bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proposal of Whittingtonocotyle n. gen. (Dactylogyroidea: Dactylogyridae), with the description of two new species from the gills of Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus (Characiformes: Erythrinidae) in Brazil
Authors: NETO JOÃO F. SANTOS , RODRIGUES ALLAN R. O. , DOMINGUES MARCUS V.
Published: March 2015

Whittingtonocotyle n. gen. is proposed for species with a male copulatory organ sclerotized, spiral, clockwise, non-articulated to the accessory piece; prostatic reservoir separated into two/three zones with one or two terminal areas densely stained; vaginal opening dextrodorsal; anchors without well-defined roots; and dorsal bar with anteromedial protuberance. Two new species of Whittingtonocotyle n. gen. are described from the gills of Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus (Agassiz), from two rivers of the State of Pará, Brazil. Whittingtonocotyle caetei n. sp. (type species) is characterized by possessing ventral anchor with deep root truncate; prostatic reservoir separated into two zones with one terminal area densely stained; and vaginal canal heavily sclerotized, coiled and dilate distally. Whittingtonocotyle jeju n. sp. is distinguished from the previously species mainly by having a male copulatory organ comprising a coil of about 19 rings (29 rings in Whittingtonocotyle caetei n. sp.); a prostatic reservoir separated into three zones with two terminal areas densely stained; vaginal canal sclerotized, sigmoid; and dorsal bar with short anteromedial process (elongate in Whittingtonocotyle caetei n. sp.).
Habronyx Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Anomaloninae) in Peru and Ecuador: three new species, a range extension, and a new host record
Authors: ALVARADO MABEL , GRADOS JUAN
Published: March 2015

The ichneumonid genus Habronyx is recorded for the first time from Peru and Ecuador, and three new species are described and figured—Habronyx (Camposcopus) flavus Alvarado, new species, H. (Habronyx) nigrofasciata Alvarado, new species, and H. (H.) saqsaywaman Alvarado, new species. Hadronyx (H.) punensis is recorded for the first time in Peru. Habronyx (H.) nigrofasciata was reared from Paracles tapina (Dyar, 1913) (Erebidae: Arctiinae). In addition, the distribution of P. tapina is expanded and figures of its larvae, pupae, and adult female and male are provided.
Larval and pupal morphology of three species of the genus Psammoecus Latreille (Coleoptera: Silvanidae: Brontinae) in Japan with reference to the number of larval instars
Authors: YOSHIDA TAKAHIRO , HIROWATARI TOSHIYA
Published: March 2015

The last instar larva and the pupa of Psammoecus scitus Yoshida & Hirowatari, all instar larvae of P. simoni Grouvelle, and the last instar larva of P. hiranoi Yoshida & Hirowatari are described, and their morphologies are compared among species and instars. Larval association for P. simoni was confirmed by DNA barcoding. Apart from a brief description of the pupa of Cryptamorpha brevicornis (White) illustrated by Hudson (1924), the pupal morphology of Brontinae is described in detail for the first time. Potentially informative characters for phylogeny of larval and pupal morphology of Silvanidae are discussed.
New feather mites of the genera Aniacarus and Aniibius (Acariformes: Pterolichidae) from two cuckoo species (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) in Brazil
Authors: MIRONOV SERGEY V. , HERNANDES FABIO A. , PEDROSO LUIZ GUSTAVO A.
Published: March 2015

Five new species of the family Pterolichidae are described from two common non-parasitic cuckoo species of the subfamily Crotophaginae (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) in Brazil: Aniacarus ani sp. n. from the Smooth-billed Ani, Crotophaga ani Linnaeus, A. simplex sp. n., A. robustus sp. n., A. coronatus sp. n. and Aniibius guirae sp. n. from the Guira Cuckoo, Guira guira (Gmelin). A key to all known species of Aniacarus is provided. All four pterolichid species associated with the G. guira can occur simultaneously on one host individual. A brief review of studies of feather mites associated with Cuculidae is given.
Acrotritia species (Acari: Oribatida: Euphthiracaridae) from China with description of a new species
Authors: LIU DONG , CHEN JUN
Published: March 2015

In this paper, eight species of Acrotritia (Acari: Oribatida: Euphthiracaridae) are identified, including a new species, Acrotritia tibetensis sp. nov., and four newly recorded species from China: Acrotritia gracile (Niedbała, 2000), Acrotritia hauseri (Mahunka, 1991), Acrotritia refracta (Niedbała, 1998) and Acrotritia simile (Mahunka, 1982). An updated diagnosis of the genus and remarks on some known species are presented, the validity of species A. hauseri is discussed, and a key to Chinese known species of Acrotritia is also provided.
Characterizing Arctic Spring Onset
Authors: He Jia , Black Robert X.
Published: March 2015

The high-latitude atmosphere experiences a rapid state transition during Arctic spring onset (ASO) with distinct warming in surface 2-m air temperature (T2m) occurring over broad geographical regions. Three methods are tested to optimally isolate this transition: The first two, the time derivative and the radius of curvature (RoC) methods, identify periods of large T2m acceleration. The third technique, the two-phase linear regression model, identifies a transition from an approximately steady winter state to a warming spring state. Although all three methods are largely successful in isolating the state transition associated with ASO, the RoC method is most effective in capturing the most rapid temperature increases and is adopted to define ASO in the study.

Statistical analyses indicate that the annual ASO timing is roughly bimodal with strong interannual variability but no significant long-term trends. Composite time evolution analyses of ASO uncover a critical warming region over northern Siberia common to most events. Several subcategories of ASO events are identified in which distinct warming signatures are also observed in the Greenland–North American, East Asian, and Alaskan sectors. The characteristic synoptic structures associated with these events are isolated via a parallel composite analysis of sea level pressure. These analyses provide initial evidence that, during ASO, the synoptic evolutions of semipermanent surface pressure systems (oceanic lows and continental highs) provide favorable conditions for rapid regional advective and diabatic warming in the lower troposphere.
A Validation of Passive Microwave Rain-Rate Retrievals from the Chinese FengYun-3B Satellite
Authors: Xu Bin , Xie Pingping , Xu Ming , Jiang Lipeng , Shi Chunxiang , You Ran
Published: March 2015

Level 2 rain-rate retrievals from the Microwave Radiation Imager (MWRI) on board the Chinese FengYun (FY)-3B satellite are verified using minute rainfall measurements from a dense automatic weather station (AWS) network over eastern China for the warm seasons (May–September) of 2012 and 2013. First, analyses of minute rainfall are constructed on a 0.05° latitude–longitude grid box through interpolation of quality-controlled gauge reports. Ground truth for the FY-3B rain-rate retrievals is defined as the 5-min mean rate centering at the satellite observation time and over the 0.05° latitude–longitude grid boxes falling into the target field-of-view (FOV) coverage determined with parallax correction. Parallax displacement is about the same as the height of cloud or half of the FY-3B FOV size. Parallax correction is crucial to ensure accurate evaluation and applications of the level 2 precipitation retrievals from FY-3B and other satellites, including the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) core satellite, and should be implemented before the level 2 retrievals may be used as inputs to the level 3 integrated satellite precipitation analyses. FY-3B level 2 retrievals present good skills in detecting raining pixels and quantifying rain rate as retrievals from other PMW sensors. However, they tend to miss rainfall from warm and low clouds of small scales and underestimate (overestimate) heavy (light) precipitation. In particular, the limited maximum rain rate yields significant underestimation for many heavy rainfall events. Maximum rainfall detected by the FY-3B retrievals for the afternoon orbits is shifted by about 7–8 km toward the leeward direction, most likely caused by the displacement between the heavy rainfall and tallest cloud top.
Assessing the welfare of laboratory mice in their home environment using animal-based measures – a benchmarking tool
Authors: Spangenberg Elin MF , Keeling Linda J
Published: March 2015

Welfare problems in laboratory mice can be a consequence of an ongoing experiment, or a characteristic of a particular genetic line, but in some cases, such as breeding animals, they are most likely to be a result of the design and management of the home cage. Assessment of the home cage environment is commonly performed using resource-based measures, like access to nesting material. However, animal-based measures (related to the health status and behaviour of the animals) can be used to assess the current welfare of animals regardless of the inputs applied (i.e. the resources or management). The aim of this study was to design a protocol for assessing the welfare of laboratory mice using only animal-based measures. The protocol, to be used as a benchmarking tool, assesses mouse welfare in the home cage and does not contain parameters related to experimental situations. It is based on parameters corresponding to the 12 welfare criteria established by the Welfare Quality® project. Selection of animal-based measures was performed by scanning existing published, web-based and informal protocols, and by choosing parameters that matched these criteria, were feasible in practice and, if possible, were already validated indicators of mouse welfare. The parameters should identify possible animal welfare problems and enable assessment directly in an animal room during cage cleaning procedures, without the need for extra equipment. Thermal comfort behaviours and positive emotional states are areas where more research is needed to find valid, reliable and feasible animal-based measures.
Longing for Wikitopia: The study and politics of self-organisation
Authors: Uitermark Justus
Published: March 2015

Self-organisation is an idea whose time has come. As an explanatory concept, self-organisation is central to complexity theory, which is quickly becoming a powerful and perhaps even dominant paradigm in both the natural and social sciences. As a political ideal, self-organisation is filling the void that is opening up as both the state and market are increasingly perceived as undemocratic, unjust and inefficient. Drawing on observations from the Dutch city of Rotterdam, this paper argues that self-organisation indeed is an inspiring ideal but that it is often misunderstood and may produce adverse consequences when used as a policy guide. While self-organisation is too inspiring to abandon, its harsh realities need to be accounted for if we want to think and work with it.
Measuring the Implementation and Effects of a Coordinated Care Model Featuring Diabetes Self-management Education Within Four Patient-Centered Medical Homes
Authors: Sepers Charles E. , Fawcett Stephen B. , Lipman Ruth , Schultz Jerry , Colie-Akers Vicki , Perez Alexandra
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to measure the implementation and effects of a multisite coordinated care approach that delivered diabetes self-management education (DSME) and diabetes self-management support (DSMS) for disadvantaged patients within 4 patient-centered medical homes (PCMH).

Methods

A total of 173 patients (69.9% African American, 26.0% Caucasian, and 4.1% other) experienced elements of the intervention, which featured DSME and coordinated care. Key informant interviews with PCMH site staff were used to capture, code, and characterize activities related to implementation and sustainability of the intervention. Outcome measures collected at baseline and at 6 months included clinical health indicators, A1C, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and lipids, as well as the AADE7 Behaviors.

Results

A statistically significant decrease occurred in A1C and BMI within 6 months for participants within 1 PCMH. This improvement among clinical health outcomes was associated with the frequency of services provided (eg, DSME, patient support).

Conclusion

Integrating and delivering DSME and DSMS within coordinated care settings have the potential to improve PCMH practice and associated clinical health outcomes for populations experiencing health disparities.
Pyruvate Is Superior to Citrate in Oral Rehydration Solution in the Protection of Intestine via Hypoxia‐Inducible Factor‐1 Activation in Rats With Burn Injury
Authors: Hu Sen , Lin Zhi‐Long , Zhao Zeng‐Kai , Liu Rui , Ma Li , Luo Hong‐Min , Zhou Fang‐Qiang , Bai Xiao‐Dong
Published: March 2015

Background: Recent studies have suggested that pyruvate‐enriched oral rehydration solution (Pyr‐ORS) may be superior to the standard bicarbonate‐based ORS in the protection of intestine from ischemic injury. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Pyr‐ORS with citrate‐enriched ORS (Cit‐ORS) on the intestinal hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1)–erythropoietin (EPO) signaling pathway for enteral rehydration in a rat model of burn injury. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups (N = 20, 2 subgroups each: n = 10): scald sham (group SS), scald with no fluid resuscitation (group SN), scald and resuscitation with enteral Cit‐ORS (group SC), and scald and resuscitation with enteral Pyr‐ORS (group SP). At 2.5 and 4.5 hours after a 35% total body surface area (TBSA) scald, intestinal mucosal blood flow (IMBF), contents of HIF‐1, EPO, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nitric oxide (NO), barrier protein (ZO‐1), levels of serum diamine oxidase (DAO), and intestinal mucosal histology injury score were determined. Results: Serum DAO activities in the scalded groups were significantly elevated, but less raised in group SP than in group SC, at 2.5 hours and at 4.5 hours after the scald. Further, group SP more profoundly preserved intestinal HIF‐1 expression compared with group SC at the 2 time points. Compared with group SC, group SP had markedly elevated intestinal EPO, eNOS, and NO levels at the same time points, respectively (P < .05). Similarly, IMBF and ZO‐1 levels were significantly higher in group SP than in group SC. Intestinal mucosal histopathological scores were statistically higher at 2.5 hours and 4.5 hours after scalding but were more attenuated in group SP than in group SC (P < .05). Immunofluorescence expression of intestinal mucosal ZO‐1 was consistent with the above changes. The above parameters were also significantly different between groups SC and SN (all P < .05). Conclusion: Pyr‐ORS provides a superior option to Cit‐ORS for the preservation of intestinal blood flow and barrier function and the attenuation of histopathological alterations in enteral resuscitation of rats with burn injury. Its underlying mechanism may be closely related to the pyruvate in activation of intestinal HIF‐1‐EPO signaling cascades.
Development of an Instrument to Measure the Unintended Consequences of EHRs
Authors: Carrington Jane M. , Gephart Sheila M. , Verran Joyce A. , Finley Brooke A.
Published: March 2015

This article augments the existing body of literature through examining the creation and design of an instrument measuring unintended consequences (UCs) of electronic health records (EHRs). Data from a previous qualitative study that explored nurses’ perceptions of EHR effectiveness as a communication system were analyzed using a theoretical model focused on decision making. The qualitative data, informed by the model, were then organized into an instrument seeking to quantitatively measure nurses’ experiences with UCs of EHRs. The model assisted in revealing patterns in nurses’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the EHR as a communication system that ultimately strengthened the development of the instrument. Instrumentation from qualitative data has long been considered an acceptable and positive approach to scale development. The process for accomplishing this goal has often been omitted from the literature. We contend that other researchers will find this methods article informative for similar undertakings.
The desire to hasten death: Using Grounded Theory for a better understanding “When perception of time tends to be a slippery slope”
Authors: Pestinger Martina , Stiel Stephanie , Elsner Frank , Widdershoven Guy , Voltz Raymond , Nauck Friedemann , Radbruch Lukas
Published: March 2015

Background:

Some patients with advanced and progressive diseases express a desire to hasten death.

Aim:

This study evaluated the motivations of patients expressing such a desire in a country with prohibitive legislation on euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.

Design:

A modified form of Grounded Theory was used.

Setting/participants:

Patients from the departments of palliative medicine in three hospitals in Germany were recruited when they had made a statement or request to hasten death. Participants were interviewed face to face. Recruitment was stopped with 12 participants because of data saturation.

Results:

Thematic analysis revealed three main motivational themes: self-determination, agony, and time. Expectations toward health professionals, attitudes toward death, and secureness related to the end of life were additional main themes emerging from the analysis.

Conclusions:

The desire to hasten death may be used as an extreme coping strategy to maintain control against anticipated agony. Patients expected health professionals to listen to and respect their experiences. Emerging hypotheses included the following: (a) patients try to balance life time and anticipated agony, and the perception of time is distressing in this balancing act; (b) anticipated images of agony and suffering in the dying process occur frequently and are experienced by patients as intrusive; (c) patients expressing a desire to hasten death are in need of more information about the dying process; and (d) patients wanted their caregivers to listen to and respect their wish to hasten death, and they did not expect the caregivers to understand this as an order to actually hasten their death.
Data association for semantic world modeling from partial views
Authors: Wong Lawson L.S. , Kaelbling Leslie Pack , Lozano-Pérez Tomás
Published: March 2015

Autonomous mobile-manipulation robots need to sense and interact with objects to accomplish high-level tasks such as preparing meals and searching for objects. To achieve such tasks, robots need semantic world models, defined as object-based representations of the world involving task-level attributes. In this work, we address the problem of estimating world models from semantic perception modules that provide noisy observations of attributes. Because attribute detections are sparse, ambiguous, and are aggregated across different viewpoints, it is unclear which attribute measurements are produced by the same object, so data association issues are prevalent. We present novel clustering-based approaches to this problem, which are more efficient and require less severe approximations compared with existing tracking-based approaches. These approaches are applied to data containing object type-and-pose detections from multiple viewpoints, and demonstrate comparable quality using a fraction of the computation time.
Management of Bulimia Nervosa
Authors: Seah Xin Yi , Tham Xiang Cong
Published: March 2015

Bulimia nervosa is a crippling and chronic disorder, with individuals experiencing repeated binge-purge episodes. It is not widely understood by society. The use of the Roy adaptation model for the management of bulimia nervosa is examined in this article. Nursing models are utilized to provide a structure for planning and implementation of patient management. The Roy adaptation model focuses on the importance of individuals as able to adapt well to their changing surrounding environments. This model can be useful in managing patients with bulimia nervosa.
Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in Hyderabad, India: barriers, facilitators and identification of target groups
Authors: Dworkin Mark S , Douglas GW , Rani GP Sabitha , Chakraborty Apurba
Published: March 2015

Summary

We assessed the barriers and facilitators to highly active antiretroviral therapy adherence and determined their prevalence among HIV/AIDS patients in Hyderabad, India. We conducted a cross-sectional study among HIV-infected adults prescribed highly active antiretroviral therapy and receiving care from nine clinics. Depression was screened using Patient Health Questionnaire 9 and facilitators of HIV medication adherence were assessed using an 11-item scale which yielded a total positive attitude to disease score. Prevalence ratios of non-adherence between different categories of potential risk factors were calculated. We compared mean ‘facilitators to adherence’ scores between the adherent and non-adherent population. Multivariable Poisson regression with robust variance was used to identify independent risk factors. Among the 211 respondents, nearly 20% were non-adherent, approximately 8% had either moderately severe or severe depression and mean score for combined facilitators to medication adherence was 33.35 (±7.88) out of a possible 44 points. Factors significantly associated with non-adherence included older age, female sex worker, moderate-to-severe depression and the combined facilitators to medication adherence score. These data from a broad range of clinical settings in Hyderabad reveal that key groups to focus on for adherence intervention are female sex workers, older persons and those with depression.
Small Telescopes
Authors: Simonsohn Uri
Published: March 2015

This article introduces a new approach for evaluating replication results. It combines effect-size estimation with hypothesis testing, assessing the extent to which the replication results are consistent with an effect size big enough to have been detectable in the original study. The approach is demonstrated by examining replications of three well-known findings. Its benefits include the following: (a) differentiating “unsuccessful” replication attempts (i.e., studies yielding p > .05) that are too noisy from those that actively indicate the effect is undetectably different from zero, (b) “protecting” true findings from underpowered replications, and (c) arriving at intuitively compelling inferences in general and for the revisited replications in particular.
An Integrative Model of Social Identification
Authors: van Veelen Ruth , Otten Sabine , Cadinu Mara , Hansen Nina
Published: March 2015

Social identification denotes individuals’ psychological bond with their ingroup. It is an indispensable construct in research on intragroup and intergroup dynamics. Today’s understanding of social identification is firmly grounded in self-stereotyping principles (i.e., assimilation to the ingroup prototype). However, we argue for a more integrative approach to understand social identification, including a more prominent role for the personal self. We present the Integrative Model of Social Identification (IMSI) and postulate that there are two cognitive pathways to self–group overlap that can simultaneously yet distinctly explain social identification: self-stereotyping and self-anchoring (i.e., projection of personal self onto ingroup). We review different theoretical and methodological approaches to both processes and integrate them into one model. Subsequently, we empirically demonstrate the positive relationship between self-stereotyping, self-anchoring, and identification in various group contexts and individuals. In sum, our model highlights the dynamic interplay of personal and social self as cornerstones of social identification.
Investigating the Effect of Glucose on Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity Using Pancreatic Clamping Methodology
Authors: Puzantian Houry , Teff Karen , Townsend Raymond R.
Published: March 2015

Aortic stiffness, determined by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), independently predicts cardiovascular outcomes. Recent studies suggest that glucose levels influence arterial stiffness indices. It is not clear, however, whether glucose affects cfPWV independently of glucoregulatory hormones. The aim of this study was to utilize a pancreatic clamping approach to determine whether plasma glucose independently predicts cfPWV. Healthy participants ( N = 10) underwent pancreatic clamping to control glucose at varying concentrations using a 20% dextrose infusion while suppressing endogenous glucagon, insulin, and growth hormone by octreotide and replacing the hormones intravenously to achieve basal concentrations. Tonometric cfPWV, blood pressure, heart rate, plasma glucose, glucagon, insulin, growth hormone, and vasoactive biomarkers were measured. Plasma glucose levels of 150 mg/dl at 1 hr and 200 mg/dl at 2 hr postbaseline were achieved. There were no significant changes in cfPWV (5.8 m/s at 0 hr, 5.9 m/s at 1 hr, and 5.9 m/s at 2 hr) with increased glucose levels. There were small increases in insulin secretion. A definitive role for glucose in cfPWV modulation was not determined; there is a potential role for insulin as a cfPWV modulator. Continued efforts in clarifying the independent roles of glucose and insulin can elucidate novel vessel-related targets for cardiovascular disease prevention and management in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes.
Effect of cenosphere addition on the mechanical properties of jute-glass fiber hybrid epoxy composites
Authors: Dalbehera Soma , Acharya SK
Published: March 2015

Cenosphere is a ceramic-rich industrial waste produced during burning of coal in thermal power plants. This study deals with the effect of cenosphere as particulate filler on mechanical behaviour of woven jute-glass hybrid composites. The hybrid composite consists of jute and glass fiber as reinforcement and epoxy as matrix. The conventional hand lay-up technique is used to prepare composite specimens. Cenosphere of different weight percentage (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%) was added to the hybrid composite. The samples were tested as per ASTM standards for their mechanical and flexural properties to establish the effect of filler content. It is found that the mechanical properties are significantly influenced by addition of waste ceramic filler cenosphere up to 15 wt% and increases the tensile, flexural and interlaminar shear strength by 90.47%, 24.32% and 16.75%, respectively, in comparison to unfilled composite. The morphologies of the composites studied by scanning electron microscope indicate good dispersibility of cenosphere in the matrix, which in turn improves the strengths appreciable.
Ideological Structure and Consistency in the Age of Polarization
Authors: Jewitt Caitlin E. , Goren Paul
Published: March 2015

Decades of research establish that political elites hold more ideologically consistent and structured policy preferences than ordinary citizens. Since the late 1970s, American politics, at the elite level, has become increasingly polarized and changes in the news media have made it easier for citizens to find news catering to their ideological tastes. We capitalize on these developments to examine whether ideologically engaged citizens–those who hold strong ideological identities, who are politically informed, and who participate actively in public affairs–match elites in ideological consistency and structure during the age of polarization. We test this hypothesis by applying correlation and measurement modeling techniques to data from multiple National Election Study and Convention Delegate Study surveys. We find that (a) ideologically engaged masses hold more tightly organized opinions than the less engaged every year, but lagged elites by a wide margin in 1980; (b) convention delegates manifest impressive levels of consistency every year; (c) by 1992 engaged citizens had caught up to political elites; and (d) ideological consistency increased substantially over time in the mass public, but only among the most ideologically engaged.
No matter how I think, it already hurts
Authors: Yang Xue
Published: March 2015

This study used mixed-methods design to explore internalized self-stigma among family caregivers (ISFC) of people with intellectual disability (ID) in China, where face culture and collective emotions are emphasized. A total of 120 primary caregivers of people with ID were assessed for ISFC, face concern and psychological distress at the survey phase. Of these caregivers, 10 participated in sequential interviews to provide elaboration for quantitative results. The results highlighted the role of stigmatized feelings instead of cognitive thoughts in hurting caregivers in the Chinese context. Caregivers with higher face concern were more likely to internalize feelings of shame, self-blame and powerlessness and suffered poorer mental health. Low-socioeconomic status group and onset-before-birth group were particularly vulnerable to stigma that require more attention in future studies. Feelings of being marginalized within the family and shame may be more face culture-related concern. Strategies (i.e. withdrawal, compensation, self-compassion and multiple identities) and recommendations for stigma reduction were discussed.
Exploring ethical frontiers of visual methods
Authors: Howell Catherine , Cox Susan , Drew Sarah , Guillemin Marilys , Warr Deborah , Waycott Jenny
Published: March 2015

Visual research is a fast-growing interdisciplinary field. The flexibility and diversity of visual research methods are seen as strengths by their adherents, yet adoption of such approaches often requires researchers to negotiate complex ethical terrain. The digital technological explosion has also provided visual researchers with access to an increasingly diverse array of visual methodologies and tools that, far from being ethically neutral, require careful deliberation and planning for use. To explore these issues, the Symposium on Exploring Ethical Frontiers of Visual Methods was held at the University of Melbourne, Australia, on 4 March 2014. The symposium was hosted by the Visual Research Collaboratory, a consortium of Australian and Canadian visual researchers, with support from Melbourne Social Equity Institute, University of Melbourne. The symposium represented the culmination of a process to develop a resource outlining principles of ethical practice for visual researchers and ethics committee members, the Guidelines for Ethical Visual Research Methods, which were launched at the event. The Guidelines present a framework for considering ethical matters in visual research, distinguishing six groups of issues united by an overarching theme: confidentiality; minimizing harm; consent; fuzzy boundaries; authorship and ownership; and representation and audiences.
Static and dynamic evaluation of a pedal system for measuring three-dimensional forces in cycling
Authors: Alexander Nathalie , Strutzenberger Gerda , Jenny Herbert , Augustin Heinz , Schwameder Hermann
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of a newly developed pedal system (JA:Ped3) for measuring three-dimensional pedal forces in laboratory conditions in cycling. Three-dimensional force measurements were obtained using 12 strain gauges in each pedal, and the pedal angle was measured with a rotary potentiometer mounted on the pedal axle. The pedal forces were validated in a static condition by comparing a range of known forces and in dynamic conditions using the JA:Ped3 with the data collected simultaneously by two commercially available systems, SRM Powermeter and PowerForce. An incremental cycling test was performed with seven elite cyclists. In the static measurements, JA:Ped3 showed an average deviation of <2% and the maximum absolute error did not exceed 4.2 N. In the dynamic measurements, JA:Ped3-calculated pedal torque and power output yielded similar values to the corresponding data from the SRM Powermeter and showed an average deviation of <3%. Using the JA:Ped3 in a laboratory setting for testing, elite cyclists revealed plausible results. The pedal is lightweight and data transmission could be implemented to offer a device for laboratory and field measurements. This pedal would be specifically helpful for cyclists, coaches, therapists and scientists.
The use of focus groups as a basis for planning and implementing culturally appropriate health promotion among people with diabetes in the Arab community
Authors: Levin-Zamir Diane , Badarne Siham , Najami Muhamed , Gan Noy Shosh , Poraz Irit , Shapira Menachem , Lieberman Nicky , Goldfracht Margalit
Published: March 2015

Objective:

The main study objective was to identify perceived barriers to achieving glycemic control among the Arab population in Israel, by both members of the Arab community with type 2 diabetes and by primary care teams working with the Arab community.

Methods:

A series of six focus groups using qualitative research methodology were conducted in two phases among people with diabetes and primary care professionals treating them.

Results:

The perception of the disease among people with diabetes was one of low severity. Barriers to adopting a healthy lifestyle and to self-management included awareness of the need, financial considerations regarding medication, and traditional gender roles. Food preparation in family life was identified as a strong cultural determinant. The health literacy needs for more in-depth and accessible educational programs were identified. Primary care staff viewed the needs similarly, with the exception of the need for in-depth instructional materials.

Conclusion and practice implications:

The understanding of the significance of healthy lifestyles and self-management was essential for developing culturally appropriate implementation programs and policy. Consultation with, and involvement of patient groups in needs assessment and planning is essential and should be established in policy that promotes best practice and health promotion in chronic illness.
Addition of a Gastrointestinal Microbiome Modulator to Metformin Improves Metformin Tolerance and Fasting Glucose Levels
Authors: Burton Jeffrey H. , Johnson Matthew , Johnson Jolene , Hsia Daniel S. , Greenway Frank L. , Heiman Mark L.
Published: March 2015

Background:

Adverse effects of metformin are primarily related to gastrointestinal (GI) intolerance that could limit titration to an efficacious dose or cause discontinuation of the medication. Because some metformin side effects may be attributable to shifts in the GI microbiome, we tested whether a GI microbiome modulator (GIMM) used in combination with metformin would ameliorate the GI symptoms.

Methods:

A 2-period crossover study design was used with 2 treatment sequences, either placebo in period 1 followed by GIMM in period 2 or vice versa. Study periods lasted for 2 weeks, with a 2-week washout period between. During the first week, type 2 diabetes patients (T2D) who experienced metformin GI intolerance took 500 mg metformin along with their assigned NM504 (GIMM) or placebo treatment with breakfast and with dinner. In the second week, the 10 subjects took 500 mg metformin (t.i.d.), with GIMM or placebo consumed with the first and third daily metformin doses. Subjects were permitted to discontinue metformin dosing if it became intolerable.

Results:

The combination of metformin and GIMM treatment produced a significantly better tolerance score to metformin than the placebo combination (6.78 ± 0.65 [mean ± SEM] versus 4.45 ± 0.69, P = .0006). Mean fasting glucose levels were significantly ( P < .02) lower with the metformin–GIMM combination (121.3 ± 7.8 mg/dl) than with metformin-placebo (151.9 ± 7.8 mg/dl).

Conclusion:

Combining a GI microbiome modulator with metformin might allow the greater use of metformin in T2D patients and improve treatment of the disease.
SWI enhances vein detection using gadolinium in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Maggi Pietro , Mazzoni Lorenzo N , Moretti Marco , Grammatico Matteo , Chiti Stefano , Massacesi Luca
Published: March 2015

Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) combined with the FLAIR sequence provides the ability to depict in vivo the perivenous location of inflammatory demyelinating lesions – one of the most specific pathologic features of multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition, in MS white matter (WM) lesions, gadolinium-based contrast media (CM) can increase vein signal loss on SWI. This report focuses on two cases of WM inflammatory lesions enhancing on SWI images after CM injection. In these lesions in fact the CM increased the contrast between the parenchyma and the central vein allowing as well, in one of the two cases, the detection of a vein not visible on the same SWI sequence acquired before CM injection.
An Application of Motivating Language Theory in Mexican Organizations
Authors: Madlock Paul E. , Sexton Shaun
Published: March 2015

The purpose of the current study was to extend organizational communication scholarship by examining the influence of culture on the use of motivating language by supervisors in Mexican organizations. Furthermore, the influence of motivating language on employees’ perceptions of their supervisors’ communication competence and their own job satisfaction and organizational commitment was examined. Participants included 158 full-time employees from a number of organizations located in Mexico. The current findings indicate that supervisors in organizations located in Mexico, tend to use direction-giving language most frequently followed by meaning-making language and empathetic language. Direction-giving language was also indicated as the greatest predictor of communication and organizational outcomes. A discussion of the current findings highlighting expectancy violations theory was also offered.
Increasing Nursing Students’ Knowledge of Health Promotion Through Community Engagement
Authors: Montgomery Michele , Johnson Paige
Published: March 2015

The shift in health care toward primary health care and health promotion requires nurse educators to ensure students learn to practice the skill of health promotion. An ideal way in which to do this is with collaborative partnerships in community settings. The need to practice primary health care as part of an interprofessional team is also a growing trend. This article describes an innovative collaborative partnership with the city school system and nonprofit community partners to provide necessary interprofessional health screenings and health education to underserved community members. Through these partnerships, community health nursing students have the opportunity to participate in health screenings for children enrolled in the preschool program, provide health screenings and health education to healthy working adults, and engage in health promotion with school-age children by teaching the importance of practicing bicycle safety. These programs provide nursing students with unique opportunities for interprofessional collaboration while improving their health promotion, teaching, and communication skills. This approach serves as a model to guide nursing faculty members who need to provide students community health experiences that include health promotion and disease and injury prevention.
Retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide trigger degradation of mutated NPM1, resulting in apoptosis of AML cells
Authors: El Hajj Hiba , Dassouki Zeina , Berthier Caroline , Raffoux Emmanuel , Ades Lionel , Legrand Olivier , Hleihel Rita , Sahin Umut , Tawil Nadim , Salameh Ala , Zibara Kazem , Darwiche Nadine , Mohty Mohamad , Dombret Hervé , Fenaux Pierre , de Thé Hugues , Bazarbachi Ali
Published: March 2015

Key Points

RA/arsenic induces proteasomal degradation of mutant NPM1, yielding AML growth arrest and apoptosis. RA/arsenic treatment restored nucleolar localization of NPM1 and significantly reduced bone marrow blasts in NPM1 mutant AML patients.
Fixed points of multivalued mappings in modular function spaces with a graph
Authors: Alfuraidan Monther Rashed
Published: March 2015

Let $\rho\in\Re$
ρ
∈
ℜ
(the class of all nonzero regular function modulars defined on a nonempty set Ω) and G be a directed graph defined on a subset C of $L_{\rho}$

L
ρ

. In this paper, we discuss the existence of fixed points of monotone G-contraction and G-nonexpansive mappings in modular function spaces. These results are the modular version of Jachymski fixed point results for mappings defined in a metric space endowed with a graph.
High-precision scanning transmission electron microscopy at coarse pixel sampling for reduced electron dose
Authors: Yankovich Andrew B , Berkels Benjamin , Dahmen Wolfgang , Binev Peter , Voyles Paul M
Published: March 2015

Determining the precise atomic structure of materials’ surfaces, defects, and interfaces is important to help provide the connection between structure and important materials’ properties. Modern scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) techniques now allow for atomic resolution STEM images to have down to sub-picometer precision in locating positions of atoms, but these high-precision techniques generally require large electron doses, making them less useful for beam-sensitive materials. Here, we show that 1- to 2-pm image precision is possible by non-rigidly registering and averaging a high-angle dark field image series of a 5- to 6-nm Au nanoparticle even though a very coarsely sampled image and decreased exposure time was used to minimize the electron dose. These imaging conditions minimize the damage to the nanoparticle and capture the whole nanoparticle in the same image. The high-precision STEM image reveals bond length contraction around the entire nanoparticle surface, and no bond length variation along a twin boundary that separates the nanoparticle into two grains. Surface atoms at the edges and corners exhibit larger bond length contraction than atoms near the center of surface facets.
Role for NOD2 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced iNOS expression and NO production in human macrophages
Authors: Landes Michelle B , Rajaram Murugesan V S , Nguyen Huy , Schlesinger Larry S
Published: March 2015

M.tb, which causes TB, is a host-adapted intracellular pathogen of macrophages. Macrophage intracellular PRRs, such as NOD proteins, regulate proinflammatory cytokine production in response to various pathogenic organisms. We demonstrated previously that NOD2 plays an important role in controlling the inflammatory response and viability of M.tb and Mycobacterium bovis BCG in human macrophages. Various inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, ROS, and RNS, such as NO, can mediate this control. iNOS (or NOS2) is a key enzyme for NO production and M.tb control during infection of mouse macrophages; however, the role of NO during infection of human macrophages remains unclear, in part, as a result of the low amounts of NO produced in these cells. Here, we tested the hypothesis that activation of NOD2 by its ligands (MDP and GMDP, the latter from M.tb) plays an important role in the expression and activity of iNOS and NO production in human macrophages. We demonstrate that M.tb or M. bovis BCG infection enhances iNOS expression in human macrophages. The M.tb-induced iNOS expression and NO production are dependent on NOD2 expression during M.tb infection. Finally, NF-κB activation is required for NOD2-dependent expression of iNOS in human macrophages. Our data provide evidence for a new molecular pathway that links activation of NOD2, an important intracellular PRR, and iNOS expression and activity during M.tb infection of human macrophages.
Nonlinear Rotation of Capacity-Protected Foundations: The 2015 Canadian Building Code
Authors: Adebar Perry
Published: March 2015

When foundations are capacity-protected, inelastic deformations will occur primarily in the seismic force-resisting system. Soil flexibility can be ignored when determining seismic loads, but footings will rotate when subjected to the maximum overturning moment, and this may increase building drifts, particularly in lower stories where gravity-load columns are less flexible. A “hand calculation” method is presented for estimating rotation of a footing from the uniform bearing stress distribution required to resist the applied overturning moment. The method, which has been adopted in the 2015 Canadian building code, accounts for initial linear rotation of footings and additional nonlinear rotation due to footing uplift and nonlinearity of soil. A quick, safe estimate can be made using approximate equations, or a more accurate estimate can be made by determining two parameters from figures. Design examples demonstrate how the method can be used to design foundations for improved performance at a small additional cost.
Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential for Large Areas Based on Geomorphologic Classification
Authors: Matsuoka Masashi , Wakamatsu Kazue , Hashimoto Mitsufumi , Senna Shigeki , Midorikawa Saburoh
Published: March 2015

Ground motion maps and observation records of liquefaction sites from ten historical earthquakes are used to develop predictive equations for the regional occurrence of liquefaction. Liquefaction occurrence ratio is determined for different geomorphological conditions and intervals of causative shaking intensity obtained from the observation data. Probability regression analysis of these data, based on a cumulative normal distribution, is then used to develop equations for estimating probability of liquefaction for different geomorphological conditions given shaking intensity. Utility of the model is demonstrated for a hypothetical Tonankai-Nankai earthquake to create an estimated liquefaction potential map having 250-m grid-cells. The approach shows promise for rapid online generation of liquefaction maps following an earthquake.
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Classification System That Associates Normal B-Cell Subset Phenotypes With Prognosis
Authors: Dybkær Karen , Bøgsted Martin , Falgreen Steffen , Bødker Julie S. , Kjeldsen Malene K. , Schmitz Alexander , Bilgrau Anders E. , Xu-Monette Zijun Y. , Li Ling , Bergkvist Kim S. , Laursen Maria B. , Rodrigo-Domingo Maria , Marques Sara C. , Rasmussen Sophie B. , Nyegaard Mette , Gaihede Michael , Møller Michael B. , Samworth Richard J. , Shah Rajen D. , Johansen Preben , El-Galaly Tarec C. , Young Ken H. , Johnsen Hans E.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

Current diagnostic tests for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma use the updated WHO criteria based on biologic, morphologic, and clinical heterogeneity. We propose a refined classification system based on subset-specific B-cell–associated gene signatures (BAGS) in the normal B-cell hierarchy, hypothesizing that it can provide new biologic insight and diagnostic and prognostic value.

Patients and Methods

We combined fluorescence-activated cell sorting, gene expression profiling, and statistical modeling to generate BAGS for naive, centrocyte, centroblast, memory, and plasmablast B cells from normal human tonsils. The impact of BAGS-assigned subtyping was analyzed using five clinical cohorts (treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone [CHOP], n = 270; treated with rituximab plus CHOP [R-CHOP], n = 869) gathered across geographic regions, time eras, and sampling methods. The analysis estimated subtype frequencies and drug-specific resistance and included a prognostic meta-analysis of patients treated with first-line R-CHOP therapy.

Results

Similar BAGS subtype frequencies were assigned across 1,139 samples from five different cohorts. Among R-CHOP–treated patients, BAGS assignment was significantly associated with overall survival and progression-free survival within the germinal center B-cell–like subclass; the centrocyte subtype had a superior prognosis compared with the centroblast subtype. In agreement with the observed therapeutic outcome, centrocyte subtypes were estimated as being less resistant than the centroblast subtype to doxorubicin and vincristine. The centroblast subtype had a complex genotype, whereas the centrocyte subtype had high TP53 mutation and insertion/deletion frequencies and expressed LMO2, CD58, and stromal-1–signature and major histocompatibility complex class II–signature genes, which are known to have a positive impact on prognosis.

Conclusion

Further development of a diagnostic platform using BAGS-assigned subtypes may allow pathogenetic studies to improve disease management.