bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A phase 1 study to assess the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of fremanezumab doses (225 mg, 675 mg and 900 mg) in Japanese and Caucasian healthy subjects
Authors: Cohen-Barak Orit , Weiss Sivan , Rasamoelisolo Michele , Faulhaber Nicola , Yeung Paul P , Loupe Pippa S , Yoon Esther , Gandhi Mohit D , Spiegelstein Ofer , Aycardi Ernesto
Published: April 2018

Objectives

The primary and secondary objectives of this phase 1 study were to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile, safety, and immunogenicity of fremanezumab subcutaneous (sc) doses tested in phase 2 and 3 trials (225 mg, 675 mg and 900 mg) following single administration in Japanese (n = 32) and Caucasian (n = 32) healthy subjects.

Methods

Japanese and matched Caucasian healthy subjects were enrolled into one of four cohorts and were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 225, 675, or 900 mg fremanezumab, or placebo. Pharmacokinetic and immunogenicity sampling, and safety and tolerability assessments occurred at one inpatient visit and 12 ambulatory visits during the 36-week study.

Results

Pharmacokinetic analyses included those randomized to fremanezumab (n = 24 for each ethnic group) and safety analyses included all subjects enrolled in the study (n = 32 for each ethnic group). Fremanezumab concentration-time profiles and pharmacokinetic parameters per dose were similar for Japanese and Caucasians at all dose levels. Geometric mean ratios (GMRs) for Cmax for Japanese to Caucasian subjects were 0.91, 1.04 and 1.14 for the 225 mg, 675 mg and 900 mg fremanezumab doses. GMRs for AUC0-inf were 0.96, 1.09, and 0.98, respectively. Median Tmax (range 5–11 days) and mean half-lives (range 31–39 days) were similar across doses for both ethnicities. Most frequently occurring adverse events were injection site reactions, abdominal pain, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, constipation and nasopharyngitis. There was no development of anti-drug-antibodies and no clinically meaningful changes in laboratory findings.

Conclusion

The results of the pharmacokinetic exposure parameters and safety measures were similar for Japanese and Caucasians and support the once monthly and once quarterly sc injections of fremanezumab.
Highway Cross-Slope Measurement using Mobile LiDAR
Authors: Shams Alireza , Sarasua Wayne A. , Famili Afshin , Davis William J. , Ogle Jennifer H. , Cassule Leonildo , Mammadrahimli Adika
Published: April 2018

Ensuring adequate pavement cross-slope on highways can improve driver safety by reducing the potential for ponding to occur or vehicles to hydroplane. Mobile laser scanning (MLS) systems provide a rapid, continuous, and cost-effective means of collecting accurate 3D coordinate data along a corridor in the form of a point cloud. This study provides an evaluation of MLS systems in terms of the accuracy and precision of collected cross-slope data and documentation of procedures needed to calibrate, collect, and process this data. Mobile light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data were collected by five different vendors on three roadway sections. The results indicate the difference between ground control adjusted and unadjusted LiDAR derived cross-slopes, and field surveying measurements less than 0.19% at a 95% confidence level. The unadjusted LiDAR data incorporated corrections from an integrated inertial measurement unit and high-accuracy real-time kinematic GPS, however it was not post-processed adjusted with ground control points. This level of accuracy meets suggested cross-slope accuracies for mobile measurements (±0.2%) and demonstrates that mobile LiDAR is a reliable method for cross-slope verification. Performing cross-slope verification can ensure existing pavement meets minimum cross-slope requirements, and conversely is useful in identifying roadway sections that do not meet minimum standards, which is more desirable than through crash reconnaissance where hydroplaning was evident. Adoption of MLS would enable the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to address cross-slope issues through efficient and accurate data collection methods.
Effect of Pavement Structure on the Mechanical Response and Performance of Perpetual Pavements at the National Airport Pavement Test Facility
Authors: Cary Carlos E. , Wang Zilong , Yin Hao , Garg Navneet , Rutter Ryan
Published: April 2018

Construction Cycle 7 (CC7) conducted at the FAA National Airport Pavement Test Facility (NAPTF) was aimed to study the effect of hot mix asphalt (HMA) layer thickness and develop perpetual pavement design criterion for airfield flexible pavements. Four fully instrumented perpetual test pavements were designed, constructed, and tested, with all test items trafficked under heavy aircraft loads using a three duals in tandem configuration. Pavement condition was monitored using heavy weight deflectometer tests, distress surveys, and surface profiles. Comprehensive response data analysis revealed that increasing HMA layer thickness significantly reduced the tensile strain at the bottom of the HMA layer, permanent deformation in the unbound layer, and vertical stress at top of the subgrade. Thicker HMA test items exhibited better rutting performance, as evidenced in both multiple depth deflectometer and surface profile data. The interaction between HMA layer temperature and thickness was captured in the pressure cell responses. More tests are planned to determine the threshold HMA strain to prevent fatigue cracking.
Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis Development and Progression in an Ovine Model of Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection and Effect of Repeated Intra-articular Methylprednisolone Acetate Injections on Early Disease
Authors: Barton Kristen I. , Heard Bryan J. , Sevick Johnathan L. , Martin C. Ryan , Shekarforoush S.M. Mehdi , Chung May , Achari Yamini , Frank Cyril B. , Shrive Nigel G. , Hart David A.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Partial anterior cruciate ligament (p-ACL) ruptures are a common injury of athletes. However, few preclinical models have investigated the natural history and treatment of p-ACL injuries.

Purpose:

To (1) demonstrate whether a controlled p-ACL injury model (anteromedial band transection) develops progressive gross morphological and histological posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA)–like changes at 20 and 40 weeks after the injury and (2) investigate the efficacy of repeated (0, 5, 10, and 15 weeks) intra-articular injections of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA; 80 mg/mL) in the mitigation of potential PTOA-like changes after p-ACL transection.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Twenty-one 3- to 5-year-old female Suffolk-cross sheep were allocated to 4 groups: (1) nonoperative controls (n = 5), (2) 20 weeks after p-ACL transection (n = 5), (3) 40 weeks after p-ACL transection (n = 6), and (4) 20 weeks after p-ACL transection + MPA (n = 5). Gross morphological grading and histological analyses were conducted. mRNA expression levels for inflammatory, degradative, and structural molecules were assessed.

Results:

p-ACL transection led to significantly more combined gross damage ( P = .008) and significant aggregate histological damage ( P = .009) at 40 weeks after p-ACL transection than the nonoperative controls, and damage was progressive over time. Macroscopically, MPA appeared to slightly mitigate gross damage at 20 weeks after p-ACL transection in some animals. However, microscopic analysis revealed that repeated MPA injections after p-ACL transection led to significant loss in proteoglycan content compared with the nonoperative controls and 20 weeks after p-ACL transection ( P = .008 and P = .008, respectively).

Conclusion:

p-ACL transection led to significant gross and histological damage by 40 weeks, which was progressive over time. Multiple repeated MPA injections were not appropriate to mitigate injury-related damage in a p-ACL transection ovine model as significant proteoglycan loss was observed in MPA-treated knees.

Clinical Relevance:

A p-ACL injury leads to slow and progressive PTOA-like joint damage, and multiple repeated injections of glucocorticoids may be detrimental to the knee joint in the long term.
“Family-Friendly” Jobs and Motherhood Pay Penalties: The Impact of Flexible Work Arrangements Across the Educational Spectrum
Authors: Fuller Sylvia , Hirsh C. Elizabeth
Published: April 2018

This article focuses on how flexible work arrangements affect motherhood wage penalties for differently situated women. While theories of work–life facilitation suggest that flexible work should ease motherhood penalties, the use of flexibility policies may also invite stigma and bias against mothers. Analyses using Canadian linked workplace–employee data test these competing perspectives by examining how temporal and spatial flexibility moderate motherhood wage penalties and how this varies by women’s education. Results show that flexible work hours typically reduce mothers’ disadvantage, especially for the university educated, and that working from home also reduces wage gaps for most educational groups. The positive effect of flexibility operates chiefly by reducing barriers to mothers’ employment in higher waged establishments, although wage gaps within establishments are also diminished in some cases. While there is relatively little evidence of a flexibility stigma, the most educated do face stronger wage penalties within establishments when they substitute paid work from home for face time at the workplace as do the least educated when they bring additional unpaid work home. Overall, results are most consistent with the work–life facilitation model. However, variability in the pattern of effects underscores the importance of looking at the intersection of mothers’ education and workplace arrangements.
Sublethal chronic effects of oral dietary exposure to deltamethrin in Swiss albino mice
Authors: Tewari Anita , Banga HS , Gill JPS
Published: April 2018

The hazards of dietary exposure to environmentally relevant levels of deltamethrin are poorly understood though studies enunciate the acute toxicity hazards. In this study, prolonged exposure to low levels of deltamethrin in mice was investigated. The mice were exposed daily via gavage method for 60 days. Four doses (0.1, 0.05, 0.01, and 0.005 mg/kg bwt/d) were selected, which are equal to or less than the maximum residue limits for deltamethrin permitted in animal food/feed. Liver, kidney, lungs, spleen, and testes were collected on day 61 for histology, residue, and biochemical analysis (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), total bilirubin (TBIL), total proteins (TPs), cholesterol (CHOL), urea, and creatinine). No significant changes were observed in body weight gain in all treatment groups ( p > 0.05). The gas chromatography analysis indicated that none of the tissue samples contained deltamethrin residues above the limits of quantification. The significant differences in biochemical profile (AST, ALT, TBIL, and creatinine) reported in animals exposed to 0.1 and 0.05 mg/kg bwt/d deltamethrin ( p < 0.05) suggest respective tissue injury and lipid peroxidation; however, few significant changes in urea and CHOL were also reported in doses 0.01 and 0.005 mg/kg bwt. No significant differences in TP and ALKP were observed ( p > 0.05). The target organs for deltamethrin toxicity showed prominent histopathological changes in concentrations of 0.1 and 0.05 mg/kg bwt. Other two doses showed no or sporadic changes. Our findings suggest that chronic exposure to environmentally relevant levels of deltamethrin can have detrimental effects on vital organs in the circumstances allowing daily exposure, in congruence with available literature.
A Clockwork Wikipedia: From a Broad Perspective to a Case Study
Authors: Benjakob Omer , Aviram Rona
Published: April 2018

While research has shown that scientists use Wikipedia and that scientific content on Wikipedia ramifies back into scientific literature, many questions remain on how the two sides interact and through what paradigm this dynamic may be best understood. Using the circadian clock field as a case study, we discuss this scientific field’s representation on Wikipedia. We traced the changes made to the articles for “Circadian clock” and “Circadian rhythm” and reviewed the debates that informed them over a span of a decade, using Wikipedia’s native and third-party tools. Specifically, we focused on how groundbreaking research pertaining to the function of biological oscillators was integrated into the articles to reflect a wider paradigmatic shift within the field. We also identified the articles’ main editors to detail the dynamic collective editorial process that took place during a time that saw the field undergo a fundamental change. We discuss the different concerns the academic community has with Wikipedia—specifically regarding its content and its contributors—to ask whether the online encyclopedia’s open model is inherently at odds with scientific culture or whether the model could reflect science or even expand on its core values and practices such as peer review and the idea of communicating science.
Culturally Safe Health Initiatives for Indigenous Peoples in Canada: A Scoping Review
Authors: Brooks-Cleator Lauren , Phillipps Breanna , Giles Audrey
Published: April 2018

Background

Cultural safety has the potential to improve the health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians, yet practical applications of the concept are lacking in the literature.

Purpose

This study aims to identify the key components of culturally safe health initiatives for the Indigenous population of Canada to refine its application in health-care settings.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of the literature pertaining to culturally safe health promotion programs, initiatives, services, or care for the Indigenous population in Canada. Our initial search yielded 501 publications, but after full review of 44 publications, 30 were included in the review. After charting the data, we used thematic analysis to identify themes in the data.

Results

We identified six themes: collaboration/partnerships, power sharing, address the broader context of the patient’s life, safe environment, organizational and individual level self-reflection, and training for health-care providers.

Conclusion

While it is important to recognize that the provision of culturally safe initiatives depend on the specific interaction between the health-care provider and the patient, having a common understanding of the components of cultural safety, such as those that we identified through this research, will help in the transition of cultural safety from theory into practice.
Mental Health Correlates of Financial Mistreatment in the National Elder Mistreatment Study Wave II
Authors: Acierno Ron , Watkins Jordan , Hernandez-Tejada Melba A. , Muzzy Wendy , Frook Gabrielle , Steedley Mara , Anetzberger Georgia
Published: April 2018

Objective: Whereas prevalence of elder financial mistreatment has received increased attention over the past decade, health and mental health correlates are rarely studied. Thus, the potential relevance of financial abuse to mental health and perceived health is relatively unknown, and the objective of this article is to illustrate this relationship. Method: The second wave of the National Elder Mistreatment Study used random digit dialing telephone survey methodology to assess both recent financial mistreatment and its potential mental health correlates (i.e., diagnoses of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], generalized anxiety disorder [GAD], and self-ratings of physical health) in 774 older adults. Results: The study indicated that past-year Wave II financial mistreatment was associated with significantly increased likelihood of depression, PTSD, GAD, and poor self-rated health; and financial mistreatment perpetrated by family members was associated with particularly increased risk of depression. Discussion: Assessment of mental health is relevant and important in cases of financial abuse.
A Customized Intervention for Dementia Caregivers: A Quasi-Experimental Design
Authors: Wawrziczny Emilie , Larochette Clotilde , Papo David , Constant Emilie , Ducharme Francine , Kergoat Marie-Jeanne , Pasquier Florence , Antoine Pascal
Published: April 2018

Objective: The aim of this study is to test the effects of a customized intervention on distress among caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) using a quasi-experimental design. Method: Fifty-one spouse caregivers in the experimental group and 51 in the control group participated in the study. The effects of the intervention were examined by comparing caregivers’ responses with questionnaires at pre-intervention baseline (T0) and immediately after intervention (T1). Differences were quantified using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: The analyses indicated a stabilizing effect of the intervention on caregivers’ perceptions of PWD’s daily functioning, self-esteem related to caregiving, quality of family support, and feeling of distress. Linear increases were observed regarding sense of preparedness and impact on daily routine, while no differences (interaction and linear effects) were observed for degree of self-efficacy, depression, impact on finances, or self-rated health. Conclusion: These findings show a preliminary efficacy of the intervention proposed in this study to prevent the exacerbation of caregivers’ distress.
The promise of complementarity: Using the methods of foresight for health workforce planning
Authors: Rees Gareth H , Crampton Peter , Gauld Robin , MacDonell Stephen
Published: April 2018

Health workforce planning aims to meet a health system’s needs with a sustainable and fit-for-purpose workforce, although its efficacy is reduced in conditions of uncertainty. This PhD breakthrough article offers foresight as a means of addressing this uncertainty and models its complementarity in the context of the health workforce planning problem. The article summarises the findings of a two-case multi-phase mixed method study that incorporates actor analysis, scenario development and policy Delphi. This reveals a few dominant actors of considerable influence who are in conflict over a few critical workforce issues. Using these to augment normative scenarios, developed from existing clinically developed model of care visions, a number of exploratory alternative descriptions of future workforce situations are produced for each case. Their analysis reveals that these scenarios are a reasonable facsimile of plausible futures, though some are favoured over others. Policy directions to support these favoured aspects can also be identified. This novel approach offers workforce planners and policy makers some guidance on the use of complimentary data, methods to overcome the limitations of conventional workforce forecasting and a framework for exploring the complexities and ambiguities of a health workforce’s evolution.
Severe brady-arrhythmias in systemic lupus erythematosus: prevalence, etiology and associated factors
Authors: Tselios K , Gladman D D , Harvey P , Su J , Urowitz M B
Published: April 2018

Background

Severe brady-arrhythmias, requiring a permanent pacemaker (PPM), have been sparsely reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of such arrhythmias in a defined lupus cohort.

Patients and methods

The database of the Toronto Lupus Clinic ( n = 1366) was searched for patients who received a PPM. Demographic, clinical, immunological and therapeutic variables along with electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic findings (based on the last available test prior to PPM) were analyzed. Patients with a PPM (cases) were compared with age-, sex- and disease duration-matched patients without a PPM (controls). Analysis was performed with SAS 9.0; p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Eighteen patients were identified, 13 (0.95%) with complete atrioventricular block and 5 (0.37%) with sick sinus syndrome. Disease duration at PPM implantation was 22 ± 12 years. Compared to controls, cases had more frequently coronary artery disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia and longer antimalarial (AM) treatment duration. The prevalence of first-degree atrioventricular block, right bundle branch block, left anterior fascicular block and septal hypertrophy was also higher. AM treatment was significantly associated with brady-arrhythmias (OR = 1.128, 95% CI = 1.003–1.267, p = 0.044). Nine patients had prior heart disease and one received a PPM two years after renal transplantation. Eight patients did not have any potential risk factors; prolonged AM therapy (mean 22 years) might have been the cause.

Conclusions

Apart from known causes, prolonged AM treatment may be associated with severe brady-arrhythmias in SLE. Certain ECG and echocardiographic characteristics may represent indicators of an ongoing damage in the conduction system.
Promoting Content Knowledge of Secondary Students With Learning Disabilities Through Comprehension Strategies
Authors: Poch Apryl L. , Lembke Erica S.
Published: April 2018

Students with learning disabilities struggle with basic comprehension skills across all content areas. By pairing comprehension strategies with content instruction, secondary content area teachers can strengthen students’ reading skills and content knowledge. This article provides an overview of two comprehension strategies, anticipation guides and double entry journals, that align with research-based recommendations in adolescent literacy and that can be employed across the primary content areas (i.e., English language arts, social/global studies, mathematics, and science).
PAX8-Positive B-Cell Lymphoma in Adrenal Gland Masquerading as Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Parakh Rugvedita , Cheng Lin , Tretiakova Maria
Published: April 2018

Extranodal lymphomas involve adrenal glands as a mass lesion in 3% to 5% of cases as identified by imaging studies. Definitive diagnosis of the neoplasm is provided by morphological and immunophenotypical evaluation on limited tissue obtained by fine needle aspiration or core biopsy. We report a diagnostically challenging case that presented as masses involving adrenal gland and lung in the setting of a concurrent primary renal cell carcinoma. PAX8, a frequently used marker for renal cell carcinoma, was immunoreactive in the neoplastic cells of the adrenal mass, and thus highly suggestive for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The neoplasm was eventually proven to represent PAX8-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after extended immunohistochemical workup. This case of unusual presentation of synchronous renal cell carcinoma and adrenal lymphoma with overlapping PAX8 immunoreactivity serves as a potential diagnostic pitfall with significant clinical implications.
The Impact of Sports Magazine Consumption on Mesomorphic Body Standards and Self-sexualizing Behaviors: A Panel Study of Preadolescent Boys
Authors: Rousseau Ann , Stevens Aubrey Jennifer , Eggermont Steven
Published: April 2018

The present three-wave panel study of 496 preadolescent boys ( Mage = 11.36, SD = 1.07) examined the impact of sports magazine consumption on mesomorphic body standards and self-sexualizing behaviors (e.g., drinking shakes in order to gain muscle mass, choosing clothing to show off muscles). Grounded in social cognitive theory, we also examined the moderating role of reward sensitivity. Results revealed that boys who consumed more sports magazines at wave 1 (W1) were more likely to report personal mesomorphic standards and perceived mesomorphic standards for men and boys in general at wave 2 (W2). Additionally, W2 personal mesomorphic standards mediated the relationship between sports magazine consumption at W1 and self-sexualizing behaviors at wave 3. Reward sensitivity moderated the relationship between personal mesomorphic standards and self-sexualizing behaviors.
Creating Inclusive Groups in the Advertising Classroom
Authors: Geske Joel
Published: April 2018

Creating inclusive classrooms, and especially creating inclusive and diverse working groups, can be a challenge in the advertising curriculum. The ad industry values diversity, and employers in general value students who know how to effectively work in groups.

This article reports survey data of what makes students feel not included in classroom activities and provides suggestions for best practices in the classroom to make sure all students feel included and to minimize conflict.
Integration of an Online Curriculum with a Real-World Exercise: A Step Beyond Traditional Classroom Teaching
Authors: Maddox Lynda , Patino Anthony , Kaltcheva Velitchka D. , Pitta Dennis A.
Published: April 2018

This exploratory study demonstrates the effectiveness of using practice-based and client-focused active learning exercises to develop applied skills and better position the student as a candidate with both practical competencies and strong book knowledge. Findings from surveys of business managers indicate the need for real-world application of the skills and knowledge taught in the classroom.

Two sections of an undergraduate Integrated Marketing Communications course (60 students) completed an active learning, practice-based pedagogical instrument involving Nielsen Academics and client-focused exercises.

A 2 (group: experimental vs. control) × 2 (section) ANOVA with students’ quiz scores as the dependent variable showed the group main effect was the only significant effect. The combination of the Nielsen Academics technology and the client-focused exercises yielded stronger learning outcomes. Not only did students gain experience in media buying and scheduling, but also their knowledge of each was significantly higher than that of students in the control group.
Generation-Z Enters the Advertising Workplace: Expectations Through a Gendered Lens
Authors: Grow Jean M. , Yang Shiyu
Published: April 2018

Generation-Z (Gen-Z) is entering the workforce with differing personal and professional expectations from previous generations. Further, those expectations tend to vary by gender. At the same time, workplace environments, and the social structures that underpin the workplace, are slow to change. Advertising is no exception.

As educators, we are just beginning our encounter with Gen-Z and their differing habits and expectations. Further, while these young women and men share many common experiences and expectations, their expectations are also influenced by their gendered experiences. Social capital theory helps us make sense of the findings as we explore the gaps between the expectations of Gen-Z and realities of the advertising industry within a changing world. Previous research has largely focused on what the advertising industry expects. However, there is little research exploring what future graduates expect and even less on Gen-Z or these students’ expectations viewed through a gendered lens. This research explores the expectations of 98 Gen-Z students and suggests ways we, as advertising educators, might help them bridge the gap between expectations and the professional realities they will face.
Clinical features and short-term outcome of presumptive intracranial complications associated with otitis media/interna: a multi-center retrospective study of 19 cats (2009–2017)
Authors: Moore Sarah A , Bentley R Timothy , Carrera-Justiz Sheila , Foss Kari D , da Costa Ronaldo C , Cook Laurie B
Published: April 2018

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compile an overview of the clinical features of intracranial complication of otitis media/interna (OMI) in cats managed across five veterinary referral hospitals. Of additional interest were culture results that could inform empirical antibiotic selection, as well as outcome with both medical and surgical management.

Methods

A retrospective medical record review was conducted at five veterinary referral practices to identify cats with a diagnosis of intracranial complication secondary to OMI between 2009 and 2017. Clinical features, diagnostic findings, treatment and outcome were recorded.

Results

At total of 19 cats were identified. Sixty-three percent had no previous history of ear infection. Otoscopic examination was normal in 47% of cases. The most common bacterial isolate was Pasteurella multocida, which was identified in 24% of cases. Outcome was successful for 83% of cats managed with ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO) and in 66% of cats managed without surgical intervention.

Conclusions and relevance

Clinical suspicion of intracranial complications of OMI should remain high in cats with central vestibular disease even if otoscopic examination is normal. Antibiotic selection should be based on a culture and sensitivity; however, initial antibiotic therapy should include broad-spectrum coverage with special consideration for P multocida. Cats with intracranial complications of OMI can have a good outcome with either surgical or medical management and prospective studies are needed to assess the role of VBO in enhancing recovery.
Suturing technique for scleral fixation of toric intraocular lens in the traumatic aphakic eye with corneal astigmatism
Authors: Pan Qintuo , Yang Zhengwei , Chen Xiaomeng , Wei Wenlong , Ke Zhisheng , Chen Ding , Huang Fang , Cai Junyong , Zhao Zhenquan
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

To describe the clinical outcomes of traumatic aphakic eyes with corneal astigmatism after using a novel technique for toric intraocular lens suture fixation.

Methods:

In total, 12 eyes of 12 patients who underwent a new scleral suture fixation technique of one-piece toric intraocular lens (SN6AT series, Alcon Inc., TX, USA) were included in our retrospective study. Preoperative patient status, postoperative visual acuity and refractive outcomes, postoperative intraocular lens rotation, tilt, decentration, and complications were analyzed.

Results:

The mean follow-up was 11.6 ± 1.0 months. The mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 0.55 ± 0.32 in the logarithm of minimum angle of resolution equivalent; the postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 0.45 ± 0.34. The mean preoperative total corneal astigmatism was 2.51 ± 1.67 D. The mean postoperative residual astigmatism was 0.77 ± 0.54 D. The mean intraocular lens rotation was 3.33° ± 1.37° (range, 1°–6°). The mean intraocular lens tilt in horizontal direction was 3.64° ± 1.02° (range, 2.6°–6.3°) and in vertical direction it was 3.19° ± 1.07 ° (range, 1.6°–5.2°). The mean intraocular lens decentration in horizontal direction was 0.14 ± 0.03 mm (range, 0.089–0.192 mm) and in vertical direction it was 0.15 ± 0.02 mm (range, 0.113–0.181 mm). One patient had mild vitreous hemorrhage and two other patients had high postoperative residual sphere and astigmatism, respectively. But no other serious complications were observed.

Conclusion:

Scleral suture fixation of foldable toric intraocular lens to correct corneal astigmatism can be a safe and effective alternative technique to manage traumatic aphakic eyes that lack adequate capsular support.
Clinical and surgical risk factors for consecutive exotropia
Authors: Bryselbout Sophie , Promelle Veronique , Pracca Florent , Milazzo Solange
Published: April 2018

Introduction:

Consecutive exotropia is one of the complications of esotropia surgery. Its prevalence is estimated at 4%–27%. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for consecutive exotropia in the aftermath of surgical treatment of esotropia.

Methods:

Seventy-four patients examined in our strabismus consultation for a consecutive exotropia from January 2010 to June 2016 were retrospectively included. The age of onset of esotropia, the presence of amblyopia, the age of esotropia surgery and chosen procedure, the refractive errors, the anomalies of ocular motility, the age of onset of the consecutive exotropia and its angle of deviation were reported. Statistical analyses were performed with Student’s test and Fisher’s exact test.

Results:

Esotropia occurred in 65% of cases before the age of 1 year, was associated with amblyopia in 51%, hyperopia in 55% or anisometropia in 31%. Surgery was performed before the age of 6 years for 55% of the patients and involved for 52% the both medial recti. The angle of deviation of consecutive exotropia was ≤20 prism dioptres (PD) in 39%, 21-40 PD in 39% and ≥ 40 PD in 22%, related to amblyopia (p = 0.028), and to high hypermetropia (p = 0.05).

Discussion:

Amblyopia and hyperopia were the most important risk factors of consecutive exotropia in our series. Early onset esotropia, stereopsis abnormalities, anisometropia, oblique dysfunction, convergence insufficiency appeared but did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion:

Amblyopia is a major risk factor that should be taken into consideration during surgery of an esotropia.
Optical coherence tomography angiography characterization of acute and late stage Purtscher retinopathy
Authors: Gil Pedro , Raimundo Miguel , Marques João P , Póvoa João , Silva Rufino
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

To report a case of Purtscher retinopathy imaged with optical coherence tomography angiography.

Methods:

Case-report. Left eye fundoscopic examination in a 21-year old male after a road traffic accident with chest compression revealed multiple peri-papillary cotton-wool spots and intra- and pre-retinal hemorrhages. A diagnosis of Purtscher retinopathy was assumed.

Results:

In both the superficial and deep retinal plexuses, acute stage optical coherence tomography angiography identified multiple irregular areas of capillary non-perfusion that extended beyond the clinically visible peri-papillary cotton-wool spots. At 5-month follow-up, despite the clearing of visible cotton-wool spots, there were still permanent areas of irregular capillary non-perfusion and inner retina atrophy. These sequelae, along with a decrease in the peri-papillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, were consistent with a suboptimal visual outcome and a dense inferior arcuate scotoma.

Conclusion:

Baseline and follow-up optical coherence tomography angiography was able to detect, quantify, and map focal microvascular abnormalities at the level of the superficial and deep inner retinal vascular plexuses. These lesions were consistent with late stage structural and functional sequelae, conferring them prognostic value.
Correlation Between Mammographic Breast Density, Breast Tissue Type in Ultrasonography, Fibroglandular Tissue, and Background Parenchymal Enhancement in Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Alikhassi Afsaneh , Miratashi Yazdi Seyedeh Nooshin , Akbari Hedieh , Kia Sona Akbari , Baikpour Masoud
Published: April 2018

Objective:

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in the female population, and imaging studies play a critical role for its early detection. Mammographic breast density (MBD) is one of the markers used to predict the risk stratification of breast cancer in patients. We aimed to assess the correlations among MBD, ultrasound breast composition (USBC), fibroglandular tissue (FGT), and the amount of background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) in magnetic resonance imaging, after considering the subjects’ menopausal status.

Methods:

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, the medical records’ archives in a tertiary referral hospital were reviewed. Data including age, menopausal status, their mammograms, and ultrasound assessments were extracted from their records. All of their imaging studies were reviewed, and MBD, USBC, FGT, and BPE were determined, recorded, and entered into SPSS software for analysis.

Results:

A total of 121 women (mean age = 42.7 ± 11.0 years) were included, of which 35 out of 115 (30.4%) had reached menopause. Using the Jonckheere-Terpstra test for evaluating the trends among above mentioned 4 radiologic characteristics in the total sample population, a significant positive relation was found between each of these paired variables: (1) USBC-MBD ( P = .006), (2) FGT-MBD ( P = .001), (3) USBC-BPE ( P = .046), (4) USBC-FGT ( P = .036), and (5) BPE-FGT ( P < .001). These trends were not found to be significant among premenopausal subjects.

Conclusions:

Considering the trends between different measures of breast density in the 3 radiologic modalities, these factors can be used interchangeably in certain settings.
Characteristics of the tribological properties of oxide layers obtained via thermal oxidation on titanium Grade 2
Authors: Aniołek Krzysztof , Kupka Marian , Barylski Adrian
Published: April 2018

Thermal oxidation is an effective technique for modifying the surface of titanium and its alloys in order to improve their poor tribological properties. This paper presents the results of tests concerning titanium Grade 2 subjected to thermal oxidation at 600 ℃ and 700 ℃ for 72 h. The morphology of the surface of the formed oxide scale was determined. The surface of a specimen oxidised at 600 ℃ was unevenly covered by very fine oxide particles. Raising the temperature to 700 ℃ made it possible to cover the entire examined surface with an oxide layer. The obtained scale was characterised by the presence of large irregularly shaped agglomerated oxide particles. Tribological tests showed that the presence of an oxide layer on the surface of titanium significantly improved the resistance of the interacting tribological couple to sliding wear. The obtained 3D isometric images of the trace of wear showed that the formed traces differed in terms of width, depth and shape. It was shown that the area of the cross section of the trace of wear decreased as the temperature of thermal oxidation increased. Scanning electron microscopic observations of traces of wear formed following tribological interaction with an Al2O3 ball showed, in a non-oxidised specimen and a specimen oxidised at 600 ℃, the presence of alternating morphologically varied areas formed as a result of corrugation wear. The oxide layer obtained at 700 ℃ has the highest resistance to sliding wear and completely eliminates the adverse corrugation wear phenomenon.
Investigation on the rheological behavior of coconut oil based hybrid CeO2/CuO nanolubricants
Authors: Sajeeb Ayamannil , Rajendrakumar Perikinalil Krishnan
Published: April 2018

In the present work, hybrid CeO2/CuO–coconut oil nanolubricants in different weight fractions are prepared for different proportions of CeO2 and CuO namely 25/75, 50/50, and 75/25. Experimental and theoretical studies are carried out to investigate the rheological behavior of these hybrid nanolubricants with different proportions CeO2/CuO at a temperature range of 30 ℃ to 90 ℃ and various shear rates for different total concentrations (wt%) ranging from 0% to 1%. For higher concentrations and lesser shear rates, non-Newtonian behavior is observed for each proportion of CeO2 and CuO. Nanoparticle–oil interactions play an important role for non-Newtonian behavior at higher concentrations. But at higher shear rates, the nanolubricants behave as Newtonian fluids at all temperatures and concentrations. The values of viscosity measured using a rheometer shows minor variations compared to the values obtained by the theoretical models due to interactions, morphology, and size effects of nanoparticles. An empirical viscosity prediction model for hybrid CeO2/CuO–coconut oil nanolubricants is proposed in terms of concentrations for various temperatures and proportions of CeO2/CuO nanoparticles based on experimental results.
Seasonality of tourism
Authors: Duro Juan Antonio
Published: April 2018

Seasonality is a central problem for the sustainability of tourism in mass destinations. Among the main challenges for academic research are aspects related to its measurement and decomposition. This article proposes a novel way to decompose seasonality by multiplicative factors. Specifically, as an illustrative example, we decompose the seasonal concentration of tourism revenues into three components: revenue per tourist per day, average length of stay and tourist numbers. In addition, the methodology has been applied to Spain as a whole, where the results obtained indicate the predominant and increasing weight of tourist numbers in the recently heightened seasonality. These results suggest some concerns about the seasonality pattern and its impacts.
The Communicability of Non-Communicable Diseases: An Overview of Sociological Contributions to Ideas of Contagion
Authors: Hindhede Anette Lykke
Published: April 2018

There has been a tremendous rise in media coverage and medical research on the rapid increase of so-called non-communicable diseases. Such diseases have apparently reached epidemic proportions worldwide. In this article, I argue for the fruitfulness of investigating the communicable aspect of non-communicable diseases from a distinct sociological view of non-communicable diseases as infectious. I conduct a historical anamnesis of sociological theories that inform contemporary sociological thinking about contagion and/or collective action and the social clustering of (health) behaviour, with a particular focus on the notions of imitation, suggestion, and habitus formation. I argue that the notion of contagion is not only about biology but also about being actualised by lifestyle diseases. Based on the seminal work of Philip Strong on epidemic psychology, I discuss how – in dealing with the present threat to public order – a societal reaction in terms of a profound sense of public alarm and the generation of an outbreak of control strategies has emerged as another powerful epidemic or moral panic challenged by how to isolate the source of ‘infection’. The article concludes by asserting that there still very much remains a divide between the paradigms of the individual and the social in the production of scientific knowledge about these diseases and causality. Considering health-related risk behaviour as a socially organised rather than an individual phenomenon provides more useful data for public health interventions aimed at changing health lifestyles.
Becoming a Lifelong Learner through Life Disruptions: Exploring Motivational Pathways in Second Chance Schools’ Students
Authors: Christodoulou Michael , Kiprianos Pandelis , Papachristopoulou Elena
Published: April 2018

The aim of this article is to capture the generic process which shapes the reasons Second Chance Schools’ students set out for enrolling in them and for approaching lifelong learning. We theoretically frame motivations as having relational and temporal emergence and as embedded in their lifeworld experiences which have to be narratively reconstructed in order for the students to take life decisions. Through biographical interviews with adult students attending a Second Chance School in Greece, we identified the role of life-disrupting events in this process and their core dynamic in forming motivational pathways. We argue that life disruptions fuel four different kinds of biographical gestalts, within each of which students develop a peculiar narrative reasoning for their enrollment in Second Chance School. Stigma, emancipation, biographical suffering, and work improvement constitute four distinct biographical gestalts, in which specific life disruptions are tied up with how adult students construct their motivational orientation toward lifelong learning throughout their lives.
Social and Emotional Learning and Early Childhood Education: Redundant terms?
Authors: Moreno Amanda J , Nagasawa Mark K , Schwartz Toby
Published: April 2018

Social and emotional learning is a young field, but a very old concept. The idea that children require explicit instruction in social-emotional capacities is present in the writings of philosophers as far back as Plato, and partly constitutes the roots of the “whole-child development” and “developmentally appropriate practice” frameworks in early childhood education today. Nevertheless, early childhood education has recently been embracing and embraced by the modern global social and emotional learning movement in compulsory school education. Why would early childhood education do this, given its long tradition of prioritizing social-emotional pursuits and, in fact, serving as a model for the rest of the education continuum? Using Minow’s “dilemma of difference” framework, this article critically examines the question of which set of consequences the early childhood education field should choose in the current era—those of potentially superficially modularizing social-emotional concerns and comingling them with undesirable compulsory school education accountability structures, or those of continuing an embedded approach within a potentially generic whole-child philosophy that is difficult to implement in the real world. After considering early childhood education’s challenges with living by its own philosophy, the authors recommend a cautious but proactive acceptance of new social and emotional learning models within early childhood education because this allows a public interrogation of whichever values and methods for imparting them are chosen. The authors argue that an active alignment around social and emotional learning may buffer the early childhood education principles of democracy and child agency against the marginalization from political cross-currents they have historically experienced.
Optimization of multiple heat releases in pre-mixed diesel engine combustion for high thermal efficiency and low combustion noise by a genetic-based algorithm method
Authors: Shibata Gen , Ogawa Hideyuki , Amanuma Yasumasa , Okamoto Yuki
Published: April 2018

The reduction of diesel combustion noise by multiple fuel injections maintaining high indicated thermal efficiency is an object of the research reported in this article. There are two aspects of multiple fuel injection effects on combustion noise reduction. One is the reduction of the maximum rate of pressure rise in each combustion, and the other is the noise reduction effects by the noise canceling spike combustion. The engine employed in the simulations and experiments is a supercharged, single-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine, with a high pressure common rail fuel injection system. Simulations to calculate the combustion noise and indicated thermal efficiency from the approximated heat release by Wiebe functions were developed. In two-stage high temperature heat release combustion, the combustion noise can be reduced; however, the combustion noise in amplification frequencies must be reduced to achieve further combustion noise reduction, and an additional heat release was added ahead of the two-stage high temperature heat release combustion in Test 1. The simulations of the resulting three-stage high temperature heat release combustion were conducted by changing the heating value of the first heat release. In Test 2 where the optimum heat release shape for low combustion noise and high indicated thermal efficiency was investigated and the role of each of the heat releases in the three-stage high temperature heat release combustion was discussed. In Test 3, a genetic-based algorithm method was introduced to avoid the time-consuming loss and great care in preparing the calculations in Test 2, and the optimum heat release shape and frequency characteristics for combustion noise by the genetic-based algorithm method were speedily calculated. The heat release occurs after the top dead center, and the indicated thermal efficiency and overall combustion noise were 50.5% and 86.4 dBA, respectively. Furthermore, the optimum number of fuel injections and heat release shape of multiple fuel injections to achieve lower combustion noise while maintaining the higher indicated thermal efficiency were calculated in Test 4. The results suggest that the constant pressure combustion after the top dead center by multiple fuel injections is the better way to lower combustion noise; however, the excess fuel injected leads to a lower indicated thermal efficiency because the degree of constant volume becomes deteriorates.