bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What does patient feedback reveal about the NHS? A mixed methods study of comments posted to the NHS Choices online service
Authors: Brookes Gavin , Baker Paul
Published: April 2017

Objective

To examine the key themes of positive and negative feedback in patients’ online feedback on NHS (National Health Service) services in England and to understand the specific issues within these themes and how they drive positive and negative evaluation.

Design

Computer-assisted quantitative and qualitative studies of 228 113 comments (28 971 142 words) of online feedback posted to the NHS Choices website. Comments containing the most frequent positive and negative evaluative words are qualitatively examined to determine the key drivers of positive and negative feedback.

Participants

Contributors posting comments about the NHS between March 2013 and September 2015.

Results

Overall, NHS services were evaluated positively approximately three times more often than negatively. The four key areas of focus were: treatment, communication, interpersonal skills and system/organisation. Treatment exhibited the highest proportion of positive evaluative comments (87%), followed by communication (77%), interpersonal skills (44%) and, finally, system/organisation (41%). Qualitative analysis revealed that reference to staff interpersonal skills featured prominently, even in comments relating to treatment and system/organisational issues. Positive feedback was elicited in cases of staff being caring, compassionate and knowing patients’’ names, while rudeness, apathy and not listening were frequent drivers of negative feedback.

Conclusions

Although technical competence constitutes an undoubtedly fundamental aspect of healthcare provision, staff members were much more likely to be evaluated both positively and negatively according to their interpersonal skills. Therefore, the findings reported in this study highlight the salience of such ‘soft’ skills to patients and emphasise the need for these to be focused upon and developed in staff training programmes, as well as ensuring that decisions around NHS funding do not result in demotivated and rushed staff. The findings also reveal a significant overlap between the four key themes in the ways that care is evaluated by patients.
The art of medicine: arts-based training in observation and mindfulness for fostering the empathic response in medical residents
Authors: Zazulak Joyce , Sanaee May , Frolic Andrea , Knibb Nicole , Tesluk Eve , Hughes Edward , Grierson Lawrence E M
Published: April 2017

Empathy is an essential attribute for medical professionals. Yet, evidence indicates that medical learners' empathy levels decline dramatically during medical school. Training in evidence-based observation and mindfulness has the potential to bolster the acquisition and demonstration of empathic behaviours for medical learners. In this prospective cohort study, we explore the impact of a course in arts-based visual literacy and mindfulness practice (Art of Seeing) on the empathic response of medical residents engaged in obstetrics and gynaecology and family medicine training. Following this multifaceted arts-based programme that integrates the facilitated viewing of art and dance, art-making, and mindfulness-based practices into a practitioner-patient context, 15 resident trainees completed the previously validated Interpersonal Reactivity Index, Compassion, and Mindfulness Scales. Fourteen participants also participated in semistructured interviews that probed their perceived impacts of the programme on their empathic clinical practice. The results indicated that programme participants improved in the Mindfulness Scale domains related to self-confidence and communication relative to a group of control participants following the arts-based programme. However, the majority of the psychometric measures did not reveal differences between groups over the duration of the programme. Importantly, thematic qualitative analysis of the interview data revealed that the programme had a positive impact on the participants' perceived empathy towards colleagues and patients and on the perception of personal and professional well-being. The study concludes that a multifaceted arts-based curriculum focusing on evidence-based observation and mindfulness is a useful tool in bolstering the empathic response, improving communication, and fostering professional well-being among medical residents.
Stanley Mandelstam, 1928–2016: Brief biography and selected publications with commentary
Authors: Chau Ling-Lie
Published: April 2017

The enduring influences of Stanley Mandelstam’s publications are deep and diverse. They affect almost all the current major research efforts in theoretical and mathematical physics that try to deepen our understanding of the physical universe. Reviewing Stanley’s accomplishments offers a rare opportunity for everyone interested, experts as well as nonexperts, to gain a perspective about the current status of theoretical and mathematical physics and what to look for in the future. This paper presents a brief biography of Stanley and a selection of his publications, grouped together according to subject matters, with commentary. 2

2 For a very short highlight of this paper, see author's Physics Today Obituary for Stanley Mandelstam, May issue 2017. About the genesis of these two papers see the Acknowledgments in this paper.
The guiding influence of Stanley Mandelstam, fromS-matrix theory to string theory
Authors: Goddard Peter
Published: April 2017

The guiding influence of some of Stanley Mandelstam’s key contributions to the development of theoretical high energy physics is discussed, from the motivation for the study of the analytic properties of the scattering matrix through to dual resonance models and their evolution into string theory.
Multi-objective flexible job shop scheduling problem using variable neighborhood evolutionary algorithm
Authors: Wang Chun , Ji Zhicheng , Wang Yan
Published: April 2017

In this paper, multi-objective flexible job shop scheduling problem (MOFJSP) was studied with the objects to minimize makespan, total workload and critical workload. A variable neighborhood evolutionary algorithm (VNEA) was proposed to obtain a set of Pareto optimal solutions. First, two novel crowded operators in terms of the decision space and object space were proposed, and they were respectively used in mating selection and environmental selection. Then, two well-designed neighborhood structures were used in local search, which consider the problem characteristics and can hold fast convergence. Finally, extensive comparison was carried out with the state-of-the-art methods specially presented for solving MOFJSP on well-known benchmark instances. The results show that the proposed VNEA is more effective than other algorithms in solving MOFJSP.
The sequence relay selection strategy based on stochastic dynamic programming
Authors: Zhu Rui , Chen Xihao , Huang Yangchao
Published: April 2017

Relay-assisted (RA) network with relay node selection is a kind of effective method to improve the channel capacity and convergence performance. However, most of the existing researches about the relay selection did not consider the statically channel state information and the selection cost. This shortage limited the performance and application of RA network in practical scenarios. In order to overcome this drawback, a sequence relay selection strategy (SRSS) was proposed. And the performance upper bound of SRSS was also analyzed in this paper. Furthermore, in order to make SRSS more practical, a novel threshold determination algorithm based on the stochastic dynamic program (SDP) was given to work with SRSS. Numerical results are also presented to exhibit the performance of SRSS with SDP.
Automatic polygon mesh repair and simplification for three-dimensional human modeling
Authors: Zhu Yaolin , Tian Li , Wan Taoruan
Published: April 2017

We present a new approach to repair degenerated and self-intersected mesh of digitized human models, which automatically transforms a raw digitized mesh into a single manifold and closed triangle mesh. The algorithm interactively removes growing neighborhoods of undesired elements and fills resulted surface gaps to yield meshes which subject to user-specified quality criteria. We demonstrate our experimental results by multiple sets of low-quality original models with qualitative measurements compared with a number of existing methods. The results show that the proposed method produces high visual quality meshes with minimal changes of the original mesh appearances.
Somatic Cells Recognition by Application of Gabor Feature-Based (2D)2PCA
Authors: Gao Xiaojing , Xue Heru , Pan Xin , Jiang Xinhua , Zhou Yanqing , Luo Xiaoling
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we propose a novel approach of Gabor feature based on bi-directional two-dimensional principal component analysis ((2D)2PCA) for somatic cells recognition. Firstly, Gabor features of different orientations and scales are extracted by the convolution of Gabor filter bank. Secondly, dimensionality reduction of the feature space applies (2D)2PCA in both row and column. Finally, the classifier uses Support Vector Machine (SVM) to achieve our goal. The experimental results are obtained using a large set of images from different sources. The results of our proposed method are not only efficient in accuracy and speed, but also robust to illumination in bovine mastitis via optical microscopy.
Inelastic electric and magnetic electron scattering form factors of 24Mg nucleus: Role of g factors
Authors: Al-Sammarraie Anwer A. , Inche Ibrahim M. L. , Ahmed Saeed Muna , Sharrad Fadhil I. , Abu Kassim Hasan
Published: April 2017

The electric and magnetic transitions in the [Formula: see text]Mg nucleus are studied based on the calculations of the longitudinal and the transverse electron scattering form factors. The universal sd-shell model Hamiltonian (USDA) is used for calculations. The wave functions of radial single-particle matrix elements are calculated using the Skyrme potential. For the longitudinal form factors, a good agreement is obtained between the calculations and the experimental data. For the transverse form factors, the effective [Formula: see text] factors are made as adjustable parameters in order to describe the experimental data.
Studies on the Electrical Properties of Graphene Oxide-Reinforced Poly (4-Styrene Sulfonic Acid) and Polyvinyl Alcohol Blend Composites
Authors: Deshmukh Kalim , Sankaran Sowmya , Basheer Ahamed M. , Khadheer Pasha S. K. , Sadasivuni Kishor Kumar , Ponnamma Deepalekshmi , Al-Ali Almaadeed Mariam , Chidambaram K.
Published: April 2017

In the present study, graphene oxide (GO)-reinforced poly (4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PSSA)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blend composite films were prepared using colloidal blending technique at various concentrations of GO (0–3[Formula: see text]wt.%). The morphological investigations of the prepared composites were carried out using polarized optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The electrical properties of composites were evaluated using an impedance analyzer in the frequency range 50[Formula: see text]Hz to 20[Formula: see text]MHz and temperature in the range 40–150[Formula: see text]C. Morphological studies infer that GO was homogeneously dispersed in the PSSA/PVA blend matrix. Investigations of electrical property indicate that the incorporation of GO into PSSA/PVA blend matrix resulted in the enhancement of the impedance ([Formula: see text] and the quality factor ([Formula: see text]-factor) values. A maximum impedance of about 4.32[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]10[Formula: see text] was observed at 50[Formula: see text]Hz and 90[Formula: see text]C for PSSA/PVA/GO composites with 3[Formula: see text]wt.% GO loading. The [Formula: see text]-factor also increased from 8.37 for PSSA/PVA blend to 59.8 for PSSA/PVA/GO composites with 3[Formula: see text]wt.% GO loading. These results indicate that PSSA/PVA/GO composites can be used for high-[Formula: see text] capacitor applications.
Electronic and magnetic control in fully-hydrogenated boron nitride
Authors: You Yuan
Published: April 2017

We investigate the effects of vacancies on the electronic and magnetic properties in fully-hydrogenated boron nitride sheet by performing first-principles calculation. Our results reveal that this sheet fosters magnetic materials with finite magnetic moment under certain vacancies. This phenomenon can be explained by the charge redistribution in which the unpaired electrons in bands determine the magnitude of magnetic moment and thus the ground state of the systems. The magnetic moment can be tuned from 0 to 2 by introducing different vacancies. This picture explicitly demonstrates that the type of vacancy plays an important role in determining nonmagnetic or magnetic materials of fully-hydrogenated boron nitride sheet, indicating their functionalities and possible applications in spintronics.
Exchange-Based Magneto-Electric Effect in Magnetic Vortex
Authors: Udalov O. G.
Published: April 2017

Inhomogeneous magneto-electric effect (IMEE) driven by exchange forces is studied. A phenomenological theory of the effect is proposed. The theory predicts the existence of the radial electric polarization in the systems with the magnetic structures of vortex type. Polarization does not depend on the sign of the winding number and appears even in a magnetic “hedgehog”. A microscopic theory of the exchange IMEE in a medium with the vortex magnetization distribution is developed. Electric polarization is caused by the exchange interaction of free charge carriers with the localized ones. On the basis of the microscopic theory, the electrical polarization is estimated for vortices in magnetic semiconductors and metals.
Efficient Redundancy Techniques for Latency Reduction in Cloud Systems
Authors: Joshi Gauri , Soljanin Emina , Wornell Gregory
Published: April 2017

In cloud computing systems, assigning a task to multiple servers and waiting for the earliest copy to finish is an effective method to combat the variability in response time of individual servers and reduce latency. But adding redundancy may result in higher cost of computing resources, as well as an increase in queueing delay due to higher traffic load. This work helps in understanding when and how redundancy gives a cost-efficient reduction in latency. For a general task service time distribution, we compare different redundancy strategies in terms of the number of redundant tasks and the time when they are issued and canceled. We get the insight that the log-concavity of the task service time creates a dichotomy of when adding redundancy helps. If the service time distribution is log-convex (i.e., log of the tail probability is convex), then adding maximum redundancy reduces both latency and cost. And if it is log-concave (i.e., log of the tail probability is concave), then less redundancy, and early cancellation of redundant tasks is more effective. Using these insights, we design a general redundancy strategy that achieves a good latency-cost trade-off for an arbitrary service time distribution. This work also generalizes and extends some results in the analysis of fork-join queues.
Leadership beyond the UX box
Authors: Rohn Janice Anne , Thompson Carola Fellenz
Published: April 2017

This forum is dedicated to maximizing the success of HCI practitioners within the frenetic world of product and service design. It focuses on UX strategy approaches, leadership, management techniques, and above all the challenge of bringing HCI to peer-level status with longstanding business disciplines such as marketing and engineering.
--- Daniel Rosenberg, Editor
Unique and Novel Urinary Metabolomic Features in Malignant versus Benign Adrenal Neoplasms
Authors: Patel Dhaval , Thompson Matthew D. , Manna Soumen K. , Krausz Kristopher W. , Zhang Lisa , Nilubol Naris , Gonzalez Frank J. , Kebebew Electron
Published: April 2017

Purpose: Adrenal incidentalomas must be differentiated from adrenocortical cancer (ACC). Currently, size, growth, and imaging characteristics determine the potential for malignancy but are imperfect. The aim was to evaluate whether urinary small molecules (<800 Da) are associated with ACC.

Experimental Design: Preoperative fasting urine specimens from patients with ACC (n = 19) and benign adrenal tumors (n = 46) were analyzed by unbiased ultraperformance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Creatinine-normalized features were analyzed by Progenesis, SIMCA, and unpaired t test adjusted by FDR. Features with an AUC >0.8 were identified through fragmentation patterns and database searches. All lead features were assessed in an independent set from patients with ACC (n = 11) and benign adrenal tumors (n = 46) and in a subset of tissue samples from patients with ACC (n = 15) and benign adrenal tumors (n = 15) in the training set.

Results: Sixty-nine features were discovered and four known metabolites identified. Urinary creatine riboside was elevated 2.1-fold (P = 0.0001) in patients with ACC. L-tryptophan, Nϵ,Nϵ,Nϵ-trimethyl-L-lysine, and 3-methylhistidine were lower 0.33-fold (P < 0.0001), 0.56-fold (P < 0.0001), and 0.33-fold (P = 0.0003) in patients with ACC, respectively. Combined multivariate analysis of the four biomarkers showed an AUC of 0.89 [sensitivity 94.7% (confidence interval {CI}, 73.9%–99.1%), specificity 82.6% (CI, 68.6%–92.2%), PPV 69.2% (CI, 48.2%–85.6%), and NPV 97.4% (CI, 86.5%–99.6%)] for distinguishing ACC from benign tumors. Of the four, creatine riboside and four unknown features were validated. Creatine riboside, Nϵ,Nϵ,Nϵ-trimethyl-L-lysine, and two unknown features were elevated in ACC tumors.

Conclusions: There are unique urinary metabolic features in patients with ACC with some metabolites present in patient tumor samples. Urinary creatine riboside can differentiate benign adrenal neoplasms from ACC. Clin Cancer Res; 23(17); 5302–10. ©2017 AACR.
Synergistic Inhibition of Delayed Rectifier K+ and Voltage-Gated Na+ Currents by Artemisinin in Pituitary Tumor (GH3) Cells
Authors: So Edmund Cheung , Wu Sheng-Nan , Wu Ping-Ching , Chen Hui-Zhen  , Yang Chia-Jung
Published: April 2017

Background: Artemisinin (ART) is an anti-malarial agent reported to influence endocrine function. Methods: Effects of ART on ionic currents and action potentials (APs) in pituitary tumor (GH3) cells were evaluated by patch clamp techniques. Results: ART inhibited the amplitude of delayed-rectifier K+ current (IK(DR)) in response to membrane depolarization and accelerated the process of current inactivation. It exerted an inhibitory effect on IK(DR) with an IC50 value of 11.2 µM and enhanced IK(DR) inactivation with a KD value of 14.7 µM. The steady-state inactivation curve of IK(DR) was shifted to hyperpolarization by 10 mV. Pretreatment of chlorotoxin (1 µM) or iloprost (100 nM) did not alter the magnitude of ART-induced inhibition of IK(DR) in GH3 cells. ART also decreased the peak amplitude of voltage-gated Na+ current (INa) with a concentration-dependent slowing in inactivation rate. Application of KMUP-1, an inhibitor of late INa, was effective at reversing ART-induced prolongation in inactivation time constant of INa. Under current-clamp recordings, ART alone reduced the amplitude of APs and prolonged the duration of APs. Conclusion: Under ART exposure, the inhibitory actions on both IK(DR) and INa could be a potential mechanisms through which this drug influences membrane excitability of endocrine or neuroendocrine cells appearing in vivo.
Allicin Decreases Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells through Suppression of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Activation of Nrf2
Authors: Zhang Min , Pan Huichao , Xu Yinjie , Wang Xueting , Qiu Zhaohui , Jiang Li
Published: April 2017

Background: Allicin, a major component of garlic, is regarded as a cardioprotective agent and is associated with increased endothelial function. Methods: The effects of allicin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced vascular oxidative stress and inflammation in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the mechanisms underlying these effects were studied. The protective effects were measured using cell viability, a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and cell apoptosis as indicators, and the anti-oxidative activity was determined by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, oxidative products and endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities. HUVEC mitochondrial function was assessed by determining mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) collapse, cytochrome c production and mitochondrial ATP release. To investigate the potential underlying mechanisms, we also measured the expression of dynamic mitochondrial proteins using western blotting. Furthermore, we evaluated the Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Our results demonstrated that allicin enhanced HUVEC proliferation, which was suppressed by LPS exposure, and LDH release. Allicin ameliorated LPS-induced apoptosis, suppressed ROS overproduction, reduced lipid peroxidation and decreased the endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities in HUVECs. These protective effects were associated with the inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction as indicated by decreases in the MMP collapse, cytochrome c synthesis and mitochondrial ATP release. In addition, allicin attenuated the LPS-induced inflammatory responses, including endothelial cell adhesion and TNF-α and IL-8 production. Furthermore, allicin increased the expression of LXRα in a dose-dependent manner. Allicin-induced attenuation of inflammation was inhibited by LXRα siRNA treatment. Finally, allicin activated NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which controls the defense against oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusions: Taken together, the present data suggest that allicin attenuated the LPS-induced vascular injury process, which may be closely related to the oxidative stress and inflammatory response in HUVECs. Allicin modulated Nrf2 activation and protected the cells against LPS-induced vascular injury. Our findings suggest that allicin attenuated the LPS-induced inflammatory response in blood vessels.
A review of the coelidiine leafhopper genus Mahellus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae) with description of two new species from the Oriental region
Authors: VIRAKTAMATH C.A. , MESHRAM NARESH M.
Published: April 2017

Two new species of the genus Mahellus Nielson, M. cardoni sp. nov. (Indonesia: Sulawesi) and M. ungulatus sp. nov. (India: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) are described and illustrated. M. distanti Nielson is also illustrated with several new locality records. A key for the four known species of the genus is also given.
Prionotropis ancosae, a new species of Thrinchinae (Orthoptera: Pamphagidae) from the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: OLMO-VIDAL JOSEP MARIA
Published: April 2017

A new species of the genus Prionotropis Fieber, 1853 is described from Catalonia (Northeast of the Iberian Peninsula). Prionotropis ancosae n. sp. was collected in a calcicolous stepic scrub dominated mainly by thyme (Thymus vulgaris). P. ancosae n. sp. is characterized by the following characters: the pronotum in dorsal view narrow and in lateral view with the principal transverse sulcus between prozona and metazona clearly incised; mesosternal lobes equal width than long and width than mesosternal interspace; tegmina extend at most to the end of second abdominal segment in the females and the end of abdomen in the males; inside hind femora at the base to the middle part and inside hind tibiae blue; and phallic complex with the penis valves long. This new species is compared to the similar species P. flexuosa (Serville, 1838). In Catalonia two species of genera Prionotropis Fieber, 1853 are present, P. flexuosa and P. ancosae n. sp.
Mutual Distrust: Perspectives From Researchers and Policy Makers on the Research to Policy Gap in 2013 and Recommendations for the Future
Authors: Gollust Sarah E. , Seymour Jane W. , Pany Maximilian J. , Goss Adeline , Meisel Zachary F. , Grande David
Published: April 2017

The production of health policy-relevant research is necessary, but not sufficient, to promote its utilization in policy. Our objective was to understand the perspectives of United States’ state-level policy makers and health researchers on the barriers and facilitators to the translation of health evidence into the policy process, with a particular focus on issues related to relationship building. We conducted interviews with 215 US health services and health policy researchers and 40 state-level staffers and legislators. Researchers and policy makers faced the same major barrier to research translation: lack of dedicated time to do so. Some policy makers questioned the credibility of research, and researchers questioned policy makers’ authentic desire to use evidence in decision making. For some study participants, a mutual mistrust of the other group challenges stronger relationship formation. Interventions are needed to help both groups understand a broader role that research plays in policy making and to increase personal contact, and ultimately trusted relationships, across various actors in the policy process.
Comparing Book- and Tablet-Based Picture Activity Schedules: Acquisition and Preference
Authors: Giles Aimee , Markham Victoria
Published: April 2017

Picture activity schedules consist of a sequence of images representing the order of tasks for a person to complete. Although, picture activity schedules have traditionally been presented in a book format, recently picture activity schedules have been evaluated on technological devices such as an iPod™ touch. The present study compared the efficiency of picture activity schedule acquisition on book- and tablet-based modalities. In addition, participant preference for each modality was assessed. Three boys aged below 5 years with a diagnosis of autism participated. Participants were taught to follow the schedules using both modalities. Following mastery of each modality of picture activity schedule, a concurrent-chains preference assessment was conducted to evaluate participant preference for each modality. Differences in acquisition rates across the two modalities were marginal. Preference for book- or tablet-based schedules was idiosyncratic across participants.
Using intuition or a formal palliative care needs assessment screening process in general practice to predict death within 12 months: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Mitchell Geoffrey K , Senior Hugh E , Rhee Joel J , Ware Robert S , Young Sharleen , Teo Patrick CK , Murray Scott , Boyd Kirsty , Clayton Josephine M
Published: April 2017

Background:

Population ageing will lead to more deaths with an uncertain trajectory. Identifying patients at risk of dying could facilitate more effective care planning.

Aim:

To determine whether screening for likely death within 12 months is more effective using screening tools or intuition.

Design:

Randomised controlled trial of screening tools (Surprise Question plus the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool for Surprise Question positive patients) to predict those at risk of death at 12 months compared with unguided intuition (clinical trials registry: ACTRN12613000266763).

Setting/participants:

Australian general practice. A total of 30 general practitioners (screening tool = 12, intuition = 18) screened all patients ( n = 4365) aged ≥70 years seen at least once in the last 2 years.

Results:

There were 142 deaths (screening tool = 3.1%, intuition = 3.3%; p = 0.79). General practitioners identified more at risk of dying using Surprise Question (11.8%) than intuition (5.4%; p = 0.01), but no difference with Surprise Question positive then Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (5.1%; p = 0.87). Surprise Question positive predicted more deaths (53.2%, intuition = 33.7%; p = 0.001), but Surprise Question positive/Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool predictions were similar (5.1%; p = 0.87 vs intuition). There was no difference in proportions correctly predicted to die (Surprise Question = 1.6%, intuition = 1.1%; p = 0.156 and Surprise Question positive/Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool = 1.1%; p = 0.86 vs intuition). Screening tool had higher sensitivity and lower specificity than intuition, but no difference in positive or negative predictive value.

Conclusion:

Screening tool was better at predicting actual death than intuition, but with a higher false positive rate. Both were similarly effective at screening the whole cohort for death. Screening for possible death is not the best option for initiating end-of-life planning: recognising increased burden of illness might be a better trigger.
Intimate Partner Violence Against Women Among North Korean Refugees: A Comparison With South Koreans
Authors: Nam Boyoung , Kim Jae Yop , Ryu Wonjung
Published: April 2017

North Korean refugees in South Korea have been reported as at higher risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, few studies have examined risk factors of IPV among North Korean refugees. This study aimed to report the prevalence of IPV against women among North Korean refugees, and compared the risk factors of IPV against women between South Koreans and North Korean refugees in South Korea. Data from a nationwide survey about domestic violence in South Korea were used. The rate of IPV against women by North Korean refugees was 57.1%, which is considerably higher than that of South Koreans (9.9%). The regression analysis indicated that North Korean refugees perpetrated partner violence against women more frequently than South Koreans, even after controlling for socioeconomic factors. Child abuse victimization and witnessing IPV between parents were the main factors of IPV against women among South Koreans. On the other hand, stress and a tolerant attitude toward using violence were significantly associated with IPV against women among North Korean refugees. The findings suggested that stress management and education on reducing tolerance to violence should be provided to prevent IPV against women among North Korean refugees.
Fault features analysis of a compound planetary gear set with damaged planet gears
Authors: Li Guoyan , Li Fangyi , Liu Haohua , Dong Dehao
Published: April 2017

The fault properties of compound planetary gear set are much more complicated than the simple planetary gear set. A damaged planet will induce two periodic transient impulses in the raw signals and generates modulation sidebands around the mesh harmonics. This paper aims to investigate the fault properties of a compound planetary gear set in damaged planet conditions. A dynamic model is proposed to simulate the vibration signals. The time interval between the fault-induced close impulses in the time domain is used as a significant feature to locate the faulty planet. Considering the phase relations, the time-varying mesh stiffness is obtained. Then, the fault properties are demonstrated in the simulation, and the theoretical derivations are experimentally verified.
Void and crack detection of polymethacrylimide foams based on terahertz time-domain spectroscopic imaging
Authors: Xing Liyun , Cui Hong-Liang , Shi Changcheng , Chang Tianying , Wei Dongshan , Du Chunlei , Zhenxiong Zhou , Zhang Songnian
Published: April 2017

Terahertz reflection imaging is considered as a potential diagnostic tool for the investigation of polymethacrylimide foam defects. Using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) and detection methods based on terahertz spectroscopic analysis, the reflection imaging results of different thicknesses of polymethacrylimide foam with two kinds of detections (cracks and voids) are studied. The samples (Degussa Rohacell WF71) are planar slabs of polymethacrylimide foams with thicknesses of 35 mm, 60.5 mm and 10 mm. It is found that the same kinds of polymethacrylimide foam defects with different foam thicknesses have similar spectral characteristics, with marked differences only in the amplitude and phase of the reflected wave. In view of this, we focus our study on the defective spectral characteristics of one of the foams (35 mm thickness). The characteristics of void and crack defects are analyzed in the time domain, which is based mainly on the variation of the reflected waveform. In particular, the imaging and clear identification of voids of less than 2.4 mm in diameter, fine cracks (0.3 mm wide), and the quantification of defects can be readily achieved using the terahertz non-destructive testing technique described here.
Elevated Plasma Aβ42 in Cognitively Impaired Individuals Taking ACE Inhibitor Antihypertensives
Authors: Regenold William T. , Blumenthal Jacob B. , Loreck David J. , Mordecai Kristen L. , Scarinzi Gina , Doddi Seshagiri R. , Adler Lawrence
Published: April 2017

Background/Rationale:

Accumulating evidence suggests that the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) medication protects against cognitive decline in the elderly patients. We investigated whether ACE-I use was associated with higher plasma levels of amyloid-β (Aβ), possibly indicating improved Aβ clearance from brain to blood.

Methods:

We measured and compared plasma concentrations of Aβ42, Aβ40, and creatinine in cognitively impaired individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia, and mixed probable AD/vascular dementia.

Results:

Plasma Aβ42 levels and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios of participants taking ACE-Is (n = 11) significantly exceeded ( t = 3.1, df = 19, P = .006; U = 24, P = .029, respectively) those not taking ACE-Is (n = 10).

Conclusions:

This study is the first to show an association between ACE-I use and increased plasma Aβ42 level and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio in cognitively impaired individuals. Future investigations should assess whether a possible ACE-I-induced increase in plasma Aβ42 indicates improved Aβ42 clearance from brain that contributes to protection from cognitive decline.
Reception power quantization–based emergency message vehicle-to-vehicle multihop broadcast transmission scheme for vehicle accident prevention
Authors: Lee Taejun , Chung Jong-Moon
Published: April 2017

In this article, an emergency message reception power quantization–based time-slot broadcast scheme is proposed for vehicle-to-vehicle multihop communications. The power quantization–based time-slot broadcast scheme derives the optimal reception power quantization size such that time-slot assignments can be made to minimize the average time delay to support quick multihop emergency message broadcasting. The mathematical and simulation performance analysis demonstrates that the proposed power quantization–based time-slot broadcast protocol can reduce the average time delay when compared to the infrastructure-less framework, binary-partition-assisted broadcast, and the trinary-partitioned black-burst-based broadcast schemes.
Which technical factors explain competition performance in air rifle shooting?
Authors: Ihalainen Simo , Mononen Kaisu , Linnamo Vesa , Kuitunen Sami
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyze whether the same shooting technical components determining performance in testing situation also affect performance in competition situation and how the technical skill level of these components changes from training to competition. Thirteen Finnish national (10) and junior national (3) rifle team members participated in the study. Participants were measured in competition and training situation within a five-day period. Shooting score, aiming point trajectory and postural balance were measured from both situations. Shooting performance decreased from training to competition situation (10.31 ± 0.13 vs. 10.14 ± 0.17, p < 0.05), accompanied by a decrease in holding ability, aiming accuracy, cleanness of triggering and postural balance. A multiple regression equation based on holding ability, aiming accuracy, cleanness of triggering and timing of triggering correlated with the competition situation shooting results ( R = 0.76, p < 0.01). Changes in shooting performance from training to competition situation were most strongly related to the changes in horizontal holding ability ( R = − 0.71, p < 0.01). Athletes and coaches should develop competition strategies and psychological training interventions in order to be able to maintain the horizontal holding ability in competition at training situation level.
A Psychoevolutionary Approach to Identifying Preferred Nature Scenes With Potential to Provide Restoration From Stress
Authors: Thake Carol L. , Bambling Matthew , Edirippulige Sisira , Marx Eric
Published: April 2017

Background:

Research supports therapeutic use of nature scenes in healthcare settings, particularly to reduce stress. However, limited literature is available to provide a cohesive guide for selecting scenes that may provide optimal therapeutic effect.

Objective:

This study produced and tested a replicable process for selecting nature scenes with therapeutic potential. Psychoevolutionary theory informed the construction of the Importance for Survival Scale (IFSS), and its usefulness for identifying scenes that people generally prefer to view and that hold potential to reduce stress was tested.

Methods:

Relationships between Importance for Survival (IFS), preference, and restoration were tested. General community participants ( N = 20 males, 20 females; M age = 48 years) Q-sorted sets of landscape photographs (preranked by the researcher in terms of IFS using the IFSS) from most to least preferred, and then completed the Short-Version Revised Restoration Scale in response to viewing a selection of the scenes.

Results:

Results showed significant positive relationships between IFS and each of scene preference (large effect), and restoration potential (medium effect), as well as between scene preference and restoration potential across the levels of IFS (medium effect), and for individual participants and scenes (large effect).

Conclusions:

IFS was supported as a framework for identifying nature scenes that people will generally prefer to view and that hold potential for restoration from emotional distress; however, greater therapeutic potential may be expected when people can choose which of the scenes they would prefer to view. Evidence for the effectiveness of the IFSS was produced.
Palliative and end-of-life care conversations in COPD: a systematic literature review
Authors: Tavares Nuno , Jarrett Nikki , Hunt Katherine , Wilkinson Tom
Published: April 2017

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic life-limiting disorder characterised by persistent airflow obstruction and progressive breathlessness. Discussions/conversations between patients and clinicians ensure palliative care plans are grounded in patients' preferences. This systematic review aimed to explore what is known about palliative care conversations between clinicians and COPD patients.

A comprehensive search of all major healthcare-related databases and websites was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were quality assessed, employing widely used quality-assessment tools, with only papers scoring moderate-to-high quality included. All relevant data were extracted. A narrative synthesis was used to analyse, process and present the final data.

The findings indicated that the frequency and quality of palliative care conversations is generally poor. Patients and physicians identified many barriers and important topics were not discussed. Patients and clinicians reported tension between remaining hopeful and the reality of the patients' condition. When discussions did happen, they often occurred at an advanced stage of illness and in respiratory wards and intensive care units.

In conclusion, current care practices do not facilitate satisfactory conversations about palliative care between COPD patients and clinicians. This impacts upon the fulfilment of patients' preferences at the end of life.
The Case for Biocalculus: Design, Retention, and Student Performance
Authors: Eaton Carrie Diaz , Highlander Hannah Callender
Published: April 2017

Calculus is one of the primary avenues for initial quantitative training of students in all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, but life science students have been found to underperform in the traditional calculus setting. As a result, and because of perceived lack of its contribution to the understanding of biology, calculus is being actively cut from biology program requirements at many institutions. Here, we present an alternative: a model for learning mathematics that sees the partner disciplines as crucial to student success. We equip faculty with information to engage in dialogue within and between disciplinary departments involved in quantitative education. This includes presenting a process for interdisciplinary development and implementation of biology-oriented Calculus I courses at two institutions with different constituents, goals, and curricular constraints. When life science students enrolled in these redesigned calculus courses are compared with life science students enrolled in traditional calculus courses, students in the redesigned calculus courses learn calculus concepts and skills as well as their traditional course peers; however, the students in the redesigned courses experience more authentic life science applications and are more likely to stay and succeed in the course than their peers who are enrolled in traditional courses. Therefore, these redesigned calculus courses hold promise in helping life science undergraduate students attain Vision and Change recommended competencies.
Optimizing Anesthesia-Related Waste Disposal in the Operating Room: A Brief Report
Authors: Hubbard Richard M. , Hayanga Jeremiah A. , Quinlan Joseph J. , Soltez Anita K. , Hayanga Heather K.
Published: April 2017

Misappropriation of noncontaminated waste into regulated medical waste (RMW) containers is a source of added expense to health care facilities. The operating room is a significant contributor to RMW waste production. This study sought to determine whether disposing of anesthesia-related waste in standard waste receptacles before patient entry into the operating room would produce a reduction in RMW. A median of 0.35 kg of waste was collected from 51 cases sampled, with a potential annual reduction of 13,800 kg of RMW to the host institution, and a cost savings of $2200.
A Novel Triage Tool: Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter in Traumatic Brain Injury and its Correlation to Rotterdam Computed Tomography (CT) Scoring
Authors: Das Sudha Kiran , Shetty Sachin P. , Sen Kamal Kumar
Published: April 2017

Background: Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) evaluated in CT imaging as well as Rotterdam CT Score (RCTS) are proven independent predictors of outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). To date, no study has correlated ONSD on admission CT scan with RCTS.

Material/Methods: Retrospective cohort study comprised of consecutive patients undergoing CT imaging for traumatic brain injury recruited between January and October 2015. Bilateral ONSD was measured 3 mm behind the eyeball in axial and sagittal planes and mean value was calculated. RCTS was assessed on the same CT images, bias was eliminated by blinding RCTS to ONSD measurement.

Results: 150 patients were included; mean age in the group was 42.94±16.7 years. ONSD in mild TBI, RCTS 2 and 3 were 3.3 mm (SD 0.39 mm) and 4.1 mm (0.047 mm), respectively. Mean ONSD in moderate and severe TBI (RCTS score 4 and above) was 4.83 mm and above, SD 0.4 mm. Mean ONSD correlated with occurrence of diffuse cerebral oedema, presence of subdural and extradural hematoma; however in isolation there was no statistical significance.

Conclusions: Higher ONSD was observed in patients with moderate and severe TBI, correlating with admission RCTS of 4 and above. Subsequent increase in ONSD was also found with increase in RCTS. ONSD could serve as an initial triage tool in the emergency department as well as a method of determining the need for sequential CT in patients with mild TBI.
Contemporary surgical management of synchronous colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Collins Danielle , Chua Heidi
Published: April 2017

Historically, the 5-year survival rates for patients with stage 4 (metastatic) colorectal cancer were extremely poor (5%); however, with advances in systemic chemotherapy combined with an ability to push the boundaries of surgical resection, survival rates in the range of 25–40% can be achieved. This multimodal approach of combining neo-adjuvant strategies with surgical resection has raised a number of questions regarding the optimal management and timing of surgery. For the purpose of this review, we will focus on the treatment of stage 4 colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases.
Evidence for the oxidant-mediated amino acid conversion, a naturally occurring protein engineering process, in human cells
Authors: Suzuki Yuichiro J. , Hao Jian-Jiang
Published: April 2017

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the development of various pathological conditions as well as aging. ROS oxidize DNA, proteins, lipids, and small molecules. Carbonylation is one mode of protein oxidation that occurs in response to the iron-catalyzed, hydrogen peroxide-dependent oxidation of amino acid side chains. Although carbonylated proteins are generally believed to be eliminated through proteasome-dependent degradation, we previously discovered the protein de-carbonylation mechanism, in which the formed carbonyl groups are chemically eliminated without proteins being degraded. Major amino acid residues that are susceptible to carbonylation include proline and arginine, both of which are oxidized to become glutamyl semialdehyde, which contains a carbonyl group. The further oxidation of glutamyl semialdehyde produces glutamic acid. Thus, we hypothesize that through the ROS-mediated formation of glutamyl semialdehyde, the proline, arginine, and glutamic acid residues within the protein structure are interchangeable. In support of this hypothesis, mass spectrometry demonstrated that proline 45 (a well-conserved residue within the catalytic sequence) of the peroxiredoxin 6 molecule can be converted into glutamic acid in cultured human cells, establishing a revolutionizing concept that biological oxidation elicits the naturally occurring protein engineering process.
Reforming the approach to clinical negligence in the NHS
Authors: Tingle John
Published: April 2017

John Tingle, Reader in Health Law at Nottingham Trent University, discusses proposals for the introduction of a Rapid Resolution and Redress Scheme for families affected by severe avoidable birth injury
Changing lives—it starts with a plan
Authors: Foster Sam
Published: April 2017

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, discusses how nurse leaders can influence the Sustainability and Transformation Plan for the benefit of their local area population
Implementing smart infusion pumps with dose-error reduction software: real-world experiences
Authors: Heron Claire
Published: April 2017

Intravenous (IV) drug administration, especially with ‘smart pumps’, is complex and susceptible to errors. Although errors can occur at any stage of the IV medication process, most errors occur during reconstitution and administration. Dose-error reduction software (DERS) loaded on to infusion pumps incorporates a drug library with predefined upper and lower drug dose limits and infusion rates, which can reduce IV infusion errors. Although this is an important advance for patient safety at the point of care, uptake is still relatively low. This article discuses the challenges and benefits of implementing DERS in clinical practice as experienced by three UK trusts.
Prevent. Refresh. Reinvigorate
Authors: Wake Charlotte
Published: April 2017

National Smile Month can be a great career boost as well as a team and practice builder. Charlotte Wake reveals how
How to pause and reflect
Authors: Fowler John
Published: April 2017

‘A wise person will learn more from their mistakes than from their successes,’ suggests John Fowler, in this reflective review on clinical leadership