bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Molecular Phenotype of β-Blocker–Associated Reverse-Remodeling in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kao David P. , Lowes Brian D. , Gilbert Edward M. , Minobe Wayne , Epperson L. Elaine , Meyer Leslie K. , Ferguson Debra A. , Volkman Ann Kirkpatrick , Zolty Ronald , Borg C. Douglas , Quaife Robert A. , Bristow Michael R.
Published: January 2015

Background—

When β-blockers produce reverse-remodeling in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, they partially reverse changes in fetal–adult/contractile protein, natriuretic peptide, SR-Ca
2+
-ATPase gene program constituents. The objective of the current study was to further test the hypothesis that reverse-remodeling is associated with favorable changes in myocardial gene expression by measuring additional contractile, signaling, and metabolic genes that exhibit a fetal/adult expression predominance, are thyroid hormone-responsive, and are regulated by β
1
-adrenergic receptor signaling. A secondary objective was to identify which of these putative regulatory networks is most closely associated with observed changes.

Methods and Results—

Forty-seven patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction, 0.24±0.09) were randomized to the adrenergic-receptor blockers metoprolol (β
1-
selective), metoprolol+doxazosin (β
1
/α
1
), or carvedilol (β
1
/β
2
/α
1
). Serial radionuclide ventriculography and endomyocardial biopsies were performed at baseline, 3, and 12 months. Expression of 50 mRNA gene products was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Thirty-one patients achieved left ventricular ejection fraction reverse-remodeling response defined as improvement by ≥0.08 at 12 months or by ≥0.05 at 3 months (Δ left ventricular ejection fraction, 0.21±0.10). Changes in gene expression in responders versus nonresponders were decreases in
NPPA
and
NPPB
and increases in
MYH6
,
ATP2A2
,
PLN
,
RYR2
,
ADRA1A
,
ADRB1
,
MYL3
,
PDFKM
,
PDHX
, and
CPT1B
. All except
PDHX
involved increase in adult or decrease in fetal cardiac genes, but 100% were concordant with changes predicted by inhibition of β
1
-adrenergic signaling.

Conclusions—

In addition to known gene expression changes, additional calcium-handling, sarcomeric, adrenergic signaling, and metabolic genes were associated with reverse-remodeling. The pattern suggests a fetal–adult paradigm but may be because of reversal of gene expression controlled by a β
1
-adrenergic receptor gene network.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique Identifier: NCT01798992.
Predictors of Long‐term Clinical Endpoints in Patients With Refractory Angina
Authors: Povsic Thomas J. , Broderick Samuel , Anstrom Kevin J. , Shaw Linda K. , Ohman E. Magnus , Eisenstein Eric L. , Smith Peter K. , Alexander John H.
Published: January 2015

Background

Clinical outcomes in patients with refractory angina (
RA
) are poorly characterized and variably described. Using the Duke Database for Cardiovascular Disease (
DDCD
), we explored characteristics that drive clinical endpoints in patients with class
II
to
IV
angina stabilized on medical therapy.

Methods and Results

We explored clinical endpoints and associated costs of patients who underwent catheterization at Duke University Medical Center from 1997 to 2010 for evaluation of coronary artery disease (
CAD
) and were found to have advanced
CAD
ineligible for additional revascularization, and were clinically stable for a minimum of 60 days. Of 77 257 cardiac catheterizations performed, 1908 patients met entry criteria. The 3‐year incidence of death; cardiac rehospitalization; and a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac rehospitalization, and revascularization were 13.0%, 43.5%, and 52.2%, respectively. Predictors of mortality included age, ejection fraction (
EF
), low body mass index, multivessel
CAD
, low heart rate, diabetes, diastolic blood pressure, history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery, cigarette smoking, history of congestive heart failure (
CHF
), and race. Multivessel
CAD
,
EF
<45%, and history of
CHF
increased risk of mortality; angina class and prior revascularization did not. Total rehospitalization costs over a 3‐year period per patient were $10 185 (95%
CI
8458, 11912) in 2012
US
dollars.

Conclusions

Clinically stable patients with
RA
who are medically managed have a modest mortality, but a high incidence of hospitalization and resource use over 3 years. These findings point to the need for novel therapies aimed at symptom mitigation in this population and their potential impact on health care utilization and costs.
Antithrombotic Therapy and Outcomes After ICD Implantation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Artery Disease: An Analysis From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR)
®
Authors: Ghanbari Hamid , Nallamothu Brahmajee K. , Wang Yongfei , Curtis Jeptha P.
Published: January 2015

Background

Management of antithrombotic agents after implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation is challenging, particularly among patients with atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease.

Methods and Results

Using data from National Cardiovascular Data Registry
®
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Registry
™
linked with Medicare claims data, we identified 25 180 patients with atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease who underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation. Patients were categorized into 5 different groups according to antithrombotic agents prescribed at discharge (any 1 antiplatelet agent [A, n=6538], dual antiplatelet therapy [
DA
, n=3414], warfarin [n=5264], warfarin+A [n=7994], warfarin+
DA
[n=1970]). We assessed the primary outcomes occurring within 30 days of hospital discharge. Combinations of
DA
(adjusted hazard ratio [
HR
]: 1.39; 95%
CI
: 1.03 to 1.87), warfarin+A (adjusted
HR
: 1.32; 95%
CI
: 1.03 to 1.69), and warfarin+
DA
(adjusted
HR
: 2.03; 95%
CI
: 1.49 to 2.77) were associated with a higher bleeding risk. The risk of major adverse cardiovascular events was higher in patients discharged with A (adjusted
HR
: 1.69; 95%
CI
: 1.33 to 2.16),
DA
(adjusted
HR
: 2.17; 95%
CI
: 1.66 to 2.83), and
DA
+warfarin (adjusted
HR
: 1.61; 1.16 to 2.24). There was no association between postdischarge antithrombotic agents and thromboembolic events or device‐related complications.

Conclusions

Short‐term bleeding risk and major adverse cardiovascular events differ with usage patterns of antithrombotic agents, while the risk of thromboembolic events and device‐related complications is relatively constant. These data may help clinicians balance risks and benefits when choosing antithrombotic therapy following implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation.
The Association Between Reduction in Inflammation and Changes in Lipoprotein Levels and HDL Cholesterol Efflux Capacity in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Liao Katherine P. , Playford Martin P. , Frits Michelle , Coblyn Jonathan S. , Iannaccone Christine , Weinblatt Michael E. , Shadick Nancy S. , Mehta Nehal N.
Published: January 2015

Background

Potent anti‐inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatments are associated with reduced cardiovascular risk as well as increases in low‐density lipoprotein (
LDL
) cholesterol. This apparent paradox may be explained by favorable changes in other lipid measurements. The objective of this study was to determine the longitudinal association between changes in inflammation with advanced lipoprotein measurements and high‐density lipoprotein (
HDL
) cholesterol efflux capacity.

Methods and Results

We conducted this study in a longitudinal
RA
cohort from a large academic center, including subjects with high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐
CRP
) reduction ≥10 mg/L at 2 time points 1 year apart. Subjects receiving statins during the study period or preceding 6 months were excluded. We compared total cholesterol,
LDL
cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and apolipoprotein A1 levels and
HDL
cholesterol efflux capacity at baseline and 1‐year follow‐up by using the paired
t
test. We also assessed the correlations between reductions in hs‐
CRP
with percentage change in lipid parameters. We studied 90
RA
subjects (mean age 57 years, 89% female), all of whom were receiving disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs. We observed a 7.2% increase in
LDL
cholesterol levels (
P
=0.02) and improvement in efflux capacity by 5.7% (
P
=0.002) between baseline and follow‐up, with a median hs‐
CRP
reduction of 23.5 mg/L. We observed significant correlations between reductions in hs‐
CRP
with increases in apolipoprotein A1 (
r
=0.27,
P
=0.01) and
HDL
cholesterol efflux capacity (
r
=0.24,
P
=0.02).

Conclusion

Among
RA
subjects experiencing reductions in hs‐
CRP
, we observed increased
LDL
cholesterol levels and concomitant improvements in
HDL
cholesterol efflux capacity. These findings provide further insight into lipid modulation and the beneficial effect of reduction in inflammation on lipids in vivo.
A new echiuran-associated snapping shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Alpheidae) from the Indo-West Pacific
Authors: ANKER ARTHUR , KOMAI TOMOYUKI , MARIN IVAN N.
Published: January 2015

Alpheus echiurophilus sp. nov. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) is described based on material from Japan (Ryukyu Islands) and Vietnam (Nha Trang Bay); an additional, morphologically slightly different specimen from Madagascar (Nosy-Bé) is preliminarily referred to A. cf. echiurophilus sp. nov., awaiting collection of additional material and/or genetic comparison. All specimens of the new species were collected from burrows of thalassematid echiurans, either on intertidal and shallow subtidal sand-mud flats or in the mixed sand-gravel-rock intertidal. Alpheus echiurophilus sp. nov. belongs to the A. leviusculus species group, being morphologically closest to the Indo-West Pacific A. leviusculus Dana, 1852, A. hululensis Coutière, 1905, A. ladronis Banner, 1956, and the western Atlantic A. zimmermani Anker, 2007. The new species can be separated from all of them by a combination of morphological characters and also appears to have a diagnostic colouration.
A revision of the Mexican Anolis (Reptilia, Squamata, Dactyloidae) from the Pacific versant west of the Isthmus de Tehuantepec in the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Puebla, with the description of six new species: Addendum
Authors: KÖHLER GUNTHER , PÉREZ RAÚL GÓMEZ TREJO , PETERSEN CLAUS BO P. , DE LA CRUZ FAUSTO R. MÉNDEZ
Published: January 2015

In the published version of ‘A revision of the Mexican Anolis (Reptilia, Squamata, Dactyloidae) from the Pacific versant west of the Isthmus de Tehuantepec in the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Puebla, with the description of six new species’ (Köhler et al., 2014) we failed to provide GenBank accession numbers for the sequences used in our study. This ommission is corrected below.
On some recent taxonomic advancement and the resultant problems in the arboreal skink genus Dasia Gray, 1839 (Reptilia: Scincidae)
Authors: CHANDRAMOULI S. R. , AMARASINGHE A. A. THASUN
Published: January 2015

South Asian members of the arboreal skink genus Dasia Gray, 1839 were recently reviewed using morphological and molecular approaches (Wickramasinghe et al. 2011; Harikrishnan et al. 2012). Harikrishnan et al. (2012) described a new species, Dasia johnsinghi, from South India. Both reviews add considerably to our taxonomic knowledge of the genus, but are unfortunately marred by several inaccuracies and lapses in taxonomic and nomenclatural practice. Taxonomic research is socially relevant because it contributes to the understanding of biodiversity (Bhat & Sarma, 2014) and it is responsible for laying the foundation for conservation (Dubois 2003; Evenhaus 2007); consequently, we believe taxonomists must take responsibility for maintaining publication quality, to promote conservation and science, and in this case, herpetology. While pernicious descriptions are harmful to the growth of herpetology in the region [i.e. the Western Ghats] (Vasudevan et al. 2007) in a time expecting quality science (Shanker, 2014) inaccuracies and errors in taxonomic literature should be carefully guarded against.
Scale insect species names combined with the genus name Chermes Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccomorpha)
Authors: WILLIAMS D. J.
Published: January 2015

Species names in the scale insects that have been combined with the genus name Chermes Linnaeus, 1758, are listed. This list supplements a list published already for the Sternorrhyncha but that was restricted to names of species that had been described originally in the genus. The present list includes, in addition, all species names in the scale insects that have been combined with the name Chermes.
Seasonal-to-Interannual Variability of Ethiopia/Horn of Africa Monsoon. Part II: Statistical Multimodel Ensemble Rainfall Predictions
Authors: Segele Zewdu T. , Richman Michael B. , Leslie Lance M. , Lamb Peter J.
Published: January 2015

An ensemble-based multiple linear regression technique is developed to assess the predictability of regional and national June–September (JJAS) anomalies and local monthly rainfall totals for Ethiopia. The ensemble prediction approach captures potential predictive signals in regional circulations and global sea surface temperatures (SSTs) two to three months in advance of the monsoon season. Sets of 20 potential predictors are selected from visual assessments of correlation maps that relate rainfall with regional and global predictors. Individual predictors in each set are utilized to initialize specific forward stepwise regression models to develop ensembles of equal number of statistical model estimates, which allow quantifying prediction uncertainties related to individual predictors and models. Prediction skill improvement is achieved through error minimization afforded by the ensemble.

For retroactive validation (RV), the ensemble predictions reproduce well the observed all-Ethiopian JJAS rainfall variability two months in advance. The ensemble mean prediction outperforms climatology, with mean square error reduction (SSClim) of 62%. The skill of the prediction remains high for leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV), with the observed–predicted correlation r (SSClim) being +0.81 (65%) for 1970–2002. For tercile predictions (below, near, and above normal), the ranked probability skill score is 0.45, indicating improvement compared to climatological forecasts. Similarly high prediction skill is found for local prediction of monthly rainfall total at Addis Ababa (r = +0.72) and Combolcha (r = +0.68), and for regional prediction of JJAS standardized rainfall anomalies for northeastern Ethiopia (r = +0.80). Compared to the previous generation of rainfall forecasts, the ensemble predictions developed in this paper show substantial value to benefit society.
The Role of Cloud-Top Generating Cells and Boundary Layer Circulations in the Finescale Radar Structure of a Winter Cyclone over the Great Lakes
Authors: Rauber Robert M. , Plummer David M. , Macomber Matthew K. , Rosenow Andrew A. , McFarquhar Greg M. , Jewett Brian F. , Leon David , Owens Nathan , Keeler Jason M.
Published: January 2015

Data from airborne W-band radar are used in conjunction with thermodynamic fields from the Weather Research and Forecasting Model and air-parcel back trajectories from the HYSPLIT model to investigate the finescale reflectivity, vertical motion, and airmass structure of the comma head of a winter cyclone in the vicinity of the Great Lakes. Cloud-top generating cells formed along an upper-level frontal boundary vertically separating dry air, which 48 h earlier was located in the upper troposphere over south-central Canada, from moist air, which was located in the lower troposphere over the southeast United States. The stronger updrafts within the generating cells had vertical velocities ranging from 1 to 3 m s−1. The generating cells were important to precipitation production within the comma head. Precipitation trails formed within the generating cells could sometimes be followed to the boundary layer before merging.

Boundary layer air beneath the cyclone’s comma head exhibited convective circulations and was turbulent. Gravity waves were sometimes observed at the base of the stable layer atop the convective boundary layer. Trajectory analyses showed that boundary layer air sampled by radar beneath the aircraft path had a history of crossing the Great Lakes. The magnitude of updrafts and downdrafts in the boundary layer were 1–2 m s−1, while wave circulations exhibited maximum updrafts and downdrafts of ~3 m s−1. The tops of some boundary layer convective circulations and gravity waves exhibited enhancements in radar reflectivity. The data presented illustrate the impact of the Great Lakes on cyclone mesostructure during the passage of a cyclone through the region.
Marks of Distinction
Authors: Giorgi Simona , Weber Klaus
Published: January 2015

In examining how framing influences an audience’s appreciation of products, practices, and people, including the framer, we take the perspective of the audience that evaluates the framing. We examine the effects of framing on evaluations when audiences are exposed to a multiplicity of frames, both by the same actor as the result of recurrent communications over time and by multiple actors who vie for attention. Using 36,012 research reports by securities analysts, covering the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry between 1989 and 2012, we tested the relationships between analysts’ framing repertoires and professional investors’ evaluations of analysts as measured in the publication of Institutional Investor’s short list of the best analysts of the year. We found that investors appreciate analysts with framing repertoires that resonate with their needs, that are internally coherent over time, and that offer a moderate amount of novelty in comparison to others’ framings. We also found that framing is particularly important for analysts without existing high status, that is, who have never before been recognized as stars or who cannot benefit from association with a prestigious employer.
Beyond Harms
Authors: Fowers Blaine J. , Anderson Austen R. , Lefevor G. Tyler , Lang Samantha
Published: January 2015

Wendt, Gone, and Nagata raise some very important questions about harm in psychotherapy and initiate a valuable dialogue between scholars of potentially harmful therapy and multicultural counseling and psychotherapy. This comment enlarges upon the authors’ view that harms cannot be understood independently of goods by providing an argument that goods have an inherent place in psychotherapy and in multicultural viewpoints. The goods of psychotherapy (e.g., justice, respect) are ordinary and widely endorsed rather than esoteric or objectionable. Identifying these goods makes it possible to organize them into a coherent hierarchy that enables an integration of the primarily individual goods of standard psychotherapy and the primarily communal goods of a multicultural perspective. This can facilitate a mutually informative and enriching dialogue between scholars from these two domains. The hope is to encourage a more open discussion of the goods of psychotherapy, thereby fostering a more reflective, progressive discipline.
Drug Markets, Travel Distance, and Violence
Authors: Johnson Lallen T.
Published: January 2015

The factors complicating our understanding of the drugs and violence nexus include the role of community structure and subculture, and situational features of market exchanges. Reuter and MacCoun contribute to the latter by highlighting a typology of market violence. Using distance as a proxy for social ties, the four-market category typology suggests that the mixing of buyers and sellers from various distances has implications for the amount of violence expected to occur within them. This research performs a partial test of that typology using 5 years of arrest and incident data from the Philadelphia Police Department. Multilevel models reveal that compared with markets with local buyers and sellers, those characterized by lengthier travel patterns have significantly higher counts of violent incidents.
Generalized Difference in Differences With Panel Data and Least Squares Estimator
Authors: Lee Myoung-jae
Published: January 2015

With one treated and one untreated periods, difference in differences (DD) requires the untreated response changes to be the same across the treatment and control groups, if the treatment were withheld contrary to the fact. A natural way to check the condition is to backtrack one period and examine the response changes in two pretreatment periods. If the condition does not hold in the pretreatment periods, then a modified DD takes the form of “generalized difference in differences (GDD),” which is a triple difference (TD) with one more time-wise difference than DD. GDD generalizes DD with a weaker identification condition in the sense that a time-constant, but not necessarily zero, time/selection effect is allowed. One more time-wise differencing (quadruple difference [QD]) than GDD allows for the time/selection effect even to change over time, which makes it possible to test for the GDD identification condition. Simple panel least squares estimators (LSEs)/tests for DD and GDD are proposed and an empirical illustration is presented.
Racial/Ethnic Identity, Religious Commitment, and Well-Being in African Americans
Authors: Ajibade Adebayo , Hook Joshua N. , Utsey Shawn O. , Davis Don E. , Van Tongeren Daryl R.
Published: January 2015

Although the study of positive psychology has flourished in recent years, most research has focused on White samples. There is, however, a growing body of research examining cultural factors that may contribute to the psychological health and well-being of African Americans. The present study examined the associations between racial/ethnic identity, religious commitment, satisfaction with life, and meaning in a sample of African Americans ( N = 199). Racial/ethnic identity was positively associated with satisfaction with life and meaning, and these associations were partially mediated by high religious commitment. We conclude by discussing implications for the findings and areas for future research.
Commercialism and Identity Politics in New York’s Chinatown
Authors: Li Chuo
Published: January 2015

After World War II, a remarkable, self-conscious process of community building has taken place in U.S. Chinatowns, especially when the institution of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 led to the eventual abolition of Asian quotas. New York’s Chinatown presents a case study of the postwar transformation that was related to both the global geopolitical changes and domestic urban economic restructuring. With the liberation of immigration laws, the Chinese population in New York has been continuously growing and becoming diversified. Illustrating the way notions of identity and heritage function to (re)assert spatial identity, the article examines the contested process of landscape construction in New York’s Chinatown and the underpinning social agendas, cultural and political implications in the process of identity-making.
Sardinero and Not a Can of Sardines
Authors: Bunk Brian D.
Published: January 2015

Spaniards in New York City during the 1920s used soccer to create and maintain multiple notions of identities centered on supra-national, national, and regional affiliations. Success on the field against other teams demonstrated the talent and strength of not just those from Spain but also immigrants from the rest of the Spanish-speaking world. The sport also generated networks that reinforced a Spanish national identity by connecting New Yorkers to similar communities both in the United States and overseas. The establishment of voluntary and sporting organizations based on region of origin within Spain weakened other broader notions of collective identification. The expression of these multiple identities through sport fuelled rivalries and subverted attempts to create a singular ethnic identity. By the end of the decade, the result within the Spanish colony was not unification, as many had hoped, but rather fragmentation into competing institutions.
Place and Politics at the Frankfurt Paulskirche after 1945
Authors: Rose Shelley E.
Published: January 2015

This article investigates the reconstruction of the Frankfurt Paulskirche as a symbol of German democratic identity after World War II. The place memory of the Paulskirche is deeply rooted in the 1848 Parliament which anticipated the formation of a German democratic state. The church provided postwar Germans with a physical anchor for their sense of history and feelings of Heimat. This place identity pervades post-1945 debates about the reconstruction of the church and the appropriate uses of that space in the context of Frankfurt’s devastated urban and political landscape. Despite this, the place identity of the Paulskirche remains understudied in the historiography. Rental agreements and correspondence reveal dynamic exchanges between city leaders, mainly members of the Social Democratic Party, and their constituents. Politicians, feminists, and peace activists all attempted to control the place identity of the Paulskirche after reconstruction, ultimately transcribing the space with additional political meaning.
The International Garden City Campaign
Authors: Geertse Michel
Published: January 2015

This article analyzes the garden city campaign of the International Federation for Housing and Town Planning (IFHTP). Available literature suggests the agenda of the IFHTP was dictated by the British garden city militants who had established the IFHTP in 1913. Although the garden city concept dominated the agenda, its treatment was not static. The agenda evolved in the course of time from town planning on “garden city lines” to true independent garden cities, then from a national garden cities program to satellite towns, and finally merged into the broader concept of regional decentralization. This article demonstrates that the agenda of the IFHTP cannot be adequately framed in terms of exclusive agency of its British initiators. The agenda of the IFHTP, as a transnational network organization, was substantially influenced by the structure and substance of its membership and the wider transnational network society, Saunier’s Urban Internationale, to which it belonged.
Opposing Forces
Authors: Janecky Peter R.
Published: January 2015

This article tells a story about the dynamic discourse of opposing forces regarding the “open housing” debate in Milwaukee in the late 1960s. Letters written by citizens, editorials published by daily newspapers, and statements made by Mayor Henry Maier offer evidence of a multidimensional debate about residential discrimination. On one level, the ideas expressed by citizens in the letters written to Mayor Maier demonstrate that civil and political rights were in combat with property rights. On a broader community level, the daily newspapers in Milwaukee were engaged in a debate with Maier about loftier societal principles and political leadership. Maier constructed a moral argument to support his position as he sought a metropolitan solution to the problem. The editors of the daily newspapers criticized Maier for a lack of leadership on the issue, and they believed that legislation would be a vital step toward real change in the city’s neighborhoods.
Traffic analysis of a simplified two-dimensional elevator system
Authors: So Albert , Al-Sharif Lutfi , Hammoudeh Ahmad
Published: January 2015

The idea of multicar operation within one hoistway is not new. Two-car systems are currently available on the market, whereby the two cars travel with restricted independence because one car must always remain above the other. With recent advances in linear machines, systems with more than two cars in one hoistway will soon become possible.

In this paper, the authors go one step forward by assuming that multiple cars can move in a two-dimensional plane either attached to the facade of the building or across a vertical slice within the building. The analysis has been restricted at this stage to incoming traffic only. It is assumed that elevator cars can move upwards, downwards as well as sideways. In this way, passengers can exit at a stop very close to their destinations. The foreseeable technology is discussed, and two configurations (denoted as setups A and B) are proposed. The traffic analysis equations for such a system are also derived. A simulation is then carried out for the two setups based on one-car operation. The simulation shows that the proposed two-dimensional elevator system can reduce the total traveling time of a passenger as compared with the conventional one-dimensional setup. The system is described as special because the number of hoistways is restricted (up to a maximum of 2).

Practical application: This paper provides a practical way of evaluating the round trip time for two different two-dimensional elevator applications. It also then compares three different sizes of buildings and shows that the use of two-dimensional elevator arrangements is only feasible for building with more than 30 floors high by 30 rooms wide.
Evaluating the prevalence of the undeclared economy in Central and Eastern Europe: An institutional asymmetry perspective
Authors: Williams Colin C , Horodnic Ioana A
Published: January 2015

This article examines the undeclared economy in general, and envelope wages more particularly, in 10 Central and East European countries, drawing on a 2013 Eurobarometer survey. The explanatory approach focuses on the asymmetry between the codified laws and regulations of the formal institutions and the unwritten socially shared rules of informal institutions. A strong association is revealed between the prevalence of envelope wage payments and the degree of asymmetry between formal and informal institutions at both the individual and country levels. We explore the implications for theorising and for tackling undeclared work practices.
Outcomes of gait trainer use in home and school settings for children with motor impairments: a systematic review
Authors: Paleg Ginny , Livingstone Roslyn
Published: January 2015

Objective:

To summarize and critically appraise evidence regarding use of gait trainers (walkers providing trunk and pelvic support) at home or school with children who are unable to walk independently or with hand-held walkers.

Data sources:

Searches were performed in seven electronic databases including EBM Reviews, CINAHL, Medline and EMBASE for publications in English from database inception to November 2014.

Review methods:

Included studies involved at least one child with a mobility limitation and measured an outcome related to gait trainer use. Articles were appraised using American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine criteria for group and single-subject designs and quality ratings completed for studies rated levels I-III. The PRISMA statement was followed with inclusion criteria set a priori. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full-text articles.

Results:

Seventeen studies involving 182 children were included. Evidence from one small randomized controlled trial suggests a non-significant trend toward increased walking distance while the other evidence level II study (concurrent multiple baseline design) reports increased number of steps. Two level III studies (non-randomized two-group studies) report statistically significant impact on mobility level with one finding significant impact on bowel function and an association between increased intervention time and bone mineral density. Remaining descriptive level evidence provides support for positive impact on a range of activity outcomes, with some studies reporting impact on affect, motivation and participation with others.

Conclusions:

Evidence supporting outcomes for children using gait trainers is primarily descriptive and, while mainly positive, is insufficient to draw firm conclusions.
Over ground walking and body weight supported walking improve mobility equally in cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Swe Ni Ni , Sendhilnnathan Sunitha , van Den Berg Maayken , Barr Christopher
Published: January 2015

Objective:

To assess partial body weight supported treadmill training versus over ground training for walking ability in children with mild to moderate cerebral palsy.

Design:

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting:

A Special Needs school in Singapore.

Subjects:

Thirty children with cerebral palsy, aged 6-18, with a Gross Motor Function Classification System score of II-III.

Interventions:

Two times 30 minute sessions of walking training per week for 8 weeks, progressed as tolerated, either over ground (control) or using partial body weight supported treadmill training (intervention).

Main measures:

The 10 metre walk test, and the 6 minute walk test. Secondary measures were sub-sections D and E on the Gross Motor Function Measure. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, and after 4 and 8 weeks of training.

Results:

There was no effect of group allocation on any outcome measure, while time was a significant factor for all outcomes. Walking speed improved significantly more in the intervention group by week 4 (0.109 (0.067)m/s vs 0.048 (0.071)m/s, P=0.024) however by week 8 the change from baseline was similar (intervention 0.0160 (0.069)m/s vs control 0.173 (0.109)m/s, P=0.697). All gains made by week 4 were significantly improved on by week 8 for the 10 metre walk test, 6 minute walk test, and the gross motor function measure.

Conclusions:

Partial body weight supported treadmill training is no more effective than over ground walking at improving aspects of walking and function in children with mild to moderate cerebral palsy. Gains seen in 4 weeks can be furthered by 8 weeks.
Clinicians’ Perceptions of the Benefits and Harms of Prostate and Colorectal Cancer Screening
Authors: Elstad Emily A. , Sutkowi-Hemstreet Anne , Sheridan Stacey L. , Vu Maihan , Harris Russell , Reyna Valerie F. , Rini Christine , Earp Jo Anne , Brewer Noel T.
Published: January 2015

Background. Clinicians’ perceptions of screening benefits and harms influence their recommendations, which in turn shape patients’ screening decisions. We sought to understand clinicians’ perceptions of the benefits and harms of cancer screening by comparing 2 screening tests that differ in their balance of potential benefits to harms: colonoscopy, which results in net benefit for many adults, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, which may do more harm than good. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 126 clinicians at 24 family/internal medicine practices completed surveys in which they listed and rated the magnitude of colonoscopy and PSA testing benefits and harms for a hypothetical 70-year-old male patient and then estimated the likelihood that these tests would cause harm and lengthen the life of 100 similar men in the next 10 years. We tested the hypothesis that the availability heuristic would explain the association of screening test to perceived likelihood of benefit/harm and a competing hypothesis that clinicians’ gist of screening tests as good or bad would mediate this association. Results. Clinicians perceived PSA testing to have a greater likelihood of harm and a lower likelihood of lengthening life relative to colonoscopy. Consistent with our gist hypothesis, these associations were mediated by clinicians’ gist of screening (balance of perceived benefits to perceived harms). Limitations. Generalizability beyond academic clinicians remains to be established. Conclusions. Targeting clinicians’ gist of screening, for example through graphical displays that allow clinicians to make gist-based relative magnitude comparisons, may influence their risk perception and possibly reduce overrecommendation of screening.
Postanaesthetic emergence agitation in adult patients after general anaesthesia for urological surgery
Authors: Kim Hyun-Chang , Kim Eugene , Jeon Young-Tae , Hwang Jung-Won , Lim Young-Jin , Seo Jeong-Hwa , Park Hee-Pyoung
Published: January 2015

Objective

To investigate the incidence and risk factors for emergence agitation in the postanaesthetic care unit (PACU), in adult patients undergoing urological surgery.

Methods

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables were evaluated. Emergence agitation was defined as a Riker sedation–agitation score ≥5. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for emergence agitation.

Results

Emergence agitation was observed in 48/488 (9.8%) patients. Chronic lung disease (odds ratio [OR] 2.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 7.17), duration of surgery (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00, 1.01), history of social drinking (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.25, 4.93), postoperative pain score (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.14, 1.53), voiding urgency (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.01, 4.77) and presence of gastric tube (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.07, 7.54) were independent risk factors for emergence agitation.

Conclusions

Adequate postoperative pain management and prevention of catheter-related bladder discomfort may be helpful in reducing the incidence of emergence agitation in urology patients.
Pulmonary Arterial Lesions in New World Camelids in Association With Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Fasciola hepatica Infection
Authors: Hilbe M. , Robert N. , Pospischil A. , Gerspach C.
Published: January 2015

In Switzerland, dicrocoeliasis is regarded as the most significant parasitic infection of llamas and alpacas. Fasciola hepatica infestation is also a problem but less common. The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the lungs of New World camelids (NWCs) for evidence of arterial hypertension in association with liver changes due to liver fluke infestation. The lungs of 20 llamas and 20 alpacas with liver fluke infestation were histologically evaluated. The hematoxylin and eosin and van Gieson (VG)–elastica stains as well as immunohistology for the expression of α–smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were used to visualize the structures of arterial walls. Parasitology of fecal matter (11 llamas and 17 alpacas) confirmed that most of these animals were infested with both Dicrocoelium dendriticum and other gastrointestinal parasites. In most cases (10/12 llamas, 4/6 alpacas), liver enzyme activity in serum was elevated. Histologically, arteries in the lungs of 9 of 20 llamas (45%) and 3 of 20 alpacas (15%) showed severe intimal and adventitial and slight to moderate medial thickening, which was confirmed with α-SMA and VG-elastica staining. All animals exhibited typical liver changes, such as fibrosis and biliary hyperplasia, in association with the presence of liver flukes. This study shows that liver flukes can induce proliferative changes in lung arteries in NWCs that resemble those seen with pulmonary arterial hypertension due to liver parasites in humans. However, the degree of liver fluke infestation was not correlated with the extent of liver damage, or with the amount of thoracic or abdominal effusion or pulmonary arterial changes.
Association of Rotavirus With Seizures Accompanied by Cerebral White Matter Injury in Neonates
Authors: Oh Ki Won , Moon Chang Hoon , Lee Kyung Yeon
Published: January 2015

We aimed to identify whether rotavirus, human parechovirus, or enterovirus are causative or associated viral pathogens of seizures accompanied by diffuse cerebral white matter injury in neonates. Thirty neonates who presented with seizures and diffusion-restriction in the widespread bilateral cerebral white matter on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included in this study. All patients were tested for rotavirus, human parechovirus, and enterovirus by using reverse transcription PCR. Stool, cerebrospinal fluid, and serum samples were examined in 30, 25, and 20 patients, respectively. Rotavirus was detected in stool samples from all 30 patients (100%). Stool samples from 5 patients (16.7%) were also positive for enterovirus. Rotavirus or human parechovirus were not detected in any cerebrospinal fluid samples from 25 patients, but 1 patient tested positive for enterovirus. No virus was detected in any of 20 patient sera. This study indicated an association between rotavirus and seizures accompanied by diffuse cerebral white matter lesions in neonates.
A 24-Hour Postintensive Care Unit Transition-of-Care Model Shortens Hospital Stay
Authors: Kheir Fayez , Shawwa Khaled , Nguyen Du , Alraiyes Abdul Hamid , Simeone Francesco , Nielsen Nathan D.
Published: January 2015

Background:

Patients discharged early from the medical intensive care unit (MICU) are at risk of deterioration, MICU readmission, and increased mortality. An earlier discharge to a medical ward is desirable to reduce costs but it may adversely affect outcomes. To address this problem, a new model for the MICU transition of care was implemented at our academic center: The MICU team continued to manage all patients transferred from the MICU to the medical ward for at least 24 hours.

Methods:

Data were collected for all MICU patients admitted 1 year before and 1 year after the intervention. Hospital length of stay (LOS) after transfer from the MICU, readmission rate, and mortality rate were compared before and after the intervention. A nonparsimonious propensity model based on 30 factors was used to identify matched preintervention and postintervention cohorts.

Results:

A total of 618 of the 848 patients admitted to the MICU were transferred to medical ward during the year prior to the implementation of the new model, and 600 of the 883 patients were transferred during the following year. Pre- and postintervention cohorts were well matched (n = 483 patients in each group). Poisson regression analysis showed a decrease in the hospital LOS after MICU transfer by 1.17 days ( P < .001) without a significant change in adjusted mortality (lower by 1.9%, P = .181) and MICU readmission rates (lower by 2%, P = .264).

Conclusion:

A new model for the post-MICU transition of care, with the MICU team continuing to manage all patients transferred to the medical ward for at least 24 hours, significantly decreased duration of hospital stay after MICU transfer without affecting MICU readmission and mortality rate. The implementation of this model may lower medical costs and make transition of care safer without adverse outcomes.
Exchange and Intimacy in the Inner City
Authors: Ray Ranita
Published: January 2015

Drawing on three years of fieldwork among a group of young men and women from a poor urban community in Northeastern United States, I explore the salience of sibling ties in the lives of poor urban youth. Observations reveal that siblings provide crucial support in navigating institutions such as school, work, and criminal justice system. Proximity in age combined with familial piety and exposure to almost identical family, school, and neighborhood often means that sibling ties have unique implications for survival against poverty. However, I also point out several negative effects of influence through intimacy. While scholars have long grappled with the issue of survival through kinship ties, as well as its role in limiting upward mobility for the poor, I illustrate the cost of exchange on intimate ties. Obligatory exchange under the constraints of poverty often blur the line between exchange and unconditional love. Those who provide resources desire obedience or make decisions for those they provide for, and dependency makes relationships fraught with hostility.
Public Sociology and Hermeneutics
Authors: Horák Vít
Published: January 2015

This article addresses Michael Burawoy’s call for a public sociology. While it takes a critical view of Burawoy’s proposition, it accepts the basic idea of conceptualizing sociology as a discipline inherently engaged with the public. To this end, it draws on the philosophy of Hans-Georg Gadamer formulated in his Truth and Method. While Burawoy understands public sociology as a distinct type of sociological work complementary to traditional professional sociology, using Gadamer’s philosophy I attempt to avoid this division and to conceptualize sociology on the basis of the intersection between professional and public sociology. I understand sociology not as a research field formulating theories that describe society, but as a distinct interpretative tradition that participates in contemporary discussions seeking answers to the social-related questions posed by the public.
Program Barriers and Challenges to Self-Sufficiency: A Qualitative Analysis of Ohio Welfare-to-Work Program Manager Identity
Authors: Taylor Tiffany , Gross Christi L. , Towne-Roese Jackuelyn K.
Published: January 2015

This research examines the ways in which Ohio Works First (OWF) program managers respond to the bureaucratic constraints of implementing welfare-to-work programs. Using qualitative data collected from telephone interviews with program managers in 69 of Ohio’s 88 counties, we build on prior research that examines caseworker identity and case management (Watkins-Hayes, 2009) by investigating how managers view the challenges and program barriers to self-sufficiency for cash assistance clients in Ohio. We find three distinct manager identities and responses to these challenges and barriers. First, following Watkins-Hayes (2009), we find ‘social work’ identified managers are more holistic in their approach and focused on structural barriers to self-sufficiency. A second type of manager – ‘efficiency engineers’ – are far more rules-minded and focused on clients’ individual barriers. Third, similar to existing research (Taylor and Seale, 2013), we find support for another category of managers – ‘conflicted’ – who discuss both structural and individual-level barriers to self-sufficiency.
Ecovillages, Restitution, and the Political-Economic Opportunity Structure: An Urban Case Study in Mitigating the Metabolic Rift
Authors: Ergas Christina , Clement Matthew Thomas
Published: January 2015

In cities around the world, environmental concerns have spurred urban activists to organize alternative forms of settlement. Here, we assess efforts by one ecovillage in the Pacific Northwest to change their lifestyles in accordance with ecological principles. Drawing from the concepts of restitution and the political-economic opportunity structure (PEOS), we find that ecovillagers intend to mitigate the antagonism between humans and nature, but they face limitations from the larger urban and political-economic contexts. As such, this study describes the routine practices and experiences of urban ecovillagers as an example of the micro-level dynamics and tensions implied in metabolic rift theory.
Impact of Pharmacy Residency Research Training on Residents’ Actual Versus Perceived Ability and Interest to Identify and Solve Practice-Related Problems
Authors: Pinelli Nicole R. , Sikora Andrea N. , Witherspoon Leigh A. , Rao Kamakshi V. , Rhoney Denise H.
Published: January 2015

Purpose:

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) requires that accredited residency programs provide pharmacy residents the opportunity to perform a practice-based project. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacy residency research training on residents’ actual versus perceived ability to solve practice-related problems in their professional careers.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study surveyed postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy practice residents who completed training at a large academic medical center between 2007 and 2013. The survey consisted of 3 areas of assessment, that is, (1) general demographics, (2) perceived research abilities, and (3) self-reported research productivity.

Results:

A total of 39 residents were eligible; of those, 27 completed the survey (69.2% response rate). Participants reported low perceived ability for conductance of some research activities including study design development, implementation, and publication. No association between perceived research ability and self-reported research productivity was found. Research experience prior to residency training strongly predicted for subsequent publication after completion of PGY1 residency training ( P < .0001).

Conclusions:

New training mechanisms may be needed to optimize research training that will provide residents with greater emphasis on areas of perceived deficiency.