bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of single‐incision laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair for irreducible or incarcerated inguinal hernia
Authors: Wakasugi Masaki , Nakahara Yujiro , Hirota Masaki , Matsumoto Takashi , Takemoto Hiroyoshi , Takachi Ko , Nishioka Kiyonori , Oshima Satoshi
Published: April 2018

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of single‐incision laparoscopic surgery for totally extraperitoneal repair (SILS‐TEP) of irreducible inguinal hernias and incarcerated inguinal hernias.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 194 patients, including 16 with irreducible or incarcerated hernia, who had undergone SILS‐TEP from May 2016 to December 2017 at Kinki Central Hospital. The outcomes of patients with irreducible or incarcerated hernia and those with reducible hernia were compared. For irreducible or incarcerated hernia, laparoscopic exploration with hernia reduction through an intraumbilical incision was performed. If no bowel resection was needed, one‐stage SILS‐TEP was performed. If bowel resection was required, two‐stage SILS‐TEP was performed 2–3 months after the bowel resection.

Results

Of the 16 patients, 8 had an irreducible hernia, and 8 had an incarcerated hernia. The eight patients with an incarcerated hernia underwent emergency surgery, and among these patients, two needed single‐incision laparoscopic partial resection of the ileum followed by two‐stage SILS‐TEP. Fourteen patients, excluding the two patients who required single‐incision laparoscopic partial resection of the ileum, underwent laparoscopic exploration with hernia reduction followed by one‐stage SILS‐TEP. Among these 14 patients, one with an irreducible hernia required conversion to Kugel patch repair. The operative outcomes were generally comparable between the two groups. However, the operative time was longer for unilateral hernia, and more seromas were seen in the irreducible or incarcerated group. No other major complications or cases of hernia recurrence were noted in this study.

Conclusions

SILS‐TEP, which offers good cosmetic results, can be safely performed for irreducible or incarcerated inguinal hernia.
Evaluating the Implementation of a Mandatory Dual Reporting System: The Case of Indonesian Local Government
Authors: Mir Monir , Harun Harun , Sutiyono Wahyu
Published: April 2018

Informative and transparent financial information in the public sector is crucial for improving public sector management and eradicating corruption. Given this, Indonesia has reformed its public sector accounting, reporting and accountability systems by implementing a dual reporting system known as ‘cash towards accrual’, following similar reforms in developed countries. Drawing on the experience of five local governments (districts) in Indonesia, this study finds that the implementation of the dual reporting system has helped local governments to produce transparent and informative reports. However, the accrual‐based contents of the dual reports produced by the new reporting system are underused for decision making. In addition, there has been a significant increase in costs associated with the implementation of the new accounting regime in the jurisdictions studied. The study also finds that the ability of the users to use information generated by the new accounting system is more important than just a legal and mandatory requirement to use the new system.
Osimertinib in Japanese patients with EGFR T790M mutation‐positive advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer: AURA3 trial
Authors: Akamatsu Hiroaki , Katakami Nobuyuki , Okamoto Isamu , Kato Terufumi , Kim Young Hak , Imamura Fumio , Shinkai Masaharu , Hodge Rachel A. , Uchida Hirohiko , Hida Toyoaki
Published: April 2018

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the first‐line treatment for patients with EGFR mutant non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, most patients become resistant to these drugs, so their disease progresses. Osimertinib, a third‐generation EGFR‐TKI that can inhibit the kinase even when the common resistance‐conferring Thr790Met (T790M) mutation is present, is a promising therapeutic option for patients whose disease has progressed after first‐line EGFR‐TKI treatment. AURA3 was a randomized (2:1), open‐label, phase III study comparing the efficacy of osimertinib (80 mg/d) with platinum‐based therapy plus pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) in 419 patients with advanced NSCLC with the EGFR T790M mutation in whom disease had progressed after first‐line EGFR‐TKI treatment. This subanalysis evaluated the safety and efficacy of osimertinib specifically in 63 Japanese patients enrolled in AURA3. The primary end‐point was progression‐free survival (PFS) based on investigator assessment. Improvement in PFS was clinically meaningful in the osimertinib group (n = 41) vs the platinum‐pemetrexed group (n = 22; hazard ratio 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.13‐0.56). The median PFS was 12.5 and 4.3 months in the osimertinib and platinum‐pemetrexed groups, respectively. Grade ≥3 adverse events determined to be related to treatment occurred in 5 patients (12.2%) treated with osimertinib and 12 patients (54.5%) treated with platinum‐pemetrexed. The safety and efficacy results in this subanalysis are consistent with the results of the overall AURA3 study, and support the use of osimertinib in Japanese patients with EGFR T790M mutation‐positive NSCLC whose disease has progressed following first‐line EGFR‐TKI treatment. (ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration no. NCT02151981.)
The elephant (head) in the room: A critical look at trophy hunting
Authors: Batavia Chelsea , Nelson Michael Paul , Darimont Chris T. , Paquet Paul C. , Ripple William J. , Wallach Arian D.
Published: April 2018

Trophy hunting has occupied a prominent position in recent scholarly literature and popular media. In the scientific conservation literature, researchers are generally supportive of or sympathetic to its usage as a source of monetary support for conservation. Although authors at times acknowledge that trophy hunting faces strong opposition from many members of the public, often for unspecified reasons associated with ethics, neither the nature nor the implications of these ethical concerns have been substantively addressed. We identify the central act of wildlife “trophy” taking as a potential source of ethical discomfort and public opposition. We highlight that trophy hunting entails a hunter paying a fee to kill an animal and claim its body or body parts as a trophy of conquest. Situating this practice in a Western cultural narrative of chauvinism, colonialism, and anthropocentrism, we argue trophy hunting is morally inappropriate. We suggest alternative strategies for conservation and community development should be explored and decisively ruled out as viable sources of support before the conservation community endorses trophy hunting. If wildlife conservation is broadly and inescapably dependent on the institution of trophy hunting, conservationists should accept the practice only with a due appreciation of tragedy, and proper remorse.
Contrasting climate niches among co‐occurring subdominant forbs of the sagebrush steppe
Authors: Barga Sarah C. , Dilts Thomas E. , Leger Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2018

Aim

Abiotic conditions are key components that determine the distribution of species. However, co‐occurring species can respond differently to the same factors, and determining which climate components are most predictive of geographic distributions is important for understanding community response to climate change. Here, we estimate and compare climate niches of ten subdominant, herbaceous forb species common in sagebrush steppe systems, asking how niches differ among co‐occurring species and whether more closely related species exhibit higher niche overlap.

Location

Western United States.

Methods

We used herbarium records and ecological niche modelling to estimate area of occupancy, niche breadth and overlap, and describe characteristics of suitable climate. We compared mean values and variability in summer precipitation and minimum temperatures at occurrence locations among species, plant families, and growth forms, and related estimated phylogenetic distances to niche overlap.

Results

Species varied in the size and spatial distribution of suitable climate and in niche breadth. Species also differed in the variables contributing to their suitable climate and in mean values, spatial variation and interannual variation in highly predictive climate variables. Only two of ten species shared comparable climate niches. We found family‐level differences associated with variation in summer precipitation and minimum temperatures, as well as in mean minimum temperatures. Growth forms differed in their association with variability in summer precipitation and minimum temperatures. We found no relationship between phylogenetic distance and niche overlap among our species.

Main conclusions

We identified contrasting climate niches for ten Great Basin understorey forbs, including differences in both mean values and climate variability. These estimates can guide species selection for restoration by identifying species with a high tolerance for climate variability and large climatic niches. They can also help conservationists to understand which species may be least tolerant of climate variability, and potentially most vulnerable to climate change.
Barriers to foot care in patients with diabetes as identified by healthcare professionals
Authors: Pankhurst C. J. W. , Edmonds M. E.
Published: April 2018

Aims

To seek the views of healthcare professionals as to the barriers to foot care that they perceive as having an impact on clinical outcomes and contributing to the number of amputations.

Methods

The study involved healthcare professionals from the UK attending our 2015 and 2016 Masterclass diabetic foot conferences. Admission to these conferences was open to all members of the multidisciplinary spectrum who provide care of people with diabetes and foot problems. Attendees were asked to write down concerns that they considered to constitute barriers to foot care for people with diabetes.

Results

A total of 425 responses were received (90.8% of the total attendance at the 2015/2016 conferences). Analysis of the responses produced eight key subject areas in which barriers to care were identified: patient referrals, communication between disciplines, access to specialist services, patient care, funding, organization of care, education and infection. Within these key areas, respondents reported poor recognition and diagnosis of foot problems, lack of awareness of the need for referral both by the person with diabetes and healthcare professionals, difficulties in the referral pathway, lack of access to multidisciplinary care, shortage of resources and lack of education of both people with diabetes and healthcare professionals. The respondents identified these barriers as contributing to delay in people with diabetes receiving specialist help. Such a delay can lead to amputation.

Conclusions

The crucial barrier to diabetic foot care is delay in accessing specialist care. Until this is addressed, care will be less than optimum and amputations will continue.
Female reproductive history and risk of type 2 diabetes: A prospective analysis of 126 721 women
Authors: Pandeya Nirmala , Huxley Rachel R. , Chung Hsin‐Fang , Dobson Annette J. , Kuh Diana , Hardy Rebecca , Cade Janet E. , Greenwood Darren C. , Giles Graham G. , Bruinsma Fiona , Demakakos Panayotes , Simonsen Mette Kildevæld , Adami Hans‐Olov , Weiderpass Elisabete , Mishra Gita D
Published: April 2018

Aim

To examine the prospective associations between aspects of a woman's reproductive history and incident diabetes.

Methods

We pooled individual data from 126 721 middle‐aged women from eight cohort studies contributing to the International Collaboration for a Life Course Approach to Reproductive Health and Chronic Disease Events (InterLACE). Associations between age at menarche, age at first birth, parity and menopausal status with incident diabetes were examined using generalized linear mixed models, with binomial distribution and robust variance. We stratified by body mass index (BMI) when there was evidence of a statistical interaction with BMI.

Results

Over a median follow‐up of 9 years, 4073 cases of diabetes were reported. Non‐linear associations with diabetes were observed for age at menarche, parity and age at first birth. Compared with menarche at age 13 years, menarche at ≤10 years was associated with an 18% increased risk of diabetes (relative risk [RR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02‐1.37) after adjusting for BMI. After stratifying by BMI, the increased risk was only observed in women with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2. A U‐shaped relationship was observed between parity and risk of diabetes. Compared with pre‐/peri‐menopausal women, women with a hysterectomy/oophorectomy had an increased risk of diabetes (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07‐1.29).

Conclusions

Several markers of a woman's reproductive history appear to be modestly associated with future risk of diabetes. Maintaining a normal weight in adult life may ameliorate any increase in risk conferred by early onset of menarche.
The approved Italian version of the comprehensive assessment of at‐risk mental states (CAARMS‐ITA): Field test and psychometric features
Authors: Pelizza Lorenzo , Paterlini Federica , Azzali Silvia , Garlassi Sara , Scazza Ilaria , Pupo Simona , Simmons Magenta , Nelson Barnaby , Raballo Andrea
Published: April 2018

Aim

The Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States (CAARMS) was specifically developed to assess and detect young people at ultra‐high risk (UHR) of developing psychosis. The current study was undertaken to test the reliability and validity of the authorized Italian version of the CAARMS (CAARMS‐ITA) in a help‐seeking population.

Methods

Psychometric properties of the CAARMS‐ITA were established using a sample of 223 Italian adolescents and young adults aged between 13 and 35 years, who were divided into 3 groups according to the CAARMS criteria: UHR‐negative individuals (UHR [−]; n = 64), UHR‐positive (UHR [+]; n = 55) and individuals with a first‐episode psychosis (FEP; n = 104). The CAARMS‐ITA's reliability was tested measuring interrater reliability and internal consistency. Construct validity was tested comparing the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and CAARMS‐ITA subscale scores across groups (ie, UHR [−], UHR [+] and FEP). For concurrent validity, we studied correlations between symptoms of the CAARMS‐ITA and their equivalents in the PANSS. Finally, the predictive validity was examined by following up with UHR [+] individuals. The 12‐month transition rate to psychosis was calculated.

Results

The CAARMS‐ITA showed good interrater reliability. The PANSS “Positive Symptoms” subscale scores in UHR [+] individuals were intermediate between FEP and UHR [−] groups. The positive and negative symptoms scores of the CAARMS‐ITA significantly correlated with the corresponding scores of the PANSS. After 12 months, 4 of 41 (9.8%) UHR [+] individuals had transitioned to psychosis.

Conclusions

The CAARMS‐ITA is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing and detecting at‐risk mental states in Italian clinical settings. It also appears to be helpful in the prediction of psychosis transition.
Duration of untreated psychosis and clinical outcomes of first episode psychosis: An observational and an instrumental variables analysis
Authors: Sullivan Sarah A. , Carroll Robert , Peters Tim J. , Amos Tim , Jones Peter B. , Marshall Max , Birchwood Max , Fowler David , Johnson Sonia , Fisher Helen L. , Major Barnaby , Rahaman Nikola , Joyce John , Chamberlain‐Kent Nick , Lawrence Jo , Moran Paul , Tilling Kate
Published: April 2018

Aim

Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is considered as a key prognostic variable in psychosis. Yet, it is unclear whether a longer DUP causes worse outcomes or whether reported associations have alternative explanations.

Methods

Data from 2 cohorts of patients with first episode psychosis were used (n = 2134). Measures of DUP were assessed at baseline and outcomes at 12 months. Regression models were used to investigate the associations between DUP and outcomes. We also investigated whether any associations were replicated using instrumental variables (IV) analysis to reduce the effect of residual confounding and measurement bias.

Results

There were associations between DUP per 1‐year increase and positive psychotic symptoms (7.0% in symptom score increase 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0%, 10.0%, P < .001), worse recovery (risk difference [RD] 0.78, 95%, CI 0.68, 0.83, P < .001) and worse global functioning (0.62 decrease in functioning score 95% CI −1.19, −0.04, P = .035). There was no evidence of an association with negative psychotic symptoms (1.0%, 95%, CI −2.0%, 5.0%, P = .455). The IV analysis showed weaker evidence of associations in the same direction between DUP per 1‐year increase and positive psychotic symptoms, recovery and global functioning. However, there was evidence of an inverse association with negative psychotic symptoms (decrease of 15.0% in symptom score 95% CI −26.0%, −3.0%, P = .016).

Conclusions

We have confirmed previous findings of a positive association between positive psychotic symptoms, global functioning and recovery and DUP using regression analysis. IV analysis shows some support for these findings. Future investigation using IV analysis should be repeated in large data sets.
Physical forcing on fish abundance in the southern California Current System
Authors: Siegelman‐Charbit Lia , Koslow J. Anthony , Jacox Michael G. , Hazen Elliott L. , Bograd Steven J. , Miller Eric F.
Published: April 2018

The California Current System (CCS) is an eastern boundary current system with strong biological productivity largely due to seasonal wind‐driven upwelling and transport of the California Current (CC). Two independent, yet complementary time series, CalCOFI ichthyoplankton surveys and sampling of southern California power plant cooling‐water intakes, have indicated that an assemblage of predominantly cool‐water affinity fishes spanning nearshore to oceanic environments in the southern CCS has declined dramatically from the 1970s to the 2000s. We examined potential oceanographic drivers behind this decline both within and north of the CalCOFI survey area in order to capture upstream processes as well. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analyses using output from a data‐assimilative regional ocean model revealed significant relationships between the fish time series and spatial patterns of upwelling, upper ocean heat content and eddy kinetic energy in the CCS. Correlation and linear regression analyses indicated that the declining trend in fish abundance was correlated with a suite of factors: reduced offshore and increased inshore upwelling; a long term warming trend combined with more recent interannual variability in ocean temperature; weaker eddy kinetic energy north of Point Conception (35°N), potentially indicating reduced transport of the California Current (CC); increased influence of the California Undercurrent (CUC); and a decline in zooplankton displacement volume across the southern CCS. Understanding how changes in oceanography affect fish populations will offer insights into managing fisheries in a changing climate.
Leadless pacemaker placement in a patient with chronic kidney disease: A strategy to preserve central veins
Authors: Maradey Joan Alberto , Jao Geoffrey Te , Vachharajani Tushar J.
Published: April 2018

Cardiac rhythm disorder is frequently encountered in hemodialysis patients and is often treated with a cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED). The conventional CIED requires placement of transvenous leads resulting in subclinical central venous stenosis, which can adversely affect the successful creation of a permanent dialysis vascular access. The technological advancement of a leadless pacemaker provides an opportunity to implement a strategy to preserve central veins in patients with chronic kidney disease. We report a case of successful placement of a leadless pacemaker in a dialysis patient to preserve the central veins for future vascular access creation.
Zinc‐loaded whey protein nanoparticles prepared by enzymatic cross‐linking and desolvation
Authors: Shao Shengnan , Shen Xue , Guo Mingruo
Published: April 2018

Zinc‐loaded whey protein nanoparticles were prepared by enzymatic cross‐linking whey protein followed by ethanol desolvation. Whey protein isolate (WPI) was denatured by heating (80 °C for 15 min) at pH 7.0 and then cross‐linked by transglutaminase at 50 °C for 4 h while stirring. Transglutaminase was inactivated by heating at 90 °C for 10 min, and then, ZnSO4·7H2O (1–10 mm) was added. Zinc‐loaded whey protein nanoparticles were formed by adding ethanol at one to five times the volume of the protein solution at pH 9.0. The desolvated solutions were diluted by adding distilled water at ratio of 1:100 (w/v) immediately after desolvation. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) data showed that the particle size of zinc‐loaded whey protein nanoparticles increased with the amount of zinc and the volume of ethanol. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed an almost spherical morphology for zinc‐loaded whey protein nanoparticles. The zinc loading efficiency was determined ranging from 76.7% to 99.2%. In vitro test data showed that the zinc release rate was low in simulated gastric fluid but high in simulated intestinal fluid. The results indicated that enzymatic cross‐linked whey protein nanoparticles may be used as a good vehicle to deliver zinc as a supplement.
Choosing Unauthorized Migration: Evidence from Return Migrants
Authors: Ruedin Didier , Nesturi Majlinda
Published: April 2018

We assess who among migrants is likely to choose unauthorized migration. While the literature has addressed reasons for unauthorized migration, we are the first to model individual choice of actual unauthorized migration. By using data from Albanian return migrants, we can ascertain that we capture actual migration – behaviour – rather than intentions to migrate, and respondents have no incentives to hide unauthorized migration as there are no consequences at this stage. At the individual level, unauthorized migration in a context of circular migration is linked to being young and male – interpreted as risk‐taking individuals – and being free of social responsibilities like having a partner or children. Social responsibilities appear to moderate the impact of risk‐taking on choosing unauthorized migration.
On Properties of the MixedTS Distribution and Its Multivariate Extension
Authors: Hitaj Asmerilda , Hubalek Friedrich , Mercuri Lorenzo , Rroji Edit
Published: April 2018

A review of the univariate MixedTS is given and some new results on the asymptotic tail behaviour are derived. The multivariate version of the Mixed Tempered Stable, which is a generalisation of the Normal Variance Mean Mixtures, is discussed. Characteristics of this distribution, its capacity in fitting tails and in capturing dependence structure between components are investigated. We discuss a random number generating procedure and introduce an estimation methodology based on the minimisation of a distance between empirical and theoretical characteristic functions. Asymptotic tail behaviour of the univariate Mixed Tempered Stable is exploited in the estimation procedure in order to obtain a better fitting on tails. Advantages of the multivariate Mixed Tempered Stable distribution are discussed and illustrated via numerical analysis.
Permanent Jobs, Employment Protection, and Job Content
Authors: Kahn Lawrence M.
Published: April 2018

Using Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) data for twenty‐one countries, I study the impact of employment protection laws (EPL) on job content. I find that workers’ use of influence, reading, writing, planning, numeracy and information and computer technology skills, and their task discretion, were higher in permanent than in temporary jobs. Moreover, stricter EPL on permanent jobs raised the gap in job content for influence, reading, writing, and planning skills used in permanent jobs versus temporary jobs.
Bromelain‐based enzymatic debridement of chronic wounds: A preliminary report
Authors: Shoham Yaron , Krieger Yuval , Tamir Eran , Silberstein Eldad , Bogdanov‐Berezovsky Alexander , Haik Josef , Rosenberg Lior
Published: April 2018

Sharp debridement is currently considered most effective for debridement of chronic wounds; however, some patients do not have access to or cannot be treated by surgical methods. This study was designed to provide a first impression of the safety and efficacy of bromelain‐based enzymatic debridement of chronic wounds. Two consecutive single‐arm studies assessing the enzymatic debridement efficacy of a concentrate of proteolytic enzymes enriched in bromelain in chronic wounds was conducted in 2 medical centres. Patients were treated with up to 11 consecutive 4‐hour enzymatic debridement sessions and then treated until wound closure. Twenty‐four patients with chronic wounds of different aetiologies were enrolled. All wounds achieved an average of 68% ± 30% debridement in an average of 3.5 ± 2.8 enzymatic debridement 4‐hour sessions. Seventeen responding wounds (venous, diabetic, pressure, and post‐traumatic aetiologies) achieved an average 85% ± 12% debridement in 3.2 ± 2.5 applications. Seven non‐responding wounds (arterial and post‐surgical aetiologies) achieved an average 26% ± 13% debridement in 4.3 ± 3.5 applications. No treatment‐related serious adverse events were observed, and the only adverse event attributed to the enzymatic debridement was pain. These preliminary results indicate the potential safety and efficacy of bromelain‐based enzymatic debridement in chronic wounds. Larger controlled studies are needed to further investigate this indication.
Hv1 Proton Channels in Dinoflagellates: Not Just for Bioluminescence?
Authors: Kigundu Gabriel , Cooper Jennifer L. , Smith Susan M. E.
Published: April 2018

Bioluminescence in dinoflagellates is controlled by HV1 proton channels. Database searches of dinoflagellate transcriptomes and genomes yielded hits with sequence features diagnostic of all confirmed HV1, and show that HV1 is widely distributed in the dinoflagellate phylogeny including the basal species Oxyrrhis marina. Multiple sequence alignments followed by phylogenetic analysis revealed three major subfamilies of HV1 that do not correlate with presence of theca, autotrophy, geographic location, or bioluminescence. These data suggest that most dinoflagellates express a HV1 which has a function separate from bioluminescence. Sequence evidence also suggests that dinoflagellates can contain more than one HV1 gene.
River flow, zooplankton and dominant zooplanktivorous fish dynamics in a warm‐temperate South African estuary
Authors: Mbandzi N. , Wasserman R. J. , Deyzel S. H. P. , Vine N. G. , Whitfield A. K.
Published: April 2018

The possible links between river flow, zooplankton abundance and the responses of zooplanktivorous fishes to physico‐chemical and food resource changes are assessed. To this end, the seasonal abundance, distribution and diet of the estuarine round‐herring Gilchristella aestuaria and Cape silverside Atherina breviceps were studied in the Kariega Estuary. Spatio‐temporal differences were determined for selected physico‐chemical variables, zooplankton abundance and zooplanktivorous fish abundance and distribution. Results indicated that, following a river flood event in winter (>30 m3 s−1), altered physico‐chemical conditions occurred throughout the estuary and depressed zooplankton stocks. Abundance of G. aestuaria was highest in spring, with this species dominant in the upper and middle zones of the estuary, while A. breviceps was dominant in summer and preferred the middle and lower zones. The catch per unit of effort of both zooplanktivores also declined significantly following the flooding, thus suggesting that these fishes are reliant on zooplankton as a primary food source for healthy populations. Copepods dominated the stomach contents of both fish species, indicating a potential for strong interspecific competition for food, particularly in the middle reaches. Temporal differences were evident in dietary overlap between the two zooplanktivorous fish species and were correlated with river flow, zooplankton availability and fish distribution. The findings of this study emphasize the close trophic linkages between zooplankton and zooplanktivorous fishes under changing estuarine environmental conditions, particularly river flow and provide important baseline information for similar studies elsewhere in South Africa and the rest of the world.
What Makes the Gunasdules? Reflections on the Interiority and the Physicality of People, Humans, and Nonhumans
Authors: Martínez Mauri Mònica
Published: April 2018

El propósito de este artículo es abordar el papel que juega la fisicalidad—especialmente la sangre como fluido corporal—en la conformación de personas y humanos en la sociedad Guna de Panamá. Para ello analizaré las nociones—relacionadas con el mundo intangible, la interioridad—que según la literatura etnográfica disponible parecen ser necesarias para hablar de la noción de persona. En concreto me centraré en: (1) el concepto degurgin(traducible por cerebro, inteligencia, habilidad, sombrero, persona, individualidad, o elemento mediador entre humanos y no humanos; (2)niga(fuerza, vitalidad o energía); y (3) el concepto deburba(alma o doble). Me propongo investigar la conceptualización Guna de persona (dule) y humano (categoría sin aparente traducción en dulegaya) para reflexionar sobre la pertinencia de la dualidad interioridad/fisicalidad en este contexto etnográfico. Se trata de averiguar si los elementos físicos y los intangibles son pensados como propios o compartidos con otros seres no humanos y hasta qué punto en este caso la materialidad condiciona la interioridad. [identidad, pueblos indígenas, Panama, Guna, sangre, ontología]
Automated detection of fluorescent cells in in‐resin fluorescence sections for integrated light and electron microscopy
Authors: DELPIANO J. , PIZARRO L. , PEDDIE C.J. , JONES M.L. , GRIFFIN L.D. , COLLINSON L.M.
Published: April 2018

Integrated array tomography combines fluorescence and electron imaging of ultrathin sections in one microscope, and enables accurate high‐resolution correlation of fluorescent proteins to cell organelles and membranes. Large numbers of serial sections can be imaged sequentially to produce aligned volumes from both imaging modalities, thus producing enormous amounts of data that must be handled and processed using novel techniques. Here, we present a scheme for automated detection of fluorescent cells within thin resin sections, which could then be used to drive automated electron image acquisition from target regions via ‘smart tracking’. The aim of this work is to aid in optimization of the data acquisition process through automation, freeing the operator to work on other tasks and speeding up the process, while reducing data rates by only acquiring images from regions of interest. This new method is shown to be robust against noise and able to deal with regions of low fluorescence.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance assessment of 1st generation CoreValve and 2nd generation Lotus valves
Authors: Musa Tarique Al , Uddin Akhlaque , Dobson Laura E. , Swoboda Peter P. , Garg Pankaj , Foley James R. J. , Malkin Christopher , Plein Sven , Blackman Daniel J. , Greenwood John P.
Published: April 2018

Objectives

We sought to compare using serial CMR, the quantity of AR and associated valve hemodynamics, following the first‐generation CoreValve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) and the second‐generation Lotus valve (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA).

Background

Aortic regurgitation (AR) following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) confers a worse prognosis and can be accurately quantified using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Second generation valves have been specifically designed to reduce paravalvular AR and improve clinical outcomes.

Methods

Fifty‐one patients (79.0 ± 7.7 years, 57% male) were recruited and imaged at three time points: immediately pre‐ and post‐TAVR, and at 6 months.

Results

CMR‐derived AR fraction immediately post‐TAVR was greater in the CoreValve compared to Lotus group (11.7 ± 8.4 vs. 4.3 ± 3.4%, P = 0.001), as was the frequency of ≥moderate AR (9/24 (37.5%) versus 0/27, P < 0.001). However, at 6 months AR fraction had improved significantly in the CoreValve group such that the two valve designs were comparable (6.4 ± 5.0 vs 5.6 ± 5.3%, P = 0.623), with no patient in either group having ≥moderate AR. The residual peak pressure gradient immediately following TAVR was significantly lower with CoreValve compared to Lotus (14.1 ± 5.6 vs 25.4 ± 11.6 mmHg, P = 0.001), but again by 6 months the two valve designs were comparable (16.5 ± 9.4 vs 19.7 ± 10.5 mmHg, P = 0.332). There was no difference in the degree of LV reverse remodeling between the two valves at 6 months.

Conclusion

Immediately post‐TAVR, there was significantly less AR but a higher residual peak pressure gradient with the Lotus valve compared to CoreValve. However, at 6 months both devices had comparable valve hemodynamics and LV reverse remodeling.
A novel double snare technique to retrieve embolized septal and left atrial appendage occluders
Authors: Ha Kee Soo , Choi Jae Young , Jung Se Yong , Kim Jung‐Sun , Byun Ki Hyun , Akagi Teiji , Zufarov Mirjamol M.
Published: April 2018

Background

Device embolization is the most frequent procedural complication during transcatheter closure of congenital cardiac defects. Retrieval of an embolized device may often be complicated by failure to introduce the right atrial (RA) disk hub into the sheath or difficulty in securely grasping the hub pin of RA disk. We aimed to evaluate the efficiency and success rate of device retrieval using a novel double snare technique.

Methods

We reviewed retrieval procedures of embolized atrial septal defect (ASD) or left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder using double snare technique reported from five tertiary referral centers in Korea, Japan, and Uzbekistan. A total of 16 retrieval procedures in 15 patients were reported, including 14 patients who were planned for ASD device closure while 1 patient was planned for LA appendage occlusion.

Results

Retrieved devices included 15 ASD occluders from six different manufacturers and one Amplantzer cardiac plug. Success rate of retrieval procedure was 100% using the double snare technique. There were no complications related to device retrieval. Most (15/16, 93.8%) of these devices could be retrieved through their original delivery sheaths. In six patients for whom retrieval was unsuccessful with conventional single snare technique and switched to double snare technique, the retrieval time was shortened significantly (P = 0.004*) by using the double snare technique.

Conclusions

The double snare technique enables effective retrieval of various embolized devices. It abolishes the need of changing the sheath to a larger one in most patients.
Coronectomy: a recognised procedure?
Authors: Dhanrajani P. , Smith M.
Published: April 2018

Aim

This paper reviews the literature on coronectomy with respect to indications, surgical procedure and complications and presents the results of a retrospective study.

Materials and methods

A retrospective study involving lower third molar surgery performed by a single surgeon in an outpatient extraction clinic under local anaesthesia as well as in day surgery under general anaesthesia was conducted from January 2012 to December 2016.

A total of 3654 lower third molars were removed. In the cohort of 855 (23.4%) teeth removed in outpatient under local anaesthetics, 42 (4.9%) were coronectomies and of 2799 (76.6%) removed under general anaesthesia, 172 (6.1%)were coronectomies. The present study also included medically compromised patients and patients with decayed teeth. The technique for the coronectony procedure previously described in the literature was modified in some cases to obtain optimal outcomes.

This study also correlates age, sex, medical history, types of impaction, radiological findings and follow‐up.

Results

The results showed coronectomies are a safe option to treat lower wisdom teeth having a high risk of neurosensory implications. The technique appears to be associated with a low incidence of complications in medically compromised and patients with decayed teeth.

Conclusion

Coronectomy appears to be a viable technique in those cases where the removal of the whole tooth might put the inferior alveolar nerve at considerable risk.
Idiopathic unilateral persistent hypoglossal nerve palsy – literature review and illustrative case
Authors: Humphreys J. , Rajaram K. , Chapman L. , Patel M.
Published: April 2018

The motor nerve innervation of the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the tongue is through the hypoglossal nerve. Hypoglossal nerve palsy arising as a result of injury to the nerve can occur anywhere along its course from the hypoglossal nuclei, medulla oblongata to the tongue itself. Idiopathic isolated and unilateral persistent hypoglossal nerve palsy is an extremely rare condition with only four cases ever reported. In this article, we review reported cases in the literature with comparison to a recent case in the oral and maxillofacial department of University Hospital South Manchester, which highlight the necessity of a segmental and stepwise approach in the diagnosis and management of this condition.
Phenotypes of childhood wheeze in Japanese children: A group‐based trajectory analysis
Authors: Yang Limin , Narita Masami , Yamamoto‐Hanada Kiwako , Sakamoto Naoko , Saito Hirohisa , Ohya Yukihiro
Published: April 2018

Background

Exploring patterns of childhood wheeze may help to clarify the etiology and prognosis of respiratory diseases. The purpose of this study was to classify phenotypes of wheezing in children up to 9 years of age in Japan and to evaluate the individual and environmental risk factors for these phenotypes.

Methods

Wheeze was evaluated at approximately 1‐year intervals based on the mothers’ recollection of their child’s wheezing or whistling in the chest during the preceding 12 months. The children were aged 1‐9 years. In total, 1116 children who had at least five measures of wheezing at all nine time points were used for identifying trajectories. Trajectories were identified with group‐based trajectory analysis. A multinomial logit model was built to evaluate the relationships between phenotypes and risk factors.

Results

Five typical trajectories were identified. The probability of group membership was 43.7%, 32.2%, 6.2%, 8.6%, and 9.2% for the never/infrequent wheeze, transient early wheeze, school‐age‐onset wheeze, early‐childhood‐onset remitting wheeze, and persistent wheeze trajectories, respectively. Infant tobacco exposure increased the odds of membership in the transient early wheeze trajectory compared to the never/infrequent wheeze trajectory.

Conclusions

Using the group‐based trajectory modeling approach, we identified five trajectories of childhood wheeze development in a Japanese population. The trajectories shown here are based on formal statistical modeling rather than on subjective classification, and an assessment of its precision suggested that the model has high assignment accuracy.
Anticipating or Accommodating to Public Concern? Risk Amplification and the Politics of Precaution Reexamined
Authors: Wardman Jamie K. , Löfstedt Ragnar
Published: April 2018

Regulatory use of the precautionary principle (PP) tends to be broadly characterized either as a responsible approach for safeguarding against health and environmental risks in the face of scientific uncertainties, or as “state mismanagement” driven by undue political bias and public anxiety. However, the “anticipatory” basis upon which governments variably draw a political warrant for adopting precautionary measures often remains ambiguous. Particularly, questions arise concerning whether the PP is employed preemptively by political elites from the “top down,” or follows from more conventional democratic pressures exerted by citizens and other stakeholders from the “bottom up.” This article elucidates the role and impact of citizen involvement in the precautionary politics shaping policy discourse surrounding the U.K. government's “precautionary approach” to mobile telecommunications technology and health. A case study is presented that critically reexamines the basis upon which U.K. government action has been portrayed as an instance of anticipatory policy making. Findings demonstrate that the use of the PP should not be interpreted in the preemptive terms communicated by U.K. government officials alone, but also in relation to the wider social context of risk amplification and images of public concern formed adaptively in antagonistic precautionary discourse between citizens, politicians, industry, and the media, which surrounded cycles of government policy making. The article discusses the sociocultural conditions and political dynamics underpinning public influence on government anticipation and responsiveness exemplified in this case, and concludes with research and policy implications for how society subsequently comes to terms with the emergence and precautionary governance of new technologies under conflict.
The Spatial Distribution of Poverty and the Long Reach of the Industrial Makeup of Places: New Evidence on Spatial and Temporal Regimes
Authors: Curtis Katherine J. , Lee Junho , O'Connell Heather A. , Zhu Jun
Published: April 2018

A wealth of research identifies industrial structure as a central correlate of place‐level poverty and suggests that changes in and the clustering of industry contribute to the spatial clustering of poverty over time. However, few studies have investigated the spatial and temporal dimensions simultaneously, and none have effectively examined spatiotemporal interactions. Consequently, a core tenet of theory on poverty in place has not been adequately examined. To address this limitation, we explicitly test hypotheses about systematic variation in the poverty‐industry relationship over time and across space using a new method to quantify dynamic associations by simultaneously accounting for spatial and temporal autocorrelation and relationship heterogeneity. The Upper Midwest is our study site given dramatic regional changes in dominant industries (i.e., manufacturing, services, and agriculture) and poverty during the past several decades. We find that the specific character of the poverty‐industry relationship systematically varies along both the temporal and spatial dimensions: Industry is more protective in certain periods than in others according to sector trends, and is more protective in certain places than others conditional on sector dependence. Our approach yields a more precise and reliable understanding of the effect of the long reach of local industrial structure on the spatial clustering of poverty.
Mentalizing eye contact with a face on a video: Gaze direction does not influence autonomic arousal
Authors: Lyyra Pessi , Myllyneva Aki , Hietanen Jari K.
Published: April 2018

Recent research has revealed enhanced autonomic and subjective responses to eye contact only when perceiving another live person. However, these enhanced responses to eye contact are abolished if the viewer believes that the other person is not able to look back at the viewer. We purported to investigate whether this “genuine” eye contact effect can be reproduced with pre‐recorded videos of stimulus persons. Autonomic responses, gaze behavior, and subjective self‐assessments were measured while participants viewed pre‐recorded video persons with direct or averted gaze, imagined that the video person was real, and mentalized that the person could see them or not. Pre‐recorded videos did not evoke similar physiological or subjective eye contact effect as previously observed with live persons, not even when the participants were mentalizing being seen by the person. Gaze tracking results showed, however, increased attention allocation to faces with direct gaze compared to averted gaze directions. The results suggest that elicitation of the physiological arousal in response to genuine eye contact seems to require spontaneous experience of seeing and of being seen by another individual.
Developing social robots for aging populations: A literature review of recent academic sources
Authors: Pedersen Isabel , Reid Samantha , Aspevig Kristen
Published: April 2018

The perception of aging populations is a major factor driving the social robot development movement. A growing body of research reflects the expanding interest in social robots. This paper synthesizes research on the development of social robots with a literature review of academic articles with publication dates ranging from 2006 to 2017. The review is divided into three themes: (a) robots as an aid in treatment; (b) robots as social assistants and home companions; and (c) robots as custodial caregivers that are viewed in terms of ethical implications. This paper outlines the issues surrounding social, commitment, assistive, and companion robots for use in medical treatment, mental health therapy, physiotherapy, care facilities, and private homes. It describes some of the ethical concerns raised by researchers and media, including questions of control, privacy, consent, and the issue of simulated versus human compassion in caregiving. The research also points out that a rhetoric of urgency concerning aging populations drives the development of robots, which frames citizens who will benefit from robots in reductive ways. We argue that the contribution of humanities and social science research, including age studies and critical gerontology, should be better integrated with discourses of social robot development, largely from technical fields.
Income Inequality, Globalization, and the Welfare State: Evidence from 23 Industrial Countries, 1990–2009
Authors: Auguste Daniel
Published: April 2018

The debate regarding the welfare state–weakening effect and the income inequality‐increasing effect of globalization remains a contentious issue among stratification scholars. For some, globalization increases income inequality, while for others, globalization has no, or a negligible, effect on income inequality. This study brings new evidence to bear on this debate by separately investigating effects of multiple indicators of globalization (international trade, foreign direct investment [FDI] and immigration), and of welfare state generosity (government social‐protection spending) on (1) income inequality before taxes and transfers and (2) income inequality after taxes and transfers, using data from 23 Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries over 1990–2009. First, results show a positive effect of international trade, a negative effect of immigration, but no effect of FDI and government social‐protection spending on income inequality before taxes and transfers. Second, results show no effect of the globalization indicators but a negative effect of government social‐protection spending on income inequality after taxes and transfers. These findings suggest that (1) globalization has inequality‐increasing effects depending on measures of income inequality; (2) the welfare state, in many OECD countries, continues to shape income distribution; and (3) in contrast with the popular narrative, immigration may decrease income inequality.