bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy following Photodynamic Therapy for Choroidal Hemangioma
Authors: Tuncer S. , Demirci H. , Shields C.L. , Shields J.A.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To report a case of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) that responded to photodynamic therapy (PDT) but 3 years later developed polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) with exudative retinopathy.

Methods

Case report.

Results

A 59-year-old woman with a juxtapapillary CCH in her left eye was treated with a single 83-second, 7.5 mm PDT laser spot at 689 nm (50 J/cm2) 15 minutes after the injection of intravenous verteporfin (6 mg/m2). Three years later, the patient presented with photopsia in her left eye. Fundus examination of the left eye showed CCH regressed completely to a flat atrophic scar. There was diffuse macular edema and exudative retinopathy along the inferotemporal vascular arcade. On indocyanine green angiography, there were hyperfluorescent dilated choroidal vessels inferior to the foveola with late staining and leakage consistent with PCV. Hypofluorescence superior and nasal to the optic disc at the site of the treated hemangioma, consistent with choroidal ischemia, was observed. She was treated with 1.25 mg (0.05 cc) intravitreal bevacizumab. After 21 months of follow-up, the exudative retinopathy and macular edema completely regressed.

Conclusions

PDT is an effective treatment for CCH. Side effects of PDT for CCH are rare but include PCV.
Acute Anticholinergic Syndrome from Atropa Belladonna Mistaken for Blueberries
Authors: Mateo Montoya A. , Mavrakanas N. , Schutz J.S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To report the first case in the ophthalmic literature of acute anticholinergic syndrome after ingestion of Atropa belladonna mistaken for blueberries.

Methods

A 36-year-old woman presented to our ophthalmic emergency department with complaints of blurry vision, lightning flashes, disorientation, loss of balance, agitation, and anxiety for 24 hours. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral pupillary dilatation and paresis of accommodation. Additional symptoms of the anticholinergic syndrome were elicited on further questioning.

Results

Anticholinergic intoxication was suspected and the patient admitted to have eaten six “blueberries” found in the forest the previous day. The patient identified Atropa belladonna as the source of the berries she had eaten when shown photographs of the plant and its fruit. The recommendations of the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre were followed and physostigmine, the antidote for severe poisoning when 10 or more berries are ingested, was not administered.

Conclusions

Accidental ingestion of Atropa belladonna berries may cause patients to first consult an ophthalmologist. It is important to recognize the anticholinergic syndrome caused by such intoxication in order to make a proper diagnosis, avoid unnecessary testing, and provide expedient appropriate treatment when required.
Clinical Efficacy of a Ginkgo biloba Extract in the Topical Treatment of Allergic Conjunctivitis
Authors: Russo Vincenzo , Stella Andrea , Appezzati Loredana , Barone Antonio , Stagni Edoardo , Roszkowska Anna M. , Noci Nicola Delle
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To investigate the clinical efficacy of a Ginkgo biloba extract associated with hyaluronic acid ophthalmic solution (GB-HA, Trium®, SOOFT, Italy), compared to hyaluronic acid ophthalmic solution (HA) alone, in seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (AC).

Methods

A total of 60 patients with symptomatic AC were enrolled and randomly assigned to the two treatment regimens. After a washout period of 15 days, the treatment with GB-HA eye-drops or HA ophthalmic solution alone was initiated and continued for 1 month. The clinical symptoms such as conjunctival hyperemia, conjunctival discharge, and chemosis, and subjective signs as itching, photophobia, stinging, and lacrimation, were evaluated before and after the treatment. A 0–4 score was used by an independent clinical observer to quantify the above parameters.

Results

Patients treated with GB-HA, compared to patients treated with HA alone, showed a significant decrease in the appearance of conjunctival hyperemia, conjunctival discharge, and chemosis. Furthermore, all patients treated with GB-HA showed a significant improvement of subjective symptoms, compared to HA patients. Compared to their baseline values, patients treated with HA alone showed a small but not significant improvement in only some of the clinical and subjective symptoms.

Conclusions

The results suggest that Ginkgo biloba extract may exert therapeutic activity in the treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Hyaluronic acid did not exert any valuable effect on this pathology.
Why do Patients with Improved Visual Acuity Drop out of RGP Contact Lens use? Ten-Year Follow-Up Results in Patients with Scarred Corneas
Authors: Özkan Berna , Elibol Orhan , Yüksel Nurşen , Altintaş Özgül , Karabaş V. Levent , Çağlar Yusuf
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term results of rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses and to investigate the reasons for patient dissatisfaction with this therapy.

Methods

Records of 17 patients (20 eyes) who started using RGP contact lenses for correction of irregular astigmatism due to scarred corneas between 1995 and 1996 were evaluated retrospectively. Best-corrected visual acuities with or without RGP contact lenses were noted. The mean duration of contact lens use, reasons for discontinuation of therapy, and treatment methods preferred over contact lens use were evaluated.

Results

The irregular astigmatisms were induced by herpetic keratitis (3 eyes), corneal trauma (5 eyes), and previous corneal infections (12 eyes). All of the patients had increase in visual acuity with RGP contact lenses (p=0.000). At the end of the follow-up it was found that only one patient was still using RGP contact lenses (5%). The mean duration for contact lens use was 21.42±4.53 SE months (2–72 months). The reasons for dropping out contact lenses were intervening surgical procedures (57.8%), loss of patient motivation (26.3%), recurrent punctate epitheliopathy (10.5%), and herpes simplex keratitis reactivation (5.2%).

Conclusions

RGP contact lens use is a successful method of increasing visual acuity in scarred corneas. However, patients with good visual acuity in the fellow eye find it hard to remain motivated for RGP contact lens use in the unhealthy eye. Furthermore, patients prefer permanent treatment methods even though these methods would result in decreased visual acuity.
Incidence of Hyperemia Associated with Bimatoprost Treatment in Naïve Subjects and in Subjects Previously Treated with Latanoprost
Authors: Kurtz Shimon , Mann Oran
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Bimatoprost is a potent hypotensive drug used in the treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension with lower target intraocular pressure (IOP) than latanoprost. Its most disturbing side effect is conjunctival hyperemia. The authors compared the extent of conjunctival hyperemia in patients receiving bimatoprost as initial therapy with that in patients whose treatment with latanoprost was replaced by bimatoprost.

Methods

One group of consecutive patients with newly diagnosed bilateral primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) was treated with once daily bimatoprost 0.03% ophthalmic solution as initial therapy. Treatment in another group of patients who had been on latanoprost treatment for at least 3 months was replaced by bimatoprost 0.03%. Conjunctival hyperemia was assessed by a single masked observer using a five-point grading scale.

Results

The mean ± SD baseline hyperemia scores were 0.4±0.3 and 0.70±0.3 for the firstline and replacement groups, respectively. Following 3 weeks of treatment, the mean post-treatment conjunctival hyperemia scores were 2.3±1 and 1.1±0.5, respectively. IOP of 25.2±9.8 mmHg and 18.95±2.1 mmHg dropped to 18.79±2.13 mmHg and 18.23±1.95 mmHg, respectively, following bimatoprost therapy. The differences in baseline levels of hyperemia for each group were not statistically significant (p=0.478). Changes in hyperemia scores from baseline were highly significant (p<0.001) only in first-line therapy patients (p=0.02 for the replacement group).

Conclusions

The above findings suggest that patients already on prostaglandin therapy may be less likely to experience an increase in conjunctival hyperemia induced by bimatoprost.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty versus Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty in Patients with Uncontrolled Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Russo Vincenzo , Barone Antonio , Cosma Annesa , Stella Andrea , Noci Nicola Delle
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To compare the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) to argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) as treatment and retreatment to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma (OAG) on maximally tolerated medication therapy with a follow-up of 12 months.

Methods

A total of 120 eyes of 120 patients with uncontrolled OAG were enrolled in the study. Group A included patients with IOP >22 mmHg on maximal medical therapy. A total of 43 eyes underwent SLT treatment and 41 eyes underwent ALT treatment. At the end of the follow-up IOP was <18 mmHg. Group B included patients with IOP >20 mmHg at 3 months follow-up after SLT or ALT treatment. These patients were retreated randomly, 18 with SLT and 18 with ALT.

Results

In Group A at the end of the follow-up there was no statistically significant difference in IOP lowering between SLT (6.01 mmHg) and ALT (6.12) (p=0.794). In Group B at the end of the follow-up patients undergoing SLT presented IOP lowering statistically significant to ALT treatment (6.24 mmHg and 4.65 mmHg, respectively, p<0.01).

Discussion

SLT is effective as treatment for patients with OAG and appears to be equivalent to ALT in IOP lowering at 12 months only in patients without a prior treatment. In case of retreatment SLT appears to be better than ALT in IOP lowering.
Rifabutin Corneal Deposits in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Investigation
Authors: Mazzotta Cosimo , Traversi Claudio , Nuti Elisabetta , Sparano Maria Caterina , Caporossi Aldo
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To establish the real localization of rifabutin-related corneal deposits in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by in vivo HRT II confocal microscopy with related clinicopathologic implications.

Methods

Observational case report. After Siena University Institutional Review Board approval in May 2008 and specific informed consent, a 54-year-old patient with HIV infection under rifabutin treatment for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome–related Mycobacterium avium complex prevention who developed diffuse corneal deposits was examined at the Department of Ophthalmology of Siena University. He underwent a complete clinical eye examination, biomicroscopy, and digital slit lamp photographs, endothelial specular microscopy, ultrasound pachymetry, and confocal microscopy by HRT II system.

Results

Confocal scans revealed the presence of deep stromal and pre descemetic hyperreflective polymorphous deposits. In vivo confocal examination excluded the presence of rifabutin-related deposits at endothelial level.

Conclusions

Confocal microscopy enables establishment of the real localization of rifabutin deposits at deep stromal level, providing a better qualitative analysis of all corneal layers compared to biomicroscopic examination, with clinical and physiopathologic implications.
Acute Reversible Charles Bonnet syndrome Precipitated by Sudden Severe Anemia
Authors: Kaeser Pierre-François , Borruat François-Xavier
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To report the sudden onset of reversible Charles Bonnet syndrome precipitated by acute severe anemia.

Methods

The charts of three patients (Usher syndrome, bilateral macular degeneration, and bilateral retinal vein occlusion) with acute Charles Bonnet syndrome in the setting of severe anemia were reviewed.

Results

Anemia resulted from bladder surgery, recto-colitis, and severe urinary tract infection. Hemoglobin ranged from 78 to 86 g/L. Decreased visual acuity and formed visual hallucinations (giants, flowers, animals) were present in all three patients. Rapid reversal of Charles Bonnet syndrome and visual acuity improvement followed blood transfusion.

Conclusions

Acute severe anemia can precipitate Charles Bonnet syndrome, which may be reversible by blood transfusion.
Pattern Reversal Electroretinograms in Patients with Unilateral Idiopathic Full Thickness Macular Holes
Authors: Gündüz K.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To discover the effect of detachment of the posterior vitreous cortex on pattern electroretinogram (PERG) P50 amplitudes in the uninvolved fellow eyes (FE) of patients with macular holes (MH), and to determine the prognostic value of the PERG in identifying the FE of patients with MH that could be at risk for the development of a MH.

Methods

PERGs were recorded using 12' and 46' checkboard stimulus reversing at 5 Hz in 18 patients selected from a cohort of 37 patients with unilateral idiopathic full thickness MH, and in age-matched controls (AMC). Contact lens biomicroscopy with a Goldmann contact lens and kinetic B-scan ultrasonography were performed bilaterally in both patients and AMC.

Results

The P50 amplitudes with checks of 12′ and 46′ were significantly lower in eyes with MH than in the uninvolved FE and AMC. There was a significant reduction in the P50 amplitudes in the FE compared to the AMC with checks of 12′, but there was no significant reduction with checks of 46′. In the FE with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) (eleven cases), the P50 amplitudes with checks of 12' were greater than in the eyes without PVD. With checks of 46', there was no significant difference in eyes with and without PVD.

Conclusions

These data suggest that subclinical macular pathology in the FE of MH probably resulting from vitreous traction can be demonstrated by PERG using small check size stimulus.
Bilateral Keratoconus Associated with Hashimoto's Disease, Alopecia Areata and Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Koçak Altintas A.G. , Gül Ü. , Duman S.
Published: January 2018

Keratoconus is a progressive non-inflammatory corneal ectasia. Alopecia areata is complete loss of hair patches on the hairy areas of the body in association with some ocular manifestations such as cataract, or disorders of the conjunctiva, iris, lens, choroid and retina pigment epithelium. A ten-year-old patient with atopic keratoconjunctivitis, keratoconus and alopecia areata is presented. This patient has also been receving treatment for Hashimoto thyroiditis (chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis) for more than three years. The possible association of keratoconus with multisystem autoimmune disease is discussed.
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: Review of Management
Authors: Bhagat N. , Goldberg M.F. , Gascon P. , Bell W. , Haberman J. , Zarbin M.A.
Published: January 2018

Central retinal vein occlusion is usually a disease of the elderly and is often associated with systemic vascular disease, e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Younger patients, especially those less than 45 years of age, with retinal vein occlusion should be evaluated carefully for the possibility of an underlying thrombotic tendency. The authors describe the ocular manifestations, pathogenesis, associated conditions, patient evaluation, and treatment of patients with central retinal vein occlusion.
Retinal Cotton-Wool Spots as the First Sign of Systemic Sarcoidosis
Authors: Prost M.E.
Published: January 2018

Isolated retinal cotton-spots have not yet been reported as the sign of ocular sarcoidosis. We describe three patients with retinal cotton-wool spots of initially uknown etiology in whom systemic sarcoidosis was diagnosed 6–16 months later. The diagnosis was confirmed by conjunctival biopsy. These observations indicate that sarcoidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of retinal cotton-wool spots and patients with these lesions should be followed for the development of this disease
Influence of SiO2/MoS2/graphite content on the wear properties of PTFE composites under natural seawater lubrication
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Wu Shaofeng , Ni Jing
Published: January 2018

The polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) mixed with different particles, such as SiO2, MoS2, and graphite, were prepared by using cold briquetting and hot sintering technologies. In order to investigate the influence of different mixture ratios of particles on the wear properties of PTFE composite under natural seawater lubrication, 10 different samples were designed through orthogonal test table and evaluated using an MMU-5 G wear tester. For comparison, the wear experiments of pure PTFE were also carried out under the same conditions. Moreover, the 3D profiles and depth variations of wear scars of PTFE composites were observed by a laser scanning confocal microscope. Results showed that the addition of SiO2, MoS2, and graphite can greatly improve the wear resistance of PTFE under seawater lubrication. In particular, 10% SiO2, 15% MoS2, and 15% graphite filled with PTFE composite possesses the best wear resistance. And a synergistic effect is found for the combination of SiO2, MoS2, graphite, and seawater, which effectively prevents the slipping of PTFE from matrix, increases the adhesion resistance, decreases the friction energy, further results in lower wear rate and little damage on the surface of the PTFE composites.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of asymptomatic peripheral artery disease screening with the ABI test
Authors: Itoga Nathan K , Minami Hataka R , Chelvakumar Meenadachi , Pearson Keon , Mell Matthew M , Bendavid Eran , Owens Douglas K
Published: January 2018

Screening for asymptomatic peripheral artery disease (aPAD) with the ankle–brachial index (ABI) test is hypothesized to reduce disease progression and cardiovascular (CV) events by identifying individuals who may benefit from early initiation of medical therapy. Using a Markov model, we evaluated the cost effectiveness of initiating medical therapy (e.g. statin and ACE-inhibitor) after a positive ankle–brachial index (ABI) screen in 65-year-old patients. We modeled progression to symptomatic PAD (sPAD) and CV events with and without ABI screening, evaluating differences in costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The cost of the ABI test, physician visit, new medication, CV events, and interventions for sPAD were incorporated in the model. We performed sensitivity analysis on model variables with uncertainty. Our model found an incremental cost of US $338 and an incremental QALY of 0.00380 with one-time ABI screening, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $88,758/QALY over a 35-year period. The variables with the largest effects in the ICER were aPAD disease prevalence, cost of monthly medication after a positive screen and 2-year medication adherence rates. Screening high-risk populations, such as tobacco users, where the prevalence of PAD may be 2.5 times higher, decreases the ICER to $24,092/QALY. Our analysis indicates the cost effectiveness of one-time screening for aPAD depends on prevalence, medication costs, and adherence to therapies for CV disease risk reduction. Screening in higher-risk populations under favorable assumptions about medication adherence results in the most favorable cost effectiveness, but limitations in the primary data preclude definitive assessment of cost effectiveness.
‘Troubling’ Chastisement: A Comparative Historical Analysis of Child Punishment in Ghana and Ireland
Authors: Rush Michael , Ibrahim Lazarus Suleman
Published: January 2018

This article reviews an epochal change in international thinking about physical punishment of children from being a reasonable method of chastisement to one that is harmful to children and troubling to families. In addition, the article suggests shifts in thinking about physical punishment were originally pioneered as part and parcel of the dismantling of national laws granting fathers’ specific rights to admonish children under conventions of patria potestas. A comparative historical framework of analysis involving two case studies of Ireland and Ghana illustrates non-unilinear pathways of international convergence towards the prohibition of physical punishment. The comparative historical analysis highlights the 1930s and 1940s as an era when Ireland began to reject patria potestas and religious or judicial rulings which allowed for children to be given ‘a good beating’ in family and school settings. However, from the same period, Ghana is seen to experience Christian remonstrations not to ‘spare the rod’ leading to the ‘conventional’ tradition of ‘this is how we do it here’. Two case studies serve to illustrate that banning physical punishment was less controversial in Ireland where allied traditions of patria potestas and disciplinarian Christian beliefs had lost their moral hegemony than in Ghana where such beliefs still held influence. The article concludes overall that normative campaigns against physical punishment of children emanate from a coherent paradigm of family policy where childcare, education, and well-being of children are embedded as everyday societal responsibilities rather than privatised or patriarchal familial obligations. The coherent model offers an alternative moral hegemony to neo-liberal and Janus-faced conceptualisations of good or ‘intact’ families versus ‘broken’ or ‘troubled’ families.
Glasgow 2014, the media and Scottish politics: The (post)imperial symbolism of the Commonwealth Games
Authors: Whigham Stuart , Black Jack
Published: January 2018

This article critically examines print media discourses regarding the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The forthcoming analysis examines the political symbolism of the Commonwealth Games with regard to the interlinkages between the British Empire, sport and the global political status of the United Kingdom. The article gives specific consideration to the United Kingdom’s declining global power as well as the interconnections between the 2014 Games and the Scottish independence referendum. Hechter’s ‘internal colonialism’ thesis, which portrays Scotland’s marginalised status within the United Kingdom, is drawn upon to critically explore the political symbolism of sport for Scottish nationalism. Discussion then focuses upon the extent to which the modern Commonwealth is symptomatic of the United Kingdom’s declining status as a global power. Finally, the existence of these narrative tropes in print media coverage of the Commonwealth Games is examined, allowing for critical reflections on the continuing interconnections between the media, sport, nationalism and post-imperial global politics.
Test and analysis on a novel self-restoring uplift column
Authors: Sun Fei F , Xiao Lei , Cao Hu
Published: January 2018

A novel self-restoring uplift column was proposed to allow uplift of exterior column bases of core-outrigger structures, which may make upper structure rock and hence mitigate seismic damage. The self-restoring uplift column consists of two steel sub-columns, a steel shear panel and several post-tensioned strands. Besides uplift mechanism, energy dissipating and self-restoring mechanisms were involved to dissipate energy and reduce structural residual drift, respectively. Low cycle test of four one-seventh scaled specimens were conducted and then simulated by finite element analysis. Self-restoring capability and satisfactory energy dissipating ability were observed in experimental results. The calibrated finite element models were then used to explore key design issues of the self-restoring uplift column. It was indicated that the elastic state of post-tensioned strands and sufficient restoring force were the two main factors influencing the restoring behavior most. A simplified model for axial behavior of the self-restoring uplift column was developed to simplify the design of the self-restoring uplift column. Finally, key design requirements about gap opening, shear panel, and self-centering capability were discussed.
Development of a psychological pathway model linking lighting quality to well-being in indoor café environments
Authors: Kim Dong Hyun
Published: January 2018

The aim of the study was to investigate whether indoor lighting quality would have any systematic impact on psychological well-being of people working in café environments. Earlier studies have mostly focused on the impact of lighting in typical workspace environments through laboratory settings. The present study was conducted under two different real café environments; one with daylight, another without daylight, with a total of 66 customers’ participation. Two psychological pathway models that linked customers’ self-reported lighting quality, pleasantness, aesthetic judgement of space appearance, environmental satisfaction and feelings of eye discomfort were developed. Application of structural equation modelling produced strong fits to these two models, one with daylight, another without daylight, in which quality of lighting was linked with environmental satisfaction and feelings of eye discomfort in both cafés. The results suggest that under a non-daylit café environment, providing good quality lighting can both directly and indirectly promote environmental satisfaction and decrease negative feelings of eye discomfort, while under a daylit café environment, perceived lighting quality was only indirectly linked.
Rapid prediction of the transient effect of the initial contaminant condition using a limited number of sensors
Authors: Shao Xiaoliang , Wang Keke , Li Xianting
Published: January 2018

Rapid prediction of a transient rise in a contaminant concentration attributed to a sudden release of a contaminant is crucial for decision-making in relation to deployment of emergency ventilation. The superposition theorem for a fixed flow field is an alternative approach that has been used to accomplish fast prediction. In this study, the accuracy of a superposition method was investigated based on a novel method to obtain the initial condition using a limited number of sensors. Sensors were placed at the centre of each divided zone to record the initial zonal concentration, and the prediction was performed in accordance to an algebraic expression that uses the measured concentrations and the index of transient accessibility of the sub-initial condition (TASIC) as inputs. The analysis of these numerical cases has led to the following conclusions: (1) the prediction accuracy is improved when the prediction time is longer, and when there are more zones and less nonuniformity for the sub-initial conditions, (2) the relative prediction deviations are larger when the initial condition is measured using sensors rather than those elicited based on the predicted initial conditions, and (3) the use of eight sensors is appropriate for the studied case in accordance to sensor cost and accuracy. The method is helpful for fast decision-making when the initial conditions are unpredictable.
“So they are not alive?”: Dementia, reality disjunctions and conversational strategies
Authors: Hydén Lars-Christer , Samuelsson Christina
Published: January 2018

In some conversations involving persons with Alzheimer’s disease, the participants may have to deal with the difficulty that they do not share a common ground in terms of not only who is alive or dead, but even more, who could possibly be alive. It is as if the participants face a reality disjunction. There are very few empirical studies of this difficulty in conversations involving persons with Alzheimer’s disease or other kinds of dementia diagnoses. Often studies of confabulation have a focus on the behavior and experience of the healthy participants, but rarely on the interaction and the collaborative contributions made by the person with dementia. In the present article, we discuss various strategies used by all participants in an everyday conversation. The material consists of an hour long everyday conversation between a woman with Alzheimer’s disease and two healthy participants (relatives). This conversation is analyzed by looking at the organization of the interaction with an emphasis on how the participants deal with instances of reality disjunctions. The result from the analysis demonstrates that both the healthy participants as well as the person with dementia together skillfully avoid the face threats posed by reality disjunctive contributions by not pursuing argumentative lines that in the end might jeopardize both the collaborative and the personal relations.
Evolutionary Effect on the Embodied Beauty of Landscape Architectures
Authors: Zhang Wei , Tang Xiaoxiang , He Xianyou , Chen Guangyao
Published: January 2018

According to the framework of evolutionary aesthetics, a sense of beauty is related to environmental adaptation and plasticity of human beings, which has adaptive value and biological foundations. Prior studies have demonstrated that organisms derive benefits from the landscape. In this study, we investigated whether the benefits of landscape might elicit a stronger sense of beauty and what the nature of this sense of beauty is. In two experiments, when viewing classical landscape and nonlandscape architectures photographs, participants rated the aesthetic scores (Experiment 1) and had a two-alternative forced choice aesthetic judgment by pressing the reaction button located near to (15 cm) or far from (45 cm) the presenting stimuli (Experiment 2). The results showed that reaction of aesthetic ratings for classical landscape architectures was faster than those of classical nonlandscape architectures. Furthermore, only the reaction of beautiful judgment of classical landscape architecture photograph was significantly faster when the reaction button was in the near position to the presenting photograph than those in the position of far away from the presenting photograph. This finding suggests a facilitated effect for the aesthetic perception of classical landscape architectures due to their corresponding components including water and green plants with strong evolutionary implications. Furthermore, this sense of beauty for classical landscape architectures might be the embodied approach to beauty based on the viewpoint of evolutionary aesthetics and embodied cognition.
Overcoming Undermatching: Factors Associated With Degree Attainment for Academically Undermatched Students
Authors: Gansemer-Topf Ann M. , Downey Jillian , Genschel Ulrike
Published: January 2018

Academic undermatching—students enrolling in colleges that are less academically selective than those for which they qualify—is a barrier hindering college degree attainment. Given the many reasons students undermatch, this phenomenon is likely to continue; yet, we know little about the characteristics that may be related to degree attainment for this population of students. Utilizing the ELS: 2002 national dataset, we developed an operationalization of undermatch and then applied this operationalization to the BPS: 04/09 national dataset ( N = 11,260). Using logistic regression methods, we identified institutional and student characteristics that are associated with degree attainment for undermatched students. Starting at a 4-year institution, completing at least precalculus, having at least one parent with a college education, being female, and being socially and academically integrated into the institution were positively associated with degree attainment. Our results emphasize the critical influence of nonacademic factors on degree attainment for undermatched students.
Automatic Intracranial Segmentation: Is the Clinician Still Needed?
Authors: Meillan Nicolas , Bibault Jean-Emmanuel , Vautier Julien , Daveau-Bergerault Caroline , Kreps Sarah , Tournat Hélène , Durdux Catherine , Giraud Philippe
Published: January 2018

Introduction:

Stereotactic hypofractionated radiotherapy is an effective treatment for brain metastases in oligometastatic patients. Its planning is however time-consuming because of the number of organs at risk to be manually segmented. This study evaluates 2 automated segmentation commercial software.

Methods:

Patients were scanned in the treatment position. The computed tomography scan was registered on a magnetic resonance imaging and volumes were manually segmented by a clinician. Then 2 automated segmentations were performed (with iPlan and Smart Segmentation). RT STRUCT files were compared with Aquilab’s Artistruct segment comparison module. We selected common segmented volume ratio as the main judging criterion. Secondary criteria were Dice-Sørensen coefficients, overlap ratio, and additional segmented volume.

Results:

Twenty consecutive patients were included. Agreement between manual and automated contouring was poor. Common segmented volumes ranged from 7.71% to 82.54%, Dice-Sørensen coefficient ranged from 0.0745 to 0.8398, overlap ratio ranged from 0.0414 to 0.7275, and additional segmented volume ranged from 9.80% to 92.25%. Each software outperformed the other on some organs while performing worse on others.

Conclusion:

No software seemed clearly better than the other. Common segmented volumes were much too low for routine use in stereotactic hypofractionated brain radiotherapy. Manual editing is still needed.
Differential White Matter Regional Alterations in Motor Subtypes of Early Drug-Naive Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Authors: Wen Ming-Ching , Heng Hannah S. E. , Lu Zhonghao , Xu Zheyu , Chan Ling Ling , Tan Eng King , Tan Louis C. S.
Published: January 2018

Background. Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be classified into tremor dominant (TD) and postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD) subtypes with TD considered as the benign subtype. The neural alterations of the 2 subtypes in the early stages before administration of medications remain elusive. Objective. This study assessed the subtype-related white matter (WM) microstructural features in newly diagnosed and drug-naive PD patients from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Methods. Sixty-five early PDs with stable subtypes (52 TD and 13 PIGD patients) and 61 controls underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scanning and clinical assessment. Tract-based special statistics (TBSS), graph-theoretical and network-based analyses were used to compare WM regional and network features between groups. Results. No differences in disease stages and duration were found between the 2 patient groups. TD patients showed increased fractional anisotropy (FA), but decreased radial and axial diffusivities (RD and AD) in several projection, association, and commissural tracts, compared with PIGD patients and controls. Motor severity had mild-to-moderate correlations with FA and RD of the corpus callosum (genu) in TD, but strong correlations with FA and RD of multiple association tracts in PIGD. Conversely, no significant network changes were noted. Conclusions. TD patients showed regionally increased FA but decreased diffusivities, implying neural reorganization to compensate PD pathology in early stages. PIGD patients, despite having similar disease stages and duration, exhibited more WM degradation. These results demonstrate differential WM regional features between the 2 subtypes in early PD and support the notion of TD being a benign subtype.
From “a Fair Game” to “a Form of Covert Research”: Research Ethics Committee Members’ Differing Notions of Consent and Potential Risk to Participants Within Social Media Research
Authors: Hibbin R. A. , Samuel G. , Derrick G. E.
Published: January 2018

Social media (SM) research presents new challenges for research ethics committees (RECs) who must balance familiar ethical principles with new notions of public availability. This article qualitatively examines how U.K. REC members view this balance in terms of risk and consent. While it found significant variance overall, there were discernible experience-based trends. REC members with less experience of reviewing SM held inflexible notions of consent and risk that could be categorized as either relying on traditional notions of requiring direct consent, or viewing publicly available data as “fair game.” More experienced REC members took a more nuanced approach to data use and consent. We conclude that the more nuanced approach should be best practice during ethical review of SM research.
Commentary on “Regulatory Support Improves Subsequent IRB/REC Approval Rates in Studies Initially Deemed Not Ready for Review: A CTSA Institution’s Experience”
Authors: Nicholls Stuart G.
Published: January 2018

In response to researcher concerns a number of initiatives have been developed to support individual researchers seeking ethics review and approval. In this issue, Sonne et al. (2017) outline an example of an intervention to support researchers, which they refer to as a Regulatory Knowledge Support (RKS) service. While the study points to potential benefits, other studies have not had the desired impact on key performance measures. There is a need to develop a community of practice and expand the burgeoning evidence base regarding what interventions work, for whom, and under what circumstances. Advancing the research agenda requires: the development of theoretical models for intervention design and evaluation; developing consensus on key data for collection and measures of effectiveness; conducting evaluations using the strongest possible study designs, and; publishing the findings of evaluations.
Regulatory Support Improves Subsequent IRB Approval Rates in Studies Initially Deemed Not Ready for Review: A CTSA Institution’s Experience
Authors: Sonne Susan , Gentilin Stephanie , Sampson Royce R. , Bell Leslie , Mauney Toni , Young Summer , Bright Katherine , Flume Patrick
Published: January 2018

We evaluated the impact of a regulatory support service (known as the Regulatory Knowledge and Support [RKS] program), part of the Medical University of South Carolina’s Clinical and Translational Science Award, on the success of Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications that have previously been deemed by the IRB to be Not Ready for Review (NRR). At the time of this evaluation, 77 studies had been deemed NRR, 53 of which came from trainees and junior faculty. All the applications that received regulatory support either received IRB approval or were deemed to not be research, and therefore did not require IRB review. In all, 39.1% (n = 18) of the research teams who did not accept regulatory support successfully received IRB approval. Providing regulatory support, particularly to trainees and junior faculty, may be associated with better success in obtaining IRB approval as well as preventing the unnecessary submission of projects that are not research and would therefore not require IRB review or approval.
Resilient asynchronous H∞ control designed for discrete-time Markov jump systems: Static output feedback case
Authors: Lu Xiao , Yang Lei , Wang Haixia , Li Yuxia
Published: January 2018

This article is concerned with the problem of resilient asynchronous H∞ static output feedback control for discrete-time Markov jump linear systems. By Finsler’s Lemma, and with the help of two sets of slack variables, the product terms of system matrices and Lyapunov matrices are decoupled. Resilient asynchronous controller is designed to improve the robustness of the controller and overcome the drawback that the controller cannot get the information of the system’s mode. The controller that makes sure the closed-loop system is stochastically stable and with prescribed H∞ performance is designed. The bilinear matrix inequalities are given as the sufficient conditions for the controller design, which can be solved using linear matrix inequalities along with line search. This control strategy can be used in many practical application fields, such as robot control, aircraft, and traffic control.
Loader power-split transmission system based on a planetary gear set
Authors: Lyu Chang , Yanqing Zhao , Meng Lyu
Published: January 2018

In hydraulic mechanical transmission loaders, a hydraulic torque converter can prevent an engine from stalling due to overloading of the loader during the spading process; however, the hydraulic torque converter also reduces the loader’s fuel economy because of its low transmission efficiency. To address this issue, the study designs an output-power-split transmission system that is applied to a hybrid loader. The designed transmission system removes the hydraulic torque converter in the power transmission system of a traditional loader and adopts a planetary gear set with a compact structure as the dynamic coupling element, thus allowing the output power of the loader to be split transmitted. During shoveling, the loader power-split transmission system based on a planetary gear set can prevent the motor from plugging and over-burning under conditions that ensure that the traction does not decrease. In addition, the transmission efficiency and loader fuel economy are higher in the proposed transmission system than in the power transmission system of a traditional loader. The test results show that the transmission efficiency of the designed system was 13.2% higher than that of the traditional hydraulic mechanical transmission loader.
The Role of Big Endothelin-1 in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Arun C. , Swift B. , Porter K.E. , West K.P. , London N.J.M. , Hemingway D.M.
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Changes in liver blood flow caused by an unknown splanchnic vasoconstrictor have been noted in colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases. This prospective study was performed to assess whether plasma levels of big endothelin-1 (big ET-1) were raised in patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

Plasma samples from peripheral vein of patients who underwent surgery for primary colorectal cancer (n=60) and those with known colorectal liver metastases (n=45) for a period of 15 months were taken prior to treatment and compared to age- and sex-matched controls (n=20). Plasma samples were analysed by using a single-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation were also performed on tumour sections to investigate the expression of ET-1 by cancer cells.

Results

The median (range) plasma concentration of big ET-1 in controls was 2.1 pg/mL (1.2–13.4 pg/mL). The median (range) plasma concentration of big ET-1 in colorectal cancer patients with no overt hepatic metastases was 3.8 pg/mL (1.2–15.8 pg/mL), p=0.002, and the median (range) plasma concentration of big ET-1 in colorectal cancer patients with hepatic metastases was 5.2 pg/mL (1.7–30 pg/mL), p=0.0001; both were significantly elevated compared to the control group. A significant difference in immunostaining for big ET-1 was noted between paired normal colonic mucosa (median score-1) and tumour sections (median score-3), p=0.01.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated elevated concentrations of big ET-1 in colorectal cancer patients, especially in those with hepatic metastases. Upregulation of ET activity in colorectal cancer could be inferred by the increased immunostaining of big ET-1 in cancer cells. Therefore, plasma big ET-1 levels should be evaluated as a potential tumour marker for the identification of hepatic metastases at an earlier stage.
The Integrated Oncology Program of the Italian Ministry of Health
Authors: Paradiso Angelo , Mangia Anita , Orlando Claudio , Verderio Paolo , Belfiglio Maurizio , Marchetti Antonio , Bertario Lucio , Chiappetta Gennaro , Gion Massimo , Tonini Gian Paolo , Podo Franca , Vocaturo Amina , Silvestrini Rosella
Published: January 2018

In 2007, an Italian cancer research group proposed a specific concerted action aimed at the “analytical and clinical validation of new biomarkers for early diagnosis: Network, resources, methodology, quality control, and data analysis.” The proposal united 37 national operative units involved in different biomarker studies and it created a strong coordinative body with the necessary expertise in methodologies, statistical analysis, quality control, and biological resources to perform ad hoc validation studies for new biomarkers of early cancer diagnosis.

The action, financed by the Italian Ministry of Health within the Integrated Oncology Program (PIO) coordinated by NCI-Istituto Tumori Bari, started in 2007 and activated 7 projects, each of which focused on disease-specific biomarker studies. Overall, the 37 participating units proposed studies on 50 biomarkers, including analytical and clinical validation procedures. Clusters of units were specifically involved in research of early-detection biomarkers for cancers of the lung, digestive tract, prostate/bladder, and nervous system, as well as female cancers. Furthermore, a cluster involved in biomarkers for bioimaging and infection-related cancers was created.

The first investigators' meeting, “Analytical and clinical validation of new biomarkers for early diagnosis,” was held on 9 September 2008 in Bari. During this meeting, methodological aspects, scientific programs and preliminary results were presented and discussed.
Inverse kinematics of mobile manipulators based on differential evolution
Authors: López-Franco Carlos , Hernández-Barragán Jesús , Alanis Alma Y. , Arana-Daniel Nancy , López-Franco Michel
Published: January 2018

The solution of the inverse kinematics of mobile manipulators is a fundamental capability to solve problems such as path planning, visual-guided motion, object grasping, and so on. In this article, we present a metaheuristic approach to solve the inverse kinematic problem of mobile manipulators. In this approach, we represent the robot kinematics using the Denavit–Hartenberg model. The algorithm is able to solve the inverse kinematic problem taking into account the mobile platform. The proposed approach is able to avoid singularities configurations, since it does not require the inversion of a Jacobian matrix. Those are two of the main drawbacks to solve inverse kinematics through traditional approaches. Applicability of the proposed approach is illustrated using simulation results as well as experimental ones using an omnidirectional mobile manipulator.
Consensus statement of the International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia on valuing the perspectives of persons with intellectual disability
Authors: Watchman Karen , Janicki Matthew P , Udell Leslie , Hogan Mary , Quinn Sam , Beránková Anna
Published: January 2018

The International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia covered a range of issues related to dementia and intellectual disability, including the dearth of personal reflections of persons with intellectual disability affected by dementia. This article reflects on this deficiency and explores some of the personal perspectives gleaned from the literature, from the Summit attendees and from the experiences of persons with intellectual disability recorded or scribed in advance of the two-day Summit meeting. Systemic recommendations included reinforcing the value of the involvement of persons with intellectual disability in (a) research alongside removing barriers to inclusion posed by institutional/ethics review boards, (b) planning groups that establish supports for dementia and (c) peer support. Practice recommendations included (a) valuing personal perspectives in decision-making, (b) enabling peer-to-peer support models, (c) supporting choice in community-dwelling arrangements and (d) broadening availability of materials for persons with intellectual disability that would promote understanding of dementia.