion of quasi-attractors in phase space of states in hypertensive patients is shown. Thus, the problem of elimination of one-type uncertainty in studying the effi-ciency of curative measures is solved.
Using a model of biologically active points and fractal structure of a bioobject for the implementation of the sensors and dosimetry control of pathogenic radiation
Authors: Ларкин  , Larkin E. , Яшин  , Yashin S.
Published: February 2015

The authors present the relationship between the fractal geometry and biophysics, in particular the pathogenic effects of electromagnetic radiation on personnel of enterprises and institutions. A model of biologically active points of the skin of the person, which is the most adequate for the technical implementation of the sensors in the system for monitoring and dosimetry, is considered in this paper. It is shown that the fractal structure of a bioobject explains many of the natural science aspects of the physics, the fractal geometry and describes many processes in the biosystem, including pathological. It is established that due to the multiplicity of electro-magnetic resonances in biological systems, the pathogenicity of human exposure in the risk group of staff must be taken into account in the systems of monitoring and dosimetry as a spreading of pathogenic electromagnetic waves in a fractal biological environment. The results of this research of fractal properties of biological objects allow to conclude that the human body perceives pathogenic radiation in all spectra, as it has developed fractal structure with multiple biological resonances. This research shows that the modified model of the Hodgkin - Huxley for the description of electromagnetic processes in the field of biologically active point is the most significant information. For the practical implementation of the model on the computer was produced simplification. This model is recommended as a basic reference for the technical design of the sensors monitoring and dosimetry affecting staff pathogenic radiation.
Thermodynamic and chaotic approaches for assessing the age dynamics of cardiovascular system in khanty-woman
Authors: Устименко  , Ustimenko A. , Третьяков  , Tretyakov S. , Ватамова  , Vatamova S. , Филатова  , Filatova O. , Нифонтова  , Nifontova O.
Published: February 2015

Cardiorespiratory system is the most important part of the body, which provides high life expectancy. Special parameters of heart rate dynamics require the development of new approaches for analysis and prediction. The paper presents a comparison of the effective traditional statistical methods, the conventional (in physics) thermodynamic methods, with methods of chaos theory and self-organization to estimate the parameters of heart rate three age groups of Khanty-women in the aspect of identification of their age characteristics. It is proved that there are few statistical differences between the groups (one-type uncertainty), entropic parameters are also less informative. On the contrary, the quasi-attractor’s parameters in three age groups of women are purposefully changed (decrease) and can be described by the Verhulst-Pearl model, with the calculation of the rate of changes over time. A new method for estimating the age-related changes of cardiac parameters based in the calculation of rate of change of the quasi-attractor’s volume is proposed.
Polysaccharides of the connective tissue cells of the duodenum wall in human embryo
Authors: Тельцов  , Teltsov L. , Добрынина  , Dobrynina I. , Музыка  , Muzyka I.
Published: February 2015

These studies are conducted on 36 human embroys and foetus. Four stages are marked out in the development of connective tissue of the duodenum: 1) mesenchymal stage (28-35 the day of the embryo); 2) the stage of loose embryonic connective tissue (35 days - 3.5 months of foetus); 3) the stage of formation of the definitive loose connective tissue (3,5-6,5 months of the fetus); 4) the stage of initial definitive development (6,5 months before birth of the fetus). Each stage is characterized by a specific set of cellular differens, chemical composition of polysaccarides of cells of connective tissue and intercellular substance. On mesenchymal stage of development, the cells and intercellular substance CHIC-positive substances – contain glycogen and proteoglycans that give metachromasia, stained with alcian blue on Shubitch, Hale, but CHIC are negative. At the stage of loose connective tissue in mesenchymal cells, the reduction of glycogen and accumulation of glycosaminoglycans are identified. Glycogen, hyaluronic acid and precursors sulfated groups glycosaminogly-cans are detected in fibroblasts, endothelium of capillaries, in primary blood cells, in macrophages. At the stage of formation of loose connective tissue, there is the accumulation of TIME – amelanotic compounds (proteoglycans) in the cells and in the intercellular substance. Identification of them showed that the precursors of sulfated glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulfates (HSC) type C are identified. The intensity of the response to glycogen decreases. In the initial definitive development in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts – there is moderate staining on Hale-positive substances, poor color on Shubich and toluidine blue. In plasmablastics and in B-lymphocytes, the glycogen and glycosaminoglycans types of hyaluronic acid are identified. In the cytoplasm of mast cells, the substances such as hyaluronic acid, HSH type and unfinished synthesis heparina are identified.