bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined Microsurgery and Endovascular Intervention in One-Stop for Treatment of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation: The Efficacy of a Hybrid Operation
Authors: Wen Jun , Lu Jie , Wu Xiaojun , Chen Fanfan , Li Ning , He Hua , Wang Xiangyu
Published: April 2019

To investigate the efficacy of a hybrid operation combining microsurgical resection and endovascular interventions in a one-stop treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Patients were divided into two groups: patients who received a hybrid operation, and patients receiving a non-hybrid operation. The hybrid operation group consisted of microsurgical resection with intraoperative angiography, or endovascular embolization. The non-hybrid operation group consisted of microsurgical resection or endovascular embolization, or microsurgery combined with embolization in multiple steps. Comprehensive clinical data was collected for all patients, including preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale score, Spetzler-Martin grade, rehemorrhagia, image follow-up, and 6-month outcomes of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. This study included 22 cases in the hybrid operation group. The remnants were noted on intraoperative angiography in the four patients that were resected within the same session. The non-hybrid group consisted of 52 patients. There were no statistical differences between the two groups with GCS and Spetzler-Martin grade score. The mortality rate in the hybrid operation group was 4.5%, which was lower than the 7.6% obtained in the control group. No patients experienced post-operation rehemorrhagia in the hybrid operation group, but five cases occurred in the control group. The follow-up radiological cure rates were 100% in the hybrid group and 65.9% in the control group. The rate of good outcome was 81.8% in the hybrid operation group and 69.2% in the control group, although there was no significant difference. The hybrid operation is a safe and efficacious strategy for treating cerebral AVMs.
Mesenchymal stem cells targeting PI3K/AKT pathway in leukemic model
Authors: Ahmed Esraa S A , Ahmed Neamat H , Medhat Amina M , Said Ussama Z , Rashed Laila A , Abdel Ghaffar Abdel Rahman B
Published: April 2019

Mesenchymal stem cells have therapeutic properties that are related to their potentials for trans-differentiation, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, inhibitory effect on tumor proliferation, and induction of apoptosis. This study was performed to analyze the role of mesenchymal stem cells as an alternative for cellular signaling growth factors involved in the pathogenesis of leukemogenesis in rats. Treatment of rats with 7,12-dimethyl benz [a] anthracene induced leukemogenesis appeared as a significant decrease in hematological parameters with concomitant significant increase in bone marrow oxidative and inflammatory indices (transforming growth factor beta and interleukin-6) in comparison with normal groups. On the contrary, Western immunoblotting showed a significant increase in the signaling growth factors: PI3K, AKT, mTOR proteins and a significant decrease in PTEN in 7,12-dimethyl benz [a] anthracene–treated group. In addition, a significant increase in the transcript levels of B cell lymphoma-2 protein gene in the 7,12-dimethyl benz [a] anthracene group, while that of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor-4 and B cell lymphoma-2 protein associated x-protein were significantly downregulated compared to controls. Meanwhile, therapeutic mesenchymal stem cells treatment predict a significant improvement versus 7,12-dimethyl benz [a] anthracene group through the modulation of growth factors that confront bone marrow dysplasia. In the same direction treatment of 7,12-dimethyl benz [a] anthracene group with mesenchymal stem cells, it induced apoptosis and increased the homing efficacy to bone marrow. In conclusion, mesenchymal stem cells improve hematopoiesis and alleviate inflammation, and modulated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway contributed to experimental leukemogenesis.
Tendencies in contractual governance to promote human and labour rights in transnational supply chains
Authors: Mitkidis Kateřina , Perkovic Sonja , Mitkidis Panagiotis
Published: April 2019

This article analyses contractual governance practices within the value chains of large companies based in the USA and Europe between 2012 and 2017 with focus on human and labour rights. In line with the existing scholarship, we find that the use of contractual governance for safeguarding human and labour rights is best practice among large American and European businesses. The results show that value chain contractual governance should be studied in an interdisciplinary environment taking both legal and non-legal aspects into consideration. Moreover, we detect a general positive impact of the business and human rights regulatory wave of 2010–2011 on sustainable contractual governance practices.
The controversial case of Lawyer X: Should lawyers be prevented from acting as human sources?
Authors: Methven Elyse
Published: April 2019

This article addresses whether there are sufficient constraints on legal professionals acting as police informants, following the controversial ‘Lawyer X’ case. It examines key observations of the High Court of Australia in AB v CD; EF v CD [2018] HCA 58 relating to lawyers’ and barristers’ duties to their clients and to the court. It argues that existing professional rules and common law duties are insufficient to prevent legal advocates from acting as human sources. The author also suggests implications arising from the decision for the application of public interest immunity to human sources.
A variable-resistance digital charge estimator for piezoelectric actuators: An alternative to maximise accuracy and curb voltage drop
Authors: Mohammadzaheri Morteza , Emadi Mohammadreza , Ghodsi Mojtaba , Jamshidi Ehsan , Bahadur Issam , Saleem Ashraf , Zarog Musaab
Published: April 2019

This article (1) proposes the use of a varying sensing resistor for digital charge estimators of piezoelectric actuators, (2) shows the usefulness of this proposal and (3) derives formulae to estimate the proposed varying sensing resistor. Digital charge estimators are used for charge-based precise position control of piezoelectric actuators. In existing digital charge estimators, an uncalculated resistor is used for a wide range of operating areas. Improper choice of the sensing resistor causes excessive drop in accuracy of charge estimation and/or in the driver voltage across the actuator. These issues are shown to nearly vanish with the use of proposed varying resistors.
“What Should Sex Look Like?” Students’ Desires for Expanding University Sexual Assault Prevention Programs to Include Comprehensive Sex Education
Authors: Hubach Randolph D. , Story Chandra R. , Currin Joseph M. , Woods Audrey , Jayne Ashlee , Jayne Christopher
Published: April 2019

Rates of sexual assault and sexual violence among college-aged adults are much higher than the national rates of sexual assault and sexual violence. Therefore, reduction and prevention of sexual violence among university students is critical and is consistent with national public health priorities. Often times, messages to students focus only on sexual assault and omit larger notions of sexual health. Four focus groups with a total of 24 participants (nine men, 15 women) highlighted three main perceptions about the sexual assault programming offered at this large university: themes of resistance to traditional programming, a need for holistic sexual health programming, and a desire to have an environment, which normalizes conversations surrounding sex, sexuality, and sexual health.
Do Party Schools Report Higher Rates of Violence Against Women in Their Clery Data? A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Wiersma-Mosley Jacquelyn D. , Willis Malachi , Jozkowski Kristen N. , Cleveland Michael J.
Published: April 2019

The current study examined violent crimes against women among 1,384 four-year private and public college campuses using Clery Act data from 2014-2016 (i.e., rape, domestic and dating violence, stalking, and fondling). Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify five types of campuses: smaller (22%), liberal arts (25%), satellite (16%), private (19%), and party schools (18%). Smaller schools reported the lowest rates of violence against women (VAW), whereas private schools had significantly higher reported rapes. These findings have important implications for the types of campuses seem to be abiding by Clery law and reporting crimes that involve VAW.
Management of severe stifle trauma: 1. Stifle luxation
Authors: Addison Elena , Conte Alessandro
Published: April 2019

Practical relevance:

Traumatic stifle joint luxation is an uncommon but severe injury. There is usually rupture of several stabilising structures of the joint including the cruciate ligaments, collateral ligaments, joint capsule and menisci. Successful management of this condition requires good anatomical knowledge and repair or replacement of all damaged structures to achieve adequate joint reduction and stability. Better understanding of the treatment options available will aid clinical decision-making.

Clinical challenges:

Due to the significant joint instability associated with these injuries, surgical repair is challenging. The use of a temporary transarticular pin to hold the stifle joint in anatomic reduction greatly aids ligament repair or replacement. Postoperative joint immobilisation has traditionally been recommended to protect the primary repair and aid periarticular fibrosis, but prolonged immobilisation can have deleterious long-term effects on the joint. Thus recommendations for the duration of postoperative immobilisation vary between 2 and 6 weeks. Also, due to their independent, outdoor lifestyle, affected cats may have been involved in a significant trauma with important concurrent injuries that need to be addressed prior to the orthopaedic repair.

Evidence base:

Published data is limited, with reports including only a small number of cats. The information and recommendations in this article have therefore been drawn from the available literature, the authors’ experience and preliminary data from an ongoing multicentre retrospective study (unpublished).

Aims:

The aims of this article are to give the reader as thorough a summary as possible of the diagnosis, treatment, outcome and complications of traumatic stifle luxation.
Mathematical morphology for microaneurysm detection in fundus images
Authors: Joshi Shilpa , Karule PT
Published: April 2019

Aim:

Fundus image analysis is the basis for the better understanding of retinal diseases which are found due to diabetes. Detection of earlier markers such as microaneurysms that appear in fundus images combined with treatment proves beneficial to prevent further complications of diabetic retinopathy with an increased risk of sight loss.

Methods:

The proposed algorithm consists of three modules: (1) image enhancement through morphological processing; (2) the extraction and removal of red structures, such as blood vessels preceded by detection and removal of bright artefacts; (3) finally, the true microaneurysm candidate selection among other structures based on feature extraction set.

Results:

The proposed strategy is successfully evaluated on two publicly available databases containing both normal and pathological images. The sensitivity of 89.22%, specificity of 91% and accuracy of 92% achieved for the detection of microaneurysms for Diaretdb1 database images. The algorithm evaluation for microaneurysm detection has a sensitivity of 83% and specificity 82% for e-ophtha database.

Conclusion:

In automated detection system, the successful detection of the number of microaneurysms correlates with the stages of the retinal diseases and its early diagnosis. The results for true microaneurysm detection indicates it as a useful tool for screening colour fundus images, which proves time saving for counting of microaneurysms to follow Diabetic Retinopathy Grading Criteria.
Between pain and hope: Examining women’s marginality in the evangelical context
Authors: Gaddini Katie Christine
Published: April 2019

This article examines religious and gendered identities through an ethnographic study of unmarried evangelical Christian women in London. Moving away from an approach that shows that women feel empowered through their conservative, male-dominated religious environment, or else they find it constraining and leave the church, this article investigates the experiences of women who feel limited by their church, and still remain embedded in their Christian environment. The article begins by exploring the normative figure of the ideal Christian woman operative in this context. It then describes the experiences of women who do not fit the norm, outlining the affective toll they suffer through marginality. Finally, the article examines how some women rely on hope in order to change the normative framework within their church. This article argues that leaving and staying are not static categories; instead evangelical women, frustrated with their marginal positions, revealed a continuum of investment underlain by resilience and hope.
On Jon Snow’s death: Plot twist and global fandom in Game of Thrones
Authors: Pérez Héctor J , Reisenzein Rainer
Published: April 2019

The death of Jon Snow at the end of the fifth season of the TV serial Game of Thrones prompted an intense reaction among the fans of the serial on social media. Thousands of viewers all over the world contributed to the discussion of the meaning and implications of this event, turning it into a global event in the participatory culture of contemporary seriality. In this article, we propose an explanation of this remarkable cultural phenomenon. Based on a theory of plot twists as surprise structures, we argue that the reactions of fans can be understood as concrete, contextually adapted realizations of the characteristic cognitive reactions evoked by the emotions of surprise and shock caused by unexpected negative events. Our analysis focuses in particular on the contributions of viewers to the establishment of the beliefs disconfirmed by the plot twist and on the cognitive activities that served to adapt their minds to the new reality revealed by the twist, which also included reflections on the aesthetic aspects of the plot twist and the narrative in which it was embedded. By providing a public platform for these reflections, the fan forums allowed the individual attempts to adapt to the plot twist to become a collective endeavor. The study illustrates how universal cognitive mechanisms interact with culturally produced contents to generate similar reactions to a fictional event across the globe.
Smart tourists as a profiling market segment: Implications for DMOs
Authors: Gajdošík Tomáš
Published: April 2019

The concept of smart tourism has gained a significant attention in the last years, leading to fruitful discussions among scientists and practitioners; however, there has been lack of attention paid to smart tourists so far. Although this emerging type of tourist has been conceptualized, it is now important to find whether it can be considered as a market segment. The article fills the gap in the smart tourism research by using two-step cluster analysis to classify 5975 tourists, finding a smart tourism market segment and analysing the characteristics and travel behaviour of this segment. This segment is worth focusing on and differentiates in all trip experience phases. The rethinking of business models of today’s destination management organizations towards creating value proposition during all trip experience phases based on personalization and experience enrichment is needed in order to reach the smart tourist market segment.
Why don’t “real men” learn languages? Masculinity threat and gender ideology suppress men’s language learning motivation
Authors: Chaffee Kathryn Everhart , Lou Nigel Mantou , Noels Kimberly A. , Katz Joshua W.
Published: April 2019

Large gender disparities in participation still exist across many university subjects and career fields, but few studies have examined factors that account for gender gaps in female-dominated disciplines. We examine one possible cause: threatened masculinity among men who hold traditional gender ideologies. Past research has linked endorsement of traditional gender ideologies to gender-stereotypical occupational choices, and threats to masculinity can lead men to distance themselves from femininity. After confirming that 1,672 undergraduates stereotyped language learning as feminine, we applied a masculinity threat manipulation to investigate 182 men’s disinterest in studying foreign languages, a female-dominated university subject. Men with traditional masculinity ideologies reported less interest in foreign language study and less positive attitudes towards foreign languages following masculinity threat, compared to men whose masculinity was affirmed or who held less traditional masculinity beliefs. Traditional masculine gender roles may lead some men to avoid feminine-typed domains, such as foreign language learning.
Introduction to the politics of life: A biopolitical mess
Authors: Bird Greg , Lynch Heather
Published: April 2019

This introduction to the special issue focuses on the messiness of biopolitics. The biopolitical is a composite mixture of heterogeneous, and sometimes conflicting, forces, discourses, institutions, laws, and practices that are embedded in and animated by material social relations. In the now extensive literature on biopolitics, our biopolitical era is characterized by the blending and mixing of what were previously thought of as separate realms: life is biologized, politics is biologized and biology is politicized, life and politics have been economized, and making life is intertwined with making death. This article provides a general overview of two strains of these biopolitical entanglements. It begins by examining the largely French and Italian focus on how politics and life have become economized in contemporary neoliberalism. We then turn to the mainly Anglo-American focus on the biologization of life. It concludes by taking up the central problem that arises from the messiness of biopolitics: whither the political of the biopolitical economy of life? Is there such a thing as the political proper in our era? If not, then what type of politics must be deployed to address the issues of our biopolis?
Evaluating the relationships between air pollution and environmental parameters with sick building syndrome in schools of Northern Iran
Authors: Amouei Abdoliman , Aghalari Zahra , Zarei Ahmad , Afsharnia Mojtaba , Geraili Zahra , Qasemi Mehdi
Published: April 2019

The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between air pollution and environmental parameters with sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms in schools of northern Iran. This study was conducted on 759 students from a total of 52 primary, guidance and high schools in northern Iran. Selection of schools, classes in each school and students in each class was performed using a multistage random sampling method. Carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature and humidity were measured. Data on the SBS symptoms were collected using a standard questionnaire via interview. Measurements in 215 classes showed the highest levels of CO2, temperature and humidity were 4263 ppm, 25.2°C and 82.5%, respectively. A t-test showed that there were significant correlations between CO2 and temperature with SBS symptoms (p = 0.01). In Winter, dizziness (44.4%) was the most common symptom among 12 SBS symptoms, and fatigue (37.2%) was the most common symptom in Spring. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between the types of ventilation, cooling and heating systems with the SBS symptoms in both seasons (p = 0.001). The SBS symptoms in students were considered to be mild. Considering the poor physical conditions in some schools and the lack of proper space and ventilation systems, the health authorities in cooperation with the Education Department should create better educational environments.
‘I don’t clean up after myself’: epistemic ignorance, responsibility and the politics of the outsourcing of domestic cleaning
Authors: Prattes Riikka
Published: April 2019

In this article, I propose to look at the organisation of reproductive labour in the ‘global North’ through a lens of epistemic ignorance. Focusing on the process of outsourcing, I argue that it creates forms of irresponsibility, and with it, epistemic ignorance. The devaluation of domestic work and the degradation of domestic workers is shaped by gendered and colonial ideologies, and Western epistemologies. These epistemologies underpin a strong subject/object split and buffer the denial of existing interdependencies. I problematise those epistemologies by drawing on feminist care ethics, accounts of relational selves and relational responsibility, and alternative epistemologies. Grounding that discussion on vignettes from an in-depth study of heterosexual couples in Austrian households who outsource domestic work, I argue that the systematic failure to see what and who we are connected to in the domestic realm is shaped by gendered and racialised privilege, and driven by an epistemology of separation. My argument will unfold in two steps. First, I use the concept of the skin as an example of how the beliefs in an independent, autonomous self and a strong subject/object split disguise connectedness and relationality. This leads me to the second step, in which I explicate my notion of semipermeable membranes – a thinking together of ontological permeability and ethical responsiveness. I argue that active forms of ‘unknowing’ at work in ‘mundane,’ everyday, domestic performances have far-reaching consequences.
The trouble with transparency: Reconnecting ethics, integrity, epistemology, and power
Authors: Moors Annelies
Published: April 2019

Tracing the afterlife of our explorative article on marriages of Dutch-speaking women travelling to areas held by jihadist movements in Syria, we analyze the harm the celebration of transparency may do. Through an auto-ethnographic reflection, we address how the demand for transparency was used in a media hype that engendered parliamentary questions and an external reflection audit. To understand the appeal to transparency, we argue for the need to relate anthropological ethics to epistemological concerns, and to link transparency to power. Whereas anthropological research needs some level of trust and confidentiality, the quest for transparency starts from distrust and an impetus to control. Neoliberal forms of public management make universities vulnerable to external pressure, with anthropology as an interpretative discipline that values complexity an easy target. Researchers who are recognizably Muslim are exposed to particular harm as heightened ethno-nationalism and an anti-Islam political climate produce them as a category already ‘under suspicion’.
Histidine, the less interactive cousin of arginine
Authors: Muller Ludovic , Jackson Shelley N , Woods Amina S
Published: April 2019

Electrostatic interactions are one of the main factors influencing biomolecular conformation. The formation of noncovalent complexes by electrostatic interactions is governed by certain amino acid residues and post-translational modifications. It has been demonstrated that adjacent arginine forms noncovalent complex with phosphate; however, histidine noncovalent complexes have rarely been investigated. In the present work, we compare the interaction between basic epitopes (NLRRITRVN, SHHGLHSTPD) and diverse acidic and aromatic-rich peptides using both MALDI and ESI Mass spectrometry. We show that adjacent histidines can also form stable noncovalent bonds and that those bonds are probably formed by a salt bridge between the phosphate or the acid residues and the histidines. However, noncovalent complexes with the arginine epitopes form more readily and are stronger than those with histidine-containing epitopes.
Collision-induced dissociation of stable nitroxides: A combined tandem mass spectrometry and computational study of TEMPO• and SG1•
Authors: Gaudel-Siri Anouk , Marchal Cathie , Ledentu Vincent , Gigmes Didier , Siri Didier , Charles Laurence
Published: April 2019

The dissociation behavior of two stable nitroxides, namely 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO•) and N-tert-butyl-1-diethylphosphono-2,2-dimethylpropyl nitroxide (SG1•), subjected as protonated molecules to collisional activation was investigated using a combination of different mass spectrometry experiments and theoretical calculations. Elemental composition of reaction products was derived from accurate mass data measured in high resolution tandem mass spectrometry experiments, primary fragments were distinguished from secondary ions based on both breakdown curves and MS3 data, and H/D exchange experiments were performed to support proposed structures. Postulated fragmentation pathways were then studied in terms of energetic, using the standard B3LYP/6-31G(d) method. While protonation of TEMPO• mainly occurred on the oxygen atom of the nitroxyl function, a series of protomers were found for SG1• with the adducted proton preferentially located onto the P=O group of this phosphorylated species. For both protonated nitroxides, major product ions measured in tandem mass spectrometry arose from reactions occurring at low energy costs via elimination of radical species. Formation of secondary fragments that were detected with low abundance when raising the activation level of both precursor ions could be rationalized with pathways proceeding via high energy transition states.
‘It’s a No-Win Scenario, either the Police or the Gang Will Get You’: Young People and Organised Crime – Vulnerable or Criminal?
Authors: Thompson Naomi
Published: April 2019

The Serious and Organised Crime Strategy for England and Wales made a commitment to develop preventive educational resources for use with young people on the topic of organised crime. This article presents findings from a UK Home Office funded project, which was aimed at developing and subsequently evaluating these resources, and explores their wider implications for youth crime prevention policy within the United Kingdom and internationally. Based on interviews with youth practitioners and young people, the project found that many young people with vulnerabilities (such as learning difficulties) were in turn vulnerable to exploitation by criminal groups, that the reasons for young people becoming involved in organised crime were complex including a desire to provide for their families in a climate of austerity and unemployment and that positive relationships with professionals and long-term support were significant for youth crime prevention.
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and cardiovascular and renal disease in type 2 diabetes: What have we learned from the CARMELINA trial?
Authors: Hanssen Nordin MJ , Jandeleit-Dahm Karin AM
Published: April 2019

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are a relatively new class of oral anti-hyperglycaemic drugs to treat type 2 diabetes through prevention of degradation of incretins by the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 enzyme. The large trials evaluating the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors sitagliptin, alogliptin and saxagliptin demonstrated safety for cardiovascular disease. Post hoc analyses on renal endpoints yielded similar findings. Linagliptin is the latest dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor evaluated in the CARMELINA trial. CARMELINA included individuals with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular and renal risk. Even in this setting, linagliptin displayed cardiovascular safety. CARMELINA also removed initial concerns for heart failure as a class-specific side-effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, as no signal for heart failure was found. Although numerically low, CARMELINA did confirm increased rates of pancreatitis in the linagliptin group, suggesting that pancreatitis is a class-specific side-effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. Linagliptin reduced progression of albuminuria, but had no effect on other hard renal endpoints. Overall, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are safe but do not confer significant reductions in complications observed for some of the other new glucose-lowering drugs. However, linagliptin is a safe alternative in renal impairment, without dose adjustment. Furthermore, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors may hold value as alternatives to sulfonyl-urea derivatives or as an add-on therapy to delay insulin prescription given their favourable safety profile.
Initial Experience With Viabahn VBX as the Bridging Stent Graft for Branched and Fenestrated Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Mafeld Sebastian , Annamalai Ganesan , Lindsay Thomas F. , Zhong Iris , Tarulli Emidio , Mironov Oleg , Tan Kong-Teng
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a novel balloon-expandable, heparin-bonded endoprosthesis (Viabahn VBX, W. L. Gore and Associates) when used as a bridging stent graft (BSG) with fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repair (FB-EVAR). FB-EVAR and BSGs increase repair complexity with the potential for endoleak formation, stenosis, thrombosis, and graft migration. The mechanical construction of the Viabahn VBX and its antithrombogenic properties may provide an advantage for FB-EVAR over existing BSGs. The efficacy, safety, and clinical outcomes were assessed.

Materials and Methods:

Research ethics board approved, prospective, single arm cohort, pilot study of patients undergoing FB-EVAR between February 2017 and January 2018. Fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repair was performed per the standard institutional protocol by a team composed of vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists. Viabahn VBX endografts were used for all intended visceral branches as long as appropriately sized devices were available (Under Investigational Testing Authorization from Health Canada). Patient characteristics, procedural details, and technical and clinical outcomes were reviewed and summarized.

Results:

FB-EVAR was performed in 13 patients (9 male and 4 female) mean age of 74 (range: 61-83) with a total of 41 Viabahn VBXs stents implanted. Mean maximum aneurysm size was 6.7 cm (range: 5.5-9.0 cm) and included 5 juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms and 8 thoracoabdominal; 3 type V, 3 type IV, and 2 type III (Crawford Classification). The Viabahn VBX was successfully deployed in 40 (98%) of 41 of cases. At median follow-up of 223 days (range: 2-462), there was a (40/40) 100% Viabahn VBX patency rate. Seven endoleaks were identified intra- or post procedurally in 6 (46%) of 13 cases, including 1 type IB, 3 type II, 2 type III, and 1 unclassified. Nine complications occurred in 6 patients.

Conclusion:

The Viabahn VBX stent is a safe and effective BSG for FB-EVAR with no early stent thrombosis. Further evaluation is required to determine longer term stent efficacy.
The Effect of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation on Poststroke Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review
Authors: van Lieshout Eline C. C. , van Hooijdonk Roel F. , Dijkhuizen Rick M. , Visser-Meily J. M. Anne , Nijboer Tanja C. W.
Published: April 2019

Introduction. Cognitive impairment after stroke has been associated with lower quality of life and independence in the long run, stressing the need for methods that target impairment for cognitive rehabilitation. The use of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on recovery of language functions is well documented, yet the effects of NIBS on other cognitive domains remain largely unknown. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review that evaluates the effects of different stimulation techniques on domain-specific (long-term) cognitive recovery after stroke. Methods. Three databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO) were searched for articles (in English) on the effects of NIBS on cognitive domains, published up to January 2018. Results. A total of 40 articles were included: randomized controlled trials (n = 21), studies with a crossover design (n = 9), case studies (n = 6), and studies with a mixed design (n = 4). Most studies tested effects on neglect (n = 25). The majority of the studies revealed treatment effects on at least 1 time point poststroke, in at least 1 cognitive domain. Studies varied highly on the factors time poststroke, number of treatment sessions, and stimulation protocols. Outcome measures were generally limited to a few cognitive tests. Conclusion. Our review suggests that NIBS is able to alleviate neglect after stroke. However, the results are still inconclusive and preliminary for the effect of NIBS on other cognitive domains. A standardized core set of outcome measures of cognition, also at the level of daily life activities and participation, and international agreement on treatment protocols, could lead to better evaluation of the efficacy of NIBS and comparisons between studies.
Assessment of Structure from Motion for reconnaissance augmentation and bandwidth usage reduction
Authors: Roeber Jonathan , Nykl Scott , Graham Scott
Published: April 2019

Modern militaries rely upon remote image sensors for real-time intelligence. A typical remote system consists of an unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, with an attached camera. A video stream is sent from the UAV, through a bandwidth-constrained satellite connection, to an intelligence processing unit. In this research, an upgrade to this remote-video-stream method of collection is proposed. A set of synthetic images of a scene captured by an UAV in a virtual environment is sent to a pipeline of computer vision algorithms, collectively known as Structure from Motion. The output of Structure from Motion, a three-dimensional (3D) model, is then assessed in a 3D virtual world as a possible replacement for the images from which it was created. This study shows Structure from Motion results from a modifiable spiral flight path and compares the geoaccuracy of each result. A flattening of height is observed, and an automated compensation for this flattening is proposed and performed. Each reconstruction is also compressed, and the size of the compression is compared with the compressed size of the images from which it was created. A reduction of 49–60% of required space, or bandwidth, is shown. A corresponding video demonstrating this technique is available online.
Australian Mental Health Consumer and Carer Perspectives on Ethics in Adult Mental Health Research
Authors: Morse Alyssa R. , Forbes Owen , Jones Bethany A. , Gulliver Amelia , Banfield Michelle
Published: April 2019

Barriers to research arise when national ethical guidelines governing the inclusion of consumers in mental health research are implemented at the local level. Equivalent guidelines for research involving carers are not available. A social science investigation of Australian mental health consumer and carer perspectives on research ethics procedures was conducted in two interlinked stages: (a) a discussion forum with consumers, carers, and lived-experience researchers and (b) in-depth interviews with consumers and carers. Data collection and analysis drew strongly on methodological features of grounded theory. Privacy, confidentiality, and stigmatizing ethics procedures were key issues for consumer and carer participants. Recommendations for research practice include the following: considering the impact of information sharing on participants’ relationships and adopting individual-focused approaches to managing research risks.
Modeling and analysis of carbon fiber carrier tension systems used in 3D braiding machine
Authors: Zhang Yujing , Meng Zhuo , Su Liuyuan , Sun Yize
Published: April 2019

Carbon fiber braids are widely applied in various industrial fields as structural components. However, using braiding machines to braid carbon fibers is an emerging technology, but some technical problems must be solved. For instance, carbon fibers are easily fluffed when using traditional carriers; with increasing braiding speed, the machine fiercely vibrates. To investigate these problems, an improved mechanical structure of the carrier is designed, which reduces the friction between the carbon fiber and guide hole and changes the carbon fiber storage quantity. Based on the carrier, the corresponding mathematical model of the tensioning system is established by the dynamical equations, and numerical analyses and simulations are carried out. Moreover, the validation of the established mathematical model is verified. According to the results of the simulation, the fluctuation in the tensioning force is smaller than that in previous studies, and the trend is in accordance with previous research results. As a result, the present model provides a better description of the dynamic process of carbon fiber braiding.
An assessment of aesthetics and comfort for women’s apparel products in terms of pattern design parameters
Authors: Zhao Yu , Song Jing , Yu Qiuyu , Mo Yu , Liu Zhen , Walton Jonathan , Chen Jie
Published: April 2019

The proper assessment of aesthetics and comfort is an important step before launching a new type of apparel. Most current works on this assessment are qualitative and hard to be applied in practical to improve apparel design. In this study, we proposed two quantitative mappings from pattern design parameters to degree of aesthetics and pattern design parameters to degree of comfort for assessing aesthetics and comfort of apparel, and particularly, women’s pants have been investigated. Statistical analysis was employed in the mappings’ development. An experiment was conducted as a validation for the mappings. Two major conclusions are drawn from this study. The first is that these mappings enable to extract a more advanced pattern for apparel design after the iterative pattern revision. The second is that these mappings are able to be digitalized and then the traditional method of observing feedbacks of aesthetics and comfort for an apparel product can be updated into a more efficient and low-cost one.
Hormesis Promotes Evolutionary Change
Authors: Costantini David
Published: April 2019

Exposure to moderate environmental stress is one important source of evolutionary change. This evidence would support the hypothesis that hormesis is an evolutionary expectation. In this short review, I discuss relevant examples of genetic and phenotypic responses to moderate stress exposure that are compatible with hormesis and with paradigms of evolutionary theory such as evolutionary rescue or phenotypic plasticity. Genetic recombination, nonlethal mutations, activity of transposable elements, or gene expression are some of the molecular mechanisms through which hormesis might enable organisms to maintain or even increase evolutionary fitness in stressful environments. These mechanisms span the tree of life from plants to vertebrates.
Contrast enhancement of chronic subdural hematomas after embolization of the middle meningeal artery
Authors: Entezami Pouya , Boulos Alan , Paul Alexandra , Nourollahzadeh Emad , Dalfino John
Published: April 2019

Chronic subdural hematomas are a common neurosurgical presentation. They are difficult to treat, and current interventions – namely surgical evacuation – are not without complications or recurrences. Embolization of the middle meningeal artery is a promising new treatment option for this pathology. We have noted an interesting phenomenon in our patients following endovascular embolization, which is that the subdural hematoma is stained with contrast following the procedure. This ties into the basic physiology of chronic subdurals, which parasitize the middle meningeal artery during the process of membrane formation and neovascularization, which has previously been reported.
Effects of ranging arm housing’s large deformation on the dynamic responses of the cutting transmission system for a drum shearer
Authors: Jia Hanjie , Qin Datong
Published: April 2019

The drum driving system is the weakest part of a drum shearer, and most of the previous dynamic analyses neglect the housing flexibility. Therefore, some efforts are needed to refine the dynamic model and sufficiently understand the dynamic behavior of the drum driving system. Establishing a system-level model of the drum driving system is challenging because the drum driving system consists of many components such as the cantilever loaded housing, multistage gear transmission, electric motor, and drum. In this study, an improved three-dimensional gear model with the time-varying pressure angle and contact ratio due to center distance variation is proposed. Then, a standard coupling method is proposed to construct the hybrid dynamic model of the drum driving system automatically. Finally, a comparative analysis of the dynamic responses of the drum driving system under two loading scenarios (i.e. applying only the cutting moment and applying both the cutting moment and cutting force) revealed that the three-directional cutting force was the primary external factor that leads to the housing deformation. And some principles for designing the drum driving system under such a large deformation condition are also identified.
Sample size calculation for stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trials with more than two levels of clustering
Authors: Teerenstra Steven , Taljaard Monica , Haenen Anja , Huis Anita , Atsma Femke , Rodwell Laura , Hulscher Marlies
Published: April 2019

Background/Aims:

Power and sample size calculation formulas for stepped-wedge trials with two levels (subjects within clusters) are available. However, stepped-wedge trials with more than two levels are possible. An example is the CHANGE trial which randomizes nursing homes (level 4) consisting of nursing home wards (level 3) in which nurses (level 2) are observed with respect to their hand hygiene compliance during hand hygiene opportunities (level 1) in the care of patients. We provide power and sample size methods for such trials and illustrate these in the setting of the CHANGE trial.

Methods:

We extend the original sample size methodology derived for stepped-wedge trials based on a random intercepts model, to accommodate more than two levels of clustering. We derive expressions that can be used to determine power and sample size for p levels of clustering in terms of the variances at each level or, alternatively, in terms of intracluster correlation coefficients. We consider different scenarios, depending on whether the same units in a particular level are repeatedly measured as a cohort sample or whether different units are measured cross-sectionally.

Results:

A simple variance inflation factor is obtained that can be used to calculate power and sample size for continuous and by approximation for binary and rate outcomes. It is the product of (1) variance inflation due to the multilevel structure and (2) variance inflation due to the stepped-wedge manner of assigning interventions over time. Standard and non-standard designs (i.e. so-called “hybrid designs” and designs with more, less, or no data collection when the clusters are all in the control or are all in the intervention condition) are covered.

Conclusions:

The formulas derived enable power and sample size calculations for multilevel stepped-wedge trials. For the two-, three-, and four-level case of the standard stepped wedge, we provide programs to facilitate these calculations.
The political economy of global memory: Shared memory of global conflict in Captain America: The First Avenger
Authors: Edy Jill A , Castleberry Garret L
Published: April 2019

Recent scholarship explores the possibility of a global collective memory in which networked individuals transiting national, class, and ethnic boundaries create commonality from shared difference. Yet, the public past’s representation remains influenced by powerful entities such as governments and corporations, and resources made available, particularly by the popular culture industry, will likely shape globally shared memories. This study documents an instance of commercially mediated global memory, showing how Captain America: The First Avenger revised the original comic’s World War II backdrop to appeal to global audiences who would have been dire enemies during the period the film depicts. Scholars positing cosmopolitan memory might agree there is value in representing the world coming together to defeat a common enemy. Yet the film also relativizes historical depravities by claiming that real historical actors are not as bad as they seem and by suggesting that such acts are not truly ours but rather visited upon us by non-human strangers.
The association between ICU admission and emergency hospital readmission following emergency general surgery
Authors: Gillies Michael A , Ghaffar Sadia , Harrison Ewen , Haddow Catriona , Smyth Lorraine , Walsh Timothy S , Pearse Rupert M , Lone Nazir I
Published: April 2019

Background

The relationship between postoperative intensive care (ICU) admission following emergency general surgery (EGS) and emergency hospital readmission has not been widely investigated.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of registry data for patients undergoing EGS in Scotland, 2005–2007. Exposure of interest was ICU admission status (direct from theatre; indirect after initial care on ward; no ICU admission). The primary outcome was emergency hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge.

Results

Thirty-seven thousand one hundred seventy-three patients were included in the analysis. Overall emergency readmission rate was 8% ( n = 2983): 2756 (7.8%) in patients without postoperative ICU admission; 155 (12.1%) with direct ICU admission and 65 (14.7%) with indirect ICU admission. Indirect ICU admission was associated with increased hospital readmission rates (HR 1.24 [1.03, 1.49]; p = 0.024) compared with direct ICU admission. ICU admission was associated with increased three-year readmission rates ( p = 0.006) and costs ( p < 0.001) compared with initial ward care.

Conclusion

Indirect ICU admission is associated with increased emergency hospital readmission and healthcare costs for patients undergoing EGS.
Antenatal depression and offspring health outcomes
Authors: Smith Alexandra , Twynstra Jasna , Seabrook Jamie A
Published: April 2019

Background

Depression is the most common mental disorder during pregnancy, with prevalence rates between 4% and 20%. The objective of this review was to synthesize the literature on the association between antenatal depression and offspring birth outcomes, as well as developmental, behavioral, and psychiatric outcomes.

Methods

A search of PubMed, Cochrane, and Medline databases was conducted for articles published until December 2017. Articles focusing on the effects of antenatal depression on the offspring were selected to be reviewed. Reference lists of all studies were examined for any missed articles. A total of 32 articles were included in this review.

Results

Antenatal depression is associated with preterm birth, excessive infant crying, and offspring mental health problems. Untreated antenatal depression is strongly associated with adverse effects on the infant nervous system.

Conclusion

Antenatal depression increases the likelihood of poor offspring health outcomes. Research should investigate whether medication use confounds this relationship.