bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beneficial Effects of High-Density Lipoproteins on Acquired von Willebrand Syndrome in Aortic Valve Stenosis
Authors: Gebhard C. , Maafi F. , Stähli B. , Bonnefoy A. , Gebhard C. , Nachar W. , de Oliveira Moraes A. , Mecteau M. , Mihalache-Avram T. , Lavoie V. , Kernaleguen A. , Shi Y. , Busseuil D. , Chabot-Blanchet M. , Perrault L. , Rhainds D. , Rhéaume E. , Tardif J.
Published: January 2018

Background Infusions of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the major protein component of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), result in aortic valve stenosis (AVS) regression in experimental models. Severe AVS can be complicated by acquired von Willebrand syndrome, a haemorrhagic disorder associated with loss of high-molecular-weight von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers (HMWM), the latter being a consequence of increased shear stress and enhanced vWF-cleaving protease (ADAMTS-13) activity. Although antithrombotic actions of HDL have been described, its effects on ADAMTS-13 and vWF in AVS are unknown.

Methods and Results We assessed ADAMTS-13 activity in plasma derived from a rabbit model of AVS (n = 29) as well as in plasma collected from 64 patients with severe AVS (age 65.0 ± 10.4 years, 44 males) undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). In both human and rabbit AVS plasma, ADAMTS-13 activity was higher than that in controls (p < 0.05). Accordingly, AVS patients had less HMWM than controls (66.3 ± 27.2% vs. 97.2 ± 24.1%, p < 0.0001). Both ADAMTS-13 activity and HMWM correlated significantly with aortic transvalvular gradients, thereby showing opposing correlations (r = 0.3, p = 0.018 and r = −0.4, p = 0.003, respectively). Administration of an apoA-I mimetic peptide reduced ADAMTS-13 activity in AVS rabbits as compared with the placebo group (2.0 ± 0.5 RFU/sec vs. 3.8 ± 0.4 RFU/sec, p < 0.05). Similarly, a negative correlation was found between ADAMTS-13 activity and HDL cholesterol levels in patients with AVS (r = −0.3, p = 0.045).

Conclusion Our data indicate that HDL levels are associated with reduced ADAMTS-13 activity and increased HMWM. HDL-based therapies may reduce the haematologic abnormalities of the acquired von Willebrand syndrome in AVS.
Cork Re-Wall: Computational Methods of Automatic Generation and Digital Fabrication of Cork Partition Walls for Building Renovation
Authors: Brandão Filipe Jorge da Silva , Paio Alexandra , Sousa José Pedro , Rato Vasco
Published: January 2018

Recentes desenvolvimentos nos métodos computacionais e a sua integração com processos de fabricação digital permitem perspectivar um paradigma de fabricação personalizada. O referido paradigma é particularmente adequado à realidade da reabilitação de edifícios construídos com técnicas tradicionais, um corpo diversificado em que as intervenções são por natureza cirúrgicas e singulares, e em que os tabiques desempenham um papel importante na intervenção. O aglomerado negro de cortiça e o OSB (Oriented Strand Board), materiais naturais e renováveis, podem ter um papel central num sistema material que responda a este contexto. Cork re-Wall é um sistema construtivo parametricamente modelado, constituído por estrutura de madeira e placas compostas, de aglomerado negro de cortiça e contraplacado, e um processo digital file-to-factory que permite gerar soluções personalizadas de alta qualidade para contextos de projecto diversos.
Combined Assessment of Stress Myocardial Perfusion Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Flow Measurement in the Coronary Sinus Improves Prediction of Functionally Significant Coronary Stenosis Determined by Fractional Flow Reserve in Multivessel Disease
Authors: Nakamori Shiro , Sakuma Hajime , Dohi Kaoru , Ishida Masaki , Tanigawa Takashi , Yamada Akimasa , Takase Shinichi , Nakajima Hiroshi , Sawai Toshiki , Masuda Jun , Nagata Motonori , Ichikawa Yasutaka , Kitagawa Kakuya , Fujii Eitaro , Yamada Norikazu , Ito Masaaki
Published: January 2018

Background

Recent studies using stress‐rest perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (
CMR
) demonstrated a close correlation between myocardial ischemia and reduced fractional flow reserve (
FFR
). However, its diagnostic concordance may be reduced in patients with multivessel disease. We sought to evaluate the concordance of adenosine stress‐rest perfusion
CMR
for predicting reduced
FFR
, and to determine the additive value of measuring global coronary flow reserve (
CFR
) in the coronary sinus in multivessel disease.

Methods and Results

Ninety‐six patients with angiographic luminal narrowing >50% underwent comprehensive
CMR
study and
FFR
measurements in 139 coronary vessels.
FFR
<0.80 was considered hemodynamically significant. Global
CFR
was quantified as the ratio of stress‐rest coronary sinus flow measured by phase‐contrast cine
CMR
. In 25 patients with single‐vessel disease, visual assessment of perfusion
CMR
yielded high diagnostic concordance for predicting flow‐limiting stenosis, with the area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.93 on a per‐patient basis. However, in 71 patients with multivessel disease, perfusion
CMR
underestimated flow‐limiting stenosis, resulting in the reduced area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.74. When
CFR
of <2.0 measured in the coronary sinus was considered as global myocardial ischemia, combined assessment provided correct reclassifications in 7 patients with false‐negative myocardial ischemia, and improved the diagnostic concordance to 92% sensitivity and 73% specificity with the area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.80%–0.97%,
P
=0.002).

Conclusions

Visual analysis of stress‐rest perfusion
CMR
has limited concordance with
FFR
in patients with multivessel disease. Multiparametric
CMR
integrating stress‐rest perfusion
CMR
and flow measurement in the coronary sinus is useful for detecting reduced
FFR
in multivessel disease.
Arachidonic Acid, but Not Omega‐3 Index, Relates to the Prevalence and Progression of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Population‐Based Study of Danish Men
Authors: Lindholt Jes S. , Kristensen Katrine L. , Burillo Elena , Martinez‐Lopez Diego , Calvo Carlos , Ros Emilio , Martín‐Ventura Jose L. , Sala‐Vila Aleix
Published: January 2018

Background

Animal models support dietary omega‐3 fatty acids protection against abdominal aortic aneurysm (
AAA
), but clinical data are scarce. The sum of red blood cell proportions of the omega‐3 eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, known as omega‐3 index, is a valid surrogate for long‐term omega‐3 intake. We investigated the association between the omega‐3 index and the prevalence and progression of
AAA
. We also investigated associations between
AAA
and arachidonic acid, an omega‐6 fatty acid that is a substrate for proinflammatory lipid mediators.

Methods and Results

We obtained blood samples from 498
AAA
patients (maximal aortic diameter ≥30 mm) within a population‐based ultrasound‐screening trial in men and from 199 age‐matched controls who screened negative. We determined the fatty acids of red blood cells by gas chromatography. During a median follow‐up of 4.85 years, 141
AAA
patients reached criteria for vascular surgical repair. Participants were high consumers of omega‐3 (average omega‐3 index: 7.6%). No significant associations were found for omega‐3 index. In contrast, arachidonic acid in
AAA
patients was higher than in controls (
P
<0.001), and individuals in the upper tertile of arachidonic acid at baseline had higher probability of having
AAA
(odds ratio: 1.309; 95% confidence interval, 1.021–1.678;
P
=0.033).
AAA
patients at the upper tertile of arachidonic acid at baseline had a 54% higher risk of needing surgical repair during follow‐up (hazard ratio: 1.544; 95% confidence interval, 1.127–2.114;
P
=0.007).

Conclusions

Omega‐3 index is unrelated to men with
AAA
from a country in which fish consumption is customarily high. Arachidonic acid is associated with
AAA
presence and progression.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00662480.
How Civil Wars End: The International System, Norms, and the Role of External Actors
Authors: Howard Lise Morjé , Stark Alexandra
Published: January 2018

Historically, civil wars ended in one-sided victory. With the end of the Cold War, however, the very nature of how civil wars end shifted: wars became two times more likely to terminate in negotiated settlement than in victory. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the proportion of victories has increased, especially for civil wars that include a terrorist group; wars are also ending less frequently. Why would civil war termination vary by time period? The literature on civil wars looks to three basic types of causes: domesticstructural factors, bargaining dynamics, and types of international intervention. Current explanations cannot account for why civil wars would end differently in different time periods because, as Kenneth Waltz might say, they are “reductionist” in nature. Material and ideational factors constitute the international political environment, which varies in different time periods. This environment drives outside actors' normative strategies of viewing victory, negotiation, or stabilization as the appropriate solution to civil war. These norms, in turn, directly affect how civil wars end. A novel, three-part methodological approach using quantitative analysis, case studies, and original content analysis demonstrates that civil wars tend to end the way external actors think they ought to end.
A Tide of Merit
Authors: Tournier Vincent
Published: January 2018

Stressing the importance of 5th–6th-century copper-plate charters connected to the Viṣṇukuṇḍin dynasty for the history of Buddhism in Āndhradeśa, this article demonstrates that, contrary to earlier scholarly assumptions, and despite the paucity of archeological evidence for Buddhist activity at that time, Buddhist lineages still benefitted from lavish donations by ruling families. This study consists of three parts: the first explores the representation of two Viṣṇukuṇḍin rulers as Buddhist kings, and shows how their portraits and their aspirations are permeated by the ideology of the Bodhisattvayāna. The second part examines one of the main recipients of royal donations, the Sthā̆vira/Theriya lineage of the Tāmraparṇīyas, already known from inscriptions issued under the previous Ikṣvāku dynasty. The analysis of these earlier records from Nagarjunakonda in light of little-studied copper plates shows that the Tāmraparṇīyas had a strong institutional presence in Āndhradeśa from the mid-3rd to the late 6th century. The lineage’s connections with Laṅkā and with other Theriya centres along the Bay of Bengal are delineated through a close examination of the terminology used in the inscriptions under scrutiny, in light of co-eval records, and especially of Pāli Vinaya literature and historical narratives. The last part of this article focuses on a poetic allusion to the episode of the Buddha’s victory over Māra included in the opening stanza of a grant issued by king Pr̥thivīśrīmūla. The evidence suggests that this record connects for the first time the water poured by Śākyamuni in his previous lives as a Bodhisattva with a flood that drove away Māra’s army from the seat of Awakening, a motif that grew—like a tide—and spread across Southeast Asia.
Preventive Composition Scheme in Oman as a Rescue Scheme: Still a Myth?
Authors: Al-Barashdi Saleh
Published: January 2018

This article examines Oman’s Commercial Code’s preventive composition scheme with creditors. Various conditions that a trader needs to meet in order to apply for preventive composition are highlighted. Then, the issues of management displacement, of staying creditors’ actions during the proceedings and of cramming-down dissenting creditors are examined. The article concludes by demonstrating that the preventive composition scheme in Oman is far from being a rescue scheme.
The Grounds for Setting Aside Arbitral Awards under the Egyptian Arbitration Code: Unresolved Choice of Law Issues and Unwanted Extraterritorialism
Authors: Badr Yehya Ikram Ibrahim
Published: January 2018

This article analyses the choice of law issues associated with setting aside an arbitral award under the Egyptian Arbitration Code (the Code), the challenges posed by applying the Code to arbitration conducted outside Egypt, and the lack of a clear criterion to define the Code’s scope of application. Choice of law issues – such as the law governing the parties’ capacity, the law governing the agreement to arbitrate and the applicable curial – are not addressed by defined choice of law rules. Under Egyptian law, there are several conflicting choices of rules. Finally, the article focuses on the Egyptian courts’ tendency to apply Egyptian law extraterritorially, either to protect Egyptian public policy or to apply Egyptian mandatory rules to determine the procedural validity of the arbitral award and the arbitration proceedings in general.
Service Cynicism: How Civic Disengagement Develops
Authors: Cheng Tony , Liu Shelley
Published: January 2018

How does civic disengagement develop? This article examines the theory that the dissatisfaction and disengagement citizens develop toward one government agency can extend to an alternative agency. Leveraging police precinct-level data on 311 calls and criminal complaints from 2004 to 2012 in New York City, it investigates whether government responsiveness to municipal issues predicts citizens’ willingness to submit criminal complaints to the police. The study finds that predictors of disengagement with law enforcement extend beyond negative interactions with law enforcement alone. Rather, the time it takes local government officials to fix a 311 request for services, such as filling potholes and abating noise, shapes the likelihood that residents will file misdemeanor criminal complaints. Thus policymakers must account for the policy environment beyond their agency’s domain to alleviate citizens’ dissatisfaction and disengagement with government overall.
Capital Strikes as a Corporate Political Strategy: The Structural Power of Business in the Obama Era
Authors: Young Kevin A. , Banerjee Tarun , Schwartz Michael
Published: January 2018

The importance of overt levers of business political influence, notably campaign donations and lobbying, has been overemphasized. Using executive branch policymaking during the Obama administration as a case study, this article shows that those paths of influence are often not the most important. It places special emphasis on the structural power that large banks and corporations wield by virtue of their control over the flow of capital and the consequent effects on employment levels, credit availability, prices, and tax collection. At times, business disinvestment, combined with demands for government policy reforms, constitutes a conscious “capital strike,” which has the potential to shape political appointments, legislation, and policy implementation. At other times, the threat of disinvestment, the hint of a drop in “business confidence,” or rhetoric about job creation is sufficient to achieve those objectives. The present analysis has important implications for our understanding of political power and social change in capitalist economies.
Lived Experiences of Social Unionism: Toronto Homecare Workers in the late 2000s
Authors: Cranford Cynthia , Hick Angela , Birdsell Bauer Louise
Published: January 2018

This article examines workers’ experiences with a union characterized by a social unionist framing and repertoire in the political realm and bureaucratic servicing of problems in the workplace realm. It analyzes interviews with members and officials about union strategies within privatized homecare predominately provided by immigrant women in Toronto. Workers report both consensual and tense relations with clients prompting them to praise their union’s political strategies yet criticize its limited workplace support. Findings indicate the importance of framing and repertoire that connect quality work with quality care, yet indicate a complex labor process that requires more conceptual and strategic attention.
Examining car guarding as a livelihood in the informal sector
Authors: Foster John , Chasomeris Mihalis
Published: January 2018

Car guarding is a distinctly South African informal sector employment activity. A car guard offers to guard vehicles in a public or private parking area for a donation. Car guarding enables an unemployed person to earn some income. The purpose of this study is to examine car guarding as a livelihood in the informal sector. This study interviews 30 car guards at six different locations in Durban, South Africa. It examines their demographic characteristics, income, education and skills, risks and challenges faced, and the opinion of car guards regarding their livelihood. The average car guard worked six days per week and an average of nine hours per day. The average income per hour ranged from ZAR4.64 to ZAR30. Average daily incomes ranged from ZAR50 to ZAR350. Car guarding is a high risk activity that includes health risks, and risks of verbal abuse and violence.
Inducing phase transitions in local innovation networks: Implications for state economic development
Authors: Koehler Karl A
Published: January 2018

States can undertake innovation system network-focused actions to enhance their entrepreneurial networks. Actions directed primarily at creating transitions in their innovation network structure include: identifying the components and connectivity of the innovation network (persons, entities, businesses, etc.) and communicating with the network; establishing intermediary organizations (academies, roundtables, councils, etc.); establishing interfacial organizations to enhance information diffusion; and creating and supporting an Informatics HUB to facilitate network functions. Actions to enhance information access and communications within the innovation network include: ensuring local access to global information; supporting personal and business interactions within and outside of the local innovation system; supporting creation and maintenance of missing databases; supporting recruitment of talent in gap areas; and utilizing knowledge analytics to identify local overlaps with the global knowledge base. These are relatively inexpensive, but nonetheless challenging, alternatives to firm-level direct payments or incentives typically used by local governments. This Perspective briefly sketches the rationale behind these and related recommendations.
An innovative concept on inclusive economic participation: The governance of inclusive economic participation sites in Flemish cities
Authors: Vallet Nathalie , Bylemans Michelle , De Nys-Ketels Simon
Published: January 2018

Presently, the numerous initiatives within Flanders (Belgium) that focus on an (more) inclusive economic participation are often poorly coordinated and physically dispersed in nature. As such, there exist considerable thresholds for socially deprived urban citizens to actually find, use and benefit from these initiatives. Together with some Flemish cities and social enterprises, a multidisciplinary research team of the University of Antwerp has therefore launched the innovative concept of “inclusive economic participation sites”. In view of the actual use of these inclusive economic participation sites by Flemish policy makers, the research team has started to specify relevant governance items and requirements for the creation, development and exploitation of these inclusive economic participation sites. Inductive inspiration is found within two explorative research projects consisting of 25 inclusive economic participation sites “related” practices and six focus group debates with social and economic policy experts (i.e. inclusive economic participation-Reference-Platforms). As such, the researchers inductively uncover seven strategic and four spatial governance requirements as well as one strategic–spatial interaction governance requirement. All requirements are defined, explained and illustrated within the article.
Two-tube method for treatment of spontaneous esophageal rupture and concomitant mediastinal infection
Authors: Yu Liang-liang , He Zheng-fu , Liu Qi-fang , Dai Ning , Si Jian-min , Ye Bei , Zhou Jian-cang
Published: January 2018

Objective

Spontaneous esophageal rupture (SER) is a rare but life-threatening condition with high mortality. The prognosis of patients with SER treated with surgical intervention or the traditional “three-tube” method is controversial. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy, feasibility, and safety of a new “two-tube” method involving a trans-fistula drainage tube and a three-lumen jejunal feeding tube for the treatment of SER without concomitant pleural rupture.

Methods

From January 2007 to June 2016, patients with SER and managed with the “two-tube” method or other methods were retrospectively analyzed. Data collected included initial presentation, procedure time, duration of treatment, numbers of patients with eventual healing of leaks, and complications.

Results

The average procedure time for the “two-tube” method was 22.1 ± 5.5 minutes. In comparison with the control method, the “two-tube” method had a similar diagnosis time (3.6 ± 1.4 vs. 3.4 ± 1.4 days) but a significantly higher successful closure rate (94.4% vs. 63.6%) and shorter treatment time (38.2 ± 5.6 vs. 53.6 ± 16.9 days). No complications associated with performance of the “two-tube” method occurred.

Conclusion

The “two-tube” method is an effective and safe approach for patients with SER.
Spousal Characteristics and Language Use at Home: Immigrants and Their Descendants in Canada
Authors: Lee Rennie
Published: January 2018

Whether immigrants and their descendants maintain or lose the mother tongue is central to debates about national and ethnic identities and immigrant integration. This is true in Canada, where language is a defining characteristic of the social and political landscape and large-scale migration has contributed to the country’s linguistic diversity. Whereas theories of linguistic assimilation predict mother-tongue loss in a few generations, interracial, interethnic, or cross-generational marriages may slow this process. This study examines whether official language(s) use at home is associated with spousal characteristics and how this association varies by generation and ethnic ancestry. Spousal characteristics and language use are positively associated, net of ethnic and religious context, parental characteristics, and individual characteristics. The movement toward official language(s) use only at home may be accelerated by spouses with the same first language or educated spouses, but this process can be delayed for individuals in foreign-born and endogamous marriages.
Nonlinear fluid damping models for hydraulic bushing under sinusoidal or transient excitation
Authors: Fredette Luke , Rath Siddharth , Singh Rajendra
Published: January 2018

Hydraulic bushings are typically characterized in terms of sinusoidal dynamic stiffness at lower frequencies over a range of excitation amplitudes. However, in practice they are also exposed to severe transient loads in conjunction with sinusoidal excitations. Three improved nonlinear, lumped parameter models for hydraulic bushings are developed with the goal of concurrently predicting amplitude-sensitive dynamic responses to both sinusoidal and step-like excitations using a common dynamic model with the same parameters. First, a fluid resistance element is introduced which extends previous formulations by relaxing the assumption of fully developed turbulent flow, and capturing the transition from laminar flow to turbulence. Second, a bleed orifice element between the two compliance chambers is incorporated to simulate leakage observed in laboratory testing. The sensitivity of the dynamic responses to linearized model parameters is used to guide the parameter identification procedure. Measured dynamic stiffness spectra and step-like responses provide experimental validation of the proposed formulations. The new formulations achieve improved predictions of dynamic stiffness or force using exactly the same set of model parameters at several excitation amplitudes in both time and frequency domains.
Does Government Activism Affect Second-hand Car Prices? Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Ghosh Saibal
Published: January 2018

A significant body of literature has focused on the impact of policy changes on consumption behaviour. Most of this literature looks at the impact of anticipated and durable changes, thereby ignoring the impact of unanticipated changes. In this context, exploiting a unique data set for India, the article examines the impact of a temporary ‘odd–even’ policy experiment in Delhi on second-hand car prices. The findings suggest that car prices on average, declined by 2.7 per cent after the policy announcement, although these prices subsequently recouped the initial losses. A disaggregation of car prices in terms of costs indicates that these results are driven by low-priced cars and, additionally, that cars with odd-number ending registrations commanded a premium in the market.
The Impact of a Transition of Care Program on Acute Myocardial Infarction Readmission Rates
Authors: Marbach Jeffrey A. , Johnson Drew , Kloo Juergen , Vira Amit , Keith Scott , Kraft Walter K. , Margules Natalie , Whellan David
Published: January 2018

Hospital discharge is a high-risk time period, and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients often have early readmissions. The authors hypothesized that a multifaceted AMI care coordination program would reduce early hospital readmission rates. The outcomes of patients receiving care coordination (n = 304) were compared to patients receiving standard care (n = 192). Multivariable analyses of the outcomes were conducted by conditional logistic regression of propensity score matched sets. The primary outcome—hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge—occurred in 18% of standard care patients and 11.8% of care coordination patients. Patients receiving care coordination demonstrated a 48% reduction in odds of readmission within 30 days (odds ratio = 0.52; P = .04; 95% CI = 0.28-0.97). These results are the first to demonstrate that inclusion in an AMI-specific care coordination program is associated with a significantly lower risk of 30-day hospital readmission.
Impact of a formal pharmacist-run oral antineoplastic monitoring program: A pilot study in an adult genitourinary oncology clinic
Authors: Conliffe Brette , Figg Lindsay , Moffett Padmini , Lauterwasser Leslie , Parsons Laura Beth
Published: January 2018

Background

In recent years, there has been a changing paradigm in the management of oncologic disease states from the use of intravenous therapies, requiring a visit to the infusion center or hospitalization, to new therapies that can be administered orally.1,2 Several publications have evaluated the role pharmacists may play in the initial prescribing of oral chemotherapy, however the impact of a formalized pharmacist follow-up program has not been well defined. This study evaluates the impact of a pilot pharmacist-run oral antineoplastic monitoring program.

Methods

This retrospective cohort analysis evaluated patients prescribed an oral antineoplastic in the genitourinary oncology clinic at an academic medical center between 1 July 2014 and 15 March 2017. Patients enrolled in the program were compared to a historical control group. The primary objective was adherence to pre-defined standards for monitoring. Secondary objectives include persistence on therapy, need to seek medical care, analysis of pharmacist interventions, patient satisfaction, and financial impact for the on-site retail pharmacy.

Results

In total, 33 patients were evaluated (11 cases, 22 controls). Average adherence to monitoring recommendations was significantly higher in the case group compared to controls (89% vs. 61%; p = 0.008). In total, 67 interventions were made by the clinical pharmacist with an average of 6 per patient.

Conclusions

This study shows that formalized pharmacist follow-up programs can improve patients’ adherence with antineoplastic monitoring standards. Additionally, pharmacists made clinically significant interventions and had high patient satisfaction, providing justification for expansion into other disease states.
Navigating the health-care system in community: Perspectives from Asian immigrant parents of children with special health-care needs
Authors: Son Esther , Moring Nechama Sammet , Igdalsky Leah , Parish Susan L
Published: January 2018

Children with special health-care needs (CSHCNs) face notable barriers to health-care access and to receiving quality and family-centered care, despite higher health-care utilization rates. Within the population of CSHCNs, there are significant inequities in health-care quality impacting immigrants who have migrated to the United States. However, little is known about the experiences and needs of Asian immigrant families who have CSHCNs. This study aimed to explore how Asian immigrant parents of CSHCNs view their child’s health-care access, quality, and utilization. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 22 Vietnamese- and Cantonese-speaking parents of CSHCNs. Participants were recruited through community partners. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and coded using content analysis. Participants were generally satisfied with their children’s care and had strong relationships with their primary care doctors who were often culturally ‘matched’. However, participants experienced several important and culturally specific barriers, including gaps in their understanding of the health-care system, language barriers, and a sense of alienation. Parents frequently turned to informal and community supports for assistance in navigating the US health-care system. Further research to understand the drivers of health disparities and policy level solutions is warranted.
Experimental and theoretical investigations on crack spacing and stiffness of textile-reinforced concrete–strengthened reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Sheng Jie , Yin Shi-ping , Xu Shi-lang , Jin Zhe-yu
Published: January 2018

To improve the theory of the bending cracks spacing and the deformation of the reinforced concrete beam strengthened with textile-reinforced concrete, the experimental research was conducted first on the cracks spacing and bending performance of reinforced concrete beams with reinforced concrete through four-point bending test. Then, two theoretical derivations were conducted, analyzing the average crack spacing and the stiffness of the strengthened beam through the transformed-section method and the effective moment of inertia approach, respectively. Experimental results showed that no matter using the single-sided or U-type strengthening form, the flexural bearing capacity and crack forms of reinforced concrete beams were improved. Distribution characteristics of cracks in the strengthened beam were presented “multiple and dense” at the bottom and “few and sparse” on the top. The stiffness development of the strengthened beam could be divided into three phases: before-cracking phase, after-cracking phase, and after-yield phase, and the stiffness could be considered as unchanged in every phase. Results of average crack spacing calculated by transformed-section method corresponded with experimental results. By the effective moment of inertia approach, the calculated stiffness of the strengthened beam was slightly bigger than experimental values, which suggested that these calculating solutions may be applied into practical engineering design.
Bush kinder in Australia: A new learning ‘place’ and its effect on local policy
Authors: Campbell Coral , Speldewinde Christopher
Published: January 2018

Bush kindergartens are a new practice in the Australian early childhood learning context and one that is rapidly becoming part of the kindergarten experience. Children leaving the confines of the bounded space of a kindergarten has been practised through excursions to outdoor places like zoos but the notion of conducting regular, ongoing kindergarten sessions away from the traditional kindergarten setting is one which is gaining momentum in Australian early childhood education, with possible impacts on future policy. In late 2014, a pilot programme titled ‘Sandy Shores Kids Go Bush’ was established across bush kindergartens in a region on the coastal fringe of south-eastern Australia using five existing sites. Each of these sites has differing characteristics impacting upon the experience of children attending the bush kinder programme. This paper reviews the settings of three different interpretations of ‘bush kinder’ and considers how the learning experience associated with bush kinder varies according to ‘place’ and how bush kinder has impact on both local and broader education policy.
Novel Cancer Stem Marker and Its Applicability for Grading Primary Human Gliomas
Authors: Dolgova Evgeniya V. , Mishinov Sergey V. , Proskurina Anastasiya S. , Potter Ekaterina A. , Efremov Yaroslav R. , Bayborodin Sergey I. , Tyrinova Tamara V. , Stupak Vyacheslav V. , Ostatin Alexandr A. , Chernykh Elena R. , Bogachev Sergey S.
Published: January 2018

Poorly differentiated cell populations including tumor-initiating stem cells have been demonstrated to display a unique ability to natively internalize fragmented double-stranded DNA. Using this feature as a marker, we show that 0.1% to 6% of human glioblastoma cells from the bioptates can effectively internalize a fluorescently labeled DNA probe. Of these, using samples from 3 patients, 66% to 100% cells are also positive for CD133, a well-established surface marker of tumor-initiating glioma stem cells. Using the samples from primary malignant brain lesions (33 patients), we demonstrate that tumor grading significantly correlates ( R = .71) with the percentage of DNA-internalizing cells. No such correlation is observed for relapse samples (18 patients).
Social relationship for physical objects
Authors: Wei Dawei , Ning Huansheng , Qian Yuke , Zhu Tao
Published: January 2018

To apply the algorithms in Internet of Things for physical world objects, the relationship between physical objects is becoming more and more complicated. As we know, social relationship is widely used in human world and social Internet of Things to solve the multiple object problems. Thus, a way via combining social relationship with physical object to solve the problem with a huge number of objects or complicated interactions among objects has been analyzed. This article proposes a new concept of “Physical Objects’ Social Relationship” for describing, managing, and predicting the relationships between physical objects in Internet of Things. The classification method for physical objects’ social relationships is proposed using the spatial-temporal attribute of social relationships. Moreover, the logical expression method for physical objects’ social relationships is discussed.
An empirical study on real-time data analytics for connected cars: Sensor-based applications for smart cars
Authors: Kim Jonghyuk , Hwangbo Hyunwoo , Kim Soyean
Published: January 2018

Connected cars, which are vehicles connected to wireless networks through the convergence of automotive and information technologies, have become an important topic of academic and industrial research on automobiles. In this research, we conducted a field experiment to understand vehicle maintenance mechanisms of a connected car platform. Specifically, we investigated the feasibility of prognostics and health management under different driving circumstances, with varying vehicle models, vehicle conditions, drivers’ propensity for speeding, and road conditions. We collected sensor data through a two-stage model of vehicle communication using an on-board diagnostics scanner and data transmission using wireless communication. We found that device defects can be predicted based on driving situations such as the driving mode, mechanical characteristics, and a driver’s speeding propensity.
Promoting Physical Activity Through Youth Sports Programs: It’s Social
Authors: Howie Erin K. , Daniels Bryce T. , Guagliano Justin M.
Published: January 2018

Youth sport is a key physical activity opportunity for children and adolescents. Several factors influence youth sport participation, including social factors, but this has not to date been clearly delineated. This study is a scoping review to survey the literature on the influence of family and peers on youth sports participation. The review identified 111 articles of which the majority were cross-sectional, included boys and girls, and were conducted primarily in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The articles were grouped into 8 research themes: (1) reasons for participation, (2) social norms, (3) achievement goal theory, 4) family structure, (5) sports participation by family members, (6) parental support and barriers, (7) value of friendship, and (8) influence of teammates. Friendships were key to both initiation and maintenance of participation, parents facilitated participation, and children with more active parents were more likely to participate in sport. Less is known on how family structure, sibling participation, extended family, and other theoretical frameworks may influence youth sport. The review suggests that social influences are important factors for ensuring participation, maximizing the quality of the experience, and capitalizing on the benefits of youth sport. Future research studies, programs, and policies promoting and developing evidence-based youth sporting experiences should consider social influences on youth sport participation.
Investigation on acoustic energy harvesting based on quarter-wavelength resonator phononic crystals
Authors: Guo Hui , Wang Yansong , Wang Xiaolan , Xu Chi
Published: January 2018

This article presents the development of an acoustic energy harvester using a quarter-wavelength resonator phononic crystals together with piezoelectric vibrators. The quarter-wavelength resonator phononic crystals consist of a main wave duct, several quarter-wavelength resonators, and equivalent piezoelectric vibrators. The acoustic energy is converted to mechanical energy when the sound incident in the quarter-wavelength resonator generates an oscillatory pressure as of localization efficiency, which in turns causes piezoelectric vibrators vibrating. Transfer matrix method is used to provide a physical insight into the structure band of the quarter-wavelength resonator phononic crystals, and finite element method is used to analyze the sound localization effect and evaluate the reclaimed energy of the quarter-wavelength resonator phononic crystals. Results indicate that the numerical analysis agrees well with experiments. When the frequencies of the incident sound are near both sides of the bandgap, the maximum output voltage always can be obtained.
Lessons of German Unification for Korea
Authors: Yang Chang-Seok
Published: January 2018

Despite differences between Korea and Germany, German unification provides valuable lessons for Korean unification. Maintaining a dialogue channel between the two Koreas is critical for keeping peace and promoting reconciliation. It is also imperative that South Korean humanitarian work resume in the North. With humanitarian projects, South Korean NGOs can increase contact with ordinary North Korean people. “Change through contact” is a crucial method of demonstrating love for those in North Korea, promoting relationship-building and trust that may facilitate in creating a foundation for rebuilding North Korea and ultimately reuniting the Korean people.
Reconstruction of Diaphragmatic Defects With Human Acellular Dermal Matrix
Authors: Hurdle Valerie , Ly Kristine , Yeung Justin K. , Graham Andrew J. , Gelfand Gary A. , Schrag Christiaan
Published: January 2018

Large diaphragmatic defects present a reconstructive challenge, often necessitating the use of synthetic materials. We report our experience reconstructing large diaphragmatic defects using human acellular dermal matrix (HADM). Patients unable to undergo primary repair of diaphragmatic defects from 2009 to 2013 were reconstructed using HADM. A chart review was performed to investigate immediate and late post-operative outcomes. Construct stability was assessed with repeat imaging. In addition, a literature review was performed to identify studies in which HADM had been used for diaphragm repair. Four patients required reconstruction of large hemi-diaphragmatic defects. All patients had chest tubes placed, which remained in situ from 4 to 10 days post-operatively. Two patients also had drains in dead space surrounding HADM; these were removed between 6 and 9 days post-procedure. Length of hospital stay ranged from 8 to 65 days. Post-operative complications were seen in 2 patients: surgical site cellulitis and failure of extubation due to persistent respiratory failure. There were no adverse events related to HADM, and all patients remained disease free without evidence of repair failure on radiographic follow-up, ranging from 14 to 62 months. The literature review identified 3 studies in which all diaphragms repaired with HADM remained intact without need for explantation despite common post-operative complications including fluid collections and surgical site infections. Diaphragm reconstruction with HADM is limited to a small number of patients and modest follow-up periods; the neodiaphragms appear durable in contaminated fields, without evidence of repair failure. Our results, and previously published data, indicate HADM is a reasonable option for diaphragm repair.
How I treat type 2B von Willebrand disease
Authors: Kruse-Jarres Rebecca , Johnsen Jill M.
Published: January 2018

Type 2B von Willebrand disease (VWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by changes in von Willebrand factor (VWF) that enhance binding of VWF to GPIb on platelets. Although this disorder is seemingly well defined because of this single molecular defect, in reality type 2B VWD is a clinically heterogeneous disorder that can be difficult to identify and manage. Diagnostic criteria include a history of mucocutaneous bleeding, laboratory studies showing enhanced VWF binding of platelets and/or a 2B VWD genetic variant, and a family history consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance. Thrombocytopenia, although not always present, is common and can be exacerbated by physiologic stressors such as pregnancy. The mainstay of therapy for type 2B VWD is VWF replacement therapy. Adjunct therapies useful in other types of VWD, such as antifibrinolytics, are also used in type 2B VWD. 1-Desamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) is controversial because of exacerbation of thrombocytopenia, but is, in practice, sometimes used for minor bleeding. Here we review the available evidence and provide 3 clinical cases to illustrate the intricacies of diagnosing type 2B VWD to describe the response to DDAVP and to review complexities and management during pregnancy.
Antileakage least-squares spectral analysis for seismic data regularization and random noise attenuation
Authors: Ghaderpour Ebrahim , Liao Wenyuan , Lamoureux Michael P.
Published: January 2018

Spatial transformation of an irregularly sampled data series to a regularly sampled data series is a challenging problem in many areas such as seismology. The discrete Fourier analysis is limited to regularly sampled data series. On the other hand, the least-squares spectral analysis (LSSA) can analyze an irregularly sampled data series. Although the LSSA method takes into account the correlation among the sinusoidal basis functions of irregularly spaced series, it still suffers from the problem of spectral leakage: Energy leaks from one spectral peak into another. We have developed an iterative method called antileakage LSSA to attenuate the spectral leakage and consequently regularize irregular data series. In this method, we first search for a spectral peak with the highest energy, and then we remove (suppress) it from the original data series. In the next step, we search for a new peak with the highest energy in the residual data series and remove the new and the old components simultaneously from the original data series using a least-squares method. We repeat this procedure until all significant spectral peaks are estimated and removed simultaneously from the original data series. In addition, we address another problem, which is random noise attenuation in the data series, by applying a certain confidence level for significant peaks in the spectrum. We determine the robustness of our method on irregularly sampled synthetic and real data sets, and we compare the results with the antileakage Fourier transform and arbitrary sampled Fourier transform.
Linearized formulations and approximate solutions for the complex eikonal equation in orthorhombic media and applications of complex seismic traveltime
Authors: Huang Xingguo , Greenhalgh Stewart
Published: January 2018

We have developed linearized complex eikonal equations for orthorhombic media and the analytic solution for homogeneous acoustic media. The linearized formulations are developed from the highly nonlinear complex eikonal equation using a perturbation analysis. The analytic solution is obtained by expanding the complex traveltime in a Taylor series and constructing its coefficients. A critical factor for deriving this analytic expression is to apply the complex point-source method to the analytic expression for the background anisotropic medium. The analytic expressions show that the complex traveltime is a function of the anisotropic parameters, wave velocity, and spatial coordinates. We give the numerical results of the complex traveltime for different anisotropic parameters and initial beam widths. Furthermore, numerical examples are investigated for various coefficients as a function of the coordinates.
A dual role of the extracellular domain ofDrosophilaCrumbs for morphogenesis of the embryonic neuroectoderm
Authors: Das Shradha , Knust Elisabeth
Published: January 2018

Epithelia are highly polarised tissues and several highly conserved polarity protein complexes serve to establish and maintain polarity. The transmembrane protein Crumbs (Crb), the central component of the Crb protein complex, is required, among others, for the maintenance of polarity in most epithelia in the Drosophila embryo. However, different epithelia exhibit different phenotypic severity upon loss of crb. Using a transgenomic approach allowed us to more accurately define the role of crb in different epithelia. In particular, we provide evidence that the loss of epithelial tissue integrity in the ventral epidermis of crb mutant embryos is due to impaired actomyosin activity and an excess number of neuroblasts. We demonstrate that the intracellular domain of Crb could only partially rescue this phenotype, while it is able to completely restore tissue integrity in other epithelia. Based on these results we suggest a dual role of the extracellular domain of Crb in the ventral neuroectoderm. First, it is required for apical enrichment of the Crb protein, which in turn regulates actomyosin activity and thereby ensures tissue integrity; and second, the extracellular domain of Crb stabilises the Notch receptor and thereby ensures proper Notch signalling and specification of the correct number of neuroblasts.
Recent progress on the molecular pharmacology of propofol
Authors: Tang Pei , Eckenhoff Roderic
Published: January 2018

The precise mechanism by which propofol enhances GABAergic transmission remains unclear, but much progress has been made regarding the underlying structural and dynamic mechanisms. Furthermore, it is now clear that propofol has additional molecular targets, many of which are functionally influenced at concentrations achieved clinically. Focusing primarily on molecular targets, this brief review attempts to summarize some of this recent progress while pointing out knowledge gaps and controversies. It is not intended to be comprehensive but rather to stimulate further thought, discussion, and study on the mechanisms by which propofol produces its pleiotropic effects.