bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ex-Post Analysis of Land Title Registration in Ghana Since 2008 Merger
Authors: Ehwi Richmond J. , Asante Lewis A.
Published: May 2016

Land ownership and security of title have continued to dominate land management discourses in many developing economies, leading to a proliferation of studies that explore, among other things, the nexus between land title registration and land security, women’s access to land, innovation in agriculture, access to finance, and economic development. For many years, Ghana experienced minimal success in formalizing land ownership and title registration. However, public confidence and expectations were raised once more in 2008 with the merger of four disparate land agencies into the New Lands Commission (NLC) under the overarching ambit of the Land Administration Project (LAP). This article contributes to existing studies by evaluating the impact of the 2008 merger. This is accomplished by matching the project’s stated objectives with actual outcomes and situating the findings in the broader theoretical debate about land title registration and economic development. Using data gathered through interviews with officials of the Greater Accra Lands Commission and with prospective land title holders, the study concludes that there have not been any great gains in achieving the complete digitization of the title registration process and follow-up procedures. However, there has been a reduction in the turn-around time for processing land documents, from more than 36 months to about 3 months, as well as increased public awareness about the process of title registration. The study recommends further training of staff members of the NLC in handling the digitization process, institutionalization of anti-corruption and anti-bribery practices, and the introduction of a well-functioning customer feedback system.
Selective Mapping of Psychopathy and Externalizing to Dissociable Circuits for Inhibitory Self-Control
Authors: Rodman Alexandra M. , Kastman Erik K. , Dorfman Hayley M. , Baskin-Sommers Arielle R. , Kiehl Kent A. , Newman Joseph P. , Buckholtz Joshua W.
Published: May 2016

Antisociality is commonly conceptualized as a unitary construct, but there is considerable evidence for multidimensionality. In particular, two partially dissociable symptom clusters—psychopathy and externalizing—have divergent associations to clinical and forensic outcomes and are linked to unique patterns executive dysfunction. Here, we used fMRI in a sample of incarcerated offenders to map these dimensions of antisocial behavior to brain circuits underlying two aspects of inhibitory self-control: interference suppression and response inhibition. We found that psychopathy and externalizing are characterized by unique and task-selective patterns of dysfunction. Although higher levels of psychopathy predicted increased activity within a distributed frontoparietal network for interference suppression, externalizing did not predict brain activity during attentional control. By contrast, each dimension had opposite associations to frontoparietal activity during response inhibition. These findings provide neurobiological evidence supporting the fractionation of antisocial behavior and identify dissociable mechanisms through which different facets predispose dysfunction and impairment.
Weathering a Cytokine Storm
Authors: Shaw Tiffany Y. , Schivo Michael
Published: May 2016

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but life-threatening disease caused by excessive immune activation. Acquired HLH is seen in adults and is often caused by infection or malignancy. Diagnosis is difficult and usually missed as clinical and laboratory findings are nonspecific. Moreover, the pathophysiology of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and/or sepsis is remarkably similar to HLH. Thus, in patients presenting with presumed severe sepsis or septic shock complicated by multiorgan failure without a clear infectious source, HLH should be considered. A disproportionately high ferritin may be one of the earlier laboratory findings to suggest HLH. We discuss a case of a young male who presented with presumed septic shock with multiorgan failure who was eventually found to have Epstein-Barr virus–induced HLH.
Human neutrophil kinetics: modeling of stable isotope labeling data supports short blood neutrophil half-lives
Authors: Lahoz-Beneytez Julio , Elemans Marjet , Zhang Yan , Ahmed Raya , Salam Arafa , Block Michael , Niederalt Christoph , Asquith Becca , Macallan Derek
Published: May 2016

Key Points

Mechanistic modeling of stable isotope labeling verifies human neutrophil half-lives of 13-19 h in contrast to recent estimates of >3 days. Human neutrophil kinetics can be measured using a single-dose deuterium-labeled glucose protocol.
Hierarchical classification strategy for Phenotype extraction from epidermal growth factor receptor endocytosis screening
Authors: Cao Lu , Graauw Marjo de , Yan Kuan , Winkel Leah , Verbeek Fons J.
Published: May 2016

Background

Endocytosis is regarded as a mechanism of attenuating the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling and of receptor degradation. There is increasing evidence becoming available showing that breast cancer progression is associated with a defect in EGFR endocytosis. In order to find related Ribonucleic acid (RNA) regulators in this process, high-throughput imaging with fluorescent markers is used to visualize the complex EGFR endocytosis process. Subsequently a dedicated automatic image and data analysis system is developed and applied to extract the phenotype measurement and distinguish different developmental episodes from a huge amount of images acquired through high-throughput imaging. For the image analysis, a phenotype measurement quantifies the important image information into distinct features or measurements. Therefore, the manner in which prominent measurements are chosen to represent the dynamics of the EGFR process becomes a crucial step for the identification of the phenotype. In the subsequent data analysis, classification is used to categorize each observation by making use of all prominent measurements obtained from image analysis. Therefore, a better construction for a classification strategy will support to raise the performance level in our image and data analysis system.

Results

In this paper, we illustrate an integrated analysis method for EGFR signalling through image analysis of microscopy images. Sophisticated wavelet-based texture measurements are used to obtain a good description of the characteristic stages in the EGFR signalling. A hierarchical classification strategy is designed to improve the recognition of phenotypic episodes of EGFR during endocytosis. Different strategies for normalization, feature selection and classification are evaluated.

Conclusions

The results of performance assessment clearly demonstrate that our hierarchical classification scheme combined with a selected set of features provides a notable improvement in the temporal analysis of EGFR endocytosis. Moreover, it is shown that the addition of the wavelet-based texture features contributes to this improvement. Our workflow can be applied to drug discovery to analyze defected EGFR endocytosis processes.
Effective cleaning of rust stained marble
Authors: Spile Sanne , Suzuki Takayoshi , Bendix Jesper , Simonsen Kim Pilkjær
Published: May 2016

Background

Calcareous materials, like marble used in connection with cultural heritage objects such as statues and pedestals, or as wall facings on buildings, often show a brownish staining owing to contact with iron metal or iron-containing minerals in the stone. The discolouration alters the appearance of the stone, which is undesirable from an aesthetic point of view. Despite rust staining being a conspicuous phenomenon and numerous works that have dealt with the problem of removing rust stains, a simple and non-toxic method has so far been missing. This paper describes a highly efficient method for cleaning rust stains from marble by introducing the chelating amino acid cysteine in a Laponite poultice in combination with the strong reducing agent sodium dithionite.

Results

Cleaning experiments were performed on artificially discoloured samples of various types of Carrara Bianco marble and on naturally rust stained marble. To begin with, solutions of cysteine in combination with sodium dithionite and ammonium carbonate were tested by immersion of samples into the different solutions. Secondly, solutions of cysteine and sodium dithionite with and without buffering were used in a poultice consisting of Laponite® RD, Arbocel® BC1000 and CMC. The poultice was applied on three different marble types: Carrara Fabricotti, Carrara Vagli and Carrara La Piana. Thirdly, the optimized method was tested on original rust stained material of Greenlandic marble, which has been used as wall facing, and finally in situ in Copenhagen on a larger area of The Marble Church showing rust stains due to pyrite oxidation. The cleaning results were evaluated by visual observations, cross sections, and etching of the surface by testing on high gloss marble.

Conclusion

Cleaning of iron-discoloured marble surfaces has been investigated and a new method for removal of rust stained marble has been developed. A solution of 0.1 M cysteine and 0.1 M sodium dithionite in a poultice consisting of Laponite® RD/Arbocel® BC1000/CMC = 10:10:1 has shown to be a fast, simple, cheap, and non-toxic, do-it-yourself method.
Introduction to this special section: AVO inversion
Authors: Ball Vaughn , Nasser Mosab , Kolbj⊘rnsen Odd
Published: May 2016

The goal of AVO inversion is to estimate subsurface rock properties using seismic P-P reflection data as input. This article serves as a nonmathematical introduction to the topic. The reader will not find any equations here. Instead, we will use words and diagrams to introduce AVO inversion at a conceptual level and then set the context for the articles that have been contributed to this special section on AVO inversion.
Porosity, mineralogy, and pore fluid from simultaneous impedance inversion
Authors: Arévalo-López Humberto S. , Dvorkin Jack P.
Published: May 2016

We find that in a quartz/clay system, P- and S-wave impedances (IP and IS, respectively) each uniquely depend on a different linear combination of the total porosity and clay content. This implies that if the pore fluid is known, we can resolve these two seismically derived impedances for porosity and clay content. Key to such interpretation is rock-physics diagnostics that provide a theoretical rock-physics model to quantitatively explain well data by relating IP and IS to porosity, clay content, and pore fluid. The well data conditioned according to this model serve as input to simultaneous impedance inversion. Poisson's or the IP/IS ratio serves as the pore-fluid identifier. We give an example of such rock-physics-based interpretation of seismically derived impedances for rock properties based on well and seismic data from an offshore oil field.
Bayesian AVO inversion to rock properties using a local neighborhood in a spatial prior model
Authors: Kolbj⊘rnsen Odd , Buland Arild , Hauge Ragnar , R⊘e Per , Jullum Martin , Metcalfe Richard William , Skjæveland Øyvind
Published: May 2016

The spatial structure of the subsurface is an important factor when interpreting seismic data. The Bayesian methodology is a valuable tool for integrating these spatial relations in the inversion process as it merges the information together and assesses the uncertainty of the model. In the everyday use of the Bayesian methodology, however, the computational cost is a challenge. We describe a new approach that utilizes a local neighborhood to include the spatial constraints and assess the uncertainties in the inversion using fast and parallelizable computations. The approach is applicable for both discrete lithology-fluid prediction and estimation of rock properties, such as porosity and saturation.
Memorial
Authors: Robinson Edwin S.
Published: May 2016

John Costain succumbed to a brief illness in March 2015 at the age of 85. At the time, Costain was emeritus professor of geophysics in the geosciences department at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. He had been an SEG member for more than 50 years and served as vice president of the Society from September 1983 to December 1984.
Kaleidoscope
Authors: Tracy Derek K. , Joyce Dan W. , Shergill Sukhwinder S.
Published: May 2016

Nordsletten and colleagues1 report on the first study looking at
assortative mating and psychiatric disorders in a representative population
sample (of over 700 000). Compared with the general population, the odds of
having a partner who also suffers from a mental health problem – both within
and across disorders – were significantly elevated: cross-assortative mating
was approximately 0.15 for bipolar disorder, 0.36 for substance misuse, and
over 0.40 for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. Overall, having one of these disorders was
associated with an approximately two- to threefold increase in the odds of
having a mate with the same or an alternative mental health condition.
Interestingly and importantly, such cross-assortative mating was
not found for a range of physical
health conditions, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple
sclerosis.
Deinstitutionalised patients, homelessness and imprisonment: Systematic review
Authors: Winkler Petr , Barrett Barbara , McCrone Paul , Csémy Ladislav , Janousková Miroslava , Höschl Cyril
Published: May 2016

Background

Reports linking the deinstitutionalisation of psychiatric care with homelessness and imprisonment have been published widely.

Aims

To identify cohort studies that followed up or traced back long-term psychiatric hospital residents who had been discharged as a consequence of deinstitutionalisation.

Method

A broad search strategy was used and 9435 titles and abstracts were screened, 416 full articles reviewed and 171 articles from cohort studies of deinstitutionalised patients were examined in detail.

Results

Twenty-three studies of unique populations assessed homelessness and imprisonment among patients discharged from long-term care. Homelessness and imprisonment occurred sporadically; in the majority of studies no single case of homelessness or imprisonment was reported.

Conclusions

Our results contradict the findings of ecological studies which indicated a strong correlation between the decreasing number of psychiatric beds and an increasing number of people with mental health problems who were homeless or in prison.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Survival Among Patients With Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Holowatyj Andreana N. , Ruterbusch Julie J. , Rozek Laura S. , Cote Michele L. , Stoffel Elena M.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Racial disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) persist, despite overall reductions in morbidity and mortality. In addition, incidence is rising among individuals younger than 50 years of age. We compared the survival of young-onset CRC among non-Hispanic black (NHB), non-Hispanic white (NHW), and Hispanic individuals.

Patients and Methods

Using the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program data, we identified individuals between the ages of 20 and 49 years, diagnosed with CRC between 2000 and 2009. Survival rates and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare stage-specific 5-year survival among NHBs, NHWs, and Hispanics.

Results

We identified 28,145 patients with young-onset CRC (19,497 NHW; 4,384 NHB; 4,264 Hispanic) during the 10-year study period. Overall survival at 5 years after CRC diagnosis was 54.9% among NHB, 68.1% among NHW, and 62.9% among Hispanic individuals (P < .001). NHB individuals had a significantly higher hazard of cancer-specific death compared with NHWs after adjusting for age, sex, race, stage, county-level poverty, and treatment history in cases of colon (hazard ratio [HR], 1.35; 95% CI 1.26 to 1.45) and rectum/rectosigmoid junction (HR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.37 to 1.68) cancers, whereas there was no significant difference in survival between NHWs and Hispanics. The greatest racial disparities in cancer-specific survival were observed among NHB and NHW patients diagnosed with stage II cancers of the colon (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.33 to 2.14) and stage III cancers of the rectum (HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.63 to 2.40).

Conclusion

Survival after CRC diagnosis at a young age is significantly worse among NHBs compared with NHWs, even among patients with early-stage disease. Further study is needed to determine whether differences in tumor biology and/or treatment are associated with racial disparities in outcomes, which would have implications for CRC treatment and prevention.
Ticking Away the Moments: Timing Regularity Helps to Better Predict Customer Activity
Authors: Platzer Michael , Reutterer Thomas
Published: May 2016

Accurate predictions of a customer’s activity status and future purchase propensities are crucial for managing customer relationships. This article extends the recency–frequency paradigm of customer-base analysis by integrating regularity in interpurchase timing in a modeling framework. By definition, regularity implies less variation in timing patterns and thus better predictability. Whereas most stochastic customer behavior models assume a Poisson process of “random” purchase occurrence, allowing for regularity in the purchase timings is beneficial in noncontractual settings because it improves inferences about customers’ latent activity status. This especially applies to those valuable customers who were previously very frequently active but have recently exhibited a longer purchase hiatus. A newly developed generalization of the well-known Pareto/NBD model accounts for varying degrees of regularity across customers by replacing the NBD component with a mixture of gamma distributions (labeled Pareto/GGG). The authors demonstrate the impact of incorporating regularity on forecasting accuracy using an extensive simulation study and a range of empirical applications. Even for mildly regular timing patterns, it is possible to improve customer-level predictions; the stronger the regularity, the greater the gain. Furthermore, the cost in terms of data requirements is marginal because only one additional summary statistic, in addition to recency and frequency, is needed that captures historical transaction timing.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2015.0963 .
Ensuring a high standard of care
Authors: Craig Harriet
Published: May 2016

Harriet Craig is a clinical midwifery sister, who works in the delivery suite at the Antrim Area Hospital at Northern Health and Social Care Trust. With a revalidation date in April 2016, Harriet was one of the first midwives in the UK to revalidate.
Individuals make all the difference
Authors: McMahan Grace
Published: May 2016

When Grace McMahan struggled to breastfeed her second baby, the support and encouragement she received from key health professionals was invaluable.
Supporting an ethnic minority woman's choice for pain relief in labour: A reflection
Authors: Hughes Fiona , Hughes Clare
Published: May 2016

Despite professional expectations for midwives to provide care to women that is founded in equality and recognises diversity ( Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2015 ), women from ethnic minority populations consistently suggest that they are not heard ( Briscoe and Lavender, 2009 ; Tobin et al, 2014 ). This article reflects on a situation where a Portuguese woman with limited English-speaking ability was denied access to epidural anaesthesia as the midwife felt that the woman could not give valid consent to the procedure without the presence of an interpreter. The midwife's role in this situation is reflected on, and implications for midwifery practice identified.
Supporting families coping with NAIT
Authors: Stone Heidi
Published: May 2016

After her daughter was born with a rare genetic disorder of the blood, Heidi Stone became committed to raising awareness of the condition and supporting other families with it.
Small AnimalReview
Authors: Tennant Bryn
Published: May 2016

Introduction:

Splenectomy for splenic torsion carries a good prognosis; risk factors for a poor outcome include septic peritonitis, intraoperative haemorrhage and post-operative respiratory distress.
Anaesthesia of the patient with cardiovascular disease part 1: risk assessment
Authors: Scarabelli Stefania , Bradbrook Carl
Published: May 2016

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are relatively common in small animals, and practitioners are increasingly asked to anaesthetise these patients for either surgical or diagnostic procedures. In this first article, the cardiovascular physiology relevant for the anaesthetist will be briefly revised. The anaesthetic risk associated with the most commonly encountered CVD in dogs and cats, and its evaluation thorough diagnostic tests, will be reviewed. In the second article, the pathophysiology of the most commonly encountered CVD in dogs and cats will be reviewed, together with the cardiovascular effects of the most commonly used anaesthetic/analgesic drugs and haemodynamic goals of anaesthetic techniques, and monitoring of anaesthesia for the patient with CVD will be discussed briefly.
Encephalitozoon cuniculi in rabbits: an overview
Authors: Pellett Sarah
Published: May 2016

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidian parasite that can survive in the environment for 4–6 weeks. It is spread in the faeces and urine of infected rabbits and is transmitted to the host by ingestion, by inhalation, or by vertical transmission via the placenta. Clinical signs can be varied and include neurological signs such as torticollis, head tilt, ataxia and hind limb paralysis; urinary signs such as urinary incontinence and urine scalding, polyuria/polydipsia; ocular signs such as uveitis or cataract formation; and non-specific signs such as lethargy and chronic weight loss. A positive serological result is not conclusive proof that E.cuniculi is the cause of disease: it only indicates exposure to the parasite. A presumptive diagnosis may be made based on relevant clinical signs, exclusion of other underlying causes and on elevated IgM and IgG antibody titres. The disease can be a challenge to diagnose and to treat, and there is still much research warranted on these topics.
Placement of iliosacral screws using 3D image-guided (O-Arm) technology and Stealth Navigation
Authors: Theologis A. A. , Burch S. , Pekmezci M.
Published: May 2016

Aims

We compared the accuracy, operating time and radiation exposure of the introduction of iliosacral screws using O-arm/Stealth Navigation and standard fluoroscopy.

Materials and Methods

Iliosacral screws were introduced percutaneously into the first sacral body (S1) of ten human cadavers, four men and six women. The mean age was 77 years (58 to 85). Screws were introduced using a standard technique into the left side of S1 using C-Arm fluoroscopy and then into the right side using O-Arm/Stealth Navigation. The radiation was measured on the surgeon by dosimeters placed under a lead thyroid shield and apron, on a finger, a hat and on the cadavers.

Results

There were no neuroforaminal breaches in either group. The set-up time for the O-Arm was significantly longer than for the C-Arm, while total time for placement of the screws was significantly shorter for the O-Arm than for the C-Arm (p = 0.001). The mean absorbed radiation dose during fluoroscopy was 1063 mRad (432.5 mRad to 4150 mRad). No radiation was detected on the surgeon during fluoroscopy, or when he left the room during the use of the O-Arm. The mean radiation detected on the cadavers was significantly higher in the O-Arm group (2710 mRem standard deviation (sd) 1922) than during fluoroscopy (11.9 mRem sd 14.8) (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

O-Arm/Stealth Navigation allows for faster percutaneous placement of iliosacral screws in a radiation-free environment for surgeons, albeit with the same accuracy and significantly more radiation exposure to cadavers, when compared with standard fluoroscopy. Take home message: Placement of iliosacral screws with O-Arm/Stealth Navigation can be performed safely and effectively. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:696–702.
Assessment of functional outcomes of surgically managed acetabular fractures
Authors: Dodd A. , Osterhoff G. , Guy P. , Lefaivre K. A.
Published: May 2016

We performed a systematic review of the literature pertaining to the functional outcomes of the surgical management of acetabular fractures. A total of 69 articles met our inclusion criteria, revealing that eight generic outcome instruments were used, along with five specific instruments. The majority of studies reported outcomes using a version of the d’Aubigne and Postel score, which has not been validated for use in acetabular fracture. Few validated outcome measures were reported. No psychometric testing of outcome instruments was performed. The current assessment of outcomes in surgery for acetabular fractures lacks scientific rigour, and does not give reliable outcome data for either scientific comparison or patient counselling.

Take home message: The use of non-validated functional outcome measures is a major limitation of the current literature pertaining to surgical management of acetabular fractures; future studies should use validated outcome measures to ensure the legitimacy of the reported results.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:690–5.
Ground-reactive forces after hallux valgus surgery
Authors: Ballas R. , Edouard P. , Philippot R. , Farizon F. , Delangle F. , Peyrot N.
Published: May 2016

Aims

The purpose of this study was to analyse the biomechanics of walking, through the ground reaction forces (GRF) measured, after first metatarsal osteotomy or metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) arthrodesis.

Patients and Methods

A total of 19 patients underwent a Scarf osteotomy (50.3 years, standard deviation (sd) 12.3) and 18 underwent an arthrodesis (56.2 years, sd 6.5). Clinical and radiographical data as well as the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores were determined. GRF were measured using an instrumented treadmill. A two-way model of analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effects of surgery on biomechanical parameters of walking, particularly propulsion.

Results

Epidemiological, radiographical and clinical data were comparable in the two groups and better restoration of propulsive function was found after osteotomy as shown by ANOVA (two way: surgery × foot) with a surgery effect on vertical forces (p < 0.01) and a foot effect on anteroposterior impulse (p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Patients who underwent Scarf osteotomy had a gait pattern similar to that of their non-operated foot, whereas those who underwent arthrodesis of the first (metatarsophalangeal) MTP joint did not totally recover the propulsive forces of the forefoot. Take home message: The main findings of this study were that after surgical correction for hallux valgus, patients who underwent scarf osteotomy had a gait pattern similar to that of their non-operated foot in terms of forefoot propulsive forces (Fz3, Iy2), whereas those who underwent arthrodesis of the first MTP joint had not. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:641–6.
The rate of dislocation is not increased when minimal precautions are used after total hip arthroplasty using the posterolateral approach
Authors: Kornuijt A. , Das D. , Sijbesma T. , van der Weegen W.
Published: May 2016

Aims

In order to prevent dislocation of the hip after total hip arthroplasty (THA), patients have to adhere to precautions in the early post-operative period. The hypothesis of this study was that a protocol with minimal precautions after primary THA using the posterolateral approach would not increase the short-term (less than three months) risk of dislocation.

Patients and Methods

We prospectively monitored a group of unselected patients undergoing primary THA managed with standard precautions (n = 109, median age 68.9 years; interquartile range (IQR) 61.2 to 77.3) and a group who were managed with fewer precautions (n = 108, median age 67.2 years; IQR 59.8 to 73.2). There were no significant differences between the groups in relation to predisposing risk factors. The diameter of the femoral head ranged from 28 mm to 36 mm; meticulous soft-tissue repair was undertaken in all patients. The medical records were reviewed and all patients were contacted three months post-operatively to confirm whether they had experienced a dislocation.

Results

There were no dislocations in the less restricted group and one in the more restricted group (p = 0.32).

Conclusion

For experienced surgeons using the posterolateral approach at THA and femoral heads of diameter ≥ 28 mm, it appears safe to manage patients in the immediate post-operative period with minimal precautions to protect against dislocation. Larger studies with adequate statistical power are needed to verify this conclusion. Take home message: Experienced orthopaedic surgeons using the posterolateral approach for THA should not fear an increased dislocation rate if they manage their patients with a minimal precautions protocol. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:589–94.
Migration of a cemented fixed-bearing, polished titanium tibial baseplate (Genesis II) at ten years
Authors: Teeter M. G. , Thoren J. , Yuan X. , McCalden R. W. , MacDonald S. J. , Lanting B. A. , Naudie D. D. R.
Published: May 2016

Aims

The purpose of the present study was to examine the long-term fixation of a cemented fixed-bearing polished titanium tibial baseplate (Genesis ll).

Patients and Methods

Patients enrolled in a previous two-year prospective trial (n = 35) were recalled at ten years. Available patients (n = 15) underwent radiostereometric analysis (RSA) imaging in a supine position using a conventional RSA protocol. Migration of the tibial component in all planes was compared between initial and ten-year follow-up. Outcome scores including the Knee Society Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, 12-item Short Form Health Survey, Forgotten Joint Score, and University of California, Los Angeles Activity Score were recorded.

Results

At ten years, the mean migration of the tibial component was less than 0.1 mm and 0.1° in all planes relative to the post-operative RSA exam. Maximum total point movement increased with time (p = 0.002) from 0.23 mm (sd 0.18) at six weeks to 0.42 mm (sd 0.20) at ten years.

Conclusion

The low level of tibial baseplate migration found in the present study correlates to the low rate of revision for this implant as reported in individual studies and in joint replacement registries. Take home message: Overall, the implant was found to be well fixed at ten years, supporting its continued clinical use and the predictive power of RSA for determining long-term fixation of implants. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:616–21.
Total ankle arthroplasty versus ankle arthrodesis
Authors: Pedowitz D. I. , Kane J. M. , Smith G. M. , Saffel H. L. , Comer C. , Raikin S. M.
Published: May 2016

Aims

Few reports compare the contribution of the talonavicular articulation to overall range of movement in the sagittal plane after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and tibiotalar arthrodesis. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in ROM and functional outcomes following tibiotalar arthrodesis and TAA.

Patients and Methods

Patients who underwent isolated tibiotalar arthrodesis or TAA with greater than two-year follow-up were enrolled in the study. Overall arc of movement and talonavicular movement in the sagittal plane were assessed with weight-bearing lateral maximum dorsiflexion and plantarflexion radiographs. All patients completed Short Form-12 version 2.0 questionnaires, visual analogue scale for pain (VAS) scores, and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM).

Results

In all, 41 patients who underwent TAA and 27 patients who underwent tibiotalar arthrodesis were enrolled in the study. The mean total arc of movement was 34.2° (17.0° to 59.1°) with an average contribution from the talonavicular joint of 10.5° (1.2° to 28.8°) in the TAA cohort. The average total arc of movement was 24.3° (6.9° to 44.3°) with a mean contribution from the talonavicular joint of 22.8° (5.6° to 41.4°) in the arthrodesis cohort. A statistically significant difference was detected for both total sagittal plane movement (p = 0.00025), and for talonavicular motion (p < 0.0001). A statistically significant lower VAS score (p = 0.0096) and higher FAAM (p = 0.01, p = 0.019, respectively) was also detected in the TAA group.

Conclusion

TAA preserves more anatomical movement, has better pain relief and better patient-perceived post-operative function compared with patients undergoing fusion. The relative increase of talonavicular movement in fusion patients may play a role in the outcomes compared with TAA and may predispose these patients to degenerative changes over time. Take home message: TAA preserves more anatomic sagittal plane motion and provides greater pain relief and better patient-perceived outcomes compared with ankle arthrodesis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:634–40.
The Warwick Hip Trauma Evaluation One
Authors: Griffin X. L. , Parsons N. , McArthur J. , Achten J. , Costa M. L.
Published: May 2016

Aims

The aim of this study was to inform a definitive trial which could determine the clinical effectiveness of the X-Bolt Dynamic Hip Plating System compared with the sliding hip screw for patients with complex pertrochanteric fragility fractures of the femur.

Patients and Methods

This was a single centre, participant blinded, randomised, standard-of-care controlled pilot trial. Patients aged 60 years and over with AO/ASIF A2 and A3 type femoral pertrochanteric fractures were eligible.

Results

The primary outcome was the EuroQoL 5 Dimension Score (EQ-5D-3L) at one year following index fixation. A total of 100 participants were recruited, and primary outcome data were available for 88 patients following losses to follow-up and withdrawals. The mean difference in EQ-5D was 0.03 (95% confidence interval -0.17, 0.120; p = 0.720.) There were no significant differences in any of the secondary outcomes measures. The recruitment and follow-up rates from this feasibility study were as predicted.

Conclusion

A definitive trial with 90% power to find a clinically important difference in EQ-5D would require 964 participants based upon the data from this study. We plan to start recruitment to this trial in Spring 2016. Take home message: A definitive trial of X-Bolt Dynamic Hip Plating System is feasible and should be conducted now in order to quantify the clinical effectiveness of this novel implant. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:686–9.
The impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on cardiopulmonary physical fitness in gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sinclair RCF , Navidi M , Griffin SM , Sumpter K
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Operable oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma management in the UK includes three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by resection. Determination of oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold (AT) with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is used to objectively measure cardiorespiratory reserve. Oxygen uptake at AT predicts perioperative risk, with low values associated with increased morbidity. Previous studies indicate NAC may have a detrimental impact on cardiorespiratory reserve.

Methods

CPET was completed by 30 patients before and after a standardised NAC protocol. The ventilatory AT was determined using the V-slope method, and the peak oxygen uptake and ventilatory equivalents for carbon dioxide measured. Median AT before and after chemotherapy was compared using a paired Student’s t-test.

Results

Median oxygen uptake at AT pre- and post-NAC was 13.9±3.1 ml/kg/min and 11.5±2.0 ml/kg/min, respectively. The mean decrease was 2.4 ml/kg/min (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–3.85; p<0.001). Median peak oxygen delivery also decreased by 2.17 ml/kg/min (95% CI 1.02–3.84; p=0.001) after NAC. Ventilatory equivalents were unchanged.

Conclusions

This reduction in AT objectively quantifies a decrease in cardiorespiratory reserve after NAC. Patients with lower cardiorespiratory reserve have increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. Preventing this decrease in cardiorespiratory reserve during chemotherapy, or optimising the timing of surgical resection after recovery of AT, may allow perioperative risk-reduction.
The hoodie: Consumer choice, fashion style and symbolic meaning
Authors: Rahman Osmud
Published: May 2016

The death of an unarmed teenager, Trayvon Martin, in Florida in 2012 not only drew public attention to vigilante justice, but also generated public discussion and debate on various issues related to popular culture, race and identity. One item of clothing – the hoodie – attracted massive media interest in this regard. In this exploratory study, the hoodie was used as a vehicle to investigate and illuminate how meanings are produced and perceived. According to the findings of this study, the choice to wear a hoodie can be based solely on such comfort factors as warmth and breathability, but it may also be intended to manifest an individual’s choice or taste. In addition, the study reveals that viewers’ interpretations of an individual’s appearance are not always accurate or aligned with the wearer’s intentions. Without fully understanding the wearer’s intentions and considering situational and contextual factors, misunderstanding, stereotyping, stigmatizing or even demonizing of a person may occur.
From dandyism to ‘Coco’ Chanel: A reassessment of Georg Simmel’s theory of fashion
Authors: Machuco Rosa António
Published: May 2016

In this article, I reassess Georg Simmel’s theory of fashion. I stress the importance of two principles: generalization and differentiation, that for Simmel, guided the change cycle of fashion. An analysis of Simmel’s theory shows that imitation is the root of these two principles, which points to the circular structure of desire. For Simmel, the principle of differentiation was the source of two fashion trends, typified by the slave to fashion and the unmodern individual. I show that this classification should be changed by taking into consideration a third trend: chic anti-fashion. I analyse the chic anti-fashion trend starting with the figure of the first dandy, ‘Beau’ Brummell. Dandyism was the origin of three kinds of fashion. The first was conspicuously ostentatious fashion, which included degenerate forms of dandyism, such as the gandin and the ‘dude’, and the first creations of French haute couture. The second consisted of the bohemian movement of the nineteenth century that was a kind of fashion that is designated as oppositional fashion. The third was chic anti-fashion, which I will examine with the example of ‘Coco’ Chanel, showing that Chanel’s style allowed for the association of functionality and prestige.
Examining the Educational Benefits of and Attitudes Toward Closed-Captioning Among Undergraduate Students
Authors: Dallas Bryan , McCarthy Amanda , Long Greg
Published: May 2016

Closed-captioning technology has been available for decades and is often used by individuals with disabilities to access video-based information. Course-related videos are routinely shown in college classrooms throughout the United States, however it is unknown if closed-captions are educationally beneficial for all students. The purpose of this study was to examine the educational benefits of closed-captioning among undergraduate students without disabilities and their associated attitudes toward the technology. The use of closed-captions adheres to the principles of Universal Design that encourages stakeholders to build environments and products that are accessible to all individuals. However, more evidence-based research is needed on the utility of this technology in college classrooms. Two separate video-based studies were conducted at one university and groups were randomly assigned to “caption” or “no caption” conditions. It was hypothesized that exposure to closed-captions would increase students’ recall and understanding of video-based information and improve attitudes toward the technology. Results suggested that participants who were exposed to closed-captions scored significantly higher on the subsequent assessment. Participants who already used closed-captions in their daily lives had significantly more positive attitudes toward the technology. Recommendations for further study are provided.
Kontextmodellierung für Verkehrssituationen auf Grundlage von Kamerabildern
Authors: Oeljeklaus Malte , Hoffmann Frank , Bertram Torsten
Published: May 2016

Der Beitrag untersucht die Klassifikation von Verkehrssituationen auf Grundlage von Kamerabildern. Der Kontext der Verkehrssituationen
wird dabei durch eine diskrete Systematik charakterisiert. Hierzu werden durch maschinelles Lernen datenbasierte Modelle jeweils für
spezielle Kategorien von Verkehrssituationen ermittelt. Die vorgeschlagene Methode extrahiert zunächst charakteristische globale
Merkmale aus dem Kamerabild, welche anschließend durch universelle Klassifikationsmodelle ausgewertet werden. Die Verifikation erfolgt
anhand exemplarischer Bilder und Verkehrssituationen.
Modellbasierte Regelung einer zweistufigen Abgasturboaufladung für einen Ottomotor
Authors: Ritter Dennis , Liberda Norman , Abel Dirk , Albin Thivaharan
Published: May 2016

Zur Wirkungsgradsteigerung von Verbrennungsmotoren spielen verbesserte Luftpfadkonzepte eine Schlüsselrolle. Insbesondere für
Ottomotoren stellt das Konzept der zweistufigen Abgasturboaufladung eine vielversprechende Technologie dar. In diesem Beitrag wird die
Regelung eines solchen Luftpfadkonzeptes untersucht. Dabei handelt es sich um einen Modellbasierten Prädiktiven Regelungsansatz, der in
der Lage ist, den Mehrgrößencharakter des Regelungsproblems zu handhaben, die inhärente Totzeit des Systems zu kompensieren und
Limitierungen für die Drehzahlen der beiden Turboladerstufen zu berücksichtigen. Desweiteren wird der Applikationsaufwand zur
Parametrierung der Regelung verringert. Das untersuchte Regelungskonzept wurde für ein Versuchsfahrzeug mit dem beschriebenen
Aufladekonzept auf einem Prototypen-Steuergerät implementiert und auf einem Abgasrollenprüfstand validiert.
The effect of radiation of LED modules on the growth of dill (Anethum graveolens L.)
Authors: Frąszczak Barbara , Gąsecka Monika , Golcz Anna , Zawirska-Wojtasiak Renata
Published: May 2016

Light quality is thought to affect the growth and development of plants. We examined how light influences the growth and content of some chemical compounds in dill (Anethum graveolens L.). The plants were grown under different light quality. The share of orange and green light in the spectrum was constant and amounted to 10% for either colour. In the first combination (A, 70/10), there was 70% of red light and 10% of blue light. Other combinations had the following proportions: B 60/20, C 50/30, D 40/40 and E 30/50 of red and blue light. The PPFD was about 155 μmol m-2 s-1. Blue light inhibited the elongation growth as well as leaf area. It had positive influence on the accumulation of dry mass, glucose and fructose in the herb. In the combinations with higher percentage of red light the plants were characterised by higher content of essential oils, macronutrients and zinc. To sum up, we can say that the proportion of red and blue light has significant influence on the morphological qualities, chemical composition and dynamics of photosynthesis in these plants. On the other hand, the selection of spectral composition of LEDs will depend on the result we want to achieve.
Language functions and medical communication: The human body as text
Authors: Kantz Deirdre , Marenzi Ivana
Published: May 2016

This article presents the findings of a field experiment in medical English with first-year medical students at the University of Pavia, Northern Italy. Working in groups of 8–10, the students were asked to produce a corpus of medical texts in English demonstrating how the human body is itself a meaningful text (
Medical ethics and the learner-centred approach: Developing materials on organ transplant and euthanasia in an English as a foreign language classroom in higher education
Authors: Jamrichová Valéria , Zamborová Katarína
Published: May 2016

A learner-centred approach puts students amidst the learning process and helps them become involved in that process. It provides an opportunity for students to choose and direct the course of the lesson. This approach is especially appropriate when dealing with ethical concerns that might be sensitive issues. When it comes to the sources for the development of teaching materials, the Internet provides numerous possibilities. Not only does it enable students to choose from a wide variety of topics but it also offers, for both teachers and students, a chance to develop their own up-to-date materials through which students improve their language skills. Nonetheless, teachers can help their students to become more autonomous and develop strategies for lifelong learning. The aim of this article is to provide ideas on materials development for teaching English as a foreign language to students of medicine and health studies and to link theory and practice in the Slovak context. Specifically, it focuses on how topics in medical ethics, such as organ transplant and euthanasia, could be taught by emphasizing the learner-centred approach. Involving the student in the learning process and using the Internet as an easily accessible source enables students to develop their skills and strategies, which will help them become more autonomous, and thus develop their confidence in dealing with authentic English outside the classroom.
A potentially versatile nano-platform
Authors: Lee Yun-Sang , Jeong Jae Min
Published: May 2016

Radionanomedicine is the medical field which uses radioisotope labeled nanomaterials for diagnostic, therapeutic or theranostic purposes. An amphiphile- encapsulation method has been developed to hydrophilize nanoparticles and the introduction of multifunctional ligands. A copper-free click chemistry has been applied for introduction of various ligands to the nanoparticles. The combination of the amphiphile-encapsulation method and click chemistry might provide a versatile nano-platform to radionanomedicine, which might contribute to the earlier clinical application of radionanomedicine for theragnosis of various diseases.
Proverbial rhetorical questions in colloquial Jordanian Arabic
Authors: Badarneh Muhammad A.
Published: May 2016

This study investigates a special variety of rhetorical questions in colloquial Jordanian Arabic, namely proverbial rhetorical questions: these are rhetorical questions used as proverbs with metaphorical content. Eighty-one instances of PRQs, ethnographically observed in everyday, naturally occurring conversations, were analyzed and their discursive role examined. It was found that PRQs are exploited by the interactants to serve a variety of pragmatic functions, namely invoking common ground in order to convey an opposite point of view, performing ritual impoliteness, performing face-enhancing and face-aggravating acts, evoking humor, and communicating irony. A common thread of these functions is the socioculturally shared presuppositions that underlie these formulaic PRQs and the role that metaphor plays in shaping and communicating messages in social interaction.
Evaluative nominals in Present-day English: A corpus-based study of the definiteness and syntactic distribution of subjective and objective NPs
Authors: Vartiainen Turo
Published: May 2016

This article examines the use of subjective and objective nouns and noun phrases in discourse using the