bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creativity, informality and cultural work in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas
Authors: Dinardi Cecilia
Published: January 2019

In the last decade, new policy initiatives emerged in Latin America as a response to the rise of a ‘creative turn’ in the global North. This article examines the impact of such turn on urban cultural policies for informal settlements in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, focusing on the case of ‘Favela Criativa’ – a governmental programme to support young people’s cultural and creative work across favelas. The analysis reveals that the programme has effectively widened the visibility of favelas’ cultural and creative work, increased financial public support and developed practical strategies for working with informality. However, it also raises questions about the extent to which this innovative policy development actually challenges prevalent managerial views of creativity guided by a market logic. The article demonstrates that a focus on informality as groundwork for political resistance in the city can expand our understanding of the creative economy beyond precarization, self-exploitation and individualization.
Disparities in Emergent Colectomy for Colorectal Cancer Contribute to Inequalities in Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality in The US Health Care System
Authors: Schlottmann F. , Strassle P. D. , Cairns A. L. , Herbella F. A. M. , Fichera A. , Patti M. G.
Published: January 2019

Background and Aims:

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among both men and women in the United States. We aimed to determine racial and socioeconomic disparities in emergent colectomy rates for colorectal cancer in the US Health Care system.

Material and Methods:

We performed a retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample including adult patients (⩾18 years) diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and who underwent colorectal resection while admitted between 2008 and 2015. Multivariable logistic and linear regression were used to assess the association between emergent admissions, compared to elective admissions, and postoperative outcomes.

Results:

A total of 141,641 hospitalizations were included: 93,775 (66%) were elective admissions and 47,866 (34%) were emergent admissions. Black patients were more likely to undergo emergent colectomy, compared to white patients (42% vs 32%, p < 0.0001). Medicaid and Medicare patients were also more likely to have an emergent colectomy, compared to private insurance (47% and 36% vs 25%, respectively, p < 0.0001), as were patients with low household income, compared to highest (38% vs 31%, p < 0.0001). Emergent procedures were less likely to be laparoscopic (19% vs 38%, p < 0.0001). Patients undergoing emergent colectomy were significantly more likely to have postoperative venous thromboembolism, wound complications, infection, bleeding, cardiac failure, renal failure, respiratory failure, shock, and inpatient mortality.

Conclusion:

There are significant racial and socioeconomic disparities in emergent colectomy rates for colorectal cancer. Efforts to reduce this disparity in colorectal cancer surgery patients should be prioritized to improve outcomes.
Variable damping control strategy of a semi-active suspension based on the actuator motion state
Authors: Gong Mingde , Chen Hao
Published: January 2019

A semi-active suspension variable damping control strategy for heavy vehicles is proposed in this work. First, a nine-degree-of-freedom model of a semi-active suspension of heavy vehicles and a stochastic road input mathematical model are established. Second, using a 1/6 vehicle as an example, a semi-active suspension system with damping that can be adjusted actively is designed using proportional relief and throttle valves. The damping dynamic characteristics of the semi-active suspension system and the time to establish the damping force are studied through a simulation. Finally, a variable damping control strategy based on an actuator motion state is proposed to adjust the damping force of the semi-active suspension system actively and therefore satisfy the vibration reduction requirements of different roads. Results show that the variable damping control suspension can substantially improve vehicle ride comfort and handling stability in comparison with a passive suspension.
Telescoping responses to requests: Unpacking progressivity
Authors: Fox Barbara , Heinemann Trine
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we identify and describe a new practice for responding to unfinished requests, which we call telescoping responses, due to their being designed for telescoping the request sequence forward in the face of troubles with progressivity and in producing the request. Considering cases from an American shoe repair shop, we demonstrate that telescoping responses serve to telescope request sequences exactly because they are neither syntactically, prosodically or pragmatically fitted to the unfinished requests that they respond to.
‘Always gotta be two mans’: Lifers, risk, rehabilitation, and narrative labour
Authors: Warr Jason
Published: January 2019

All prisoners have their identity stripped from them and, ultimately, reconstructed by the institutions in which they are incarcerated. However, for life and indeterminately sentenced prisoners the effects of this process, reinforced over extended periods, creates a particular set of burdens. For it is this population, above and beyond that of other prisoners, who need to address the implications of an imposed carceral identity in both navigating the day-to-day life of the prison and securing release. The four core burdens are firstly, an ambiguity on what identity indeterminately sentenced prisoners were supposed to have. Secondly, reconciling an imposed identity that they did not necessarily feel adhered to their pre-established sense of self. Thirdly, recognition that in order to operate or perform within the prison they needed to adopt an institutionally acceptable form of their self. Fourthly, that they had to manage how their performance of self was judged and recorded by the prison. This article aims to contribute to the growing body of work on Narrative Criminology by arguing that these burdens results in what I define as narrative labour.
LC-MS/MS determination of 4-hydroxynimesulide, an active metabolite of nimesulide and application to bioequivalence study in Indian subjects
Authors: Halder Dhiman , Dan Shubhasis , Sarkar Pradipta , Das Dibya , Chandra Halder Umesh , Kumar Pal Tapan
Published: January 2019

A simple and highly sensitive bioanalytical method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of nimesulide (NSD) and its active metabolite 4-hydroxy-nimesulide (M1) in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) and applied in a bioequivalence study performed on Indian subjects. The bioanalytical method was carried out by LC-MS/MS with celecoxib (CXB) as an internal standard (IS) using liquid–liquid extraction technique. The chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed-phase Agilent eclipse plus C18 (75 mm × 4.6 mm, particle size 3.5 µm) column with a mobile phase of acetronitrile and water containing 5 mM ammonium formate (9:1, v/v). Method validation and clinical sample were analysed as per USFDA and EMA guidelines and results met the acceptance criteria. The lower limit of quantitation of NSD and M1 was found 10 ng/mL with a large linearity range from 10 to 6000 ng/mL for both NSD and M1 using only 100 µL of plasma and reported no matrix effect. The multiple reaction monitoring transitions of m/z 307.20 → 229.20, m/z 323.00 → 245.00 and m/z 380.20 → 316.20 were used to measure NSD, M1 and CXB (IS), respectively. The assay method was successfully applied for the simultaneous quantification of both NSD and M1 in plasma samples after oral administration of nimesulide 100 mg tablet in healthy human subjects.
The relationship between criminal behaviour over the life-course and intimate partner violence perpetration in later life
Authors: Verbruggen Janna , Blokland Arjan , Robinson Amanda L , Maxwell Christopher D
Published: January 2019

This study examines the relationship between criminal behaviour over the life-course and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and general violence in later life. The study uses data on a subsample ( N = 585) from the Dutch Criminal Career and Life-Course Study, and combines officially registered longitudinal data on convictions with self-reported data on IPV perpetration, violent offending and several individual factors, collected at age 60. The results show that those with a history of persistent general and violent offending over the life-course are at increased risk of perpetrating IPV and other violent crimes in later life. Additionally, certain background and current factors are also related to IPV perpetration. Men who have experienced family violence in childhood and those who are married are more likely to report IPV perpetration, whereas relationship quality and employment are associated with a reduced likelihood of IPV perpetration. The findings suggest that an integrated theoretical approach is most useful to understand IPV perpetration, with the ultimate aim of informing evidence-based interventions necessary for reducing IPV in society.
Vocabulary Intervention: A National Survey of School-Based Speech–Language Pathologists
Authors: Steele Sara C.
Published: January 2019

This study documented the perspectives of school-based speech–language pathologists (SLPs) who provide vocabulary intervention to students with language impairment. SLPs ( n = 357) working in school settings completed an online survey that included multiple choice, multiple answer, and open-ended questions about service delivery, intervention approaches, and teaching techniques and activities. Percentages, frequency counts, and a qualitative analysis of open-ended questions created a broad account of vocabulary intervention practices. Results showed that SLPs use a variety of approaches and techniques to address vocabulary deficits in school-age children.
Campaign Rhetoric and the Incumbency Advantage
Authors: Druckman James N. , Kifer Martin J. , Parkin Michael
Published: January 2019

The congressional incumbency advantage reflects an inequity in competition—candidates receive an electoral edge simply because they hold office. Scholars have identified an array of factors that contribute to the incumbency advantage; however, the role of electoral campaigns has been largely ignored. We argue that campaigns are a mechanism through which the incumbency advantage works. All else constant, incumbents focus their campaigns on factors that reflect their standing position, such as their familiarity to voters and actions taken for their district/state. Voters consequently rely on such incumbency factors when making their decisions. The outcome is challengers are at an extreme disadvantage, and campaigns offer scant substantive engagement. We offer evidence for these dynamics with a large-scale content analysis of campaign websites and an experiment. In so doing, we highlight a challenge to theories of democratic representation that focus on equal competition and/or substantive campaign engagement.
Distribution of driving force beneath wheeled vehicle with varying center of gravity
Authors: Zhou Chen , Liu Xin-Hui , Chen Wei , Xu Fei-Xiang , Cao Bing-Wei
Published: January 2019

Driving force analysis is performed on the no-spin differential and full-time all-wheel-drive vehicle; this thesis takes an automatic loading mixing vehicle as an example to introduce the compositions and working principle of the driving system. Based on the tire-ground mechanics, the model of the dynamics and the kinematics is established under the walking straight and steering conditions. According to the theoretical model, the influence of the vehicle’s gravity center on the moving system is analyzed. Co-simulation based on LMS Imagine Lab AMESim and LMS Virtual Lab Motion is performed to build the hydraulic driving system and the multi-body dynamics system models. Based on the tire-ground load environment simulation model built by 1D + 3D, various positions of the gravity center of the model are set to compare with the theoretical analysis. Various weight blocks are also added to change the location of the gravity center in the practical experiment. The conclusions that different gravity center positions lead to the change of the driving torque distribution are proved by the simulation results and experimental data.
Analyzing uncertainties in model response using the point estimate method: Applications from railway asset management
Authors: Neumann Thorsten , Dutschk Beate , Schenkendorf René
Published: January 2019

Predicting current and future states of rail infrastructure based on existing data and measurements is essential for optimal maintenance and operation of railway systems. Mathematical models are helpful tools for detecting failures and extrapolating current states into the future. This, however, inherently gives rise to uncertainties in the model response that must be analyzed carefully to avoid misleading results and conclusions. Commonly, Monte Carlo simulations are used for such analyses which often require a large number of sample points to be evaluated for convergence. Moreover, even if quite close to the exact distributions, the Monte Carlo approach necessarily provides approximate results only. In contrast to that, the present contribution reviews an alternative way of computing important statistical quantities of the model response. The so-called point estimate method, which can be shown to be exact under certain constraints, usually (i.e. depending on the number of input variables) works with only a few specific sample points. Thus, the point estimate method helps to reduce the computational load for model evaluation considerably in the case of complex models or large-scale applications. To demonstrate the point estimate method, five academic but typical examples of railway asset management are analyzed in more detail: (a) track degradation, (b) reliability analysis of composite systems, (c) terminal reliability in rail networks, (d) failure detection/identification using decision trees, and (e) track condition modeling incorporating maintenance. Advantages as well as limitations of the point estimate method in comparison with common Monte Carlo simulations are discussed.
A comparison of long-term healthcare utilization and costs in patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis receiving infliximab versus early colectomy
Authors: Vasudevan Abhinav , Arachchi Asiri , Scanlon Cian , Greenhalgh Jarrod , Van Langenberg Daniel R.
Published: January 2019

Background:

Early intervention for acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) improves outcomes. Outcomes and healthcare costs for an infliximab-first and colectomy-first approach were compared.

Methods:

This single-center retrospective cohort study of inpatients with steroid-refractory ASUC who received infliximab 5 mg/kg (1–3 doses without maintenance) or initial colectomy between 2004 and 2014 assessed long-term healthcare utilization and direct costs following infliximab or colectomy, using admission coding data until 31 December 2016.

Results:

A total of 118 patients received either infliximab ( n = 85, 72%) or colectomy ( n = 33, 28%) as initial therapy, with 35(41%) patients eventually requiring colectomy post-infliximab (median 213 days, range [6, 3739]). Median follow up was 7 years [0, 14]. Following infliximab for ASUC, 44% of patients then received antitumor necrosis factor maintenance. After ASUC therapy, length of stay and number of admissions did not significantly differ between groups but higher numbers of complications prompting readmission occurred in the colectomy group (median 4 versus 1, p < 0.001). There were no differences in admissions or total length of stay for patients who had received infliximab first then colectomy versus those treated with colectomy first (median 7.0 versus 4.0, 41.5 days versus 29 days, respectively, each p > 0.05). Total costs were lower at 6 months (mean AUD17,662 versus AUD24,852, p = 0.003), yet were similar at 7 years following an infliximab compared with colectomy approach (AUD72,834 versus AUD59,557, p = 0.23). After infliximab, costs were significantly higher at 7 years with biologic rather than immunomodulator-only maintenance therapy (AUD109,365 versus AUD47,842, p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

In support of current practice, infliximab salvage in steroid-refractory ASUC achieved reduced short-term healthcare costs compared with initial colectomy, though long-term costs were not significantly different.
Results of minimally invasive Achilles tendon scraping and plantaris tendon removal in patients with chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy: A longer-term follow-up study
Authors: Ruergård Anna , Spang Christoph , Alfredson Håkan
Published: January 2019

Background:

Treatment with ultrasound and colour Doppler–guided minimally invasive Achilles tendon scraping and plantaris tendon removal has shown promising short-term results in patients with chronic painful midportion Achilles tendinopathy.

Methods:

In a follow-up study, 182 consecutive patients (241 tendons) who had undergone Achilles tendon scraping and plantaris tendon removal were contacted on telephone by an independent investigator. The patients who answered the telephone call were included, and they answered a questionnaire on telephone and then also sent their written answers. The questionnaire included information about patient satisfaction with the result of the treatment, time to return to full Achilles tendon loading activity, and a pain score (Visual Analogue Scale-VAS).

Results:

The follow-up period was 5.8 years (mean) (range of 2–13 years) after surgery. Altogether, 110 patients (136 Achilles tendons), 52 years (mean)(range 18-73) old at surgery could be reached and were included. In total, 81 tendons were operated with the Achilles scraping procedure alone, and for 55 Achilles operations also a plantaris tendon removal was performed. For 93% of the operated tendons, the patients were satisfied with the surgical outcome and the VAS had decreased from 74 preoperatively to 8 postoperatively. Nine male patients (9 tendons), five operated with scraping + plantaris removal, had remaining tendon pain during loading and were not satisfied. Their VAS score ranged from 22 to 91. For 21% of the operated tendons, some occasional mild discomfort not preventing from full tendon loading, was reported. There were no differences in pain reduction and satisfaction rates between men and women, and between Achilles scraping alone and scraping plus plantaris removal.

Conclusion:

Ultrasound and colour Doppler–guided surgical Achilles tendon scraping and plantaris tendon removal in patients with chronic painful midportion Achilles tendinopathy show remaining good clinical outcomes and high satisfaction rates in this longer-term follow-up.
One Size Does Not Fit All: Developing Common Standards for Outcomes in Early-Phase Clinical Trials of Sound-, Psychology-, and Pharmacology-Based Interventions for Chronic Subjective Tinnitus in Adults
Authors: Hall Deborah A. , Hibbert Alice , Smith Harriet , Haider Haúla F. , Londero Alain , Mazurek Birgit , Fackrell Kathryn ,   for the Core Outcome Measures in Tinnitus (COMiT) initiative
Published: January 2019

Good practice in clinical trials advocates common standards for assessing and reporting condition-specific complaints (“outcome domains”). For tinnitus, there is no common standard. The Core Outcome Measures in Tinnitus International Delphi (COMiT’ID) study created recommendations that are relevant to the most common intervention approaches for chronic subjective tinnitus in adults using consensus methods. Here, the objectives were to examine why it is important to tailor outcome domain selection to the tinnitus intervention that is being evaluated in the clinical trial and to demonstrate that the COMiT’ID recommendations are robust. The COMiT’ID study used an online three-round Delphi method with three separate surveys for sound-, psychology-, and pharmacology-based interventions. Survey data were analyzed to assess quality and confidence in the consensus achieved across surveys and stakeholder groups and between survey rounds. Results found participants were highly discriminatory in their decision-making. Of the 34 outcome domains reaching the prespecified consensus definition in the final round, 17 (50%) were unique to one intervention, while only 12 (35%) were common to all three. Robustness was demonstrated by an acceptable level of agreement across and within stakeholder groups, across survey rounds, across medical specialties (for the health-care practitioners), and across health-care users with varying tinnitus duration. There were few dissenting voices, and results showed no attrition bias. In conclusion, there is compelling evidence that one set of outcomes does not fit all therapeutic aims. Our analyses evidence robust decisions by the electronic Delphi process, leading to recommendations for three unique intervention-specific outcome domain sets. This provides an important starting point for standardization.
Minimizing Mistakes in Psychological Science
Authors: Rouder Jeffrey N. , Haaf Julia M. , Snyder Hope K.
Published: January 2019

Developing and implementing best practices in organizing a lab is challenging, especially in the face of new cultural norms, such as the open-science movement. Part of this challenge in today’s landscape is using new technologies, including cloud storage and computer automation. In this article, we discuss a few practices designed to increase the reliability of scientific labs, focusing on ways to minimize common, ordinary mistakes. We borrow principles from the theory of high-reliability organizations, which has been used to characterize operational practices in high-risk environments, such as aviation and health care. Guided by these principles, we focus on five strategies: (a) implementing a lab culture focused on learning from mistakes, (b) using computer automation in data and metadata collection whenever possible, (c) standardizing organizational strategies, (d) using coded rather than menu-driven analyses, and (e) developing expanded documents that record how analyses were performed.
How I treat early-relapsing follicular lymphoma
Authors: Casulo Carla , Barr Paul M.
Published: January 2019

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most frequently occurring indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with generally favorable outcomes but a variable clinical course. Recent studies have elucidated the consistent and reproducible frequency of early disease progression in FL, occurring in ∼20% of patients. Relapse of FL within 24 months of chemoimmunotherapy (POD24) is now established as a robust marker of poor survival, leading to increased risk of death. Currently, there is no established method of identifying patients at risk for early disease progression at the time of their FL diagnosis. However, numerous studies worldwide are investigating clinical, pathologic, and radiographic biomarkers to help predict POD24, thereby improving subsequent outcomes and adapting therapy based on individual risk. There is also a paucity of standardized treatments for patients with POD24, but investigations are ongoing testing novel targeted therapies and autologous stem cell transplantation strategies. This review provides an overview of early-relapsing FL and our approach to patient management based on recent available data.
Reduced bone formation in males and increased bone resorption in females drive bone loss in hemophilia A mice
Authors: Weitzmann M. Neale , Roser-Page Susanne , Vikulina Tatyana , Weiss Daiana , Hao Li , Baldwin W. Hunter , Yu Kanglun , del Mazo Arbona Natalia , McGee-Lawrence Meghan E. , Meeks Shannon L. , Kempton Christine L.
Published: January 2019

Hemophilia A (HA), a rare X-linked recessive genetic disorder caused by insufficient blood clotting factor VIII, leaves affected individuals susceptible to spontaneous and traumatic hemorrhage. Although males generally exhibit severe symptoms, due to variable X inactivation, females can also be severely impacted. Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeleton predisposing patients to fragility fracture, a cause of significant morbidity and mortality and a common comorbidity in HA. Because the causes of osteoporosis in HA are unclear and in humans confounded by other traditional risk factors for bone loss, in this study, we phenotyped the skeletons of F8 total knockout (F8TKO) mice, an animal model of severe HA. We found that trabecular bone accretion in the axial and appendicular skeletons of male F8TKO mice lagged significantly between 2 and 6 months of age, with more modest cortical bone decline. By contrast, in female mice, diminished bone accretion was mostly limited to the cortical compartment. Interestingly, bone loss was associated with a decline in bone formation in male mice but increased bone resorption in female mice, a possible result of sex steroid insufficiency. In conclusion, our studies reveal a sexual dimorphism in the mechanism driving bone loss in male and female F8TKO mice, preventing attainment of peak bone mass and strength. If validated in humans, therapies aimed at promoting bone formation in males but suppressing bone resorption in females may be indicated to facilitate attainment of peak mass in children with HA to reduce the risk for fracture later in life.
Acute fibrinolysis shutdown occurs early in septic shock and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality: results of an observational pilot study
Authors: Schmitt Felix Carl Fabian , Manolov Vasil , Morgenstern Jakob , Fleming Thomas , Heitmeier Stefan , Uhle Florian , Al-Saeedi Mohammed , Hackert Thilo , Bruckner Thomas , Schöchl Herbert , Weigand Markus Alexander , Hofer Stefan , Brenner Thorsten
Published: January 2019

Background

Septic coagulopathy represents a very dynamic disease entity, tilting from initial hypercoagulability towards a subsequent hypocoagulable disease state, entitled overt disseminated intravascular coagulation. Acute fibrinolysis shutdown has recently been described to be a crucial component of initial hypercoagulability in critically ill patients, although the underlying pathomechanisms, the specific temporal kinetics and its outcome relevance in patients with sepsis remain to be determined.

Methods

In total, 90 patients (30 with septic shock, 30 surgical controls and 30 healthy volunteers) were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at sepsis onset or prior and immediately after the surgical procedure as well as 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 7 d later, whereas blood samples from healthy volunteers were collected once. Besides viscoelastic and aggregometric point-of-care testing (POCT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent and thrombin generation assays and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based measurements were performed.

Results

As assessed by viscoelastic POCT, fibrinolysis shutdown occurred early in sepsis. Significant increases in tissue plasminogen activator had no effect on thromboelastometrical lysis indices (LIs). Contrariwise, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 was already significantly increased at sepsis onset, which was paralleled by significantly increased LIs in patients suffering from septic shock in comparison with both control groups. This effect persisted throughout the 7-day observation period and was most pronounced in severely ill as well as non-surviving septic patients. Thromboelastometrical LI, therefore, proved to be suitable for early diagnosis [e.g. LI 45 min: area under the curve (AUC) up to 0.933] as well as prognosis (e.g. LI 60 min: AUC up to 1.000) of septic shock.

Conclusions

Early inhibition of plasminogen activation leads to acute fibrinolysis shutdown with improved clot stability and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in septic patients.

Trial registration This study was approved by the local ethics committee (Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg; Trial-Code No. S247-2014/German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS)-ID: DRKS00008090; retrospectively registered: 07.05.2015). All study patients or their legal representatives signed written informed consent.
Cost-effectiveness of early intervention in psychosis: systematic review
Authors: Aceituno David , Vera Norha , Prina A. Matthew , McCrone Paul
Published: January 2019

Background

Early intervention in psychosis (EIP) has been developed as an approach to improve the prognosis of people with psychotic disorders and it has been claimed to be a more efficient model of care. However, the evidence is not definitive and doubts have spread regard to the economic outcomes of EIP services amid the usually restricted mental health budget.

Aims

We aimed to review the cost-effectiveness evidence of EIP services worldwide.

Method

We systematically reviewed the economic literature about EIP following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines. Studies were selected according to previously stated criteria and analysed with standardised critical appraisal tools for trial-based economic evaluations and modelling studies.

Results

A total of 16 studies were selected after applying the eligibility criteria. Most of them were economic evaluations alongside clinical trials. The overall evidence was consistent in the cost-effectiveness of EIP compared with standard care for first episode of psychosis and the Clinical High Risk for Psychosis paradigm. Such evidence was replicated among different health systems, but mainly in high-income countries. The methodological quality of such evidence, however, was moderate and heterogeneity was significant across the studies.

Conclusions

There is consistent evidence that the implementation of EIP services might be a cost-effective alternative across different health systems. Such evidence, nevertheless, derives from heterogeneous and sometimes methodologically flawed studies, reducing the certainty of such statement. More efforts must be done to rigorously assess the value of this intervention, before expanding it among systems where mental health budgets are more constrained.

Declaration of interest

None.
Flexural Behavior of Confined Masonry Walls Subjected to In-Plane Lateral Loads
Authors: Varela-Rivera Jorge , Fernandez-Baqueiro Luis , Gamboa-Villegas Jose , Prieto-Coyoc Adda , Moreno-Herrera Joel
Published: January 2019

Results of a study on the flexural behavior of confined masonry walls are presented. Six walls were tested in a laboratory under reverse cyclic loads. The variables studied were the wall aspect ratio and wall axial compressive stress. The behavior of walls was characterized by yielding of the longitudinal steel reinforcement of vertical confining elements followed by vertical and diagonal cracks on the masonry panel. The failure of walls was associated with crushing concrete of vertical confining elements. Flexural strength increased as the wall aspect ratio decreased or the wall axial compressive stress increased. The flexural strength of walls was validated using flexural theory. A displacement ductility capacity of 6 and a drift ratio capacity of 1% were proposed for the walls. A hysteretic model based on four parameters was calibrated. This model represented well the flexural behavior of the studied walls.
Development and Validation of Fragility Functions for Buried Pipelines Based on Canterbury Earthquake Sequence Data
Authors: Bellagamba Xavier , Bradley Brendon A. , Wotherspoon Liam M. , Hughes Matthew W.
Published: January 2019

This paper presents parametric fragility functions for buried pressurized water pipelines based on data collected following the 22 February and 13 June 2011 events in the Canterbury, New Zealand earthquake sequence. The fragility of buried pipelines is expressed as a repair rate and utilizes the peak ground velocity, pipe characteristics, and soil liquefaction susceptibility expressed by the cyclic resistance ratio. The model explicitly takes into account both within-model uncertainty (the misfit to the data) and between-model uncertainty based on unknown model parameters such that for each unknown parameter, the between-model uncertainty increases. The adopted framework enables a wide application of these fragility functions to analyze the seismic performance of pressurized water pipeline networks, irrespective of the available information on the analyzed system. Utilized in a retrospective analysis via Monte Carlo simulations, the proposed fragility functions yield good predictive results.
Successful Use of Cangrelor and Heparin for Cardiopulmonary Bypass in a Patient With Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and End-Stage Renal Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Girgis Alexander M. , Golts Eugene , Humber Doug , Banks Dalia A.
Published: January 2019

Heparin is the only well-established anticoagulant medication for cardiopulmonary bypass making selecting an alternative anticoagulant challenging in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Other anticoagulant medications can cause significant postoperative bleeding, especially in patients with end-stage renal disease. We present a case of a 63-year-old woman requiring aortic valve replacement with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and end-stage renal disease. Cangrelor and heparin were successfully used during cardiopulmonary bypass, offering an option for anticoagulation management for a uniquely challenging patient population.
Zebrafishduoxmutations provide a model for human congenital hypothyroidism
Authors: Chopra Kunal , Ishibashi Shoko , Amaya Enrique
Published: January 2019

Thyroid dyshormonogenesis is a leading cause of congenital hypothyroidism, a highly prevalent but treatable condition. Thyroid hormone synthesis is dependent on the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In humans, the primary sources for ROS production during thyroid hormone synthesis are the NADPH oxidases DUOX1 and DUOX2. Indeed, mutations in DUOX1 and DUOX2 have been linked with congenital hypothyroidism. Unlike humans, zebrafish has a single orthologue for DUOX1 and DUOX2. In this study, we investigated the phenotypes associated with two nonsense mutant alleles, sa9892 and sa13017, of the single duox gene in zebrafish. Both alleles gave rise to readily observable phenotypes reminiscent of congenital hypothyroidism, from the larval stages through to adulthood. By using various methods to examine external and internal phenotypes, we discovered a strong correlation between TH synthesis and duox function, beginning from an early larval stage, when T4 levels are already noticeably absent in the mutants. Loss of T4 production resulted in growth retardation, pigmentation defects, ragged fins, thyroid hyperplasia / external goiter, and infertility. Remarkably, all of these defects associated with chronic congenital hypothyroidism could be rescued with T4 treatment, even when initiated when the fish had already reached adulthood. Our work suggests that these zebrafish duox mutants may provide a powerful model to understand the aetiology of untreated and treated congenital hypothyroidism even in advance stages of development.
Fast Running Does Not Contribute More to Cumulative Load than Slow Running
Authors: HUNTER JESSICA G. , GARCIA GINA L. , SHIM JAE KUN , MILLER ROSS H.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

As running speed increases there are concomitant changes in loads associated with tibial stress fracture risk. Runners often include multiple speeds in their training, but the effect of speed distribution on load accumulation is unknown. We studied how running at different proportions of speed within a given running distance affects the cumulative loading of the vertical average loading rate, cumulative peak absolute tibial free moment, and cumulative peak axial tibial load. These loads were compared between two proportions of speed: running all distance at normal self-selected speed, and running the same distance at a combination of slow/fast speeds with the same average speed as normal. Also, the contributions of slow and fast running to the combined condition were compared.

Methods

Forty-three recreational runners (age, 18–49 yr; 29 female, 14 male) ran around a 50-m indoor track for three laps each at self-selected slow, normal, and fast speeds. Per-step peak loads and cumulative loads per kilometer were calculated at each speed and for each speed distribution, respectively.

Results

Only cumulative vertical average loading rate was lower at normal speed compared with the slow/fast speed combination. The contribution of fast speed running to cumulative tibial load was less than the contribution of slow speed running.

Conclusions

Running at a combination of slow and fast speeds, rather than a single moderate speed, increased cumulative vertical average loading rate but not cumulative tibial load or free moment. Fast running can be included in a training program without necessarily increasing the cumulative load. Total distance and average speed may not be sufficient information to estimate cumulative load from running training.
Novel Approach to Characterize Heterogeneity in an Aerobic Exercise Intervention
Authors: HALL SAMANTHA E. , LAWAL OLUWASEYI A. , CLARK CAMERON M. , TYNDALL AMANDA V. , HILL MICHAEL D. , SAJOBI TOLULOPE T. , POULIN MARC J.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Exercise intervention studies for brain health can be difficult to interpret due to heterogeneity in exercise intensity, exercise duration, and in adherence to the exercise intervention. This study aimed to characterize heterogeneity in these components in a cohort of healthy middle-age and older adults who participated in a prescribed 6-month supervised aerobic exercise intervention as part of the Brain in Motion study.

Methods and Results

Group-based multitrajectory analysis (GBMTA) was used to characterize variation in the trajectory of exercise intensity and duration for male and female participants in the first 3 months of the exercise program. The GBMTA for males and females revealed two distinct trajectory subgroups, namely, “high-increasing” (HI) and “low-increasing” (LI). Logistic regression was used to assess the association between the identified latent subgroups and (i) demographic characteristics; (ii) physiological characteristics, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular function; (iii) genetic characteristics; and (iv) adherence with American College of Sports Medicine guidelines on exercise for older adults. Of the 196 participants, 54.1% met the American College of Sports Medicine aerobic exercise targets for intensity and duration during the intervention. Aerobic fitness (maximal oxygen uptake; odds ratio, 1.27; P < 0.01) was significantly different between these trajectory subgroups in males, and cerebrovascular function (cerebrovascular resistance; odds ratio, 0.14; P < 0.01) was significantly different between these trajectory subgroups in females.

Conclusion

This novel approach to tracking a prespecified exercise program highlights that there are individual and group-specific variations within a prescribed exercise intervention. Characterizing exercise adherence in this way holds promise in developing optimized exercise prescriptions tailored to individual baseline characteristics, and additionally highlighting those participants at greatest risk of not meeting minimum dosage requirements for physiological and/or cognitive health.
Best Prices: Price Discrimination and Consumer Substitution
Authors: Chevalier Judith A. , Kashyap Anil K
Published: January 2019

This paper proposes a method for aggregating prices when retailers use periodic sales to price-discriminate amongst heterogeneous customers. In the motivating model, loyal customers buy one brand and do not strategically time purchases, while Bargain Hunters always pay the lowest price available, the “best price.” In the model, the best price is part of an exact price index. Accounting for the best price also substantially improves the empirical match between conventional price aggregation strategies and actual prices paid by consumers. The methodology improves inflation measurement while imposing little burden on the data-collection agency. (JEL C43, D12, E31, L13, L81, M31)
Added value of diffusion-weighted imaging for evaluation of extramural venous invasion in patients with primary rectal cancer
Authors: Ahn Ju Hee , Kim Seung Ho , Son Jung Hee , Jo Sung Jae
Published: January 2019

Objective:

To evaluate the added value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to T  2 weighted imaging (T  2WI) for detection of extramural venous invasion (EMVI) in patients with primary rectal cancer.

Methods:

79 patients (50 men, 29 females, mean age 67.4 years, range 37–87 years) who had undergone rectal MRI and subsequently received surgical resection were included. The rectal MRI consisted of T  2WI in three planes and axial DWI (b-values, 0, 1000 s mm–2). Two radiologists blinded to the pathologic results independently reviewed the T  2WI first, and then the combined T  2WI and DWI 4 weeks later. They recorded their confidence scores for EMVI on a 5-point scale (0: definitely negative and 4: definitely positive). The diagnostic performance of each reading session for each reader was compared by pairwise comparison of receiver operating characteristic curves. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was considered as the diagnostic performance. The result of a histopathological examination served as the reference standard for EMVI.

Results:

For both readers, the diagnostic performance was not significantly different between the two image sets (for reader 1, AUC, 0.828 and 0.825, p = 0.9426 and for reader 2, AUC, 0.723 and 0.726, p = 0.9244, respectively).

Conclusion:

There was no added value of DWI to T2WI for detection of EMVI in patients with primary rectal cancer.

Advances in knowledge:

High-resolution T2WI alone is sufficient to assess EMVI and a supplementary DWI has no added value in patients with primary rectal cancer.
It’s the network, stupid: a population’s sexual network connectivity determines its STI prevalence
Authors: Kenyon Chris R. , Delva Wim
Published: January 2019

There is little consensus as to why sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are more prevalent in some populations than others. Using a broad definition of sexual network connectivity that includes both structural and conductivity-related factors, we argue that the available evidence suggests that high prevalence of traditional STIs, HIV and BV can be parsimoniously explained by these populations having more connected sexual networks. Positive feedback, whereby BV and various STIs enhance the spread of other STIs, then further accentuates the spread of BV, HIV and other STIs. We review evidence that support this hypothesis and end by suggesting study designs that could further evaluate the hypothesis, as well as implications of this hypothesis for the prevention and management of STIs.
Managing deterioration in older adults in care homes: a quality improvement project to introduce an early warning tool
Authors: Little Sarah , Rodgers Geraldine , Fitzpatrick Joanne M
Published: January 2019

Many older adults living in care homes have complex health needs requiring comprehensive care. Early warning tools can help identify deterioration, but currently they are less often used in care homes. The aim of this quality improvement project was to introduce an early warning tool, the Significant 7, to facilitate identification and management of deterioration in care home residents. The plan, do, study, act (PDSA) method was used, and process mapping informed a tailored intervention. Introducing the tool had positive outcomes for residents and care staff. There was a reduction in the incidence of pressure ulcers and falls, and care staff were more confident in recognising resident deterioration. Next steps include scaling up the project to further examine how this early warning tool can improve resident, staff and organisational outcomes, in order to explore the potential use of the tool by community nurses with older people living at home.
Ofsted ‘calls time’ on teaching to the test and off-rolling pupils
Authors: Henshaw Pete
Published: January 2019

But as the consultation over the new inspection framework opens, concerns remain over how reliable inspectors' judgements will be
The Hartlepool Promise
Authors: Wootton Gary , Harris Sean
Published: January 2019

What can one town do to improve its education system? Gary Wootton and Sean Harris report on how Hartlepool is trying to answer this question
‘All I wanted was a happy life’: the struggles of women with learning disabilities to raise their children while also experiencing domestic violence
Authors: McCarthy Michelle
Published: January 2019

Women with learning disabilities are especially vulnerable to domestic violence from partners. The lives of mothers with learning disabilities who experience domestic violence are very challenging. This in-depth qualitative study of six mothers with learning disabilities in the UK uses interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the impact of domestic violence on the women and children. The women reported violent conceptions and violent pregnancies, perpetrators sabotaging the mother–child bond, living with a broad spectrum of abuse and their feelings about having their children removed from their care. Recommendations are made for professional and informal support of these women.
Agglomeration issues in respect of Budapest
Authors: Laki Ildikó
Published: January 2019

Budapest agglomeration around the capital is the largest agglomeration, comprising of the most settlements, of Hungary. Its settlements are located on both sides of the Danube River and on two larger islands in the Danube River (Csepel Island and Szentendre Island). The Danube River is a line of geological demarcation, as it roughly divides the area into a lowland landscape (to the east, on its left bank) and a mountainous/semi-mountainous landscape (to the west, on its right bank), which have an impact on the network, size of and access to the settlements. This study seeks to provide the brief history and to describe the current situation of the Budapest agglomeration in the light of data and differing theories. European countries have a long history of agglomeration, and the agglomeration process is not only ongoing in developed countries, but also subject to permanent changes in interpretation. The Budapest agglomeration covers 80 + 1 (Budapest) settlements, the majority of which have undergone dynamic development in the last 30 years. In addition to spatial development, the Budapest agglomeration is also characterised by large growth in its population following its spatial restructuring. Road and railway infrastructure have also developed significantly. With regard to the relationship between the capital and the agglomeration, Budapest continues to play a vital role, as 25–35% of the population in the agglomeration work and use the educational institutions in the capital. Thus, the agglomeration would not exist without the opportunities offered by the capital.
Publicity, communication and community in the information age
Authors: Szécsi Gábor , Mák Kornél
Published: January 2019

In the age of electronic communication, a new virtual social space is in the making which strengthen the cohesion of competing virtual communication communities, and in which, therefore, the influence of traditional social and political institutes declines. The new communication situations created by the use of electronic technologies (radio, television, the internet, mobile telephony) transform our notion and expectations of political communication, and have a tremendous impact on the social and political rituals. This article argues that the new multi-channel communication situations created by the use of new media have a significant impact on politicians who address so many different types of people simultaneously. The aim of my essay is to show how the networked spaces of multi-channel electronic communication, the multiple public spheres and the new, informationcentered redefinition of social and political categories transform the style and content of political communication and, thus, our expectations concerning the political performances.